Baby Boy Duncan is coming!!

There is so much more to document but I fear that as long as I have a computer hidden in a room where I can't watch my kids, my alone time for blogging is few and far between. It is also spent doing things other than blogging. The fact that this is like a family journal is what motivates me. I must confess, I like snooping onto my friends sights and see what they are up to. I love a new post, so here is one from me. Many people I have seen in the past 5 months know that I am pregnant. Currently I am 22 weeks and we are expecting a baby boy sometime in April. There is a small abnormality where the placenta has only one artery where normal ones have two but so far everything looks normal. Sigh of relief.
I really contemplated whether or not to have anymore children for many reasons, but mostly on how poorly I react to not having any sleep when they are small. Jamin agreed to get up with the kids in the morning when the new baby comes so I can function better(one of the stipulations on having another child) Now that our little guy is on his way I am beyond excited I almost wish this wasn't my last. My legs of course are a mess but as long as I wear these REALLY sexy compression tights I can walk around without pain. So life is good. We decided not to take a job in Colorado. Although it would have been a good career move for Jamin neither of us really felt good about it. Zoe is finally in a preschool 3 days a week in the morning which she loves. 2 of her best buds are in her class with her. I just need to figure out what to do with her for the rest of the day...? She seems to thrive off of a schedule and having structure to her day. She is constantly asking me "what are we doing today?, how about after that?" I need a good chore chart/activity chart/ ect. My little Jude turned 2 in Oct. and deserves his own post for that one, but he is such a talker. I am amazed with the things he knows of which I never taught him. I mean, he seriously speaks in clear complete sentences(but he says "W" instead of "L"). Neither kid is a great eater so Jude is still taking formula a bit but basically it's in a sippy cup. He is still sucking on a pacifier. Every so often he'll spit it out and say,"I'm a big kid". Don't know where he got that from. I am slowly potty training him which is such a bigger pain with boys than girls simply because our toilet doesn't have a splash gaurd and he's to short to stand up and aim. My plan is to have him in a big boy bed in his room eating like a big boy and going potty like a big boy months before the new baby comes. Time will tell. At least I don't feel like I'm being drugged with sleeping pills like I did at the beginning of the pregnancy. I might actually accomplish some of my goals.

Yes, we were in Colorado

Not totally settled back in the swing of things but getting there. Jamin worked for 6 weeks in Boulder, Colorado. The kids and I tagged along. We lived in a Residence Inn. Here is proof. On the weekends he wasn't working we got out and saw the sights. We visited the Rockies and saw the largest animals I've ever seen in the wild. These elk were enormous! There was a rumor that the hotel "The Shining" was filmed in was in Estes Park so we had to see it. Turns out, it wasn't filmed there but conceived there by Stephen King. Jamin wasn't as impressed by that scenario. The best part of the whole trip for me was visiting with old roommates and friends that had moved there over the years. One of my old roommates who I hadn't seen in years had my kids spend the night at her house while Jamin and I went out for my birthday! Life saver!!! Jamin and I ate at one of the if not the best eating establishments. It was called Frasca. Yummy! we even made it to a ghost town. I really missed home while I was there and I became even more grateful for the great life I have back in Huntington Beach.

The Party

The party was a success!! We rented a bounce house which I thought was great. You get to have it all day long and adults can jump in it too. That's Robert Holmes doing a back flip. Who knew? It kind of turns out to be a big deal for me because my family comes from Bakersfield for the occasion so I stress probably more than I should. This year I was prepared. A few of Zoë's best buds came to celebrate with us. I got a pinata as an activity not really knowing how it would go with a bunch of little kids but even though it was more child proof than expected it was fun to watch the kids whack at it and it also gave them all lots of turns. After it was over Zoë said to me,"that was the best birthday ever!" All worth it, just for those words.

Zoë is 4!!

