Thursday, August 28, 2014

Our Day

Summer Fun

It's the last week that our community water park is open mid-week, so we had to take advantage. This boy loves the water and loves the park so it's perfect, and its 90+ degrees today in So. Cal.


Once E fell asleep I decided it was time to pick up toys…I am at this stage, 23 weeks where I see toys being dumped out of a basket and cringe because I have to get past the bump to get to them!


I am now 23 weeks down with this little one and all I wanna do is eat fruit loops…all day long! What is my deal? There can not be any nutritional benefit from these little suckers.



Friday, August 15, 2014

Choo Choo 2nd Birthday

Choo Choo Easton turned 2!

Our little and growing family.  


This past weekend we a had a little 2nd birthday party for E! I whipped up some DIY projects (and delegated some tasks to family : )) and this is what we came up with!

Just like a did with Easton's first birthday I filled out a chalk board for his memory book. I found free printable thank you tags and cupcake toppers. For the cupcake toppers I just printed, cut and glued to a cake pop stick.
What is a party without balloons and what 2 year old is obsessed with them? I used some construction paper to make railroad crossing signs and cut out a little banner for the "present wagon". I asked my Mama to cut the water melon and this is what she brought…isn't she amazing?
A recent birthday party I attended had a balloon wreath and I thought how perfect are they for kids parities? With the help of walmart balloons, pins and some construction paper…my first balloon wreath! I went to Joann Fabrics during their sale and purchased some fabric and ribbon and so nicely asked my personal banner maker (Easton's Gramma) to whip some up!

 Some funfetti cake mix and a choo choo on top…a 2 year old boys dream…obviously!

Since this guy made his debut in the hottest month of the year…we will have to have water activities for his birthdays…who knew how quickly 250 water balloons would go! He LOVED this part!

Friday, August 8, 2014

Peach Bridal Shower

At the beginning of June I had the pleasure of organizing a bridal shower for my baby sister along with the help of many others!

 You can check out her blog post on the shower here. 


 I threw it way back and went to the Sweet & Saucy Shop in Newport Coast (which is where I got the sweets for my wedding dessert bar). Each dessert was too die for and presented perfectly for the shower. 


I've learned the process of delegation pretty well and with the assistance of my Mama, SIL, and another bridesmaid we all contributed to this delicious lunchtime meal. We served chicken salad on croissants, pasta salad, a green salad and fruit salad!



We provided the guests with champagne and or juices with berries. Along with flavored water. 




I snuck onto the brides computer and printed out a bunch of pictures of her and her future groom and there were sewn onto some lace and decorated one of the mantels. 

To incorporate the "peach and lace theme" here are some details. 

delicious macaroon favors from the sweet & saucy shop.

Thanks to Trader Joe's we were able to provided beautiful floral arrangements throughout the house. 


 We had a table set up with different cards to present the bride with "date ideas" and "advice cards".



Thursday, August 7, 2014

Today my Baby is 2

I'm not really sure how this has happened. But our baby boy is 2 years old today, say wha?


 He learned to remove every single bowl, cup, utensil or plate from his cabinet.


He learned to do his morning stretches with gramma and can "reach for the sky, the ground, to the right and to the left".


 He flew across country twice to visit his relatives in New England. 


 Got his hair cut once and then his Mama took over. $24 for a toddler cut? 


 Hated taking pictures with Santa. 


 Went to Hawaii and drove a Jeep.


Got into a lot of mischief! 

This little guy has made the last year so much fun! He is a constant mover and talker. He eats like a garbage disposable most of the time, he sleeps all night long, he loves his pups and his family. He loves  animals, trains and trucks. Can't wait for his party this weekend!

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Ohh We're Half Way there...20 weeks

"Oh, we're halfway there
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer"



20 weeks

Our past 2 weeks...

Once you tell everyone your pregnancy news, the next question, "Are you hoping for a boy or girl?". Secretly many of us envision life with one or the other and ultimately we are all really hoping for a healthy baby. I couldn't help but picture Easton with a little brother that could play in the dirt with him. And I also could help but envision our family with a little girl. Later once you find out the gender the rest of your life is planned (it's just the way a woman, or my, mind works). The great debates and promises that you make to yourself are a bit ridiculous. I would say, "Either way this baby will sleep", after the struggles we've had with Easton. Or should I use Easton's crib? Do we want the nursery modern or vintage? Do I want a natural childbirth? And then reality slapped us in the face.

