Recently

Oh my goodness has our life been full lately! We have been keeping busy and I have been really good at taking pictures, just not very good at uploading them to my computer. So I made a few collages to keep you up to date with our recent happenings!

 

We went to Disneyland to celebrate our niece Ella's fifth birthday. We spent the day at California Adventure before heading over to Disneyland to go trick or treating.

 

Bailey wore her Rapunzel dress during the day and was Belle for the Halloween party. Wyatt was Peter Pan (Chris was working).

 

Chris and I were able to get away for a weekend in San Francisco, where Chris was a groomsman in the wedding of our dear friends Ben and Jenny. It was such a great weekend full of love and friends! We even went to the Giants game, where they won!

It was so wonderful (and much needed) being able to get away just the two of us.

 

We went "camping" in Mom and Dad's backyard with our great friends. It was a wonderful weekend, until Bailey started throwing up, so we only slept in the tent one night, but it was still full of good memories. We spent time at the beach, listening to music at the golf course, and enjoyed time around the fire pit. (Chris missed out again due to work)

The weather was perfect and we were so comfortable in the tent, and we had a great beach day!

 

The kids and I went on another Faery Hunt and as always Bailey loves seeing the girls dressed up. She wore her Rapunzel dress again and loved walking along the path with all the other little girls, looking for fairies and singing new songs.

 

Bailey and Wyatt have been like two peas in a pod lately. So loving with each other and Wyatt loves trying to do everything that Bailey does. They bring me so much joy and I am enjoying watching their relationship grow and a friendship blossom. We are still learning how to give each of them enough individual attention, but it sure is nice having them be able to play together and like each other.

Matching glow-in-the-dark jammies, bath time,  hunting lizards in the backyard, and showing off their junior police officer stickers my Grandma sent them.

 

It has been really hot these past few days (almost 100 degrees for a few days in a row), so we have been spending time outside before it gets too hot and enjoying our water table. Wyatt isn't usually a fan of hats but I couldn't resist buying him the one and he actually kept it on.

He is turning into a kid. Not my baby anymore! He is starting to talk a lot more and is so loving and expressive. He knows what he wants and will definitely let you know if he is unhappy, but fortunately he is still our little cuddlebug and gives hugs and kisses freely.

 

My sweet girl.

Growing like a weed, learning so much (thankfully she loves school now and has many friends so she enjoys going), is very helpful, can be very stubborn, is still a Mom's girl but sure loves her Dad! She is teaching me a lot about patience (both working on her own and mine!) and having fun. We are starting regular chores with her, she loves coming up with ideas of things we can do (mostly involving frozen yogurt with things we can put on top, or ice cream), she loves to help in the kitchen, do art work, and is very creative.

She challenges me, and I'm so excited to see her grow! She is a beauty, inside and out!

 

Chris has missed out on a few things lately, but for a good reason! He transferred down to Ventura County, from working in Santa Barbara, and his schedule is pretty up in the air for now. He went from driving about an hour each way, working 12 hour shifts, four days a week to driving about 20 minutes each way. While his hours are varying for now, we're hoping they will be set soon. It is so nice having him closer to home and we know this will be a great move for him!

 

Not much to update on me, just working and making memories with the family!

We have a few more fun things coming up soon, so hopefully I'll post again soon!

Hello!

 

 

Hello friends! Here I am again for some recaps of our recent lives!

 

We were lucky enough to spend Mom and Dad's 36th wedding anniversary with them at Disneyland! It wasn't too crowded and although it was warm, it wasn't too bad.

 

We got to meet a few characters and it was really nice because we could split up a bit, someone could stay with Wyatt while others went on a ride or walked around, etc. Bailey loved Splash Mountain again and still wasn't a fan of Pirate's even though she asked to go on it first thing.

 

I've been trying to get some small projects done around the house and one that has been bothering me is the trim at the front of the house. It was peeling and some parts were unpainted and it was really just an eyesore. I grabbed some paint I thought would look good and went to work.

It's not quite what I had hoped, it's a little muted in person. Maybe I will try a coat of darker green and see how that looks. Even though it's not exactly what I pictured, I am happy that I was able to get some paint and even out the look.

 

I was able to get the trim painted because the kids spent almost a week up at my parents! While it was really nice having some time to catch up on sleep (I slept for 13 hours one night! That's usually two nights worth of sleep for me) we really missed them! Mom sent me lots of pictures and videos and it makes me so happy knowing that they are making wonderful memories together.

Papa and Wyatt at the beach

 

Nana and Bailey made jam cookies!

