I'm BAAAACKKK!!!

I can't even believe how long it's been since I have blogged.  I absolutely love doing it and feel like it's a little way for me to reflect on my life instead of just going through the insanity that is our daily lives.  I don't want to forget the little things and I am finding this to be true, so I am committing to myself (and our family) to make it a priority.

Since I couldn't possibly go back at this point and write about the past, ugh, 19 months,  I will just move forward and fill in back stories if need be on posts in the future...

Yesterday was a big day in our house and maybe one of the reasons I felt so compelled to hop out of bed this morning at 5:30 instead of just relaxing for a few more minutes in the quiet that rarely happens. I am 100% a morning person but we have early risers, so to keep this up I will just have to rise even earlier than they (wish me luck!).

So back to yesterday, we brought Emmy in for Kindergarten registration (insert tear here).  She was nervous but it was a really quick trip including a tour of the school, peek into the classrooms and a eye exam, which she aced of course.  We go back in a few weeks for her evaluation, a meet and greet with the teachers and a few students and an opportunity for Andy and I to sit down with other parents and the principal.

She'll go to Middle Gate which is where I went and as soon as I walked in the door all these memories came rushing back.  I was pointing out all my classrooms to her, but it's funny as an adult how small everything seems.  I remember the gym and cafeteria being enormous and yesterday feeling so small. She is apprehensive to leave her comfort zone of the preschool she has gone to and friends she has been with for 3 years, but I think all these little meetings make her more excited and a little bit more comfortable.  She is such a creature of habit and doesn't like a break in her "normal".  Plus she has made such a great group of friends that I know she will miss, but fortunately I also like the moms so I know we'll make it a priority to get them together as often as possible.  It was also a bonus that we saw our neighbor in the hallway and he was excited to see her which was so sweet.  A friendly face always helps the situation.

On top of this visit, I also went to check out a local preschool for Ian to sign him up for a 2 year old program.  With Em this was just a mommy and me, which Ian and I will also do, but I just have this sense that he is ready.  He is always so eager to do exactly what Em is doing and wants to be a big kid, but is also ready and able to do it, it's amazing.  He is extremely smart and I'm not just saying that because I am his mother.  He will go Wednesday and Fridays starting in the Fall for 2 1/2 hrs.  more on that too in the months to come.

Speaking of Ian, I feel like in order to move forward you kind of need to learn a little bit about him since I haven't blogged since he was 3 months old, so here are some facts about Ian...

Meet Ian...

• He is a parrot and tries to repeat almost every word we say
• He loves to sing Happy Birthday, sometimes we have to sing to people at least 10 times a day while in the car (it's always someone different, so you never know when it could be you!)
• He loves Mickey Mouse and fire trucks.  One day we drove around looking for a fire truck because he kept asking to see one.  I think he loves the noise and if it's not a fire truck he calls it a regular truck.
• He can count to 10 (well he counts to 11, but 11 is supposed to be 10)
• If you ask Ian what color something is he always says yellow - we'll work on that later
• For weeks he had been saying 1, 2, fasha and I was totally stumped, brought me back to the days when Emmy was saying caca until I realized that was peacock.  Well just the other day out of the blue after I heard Em say it and I realized he was saying 1, 2 blastoff!!! Yay, victory is mine!
• At dinner we sit around the table talk about our highs and lows and he loves to chime in that he went to swimming or to his Tumble Jungle class.  He might not always get the actual activity correct for the day, but at least he is getting the concept.
• He has really been into body parts lately as he loves to sit on the potty like his big sister - he said "pee, pee come out pena" (that's penis for those who couldn't figure it out!).  I said yes, boys have a penis and girls have a vagina (didn't think you would be getting a health lesson so early in the day did ya?!?!).  Anyway, he now clearly understands which is which, but he is such a ham and loves to say "girls, pena, girls, pena" and then hysterically laughs at himself (already he is his own best audience).
• When we are getting ready to leave he loves to say "rock and roll" or "later gator"
• He loves to swim and we have been taking swimming for about 6 months and he is getting better and better.  He loves to jump off the side and even goes under - with assistance from me of course
• He is the mayor (which I guess I shouldn't be surprised about given who his father is).  We take Emmy to school everyday and pick her up 3 times a week and there is a walk from the parking lot to the building.  He waves to everyone who drives by and says Hi and Bye on the way in and out - he knows the drill but has taken it upon himself to make sure that everyone feels welcome.
• Instead of saying yes, he says yesh
• After we drop Em off at school we get in the car and he said, "Where sissy go?" and I say, as always, "we just dropped her at school" and he'll say, "OOOOOhhh, gotcha!"
• So more about his humor and he really has a sense of humor, he goes to the gym daycare with me about 2 or 3 times a week and it took about 6 months for him to be comfortable, but now he loves it.  In fact when I come to pick him up he usually wants to stay.  There are two ladies Linda and Suzanne and he clearly knows which one is which, but he always looks at Suzanne and says "Hi Yinda (that's what he calls her)" and she says, Ian, and he laughs and says SuZuZann (that's how he pronounces it).  He knows which one is which, but he loves to get a rise and laugh out of her!
• If you have ever cried around Ian that's what he will remember about you for a while.  One morning we saw a friend's son at school and he didn't want to go and all Ian says when you mention Coleman is that he cried.  He also does this for kids at the gym daycare who have ever cried, he must just be taping into his sensitive side!

