Well, you know what?

That is how Nori starts all of her sentences. "Well, you know what? We should have some chocolate chips" Either that or, "I have an idea! Let's have some chocolate chips". Girls. Baby Hen is starting to nap better...once in a while...some days. She loves it when I hum a little Crash Test Dummies just like her big sister used to. Just because I am tone deaf does not mean I don't have joy in my heart.

Well, you know what? Another weekend has passed us by although there is still time left for chocolate chips (2 points on WW). We went to two bonfires, had two family walks, shopped at two grocery stores, and took care of two kids. Does that even make sense? Well, you know what? I don't care. Bloom had a chili bonfire on Thursday nigh at Central Park in Roseville and the weather was perfect! On Friday, Nori knew something was up when she awoke from her nap to see a tablecloth on the table. "What happened? Who is coming? Ahhhh!!! I am so excited!". We had Luke, Amy & Mia over and Jake cooked! Saturday night we hung with our favs, The Ho & 1/2 McIntyre Families outdoors for an almost relaxing bonfire. Jake even wore his camo pants (why does he own camo pants? funny story, you should ask him). Side note: I am firearm certified but that is completely unrelated.

Baby Henny

paint in my hair

Not to be dramatic, but I literally might collapse and die of exhaustion. This is practically the first chance I have had to sit down since I was at work on Thursday. We worked ALL weekend creating a fabulous new playroom in the color of Frozen Banana for our little girls. They owe us. Major thanks to Grandma Liz who painted her arse off and Grandpa Steve who changed a very messy diaper. A very special chest bump to Jake who hates painting but did it anyway for me. I could not have accomplished this project without your man skills! You know how on HGTV they make it look NBD to paint a room? Total liars. Huge deal.

Other accomplishments of the week include a solo trip the grocery with TWO kids! BTB, I do not recommend it. Don't laugh, but I made it through a whole week on Weight Watchers. Thank God I have the extra nursing points or I would never stay on track. When I hit my goal weight I am going on Oprah in a bikini. We also celebrated Ellen's 22nd...Happy Birthday Elle! Oh yeah, on Tuesday my mom got the all clear from the oncologist for no more check-ups. Yay! Now I just have one parent frequenting Masonic Cancer Clinic. Next up, two parents in the nursing home...

so happy together...

so happy apart...

Zoo Day with nanny Nicole ( yes, she is a bronze ape).

I play with toys now

running from the law

Somebody put on my mascara

They call me Bear. Foose Bear.

My Grandma can out paint your Grandma!

Spandex anyone?

Now, the moment you have been waiting for! Drum roll...

The old guest room BEFORE...

as good as it gets

this pile now is now in the hallway

The Playroom AFTER...

sunny reading spot

embroidery hoop art idea stolen from Pinterest

worthless closet now built-in bookcase

daybed for guests and stuffies alike

My little singers

Jasper & Horace (post titled by Norelle)

the self-proclaimed "Clumsy Ballerina" doing a twirl

What did you do for fun this weekend? Us? Oh nothing special, just wearing Daddy's socks like thigh highs and devouring an entire plate-sized chocolate chip Mickey Mouse-shaped pancake.

she is thrilled she got the Seltz nose

Papa's reading of Pinocchio had Nori in tears ( she was sad Pinocch spent the grocery money on candy)

My dear old dad (emphasis on the word old since he does not read this :) came to visit after his chemo was cancelled due to low white blood cells. At first I thought this was a good thing because high white blood cells mean you have an infection, but Duh! if they are too low your body can't fight infection. So Gemzar, you will have to wait until next week.

Shoulder Pads and The Twerp

In case you didn't notice, it was like totally nice out this weekend. Get off the laptop and and get outside. I know my English could be better when Nori pretends to speak for Henny saying, "She's all like, "What?"". That's my girl. As you know, typos are kind of my thing. I got a code for a free hardcover photo book from Shutterfly but it expired in 24 hours so I quickly threw together a book entitled "The Birth of Henley Cate". It contained several sentences that would make any English teacher cringe, much the like book I made for Nori awhile back, and every post on this blog.

favorite tree

We made our annual trip to Duluth this weekend to see our birth family. We dined at the most wonderful cafe featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives called At Sarah's Table Chester Creek Cafe where someone had the aforementioned pancake. Someone else had the signature cranberry wild rice bread French toast and someone else enjoyed the Greek omlet. Yum! Afterwards, we went to a corn maze where we wandered through the stalks and danced to some guy playing music inappropriate for kids (but I liked it). Tasha & LeRoy are expecting a baby in March so that is exciting for them!

It's just me or does Hen look mortified?

the dead ends were her favorite part

buds

Jake took the princesses up to the marathon today to cheer on runners and get some fresh air so they would nap well. Well, they cheered well but did not nap. Often my baby has trouble staying asleep, especially for naps. And during the night she gets really restless after about 4:00 a.m. so we find ourselves plopping her in the swing to avoid getting up before the paper boy.

It's all a part of my plan, wink

a little under bed reading during the time formerly known as nap

The Little Pink Hen

Four months Foosie

Weight 13 lbs 6 ounces = 45%
Length 24.5 inches = 60%
Head 41.5cm = 66%

loving life

and the boob!

I dont know what you are talking about!

Welcome back to another installment of "I cleaned my bathrooms and I have cute kids". This week we did the same things as usual, listen while I recount them in exact detail! A little known woman named Gramsie came to visit on Thursday as she needed cheering up due reasons I can not disclosure (witness protection program). Cue granddaughters who showered her with love and poop. Jill visited and later Casey & Jaimie joined Friday night when Nori performed a modern dance recital for them. On Saturday, shopping and napping ensued. Saturday night I continued my new tradition of going out on the town, this time attending Kelly's baby shower at Spill The Wine! (You may remember Kelly from her blog about waiting to adopt babies from China and Thailand? She has since made her blog private because she does not want the greasy likes of you reading it, but I'll fill you in...they are hoping to travel to Thailand this winter or early spring to bring home their daughter! Yay!!). This morning, we "hiked" at Minnehaha Falls and spent the rest of day getting ready for another week. At the current moment daughter #1 is in her room going on 4 hours until she attempts to pick up her stuffed animals and books, daughter #2 is taking one of her patented 20 minutes power naps while my only husband just declared he wants to have a breakdown because I forgot to buy sweet potato fries at the store. This is the stuff romance novels are made of.

I am finally starting to feel like myself again for the first time. I remember my wise friend Stacey telling me it took her a full year get back to normal after each kid. True, my birthing hips still kill but I am starting to feel human and slightly re-energized for doing things other than just surviving. My newest project is to turn our craptastic guest room into a playroom for the girls. We already bought a daybed so we can still have guests, but I think the space can serve other functions other than junk holding. Now, I just need to find time to paint & decorate the new, old space! I am trying to reclaim my domestic domain and no longer be tormented by heat, cold, , leaks, floods, or bad decor in this old house. Go me(gan).

sock bandit strikes again

You know what they say: Exersaucer at least 30 minutes 5 days a week

"I love her head" - Nori Seltz

Dorothy fears being replaced as the yellow riding toy

professional baby waker

we smell worse than we look

chillin in Sister's room

your diaper and TP chariot awaits. Notice my new Vornado heater?

We love our mom!