My baby is almost 2

Kai turns 2 on Sunday. Due to the fact that its a long weekend and everyone is always gone (Gary's bday on Monday so he is familiar with this), we will just be celebrating with the three of us for now and extended family later. I'm very excited to give him his present and I hope he likes it! Here are a couple comments made by Kai:

Me: Kai, you're two!
Kai: No mommy, I'm a boy!

Me: Kai, we are going for breakfast will Holly!
Kai: Can I touch her?
Me: Yes, you can touch her
Kai: Can I kiss her?
Me: Um, we might have to ask her mommy
(It's just funny because he's never wanted to kiss anyone before unless we ask him for it)

We got to go for breakfast with Dean and Caroline and their daughter Holly. Gary and Dean have known eachother since the good ole days of TWU basketball and they also taught in Korea together. We only see them every year or two so it was nice to meet up for a bit. Holly is just 3 weeks younger than Kai so it was really fun for him to run around with someone his own age. She is also quite a talker and enjoys running, what else could he ask for?

I find that our life is quite easy right now and in some ways, I don't want to `mess' with it. Obviously, I'm thrilled with the idea of expanding our family but I am very worried about my irritability when the new one comes. Poor Gary. Poor Kai. I am a disaster without a good night sleep. Disaster.

Pregnancy wise, I am feeling fantastic. I only nap once a week now and forget that I'm pregnant all the time. The only thing that I have noticed is that my tailbone and pelvis are really sore. I don't remember this happening last time and I really felt it on our 5 hour car ride the other day. I'm still particular about what I eat in the sense that I crave certain things. For one week it was cream of mushroom soup, another it was Lipton chicken noodle soup and last week it was *gasp* processed cheese. We never have these high sodium/processed things in our house so I did feel a little guilty eating them. I am at the stage where i should/could feel the baby moving in the next two weeks. I look forward to this in the sense that I will be able to feel that the baby is doing okay. At this point, when you don't really have many signs, you just have to hope and pray that the baby is growing and thriving. I am sooooooooooooooooooo excited for my ultrasound in 2 weeks, I cannot wait! Last time it was a bit stressful as we had to go back for a second one due to Kai's enlarged renal pelvis, but, all was well in the end.

Overall, Gary and I are trying to relax right now as in the next 3 weeks we have; our 3 birthdays, 3 weddings, 2 doctor appts, my sis' bridal shower (my other sister gets married in 3 weeks), a couple photo shoots AND THEN it's back to school?! I know we are so fortunate that we don't have to work in the summer and that we love our teaching jobs. We are fortunate in so many ways and we really recognize this daily. Sorry, no pictures with this post. There were some adorable pictures of HOlly and Kai hugging that were taken today but I didn't have our camera so I'll have to wait to get them from Caroline. Also, I think Gary and I may be `pictured out' for a bit:)

Green Lake

On Monday, we headed up to Green Lake (4 hours north) to stay at my dad's house/cabin. It's always nice to get away to where there are no phones, internet, tv etc. It's always a time of relaxation and restoration. I wish it was just 2 hours away but oh well, at least its a scenic drive.

On the way up, we decided to take our time and decided to walk up to bridal falls. The whole time, Kai was so excited, he kept saying `Mommy! Kai hiking!' (in a very proud of himself voice). Don't know if you've done it before but its about a 15 minute walk up hill the whole way. Kai did it all by himself and I was proud of him too:)

(My hand is in a `hurray!' motion because it's Kai's new thing)
The weather up there was not the greatest but the wind and rain did keep the bugs away. We went on a short canoe ride as it was a little choppy and I really don't like canoeing (I like kayaking better). Kai spent the majority of the time there throwing rocks in the water. `Mommy, look at that big one!' was what he said after he picked up every rock. He was throwing with his left hand the whole time so I don't know at what age they establish a handed-ness but I think we may have a lefty.

Gary and Kai took advantage of the wind to fly a big kite. Gary took a few funny running starts at it but got it going in no time. He let Kai hold it by himself which worried me because I thought Kai would let go of it and it would go sailing away. All was fine:)

This is the arbour that we got married under. The wind has messed it up a bit but look how things have changed in 3 years:)

Kai and Gary checking out the ducks hanging out at the end of the dock.

Kai and daddy having fun

Mommy and Kai watching the ducks.

