Big news – I’m pregnant!

As you may already know if you’ve spoken to me or followed me on any social media in the last six months – I’m pregnant!!!

Exciting and terrifying all at once. It’s been a bit of a ride really. Completely unexpected. In one of those typical (for my life at least) instances- I had finally made peace with the idea that it would be the three of us for a while. There were many seemingly reasonable reasons to wait – until we got settled, until things were calmer, until we were in a better rhythm… and then, bam!

I started throwing up and feeling generally sick – which at first we attributed to another big family event. But then my breasts started aching and feeling tender and that seemed much more likely to be related to something else. So I peed on a stick (why is that so much fun to do? Is it just me?) and lo and behold, I was pregnant it told me.

This time around is so different from the first. For many reasons. Including, of course, the fact that my first is around to witness it this time. I’ve been apprehensive for ages about the potential gap between my first and second. Before I had any children, I always thought the gap between my sister and I was perfect – 3 years.

Long enough for the first child to be mobile so I wouldn’t have to be lugging around two babes, but short enough that they would still be going through milestones fairly close together. As my first turned four and then five, I was disappointed that we were not going to have that gap after all. I worried that they’d be distant siblings because of it.

But so far, knock on wood, I’m revising my opinion. HRG is old enough to take a real interest in the process and understand a lot of it. He’s so curious about how babies are made, how they develop, what their needs are, how to take care of them etc etc that I’m really excited about what it’s going to be like once this foetus evacuates my womb and comes out into the atmosphere.

He’s always wanted a baby sister and as soon as we told him that we thought I might be sick because I was pregnant he’s been adamant that that’s what’s growing in my womb. On the way to Vons (a grocery store chain in Long Beach) that night to buy the aforementioned stick, he told us- ‘I really want a baby sister but if it’s a baby brother, I will love him just the same’.

What more could I ask for?

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Breastfeeding in Public

It was a thing six years ago, the first time I was breastfeeding, and I can’t believe it but this is still a thing now! I must admit though, that this time around I notice other people’s looks a lot less. Mostly because between the two kids I’ve no time to even wonder what other people might be thinking! LOL.

Anyway, this comic made me smile. It’s just spot on, isn’t it?

Carry on feeding your babies however suits you, mamas. I know you’re doing your very best!

Painting outdoors

While the weather is still warm, and in the mornings, before the afternoon Tara Hills winds kick in… I love to set up this little activity for the kiddo to do outside. I just put out materials and let him get his art on!

Sometimes I give him some direction or have a set up for something specific in mind but at this late, late stage of the summer, it’s mostly best to just let him have at it. It’s the experience that matters, after all… not the piece produced. Sometimes he wants to keep it and sometimes not. Either way, it’s cool. Bonus- less cleanup and more inspiration, since we’re outside! 

 

What late, late summer outdoor activities are your kids enjoying right now? 

Sunset walk home

We took the last bus home one evening after swim class at 6pm. It was exciting to be on the bus as it got dark and to walk home with all the cars lit up. A little different than what we’re used to in the daytime. As always, an adventure. Simple but fun. Just how we like it.

Spin Art

Last week we finally managed to meet up with some friends we hadn’t seen in a while and they so sweetly brought along a gift for the kiddo which he was so excited to open… a Melissa & Doug Spin Art kit!! They remembered how much he enjoyed it the first time he tried spin art and thought he might like to make more at home.  So sweet. Thank you!

Needless to say, it took some convincing to get him to leave it at home so we could go off on our play date. After we got home from an afternoon of fun, he immediately asked to do it. I told him I’d help him set it up right after I put everything away and popped into the loo but wouldn’t you know it, by the time I got out he was already deep in the throes of spinning his art! I loved that he was too excited to wait and that he was SO enthralled by the process and the effect of different techniques. Love watching him experiment and create! It was great that the kit was easy enough for him to set up on his own and get started with.

A day so well spent with a delightful ending to cap it. Thank you friends!

 

Beloved

Who went to the Chalk & Chocolate Festival?

I just realised that we missed it this year, since it happened yesterday! Did you go?

We went last year and loved it.

A mama and her two kiddos

This is a dear friend of mine and her two kiddos, plus the dog. I always think this is such a lovely thing to do, get pictures with just one parent or a particular friend or a sibling… something a little different than the usual family portraits… which I still think you should totally get. As often as you can afford/stand it.

Anyway, so we went to that old standby favourite- Pt Pinole and then played for a few hours and made some pictures! Here’s a few (okay, quite a few) of my favourites!

What’s Christmas Eve without some train fun under the tree?

Goggles from gma & gpa