The Lake Round 2

Why do I love this place so much?
Maybe it's the perfect scenery...it's called Lake Pleasant...need I say more?
Maybe it's time with family...

 

Maybe it's the history...I spent entire summers up here with both sides of my family...
I worked on staff at the family camp...
I played with cousins...
I learned to water ski...
I always dreamed that I would bring my children here. Zack isn't quite old enough to water ski but he did enjoy the boat rides and the sand...

I love bringing Adam here because I can actually see him relax a little. This year Zack made sitting on the beach reading a book impossible, but father and son did have some bonding time...

Zack was extra clingy and I'm sure it was to make up for two weeks without daddy time.
We had a blast and even spent the day in Saratoga Springs which is so fun to visit around race season...

Zack and I love this restaurant because they give you crayons AND popcorn!

Can you tell he LOVED the carousel?

A toddler, a preggo and a man on vacation go into an Irish Pub...

In the end if there is any one thing that brings me back each summer it has to be the smores...

***At some point I will get the pictures off my phone to fill in the blanks!

The Lake

This is my favorite place on earth!

 When we arrived Zack decided to go straight into the lake so I hung our wet clothes and put on our suites.

 I was so happy that so many of my cousins were up at the same time

And Zack kinda liked it too...

 He never quite mastered the shovel but that doesn't mean he didn't have fun in the sand.

 What 1 year old doesn't like haveing the attention of grandparents, great grandparents great aunts and uncles and second cousins?  They all really enjoyed Zack but I am sure they all needed a rest after we left.

he wasn't so sure about the boat at first but after cousin Kurt started driving fast and over bumps he was screaching in delight

This was after throwing his ball in the pond and before falling and hitting his head on a rock

The COTW carnival

I wore this same lifejacket as a toddler...we wore these the whole time on the beach and dock.

Catching minnows

I'm ready for another smore

I don't know where he gets this stuff...he just picked up the racket and smashed his face

You can't beat a surprise visit from Grandpa.

You can't beat boat rides, family and smores!!!!

11 Weeks

How Far Along: 11 weeks

Maternity Clothes: No...my clothes are getting uncomfortable and maternity clothes are too big.

Best Moment This Week: going to the Milton reunion...we got to introduce Zack to the family and share our news about the new little one.

Weight Gain/Loss:

Gender: I am leaning toward boy this week but according to the quiz I took online I could be having either a boy or a girl and according to the Chinese calendar I am having a girl (however it said Zack was a girl as well)

Food Craving: I have been thinking a lot about hush puppies lately.  I don't want meat or anything warm.

What I miss: riding in the car without unbuttoning my pants

Sleep: wonderful

What I'm looking forward to: spending a week with my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins at Lake Plesant.

Symptoms: fatigue, nausea, vomiting, growing belly

Same/Different: I was hoping this pregnancy would be different but this week was all too familiar.

Tummy Shot:

9 Weeks

How Far Along: 9 Weeks

Maternity Clothes: Nope...I have been so bloated though that I tried on maternity capri pants and was thankfully too small for them.  It makes me feel good that I don't fit them but my pants are getting to be uncomfortable when I sit...I guess I am in that annoying middle too big to be comfy in my pants too small for maternity. 

Best Moment this Week: Telling our families!  Next I get to tell my friends!  Winner of the best reaction reward: Grandpa Dalland!  We told him on Fathers Day and I have never heard him so excited!

Gender: No clue

Movement: Not Yet

Weight Gain/Loss:

 Food Craving: No real craving but I do like gummy candies while pregnant.  I think I get low blood sugar and a couple gummies can perk me up.

What I miss: Not snacking...it's hard to think of so many snacks throughout the day.  I almost think it was easier when all I could eat were Granny Smith Apples and Gummy Bears (Zack's pregnancy)

Sleep: Awesome

What I am looking forward to: Telling all my friends "remember when you asked when we would have another and I said "oh, I don't know" what I meant was JANUARY!"

