Summer Vacation 2012

Better late than never, right? 

2012 is a big year for the C*K*Js. The mister celebrated a big birthday (40) this summer and we are just a few short weeks away from becoming a family of 4. Seeing how we had things to celebrate and it was likely one of the last times that Leah would travel free (and quite frankly that we would even travel period for a while), we took advantage and enjoyed one last glorious beach vacation with our little threesome.

We spent 5 days at the St Regis in Dana Point soaking up the sun, playing in the sand, swimming in the pool, splashing in the ocean, eating yummy food and spending oodles of quality time together. It was nearly perfect in every way.

Leah has turned into a great little traveller and loved all of the time at the beach and the pool with Daddy's undivided attention. The hotel was stunningly beautiful and very family friendly... we especially loved the 1.5ft toddler splash pool and the Saturday night monarch butterfly release topped off with story time and smores on the patio. We also didn't hate the otterpops that they brought around to the kids' pools every afternoon! (eating otterpops in the pool on a hot day doesn't suck)

CJ snuck in a round of golf for his birthday and then we treated him to an amazing fireworks show right literally right outside our balcony that we like to pretend was in his honor. (actually, one of the ketel one vodka heirs rented out the golf clubhouse for his 40th birthday bash and capped off the night with a $50,000 fireworks show on the 18th green. it was very cool!)

It was the perfect lazy vacation for a pregnant mama... other than a few evening trips down to the harbor for dinner, ice cream and a stroll.... we barely left the resort. We just hopped from the beach to the pool to someplace yummy to eat. It was heaven!

Loads of pictures from our fun adventure in no particular order...

Happy 40th Birthday CJ.
(and you're welcome for the fireworks)

 It was a little surreal to think that the next time we do a vacation like this, we will be a family of 4!! Who would've ever thought?!?

It was just as surreal to look down and realize on the way home that my littlemiss is now a little girl!! It kind of kills me to see her so grown-up. Bittersweet, indeed. I'm so glad we had this fun one on one time with her and I'm so glad she's ours!!

Happy Birthday Daddy!!

Doesn't he make 40 look good!! 

big sister's new bedroom...

It's a little hard to believe that it has been nearly two years since I finished Leah's nursery in anticipation of her arrival into our hearts, our home and our lives. It's so hard to even imagine and remember what that previous life looked like now. She has been the very best thing that has ever happened to the C*K*J's and my heart has easily grown 3 sizes since then.

Seeing how another awesome thing is about to happen to us.... our sweet littlemiss ellejay is getting bumped from the nursery and upgraded to a new and improved big girl space!

I tell you what... little girls are fun!! I have been a bit consumed these last few months with scheming, imagining, searching and carefully selecting and preparing so many fun details to make her room special. I incorporated a few adapted special treasures from her nursery along with loads of fun new stuff to create the perfect big girl room for littlemissbigsis!

I kinda love it... almost as much as I love her! I'm pretty sure she is thrilled with it and thinks it's totally "awe-mus". We haven't quite ventured into new sleeping arrangements yet, as we still have a bit of time before she is officially booted out of the crib.... but here's to hoping that goes just as "awe-mussly". 

No time to rest! 

Next up.... a newly re-freshed nursery for mama's littleman.

...{times-a-ticking}...

three quarters :: 3/4

Hard to believe that I am already 30 weeks into this pregnancy.... three quarters of the way there. Hard to believe that in 10 weeks (give or take), we will become a family of 4...four!!!

In so many ways (though not every way) this pregnancy has been easier and gone much quicker than with Leah. Part of it is because I am chasing Leah and I don't have time to obsess over every detail of the day and week I am on. Life just moves along at a quick pace these days... pregnancy included. That being said... I still have plenty on my mind these days regarding this sweet little man that has taken over my body and will one day call me mama, especially as I come down the homestretch.

A handful of random musings...

