Fun Times, Old Friends

What a fun weekend.
In the past, getting together with old college friends consisted of talking and catching up, having a drink or two, or three, maybe going to a UT Football game, definately having a plan for the evening that includes going out, maybe a a drink or two, and returning home no earlier than midnight for sure.

Oh how things have changed.

This weekend a couple of friends from college, we were all Zetas and lived in the house together, went to New Braunfels with thier families to go to Schilterbahn, and float the river.  So on Saturday as Blaine headed to work, after completing his "honey-do" list at home that I left for him (he is awsome!), Eli and I headed down to New Braufels to meet up with them and thier boys for the afternoon. 

Sarah and Bo, Paige and Peter and Me and Eli

It was such a fun afternoon!  Thier husbands and older boys went to float the river and we stayed back and went to the pool, all the while, the babies rotated naps in the Pack n' Plays.  Before we hit the pool, the boys all sat on the ground and shared a muffin.

  Yes, they ate it off the floor and even fed eachother a little.

Then we headed to the pool...

Peter and Bo were absolutely precious! And it was so fun to see them all together. 

Walking back to thier condo from the pool, I felt SOOO old, as we passed a balcony with a group of 20 somethings in thier cute binkini's and swim trunks, playing loud music, laughing, drinking beer....all the while, I come swaddling pass them with my big ole' belly and 18 month child. I felt OLD.

When we got back from the pool and Eli and Peter were done napping, Eli had an overwhelming urge to hug Peter.  Im not so sure what was going on. I have never seem him like that before and poor Peter was putting up with him as best he could. It may have been those pudgy little cheeks that he just couldnt resist!

Peter seriously had had enough!

But what a trooper he was!

We headed back to Austin late afternoon to get home to tidy up before my friend Stephanie came over to hang out and eat dinner with us.  She was in town for the night and so we got to hang out and catch up.  It was great to see her!

Sunday morning after Eli and I went on a little jaunt through the neighborhood, we headed to the fire station so that Blaine and I could do the "child swap."  I dropped Eli off with Blaine and headed to my parents house for a little shower my sister was throwing for me in honor of this little boy who still doesnt have a name.  Of couse before we left the station we had to go out to the truck room to see the fire trucks and oooh and awwwwe over them! Eli was clawing at the door until we opened it for him to see the trucks.

Rachel really went above and beyond herself with the diaper cake, the beautiful flowers, the delicious food spread and my favorite dessert!  I really had a great time and was given so many wonderful gifts that were beyond necessary! My wonderful family and some wonderful friends were there.  It was a great way to welcome this little man into the world (in 25 days or less, but who is really counting).

 

Who's going to be a good big brother?

Counting Down the Days

Dear Baby,
We still haven't figured out a name for you; nothing has stood out as the perfect name.  I am so excited to meet you and a little nervous about how our lives will be flipped upside down.  Things seem so easy around here and we are about to start all over.  But don't get me wrong, I can not wait for your arrival!
Already you are so different from Eli.  You kick and move around in my belly aaaaall day long.  You always reassure me that you are OK because I can always feel you.  You have no idea how much anxiety you have saved me.  You don't give me heartburn, instead you give me gas bubbles that get trapped in my stomach.  So far, you have been cooperative and are head down--thank you!  You don't get mad at me for eating Chinese food, or greasy things,  but have given me a new appreciation for peppercinis, frozen lemonade, BLT's, Jolly Ranchers and any sour candy I can find.  You perch right on top of my bladder for most of the day, and have given me insomnia on many nights.  You dad seems to think you make me hormonal, but I have no idea what he is talking about!

I feel a sense of guilt for not giving you the same amount of attention as I did with Eli while I was pregnant with you but I think I have learned a lot since the first time around.  I am so much more calm, and have less anxiety.  I think I am focusing on the more important things. 

If I could be just a little bit stingy, I just ask that you please latch on with no problems, and that you sleep better than your brother did as a baby...OK, maybe just one of those things (or both, you choose).  But if you don't, we will get through it just like we did with Eli and or course love you just as much!
But seriously, just think about it.

You make your Aunt Rachel very excited.  She continues to thank us for giving her another baby.  She will love you like her own, and would do anything in the world for you.  For her birthday, she asked us for a Pack N' Play so that you and your brother can spend the night with her. 
You are already loved by your whole family!  You are coming into the world with so many people who are here for you no matter what, and would do anything for you.

Yesterday I went to the doctor and Rachel came with me.  We had our last sonogram today and you caught us off guard.  Turns out you may be a pretty big baby, at least for our standards.  Of course all we have to compare it to is Eli who was 6 pounds 7 ounces when he was born.  Today, we were told that you were already 6 pounds 13 ounces!!!!  And if you make it to your due date you could be 8 1/2 pounds!  I gotta say, you looked pretty darn cute, yawning and opening your eyes, you were moving all around and had your hand up to your face.  I'm already dilated 2cm and pretty much thinned out, so who knows, maybe you will come a little early.  Either way, I cant wait to meet you!  Your dad thinks you look just like him, but lets prove him wrong, OK!

