Summer: Part One

There could be so many titles for these upcoming posts:

The Summer I Fell Apart and MANY People Witnessed It

Alicia: The Service Project

Alicia and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Summer

The Summer I Came Unglued

Of course it didn’t start out that way. In fact the beginning wasn’t bad at all and there were even some REALLY REALLY good parts (birthdays, new baby!, houseguests galore) but by the end of the summer things went south and I was D.O.N.E.

I’ve decided it’s worth recording the events of this past summer so if by chance I forget how hard it was and think about agreeing to do it again, I can look back and be reminded.

So here it goes!

Part One

Luke left mid April to manage a team selling garbage contracts door-to-door in Wilmington Delaware. We missed having him around but honestly I was so busy with the daily school routine, chasing after Abby, finishing up my night class and online class, coaching run club, growing a baby, etc. that time flew by. Grandma Lucy came to visit and help out. Then my sister came to visit and help out. Before we knew it, it was the middle of May and a trip to visit Luke was in order. We spent the weekend exploring Wilmington Delaware. We checked out the local zoo, had lunch in Newark home of the University of Delaware, and most importantly spent time with Luke when he wasn’t working. It was a very quick trip but so worth the long drive.

The rest of May and June marched along. We kept busy with school, going to the gym, play dates, and I coached a second session of run club. The end of June/beginning of July was a bit crazy and HOT. Jordan turned 7 and then finished up Kindergarten the next day. My run club girls ran in their race (I was too pregnant to run with them) and then I turned 31. The icing on the cake though was in the midst of all this our air conditioner stopped working. It was the end of June (hot!) and I was 35 weeks pregnant. Awesome. Luckily the homeowner was able to get someone out to charge the Freon and we only sweated through a few days and nights.

At this point it had been almost seven weeks since we’d last seen Luke and a trip north was in order. Luke’s office in Delaware had dissolved a few weeks prior and he and a few reps had gone down to Northern Virginia to sell pest control. This was great for us since it meant a shorter car ride AND Café Rio – yay! I went to my 36 week appointment that morning, packed up the car, stopped at school to meet Jordan’s new teacher, and then we hit the road for Virginia. We had a great time! During the days I would take the kids to the gym and let them play in the child center while I laid by the pool and rested. Then we’d spend a few hours swimming, head back to Luke’s apartment for naps and be ready to party when he got home from work…at 9:30pm. It was actually a nice little vacation because I didn’t have to do any cleaning or cooking. We were able to spend most of Independence day with him. We went swimming and bbq’d and set off our own little fireworks in the church parking lot. Very low key and just what we needed.

  

 

We returned home to Raleigh on Monday and I had a list a mile long of things I wanted to get done before the baby came. Unfortunately, as much as I wanted to nest and get things in order, I had zero energy. Jordan went to a little theatre camp each morning at a friend’s house and on Friday we got to go and watch him perform a little play.

 On Saturday I was exactly 38 weeks and despite having no energy I was motivated to get my house clean and in order. My mom was coming that night and I wanted to be able to enjoy her visit. I worked hard all day cleaning every inch of my house (and re-cleaning it since Abby kept undoing every thing I did) and ended up working myself into labor...

Kindy Graduate and 7 Yrs Old!

Yesterday was Jordan's birthday and he woke up bright and early at 6:15 ready to open presents. I made him stay in bed til 7 (though it was kind of pointless because he 'checked' on me every ten minutes) and then finally let him go downstairs. He had picked out this ginormous stuffed puppy at Costco the night before when we were picking up treats for his class. I was surprised he chose that over a trip to Toys R Us to pick out Lego's or Skylanders or some other toy but he insisted that he really really really wanted "Cocoa" the puppy. He opened his presents, played for a little bit, got ready for school, and then we headed off to meet friends for donuts. I had to work on the night of his birthday so he chose his new favorite babysitter to come over and had more fun playing with his presents.

Tonight we went out for his birthday dinner. He chose Cici's Pizza (blech!) and claimed it was the best having his birthday stretch over TWO days. He's a pretty easy kid to please!

He's in the green shirt in the front.

Today was his last day of Kindergarten. He has had a great year and learned so much. His best subject is math and he loves science. He is often asking to do experiments at home. He is becoming a great little reader and very good at spelling. He received a school award this year for having 'good judgement'. At his class graduation his teachers predicted he would be a web designer when he grows up because he is so good with technology. I had to explain to him what a web designer is and he thought it sounded like a good job. He is a sweet kid, a great big brother, a kind friend, and a good little thinker. He often comes in after I've put him in bed to ask questions--lots and lots of them.

