Adventures of Parker and Jack

Cuteness overload alert! 

Majorly adorable baby pictures coming your way!

I'm making books for Jack and my (honorary) nephew Parker. Jack and Parker are both going to be big brothers soon, and with all the commotion of a new baby coming into the house, I thought they should have something just theirs.

Parker's mama and I are somewhat of what we like to call "life twins". We have never lived less than 1200 miles away from each other but we pretty much lead the same lives. Our birthdays are a month apart, Parker and Jack were born a month apart, our husbands came home from deployment a month apart, and our second baby boys are due a month apart this summer. And that's just the beginning. Last April we went on vacation together to San Antonio (it was a blast!) and we discovered we had even taken the same hairstyle picture to our stylists for our haircuts.

So, naturally Parker and Jack are somewhat alike. So here's a little preview of some of the pages in their book. Made from pictures we've each taken of our kids doing the same things. The title is "The Adventures of Parker and Jack".

"They have buckets on their heads"

"They help with the dishes"

"They wear glasses"

"They get kisses from their mamas"

"They loved meeting their daddies"

"They rock sunglasses"

"They sleep in their toddler beds"

"They aren't sure what to think of their blue bumbo seats"

"Their mamas love Steak 'n Shake"

"They are best buddies!"



Nana's Trip to the PNW

Last week my wonderful, amazing mama came to visit us!

 

Jeff was able to get off work early enough to come to the airport with Jack and I to pick her up. I was so thankful for that because it was pretty close to Jack's bedtime and we all know how cranky toddlers can be when their sleepy. But of course even though daddy was there to help, Jack couldn't let nana's arrival go smoothly... I mean how boring would that be right?

He slyly slipped out of daddies hand and took off full-speed ahead up the down escalator

Less than 2 minutes later, Nana arrived to meet a bleeding Jack and a teary-eyed, worried me. All's well now, but it was definitely a scary experience.

The very next day (Tuesday) was filled with just as much excitement. We went in for our 20week baby bean ultrasound. And found out that we are most definitely having another baby BOY!

Introducing... baby Jonah!

(Do these straight-on face shots kinda scare anyone else?)

My mama helped me register at Babies R Us... because get this... whatever is still on the registry (unbought) 3 weeks before your due date.. you get 10% off of! 

We aren't going to have a baby shower this time around since it's our second baby. But we will probably just have a "Kate and Jeff are having another baby" party when we come to Ohio to visit in May. Just to get family and friends together to celebrate Jonah and allow for everyone can see us while we're home as well.

Nana in full spoilin' mode while she was splurged on Jack and bought him an adorable pair of chuck taylors

Jack and I took Nana on her first trip to Seattle! (She has been to visit us in Washington twice before Jeff deployed, but both times she came it was for medical reasons so we didn't get to do much sight-seeing)

We took her to Pike Place Market

And we rode the monorail to downtown (Jack loved it!)

And then we took her to see the water!

Jack had a wonderful time with his Nana and I think it's safe to say she felt likewise!

Let It Be

This is what I have to do. I HAVE to. I can't keep worrying about every little thing, getting mad about every little thing that doesn't go the way I planned. I can't.

Dear me,

Just Let it be. Let everything be the way it wants. The world can handle itself. You have a wonderful life and you need to snap out of it and realize you can enjoy life. Dance with that beautiful baby boy laughing and dancing his heart out for you. Smile because the baby you have yet to meet that kicks you at just the right time to let you know he or she is doing just fine. Hug that wonderful husband of yours that loves you uncontionally and would do anything just to see you smile. You are blessed to have these amazing people in your life! And in the end, love is all that matters. You have to let it be. Let everything just.. be.

Jack's 1st Snowman

This past week, the South Puget Sound has been treated to one last winter treat.

SNOW!

It actually snowed enough to where daddy got off work early on Thursday! We took full advantage and after naptime, we took Jack outside to play. Living in Washington, we don't really have a lot of snow-worthy clothing. But I remembered my mama had given us a pair of Carhartt bibs that had been Avery's. I thought they would be way too big, but I put a pair of sweatpants and a longjohn top on him first and then they fit pretty well.

