Showered!

Baby Joy and I were showered with so much love this past weekend! My mom, sissies, aunts, family and friends threw us the most beautiful garden tea party and we were so blessed by everyone! I have not purchased a single girly thing (shocking, I know!) so it was pretty awesome to open up gift after gift of tutus, bows and dresses! 

Love my sissies and mama so much!! 

Our beautiful tea tables! 

All of the guys went to the Hot Dog Shoppe (a local hangout) while the girls enjoyed an afternoon tea. When we got home, daddy insisted on going through baby Joy's new wardrobe giving his approval/disapproval. He is not a fan of baby bikinis, or anything that shows too much skin - already one protective daddy! So cute! 

Thank you to everyone, near and far, who showered us with nothing but love on Saturday! Now it's time to organize and put together baby Joy's nursery! So fun, exciting and nerve-racking....all at the same time. We'll soon have two little munchkins to love on! 

It's Getting Close!

Started my NSTs (non-stress tests) this week. I go twice a week for 30 minute sessions where they monitor baby Joy's heartbeat and fetal movement. I love hearing her heartbeat. It kinda makes me fall asleep. I'm also enjoying these 30 minute sessions all to my mama self. Even though I'm strapped to a chair, it's nice to just lay there and do absolutely nada! NSTs is yet another reminder that it's getting close! 

Ryder J and I have been spending these mornings snuggling on the couch. I think he knows something's up because he's been a lot more cuddly lately. They say sibling a can sense the approaching arrival of their baby brother/sister and I totally believe it. 

He likes to use his sissy as a pillow. She kicked him earlier today and he looked up at me like I had done something. 

We had a play date this afternoon with our cousin Skylar, but before she came Ryder took a gnarly fall to the corner of our kitchen cabinets. My heart dropped the second I saw him trip. Thankfully, no blood or open wounds but he's sure got a battle wound on his forehead. Just in time to sport his toughness for pictures with the Easter bunny. 

Daddy came home from work early to play Mr. Potato head with Ryder J and he's suddenly feeling much better! "Look, I'm Picasso!" 

32 weeks, 2 days. My ankle/foot bones are still visible so we've got some time but it's definitely getting close! 

32 Weeks!

My new girl BFF will be joining us in just a few weeks! I'm 32 weeks today and if she follows in her big brother's footsteps, she could potentially be here in 6 weeks (at 38 weeks is when Ryder decided to join us). Baby Joy's c-section is scheduled for 5-12-15 @ 7:30am but I have a feeling she's planning her own birthday. It's a good thing we have her baby shower this weekend because she'll be here soon and honestly.....we don't have a single thing ready. Her room is empty, her crib is still being occupied by her big brother and I haven't purchased a single girly thing. 

I'm savoring these last few weeks of mommy and Ryder time! I love that I get to spend every waking moment with him. He's my buddy! I've witnessed every "first" with him, no sitter has had to send me photos of "what he's doing now" or tell me "guess what Ryder did today?" I've been the one to experience it all and I'm SO glad we've had this opportunity and time together. Sure, there are some days when I'd love a break here or there but NO job, "mommy/work time" or amount of money could ever replace the memories we've built together! I've been there for every cry, smile, crawl, walk and milestone and I'm oh so grateful! 

Before today's play date, Ryder J and I enjoyed some crib time with pooh bear. 

And he's also a big fan of Mr. Potato head and his stacking blocks. 

He also digs his new play 'n learn house. An awesome purchase....especially when mommy is trying to cook dinner. 

Hot Dog!

We celebrated cousins Grey's birthday at disneyland on Friday. Daddy was able to join us and we hung out with Mickey Mouse - hot dog it was fun! Only the coolest babies celebrate their first birthday with Mickey! 

Yesterday we celebrated cousin Grey's birthday with family. It was the cutest Willy Wonka themed party but unfortunately I didn't get any pics. Thankfully my sis sent me this adorable pic of Ryder with cousin Noah. They were playing the golden egg (aka hot potato) with everyone. So cute! I love watching these cousins all grow up together!! 

One Step At A Time

These are our new friends Shelby and her son Kanaya. We had the pleasure of meeting them for dinner last night. Just like our Ryder Jeremiah, Kanaya was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate.  He also has the same plastic surgeon as our Ryder J. He's 12 years old, has overcome 13 surgeries, plays soccer, the saxophone and is so loving and confident. Both Kanaya and his mama are amazing, and hearing about their cleft journey has inspired us to continue taking one step at a time. ||"It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it".|| 

Errands

Ryder Jeremiah is my errand-running buddy. Although he can sometimes make errands last twice as long, I wouldn't want to do them without him. It's always an adventure! After yesterday's ultrasound and Ryder's speech therapy we ran to Costco. Ryder J is all about the samples at Costco (can you blame him?!)

The other day we ran to Target and he decided to help reorganize this aisle. 

Later that afternoon it was chalk time with some neighbor friends. I absolutely LOVE our neighborhood! So many friends and fun things to do! 

Happy Birthday/St. Patty's Day!

Today we celebrated both St. Patrick's day and our friend Esme's 3rd birthday who went to heaven a few hours after she was born. Esme was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate (identified during her 20 week ultrasound) but in addition to her cleft, Esme had some chromosomal issues. So today we celebrated her life with her mommy, baby sister and baby brother. We delivered Esme's birthday gift and did some St. Patrick's day crafting inspired by Pinterest. Our craft session didn't come out "pinterest perfect" but it was still cute! 

The beginning of our craft session. 

Showing daddy his craft....it's for his office afterall. 

After our play date, we stopped by Goldenspoon for some frozen yogurt. I didn't realize Ryder J and I were wearing matching outfits until people started pointing it out. I promise it wasn't planned.....I'm on limited wardrobe these days but it was kinda funny when I actually looked at how "twinsies" we appeared. 

Happy St. Patty's day and Happy Birthday Esme!