Halloween 2013

Emma Kate has slept through the last two halloweens, so this year was actually her first year to bust out a costume! I was totally expecting her to refuse the costume idea, but once I put it on her, she literally started dancing in circles. I wish I had video to prove it, but I was face-timing with my mom and brother, so they are my witnesses. It was by far one of the cutest things I have ever seen! When Adam got home, we tried to get some photos before trick or treating with neighbors. Some are blurry cause she didn't want to stand still for even a second :)  Isn't she the cutest elephant ever?!!

i think this is my favorite :)  

and she's off!

It's a B.O.Y. and other updates...

Adam and I had our 20 month appointment for baby #2 and we found out it's a boy! I totally thought it was a boy the whole time and so did Adam so we weren't totally surprised. We waited till Emma Kate was born to find out boy or girl, so this is the first time we actually will have some lead time to plan a boy's nursery, pick out boy clothes, pick out a name. It kinda feels weird. A good weird, but still weird. We know this little man is coming and he's not here yet!  Hopefully this will make the transition for Emma Kate a little easier if she can wrap her mind around us bringing home a baby brother. She really wants to name him "silverware," but I don't think that's gonna fly. We are 99.9% sure on the name so maybe I can get started on some artwork soon for his room!

We took Emma Kate to get snow cones to reveal boy or girl. When we showed her the huge blue snow cone we asked her what it meant but she just kept saying, "I want that!" "Can Emma Kate have some?" "I want some!"  At least she was excited for the treat right?

 Everything looked great so far in our ultrasound, but we have to get another ultrasound next visit because little man didn't want to give us a face or profile shot , so they couldn't complete the anatomy scan to make sure everything is ok. Emma Kate was literally jumping up and down on my bladder, and sucking her thumb during our ultrasound with her. But this little one is more of a "roller."

In other news, Adam turned 32 on September 16th, which makes him 2 years older than me for the next few months, which makes me feel young :). And the little miss is about to celebrate her 2nd birthday! I know. I can't even talk about it. She is seriously in such a fun stage and I can't believe she's almost 2!  I want to freeze time! (Except for when she's exerting her will, then I want to fast forward for a bit :)

We are now in the "I no like" phase. "Mommy, I no like hamburgers." "I no like when you touch my hair."  "I no like orange juice." "I no like dat book." "I no like potties." "I no like capri pants." etc... Her new favorite thing is going on a "dinner date with daddy." She gets so excited to pick out clothes, show daddy her outfit so he can oohh and ahh over how cute she is,  and go out just her and daddy. I always get a full report when she gets home about what she ate, and what she saw. It's does my heart good to watch Adam love his little girl so intentionally.

 Emma Kate started Mother's Day Out right after labor day and she is doing great! We both took a couple days to adjust but I feel like she is having fun learning and being around a group of consistent kids each week.  She likes her teachers and already made a craft where she got to glue cotton balls onto a hand print magnet. Every time she sees it on the fridge she says "Mommy, I'm a helper!"  That's right Ek you are a helper!  She seems really secure with her teachers and the class, which is such an answer to prayer since it can take Ek a while to warm up to new people.

While Emma Kate is at MDO I am trying to use my creative side. I'm working on some watercolor prints for friends and for EK and little man. I just bought a nice scanner which felt like a commitment to actually create things to scan.  I'll share some on here when I work up the confidence :) For now, I'll just end with this little photo of ek in a ball pit. She's such a pill!

she cracks me up.

someone on the other end!

That's right! Bean #2 will be joining us soon! My due date is January 27th (a day after my birthday ;), but if this pregnancy is anything like my last one, mid-february is probably a safer bet! (Emma Kate was born 12 days after her due date!)

We are so thankful for another little life and for Emma Kate to have a sibling. What a blessing! We had our first appointment a few weeks ago and got to see our little one in action and a beating heart which always feels like a huge relief.

I'm nauseous as usual and tired, the only difference is now I'm chasing around a very. active. toddler!! Motherhood is the biggest gift, but ain't for the faint of heart either! Right? I know feeling sick is a sign of a healthy pregnancy for me so I'm thankful for it. (on most days :)

Emma Kate knows there is a baby in my tummy but that is about the extent of her understanding.  Even though she doesn't totally understand what it means to be a big sister, I know Emma Kate will fill that role with flair! She is so spunky. imaginative. playful. passionate. determined. energetic.... and I'm sure this next little one will never get bored with an older sister like Emma Kate! We ask her about names for the baby and she has come up with "Peach, Lady, Kid, Boy, Ginger, Ariel, Eric, Cinderella, and the most popular choice...Emma Kate."

We are excited to become a family of four and are planning on soaking up the next few months with just Emma Kate. With being sick and tired and navigating toddlerhood, I'm experiencing God as my "pasture-maker" in a different way than I ever have before. I'm sure having another baby will be the best and hardest thing we have ever done and we are so thankful that God is extending our family!

seven month (accidental) hiatus

I can't believe I haven't written in 7 whole months! My my how time does fly! Well to bring you up to speed since December- Emma Kate is now 20 months old, I turned 30 years young, and Adam opened the doors to his new store in January.

After two years of living in transition, it feels like we are finally starting to put down roots here in Austin and it feels good and slow and stressful, but good.  I have picked up a little freelance writing work which has been fun to dive back into, and with the store having a few months under it's belt, Adam is finally able to take some quality time off! The time to rest as a family is a huge blessing and we have been filling our days with walks around our neighborhood and trips to the pool. It's supposed to hit 100 this week and I'm already dreading it. I haven't spent a summer in Texas since 2005 and I think we are all in for a shocker!


Emma Kate is becoming a little independent toddler before my very eyes.  When did this happen?!!!! She talks in sentences, sings songs, plays dress up, and loves checking out the tomato plants on our cul-de-sac. I had high hopes of being one of those moms that runs and gardens. But I am neither, so we enjoy our neighbors tomato plants instead :)

She is learning to share and be brave and talk with other kiddos and it is so sweet to watch.  She has what we call "Lady Liberty" moments where she doesn't want any help and insists on figuring things out for herself-which can sometime end in a pile of tears, if the legos aren't stacking up right. Sometimes as a mom, it's hard to not just jump in and help her avoid the frustration but I know it's good for her to discover things on her own and its giving her confidence in who she is. And who she is is pretty great! 

Emma Kate made a big switch a few weeks ago where Mommy became old news and Daddy was all the rage! She cant' get enough of her sweet Daddy and Mommy is trying to take it in stride. Her new thing this week is saying "Mommy go away" and I tell her that it's not kind to say that, and then she says "Please?!" Oh well, baby steps right? She was a mommy's girl for a long time so I guess I can learn to share :) 

We are slowly doing projects around our house (which I will have to post about later), and making it our own little home. Even though we have been here 7 months now we still feel a little like lone rangers- which is never ideal for this little extrovert :) . Emma Kate and I are able to get out and go on play dates and go to a mom's group while Adam is working (which has been so life-giving!)  but it's been more of a challenge to get to know people as a family of 3 when we have to balance nap schedules and busy work schedules.  Now that Adam has more time off, we can say yes to more opportunities to get to know people and try out churches and get involved in things but the process is slow going.  I always forget how long it takes to forge friendships but I know it's definitely worth the effort.  Hopefully summertime will be a great season for our family to build some deeper friendships here in Austin!