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!!!!

Satisfied

It's Halloween morning. Ryenne woke up early because she's so excited about trick or treating tonight. It's been on her mind since we went to Buda the other day. This is the first time that she really 'gets it' and it's magical to watch.

I started this blog back in 2005 with the hopes of keeping friends and family in the loop as to what we were doing and watching the kids grow. But I've realized that this blog is really for me. It feels so good to have this record of the kids growth, my feelings and thoughts, and little glimpses into my life that have passed.

Our lives are so 'in the now' that I often forget little details. Just the other day I had a freakout because I couldn't remember exactly how Ryenne's newborn cry sounded. And silly as it sounds, it was a memory that I didn't want to fade away but had. It feels so good to go back in time to a date and see pictures of the kids and remember how I felt. Our minds hold onto big events. The day Ry was born, the day Kai was born. But the 3rd day or the 26th day is a distant memory.

I don't know if it's just the pregnancy or just me as a person growing into my role as MOM, but I find myself pondering things a lot lately. I find myself thinking how material things of the outside world don't matter one little bit. I find myself so happy, so overjoyed, at the life that we've made here in Austin. I love dancing with Ry and Kai to her favorite Taylor Swift song and leaving all the dishes in the sink. They can wait. Time flies too fast to miss a beat.

I'm so happy that my husband is my very best friend and that he encouraged me to do what I love to do even though I go through dry spells and sometimes it's hard financially. We get through it. Love is amazing.

Later tonight we'll get the kids in their costumes and do some trick or treating. Gams and Pops are coming over and it will be a fun evening! Life is good.

Randomness

We had a great night out in Buda last night trick-or-treating along Main Street with Ry, Kai, Jackson and his family. I have some pictures, but I am just too swamped to get them up right now. It's been a busy week for photography (yay!) with another busy week next week as well. This is good since I had payments to the birth center due! It's always something...

This morning Kai has figured out that the rubbish can is so much fun. First he put his diaper in and started clapping. Then he put his pacifier in. Then he ran into my office and grabbed files which he dumped. The office door will now remain closed and I think I'm moving the rubbish can into the laundry room. I hope he doesn't start throwing things in the toilet. Sometimes Ry forgets to close the door after she goes.

We went grocery shopping the other day and HEB had eggnog and peppermint flavoring for coffee. I think this "officially" starts my favorite season. The kids both loved the eggnog and my coffee now has a festive flair!

Should be a wonderful weekend! Halloween tomorrow and Peter's birthday on Sunday. I hope Ry doesn't ask about a pumpkin. We went to the patch but didn't buy a pumpkin. She hasn't asked about it yet. I think she's more excited for candy.

Even Snack Is Entertaining!

My Kai Boy... already a toddler!

pumpkin patch!

I had a little mini-session with a cute 4 month old at a pumpkin patch Friday afternoon. The kids and Peter came along and we snapped a few cute shots before my clients arrived.

Kai kept trying to pick up the biggest pumpkins. It was really funny!

And this was really the best I could get of the two of them together. As soon as Kai sat down he gave his "Kai Boy Face" and then got up and took off. It's so hard getting them to sit together!!

I did it...

I have been going back and forth on whether or not to cut Kai Boy's hair. For some reason, it grows longer on the top of his head and it is now at the point where it lands directly in his eyes. Unless, of course, I do a comb-over and then it hardly ever stays.

I had a hard time deciding because I love the little baby hair whispy's. But it's to the point where it's bugging him and I can't put it in a ponytail on top of his head like I did to Ry.

So this morning I cut off just a little bit so it's not in his eyes anymore. It's not quite straight, but it works!! I might need Gams to help me clean it up a little bit. Picture later!!

FISHING!!!

Ry has been asking to go fishing for quite some time. I am not much of a fisherman myself... I only like to eat fish. And even then, only when I can't see them staring at me. Nice, clean filet's only please!

The opportunity came up for us to go fishing! Pops awesome clients invited us out to Rosanky to go fishing on their ranch. We drove the hour and a half through beautiful country and arrived to a beautiful afternoon with a breeze.

Ryenne had a ball!!! She loved fishing itself, but like mommy, did not want anything to do with touching the worms or the fish. :)



We were in this really neat gazebo. I had to keep a good eye on Kai cause the dock didn't have any railing. I didn't want the baby boy to go tumbling off. He kept me very busy chasing him!



