Just a Phase.

My blogging has been lacking and truthfully it's my fault. I have this problem with over filling my life with things and then running around like a crazy person trying to accomplish them all. People often tell me that they're impressed with all the things I juggle but the truth is, I don't. In fact, I'm a terrible juggler. If you lived with me you'd see that my dishes aren't done, that there's laundry on the floor in almost every room and that we got take out for dinner at least 4 times this month already.

I go through this "transition phase," with every baby I think. It takes me quite awhile to admit that I have to cut some things out of my priorities list now that things are different. I'm pretty stubborn and even though I know it ahead of time, I still try to keep "doing it all," for months until I finally swallow my pride. I'm approaching that phase now.

Life with the littles is amazing and exhausting. Especially for one as particular as me. I hate that my kitchen/living room isn't straightened up when I go to bed. I hate that I haven't prepared a beautiful meal in months. I hate that I'm still barely running a 5k even 6 months after giving birth.

But you know what I love?

Listening to Owen tell me about his day.
Watching June "dance," with her princess figurines.

Snuggling up to Rand's squishy cheeks.

Seeing Tim's scooter come up the driveway.

The fact that I'm still kicking, even on 4 hours of sleep.

Oh, and cookies. Always room for cookies.

I may not be able to do it all, but I definitely feel like I have it all.

Nostalgia.

A few months ago June had been pretty grumpy and I was running out of ideas to keep her occupied. I tied an apron on her and told her I needed her help to wash dishes. We did all of them together, and it took forever but she stuck with me. Soapy bubbles are magic for this girl. It warmed my heart. And not just because she looks so tiny in my apron but because I had seen this somewhere before.

My mother did the same thing with me. And I remember it. I remember feeling like I was SUCH a big help as I covered dishes in bubbles. The more the better, right? We would sing songs the entire time and to this day it's one of my favorite memories. We did it often but we only have one photo of it. I'm so grateful for this photo. It speaks so well to the reasons why I love photography so much. These little things in life will someday be the big things and I want to remember them all.

She may look like her Father but she still has a little of me in her.
And I love that.

August: The jist of it.

 

 

 

Cool Mom had a brief comeback for a few weeks and then the baby kicked my trash for it. He pretty much owns me at this point. But with Owen back in school and June in a friend's preschool co-op there's a chance she may return before the baby is born!

Memorial Day Hike.

Tim had to work Memorial day so Christina and I decided to take the kids on a hike. It was a running day but I was feeling a little sick so I thought a nice brisk walk would be nicer. Turns out carrying snacks, water, a camera and a 2 year old on your back is just about the same as pushing two kids up and down hills in a stroller. Ha! It was a 3 mile hike and we were dripping sweat by the end of it but it was a beautiful day and the white sand there looks like sugar. We had a sweet little picnic before heading back. I felt great until the next day and boy was my back sore! Regardless, it was one of those days where I just felt so grateful to be here on this beautiful island. We sure do love Saipan.

turn that frown upside down.

I was having a hard day.
So naturally I turned to cupcakes.

Owen Planking.

We also got ice cream. June pretended to feed me and then would fake me out.

 She thinks she's pretty hilarious.

The Mother's Day photo I wanted, just a few days late. :-)

Our kind of playdates

We've been really lucky to have met some really amazing people here. The other day we invited everyone over to the pool for a play date and I couldn't helped but feel blessed with such amazing friends, adorable children and incredible weather.

They definitely make Saipan an even more wonderful place to live.

And my 18.5 week belly.
The little man is quite the kicker lately! I started to feel him move about 2 weeks ago and this week I noticed I can see him move as well! It's my favorite part of pregnancy and I was thrilled that it's finally here! I've been feeling pretty good still. (Thank Heaven!) The fatigue hasn't really gone away but with the heat and humidity here I am doubting that it will. Running has started to get a bit difficult this week but I'm pretty determined to go as long as I can. 

I've been craving:

Fruit. Any kind of fruit. Oranges, Apples, Mangoes, Grapes, Pineapple, anything.

Vegetables. Carrots, and LOTS of salads.

Beyond that I have to really push myself to eat meat. It's just so darn hot!

Swings make a comeback.

After almost 2 years our favorite park finally put the swings back up! 

Owen was so excited to see them that he totally booked it to the nearest one. 

June has never been much into swings. I finally got her to ride one but only if she was sitting in my lap. Instead she headed right for the sand and dirt.

We spent a few minutes watching the ferries go back and forth from Managaha (a small neighboring island).

And June refused to look at the camera about I wiped her nose. 

The End.

regaining my cool factor.

 Pregnancy has slowed me down a little and the poor kids have been so bored. I needed to do something to regain my cool factor so I packed up the bikes and took them on an afternoon to the park.

Owen is really fast on his bike and could definitely move up to a training wheels bike but for now he is happy being faster than his sister on a pink bike. June can finally reach the pedals but just barely. I ended up tying my scarf to her bike and just pulling her. She had a blast. 

This girl is so observant. She's always looking around and telling me what she sees.

I so needed to see these smiles after such a rough week.

of course, elle-pant the elephant came too.

Bubble Therapy.

Tim had a grueling 3 weeks of working 6 days a week, 11 hours a day. It was exhausting for both of us. We had to bring in reinforcements to keep our sanity at home. And we all know bubble guns are golden when it comes to bringing in some sanity. Thank heavens for bubbles, for reals.