20 Months

Owen is 20 months old and in such a fun phase.  He's more adorable than ever. I think toddlers are the cutest age.  They look like mini adults adults and have personality for days.  Owen loves to hold hands and walk, sit down on benches and then pat the seat next to him for someone to join him.  He is starting to talk a lot and has the sweetest little voice.  He says mom whenever he can't think of anything else to say.  "Mom", "ma", "mama",  he sounds just like baby Stewie.  He also says "no" a lot which isn't so cute.  He is obsessed with dogs and loves being at the beach.  He has recently learned to climb on everything and enjoys getting on top of the kitchen table and helping himself to whatever is in the fruit bowl.  He's a little neat nick and likes to keep things tidy.  He is obsessed with water.  He loves water bottles and always want to drink out of everyone else's, he also loves drinking from the hose, Jake's bowl and the toilet if we're not watching closely.  If I turn on the hose, he's happy in the backyard for hours.  He also likes to stand on a chair in the kitchen and watch me cook.  When he sees me get out the pots and pans, he sprints over to the table and pulls up a chair so that he can help.  Much to my pleasure he finally loves to read.  He'll snuggle up on the couch and read with me for 30 minutes as long as I have the right books.

As a parent you know that your kids will model your behavior, but when they actually start doing it, it still comes a shock.  Owen loves to point at Jake, yell "no" and occasionally smack him.  Wonder where he learned that.  It's a good lesson for me in patience.  I don't want Owen to think it's okay to yell at and hit animals, so I have to be very mindful when I get frustrated with Jake.  Luckily he has also picked up some good habits from me, like saying "thank you" and cleaning.  Give the kid a sponge and he will get down on the floor and start scrubbing.

We're in a great phase when it comes to sleep.  Owen goes to bed around 8, wakes up around 6:30 and takes a 3 hours nap every afternoon.  We've been doing swimming lessons at the outdoor pool in Magnolia and he is starting to get comfortable in the water.  Ty has been getting home from work early every day so we have been having a blast swimming and going to the beach in the evenings.  There is a lot to love about our sweet little Owen and we are having the time of our lives watching him grow.

Another BOY!

The results are in and baby Rallo 2.0 is a BOY!

If I'm being honest, I was hoping for a girl and was a little disappointed when I got the news.  I never imagined myself having a boy, let alone two, so it took a while to wrap my head around the idea.  There are those sweet mother daughter moments I've always dreamed about and will likely never get to experience.  But I think it's important to remember that life is not necessarily about getting everything we want.  I truly believe that God has a plan and everything happens just the way it's supposed to.  I am so thankful that I was able to get pregnant easily (twice!) and have two healthy little babies.  My main motto in life is that we are here first to love and then to learn and I know that having two boys with be full of both those things.  

There are a lot of reasons I am looking forward to having two boys.  Mostly because they are close in age and will be best friends.  They can run around together, scrape their knees, play sports, fight, and have each others backs.  Ty and Chris are both such sweet men and have a bond that only siblings can share; I am excited for my boys to have that as well.  Not to say that having siblings of the opposite sex isn't fun but it's not quite the same.  I am excited that I can now justify buying expensive coats and clothes for Owen, knowing both boys will be able to wear them.  It's pretty much like getting 50% off everything I buy from now on.  Regardless of the sex, I am just beyond excited to have another baby.

Naturally, the next question is if we'll try for a girl one more time.  I'm not sure.  When I got pregnant this time I felt like we were going to be a two kid family.  We can all fit in a three bedroom house, a midsize sedan and a booth in a restaurant.  Two feels totally manageable because the parent to child ratio is even, being outnumbered feels pretty overwhelming.  Living in the city with kids is expensive.  Even after the basement remodel I don't think our current house could handle five of us and daycare costs are outrageous.  If we decide to have a third baby, which could very well be a third boy, I think we'd have to move outside of Seattle.  We'll just have to wait and see how we feel in a couple of years.  For now,  I am focusing on what we do have, which is two sweet little guys and when all is said and done, I'm super excited about it!

16 weeks

20 weeks

Seaside

A few photos from our long weekend in Seaside with the McLaughlin clan.  The weather was beautiful and he house we rented was right on the beach, where we spent the majority of our time.  Owen flew a kite for the first time and had someone paying attention to him every single second, he was in heaven.  I got sunburned, definitely a first at the Oregon Coast.  It was a lovely weekend with family.

Mamas with Cameras

Being a good photographer is something I've always dreamt about. I am frequently super jealous when I see other people's amazing photos of their adventures and their kids. I had resigned to the fact that I just didn't have the artistic eye and would have to be happy with the crummy photos I take myself and spring for professional photos at least once a year.

I am still far from being an expert but I recently took a photography class that restored my hope.  It was through an organization called "Mamas with Cameras" and it was amazing.  There are two woman that work as professional photographers and teach classes for other moms every couple of months. The workshop I did was "Introduction to Digital Photography" and now I actually know how to use the fancy DSLR camera we bought when Owen was born.  I understand the exposure triangle. I feel like I finally have the potential to capture some really beautiful photos. You may have noticed the change in photo caliber in the "Suncadia" post a few week back :)

As I was going through my photos to post a few examples of my new skills I realzied that the only time I've really practiced was in Suncadia. Note to self, remember to bring the camera, not just the iphone!

