Palm Springs

My good friend Danielle's husband is an adventure junkie and goes away for a man trip at least once a year. Thus, Danielle decided that the mom's needed to take a trip of our own.  Ty never does anything like that, so I didn't really have an excuse, but it still sounded like a perfect idea to me.  The plan was to go somewhere the husbands and kids wouldn't enjoy; sun bathing, reading, the spa and shopping were all on the agenda.  We settled on a long weekend in Palm Springs, flight and hotel costs were low and we knew we could count on good weather.

It was a fabulous trip.  We only got to about half of the things on our to do list because we were so content just lounging around and chatting without the responsibility of caring for mini humans.  Good conversations are one of my all time favorite things and I loved the opportunity to get to know more about my friends.  When we are together we are usually chatting while simultaneously wrangling our toddlers, I often get home and realize we never finished a particular topic.  I so enjoyed being able to have long, uninterrupted conversations. We spent lots of time by the pool and a little time exploring Palm Springs, we went to a movie (our big night out) and ate at great restaurants.  None of us got too far in the books we brought along, we never ended up shopping or going to the spa, but we had a wonderful time.  Turns out we don't need much to be happy and entertained.

I love being a mom and Owen is the center of my world but it's really important to me to have an identity outside of him as well. I think that as mom's we all need time for ourselves and to talk about something besides our children once in a while.  The weekend was a perfect escape and I am so thankful I have a husband that supports me in getting away.  I knew that the boys would be fine at home without me and didn't worry about them at all.  Although I did miss them like crazy, by Monday I was ready to come home. With the basement construction, the third trimester of pregnancy and chaos that will ensure once we're a family of four, I know it's going to be quite a while before I'm able to relax like this again.

Chelan 2014

Ty, Owen and I spent a week in Chelan to celebrate my 29th and Ty's 30th birthday.  We love Lake Chelan and it was wonderful to get away with just the three of us.  We stayed at Campbell's Resort which is a perfect set up for families.  Two pools, a sandy beach into the lake, a room with a kitchenette, and lot of sunshine made for a lovely stay.  At home we've been hard at work cleaning out the basement and stressing out about that construction, so it was a much needed break.  I've reached the point in my pregnancy where life is getting a little harder.  Bending down is requiring some work, I run out of  breath much quicker than usual, I'm not sleeping quite as soundly, and with everything I have to do it's not easy to slow down.  We all know how I am when it comes to letting things that need to be done go, it just doesn't happen.  While we were away Ty did the majority of lugging Owen around and he treated me to a blissful massage/pedicure at the spa.  It was a perfect way to end summer and kick off my 29th year.

Abigail Annette

Last month I watched my best friend of 20 years become a mama.  It was pretty incredible.  Rachel did amazing during the labor and delivery and is a total natural when it comes to newborn care. I am super proud of her.  There is really nothing more beautiful than seeing a baby be born, truly a miracle.  I am pretty obsessed with this beautiful little girl and can't wait for all the adventures Abby, Owen and 2.0 will share.

5 Years

Ty and I have been married for five years, which means we have been together for a grand total of eleven.  It is crazy how quickly the time passes.  Five years, a house, a dog, a sweet baby boy and another on the way.  It's been pretty amazing. Together Ty and I have had a wide variety of experiences.  From learning to navigate our freshman year of college, to a semester traveling Europe, to graduating, starting careers, and becoming parents, we have loved and supported each other through it all.  We have grown both individually and as a couple throughout our relationship and I am grateful for every year.  I remember our wedding day with great fondness and always think about our vows on our anniversary.

I promise to support your dreams and nurture your kindness
Because it is through this your soul shines
I promise to help shoulder our challenges and share our successes
Because our strength lies in our union together

I promise to be your partner in all things
Choosing to build a life and family grounded in faith
I promise you friendship
To keep my heart light and always embrace laughter

Lastly, I promise you unconditional love and unwavering trust
This is my sacred vow to you
My equal, my love, my husband

Ty is a pretty amazing husband.  Just like we promised on that August day five years ago, we have an equal partnership where we share pretty much all the responsibilities.  We both work, we both cook and clean, we both take care of Jake and Owen. Sometimes he has to do more and sometimes I have to pick up the slack but for the most part we divide and conquer. Obviously no relationship is perfect but I can honestly say that I'm extremely happy and secure in my marriage.  Ty is one of the most generous and loving people I know and he makes me a better person everyday.  I have long believed that love is not only an emotion but also a choice and I am so thankful that we choose to love and encourage each other in all things.  A lot has happened in the last five years and I am looking forward to many more to come.

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.