First Up-Belly Photos

By popular request, I'm posting my belly photos to the whole internet. Last pregnancy everyone was emailed a photo like every month and then every week at the end. So, below is me at almost 6 1/2 months.

Party Invitations - check

Last weekend Madigan sent out her party invitations. (This was another day she chose a crazy non-matching outfit herself.) She has been talking about her birthday for months. I'm not sure how we'll keep up the hype once it passes. 3 must be a very big year since the understanding of such a holiday is much clearer and anticipated. She even tells me at the store she could get "that" for her birthday....and usually she says she can get it for her birthday party. We did get her a few items, but have asked the kids not to bring presents this year again. I'm more focused on what our family birthday traditions will be (more on those later).

Misc

The prisoner of books:
Babies lined up by size:

When I asked Madigan what the below pictures was I expected mouse....but no, this is a hedgehog, completely drawn by Madigan!!

Farm Party

A couple of Saturdays ago, we headed to our favorite farm-Rocky Creek Farm- for a birthday party. Beckett turned 5! It was almost the end of September and in the 80's by 11am. Here's a couple of pictures of Madigan and the boys..

Dressing herself as usual

Madigan picks her outfits 99% of days and this was one of those days. It doesn't look as crazy in photo as it did about town.

Bigger Bed

We bought Madigan a twin size mattress. We're still deciding what type of bed frame (trundle, day, bunk, etc) to get so it's on the floor for now. It's actually a great height for her to get in and out of easily (and Barnaby too of course). She takes all of her naps in it (still!) and we're working on night time. The Dora and Puppy set was on sale at Kmart and although I would have much preferred something non-Disney or character-y this is what she wanted....and if it helps keep her in her bed I'm all for it.

Homemade Stickers (again)

A couple of weeks ago, Madigan and I made another batch of homemade stickers. I have a couple of large hole punches for shapes, but she's happy with any shape you cut out. She paints the mix on and then Mom cuts. When it's time to use them, Madigan gives them a lick and sticks em on some paper--and that's it! There's a recipe below- not sure it's the exact one I made but they're all generally the same.

Sticker Adhesive

1 packet (1/4 ounce) unflavored gelatin
1 tablespoon cold water
3 tablespoons boiling water
1/2 teaspoon sugar or corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract (or flavor of choice)

Sprinkle gelatin into cold water and soften for 5 minutes. Pour boiling water into gelatin mixture, stirring until dissolved. Add corn syrup or sugar and extract. Mix well.

Using a paint brush, thinly apply a layer of adhesive to the back of the sticker sheet. Allow to dry completely. Page will curl.

Any leftover adhesive will gel overnight. Store these leftovers in a glass container with tight fitting lid. To return to original state, place container in a pan of hot water until the glue becomes usable again. Unused adhesive can be refrigerated for several months.

To use stickers, moisten with a damp cloth (or lick).