Bucket List Accomplishment

For a few years now, I've created an annual bucket list. Reflecting back on these, most of my year's lists have included two things I've yet to cross off. The first being a weekend getaway or small vacation of the husband and myself. So sad but since kids, we haven't really had that much alone time. In fact, I could probably count on both hands if not one hand the number of dates we've been on in the last 3 1/2 years. Next year we are approaching our 5 year wedding anniversary and you better believe my 2016 bucket list will yet again include a little getaway for Mike and I. 

The other item that's been on several year's bucket list is learning to make my grandmother's culverts. What are culverts you ask, well only the best thing in the entire world! Culverts are a coiled tube like pastry filled with a creamy vanilla custard. My grandmother has been making these for years and I'm not sure anyone in my family knows how to make them. These delightful treats are devoured in a hurry at Christmas. So this past Friday, instead of black Friday shopping, my sister, sister-in-law and a few cousins went over to my grandma's house to learn the ropes. 

My sweet grandma got up at 5:30 am to begin making the batches of dough. In total 4 batches of dough were made to create endless culverts. We started at 9 am and baked, filled, stored and cleaned up by 12:30. These treats take some time, they are by no means a 30 minute creation. It will be awhile before I tackle making them on my own, but I'm so happy I was there to learn from the best. It was a wonderful morning with family baking and having a few more people meet Jett.

Two weeks old

Yesterday our little peanut turned two weeks old. I love watching him grow and change but could time please slow down?!? I need to soak up more of him and I'm not even close to being ready to head back to work any time soon. 

Jett is a wonderful baby! He's pretty mellow, likes to sleep, eat and poop. The only time he really fusses is when he's STARVING, overly tired, cold, or needs a diaper change. When he's awake he's highly alert and loves to gaze into your eyes. He's filling out because he loves to eat. Right now he's chugging around 3 ounces every 3 to 4 hours. Last night he only got up once in the night and then woke up at 6 am.


Today we had his 2 week check up and things are going very well. His umbilical cord stump has fallen off and he's weighing in at 9 pounds 1 ounce and is 21 inches long. That means he's gained 1/2 pound and grew an inch in two weeks! That explains why he's hungry all the time. :)

He's the best blessing to us and the perfect addition to our family. I hope his mellow personality sticks with him. Either way I can't wait to watch him grow.   

First Snow 2015

Well the weatherman was correct on Friday. They predicted a snowstorm and we got a snowstorm. The snow started around 11 am with light flurries and gradually got heavier. By the afternoon we had big snowflakes and the ground was covered. Snow continued to fall through the night to early morning. We were left with a great first snow fall of about 10 inches.

Sullivan was more than excited to get outside and shovel and play. By 8:30 he was all bundled up and ready to help the boys. We live in such a great neighborhood. One were everyone helps one another shoveling and plowing their driveways.

After play was done, what happens next is well, just expected. HOT CHOCOLATE!! Sullivan has his very own "coffee" mug and we made fresh hot chocolate to warm back up.

Here's to a white Christmas, I hope!

Tis the Season

With cooler temperatures, wind and rain it's definitely feeling like snow flurries could fly at any time. The forecast says chance on Friday and Saturday. Between the weather and all the Christmas stuff in every store. I'm just itching to get the house decorated. There's a good chance that could happen this weekend. 

About a month or so ago, Mike and Sullivan were having a conversation about Christmas. Mike mentioned the idea of Sullivan possibly having his own tree in his room and how cool that would be. Sullivan's eyes lit up and he's mentioned in at least once a week since. I knew the cute little mini trees in all types of colors at Target would be perfect. Sullivan had seen them and picked out the blue one. A few cheap decorations, some battery operated lights and star and his room was about to get a little jollier. 

Yesterday evening we decorated that tree. Sullivan placed all the ornaments on himself, helped string the lights on and once it was all finished lit it up. It's beautiful! What kid wouldn't want their own Christmas tree in their room?!

Seahawks Fans and meeting Grandma and Papa

This past weekend we had some special visitors. Mike's parents came to visit and meet Jett for the first time. We had a lovely time together and as always Sullivan was spoiled with his grandma's attention. Those two can play for hours and hours!

Along with their visit, we had a big Seahawks game to watch that evening. I'm a big Seattle Seahawks fan so I love dressing my boys up in some fan gear with me. Thanks Auntie Stacy for making these cool hats. Sullivan seems to think his resembles a dinosaur. Unfortunately for us, the Seahawks haven't been doing so well this year so we had another loss in the season, but Sullivan and Jett sure looked good! Maybe this week's game will be different..

The first week with Jett

Life is pretty wonderful. From leaving the hospital to welcoming Jett home. 

Welcoming Sweet Jett

So life with Jett is pretty awesome. So far he's been an excellent baby. Sullivan has also been doing well in his new, big brother role. He's very good in helping get things, is intrigued with me nursing/pumping and loves to assist with diaper duty. Sullivan talks about Jett as one in our family to his friends at school. Whenever we talk about doing things and going places at home, Sullivan is quick to mention that Jett is coming too. I love that he's quickly adjusted to our newest member. It makes this momma's heart very happy.

Like any normal only child, Sullivan has had a few impatient moments and melt downs but less than I expected. Sullivan is also doing well at night not waking up or getting out of bed when Jett wakes up. And he's also adjusted back into his routine of school again. So far adjusting to two is going smoother than expected. 

We had family and friends come to visit us at the hospital and at our house. I have also been spoiled this week having Mike be at home to help. If only we could do this forever. Next week will be another new transition phase as Mike heads back to work. This means it will be me and the little man Jett at home for the rest of my maternity leave. I'm looking forward to bonding with him and soaking in my time away from work. I know my maternity leave will go fast with two holidays in there and the short days of fall and winter. 

Thank you everyone for the congratulations on Jett's arrival. 

41 weeks, welcome Jett!

On Saturday I hit the 41 week mark. I knew I would despite everyone saying "you'll go on your own this time." My induction was set weeks in advance for this ending date and although a part of me wanted to believe everyone including the doctors that there was an actual chance of me going on my own, I got induced Saturday morning starting at 7:30 am. 

The end result on Sunday morning at 4:42 am was a beautiful 8 pound 9 ounce baby boy. Jett Linus entered this world perfectly! This delivery was much smoother than Sullivan. Unlike Sullivan, I felt contraction until I was ready for pain relief, and for the most part I was able to have control. Jett cooperated and was willing to be born unlike his stubborn older brother. The labor experience was beautiful and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. The doctors and staff at Iowa Hospital were amazing! We had an excellent delivery doctor and a nurse that was with us for most of the induction process and delivery. She even came back the next day to be our nurse for our first night.

Jett is the perfect missing piece to our little family. He's quiet, calm and alert. So far he's been fairly relaxed only fusing when cold (at diaper changing) and when he's hungry. I hope that continues for us, especially at nights. 

We are blessed with another perfect little boy. I can't wait to see what he becomes in his life. I can already see bits of his personality and look forward to him growing, developing and changing. I just hope it doesn't go too fast!