And...we're back!

We are back from a wonderful, amazing, perfect trip back "home." I have so many pictures to edit, and we did so much I think it will take me a month (or more) to catch-up. We are also back from the sad world of no computer! Yay! I was having picture editing withdrawal. All of my photos sat lonely and unloved on my camera until we replaced the computer damaged from two monsters. :) My amazing husband bought me a new, awesome iMac though. So...we are back! I'm working on a long post complete with pictures to sum up a long, busy trip back home.

In the meantime, here's a picture from our trip yesterday to the pumpkin patch. We have such beautiful, sweet little girls. I can't wait to meet our little man soon too! We are so, very blessed. :)

PreK

We just wrapped up our first month of Preschool, and it went really well. I was a bit apprehensive starting this year because it was my first time schooling both of them at the same time. Last year Kayleigh did the first half of the curriculum while Campbell was occupied by coloring/playing of the iPhone/watching a movie. Basically I really only had to devote my teacher attention to one. Although Campbell naps and Kayleigh doesn't, afternoons do not work for Kayleigh and learning, so I just winged it in keeping them both busy and learning two different things at the same time.

All the worry was for nothing. It has gone great, and Campbell is so excited to have her very own school book this year.

Fresh cuts

Campbell's hair had finally grown out from "the incident" last fall, and they were both long overdue for a cut. Another Coastie wife does hair parties at one of our houses, we all get together for a day and get our hair done while we munch on snacks and catch up. It was a lot of fun and a perfect time for the girls to get a little trim. They did so much better than at the hair salon being at their best friends' house in a laid back setting.

Death of the MacBook

I am currently mourning the loss of my MacBook pro. It's been about 2 weeks, and I'm just able to talk about it. It wasn't even 2 years old, but it succumbed to the wrath of two toddlers. We had a water spill. Sigh. I moved with ninja speed and scooped up the laptop and the iPad, but alas, I was too late. The bottom was completely dry, so I didn't even suspect any damage. The next day when it wouldn't turn on, and then turned on but nothing appeared but a black screen, I still didn't think it was from the incident. I thought maybe I had a battery issue. I wish. I think the "genius" at the apple store thought I was trying to pull one over when I adamantly told him we didn't do anything to damage it. The only thing I can think is that it went in the side when it spilled. We will replace it with something in October when the girls and I return from our visit home.  Thanks to Dave Ramsey, we'll stash some money away for the next 2 months and pay cash for it.  Love some Dave Ramsey. I'm campaigning to replace it with an iMac versus a MacBook with soon to be 3 kids in the house. I think that will be safer, though I'm glad we now know about the insurance at the exchange that would cover any damage for 3 years. Sure came in handy with the iPad already!

So with only an iPad and iPhones, blogging and pictures have been out on hold. :/ Thank goodness for Brett's 30th birthday present (the iPad), or we'd be in a world of hurt. Speaking of his big 3-0, it was pretty low key. He took 2 weeks of leave (bless him for trying to keep his wife happy and not lose lots of leave aka vacation days come October just because he has so many built up...it is over 100 people. The man needs a break!). We visited the fam up in Red Bluff and went to dinner with our friends Justin, Jenny, Kylee and Courtney along with the kids. We had so much fun as usual. Makes me wish we could settle somewhere and have lots more weekends like that. Kylee got him a delicious ice cream cake and we all hung out until well after midnight. On his actual birthday we went to the coast and got fresh oysters and BBQ'd them right on the beach. Tamales Bay oysters were delicious, and we had an amazing family day. The girls got him a couple of much needed board shorts, and I had to remind him of his very early birthday gift...the iPad. ;)

Baby #3 seems to be doing well. I've been able to feel #3 quite a bit. I'm so excited for the girls to finally be able to feel little kicks too. They are going to love it. I've had a lot more energy, which feels so good. It is so nice to be able to get everything done that I want to get done. For the record, Prenatal Pilates will kick your booty. Hopefully I can stay fit this pregnancy. I've still randomly thrown up, but for the most part I've been feeling mostly normal again. The big ultrasound is Thursday, but I'm pretty sure we won't be finding out the gender. We are busy working on names, dreaming about our upcoming transfer and getting ready for our East coast tour...in just 12 days!! We can't wait!

