Well Hello there Little Lady!

I'll cut to the chase...we are having a GIRL! (in case you hadn't heard already).
Needless to say, we are thrilled and shocked. The little lady is doing very well according to her sonogram images/measurements, which is in fact the best news of all. Now we just need to convince Sam that he does actually want a little sister. It will become "real " in May.

Swimming Sanctuary

The pool has become my pregnancy sanctuary (again). I look forward to feeling weightless and free while still getting some serious exercise without all of the sweat. Simply stated, the perfect exercise. Others would agree. Check out the article about benefits of pregnancy swimming.
Highly recommended!

Pregnancy Swimming

Ready, Set, Go!

Yes, Sam may have inherited Mommy's running genes. He participated in his first official race. There is no better race to start with than Brian's Run in honor of his Great Grandma. She spent many many years volunteering to register runners for a great cause. We miss and love you Rosetta D.

Pre race with cousin Brady

Tis the Season

We started the season off right...train, trains and more trains.

Too bad he couldn't actually touch them.
Too bad he had a meltdown shortly thereafter. :(
Better luck next year. Live and learn (again).

Hello December!

The start of December means the start of the holiday season and the countdown to Christmas. I saw this adorable idea on one of my favorite mom blogs (Teaching Mama). For those who have the time and patience, give it a shot! See the link below for a child friendly, simple, fun advent calendar.

Advent Calendar for Kids

A growing reason to be thankful...

In the spirit of the holidays and family, it feels like an appropriate time to share yet another reason for our family to be thankful this year. We will be adding a new family member this spring, and are giving many thanks for my healthy pregnancy, growing belly and the anticipation of Sam's sibling.

Joining us in early May, 2015!

I heart arts and crafts

With a few days off school comes a few more days with my busy little boy. Cue Pinterest searches!
With Thanksgiving looming, I was at least able to narrow my search. We'll see how this works...

Color matching turkey 

Play hard, work hard

After crawling through and jumping in the the endless piles of leaves, we were able to rake up nearly 5 large bags (just before the big rainstorm). Sam helped in his own way by marching back and forth along the house providing entertainment. It's nice to see his sincere joy over simple things in life.

Pure excitement!

Daddy is in on the fun.

The Ultimate Gift

It's not often that I actually indulge in articles posted and shared via social media, but something prompted me to actually read this one. It speaks so clearly of the beliefs that Patrick and I hope to instill in our son, like the love of giving one's time, and the appreciation for making memories. Not to mention the fact that I can't imagine any more toys in our house. Take a read...

The Gift of Not Giving a Thing

The wonderful thing about Tiggers...

Is that it makes for comfy and warm costume. 

Sam enjoyed technically his 3rd ever Halloween. This was the most successful thus far, since he understood the concept of receiving and ultimately eating this tasty stuff called candy. Now we have to try and explain the concept of the fat man in the red suit who brings presents...

Ha, ha, ha...sugar high

Rainy Day Crafty Day

I finally had the time/energy to bring back the craft in me. Of course I usually end up getting more involved and excited than Sam, figures. On the plus side, he is more helpful and careful now.
See "Cork Stamping" compliments of Pinterest. A happy medium for children who are resistant to messy hands, and parents resistant to messy furniture.

A little uncertain

Just a little dab

Final product

Helping hands

With a backyard comes leaves in the fall ( a slightly new concept for Sam). Lucky for us he has decided to "help" in cleaning up the leaves. Now all we need is a slightly smaller broom and a better concept of the word "pile". He means well.

Our littlest helper

"Daddy fast..."

Yes, this picture was taken from behind these two "fast" gentlemen. Yes, I was stuck with the backpack of snacks and the leaf collection bag. Yes, Sam is in fact beating daddy by some distance. Did I mention that Sam's new favorite game is "racing"?

Flavored tongue depressors?! Really??

Yes, they really do exist. Yes, that helped distract Sam for about 50% of his doctor's visit. ( I am secretly stashing the extra one from the doctor for an emergency situation...shhhh )

In other news, our 2+ year old string bean is doing just fine according to all tests/observations. Still not a fan of getting weighed and measured, but took his shots like a champ. No flu for us this season!

