My baby is two

How has my little tiny baby grown into a little man?  The other day, Bryan told me that this is his favorite age so far.  I cannot even pick a favorite age because I have honestly loved every stage.  I loved holding the little innocent guy before he could walk or talk.  I loved watching him roll over for the first time, learn how to babble, and take is first steps.  I love watching him learn new words grasp new ideas.

Today Bryan said he could not even picture him before he could walk because his little curious personality is so distinct.  Yesterday, after I was having a tough day, he decided to play one of my favorite games of his.  He pretends he is leaving and says "Bye mom, see ya!"  Then he gives me a kiss and says "I love you" and pretends to leave and walk out the back door.  Then he comes running back and plays again and again.  That boy just knows how to win my heart and turn my day right around!  He is such a little cuddle bug and I love that.  He loves me to read him story after story after story.  He got a tricycle from his grandparents for his birthday and is obsessed with that thing.  Lately, "ride cycle?" is one of the first things out of his mouth in the morning.  He points to my belly when I ask him where the baby is.  I don't think he understands what that means, or what that will entail! I am trying to savor every moment with just the two of us.  He is my little buddy and brightens every day. Happy second birthday little dude!  You have changed my world for the better.

Pumpkins Galore

We finally made it to the pumpkin patch today.  McKay was in pumpkin heaven.  He loved putting little pumpkins in the wheelbarrow, pushing the wheelbarrow around, crawling through the corn maze, and watching the turkeys. It was a damp and foggy evening, perfect to get us in the Halloween mood.  
                                                                                             

That pumpkin growing inside me is 26 weeks now.  Crazy how time flies when occupied with a busy toddler.  I'm excited to meet this little girl.  Girl...that seems so weird.  I feel like I should probably start figuring out how to make bows or something.  Halloween is not Halloween without the traditional dinner in a pumpkin meal that we devoured on Sunday.  Now for McKay to make his Nacho Libre Halloween debut tomorrow.  Happy Pumpkin Day! 

Our new adventure

 The last four months have been a whirl of events.  The major events include that I Found out I am pregnant, moved to San Francisco, Bryan started dental school, attended a family reunion in Newport, started my Master's program back up, ran a half marathon in San Leandro, saw my sister come home from her mission in Argentina, celebrated our 4th anniversary, took another trip to Clovis to work a couple of nursing shifts, discovered McKay will have a little sister, and took a family trip to Oregon.  It kind of makes me exhausted to look at that list.  These changes have brought a flood of emotions, concerns, and stresses.  Can I handle two kids despite my husband's crazy dental school schedule?  Will McKay step up to the plate as a big brother?  I was an emotional roller coaster the first few months of dental school while trying to get everything set up in our new apartment.  While I always had my husband to help me make decisions, I realized I would have to step it up and become more independent because he did not physically have the time to think about these things.  I guess the early pregnancy symptoms probably didn't help the situation.  McKay also had an adjustment.  He was used to seeing his dad, grandparents, and aunts all the time, and had to get used to just me.  After a combination of getting far past the first trimester, settling into our new apartment, and establishing a new routine for McKay so he can see his dad, I finally am at peace.  I am so excited to welcome this new baby girl to our family.  I know McKay will have a little adjustment, but he will be an adorable big brother.  I love living in the city and the fun things the city has to offer.  I am so excited to explore the city over these next few years.  I am grateful for those that have reached out to us as we have moved here and gone through these changes.  I am happy with our little life here.  

18 weeks

22 weeks

Cracks me up every day

Santa Cruz last week.  I love watching them play.

Changes

In less than a month, our life is changing drastically.  Although the packing and unpacking, organizing, and cleaning while occupying a 18 month old is a daunting task, I am giddy thinking of our adventures to come.  I cannot wait to explore San Francisco: it's unique architecture, gazillion museums, convenient hiking, and the beach of course.   Although, McKay will most definitely miss the endless love and attention he receives from aunts and grandparents.  We are sad to leave, but at least we will be much closer than Miami.

In the meantime, we have been trying to get lots of family bonding time in before dental school starts.  Here is a quick synopsis of the past few months.  In the midst of working hard to save money before school starts, we have done some playing as well.

May

Cayucas, Ca after church

Hearst Castle

One of my best friend's weddings Fresno, ca

Santa cruz..  Bryan surprised me for my birthday.

Avila Beach, Ca

Millerton Lake.  McKay is not too sure about the lake yet.

April

Train ride to Hanford, delicious ice cream

Table Rock hike, Oregon. We visited Bryan's parents around Easter.  

