Jessie and Clara Visit!

(I keep forgetting to ask Jessie for the rest of the pictures she took during the trip--but I guess I better just post it as it is or I never will--we never take that many pictures anyway)

I was so happy to have visitors! Unfortunately I wasn't feeling very well and Madeleine was the grumpiest child in the world--so I hope Jessie and Clara had fun despite all of it.  I still had fun and was sad to see them go!

We got to eat lots of delicious food both in restaurants and cooked by Jessie, visit lots of fun places and enjoy the sunny weather.  Clara and Madeleine played well together and Madeleine asks for Clara all the time since she left.  They are pretty cute! 

Here is a quick rundown of our activities.  We visited a farm, spent a day in San Fran (went to Lombard Street, the Palace of Fine Arts, saw the bridge, ate at Tony's and drove through lots of the city--because we got stuck in the most horrific traffic- it took us an hour to go 2 miles to the freeway), hit up a few parks, shopped and just enjoyed each other's company.

Cute girls at the Palace of Fine Arts

Valentine's Day

At the end of this pregnancy I really haven't had much energy! Its been hard entertaining a crazy two year-old.  I really wanted to throw a little Valentine's Day party (I'm trying to meet more people in our ward) and invite Madeleine's friends.  Well, I had the hardest time getting the motivation to decorate or really do much, but I did make heart shaped cookies and bought candy and frosting to decorate (I couldn't even make my own frosting...lol)

But even if I didn't decorate or do anything other than make cookies, Madeleine was thrilled to have a party! She was soo excited and the morning of threw a few fits while waiting for her friends to come.  It is so hard to see yummy cookies and not eat and she couldn't figure out why her friends weren't there by 8 a.m.  I don't think I'll ever tell her beforehand if we are having a party again! 

She loved decorating and ate WAY too many cookies.  She also had fun with her little friends so overall it was a success.  I got just a few pictures...

Madeleine's decorating masterpiece

Brody and I decided to celebrate and get a babysitter! I had a free credit on a babysitter site so the sitter was free. We went to dinner at a yummy Italian place and we tried a rabbit dish! It was delicious and so was all the pasta.  Unfortunately, Madeleine didn't do so well with the babysitter and refused to go to sleep for her.  We ended up going home and putting her to bed and then tried to go out again--well apparently M woke up and the sitter didn't text or call me so Madeleine stayed up until we got home at 10 pm.  She was horrific the rest of the weekend and her sleep was off for days.  But at least we got to eat a delicious meal without a screaming toddler in tow.

In her Valentine's Day dress

Oh and Brody got his pregnant wife a scale for Valentine's Day. How romantic.

Babymoon to Santa Cruz and Monterey

Brody had the Monday off for Martin Luther King Day so we decided to make the short journey to Santa Cruz and Monterey and stay for the weekend. We got a hotel for two nights and thought it would be a fun getaway.

The weekend overall was pretty fun, but it is getting harder and harder to go on trips with a 2 year-old.  Madeleine wasn't feeling well on the start of the trip and didn't nap much on the way down (we planned for her to sleep the whole way in the car) but that didn't work.  And then I guess that baby has decided that she hates sleeping her pack and play now.  So none of slept much on the trip and then I started to get sick as well.  To Madeleine's credit, this was her first trip minus her pacifier (which must have been hard for her) and she wasn't feeling her best.  But I couldn't help feeling depressed--I guess we have traveled enough already with that girl.  Maybe she is just tired of it.

Anyway-- we did make some fun stops.  We ate our very very favorite ice cream at Marianne's in Santa Cruz.  (we actually had it twice lol) then we explored Santa Cruz and enjoyed seeing all the hippies and skaters that live there.  We ate some yummy pizza and walked around and shopped.

Also, we were able to visit the Redwood forest close by.  The trees are so magnificent and bigger than I could have imagined.  Madeleine made a friend with a little boy who was just a few days younger than her.  They ran together the whole trail and kept giving each other hugs.  She loved it.

The next day we attempted to go to church.  Madeleine threw an epic fit so we had to cart her out of church before someone thought I was murdering her with all that screaming!  After church I tried to have Madeleine nap in the car while I drove the famous loop in Carmel.  (it is gorgeous) and Brody biked around while I drove around and around.  We spent some more time visiting Cannery Row in Monterey and ate at the the Giant Artichoke restaurant.

