Lil Davin

That's Philip saying a name off our short list for the baby boy. Will David. LOL.

We have a new nephew, Rich and I! Ella and Philip's new cousin was born today..this afternoon. A baby boy, Brendan, to Rich's sister, Valerie, and her husband, Chad. Can't wait to see him. I was told he weighed 8 lbs 10 oz. And that he looks more like himself, LOL, than his brother Noah. Congratulations Valerie! Rich was excited because he ended up being right outside the door as he was delivered. He checked over in the unit during his work (he works at the same hospital).

I am so thankful for a few people, that I need to take a minute to thank....Elizabeth, Kimmy, and Beth. I had such a nice time last night drinking my free hot tea! AND, Beth, you are such a blessing...thank you for watching Philip while I had my OB appointment. I really appreciated it.

Short post, but I will post a page I made the other day of Ella, with a picture from this past summer. I made the flowers from some vintage papers about shorthand.

Balance

Hehe...what I don't have right now! LOL!

This baby likes to be on the right side of me..the other side is mushy, the right side you can tell he's there.

Morning routine, Buddy daytime routine, picking up Ella routine, and evening routine....it is taking work to get these balanced out and all the kinks out. I think we're finally getting some of the routines down though.

Oh, and MY sleeping routine is completely out of whack. Very uncomfortable belly of mine. And back pain....ugh.....this is something REALLY bothering me throughout the day. I am *trying* to focus on the "we have only 20 more days left" phrase to get through that discomfort.

I've been quite pokey at laundry lately, but Richie has helped so much. I am almost done with winter coats though, so we'll be all set and I won't have to worry about come Nov. 11 (or earlier....the hope!).

Trying to balance the weeks out here, with getting what we need. I was really blessed with finding some inexpensive clearanced baby washclothes (found out that after using some for Ella AND Philip, they are not worth keeping!), 2 playard sheets, and 2 bassinet sheets....and a nice green toile (I am a SUCKER for anything toile, especially GREEN toile!) swing from Once Upon A Child. Oh, and not a boppy yet, but this other nursing pillow that was clearanced that I heard is so much better, and I think, especially after a C Section. The boppy for the baby can wait!

I have loved washing the baby stuff...such a wonderful scent that Dreft is, and I think I may be repeating myself with that comment again!

Ella is starting to pick up on the reading process. I am so happy about that! I am thinking about trying to get the new Leap Pad pen/pad thing at some point.....it's just a pen that goes over the words in books, and seems to be a great tool with assisting literacy. More sophisticated then the "school bus" leap frog thing for toddlers.

More school news. She brought home a certificate and prize for being "caught" with good behavior. She bought lunch two days in a row last week, for something different, and did good with that change. She is a bit picky with what she eats (no PB&J, tacos, breaded chicken sandwiches, hamburgers..etc..). She likes her ham and cheese sandwiches and then she got a hot dog one day and pizza the next. Next week...breakfast for lunch one day. She's ALL about that! LOL!

This coming Monday, we'll begin Girl Scouts! They are supposed to do a craft, and it may be carving pumpkins, not sure though. I am so excited about GS! It'll be a challenge to get there some weeks, but one of us, Rich or I, will go.

I think I have my days and nights confused. All of a sudden, just a few days ago, I start really eating at 7 pm and on...LOL.....Of course, there's food throughout the day too..but come on. This is not well-balanced eating at all! I am loving pierogies lately! And nachos and cheese! And WHY did (we) buy Halloween candy already?

On to what was so wonderful the other day....

Rich and I went BY OURSELVES to a wonderful hotel in Sugarcreek, OH. The Carlisle Inn. Somehow, we were able to get a room. Rich called Saturday morning and checked for any cancellations, since they've been booked for awhile, and there were TWO. The man who answered was floored, and said we were really lucky. We only stepped out ONCE from our hotel during our stay (through Sunday around Noon). We had to go pick up our dinner, which we decided would just be pizza, something inexpensive since we spent a bit more on our hotel choice. Oh, totally worth it. Now, my job is to ebay something of Rich's so we can go again. LOL. He said, it's the carrot dangling in front of the horse. HA!

We had as much fun as we did on our honeymoon. So wonderful to be focused on each other. There was time for swimming, Scrabble playing (as they had a stock of board games in the lounge area), and even....piano playing! A beautiful baby grand sat on the second floor and welcomed pianists. I found a hymnal and other arrangement book in the bench, and had a delightful time with the music. Later on, Rich took out his mandolin, and we did several duets. There ended up being small audiences, and it was just a special time.

