Beautiful Day!

What a wonderful day! As the sun was shining brightly this morning, I headed out to work. I worked at the shop for a couple of hours and then headed off to babysit my little friend, Mr. H. I called Lynn to see if she wanted an outing with her boys and she did, so we set out for downtown Columbia City! As we walked in and out of stores while the babies happily rode in there strollers and carriers, falling in and out of dreamy sleep land, I couldn't help but be happy! The babies were all content, the air was crispy but the sun shone bright and I was having a fun conversation with a good friend!

We ended up in the little bakery downtown for lunch and ended up with some babies who were very hungry and ready to head home. We finished our amazing focacia bread and headed for our homes. As we started walking home the sun went away and the clouds set in. We crunched through the leaves, oohed and aaahed over the beautiful colors in the leaves, and the little red, orange berries on the plants!  As we parted ways, little man and I set up the hill for home, barely got in the door, got little man laid down in his crib for nap and it started to pour, and pour, and pour! But it was a beautiful, refreshing, fall rain, that makes you feel all cozy and like you want to curl up on the couch with a cozy blanket and enjoy the pitter patter of the rain...so that's what I did. 

As I lay there, little Baby Hannah decided to make her presence known.  She started kicking and swimming, and somersaulting all over.  It was DELIGHTFUL! I love the comfort of knowing she is doing well and happy in her little home.  I rubbed my stomach, and pushed a bit on her and she responded right back...oh LOVE! I could feel her so well, and felt so close to her, I wanted to hold her in my arms so bad that I could almost imagine her right there in my arms, snuggling on the couch, with the rain beating outside!


Life is hectic and pretty crazy but oh it is BEAUTIFUL, and I'm totally in love with it!!!! <3

October

October is off to an amazing start! We welcomed in October in Mandan, ND at a very encouraging convention.  We go to see so many friends, some whom I have not seen since leaving ND, nearly 5 year ago now...time flies! Michael got to meet so many of my friends, and we both met new friends. Some of the people who have left very indelible impressions on my life were there, and we super enjoyed our time with them!
These are three of our little buddies....Carter, Brooks, and Asher

 And we got to spend some time with Eileen, who we really miss in Seattle.

 

On our way to ND, we got to stop and see my sweet little sister!! And had lunch with her and her friend, Heidi, while they were in clinicals at one of the local hospitals, in Spokane. We really enjoyed their quick lunch break, with them!!

And hey look, they are even wearing PURPLE scrubs!!! :)

 Thankful for our time at convention and very much looking forward to the rest of this fall!

Stream of Conciousness...

So thankful for wonderful company this weekend.  I was feeling like I needed my batteries recharged and this weekend was just what the doctor called for- relaxing.  We had some company this weekend that helped me in ways they will probably never know.  I understand more where certain people are coming from because of their place, and that I just don’t see and know all that one has been through in their life.  I appreciate and love my family more and more each day.  I am so fortunate to have such amazing parents, siblings, grandparents, and a husband like no other!  I don’t know how I was blessed with such an abundance of love, companionship, and wonderfulness, in my beautiful family.

I am over the moon excited to find out if our baby is a boy or a girl...only 3 weeks and 2 days til we get to know! :) I am also very anxious for my doctors appt, this coming Tuesday. I need to be reassured by hearing the babies heart beat and finding out from amazing Ann, that everything is just as it should be, and right on track.

A lot of thoughts this week with those who have family members that are in poor health, those that are going through tough family situations, friends in sticky places, those settling into life with a little one, some who always seem the same and so even- even in ever changing situations, and those just trying to get by their day to day tasks. Hoping the very best for each one, and wishing I knew how to be a better support, learn from their examples, and take their advice.

Looking forward to a young married couple’s get together next weekend.  There will be many friends, acquaintances, and relatives that we will get to spend time with and make lasting memories with.  And then, the following week we get to go to Mandan for convention...can things get any better than that??? My in-laws will fly down and get to drive back with us. I can’t wait to see all of those people that I have not seen since college, and meeting new people.