Oh I could go on for hours and I'm sure I will be thinking of things all day but what do you know a crying boy.  I will see you soon (I promise), will update on Emmy when I return.

We've got a Roller!

The other morning we spent a lazy day at home and thought it was a perfect time to give Ian some "tummy time".  Emmy started rolling from her belly to her back at 2 months old but that was because she loved to be in the floor.  Ian on the other hand has not been a big fan, that was until the other day.  Just 1 day shy of his 3 month birthday the little man rolled over.  Since then he has been loving playing on the floor with his big sister! 

We've got a Giggler :)

There are not many sounds sweeter in the world than the laughter of your child.  On Sunday night I laid Ian on the floor and was kissing his neck when all of a sudden I heard a little giggle.  Not sure if my mind was playing tricks on me I yelled to Andy who was in the next room and asked if he heard that and excitedly he yelled back that he did.  It was just a little giggle but it totally made my whole day!

I have been able to get him to laugh a few more times since then and each time it just warms my heart.  I can't wait for the day when his laughter will fill the room!

Earlier today I was able to get him to giggle some more.  I videotaped at the same time as I was kissing him, so the quality isn't great, but the sound is all you really need to hear!

A little Emmy Action

We have had more of a low key summer this year because Ian was born.  A lot of times I find it much easier to just stay home than pack up the two kids and venture out into the world.  Since Ian is not an easy baby I never really know what I'll get once I leave the house so more times I would rather just stay put.  Now that he is a bit older and not eating ever hour I have been able to leave him home with either a babysitter or my parents in order to take Emmy out so she can have a little fun this summer!  We have seen our friends, gone swimming, taken trips to the farmer's market and also went to a new cookie making factory with our friend's Sandra & Payton.  Last week she even attended a soccer camp, which at first she wasn't in to because her coach was a boy, but by the end of the week she was asking me to sign her up again.  I would say in the eyes of a 3 year old, she's had a pretty fun summer :) Can't believe preschool starts in just 3 weeks!

 On our way to the Cookie Workshop!

 The finished project ready to take home and eat!

 Playing at The Little Gym with Payton

 Soccer Camp Fun!

Henri, Emmy & her Coach Oli!

Pictures & More Pictures

Until I am all caught up here are a few shots we wanted to share!

 Father's Day

 3 1/2 Weeks Old

 4th of July!

 5 1/2 Weeks Old

 6 Weeks Old

 8 Weeks Old

9 Weeks Old

My Dress-Up Beauty!

This picture is dark, but Ian & Emmy snuggled in our bed on Saturday Morning!

The Thinker!

From the boy who was born with his hand up, here is a shot through the weeks!  I never realized how much he really slept like this until I was looking back at the pictures, what a silly boy!

