Bullets

• Nadia's Halloween party at school is today. I'm helping. I did the goodie bags.. Despite being really tired and feeling unmotivated I'm actually really excited about it. Must remember camera... Must remember camera..
• I'm going to attempt beautiful pictures of all the grandkids tomorrow as a gift for my inlaws.. Ages?? Well mine aged *almost* 5, 2 and a half, and 9 months. then my one SIL's aged 7 and 12 and then the my other SIL's aged 16 months... Yea... that should be... um.. interesting ... yea. ha!
• Sunday is HALLOWEEN! My kids are beyond excited. nadia's being a my little pony (Dont' ask the costume is scary) Sami's going to be a dinosaur *(surprise surprise)* and Meerkat's going to be a love bug. I was going to dress her as a Meerkat but decided against it. Oh well.
• Bought our Disney tickets! Can't believe it's almost time!
• Nadia's birthday is coming up. I Don't even know what to do since we leave for Disney so soon after. Maybe just a small family party..
• Anyways. That is all.
  

The great debate (in my head)

It's days like yesterday that make me say "Oh I'd LOOOOOVE a 4th child!" You know the day. All the kids are being good, kind, loving, etc. They are listening and even (gasp) doing what they're supposed to without even having to be told! It's those days that my head screams "oh come ON! You KNOW you want a 4th! Look how GOOD your kids are! You could SO do it!"

And then. There are days like TODAY! Where they are fighting with each other from the moment their eyes pop open! About. Ev.ry.thing! If your a Mom, or even been in the vicinity of small children. I'm sure your aware of "those days" ... Not as fun. But still rewarding. Especially when I make it through alive! However, it's THESE days where I think... Yea... 3 kids is plenty!!! Am I out of my mind for even THINKING of a 4th!?

Who knows what will happen. I love my kids so so much. They are my entire world. I don't make any choice without considering them first. They come first, and always will for the rest of my life. Will we have a 4th? I don't know. Depends on what day you ask!!!

I'm such a bad blogger.

I never used to be! I swear! I used to blog almost everyday. Sometimes more than once a day. I don't know what happened between then and now.. Maybe it's all the children I've had? Maybe I don't have as many interesting things to say? Maybe I just have less to rant about.. I'm not sure...

My mind is always going a million miles a minute too. So my blog is never consistent. I'm over here... then I'm over there! That's partly my personality though. It's just me. how I am..

And now... The holidays are quickly approaching.. Nadia's 5th birthday.. Our trip to Disney.. There is so much to do that I can barely think straight! And it's essential I spend most of my time keeping it together here. Because if I don't... Who will???

The kids are all doing well... Meerkat turns 1 in January. I can't believe it... I really can't. Where is the time going? i say that about all of the kids though.

I'm still on the fence about baby #4. But I am on birth control until we make some type of final decision.. Wonder if I'll ever really know for sure. I love birth, babies, and pregnancy so much.. I must repeat my mantra "Newborns turn into 2 year olds" ...

Anyways, I'll try to be a better blogger... I promise promise promise!

Checking in!

Been keeping super busy! Since it's the summertime the kids are wanting to be outside a lot and enjoy the beautiful weather while it lasts. I truly can't believe how quickly the summer is going by. I've been enjoying every minute of it with my three beautiful littles. Husam and I had the talk about the possibility of a 4th child. He wanted to revisit the subject in 5 years but I told him I do not want to wait that long if we do have a 4th. It would be much sooner than that. Not TOO soon, but definitely sooner than 5 years.Nadia- Doing GREAT! Her school uniform came in and she looks so darn cute in it! See!!!!
She's very excited to start Kindergarten. We have her orientation later this month, and I'm really looking forward to meeting her teachers and some of the other parents. Nadia works in her workbooks everyday and is doing great with her reading and writing. I'm so proud of her and I know she will do wonderfully in school! My little baby. I can't believe she's went and grown up on me!!!
Sami- Still my little man. I'm still tandem nursing and Sami, at 28 months shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. I'm okay with that but he can be a challenge because he's quite demanding, but I'm just trying to set boundries and stick to them. He's doing okay with it. i just let him know I'll always be here, and I'll always comfort and care for him. He's talking REALLY well now, it seems he learns new words every day! I'm also proud of him. He's so amazing.

