Hannah is 3

Last week and weekend we celebrated Hannah's 3rd birthday. I am so happy we were able to have all of her birthday celebrations take place without the birth of her sister interrupting anything.  :)  Having two April babies made me a little nervous of the fact that they could possibly share the same birthday, I'm happy to no longer have to worry about that! On her actual birthday (4/4) Hannah and I met Josh for lunch near his work. It was great to see Josh during the day and Hannah was very excited to enjoy lunch time with her dad. After her nap I took her to meet up with her BFF Kenzie at the park for some fun in the sun. After the park we headed home to make dinner. A few days before her birthday when we asked Hannah what she wanted for her bday dinner and she asked for mashed potatoes, chicken and asparagus (& a chocolate cake w/ sprinkles for dessert). :)  Her requests were easy to meet. That evening we had her open up her gifts from mom and dad. A new Richard Scarry book (her current fav. author) titled What People Do All Day (this was one of my all time fav books as a kid); some new books for her Story Reader; flip flops; her birthday shirt (we order her a personalized shirt every year to wear at her birthday party); a new sleeping bag and a balance bike. She was very excited about her gifts and was eager to try them all out. When we asked her later what her favorite gift was, she enthusiastically said, "my pink flip flops because I've alwaaaaays wanted flip flops!!"  :) The funny thing is, last summer she refused to wear flip flops, yet this year was sooooooo excited about them :)



birthday dinner







showing off her new shirt



all cozy in her new sleeping bag

trying out her balance bike

We had Hannah's 3rd birthday party at Rohnert Park Gymnastics. The kids had a blast taking part in various activities for an hour while the adults either chatted or played too. :) After the gymnastics activities everyone enjoyed snacks/appetizers, we sang Hannah happy birthday and then she opened her gifts. Clean up 10 min. = VERY happy mom and dad!! (after her last two birthday bashes the house was a mess so this was a very nice change!) That evening we met up with friends for dinner and then decorated Easter eggs at home before bed. Super fun day!


listening to the gymnastics instructors before getting started



balance beam

a little nervous...but eventually tried out the zip line

birthday cupcakes I made per her many requests...pink, green, sprinkles, jelly beans and flowers  :)

blowing out her candles

new water table from her friends

ready to try out her new scooter

Our beautiful birthday girl

3 year pics of Hannah & belly shots of Jordyn

My good friend Andrea came down from Grass Valley with her little guy Hudson to visit last Monday. We enjoyed lunch together at our house, watching the kids play and catching up. While visiting Andrea also snapped some impromptu pics of Hannah and of my belly. All the pictures below she took in less than 10 minutes. She's so talented! Hannah hugs, kisses and rubs my belly so often every day and I've wished that it could be captured on film....well now it is! Thank you Andrea!!  :)

Enjoying every minute of maternity leave

Oh I could so get used to being a stay at home mom :)  I have enjoyed my three weeks off from work so incredibly much. Don't get me wrong, I love my job...teaching is my passion & I could never walk away from my profession, yet spending so much time focusing on my family, myself, my house, my "to do" list, etc... has been extremely refreshing and rewarding. The first of my three weeks off was spent in Humboldt with my family. The last two weeks here in Rohnert Park have been filled with accomplishing many things off my incredibly long list of things I needed to get done; spending lots of one-on-one time with Hannah; ejoying a pedicure with friends; organizing/cleaning multiple rooms of my house and enjoying relaxing evenings with Josh and Hannah (void of laundry folding, dish washing, etc... because I've had the time to get that done during the day). I know my relaxing, non-hectic days at home are limited because any day now another sweet little girl will enter our lives, so I continue to enjoy each day and relish in the moments. This week we celebrated Hannah's third birthday, traveled to Fairyland & the A's Opening Day game today, will have Hannah's birthday party with her friends at Rohnert Park Gymnastics tomorrow and celebrate Easter with Josh's family Sunday. So many fun events and special memories created. I hope the next 4 1/2 months of time off work

go by ever so slowly...

reading a book in her "fort" with dad

wanted to pose for a pic with her baby

Saturday morning trip to the donut shop with mom and dad

Having fun at My Gym in Santa Rosa

tracing her name and drawing a picture of her family at mom's work

3 year doctor checkup

being silly and striking a pose for mom

cuddling with her cat Chloe

testing out our new glider

making coffee for dad

coloring with her cousins Mazzy and Camryn

With my beautiful sister-in-law Cassie (due in July)

cousins :)

homemade smoothie=smoothie mustache :)

