why oh why...

can't I keep my house clean. Even for a little while. I mean, I really want it clean, but I swear as fast as I get some things organized, a tornado has blown through and messed it up. I want it clean, I really do, but I just don't have the energy to get it that way.

I guess the fact that I spent the afternoon tired, lying on the couch, reading "N is for Noose" by Sue Grafton, didn't help the process. I wanted to get the laundry done and managed two loads, one of which is still sitting in the washer.

I did go to see "Hairspray" with my mom. I really enjoyed it, although it is definitely a girlie movie. I don't think Douglas would have enjoyed it much and he is pretty open minded.

I went to Vegas on Saturday to bra shop. Many of you know this trial in my life and consequently, Nordstrom is the only store that carries my size (that I know of). Little did I know it was the Semi Annual sale and it was PACKED. We were very successful though (my mom went with me and Paige--J man stayed at home with Douglas). I found pants that actually fit me so that I can stop wearing the maternity capris Sarah lent me that never actually fit while I was pregnant. Granted, they are a little larger that I would like to fit into, but they fit. I also found some CUTE clothes at Janie and Jack for great prices. Gotta love that. How come I can drop large quantities of moola on clothes for my kiddos, but I feel tremendously guilty when I spend it on myself? We had a fun time and I realized that it is probobly good that there is no shopping here in town. I would get in trouble if there was.

Life is crazy as always. It is time for Paige to drop her first feeding. Last night I went in when she cried after three hours and gave her the bink. She went back to sleep for an hour and when I fed her, she ate very little...snacking. That along with her size leads me to believe that she can do it. It may require me binking her a few times, but I am going to give it a shot tonight. I will let you know if I am successful. Keep your fingers crossed. I really need to start sleeping again.

What is the deal with it being overcast and yucky here, but having no rain. That annoys me.

I need to go to bed. Today has truly been an unproductive day. Hooray!

Fashionista

Paige is sporting the newest trend in headband fashion.

a few of the kiddies.

Jackson loves to wear his "silly socks". What a weirdo. These days when I tell him to smile, this is what I get. So not cute, but it still CRACKS me up to see this face. What a goof.

Jane's bridals.

Haven't had much time to play with these yet, but this was one of my favs and I had to try it out.

Isn't this ingenious??

Saw this in real simple magazine and I want it. I love the crusty part of brownies...mmmm.

I love my chubby babies!

I took Paige to the Dr. today to have her PKU test redone. I asked if we could pop her on the scale while we were at it. She was 12 pounds 11 ounces! What a chunk. Of course she had clothes on so you have to subtract a little, but I am so proud of my chubby baby. I love when my kiddos start to chub up! I love the rolls in their legs, the chubby cheek, the double chin. Paige has it all. I also love that it means a good night sleep is in the near future. Let's hope at least!

taking care of the kiddos

I read an article about carcinogens (?) found in baby products. I am usually not one to jump on this band wagon, but when it comes to my kids I would rather side on caution than not. Anyway, I was amazed at all the grocery store products that had this chemical in it. Also, I needed some sort of gel to tame Paige's fly away hair. So, after a little research I found this product line. I really like it.

Going private...

Some have expressed concern with the fact that I have a public blog so just to be safe I have decided to go private. All are invited to view, it will just require that you sign in first. I attempted to do this before, but didn't realize that I needed email addresses to do so. If you are interested on being on the "invited" list email me at info@staciashaw.com and I will add you. I will keep my blog open until next Sundayish and then I will attempt to get all the emails entered and switch over.

Paigie's blessing

four generations
my grandma and paige

I have been way behind on pictures, but caught up a little tonight. Here are some of Paige's blessing pictures at two weeks old. Her blessing dress was made by my Grandma some 60+ years ago. The buttons on the back are from her mother's wedding dress. She made this during WWII and at the time fabric was hard to come by so she paid a decent amount for this fabric. Also, she had no sewing machine so she stitched it all by hand. My aunts and mom as well as some of my cousins and myself were blessed in this dress.

good fun at the shaw house.

just watching the boob tube in undies, and crocs with sippie in hand.

loving his sis-sometimes too much.

Fun with cousins.

don't you love the butt cleavage??

We had a great 4th. My brother Marlan and sister in law Sally and their girls were here to visit. We kept busy and the kids had a blast. I wonder if I could by another two year old to keep Jackson company all the time.

here you go...

I forgot how bad point and shoots can make skin look especially close up. She is cute though--huh?

--notice how lazy I was--didn't even get rid of the red eye. I need to shoot some with my real camera so they look cuter.

sleeping/feeding challenges...

The last week has been full of sleeping problems and I find my self exhausted, emotional, grumpy, patienceless, and sometimes angry. Paige is a little mixed when it comes to sleeping and it is killing me. She can go 3+ hours all day between feeds, but at night, she is waking up every 2ish hours, eating very little and passing out again. I then spend the next half hour trying to get her to wake up and eat to no avail. When I get back to bed and asleep I have an hour before it starts again. In the morning I can think it all through and realize that she is waking up before she is ready to eat and that I need to get her back to sleep without feeding her, but at night I am so tired that I can't quite think it all through that well. Anyway, I am now resolved to break this bad habit that we have gotten into...I need to or I will not survive.

On to the feeding.I am a real routine person. I feed my babies, keep them awake and then put them to sleep. It works quite well. The problem with Paige is that she does not want to eat every three hours. In fact, she will eat very little and go back to sleep or simply refuse to eat more. Of course this also totally stresses me out as I want things to run according to plan and she doesn't. What to do.

On a good note, she is fattening up quite well. Her cheeks are so chubby now, I almost don't recognize her as the baby I brought home. She is pretty content most of the time and has started smiling at me. There is nothing like a baby's first gummy smiles.

On another negative note...I still fit into none of my clothes. I can't find any that fit me either. I guess the solution is to stay inside all the time.

Anyway, that is it for griping. I forgot how hard this first stage is. I know I am nearing the end of it and as sad as it is to see my little baby grow, I am ready for it.

What do you do when you are tired, bored, exhausted etc??

I like to shop for kids clothes. Don't ask me why, but it is theraputic. Look what I found yesterday...I am still debating whether I will actuallky buy it, but I love it!

Double Stroller

So, I still have yet to decide on a double stroller other than realize that I do indeed need one. What do you all know about the sit and stand strollers?