For down time, Richie played his music in the room and I scrapbooked. There was actually a scrapbooking/cropping weekend going on, and it's one that finds it way to a local inn as well, which was interesting. The couple running it was very nice, and I am thinking what a great way to get some scrapbooking done!

Beyond just having a wonderful time there, the place was stunning. We both hope to be there again. Well worth saving up. It had been years since we had gone away on our own! Now, be sure that we recommend it to other couples! We felt incredibly blessed this weekend.

Hopefully, there will be some layouts posted soon on here (that I've finished). Maybe another pic or two. And, a few links to some neat sites I've been finding as I search for educational, science, and nature toys.

Meanwhile, I pray that you all are safe, warm, content...and are feeling God's love. God Bless.

Please, view and pray

Our dear friend at SC, Stephanie, has a great deal to work with in her life. Her husband is away at war, and she has two precious little girlies to raise. She is such a beautiful, positive person..but these days are hard. Her husband's company was on the news in a few clips and he was interviewed as well( see clips 1 and 2)...seeing these was hard, and I cannot even fathom how hard it is for loved ones to watch. So, please keep this family, and all families with loved ones at war, in your prayers.

A little couponing

Well, I did do that today. With my savvy couponing and sale sleuthing I saved a little over 50% of my bill. Including 60 cent soap multipacks and $1.25 big juice bottles...yeah! I did feel badly for the other people waiting in line after me. It is tough just to watch someone else's coupons be scanned, especially when you have a HUGE pile of them!

I have about....um...200 coupons that need filed right now though LOL. Anyone want to help???! HELP!!!!!

That's the one thing that I hate....organizing and sorting and purging coupons. But, it is worth it. I am just not that organized, with anything I guess!

Philip did NOT help too much with this trip though (he needs a nap). It wasn't as bad as a trip as some other times though. He did help me the other day, quite a bit, when we scanned some items at a baby store (for a few family members to have a list of things we need). He had SO much fun doing that. I did too, because that trip actually helped me be organized a bit (and happy to be getting a coupon for list stuff soon in the mail!). I am trying little by little right now to get prepared. I have been so fatigued lately, so I don't get much done. I do have all the clothes washed for the baby, and he has enough of those. (Mommy loves to shop for clothes, you know!). Ella has been helping me fold them and put them away. I just LOVE the smell of Dreft. Lovely. I sneaked in a couple things of mine in those baby loads...heehee. Couldn't resist.

Rich and I are planning an overnight getaway- for the two of us- this weekend. I hope we can manage to do that. Sometimes, we plan and then it falls through. But, we do have babysitting lined up and hopefully the time away will be relaxing and refreshing. Things are busy around here and will continue to be busy. We'll have our new windows put in probably when I am at the hospital in four weeks....oh dear. It'll be real close. Probably will do them after, maybe 1.5 weeks after LOL. I HOPE. I cannot deal with a whole day of window working with a newborn AND recovering from a C-Section.

Ella is done with soccer however, I signed her up for Girl Scouts! She is excited, so am I. I really think it'll be a great thing for her. Another kindergartner we know is going to be in it too, so I think that is an added bonus.

I have not gotten in the routine of having a time of homework for Ella each night. I have been BAD at that. It's frustrating. The time just goes so fast. I haven't given her another piano lesson in awhile too. Grrr.....I think the bedtime routine has been a major thing in our household, trying to keep it, I mean! That just takes up most the evening, really!

Well, I have some great scrapbooking ideas but no "umph" as of late. Hoping to soon. There are some fall photographs just wanting their stories to be told. :)

Thursday photos...in progress

I have so much to do...I've been a mad woman almost trying to get some things accomplished around here. Hopefully it's the big hurrah before the big day! LOL! Although, we have hmmmmm...exactly 33 more days!!!! Trying to do laundry, get some other winter things for the kids more organized, more laundry, trying to get my closet and Buddy's closet fixed up, so we have more room elsewhere..whew..anywhoo some more photos...

sneak a peek

at some of my timed photoshoot from yesterday....which, in fact, left me so very sore today....just thinking about all I had to do to do this makes me hurt! LOL! Up and down, set the camera up a gazillion times, RUN to my pose....but, it's done. I have a lot more of Philip and I, and of Ella, Ella and Philip... and just of myself, but most of the myself ones I'm not thinking will get to my blog...I like them, but they are not traditional. They are in NO way inappropriate, of course, but I think I'll feel awkward. LOL.

