Hello, goodbye

With only a week left until it's officially the end of the Summer season we here on the central coast are still waiting for summer to arrive! I am feeling particularly nostalgic, on several levels. To be extra sensitive, give me a break, I mean I am preggos here I feel like this summer was the last that Isaac was really a baby. Well, I know he's not a baby anymore, he's 4, I know that but the last summer he's really just ours. Next summer #3 will be here and life will be even more crazy, but also real school will be right around the corner and friends then become his focus. I love the pre- school years, but I think that too often I get caught up in the second to second, moment to moment trials. No we can't scream in the store, no we can't bring the bug inside, please be quiet just for a second.... mommies losing her mind So then, I start thinking, well really, really, why not, is it  really going to hurt to let go of my agenda to take in a bit of his? I think not. Today, I very unwillingly took the kids to the park, I had a million reasons why I tried to talk us out of going, I was tired topping my list, it was windy (when isn't it here), it's late, blah blah blah. We went and I felt much better for it, not only physically, but a better mom too that I had done what he wanted to do for once. I'm trying to take in as many of those moments as possible lately, before it's to late he's annoyed by me trying to have a tickle fight or sing him to sleep. Oh how I adore my sweet boy! I can hardly wait to see little Leona's personality develop more and more all the time. She is such a sweet and funny girl, it's hard to imagine her in the the throws of toddler-dom.

This summer was unfortunately quite uneventful, we did however, make it up to my parents for one last hooray before school started, and for some real summer weather. Clint wasn't able to make it but it was a blast all the same, it felt a bit like a crash coarse of my childhood summers for the kids. I hope to make more of a family tradition of it and spend many a summers there in the years to come. 

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from our weekend there, hope you enjoy!

Day 1: Isaac got to drive the boat with Grandpa (he had a blast), I took Isaac out on his 1st tubing experience, I think I had more fun then he, and duh duh da da! Isaac swam!

Leona and I hug out on the boat during swim time and had some lunch, yummers!

 Day 2: We went to Yosemite for a small hike and more swimming at the Swinging Bridge, I love that I was able to take them somewhere that I so adored as I child, although we are going to have to wait a few more years before they brave the rapids by themselfs!



Day 3: We finished off our short but lovely vacay with a trip to the Fresno Zoo Isaac's favorite exhibit by far, the reptile house followed shortly by the dinosaur digging, he could've stayed there all day!

 

Thanks for taking a look... hope you enjoyed! I really am trying to post more often I promise, see it only took me like 2 months to do this one!

Oh wait! In all the excitement of goodbyes and last days of summer, I forgot to mention what we are saying hello to... Isaac's  unwillingly officially attending preschool, and Leona is just as happy to be spending a little more one on one time with momma before #3 is here. More on that later. OK now, Thanks and have a good one!

Sooo..... Yeah!

Well, Well, Well, how time has flown. Why does that seem to be my constant thought? You veteran mommies probably will laugh at this but I keep waiting for things to slow down. I keep thinking that once  I get in the swing of things I'll be able to get this or that done. I've come to realize, that, I am beyond the point of "slowing down."  Isaac is in school about three hours a day now and I thought that I would be able to get so much done in those three hours, and then, we got some news. We are expecting our third baby next May, that's right 18 months after little Leona made her way onto our life. So yeah, I am definitely beyond the point of "slowing down."
Life is good and full of unexpected surprises, this is a good one, this is one we can't wait to meet. Half of me wants another little boy and the other can not resist the idea of having a little sister for Leona, either would be warmly welcomed.

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A couple pictures of what we're up to these days

These aren't all in order but are mostly from the last month or so... enjoy!

Here the kiddos are at the beach on Memorial day. Leona's time in the sand didn't last long because every time we looked away she was going for a hand full of sand, but I had to have a picture of them sitting together and "playing" during Leona's 1st real trip to the beach!

We also went over to Nana and Papas, where they had bought a great little pool and slide for the kids to play in. Leona wasn't too into it but she definitly enjoyed the grapes daddy shared.

This is just a cute one of Isaac and I. We had a

couple really warm days so we were just taking advantage of it! Isaac was so funny, I kept trying to take a cute picture of the two of us smiling and he wouldn't make anything but silly faces, this one was pretty good though, although his eyes are closed....
Here we are at the Cal Poly Dairy Farm. A bunch of mommy groups got together for this one... it was quite a group but the kids got to see where icecream is from and enjoy a sample at the end. Super yummy ice cream for sure!





Each kid picked a "special" cow to pet, Isaac was a bit worried at 1st, but he decided it was okay. Here he is with his cousin Nate in the backgroud looking at the big cows.

Here's another cute one of the three of us, Isaac is getting so so big, handsome little boy. Leona cracks me up trying to squeeze her little face into the frame!

Here's our little Leona, crawling and playing like crazy, this little headband was too cute not to share! (thanks Aunt Lacey!)

And of coarse, our dirt bike boy standing up and getting some real action while riding! He gives it a thumbs up!

Last but not least, bath time together, that must have picture in every mother's album!

