First Comes Love...

It dawned on me the other day, while staring at my overcrowded refrigerator covered in artwork, that it was time to take down Abigail's work from this past spring and summer to get ready for the new school year. (I can't believe school starts so soon!) So, here it is.  The Spring & Summer 2015 Masterpieces by Abigail Victoria Lauckner  :) A kitchen tile made during art week at summer school  :/ Her first attempt this Spring at drawing people.  I was impressed! Drawing (somewhat) in the lines during gymnastics week this summer An oldie but goodies from last winter  ;) More Picasso-style peeps   Teacher assisted, but one of my favorites!  A keeper, for sure Abigail and my table setting from Mother's Day Tea.  Look closely and you can see her outlined handwriting  :) Dobber art ??  ;) ??  #2  ;) Passionate dobber art! An Origami flower she traced the sh...

This past Tuesday marked 37 weeks for my baby boy, and as the title says, he's full of energy! With all this energy has come some excitement.  For one, he decided after being in a breech position and kindly going head down again at 36 weeks, he would flip back this past week.  I went in for my appointment on Tuesday, and unbeknownst to me, he was transverse. Grrrr.. My doc has been super laid back about interventions, unnecessary testing, ultrasounds, etc, but we decided it was best to help him find his way back down.  Just in case of early labor.  So off I went to L&D that afternoon to have a version (the same thing I had with breech George ).  I could hear him moving everywhere on fetal monitoring for the first 20 minutes.  When Dr. Howard arrived she decided to take a quick ultrasound peak before beginning.  Low and behold, what was once a head sticking out my left side was now a head just inches from vertex.  So instead of a full ve...

Kevin has officially joined me in the mid-thirties! Arguably he could have qualified last year at 33, but this year his fate was sealed. (I only say this out of bitter resentment and fear over having just turned 35!) We celebrated with my family and the kids on Saturday in Leavenworth (drinks downtown followed by burgers and brews back at the place), then on Monday (his actual birthday), I let him sleep in while the kids and I made his favorite coffee and a breakfast sandwich.  Then after work that day I ran to get Indian takeout and a few cupcakes to celebrate one last time. To say it was a low-key year is an understatement.  I feel like I dropped the ball on festivities (insert lame pregnant lady excuses), but I promised him I'd make his 35th worth it.   So the pressure is on next year! Anyway, here are some pictures from the uneventful event that was Kevin's 34th Birthday :) Birthday Jello shots  :) Happy B...

GG Boy!  You're almost two- this is really happening!! Last month we went to your cousin Oskar's birthday party and The Bubbleman was there.  We used to see him all the time when we lived in Seattle, but it had been awhile and was your first time seeing his bubbles in action.  To say you loved it is an extreme understatement, so it seemed only natural to have him come to your party next month.   I can't wait to see your reaction! Lots has been going on this month and you and I have been busy during the week going to the gym, running errands, and playing outside.  You sure weren't a fan of the gym when we started going back last month, but you seem to really like it now, which is great.  It gives me time to fit a bit of exercise into my day and gives you time to play with new toys and kids. Baby will be here before we know it, so I've started throwing it into conversation with you.  The other day I mentioned that there is a baby in...

Abigail has this new, adorable habit of thanking us for things she really likes: "Thank you for buying dis chicken" "Thank you for my dress" and most recently, while at the Space Needle for brunch to celebrate my birthday: "Thank you for your birthday!" It's one of her sweetest habits to date  :) Since my birthday fell on a Tuesday this year, and the kids and I were in Leavenworth with my parents for the week, we celebrated early as a family.  The Sunday before, we went downtown to have brunch at the Space Needle, then rode the monorail to Westlake to buy new shoes for the kids (you know, your typical birthday wish!) Here are some pictures from the day. Riding on Da's head! Unamused locals We had never been to brunch at the Space Needle, but I was impressed!  The kids both got mac and cheese in lunch boxes they were able to take home, and Kevin and I enjoyed a fun 3 course meal with all non-alcoho...

We are cruising right along, baby boy! Lately I've been going to store where little boy outfits catch my eye and fill my heart.  I can't wait to hold you in my arms and cuddle you.  You already strike me as the cuddling, loving type- I hope I'm right  :) This month is a BUSY one with the August Birthdays (Abigail, mine, and Dad's), but next month will be all about you and George!  We've had such a hot summer, so I'm really looking forward to some Fall weather; a time of snuggling up and getting to know you. While you were in a transverse position last month, you are head down now, so that's one less thing to worry about.  There was however a little glitch in your heart rate at your last appointment, so I was hooked up for a NST to make sure everything was fine.   Usually I have a small cup of coffee in the morning with breakfast, but on the morning of your appointment I had slept in, eaten a quick breakfast with my coffee before leaving, th...

Happy Birthday, Abigail!! We had so much fun celebrating this year! Sunday was your party, then yesterday you celebrated at school with a birthday circle and cupcakes, followed by a pizza party and Sundaes with Gma, Uncle Victor, Catherine, and Archie last night. Earlier this week the idea of you turning four seemed so strange to me, but it was like I woke up this morning (the day after your birthday) and thought, "Yep, she's four.  Of course she's four!"  There was something strangely unspoken about yesterday which seemed to solidify it all. You are four, for real! Strange how that works  :) You make us so proud every day and to look back on this last year and reflect upon your growth practically makes Dad and my head spin!  You really are maturing, growing, and becoming more independent every day. Here are some of your most recent updates and favorite things: You love going to school and when asked what you did that day, you si...