PUKE!!

This morning I drove Bruce to work, then was to meet with Ella’s best buddy at the pony rides. I was stoked, she was stoked… all was right with the world. Then it happened. Just as we hit LA traffic I hear a gurgle from the back seat. I turn to see what is going on (I am in stopped traffic at this point) and I see Ella start to puke… OH NO! Then more, then PROJECTILE VOMIT, them more!! Then the screaming ensues. The car reeks of vomit, but Ella hates having her window down and screams worse when I try to open it.

So, I am that car, that person in stopped traffic urgently forcing my way to other lanes trying to get off the freeway as soon as humanly possible!! I call her friends mom to let her know that, well, with recent events we will not be making it to ride ponies Ella is all glassy eyed and sad, covered from head to toe in puke. I know that as soon as I get home this poor thing is getting in a bath and that is when I remembered…

THE DOGS HAVE DIARRHEA!! (4 chihuahua’s) NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I can’t blame the poor pups for being sick too, but I know that this means there will be poop everywhere!

So, I get into my house, get my girl in the tub, boy in the house and start cleaning the dog gifts.

Ella is running a slight fever, nothing big, Bas seems none the wiser that this is all going on and my house now smells of Lysol and floor cleaner. I have washed every single spot in the house including the sheets and couch. The car is rancid. I have hosed down her car seat… oh that was a treat!

now, all I can do is lol @ all of this! Thank gawd I have a ladies comedy night tomorrow!

Two nights ago Ella was heading into her room to go to sleep. I told her to go say night-night to her brother and this is what she says; “I love you brother! I love you baby boy! I love you!” She continues to kiss him all over his face and give him a hug.

The next morning she wakes up and he is already awake. She runs up to him, throws her arms around him and says “I love you best friend!”

Melting!

He, by the way ADORES his big sister. They are made for each other! What a lucky thing!

I love how well our kids get along. I had hoped they would (as I am sure every mother does), but I am honestly blown away by the love between these two!

Today, Ella wanted to let me know to be quiet because the baby was sleeping.

Thank you Ella. I will SHHHHHH!

WOW! I feel so lucky to have gotten to do this trip with the kids! I feel so lucky that Ella got to see such a beautiful part of the country and that Bastion got to see us see it! lol

We drove from Los Angeles up to Tahoe in one “quick” trip! haha This was my second (Bruce’s first) 8+ hour road trip with the kids. I had pretty high hopes for how well the ride could go since the last trip had gone so well. This trip was honestly just the same!! The kids were fantastic. Of course there were breakdowns, they are still kids! I think the biggest breakdown of the trip may have been from me though… THERE WAS AN EARWIG ON MY ARM!! oh I LOST it! I screamed! I jumped! I landed practically in Bruce’s lap while he was driving!! haha If it had not been for my seat belt, I would have been flying through Bruce’s driver side window. He promptly pulled over to kill that nasty bugger! (my hero!)

Back to the AMAZING trip!

We got to Tahoe and were staying in an an absolutely beautiful hotel! The Cross family stayed in one room, while Oma and Opa had the other room, all sharing a common living room. That could not have been more perfect (though there could have been more counter space! sheesh! – I ended up breaking a bowl over my head…) Ella got to see fish and they spawned at Taylor Creek. This was one of the many highlights of the trip. I know it meant a lot to her because she kept saying “FISH!! Mommy fish!! Daddy fish!!!”

Another highlight of the trip was seeing the leaves changing color. We don’t really get too much of “seasons” here in LA, so seeing the trees turn from green to yellow to orange was a special treat, and made for some beautiful pictures.

We even got a family picture in there! WOOHOO!

Another thing we tried to fit into this trip was Yosemite. Looking back we have agreed that Yosemite deserved more than one day! I think we just underestimated the drive time ;P Regardless, we drove, and drove and got there, got out, saw nature and got back in the car! This was about a 10 hour car day. Again, impressed by how well the kids held up… me on the other hand… not so much:

I was ready to be in a hot tub!

Though, Bruce was such a trooper!

We have a saying in my family about the best part about seeing each other after a long time away (or a short time) is that last glass of wine at night and the first cup of coffee in the morning. On our last night there, after the kids had gone to bed, Bruce Oma, Opa and I got to get into a really great game of scrabble! It was so fun to relax with them, to chat and joke and laugh! I loved watching the kids with them! Since leaving Ella wants to dream about Oma and Opa. Its really hard to live far from family, esp. being raised so close to my extended family, but its trips like this that make it work! (oh and skype sure helps too!)

We are so appreciative to have been able to do this. <3 A million memories were made!

OH! And it hit like, 60 degrees and I made sure my kids would not freeze!

