Oh My Cuteness!

Here are a few of the awesome pictures from Ezekiel's one-year photo shoot. How adorable are these?!

Since I'm finishing this post on the 23rd, today is Ezekiel's actual birthday and it has been great. He slept in late and then we enjoyed a nice breakfast out with dad. His Avoa sent him a gift card to Toys R Us, so he got to go pick out a toy. Now he is taking a nap with his daddy. So sweet.

We miss you, Aunt Rebekah! So good to talk to you on the phone today!

1 Year Old!

On August 23rd our little bear will be one year old. I can hardly believe how fast his first year of life has flown by. We are so thankful for every day with him, for his funny and easy-going little personality, and for the way he brightens our world with his contagious laugh. We could not be more in love with our son, or more thankful for the gift God has given us in him.

So yesterday we had a little party to celebrate! Just a few family and close friends, but it was a day we'll always remember. SO FUN! Since we call him "Bear" we had a backyard camp out, complete with a tent full of toys to play in, and a "lake" to swim in. I had a good time with our little theme but, best of all, I think Ezekiel had a great time! He loved playing in the water and with all his guests - but I think he loved his bug cupcake the best! Wow, can that kid chow down on chocolate! What a perfect day, and we were so thankful for all the loved ones who celebrated with us - in person and in spirit! Ezekiel was so spoiled with love, attention, and such thoughtful gifts.

Baby Belly

At 20 weeks pregnant, I finally got around to taking a few pictures of my growing belly! Baby girl is doing great and giving me lots of little kicks and wiggles. I am still feeling so good and enjoying this pregnancy just as much as I did my first.


Heidi and I enjoying being pregnant together - again!

Life by the Lake... A smattering of photos

What we're up to...

Cute cousin picture - at Kevan's graduation. (Isaac has lost exactly the same teeth that Ezekiel's got in. Their little smiles are so cute together!)

*Ezekiel and I just got home from a fun-filled week at Lake Almanor with my entire family. Kevan couldn't go because of his new job, but he insisted that I take the baby and have a good time. So we did! Rebekah and I made a rode trip out of it (15 hours!) and Ezekiel handled it like a champ. Seriously, he was so good we almost forgot he was in the car for a while! Ezekiel had such a great time at the lake, playing in the water, going in the boat (not such a fan of the life jacket, though) and especially playing with his cousins! They are so good with him! Beckah took tons of great pictures, so I will post those when she gets back.

*Kevan's new job is going great. He graduated July 13 and I am SO proud of him for all he's accomplished. He is in his first choice of facilities in LA and loving it. He is working graveyards so he gets home early in the morning and sleeps most of the day. But, then he is up around 3 and we have the afternoon together as a family. So, even though he feels like a hamster, it's seems to be working out pretty well.

*Ezekiel cut his top front tooth, and I think he's working on getting the other one in. These have not been fun. He is not a happy guy when those teeth are coming through. Why did God make getting teeth so difficult?!

*We are having fun planning for our new baby girl. It is so exciting! I will start working on the room soon and will post pictures. Picking out the name, talking to Ezekiel about her, feeling the baby move... it is all so fun!

*We bought TWO new car seats this week. One for Ezekiel - he's little feet were hanging off his infant seat and he was ready for a promotion, and one for the new baby. We were planning to just use E's old seat for his little sister, but it turns out it was damaged in the airplane on our way home from the Lake (drove there, flew home). So, she gets her own brand new one, compliments of United. Sweet.

Have a blessed Sunday!

Es una nina!

At least, that's what the silly balloon said that Kevan got my parents to announce that WE ARE HAVING A GIRL!! Hooray!

I had an ultrasound last week, and everything looks perfect. My sister got to go with me, since Kevan has just started his new job and couldn't go. It was so cool to have her there! She had never seen an ultrasound before, and I act like I've never seen an ultrasound before, and we both just loved seeing that little one wave and kick her little feet at us. It was awesome. The baby is just 16 weeks in utero an already looks like a perfect little person. God's handiwork is amazing!

I have to admit, I was a little surprised over the girl news. I couldn't even tell you why, except that I guess I just pictured in my mind having 2 boys (although I didn't realize how much I had pictured that - I thought I was totally prepared for a girl!). It took a bit for the news to feel "real" and now I can't stop thinking pink!! How fun to have one of each! I can't wait for her to get here!! Although Kevan has been pretty vocal about the baby being a boy, he sure switched gears quickly! Not for one second has he shown surprise over the news of a little girl - just total excitement (and a little fear - he knows how strong that cuteness factor can be!). We went back to the restaurant where I told him I was pregnant to celebrate the news of a healthy little girl. What a great day!

Ok, kinda funny. Just realized I'm wearing the same shirt here that I wore to Ezekiel's ultrasound. You know you're having your babies close when you wear the same shirt to their ultrasounds!

Sharing the news with Grandma and Papa

One happy daddy!

Babyhood

The last few months have proven that I face the same challenge that probably every mom since the beginning of time has struggled with: The balance between getting things done and loving on my baby. I am constantly torn between just wanting to play with Ezekiel and needing (?) to take care of other responsibilities. I know the reality is I can't play with him all day, because stuff does need to get done, but I also know he won't be a baby forever. And I don't want to miss it doing laundry and checking e-mail and putting in my hours for work. I have discovered, though, that some of this stuff (like laundry and dishes) we can do together. (Well, sort of. He plays happily at my feet while I fold and wash and talk to him and try to keep him from eating the dish soap.)

Tonight, as I laid him down to sleep, I held him just a bit longer enjoying the sweetness of our quiet time together. He was completely relaxed in my arms, head against my shoulder, one arm draped around my neck. I could smell his Johnson & Johnson curls and feel his eye lashes brush against my lips. And I wondered "How many more years will he let me do this? Or months? How much longer will I be able to hold him without protests and wiggles?" I don't know, but these are the moments I want to remember. This is the stuff I want his babyhood made up of. I kiss his cheek a thousand times and wonder if he knows, behind those closed eyes, how tremendously loved he is.

Curls

Ezekiel is cracking us up with his random curly hair. I just had to take some pictures of it for those of you who haven't seen him in a while (Kris, did it look like this at your wedding?). It is so funny to me that his hair is getting curlier, since Kevan and I both have straight hair. But it's so cute, who really cares where it comes from? Nana (Kevan's mom) has made us promise not to cut it until she sees him again (less than 2 weeks!).