Two Wonderful Years

I love you Mr. Lemon. Happy Anniversary.












Here's to many, many, more.

Santa Cruz

On Friday morning before work, Jeff informed me that today he would be taking me on a lunch date. Around 1:00 pm, I met him at our normal lunch date spot. Shortly after we sat down, he passed a card across the table for me to read. In the card he had written a lovely note, including the following details:

* I would not be returning to work that day (he had made arrangements with my boss)
* We would be spending the weekend in Santa Cruz
* Aiden was taken care of
* We would leave as soon as I had my bag packed
* Happy 2nd Anniversary!!

I cried. You see, I had had a minor melt down in my closet that morning (pregnancy related I'm sure) and this was just what I needed.

The weekend couldn't have been better. We didn't look at a watch the whole time. On Friday when we got there, we checked into our hotel (2 blocks from the beach) and walked dowtown for dinner. Then on Saturday, we slept in, walked downtown for coffee, ate lunch on the boardwalk, walked on the beach, did some shopping, and then had dinner that night. Sunday, we really slept in (9 a.m.), I ate breakfast Cheetos in bed while watching TV (pregnancy thing), checked out of the hotel and drove up the coast to Half Moon Bay, where we ate lunch in the harbor. We were home by 4:00 to spend some time with Aiden before another work week was here. It was heaven....

I haven't felt that relaxed in a long time. Thanks babe you are wonderful.

sixteen and a half months

Dear Aiden,

Where has the time gone?! Before I know it, you will have already been with us for a year and a half! This weekend I will start going through all of your baby clothes to see what we can use for your little sister. It's hard to believe that you can no longer fit into the newborn clothes that were HUGE on you when we brought you home from the hospital. You are going to be such a good big brother. You are a funny boy - last night when we were playing with your stuffed puppy; giving kisses and rocking him, the minute I started singing "rock-a-bye-baby" to him, you immediately grabbed him, threw him on the floor, jumped into my arms and laid your head on my shoulder. You need to know you will always be my little man and my special gift from God. Your huge blue eyes are always full of joy.  You are a complete attention monger, yet set in your ways…you are the best and worst of your daddy and I combined, but somehow in you, it becomes perfection.

I love that you and daddy got to bond while I was out of town last weekend. Just watching your blossoming relationship makes my heart so happy. I listened to you guys making each other laugh this morning during your normal routine of making Eggos in the kitchen. Aiden, I hope you know what an incredible father that you have, and I pray that you mold your own life after the example that he sets.

P.S. I love this photo of you smiling in the sun. You normally always try to give me your serious "camera face" when I am taking pictures.

I love you with all my heart,

Mama

Double Digits.

So, per my due date, I only have 99 more days left.....technically however, since I will be having another c-section, it will really be more like 92 days. Most would celebrate this "short" distance, but as of late, the front part of my pelvis has really started to feel like it wants to crack. Oh, and with the uncontrollable heartburn, the perpetually stiff upper back, the dropping foot arches and some serious trouble sleeping....I'm amazing, really (and those are only symptoms I feel comfortable telling you about). Oh, and Jeff is especially thrilled that the snoring has commenced once again.

Doesn't really make those 92 days go by fast enough. I'll admit, I never understood (and kind of judged) when some women complained so much about the "typical" pregnancy pains UNTIL I was experiencing all of these in addition to a very active toddler. I don't like to complain, but I'm going to complain now, knowing all this will never even cross my mind again once she is here. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my life, but I need a nap and some patience.

Happy Tuesday!

Bachelorette Weekend

I spent this past weekend up in Napa for my cousin Kami's bachelorette party. It is always so nice and relaxing up there, plus the weather was just perfect for her special weekend. All 10 of us were lucky enough to stay in a beautiful rental house just off of a vineyard in Calistoga. Thanks for letting me be part of the celebration Kam! Can't wait to see you again at the wedding!


Guest cottage above the main house.
View from the balcony.



The "necklace of death".

Bottoms up!






After the Spa yesterday it was time for me to head back home to see my boys. Aiden had sprouted a new tooth while I was gone. Jeff also said that on Saturday, he was walking around the house looking for me saying, "Ma? Ma? Ma?". It was a treat to see their smiling faces when I walked in the door.

"If you want something done right....

....PAY somebody to do it."

I know, I know, it's really, "If you want something done right....do it yourself." BUT -

By last Sunday, I had purchased all the paint, brushes, rollers, tape, drop cloths, trays, etc. We Jeff was ready. We got Aiden down for his nap, I had taped off all the base boards, and Jeff began to paint. Even though this was Jeff's project since I couldn't be in the room for long, I wanted to do a couple of rolls just for the fun of it. I had never painted before. Jeff was on the ladder working on the straight lines near the ceiling, and I was rolling away with the primer.

(5 minutes later)
Me: How's it going?
Jeff: Fine.
Me: This is going to look great.

(5 more minutes later)
Me: Wow, this is harder than I thought.
Jeff: I told you painting sucks.
Me: Yeah, but it shouldn't take that long......

(5 more minutes later)
Me: Jeff?
Jeff: Hmmmm?
Me: I don't wanna do this anymore.
Jeff: (short pause)......thank you! I've been waiting for you to say that. (grabs cell phone) I'm calling Vern now. (Vern stains all the parts for the company.)

Now for those of you who know us very well, you know that Jeff really had this thought out from the minute I said we were going to paint the room. However, being the smarty pants that he is, he knew that I would be sad if he told me he was not going to paint the room, but have someone else do it. Therefore, he would wait until I had my fill, and then he would call.

I admit it, calling Vern was a good idea. The painting was done in 2 days and it looks so great. All the lines are perfect and the color is lovely.

Jeff: 1, Stacy: 0

My Little Amigo

Aiden is always "talking", but it all doesn't make too much sense yet. However, in addition to his 5 or so English words, we have Spanish now! As you know, Ceci speaks only Spanish. When I came home from work yesterday he had another new word. I love that he has the opportunity to learn another language at such a young age.

1. Leche (milk)
2. Agua (water)
3. Tres (three)
4. A mi (to me)
He walks around the house all day saying "a mi, a mi, a mi". Especially when he sees the remote control or a cell phone.

He loves to have books read to him as well. Here he is showing Makayla how to read his mini-books.

skater boy .... kinda ....

Last weekend Jeff and I had some friends over for a small BBQ. Aiden always has so much fun with the kids. Ty was teaching him how to skate. I see a lot of helmets, wrist guards and knee guards in my future!

Harper Update

-How far along? 24 weeks.

-How big is baby? a little over one pound, and about 11 inches long.

-Weight gain: 11 lbs.

-Maternity clothes? no, but lots of JEGGINGS. <--- click for definition

-Stretch marks? NO.

-Sleep? want so bad to sleep on my stomach - but can't. Overall still sleeping good.

-Best moment this week? Aiden getting over his flu bug.

-Movement? yes, she's a rowdy one.

-Food cravings? Cheetos.

-Gender? GIRL.

-Labor signs? none, thankfully.

-Belly button in or out? total outie.

-What I miss? my waistline.

-What I am looking forward to? the painting being done TODAY! yay.

-Weekly wisdom? Don't cling to moments of perfect joy, just relish them and have faith that more will come." — Andi Buchanan

MUD

"Ohhhhh....this is new."

"Hmmmm....doesn't come off."
"OK, gonna need some soap."
"A little help here?"