New Haircut

From time to time I like to experiment with a new haircut. I got the notion when I saw this adorable hairstyle on a lady that goes to my church. I desperately wanted to take a picture of it and take it in with me to the salon. But I thought she might think I was a little weird asking her to say "cheese".

The last time I went this drastic was during post pardoned depression with Riley. Bad mistake.....

So, today (Tuesday) I told my hair dresser to chop it off! It is a short stack in the back as it gets longer on the sides. I absolutely love it! It's still all one length, but it feels so much better! I'll eventually post a picture of the new hairdo in a couple of days.

At least I have a style for my upcoming trip to Dallas!

In a few days.....

I will be in an airplane heading for Dallas, TX.

A couple of my friends and I are going to the MOPS Convention on Thursday and returning on Sunday. For those of you that are not familiar with MOPS, it is a ministry for stay at home moms with young children. (ages birth to 6 years of age) We are driving to Raleigh, NC (to keep the cost down) and then taking a direct flight into Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport.

I am really looking forward to it, but I keep thinking about all the things that I need to take care of before I leave. Things like color my hair, making time for a hair cut, etc... The list goes on.

Thankfully, we live near Brent's family and the girls are planning on going to Grandma and Grandpa's house for a sleep over while I'm having some much needed "me" time. It works out really well because Brent doesn't have to take off from work. One less thing for me to worry about.

I'm going to miss my girls and Brent, but sometimes mommies need a break from time to time.

Birthday Presents

Brent did good. He always gives me the best gifts for my birthday. But he out done himself this year with a 2 x 3 ft canvas of the girls. He always ask me what I want for my birthday, but somehow he seems to surprise me every year.

The only thing I wanted from him was a nice ice bucket. I know it seems silly, but I have always wanted one. From the pictures, you can tell he knows me very well.

Thank you honey, I love you!

Over Whelmed......

to say the least.

Most people know that allergies are very common in our household. Brent with his tree nut allergies, Riley with peanut allergies and Campbell with shellfish allergies. These are three items that we have learned to live without. It has become second nature to us.

Until, yesterday.

My MIL and I took the girls to an Allergy Specialist yesterday for some clarification on a few issues. One being Riley's Eczema and another being Campbell's constant sneezing and runny nose. I was fairly confident that the shellfish and peanut allergy would be present during the testing process and possibly pets and a few outdoor irritants.

I was right.

Although, I was completely caught off guard with Riley's allergy results. She is also allergic to eggs and wheat. I did not see that coming. She has never had a reaction to them. Unless her reaction is the Eczema. I took her to a local hospital this morning for blood work to find out more answers. I should have the results by Monday.

Needless to say I am extremely over whelmed with this news.

Thankfully, God never puts anything on us that we can't handle. So, with God's help everything will be fine and life will be back to normal soon.

For now, Riley will eat a lot of meat, veggies, yogurt, and cheese. It could be so much worse.

May I Be Excused?

We have taught Campbell to ask, "May I be excused?" before she can leave the table after a meal. Hoping it will rub off on Riley as well.

After breakfast and lunch today Riley has been repeating the same phrase immediately after Campbell. She tries her best in her own baby language, but we can definitely tell that is what she is saying.

I just love good manners.

Baby #3

That's right......we are expecting baby #3 on April 1st. I am 11 weeks and 1 day at the moment. This was somewhat of a shock to all of us, but we are excited about having another little Munsey running around the house.

I've been meaning to write about this for a few weeks now, but the nausea was getting the best of me. Now that it is under control (with medication), I am starting to feel better and have more energy to keep up the blog.

Brent is hoping for a boy. I honestly could care less just as long as it is healthy.

I'll keep you updated.

It made my day

Riley and I went grocery shopping today. One of the things on my grocery list was a bottle of Marsala wine. This will be my first attempt at making Chicken Marsala. I love it at the local Italian Restaurants. So, why not make it for myself?

We were at the checkout line and the sales associate rung up the wine and asked for my ID. I was stunned.

Really?

I proudly pulled out my wallet and flashed my ID at her.

That just made my day!

First Day of School

Campbell had her first day of Preschool today. I was a little nervous for her because she cried when I left the room during orientation. Although, on the way to drop her off this morning she seemed very calm. A lot calmer than I was.

When I dropped her off the teacher invited her in and that was all it took. She simply walked in and didn't look back. Campbell even told the teacher that I was taking Riley to playgroup while she is in school. It didn't even phase her one bit.

Campbell was all smiles when I picked her up after school. She told me she was ready to go back to school on Monday.

I knew she would love it!

I have to admit it was a little strange only having one child for part of the day. Although, I can definitely get used to this!

daddy's parenting tip #1

i can't take credit for this, but follow the link below...
this is a great tip from Carlos at ragamuffinsoul.com

"jams the baby’s head all up in there"

Road Trip

The girls and I are headed to Alabama for a few days. We are leaving tomorrow after Riley's well visit and returning on Sunday. This will be the first time I have taken the girls to visit my parents by myself. I'm a little nervous, but they are such good travelers, I'm sure they will do just fine. Of course, the DVD player helps too.