Our final day was spent at the Monterey Aquarium.  Everyone raves about it.  It was pretty cool, but I don't know if it was worth all the money or drive.  We drove home during nap time, exhausted and all feeling under the weather.

I proceeded to be sick for the next 3 weeks, but at least we got one last trip in before baby number arrives! And we got to see some more fun things in California!!

Just a Few Pictures...

I wanted to post a few pictures of things that have been happening lately...nothing too exciting, but some are pretty cute.

Finger painting was a success--kept her busy for a few minutes...

Indulging in pregnancy cravings- I really enjoy cinnamon this pregnancy--and enjoy eating way too much!

Someone refused to wear her diaper and wanted underwear.  This lasted maybe 20 minutes before she wet herself--but she did use the potty all on her own one day.  I am still going to wait till after baby number 2 to officially start potty training.

Visited an old General Store with my friend Aline.  It was a cute place and M liked playing with the vintage toys

She and her shows--this is the only time I can get some peace and quiet.  I use the time to workout and shower.  

Top 14 in 2014

To carry on my tradition...

This year was pretty eventful--quite stressful at times, but fun and full of life changes!

1. Surviving polar vortexes in Michigan (record breaking for cold and snow)- and escaping to the Caribbean for our cruise.  

2. Visits to Chicago, Florida (super fun trip),  Colorado, family reunion in Tennessee and Disney Land for the first time--we definitely traveled a lot this year

3. Brody graduated with his MBA! He worked so hard and we both survived all the stress and busyness!

4-9.  Our AMAZING and once in a lifetime trip to Europe.  We visited 6 countries, ate amazing food, enjoyed gorgeous sites and made unforgettable memories!

11. Mostly fun summer in Utah (homeless for 10 weeks)  this was a stressful time for me with all the moving and transitions (splitting time between 2 homes) but we did spend lots of fun times with friends and family.

12. Moving to San Fran and then Menlo Park (bittersweet moving from Ann Arbor--I still miss all my friends there) but am enjoying the weather and all the great things that the Bay Area has to offer.

13. Baby girl number 2 on her way!

14.  Madeleine turned two!  She is getting so big and talking so well now.  She learning so much each and every day and maturing so quickly! 

Christmas in Utah

This year was a bit different from most.  Brody's parents were moving and my aunt Doris passed away a week before Christmas.  So this trip was a bit more stressful and sad than usual, but we were able to see some amazing friends and meet some new babies.  It is always so good to visit with all of our couple friends---I haven't laughed as hard as I did at some of our dinners for soo long.  It felt good to be with some of my favorite people!! I was also able to see my friend Angela, from Michigan and Jessie for a quick shopping trip.  I miss them both so it was so good to catch up.  Oh and of course a trip to Utah wouldn't be complete without seeing my old coworkers.  They really are the best!

Sadly, I have no pictures to document any of these events...

But some pictures of other events---

And we were able to have a fancy Christmas dinner with Brody's dad and family, spend time with his mom and Cache and Brody was able to ski.  (sadly, I was a bit too pregnant and busy to find a time for me to go)  Brody actually surprised me with brand new skis though! I was so happy--and I wish I took a picture so I could look at them and dream of skiing next winter (we left them at his dad's house) I was so happy and surprised that I actually teared up when I saw them lol 

She was so spoiled as usual!

dinner at La Calle

Best Football Game!

Our friends Josh and Sharsti decided to fly out from Utah to come to the BYU vs Cal Berkeley game and do a little site seeing in the city.  They asked if we wanted to go with them and we happily agreed.  It was the Saturday after Thanksgiving (and a belated birthday present to me...apparently BYU games around my birthday are now a tradition)

We were quite stressed out before the game because we tried so hard to find a sitter for Madeleine but everyone was either busy (my $10 an hour person) or wouldn't charge less than $18 an hour. Since it would be a very long day, I seriously couldn't stomach paying someone that much to watch her.  Seriously, $18 an hr is ridiculous!! Anyway, so we decided we would just have to take her with us.  I was quite nervous, but it couldn't have turned out better.  She was actually very well behaved the whole day and I didn't have to stress or feel guilty about leaving her for so long (not to mention we were much richer as well) 

We had so much fun seeing Josh and Sharsti.  We had lunch and dinner together plus the game was super close and BYU pulled out the win in the end!!   And to top it off, it was supposed to rain, but the weather held out and it was gorgeous the whole time.  (much much better than the last BYU game in Notre Dame with subzero temps) 

I don't usually take Madeleine on such outings so it made me so happy that she was good and we were actually able to enjoy something for once!! lol

Winter in California

It actually rained almost everyday in December here, which I've heard is unusual, but it was still quite warm.  I can't complain about the rain since we won't have any polar vortexes this year.  No matter what, this winter's weather will be a vast improvement over last year.

