Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho...It's Back to Work I Go

Today is my last day of summer. Tonight we are going out to celebrate. We're trying to put a joyful spin on it and celebrate the time off we had together... as a new family of three. But I'm sad. I'm really, really sad. I don't know if I could cut it being a stay-at-home mom full-time, but I would love to try. Many say they crave the adult interaction, and I could see that being true for me too. However, I've been fortunate to have the last 10 1/2 weeks off with Kevin. We've learned about Colin together and explored our new roles as mom and dad at the same time. It's been a huge blessing that we are extremely thankful for. Would I be more excited to go back if I had been home by myself? Maybe, but I don't have the option of staying home. I have to go back...So, I sit here this morning as my baby takes his morning nap, and I appreciate the many blessings I have been given. Tears of joy and sadness are running down my cheeks.

Summer Celebrations

We've have had a lot of reasons to celebrate the last few weeks. My mom had a birthday (7/23), Kevin and I had our second anniversary (7/26), Kevin had a birthday (7/28), I had a birthday (8/2), and my dad had a birthday (8/10). Colin also got to meet his Great Grandma & Grandpa Greene and his Aunt Erin. It's been a fun (and busy) few weeks.

To kick things off, Kevin's parents came to stay with us the weekend before our anniversary, and we were able to get away for a Colin-free dinner...our first! We went to the Yard House...definitely not the most romantic place, but I enjoyed their crunchy ahi salad last August before I was pregnant. Now that I could eat raw fish again, I was craving it big time! It's soooo yummy!

For Kevin's birthday, we were also able to get away. Colin's future babysitter (Miss Brandi) called and asked if she could watch Colin one afternoon to get to know him better and also give us an afternoon out. We happily obliged and scheduled our lunch out on Kevin's birthday. Our official birthday celebration was later in the week when we went to our favorite sushi restaurant in Seal Beach, Mahe. We usually go to Mahe once a year (around Valentine's Day) as a special treat, but I was pregnant when we went the last time. I had a great time, however, I didn't get to eat their ice cream rolls (my personal favorite), so I told Kevin that time didn't count, and I wanted to go again for my birthday dinner. So this time we dropped off Colin at my parent's house (Gee...it's starting to sound like we've ditched him a lot), and had a yummy dinner to celebrate both our birthdays. After, we enjoyed seeing my brother-in-law Tim and his band, Whalen, perform. (BTW: Their new CD is awesome!) Later that weekend, my whole family got together to celebrate all the birthdays. The highlight was seeing my Grandma and Grandpa Greene. This was the first time they met Colin.

For my actual birthday, we went down to Seaport Village in San Diego and had a picnic. This time, Colin got to come! :)

Lastly, Colin got to meet his Aunt Erin! She flew down from Spokane and loved him up for three straight days. She held him constantly and was attentive to his every need. It was great having her here-- come back soon!

It's been a good summer. A great summer...but it's gone by way too fast!

Two Months

Colin is now (over) two months old. We call him many things...little man, baby boy, love bug, big boy, smiley face, moose, tank, and chunky monkey. Many of his nicknames stem from how big he is growing. At his two month appointment he weighed 17 lbs and was 25 inches long. Both measurement are off the charts...He's bigger than 100% of babies his age. Regardless of his measurements (because really, who cares?), he's healthy and thriving, and that's the important part. He's also smiling....a lot, which is absolutely the best!

Colin, Carter, and Avery

At his two month appointment, he also received his first set of shots. I struggled with this a lot...I realize that the medical community has found no link between immunizations and autism, but there's been enough hoopla about it to mess with my head. Also, my mom chose not to immunize me as a child, and I've suffered no repercussions. I talked to friends and educated myself before Colin was even born. I could have done more research, but at some point my brain shut down, and I stopped thinking about it. Then his two month appointment was suddenly here, and I realized I never really made a decision. We were there at the doctor's office and I just went with my gut. I feel like I took a leap of faith that everything is going to be ok. So at his two month appointment, Colin was poked three times and received one oral medication. Kevin held him down (I love my husband!), and Colin handled it like a champ. I still feel nervous...I still wonder if I did the right thing...I still silently exhale every time he smiles hoping that's a sign I haven't lost him to that horrible disease.

