Emerson has something to say...

Well, another post and another update on Emerson's growth and progress as of late.

He talks up a storm when he is at home (although I hear not as much at school). He can ask for things with "please" and "thank you" and he forms phrases. He counts (though not in order), sings (though only about 1/10 of the words are right), and shares his opinions ("I don't like it").

He runs. He climbs. This past weekend he went up the climbing wall at the park. He scrambles up the bar stools to the kitchen counter. He has maneuvered himself out of his crib and up and over the back of the couch. He only sits still when eating (and sometimes not even that) or while having to do his daily breathing treatments with the aid of the IPad.

He seems to be getting his 2-year molars, has shot up an inch and half since the beginning of summer, and finally, just maybe, will get some hair on his head.

He is also stubborn and easily frustrated. He throws fits when you take something he wants away. He fights to get in the car seat because he wants to "drive". He would rather stay up until 10 than go to bed when he first exhibits signs of being tired. When you aren't giving him enough attention, he'll hit you, stomp his feet, climb on top of you, or grab your hand and drag you to where he wants you. (After he hits, though, he gives kisses, like a Sour Patch kid in those commercials).

He loves rice and pancakes right now. He won't eat pasta and only likes "mommy yogurt" instead of the kid-friendly squeezers. He eats bananas, oatmeal, bread, chicken, and jelly beans like they are going out of style.  Oh, and he likes to eat it all like Cookie Monster.

There are so many cool changes, but every now and again I feel sad for the loss of my adorable and happy-go-lucky baby boy. The one who slept without a fight. The one who ate absolutely anything. The one who always had a smile, a giggle, and a hug for us.

Well, I guess there is a good and bad to all of this growing up.

As Emerson grows, so has our home (with the move), our toy collection (thanks to resale sites), soon our car as we upgrade beyond a 4-door sedan for extra hauling space, and then soon after that, our family.

What?! Does his shirt say what I think it says? I guess now is as good as any time to make this "FBO".

So as Emerson grows, so has his mommy.

You can see the baby bump in this shot from last week's concert.

And our Painted Desert adventure two weeks ago.

COMING JANUARY 2016.

Is the honeymoon really over?

A year ago, we were returning from our amazing honeymoon to Tahiti, in a state of pure bliss even after having to return to reality and work. As I returned to work today, I did so in a completely different state than I have been in for much of this pregnancy.

I am a mess.

From the beginning, I considered myself lucky in my pregnancy because I seemed to have relatively small amounts of discomfort. I was rarely too sick to function normally. I worked out and felt strong and confident. I even stayed small (still really haven't ballooned out too much) and felt like I was a cute pregnant woman!

And now, I feel like a house that has met its end: the foundation is cracked and now the creaking floorboards (my back) and pressure on the support beams (my hips) along with the leaks in the air systems (heartburn) are making me consider selling the place.

Everyone warned me that I'd hit this part. In fact, to see the positive side, I was told baby won't want to come unless I've gotten to the stage of feeling completely done with this pregnancy. Well, maybe this will help (like "The Secret")- I AM SO READY TO BE ABLE TO SLEEP COMFORTABLY (even if not through the night due to other reasons), and I WISH I COULD MOVE WITHOUT ENCUMBRANCE!

The happy, honeymoon stage of pregnancy is over. I have hit the "get me out of here" stage. At least my emotions are relatively stable.

OR NOT AT ALL!!!

Compounding on top of physical pain, discomfort, and fatigue, I cannot seem to stabilize my emotions, crying at the drop of a pin, feeling grumpy (that is probably a direct result of poor sleep quality), and wanting to strangle Kyle and other people who really don't deserve it.

So, I try to practice peace, relaxation, continue to attend pre-natal yoga, get in the pool when I can to relax, and hope that my return to work is a welcome distraction. Maybe all my nesting will help bring peace to my environment and that will transfer to my inner being.

Perhaps I can use these honeymoon pictures to practice visualization and turn things around, also!

Sunset on Moorea from the Intercontinental

The bay in Moorea

Sunset Beach, Bora Bora

Happiness in the ocean with the stingrays in Bora Bora

So excited for this honeymoon to Moorea!

How could this not make you happy?!

Soon I can Scuba again... soon...

Blueberry, even though I am complaining and cranky, I still love you!!

And now:

At nearly 37 weeks on The Farm at South Mountain- every year we have my birthday lunch here, but given the due date, we decided to go early just in case we don't make it out!

Minnesota Baby Shower!

In honor of my Arizona baby shower, I guess I could finally post about the shower I had this past July in Minnesota/Wisconsin. It was technically in Wisconsin, but along the bordering St. Croix River in Hudson. We had a beautiful room at a great restaurant reserved, and had 17 wonderful women from many different aspects of my life attend. My old neighbors were there, including my piano teacher and our neighbor whose pool we used to crash in elementary school; my aunts and great aunts; my sisters, including the soon-to-be new Jensen, Irina; my life-long hair dresser; and of course my friend Jill from college!

It was great to be able to work with my sisters and mom to help organize and plan this shower. We got to be really crafty and use our Etsy know-how and some Pinterest inspiration to decorate and I think things turned out great! The theme was "Ahoy! It's a Boy!" in honor of my Delta Gamma anchor. Although this is not the direction we will be going with the baby's room, it would not be out of the question for a nautical nursery!

I got some amazing gifts that will be much appreciated, from bath time necessities to handmade booties, and our humidifier (an Arizona MUST) as well as my squeeze station to make our own fruit squeezies instead of spending $2 a pop on them! (I know solid foods are far down the road, but it is best to be prepared).

I absolutely loved having the opportunity to visit with some amazing women and feel so much love and support for the arrival of this little man.

I know what you REALLY wanted was pictures, so here you go!

Our dessert table- with chocolate favors and a due date guessing game for baby's college fund!

A view of the decor we put together. We made pom poms, those fans on the mirror, and bought the banner.

The gifts and scrapbook signing sheet for all our guests to welcome Baby Blueberry!

Our cute banner!

Cupcakes from the Food Channel Cupcake Wars winner- "Cupcake"

A Delta Gamma shout out- Creme roses and anchors

The guests arrive and mingle- the noise level of that room was unbelievable!

My udder cover!

The only appropriate gift when in Wisconsin!

So grateful for all the gifts for baby!

The family! Aunts Sue and Marcia, Irina (newly engaged to Brian!), sisters Amanda and Cassie, and mom

The park along the river across the street. Sister pic!

One more family pic on the bridge by the river

My 24- week baby bump

My friend Jill!

Flashback Friday

A year ago, I was in Dillon, Colorado, celebrating my mom's birthday and our wedding weekend on a pontoon boat in the middle of Lake Dillon in a chilly 40 degrees. Looking back, it probably wasn't a good idea, but it was memorable! It was a great way to kick off the wedding weekend and catch up with family who had come from far and near for the most memorable weekend of my life (so far).

I had a sad moment last night, unable to believe it has been an entire year since that wedding weekend. It has gone by so fast that I am actually sad that an entire year of my marriage has come and gone. And what adventure it has brought!

So, in honor of my first anniversary with Kyle, this weekend I'll be featuring a retrospective of "One year ago today" pictures, juxtaposed with "and where we are now" baby bumps! We are celebrating our wedding weekend in the woods, hills, and cool air of Prescott, AZ and the vicinity.

One year ago today:

Lake Dillon when the sun was still shining

No baby bump here...

And today!

34 weeks! Less than 6 to go!!