Welcome Lilly Claire Miller

The first Saturday of Spring Break Hannah and I hit the road up to Fortuna to hopefully be there when our niece Lilly made her debut. (Josh had his annual kayak camping trip with the guys to Lake Sonoma.) Hannah and I enjoyed relaxing at my parents, playing games, being spoiled by my mom's delicious cooking and spending lots of time with my sis before Lilly's arrival. Each day we hoped it would be the day Lilly would decide to join us. Nicole and I went on daily walks hoping to maybe bring on labor. :)  One night of the nights we had a sister's night where we went out to Las Caz for Mexican food (Nicole asked for extra jalepenos in her quesadilla); watched a movie (or more like spent almost an hour trying to pick one out to buy on the T.V.), enjoyed some junk food and ended up not deciding on a movie and stayed up chatting as late as we could keep our eyes open. It's crazy to look back and think that was our last night (just the two of us) before two new little girls entered our lives. :) Hannah and I had to reluctantly leave on Wednesday because I had a meeting with the substitute taking over for my classroom. It was so heart wrenching leaving and not having met my new niece. :(



Hannah playing a game of jacks with Nonne



Our last pregnant picture together

my beautiful sister 3 days before Lilly's arrival

Hanging out with Nonnie

Hannah and I made it home early Wednesday evening to dinner made by Josh. Even though it was really hard leaving my family it was good to get home to him. Hannah was VERY excited to be with dad again. Thursday I met with Jill (my sub) and then we hosted  our weekly "Survivor" dinner at our house with friends. Friday morning we got up to run errands and pick up a couple of Hannah's birthday gifts. It was when we were in REI looking at a sleeping bag and balance bike for her that we got the call from my sis that they were heading to the hospital. I was excited beyond words as I told Josh and we quickly made plans to head home, pack and hit the road again.  We made it to the hospital about 6:30 that evening and we able to go in and see my sister and Shaun for a few minutes. Hannah was thrilled to be at the hospital with the hope that she might meet her new cousin that evening. As the evening went on and it was pushing 9:30 Josh and I decided to tell Hannah that Lilly was coming in the morning and she'd get to come back to the hospital to meet her. Josh took her home to bed, while I stayed at the hospital with my family and Shaun's family. After 4 long hours of pushing (my sister is amazing!), Lilly Claire entered this world weighing 10 lbs. 3 oz. measuring 20.5 in. My heart melted when I saw her for the first time.... I couldn't be happier for my sis and Shaun. Nicole did an incredible job. I am so excited for the future memories our girls will create together. Hannah is such a proud cousin....the expression on her face when she saw Lilly for the first time was precious. I'm counting the days until we're all together again.



After arriving at the hospital Friday evening...can you feel her excitement through this pic? :)



proud auntie and cousin

Every time I held Lilly, Jordyn would start kicking in my belly :)

Proud Nonnie and Nonne

with my amazing sis



Holding Lilly for the first time....she couldn't stop looking at her :)




finally got her to look away from Lilly for a picture



proud parents and proud cousin (still admiring Lilly)

Pregnancy Update

My last day of work was Friday, March 16th. It was bitter-sweet...saying goodbye to my students was hard. I have a great class and have really enjoyed my year with them, on the other hand March 16th marked the beginning of me getting to be home with Hannah and spending more time with my family. My students showered me with lots of hugs, sweet letters, and thoughtful gifts on my last day. Josh had the day off so he and Hannah came to my class to join us for lunch. I treated my students to a pizza party and a parent surprised me and brought in a cake as well. The students also brought in snacks and treats to share. I'll be off for the remainder of the school year which I am very excited about. Timing my due date with the end of the school year gives me an extra long break off with the girls (& Josh once he's out of school). I've already been back once and will go back again to visit my students, watch the school play and of course pass out their diplomas at promotion.  :)

Hannah snuggling with "lambie" and her new blanket that a student gave to Hannah and a matching set for Jordyn.

Josh and Hannah the morning of my last day of work after making crowns together

I had an appointment last Monday. Hannah was excited to be there with Josh and me at the appointment and see her sister on the ultrasound. Everything looks great, Jordyn is head down and I'm 1 cm. dilated. Hannah was 3 weeks early, however this doesn't make me feel like Jordyn will necessarily be early. I was a lot more swollen (hands, feet, ankles & face) with Hannah and my swelling is very minimal with Jordyn. (yah!!) I have another appointment next week and will be 37 weeks this Saturday. We'd love Jordyn to come anytime after this weekend (Hannah's birthday party is Saturday and Easter is Sunday).  Never can predict however....so who knows. :) I kinda have a feeling this little one wants to hang out in my tummy a little longer than her big sister did. :)