El Cap Camping

Our first family camping trip (legit roughing it- tents, no showers, and campfire cooked meals) was a success! I was as nervous as I was excited to see how Jayme would do sleeping in a tent AND still potty training (3 day method has turned into just over a week... possibly I started too soon, but we can't go back now!)... God answered some prayers and other than the chilly factor the first night (which we reconfigured the tent to be less chilly the second night) and a couple poo-in-the-panties accidents later- Jayme did so well and LOVED it! It only took us 3 hours (including time to stop for some Del Taco) to get from our house to El Capitan (and we left at 5pm on a Friday!!)... Grampa and Bebba weren't so lucky... they had close to a 5 hour drive each (Ryan did some course mapping and we took a scenic back route to bypass most of LA traffic, and I would take that route again even if LA was traffic free!) It was almost as if we were no longer in Southern California once you get off the main freeways! I could almost live up there in beautiful nowhere land, California! Anyway- back to the actual camping trip... we arrived as the sun was just about down for the night, and we quickly devised a plan to set up our new circus tent (note, if we had any prior practice assembling it, we might have had it up within 10-15 minutes... not an hour and 30 minutes later!). Once all of our crap camping essentials were unloaded and semi-situated in the tent, we put the Nugget to bed, and enjoyed the clean air and campfire annnnnd some fancy pink wine in fancy plastic wine cups... highlight of night one- for me personally it was the gorgeous drive to a beautiful destination with little to no traffic on a Friday... for everyone else the highlight was probably laughing hysterically at my attempt to use Jayme's princess potty chair because I am too girly to squat and too lazy/chicken to walk to the dark bathrooms at 11:30 at night (note- 2 liters of water and 3 glasses of wine is too much liquid for one little bladder!)
annnnyway... the next morning we woke up around 6:30 (for some reason it doesn't seem that early when your camping). Operation coffee and cocktails commenced (anything goes when you're roughing it!) and we soon had bellies full of eggs and bacon and banana nut muffins... While Ryan enjoyed some solitary shore fishing (the fish had other plans), the rest of us enjoyed watching Jayme make friends with neighboring campers and exploring the campgrounds... after a lazy afternoon of attempting to nap in the heat, we headed to the shore shop for some ice cream before embarking on a most awesome walk around El Capitan's rocky point and the trails that surround the campground... truly one of the most beautiful places I've ever been in California! Night two included campfire cones (can't go camping without a little something from pinterest!), ribs and tri tip on the campfire grill and quality fam time... we missed having Stace there though... next time!
Sad as we were to leave on Sunday, it was nice to be home (within 2 hours!) and have the day to unpack, SHOWER, and unwind before the week started back up. Things we learned from this trip: don't drink alot of liquid after 8 or you'll be forced to use a toddler potty chair or squat, sleeping bags are a must for all three of us, leave 2/3 of the clothing at home, invest in a french press for the next time, skuuzi's are incredible, bring more underwear for potty training toddler, and invest in decent chairs to sit around camp...

toddler size headlamp = legit little camper

Grampa gettin his jam on at breakfast

Bebba & Nugget time (gotta soak it up before Bebba leaves us all for Australia ;-)

"Peee-Pa" time (not sure how she went from "gampa" to "peee-pa")

enjoying her uncle Alex visit

Nugget being Nugget...

Ryan getting his morning fish on... grampa going in the ocean (had to get this on camera to prove it actually happened)... and a pretty butterfly along our walk (i chose not to stop long enough to capture a photo of the skunk on that same trail)

camp cookin'

campfire cones in lieu of s'mores... totally worth the change-up!

camp breakfast... banana pancakes, fried eggs, bacon, and fresh strawberries- complete with Ryan's "MacGyver Coffee"

bye-bye baby...