Mountain Biking in Lithia Park, OR.

March

Manhattan beach, Ca.  This was after my half marathon in Agorra hills, Ca.  McKay discovered his love for sand.

Corona, Ca our college friend's wedding

February

Spanish Fork, Ut.  We took a Utah trip to ski and see family

We are trying to enjoy every second of our growing boy.  Our little guy is an 18 month old busy, opinionated, outdoor loving little dude.  He is still 95% for height and weight.  His favorite word is "uh oh" if that is even considered a word.  He loves giving kisses.  He has become clingy all of a sudden, which makes nursery a little difficult.  He also has become a picky eater as he's gotten older.  Yogurt, green beens,bananas, pb and J's, and wheat waffles are some of his staples these days.  I swear the pantry is his favorite place.  I always find him climbing on the little stool and trying to sneak graham crackers.  He loves my parent's rabbit and dog and begs to play with them often.  We can't keep him away from water.  I really should just keep him in a swim suit all day long.   "E-I-E-I" (old Mcdonald had a farm) is his favorite song these days.   He loves to cuddle, which I hope lasts.  Despite his love to make messes and destroy the house, we love him to pieces.  


San Francisco, here we come.  On to packing and moving, oh and backpacking this weekend.  Wish us luck, we are taking McKay with us!

My Valentines

I swear Valentines Day has gotten better each year, ever since those awkward teenage, valentineless-days.   I was lucky enough to spend the entire day with my two favorite people.  Woke up to a surprise scavenger hunt from the husband, ate heart shaped waffles together, took McKay to play in the snow for the first time, and then went on a romantic date with my valentine.  Today was perfect, probably the best Valentines Day ever.

Wasn't too sure about experiencing coldness for the first time.

 ...But sledding won him over

Hope your day was filled with love like mine.

Someday I will catch up

But it's not today.  

No more excuses though.  Someday I may blog about his birthday, Christmas, tahoe, ect.  Or maybe it can just go in his Shutterfly book.  These past few months have been kind of a blur.  And about the nonfunctional camera cord?  Guess I will just use phone pictures for today.

McKay is growing way to fast.  I felt the need to post because I felt this was a big developmental week.  

Firsts for this week:  

1.) Hands me books he wants me to read, then hands them again, then reads it to himself. (Used to just read it to himself.  This week is the first time he handed them to me.)

2.) Throws a ball back and forth for the first time.

Love Sunny sundays.  Off go the church clothes!

3.) Grabs my hand, says "ma" and takes me places (usually it is to try to go outside to see the bunny or get in the wagon.)

4.) Got in the wagon when I wasn't looking by himself.

I eat this like an apple, right?

5.) Scrubs the ground with a sponge (used to just eat it).

6.)Gives high fives for the first time

7.) Says "ba" when he comes out from under his blanket (trying to see "boo).

My favorite Monkey blanket

8.) Takes consistent 2-3 hour naps and 12 hours at night.  He has seriously never been a good napper until this week, and before this week he was doing 11 hours instead of 12 at night.  Guess he has needed a lot of sleep for this big week!

Other things he is obsessed with lately:

1.) As soon as he is let outside, he runs to the dirt and starts digging.  He is seriously like a dog!  I have had to give him midday baths multiple times this week.  Sometimes I am ok with it if I'm already going to bathe him, until he starts putting it in his mouth.  He is over putting non-edible things in his mouth for the most part, except dirt.   Don't understand that one. 

2.) Walking around with a blanket over his head, trying to play peek-a-boo, except he runs in to walls, and has battle wounds to show for it.

3.) Food!  This boy is seriously a eater.  Doesn't matter what it is.  
Exhibit A: I was talking on the phone.  McKay was too quiet and this is what I found.  Mini muffin in each hand and one in the mouth.  Grabbed them off the counter

Mom, what's the big deal?

Exhibit B:  Brought dad pizza for lunch.  Bry took the first piece- Mckay grabbed it.  Bry went for the second piece- Mckay grabbed it.  Bry went for the third piece- Mckay bit it right out of his hand.  I guess we starve our child or something?

Will someone please feed me?
Even though toddlerhood is busy busy busy, Motherhood is still a dream come true.  I love every single bit of it, and McKay makes me smile every day.  My husband is hard working as ever.  You can now call him Master Clevenger (passed his masters comprehensive test).  Dental School in San Francisco starts in July.  I cannot wait to explore the city.  Monterey day trip tomorrow, Mckay is going to be in heaven I'm sure.