I can hardly believe how quickly my little man is growing. He is SO strong! He is now rolling from tummy to back (he has been doing this for a few weeks really well) and also form back to side to tummy! He is a good sleeper and I knew it was time to move him from our bed. I have known it was time to move him for a while, but just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I love having him right there next to me. I love hearing him breath so close, I love EVERYTHING about having him in bed with us… except the inconveniences. While we have a huge bed, that little man takes up a lot of space in it. He also wakes with our movements. So, after finally putting away all the clothes that were in the pack n play (and not refilling it just as an excuse to keep him in bed longer), I have moved Bastion into it for night time sleeps.

Now, I thought this move would be easier on me. I have done this before, I know the drill. Nope! Bastion has been in there for 2 nights now… and they have been the worst two nights of sleep I have gotten in a long while! I miss him. Its hard for me to fall asleep with out his little warm body next to me. Its hard for me to stay asleep. I wake up and… you guessed it… MISS HIM! He on the other hand is doing fantastically! He is sleeping from 9pm to 5am. He is sleeping well, comfortable and just being an awesome little dude. Its mom that is having a hard time adjusting. lol I cant help but love him that much!!

That’s right world, MY BROTHER HAS TIED THE KNOT! HE DONE DID IT! lol. My brother met an amazing women that stole his heart, and he did the same to her. Now, my kids have another aunti! Her name is Beth and they are absolutely AMAZING together! This may have been the best ceremony I have ever seen, as a part of their vows they both sang to each-other. Did I cry? Me? Cry? OH YES I DID!! Also, they had asked that Ella be a flower girl. Now, she was almost 2 (she would turn 2 about a week after the wedding) and I just didnt know that a kid her age could stay focused long enough to do it. Color me WRONG! Ella did fantastic!! She looked beautiful in a hand made dress by her Iya. She walked down the isle before the bride, my new sister, her new aunti escorted by another flower girl (10 years old) and the ring barer (4 years old). Ella had a little thing for the ring barer. Well, Ella made sure to empty each and EVERY last pedal in her basket. She walked down PERFECTLY!! I am sure the jelly beans that were held by the 10 year old may have helped corral her! haha

This picture pretty much sums up their wedding. Full of music and fun and love!

Here, Ella made it to the end of the isle, and as you can see, was enjoying her jelly bean!

Bastion also got a special outfit made for him too:

I think another one of the best parts about the wedding was how great Beth’s family and our family got along. It was as if we had all always knew each other! The day was perfect, even the sun came out right for the ceremony!

We spent the first 4 days in Powers, OR. then Bruce had to fly home to go to work. I stayed with my family and the kids and my sister Gena also flew back to Holland to be with her family. The wedding was on a Saturday and on the next Monday we decided to stuff my parents car with an insane amount of items and head back the 8-9 hour drive to Seattle. I feared how this drive would go… 8 + hours in the car, oh MY! Again, to my amazement, it went SO SMOOTH!

Here are the kids getting ready to go!

(Ella just saw me typing this and said, “oh, Ella ride home!!”

After 8.5 hours we made it to Seattle and got ready to celebrate the union once again! In our family we really like two wedding celebrations! Just makes sense to be able to party with as many of your friends in different parts of the country (or world) as possible! So, one week later we all get dressed up and come together again. This time though, Ella decides she would like to sing, grabs the mic and starts to sing the ABC’s accompanied by the band!

She blows my mind!

Okay, onto making it home by myself with two kids. It worked! We made it! I gave myself plenty of time and thank goodness I did. My bag was 8 Lbs, over weight and so, not only was I trucking around Bastion in his car seat, my breast pump a back pack and a 2 year old, I was now also holding onto a plastic bag full of 8 lbs of clothes. What could I do but laugh, and I did! Strangers were so helpful and I feel confident that we can travel like this again… though next time I wont pack quiet so much! I also think I had enough snacks to feed the entire plane!

Okay. I have two kids now. This is no joke, this is now my reality. (and I LOVE IT!!). But there are things that get much harder when you have two, things like going to the market, running a “quick” errand. I mean honestly, I think it takes longer to get ready for a quick errand and get the kids in and out of the car and then in a shopping cart or carrier or both and oh… I just get so tired thinking about it I end up not going. lol

But this little errand I am writing about was SUPER important. I am welcoming my transition from our awesome Quinny Buzz stroller to our new Baby Trend Double Jogging stroller!! I had to drive down to Carson Ca. to pick it up. Now, I had NO idea where Carson was, but for some reason thought it was in the total opposite direction. Well, once I had done my research I set a date (a Sat. due to traffic) to go and get this new wonderful addition to the family. I had to drive right through down town LA. SUPER BOO HOO! But, there is a brand spanking new Chic-Fil-A right off the 110 by USC, literally yards form the freeway. This was going to make the long drive to Carson in our car with no AC even more worth it!!

I pick up the stroller (giant) and get right back in the car excited to drive through Chic-Fil-A and then get home. OH NO! Life could not be that easy! This is not a drive through!! I have to find parking. Okay no big deal, oh wait… I HAVE TWO KIDS WITH ME!! After circling the block many many MANY times I finally find a spot, not all too far from the door. I gather Bastion in my arms, I then start to help get Ella out of the car. I am parked on what seems like the busiest street in all of LA and don’t these drivers who are flying by see that I have a tiny baby in my arms and am working to get another child out of the car. No worries, I see Chic-Fil-A and soon it will all be worth it.