Symptoms: Nausea, Fatigue, An obscene need to drink water...which leads to plenty of bathroom trips.

Same/Different:  At this point with Zack I wasn't able to eat much and didn't want to eat anything.  Now I am nauseated most of the day but can eat just about anything...most of the time chicken is OUT.  Food doesn't have any appeal but it fixes the nausea.

Tummy Shot: Forgot

Fathers Day

I sometimes joke about Zack liking Adam better than he likes me.  I know Zack loves me but he LOVES his daddy.  If Adam is in the house I can't do anything with him...he only wants Adam.  He follows Adam to the door every morning and tries to go to work with him.  He runs to the door (and then in circles like an excited puppy) when Adam comes home.  He only wants to snuggle with daddy, he only wants daddy to give him a bath.  He only wants Adam to play a game with him.  I am not upset at all by the fact that Z man has no use for me on the weekends.  I truly enjoy watching Zack look up to his daddy, my husband.  I would love to see my son grow up to be like his daddy.  I am truly blessed that I have an amazing husband and role model for our son.
Here are some Zack and Daddy shots that I just couldn't keep to myself.

My favorite!

Nothing hotter than a man with a stroller...maybe a man making his baby laugh

I was fixing Christmas eve dinner and apparently the boys were playing with my camera...I love surprise pictures.

Cutest boys ever!

Most likely showing daddy a stick.

The best part of rain...

I'll admit I am not one of those people that enjoy the rain.  You will never catch me say "the plants needed that"...really sprinklers do the job.  I don't garden or farm...I would love to be the kind of person that has fresh tomatos growing in her yard and picks fresh basal for some homemade pesto.  The reality is I don't enjoy that kind of work and the grocery store sells everything I need.  The cost is totally worth not having to dig, weed, plant and hope for the best. 
I used to teach 1st grade and kindergarten so rain to me means cooped up children.  As a mom it means no pool and a miserable trip to the grocery store (anyone else hate pushing a grocery cart and loading groceries in the car on a rainy day?). 
HOWEVER...the day after it rains means PUDDLES!

not just puddles, wet shoes and socks.  Oh yeah and wet little bums.

And maybe a wet mommy because someone decided to snuggle after his dip in the puddle.

This is my favorite.  I love that my phone takes nice pictures.  I would have hated missing this moment.

Basically Zack's only pair of shoes that fit are covered in mud from the last day after rain play, his almost too small shoes are soaked from today, and I think we may have left his crocks at my parents house. 

8 Weeks

How Far Along: 8 Weeks

Maternity Clothes: No but I did buy a pair of pants with an elastic waste band for the drive from Charlotte to Raleigh (basically because I had my jeans unbuttoned the entire trip to Charlotte)

 Best Moment this Week: Celebrating my friend Laura's baby girl at her shower.  I also got to smile on the inside when old friends asked when we are having another..."oh, I don't know") 

Weight Gain/Loss:  Haven't weighed myself this week and I need to buy a scale.

Gender: Still no idea

Movement: Not yet

Food Craving: No cravings and food is beginning to lose it's appeal.  I eat what I need for the moment and nothing seems to taste good enough to keep me coming back for more. 

What I miss: ????  Nothing...even the side effects are totally worth the excitement of a baby.

Sleep: I can't say enough about first trimester night sleep...awesome even if you nap! 

What I am looking forward to: Telling everyone, looking pregnant, finding out if baby 2 is a boy or a girl.

Symptoms: All Day "morning" sickness, bloating, and I feel like the girls are growing a bit.

Tummy Shot: None again...It was a crazy weekend.  Not much to see though.

My Little Fish

It's hard to believe that this kid was afraid of the water not even a month ago...

We were invited to our friends pool and Zack loved it! 

He was running (toddling fast) in and out of the pool and went all the way to the "deep end".

While his friends took breaks he would not leave the water. 

Is he not adorable in these glasses?