I have some great pictures to blog about, but they are stuck on the laptop, so until that gets replaced and everything transferred over, I guess I'll have to just upload a few iPhone pics. :( Posts may be short because typing and doing things on this iPad are already driving me crazy, but I'll try to stay on top of it.

I'm sorry Santa

Kayleigh was being a bit sassy about cleaning up her messes today. She did not hide her anger about having to clean up and Mommy not having to help. ;) She went upstairs (presumably to clean) and came down with this note a few minutes later.

K: This is for Santa. It says "I'm sorry for being mad, Santa." He brought me a scooter right?

Mommy: Yes. He brought you a scooter for Christmas last year.

K: Yes. He brought 2 scooters. One for me and one for Campbell. I want more presents, so I'm sorry Santa.

She then continues "reading" the note.

K: Santa please bring me a beach ball. And lots of toys please.

She is such a mess. We enjoy doing Santa at Christmas, but we don't really push him a lot. It is honestly the reason we don't do the 'Elf on the Shelf' bit. I don't think there is anything wrong with any of that, but I just want to keep the main thing the main thing. ;) We try to focus on Jesus being the 'reason for the season' and Jesus being the reason we make good choices and choosing to be kind and loving...and obedient ;) throughout the year. This child remembers everything and will randomly bring it up 6 months later. It was a good reminder for me that they are always listening and always taking things in. We must be sure to make sure we are teaching them the right things and keeping our focus on Him even when we don't think they are soaking it in.

Randomness

My girls won't flush!! I understand my daughters are California babies and this place has made us all a little crunchy, but they don't even follow the "If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down." mantra. It's getting ridiculous...and embarrassing. If we have company, I have to run in the bathroom to flush before they can go in. Any tips on potty enforcement??

My dear husband is coming up with some....um...unique baby names. I didn't think he could top some of the names he suggested when I was pregnant with Campbell...but he has. I guess I should take comfort in the fact that we eventually agreed on names for the girls. He also refuses to discuss girl names. We aren't finding out the sex, so I guess I'm on my own if #3 is a girl. Yay for me or maybe yay for this potential baby girl...especially considering some of his suggestions. ;)

I have had a headache almost every single day this pregnancy. Coke and ice packs have been my best friend. Hopefully that means this baby is getting them out of the way now and will be a breeze to raise. Hopefully...

My cravings have hit an all time low. If bowls of peppercinis and bacon wrapped jalapenos weren't enough, I had to hunt down Andy Capp's Hot Fries. This baby is going to want straight habanero juice in a bottle.  The plus side is I am chugging tons of water to cool my mouth. Hopefully that makes up for the coke I've had to drink for the headaches.

 

We also got a new car...like a month ago, but the husband was not excited about putting it on blast, you know for the sake of his man card and all. We now own a Prius and a minivan. He gave up his Tundra and Harley for a Prius and a minivan. I think he feels less manly, but I just think he's an awesome Dad to make such sacrifices our family. And if I'm really honest, he loves it. My Yukon XL was killer on gas and kind of a pain to load the girls in and out of. I was dreading getting 3 kids in carseats up in there.  It is SOOO easy in my Odyssey, and I am loving the gas mileage. :) I never thought I'd be a minivan mom, but I'm also a comfort/convenience kind of girl, so I guess it's no big surprise.

 

And lastly, my little peanut loves music. She LOVES to dance and sing. Bless her heart. I hope she gets her voice from someone other than me...and maybe her Daddy too. ;) Lord knows I can't carry a tune in a bucket. 

 

Life in Pictures

These are just random iPhone pictures, but they'll give you an idea of life around here. 

Fun with letters. We are brushing up on a few that Kayleigh mixes up. :)

Holy 13.5 week belly! It's a bit tilted/distorted, but you get the picture. ;)

Typical day around here. Fun with our friends.

Random day at a park. Daddy is so fun!

My sweet baby girl. Who doesn't feel like a baby anymore. :(