It occurred to me while we were sitting in the office answering "No" to allergies, illness, sleep problems, other misc concerns just how truly LUCKY we have been. Wow, I guess sometimes we all need a reality check on how blessed we are to have healthy and happy kids in our lives.(conclusion of sappy moment)

* I promise to insert picture of absolutely adorable aforementioned toddler soon, or else Patrick will get mad at me ;)

Watch what you say!

I believe we are now entering the toddler repeat phase of language development. This has the ability to be both incredibly cute and dangerous depending on the conversations he mimics. Sam is always finding a way to keep us on our toes. Happy thoughts and happy words from here on out...

Stealing back summer

We were lucky enough to sneak in one more trip to the beach with some old Belt St. Baltimore buds.

Seeing as it was nearly October, mom didn't expect much swim time, hence the impromptu suit.

No swimsuit, no problem!

                  Nothing like a walk on the beach with your best gal.

Bring on Fall!

Even though we are technically a day or so early on the "official" 1st day of fall, we took advantage of the nice weather this weekend and began fall festivities early. (don't tell mother nature)

Patrick "attempting" to use the apple picker stick

Taste testing, of course

Party, party, party...

Sam has managed to have 2 blowout bashes before is actual birthday on the 18th. He is really starting to get used to this whole singing, cake and  presents routine. Let's hope this wish came true.

TGIF!!!

This phrase rings truer the more hectic life gets.
Sam had a substantially better start to his daycare day or "classroom" as he calls it. Perhaps it was the pizza I promised him for dinner or the promised birthday party for tomorrow. Regardless, things are starting to get into a rhythm of sorts. Now if only the weather would cooperate and remain sunny and 70 degrees FOREVER. Please Mother Nature...

                                          In honor of Friday Pizza Night @ our house.
                                          Like father like son.

Nothing stays the same...

As is definitely true at our house these days.

I have clearly been too busy too blog lately (sorry).

So let's catch up:

-The school year started--> I started work

-Sam started daycare---> minimal drama

-We celebrated Sam's bday with the MD family--> great cousin time

-Gearing up for party #2 with the PA family --> no rain please!!!

Here's hoping things settle a little as we get into a good routine.

View from a porch

When Patrick asks me about my favorite part of the new house I quickly say the front porch. We are spoiled with sunlight, extra space and endless people/car watching. Sam even has a spot for his very own rocking "reading" chair now.

Hills, hills everywhere

Clearly we were spoiled in Baltimore with stretches of flat road to run on for miles. Here in Media I can't seem to find even a 1 mile stretch of mildly flat terrain. I guess that just means more cardio for me and some fun "roller coaster" downhills for Sam (which he clearly enjoys)... "Go Mama Go!"

Yes, we have been taking advantage of mild Media mornings this summer.
(This is an attempt at capturing one of the dreaded hills.)
Yes, baby came along for the ride, and yes we amped up our handlebars with some stylin green duct tape.

Large room of "old" toys = toddler happy place

When faced with a rainy day we retreated to the Media Community Center playroom down the road. Yes, I understand this seesaw appears unbalanced, but look how much fun he is having. You can't go wrong with a room full of gently used toys from past generations of Media children.

Gone Country?

Although Media is not quite the country, we are lucky enough to have farms and orchards close by. Sam has been taking advantage of fresh summer produce and welcoming in peach season. YUM!

Easy as 1,2,3...Simple as do, re, mi...

We can comfortably say that Sam can now count up to 3 or "free" in toddler talk.
We have almost mastered most colors, animal sounds and most makes/models of vehicles. Now that we have the important stuff out of the way we can move on to "Thank You" and "I love you."

New Month, New Blog

We're BACK...in a whole new way, and clearly in a whole new place. Thanks for following us!

This past month and a half have been extremely exciting and busy for us. See below:

                                            New House.

                                                    New Adventures.

                                                  New Memories.
Continue to follow our adventures as we take on Media, PA.
Stay tuned...