A Perfect Weekend

Kayaking at the lake...
Suckers at the beach club...
Catchin' some rays...
Practicing blowing bubbles...
Fireworks at Disneyland...
Rides in the park...




Us three together (and a little bit of the fourth)...

And a 2 year old swaddled... Doesn't get better!

We like Pink

It is SO HOT today!
Don't worry. Only our 4th or 5th Otter Pop of the day.
We both prefer pink...

Ps. For those that have asked...a little bit more of "the wall of frames".

RIP

These pictures were in one of the first posts I ever did on this blog back in 2007.
Sadly, my long board was stolen out of our garage last month.
We rode those puppies all the time together. Kate and I would sit and cruise every afternoon up and down the street. I was really sad when we went to ride, and it was missing from it's place in the garage. But a few weeks later I found out I was pregnant, and thought maybe I would have taken a nasty fall and decided it was meant to be stolen.
But, I will still miss you Mr. 9.

Lunch

I remember when Kate was tiny dreaming of the day when I could make her a yummy lunch. Nothing fancy, just a good old fashioned PB & J.
To me, I seemed like the epitome of being a mom.
After a fun morning of swim lessons together, and then more swimming and laying out together, I made her some lunch, and she wanted to eat at her "Little Table."
I loved every minute of it. Barbie had to sit with her. Her three cute pigtails. Her swimsuit cover. The fact that her feet don't touch the floor. The milk mustache. The bib that she insists on wearing at every meal. Barbie was offered and force-fed every other bite. And mostly, I loved when she wanted me to sit next to her.
It was the lunch I was dreaming of.

Independence Weekend

Kate and Matt at the Firework Show
How Kate watched the fireworks this year...turned away from them.

Me and my honey.
Dad, Me, Sister
Kate, Aaron, and Carter.
Nate, Ryan (he's single ladies!) and Pam.
She never looks at the camera for a family shot!
Me and Shel.
Again, not looking.
This was her main focus of the night...red velvet cupcakes.
And oddly enough, carrots and Ranch pulled a close second.
Hello cutie pie!
Me, my sunburn, and sweet baby Avery.
Kate and Uncle Rys
Kate, and Lala. She was all about the cream!
You can never be too careful your Mac-n-Cheese is cooled.
Nate, Jamie, and Shel
After a weekend full of guest, pool, beach clubs, BBQs, and late nights, this is how I found her on Monday morning.

Happy 4th of July

more pictures to come

Brown Eyed Girl

Can't get enough of these big dark brown eyes. And the constant otter pops in her hand...

Stud Muffin

This guy has been out of control.
Works all day. Rushes home to make us dinner. Does the dishes. Bathes Kate. Does the laundry. Listens to me complaining. Brings me yogurt in the middle of the night.
He has been there for Kate and I in every possible way he can since I have been out of commission.
I think it was a relief for him when I called him to ask what he wanted for dinner last night.
I am slowly taking back my role in the home, and couldn't be happier. And I think this guy will enjoy a little break!
I sure picked a winner.
Love my guy.

Snail Problem

Any tips for getting rid of snails?
Snail bait is a no go, I am afraid Kate would somehow eat it.

This Miss

It has been one long day with this little Missy Girl.
When we pulled up to swim lessons this morning, she said, "I wanna stay in the car!" And then when we got to the pool it was, "I am really hungry Mommy." Anything to avoid lessons.

Then on to the grocery store. She has to ride in the little car attached to the cart. While in the check out lane, she managed to grab 15 packs of M&Ms. 15!

Then it was lunch. She told me she was "making something" with her lunch. She put carrots and cucumbers on her peanut butter bagel.

Then it was nap. The nap she never took. After an hour of playing around I went in there to see what she was doing, and she happily said, "Good morning Mama. Turn off fan! All done." Then she would throw BoBo and cry, "Mommmy, I drop BoBo!" So I went in, and before I left she threw it again. Smart girl. Then she would fake cry, and say, "I crying Mommy. I crying."
After 2 hours of her playing I gave up.

Then it was Popsicles. She managed to have about 4 today. Can't say no to those puppy eyes, and her singing "Twinkle Twinkle" to get one.

Then she wanted princess hair, her tutu on and a "dance song". And then another tutu and pink boa to match.

Then it was, "My leg hurts, I need medicine a little bit."

Oh, and she asked for yogurt 23423 times today. And I gave in 3 of those times. Or was it 4?

The man at the grocery store asked me, "So, do you like being a mom?"
And I laughed after putting 15 packs of M&Ms back, and replied, "Yes, it is the best!"
And I meant it.

My Summer Favorites

Summer is my all time favorite time of the year. I count the months all year until June. First thing I do in the morning is check to see if the sun is out and waiting for us to play in it's rays. Here are a few little things we (mostly me) can't get enough of in our house.

Maui Babe. Got hooked while in Hawaii. Smells like brown sugar!

