First Day of School/ 9 Months!

Today, I became a 1st grade teacher! I think I could easily hit every grade level by my 10th year! :) It was... just about every adjective... fun, exciting, natural, tiring, exhausting, etc. I felt moments of pure joy doing what I love to do! I also felt moments of exasperation and fatigue! ;) It was a looong day but I am very thankful to be back in the classroom doing what I love.

I'd been really debating about what to do this school year. I knew I didn't want to work full time, but the idea of a job share was attractive to me, considering my mom would be so close to work, I could use my maternity leave, and I'd get to have a few days a week to feel like a professional while still getting the chance to be home with the kids! I had told my HR department that I'd only be able to accept a part time position. And even then, I was really praying that the situation would look so attractive that it would make my decision pretty clear. Well, I got an offer for a 40% job share just 5 minutes from my parents' house (where the boys will be) and just couldn't turn it down. I'll be working 2 days a week until the baby comes and then, I'll be off on a pretty nice leave. :) I'm really happy and thankful. 

It was quite an adventure, however, getting us all out of the house super early, making the commute, and trying to catch a breath before the mob of parents and kids were at my door! School starts pretty early and we live pretty far away. It's a bit hectic but we'll hopefully catch our rhythm soon. Ha, probably just when Shmu decides to make his grand entrance! 

Speaking of the little man, I am officially 9 months along. The countdown has begun! Everything is ready and waiting for the fella so that I can concentrate on being the best teacher and mommy I can be right now without having to worry about the "what if's." Like, "what if I went in to labor right now?!?!" 

Here's the 9 month belly pic. I'm definitely feeling more pregnant than I was with Kyle. It hadn't gotten so hot yet when he came (in July), so this heat/swelling thing is new to me. I'm trying not to waddle or huff and puff, but this is truly a different level of pregnancy I'd not yet known! :)

Kyle is a sweetheart about "the brother" and loves on him a ton. He knows we're expecting him sometime in the near future, so he's getting pretty excited and loves to help us with all our Shmu projects! 

Feeling pretty ready, both physically and mentally, but would actually like to get through Back to School Night and into September if I could have any say in the matter! :)

So long, summer!

Though it is still in the 80's and 90's, we say good-bye to summer and welcome another school year. My parents have traveled a lot this summer but while they were home, Kyle and I enjoyed having both my parents around the house and available for this or that. One of Kyle's love languages seems to be quality time, so for the summer months Kyle gets some extra QT with his grandpa. I thought it was high time for some Grandpa/Kyle pictures...

Fun in Oregon:

Being in the garage doing this and that with Grandpa. He loves to play with water.

Washing all the cars together, including Kyle's Coupe :)

Relaxing outside in the shade, having a deep conversation about how to get on top of the chimney. Kyle's conclusion? "Maybe we don't!'

Yard Sale at the NuNu

A few families got together and had a yard sale today. Given the fact that I dislike "stuff" around the house and get rid of the first bag I can gather (on a regular basis) to Goodwill, it's amazing we had enough to join the party. But I guess we did, because at around 100 bucks we called it a day! The boys got super excited about selling their lemonade. Who could resist 3 adorable boys shouting at any and every car passing by!? :) It was a hot day, so many people actually sounded appreciative of the cool drink. (Didn't I just blog about how perfect the weather was?! I knew I'd jinx it.August has officially arrived!)

Rudy was cracking up at how miserable I looked so he took this picture. Here I am, spreading eagle wearing a cold pack on my shoulders. I borrowed a kid's hat to cover my feet from the burning sun. Pretty miserable but I love yard sales and making some fun money from things you don't want is fantastic! 

A dip in the pool was the perfect way to celebrate our "hard" work! That, and staring at our emptier garage! 

Concert at the Park

What's a summer without a concert at the park, eh? Honestly, the weather here is just gorgeous without any humidity I'm hearing about everywhere else. We spent a beautiful evening at the OC Great Park (the one that's known for its unique architectural landscape and ginormous hot-air balloon). Icing on the cake for Kyle was that his friend Holden and his family joined us. Ru was in love with the authentic Hawaiian shaved ice (the kind with condensed milk, mochi balls, red beans, and real, Hawaiian flavors! Yum!). And we all enjoyed the fun program.