Eli may not take to you right away, but I know for sure, that you guys will be the best of friends.  Right now he loves trucks, big trucks, and firetrucks, he loves playing outside with sticks, rocks, dirt, he is all boy.  Lawnmowers, dogs, and airplanes are all very exciting and he lets us know with a long-winded "WHOOOOOOAAAAAA!!!!"  We have been spending a lot of time in your room getting ready for your arrival.  Eli is helping me put your clothes away and organize your closet.  He even helped picked out your lovey.  I think he knows that some kind of change is coming, but has no idea how much this change will change him as a person.  He will now be a big brother.  He will now have a best friend for life who he can call on for anything.  He will now have someone he can confide in and tell his secrets to, play soccer with, get in trouble with and laugh with.  Siblings are one of the greatest gift you can be given.
For the last 18 months our world has revolved around him and he has gotten all of the attention.  He is still so young and wont understand why things are changing, but take it from me, he loves you!

Eli finished up with his speech therapy appointments this week, what a relief!  And do you want to know what his diagnosis was?  He was diagnosed as a kid who is independent and will do things on his own timeline.  Turns out that aside from being a bit hypersensitive in his mouth, there is no other issues going on.  Instead of eating an apple in slices, or with the skin peeled off or in bite-sized pieces, he wants the entire apple and wants to eat it like I do.  Instead of being fed yogurt or anything of the sort, he wants to feed himself, regardless of the fact that only about 10 percent of it actually makes it in his mouth. Meals around here are still a difficult and frustrating task in our house, but improvement is being made, and that is all I can ask for.

We are counting down the days and getting everything ready for you to come home and settle in to your new life, making us a family of four.  I don't know how long it will take me to get used to saying "these are my children" (it just sounds crazy and makes me feel so old!), but I do know you are going to fit right in and we love you so much!

Nesting Has Set In!

Have I always broken into a sweat while putting sheets on our bed? Or is it just the 20 (plus) extra pounds that I'm carrying around?!?!?

My mom had Eli starting Thursday afternoon until Saturday morning so that I could meet my instinct to nest. Not to mention that our house really  just needed a good cleaning. 
The house has seemed eerily quiet, a little lonely and kinda sad without Eli here.  I cant believe that this is how I used to live! What the heck did I do with all my time before him? 

I had forgotten the amount of productivity that I was capable of.  Let me just tell you a few of the things that I have gotten done today: sanitized Eli's bathtub and all his bath toys, scrubbed all the sinks in the house, 3 loads of laundry (including our sheets and bedding, Eli's highchair cover, his shopping cart cover and all my laundry!!!!), vacuumed and swept the whole house, cleaned out the shoe closet, cleaned out and vacuumed my car, filled my BOB tires with air, organized the baby's room a bit, ate a whole bag of pretzels, cleaned the mirrors, caught up with my dear friend Natalie who is having a baby 6 weeks after me (YAY!!!),  bought a dress for a shower,  relaxed, and dusted the house.
Even though so much was done, I still feel like there is a ton to do, and I am having a hard time not making lists everyday of the things that need to get done! 

So, with 6 weeks to go before our family of three becomes four, Eli successfully moved into his new room.   Along with the move into his big boy room some teeth decided to take up residency in his mouth.  For some reason, these last few teeth were particularly difficult.  I thought we were smooth sailing with the teething because he has breezed through his teeth thus far, but the 1 a.m. wakings, the fussiness and breakdowns proved me wrong.  Thankfully we have moved passed that and I am now trying to explain to a 17 month old that a baby is coming to live with us soon.  Its not going so well.  He certainly knows that something is coming, but has no idea how much his world is about to be rocked!!!!

I actually have a lot of anxiety and sadness for Eli.  I keep telling myself that I went through the same thing when Rachel was born, and not only do I not remember a thing, but I turned out OK, and so will he!
I know that he will be a wonderful big brother and they will grow up to be the best of friends just like me and Rachel.  But part of me feels like he is still such a baby and needs me so much! 
With all of our family around he will get plenty of attention, but when you are the mom, you just feel like you can do it all and do it best!   We have been reading a book on becoming a big brother and talk a lot about the baby's room and his clothes, but there is really only so much you can do with a 17 month old I guess.  I do know that he will be happy when this belly bump is gone so he can nuzzle back into me while we are reading his stories!

Last week my wonderful playgroup had a surprise dinner for me.  My friend Brooke orchestrated the whole thing and I was so surprised!  I thought I was meeting just her at Moonshine for a celebratory dinner before the baby comes, but little did I know that others would be there waiting!

It was a great night out with just the girls, and no babies, and I felt so lucky that I have the friends that I do.

Already?

I feel like it was just a few months ago that we were celebrating your 30th birthday.  I cant believe a year has passed!

So much has changed in the last year....

I love you so much! Happy Birthday!

A Little Trickery Never Hurt Anyone

If you have eaten a meal with us lately, you know how tricky it can be to get Eli to eat.  He certainly didn't get this habit from his mom! 

So, in an attempt to get him to eat (instead of just play with) his yogurt, I snazzed it up a bit!

Are you wondering why Im smiling so BIG???