 1 Day Old!

 1 Week Old!

 2 Weeks Old!

3 Weeks Old!

4 Weeks Old!

Happy Birthday Emmy!

On July 5th, Miss Emmy celebrated her 3rd birthday.  I can't believe 3 years have flown by since our little lady was born; I remember that day as if it was yesterday.  She has grown and changed and is becoming a little person more and more each day.  She is smart, funny, caring, compassionate and creative.  She can talk like there is no tomorrow and has an amazing imagination (if you will remember back to Jerry, her imaginary friend who is still around, and now has a mom named Connie and a friend named Carl).

To celebrate the day we had a lot of fun activities planned.  First was a trip to the mall with Daddy and Ian to Build-A-Bear followed by a ride on the carousel and a quesadilla lunch at Desert Moon Cafe, one of her favorites.  We went home for a much needed nap because we had a fun afternoon planned with her friends.

Since we are still at my parents I couldn't have a party here or that would have definitely gotten us kicked out.  I'm not sure a bounce house in the backyard is a regular occurrence at a 55 and older community so I planned a quick party at Peachwave, a new self-serve yogurt place we have in town.  We met 12 of her little friends there and they had a blast.  It was an hour of chaos, sugar highs and lots of playful screaming, but she was in heaven.  She played hostess so nicely passing out water, napkins of little Olivia tattoos she had picked out for everyone.  She had a great time, felt special and of course got some really cute presents so I would say the day was a huge success!

Happy Birthday Em, we love you with all of our heart!

Big Sister Emmy!

Emmy has taken on the roll of big sister like a champ. She LOVES her baby brother and I think the fact that she now has a real life baby to take care of she is in heaven. Don't get my wrong, she has her times of "over-loving" or when she wants to send him back, but for the most part she loves him. He is the first person she asks for when she wakes up and is always asking to hold and kiss him.  She has even taking to nursing her babies.  She has regressed a little, asking us to hold her like a baby, rock and burp her, but thankfully these requests are fewer and farther between.  Ian is a lucky boy to have such a wonderful big sister, even though at this rate, he'll be taller than her in a few months!

To Be, or Not To Be...Gluten Free!

We took our beautiful baby boy home from the hospital on Wednesday, May 30th and we were so happy to be home.  It might not have been our home, since we are still living at my parent's, but it was home none the less.  Almost right away we noticed that Ian never "slept like a baby".  He would cry out in his sleep, never seemed comfortable and was extremely gassy.  He would scream every time we changed his diaper and at first we just contributed it to his circumcision, but as it continued I really became distressed.

I kept telling Andy and my mom that something was just not right.  I guess it was my motherly instinct kicking in.  I did some research and all signs pointed to cutting dairy out of my diet.  Andy told me to try it and being that it was "ice cream season" I was hesitant to do that if he didn't in fact have a dairy allergy.  I hemmed and hawed but then decided to take him to see a friend of mine who is a naturopath.  It was right away, after doing some muscle testing, that she discovered he in fact had a gluten sensitivity.  Though not severe as an allergy she said it was definitely negatively effecting him.  Not only was it gluten, but oats, cane sugar, almonds and bananas as well.  My poor baby, I thought! I had been eating oatmeal for breakfast every morning since coming home from the hospital as well as a banana and kind bar with almonds each day.  I must have been completely overloading his system. 

I went home that day, changed my diet immediately and within 2 days he was a completely different baby.  Not only did he cry less and rest more comfortably, but his baby acne went away on his face as well as his diaper rash.  I couldn't believe it!  I was so proud of myself for trusting my instinct and not just accepting that fact that he was a little "colicky" as some might have labeled him. I wasn't going to accept that label, I had to get to the bottom of it. 

Changing my diet has been quite an adjustment and I have my little kid moments when all I want to do is kick and scream and raid the cabinet, but then I look at that sweet face and know what I am doing is completely changing his life for the better, plus heck, it sure has helped me loose the baby weight as well!  It has also changed my life for the better.  I no longer just eat for the sake of eating, actually read more labels, and pay attention to the food I am putting in my body (I know what a novel concept!).  I make overall healthier decisions about my eating and feel so much healthier because of it, so to Ian, all I can say is THANK YOU!