• I am not sure why we have had to have the hottest freaking summer on record while I am as big as a whale and chasing a toddler. Not cool, mother nature....not cool at all. (pun totally intended) I don't know if it's the extra testosterone or what...but I am a hot mess all.the.time. I have never sweat like this in my life. Some days I watch the weather forecast and it makes me want to cry. literally. I blame hormones.
• I have quickly learned that we just trade and swap one miserable symptom for another.... nobody gets out of pregnancy pain free (and if they do, I don't really want to know them). This time around.... I still have ankles and I can still wear my wedding ring.... two things that were gone months ago the first time around...but my sciatic is killing me by afternoon most days, sometimes even first thing in the morning and my varicose veins and spider veins look a bit like something out of a horror movie.
• I am not feeling near as "prepared" as I was with Leah...maybe that's the difference between the first and the second, but by this time my first go around, my nursery was nearly complete, diapers were stock piled and my hospital bag was practically packed and by the door. This time around....not so much. It's just now starting to stress me out and keep me up at night.
• Even though I have done this before, I am starting to have major anxiety over the fact that I will actually have to get him out one way or another. I try not to think about it, because last time was such an awful delivery. Good thing it was worth it or I probably wouldn't have signed up to do it again.
• He is much more active than Leah was or at least than I remember her being. He is wild most all of them time and usually it feels like he is doing karate in there. After Leah has been such a sweet, content baby...it scares me a little bit.
• I have started stressing about and researching circumcisions. Boy things and parts are all new to me and I'm not really looking forward to it. Another thing that keeps me up at night.
• In nearly every way, I can't wait to meet him and for Leah to be a big sister, but I am starting to get really emotional and reflective on how his arrival will change all of our lives. Leah is my best little pal and I love that we have oodles of one on one time together every single day. I love that Chris and I's entire existence revolves around her care, joy and happiness. As excited as I am, I am starting to mourn the end of our little family of three, all the while looking forward to the next chapter. It's such a bittersweet and overwhelming feeling.
• Everything seems status quo as of now.... no sign of bed rest or the need to be induced early, for which I am incredibly thankful (though a day or two of bed rest doesn't sound too bad most days). However, I don't know what it feels like to "go into labor" and it scares me. Add that to the list of things that keeps me up at night. 
• Most days I have to pinch myself to realize that this is my life and that I am being blessed with everything I have ever prayed for. I am humbled and emotional that I have been entrusted with not just one, but TWO sweet, precious souls to guide through their mortal existence. I feel so lucky. 
• (and I also worry and pray that I don't jack it up. yet, another thing to add to the list of things that keeps me up at night)
• It might come as no surprise that I am thankful for Tylenol PM and Unisom. A worried, achy pregnant girls best friend.
• My local grocer has now started putting out their Halloween Aisle stuff (ridiculously early, right?).... and I had to stop and catch my breath when I realized that the "season" in which everything changes is really upon us, it's next and it's coming quickly. Ever since I found out I was pregnant clear back in January.... October has seemed so far off, like several seasons away. But alas, the candy corn has arrived folks and that means I better start getting Halloween costumes going for my TWO little goblins!! 

Ready or not.... here we g.r.o.w!!

Celebrating a little Independence...

Funny how every day feels a little bit like Independence Day when you are living with a toddler. Littlemiss Ellejay is totally at that age where she is continually stretching her wings, testing limits and striving for control in every way possible. And her mama and daddy and continually practicing our patience, taking deep breaths and looking for any way possible to let her proudly soar and explore. We strive on a daily basis to find ways to say YES and let her little free spirit be, well just that, free....all the while, teaching her boundaries that, often times, unfortunately include no. 

Holidays are becoming so much more fun, just as I knew they would. It's inevitable that kids just make you more fun.... I feel like it's literally my job now, to see to it that we have traditions, that we create memories and that we enjoy every minute while doing it, like it or not!! And as it turns out... I do like it! I actually love it!! Seeing and experiencing the world through your childs' eyes is pretty much the best thing ever!

Nope... you don't have give me much of an excuse or twist my arm to dress her up like a ridiculously adorable sailor for church. It's just more fun to sing the patriotic hymns when you look the part!

We have come to LOVE our neighborhood tradition of the 4th of July breakfast and party in the park. It's such an All-American celebration!