Because my Mamma put these in my yogurt!!!!

Its a dash of sprinkles! And it made my yogurt so much more delicious!

When we were younger, my mom used to make us eat plain yogurt.  I don't know what kid likes plain yogurt, so she would buy this colorful sugar that she would let us sprinkle on, and somehow made plain yogurt more tasty, and somehow quite fun to eat!

I had no idea that a little trickery would actually work on someone so young! I refilled his bowl 3 times!!!

It worked!

Up Yours Alex!

You will have to excuse the crass title of my post, but we managed to time our vacation to Mexico perfectly with the arrival of Hurricane Alex.
Every now and then something happens that makes you realize just how short life is, and how you need to appreciate the ones you love and make sure you tell them everyday.  When Maw was sick, it was a reminder to us all just how lucky we are to have our family and our health.  My Dad decided that with that reminder, he was going to plan a trip for our family to all be together to take advantage of the time we have. 

I have been counting down the days for this trip for months! And for so many reasons; I knew this would be the last trip we take for a while, I love the beach and haven't been since our honeymoon,  I couldn't wait to spend that much time with my family, and to see Eli experience the beach for the first time. I am nervous about how much time I will  need to spend with the new baby and nervous about how Eli will react to the changes, so I was so happy that we got to take this trip with Eli.

It lived up to every expectation I had!  We really had the most wonderful time, despite the rain, and torrential winds that we had!

The flight there went well considering we were traveling with a very independent 17 month old.  He made it very clear to us that he didn't quite care for take-off and landing.  He would look at me with a very serious look and shake his head no, as it to say 'please Mom, make this stop!' and would then wrap his arms around my neck and hold tight for dear life.  He only slept for 30 minutes the whole day, so by the time we got to our resort he was a sleepy boy.  Blaine and I decided to order room service and take it easy so we could enjoy the next day while the rest of the family went out to dinner.  At 6:00 pm, Eli was sitting on the bed eating dinner and falling asleep, so he went to bed at 6 and we just hung out in the room and relaxed.

On our first full day there, we had beautiful weather.  Of course we were up before everyone else, so after breakfast just the three of us headed out to the beach to introduce Eli to the ocean. 
We started off my exploring the sand.

And slowly ventured out closer to the water, and building sand castles

Eventually we made it into the water and he loved it.

That evening, the weather took a turn for the worse and Hurricane Alex came creeping closer to Mexico.  Thankfully it was just a tropical storm while we were there, but it did cause a lot of rain and some crazy winds.  There was a break in the rain a few times everyday and it became a joke that every time there was a break, we would lather Eli up with sunscreen, run out to the beach and hope for at least 5 minutes before we had to pack up to run back to the room.  Usually 5 minutes was all we got before it started to pour!  We did make it out to the pool and the beach everyday though.

Here we are, we just made it to the beach and settled in with a drink (but it was just water for me-booo!)

And, not 5 minutes later, running back to beat the storm

We did have to get a bit creative during those rainy days to keep Eli entertained but with everyone around it wasn't too difficult.  A few games of peek-a-boo with the curtain...

Coloring in the room with Rachel, Hobo and Ethan

Comparing feet size with Ethan

Watching a little Yo Gabba Gabba

A trip to the crepe shop

Playing with toys outside the sports bar while the guys watched the soccer game

And of course, helping our fabulous concierge, Francisco at his desk

Every night we chose from a different cuisine--Japanese, Italian, Steak, Mexican, and American.  Between the buffet breakfasts, lunches, the ice cream bar, the 24 hour free room service, and the stocked fridge, I'm pretty sure I have exceeded the amount of weight I was hoping to gain during this pregnancy!

Even when the rain from Alex had passed, he left behind some winds, but nothing that kept us from being outside the entire day, with the exception of nap time for Eli and I!
Eli turned into quite the little surfer dude, making friends with everyone he passed, walking up to strangers and smiling making them laugh, he fell in love with coconut milk, coconut ice cream, enjoyed lamb chops for the first time, learned some new words, found a new love for pears, dipping french fries in guacamole, and corn on the cob, realized just how funny his Uncle Ethan truly is, realized he did actually like to swim and see his Dad blow bubbles under the water, and showed us just how much noise he can sleep through.

The last two days Hurricane Alex subsided some and we got some great weather.  We spent those last two days entirely outside.

And of course you have to expect that with our family, we aren't always very serious...

We were dreading the day to return home. Of course, we weren't ready to leave and the thought of an entire day of traveling with a little one was daunting! But I must say he did wonderfully. Instead of sleeping on the plane, he slept the entire way to the airport and the whole time we waited in line to check in at the Cancun Airport. So we were stuck with a very awake, albeit, happy Eli the entire flight. He kept us laughing going through customs after he saw the drug dogs walk by and he barked, and barked and barked as loud as he could he was so excited to see the big dogs! He turned more than just a few heads. I was completely exhausted by the time we got back to Austin and happy to be back on the ground.

I cant thank my Dad enough for this amazing trip. We all really had a wonderful time, and it is a trip we will never forget!
We returned home safely (and sleepy) and I think its safe to say that I am in full-blown nesting mode!