The Nub

At my 12 week ultrasounds I asked the tech if it was truly possible to tell the gender this early.  She said it's not impossible because both genders have the same genital tubercle at this point (also know as the nub).  She said she was getting a a clear photo of the nub and I suggested I search the internet for what that means.  Of course I immediately did.  The theory (as illustrated below) is that if the nub is at a 30 degree angle-- it's a boy, if it's more horizontal-- it's a girl.  Apparently with 98% accuracy.  After studying my ultrasound photos very intently I still don't feel like I can tell.  You have to measure in relation to the spine, which tilts, making it tricky.  I don't feel like it's totally horizontal but I don't think it's quite a 30 degree angle either.  I'm hoping you guys can help me.  Anyone have a protractor?  What do you think?  Let me know! :) 

The Chinese calendar says it's a girl.  We'll find out for sure at the end of July.  

Baby Rallo 2.0

Well, we are having another baby!  Baby Rallo 2.0 is due December 13th, 2014.

Pregnancy feels much different this time around.  The first pregnancy it was all about me and I remember feeling like everything about my life as I knew it was changing.  Everything I ate, and every bath/skin care product I used was called into question.  There was an entire list of things I wasn't supposed to eat and I clung to that advice for dear life.  The second time around I'm not as obsessed with myself.  I've got Owen to take care of and everything in my life is already baby safe and as toxin free as I can get it.  I don't feel nearly as compelled to follow all the rules and may have had a few turkey sandwiches already.  It wasn't until my 12 week ultrasound that it really sunk in we're going to be a family of four.  It was amazing to see our sweet little bean hanging out and doing summersaults in my belly.

When I first found out I was pregnant I was a little disappointed in the due date; I wasn't really going for another Christmas baby.  But once it sunk it and I had some time to think about it I realized that I'm ridiculous and am thankful that I have a healthy baby on board.  Being picky about the baby's birthday is a #firstworldproblem if I've ever had one.  I've since found a lot of reasons to be excited and am looking forward to having the kid's birthday's close together; I can take a few weeks off of work so I have plenty of time to plan their parties and it's the perfect excuse for a vacation.  Maybe one year we can take off for Disneyland and celebrate both the birthday's there.  Plus, I'll get all the holidays off work again this year :) I think one of the most valuable lessons in parenting is that we are not in control and this is a perfect reminder.  I loved having Owen as a winter baby and am excited for that the second time around.  The short, dark days are perfect for staying inside, snuggling with a warm baby and having lots of visitors.

The first trimester has been tougher with 2.0.  I've had a lot of nausea and been throwing up a couple times a week.  I started gaining weight pretty much as soon as my pregnancy test turned positive and my energy level has been low, low, low.  I'm now 14 weeks and starting to feel much better, thank goodness.  After not cooking at all and feeding Owen too many PB&J's I've been cooking up a storm that last few weeks and starting to feel like I can tackle some things on the to-do list.

First official bump photo at 13 weeks 

18 Month Love Letter

My dear Owen,

You are 18 months old. You are gaining independence and have a mind of your own. You have the best smile and love to play peekaboo. You can throw an epic fit if you don't get what you want, and you can destroy a clean house in about 30 seconds. You love drinking milk on the couch with your blankie and binkie morning and night. The milk routine has to be seamless or you lose it. Daddy has started letting you watch TV in the early morning, and you love "Thomas the Train." You have some pretty good dance moves and seem to prefer country music. You love to roar like a lion.

You're tough. You've taken a few big spills down the stairs and always seem to have a bruise somewhere on your face, but it doesn't keep you down. You've become a much better eater and are still obsessed with fruit. Your favorite dinner is chicken and risotto. You love dips like salsa, ketchup, and hummus and will eat them by the handful. You won't have anything to do with a quesadilla or chicken nuggets but love green beans and raisins. You still love being outside but aren't too keen on sitting in the stroller for long periods of time. You love the slide and merry-go-round at the playground and are over the swings.

There are some days where you start to drive me crazy. You've been in a daddy phase lately and seem to prefer him over me when he's home. I am glad that you are so securely attached to both of us. You clearly understand everything we say to you and do a lot of nodding and signing to let us know what you want. You're not talking a whole lot but are rapidly adding words to your vocab. You recently mastered "baby" and "please." I have a feeling your language explosion won't be too far off.

You've got a sibling on the way, and I am super excited to see you as a big brother. There is nothing quite like the bond of a shared childhood, and I am so glad you'll be able to have that. You're going to have to learn to share your parents' time and attention, which will be a big adjustment, but it will be good for you. As the oldest, you'll always be there to love and protect the little one. I love my sisters dearly and am thankful for everything we have shared. Even though you and your brother will fight as kids, I know you'll feel the same way one day.

Being your mama is a whole new ball game now that you're a toddler. It's about limit setting, learning, and playing together. Although I loved having a baby, I'm enjoying this stage just as much. You are a super awesome little guy, and I'm looking forward to continuing to learn together.

xoxo,
Your loving Mama