Four years ago I became a parent. Probably the most traumatic thing I've ever done. I have not slept the same since. It has also been the most fulfilling and rewarding one too.
Things my little 4 year old does:
She makes Jim Carrey faces and thinks she is the funniest thing ever.
She loves Scooby Doo, Dora, Princess, Hello Kitty, Strawberry shortcake and Barbie
She loves to sing. Loud.
She can sing the words to Scooby doo, and Princess and the Frog(there are others but these are her favorite right now)
She loves her friends
She loves to play with her brother
She loves Disneyland
She hates going underwater in the swimming pool
She loves popcorn
She loves to count
She loves to sit in the very back of the car with a friend
She loves to negotiate, nothing is ever "ok mom", it's ALWAYS "how about .......this or this instead"
She loves to play on the computer and is pretty good at it too.
She loves to play games, bingo, CandyLand, Old Maid
She is the shortest of all her friends
She only weighs 4 pounds more than her brother
She has the best laugh and the most painful whine
She is our little cutie and is so much fun to see her excited about things. She makes me laugh. She is growing up so fast. Happy Birthday ZoZo!

Chalk and bubbles

A few bubbles and chalk really went a long way. We BBQ'd and I made homemade ice cream, hot fudge sauce, and choc. chip cookies in honor the Faulkner family. I have to carry on some traditions. I know my sister Tricia was in Bakersfield stirring up her own batch of homemade ice cream too. Yum!

4th of July parade

4th of July parade

My Dad and nephew, Dylan came into town for the weekend so the I wanted them to see what Huntington Beach has to offer for the 4th of July. Normally I end up in Bakersfield at my mom's house for the 4th. She has had a party on this day for as long as I can remember. Many families that I grew up with have faithfully attended it for more than 30 yrs. Now she is done throwing them and I'm trying get my family to come to Huntington for the 4th. First of the festivities was the parade on Main street. We have lived on Main street or downtown for years so I have never had to battle the crowds. Thankfully it didn't scare me off to try it again next year. We got to sit in front of our friends house and Zoe loved that cause she got to see some of her friends:) My dad was so impressed with how patriotic everyone is down here. Our street was lined with American flags . People on the parade route and all those who attend seem to come in red, white and blue ready to honor our country. The homes are adorned with pride as well. Kind of nice to see and to remember what a great country we have.

Sea World 2010

Here we are again. Thanks to Brittany Bradshaw and the education week at Sea World we were able to go for a day at a smokin deal. Many of our friends went and it was a fun day. Although, I sat on a bench while Jude napped and missed the polar bear and vomiting walrus. Instead, I got to listen to a lady scream at her kids. Did she not see that I was sitting 5 feet away?
Zoe is our little ball of energy and loved to point out the fish and loved the flamingos because they are pink. Jude loves twice as much because he loves whatever Zoe loves plus what he loves. They were great and we were tired by the end of the day. We didn't stop there though. We met up with some friends at a BBQ joint that I can't remember the name of now but it has a line for days to get in and we brought with us 6 kids under the age of 3 with us. Nothing was broken and no clothes needed to be stripped off so I considered the night a success.

Soccer star

I am so impressed by Zoe. The sometime fearful child took soccer by the horns and does great. Don't get me wrong they are 3yr olds and are just learning to trap, kick, and dribble. One never knows how each child will take to something, so far we have found a keeper with soccer. At least for today. I was just impressed to see she was coordinated. She informed me she is not going back to swim class(she's wrong). She was even twinners with her soccer coach except her shorts were pink. Too cute!

Swim lesson

Zoe's first swim lesson!!! She is so big now. Swim lessons, soccer practice, next thing I know she'll be taking driver's ed. Her life is flashing before my eyes. We brought a cheering squad of dad a brother. For her first lesson she did great! She is not quite ready to let go of the instructor but she did hang on the wall contently. Baby steps.

Easter! Easter!Easter!

