Again... Vote for Dex

http://photos.parents.com/parents-cover-contest-2011/26/2011/301

Click on that link to vote for Dex again. Please. We're up to 301, and there are definitely over 2,000 contestants. So that is pretty good. Send the link to your friends. I'll stop being obnoxious about this after Sunday, I promise!

Thanks all!

VOTE FOR DEX!!!

Hey guys,

I entered Declan in a cute kid contest. A cover contest for Parents Magazine. Do me a huge favor and vote for him! (And tell your friends). You can vote once a day, and voting ends on Sunday.

Thanks so much!!

 

Come vote for my child in this week's Parents Photo Faves contest!

 http://photos.parents.com/category/vote/photo/943751

Love and Kisses,

Kate and Dex

FINAL COUNTDOWN- 32 Weeks

Hey guys... I only have eight weeks left? How did that happen so fast? Now, I know that two months is still awhile, but really... eight weeks? I can't believe that in about two months I will be the mother of two. Declan will transform from being the only into a big brother. I think I've always been able to picture myself as the mother of more than one child. Heck, I've taken care of enough kids to know at least a little of what it's about... but I really can't picture Dex as having a younger brother. I know that we will all grow together every single day, but for right now... I really can't picture it.

I haven't really commented too much on the actual pregnancy lately. That's because it is all going pretty swell. Every now and then I get a little emotional. (And Logan, if you read this... remember that it really IS only a little compared to last time haha). Every now and then I get tired, or don't feel a little well... but that really is only now and then. For the most part I feel absolutely fine. One or two tiny spider veins and a bit of heartburn, but other than that I really don't have much to complain about.

I had an ultrasound at my 30 week appointment (two weeks ago) and everything looked great. The baby was measuring in at 3.5 lbs which is the 53rd percentile... so, right on the mark. I had actually lost three pounds between my previous appointment and then, but gained most of that back in the last two weeks. As of right now, I have gained just shy of 16 pounds.

People have actually given me some words about this. Not so much now that my belly is actually bigger, but before I would get comments about how I didn't look pregnant at all or was really tiny. Now, a word to the wise... Don't ever comment on how big a pregnant woman looks. Ever. Not if she's big, and not if she's small. If she's big, she probably thinks she's 100 times bigger than she actually is and really doesn't want to hear that she looks like she's having twins. (Ha ha? No, I think not) And if you tell her she looks small, you probably think that you are giving her a compliment. Actually you are giving her a reason to stress about whether or not everything is good and healthy and growing right. It's a really backhanded compliment so... it's probably better to just not say anything at all.

I am perfectly healthy. All my tests are great. The baby is also super healthy and moves around all the time. Like right now for instance. So... my weight gain is right where it should be. Even though it's definitely less than it was with Declan.

But enough about that. Love to all, here and back home!

Review: JW Marriott Hill Country Resort and Spa

For Father’s Day weekend, my dad took Dex and I out for a real treat. He had decided before coming to Texas that he wanted to take a side trip down to San Antonio for a night. He booked a hotel, and D and I were ready for an adventure to see the Alamo and the Riverwalk. Unfortunately, Logan wasn’t going to be able to join because he has to work on Sundays, but we were going to forge on without him. Saturday morning we loaded up the car and the three of us started our journey down to San Antonio to the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort and Spa.

I will start by saying that my one complaint about this hotel is that its location is so new that no GPS can find it. The address that they gave us as a “nearby” location was actually about 40 minutes away from the hotel. It took talking to them three different times to get accurate directions. Luckily Dex was behaving beautifully on the way down, so we were able to get there in good spirits despite the “adventure” it took to get there.

When we got there, it was worth the extra time. The entryway was flanked with huge rocking chairs that Dex was happy to climb up in and rock in while Papa checked in and got our room. We got settled in our room with a nice view of the grass and flowering trees outside. After a minute we decided that the best idea would be to slather on some sunscreen and head out to check out the “water experience.” I am truly sorry that I don’t have pictures of this place, but I was too busy actually enjoying the experience and not wanting to worry about leaving my camera around.

Dex and I immediately jumped in the calmer of the two lazy rivers while Papa settled himself in from the drive with a drink. After a round of lazing, we decided to explore some more. This is when we found it. Declan’s new heaven. The best child pool area I have been to. The water ranged from up to ankle deep to two feet deep. (Where Dex could stand, but needed very close supervision). They had three toddler sized water slides, water pouring from above and water shooting from below. Declan was obsessed with the water slides. (The hotel had two other adult sized water slides that you used tubes on but I didn’t get a chance to check it out) Someone had to catch him at the bottom, but he was SO brave going down that it made my heart catch a little. He even became so comfortable in the water that he was dunking himself under and standing back up. My boy can hold his breath! It’s awesome.