 

Boy were we happy to have the kids home! Wyatt has recently gotten into books and his favorite is Click, Clack, Moo and the night they came home, we read it four times in a row! Wyatt happily sat with Dada before bed, listening to him read.

 

Bailey started at a new preschool this week! Our work schedules are changing soon and we realized that it is hard when she gets out of school at 11:30 three days a week, so we switched her to a school that is open from 7am-6pm! She doesn't stay that long, but having that option is really nice!

She was excited to go to school, but she had a rough time when we were leaving her. It is different than her last school because she goes straight to the playground before class and it was overwhelming for her. I went back to remind her to go potty and she burst into tears and it broke my heart! A teacher came over and took Bailey under her wing and Bailey had a great first day! She is still a little timid at drop off but is always running around with friends when I go to pick her up.

 

Having Bailey gone longer gives me more one on one time with Wyatt which has been fun! Watching him grow and seeing how much he understands now is amazing! He can say a few words, but understands SO much! I caught him being a daredevil one day in his room, peeking outside to see the garbage man come by.

 

I have been making a big commitment to being healthier and trying to lose weight. I want to do it for myself and to be a better example for the kids. I have found a couple of girls I've been following on instagram and blogs and they have been big motivation for me. One woman has lost over 100 pounds and is a good reminder that it takes time and effort to lose weight. Sometimes I find myself hoping/needing/expecting immediate results and following other people really makes a difference.

 

I've lost over 11 pounds in 45 days (I keep track and take a picture everyday to give me a way to see my progress when I can't see it by looking in the mirror)

This is one I took right after doing a workout at home, at 9pm, after waking up at 1240 am for work. I could have very easily said no, gone to bed, and gotten some extra sleep. But I know that I have a goal and I was proud of me for saying, yes, sticking with it and seeing progress!

 

Hard work paying off!

 

 

The kids and I hit up our local favorite farm for a relaxing afternoon. We usually go on weekdays because there are very few people and this visit was no exception. It felt good to be out in the fresh air, letting Bailey run around, and just be a kid. Wyatt napped for a bit while we were there, then we went on the train around the farm and the kids enjoyed this fast train.

They loved riding together!

 

I have been doing my best to soak up the happy moments together because I know that our days are soon to be busier (with work schedules changing) and the sun will be setting sooner, so we have been enjoying tie in the backyard.

We were being silly and having a tickle party on the back deck.

 

Wyatt is a little ham. He is so funny and cuddly! He makes me laugh all day long. He gets upset if someone else is upset and is very quick to give hugs and kisses. I joke that he is our little mayor because he waves to everyone he sees, and oftentimes with both hands.

We have been staying busy, enjoying the good moments and getting through some tough ones. Lots of changes coming over the next few months and I'm hoping to keep my own good attitude, keep up my weight loss, and hopefully find some time to go on a date with my husband sometime!

Happy day!

As our summer is winding down we are working on making memories and enjoying the times that we have together before our days get even more hectic!

 

Bailey is a smart girl and loves school. She got this book and has been asking to work on it at dinnertime.

She has started recognizing her numbers and this is really helping, showing her the correct way to write.

 

I have been working hard on losing some weight and getting healthier. and learning how to make good tasting meals that are still healthy has made me more creative in the kitchen.

The other night this was my dinner, all made on one cookie sheet. Brussel sprouts and bell peppers with a little balsamic vinegar. Chicken with some spices. Easy and very flavorful!

 

Walking out to my {dirty} car I noticed some tiny handprints on the bumper.

As often as it can be aggravating getting handprints all over everything, seeing these sweet reminders of my little loves unexpectedly brightens my day!

 

Wyatt had his 15 month check up last week and we are so lucky to have a great Doctor and office staff watching over us.

{Wyatt is a healthy 25 pounds and 2 feet 6 inches tall}

We had to wait a little longer than usual so the friendly nurses gave Bailey some pens to decorate the exam table paper. {She didn't want to watch Wyatt get a shot so a nurse took her to the nurses station and let her pick out as many stickers as she wanted}

 

Chris was sent up to work at the fire in Santa Barbara for five days and unfortunately he was gone during the local airshow, which he and Bailey love to attend. I think it's boring, but Bailey loves it and I decided I would take the kids. I was a little apprehensive about it because a lot of people attend and walking around with them was a little daunting. But we all did great {even if we were missing Daddy!}

We were lucky enough to find Chris' Dad in the crowd and sat with him for a little while. We went home for a bit before heading out to meet my Father-in-law for dinner. It ended up being a really fun day for us all and I'm glad we were able to go together.

 

We have been busy, busy these past few weeks and I have a lot to share...but for now, that's it!

 

Checking in!