Becoming a Family of 4!

It was Sunday, May 27th and we spent a fun afternoon a family friend's house for a BBQ. I was feeling really good; tired and large, but good. Everyone kept asking me when I was going to have this baby and I assured them it wasn't coming any time soon and in fact, I was beginning to think my due date was perhaps calculated incorrectly. However, knowing that the next day was my due date, I couldn't help but go home that night with a glimmer of hope.  I was excited, however, that we had plans in the morning with our friend's Mia & Kris to go out to breakfast for the LumberJack! This was the meal I had the day I was due with Emmy, it's the perfect breakfast for a very pregnant woman who wants a little taste of everything. It's french toast, pancakes, biscuits, eggs, bacon and sausage - a pregnant woman's dream! I might not have had the baby yet, but at least I had this meal to look forward to.

I went to bed that evening around 10PM and was woken suddenly at exactly 12:01AM. I remember looking at the clock because I couldn't imagine that I already had to pee since I had just gone to bed, but heck, I was very pregnant, so anything was possible. All of a sudden I heard a crack of thunder and realized I didn't have to pee and the thunder was what must have woken me. It was extremely loud and knowing how afraid Emmy is of thunder, I stared at the monitor waiting for the "DADDY" call!

While I waited up for her for a few minutes, I grabbed my cell phone, went to my "What to Expect" app and it said, "Due Date"! Just then I had a contraction. At first I didn't think anything of it, or at least I was trying to convince myself it was nothing because I had been having braxton hicks contractions for a few months. I didn't want to get my hopes up even though in my heart I knew this time it was different. I timed my contractions for about an hour and they were just about 10 minutes apart. After the hour I decided it was time to wake Andy. I nudged him a bit and said, "I think I'm in labor". He rolled over in his sleepy state and said "Ok, well if you need me, just let me know." I laughed and said "I need you, that's why I am waking you up." At this point he jumped out of bed and we both started pacing.

Since this time I was determined to have a VBAC (Vaginal Birth after Cesearan) I knew it was in my best interest to keep moving. Thankfully I had started packing my bag a few days earlier, so I threw some last minute things in the bag, took a nice long, hot shower and continued to time my contractions on a handy iphone app I had downloaded a few days prior.  It's amazing what a difference 3 years makes, because with Em we were timing them on good ole paper and this time we were able to indulge in the advances of modern technology.  My mom said, now I have seen everything, as she came up to check on me once Andy told her I was in labor and we were going to be on our way!

It was now a little before 5AM and I was eager to see how I was progressing, so off to the hospital we went.  Upon arriving I was so upset to learn that I was only 1 centimeter after being in labor and a lot of pain for almost 5 hours. My midwife told me to walk around for an hour because I couldn't be admitted until 2 centimeters. Andy and I did just that, taking a nice tour of the labor ward, stopping every few minutes for my contractions. After 45 minutes I said I need to be checked, if this labor isn't progressing than I NEED an epidural. It was just 6AM and I was so happy to learn that I was almost 4 centimeters and was now being admitted. It was at the moment that I knew if I could get through the past 45 minutes, taking just 1 minute at a time, that I COULD do this. I didn't want an epidural because I knew if I was stuck in a bed I would have a c-section and not progress and I was already considered high risk because I was attempting a VBAC.

I continued to labor for 4 more hours until I was fully dilated. Don't worry, I won't go into all the details but let's just say I literally took it 1 minute at a time, don't think I opened my eyes for 4 hours straight and swore to Andy we were only having 2 kids!  I will tell you that I had my midwife check my progress, she said at least twice as much as she usually does.  I told her I was a numbers person and that I needed to know we were moving in the right direction and in a timely fashion.  I could handle a few more hours but if it was going to be all day I needed an epidural and a nap! Thankfully it wasn't all day and I believe because I had continued to weight train throughout my pregnancy I was able to stay strong throughout the whole experience. 