AND, if you have a few minutes, BTW (that's by the way, for those who don't know!), click FIRST on my friend Sam's blog (see the list to the right) and read his "It's over" post and THEN go to my friend Kimmy's blog..and read It's just begun...Hilarious...She really IS smug LOL.

another photograph blog entry

Ella in her pumpkin/fall outfit..she wore this to school Friday. Also, Buddy and his doggy (one from Build A Bear...do you believe that he LOVES going there? I think it's sooooo cute!!!)...and Ella with some soccer poses- in action blocking a goal and then whispering a secret to the other Ella on her team.

May I interrupt your daily blogging?

LOL!

This babe is 5 pounds 6 ounces! Can you believe it? Still waiting for Nov. 11th. That is maybe 6 1/2 weeks away? How many guesses that we'll have an 8 pounder? Well, most of your guesses SHOULD be that. Philip was 8, 13 a week early. Ella was 9, 4 TWO weeks early! Everything is fine and dandy, the doctor said today. The ultrasound showed a little boy who loves to yawn (just like Mommy!) and he (his head)was smooshed against the uterus, trying to get his hand in his mouth. So very cute. I cried. So sweet.

I hope to be back to regular blogging, um, next year? Seriously. I am just going to try to enjoy brief updates between now and then. And reading everyone else's although my commenting will be brief or nonexistant.

But, do you know what? I am envisioning myself really loving a Thanksgiving dinner (at my mom's!)...can't wait. Lately, my eating is very minimal b/c I feel so nauseated. But, I do enjoy looking at a Swiss Colony magazine, and wishing we had some of those wonderful sausages...
cheeses...
pastries...
nuts....
cookies.....
chocolate....
jams....
ahhhhhhh.....
How to justify getting some of this is the question!

A few photoshoots

I've had a couple photoshoots in the past week and a half. My friend Katie, with her daughter, Autumn. She always gives me these gorgeous eyes in photos. I do NOTHING with them I promise. Amazing. Then, my friend Alysha, her family...her beauitful children! Whew..however...now I know NOT to do photoshoots when I am in the third trimester. Ugh. It was tough. I like to bend down, lean over, stand in weird places, lie down on the ground...hard to do when you have so much extra weight in front of you!

A week's end

I have several things to share today....

First, Ella came home from school yesterday with a hop, skip, and a jump in her step, along with a smile. She had two more friends, and knew their names, too! LOL! This morning was the first morning since school began that she did not cry when I left her and did not remain clingy to me. This is what happened...we get into the recess area, and a girl comes up and says "hi, Ella!" and then two more girls come up to us and say the same thing, and then a group of four girls come up and say the same thing and one gives her a hug. Mommy is VERY happy. Ella went off to play after sitting her backpack down and didn't give me one extra glance. Still, Mommy is VERY happy.

Secondly, we had gone to Beaver Creek after church a couple weeks ago, to meet some friends of ours that we had played in a band with awhile back. Jack took a couple of photographs of Rich and I. I cropped a bit and played with them in Elements, and the black and white one is my favorite. I still need some maternity shots, wink wink to Beth, and hope that can happen soon.

Thirdly...ahhh..at last....my favorite publication came yesterday so I can see my 2 photographs published! There was to be a third photograph in this issue, but it will be in a subsequent one I was told...perhaps the winter or spring I hope! I am thrilled! Ella and her friend Natalie, in When It Doesn't Rain, which is the first photograph of the issue (due out in October, so go check Barnes and Noble for it then!), and then a little boy from our former church at his birthday picnic. That's his feet...and his dropped silverware. LOL. Anywhoo, if you can't read the journaling, I'll come back later and blog it. I have limited minutes right now, ALONE in the house, as Rich took the kids to a park. I will have to blog about my hero, my husband, tomorrow. He sure has been a hero lately.






I have been super tired again lately...and sick. Ick. Such as last night. Hoping that this passes soon. Eight more weeks!!!!!!

And, finally, today was the funeral for our lovely friend, Aleida, from Studio Calico. Please continue to pray for the family...and friends who truly loved her. I must say that friends that you meet online mean as much as ones "in real life." They really really do. They are definitely true friends.

Beaver Creek State Park

If you were tagged

how long would it take for you to answer the tag? LOL! For me, well, a long time. I'm getting slower and bigger as the days go by. That's the truth! So, my friend, Beth, has a list of fine questions to answer. I decided to take a break in my evening here to do this. First, though, I must say that Ella is FINALLY getting settled a bit more with school. She has a friend, and remembers her NAME. She also is liking her teacher. However, she still cried when I drop her off. That's when I feel most helpless. I do pray for her right as I lead her to her little line outside and give her more hugs..then back away..I may go back and give her another hug, but then Buddy and I wander away cautiously. It hurts to see her big tears roll down her little cheeks.

