Family Update

Playing catch-up is never any fun.  So future Kirsten can worry about that.  For now I'kk give a little update on what life is currently like for the Smith family.

Family shot from Easter 2014

Brett:  Football is back in full swing and as of today so are his teaching responsibilities.  He has a week of teacher in-service and then the kids show up at the end of the month.  With football comes late night and school means early mornings.  We LOVE LOVE LOVED having him around during the summer.  He worked some sport camps at the school but would usually be home from 11-4 every day and always had Fridays off.  It was fabulous.  Actually, beyond fabulous.

Dad is a much better park buddy than mom

And we are going through growing pains as we settle back into real life.  Brooke regularly asks if dada is "all done work?" and then when I tell her that he is still working she demands "dada come home!" We are not looking forward to the 2-4 day stretches where she wont see him. When he leaves she always wants to go with him. Although part of that is because I'm not sure she knows what he does all day.... we have visited the school on occasion for quick lunch visits or to watch a scrimmage or play in the gym.  I think she assumes if she went with him it would be all fun and games.  Luckily she is pretty easily distracted but it is definitely a testament that she loves her dad! Brett also keeps busy staying on top of grad school.  He is plugging through and doing great!  Next year at this time he will be all done.  So far away still.... but getting closer.  He also caught the fishing bug here in Texas this summer.  We spent some time fishing in the ocean and then he went on a chartered trip with some buddies and now he dreams of owning a fishing kayak. Things sure escalate quickly!  Brooke loves to watch and then eat the fish he catches though so it is a hobby I can fully support.

Shooting "hoops" with dad

Always on this side of the fence

 

Kirsten: The biggest reason for my blog hiatus is the stifling nausea that seems to be my friend the first half of pregnancy.  Oh, did I mention I was pregnant?  We are expecting baby girl number 2 at the end of November!

Selfies!

Anyway, screens and I don't mix well while sick and honestly, who has the energy to blog while pregnant and chasing a toddler around?  I started to feel better around week 16/17 but it took another month to fully get back to normal.  By 20/21 I realized that I was no longer constantly exhausted and food no longer repulsed me.  Seriously, always being hungry and nothing sounding good is the worst part of my pregnancies. I did better with staying on top of eating this time around though and managed to keep some semblance of a life together for Brooke.  Honestly my life the last few months has been rather uneventful.  Limited screen time means no pinterest (scrolling the worst) so I stopped trying new recipes or new activities with Brooke.  We have since picked those back up and I'm feeling refreshed about life.  I have finally picked some craft projects back up and finished my first project in months this week.  I'm slowly getting the play room decorated so stay tuned for pictures of that!




Brooke (almost 2): Brooke is a joy to have around! She is (almost) always happy and so easy to get giggling.  As long as she is well rested she rarely has meltdowns.  She is a real chatter box and is talking in 4-5 word sentences on the regular.  I can't really put into words how awesome we think she is.  I wish I could bottle it up and share it with everyone. Pictures and videos just don't do it justice (although that doesn't stop me from trying to capture it!). She loves to be outside and active.  She gets so excited when we go somewhere that she can "run run run!!" and is currently trying so hard to learn to jump.

Always ready to swim!

She has mastered "swimming" independently, climbing and throwing this summer. She is always mimicking the older kids and doesn't always understand why she can't do what they do, despite trying her hardest (ie: jumping into the pool or climbing onto things that are just simply to big).  She makes friends everywhere we go and somehow always convinces the older kids to let her tag along.  Quite regularly I will see the older sibling in a family holding Brooke's hand or calling her to come with them as they run around and play.  She definitely can hold her own and is still tough as nails; rarely crying when hurt and only occasionally asking for kisses on her boo-boos. Today she got kicked in the face by a school aged kid (accidentally, or rather,  probably her fault for getting to close as he climbed) and when she looked over at me on the bench she just laughed.   She also has a sweet tender side.  She says "uh oh, sorry baby doll (or insert any other animal/toy name)" and gives hugs and kisses anytime she drops a toy/stuffed animal.  She occasional requests hugs from us and they are always followed by the sweetest kisses.

Blue-eyed beauty

My favorite are the unprompted hug requests while out shopping when she is sitting in the cart.  Brooke loves to hold other kids hands and give hugs and always excited tells me about it when another kid allows it. (Not all 2 year olds are keen on holding hands, much to her disappointment).  She says "excuse me (insert object or person) excuse me" whenever something is in her way.  Even if it is a random toy on the floor that she is walking over.  And her unprompted "thank you mommy" melt my heart.  She is a very inquisitive child.  Colors, numbers, letters, animals, etc.  She knows them all. Brooke is regularly impressing me with her memory of things we have only done once or twice and I just know I'm in trouble as she grows up! She already correct me when I slip up and say something wrong or pause to long trying to think of a word (pregnancy brain!).  She knows the rules and reminds me regularly if I am doing something wrong (ie: sitting on the table, throwing a toy). She is a great little eater and loves her fruits and veggies.  Sometimes I have to tell her no more grapes or carrots until she eats something else on her plate.  Luckily she usually agrees and will eat (or at least try) just about anything.  She is also fully day potty trained.  She wears big girl panties all day (and naps) and tells me whenever she has to go.  We still have the occasional little leak but nothing major in weeks! She gets a dum dum lollipop for going "poop potty!" and although she is always SUPER excited when she gets one, she often forgets about it and I often wrap the same lollipop up for the next days treat.  Alright, I know I'm rambling.  But I really just think she is the best little girl ever!



Baby Girl #2 (24.5 weeks): As previously mentioned baby girl number two will join our family at the end of November/  beginning of December.  She was sleepy and shy during our 20 week ultrasound (and almost didn't reveal a gender) but has a strong heart beat and when she is awake she is definitely active. It took me a while to feel her because she has an anterior placenta (the placenta is in front of her and cushioned the movements) but it is game on now, especially on my side.  Brett has felt her kick and I can see my belly move with her multiple times a day.  I still look relatively small (although larger than last time!) but the baby (fundal height) is measuring right on track.  Only one more monthly visit and then we will be at bi-weekly visits.  Time is flying with this little one and we are so excited for her to join our family.  I can't wait to she her and Brooke grow up as sisters!

18 weeks

20 Weeks

24 weeks

I'm sure I missed things, hopefully not to many huge ones though.  I will try to update on our summer fun soon.  With Brett off at games Thursday and Friday nights I should have plenty of time to blog!