First Day of School

Spare Change

Olivia has such a kind heart. So much so that she spent 17 dollars of her birthday money, and tooth fairy money on her sisters for their birthday. Her sisters had their hearts set on a little doll they had seen in some store. Paige and Claire tend to be in the here and now. They want it, there is nothing they could possible want more later, they have to have it!!! Yes, it's dramatic like that too. I ignore it, not Olivia. So Todd made sure that's what she wanted to do with her money and helped her with the purchases. She was so excited she couldn't stand it. Paige and Claire of course were thrilled for a week, and now their new dolls are not quite so exciting. They were itching to spend their birthday money and gift cards.

So when it came time to empty piggy banks into purses, Olivia ran to gather her money too. She had a few dollars that she had conned out of grandpa and change. She was just as excited till we got to the store and I showed her what she could afford. She was so bummed. It was so hard not to give her more money. Daddy gave her a big hug and whispered "remember how happy your sister were?" She did, but it didn't help much.

She has been busy collecting pennies and dimes she finds around the house and she sold me a key chain she made a while back. She also begged for me to let her set up a table so she could sell some of her most valuable things. She was so determined so I let her.

I threw 50 cents in the jar to get her started, but sad to say she had no takers. Not even on the free ones. I felt that maybe had she said "Idaho rocks for sale" then she may have had an edge. I imagine she will take mail orders.

She is also willing to give make-overs. I have seen the outcome of these though, and I would advise you to buy some rocks!

Man, I love that girl!

So far

Here's just a little look into what we have been up to since arriving in C'ville.

There are over 22 miles of nature trails that loop around town called the Rivanna Trails. Todd has been looking into them trying to find a route to get him to school, only to find out that they are really not meant for mountain biking. He was constantly having to get off the bike, to go over downed trees. Then he would come home covered in mud because the bike stopped, but he didn't. One day it took him 30 minutes to go three miles and it was then he decided it would be safer to ride on the main road than to take the trails!

That hasn't kept him off the trails though, he has been up early every morning to go running. He comes home everyday to tell us about the deer he sees and how close he was. So one afternoon we all went out to have a look. While we didn't see any deer we enjoyed the beautiful walk.

Deer seem to be everywhere. We were having dinner one evening when one of the kids spotted the deer across the street in the neighbors lawn. There were 4, three does and one buck.

Last Sunday we took the kids to the splash park and had a picnic.

Our Blueberry bushes are going crazy! I am having a hard time keeping up. I have a gallon frozen already. They just keep on coming.

I need to get better about taking pictures and I will work on it but just want to share with you what I have.

Todd starts orientation tomorrow!

Better out than in I always say

Three months old now and just as squishy as ever! Ben stops people where ever we go. They have to rub his soft down hair and catch a glimpse of his gummy smile. Squish, squish, squish, you could seriously eat this kiddo!!!

Poor little Ben had a rough bout this month with constipation. It probably bothered me more than it did him, but it lasted long enough that I think it is blog worthy. I actually wasn't that worried at first. I have had enough kids and asked the Dr. enough times to know that breastfed babies don't get constipated. It's a very rare thing (kind of like having twins and a vasectomy failing after 2 years). Boy we have all the luck, don't we? Anyway, I didn't even mention it at his 2 month check which he was like at day 8 of no pooping, because he passed gas regularly and seemed just as happy as ever. Well about 2 or 3 days after that I got called home from a mommy night out because he wouldn't stop crying. Of course by the time I got home he was fast asleep. Todd and I figured constipation was probably the culprit.

The next day however, probably deserves it's own post, everything happened all at once, and I was also right in the middle of packing up our house. The kids were bored with all the toys being packed up. The novelty of playing outside had worn off, they were hungry and all needed my attention, and Ben was screaming. I called Todd to let him know he was needed ASAP, and then called the Dr. to see if I could give Ben a little laxative. The Dr. gave me the ok, so I left Olivia in charge locked the little monsters, I mean the kids out of my room and grabbed one of Aaron's diapers. After all, I knew Ben's wouldn't hold what was coming, because I was still trying to fit his 15 lbs into a size two! The poor little guy let go and must have lost 2 lbs!

I wish that was the end of it, but it doesn't stop there. He didn't poop again for well over 2 weeks! And I am telling you that his gas could clear a room! On our trip here Grandpa actually rolled the windows down! It was that bad. Oh and I have a wonderful handy Udder cover made by the amazing Miranda, but when I feed him and he passes gas it all escapes right in my face! It's like cup-a-fooey basically. Nasty. You definitely don't want to be holding him when he does it either, because most people will look at you like they knew the baby didn't do that! Oh my word I couldn't make this up if I tried.

You will all be happy to know that he finally seems to be getting a bit more regular and the gas while still bad, is getting better. If you can say that gas gets better.

Poor Ben will probably hate me one day for writing this. How could I not though?

Here is how he has grown this month!

9 weeks

10 weeks

11 weeks

spent most of that week in a car!

12 weeks

2600 miles

We are finally settling in after a journey that included 6 days of driving, 5 different hotels, 2 vehicles, 11 states(if you count the 10 miles we were in Iowa), 1 day delay due to car trouble, 1 round of mastitis, 4 adults, 5 children, and a cat! Whew!! I of course packed my camera to take pictures of all the different things we would see, only to not grab it once. Instead I documented here and there with my cell. It was handy it was easy, and that's all you get. So love it.

This is somewhere in Wyoming...

Once we got to our hotel in Nebraska we decided to walk to the Cabellas up the way. We told the kids it was like a zoo for dead animals. As we walked I got the sneaky suspicion we were being followed. Turns out I was right.

We were a little concerned that Aaron might have allergy trouble being in a new area and all. So here he is in one of his Benadryl induced naps.

The kids were so excited for our stay in Missouri because the Ramada had the Monkey cove water park! We pulled into the hotel Grandma ran into get us checked in and Yukon gave out on us. It was Saturday evening so we had to wait till Monday to have it checked out. It was great that the kids had the water park to play in, unfortunately that was the ONLY good thing about that hotel. St. Joseph Missouri is also the place where mastitis set in, I felt it coming and tried to do hotpacks, but there is only so much you can do in a car. My Dr. in Boise phoned me in some antibiotics.

The Missouri River

Royals and Chiefs Stadium in Kansas City

We stopped for Dinner at the Peace Arch in St. Louis.

Then crossed over the Mississippi River....

and on into Indianna for the night.

Next morning we did a little car hopping. I road in the Penske with Todd, Ben and the cat. Leaving the kids with Grandma and Grandpa in the Yukon. They said they only had to threaten to "tell mom and dad" once! I was glad to have a little break from the kids. It came on a good day because I had a fever. I was in and out of sleep and Unfortunately not great company. Good thing he had the cat.

I thought Kentucky was beautiful.

Here is just outside of Louisville.

Our last night was spent in Charlston West Virginia. The kids got their swimming in.

Finally home sweet home.

The End