Summer finale

Summer is quickly coming to an end and school starts in 5 days!  Both Hannah and I are excited about the new school year.  She can't wait to start first grade and I can't wait for our Mon-Fri routine and the peace (no fighting between siblings) during the day.  I thought I would have a calm easy going summer with the new baby but I was far from wrong!  Hannah was all about filling each day with fun and exciting things to do.  I tried my best to entertain and we did a lot a few short road trips and lots of visitors- all in all it was a fun summer.  

At my cousins in Dallas

My sister-in-law and kids came to visit 

My friend from San Diego came to visit

My friends son, Sean with giggly Lulu

At the children's museum

I must say the highlight of our summer was when we received a phone call from my sister a couple of weeks ago.  Her phone call made one of my dreams/prayers come true.  She called to tell me that she will be leaving her paradise island of Oahu to move to Katy, TX!!!!   2.5 hours away is way better than 8 hours on a plane.  We are all so thrilled and my sister and I are so happy our kids will grow up together.  I think that was the hardest part about living so far away was knowing that our kids were growing up so fast without their cousins.  We both grin ear to ear when we think about birthday parties and holidays!

Hudson is growing bigger and of course getting so cute :). He loves when people talk to him he will "agoo" all day with you!  He smiles so much and loves chewing on that fist.  The girls are so helpful and still so in love with him.

Big 3 month old boy

Summer with #3

I think I started my blog last year during this very same time saying- I can't believe summer is almost over!  When you're havin fun time goes by quick!!

Back tracking to June- I couldn't wait for Hannah to finish with school.  I was looking forward to sleeping in bit especially since Hudson was waking up at 11,1, 4, 6 am.  After the 6 am feeding I wanted to crash out but I had to stay awake for school.  It was heavenly when I was able to sleep through Hannah's wake up time and the girls waking up at 8 was a bonus!!  Shortly after school was over I realized our 10 year anniversary was coming up- June 8th.  Ten years, wow!  Gabe and I went through alot in ten years.  Moments I wish that never happened and moments that I would do all over again.  I gotta say I never pictured myself where I am at today.  I never thought in a million years I would be living in Texas with farm animals, lol!  The first years of our marriage I envisioned us moving back to the Bay Area.  I also never thought I would have 3 kids.  I was perfectly happy with my two girls and ready to go back to work.  Our move to Utah was something I didn't see coming!  We spent three years with no family- just Gabe, myself and Hannah.  Even though on the third year I was dying to get out of there I was thankful for that move.  We both grew spiritually and I matured a lot. Three years later we left with a stronger marriage and left behind some great friends. 

June 2013 was the year I was looking forward for our big 10 year celebration in Cancun!  I had the resort picked out and just could t wait to have a vacay with no kids!  We celebrated our big ten with 3 kids at a beach....Texas beach!  For about a year I fantasied tanning at La Blanc's private beach and sipping on unlimited margaritas at the pool side and getting couple massages and sleeping till 11 am in a luxurious room...those thoughts didn't even cross my mind as we drove 3 hours south with a car full of sand toys, a diaper bag and listening/watching The princess and the frog.  We pulled up to a cute beach hotel and made the best out of our special weekend.  

July....the last full month of summer vacation!  So far, it's been non stop!  We started the month in Shreveport and had a blast swimming, eating and popping firecrackers of course!  Thank God for vacation bible school because Hannah is on round two!  2nd week of it and still having a good time. I keep busy with lots of pool days and play dates 😄.  Hudson has become a great car rider and the girls are experts on entertaining him, well keeping his mind off of eating that is!  We have a couple of more road trips and family visiting to complete our fun filled summer!  

Anniversary weekend at Port Aransas

Lulu's angry face because she wasn't holding Hudson!

Pictures of Hudson's first two months

***Double click on photos to enlarge 

Oh baby!

Well, almost two months later I have the time and energy to blog again :)
Three kids, one being a newborn put my easy life into a whirlwind! I love it though....wouldn't change a thang!