It's called "FISHING" not "CATCHING" ... took us a little to hook a fish!

And finally we started getting bites!! Dennis, the owner, helped Ry catch all her fish. Here is the very first one she caught, and the final fish of the day... the BIGGEST one!



Poor Pops got skunked. No fish for Pops. But we sure did have a great time and we all were sooooo tired when we got home!

while I was away...

Peter got a couple great shots while I was away and I only now saw them on the little camera!!

Grandma's visit to Austin!!! I wish I could have been there to hang out with her too. I think everyone had a great time. Peter got this image on the camera's timer. But it was waaaay zoomed out and I really didn't want to show my messy house. LOL



The inseparable duo of Ry and Jackson at the Buda Fire Dept gathering in Jackson's neighborhood. They love fire trucks!!

Fun Things

I am not much of a crafter. I can't sew. Crafty ideas don't just "come to me". So I'm very grateful that the teachers at Ryenne's school are so creative and come up with great activities.

Ry brought home this pumpkin today. It's so neat they got to decorate with feathers and pom-poms and yarn!

And as promised... the Christmas letter going to Santa Claus from the munchkin!!!

The silliest things

We started the day with an interesting request for an October morning,

"Mama, can I write a letter to Santa Claus?" Ryenne asked. Of course I thought her head would be spinning with the thoughts of pumpkins to choose and candy to "tricker-treat" for later this month. But Ry is definitely obsessed with Santa and the promise of a sparkly tree with gifts delivered to little boys and girls' who listen to their parents.

We picked out a green piece of paper and I told her to tell me what she wanted to write. Then she decorated it herself with her crayons and a marker.

I will take a picture of it tomorrow. It's filled with the sweetest little three-year old requests:
Jewelry Box
Princess Fishing Pole
Candyland Game
Magic Wand

and a few other things. But her eyes sparkled when we went over the list and I am so happy to see that magic in her eyes. These next few months will be fun indeed!

Fun at Zilker Park

I love Zilker Park. It's been far too long since I took Ry and Kai there. It was just so hot this summer. But today it was a brisk 60 degrees and we met up with our friends Katie, Jackson, and Hogan and took a ride on the Zilker Zephyr Train. I would have loved to take pictures, but just imagine holding a 3 year old, a 1 year old, and a camera :) Makes for an interesting time. hehehe

Anyway, it was pretty funny getting Kai dressed. He is usually Mr. Nakey-Pants around the house. Always just a diaper and MAYBE a t-shirt. So this morning when I was dressing him he was looking at me like I was crazy. "Pants, what the heck are these?" it looked like he was thinking.

I figured I'd put him one of his super cute shirts from SuperSweetCreations that I'm supposed to photograph and haven't gotten to because it was so hot. Well sure enough... he really didn't want to pose for pictures. He just wanted to play. What else should I have expected?



Ryenne had so much fun playing with her buddy Jackson. Jack and Hogan are such cute little guys. Pretty soon Hogan will be walking around and then me and Katie are in BIG trouble!!





Zilker Park has so many great things... the train, an amazing view, and a really awesome playscape.


I'm so proud of Ry on the balance beam! So much more graceful than Mommy!!



The kids loved playing with all the little pebbles. See the purple nail polish? We did that last night. Ry is on cloud 9 cause she picked out the color herself at Target.

Okay... so I tried to bribe Kai to let me take some shots of him with his awesome shirt. Bribing with chocolate goldfish that I found in the diaper bag.... yeah... not so flattering to the shirt but definitely cute nonetheless!



And one last parting shot.... Kai on the stairs. I think he liked the stairs with the rail better than the playscape itself. Up and down, down and up.... and then we came home and had chicken noodle soup which Ry spilled on herself. So she dressed up in her new purple dress from Grandma.

19 weeks, 2 days

I can't believe I'm almost half way through P-3's pregnancy. Peter and Ry are convinced it's a girl, so we'll probably just start calling my tummy Mari already. I still don't have a feeling either way, but so far the pregnancy is more similar to when I was hapai with Kai. Ryenne made me more sick. LOL


19 weeks, 2 days

In all honesty though, the tummy looks seriously bigger by the end of the day. Gravity at work!

And here's a few of me and my lovebug while Ry is at school today