My heart still breaks for Aleida's two small children and husband. I miss seeing her posts on SC and seeing her personality and love for life shine through her words and artwork. I can't begin to tell you how many times I find myself praying for her loved ones and crying...She really has given us at SC a greater zest to continue scrapbooking and find things more worthy of writing down...

One thing I must scrapbook about is our 24 hours without electricity. I loved that time we had living a bit simpler, and so did Rich and the kids, but especially Buddy. We were suprised when our own power can on again so soon, but others aren't in business yet. Kimmy, really, if you need anything come on over! Several businesses and churches I believe in our town don't have electricity, and it may be the weekend. We went Sunday night through Monday evening....Sunday night, we lit our candles, a rarity at the Russell household, and then cooked on our gas stove, and I read books to the kids by flashlight. Ella went to bed earlier than Philip, so I was able to make a game of hand shadows for him on the ceiling. Then, he started to do that, and was quite proud of himself.

I think that's all the talking I'll do for now..here are some questions that if you want, go for it and answer them on your own blog. I'm too lazy to "tag."

1. What are your nicknames?

Um, I guess Sweetie, LOL, by my Richie.

2. What do you do before bedtime?

Eat cereal, pray with the kids (well, before THEIR bedtime), Rich and I will have prayer together as well, watch tv, check the Internet.

3. What fandom(s) are you most into at the moment?

um not sure about this question..nothing?

4. What is your favorite scent?

brownies in the oven! LOL! Also, vanilla and/or spiced (like pumpkin, cinnamon, etc)

5. What videogames are you playing at the moment?

not into that


6. What is your theme song?

ummmmm....well, I guess you could say the Last of the Mohican soundtrack, the sad soulful stuff.


7. Do you trust easily?

I don't know. Sometimes yes, maybe now, though, not as much.


8. Do you generally think before you act, or act before you think?

Think Think Think

9. Is there anything that has made you unhappy these days?

Yes, losing a friend, being nauseated again, and also worrying about Ella and the new school stage


10. Do you have a good body-image?

No!!!

11. Is being tagged fun?

Okay


12. What websites do you visit daily?

Email, SC, other blogs....should try to visit Revive our Hearts more often though.


13. What have you been seriously addicted to lately?

not really anything, but maybe just looking on creative blogs.


14. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is?

A lovely, lovely friend.


15. What’s the last song that got stuck in your head?

A Philip Original: Chi chi chi chi CHA CHA! (there's hand motions too! LOL!)


16. What’s your favorite item of clothing?

capris and long sleeves, as an outfit


17. Do you think Rice Crispies are yummy?

Oh yeah.........fav from childhood til now. Only wish they made the ones with the little marshmallows, still. Oh well.


18. What would you do if you see saw $100 lying on the ground?

Give it to the police station.


19. What items could you not go without during the day?

My Bible, family, pillow, soft surface, cup, tea, water, sugar LOL. And clothes.

20. What should you be doing right now?

Something a bit more productive...like reading or writing, or organizing some scrapbooking.

Missing a friend

Today, someone that had truly captured the friendship of everyone she met, passed on. It is truly heartbreaking. A tragic car accident took her life immediately this morning while she was on her way to work. Aleida left a wonderful legacy to her family through scrapbooking, which is how I "met" her, on Studio Calico. I always appreciated her spirit, and her elegance in her scrapbooking. You can see a pic of her here with her daughter, Bella. And, a beautiful example of her scrapbooking work here. For many of us on SC, it has reminded us WHY we do crazy things such as collecting paper and embellishments, and craft stories out of them. One thing I was always impressed about her was her Martha Stewart craft punches collection. She truly loved her hobby...because she loved her family. Please be praying for her family and friends.

Remembering

I am going to be thinking and praying for all who lost loved ones on 9/11. It still feels fresh, I believe, to all Americans.

I need to also wish my darling Happy Birthday today. Love you sweetie!!

A few pics....one of Ella and a horse at the Canfield Fair, one of the smoke from canons at the Great Trail Festival, and one of Buddy and the Monkey.

Photo time!

The Great Trail Festival Family Photo.

Philip and a sock monkey, one that was made long long ago. I think my grandma had made it but it may have been made by someone from the church we grew up in.

I hope to later have stories and summaries from our week of THREE fairs. So happy the fairs are over. More photos to come later, too!!!! And, an update on Ella and Kindergarten (which I am still having doubts and more thoughts on).