Otter Pops! Who doesn't love these?! For just a few bucks you have a summer supply. Kate is OBSESSED. I make her sing to me to get one. She doesn't even ask for them now, she just starts singing. She knows the drill!
I got these cute sandals in a mustard yellow at Target!
All things fruity sound good to me. I saw these and scooped them up at the grocery store. Too bad only 3 come in a box. A little pricey...but worth the splurge.
Summer TV can blow. But Bravo has been saving me. My new fave is Double Exposure. I am also guilty of watching The Hills, The City, Losing if With Jillian, Housewives of (every city), and of course the Bachelorette. I am waiting for Flipping Out to come back in August. FAVORITE SHOW!
After some serious burns on Monday afternoon, we were covered in this miracle by the evening.
Jellies! I got Kate a pair of from Old Navy in Clear. So cute!

Best for last. Cropped Skinny Jeans from Gap. I bought these back in March(ish) and have worn them to death already. They are the only pair of pants that I can still fit into. Too bad they are white! I even bought some in Kate's size and die when she wears them.
*Peaches- preferable the huge ones from Costco
*Evening walks after dinner
*Sidewalk chalk
*Frozen Gogurts
*Sun kissed cheeks

Happy Summer!

LIfe at 14 weeks

(July 5, 2010 14 weeks 2 day)

I find myself going back to my archives of 07-08 searching for post about my pregnancy. When did I start feeling better? What helped with the morning sickness? Wow, was I this big with Kate? Anyway. I felt like I should documenting a little of this pregnancy for my future self.

Whenever I am even 6 hours late, I take a pregnant test. I just don't have the patience to wait. But after going off birth control, my body had a really hard adjusting and it was a long 2 or 3 month struggle. I did not even really know when I was ovulating, or if I even was when I got pregnant. So, one week I was doing my work out with my friend at the park, and could barely run because "woofies" hurt so bad. That was my first inkling. I made Matt buy a test on his way home from somewhere that night. We were chatting on the couch around 11pm, and he said, "Are you going to take it or what?" And so I just grabbed it up, and went into the bathroom. For some reason, I really thought I wasn't pregnant and didn't want to make a big deal of it. When I started to see that little pink line appear, I literally ran back out to Matt, and kept, saying "Um..!! Oh my gosh!...LOOOOK!" It was such a funny moment. Matt said I had tears in my eyes, and it was the cutest thing he had ever seen. We just kept laughing. I guess that is what we do when we are emotional.

The next two weeks were great. I felt so happy, and excited, and energized. But then 6 weeks hit.
On the button. Then I felt depressed that I had to go through 3/4 terrible months again. Felt a little trapped in my own body. The first month was the worst. Then I got some Zofran, and that helped SO MUCH. I also take Unisom at night. This time around I am eating more frequently, and that makes a world of difference. The nights were the worst. I dreaded going to bed, because I felt like I was dying.

I think #2 is different in a way. With Kate we were SO excited to become parents, start a new chapter in our lives, and the anticipation of the unknown was exiting too. This time, I almost feel like I am cheating on Kate. I know it sounds silly. But it is true. I am really happy to be pregnant with another daughter, but I really want to soak up the next months of just me and Kate while I can. It is really hard for me to think outside of just being pregnant when I feel sick as well. If I remember that I get another beautiful little girl in the end, then everything is manageable and I am thrilled.

At 12 weeks we had an appointment and Dr. May could not find the heartbeat after searching for a LONG 10 minutes. I looked at Matt and he seems at freaked out as I was, and realized how much I really want, and already love this baby. We were sent to have an ultrasound to check things out, and everything was fine. (He was looking WAY too low) It was just a relief to see that tiny heart beating away. We could see all of her limbs, fingers, spine, little head, and brain. It was a moment I won't forget. For 15 minutes I thought I might have lost her. That day we became attached to this little baby.

At 14 weeks, I can say I am doing better. Nights are almost great. There are a several hours in the day when I feel yucky, but that is better than the WHOLE day, right?

We went up to Costa Mesa to have an early ultrasound this past weekend to find out the sex of the baby. Matt's mom, and two sisters were visiting, and came with us. My mom, dad, sister, brother in law, and nieces came along too. Everyone thought it would be a girl, expect Jamie, and my Dad. It was a really fun moment of celebration, and I am so glad everyone was there to share that with us. Baby girl was bouncing and flipping all round.

So, one trimester down, 2 more to go!

My girl

We have some company in town, and yesterday was a busy, busy, day!
We left Kate with her Uncle Dave and went to a movie. When we came home, she looked at me and said, "No!!!" She didn't want her little date to be over. I was a little sad she was not happy we were home.
Then she had like 5 people in her room, reading her stories, and playing with her. I went to my bathroom to get ready for bed, but then heard her over the monitor ask, "Where's my Mommy?" And then I heard her little quick steps coming toward my room. She brought a book with her, and then sat on the floor and asked me to read her the book.
I know it sounds really simple, but it meant the world to me, that out of a house full of fun entertainment, she missed her Mama, and needed me at the moment. And I hope I never forget moments like that. I love my girl.

It's a girl!

I am so excited we will have not ONE, but TWO daughters.
I am so excited that Kate will have a sister.
How lucky are we? I had a feeling...