May days

At the start of the month, Colter's school hosted a mother's day tea. He didn't want to participate in the songs, but he did agree to take a picture with me, which I consider a major win.

I took this little man with me to get my hair done and he snoozed the whole time.

We spent 10 days in Portland and Redmond Oregon, which i'll document in another blog. It was an absolute blast. 

Our dear friends, Steve and Lindsey, moved back to Reno to be closer to family. We were so so sad to lose such amazing people. They were pretty much our first friends in Seattle and we shared so many wonderful memories together. We had two different parties to celebrate them!

I had a pretty rough morning one day. Kids fighting, fussy baby. I loaded everyone up in the car and started driving around with no where to go. We ended up at Chick Fil A and ended up having a fantastic time.

We had a special play date with Lindsey and Adelle.

Maddie continues to be a spectacular big sister. She has not shown one once of jealousy or resentment towards him. She sings him little songs, requests to have his car seat next to hers even though he cries all the time, always wants to hold him, and be near him. She will be an amazing mom some day. Here we are with our matching ergos. 

Kelsey offered to watch Maddie while she volunteered at the play date cafe so I could have a little alone time with Levi. I think we ended up just running errands, but any one on one time with my little man is special. 

We met up with Kelsey and Jessie and the cousins at a park one Friday. It's so fun to see the cousins show up, and the kids disappear. I'm no longer having to climb all over the jungle gym, participating in the stories, I actually get to talk! New phases in life!

We had an incredible sunset one night. 

My sister and I took my mom out for a belated mother's day breakfast since we were both out of town on mother's day. We tried out a new place in south Seattle and it was delicious!

I tried out some pinterest things I've had saved for a while. Writing letters in pudding. I think I got them each to write out 2 letters before they devoured all the pudding.

Can't get enough snuggles from her baby brother!

Colter's therapist was sick one day, so I stayed at school in the library in case his teachers needed help. Maddie got right to work checking out baby brother.

We got our first load of baseboards delivered! It doesn't look like much, but boy is it a time consuming process. We've got about 50% done, but now we have to paint the inside door frames before we can complete the rest. I'm so thankful for a hubby that is able to do so many different house projects.

Taking advantage of the weeds in backyard.

This girl. Always digging in a bathing suit or leotard. The unfinished backyard continues to be a source of great fun for the kids. The poor hill side is getting totally eroded, but for now, it's such a great source of creative stories for them.

Creeper Ben spraying the first set of boards.

This park apparently has the tallest swings in Seattle. Both Jessie and I didn't realize we had been to the park before, but it was a fun one to revisit. It also had a great play structure, as well as a zip line.

We convinced Ben to go strawberry picking (He's not a fan of paying to do manual labor) and we had the whole field pretty much to ourselves.

We tried out the bumbo seat and Levi might have just been tired , but he was really not a fan. 

We had Levi's two month appointment, which involved a few shots, and that afternoon was absolutely miserable!! I didn't have any infant tylenol and he pretty much screamed all afternoon until Ben got home from work. I felt so sad for my little guy. 

Oh the difference 24 hours makes. 

March madness

Finally made it to my due date month! It felt so good to make it through all the fun activities I had planned this month before Levi's arrival.

For Harper's birthday gift, I took her and Maddie on a girls fun date while colter was at school. We started at the nail salon for manicures. The nail technicians couldn't get enough of the little girls. Then we went to a hair salon and had their hair braided. They were both so stoic in the chair. I love their relationship and that Maddie pretty much has a sister .

Maddie and I walked down to the lake during colter play group. The daffodils were out and my little girl was toting her Easter basket around everywhere.

We had a fantastic time at the zoo with Adelle. We were both so so pregnant and the kids had so much energy.. They were always way ahead of us doing crazy ninja moves and jumping off things. My last stroller free zoo trip for a while!

Colter and Ben competed in the pinewood derby at Westgate. I thought colter would be way more in to building the car, but Ben pretty much did everything.. Which I think was the case for most of the entries. Their car did pretty well, but I know Ben is already planning for next year.

That night I had my shower. I didn't want a traditional shower , so we planned a bunco night instead! It was so much fun and the perfect event to bring a bunch of friends from different times in my life together. My sister also pulled off another pregnancy music video. Love it!!

We actually had a successful Barnes and noble trip! I swore off ever going there again after having to carry colter out screaming so many times.. The combination of having to share trains at the train table and wanting to buy too many things was just too overwhelming. He had a gift card from his birthday and the trip went really well!

We put the Corolla up for sale and didn't even have to advertise! One of Jessie's friends bought it off us. So many great memories. Still so hard to believe I moved up with all my stuff in that car!

Since this is my last baby, I wanted to do things I've always wanted to do during other pregnancies, but ran out of time. I put together some cute thank yous for the nurses and they turned out great!

This little lady thinks up some great imaginary stories. She is great about playing by herself.

Colter got a huge beanbag for his birthday and he made a little nook out of his closet. It's his favorite place to sleep these days.

The belly was definitely making its presence known!

Maddie and I went to the fancy Nancy ballet with the Heaviland girls and nana. Maddie was captivated by the show and loved every minute. Afterward she wanted to take a picture with every girl . I'm pretty sure we're the only ones to get a picture with a crab.

The neighbor girls took me out for a baby celebration since they couldn't come to the shower. We had a great dinner and then painted some pottery.

We made a short and rainy stop at the cherry blossoms. We were some of the only brave ones, but they were still incredibly beautiful despite the weather.

I made a great little discovery in woodinville. The rainbow systems play center offers an indoor play time in all of their equipment. It was a blast!

A little train park time with my lady

Getting the hair done.. Love time with my girl Sam!

All the last minute beauty preparations.. The eye brows! Ouch!

Another great discovery! I was so thankful to be able to have some great times with the kids before Levi. This was at the mercer island slough. There was some beautiful boardwalks among the trees, and a little treehouse the kids could climb up. I was so proud of them for being brave and going to the top. We walked along the trails and explored the wetlands. 

Maddie cannot wait to meet Levi. She's fascinated about all things related to the baby.

Just another day of princess and kitty digging in the backyard

We had a great Saturday trying out a new park and going out for shaved ice that night!

 Ben and I took the kids on dates one Sunday. I went to Starbucks with little lady and we colored and played games. Ben took colter on the light rail .

And then it was baby time! I documented all that fun shenanigans in other posts! Welcome to our family Levi!