On This Day...

My 32nd Birthday. What do I know?

Surely, some time today, I will talk with Baby Sister. Who will call me old. And poke fun at my oldness. And say how she will never catch up to my age. What do I think of that? Mmmm..

First and foremost, old certainly beats dead. After losing a high school buddy to melanoma last year, I would rather be old, scarred, and knocked up than the alternative, no matter what my friend who wants to Rapture before her girls are teenagers might say.

What makes us old? Is it our attitude? Is it that I have decided that as a parent and primary caregiver for 2.6 children under the age of 6 that I should not be engaging in risky behavior anymore? No ultralights, bungee jumping, rock climbing for me, ever? Maybe is is because I am giving up platform shoes for the comfort of Chacos? Perhaps the creams and potions I put on my face at night. Or that I finally realized that sunscreen is a GOOD thing. Also, I have included the entire area from my knee caps to my collar bone under the label "Private Parts". I eat fiber cereal for breakfast. I make my kids eat vegetables. I bake from scratch instead of buying junk. I got rid of any shorts that have less than a 5" inseam. I floss every day. I have health insurance, life insurance, car insurance, renter's insurance, property insurance, and personal jewelry coverage. I never stay up past 11pm since I know that the party starts up again at 6:30 am at our house. I attempt, daily, to follow the set of rules listed in the Bible. I talk to God and ask for guidance, beg for forgiveness, and request more patience, every day. I spend big $$ on comfy shoes, even for my kids, and then shop at garage sales for everything else since they don't care about brands yet. I use (eek!) coupons when it is convenient.

With all that, would I trade places with Sister and chose to be 24 again? The freedom of schedule, the late nights, the total control of my own money...

Not a chance. I love my life. I love being 32. I have an amazing husband that accepts me how I am (flawed) and was willing to move 2000 miles from his homeland to work for my family and improve our home life. He picked a rose out of our yard for me this morning and left it on the kitchen counter, filled up my coffee cup a second time this morning for me and has promised no cooking tonight. He is patient and kind and lets me Rule the Roost (unless I get out of control, at which point he takes over and brings me back down to Earth). He is my best friend and makes me laugh until my stomach hurts. I adore him.

I have 2 awesome kids that challenge me daily. I am constantly laughing at something they have said or done and even though they exhaust me, I miss them terribly when we are apart. I have been given the gift of conception and maintaining a pregnancy, and get to go through this entire Miracle of Life for a third time with a second son.

My 3 parents are superior- I tell anyone that comes from a split family that it doesn't always turn out poorly. I can say that if I had a real problem, that I don't know which parent I would go to first as they all meet my needs in different ways and compliment each other perfectly.

I have a sister that has a history of being a real pain in the bum, but that is not entirely her fault. As a sibling 8 years older than her, I have always been more of a 'mother' type to her than a sister. Not intentionally, of course- but it is so easy to say "oh... don't do that. I did that and it was stupid" rather than to let her make her own mistakes. She has completely redeemed herself to me by loving my kids like crazy and being the best Auntie ever.

And my girlfriends... a step above the rest. Some how, in this Northern region, where it was rumored prior to us moving that God did not exist here and we would fall into the evil ways of the world, I have managed to surround myself with Christian Women that love God and provide me with support, guidance and the gift of listening to my gabbing. They carry the same set of moral standards that I have set for myself and probably a few more that I am trying to mimic off of them. I have a dozen girlfriends that I rely on and would do anything for.

I am long winded this morning. Maybe that is an age thing also.

I am so blessed. I love being 'old'.

