Lately

So. It looks like I've been missing from here for over three weeks, though I must admit it really does feel like much longer. I don't know what my reason for it is, because I think it may be a lot of things put together. I've been in my own little bubble these last few weeks, and gone through some good highs and some low lows, and I just haven't had the desire or the energy for the internet. Pregnancy just does things to me that I can't really anticipate, and sometimes it chews me up and spits me out, and I don't know what hit me at the end of it.

I think I mostly just wanted to be left alone for a while to do my own thing, get things done, get my life organized, and get my mind around all the changes that are about to take place in my life. I've had some really lonely nights, some insanely busy days, and a lot of emotions these last few weeks. I've also been nesting like nobody's business. I tend to get anxious and worry if I'm not completely prepared for something, which also translates into bad sleep, so I've been doing everything I can around the house to put things in order and prepare for this baby. I've sold things on Craigslist, bought things on Craigslist, cleaned out every closet in the house now, replaced all the clothes/shoes/sports equipment the kids are outgrowing, and purged and purged to get the useless things out of my life. I still have plenty of unfinished projects to finish, but I'm happy with my progress and the direction things are going.

Just this last week alone, we went to a birthday party, finished working on taxes and had our tax appointment, took Olivia to urgent care, had three soccer practices and a soccer game, had an OB appointment, went back to the doctor with Olivia, went to kindergarten registration, took all three kids to the dentist, did a Fun Run with the kids for their school, and had various Craigslist appointments as well. We now have a carseat, a breast pump, and picked up our crib from the in-laws, and I'm currently washing baby clothes and blankets for the first six months. I have two and a half weeks to go, and I'm pretty miserable by now, so I'm glad I don't have too much longer to go.

Hopefully now I will crawl out of my shell a little bit and start going out more, but who knows. I may just continue to cozy up in my own little world until this baby decides to arrive. Yesterday evening we had my sister and her family over to join us in the hot tub, and the guys grilled up some burgers and portobello mushrooms while us girls and all our wild kids soaked in the hot tub. It was a good way to end a really good day. And now I'm off to watch the story of Joseph with the fam, so I better wrap this up. :)

Here are some things we've been doing lately (and lately is used very broadly here, since it's been weeks since most of these were taken).

1. The kids love having their cousins over, and we've been seeing more of them than ever.
2. Little creature
3. Zuppa Toscana
4. I'm getting better and better at golubtsi (Ukrainian cabbage rolls). I have come to realize Ukrainian recipes take time and patience to get right, and will most likely not turn out just like your mom makes them on your first try. It doesn't help that my mom does everything by eye, either.
5. Tearing up catalogs together.
6. Hey there! Whatcha doin'?
7&8. Stop/go
9. Mila and Noah with their freshly-made road and stop sign.
10. Busy reading.

xoxo,
Tanya