We get inside and its PACKED! They even have a door man that is helping direct traffic. As we are walking through the front door I feel my milk come it. No worries I think to myself, I can feed Bastion when we get home. I order copious amounts of yummy goodness while this nice woman re-ties Ella’s strap on the back of her dress. (yes this was nice, but now I have to untie it when we get back in the car so the tie is not digging into her back… oh good.) It is about this time that I notice my hand and dress are feeling a little wet…. oh no…

I turn Bastion around to see that he has fully blown out his diaper. The poor little man has poop all ALL ALL up his back. There is no hiding this, but what do I do?? I start to grab napkins so that I can at least cover up the poopy back so the thousands of other customers do not have to stare at baby poo while enjoying the yummy. Then I hear my name “KAT!! KAT! KAT!” they are yelling for me to pick up my food. One lady who works there sees me holding my poop covered child while my toddler is trying to avoid getting pummeled and says she will bring the food to me. I have now moved Bastion and I still feel like I am wet, getting wetter. My tummy is now wet… OH MY I AM LEAKING BREAST MILK! I am soaking wet, so now I am trying to cover my wet front with my poopy child who I am trying to cover with napkins so the poop isnt exposed to everyone while trying to hold onto my shake (had to have it) and an insane amount of food while asking an almost 2 year old to just “hold onto mommy’s dress.” Thankfully the woman who brought me my food was willing to carry it out to the car for me, I got Ella buckled into her seat, changed the little man, buckled him in, got into the driver seat and took a nice long well deserved swig of my milk shake… oh it was worth it!

(but for real, why could it not have been a drive through?? this whole ordeal never needed to happen and I would have a lot less laundry to do)

I HAS IT!

I am watching as Ella and Bastion get to really know each other. Its so fun to watch this bond become what will one day (hopefully) be an incredible friendship. In many ways, watching how Ella cares for and loves Bastion has helped me see my relationship with my siblings in a different light, perhaps even with more understanding.

Ella cannot kiss this man enough:

and then:

MELTING!

Bastion is starting to become much more aware of the worlds around him as well. This means that he is noticing when Ella is around, when she is in his face and will smile and laugh at her. He also is jsut smiling and laughing cause it is such a great thing to do. I love life. It has all these great moment in it. I know that life has hard moment too, oh do I ever. But really, life is made up of the things you choose to focus on, and I choose to focus on moments like this:

can ya blame me?

I am trying to take better advantage of Bruce’s Mondays off. I have this great book about things to do with a baby in the LA area and have decided that its time to put it to good use!! I decided that this Monday it would be fun to go to Eaton Canyon by our house. Its a very easy hike (esp if you only walk part of the way in! haha). It offers a good amount of shade and fun rocks and water areas that Ella could play in.
Here we started down the path:

We walked down the path pointing out all the cool things we saw; yellow flowers, rocks, horse poop. lol Ella got very into exploring and did a FANTASTIC job!

At the beginning of the hike there was an awesome tree that Ella got to stand in the middle of.

I am SO happy to be better using our time. <3 I am happy to give Ella the opportunity to see and learn new things and I cant wait to do more!!

Bastion also did great. He was a little hot, but just hung out on momma and was chill the entire time. He does really well in his Moby wrap and I must say, is the most relaxed baby.

I LOVE IT! Here we are, three weeks into being a family of four! Its been a lot of fun so far, though I think we both forgot about some things… like how much a newborn can cry and how little it can sleep at night! haha There are some distinct differences in Ella as a baby from Bastion. Bastion wants to be held all the time. He HATES to be put down! He always wants to be in your arms, against your chest and all snuggled up. He loves being swaddled too. Ella HATED being swaddled! She would instantly try to get her arms free and we soon gave up on it all together. Well, you should see the look of comfort Bastion gets when you wrap him up all nice and tight. <3

(okay, not the BEST pic of us in the world, but hey, at least we have one now!!)

I think my favorite times so far are the mornings when both kids are happy and Bruce, Ella, me and Bastion all get to cuddle in bed together and watch TV. Ella wants to hold her little brother, and in bed I feel safe laying back and letting her hold him. She is SO soft with him, I am very impressed. She will hold him and then lean over and kiss his little head. He couldnt ask for a better big sister.

We are sleeping, not through the night, but at least getting some sleep in. Bastion sleeps with us for now, and will most liekly end up in his own room sometime around 6 months old, just as his big sis did. Though, it could be sooner based on how quickly he ends up sleeping well through the night (at least 8 hours). His room is far from where ours is, and I want to be sure that he is safe at night and that I am not trekking through the house in the middle of the night lol.

He is also starting to get watery eyes, no tears yet though. I can also tell he wants to smile. he is working on the different muscles that will make his handsome smile shine!