Saying good-bye to summer

Thanks to a job in education, I am lucky enough to have a good chunk of the summer off. I always imagined a job where I could spend lots of time with my children and I really lucked out that I have a job that I love and it gives me 12 weeks off a year. So this summer's 5.5 weeks off were jam packed with fun. Nathan and I enjoyed many a weekly play date with our friends Danielle, Natalie, Madeline, Sydney, Philip and Tobin. Our outings included trips to the nighttime zoo, Seaworld, hiking, a visit to the USS Midway and just hanging out swimming. We took a trip with Brian and both sets of Grandparents to Rancho Leonero in Baja, Mexico not far from Cabo. There we enjoyed fishing, swimming in the pool and ocean, snorkeling, kyaking and just relaxing. We spent lots of time swimming, hanging out at the beach and spending time with family on the weekends. We just returned from a final camping trip to the local mountains at Green Valley Falls, where we all enjoyed splashing around in the cool mountain falls and playing with Julie, Jared and Kaitlin.

Accomplishments this summer were transitioning Nathan to his big boy bed. He struggled for a few nights, but quickly caught on and now loves his bed. We have also been working on the transition from diapers to big boy underwear. Nathan was hesitant for quite awhile to wear underwear, but in the last week or so he has been going on the potty with help from the timer. It has gone fairly well and he even went to daycare on Wednesday in big boy pants. He did have one fairly yucky accident while we were camping due to a bought of the squirts, but was open to his big boy undies the next day! Yay Nathan. Today when we went swimming at our pool, he made lots of progress by jumping in and swimming several feet to Brian or I without the assistance of floaties. He has become so much more comfortable in the water this summer.

It has been a great summer to be pregnant, as well. We have had some heat spells (like the one we are currently in...hello 95 degrees five miles from the ocean??), but for the most part it has been a mellow summer. In the last few days I have been feeling lots more movement and was excited to learn she is a girl. Overall, this has been a really great summer and though it has to come to an end, the little school girl in me is ready to get back to work.


Camping at Green Valley Falls






Playdates







East Cape of Baja




Hiking Stonewall with Brian



Night Time Zoo



Boogie Boarding with Daddy



Cool Guy at Mission Beach

A boy and a girl!!!

Today we went in for our ultrasound to determine growth and measurement of the new little baby and the hope of knowing whether Nathan was going to have a sister or a brother. One of the first things the ultrasound tech let us in on was a shot of the girly parts thus letting us know that Nathan will soon have a baby sister. She did the measurements and all looks good. Baby is measuring about 3 days behind the due date, which is no big deal. It would be nice actually if Jared didn't have to share his birthday with his new cousin. Needless to say, we are thrilled to have one of each in the kid department.

5-years and counting...

Today is our 5-year anniversary. Five-years ago today we were stumbling through wedding vows and celebrating with friends and family. Today were are parents of a two and a half year old and about half-way through pregnancy with number 2. We have good jobs in a crappy economy and although it isn't where we want to be living ideally, we are homeowners. All in all we are doing great all things considered.

Progress all around

Yesterday we had our monthly dr. appointment. I am between 16-17 weeks now. Baby and belly are measuring right where they should be. Nathan enjoyed watching the Nurse Practicioner listen to the heartbeat on the doppler. We are scheduled for our next ultrasound on August 24, so if the little one cooperates we should know then if it is pink and princesses or another few years of Thomas and Friends.

Yesterday we also went hiking in the local mountains. Brian huffed it up the hill with Nathan on his back, but on the way down Nathan did a good amount of walking on his own. He is really such a boy now, all about jumping on rocks and running around. We went with one of his little friends and his dad and it was nice to see him socializing and interacting with little people. I have seen a lot of this at the park lately too. He just goes out and makes new friends. Lots of growth socially and physically. After a few difficult days in the beginning, Nathan is also doing wonderfully in his new bed. We implemented a sticker chart and he is working for a large item, but he also enjoys getting a sticker each time he stays in his bed. So both the kiddos are progressing well.