It shouldn't have seemed any surprise that Leah and one of her newest besties were dressed just alike in celebration of America! Sometimes I think her mama and I might have been separated at birth... just in a different decade. Oh how I love these girlies!!

Once again, CJ and his buddy BD (with a little help from SL's finest) took charge of providing the best waterslide in town.... 200 feet of pure bliss!

It has become quite an event that seems to bring more and more out every year!! This year the line for the slide seemed longer than ever before!!

Leah was very patient to wait her turn... just like everyone else.

And when it was all said and done... it was totally worth the wait!! 

Mama & Baby Brother avoided the slide this year...due the our current "state of being" and instead enjoyed lots of shade time with some of my besties!! I love my neighborhood for lots and lots of reasons (great view, nice people, street parties, beautiful park nearby, etc) but these ladies (minus a couple) are one of the biggest reasons....they are my morning walking crew, my Thursday night tennis buddies, the ones who loan me a cup of sugar when I need it and the ones who leave treats on my doorstep when I need it most!! ♥

Me, Deedee, Gina & Jane

My little family.... hot, wet, tired and loving every minute of it!!

And look at the difference a year makes....

It's still a little hard to believe that next year we will be a family of FOUR with two little pieces of my heart sitting by that sign!

It makes me feel a bit like as some of us are rapidly gaining our independence, others of us are quickly losing it.

(but gladly, I might add)

Happy 4th of July!

(a little late)

Bear Lake Birthday Bash

With a family as big as mine, it is getting harder and harder to get everyone all together. Everyone's own families are growing and life continues to get busier for all of us. With my Dad having a milestone birthday to celebrate this year, my mom decided it was the perfect excuse for a real, good old-fashioned FAMILY REUNION!! It had been 5 years since we had done a retreat like this, far too long!!

My mom found an amazing cabin overlooking Bear Lake and it could not have been more perfect!! A 9000+ sqft playhouse... fully equipped with indoor and outdoor slides from one level to the next, a theatre room, indoor sport court, putting green, trampoline, playhouse, swings, teeter totters, pool and ping pong tables and nearly everything in between. It could not have been more perfect for the 35+ of us and it could not have come equipped with a more incredible view!!

Leah was is heaven with the constant attention of all of her favorite people and things to do all.day.long. She loved all of her playtime with cousins and spent all day every day going full force... whether it was practicing her golf swing, playing with the bazillions of balls, swinging on swings, sliding on slides, jumping on the trampoline or just playing with her little besties and new to her toys.... she loved every single minute of it!

  

As for the rest of us... we took full advantage of the kiddies being pre-occupied and did plenty of lounging, pampering, eating and game play ourselves. It was so much fun to have everyone there, totally relaxed and settled in with no where else to be.

Of course the highlight of the weekend was celebrating the guest of honor.... 

my awesome dad!!

My mom, sisters and I had spent several months leading up to his birthday putting together a special book in his honor. It included submissions, memories, letters and tributes from all of his siblings, kids, grandkids, even great grandkids and my mom, of course. It was a look back at all he has accomplished in his life and the impact that he has had on all of us. It was a ridiculous amount of work, but so incredible to have a life sketch of such an amazing man. It is a book that I will treasure forever. I was so excited to finally give it to him and see his reaction. I was not disappointed. :)

 And here he is with all of his littlest admirers... his 3 youngest grandkids and all of his great grandkids. 

This picture makes me so happy. 

These little people are so lucky to have such an amazing grandpa and papa!!

I hope we don't have to wait another 5 years before doing this again!! It was perfect in every way. 

Happy Birthday Papa!!

***

"The love of family is life's greatest blessing."

-unknown

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them."

-Desmond Tutu

Dads, Heros and Loves

I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection.

- Sigmund Freud

Daddy:
a son's first hero
a daughter's first love

He is also MY hero and the love of MY life. 

I knew that I loved him before, but it was nothing like the way I love him as I see him as a father to my precious baby girl. And oh how excited and humbled I am for a little boy who will have such an incredible example to look up to and learn from.

