Are you tired of looking at that last post yet?

What day is it?

Seriously, this has been the fastest most intensely busy month we've had for a long time. The blog has suffered as you all know. I can hardly believe we are half-way through October already. And as much as we've had going on, I haven't taken my camera out to capture any of it until tonight. The days are just packed.

Some of what we've been up to:

1) Potty training the Normster. I can not express to you what a massive undertaking this has been. It took my friend Stela sharing with me the technique she used with her son Lucas, who is two weeks younger than Normy and alike him in so many ways. Basically her method was NO DIAPERS. Not for naps, not on trips, just no diapers. We started the day after I talked to her, a couple of weeks ago now. And things are getting better. Typical of most kids, he's got peeing down, but we've still got a ways to go with poops. Atypically, he didn't have problems with accidents at first. He had potty phobia, so would just hold it... all day long. The first day we started he only peed 4 times, despite the massive amounts of liquid he consumed. He's now much better and will even ask to go. Though, he still wants a buddy in the bathroom. As an added bonus, he's finally learned how to take down and pull up his own pants. Excellent. Who knew three year olds could do such things! ;-)

2) a Visit to Kansas. Last week we left on Thursday and stayed through Sunday. It was a wonderful trip. We were lucky to spend time with both sides of the family. We also got to enjoy dining at Smoochy's mom's new restaurant which was beyond wonderful. My favorite dish was actually and appetizer. Kettle chips smothered with white cheese sauce, crumbled bacon, chives, and blue cheese! Heaven. Plus, Smoochy got the opportunity to fulfill a life log dream while we were there. He bartended for a private party she was catering! He was quite the drink slinger I was told and made some serious tips. ;-) The real highlight of the trip was reuniting with our dog Jack. He' been spending the summer at Smoochy's dad's house while we settled back in Omaha. But, he's home with us now. The kids are LOVING having him home, and I actually like it quite a bit too, despite the hair and the muddy paw prints on my pretty wood floors. Maybe if I took the time to wipe his paws...

3) The Nebraska Friends of Midwives has kept me busy busy busy. I just became the vice-chair of the organization (which I think is tremendously cool.) We had our yearly meeting last week, as well as a trip to the Capitol in Lincoln. It was a long day for my kids who accompanied me for all of it. But, they did wonderfully. Next up is the LLL conference in a week and a half. We will have an booth there to reach out to the community and hopefully drum up support for the three CNM bills we are trying to move out of committee next session. Further, I plan to doula for a friend's twin birth coming up soon, so I have had lots of birthy stuff on the brain.

4) Oh yea, and I'm pregnant. And just starting to feel it. My complexion has taken a turn for the worse and today I HAD TO NAP. It was not an option. I cooked a pork loin in the slow cooker all day, but never had the energy to make sides to finish the meal, so we had pizza instead and tomorrow I will turn my pork into Posole. Oh yea, pregnant. I'm pregnant. I can't think about anything but food. Tomorrow I have a prenatal appointment with hospital based midwives. I am not sure if I am going to use there services for the birth itself, but I really want an ultrasound to establish a firm date. Seeing as Normy was born only four days after his due date and Georgia was born ON her due date, my track record is pretty solid for being able to narrow down the birth to at least a week. I can't believe I am going to have THREE children. That's a lot of laundry. ;-)

OK, the end. I'm going to bed. Sorry this post is lame. After such a long hiatus you'd expect something spectacular. Maybe after the first trimester! ;-)

One minute they love each other...

The next, not so much.