Last week we converted Jayme's crib into a toddler bed (a- so she would stop getting hurt trying to climb out, and b- so she would be able to use the potty at night when we start potty training soon)... I think we mentally prepared as much as we physically prepared her room! Much to our surprise, she LOVES her big girl bed! We baby gated her doorway so she can't get herself into trouble at night, and I spent all of March baby-proofing her room completely (i.e. moved the office stuff out of her room and finding a home for everything that was piled up in her room). The first night we went to put her to bed she was so excited as she ran up to her bed and said, "beh?! beh?!"... she didn't even want to be cuddled by her daddy that first night, she was anxious to climb into her big girl bed all by herself and put herself to sleep- I thought this was just lucky night one, for sure she would cry or get up several times and play, etc... but much to our surprise she LOVES her bed and STAYS in it! There have been a handful of times she has gotten up at night, but I didn't notice until the morning when I noticed toys out, or her babies tucked in with pacifiers she had dug out of her drawer for them in the middle of the night. My favorite part about her big girl bed is that she will wake up and chat with her babies or read a book in bed before calling me in to get her (she doesn't get out of bed until I come get her! LOVE IT!)
So now that we have had 2 weeks of toddler bed success, we are on to potty training. I am anxious to get her trained because a- diapers are ridiculous expensive, and b- her diaper rashes will go away and STAY away (I assume)... however, as excited as we are to get her potty trained, I can't help but think this is just one more transition of our baby girl turning into a little girl. I am clinging to those last little baby phases as she is simultaneously pushing her limits and trying to be a big girl :she sits at the table without her high chair now, diapers and soothes her baby dolls, carries on full conversations with us- even though we understand about 1/4 of it- tries to dress and undress herself, hates having a diaper on if she can help it, says "noooo- good-byEEE!" when she is trying to focus on something and doesn't want help (coloring, when she goes number 2 and needs privacy, brushing her teeth, getting into mommy's makeup drawer...) she is getting so big so fast, it makes me sad and proud all at once. Its precious to watch her and her girlfriends develop actual playmate friendships and I love how she will rehash/gab about her playdates with her daddy after work and for the next day or two she begs to go play with "Au-rey" or "lie-ly"... I wish we didn't live so far away from her friends, but Lord willing we will find a house and a location that meets all of our needs soon enough.

Daddy teaching her how to roll down the hill (she couldn't get enough, and I couldn't get enough of watching his joy in being a hands on daddy)

lovin' on baby Jax with her mommy (she is such a mommy's girl- "my mommy!")

big girls eating lunch at their big girl table (seems like yesterday they had baby food and high chairs!)

loves her big girl swing at Grampa's house

"Au-rey" and "Mae-me" are independent little divas... we are gonna be in trouble with these two!

full on conversating in their own language

my favorite picture. (what you don't see is lil' miss independent wanting to hold Age's bag and walk- no being held by mommy in public!)

February & March wrap up...

29 came and went way. too. fast! i can't believe its already going on mid-April and i STILL haven't written a post about turning 30... (not that anything is drastically different) I think there is this notion that we will wake up a different or radically changed person on these milestone birthdays... but alas, I am officially 30 (and then some) and nothing has changed other than my mindset to live this decade out with a greater appreciation for life and a passion to live it to my fullest potential (check back often as I am sure there will be days I will need to remind myself of this "new-and-improved mindset")
I took the month of March to do some major spring cleaning purging and limit my crafting until I have created a sense of order and necessity within our home (and weirdest thing- cleaning house has made me feel rejuvenated as well! I'm kinda addicted to this feeling and March has now carried into April)... Other than being a homebody (with occasional play-dates and tutoring for mine and Jayme's sanity sake), we really didn't do a whole lot this past month. Rather than write a novel on what's been happening (or not happening) within the past 2 months, I'm just gonna go the picture route (enter the phrase- "picture worth a thousand words" )

keeping me distracted from surprise party shenanigans (food being prepped, jayme resting up on nana's rug, random walk, mission inn date night)

late night preparations for the big day

she had as much fun as i did!

surprise!

 30th Brithday Video Montage (made by Stacey)

B.F.F.'s

Easter (egg hunt, drama queen, precious moments....and jelly beans)

 more to come....

not quite 2... going on 16...

 
In just 2 months you will be 2 years new to the world, although your need-for-independence-attitude and lively personality will beg to differ... you are incredibly sassy, with the sweetest demeanor... we knew from the very moment we first felt you move (you liked to play hard to get with your feet) that you had a vivacious personality, and apparently our instincts were correct! You are extremely animated and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to laugh and be silly!
Other things you currently love:
*"Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" with over 2 months of on and off being sick and discovering you have severe allergies you have become a major mommy cling-on (which I am not taking for granted because I know that all too soon I will be missing the days you were my lil' mommy's girl)
*Your daddy's "night night sleepy girl" snuggle time before bed every night (that is one time you DON'T want mommy, only daddy will do)
*Calliou and Happy Feet (you have figured out how to turn on the tv and computer in your room to get your morning or evening fix of your favorite cartoon, and when you can't figure it out you bring the remote to one of us and insist on "ky-ky" or "app fee! app fee!")
*Your girlfriend Audrey (you carry her valentine's picture around with you to the point we needed to tape her back together again)... whenever I say we are going to see your friend, your excited response is always "au-rey?! au-rey?!"
*Gam-pa (it's precious that you recognize when we are a few blocks away we are on our way to "gam-pa's!")

