October 25, 2019

Finn's First Birthday

I really struggled with this one. When Fox turned one, we had a huge birthday party for him. While I would've liked the same for Finn, he didn't have baby friends like Fox did and with everything going on this year, I also didn't feel like throwing a party. I felt guilty over it for months leading up to the day. I kind of tried to justify it, thinking that we would go to Disneyland and the beach the week before his birthday, so that would be his birthday party.
It's been two months since he turned one and honestly, I don't even remember what we did that day. Insert Mom Guilt here.
Katie decided to have a little birthday celebration for him at her house a week later and invited me. It turned out that me and one set of grandparents were the only people in attendance. 

I didn't want to miss his "party" and seeing him eat his cake, but I was really struggling with my feelings of being in that house. It just didn't feel right and made me sad. But I put on my brave face and celebrated that little boy that had saved my life in the last year.

Grandma Sandie made him his own special cake.


I don't know what he was thinking about this.


Fox wouldn't even touch his first birthday cake, but he tried it at least.


And then he dug in.



And here we are, he is one. And I'm so grateful for having this sweet boy in my life.
I made some collages of his first year pictures and I can't believe how fast this year went, despite everything I went through. I wish I could keep him little, but you already know that. 



Happy First Birthday Finn! I love you more than you'll ever know! 

October 20, 2019

August iPhone Dump

A little late, but this was our busy August! Apparently I took a million pictures this month, so hang in there!
I turned around and he was halfway up the ladder. I'm not ready for the climbing stage.

Little dude didn't feel too good that day, so I got a lot of extra snuggles.

One of them is always hugging the other.

Trying out his new (or should I say hand me down from big brother) big boy carseat. I was a little sad to retire the baby car seat for good. Okay, I was really sad.

I took Fox to a birthday party while Katie was with Finn. I love being able to take him solo sometimes and I think he loves it too.

It was a swim and foam party and he had a blast.

All the kids waiting for their turn to hit the piƱata!

More baby snuggles...because one day he won't want to do it anymore.


These pictures are exactly one year apart.

First wagon ride for Finn, he was so happy and content the entire time.

Whenever we take a walk around the neighborhood, I grab some fake crystals or gold coins from Fox's treasure chest and then throw them in other people's yard whenever Fox is not looking. He gets so excited when he finds them and thinks that pirates left them. I love how he still believes in this kind of stuff...not much longer.

He's been having a lot of trouble falling asleep lately and getting him to sleep is rough, so anytime I go into his room and see this, I do a little happy dance.

Some days, mornings look like this...

We signed up Finn for Gymboree and he has been enjoying it. I especially like their open gym times, a perfect place to kill a couple of hours in the Arizona heat, and even Fox can join.


Every once in a while I pull out this train that Fox got when he was one. I'm surprised he still likes it and Finn is at a perfect age for it now as well....even though he has to be the passenger when Fox is around.

This is the face of somebody who wasn't allowed to play with the robot vacuum. Oh the drama!

And he got a turn! Look at that proud smile!

We had a few playdates with Fox's old school friend. The boys go to different schools now and I know Fox misses him a lot.

Weekend vibes!

Fox asked me if I would buy him an Apple Watch. I said no and this is the reaction I got! Haha!

Someone likes the TV just as much as his brother!

One weekend we went to the Natural History Museum with one of Fox's friend. They were panning for gold.



Chicken Fried Rice is one of his favorite meals.

Sharing my bed with some crazy sleepers sometimes.

Lunch with Grandma and Grandpa who were in town.

Another day of Gymboree



This has been our life lately. Either sitting in car line or showing up at school 45 minutes before the bell rings, just to score a parking spot. I am not a fan. Pick up takes so long! Luckily, most days this guy is as chill as can be and just happy to be along for the ride.

My new favorite are late afternoon playdates with my friends, that end in having dinner together and tiring out all these little monkeys!

I love this lady and I love when my friends love on my kids.

Another crazy dinner playdate that ended with a water fight.

There's nothing better...

Fox goes through phases where he has special lovies that he carries around. I think it's sweet.

Waiting at school for the bell to ring!

Fox took this picture without me knowing and I think he did great! Look at that dimple!


See what I mean? Unicorn came everywhere for a week straight!


I never take selfies unless I want a picture of me with the kids, but getting out of my yoga pants and actually wearing some make up had to be documented. Ha!

What else do I need? My whole world in my lap.

Early morning snuggles. When he wakes up, I try to bring him in my bed (if he's not already in there) to get a few more minutes of rest before getting up. He doesn't always lays down with me so nicely, usually he smacks me in the face with the baby monitor or fan remote.

Another morning at school waiting for the bell to ring. Fox asked to take a selfie, which is so rare that I have to take every opportunity I get.


I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again. I have the best friends! The kind of friends that show up in my house with flowers, balloons and gifts while I'm bathing the kids, just to wish me good luck on my first day back to school. Yes, you've read that right. I went back to school (I'm planning to get a nursing degree) after 15 years and it's been crazy to say the least. So if you wondered why I haven't blogged regularly, there you go...but I fully intend to catch up and keep documenting our life in this little space here. 

This was actually taken at Katie's house, but I just love this picture so much. My sleeping angel.



Keeping it real over here....the only way for me to get ready in the morning is to let this little tornado destroy my bathroom.

Definitely my kid...Christmas decorations are his jam!

Although he wasn't too impressed about this grinch headband.

He's been so sweet ad loving lately...I'm soaking it all in, because I know there will come days where he will be embarrassed about me. Speaking of embarrassment, I was wondering why Fox never wanted me to pick him up in the car line at school. It took me about 3 weeks to find out the answer. There are always older kids helping the younger kids get in the car during car line and Fox said that our car was so messy, he was embarrassed for the older kids to see that. And to keep the record straight...it's all his mess, not mine. Haha.


Glow in the dark mini golf with friends!


Beautiful Arizona sunset

Finn doesn't have a lot of baby friends and usually gets stuck playing with the siblings of Fox's friends, who are 1-2 years older than him, but this was a rare playdate just for him.

Have you heard of Osmo? It's a learning game that Fox really enjoys, he was showing it to his friend Miranda on this day. I really like it too, so go check it out if you're looking for a fun and educational gift.

He cracks me up...he always wants to sleep with the lights on, but I guess on this particular night it was too bright for him and this is how he fell asleep!

Seeing them play together makes my heart happy!


And he cracks me up too! Never a dull moment.

Grace's Housewarming Party...I laughed until I cried and my face hurt and I left with my soul fueled with so much love. Who needs therapy when you have the best friends in the world? Okay, therapy is still awesome, but you know what I mean.

Can you guess? More selfies requested by Fox in front of school.