Gary and I feel rested...sort of, we had to share a double bed. Wowwee. I love our king size bed. We were so close I could hear his stomach gurgling. Anyway, I got to read a book (Gap Creek..good one) and just have a good time with Gary and Kai.

Oh ya, funny comment by Kai. Gary drove over the rumble strips and Kai said, `Car farting! Car wanna go poo on the toiwet!'. Is that funny? I think so:)

Jan and Doug

Yesterday, my sister Jantina got married. I'm just going to post a couple pictures now because we've just uploaded them and I refuse to start editing or going through them all today:) The location they chose was identical to the one last week so we were able to fly through the wedding party and couple portraits in about an hour. The weather was PERFECTLY cloudy. Gary and I are taking off (with kai) for a couple days to recuperate and relax. Yesterday, I was up from 4:30am all the way until 1am this morning. This was totally due to me stressing about all that had to be done. I felt a lot of pressure in decorating the hall and making sure everything was okay. I don't mind doing it as Jan was able to sit back and be pampered in the morning while I ran around like a Bridezilla. Jan and Doug LOVED the day and it was great to hang out with tons of family.

Gary's mom came to the wedding to help out with Kai while we were taking pictures. Kai's job was to carry the ring box down the aisle. In truth, it was full of chewy candies which he was able to eat once he made it down the aisle.

He walked perfectly down the aisle (although no smile in sight) and I was soooo proud of him! During the rehearsal, he had done several things like dump Ani's basket of flowers out or go behind her and pick all the flowers up. For the day, we just sent him up before Ani and he did wonderfully (without a nap!).
It was an emotional day, due to pregnancy, lack of sleep, and speeches that included memories of Jan and mom. Overall, a very good day. I'm going to take a nap.

Baby? Babies?

Had a doctor's appt today. He is confident that it is just one baby based on my uterus size at this point. However, he also thought Kai was an 8lb baby and he was 9lbs 11oz so sometimes, you just never know:) We heard the baby again, and boy, those 30 seconds of searching for it sure are stressful! Baby has a strong heartbeat of 155bpm. I have actually lost 4lbs since last month which concerns me, but not the doctor. This means a total weight gain of -2lbs. I def don't look like I've lost 2lbs overall! I wonder if its because I'm not running anymore and therefore have lost muscle? I'm pretty confident that it is a girl but we will find out next month. I am really excited about the prospect of either girl or boy. I can't imagine what a girl of ours would look like, but I would be so excited to dress her up all girly! I would also love a boy for Kai to wrestle with but I guess he can wrestle with his sister too. I think he would be a great big brother to either but especially to a girl.

While I was at the doctor's, Kai got his finger engtangled in the hose rolling contraption and I came home to him `cleaned up' with blood on his hands and arms and a band aid around his finger. This is is first band aid experience as he usually just gets tons of scrapes and bruises. He seeems to be totally fine so that's good.

Week 15 photoshoot:)

This afternoon, as soon as Kai went down for his nap, Gary agreed to take some pregnancy photos of me:) I know its a little silly to do them at this stage (most people do them around 7-8 months), but why not?! So, we did a quick 15 minute shoot and I like a lot of the pictures. It's hard because I kind of just look chubby and not pregnant but I'd really like to capture the whole process, not just the last month or so. I have def. realized that I do need to get a hairstyle one day. I had one once, kind of. Maybe a couple years ago? It was just shorter and layered and looked better. Anyway....here are some pictures in black and white. It would look better posted on a black background but whatever...enjoy:)

Gary and I

I thought this was a cute picture of Gary and I at the wedding last Saturday. Looks like we're just sitting around but we did get a ton of pictures which we are now done editing!! Just got to print them at we're good to go!

I don't gike it

That's what Kai has to say about everything these days. Even for stuff he really does like. Today he spent his 3 hour nap time (yes, I know we are blessed with the daily nap from 12:15-3:15) chatting and singing in bed and not sleeping for one minute. At one point he was chanting out `Gary! Gary! Gary!'. Kinda funny. On Saturday he has to walk down the aisle for my sister Jan's wedding and I'm hoping that a cookie at the end of the aisle should do the trick. Oh boy, I hope so.

Nothing exciting here, just been editing wedding pictures and helping with wedding stuff. I have to say that I am still absolutely exhausted all the time and still need to nap each day. I don't know how I taught full time last time I was pregnant. I also have to say that I am crying VERY easily these days. Usually tears of hapiness but still, tears flow very easily. Gary and I watched our wedding dvd the other day, we were so happy. Not that we aren't happy now, but you know, just different. I remember the days when he would give me his t-shirt when I left his house at night so that I could wear it and think of him. Wow. Times have changed.

