Simple Pleasures

In the past few weeks we have experienced some of life's simple pleasures.


Like special breakfasts,

 

 

 

and dates with Dad.

 

 

Carlos got the girls corsages in an attempt to make up for our
Senior prom, where he failed to get me one 13 years ago.
I suppose he's forgiven.

Staying in a hotel,

 

 

especially when that hotel has an indoor pool.

Weirdos

Amazing views,

Seattle from The Great Wheel

and family bonding.

The perfect pair of jeans...

 

 

and the anticipation of a future sale.

:(

A brand new baby,

 

 

and three terrific big sisters.

 

 

 

And milk.  Thank heaven for milk.

Mission Accomplished

I had only three goals for the month of February:

1. Throw Ava an effortless birthday party.

Saturday, February 2

I really did it!  Aside from the birthday invitations, I fought all of my urges and did not spend a moment preparing anything for Ava's 7th birthday party.  I took her and a few friends to Denny's for a birthday breakfast without so much as a balloon to decorate.  (Not one balloon!)  So super easy, not to mention the cheapest party I've ever thrown.

 

 

 

Mission Accomplished.



2. Do not go into labor on Ava's birthday.

Wednesday, February 6

All day I could barely move without having a contraction, but Braxton Hicks and I are no strangers.  I spent much of the day trying not to pee my pants. (Lovely, I know.)  By the time we finished Ava's birthday dinner I was confident that my oldest and youngest would not be sharing a birthday.

Mission (barely) Accomplished.  (See Goal 3)



3. Have a healthy baby boy...with the help of an epidural.

Thursday, February 7

7:00 am- Wake up as usual to get Ava ready for school.
7:05 am- Contractions...Is this the real deal?
8:07 am- Yep, this is it. Make our way to the hospital.

....pain...anxiety...epidural...expressions of love for my anesthesiologist...

1:20 pm- Fall hopelessly in love! (this time with my baby)

Marshall Packer Wright made his way into our family.  (Yes, that's Packer, as in Greenbay Packers.  No one can ever accuse my husband of not being a die-hard fan.)  All my worries about having a son instantly vanished as I held my little boy in my arms.  Marshall is exactly where he belongs. I am head over heels with this kid.  Completely smitten.  Totally obsessed.  I've become a "mama"razzi, determined to capture every possible look his face is capable of making on camera.

What?  You'd love to see my plethora of photos?  Absolutely!

 

 

 

 

 

And you may recall my sleeping baby obsession...

 

 

 

Just a few more, I promise...

 



 

 

 

 

He's perfect.

Mission Accomplished.

Holiday This & That

A few weeks ago we (a.k.a. my husband) turned off my computer, and it decided not to turn back on.  After that I sort of lost the will to do anything computer-y.  But...I recently had so many design projects come up that I've been forced to get back in the game using Carlos's foreign-to-me computer.  A new blog post was among my list of things I could no longer procrastinate.  So without further ado, here's some highlights (and some just plain old randomness) that's been going on here over the holidays.


-Fiona had me convinced that my life would be diaper-free for the first time in almost 7 years, for a couple of months at least.  Unfortunately her potty training is only successful when she is completely bare on her bottom half, and I'm pretty sure that's illegal in most places.

-Ellia loved her tiny nativity set, literally to death.

Whoops

-I was oh so pleasantly surprised that despite failing my one hour glucose test, I miraculously passed the 3 hour one.  My sweet tooth and I have gratefully enjoyed our share (and then some) of holiday goodies.  Side note: I will never again desire orange soda.

-Fiona has started referring to herself in the third person, using phrases such as, "Yay, Ona!" when she uses the potty, and "Ona's _______" (fill in the blank) to claim just about anything that is rightfully hers.  I promise you it's to die for.

-At  35 weeks pregnant, I feel like a 25 pound basketball has been strapped to my front.

Self-portrait via cell phone and bathroom mirror...
obviously not a skill I have mastered.

  On top of that, this baby is by far the most active, wiggly baby I have ever carried, making me kind of nervous that I'm totally in for it when he actually comes out.  In the meantime, I'm having a hard time comprehending a little brother joining our ranks.  But I'm super excited for something new.

-We enjoyed holiday traditions:

The Decorating of the Christmas Tree (and the first batch of Christmas cookies)

I used my super psychic mom powers to predict this

hot cocoa accident just minutes prior...lo and behold...

Mom is right again.

(Please ignore all the crud on the floor.

Pregnancy does not put me in the mood to bend down.)

Writing Letters to Santa

"Dear Santa, I have been very good this year.  Well, except
for the time I got in a time out.  I would really like to find a
bean bag chair under the tree!  From, Ava"

"Dear Santa, I have been very good this year.  Well,
except for the time I didn't empty the dishwasher.  I
would really like to find a dolly under the tree!  From, Ellia"

Fiona re-purposed her Santa letter.

Decorating Christmas Cookies

Playing in the Snow

I wish I could be this thrilled while out in the freezing cold.

Baby + Snowsuit...LOVE!!

Sitting with Santa Claus

Classic.  Just as I predicted.

Christmas Eve Nativity

...and Christmas Eve jammies

Presents!

-My testimony of the Gospel has increased as we have received numerous blessings this holiday season.

-Carlos has decided to grow a beard, (thank you, Duck Dynasty) but promises to shave it off once his long-awaited son is born. (or will he? hehehehe) Hopefully Hayley doesn't catch this I just stumbled on to this and couldn't resist. But I am considering extending this shave date for a date TBA.

-I turned 30.  I can't say that I feel flirty and thriving at the moment...more like fertile and surviving.

-I have been getting a little sentimental when I realize that Fiona could possibly be my last baby girl.  I discovered a trend in the photos on my phone...

Apparently I can't resist a sleeping baby,
especially my sweet Fiona.

At our house, after the holiday season comes the equally anticipated tax season.  As a "single parent" for these upcoming months I thrive on my routine.  And, let's face it, with Carlos gone most of the day my house has never been cleaner.  (No offense, dear.)  

Here's to an organized, family-size-increasing, no-laundry-piled-up, goal-reaching, project-finishing, stress-free new year....A girl can dream.