It was finally time to push and Cathy, my midwife assured me this baby would be here before lunch. I immediately told her I wanted lunch now! We all had a nice laugh and off to pushing I went. I ended up pushing for 2 hours thanks to an arm that insisted on being next to Mr. Ian's head. Cathy tried to pinch his fingers so he would retract his arm but he was having none of it and finally at 12:05PM, just in time for lunch, Ian made his grand entrance into the world. Since Andy and I were both so positive it was a boy it actually took a good minute or two before we actually checked to make sure our prediction was correct. We were right, a beautiful 8 pound, 11 ounce, baby boy came into our world and we were thrilled. He had quite a set of lungs on him and cried for about 30-40 minutes. It wasn't until Daddy came to the rescue and had skin to skin contact that he finally settled down. I told Andy, I hoped this wasn't a glimpse into our future :)

I know people thought i was crazy for attempting to even have a VBAC, and even crazier to do it naturally but I am SO SO happy with my decision.  Natural childbirth was something I had wanted to experience and even though the c-section with Emmy was necessary and at the time I was grateful for modern medicine, I wanted to experience what my body was made to do.  Andy also told me afterwards that it was the coolest experience of his life, so I am grateful and proud to give him that opportunity as well. I'll never forget him looking at me afterwards and saying, "And you tell me you can't do Crossfit?!?! You can do anything now!"

Cooking Queen!

I'm sure most almost 3 year old girls love to help their moma cook in the kitchen, but I'm not sure they are also into watching cooking shows.  I haven't asked around so I am not positive, but I really can't imagine this is common practice!  

Well Miss Emmy has been so into cooking lately and it's hilarious.  She asks me to watch cooking shows, record cooking shows and is especially a big fan of Rachael Ray & Giada.  If the meal looks interesting she'll ask to make the recipe once they are done and if she's not a fan, she will quickly ask me to change the channel and tell me that meal looks gross.  

She is the best helper in the kitchen and is actually quite skilled with a butter knife.  She will stand in the kitchen and help me for sometimes up to 30 minutes.  She doesn't even have that long of an attention span for play doh or even her babies sometimes.  She gets insulted if my meal doesn't require assistance, that more times than not, I create extra steps just to keep my sous chef happy.  Perhaps we have a future chef in the making! 

Cutting peppers - she did that whole bowl!

36 Weeks

Officially 36 weeks pregnant today!  Can't even believe it.  I have been meaning to take pictures for weeks now but because I can't get myself to look clean enough to have my mom take nice ones, I just made Andy take this today so I would at least have 1 in case I can't get my act together :) 

I have been feeling good besides some back and ligament pain in my legs.  I'm proud to still be working out with weights twice a week and hope to get some more walking in as well.  I hope I can walk this baby right out! 

Natural History Museum!

We were so lucky to spend the morning with JJ & CC (aka Jared & Corey) at the Natural History Museum and then enjoyed a nice lunch together a few weeks ago.  Em was completely confused at first by the museum and was wondering why the animals didn't talk, I think she thought it was like a zoo, but she has been really into dinosaurs the past few weeks so it was nice for her to see them.  We had a great time with them and took a few pictures to capture the day!     



 Em wouldn't get in the picture, but instead insisted on taking ours.  If you see the faces of the people behind us you can see their confusion and shock as this little peanut takes our picture - it's a pretty good one too!

Carnival Fun!

A week or so ago there was a carnival in town and I was so excited.  Knowing how much Em loved it last year I knew this would be even better and I was right.  She was filled with excitement as soon as we got there and probably would have stayed all night if we let her.  Her favorite rides were the little train car with Payton and the slide with her Daddy.  She was also very excited about the cotton candy that she and Payton shared.  We can't wait for more carnivals to come this summer!

We Moved!

So life has been a little hectic over the past few weeks/month because we just sold our house about 2 weeks ago and moved in with my parents temporarily as we look for another house.  We have an offer on a short sale but we have no idea how long it will take to hear back from the back so for the meantime we sit and wait.  Obviously I haven't had much time for blogger with all the packing and unpacking but hopefully I can get caught up in the next few weeks before the baby. 

