Baby # 2

Tuesday morning we found out that baby #2 is a 

GIRL!

We are so excited for Taryn to have a little sister.

Before heading to the appointment to find out the gender, Tyson asked Taryn what she wanted mommy to have (girl/boy) and she said Girl. I'm glad she wanted a little sister because that's what she is going to get!

Unlike our first time around with Taryn, we know for sure that we are having a girl. We saw a very clear picture twice- about ten minutes apart from each other. We were happy to have two people confirm that we are having a girl. We were not going to leave until there was a firm answer 

(thanks baby#2 for cooperating so well.) 

No surprises this time!!

"Life doesn't come with a manual, it comes with a Mother."

I loved this video about Mother's, and the quote at the end, 

"Life doesn't come with a manual, it comes with a Mother."

I taught Relief Society today in church and the lesson was on Sacred Family Relationships. Of course, I focused on mothers and the roles they play in our lives. It was such a great experience listening to women comment on how mothers, aunts, sisters, and friends have influenced the lives of so many around them.

I'm grateful for the wonderful mother & mother-in-law that I have to look up to. 

Taryn is such a sweet gift and I am thankful that I can be her mother. I hope that I can teach her many things about life, about her Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and how to influence the world for good. She is a wonderful little girl and I feel so lucky to have her in our family. I know she will be a great big sister!

This Mother's Day was so great for me. Tyson and Taryn made this day fun and special and I am so blessed to have them!

Happy Mother's Day

18 week Belly shot and the weekend

18 Weeks

(This is for you, Brooke!)

My mid section did some serious overnight growth! Just a few days ago, I still had the "5 pieces of chocolate cake" belly. But then, over just a few nights, I popped! And I was totally feeling it yesterday after church. Human bodies are amazing things- making room for the little one!

I felt this little one move first just before I was 16 weeks. Those movements have skyrocketed over the past two weeks. I love feeling those little kicks. I feel like it's a peaceful way to know baby is still growing between doctor appointments (besides this new midsection accessory!)

Sometimes I feel like a little kid, but I LOVE being outside with Taryn! Sifting through the sand with her or helping her learn how to climb up a new piece of playground equipment. It's not wonder that she knows exactly what direction each park is in, If I deviate from those courses, she gets so sad (like when I try to walk to Costco!)

  I'm excited to pick strawberries for the first time in my life with Taryn at Schlagel Farms (the same place we got our pumpkins!) hopefully soon before all the strawberries are gone!

My baby sister is not a little girl any more! She leaves on Wednesday to begin her 18 month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am so excited for Brooke and I know I will miss talking to her cute, funny, full of personality self! St. Louis, Missouri- you sure are lucky to have her :) She told me that when she returns, our 2nd child will be 1 year old exactly. How crazy is that?!?

This past weekend we spent a fun Saturday morning together as a family (so rare!!!) We took a variety of buses and the metro to get to the church in order to clean it from top to bottom. Tyson's calling is Facilities Coordinator so every three months he goes every Saturday in that month to clean the building. I really enjoy the process because I feel so great the next Sunday, going to church in a building that I can contribute to in cleaning and making it beautiful. The adventure continued as we walked around parts of Arlington and Alexandria- dreaming of our future home and Tyson hoping that one day his Saturdays will include mowing a big lawn and cutting bushes (no joke- that's his dream and I love it!) Old Town Alexandria was bustling with Saturday morning crowds. We saw cute little boutiques all of which I want to go through and those cute trollies that Taryn loved! We found a fun new place to eat at and we promised that we would be back soon to Old Town so we can enjoy the Saturday Farmer's Market. 

It was a great weekend that ended with a family lunch with my Uncle & cousin that we haven't seen in ages! I love that I also have a sister close by to join in on the fun.

I blinked, now April is over!

Don't really know where April went, but I know it's been a fun month!

The days have been beautiful and long. 

We spent a great day at the zoo just last week. Taryn was so excited- running around everywhere- watching the animals play. She is growing up so much it's incredible.

Taryn has started to call me "Mom" instead of "mommy" or "mama." This actually breaks my heart. And now Tyson is being called "Dad" instead of "daddy."

 She's just too little to be calling us such grown up names. It makes me feel old.

Tyson is neck deep in school. The other day he came home after a long day and changed into his pajamas. He came out with his shirt on backwards - a true sign that it had been a long day. We laughed until our sides hurt because we know that wrapping up school is only made easier through laughter. Only 3 more weeks of school left!

17 weeks along and I'm feeling great! 

 I can no longer stay awake and functioning past 9:30pm. 

And I used to be able to stay awake while watching a movie with Tyson. 

Yeah- that doesn't happen any more.

We're jumping into May, as it will be a very busy month full of family, BIG events like Graduation, and so much more.

