Change is in the wind

Two weeks from today is my delivery date. Over the last few weeks I've been trying everything possible to bring the labor on a little earlier. It just isn't working for me.

This morning I woke up a littler earlier then usual and laid in bed watching my baby Jake sleep. (Yes he ends up next to me every night). As I watched him sleep he looked so peaceful. He stretched a little which reminded me of him doing this as a little baby, and then stretched out so long I forget how tall he's gotten. My baby will only be my little baby for another 2 weeks is what came to my mind. Instead of trying to force this new little bundle out, I should focus my time and energy on Jake. He will only be my only child for such a short amount of time.

As he started to wake up, he rolled over to be spooned into a hug by Mike. When he finally opened his eyes, he rolled back over to me for the same little hug. How I love our morning ritual of waking up to this happy little boy. Over the past 2 years I've woken up to have him starring at me with a big smile. Or I've tried to wake him up and hear him mumble "I'm tired mom" as he rolls over and goes back to sleep. We often lay in bed for awhile after we wake up, playing a game, singing, watching a cartoon. Its time that we have together 1- because Mike and I are both tired and don't want to get up yet but 2 - has turned into such fun memories of hugs and kisses. Jake's first words and sentenances. Telling us what he wants to do that day. All these little memories we will forever have with him because of our morning ritual.

As I laid watching him this morning I wondered how our mornings would change. I'm sure with a new baby waking up, we might not have many of these mornings left in us for awhile. As ready as I am to not be pregnant, and to meet our new little guy, I don't know if I'm ready to give up these precious moments that may be hard to come by as the family grows. The moral of my morning is to enjoy the time I have left with Jake as the only child. It will only be for a few more days.

Does everyone have anxiety about bringing the 2nd child home? I worry so much about how Jake will react. What will he be thinking? How will this change his world? His personality? I know within a few months all will seem normal and he will love having a baby around, but the initial shock of it all is what worries me. Will he want us to send his brother back? When we were flying to California we saw a few babies on the flight. He said "look at the cute baby, he's so tiny." That little statement gives me hope and I can hear Jakes cute little voice saying it over and over in my head, hoping he has the same reaction when he meets his new little brother.

Until that day, I'll continue to cherish my mornings, as I will never have this "only child" time again.

GiveAway Day

So I have a cousin with the best blog out there Mwrites. She has been hosting Thursday giveaways all month long, and I am lucky enough to be featured on her blog today. So head on over and take a look. Enter to win not 1 but 2 of the prizes.

I'll see you over there!

Pesto Chicken Pasta

A delicious HEALTHY recipe I saw on Oprah.

from Cristina Ferrare
Ingredients:
Pesto:
4 cups fresh basil leaves
4 cups Italian parsley springs
4 large cloves garlic
1 1/2 cups olive oil
1/4 tsp. salt
Roasted Chicken Salad:
1 cup diced Roasted Chicken
1 cucumber , peeled, seeded and diced (I leave out)
2 cups mixed greens
1/4 cup roasted pine nuts
1/2 lemon , juiced
Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup sliced black olives (I leave out)
1/2 pound farfalle pasta
Handful pomegranate seeds (I use more then a handful)

To prepare the pesto: Chop basil, parsley and garlic in a food processor. Slowly add olive oil and keep chopping. Add salt.

To prepare the chicken mixture and final dish: Place , cucumber, pine nuts, 1 Tbsp. of
pesto and olives in a bowl and mix together.
Cook pasta until al dente. Add 2 tablespoons of pesto to the
pasta and mix well.
Top off with 2 cups of mixed greens and the juice of 1/2 a lemon.
Add the chicken mixture to pasta and toss.
Garnish with Parmesan cheese and pomegranate seeds

2 weeks and counting

My due date is coming up. December 3rd to be exact at 7:30am is when I'm currently scheduled for my c section.

Jake was 3 weeks early. Shouldn't that mean that this little man should also be 3 weeks early? I know that isn't exactly how it works, but boy am I ready.

I said to my doctor 3 days before Jake was born "We need to move on to the next stage in this relationship. He is sick of me, I am sick of lugging him around, its time for us to meet." I just knew he would be coming early.

I've known everyday for the last month that I would be giving birth to this new little man that day....he isn't really listening to me. Is that a bad sign already? I just can't convince him what fun a zoombie, tired, mom I'll be if he'd just come and meet me. Stubborn little guy. Keep your fingers crossed. Hopefully any day now.

Pomegranates

There were two of these sold in a package.

I ate one whole bowl with a spoon. Is that weird? Love this season with the holidays coming and pomegranates in stores now! I say spend the extra money and get the big bowls of already extracted seeds. Makes life so much easier.

California

Mike and I went to Disneyland once about 6 years ago. We both hadn't been there since we were little, and when we left I think we both felt a little let down. It just wasn't quite as magical as we had remembered.

IN WALKS JAKE - Since having Jake (2 years now) we have now been to Disneyland 3 times. Maybe that is a little excessive to some, but we love it. Jake loves it, and oh is the place ever so magical once again.

We took a trip to Newport Beach the last week in October. We stayed at the Marriott Villa's which were wonderful. Beautiful views of the golf course and ocean from our room. We relaxed, took naps, some of us golfed, swam, went to the beach, and of course hit Disneyland.




Mike's parents were nice enough to go with us. We had a great time with them. I love watching Jake interact with his grandparents. Grandpa chased him around the condo and we could hear Jake scream with delight when he got caught. Grandma read him book after book and played bubbletown with him on the computer. It was so fun to watch him be so content and happy playing with them. I'm so happy they came along for the trip.

Here are a few pictures from the trip to Disneyland.

Happy Halloween

Jake was Squirt the turtle from Finding Nemo. I think he looked pretty dang cute. He loves to say "Trick or Treat" and was all about the "kids" coming to the house. Ran to the door everytime he heard the doorbell.

Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!