Don't worry about Brent while we are gone. I'm sure his mom and dad will keep him well fed and entertained. He will probably enjoy the quiet and having the bed all to himself.

I usually end up sleeping in the middle of the bed and hogging all the covers anyway. It will be a nice change of pace for him. : )

Stinky

Riley is already saying a few words. Just to name a few, she is saying words like: mama, da-da, sissy, kitty, ball, boon (aka. balloon), no, yeah, hi, bye and the list goes on. She will basically repeat anything you ask her to, but she doesn't necessarily say them on her own.

Yesterday, she learned a new word. Don't worry, Brent didn't teach her this one. : )

She came up to me and said, "I stinky". {Does that count as her first sentence?} It took me a few tries to figure out what she was saying so I repeated it back to her. She shook her head yes and then proceeded to get me the diaper and wipes.

Sure enough, she had on a stinky diaper.

Does this mean she will be potty training soon?

Amazement Square

Sophia and Campbell are painting on a glass wall.











Riley is watching the flow of gravity with a golf ball.








Campbell and Riley are playing in the farm area.








Our local MOPS group had a play date at the Amazement Square in Lynchburg today. Approximately 20 of us were there and we all had a wonderful time. The kids absolutely loved it and the mommies enjoyed seeing them so happy and learning at the same time.

Afterwards, several of us went to Chick fil a for lunch and then headed back home. It was a long day, but worth every minute of it!

Vistors

This morning while I was drinking my coffee, I looked out the kitchen window and this is what I saw.

Turkeys.

It looks like a mommy (hen) and daddy (tom or gobbler) with 12 little babies (poults). I have seen them at my MIL's back yard a few times, but this was the first time they have gotten this close to my house. They didn't even seem to mind it when I opened the deck door and took a picture of them.

I hope they come back for a visit soon.

By the way, here's some fun turkey facts:

http://www.saskschools.ca/~gregory/thanks/tkyinfo.html

Yogurt

Riley loves yogurt. She has eaten it since she could have solids. So, today I let her feed herself. I was around the house doing some chores and I checked back in on her a couple minutes later and it was gone! Not a drop on the floor. A little on the food tray and on her hands and face. Other than that, it was all in her tummy.

My little girl is growing up so fast.

Homestead Creamery

The local MOPS Group in our area (Mother's of Preschoolers) went on a tour of the Homestead Creamery today. Around 30 of us including children were able to tour the creamery and the dairy farm.

Before any of us could enter the creamery, we had to put on hair nets. Don't we look lovely?

We learned how the ice cream, butter, and milk were made. They even gave us samples of ice cream and milk too. It was a special treat because my neighbor and her two kids were able to join us this year as well.

After we toured the creamery, we headed over to the dairy farm and all the kids got to pet a baby calf that was less than a week old. It was so cute. It reminded me of "Norman" on City Slickers.

At the end of our tour all the kids were given a coloring book, pencil, eraser and sticker.

This play date is such a huge hit...we are already making plans to go again next year!

Car Wash

The girls helped me wash my van today. I don't know who got the wettest....me or the girls.

I lost count of how many times I had to refill the water bucket after the 10th time! Oh well, it kept them entertained for the first part of the morning.

Brosnan Forest

We had such a wonderful time at Brosnan Forest. It truly was a vacation for me considering my parents joined us and they did a lot of baby sitting. Brent and I were able to spend a lot of one-on-one time with each other. Including a day trip to Charleston, SC.

My favorite part was the daily bike rides with Brent and the girls. It was something that we could all do together and everyone seemed to enjoy it.

Most importantly, my children are such good travelers. It makes for a pleasant ride to any destination.

I have uploaded the pictures of our vacation. Enjoy all 116 of them!

on location...vacation 2008

we're here, vacating. a few mid-week photos...


ever vacation with a wife and two daughters?


Campbell has become a skilled fisherman
(without an actual hook of course)


near the South Carolina coast + July = CURLS!!!


--BSM

Salem Fair

We always look forward to the Salem Fair. It is one of the biggest high lights around this time every year. It is where I get my once a year funnel cake fix!

Campbell is finally big enough to ride the kiddie rides by herself and she is determined to ride all of them! Riley was content in her stroller, but she was very clear that she wanted to ride the Carousel. She loved it! Laughing and giggling the entire time.

This time next year Riley will be able to ride with big sister!

Fun Day

While Campbell and Ida were at the pool, John came over to play with Riley. They were so cute together. I wish they could stay this age forever!

After lunch we decided to take a stroller ride around the neighborhood. Then it was time to come back inside because of the heat and we took advantage of the playroom upstairs. Both of them headed straight for the table and started looking at books and playing with a few puzzle pieces.

Before long, the girls came back from the pool and the play date had ended. I couldn't believe how fast the time went by. Both toddlers were happy and played so well with each other.

I just hope John and Riley are just as good of friends as Campbell and Ida.