Tahoe Vacation_Day 2

So...this wouldn't be a vacation without some quality lake time, games, eating and bikes! Only Marcus, Shayna and Baby Johnny were brave enough to tackle the lake after dinner last night. We brought our bikes and went for a family ride. Hudson is happy as long as he's outside and Johnny loves showing his skills on his bike.  Games were followed up by a delicious dinner. Night 2 was Girls Night to cook. We had chicken enchiladas, rice and bean casserole, margaritas and guacamole. Delish!! Boys night is on Thursday so I'm sure red meat will be the main course. ;0)

It's so fun to just enjoy being together without worrying what time it is or who is calling. Memories in the making people.

 

Tahoe Vacation_Day 1

So...I'm trying to follow my pal's lead, Deverewhitefamily.wordpress.com, and be better about blogging in general, but she also just blogged each day on her Truckee vacation and I LOVED IT!!! Do it while it's fresh (and the memories aren't clouded by wine).

We are in Tahoe for a week at a beautiful condo that the Shebls set up. Our second year at this location and we LOVE it!! We got up here around dinnertime last night. Here's our view from the living room bay window.  You can't really see the lake in this pic, but it's the sunny spot just past the trees. When I'm not so lethargic from cinnamon rolls and fresh mountain air, I'll stumble down and take a 'real' picture.

Johnny is having a blast and is entertaining everyone, of course!! Hudson clearly has adapted well to the vacation life. Our first day was filled with games, wine, laughter, oh...and don't forget the BEARS!! That's right. In the middle of the night J heard something and thought it was someone trying to steal our bikes. HA!! Nope. He woke up Baby J and I to see a mama and baby bear riffling through the dumpsters nearby. We watched them from the window for a minute and then left them to their work. What excitement could be in store for Day 2?! 

 On a side note, here's the sweet and the sour that preceded the trip. The morning that I was making these delicious cinnamon rolls for the trip, Hudson took a header into the corner of a wall at home and split his eye open. Thumbs down. Just wanted to warn you now, so when his eye changes colors in the Vaca blog update, you're not alarmed. Back to....oh, wait. I don't have anything specific to do. Back to snacking I guess!! xoxo

Baby Love

There is nothing that I love more than watching these two boys interact!! Johnny has been a great brother from the day Hudson came home. He wanted to hold him, kiss on him, comfort him when he cried and help in any way possible.  Now he is great at making Hudson laugh!! There is no greater sound than these two screaming with laughter in that same hiccuppy laugh.  I'm sure there is fighting in their future, but for now I say "dance monkey, dance" and Johnny keeps Hudson in histerics.

Hudson Had Colic

For some I could just say "Hudson had colic." and they would understand.  For anyone who hasn't experienced it, there is no clear cut way to define colic. The only way that I can describe it is like this: "Imagine taking a cross country car ride with an emotional, volatile, unpredictable stranger that has clearly missed their meds. You are not allowed to stop the car and have no idea how long it will be until you reach your destination. You don't have a map, the emergency brake doesn't work and you do not control the door locks (meaning that you can't jump out while the car is moving...and you want to). There is also no drinking while driving (duh). When you ask them what is wrong, they can't tell you. When they have an emotional outburst, you can't stop it. When they can't sleep, you won't either. Eventually you find yourself crying when they cry. Everyday you wake up wondering if you are closer to your destination, or if while you slept, they drove the car back in the opposite direction."

People told me almost daily that his colic would "get better real soon".
Then it was "Hmmm....how long has he been like this?".
"He has to get better eventually."
"Have you talked to his doctor?"
"It can't last much longer."

While everyone was just trying to help, there wasn't much that anyone could do for more than a few minutes. Insert sad song and tears. I'm not sharing this for sympathy or an "atta girl" for getting through it. I just want people to know that it sucks, sometimes for what feels like forever, but there is a light at the end of the (possibly very long) tunnel.  Once you reach the other side, it all just seems like a bad dream. One that makes you a little stronger, a little grayer, a little more patient and definitely more appreciative of each day that child wakes up their happy new self.

Colic is difficult and sharing the experience with friends and family is a must. Even though they can't fix it, they can be your outlet, your distraction, your shoulder, your sommelier...whatever you need.

Laughter Is Contagious

Disclaimer: No drivers were used for this video. The videographer was the passenger. 

MIA Mama

I have not shared on here in WAY TOO LONG!!! I think there are a number of reasons for that. Let's explore them, like David Letterman's Top Ten...

10. I'm lazy. (When I get a free minute, sometimes the only thing that sounds appealing is sitting quietly and not moving, or speaking, or being spoken to.)
9.  I'm constantly doing laundry.  (Apparently our 2 1/2 year old cannot wear the same shirt or underwear for more than 3 hours.)
8.  I'm changing a diaper and then giving a bath.  (Lately these go hand in hand with Hudson, since teething and a fresh fruit season are upon us.)
7. I'm working. (When the house settles and I do turn on my computer, it's usually to process pictures.)
6. I'm sweeping the floors. (At least 3x/day.)
5. I am outside with Johnny while he rides his bike or swims. (Two things he's obsessed with.)
4. I'm showering. (If by some miracle, both boys take a nap...I'm washing the scent of yesterday off.)
3. I'm making dinner. (While I try to plan dinners in advance, I have a small prep/cook window while Hudson is napping. I can't guarantee your dinner will be hot since I had to make it at 3 p.m. while Hudson napped, but at least it's here.)
2. Johnny is 2. (He's AMAZING. And high energy. And dangerous. And happy. And high energy. And fun. And dangerous. And stubborn. And cute. And inquisitive.)
1. Hudson had colic. (I can talk about it now without crying.)

I thought I was busy before?!!! What was I doing????

My Kids Kidnapped Me

So....by now, everyone knows that we had a beautiful, healthy baby boy on May 12th. Hudson arrived 17 days early and has had us working for his love ever since!! I haven't even had a chance to post about his birth and he'll be four months old soon. I know I'm a procrastinator, but I swear this time our kids were holding me hostage!! Here's some fantastic maternity and delivery pics that my biz partner and dear friend, Bree, captured. She and my mom jumped in the room the second after he flew out (story for another day).

The Fam

 While I know this isn't my best pic, it means a lot. I stumbled on the one shirt I asked for when my grandpa passed, covered in paint. He was a hard worker and a great man. I wanted to wear it as we got set to welcome our second little man. 

WELCOME BABY H!!!