Two years since he looked at me...

Oregon vs Arizona Sate, originally uploaded by pete4ducks.

I know its been two years and more then a month but I haven't had the opportunity to blog since going back to work. Life has been a bit hectic. And what I am talking about about is being married to my best friend. Everyday I am reminded of what a great man he is he truly is wonderful. An amazing father and a truly beautiful person inside and out. I love him more every day. Here is to 50 more years of wedded bliss. No not every day is easy but whose life is? We like to keep it interesting!

My how she has grown!

It is amazing how fast babies grow they go from being completely dependent at 0 days old to almost holding her own bottle and sitting up at three months.  I can not believe that my little NICU baby can do all these things.  She now smiles and laughs all the time and coos and gurgles. It is so cute.  With Evie It seemed like she stayed small a lot longer with Madelyn it seems as if it has sped bye and it makes me very sad.  She is our last baby, not that I can handle anymore, and she will always be very special.  I wish I could spend more time with her and will miss her like crazy when I go back to work.  To all new mothers when you feel like the non stop feeding and the up multiple times a nights will never end cherish them because they grow up way to fast.

Post Pregnancy bliss...

The things people don't tell you about what happens to your body after pregnancy. 

1.  Your hair falls out....I could weave a rug with the amount I am starting to loose.
2.  Your boobs will never be the same....nursing does wonder to them.  Breast augmentations should be fully covered for women who have nursed their babies!
3.  Loosing the baby weight doesn't mean you look the same as you did before.  Things have moved and they may never go back.
4.  Shoes fit differently.....not better....me I may have to invest in a completely new shoe wardrobe.
5.  Those lovely things that you grew a massive food aversion too while pregnant doesn't seem to go away.  Even the though of the smell of Korean beef short ribs makes me nauseous!!

Even after all this I still love my two beautiful babies and would have done it all over again....

Hawaii......love it!!

I just got back from a week in Hawaii and it was amazing.  We had planned this trip about a year ago and it was originally supposed to be in October but due to a little thing called having a baby we had to change the time. 

We went with both of our mothers, Jill and Cynthia, and of course our two girls.  Evie was very excited from the trip on the plane to the ocean and even the sharks.  She has NO fear!! 

We decided to stay in Kihei which is on the south side of Maui for a couple different reasons.  One being we had all been to Lahaina and two it is a lot less expensive.  We had rented a condo in on the bottom floor of a building with the most amazing grass I have ever seen and a enclosed swim area and a secluded beach perfect for Evie.  Later in the week she deemed it Evie's beach!!  The condo had three bedrooms and had a great Lanai and was complete adequate for what we needed.  Each grandma had there own space and Evie could run and play right in front of our lanai and we could keep an eye on her.  The best thing about the place is we could hear the waves from our room and check out whales in action!!

I have to admit we didn't do a ton of touristy stuff.  Pete and his mom tried several different spots for snorkeling and finally found the best place right in front of our room.  I spent a lot of time in the room trying to get the baby to sleep long enough so I could get a tan!  This happened rarely.  The grandmas were nice enough to let Pete and I go check out some fun happy hour spots in Kihei.  We also got to go back to where we got married which was special.  I still thank my lucky stars that I married such a great man.

Leaving Hawaii is never fun but I did meet Drea de Matteo in line of security.  Very nice lady who was complementing me on my mothering skills.  She was way more relaxed then i was.  Got to go baby is crying....go to Hawaii if you have never been its amazing!!

Maui 2010 Vacation

Maui 2010 Vacation, originally uploaded by pete4ducks.

This is at Maui Brewing Company the place Pete and I went every day when we were in Maui to get married. It has been completely remodeled and looks amazing. It was great to be back there enjoying there amazing bears. On a completely random note there was the owner from MT. Emily Brewing company sitting right next to us. Its in Oregon!

Back to reality....

I have four days left of maternity leave.  I can't believe it is over.  Part of me is excited to go back and part of me is scared.  Will I have the same drive I did before or is it completely gone?  I hope I am still able to do my job well. I absolutely love the company I work for and would like to stay there for a long time.

I have really enjoyed my time on maternity leave I got to spend some quality time with my girls and went on an amazing vacation to Hawaii.  I am really looking forward to some structured time with adult interaction where I don't hear the word Mommy 400 times a day.  Now I know that makes it seem like I don't like my kids but I love them I just get tired of the mommy when I know she needs nothing.  Or that everything has to be a battle.  My three year old has discovered a major attitude and it isn't a pleasant one.  She knows how to turn on the cute when needed and then be the exact opposite when she wants to which is more and more often.

Madelyn is my new born and she is growing like a weed!  Already wearing 6 month clothes and cooing and doing tons of smiling and laughing.  She has already rolled over both ways and can grip a few of her toys.  She sits up assisted and is working on some standing.  I think this is all great for a little gal who started in the NICU. 

We have started looking for a Nanny and are interviewing our first one today.  I hope we love her because we are running out of time.  Well that's whats going on with me.

Traveling With Kids..what I have learned so far

I just got back from my first trip with my girls.  We went to Hawaii into a strong head wind extending our already long flight over an hour.  We did get lucky enough to get an extra seat for Madelyn so I we didn't have to hold her in our laps the whole time.  I am an over preparer i always bring extra of everything and I think I definitely can share some of this tips with some other moms or dads. These are not in any order

1. Start gathering stuff together weeks before if you can, the more you plan the easier it will go.
2.  Buy small cheap toys your kids have never seen that you can produce on the plane.
3. Buy a portable DVD player or purchase the one they offer during flight.
4.Always carry extra wipes diapers and changes of clothes.  You never know if or when you will need more.  Expect the unexpected.
5.  Arrive early to the airport, give yourself time to unload and check in.  Try to web check in if you can cuts down on time dealing with lines and we all know how well kids do in lines.
6.  Use the family line while going through security they are more understanding of your needs and will not rush you.  
7. Have all your liquids and stuff ready to get out and bring extra zip-lock bags, they always have a use.
8. Remember there are new rules regarding formula, juice, and breast milk with regards to security so make sure you read the current rules.
9. If you are bringing a car seat to take on board make sure it is OK to be used on an airplane.  Don't assume not all of them are.  Chicco key fit infant seats are and you don't need the base to install it on the airplane or in a possible rental vehicle.
10. If you are staying at a hotel call ahead and see if they offer a porta crib if they don't we have used the pea pod , they work very well and are light weight and very portable.
11. Pack snacks and lots of them.  Cheerios, granola bars, dehydrated fruit, raisins, anything that doesn't contain to much sugar and they like.
12. If all else fails drug them.....I kid I kid :) 

I hope these are helpful, I am in no way an expert just another mom trying to make it to the next day...Good Luck!!

Rose Bowl Watch Party

Rose Bowl Watch Party, originally uploaded by pete4ducks.

We went to the Rice's new fabulous apartment to watch the Rose bowl game. Unfortunately our Ducks lost. We did get some great shots of Carson and Mady checking each other out....Don't you love there bows!!