I thought he was so cute that I had to get pictures and rather than bring my SLR to the pool I used my phone...which also took a bit of a swim.
I was so afraid I would lose pictures of this day.  I have never broken/lost/dropped a phone...and I usually opt for the free phone.  In September I finally got a "big girl" phone and in the pool it went...along with my whole life (schedules/grocery lists/pictures/contact info/GPS (which I can't get anywhere without)/Pinterest (don't laugh...it's  important).  Thankfully (even though I tried turning it on several times Adam was able to open the phone and we let it dry for several days which totally fixed it.  I could replace the phone (CHA CHING) and all my lists and information but would I have another chance to take a picture of my little boy wearing his sunglasses (honestly I'm surprised they were on longer than 30 seconds) looking so grown up in the pool.  Answer...NO...now the phone stays in the car when we go to the pool.  Enjoy these pictures because unless I am brave enough to bring a phone or camera to the pool this could be it.

Our Birthday Staycation

Adam is 30!  WOW!  I didn't think anything of the number 30 until I realized that my husband is now in his 30's.  Not that I think it's old but it sounds soooooo different than being in your 20's. 
So Adam is 30?!?  I still can't believe it.
Anyway...
Our original plan was to take a trip to the beach, however with the unknown amount of work we need to do on the rental before we sell it and the cost that adds up with every new project; we thought it best to save money on a memorial weekend inflated hotel price and stay home.  Adam took off from Thursday to Monday. 
Thursday we spent the afternoon with Adam's parents eating way too much and showing off all the cute things Zack is doing.
Friday we went to the Science Museum in Raleigh and ate lunch downtown. 

In front of the Cree LED display

Zack was not happy I took him away from daddy for a picture.

Saturday we spent the whole day at the pool (minus Z's nap time which was a perfect break from the sun).

We got Z ready for bed dropped him off at his girlfriends house and went to dinner and a movie.  Indian food and MIB 3 in 3D...perfect to celebrate my man.
Sunday we went to church, had lunch with Adam's Chinese coworkers and Adam took them downtown for some sight seeing.
Monday we went to the pool and got some energy out at the mall.
It's Monday night and I am so thankful for the time we have had together.  I am kind of glad that we didn't go away...I mean the packing and preparation, the sleeping in a hotel, the traffic, the laundry pile after.  I know this is a pretty lame way to celebrate such a major milestone but we all had a great time (and when I say all I mean mostly Zack...I don't know what will happen when Daddy isn't here to play all day).

My New Pantry

I am so obsessed with my new pantry.  It may be small, it may have to hold kitchen items that don't fit in cabinets and unopened wedding gifts that we love but don't need and would be too difficult to unpack only to pack it back up (I really can't wait to settle).  Now...thanks to canisters from Ikea and labels I made using basic shipping labels and Microsoft word (there is probably a better way, but word works for me).
I have gone back and forth on weather I should purchase organizing containers now or wait until we have a more permanent home.  Plus I HATE spending money on containers (meanwhile I LOVE new containers).  I told Adam all I wanted for mothers day was his permission (which I didn't need...but it helps) to buy supplies to organize the pantry.  He approved and I went to Ikea!
I figure any home we buy will have more cabinets or a bigger pantry and most likely both than our apartment so it shouldn't be a problem fitting everything.

ahhhhh...I can see what I have!

So I had to take a cereal picture...each of these boxes cost less than 50c (thanks to coupons).  I actually paid almost $1 for the Apple Jacks...I wasn't happy about it but I splurged for my little boy.



I used shipping labels and digital scrapbook paper for my labels.  The shipping labels are much cheaper and have more pages than the full sticker sheets.



I used the same label layout but printed these on card stock and tied them to the bins using twine.

I am not totally finished, I have several other things I want to put in glass canisters and I want to get a shoe organizer for our sauces (you know what I'm talking about if you have been on pinterest at all).  I am finished for now though and I am extremely happy with how nice everything looks and how easy it is to keep neat.