Prepping for Baby #5

The count down is on. Mid October will be here in 5 minutes, so I finally decided to get ready for this baby. 

I have a carseat, diapers, and a crib. 

That's pretty much what ya need to get started, right? And a few onesies! 

I'm remembering back to my list of baby essentials and freezer meals.....7 years ago.

32 + weeks

Mini Boden had a sale and I could not resist these. Look at this packaging. Details matter.

It's getting too real. 

We do not have a bedroom or even a closet nursery, so this babe will be sleeping in our room for the unforeseeable future. Wishing and hoping and praying for a good sleeper.

See that dark corner over my shoulder? We cleaned it up a bit this weekend. Baby's going in the corner.

I found this dresser at my favorite flea market over the weekend to hold all her little baby things. Crib still needs to be set up. 

I am excited, anxious, and very close to the GET THIS BABY OUT OF ME stage. 

Back to School

We are back in school, baby! 

My emotions got the best of me when I snapped this picture. Hopefully my children understood that I was crying happy, sentimental tears. God has been faithful to see us through homeschooling, career changes, and a surprise, but blessedly uneventful pregnancy.

My 11 year old gave me a serious talking to about not getting emotional "at the school." I did ok.

I relished the first day home alone, making myself a real lunch and eating in a quiet house. 

First day of pick up, they were all smiles and good reports x 4!

I'm working HARD on establishing good routines. A family of 5 kids needs order. 

Speaking of large families, ever seen Yours, Mine, and Ours? It's so good. 

Our after school routine goes like this: 

backpacks in lockers

lunch boxes to the kitchen

WASH YOUR HANDS I'm a stickler for this with a newborn coming.

change clothes

snack + free time + homework + activities 

The afternoons are go go go, but it's all good things. We have jumped into cross country and football practices. 

Caroline put this picnic snack together while we waited out a cross country practice last week.

I think Friday night Little Ceasar's is going to be our go-to this season. By the end of the week, 

I. am. done. I think we all are, right?

Here's a tip. Order and pay online at LC. They pop it in a warming drawer and you can just walk in and grab it. No transaction required. 

I'm signing off with my sweet, little 1st grader. We had a rare afternoon just the two of us. We enjoyed a warm chocolate chip cookie + an iced latte + a chocolate muffin and "light" conversation.

"Are God and Jesus the same?" 

"When did Jesus go to heaven?"

Bye, summer

Summer, you were good to us. 

I know we technically have until September 21st to call summer, but school started today, and so summer vacation has come to a close. We had a full and happy time. Our cup runneth over. 

We swam. We grew tomatoes. We camped. We beached.

Stephen and I had a kid sabbatical with all 4 of them gone for a week! 

This next season of life is going to be different. First of all,  I will not be homeschooling any of my children for the first time in 3 years. Last year, I had George with me. I treasure that year and all the one on one time we had together.

They will all be at the same school. Hallelujah! This has never happened before. My game face is on for carpool, packed lunches, homework, after school sports, and early bedtimes. 

I am so excited for us. I think it's going to be a really fun season. 

Also, different about this year...we are having a BABY, a girl, in October. 

When we found out we were expecting, Stephen said, "Well, I never really wanted to be an empty nester."

Looks like we bought ourselves 18 more years. 

This baby is a bonus baby, a family baby. I'm sure when she arrives we won't be able to imagine life before...just like with all the others. 

Caroline is thrilled to be a big sister! When she was born, my oldest was her age, going into 1st grade. 

I write this post hoping and wishing that I might resurrect my blog in this next chapter. With school age kids gone for the day and a baby at home, I'm craving a outlet. A few of you flatter me and tell me you've missed it (SWM). You've mentioned that you occasionally refer back to old posts. What a compliment! 

With the trend down in blogging + having older kids, it is a challenge to write. Most days I've used up all my brain power. Blogging was easier with little kids. Not sure why. 

I leave you with a belly pic. My friend, Caroline, snapped this of me on the 4th of July. She said, "I bet you don't have many pictures of yourself pregnant with your 5th child." 

She's right. Thank you, Caroline! 

Okay, that's all for now. 

See ya later.