July Highlights

Seven favorite things from the last month:

1. Beach trip
For the first half of the month, the boys and I traveled! (I count it as a business trip because flying/packing/living with a 3 year old and1 year old while7.5 months pregnant means I took my work with me.)  First we went to Texas for a beach weekend.  Two of my close friends have two boys each, just about the same ages as Scott and Mark.  We've been talking about a beach weekend FOREVER and decided that we had to make it happen.  The littlest boys stayed home with dads/grandparents and we took off with the 4 bottle-free, nap-flexible blondies.  While we did run into a few snags (thunderstorms and general preschool cooped-up fuss) it was a great trip.  The boys swam, flew kites, and watched movies together, and the 3 of us stayed up wayyyyy too late talking. It was worth the trip for that alone.  A weekend with these women is better than a year in counseling. 

Biggest regret of the trip: we have so few pictures! As in, 2 total and no group shot. 3 moms (2 of us pregnant) + 4 boys + gear + rain forecasts = no hands for cameras.  Here's one Shanna got of the boys, ready to swim but stuck inside due to lightning:

They're awesome, aren't they?

2. Blue Ridge
Next the boys and I flew to Georgia to see my parents, my aunt and uncle and cousin, and the cabin.  We had such adventures!  Scott is an adorable and enthusiastic fisherman:

We love picking blueberries:

Mark is happy to model Mardi Gras beads:

And we love the river, especially in 100 degree heat.  Pregnant tubing lady from the front:

VERY pregnant tubing lady (and family) from the side:

3.  Homecoming
When we came home, it was so good to be reunited with Luke.  2+ weeks apart is a long time for us. We missed him like crazy.  All 3 of us love him to death.  We've been hiking (slowly), riding kiddie trains at parks, eating burgers and hot wings, and generally enjoying our last weeks as a family of 4.

4.  Wagner visit
More family fun! The Wagners visited!  I don't have a single picture; so upsetting.  After weeks of grandparent attention from both sides the boys were terribly upset to be left alone.  They kept wondering why no one was getting them dinner, doing the dishes, and offering to take the boys while they took a nap ... OH WAIT THAT WAS ME. 
5. More friend time
Last weekend Karen threw a party to celebrate Baby Wagner's anticipated arrival. I got to go out to tea and then have craft time with wonderful ladies I'm lucky to call my friends.  It was so fun.  My sister is the best.  Everyone else wishes she was their sister!  But she's mine! Hah!  And I don't have to share her with any other siblings!

I also have NO PICTURES of that event, but look at the cute invite K made:

 6.  The boys' independence
This month I celebrate not only our nation's independence, but my sons'.  Mark is officially out of the crib and sleeping in the bottom bunk!  Very sweet.  He's a funny one: in the mornings, he gets up and explores the house a bit before waking me up.

And Scott?  Scott is car independent.  He opens and closes his own door and does all his own booster seat buckling and unbuckling (with the aid of a buckle extender, which is a NECESSITY for parents of 4-year-olds, especially if you're planning on putting 3 car seats in a row).  It's a new world!

7.  Making it full-term
Okay, technically I'm not full-term (37 weeks) until Thursday, but I think I'm pretty safe assuming that the next 26 hours will not include delivering a baby girl, so HOORAY!  NO PREMIE WAGNERS!  I am so excited to meet this little lady and so is Luke.  She is going to have some mighty protective big brothers.  Her cradle is almost ready and I need to finish washing her clothes, but the teensy car seat is by the door and we are thrilled to meet her! 

Also, before she's born I must get my camera working so I can share her sweet little face with you all.  TOMORROW.

Lavender Harvest

Backyard lavender harvest: 2 boys in matching pjs with safety scissors. This is what I expected California to be like!

It was also a nice note in which to end a preschool tantrum filled day. Whew. Glad this one is done.

Till later,
Jenn

Brothers

"scary" part in the turtle movie. they held hands. my heart melted.

This father

It was a totally great Fathers' Day for our family.  We made a hearty breakfast in bed for Luke, went to church, had coffee and cookies at Luke's favorite coffee shop, and watched Matilda while Mark napped.  Then we drove out to the beach for a picnic dinner! (Yesterday we played in SF's Golden Gate park all day.  Have I mentioned lately that I love living here?)

Another thing I love? My kids' father.  Can you tell?

In between and during all the fun, Luke cleaned the kitchen more than once and did all the heavy lifting of boys.  No wonder I'm always grumpy on Mondays when he goes back to work. He's the man.  We all 3.5 love him a lot.

Double Stroller?

A friend and I took our combined 5 kids to Happy Hollow preschool theme park in San Jose.  So fun!  And so much work!  4.5 hours in just 80-something weather had my boys exhausted.  On the mile walk back to the car they decided to ride together in the umbrella stroller and THEY BOTH FELL ASLEEP.  Bet you didn't know that $14 stroller was up for 75 lbs of boy!

(By the time we reached the car, I was having Braxton Hicks contractions.  Plenty of AC and water put an end to that.)

Isn't Mark huge and cute?  Isn't Scott the best big brother?

Fun thing: Life Is Good radio

Optimistic tunes by the folks from Life Is Good streaming here.  We just listened to Johnny Cash's Boy Named Sue and Scott wants to name his new baby girl (that's how he refers to our growing Wagner!) Sue. He says it is a beautiful name and he will call her Suey.

Lifeguard Scott declares summer started, at Del Valle Lake in Livermore

Lately

Lately:

 

I've been spending time with my sister.  I'm so happy to live close to her and explore beautiful California with her. 

Blocks from their house we watched seal mothers and pups practice swimming ...

and we saw this pretty waterfall in Big Sur ...

and isn't she beautiful???

The JELLIES EXPERIENCE exhibit at Monterey Bay Aquarium IS an experience.  Karen loves Jellies.

My man turned 29.  We first met when he was 18.5.  I have known of Luke Wagner for 36% of his life.  He probably isn't creeped out that I calculate things like that, but I'll have to get to know him a little better to be sure.

This is a sour cream chocolate cake with cream cheese peanut butter frosting.  (Luke loves those things.)  It is delicious and addictive and will put you in a sugar coma.

 Our boys are all boy and awesome:

Haircuts involve a wagon ride to the barber shop across the street.  Wagon rides involve toy power tools.

Trampoline time at our super neighbors' house!

We eat lots of popsicles in the summer.

I'm almost 30 weeks (110 weeks) pregnant and, whoa, I am feeling and looking it.  In the evenings when I am sitting, the little girl wakes up and moves around ... but most of the day I have a very hard time remembering that THERE IS A BABY IN THERE.  It feels like I'm carrying gallons of water around my middle (because, well, I am) and it's exhausting. The boys want airplane feet rides and I can't lay on my back; I want to carry Mark and that's not working so well; blah blah blah. 10 more weeks seems impossible!  I need an attitude adjustment big time because I want to appreciate this moment.  I am round and life-bearing and blessed. 

And tired.

And it's okay to be all those things. 

I am a capital letter B.