**2 years ago we were in almost the exact same position we are in now (graduation, jobs, baby, moving, lots of decisions to be made!). Maybe that's why I've been relatively more calm this time around. 

Clemyjontri Park- "There is something for everyone"

 I can't even tell you how excited I was that this week's playgroup was held at Clemyjontri Park in McLean, VA. I have heard so much about this park since I first moved to the area and jumped for joy when I knew this week we would get the chance. Thanks to our good friend, Steph, we were able to join her and her adorable daughter on this playgroup outing.

Clemyjontri Park - "There is something for everyone." 

This park pulls on my heart strings. Especially as this month is Autism Awareness month around the world.

It's a "unique playground where children of all abilities can play side-by-side. It is a playground where every child is welcome. This park is a place where children who use wheelchairs, walkers or braces, or who have sensory or developmental disabilities, can have a parallel playground experience of fun and exploration. "

 Taryn played all morning long, discovering the fire truck play equipment, jumping into the rocking cars, swinging, and playing the drums. She only asked where the sand was once (her current love) but there is no sand pit. I was actually happy about that today because it made more time for Taryn to explore (and less sand for mommy to remove from her toes & hair later!) The ground is all rubber surfaced for wheelchair access which is great for moms with little babies- just follow your kid around (it's a HUGE park!) and don't worry about the stroller not being able to fit anywhere or getting stuck in the sand.

Anyways...I just loved our outing today. It's always fun to eat lunch with friends, have your kids play together, and discover a new place. I always love that "just got sun" feeling on my face & arms and knowing that Taryn will be out cold in a matter of minutes once we start the drive home. It's such a wonderful thing that there is a park that exists like this. I almost cried when I read about the "Liberty Swing" which allows children confined to wheelchairs the ability to experience what it's like to swing back and forth, at actual swing levels. If I have a child with special needs, I know that this park will mean even more to me as a mom.

"Hurry, hurry! Hide!!"

Taryn likes to hide from Tyson sometimes before we walks in the door after being gone all day. It's always funny to see where she finds a hiding spot, and how Tyson pretends to look all around the house, even when he can she her tiny toes and legs sticking out from the pillows on the bed.

Last night, as I was talking to Tyson on the phone while he was making his way home, Taryn was finishing dinner. When she realized I was talking to "Daddy" she promptly flipped her plate over (full of food) and began to stuff everything under the plate. She kept whispering to her food, "Hurry, hurry! Hide hide hide! Daddy's coming. Shhh!!!" I guess if you are stuck in a high chair, the next best thing to do is hide your food from Daddy :)

Taking the most out of the Spring

     For the past few weeks, we have only been inside for naps- and that random heavy rain storm- but it cleared up by the afternoon and we were out again. I feel alive again! The sun has brought life back to me and Taryn can spend hours playing in the sand at parks. Taryn has had a bath (or two!) every day to rinse the sand out of her hair or the sunscreen off her arms & legs. She bolts out the door any chance she gets to run around the backyard in the flowers and sunshine. I leave the doors open and wander in & out myself as I grab snacks, a blanket to sit outside with, or just to enjoy the birds chirping and the most amazing Spring scents. Our nightly bed time routine now includes a walk around the neighborhood, exploring the nature around us.
    We discovered the wonder and magic of Haines Point Park on the southeast water front. Located on the end of a peninsula, the sight of water, boats, airplanes taking off & landing at Ronald Regan and of course the thousands of beautiful cherry blossom trees minus the crowds made me "ohhh" and "awww". I was in heaven sitting in the shade, chatting with friends, and watching Taryn at the playground. I would go back in a heart beat. I told Tyson we are due for a family bike ride and Haines Point would be the perfect destination.
    The regular skinned knees have returned for Taryn! Unfortunately, the first big bad one was from Haines Point after she tripped over the uneven ground. It sent Taryn into a full blown meltdown only to be fixed with an afternoon nap and lots of kisses. I know skinned knees are sad, but at the same time, it means she is enjoying her time outside- running and exploring. She's got spunk- that one :)
    We headed to the Tidal Basin once again on Saturday (after the Cherry Blossom parade was a flop for us- too many streets blocked off!!) and enjoyed a picnic with friends. Even though the storm had wiped out most of the delicate white/pink cherry blossom flowers, it was still a gorgeous sight to see.


 I feel like I am taking in the last few moments of an era. In just 5 short weeks, Tyson will have a Master's and schooling as we know it will be finished (...for the time being). Our time with close friends is coming to an end and the big world is just around the corner. I've become very calm about all of this in the past few weeks which is so strange for the worry wart in me. We don't know what we will be doing 6 weeks from now, but I know from the past that we will do it together- our little growing family.