Kids were invited to come early to attend the music clinic: making an instrument, playing drums, meeting a musician, and attending a conducting clinic! Then, we got all settled in for some beautiful music played by Pacific Symphony. It was a lot of fun and makes you wish summer would stick around a bit longer. That is, if it stays in the 70"s and low 80"s! August and September, however, never fail to scorch us a bit so I might wish I hadn't just said that! ;)

 The boys were holding up their straws at the conducting clinic.

 Kyle and Holden ran, danced, and jumped to the music of the Symphony. They were two bundles of energy.

 Then, all the kids were invited to go right up front to help the conductor!

 A merry-go-round topped off a great evening.

Every time the boys passed us they were in a different position, calling it their "Chinese fire-drill." Ru had to get in on the fun, too, of course!

8 months, 1 week down!

Well, now I'm only 1 week behind, so I guess that's improvement! ;) We are rolling along here with Shmu letting me know he's getting crammed in there! I stopped growing beyond this point with Kyle, so from here on out, it's kind of new territory for me. I've heard just when you think you can't possibly get bigger, you do! :) Getting bigger is encouraging though, so I'll take it!

Baby Shmu has another ultrasound appointment to check for growth, and so far these are all for precaution. So far, so good! Can you believe it?! We still pinch ourselves. Amazingly enough, we aren't worried or over paranoid. We are trying to enjoy every bit of this because before we know it he will be here and this whole pregnancy (including the near 6 months of barfing!!) will be just a memory! :)

Yay for a healthy, 8 months down!

Kyle's Date with Auntie Michelle

Auntie Michelle's birthday present to Kyle was a special trip on the train!! Kyle had been wanting to go on a train ever since we went with Mimi to LA. And after he opened his card last Sunday and learned what they'd be doing, he'd been mentioning their train ride every day this week! Finally, the day came, and off they went to the San Clemente Pier for some beach time.

Anxiously waiting for the train to come!

Kyle is all about looking at maps and knowing the "duckshwins" or directions! ;) He loves to ask what exit we're taking and can point out where home or church or Mimi's house is, for example, no matter which direction he's turned. He's even way better at knowing his left and right than I am!

Arriving at the pier.

Silly Kyle.

On the way back he got his favorite animals crackers.

Waving "bye" to the train!

What a fun, beautiful day! Thanks, Auntie, for loving on your nephew. Kyle had a blast! And thanks for the quality time Ru and I got to be together!!!! We had so much fun. :)

El Refugio

We were excited to go camping once again before Baby Shmu makes his debut. A group of church friends, some we knew and some we just got to know, got a big group site at probably the best beach camp spot I've been to. Other places hold sentimental value for me and are beautiful, but involve walking down massive hills to get to the water (That's not so bad until you have to walk back up. And worse, when you need to make multiple trips or have kids!). Refugio's camp sites, on the other hand, are located just about on the sand! We could hear the crashing waves all night long and enjoyed the early morning walks to watch the sun rise over the mountains. It was a perfect "easy" trip for my pregnant self and Kyle loved every minute of it and now has some new friends! Though it was a bit hairy trying to do this and get back on time for Kyle's Music Party, it was well worth the effort! 

Early morning fishing.

The kids had a blast!

Kyle got some "monster stance" practice while "surfing." some tiny waves.

The kayak was a hit and nearly every family went out and enjoyed the ocean. It was such a mellow day.

 

K eating lunch with Elsie

Enjoying one of the Rudy creations the kids all got involved in building. This one was their house.

Eating at "the kids" table. We love this garage sale find because this sturdy table folds up into the thinnest thing. Perfect for camping and the kids always love having their space.

Sparklers!!

Family love.

One lady saw me and asked how far along I was. Then she asked if I was tenting it. When I said, yes, she remarked, "Well, you can't be a newbie. You must have other kids or you'd never do this!" :) It really wasn't all that difficult but she's right about one thing; anything and everything is so worthwhile when you're watching pure joy on your child's face! 

