Flanagan Clan

Things have been crazy, hectic and busy at the Flanagan house, and I’m afraid that things will continue to be crazy for a long, long time. There’s a lot going on over the next several weeks and months. This week I’m busy with continuing the preparations for the new baby. This includes working on crocheting burp cloths (I only have 1-1/2 more to go, and I’m done with my goal!!!), cleaning out the master bathroom’s cabinets, cleaning out the fridge and freezer, in preparation to begin my first attempt at Once A Month Cooking (OAMC), and preparing the house for visitors next week. Today I was busy taking advantage of some coupons I found online, allowing me to buy Gerber baby food Stage 2 for $.02/jar (regularly $.52/jar) and Stage 3 for $.15/jar (regularly $.65/jar). Our pantry is now filled with enough baby food to last us for MONTHS!

Next week, we will be hosting Bill and Joanna Wright, some of our friends from Maryland. Bill and Andrew have known each other since Andrew was a baby, and I met Bill at Grove City College. Bill and Joanna got married about 6 months after we did, and Andrew was a groomsman in their wedding. While they’re here, we have plans to visit Portland and Seattle, and for Bill and Andrew to go on a hike! A few days after Bill and Joanna leave, we will be going on a small family road trip up to Edmonton, Alberta, where my friend, Margaret Pace, is getting married. Margaret is one of my oldest friends from Faith Pres, and we went to high school together, so I am glad that we’re going to be able to share in her special day! Once we’re home from the wedding, I plan to prepare my first set of meals using the OAMC method, and then spend several weeks after that working on getting Patrick potty trained. October will then be my month to finish preparing for the arrival of our new baby. My due date is at the end of November, but after having two early babies, I’m not taking any chances. I’m going to be totally ready by the end of October!!!

I have to admit that I’ve been really, really bad about taking pictures lately. Here are some that I managed to take over the past few days, though. Hopefully this will be alright for now!!!

Sammy trying out his new toothbrush

Ready and willing to practice good oral hygiene

Patrick loves wearing the hat that Aunt Karen sent him for Christmas. He usually tries to get Sammy to wear the matching hat, but Sammy just likes to pull it off and chew on it.

Sammy loves to climb on the fireplace hearth

Pulling himself up to say “hi” to the camera!

Patrick has really mellowed out in the past few months. It’s amazing how much he’s grown and changed this past summer!