Wow, such a beautiful, sunny day turned grey and drizzly...I think it matches the mood of the Huskies. :(  Sad that the huskies took such a brutal beating, and that JL didn’t have a better game...but oh well, we can go beat USC in two weeks! :)

Oh how I love to type, not knowing what is going to come out next. I better put this away and go think about fixing dinner.

Sorry for all of the randomness- just feels good to get it all out!

Happy Weekend!

Happy Weekend!

Having a happy weekend...minus the fact that the Huskies lost on Saturday! Even Baby Cameron was upset about it...

Baby Cameron turned four weeks old on Saturday, so we met up at the park for a photo shoot. Such a sweet boy! Here are a few of our shots...

It's fall!

As I looked outside at 8 o'clock tonight and realized how early it is getting dark, I became sad.  Where did summer go?  But, I started to think about all there is to look forward to and felt happy again! So excited to feel the crisp autumn air, hear the sound of rustling leaves, taste delicious pumpkin spice lattes, and watch exciting husky football! Fall is almost here!!!

It was a great summer, with many exciting happenings! First of all, Michael and I learned that we are going to become a family of 3, in March!! We are so excited...with the occasional thoughts of 'what were we thinking', and 'we are only kids ourselves', and 'how will we ever be ready', and 'babies are so expensive', and 'there isn't going to be time for spontaneous adventures anymore' and 'I don't know how to be a good Dad/Mom'....but for the most part pure excitement!! I have been pretty fortunate so far this pregnancy, not too much sickness. I am 13 weeks and 5 days- only 5 more weeks until we can find out what we are having!!!! Yahoo!

Another exciting event this summer was our friends having a baby boy...Cameron was born! I was fortunate enough to be asked to be their doula, and so I got to experience it all first hand and felt so lucky to be part of such a beautiful, awesome event! I know I will never be the same after such an amazing event. I have a lot to live up to for my own delivery experience. :)  Cameron, is so sweet and growing like a weed.  One beautiful, sweet, baby boy!

Michael is gearing up to start taking classes towards his Mechanical Engineering degree, again this fall. He got officially all registered and set to go today, and seems to be pretty excited about it.

I am enjoying my days, taking care of several kids and starting a new nanny job on Sept 1st, that I am super excited about!

All for now, going to go enjoy a hot cup of tea and an early night in bed!

Braces are off!

Yay! My braces are finally off!!! Sooo excited to not have to deal with them anymore.  I didn't realize how much time it actually took to floss and brush while I had them on because now it only takes 3 minutes not 30! And I don't look like I am 12 years old anymore! :) 

An update!

I'm having trouble being consistent with my posting but anyway...So excited to not be fulltime at the orthodontic office and instead babysitting (for some very fun kids) and working on my doula certification.  Not being fulltime at the office also means time for fun things like a day at the zoo with two of my best friends and their little ones, working at my Dad and Mom's shop, spending time with friends, and keeping house/cooking dinners for my amazing husband!
I have been trying to press through my DONA and PALS doula certification as fast as I can but I have what seems like a hundred books to read, a few apprentice births, and volunteer work to do before I can become certified but at least now I am on my way!  I am thankful that my best friend is letting me give her all kinds of doula advice and getting to attend her birth so that I can get some experience and practice under my belt.
As I mentioned my best friend is expecting...a BOY!! It has been so much fun to watch her experience all the "fun" changes and experiences pregnancy has to offer. :)  She is handling it well and her hubby is being a trooper too!  We are going to spend the weekend with them at the beach...should be soo much fun!
Well, enough randomness for tonight. I will try to keep up on here a little bit more consistently.
Here are a few photos of the fun zoo adventure!

Sam and Ellia became best of buds and wanted to hold hands...

...and then paused for a hug!

A very sleepy girl after a long, fun day at the zoo!