These precious little souls are so lucky to get YOU!!

I love you!!

♥♥♥♥♥

And to my own daddy...

A dad is someone who

wants to catch you before you fall

but instead picks you up,

brushes you off,

and lets you try again. 

A dad is someone who

wants to keep you from making mistakes

but instead lets you find your own way,

even though his heart breaks in silence

when you get hurt. 

A dad is someone who

holds you when you cry,

scolds you when you break the rules,

shines with pride when you succeed,

and has faith in you even when you fail...

- Unknown

Not only has he been the best dad and one of the greatest influences in my life, but he is the best papa in the world! Not only does he love and watch over my littlemiss.... but he also loves and watches over all of her babies and loves. Sweet, pure love!

Happy Father's Day!!

Kindermusik

I have gotten a bit behind on posts and have so many things to catch up on.... the first of which is KINDERMUSIK!

We successfully completed our first year and loved every single minute of it! 

It was so fun to see Leah progress and get more comfortable in this kind of environment. When we started, she was a little 10 month old that didn't know what to think and seemed a bit overwhelmed, but by the time we finished the year, she was an active 19 month old... running around the room, dancing, playing and loving it all!!

Leah on her very first day of class.
September 2011

Leah and her BFF Sawyer on their first day.... ALL business and totally unsure if they liked it!!

And here they are on the last day... ALL smiles and ALL grown up! Love these two!

Leah and the amazing Miss Anna! We couldn't possibly love her any more!!
May 2012

2012 Class Picture
(missing lots of friends this day)

 We are already looking forward to the next class up this fall and enjoying some fun, Kindermusik summer playdates in the meantime!

Weekending 101

The older I get, the less I like tacking another year onto my age....however, it doesn't suck to have a birthday that always falls on a long holiday weekend!! If I play my cards right, I can usually get close to a solid week of celebrating in! :)

This year was no exception! My how-to tutorial would look a little something like this...

lunch with loved ones, birthday cake, creme brulee cupcakes (or 4) with friends, snuggling new babies, oodles of Thai take-out, lazy mornings, Ikea & Downeast stroll (and a mister saying "just buy it so I don't have to come back here), Mexican Food, the still on-going Baby Bee countdown/watch/wait 2012, Pedis and FroYo with besties, Brunch @ Silver Fork Lodge with some favorite friends (and being okay with a toddler eating a container of jam straight with a spoon... it's that kind of weekend), afternoon naps, staying up late watching movies, morning walks with my pals, treats left on my porch, calls, messages, texts, thoughtful gifts and visits from friends and loved ones, lunch dates, paying tribute to loved ones who have gone on without us, golfing with my love and our awesome new caddy/partner, feeding/chasing ducks @ Sugarhouse Park, dinner at The Dodo (patio dining, artichoke pie, fresh gazpacho and key lime pie is the perfect kick-off to summer), and getting a jumpstart on a new playroom, nursery and big girl room (It's going to be an exciting year around here)!!

Indeed, I would call it a success!!

(save the lack of pictures from so much of it!)

half way cooked...

 It's still a little hard to believe that we really have another baby on the way and even harder to believe that we have already reached the half-way mark. We have been anxiously counting down the days to the big reveal in order to find out what flavor of baby we've been baking!! 

The  results are in and it looks like the ingredients we're dealing with are...

slugs and snails and puppy dogs' tails!!

Littlemiss is getting a baby BROTHER!!!

I don't think we could possibly be more over the moon excited!! (although we would have been either way) 

However, I have a lot of learning to do about baby boys!! (and shopping too!!)

We especially loved this little "I'm #1" shot that he gave us... it sort of looked like he might already be practicing for this?? (or maybe scolding us.... a little hard to say which. Maybe he's just already a little cocky!)

Regardless.... we are madly and deeply in love with this little man already and can't wait to meet him!!

Leah is still not so sure.... but we hope she'll come around.

***

"A boy's best friend is his mother."
-- Joseph Stefano

I can't wait to be his mama!!

xox