 

Well, that's us, and what we've been up to, hope you've enjoyed!

Catching up....

Surprise surprise.... I have NOT been very good at staying up to date about my day to days! The kids are quite a distraction and whenever I think I'm going to sit down and blog, I get side tracked by something else, AKA laundry, dishes, diapers, you  know the drill!

Anyways, time has certainly flown by! My little Miss Leona is already pushing 7 months and my baby boy is going to be 4 years old in matter of weeks, not such a baby anymore! sniff sniff! We're planning a bug birthday, it should be interesting to say the least. On that note, I am actually, surprisingly, the original suggester of Isaac's bug infactuation. The reason being, I was sick of dinosaurs, small and big, toys, movies, and books, consuming my everyday. I did not however, realize that toys and T.V. programs can be turned off, and put away.  Bugs, on the other hand, are EVERYWHERE! So now, I have my little boy bringing small insects into my home all hours of the day, and walking outside without studying every grassy, bug ridden area, not an option. Yes, he is all boy! I remind myself though, if really, really, all I have to complain about is my son's silly antics and likeness to yuckyness, well then I should rejoice in a happy healthy boy and just keep the hand sanitizer near by.
As busy and crazy these kids keep me, they are totally the best thing... I love the light they bring into my everyday. It's little things like seeing my daughter absolutely light up when she sees her big brother, or hearing my son coo over her and share his toys with her. Just the other day, my son asked me to have a picnic with him outside, I almost said no, almost told him I had cleaning to do, emails to read.... Thankfully I took him up on his offer, he reminded me of the simplicities of life. While enjoying our lunch, he looked over at me and commented, with the perfect innocence and joy of a child, "What a nice day" and then proceeded to tell me I was his best friend. I hope he always feels that way somewhere.
I know that this is the last summer that Isaac will really be my little boy. The last year that he is free from the restraints of school and desires to be with other friends. For now though, I am selfish with his time. I had the pleasure of hearing a reading of Let Me Hold You Longer by Kingsbury Karen. This book explains these feelings all too well, it is one all us mommies should probably own. It perfectly depicts that tear we all feel between wanting to see our children grow and thrive, and wanting them to stay our perfect little babies, who know only our love and love us that much more for it. That is where I am. That is exactly where I am, wanting to keep my little boy, my little boy, all the while trying to get him to act like a big boy.
That bring me to my daughter... I was thinking about this the other day, while trying to get her to take her nap, unsuccessfully I might add. Why is it that we care, and pray, and dream of hearing nothing but our little ones voice for months and months while pregnant, and then as soon as they are born, we spend all our time trying to quiet that little voice? Another one of those eternal paradox's? What do you think?

I'm excited today to get things started... I'm beginning to get that "stuck in between" feeling again. I hate that, but I know that's it's just because I need to get my booty in gear. Mary Kay is alot of work but it's good for me, good to have something to focus on. I need to move myself aside to really get what I want to get out of it. It's hard to approach new people, to ask of others. Does anyone else have that problem?

And Spring is fast becoming a reality, All the wild flowers are in bloom and everything is the most vibrant green, I love where we live, we really are truly blessed here on the central coast!

We also went to a little Easter Egg hunt yesterday. How sweet it was to see all the little ones after those eggs! My son soon realized that there were treasures inside his eggs and decided to open each as he collected. Too funny that little one is! It was such a nice family day, I love those little moments. And then I wonder why I can't just have a personal photographer following around capturing all those special moments. The ones I hope to never ever forget. Life is good!

AND Leona had her 1st little photo shoot at JC Penny's over the weekend. I tell you what, that little girl is a ham. She loves the camera, or really just to smile at people! What a good time we had!

This weekend we'll be at my parents for Easter, I'm looking forward to that, hopefully we'll have some nice family time... wish me luck!

Mary Kay

So I hadn't mentioned it but I am indeed a Mary Kay consultant! It's super fun and exciting but it is a lot of work! I had my Grand Opening last night. It was a relief to get it over and done with. My friends are amazing and all booked shows with me which I LOVE them for. I doubt myself and wonder if I will really be successful in this endeavor, but push forward.


I wonder what it is about myself that sometimes makes it difficult to follow through in things. I think that a lot of us do that, maybe it's scary to follow your dreams. I hope it's not just laziness!

And a new beginning...

Part of this is just for me... a secret place for Mommy. Like a piece of dark chocolate tucked away just for "those times." You who are mommies, you know what I mean! I feel a bit selfish, taking my secret piece of Internet just for me... Silly I know. Ah, but there are far worse things a Mommy could keep to herself.
Then my practical side kicks right in and I realize that if I am indeed getting that "special time to sit down and think, well then I should take advantage of it. I am thus obligated to share some of my days to days with the family and friends that we love so much and unfortunately can not see as much as would like to. So here I sit admists the dishes and dirty cloths, pouring my thoughts out, or maybe more like grasping at them before they are gone forever. I hope you enjoy my little ramblings and maybe even join me in a couple laughs. Welcome to Living it with the Lunds!