Summer?!

Where to begin? I had big plans for this summer now that the boys were "older" and could do more things. We did do a lot but didn't get to the beach quite as many times as I thought I might. I guess I really just don't like the beach. Labor day is fast approaching and that's what I call the "end of summer" although I know it's really not. I'm 38 weeks now and baby could really come any day. I've been 1 cm dilated and 75% effaced for a week and a half now so who knows. I'm still in no hurry to have him arrive.

The craziness is finally winding down and the end is sight for all of our purchases, installations, and fixes. People tend to "show up" and do things when you leave messages like, "I'd REALLY like to get this down before the baby comes which is any day now". They don't like to mess with a 9 1/2 month pregnant lady. Above is a pic of the boys in our newly carpeted playroom which I just absolutely love! I'm so excited we decided to do this little spruce up. We also recarpeted all the bedrooms and Eric's favorite - the stairs going up to the bedrooms. It was previously a horrendous red oriental rug and it just bugged the crap out of him...hehe....All bedrooms are now a nice brown and Ben's room is green since his walls are painted brown. It's nice and new and lovely. Carpeting the house though is like MOVING DAY all over again. We didn't have to move the furniture but we had to get all the stuff off the floor and in the playroom that meant every toy out! If anyone's seen our playroom, you know what a freakin' chore that is. It was kind of a blessing in disguise for the bedrooms though. It meant having to clean out the closets and I decided that nothing was being put back that we didn't need and everything had to be put back CLEAN. So a lot of dusting was done and boxes which I had finally just gave up on and stored away back when we first moved into the house got a proper look-through. The house is still a semi-disaster but we're getting there.

Now that the carpet is in I can rest easy since furniture for Cal's room and our new bedroom set should be delivered in the next 6-8 weeks! Eric's fun purchase was a flat-screen TV for the living room which is ironically scheduled to be installed on September 12th - my due date! In the meantime, we needed the electrician to come to put an outlet up in the wall and move the cable to be prepared for the TV and I decided to have him just finish up anything else that was on the list. He's been here since 8am today - no signs of leaving anytime soon. Also, our plumbing went haywire in the interim and I think I've had that guy here at least 5 times in the last month...in addition to the fixing of the toilet, kitchen sink, and bathtub he was also working on another secret project we've got going on :)

I also went from being not even close to prepared for baby to VERY ready. Not only do I have all the essentials but I've gone planning crazy and now have everything from bris preparations and labels for baby announcements to Halloween costumes for all boys and birthday planning for Ben. I'm TOTALLY insane, I know.

SO - I've got a few last minute finish ups...getting the house in order still and doing some cleaning (still haven't washed those pesky floors!) I'm looking forward to fall and the already cooler weather. It's been absolutely beautiful out lately. I finally got to be pregnant during a not-so-hot summer and it's been great! Cal goes back to school on September 22nd and summer camp just ended this week. Although I'm half-dreading the 3 week lapse, I'm really trying not to. It's been so hectic lately with all the house projects and baby preparations that I feel like I've mostly left the boys to fend for themselves. I'd like to actually relax a little though and enjoy spending some QT with them before the baby comes and we get back into the regular routine of school and activities.

I'll keep everyone posted when baby boy #3 arrives!!!