Hudson, my darling baby boy thankfully decided to come into this world a week early. I woke up on April 20th around 3 am with bad cramps and I just knew that day was the big day. I waited until 8 am to tell Gabe to take me to the hospital. We were in no rush though, he washed the dishes, watered his plants outside, made his protein shake while I packed my bag. Waking around made the contractions not as painful, but I was getting nervous as they were between 5-3 min apart.

As I waddled my way to the car my mind was racing with many thoughts:

#1. What if my water breaks while we are driving and BAM.....I have the baby.  Should I bring a towel just in case?  Well, even though I could save us some money by not paying a anesthesiologist and a big doctor & hospital bill I don't like that idea one bit.  I would freak out if that would happen and it's not like the baby would easily flow right out like the movies anyway.

#2.  I envisioned myself walking in the labor department screaming....I'm having a baby now.....it's coming....and BAM I had my baby within in seconds of laying in bed.  Yeah right, too dramatic and movie like.

#3. My other vision was being told I'm 8 cm and gave birth within in an hour to two.  That's possible, right?!

#3. Then a sad thought came to mind...what if I get to the hospital and get sent back- false alarm.  That would suck big time!

So, I calmly walk in and tell the nurse- I believe I'm having a baby. She gives me a questionable look and said- you're so calm! After getting checked I'm told that even though the contractions were 3 min apart they weren't strong enough because I was only 3 cm dilated. Not what I wanted to hear- I was hoping for 5 cm. so we walked an hour to ease the pain and speed up the labor and called my sister in law who lives in Shreveport- about 7 hours away. She panicked hoping not to miss the birth, but hopeful at the same time that she would make it in less time since she would be traveling with no kids.  Fast forward 7 hours....my sister in law makes it to the hospital just in time for me to push and to witness the best surprise for all of us.  When my baby came out I was so relieved and extremely tired that I didn't quickly check to see if it was a boy or girl, instead I put my head back and thanked God it was over. I do recall the screaming and seeing tears of joy from everyone's faces including the nurses.  My mom immediately hugged me and told me over and over- IT'S A BOY!!!  I look over and Gabe had our tiny baby in his hands crying and I put my head back on the pillow thanking God again for this wonderful surprise and gift of life He has given us.

Now, two months later I sit here writing on my blog with little time to spare.  I have three demanding children that have different needs to be met at the same time!  There are days I want to pull my thin already not so much hair out of my scalp and scream and days where everything is just fine and peachy.  Many days I am counting down to seconds till Gabe walks in the doors to hand him the baby and have him deal with a screaming two year old and a whining six year old.  I knew having three kids would be challenging for me, but I'm glad God's plan was to add a little boy to my life.

                    Hudson Joshue.

           Born April 20th at 5:24 pm

                     6 lbs 14 oz 20"

3 hours old

5 weeks old

 

Are you having a boy......?

I have been informed that I haven't blogged in a while! Well, it's not because I already had my baby- it's been crazy since my last post. Lulu and I got really sick I the beginning of March, then it was Spring Break, then my sister in law and kids came to visit us, then everyone on Kinkajou Trail got sick again (my mom lives on the same street as us)!!!

When I entered my third trimester I have gotten more tired and have taken every opportunity to rest when Lulu does! I can't believe the end is near....I feel like I have been pregnant forever. My friend pretty much put things into perspective- she said- you've been pregnant almost the whole school year! And you know what.....she's right! I found out about my pregnancy after Labor Day and I'm due in a couple of weeks- just about a month left of school!!! Yikes, that makes 9 months seem verrry long when you look at it in that perspective!

