July 4th

My kids couldn't wait for "firework day", its all they could talk about all summer. We really had a blast yesterday and I am already looking forward to next year!

We moved....again!

What a relief to be in a home that we all like, that is big enough for our family and that is back in the area we love. It has been a trying two months for me and I am so glad we are settled. I think the worst feeling for a pregnant mama is not feeling ready for the baby and I was really stressed out not knowing where we were going to end up. But here we are and I feel relaxed and ready for all that is coming in the months ahead. First, Maile going to kindergarten, then Natalie popping out and then of course my favorite time of year. So much to look forward to!

Bowling....Sorta

Who knew that they had these awesome ball ramps that kids could use at the bowling ally so you don't have to sit there the whole time waiting for a ball to inch its way down the lane just for it to stop short of the pins. These things send the ball flying into pins and coupled with bumpers it gives the kids a pretty good rookie score. No turkey or anything but Maile was able to pick up a spare and they had some fun. Being a little burnt out or burnt literally from all the pool going last week we decided that some indoor fun was in store. I also needed some mom and sister time so it was the perfect combination for me and the kids. Here's to a Las Vegas summer! (btw don't let my chipmunk cheeks scare the crap out of you or your young children, looks like I have stored enough for two winters!).

Pool Rats

Since we are making the most of our quick move we are calling this itsy bitsy condo our summer rental... You know like people who pay to stay by the beach, well we are paying to stay next to a pool. That is the best way to look at our current situation. With that in mind we are also making the most of this 100 degree weather and went to the pool every day last week. The kids are having a blast and anyone who wants to swim at a clean pool with a clean potty (hard to come by at a public pool), you are welcome to join us!

Irritated

Why you may ask??

-Moving stinks
-Even worse when the washer goes out in the first week and now I have a gazillion loads of laundry waiting for Zach to hook up the new washer
-Even worse than that, at this point Zach cannot park his new truck in our new condo complex and I have to drive him too and from his truck.
-Allergies. Give it a rest already, and I am talking mostly to the wind who keeps stirring up the pollen!
-Sick kids are never fun.
-I have turned into a chubster this pregnancy but still feels icky if I don't eat.
-I can not longer sleep on my tummy
-Maile's baby talk has returned after months of being obsolete.

That sums it up pretty good. So now after writing all that out I feel better, I can even think of a few things that are easing the irritation, such as...

-All the kicking I am feeling from my baby girl
-Zach being extra sensitive since the move
-Not having to deal with the pigeons that were invading our last neighborhood
-Realizing how lucky we are that so many people would drop everything to come to our aid when we need them the most.

And that's it for today!

Sand and Surf

This week I decided to take my girls on an impromptu trip to visit my Aunt Lezlie who lives in Newport Beach. It sounded like so much fun that my sister and her three kiddos decided to join us for the ride. We all crammed, and that is not an understatement, into my car and took off. Nothing like road tripping with 6 kids ages 7 weeks to 4 years old. We got going on Tuesday and of course had to stop off and visit my grandma who lives in good old Barstow, CA. There are two things I love there, one being my grandma and two being a Del Taco that is the best you'll ever eat. Next it was off to Newport. I don't know about anyone else but there is a distinct California smell that fills your car as you get closer to the beach. It is probably one of my favorite smells ever, so full of memories from when I was a kid going to visit the beach. Ok so smells aside, we got to our destination and waited in anticipation for the morning, beach day #1. We visited San Clemente beach Wednesday and it was sort of a let down. The beach was pretty crappy due to all the storms and the sand was too rocky for our taste. Not to mention the swarm of bees that had me pregnant and sprinting through sand with a three year old in my arms. My back still hurts. And swarm means hundreds, not 20. Needless to say we packed up immediately. I was pretty bummed, I drove 4 hours to be attacked by one of my biggest fears! But no worries beach day #2 completely made the trip satisfying. Leave it to the locals to take you to the best beach spots. My Aunt Lezlie went with us and took us to this little cove in Laguna Beach and it was AMAZING. Fine sand, beautiful surf and a day of fun. My kids absolutely love playing in the sand, the water not so much. Maile told me she doesn't like Las Vegas anymore due to lack of beaches. I couldn't agree with her more. Anyhow we drove home that night, (last night) and it was slightly rough on the ears. After a certain point it seemed like if one kid wasn't wailing another would start up, but it was a small price to pay for a fun trip. Aunt Lezlie and her family are so gracious to host such a huge party of kiddos. It makes me so happy that my kids are getting a chance to have the same childhood memories I had of visiting Aunt Lezlie at the beach. Can't wait till next time!