We grabbed some food and ate poolside. There was a nap and then more exploring. One of the highlights of the evening was the fire pit to make S’Mores. In fact, just about every corner I turned had something for kids. Ice Cream making, Storytime, those big hamster type balls for them to run around in, airbrush tattoos… I was so impressed. And most of it was free! We had S’Mores, tried to get some real food into the little guy and then went to watch “How to Train A Dragon.”

The next day was much of the same. Dex slept in, and while Papa went to check out the Alamo (we didn’t make it) we had a great buffet breakfast. It was so good that Dex ate for almost an hour. Fresh made Belgian waffles, fresh fruit, pastries… it was all so good. More pool time came after that. It was really hard to leave.

I got good reviews from my Dad on the adult only pool. He said it had a great view and the sound from the kids was really blocked. I was so happy with the experience. The place itself was great, and the staff was really friendly and helpful. Everything was really efficient and well run. Except for the directions, it everything was so smooth. I would absolutely recommend this place to anyone. I don’t know if there were more kids than usual because it was Father’s Day weekend, but it had something for everyone.

So many thumbs up!

Check out the website for pictures!! 

Happy Father's Day a Day Late

I didn't get a Father's Day post up yesterday because I was too busy spending it with my two favorite Dads. My husband and my own dad. I am so lucky to have both in my life.

But first, I want to say "Happy Father's Day" to my wonderful husband. We haven't done things traditionally. We met, fell madly in love in about two seconds, and a month later were on our way to starting a new family. Both of us were in slightly prime partying days that were now at an end. And we both had to grow up.

When you are a mom, you immediately have to put on the brakes to anything that could be detrimental to the life now forming inside of you. As a dad... you have more of an option seeing as you aren't going to be harming anything directly if you continue to drink and party and whatnot.

I want the world to know how lucky I am. I have watched partying days be thrown aside to change diapers and read books and take trips to the zoo. I have gotten to watch Logan grow up a little more each day, and am constantly amazed by his love for us. Going from a world with no responsibilities to having to be accountable for almost every minute of every day is hard work. And he has done it beautifully.

Logan, I love you for all that you do for us and all that is to come. You are a great dad, a great husband, and Declan, Baby 2 and I are all so lucky to have you in our lives. Thank you.

Getting ready to become a Dad. 

First Easter as a Daddy 

Loving on baby Dex 

Already teaching him how to drive 

Super cute in matching clothes 

Dressing up for Dex's first birthday 

Doing Dad stuff with our friend Craig from The Hipster Dad 

Wanting to be like Daddy 

Teaching Dex about painting 

Dressed up for Easter

They're Coming

OK, so my last two posts were about the changes that we, as a family, have been going through. A new house, a new job, and new routine. The last month has pretty much been spent getting used to it all. I feel as though much of our time has been spent playing catch up constantly. Every day is spent handing Declan off to one another as we rush on our way to work, trying to get our apartment together, and fighting the third trimester desire to sleep all day. However, I know that should be coming to an end soon.

This week is going to be full of visitors. Logan's mom and my dad will both be down for Father's day weekend. It is my goal to get our apartment fully unpacked today. (Yikes) so that we will be able to just be calm and settled, and able to have fun with our visitors.

However, in order to do that, I need to get off of here and get into action. Declan's post-breakfast bath seems to be over, so off I go to get things done.

Have a great Tuesday!

HEY YOU GUYS

HEY GUYS!!! We finally have internet again!!!! So happy to be back in the game. I can't believe that it's been almost a month since my last post. Soooo many things have changed.

We have a new home, I have a new job, we have an entirely new routing for Dex, and oh yeah, I've hit that third trimester. 30 weeks by now actually. I feel as though I'm almost living a new life.

However, in this new life, we have been doing a lot of settling. Today was the last day in my first full week of new job/ half-time stay at home mama. (The other half of the time is Logan being a stay at home dad!)

So I'm a little tuckered to try to start a full update. It is to come for sure. I also hear that wonderful door, meaning my two year old is up from his nap. More to come soon, I promise! But for now... I need to go and smother my boy in wake up kisses.