*"ahhhh-ahhhh-ah!" with Nana
*pretty sure you love them equally as much as you love getting a rise out of Bebba and Taycie by calling Bebba "Taycie" and ignoring Taycie all together when prompted to say her name
*Uncle "Alice"
*anything that resembles chocolate or something sweet (it's crazy how you just know a package you've never seen, smelled, or tasted contains something sweet that you MUST have!)
*kitties, puppies, and finding the moon
*headbands, "gasses" (sunglasses), and your shoes- crocs, sparkly TOMS, and your cowgirl boots especially
*going to the park ("side! side!" <slide> or "sing! sing!" <swings>)
*pretending to talk on the phone (even if its a remote control, a shoe, or mom's camera)
*reading, reading, and more reading (and I LOVE that you love to read!)

Other noteworthy milestones:
* the way you say "AAAA-MEN" after grace and bedtime prayers
* the way you say "aaa-mo" after we say "love you!" (Bebba taught you "te amo" and it's awesome that you know to respond in Spanish when we say it in English... but that's as far as we've come with learning Spanish so far)
* the way you say "I wuuuuv ou" when you want to be sweet (and when you don't say it in Spanish)
* you have figured out how to put your shoes on, take your clothes off (and your diaper- doh!) and climb out of your crib... you are also pretty good at putting on your hats, headbands (or insisting that daddy wear one with you) and sunglasses
* you won't eat kraft mac n' cheese (a childhood staple), but you will chug down a spinach and kale smoothie every morning (I love your quirks)
* you count by yourself (with your own numbers) when you go in a time out, up or down stairs, and when mommy is doing pull-ups/push-ups or Jayme lifts (I need to get this recorded because it melts my heart)
* you are learning to pedal your tricycle
* you are great at asking for "help please" (verbal and signing)
* you are pretty good at saying "bess you" after someone sneezes (but if its daddy, you like to copy his sneeze repetitively), and you are getting consistent with your please and "ank you" (verbal and signing)

Your daddy and I can't believe how fast you have grown right before our eyes (and literally overnight!)
Don't grow up too fast though... we are too busy enjoying these little moments while you are still our "baby doll"

terrible two's....

as i am doing the dishes, i notice lil' bug attempting to put her crocs on by herself... earlier today it was her boots (she refused help when I tried to correct right from left), then her black dress shoes (she loves the tapping sound they make everywhere she pitter-patters stomps)... i think what's terrible about two's is that this is when that precious lil' baby you've been coddling for the past couple dozen months really starts growing right before your eyes (the physical transformation from baby to toddler, to little girl), becoming more independent, needing mommy and daddy less and less (or so she insists until a meltdown of frustration overcomes her).... a few days ago Ryan went to check on our chatty (supposed to be napping) princess, only to find her clean diaper in hand and a crib and little girl covered in poo- literally smeared into her hair down between her toes and in every nook and cranny of her crib. She thought it was hilarious as we quickly went into cleanup mode (only time for a mental picture since neither of us had a phone or the camera handy to take a quick snapshot of this "not-funny-now-but-sure-to-be-hilarious-later" moment). It drives me bonkers that she insists on having her diaper off (often times right before she has to poop- maybe time to potty train?) and she is finally able to take her clothes off so needless to say we officially have a stubborn streaker on our hands (of course she is butt naked minus the headband and her shoes of choice- always a little diva). This stage of learning demanding her independence has taught me more than I realized I needed to learn about patience. Sadly (and shamefully), I never actually knew what made Job such a "patient" person in the Bible... so after being fed up one night with my tantrum-throwing-not-quite-two-climbing-her-way-onto-and-out-of-everything-diva, I took a quiet me-time-moment to open my Bible and find out what this patient Job guy was all about... needless to say- I have a walk in the park on my hands compared to his situation, and I have found myself constantly (literally a dozen + times a day) reminding myself of how incredible his patience level was as he was tested in Biblical proportions...  the terrible part about two is saying good-bye to my sweet baby girl, and hello to a little girl who is trying/fighting to find her independence in this little world of hers...

