Remembering Gracie

Last week my sister's family had to say goodbye to their dog Gracie. I have a special spot in my heart for that puppy, afterall she was my first niece.

Gracie I will always remember and appreciate you as the sweet girl that you were: such a good cousin to Barley and Coco teaching them to strip the fuzz off their toys, always returning our socks when you borrowed them for play time, and the unforgettably hilarious scream you elicited from your grandma when you stole that steak from the table on Christmas Eve.

You were truly one of a kind and we will throw a few tennis balls for you.

Gracie - February 2010

52 : 16

An interesting part of being pregnant and having Ewan has been being told by people (family, friends, and strangers alike) what we are no longer going to be able to do... it often went something like this, "congratulations, no more sleep for you" or "great news, guess you are done with vacations" and so on. We often smiled and nodded and moved on choosing to wait to discuss said comments (and people) until we were alone. We have a deal that we will do the things we love and show those things to Ewan - this includes restaurants, travel, Sunday afternoon naps, movies, etc. In our minds the key to having a well rounded child is putting him/her in the position to experience as much as is possible. This last weekend Kevin's brother came to visit so we took the opportunity to show Sonoma to him and Ewan with a lovely lunch and a couple winery stops.

The difference a year makes...

One year ago today (June 27, 2011) we got confirmation that I was pregnant via a digital Clearblue test. On the two previous days 5 or 6 stick tests were taken and those light lines did not seem like proof enough. We spent the weekend at a birthday party, out on a special date, running errands (including a trip to Target for the digital test), and prepping for the week. It just didn't seem possible to us that we were going to have a baby so we went about our normal business, and didn't really discuss the possibility.

At the b-day party (6/25/11) before we knew...

Then on Monday morning I got up for work as usual, took the test, and jumped into the shower thinking I would just wait the obligatory 5 minutes, see the "not pregnant", and go about my morning routine. When I glanced at the stick and saw "pregnant" I leapt from the shower and ran to tell Kevin, who was still fast asleep.

The test... P looked at this pic constantly!

We knew in that moment life would never be the same. We spent weeks carrying around this special secret and crossing our fingers as we waited to hit the medically identified milestones that mean all is well. 52 weeks later we have a beautiful 16 week old boy, have found a new grove as a family, and are looking forward to everything each new day/week/month will hold.

Our Family - Father's Day 2012

52 : 15

This week we took a special trip to celebrate Father's Day. Since Kevin and I took our first mini-break together to Monterey almost 8 years ago it seemed like the perfect spot for our first mini-break as a family of three. We had an amazing time - EP stuck to his 10 hour a night sleeping schedule, we ate great meals including a picnic on the beach, went to the aquarium twice, did 17 mile drive in Carmel, and just enjoyed 3 uninterrupted days together. Ewan has of course brought so much joy to our world, but what we did not expect is the fun of experiencing each of his firsts with him, including his first contact with the ocean seen in this week's picture.

Happy Father's Day K!

I consider myself extremely lucky. For the first three weeks of Ewan's life I did not change a diaper, cook a meal, or really address anything aside from our hungry baby.

Kevin may not always pick up the bathmat (a strange peeve of mine), but he always locks the door to protects us and makes us wonderful food to feed us and puts flowers in our home and our yard so each day is a little prettier.

Daily he does things I don't ask for but love, and he doesn't even expect a thank you. He is a better person than I am and because of that he inspires me.

I once heard that you should not marry a man unless you would be proud to have a son just like him --- everyday I look at EP and adore the Kevin bits that we see already, like his toes, and dream of watching him become an amazing man like his Daddy!

Happy Father's Day Kevin!

52 : 14

This last week Ewan had his quarter birthday! Yes we celebrated it and in our house we are just nerdy enough to tell him repeatedly that he is a fiscal quarter old (Note - Peri had to consult Kevin on whether this was geeky, nerdy, or dorky as he is much more in tune with the proper use of these words).

At this months photo shoot we did a few different setups to celebrate this important milestone. Picture time was a bit more complicated as Ewan is so active and wiggly now. He wanted his toys and his sisters. Calling Coco in to his room was the only way to get a smile for this month's official photo.

Our big boy is weighing in at 15lbs 6oz and is now 26.5 inches long, he is our long skinny noodle baby. Kevin recently asked Peri if she intended to make EP sit in a white onesie in this chair when he is 18, her response, "Hell yes if he agrees to it, but maybe a white polo and jeans."

EP's official 3 month photo - taken June 8th, 2012

52 : 13

Visitors - we love them!

Since EP was born we have had so many visitors. This last weekend some of our closest friends came for a visit and Ewan met his bestie! When we found out we were having a boy we began to daydream about future outings and vacations with our boys... Their first meeting went well and as EP grows, and can keep up with his buddy, I am sure there will be even more fun to be had.

Project People - Family Room & Eating Area

Looking at the before pictures of this room I am surprised I did not run from the open house with Graceland PTSD. The "wood" paneling, "rock" fireplace, and shag carpet conjure thoughts of gold aviators and blue suede shoes, neither of which seem all that bad now that this room is redone and is the center of our home.

We ripped out the carpet, pulled down the paneling, and shattered that rock wall the first day we owned the house. We only took a break to pick up Barley, she joined our family that day!

We initially sanded the hardwood floor that was under the carpet, but about a year ago we installed tile in the entire house, much better for puppy paws and little boy rough housing. The design goal for this room was warm, functional, traditional, plus touches of contemporary. One of my favorite things is the fireplace, which Kevin built exactly to my specifications, I even got to pick out each brick myself. 

And a special highlight in this space is the media cart. We spent 5 years looking for the perfect piece of furniture for this spot. The piece had to hold the electronics, fit well, and be different. It was delivered in June of 2011 and the room was complete.

12 weeks (inside/out)

How has EP been with us for 12 weeks already?! He changes daily and is learning constantly. Here he is at 12 weeks inside and out. We began spreading the news of our McNugget after this ultrasound was called "perfect" - we couldn't hold it in anymore.