An Awesome Couple of Days

It's been a wonderful couple of days... we spent Thanksgiving at Gams and Pops house. It was a chilly day and really beautiful outside. While Gams cooked, Ryenne watched the Macy's parade and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Kai was more interested in going out to play...

The turkey finished a little earlier than expected, but it was fabulous. And of course, my favorite canned cranberries! I joke with my mom that it must be a Hawaii thing to love the vacuum sound of the jelly as it slurps out of the can (so similar to Spam! haha).

So we all headed outside for some fresh air and to play around while Gams was putting the finishing touches on things. Ry went off to run around with Pops and I followed Kai. He is such a boy! Licking rocks and sticks, climbing, ect. Fun!!

playing tag with Pops

tickle session!

and more outside playing before the eat-fest

I just love our "violated" turkey above... hehehehehehe

So we were all in a food/turkey coma for quite a while. I should have taken a picture of the pumpkin pie. Because that was the best pumpkin pie I have ever had in my LIFE!

Yesterday, Pops came over with his helper John and they framed out the loft above the living room. This room changes the entire dynamic of our house. It's the first project that turns our entirely beige spec-house into our home. The first reflection of something that WE did. I am so excited.

The office will be moving up into this loft space when it's complete. It adds about 120 sq. feet to the house. When it's done, we'll have a play room for the kids!! Soooo excited! Other projects we'll be saving for are paint, flooring, ect. One step at a time.

And since we had to move things out of the living room, Ryenne discovered Peek-A-Boo hanging out in the hutch. I had kept him there so I could see him, but he'd be protected. For those that don't know, Peek-A-Boo is my doggy from when I was a little girl... smaller than Ryenne even. "Peeks" has been a huge part of my life and childhood and I didn't want him getting hurt.

Ry asked if she could sleep with "Peeks" last night and I said yes but she has to be gentle with him. And then this morning this is how I find them. Yes.... heart melting!

25 weeks & a date night!!

Yesterday I made 25 weeks! The tummy is getting gigantic and "P-3" is kicking me like crazy. This is one very active little one.... I'm skurrd.

We had a really wonderful, full day yesterday. Ryenne went to school, mom and I went to a prenatal at the birth center, and then we had dinner and a play date at our dear friends the Parayno's house. Bella, Ry, and Kai played for a good 3 hours. I was sure that when we got home the both of them would fall into their beds and snooze the night away. The perfect plan for Peter and I to escape to our date night.

I had visions of setting up a great photo before we left, but it was not to be. When my mom arrived, Kai was cranky and wouldn't go down, Ry was BEYOND cranky. It was kinda a mess and I felt so bad for leaving her with two cranky kids!

But she shoo'd us out and we drove to Southpark Meadows to the big theater for... NEW MOON. The movie started late (of course) and the theater was filled with teenagers. I was happy to see that I wasn't the only wife who dragged her husband along. I had planned to make Peter an "I'm her Edward" t-shirt to wear, but just never had the time to do it. He was such a good sport.

The movie was... well of course... fabulous. We laughed at the teenagers who oogled and made funny comments throughout the show. Even a boy sitting next to me was in on the whole Edward/Jacob thing and had the funniest comments!

I haven't been out to a movie since we saw Wall-E in San Antonio when we first moved here. It was such a treat!

Thanks Mom for watching the cranky kids so we could get an evening out. We had a blast and are so thankful!!

Look at that belly!!!

And here we are just waiting for the movie to start. (Notice I got wear REAL earrings with no kids tugging on them!)

Busy Bee

I've neglected my beloved blog. Honestly, I've been having issues. I think this pregnancy is treating me slightly different than normal. When I was pregnant with Ryenne and Kai, I never felt the urge to nest. NEVER. EVER. And now, I am crazy with hormones. I am trying to get the last bit of editing done on my photography work... but it's neverending (which I'm thankful for) and I have a couple projects I'm working on.

I have attacked the pile of laundry that has grown on my coffee table and put it ALL away. I have committed myself to organizing three small hampers instead of giant ones in hopes that I can keep my laundry pile under control.

My mind is racing trying to find moments to plan further organizing my office, attacking the very scary closet under the stairs (which is basically piled high with things and you cannot even ENTER it). And finally, the master bedroom closet is in severe disarray and gives me headaches to think about it. But I am just itching to go clean it out when I can find some time to do it myself.

For some reason, I feel like March is totally around the corner, which it sorta is, and I need to get things in perfect order. For those who know me really well, I am NOT like this normally at all. Poor Peter is getting scoldings for leaving dishes around without putting water in them, for falling asleep on the couch, not putting the wipes back in the diaper bag, ect.

But it's been nice being a busy bee. Hopefully I can get my house in tip-top shape before P3 gets here and it will just make life that much easier when I have to handle three kiddos.

And on another note... Peter and I are going out on a date Tuesday night. I am BEYOND excited.

Thankfulness

It's November and I should have started this just a little earlier, but yesterday I had time and the kids and I went outside looking for twigs. I happened to have a yellow pot and pine cones, so all I had to do was strip off some leaves and put the twig in the pot.

It was really fun picking out the twig with the kids. Ry was diligent about picking out the right one, while Kai was in his monkey backpack with a leash trying to make a break for the street. Lucky thing he couldn't get very far!