Hello there! It's been awhile, hasn't it?

We have been keeping busy this summer, trying to fit in fun activities, family time, and memory making.

We had a very low-key 4th of July. Having a great afternoon at Chris' Mom's house eating, playing outside and playing games. We didn't see any fireworks but spending the day all together, relaxing, made for a memorable 4th.

In our patriotic gear!

Our Niece LOVES Wyatt! He is her favorite person and has to be around him at all times when we are together.

Wyatt and Eden!

Our big girl turned 4!

I have no idea how that happened, but it did.

Bailey got to bring snacks to school, they sang to her during chapel, and her teacher made her a birthday crown (which she wore for more than a week).

Bailey and I had a girls day to celebrate. We went to lunch, Bailey got her first manicure and pedicure (at a cute place with kids chairs), we went to see Finding Dory and dinner together, just the two of us.

We had a family pool party for our girl. It was nice to have a party where I didn't really have to do any planning, or decorating, or inviting. It was just as fun as our bigger parties and I was able to relax.

Bailey and Ella, cousins make the best friends!

Bailey finished her first year of preschool! She has grown so much but I didn't realize how much she has physically grown until I compared her first day of school picture to her last day of school picture:

She still looks like a toddler in the first picture, and like a big girl in the second!

We have been having great weather lately, so we have been spending a lot of time outside, Bailey was willing to share her sunglasses with Wyatt one day...

Just call him Elton!

Wyatt is not usually a fan of hats, but he has one baseball cap that he will keep on for a bit and I love how it looks on him!

Bailey is still very into dresses and has begun asking to borrow one of my necklaces almost everyday. She found this headband and wears it with everything.

She still has a lot of spunk in her!

We have a fabulous library in town and during the summer they have kids programs throughout the week. We have been to a zoo program where they brought animals to show the kids, a couple of music programs, and this week we went to a zumba class.

It was so much fun, Bailey had a great time dancing around and hopefully we can find something like zumba to do at home!

We rode our town's free trolley around the other day, one loop took about half an hour and it was a perfect activity! Then we made some chocolate pudding and spent time outside.

Bailey and Wyatt's relationship is so sweet, I love watching them play together, love each other, and even though they're starting to bicker a bit over toys and sharing, seeing them play together makes my heart happy.

I even caught them trying to hold hands in the car...they can just barely reach each other.

My cousin works at OstrichLand U.S.A. in Solvang and we drove up to meet some family members there to meet the ostriches.

They are some strong birds and they know when the food is there!

Bailey was able to feed them herself...

While Papa helped Wyatt...

I was on vacation from work for 2 weeks, we didn't go anywhere but it was nice to get some full time time with the kids. Chris was still working so we didn't get any extra days off together, but it was nice not having to worry about childcare.

I did send the kids off to Mema's house for one night so that I could get my hair done the next morning. I indulged in my favorite beer (reminding me of our honeymoon), some nachos, and lounging in front of the TV.

{it was worthy of a picture}

Like I mentioned... I went and got my hair done...

My hairdresser added pink, purple, blue, green, and red to the underside layers in my hair. It is fun catching myself in the mirror and seeing the colors peeking out from underneath!

I have been able to work on my Etsy shop a bit. I missed being creative and putting new garlands together and spending time with my little sewing machine has inspired me to make time for myself a bit more.

I even have a facebook page for my shop, have you seen it yet?

This post may make it seem like things have been great and rosy and perfect lately. While things have been fun, filled with new memories, and overall good; it has also been hard. Learning how to parent two kids at different stages. Figuring out how to divide my time so they both feel like they're getting enough attention. Keeping the house somewhat clean and homemade/somewhat healthy meals made {do these kids really need to eat everyday??}. Having a stressful job, where more unnecessary stress is added day after day. Really needing some alone time with my husband. Craving more sleep. Looking around at all the house projects I want to do and feeling worn out at even the thought of picking up a paint brush or hammer and yet I still come up with new projects everyday. Wanting to take a day to go sit at the beach, walk along the shore, and just breathe. Get rid of stuff and feel less cluttered. Attempt to figure out what my kids need when they are acting out, testing my patience, especially when I'm worn down.

Life is really good. great even, but that doesn't mean that it's not hard. The day to day life that I have can be overwhelming at times and sometimes I have to make it though moment by moment, but an impromptu hug or laugh from my kids, getting a whiff of sea air as I stand in the backyard, and an "I love you" text message from Chris all help me to keep going. Remind me to take a breath and let go of all the stress and enjoy the moment I'm in.