Colin resting after his appointment. His daddy was MY hero for holding him while he was poked on the top of each leg. He received super hero band-aids, which coordinated with his outfit. :)

Our Proud Puppy

Tahoe was a proud puppy. She was the alpha dog, leader of the pack, and head of the household. While she was always there to make sure everything was okay, she was also independent and didn't mind spending the afternoon by herself in a cool part of the house or sunbathing in the backyard. She was my first baby. She was fiercely loyal. Anyone who came to our door would tell you she was an excellent guard dog. She always made me feel safe. No one in their right mind would break into our home. But once she knew you, she was incredibly loving. She would rest her head on your lap and look up at you with those big brown eyes pleading for a head scratch or a belly rub. She would lay at your feet...always there if you needed her. Tahoe was also extremely smart. She breezed through doggie school learning all the tricks and commands. We only had to say, "park it!" and she would leave the kitchen, our laps, or wherever, and find a place to lay down by herself. She knew where she lived and knew she'd be crazy to leave. If we ever left the gate or garage open, we'd come home to find her laying on the driveway or most likely still hanging out in the backyard. She was a great listener. We have a nature preserve area near our house where we'd take her for walks and let her run off leash. She would explore, chase rabbits, and run through the brush, but she'd always come back when we called her. She loved being outside and taking walks.

Last week, Tahoe went to doggie heaven where I imagine she is chasing rabbits and bringing smiles to those around her. It was extremely hard to let go and say good-bye. She is so incredibly missed! Right now, the void in our home feels so tangible. There is nothing like the unconditional love of a pet, and Tahoe was the best kind of pet. She was a member of our family!

Lake Tahoe 2010

Mid-July, we took our first family trip to Lake Tahoe. We loaded up our baby boy for the ten and a half hour car ride. Colin was a champ. He slept on and off the whole way there and back, and he didn't throw a fit when forced to eat in the back seat of the car, public parks, or a Denny's restaurant. (Yes, with my hooter hider on, I became one of those people!) I've been going to Lake Tahoe my whole life and didn't want to miss out this year, even with Colin being so little. We tried to relax and not become too stressed out by traveling with a newborn. Our mission was mostly accomplished. I am not going to lie...it was challenging at times. Kevin and I took turns stressing out and getting snippy (ok...the snippy part was mainly me!). The trip wasn't quite the "vacation" of years past. There were no lazy beach days and few afternoon naps. However, our time together with our family and the memories made were priceless. The extra effort was worth it. I love that we were able to continue my family traditions and also start new ones with Colin!

We went to the beach a few times throughout the week. We never stayed long because we were worried about Colin getting sunburnt and/ or dehydrated, but beach days in Tahoe cannot be missed. It's so beautiful there!

On day 2, we all went into Virginia City, an old western town. Uncle Herb, my dad, and the rest of the Gaebel family took a guided tram tour of the city. Liam and the AZ Whalens enjoyed a gun show and mined for gold.

Most nights, we cooked dinner together and enjoyed evenings "in" talking, playing games, and being silly. One night we took a walk down to the beach to enjoy the sunset and beautiful evening views.

On our last day in Tahoe, Kevin took the plunge. For the first time ever (after being harassed by Alyssa for two years), Kevin took the leap off the dock into the freezing cold Tahoe water. The picture is of Alyssa on the left, Kev in the middle, and me on the right. Mom was the photog and babysitter. Earlier in the week, all the AZ Whalens (including 2 year old Molly) also jumped off the dock!

Reliving an old childhood memory, we went down the magic carpet slide. It really was as fun as we remembered! :) It was the perfect way to wrap up our last night in Lake Tahoe.

I know it will be tough to travel to Tahoe again next year with one-year old (probably tougher than this year), but I hope we always make the extra effort to take those important family trips...even if they are no longer "vacations" for Kevin and me. If we become home bodies and start complaining that things are too hard to do with kiddos...kick our butts for us, will ya?

Hi!

We just got back from a big trip to Lake Tahoe...It was so much fun, but exhausting at the same time. We're recuperating, but I wanted to say hi and share this picture Ashleigh took before our trip. I love having artistic and creative sisters and sister-in-laws...if only some of this would rub off on me! (Big sigh! :))

Cousin Love...Or Not!

So yesterday, Ash and I had the brilliant idea that we'd get the three kiddos together-- Carter, Colin, and Avery and take some cute cousin pictures. I brought over a couple outfits, and Ash found something cute and matching for Avery and Carter to wear. We brainstormed background ideas and hemmed and hawed about the details. We finally decided to do them on her bed because it was overcast outside. We were very excited about the potential for some cute cousin shots. It was going to be great...so we thought!

Overall, the photo session was a complete and total failure! Hilariously so! Trying to "prop up" two infants and get Carter to sit still was a complete joke. After this picture, Carter took a flying leap over both babies (yes, we all stopped breathing for a moment!) and went off to play with his cars. So much for that idea...