Easter is still going on here at the Duncan household several weeks later. The whole concept of eggs being hidden and then finding them again has not lost it's appeal. Zoe begs for me to hide the eggs and toys throughout the day. Most of the time she hides them herself and then hunts them. Somehow, that version of hunting is great too. I am torn as to whether I should just put the eggs away completely so I don't have to deal with them anymore or continue to let them entertain her even though I am over hiding easter eggs or talking about eggs or having egg parties. Easter itself was a great day. Zoe was up early too excited to sleep. It was conference weekend so we didn't get dressed up for church which is why my kids are in there jammies. Jamin thought we should wait until after church to hunt easter eggs next year so HE can get a little more sleep. Well decorating them the night before was fun. Zoe mostly enjoyed putting stickers on them and we dyed them. Jude was not allowed to participate because he likes to dump cups out or drink out of them and the eggs he would have thrown on the ground. Next year little guy, it's all you. He was great at hunting them though. I was impressed and Zoe of course, hunted like a champ. I just can't resist getting into all of the holidays when I've got Zoe who has the greatest enthusiasm for them. They are both growing up too fast. Zoe is starting to act like a teenager at times and is using my own parenting tactics against me. The other day I asked Zoe where her shoes where and she replied,"mom you have to use your detective skills", something I say to her all of the time. Jude is just talking up a storm. He repeats whatever he hears, which can backfire, but mostly it's adorable. He is the happiest little guy. He gives hugs and big smiles in abundance. He loves his sister and follows what ever she does. They are best buds. It is so fun right now being their mom. So many fun moments that humble me and make want to be better I have witnessed as of late.

San Fransico day 2

So day 2 I may have shopped till I dropped. It wasn't that I actually had bags of purchases, it just felt good to see things. What the heck are in stores these days anyway? I didn't really know. My shopping world mainly consists of the grocery store and Target. Union square provided a plethora of shopping. Jamin wanted me to have a trolley experience so we purchased tickets and waited. We traveled for 20 min. via trolley standing in the back. It was a nice way to see part of the city. As it turns out we didn't really need tickets. Our $10 fee was never collected. We ended up at Fisherman's Wharf. Through YELP.COM we found a delicious italian restaurant. It was so yummy, I didn't want it to end. We ended our food fest at Ghiradelli's square. If you've ever known me you know I value a good scoop of ice cream. They did not disappoint. Instead of riding the trolley for 20 min. at 9:30 at night along with some questionable companions I felt it was worth the money to take a cab back to the hotel. Great idea!! It was faster and cheaper than the trolley(and potential safer). Used the pool at the hotel and called it a night. I really could have stayed longer. It made me relax. My husband became more handsome and my children more sweet. Who knew this was all it takes.

San Fransico

I never really knew it, but San Fransisco really is a great city! I've heard it called the "New York" of the west and it's true. It's also easier to get to. My husband suggested we take a few days by ourselves and stay in the city while we were up visiting his family. Genius! I will admit that I had a little separation anxiety even thinking about leaving my kids, especially Jude. He's never really been left before, even with a babysitter. Maybe this was my first clue that this trip was long overdue. We left the kids with Jamin's mom and I think I relaxed pretty much once we drove out of town. We drove up the coast from Sant Cruz to San Fransico. It was such a beautiful and relaxing drive. No traffic, just calm. I slowly started to develop a grudge for So,Cal. Why are there so many people there? Everywhere! We stopped at a strawberry farm that had delicious strawberry shortcakes and other yummy treats! It was a great suggestion per Jamin's sister who also recommended our hotel. There's nothing better than an actual referral to some place. When we actually got into the city I got a little turned around as to how to find the parking garage to our hotel and baffled Jamin as to my poor navigating. Not a great point in our trip I even screamed at a poor valet parking attended because I was so frustrated and we drove in an exit only driveway. Tempers settled and we got to our room and saw the view of the city. We stayed in union square. This was perfect location for what I wanted to do. Shop, see movies and go out to dinner. You remember those activities right? The ones you used to do before you had kids. Now, these are the kind of things I want to do when I have time to myself. Oh, and sleep. Mornings are so much less painful when I wake up on my own. That first night we used the gym at the hotel. Not exactly on everyones list for their vacation but working out is a luxury to me. We ate out and saw a movie,"Date Night" (my choice) which I really liked.