We're sure lucky to have him in our family!

Lucky Turtle

The other day as I was rushing off to pick Jordan up from school I spotted a turtle in the neighbors yard. I debated telling Jordan about it because well I didn't want the turtle to suffer a heart attack...or worse. Jordan proved me wrong though and was very gentle with the turtle and put him back when we had to go. 

After we got back from swimming he found the turtle again and this time Abby got in on the action too--though we wouldn't let her touch it. 

 

 These two kids love animals and Jordan is constantly talking about the pets he wants to get when we own a home.

Ready to Pop.

Not really but I feel like it.

Today 33 weeks 6 days

(post workout and mowing the lawn hence the red face)

Today at the gym a lady walked past me setting up my weights and said, "woah you look ready to pop!" Nope, I still have six weeks to go but I do feel huge. I actually appreciated her comment because it validated how I feel. All the comments of "your belly is so cute" or "your so tiny" just make me feel like I'm a wimp for all the soreness and aches I'm experiencing. I already feel so much bigger this time around.

 This was me at about the same time pregnant with Abby.

Last time at about 33-34 weeks Abby stopped growing and I stopped gaining weight. So I've had a few ultrasounds this go round to keep an eye on things and so far 'new girl' is looking good and if you go based off of ultrasounds (which are so not accurate--hahaha) she will be my biggest baby yet. I'm really hoping that means low 7's????? Abby was 5.1 and Jordan was 6.15

Left: 34 weeks pregnant with 'new girl' (any name ideas?)

Right: 36 weeks pregnant with Abby (back in the day when I only had one child and I actually got dressed and did my hair :) )

Picture Dump

 Bedhead is the best. Especially when accompanied by dried breakfast crusties.

 Welcoming warm summer nights with ice cream cones and bare feet.

 I couldn't get both of them to look at the camera and smile, but they'll easily smile for each other.

 

This girl is a monkey. She is constantly 'swinging' on things--the edge of the kitchen table, the church pew in front of us, the tops of slides, the handles in the car...

She LOVES clips. She is constantly climbing in her booster seat and clipping herself in and then freaking out for someone to come unclip her....all to do it over and over again.

 Bathtime is awesome.

 So is dumping out and opening all the snack baggies.

 This girl LOVES to look at books. One of her current faves is Each Peach Pear Plum.

 

Such a sweet boy. Almost 7. Almost a 1st grader. Yikes!

And a creator. He has a hard time falling asleep and eventually when I check on him he has created some masterpiece in his room and then passed out.

Big Brother

Jordan really is the best big brother. He is so patient with Abby. He lets her play with his toys (ie. destroys them). He reads to her. Shares a room with her. Gets her out of her crib in the morning. One of his favorite games to play with his friends actually involves Abby...though I don't know that she knows that yet. He will give her anything and do pretty much anything for her. He really is the best big brother!

 She climbed up and was helping him with his homework.

Happy Birthday Luke!

 For Luke's birthday we surprised him with an indoor skydiving experience. He loved it!

As we were waiting for his turn we got to watch a group of very skilled sky divers do some tricks and training. Even Abby was amazed.

Then it was Luke's turn. They got him all suited up and went over the instructions.

He had two turns to fly and this is a video of his second flight.

He walked away with a huge smile on his face and I felt successful in giving a great present this year.

Happy Birthday Luke!

Easter Egg Hunt

 

One of my favorite traditions is the town Easter egg hunt. This was our third year attending and the town does a great job. It seems the weather never wants to cooperate though! Our first year there were tornado watches and they had to hold the hunt in the community center gyms. The second year the rain held out just long enough for the egg hunt and then down poured the rest of the day. This year the weather was a tad bit warmer than the days proceeding it, but still very chilly. Nonetheless we bundled up and got our hunt on.

They distribute all the eggs on two separate fields (younger and older kids) and then at 10 sharp they blow the horn and in a matter of seconds it is all over. It was Luke's birthday so he got a free pass to go play basketball and not 'endure' the crowds and the family time. ;) Jordan did a great job and gathered lots of eggs...Abby on the other hand did not want a single one. I even cornered one just for her and she sat down and started crying. Maybe next year. Jordan had fun but was a bit disappointed that there were no golden prize eggs (budget cuts?) or candy this year--just little toys. Fine by me. :) Now I just have to wait a few days for the novelty to wear off and then all the toys will be gathered up and taken to goodwill.

Happy Easter!