Easter 2010

Too exhausted to type details but here are some pictures of our wonderful day!

16 Week Belly

Love that I look like I am 6 months preggo but oh well at least my lady lumps got bigger too. Here is my two days till sixteen weeks photo.

Coloring Easter Eggs

Today Grandma Liza, Auntie Sam, Aunt Lezlie, Jake and Leila came over for an egg coloring party. We had a yummy lunch and then got down to coloring eggs. It was a messy good time and we only cracked about half the eggs but the kids had fun and that's all that counts. Grandma then sat with all the kids and made some cool Easter crafts. Thanks Mom!

"Sister Cuts"

If you put kids on timeout in their room quite possibly they will find a way to pay you back. Especially true if they happen to have a pair of scissors with them. Becca got it the worst. Maile's was virtually impossible to rebair but can be hidden and Lexi didn't have much damage besides the back. Went straight over to my very talented friend Jasmine and she gave them all new cuts. They are pretty happy with the end results.

Butchered Becca

Becca After

Lexi Before (her damage was barley noticeable)

Lexi After

Maile After (didn't get a before pic of her)

Feeling Human Again

The past 12 weeks have been the hardest 12 weeks in my entire life. Being sick was one thing, but the mental aspect was something I have never felt before. I had some serious self pitying going on and I was doubting everything about this pregnancy. I was not in a good place and everyone in my family suffered. Lucky for me my hubby and kids are supper resilient and I had a huge support from family and friends. Fast forward to today and I feel like I am on top of the world! It is amazing what a few really amazing days can do for you! I am feeling pretty good comparatively speaking and I am finally feeling excited about the little spirit growing inside me. I am loving the nice weather and finally got to take my kids out and about. When I was so sick my Becca would ask me everyday "where are we going?" and then "well who's coming over?" She would be so sad when I would say "nowhere" and "nobody." So I am sure they are glad that we got to leave the house everyday this week so far. I am really looking forward to the rest of the month and for the upcoming summer, we are going to have some fun! I was able to get some pictures of our park fun this week and now that I am feeling better I hope I can keep up better with my blog! Thank you to everyone who listened to me whine and cry and mope about, you all mean the world to me!

Preggo

Well I still haven't had my first appt. yet but since everyone already knows I guess I can finally blog about it. After peeing on four different sticks we got four positives and that was enough to tell me that I am definitely preggo! Now I was very excited when I first found out the wonderful news, but 4 weeks later I am trying to figure out what I was thinking when I decided to give it another go. However, I do realize that am very blessed to be able to get pregnant and I should take the being sick part as my body working really hard to create a miracle (that's what I tell the kids) but it is kind of hard to have that kind of attitude when I puke so hard I break bunches of blood vessels around my eyes. I know this won't last forever and I am trying very hard to see the light. On a more positive note, the kids are happy as little clams that I have a baby in my tummy and subsequently they walk around the house with "babies" stuffed into their shirts. Very cute I must say. Another positive, Zach has really been helpful, he even went grocery shopping for me which if you know Zach it was a-m-a-z-i-n-g. No really he has stepped up to the plate hoping that this will be our best pregnancy ever and reminds me of that point every time I whine about how bad I am feeling. Hope he doesn't lose his zeal due to my poor attitude. So I go get the official your preggo from the Dr. in about a week and I am very much looking forward to hearing that beautiful little heartbeat, kinda makes it all worth it!