Even though this pregnancy had a rough start in the beginning with the nausea and headaches and back aches in the second trimester this pregnancy has been vary special. I love how everyone is making there predictions on what I'm having. 95% believe I'm having a boy, but I think people see me with two girls so they think this one has got to be a boy?! Others say because my belly is pointy and very round. Well, my belly was the same shape with Lulu too! As I am reaching the end of my pregnancy I have been more anxious about finding out the sex of my baby! I have been so strong willed with the last two ultrasounds given during my third trimester that if I'm told to get another one I might break and say- alright just tell me what I'm having!!!!!! I'm glad I have remained strong thus far because it is going to be super exciting when that baby comes out! For a while I felt like I was having another girl, but I'm not too sure now. Tons of similarities to Lulus pregnancy, but lately a lot of differences too. We will see...


I found this on Pinterest.....


10 Reasons to Keep Your Baby’s Gender a Surprise


1. Rather than 48 frilly dresses or athletic-themed onesies (39 of which will never get worn), you get the practical, off-the-registry gifts you really need at your baby shower.

2. You can avoid lengthy diatribes about the merits of naming your baby after your grandmother Helga.

3. There is nothing like the sheer pleasure of irking your mother-in-law for nine months. (Fair disclosure: She will even the score though, once the baby is born.)

4. You get to indulge your crazy aunt’s need to play soothsayer. She’ll hang strings over your belly, read your tea leaves, or ask about particular cravings. The bonus for you? You get to talk ad nauseam about the ins and outs of your pregnancy.

5. There’s no chance of mistakenly creating a Johnny room only to find out that you actually have a Jane.

6. The waiting room will be packed with family members and friends excitedly awaiting the big announcement.

7. You won’t be disappointed if you don’t get the girl or boy your heart was set on. Gender preferences melt away as soon as you see your new baby.

8. Co-workers will be eager to open the email announcement to see not only how red-faced and pointy-headed your baby is, but to find out if they won the baby pool and beer money for the weekend.

9. You won’t need to revamp your gender-neutral nursery for numbers 2, 3, 4…

10. Great surprises are few and far between in life – this is one of the best, if not tops.

February love bliss

Valentines week was very fun this year! The celebration started a little early for me but it was good because it kept my mind off my aches and pains :/. Hannah's school had a valentines dance the Sat before V-day and it was a fun date night with my daughter. She was beyond ecstatic to go....when she woke up that morning she was asking me what time are we going to get ready about every hour! At 6 she ran to her room to change into her new dress, ate dinner, fixed her hair and was ready to party! It was a great night- she was a little shy in the beginning because it was mainly the 4 and 5th graders dominating the dance floor. Once she spotted two of her kinder friends and waited for the dance floor to clear a little... she was able to show off her moves!!

                              Chillin, eatin some popcorn...waiting for the dance floor to clear

In the earlier part of the week we baked cookies and of course made crafts. To my surprise Lulu didnt go wild and crazy over the candy and cookies in front of her. She is the true Cookie Monster. She does not know when to stop, but she was really interested in helping us bake and then decorate!

I was so happy to volunteer at Hannah's class on Valentines day. It was so cute to see all her classmates hand out their cards and enjoy their friendship party!

When we got home from school the girls opened their Vday gifts :)

Ok, so my mom is just awesome. She can do anything she puts her mind to. I told her that I wanted to make chocolate pretzel sticks for Gabe but didn't get around to it so she tells me she will do them when Hannah gets off from school so they can bake together! Like no surprise they came out yummy and excellent presentation....she is a perfectionist so she won't hand over the goods if they don't look good!!! And as an added bonus she made cake balls for Gabe bc she knows he goes crazy over them!!

Last two photos....I had to post this one of Lulu bc she wore her Valentine Hello kitty outfit that she got from a dear aunt in Cali almost everyday and night! She would cry when I washed them twice that week- this is a pict the day before Vday finally smiling after a major heart ache when putting her new outfit in the wash, lol!

The last photo will probably be the last family picture of my pregnant belly- I think I was 27 weeks (I'm 30 weeks now).

Our newest additions

About a few weeks ago we got a seven month old Scottish highland cow and a miniature donkey that is also less than a year old. These little animals are so cute and so friendly! So now we have two miniature donkeys (Buddy and Hannah), hopefully we will have babies soon :)

Below are some awesome pictures....