I'm thinking of going to the Salmon House in West Vancouver for my birthday. We have a wedding there in November so we can be checking it out at the same time. I will have a post with pictures very soon. Doctor appointment on Thursday...I always love the appt and the reassurance it provides that all is well but I get so nervous before hand hoping that all is well. Have a fabulous Tuesday evening all...I'm going to eat some Ponderosa Cake. If you went to UBC, you def. know what this is. Gary made some yesterday when i was trying to nap and it sounded like an elephant was in our kitchen. I came downstairs angry but when i took a huge sniff of what was going on in the oven, all was forgiven:) It is a fabulous banana choc. chip cake and it tastes amazing warmed up with vanilla ice cream.

He's A Keeper

Me: Hey Gary, do you feel a little guilty that I'm planning what to do for my 30th birthday?
Gary: Oh sweets, I'll do something nice for you when you turn 50 okay?

That's my husband. He's all mine folks:) Joking aside, he does give wonderful, amazing foot massages.

This week we are going to take a cute/fun (hopefully) pregnancy picture downstairs in our studio. I know most people do it at 8 months or so but I hope to do it at least one per trimester, so, it's time!

It's been a busy weekend and next weekend will be even crazier. I am so thankful that Gary and I are not teaching right now because I don't know how I would function with everything else going on!!

Finally, Kai announced on the way to church that he does not like church. He does not like nursery. He does not like Carter (his nursery buddy whom he really does like). The whole time in nursery he just kept saying `Kai's house. Let's go. Kai's house'.

Finally, this weather is PERFECT.

Ideas?

Coming up soon is my 30th birthday. Instead of throwing a party, I wanted more of an experience. Originally, I had wanted to hike and camp at Garibaldi lake with Gary as I love, love that hike. However, I am really not confident that I could do a hike like that being pregnant. I have done it several times but I can't imagine doing it now, especially with a 30-40lb backpack. We could just hike it for the day (therefore no backpack) but I think it would take me the whole day and would prob. destroy me for a week or so:) Also, it is not a hike that is worth just doing the first half for as that part is extremely boring.
I then thought about going to Cirque du Soliel but it ends on Sunday so that does not work.
It may just be a walk around Buntzen lake with Kai and Gary but I'd rather do something I have not done before.
Maybe a super fancy restaurant for dinner? Any recommendations?
Any ideas for something fun to do for a pregnant lady on her 30th?

Family Walk

(Cheese!!! We went for a walk today. Whenever he falls he says `I'm okay buddy!' This is because I used to always ask him, `Are you okay buddy?'. He falls a lot because he gets running too fast. He has scraped up knees and elbows but never cries. If he does cry, you know he's really hurt.)

I know its been a lot of blogging lately but I just feel so relaxed and I feel like I have time for it! Love this feeling! One 2 year old kid is so easy and I am somewhat fearful of 2009 and the stress/tiredness/crankiness/exhaustion of it. However, I know its all worth it as I can't wait to have this addition to our family. Our family will feel a lot more complete...Kai needs a buddy to play with outside!!!! Please do not think I am ungrateful, I am so thankful to have the opportunity to grow another baby.

Kai helping daddy wash the car this morning, he did turn it on Gary a time or two...he loves the water hose.)

Kai has thrown some big temper tantrums lately and I'm not sure if its because he's still recovering from our trip or if it's just what being 2 is all about. Most tantrums occur from him having to come inside the house (he could play outside all day). We have decided that screaming/innapropriate crying calls for a time out so now we just have to warn him that if he continues any longer, he will have a time out. These time outs have worked fabulously with him. He sits in the chair quietly for 2 minutes and doesn't even try to escape. After 2 minutes, we talk about why he is in time out and he can always verbalize why he is there. I love it. The other thing that we really need to do with him is give him warnings at 5 minutes and 2 minutes before we change activities....this has been key.

We don't usually take a camera on our walks but Gary wanted to try his new flash diffuser in bright sunlight so that's how I got him to come along on our walk:) Please note my new shirt...I bought 2 shirts and 2 capris when we were in California and they were such a great deal!

Well, better relax a bit more. There are busy times ahead! We are photographing a wedding this Saturday and then we have my sister's wedding next Saturday where Kai is a ring bearer and we are also photographing it.