Quick Takes.

Linking up with the cool kids today!

1. This week has been one giant ball of blah. Minus Wednesday, because HELLO.

I'm not really sure why I'm so blah this week. Maybe a combination of the stupid time change and the overwhelming feeling that winter is just never going to end. EVER. 

2. Remy has declared war on naps this week. Again, another casualty of the stupid time change. By 4 o'clock in the afternoon, he is a monster. A sleep deprived, overdone monster who terrorizes people twice his size. 

3. Sometime between the hours of 8 and 10 AM today, my dear pest control company is coming out to seal up my house to protect it from the enormous community of bats that live in my neighborhood. On one hand I'm thrilled that my house will be less likely to experience unwanted guests this summer, but on the other hand I'm outright peeved that I have to pay someone an ungodly amount of money to ensure my husband doesn't have to chase winged mammals around at 3AM.

4. This popped up on my reader this morning and I wish I could print out a copy and give it to approximately everyone I know who isn't Catholic. The amount of anti-Catholic rhetoric and absolutely ridiculous misconceptions about the Church that I heard this spouted off this week was enough that I feel like a trip to the confessional to unload my disdain is imminent.

5. I just sound like sunshine and roses this morning, eh?

6. Something happy..something happy..oh! Owen and Olivia both had artwork selected to be displayed at the local middle school's art show. Super proud mom status.

7. Only about three more weeks until I can officially say goodbye to the first trimester and the first trimester hormones that have obviously turned me into a rage monster! Sorry, I guess? 

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Habemus Papam!

It only felt right to drop in and acknowledge today.

Seriously. The Holy Spirit never disappoints.

Pope Francis! 

Learn more about our new Supreme Pontiff.

Such a joyful, joyful day.

Everything is a damn production.

I know, I know.

Whining isn't cute. 

But it's all I really can muster up the strength for lately. (dramatic much?) I can say two things for sure about the past couple days:

1. The day that I can get these children in and out of a vehicle without it feeling like climbing Mt. Everest with the World's Heaviest Carseat will be a cause for immense celebration. Getting from the back door to the vehicle in the garage goes a little something like this:

Remy. Remy, stop taking off your coat. Okay, now let's balance an eleven pound diaper bag with the World's Heaviest Carseat containing the World's Chubbiest Baby and while trying to shimmy a very impatient two year old into his coat. Now, Remy..can you open the door for Mommy? Good boy! No, no, no! Don't run into the back alley! No, you may not step in that snow drift. Remy Allen Helm, get in the garage. No, but don't touch the weedeater! REMY! Haphazardly sets down World's Heaviest Car Seat to catch the World's Naughtiest Two Year Old and finally, mercifully..strap him in his car seat. Oh and let's not forget to get the baby in the car.

Every single time we leave the house. Forty-seven times a day. 

2. I solemnly swear that even after my children are grown, I will not turn into one of the 'sneering ladies.'

Oh, you've seen them. Especially if you have a toddler. And especially, especially if you have a noisy toddler who doesn't care to listen to its mother. Deep in throws in another public tantrum, there will inevitably be the one lady (who am I kidding? Usually multiple people..) who gives you the World's Most Obvious Stinkeye. Because yes, I totally enjoy scraping my two year old off the floor in public and I make sure that he does this just to annoy you, lady. 

See also, the lady who sits two pews in front of us in church who refuses to acknowledge my 'sign of peace' whenever my kids make any kind of audible noise. 

...

That's all folks. 

7 Quick Takes.

Linking with the perpetually pregnant Jen this week!

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1. So I was supposed to go see my doctor and have my first ultrasound last week. But my dear, dear husband had to cancel on coming home to watch the little kids at the last minute. And I had to reschedule. I tried, really tried to not be unreasonable, (hello hormones!) but having to delay that appointment another week seemed like complete torture. 

2. But, not so surprisingly, the weeks sort of fly when you're taking care of four little people.

3. Baby #5 is growing right on target and is looking quite bobblehead-ish and adorable with a heartrate of 169bpm. I was 100% correct about my dates and am officially due October 5th. Which means two summers in a row of being pregnant in a house without central A/C. I apologize in advance for any posts made in July.

4. Owen and Olivia are really into trying to name the yet to be known child. On their list of possible names for their newest sibling/subject of torture: 

Boy: Bob, Steve, Doug

Girl: Olivia the second

They must think I'm going to give birth to a middle aged man. Obviously, their lists need some work. 

5. In sad news, I have yet to be badgered by any girl scouts to buy cookies this year. Not a single one. I'm so disappointed. And so hungry for thin mints.

6. Owen put the agony of last year's defeat behind him and competed in his karate school's annual tournament last weekend. Dude won first place in his division!

7. 10 weeks-ish bumpage for good measure.

It's the freakin' weekend!

Rosie {7 months + a few}

My sweet, sweet Rosie..or as Remy like to call her..Row-eeee. Time's a flying with her. 

She's decided that she is no longer content to just sit. She wants to crawl. And she tries...and tries...and cries...and tries.

She really is such a good baby. And that's not just me being her mom. She is content with life as long as she is within view of her brothers and sister. 

She loves to babble and that little tongue is constantly sticking out of her mouth.

Those eyes! Those pretty blue eyes just about do me in.

She has the funniest little deep, raspy laugh.

I can't believe we've already rounded the bend towards her first birthday. Unreal.

Cherishing every moment. 

Today {in pictures}

spit covered brownies.

Just a few minutes ago, while contemplating all the reasons why I haven't had a free second to blog in oh, three weeks, I hear Remy screaming from the kitchen. And then I hear my six year old's voice..

"Oh, stop crying and just eat it already, Remy!"

More toddler screaming.

Then an angry Remy appears in the living room and proceeds to dump a bowl of spit-covered mashed up brownies on the floor at my feet.

Grunts something something about "more juuuuuice." and then eats the half digested brownies.

I'm not sure where I'm going with this other than to say that kids are kind of gross.

...

I've been thinking way too much about blogging lately and not doing enough actual blogging. I read a lot of blogs (understatement.) And after I'm done reading all these wonderfully written, well thought out blog posts by all these folks who are 1000x more organized, well dressed, more...just insert any adjective really..I can't help but just sulk in the corner and be all, "I'm not a cool kid." Then 1998 calls and demands their piss poor adolescent attitude back. 

...

I'm going to stick a picture in here because this is supposed to be a picture blog but it seems that taking pictures has taken a back seat to wiping snotty noses these past few weeks.

(Taken on this day exactly one year ago.)