So we have taken advantage of the weather and done a few outings outdoors.  We visited a farm with Madeleine's bff (Kate aka Kake as Madeleine says).  The farm was so fun and the turkey even let her pet it!  We also go to the park almost daily and walk lots!

We also visited the beach in Half Moon Bay with Brett and Aline.  Madeleine got way too wet playing in the water.  She was so happy though...

and a random cute picture of a clean baby!

We were also able to get our first, real Christmas tree! I was amazed that Brody let us buy a tree because he is usually anti Christmas (or any holiday) decorations.  We were able to look for our tree in just sweaters.  Can't complain...

We did buy the smallest tree in the lot, but it was perfect because we have very few ornaments and now just a few lights.

Thanksgiving 2014

As I said in the post before, I was sick for my birthday which was the same week of Thanksgiving.  I had planned on making dinner all by myself and invite our friends Brett and Aline, but luckily we were all invited to Pam's grandparents (along with Pam) for dinner.  I made pies as my contribution and it almost killed me. I can't image what it would have been like if I had to make the whole dinner!! I was way too sick and tired for all that cooking.

My pies did turn out amazingly delicious and I definitely ate almost a whole one by myself! Of course they were not attractive- even though I tried so hard to make a perfect crust.  I did not take any pictures of my labors for that reason :( 

Dinner was delicious and fun.  I loved seeing Pam and her grandparents.  It was a great, late birthday present. 

Yummy food!

Whole group, minus Pam who didn't want to be in the picture

Almost 30

Brody finally got home a few days before my birthday, wow were we happy to have him home.  I couldn't believe how much Madeleine missed him (I couldn't even bring up his name towards the end without her melting down)

We didn't have much time to plan a fabulous birthday celebration with Brody being gone, but I was able to arrange a babysitter for the night so we could go to dinner and just enjoy some time away.  I finally found a babysitter that only cost $10 an hour (most are at least 15-25 an hour) She was great for the night, but now never gets back to me and is always busy so now I am babysitterless again.  (the woes of living in the most insanely expensive place in the U.S.) 

Anyway, Brody took me to a fancy dinner to celebrate.  I was craving steak and I wasn't disappointed.  We tried Flemings which was right next to our house and we could get a last minute reservation.  All the other steak houses were booked! It was really delicious and I definitely ate my fill!  Being pregnant through all these holidays is rough (when it comes to staying healthy!) 

Oh and I was sick for my birthday--sad day and was really sick for the whole week :( another unfortunate side effect of being pregnant 

In other news...I got a job! I now work part time from home for a small non profit.  Its been fun so far and nice to be back working regularly.  Though I am stressed at times trying to balance it all.  With a new job and a new baby coming, 29 should be a busy but good year for me!

Colorado Trip

On November 1, Brody left for his dreaded 3 week trip to Charlotte, NC for work training.  None us were looking forward to that long of an absence so I decided (ahead of time) that I would need a trip away to help us cope!

A trip to Colorado to see Jessie and Clara in their new home of Colorado Springs was the prefect solution.  Jessie moved over the summer to CO and they have a large house with plenty of room for visitors so we comfortably stayed with them for a week (we loved visiting in Chicago but I always felt bad for cramping them in their 2 bedroom apartment) 

The girls loved each other (most of the time) and Madeleine really became attached to Dustin.  I think she missed Brody desperately and needed some male attention! We had a few days of sunny and warm weather so we took advantage and made a trip to the zoo and played outside.  As the weather got cold (crazy cold snap-0 degrees for a high when we left), we visited a indoor trampoline gym (the girls were in heaven) ate delicious food together and visited some of the tourist attractions near by.  We had a relaxing week and let the girls just play a lot! I've never had so much free time...lol 

Jessie and I were even able to get manicures together and each of us took turns watching the girls so that we could go to appointments.  (hair and waxing)

We had so much fun and as always wish we lived closer!!

Garden of the Gods--she loved scaling the rocks

how she spent a lot of her time, on Dustin's lap