We were able to be spontaneous a few weeks ago, we drove up to Ojai for dinner. Yes we left our house right at traffic time, it was in the high 80s as we ate dinner, and Bailey wasn't interested in eating. But, we sat outside, in the sunshine, had a glass of wine, ate the most amazing strawberry shortcake for dessert, and let the kids run around in the sprinklers behind the restaurant after.

So cheers to enjoying the moment, getting through the tiring days, and making good memories whenever we can!

Today I'm thankful for...

Tylenol and Motrin.

Emergency rooms and antibiotics.

Thermometers and cool baths.

Healing and cuddles.

Our big guy hasn't been feeling well for a week and a half.

Thursday his fever spiked over 103 degrees so we decided it was time for an ER visit since it wouldn't come down.

He was pretty miserable.

Tired (got him to the ER at 11pm), hot, and pooped out (literally).

His fever was down by the time we got to see the doctor and they sent us home with instructions to collect a stool sample when we could.

{Like I said... he was pooped out}

Once the sample was evaluated, it was found that he has C.diff

{kind of like having pink eye...in your colon}

We had to go back to the ER so he could get antibiotics and they could mix the dose right, as it's not common for kids to have it, they wanted to be sure we got the right dosage.

Fortunately, we weren't in the ER for too long waiting for the medicine, but Wyatt was still worn out from fighting this so we cuddled and he fell asleep in my arms.

He fever seems to be gone!

We had his regular 1 year check up with his doctor scheduled yesterday so it was nice to talk with him and get some questions answered.

His weight is still down so we are watching him to make sure that he doesn't get dehydrated and giving him some Gatorade to help him get fluids.

But seeing this smile sure makes me happy!

I am so thankful for modern medicine and that we are able to get him the help that he needed. We're not sure where he got the bacteria, but we are all constantly washing our hands now to make sure it doesn't spread to anyone else.

We are on the up and up and despite having to wake him up at 1 in the morning to give him medicine for the next few days, we are all happier!

Super Wyatt

Not sure how it is possible but we now have a ONE YEAR OLD!
This year has gone by so quickly that his birthday snuck up on me. I felt like I planned a lot a long time ago, then kind of stopped, then had to piece it all together at the end. I loved how it came out and we had a SUPER good time celebrating our guy!

We had a superhero theme party it was so fun to see that everyone got into the spirit!

Our super family

{Chris took off the mask immediately because Wyatt was scared!}

 

After Chris took his mask off, his friend brought out a new cowboy hat...creating a new super hero!  

 

 

Auntie Karen came down (YAY!) and was Iron woman

Papa was the Flash and Nana was a monarch

Super Mema and Super Wy!

 

We used these brick boxes  (misc. cardboard boxes painted like bricks} with our roller coaster and everyone had a blast breaking through them! It was the hit of the party!

 

Even the big kids had to try it out!

 

A picture of Wyatt for each month on a banner and a city scene set up behind the gifts.

 

The dessert station!

We had delicious cupcakes, cookies, chocolate dipped pretzels.

 

Wyatt had a personalized cake!

 

I ordered these cookies from the woman who made cookies for Bailey's first birthday! Even though she doesn't normally make cookies anymore, she made an exception and I'm so glad she did!

 

Wyatt wasn't feeling very well, he's been having a really tough time with teething, and he was little overwhelmed with all of the people so he stayed pretty close to Nana, Mema, and me.

 

He is so lucky, having so many loving arms to feel safe in.

 

We kept the food simple:

Large blimpie sandwiches, pasta salad, fuit salad, and potato salad.

It was perfect, relaxed and made a lot less work for me which made me able to enjoy the party more.

 

Besides the "brick" wall and mask making station, we had a face painter come and she was phenomenal!

Cousin Ella the rainbow kitty

Cheetah Mak

 

Wyatt was so blessed with gifts! I don't know where we are going to put all of his new toys but we are all slowly enjoying playing with them together!

Wyatt sat for a bit, then got overwhelmed with everyone watching him, so he was cuddling with Nana while the other kids helped open the gifts.

 

A happy moment! I love these two!

 

Wyatt was not a fan of the cake...

 

Not feeling good, being watched by a lot of people, made for a scary situation for our little superhero. He was quickly scooped up and taken away for some cuddles, and a bit of a nap.

 

Bailey on the other hand...

Bailey had a Blast {and enjoyed some sugar!}

 

All-in-all the party came together wonderfully, we all {other than the birthday boy} had a great time and it really was a super celebration.

 

Facepainter: Smitten face painting & smiles

Cake, cupcakes, and pretzels: Pastrygirl123 {FB and website}

Cookies: The Happy Caker

Décor: mostly Oriental Trading