I started wishing all I had thought of was "healthy baby, healthy baby". We received a phone call from the OB after completing the "recommended" first and second trimester prenatal screens. Obviously, negative news. The Dr. read, "Your numbers indicate the baby is at risk for neural tube defects, your AFP is elevated". The tears start rolling. This precious chubby faced little baby that I am envisioning might not even get to enjoy her nursery, or ever play with her brother, she might never even get the breath of life. The hardcore praying began. The regret of even thinking about how this  baby would sleep torn my heart apart. I started begging for precious life for this baby, that she was healthy, I apologized and pleaded to God and said I could handle a bad sleeper, I don't care what kind of birth I have, I will not even think of moving Easton to a toddler bed...those things don't matter anymore.

I went into work 2 hours after receiving the news. I'm at a new job and don't have a support system to even openly share that I am pregnant. The next morning I walked to the high risk office just to see if I could sneak in an early morning appointment, they weren't open. I called and left a message. I called hours later and finally spoke to someone. They tell me, "In order to get further testing you must meet with a genetic counselor provided by the state because this is part of a State run test. Our next availability is in almost 2 weeks away." Ha, and I thought I could walk over and sneak in an early morning appointment, who do I think I am?

Tears, prayer, research and the support of my husband and family made me at some sort of peace. I was only prepared for good news. Every bit of research reassured me that these results mean I am "at risk" it's not a diagnosis. I had glimpses of quitting my job, being forced to sell our home, having to neglect my first-born in order to provide 24 hour care to my second-born. I had to debate in my mind whether life is better going straight to heaven after birth or having immediate surgery, followed by more surgery and a short life of struggles and sickness. As if these are topics I am in control of. I kept reminding myself, God is in control, not me and it doesn't matter what answers I come up with.

After the long wait we walked into the office and waited for the genetic counselor. Our options were provided. We chose the high level ultrasound with having the option to change our mind and get the amniocentesis if anything alerted the perinatologist. Anything above 2.5 is elevated, I resulted 2.52. Statistically babies with spina bifida or anencephaly are in the 7-9 range (per Dr. Gooogle).

The perinataolgist completed the ultrasound. Every body part was examined and reexamined and she would reassure us this is a completely normal spine or brain or stomach etc. This baby was cleared. Normal ventricles, completely normal brain, normal GI tract, kidneys are there. Blood is flowing through the heart and umbilical cord the way they should be. She is perfectly healthy, no abnormalities.  No amniocentesis recommended.

The best news. Our sweet baby girl is okay. Reality checked in with me. Life can and will go on. I can't imagine any other news, I can't believe that some people do get that news. Obviously God gives them the power and strength to live and handle that and I am so thankful and feel oh so blessed that he did not need to give me that strength too.

I may have a natural birth, or not. She may be a good sleeper, or not. She may be a rockstar breastfeeder, or not. I may not get the double stroller I think I need. As long as she is healthy and I am healthy throughout this process I will let everything else take its course and deal with it then.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Summer Nights

The Fair, where all of Easton's dreams came true. 

 Showing Daddy how you pet a goat. 

He was super excited to see "sheepies"


Saying, "You're cute".


What's a fair without some fried food?



Acting like a real cowboy "yeehaw".



This boy got to ride on Daddy's back and share a fried snickers with his Mama. 


Friday, August 1, 2014

19 weeks

19 weeks

I think I am in the part of pregnancy that I love. The point where I feel great and the bump begins to bump (and the rest of the body is still the same)! This week the babes and I flew from Boston to LAX, have un-packed and re-packed and after we check on our little one at our apt we will be off separately to a Bachelorette/Bachelor party weekend!



And here is 19 weeks pregnant, round one! Summer verse winter. And yes, a much smaller bump. Does the bump ever catch up or will it be much larger the whole pregnancy? If so, Lord help me!





Easton Lately

Easton has been loving summer.

The pool.


Dancing on the deck.


Cuddling. 


Hanging with Friends.


Celebrating 4th of July


Oh yeah...and planning his 2nd birthday.