We had a blast playing outside. Jack had a few issues finding his balance in the bulky layers and slick snow, but he was happy to be outside anyways. He usually hates being cold, so I was really surprised that he didn't whine at all. He didn't even scream when he faceplanted either! haha

We even built a snowman.

(Eh' so he's a little rough around the edges, sue me) 

Nuts? or just because he's a 1 year old boy?

And a baby bean belly picture for your enjoyment!

18 weeks! (Please ignore my appearance and bathroom.. I'm sleepy and lazy this morning).

Our (first) Valentine's Day

Jeff and I have been together for almost five years now, married for a little over two. And believe it or not, this year was the very first Valentine's Day we've spent together (in the same location). That's the military life for you. The past four February 14th's, he was in

#1. San Antonio, Texas

#2. Yakima, Washington

#3. Fort Irwin, California

and

#4. somwhere, Afghanistan

FINALLY, he's at home!

Needless to say, we couldn't have been happier just spending the night in with our munchkin and watching a movie.

But, being the romantic that my wonderful husband is, despite the fact I told him I didn't want/need a gift... He brought me home a gorgeous boquet of flowers and a WHOLE BAG of Dove chocolates. Gosh, I love that man.

The flowers are so beautiful, and their scent radiates throughout the dining room and kitchen. They are a wonderful reminder that warm weather is coming! And the chocolates, what pregnant girl doesn't love chocolates! Thank you so much to my awesome husband. The best part is that you delivered them to me yourself :)

After discussing it with my mother, I decided my original plan of filling Jeff's whole car with balloons while he was at work probably wasn't the best route (my lungs can't handle that many balloons on their own). So I opted to make him this huge, obnoxiously girly card instead.

Thanks Kellee for showing me how to make those awesome flowers (that make up the heart)!

After these were exchanged, we sat down and had a wonderful family dinner: salad, lasagna, and garlic bread. Family dinners always have a way of making me feel so blessed. We try try to have dinner together at the table at least 5 times a week. I think it's very important not only for Jeff and I, but also for Jack (and in the future, baby bean)!

Daddy was on munchkin bath detail following dinner, while I cleaned up the kitchen and living room of debris from what we call hurricane Jack.

He cleans up pretty nicely, don't you think? Unfortunately, I can't say the same about him holding still so this is best picture of him I could get before bed.

We watched the movie "Red" with Bruce Willis and Morgan Freeman. We were both laughing through the whole thing. I'm not sure if it's supposed to be that much of a comedy, but anything with Bruce Willis and Morgan Freeman together makes me laugh. And there's a character, Marvin, that you just can't help but love because he's so goofy. If you haven't seen it, definitely rent it from Redbox (Only $1 that way!). And it's a movie both you and your spouse can enjoy.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Seattle Weekend

This past weekend we were lucky enough to be picked to attend a marriage retreat in downtown Seattle. The Army covers the hotel charges, provides catered meals, pays for certified childcare all weekend, and we get to learn about how we can enhance our marriage and explore the city! All we had to do is drive ourselves there. 

If you've never been on a marriage retreat (and you get the opportunity to do so) I highly encourage it. We learned about about how unknown expectations can affect your marriage, how important forgiveness is, and were reminded how in love we are :)

And we also got the opportunity to spend some time together without the munchkin! We went to the Experience Music Project / Science Fiction Museum. There wasn't much Science Fiction stuff in there right now because they are remodeling to include a big exhibit on the movie Avatar (due to open June 4, 2011).

But I did make sure to get a picture of R2D2 from the Star Wars series for my mom and little brother, Max.

The music part was really cool, they had the "music lab" which was a big collection of many instruments and rooms where you could play, and play with your friends. They even have a studio stage where you and your family/friends can play/sing as if you were in a band for 10ish minutes. And then you can buy your video if you want. It was pretty awesome.

They had a big exhibit on Jimi Hendrix with lots of his clothing and guitars, and an even bigger exhibit on the different styles of guitars through the years. 

In the middle of the building was a HUGE instrument tower, sort of hard to explain.. but lucky for you, I got a picture of that too.

It's made mostly of guitars and its TWO STORIES tall!

After the EMP/SFM we went to see a movie, something we haven't done in a long time.

We decided on this one, and weren't disappointed at all!

No Strings Attached

It was hilarious. Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher were both amazing. I would definitely reccomend it, and I think Jeff would too!