11.

We made it.

Paul, we really have made it. 11 years. Happy Anniversary. We were so young. All the odds were against us. Everyone doubted us, I even did, and we pulled through. I still say it was the best decision I have ever made. You let me be myself, and you let me do things that most guys wouldn't allow! I love your attitude. I love that you stand up for me.I love that we are always on the go, and always doing something fun. You and I make a great team.

I love that our Van is so much like you.You are LOYAL.

We have gone on lots of adventures, and I can't wait for many more.We have survived through...

buying two houses, two pregnancies, starting a business, mushrooms growing out of carpet, depression, family drama, buying 3 cars, crazy land lords & neighbors, being scammed, friends who weren't really friends, VENDING, and the list is really endless.

We have enjoyed...

a trip to Disneyland, Hawaii, Wisconsin, two trips to Washington, lots of trips to Tracy and Twin Falls, eating out, walks down Redwood Road, movies, and of course our children...and each other!!!Love you long time Paul. Thank you for 11 years.

TYVM

I haven't done a thankful thursday in forever.
This week I am feelin' it.
My random thankful thoughts.

I am thankful for a solid 4 hours of sleep.
I am thankful that Van likes to help me so much.
I am thankful for this girl, who took these pictures.
I am thankful for my body, even though it doesn't look the way I want it to. It still does miraculous things.
I am thankful for all my friends and family that keep me sane.
I am thankful for being able to stay home with the people I love the most.
I am thankful for a great washer and dryer...it has been busy lately.

What are you thankful for this week?

wordless wednesday: perfecting the 3 person self portrait.

tomorrow.

Wednesdays are like a Monday for me.

It marks another week of being off on maternity leave.

Tomorrow will be 6 weeks.

My half way mark.

It is going by way to fast.

I really don't mind work, but I have always said and will continue to say...

my worst day at home is better than going to work!

We have been having fun.

Soakin' up all the time I get to stay home.

Van is learning to be brave on her big girl bike.

I went to a GNO with Vin...he was loved by all the girls.

Oh, and finally got to meet THE Boob Nazi, I can die a happy woman now. ;)

We found a neighbor that has a soda machine outside to purchase drinks, and now that is what Van saves all of her quarters for.
We scrubbed out our red radio flyer, and once it stops being so darn windy...

we will go on walks with our children in it.

We tried to fly our Spiderman kite.

We worked in the yard.

Play dates. RAWK!

Jumpin' Jacks for a fun birthday party.

We have snuggled, taken lots of naps, and done lots of puzzles.

I get to go to Tae Kwon Do with Van, I realize how much I miss out on.

We go on treat runs every night...

Paul is addicted to Charleston Chews.

Van is addicted to Hershey with Almonds in it.

My new love is Laffy Taffy.

I printed out over 200 pictures, and I am going to start some projects.

I will start running. gah.

With my new no chocolate, no coke, and now my new found no dairy either...

I am going to be droppin' weight. {I hope!}

I will not waste time pouting.
I will enjoy the next 6 weeks, because I know my dream world will abruptly end.

big changes.

I started off not really caring if I made it breast feeding or not. I gave up quickly with Van, and I thought that I would have a similar experience with Vin.

That wasn't the case this time around. Vin was good at it, and it made it easy for both of us.

Vin seemed to change this past week, and not just in weight. ;) He was screaming all. the. time. It was really ridiculous. With a few calls to the Dr...it was determined that Vin has colic. One morning specifically I remember telling Paul that he was lucky that Vin and I had both made it through the night alive. It was that hard.

After a lot of research, asking questions, and my mommy instincts...

I went off all caffeine. gasp.

No Coke.

No chocolate.

nada.

3 days in, my perfect baby is back.

Oh, and let me mention I am a firm believer in swaddling, and gripe water. You expecting mothers...have that shiz on tap. Night and day difference.

I know I said that I didn't care whether I breast fed or not. I know I said that I wasn't ever going to change my diet. I know I said a lot of things...I take it all back.

I love nursing and my babe enough to give up Coke.

And that my friends says A. LOT. doesn't it?

Some fun short videos...

Vin before gripe water, pacifier, and being swaddled...

Vin after...told you it was a night and day difference!!

snail mail rawks our world.

My sista is pretty much the bomb diggity. She is really good at sending little random things in the mail that make Van super happy (and me too!). This package we got today was pretty much the best idea, and so fun. Anyone that is far away from loved ones, this idea is for you.
My cute Alice in Wonderland is turning the BIG 1 in 6 days! Of course they live in Washington, and we won't be able to attend the bash that will be held in her honor. Boo. So guess what my sista did? She sent the party to us.

In our package we got...

4 cute plates

4 pink spoons

4 pink forks

4 super cute napkins

4 cups

4 cupcake toppers

4 party favors...candy bracelets

and to top it all off party hats!

It was the best package, and honestly Van was totally entertained. We will be baking cupcakes today, and having party food all day long in celebration of our Alice.

We love you girly. Happy Birthday.

xx,

Uncle Paul, Auntie Evonnie, Savannah-rama-ding-dong, and Devi

i just can't resist...i adore these two.