Kyle's 3rd year

Each year, I like to journal a bit about who Kyle is and what he's been into during the past year of his life. I realize no one else may care, but this Mommy does, and I think one day he'll care, too! :)  He's a sentimental little fella who loves looking at his baby book, seeing the pictures of his family and friends holding him and hearing stories about what he was like when he "was little." :)  He'll actually request to have me "read" his baby book to him from time to time and sits there marveling at who was holding him (basically, who loves him). So this is for him, because I really think he'll read and enjoy this someday.

Kyle's Firsts:

• Zoo trip 
• Disneyland 
• Camping
• Music class
• Movie in a theater (The BEE)
• Tubing in the mountains
• Joshua Tree and "rock climbing"
• Preschool program at our church's Vacation Bible School
• Road trip to Oregon (900+ miles one way!)

Kyle Loves:

• Asking "Why?"  and "Papi, what are you gonna do?" (because Ru's always up to something :)
• Drums/music/guitar
• Kayak trips
• Fishing
• Beach trips
• Camping
• Riding anything with wheels, but particularly his bike and scooter
• Going "high" and "fast"
• Playing with friends: Elsie, Holden, Max & Isacc, Nick & Will, and Kellen
• Papi's truck
• Going on the "Round and Round" (Ferris Wheel) at the peninsula and the OC Fairground
• Getting his haircut at the "handsome store"
• GG's hotel/swimming in the pool
• Music class
• Mimi and Mimi's house
• Having Auntie Michelle stay with us 2 or 3 nights a week
• "Booming" Papi when he gets home from work
• Adventures with Papi
• Cuddling Mommy
• "Moses" and "Jericho" stories in the Bible
• Curious George, Bob the Builder, Thomas the Train, Mickey Mouse
• Being silly/ makes up words like "Peashop" and "Boonchat"/uses sarcasm when joking around
• Stealing "Papi's food bites" off of Kyle's plate (a trick Ru came up with to get him to eat! )
• The baby in Mommy's tummy
• Gum
• Milkshakes (or Fruit Smoothies he just calls "milkshakes")
• Lemon yogurt from Trader Joe's

Kyle Can:

• Sleep in his room all night long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  (this one is as recent as 2 weeks, people!)
• Eat small amounts of food put in front of him! ;) 
• Knows all his letters and almost all their sounds
• Get himself completely dressed with socks and shoes
• Express and articulate himself very well. (Ex. "Mommy, I'm feeling frustrated because you aren't waiting for me!") 
• Work a computer and mouse like a pro!
• Give lots of hugs and kisses :)

Whew! What a year it has been! This 4th year will be a big one for him as he'll welcome his baby brother and share all of these experiences with someone else in the house!. So far, he's pretty excited! ;) 

Happy 3rd Birthday, Kyle!!

Our big boy turned 3 yesterday!! We were camping up above Santa Barbara but that didn't stop us from  starting Kyle's day with balloons and some early morning festivities! :) Since I'd been preparing for this day for over a month, Kyle was plenty excited and ready for his birthday! 

 He couldn't wait to get home to go to his Music Party with his drum cake! If you remember my sad saga with his firetruck cake, you'll just smile and ignore the crevice down the center of this drum as well as the dripping yellow frosting! :) Kyle loved it and it tasted great, so in the end, that's all that matters! Thanks to my mom and GG for helping me save this "work of art!"

Auntie Allison helped us write the music to "Happy Birthday" down our table runners. I'm very much into themes and throwing parties that represent what my child really likes. So this year, there was no question, we had to throw a MUSIC PARTY with a DRUM cake!

 Musical Chairs!

 Hot Potato!

 Finally, Kyle got to blow out HIS candles on HIS cake!!!

 Teaching the kids "The Cupid Shuffle Dance!"

 Go Auntie Michelle!!!

 Ru led a conga line.

 Kyle loved his presents and made me so proud by thanking each person by looking in their eye and saying their name with a thank you! He was darling, if I do say so myself! So polite!

 Kyle invited his friends: Miles, Elsie, Cousin Chase, Isacc, Lukas, Katy, Holden, Nick, Will, and Max.

 We love our boy!!!

 The family.

 And the after-party!! :)

It was a lot of fun to see Kyle enjoying his friends, the party, and his music! Thanks, Auntie Allison for the best drum/music playlist! ;) Happy Birthday, Kyle!!! We definitely celebrate YOU and your life with us! Couldn't imagine a world without you. We love you.