Trip to Mexico

We just got back from our grown-ups only trip to Mexico. We went with cousin Cait and boyfriend Mike. I think I have more pictures of them since it was my camera, but whatever. She is certainly photographing better than me! This first pictures is from *the best day ever* (or at least in the top 5). On Monday we went to town to stock up for the week. To reward ourselves, we spent all day Tueday in these cabanas which were awesome. We ate, drank, read, napped, chatted. It was perfect. Cait made wonderful guacamole, too. I had Mike take this side picture of us... for some reason, I thought that when I laid down my stomach might 'flatten out' some... no longer the case.This picture is from Wednesday... the not best day ever. Mike and Cait went on an all day excursion that we decided that I should just not go on. They went all the way to Chichen Itza to see the Mayan Ruins. I hated being all the way in Mexico and missing out on the cultural sights, but after the tour guide lied and said it only took 2 hours to get there (Jason had researched it and it was 3.5 hours away), Jason said "nope, not going". Cait and Mike ended up in the back of a van with no a/c and were gone from 6:25am to 8:45pm. We went snorkeling instead... also somewhat of a fiasco. We were on a "glass bottomed boat"...aka a dingy with glass in the center... with 3 guys we were sure were drug lords that were going to kidnap the driver and figure out a way to drive to Columbia. We were *slightly* reassured when 2 Danish girls got on the boat with their 4 followers (all guys)... but then when the one guy broke out the Wacky Weed on the boat... Jason had to say "Hey... Marijuana?? No! Tengo bambino!" as we were NOT okay with that kind of second hand smoke. Not when baby is busy working on his brain growth. After 4 stops and dives into the water, I was d.o.n.e. The ladder was inverted and you had to climb over the side of the boat- 4 times was plenty for this girl. I skipped the last "stop". I had seen enough sand and fish by this point.

I decided after this day that as a PADI trained scuba diver, I will not be snorkeling again. Ever. It pales in comparison to diving. And I will not get on a boat without seeing it first.

I did have a few Pina Coladas but the fave were the Old Milwaukee "Sin Alcohol"s. Not a bad substitution when it is 100 degrees out.

The rest of the pictures are of Cait and Mike as a way of bribing my aunt C to check out my blog. Totally cute pictures, in my opinion. Mike is a fun guy that is really easy to talk to and he has great stories as well. And he can make a great sandwich.

In the humidor at the Cuban cigar store

This is our silly picture. I was sucking in my gut so hard that my abs were sore in an attempt to not look pregnant... and Cait was sticking her nothing out as far as she could get it to look chunky. Haha. No comments from the Peanut Gallery (yes, Elizabeth, that is you) about the size of my thighs. I could totally squash you, wee one.

Side note... we also came up with a "nickname" for Baby so we can stop calling him Baby... Tope... Spanish for "bump". They had speed bumps everywhere that said 'Tope'. After the 15th one (I did not like them), he was nicknamed.

Another Samism

Sam crawled into bed with us last night - something that does not happen often since we usually are all asleep by 8:30pm. Baby Brother woke up and started kicking around (normal) so I asked Sam if he wanted to feel him move. He set his hand on my stomach and a few seconds later received a big kick. I said "Sam- did you feel that? That's your brother!"

Sam replies (in his own voice) "Yes Mommy, He's saying-" (voice changes to high-pitched) "Help me out of here!"

Good chuckle on that one. Too early still, buddy! But I appreciate the sentiment... at the end of the day, I feel like that sometimes too.

Post-Mother's Day Brunch- Sam the Ham

25 weeks...I will try to dig out some pictures from last time... I feel like I am the same as I was at about 35 weeks... but whatever. For those of you keeping track, I am officially at the weight that I was the day I delivered Ava. I think Boys just make me fat (or muscle-y under the fat)-- all that testosterone. But whatever. My Aunt has challenged me to break her record she set with my cousin Dan... 188 Big Ones. I will try... PS Jason cut off my head since he was trying to not photograph all the toys on the ground behind me. So much for consistent pictures.

Ava got a haircut after brunch. Little girl Bob... looks so much neater than the scraggle she had prior.

From the Mouths of Babes...

There comes a time in every young boy's life where the private parts become more 'private'. Suffice it to say, we're not quite there yet. Recently, one of Sam's favorite tricks is to run up and flash me (just pulling down the front of his pants) and saying "Surprise!" I have tried to not make a big deal of it, lest I encourage him. I do say something like "Yep, Son. Same thing I have seen every day since you were born. No surprises for mommy there."

After some consideration and discussion with Jason, we decided we should probably try to curtail this behavior, lest he start flashing people at school or passersby. Plus I started worrying about where he might have picked up this little 'trick.' Dad has talks with him in bed at night and has addressed the subject, but I had to get my 2 cents in as well. Conversation as follows while helping Sam change his clothes one day including underpants...

Mom: Hey Sam- you know all the parts that are under your underpants?
Sam: Yes, mom.
M: Well, those are your private parts. It is your job to keep them private where no one else can see them. The only people that are allowed to see them are Mom or Dad or Honey or Dr. P or a teacher if she is helping you wipe.
S: Okay, mom.
M: So... has anyone else ever wanted to look at or touch your private parts?
S: (Sighs)... Yes, mom.
M: (Begins to sweat on upper lip and breathing and heart rate double) Who, Son?
S: Oh, mom. Ava. Every time I get in the bath with her- she goes "Pee-nus. Pee-nus"
M: Oh. Well, we'll work on that with her since we don't want her to think that is okay.