I know it is probably getting old, but honestly I am so in love with my children...

it is almost sickening. I wouldn't even feel bad if you just skipped this whole post, because I am a broken record. If you read on, don't say I didn't try to warn you.

I adore that when Vin's eyes are open (and even when they aren't) Van is always talking to him, and trying to entertain him.

I adore that when I dress Vin up he looks even more like his Daddy.I adore that when the sun roof comes open, Van instantly wants to do this...I adore that Van wants to always take pictures like this...I adore that Van wants to help me when I'm putting laundry away...or anything I am doing for that matter. I adore that when Vin sleeps with my shirt, he can sleep for hours and hours.I adore that Vin likes holding on to me. Sometimes it's my shirt, sometimes it's my hair, and sometimes it's my necklace.I adore Vin's kissable cheeks, and honestly I don't think that there is a more perfect set of lips. =)

The list is endless...but I will spare you...

baby shower fun.

Remember when I said that I would update my blog with more details about Vin's baby shower? Oh, you don't remember? Neither did I, or maybe I did, and just didn't ever get around to it. Good thing my good friend Emily (not to be confused with Emily my BFF, and Emilie my sista) decided to do the task for me!! Yup, and she did a fabulous job too! So, you should just go to this post to see the ridiculously cute cupcakes that she worked so hard on! Go to this post to see all the little details...like decor, food, gifts, friends, and of course my cute Van posing.

If you are planning a baby shower...Emily, Quinn, and Vanessa are your party planning gals. =) Thank you again for the best party eVER!

if our baby could talk

I am pretty sure he would be sayin'...

"Someone save me! PLEASE!"

his feet

i don't have strong genes.

my children look mostly like paul.

one thing my children do have is my feet.

except vin got this little bubble on his big toes.

i love it.

car seat idea.

My sista gave me the idea of taking Vin's picture in his car seat every week. I didn't really know if I would do it, but ends up it is a really easy/great idea. You are always putting your baby in the car seat, and it is just a matter of remembering.I was going to retake this picture, but I never got around to it. His eyes were bright red from yawning/getting ready to cry. Yes he turns BRIGHT red when he is unhappy.
4 weeks have passed already...and he is already getting so big.

Joining Glamour Shots Gone Wild

The infamous Kristina of Pulsipher Predilections is throwing a Glamour Shots Gone Wild Blog Carnival. What is that you ask? If you have glamour shot pictures post them on your blog...then link it up by clicking on this hawt picture below...

I got these done with my friend Amanda our sophomore year in high school. I remember thinking I really liked em...gasp, did I just admit to that. Amanda didn't like the way her pictures turned out. I think that there was turquoise and something shimmery involved in her pictures. =)

Come on people, join the judging...and if you wanna good laugh.

vons tips.

I do not go crazy over all the baby products out there, but if I had to give a few must have products for new Mom's these are the things that I would suggest. These are all things I didn't have with Van, but have found they make life a. lot. easier now that I have them.

Someone gave me a bassinet to use for Vin. One word...life saver. I wouldn't spend a lot on it, try to barrow if you can. Vin is already sleeping in his crib, so it's not worth spending a lot of money on. It is extremely nice to have in those first few weeks though.

Buy a car seat with one of these doo-dads... It makes it SO nice that it tightens with just a pull, and will loosen with a push of that orange button. So there isn't a constant fixing of the straps every time your baby grows. Trust me, that is a huge pain. Worth the extra money you spend.

Get a comfy rocking chair. It makes those middle of the night feedings way easier, and it appears that Vin likes it too! =)

If you plan on nursing, make sure you have someone to talk to. I didn't make it very long nursing with Van. I have done fabulous this time, because of people like my Sista who listen. I have seriously called a billion times to ask questions, which was the biggest mistake I made with Van. I felt like a stupid new Mommy so I didn't ask questions. I have asked way more questions this time around, and it has made a big difference.

That is all. My 2 cents. Take it or leave. Add to it if you want.

funny story #1

There are sooo many funny stories to tell. Just ask Emily and Stephanie when they came to visit...it was straight up ridiculous. This story might just top that visit though. I had to tell it first.Van has a problem waking Vin up. It is annoying. I have tried to tell her not to do it, but she doesn't care. Chalk it up as just another thing we are adjusting to.
This morning I left Vin sleeping soundly on my bed, and I hopped in the shower. Van was playing/watching a movie near him...but not paying attention to him...so I thought. As soon as I got in the shower, I hear Vin screaming. I tried to hurry, but ya know. He kept on, and I could hear Van trying to console him. She sometimes can calm him down, but more often than not she just makes him more upset.
I get out of the shower to find Van on my bed holding him, with her shirt up, trying to nurse him. Seriously so funny...I couldn't stop laughing...

wordless wednesday: we are all in desperate need of pedi's

odd.

It is still amazing to me that this...was this little guy...

Even though it was a hard journey, and we are still getting adjusted to having a new baby...there is still talk of another baby in our future. I guess that means that it is all worth it, right?