4th of July Weekend

Afternoon Boat Ride on Lake Union

Porter is getting ready for the 4th!

Keaton's first bath!

Porter was a great help and loved giving Keaton her first of many baths!

 

 

 

 

Keaton joins our family!

After 45 hours of labor with this little princess, she joined our family last Tuesday at 6:45pm. We were surprised and overjoyed she was a little girl (even after the doctor said, "he is here"--as they refer to all unknown babies as boys??). She weighed 7lbs 1oz and 20inches long. We came home the next day, as we were eager to be back with our little guy and have some family bonding! Porter is taking to the older brother role really well. He LOVES holding her, singing to her, bringing her blankets, and throwing away her diapers--our big helper!

She has had an eventful first week, attending her aunt Mimi's graduation, dinner out, doctors apt, walks, and lots of activity around the house. She is eating and sleeping like a champ (hope that continues!) and we are just loving our first days together with her and has a growing family.

more pics to come!

38 weeks!

Wow! hard to believe we are 38 weeks and will so shortly meet our new little addition to the fam! We have been in major purge and re-org mode around this house, as the last time we did it was 2 years ago prior Porter's arrival. Have to say, it feels great! also enjoying our days as a family of 3, and really trying to seize every minute we can with pman, as it is hard to imagine how our lives will change so soon. We went up to Whidbey last weekend for a little family weekend, which was so fun and so special. Just love my time with my two boys--and seeing porter in his development stage right now is such fun--he surprises us every day with what he says, comprehends, and understands--nothing gets past that kid!

We are so excited for this next transition--the baby is head down, which means we are going to get to try for a natural birth. And yes, I am trying for all-natural--actuallly really excited about it! My labor coach (JJ) has been great so far and we are prepping for the big day! Hospital bag is on its way to getting packed, baby nursery (which porter goes into and says good nite to each day) is back in shape, and the house is feeling ready (yet already crowded!)

Porter came into the world at 38 weeks, so have never been past this point! Entering new territory! Will keep everyone updated!

Porter turns 2!

We celebrated Porter's 2nd bday yesterday! It was a perfect day--started out with breakfast at the coffee shop in the hood, an awesome bday party with all of Porter's favorite friends which included a bug hunt in the back yard with bug catcher favors, an incredible train bday cake made by Siti (porter's grandmother), play in the park, dinner at St. Clouds where porter munched on french fries and ice cream sundae for dinner, and the first night in his big boy room/bed!

The transition to the bed has gone great so far-- both nap and nighttime, so we are feeling really lucky! Hard to believe we have a 2 year old--but absolutely love this stage~

East Coast 2011 Slideshow

3rd trimester-here we come!

Beginning my 27th week which means 3rd trimester! 3 months until this little bundle joins our family! feeling good--just chasing around my cute little guy and having real conversations with him! He takes his little baby doll everywhere--feeds it, changes it, rocks and sings to it on a daily basis. we'll see if that keeps up once brother/sister arrives! Lots of movements (this one is way more active than porter was) and resting in some very different positions. fun to experience and excited to see how it translates into a little personality!

Mexico 2011

Baby # 2 Growing and Moving!

We had our 2nd ultrasound a couple of weeks ago, fun to see the little sweetie moving all around and how developed he/she is! We are 22 weeks, and I am feeling great aside all the joys that come along with pregnancy. funny how different the second pregnancy is--glad the little one is moving around, which makes me remember the little joy that is growing inside. excited to meet our little bundle in june--

Valentine's Dinner Delight!

We have really gotten into making Valentine dinner at home the past few year! Usually we make sushi, but being prego, that is not an option. And because I didn't feel like any kind of meat or fish, we made stuffed mushroom wellingtons over braised cabbage and fennel. Delicious!!! a great bottle of wine to go with it (only had my alloted proportion!) and a fun dessert! couldn't have been a betteer meal with the love of my life~

Family Ski Tour!

Taking advantage of Dad/hubby time off this week and went for a family ski adventure today! climbed up an old logging road, enjoyed an awesome picnic with great views and lots of sun at the top and ALL skied down! love our family and special time together~

our little talker!

Porter Skiis-and loves it!

We had success! at 20 months, Porter go on skiis and loved it! The first ime we put them on he wasn't quite sure, but after seeing the other kids, going down the hill with daddy, and riding up the magic carpet, he was hooked! "I ski fast!" is now one of his favorite sayings! Bubba (grandpa) even taught him to carry his own skiis--can't wait for next year!

Porter will become a big brother!

Yes, it is official! Porter is going to become a big brother in late June! We had a 12 week ultrasound on Friday and the little bun in the oven is very active and moving all around! amazing at this early stage how much they are all ready fully developed! And we are not going to find out the sex of this one--think it will be fun to keep it a surprise to see the other side!! the family continues to grow!

Christmas Decorating!

In addition to be warned about Santa this year with Porter, we were also warned about the xmas tree and decorations--heard everything from putting a gate around it to just not putting ornaments on. But, we decided to try it anyway and involve him in the process. He LOVED it! He helped string the lights, and put the ornaments (only minimal that we didn't care about breaking) to test it out. And, he hasn't touched it since but loves saying "xmas tree" as he walks into the room--another favorite is putting the ornament on the advent calendar each day-- he has the christmas spirit! so fun--

Picture with Santa....

Well, everyone warned me that this was the year Porter would not be into Santa and that everyone has a picture of the kid screaming! I was skeptical, as Santa is Porter's new favorite obsession and he even gave him a high-five when we came in. but the second we sat him on Santa's lap, the screaming emerged! only to get him a bit more calm by giving him a candy cane.... ahh, the memories!

Xmas Tree Hunting

Our second year xmas tree hunting with Porter-- Last year was difficult because it was VERY cold, but this year he and his little buddies got into it--even all dressed in snow gear galore! after the snowshoe hunt for the perfect tree--we found a great one! Porter's favorite part was singing "oh christmas tree" while drinking hot chocolate (a first) as dad cut down the tree! a fun picnic followed! a special tradition~