24 week photo

Belly shot. Feeling biiiiiiiig.

15 Weeks Left...

With only 15 weeks left until we meet this next little stud, I am getting more and more anxious about having 2 kids under 2 years of age. I know we will survive and the most difficult days will be a blip in time (or a blur rather), but I have NO IDEA how I am going to manage no family and very few friends less than 3 hours away (ie. Portland). Seriously. There are also things that I hadn't counted on struggling with the 2nd pregnancy. Things like:

• The difficulty of carrying around one child/baby while pregnant with another. Given that he just truly started walking consistently 3 1/2 months ago, he is still carried around quite a bit as he learns to navigate safely.

• Changing diapers while dealing with morning sickness. Awful.

• Total exhaustion all the time. I don't know how moms cut caffeine out entirely with a toddler running around - it's my saving grace!

I know that after this baby is born I will basically be trapped at home all day, every day. Someone is always going to be sleeping, but I am going to try to have baby boy #2 sleeping on the go so Jake & I can get out and enjoy some fresh air. I also know I am going to be so tired, it's going to be hard to stay on top of it all and I know this will be a struggle for the perfectionist in me - but I have to let it go. Not so sure how I will get both kids in and out of the car, let alone do a big grocery shopping trip as the boys are likely going to take up the entire cart - but I am so blessed to have married an amazing man & partner that I know will help me get thru with with lots of laughs... and lots of wine. 

Some advice I have read & received: 

• Accept help whenever anyone offers. If anyone offers any help at all from making meals to babysitting to picking up a few things from the grocery store, take them up on it. This is hard for me to do, but I am committed to doing so! I really need it. 

• Find some “me” time. This is a must for me I know it. I cannot be a good mother if I don’t take care of myself. I am looking into gym memberships vs. Stroller Strides so I can put the kids in the childcare, while I workout & shower ALONE in that 2 hour window of time. And, if I am having a bad day, I can skip the workout, grab a magazine and flip thru it while sitting in the locker room. 

• Enjoy every small moment you can. It's going to go fast enough as it is, so do try to enjoy all the little moments. 

• Join a moms group before the second one arrives. This will provide a chance to meet neighborhood moms and possibly make new friends. Maybe I'll even find other area moms with children the same age and I can set-up play dates. I am desperately trying to make new friends. And as Nick jokes I am the 'neighborhood stalker'. I am always peeking outside the windows to see who is out and about, socializing with who, and most importantly who has young children. I am the creep that now will friend you on Facebook or get your number for a play date if you seem 'normal'. Jake, Lyla and I go for walks daily (sometimes twice daily) to potentially run into someone I saw outside, or strike up conversation. Really doesn't feel that different from college when the girls and I would get all dolled up to 'study' at the library (aka. run into the crush of the week). :)

However, all this said, we count our blessings every single day that we are fortunate enough to have each other, 1 healthy child and another on the way. Just last week I was reminded of how beautiful each day of our life truly is. And, I know that once our boys are grown, we are going to long for these days all over again (....and hopefully in the coming weeks, all my stalking will pay off and I will have a new friend to write about :))

William L. Colnon

April 11, 2013

For My Grandpa

'I know we are all feeling a little bit sad,That we've lost our Grandpa, our friend, and our dadTogether we have cried an ocean of tearsAs we feel so empty and hold many fears

But Grandpa would want us to know he's in a good placeAnd that he watching us all with a smile on his faceAs we have made him so proud, as proud as can beThat he has raised such a beautiful and special family

Thinking back now I really must sayI feel lucky and privileged to have known Grandpa to this dayFor in my life, you have played a special partThe memories I will treasure and keep close to your heart

For me, I am glad my little baby he got to meetAnd for all of us, be grateful, his life is now completeTo each one of us he has loved and caredAnd a family, be thankful for the good times we shared

Although he has gone we will always be togetherAnd his spirit will live on each one of us foreverWhen you look to the sky, look for the brightest starAs that will be Grandpa looking down on us from afar

And now I would like to thank the good Lord aboveFor blessing us with our Grandpa with his kindness and loveDear God, if it is not too much fussTake extra special care of our Grandpa as he is very dear to us

Grandpa if you are listening say a prayer for us every dayBe sure to protect us and guide us on our wayWe know when God called you, you had to goBut we want you to know Grandpa we miss you and love you so.'

- Ilona Blake

I miss you so much already, Grandpa. I am at peace knowing that you can hold Grandma's hand once again. I love you more than words.  

Em

First Haircut

So I know Jake is just about 18 months, but the kid was basically bald until 12 months so it took awhile for him to need a real haircut!

Here are some pics of the event. Such a cute kids salon & boutique. He loved sitting in the airplane and watching cartoons.

My baby boy doesn't look like such a baby anymore rocking his faux hawk.

My boys

Photos are easiest to upload from my phone...finally! Jake & his brother. :)

House photos (part 1)

Some pics of the kitchen, living, dining, family rooms on main level of the new house...still a work in progress, but getting there after 2 weeks. Did I mention how much we LOVE our home! So happy.

Will get more photos of the entire house posted.... I am giving myself 4 months to do as much as I can (within reason & on budget) prior to baby boy #2's arrival!