We started our tree with each of our names... we are thankful for each other: mommy, daddy, ryenne, kai. And we're adding new "leaves" daily. Last night, Ryenne said she's thankful for her house. I hope this can become a new Dagupion household tradition. Ryenne has gotten very attached to the tree and likes to place the leaves on herself.

A Fall cold front came in last night. It's a brisk 58 outside right now. LOVELY!
Happy Day Everyone!

Out of the House!!!

The kids are doing sooooo much better. I am feeling better. The last couple of days we've been feeling pretty cooped up in the house. Yesterday Peter and I took the kids outside to play in the side area by our house.

First though, I had two little monkeys jumping on the couch!

Then outside to play...

(I had to bribe her with a chocolate to get this shot!) and then she wanted to do a Longhorns picture to show how much she loves Austin. I like it! (sorry a little out of focus)

Kai boy really enjoyed running around. He is so tiny. Can you believe the onesie he's wearing is size 6 months??

And then Ry found a dandelion.... love these!!! She was making wishes.

Today was a great day as well. We picked up Gams and went to an estate sale. Gams bought me a beautiful vintage rocking chair... very shabby chic. I can't wait to get some photos of it! We went to Texas MedClinic and the kids each got their H1N1 nasal swab. It was an ordeal but I swear they were the last doses left in Austin. They were out of the one that I can have so I'll wait until I find out when/where I can get it. It's terrible the shortage they're having...

Anyway, we hit up another estate sale and the kids got a toy. Sweet! And we finished the day with Gams and Pops coming over for dinner. Ryenne set up Gams' mini Christmas Tree and it's now her night light. She is sooooo excited for Christmas already! I think this is going to be a very magical season!

ugh...

Oh boy... now I am sick. I just want this cold to be out of my house. Ugh... I feel gross. I have sooooo much work to do. This is just terrible timing. My brain can't relax.

Kai is almost back to his 100% happy self. Ry had a really rough night last night. I got sleep but I am still exhausted. The house is a disaster zone. Ugh.

Nico's Boat

Nico's boat took it's maiden voyage today! Here it is... hand built by him. Took lots of time, and isn't "she" cute?

all is right with the world

All is right in the world... in my house anyway... because Daddy brought Ryenne pink sprinkled donuts for breakfast!

We had a rough night last night. Kai thankfully slept due to a dose of Benadryl and a clear nose for breathing. Once it wore off, he was up coughing and sputtering. Poor baby. Ryenne caught the bug and had a crazy fever last night and coughs that sounded like a seal barking. She was such a trooper though. She talked about the sugar factory on Maui until she fell asleep at 12:30. By 4am her fever was raging again. More tylenol... the thing that really gets me is she looked at me and said, "Mama, I brush my teeth and wash my hands. Why did the germs get me?" I could see the wheels at work in her mind. Such a smart cookie.

Now that she's up and about, she is doing better. The seal cough has gone away for now but she is congested. She's happy with her donut and cartoons though. Kai just went down for a little rest.

flashlight walks and a sick boy

Since the time change, it's been so weird seeing it get dark soooo early! It's perfect for going out on flashlight walks though. We've been taking the kids on a walk every night right after dinner - which we've been having a little earlier just cause it seems we all get hungry when the sun goes down.

The kids get bundled (cause, yes, we are cold at 68 degrees) and Ry gets to hold a flashlight. We take different routes through the neighborhood daily. She loves it.

Kai Boy is on day #2 of being sick. I hate seeing him sick. It so rarely happens. He is a miserable little guy right now. He finally fel asleep for a nap just a moment ago. I expect him awake any moment.

Big sister Ryenne is being a super duper helper. I need all the help I can get! I am sooooo behind on editing and the housework.... pwah... what's housework? The house will need some major attention in the coming months. When holiday photography season winds down, I have some closets to organize!!

My mom has been incredibly helpful the past couple of days. She has let me get some sleep. What would I do without her?

two great days, one blog post

What a wonderful weekend!!

We had a great Halloween. Last year Peter had to work during trick-or-treating, so this was the first time he came out with us. Ry was beyond excited. It was chilly outside so she dressed up as a Hippie-Fairy. She looked adorable.





Kai dressed in his Skeleton jammies, but I'm a terrible mother. I misplaced his pants. He was completely clueless anyway. No harm done. :)



This TOTALLY cracked me up. We gave Ry a brown paper sack from Newflower Farmer's Market on purpose. She's a hippie. Well this woman was so cute when Ry went to her house. Just imagine a nice, southern accent, "Oh Child! You can't trick or treat with THAT! Let me get you a better bag, honey!" and she actually brought Ry a full on trick or treat bag!!!

We had a great time walking down our street. Gams and Pops came over and handed out candy at our house. Kai went to bed right on time. It was great.

So today is Peter's birthday. Here are the festivities from today!

Early in the day I took the kids to church. It's a new activity for us. And so far the kids LOVE it. Even Kai wants nothing to do with me when we get there.

Peter requested his favorite cookies: oatmeal white chocolate chip. But Ryenne was still upset that I didn't have a cake for my birthday "No pie mom! You have to have a CAKE for your birthday." so she demanded that Daddy get a cake too.

Gams came over and helped her make her daddy a cake. She got to lick the beaters and put on as many sprinkles as she wanted. Look at that concentration!






Daddy and his princess before slicing into the cake.


I think someone adores his little girl. She is totally his princess!

And here they are.... the most delicious cookies on the planet!!!


THANKS GAMS!!!!