"i'm gonna take this bag out to the trash... what's the big deal?!"

our streaker stripped down and found a quiet place to read her daddy's engineer manual... this is just one of those pictures worth a thousand words i had to sneak (While I was making dinner, I found her here after I realized it was too quiet in the living room- priceless)

shower time!

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of throwing my girlfriend's baby shower... thanks to Pinterest, my Cricut, and my newest addiction of finding the best bargain on supplies (although some things are worth the splurge) Calista's shower was a success! A big thank you to my sis (Stace) who stayed up till 1 AM with me as we set up and puffed the poms (who knew the smaller the pom, the more difficult they are to fluff?!- next time I am doing all big poms)...

Mommy-to-be

labor of love

simple dessert

family love

my faves <3

darn patio lighting...

Parker Family of 3... soon to be 4!

how i spend my down time...

When I can wiggle some me time in (aside from the norm of a SAHM day of pinteresting, errands, entertaining a toddler, cleaning, cooking, cleaning some more, laundry, showering, etc...) I have found crafting to be my relax time (obviously if I could go to a yoga class followed by a day spa with complete pampering from head to toe that would definitely trump my craft time as my ideal me time... but back to reality). Ryan will tell you that the type-A in me becomes crazed and stressed over my "relaxing" hobby, but for the most part it brings me satisfaction and joy in making people smile with a homemade card or invite...
annnnd it keeps me sane since I can't do any major decorating/remodeling to our rental house :-)

invites

miscellaneous cards

my favorite project so far! Magnet bubble letters... my next plan is to make Jayme a set of ABC's

pure joy...

I think I've found my new go-to-video when I need a pick-me-up on a glum day... seriously, how can a child's hysterical laughter (over nothing more than a little dog) not put a smile on one's face?!

Super Bowl Sunday

After being cooped up for most of the month of January, it felt great to have a reason to get out of the house... and the incentive of family, friends, football and food was a great excuse to get out. Unfortunately, our little congested nugget couldn't handle Grampa's BBQ for very long (I think this sinus infection of hers has taken up permanent residence in our little girl's nose). I have to say that for being one of the smoggiest cities in California, Riverside has sure surprised us with gorgeous weather every party/BBQ we have had this year!

food, friends, fun, and a full parking lot (driveway and street! annnnd this is the first party that everyone parked accordingly- no one got blocked in, drove over the edge of the driveway, and no fender benders!)

a little congestion didn't keep this snotty-bug down :-)

simple advice...

"accept it... change it... or move on"

My Nonnie reminded me of this simple piece of advice that my Papa used to give (if you knew the man, you wouldn't be surprised at these blunt words... he didn't beat around the bush... he was a take it or leave it straight-forward kinda guy). These words, although simple, were the prefect way to sum up our past week. While it has been an incredibly difficult and sad week, it has also been a reality check to embrace the life we have been given and be ready for any change-ups that will surely be along the way (I'm beginning to look at life as a marathon of hurdles... its how we pace ourselves in between those hurdles that will help us succeed in this life race- corny... I know, but it's what came to mind.... okay- really corny). After the initial shock wore off, sadness and acceptance that this is a "non-changeable" situation kicked in... and I have to say that having an incredibly supportive family and beautiful little girl really helped Ryan and I with the "move on" phase... While we will always remember the child we won't get to meet here on earth, our focus is on our beautiful little girl that we have already been blessed with and whats in store for our little White Family future.

I haven't really been in a blogging mood... so here is a quick look back at where we've been and where we're headed after this life-changing week. (ps... the picture quality is lame because I used my phone for quick snap shots throughout the week)

I can help make dinner mommy... does bear soup work for you? (she seriously was the best medicine for this mommy's heart)

Mom is on a "get-her-body-back-in-shape-and-healthy-before-getting-pregnant-again" kick... so I'll have a kale and spinach breakfast smoothie each day... mmmmm green goodness :)

this darn sinus infection refuses to leave me alone... Doctor's office twice in one week for this sick lil' bug (second round of antibiotics seem to be doing the trick)

PERFECT way to cap off our week. (the rainbow... not the rain)

a hiccup in my party planning... but I finally got all 40 handmade shower invites out on time! The show must go on :)

picture worth a thousand words. <3 her

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us this week.... I cannot tell you enough how touched I was (and Ryan as well) to know that so many people responded with messages, phone calls, texts, etc... honestly I figured just our immediate family and friends would read and know what was going on, but the outpouring of love and support have been incredible in the healing process. Thank you :)