Em is loving living at Mimi & Papa's house but does ask to go home every once in a while.  If you ask her why it's usually for a food related item, such as making pancakes or her latest, waffles.  Even if I explain that we can make those things here, she still gets upset.  I think it's the only way of her expressing some sadness about the change and loss of her house.  She is excited about moving to a new house because I told her she can pick out her bedding and help me decorate her room.  Since we've been at my parents she has been sleeping in a big girl bed and loving it.  It's so sweet to see her in there and she has been doing great.  Even though she can get out (and tried once or twice) for the most part she stays put until we come get her, which is great. One less thing to worry about in the middle of the night.  I'll have to try and capture a picture soon, it's quite adorable if I do say so myself!

Dammit, Dammit, Dammit!

So I have to just share a little story about my SWEET little girl!

We are very lucky because Emmy hardly repeats swear words except for some reason she has taken a likely to the word dammit (she insists Mimi taught her, thanks Mom!). We went through a few week period where she would say it, even in public to get my attention. At first I reacted and then decided ignoring it was best option because all she really wanted was a rise out of me and she was usually successful.

Thankfully, she hadn't said it in a while so I had thought maybe she forgot about it. I guess I was wrong, because yesterday morning while she was busy picking out her clothes to get dressed for the day she looks at me, straight faced and said I can't find my purple socks that match my shirt so I just NEED to say dammit. Trying to hold back my laughter, I said, well maybe we could find another word instead to express your frustration and she said ok, I'll say "Come On Man!".

I have to admit I'm proud of her for knowing how to use it in the correct context, but even prouder that she was able to find an alternative all on her own. Makes a mother proud!

32 Weeks!

I am just a day over 32 weeks and growing nicely :) I now go to see my midwives every 2 weeks and everything is measuring and looks great. Last appointment was the first time I took Emmy with me in a while and she had so much fun. My midwife pulled a chair up for her and she got to hold the Doppler to hear the heartbeat and she thought it was so cool. My midwife put the Doppler on my belly to listen to the baby's heartbeat and tried two different spots to hear it. The baby was moving around so she was having trouble finding it, but Miss Em used this opportunity to point to the spot right on my stomach where she thought they could hear it best and what do you know, she was right! My midwife said maybe I'll just move on over and let her take over. It was so cute and Em was so proud of herself. She should have a good idea since she is constantly poking, squeezing and kissing my belly. She even offered to pour the baby some tea the other day while we were playing. She took the cup, poured it basically into my belly button and said, "Isn't that good baby!"

I am so lucky and have continued to feel really good throughout this pregnancy. I'm so happy that I have continued weight training a few days a week and walking whenever I can. This baby is definitely more active them Em was or I am just that much more sensitive to it. Can't believe we are almost in the home stretch!

I have been so terrible this time about taking pictures, but am going to try and do some real ones soon. Until then here is Em hugging her baby!

Pedicures with Mommy!

My friend Erin was in town visiting the other day so I took the opportunity to get a much, much needed pedicure. I took Em another time when I needed one for a wedding and she was so good I figured we would try it again. When we walked in she told me she hadn't been there in a while, but I told her that was okay because she wasn't even 3 yet! She sat so nicely on my lap the entire time. The lady sprayed her water with feet, gave her a little oil and then of course her beautiful polish that she couldn't wait to show off. While we were drying out toes, the lady gave me a little massage and when she was finished Em looked up and asked if she was going to get one too. The ladies around us all had a nice chuckle! It was such a fun mother/daughter trip and I look forward to many more in the future!

A good friend!

Emmy loves her friends and it's nice to see already what a great friend she is. She is caring, compassionate, giving, loving and shares nicely (well, most of the time!). She loves to know which one of her friends will be where ever we are going and loves to give hugs and kisses. Here are some of her cute little friends!

This is from the Mom & Tot Class we take. She will be in pre-school with all but 1 of these kids next year.

Em & Sari Price (one of her first friends!)

Out to dinner with Addison & Kylie :)