Samirah is doing great! She's getting so big and she's adorable as ever!!! She's 7 months now (As of yesterday!) And she will be crawling any day. She gets up on her hands and knees and rocks, and even goes in reverse a little bit. She's such a dolly and I just love her up to peices!!! She is not on solid food yet, but we will maybe start next month!

Happy World Breastfeeding Week!

http://www.promom.org/101/

Great article- 101 reasons to breastfeed.... I only need this one though. My beautiful children!!!
What's your #1 reason for breastfeeding?

So...

I've been meaning to post but.. Nadia and Sami have been at each other's throats the past two days! I don't know if it has to do with the rain and the fact we haven't been able to get out or what.. Maybe there is a full moon or something? Samirah's been super cranky which makes me question everything I know about Mommyhood, and Husam's also been extra crabby and more helpless than normal.

So. ***Sighs*** I haven't had enough time or energy to sit down and think of something funny, witty, or interesting to say. Do you forgive me?

Luckily, tomorrow should be nice. And we have a LLL meeting in the morning where Nadia will have some playmates. Then I'm taking a trip to Kohl's.. I got a 30% off peelie so I want to go hit up the clearance racks! woo hoo! Then I may even take the kiddos to the lake after lunch. Go go go! Like that book Nadia reads.. "Go Dog GO" Only my version is "Go Mommy.. GO!"

I'm hoping they will all be more cheerful tomorrow. Truly more for their sake than my own. I love them no matter what but I know I don't like very much to be in a bad mood and feeling out of sorts. So I imagine it's not very fun for them...

So. once they chaos calms. I will be back with something of substance to say.

Any suggestions? I'm thinking of an Adventures in Tandem Nursing post.. Or something along those lines.. :-)

PS- Still waiting on Samirah's petti/tutu and I'll def have an awesome photo shoot when I get it!

My carriers and my thoughts on them...

First up is my freehand Mei Tai. I love this thing! In this picture we have the Ergo Organic strap covers on. This MT is very affordable ( I think it was only 70 something dollars) and I LOVE to it. I reach for it often and I find it perfect for everyday use!




Here is me and Sami showing off a back carry in our Babyhawk Oh Snap. I just adjusted it quickly as Samirah is usually carried in it, so he isn't in it completely properly (I know I know, but the kids were freaking out to go to the beach so I had limited time to work with! LoL) This is my favorite SSC... I LOVE it. It's SO SO adjustable. Moreso than my Ergo, the straps are sleeker for a more comfortable fit and it's GREAT for long term wear. Hiking, long walks, etc.




Next up- My Wild Child Mei Tai! Okay, to be honest this is the first time I've tried this one... Umm.. IT'S AWESOME! I just looked online to see where I could get another one but I have a feeling this brand isn't made anymore. I bought it at thebabywearer.com forums and I'm not able to find another. I'm truly upset by this because it is SO super comfortable and well made. I love the high back on it that can be folded down, and it's just beautiful. It is great. Going to have to see if I can get another one. If anyone knows where I can find one, please let me know!





Here is my Babyhawk MT. It's really great quality (As every babyhawk product I've tried is) Super comfortable, durable, well made, and easy to use. I love this one. And isn't the girly print TDF?? I like the straps on this as they are the pretty much the same as the Oh Snap. Sleeker and more comfortable thank some other carriers. Still padded though. I'd reccommend this to anyone.


My trusty peanut shell sling! This served me well for so many years and I do still love it.. I've just branched out from here lol

I'm not really a wrapper, But the Moby is forgiving even for a beginner. I like it esp for small newborns, but honestly, don't really use it anymore.

My ergo! It's a good sturdy carrier that is super comfortable and great for long term wear. I like the hood it has and it has really good back support. It's my second favorite SSC behind the babyhawk. The only complaint I have is the big bulky straps!

(Forgive the picture quality- Nadia took them lol)