Upon stealth observation, the boy is right. When we step out of the bathroom at bath time for a minute- Ava does just that... sort of under her breath in a stage whisper... pee-nus... pee-nus.... like Jack Nicholson when he did that early movie where he went "Red-Rum. Red-Rum".

Almost time for separate baths at our house.

My Genius Husband

Never is enough positive written about my Darling Husband. Begrudgingly, I headed out late last week to do the dreaded pregnancy task... yes, I'll tell you. Buying new, larger underwear is one of a woman's least favorite things to do. I had tried to make the old ones work but decided that Jason ripping out the seams in the leg holes so I could sleep comfortably was probably not going to work every night since he often falls asleep while I am brushing my teeth.

So off I headed... I ended up with 6 new pairs of unders in size 8. Size 8, you say... what is she worried about? That is a single digit?! Alas... unders are not measured like regular chick-clothes and fall under different rules. A size 8 is equivalent to at least a 12 if not a 14... bigger than 'normal' for me.

I got my purchase home and promptly unpackaged them (you don't buy cute panties for this not-joyous occasion) and laundered them, anxious to pop into a pair to restore proper blood flow to my extremities. I was across the room from Jason, folding these Beasts, and I held a pair up for Jason to admire from afar. I said "Look at the size of these! Are you kidding me??" And my (thus titled) Genius Husband responds with "What are you talking about? Those don't look that big... are those really yours? Aren't those Ava's??"

Mucho positive reinforcement given to him. Then asked him to kindly photograph the occasion with a comparison shot-- my Thunderwear and Ava's
panties, side by side.

P.S. I am sitting on my yoga ball to fold so my stomach is smooshed up bigger than it really is while standing-plus there might be a pile of darks there folded up behind my tank top. My goal for today is to get an actual 24 week picture taken. And- haha- if you notice in the background- the crib bars sticking up from behind the sofa-- that's my nursery-prep for Baby 3. Don't you love what I am doing with my decor? I think the theme in his room will be... laundry. Clean, folded laundry.

The Space Needle

The fun couldn't last... Kissy Pants fell asleep about 2 minutes after she finished her "please leave the museum treat" (a Subway cookie). She slept for the next 45 minutes in her stroller- something she hasn't done in over a year.
The Space Needle from the ground up.
Sam poses...
For size perspective...

Trip to Seattle

After leaving Astoria, we headed north to Seattle since Jason had tickets to the Mariner's game. We hit Pike Place Market on Friday afternoon and then took the monorail to downtown Seattle to the Children's Museum for some Saturday fun. Dad stayed with us from 10-1 pm but we pushed Ava through her nap and played until 4pm. Fun!

Sam down in the marmot hole.
The budding Picassos.
Ava as a marmot, Sam as a bat. They played in that play structure for at least an hour.
Ava in the Alice in Wonderland display. I took this picture because of the sign... no climbing, please. Duh? She can't read yet!
Ava hits the slide.

In front of the big fountain- I'm sure Caitlin recognizes it!Sailor Sam at the Museum
Not a guitarist. Was barely interested...
Loved helping Dad build a "thing"- I'm not sure what it was upon completion.
Firefighters!

All Together

When Jason came to fetch us from the coast (he had been at a meeting), we posed together for our Annual Shot. This time outside our favorite restaurant where we get fried fish... halibut, not catfish. YUM!

Trip to Astoria

We made the trek back to the coast last weekend. We were a little bummed to be missing our local fair... but were pleasantly surprised to find that Auntie and Uncle have their home set up just like the petting zoo at the fair.
They had mud...
And chickens...
And a blind dog...
And a horse...

Not pictured- the 3 little pigs and the barn cats. Sam says "Mom- can we have chickens?" Mmmm.. not yet.

Sam Strikes Again

Sheriff Sam takes target practice on innocent passers-by...
While Ava (who is picking out her own pajamas lately) places a phone call to "Mrs. Moser."

April Pictures

Ava picked out her little China outfit to wear one day after Honey got back from China. It was supposed to be an "East Meets West" photo since she wore her pink cowboy boots with it- but she took them off before I got the camera.
Sam's best friend Abby taught Sam "Yoga. Like my Grandpa does!".
There aren't nearly enough sleeping baby pictures.