Riggs is two!

Sunday finally came and Riggs turned two. I woke up right around 5am to pee, and when I got back in bed and looked at the clock I realized that two years ago at that moment (5:10am) I was holding Riggs for the first time. Where has the time gone?

It was around 7am by the time Riggs woke up, and I quickly snatched him from his crib and brought him into bed with us to cuddle and watch videos on my phone of when he was just a teeny baby. He loved watching videos of himself, and Steve and I did too. How much he has changed and grown! But the funny thing is, even in those newborn days, we can still see so much of Riggs in that tiny baby. 

For breakfast Riggs had a birthday waffle while he watched Winnie the Pooh (his request). I think he ended up eating more whipped cream than waffle in the end, and after he was unable to blow out one of his candles, he started to get impatient with the whole candle-is-in-the-way-of-eating-his-food thing. So silly :)

We had a lazy morning around the house and skipped out on church since we had to head to Anchorage for Steve's massage and Riggs' party. Riggs slept the whole way into town and for a little bit in the Target parking lot after I dropped Steve off. When he woke up we ran our errands to Target and Costco for a few last minute party preparations.

After Steve's massage we were all hungry so we headed to Haru Sushi off Dimond for some food. All three of us are loving our Haru right now, especially Riggs, so it was the perfect place for his birthday lunch. He ate his entire miso soup with extra rice added in, and then a little bit of my fried rice. Little piggy!

It's so crazy to see him sitting there eating on his own like a big boy, I guess now that he's two years old I should expect to be shocked by his lack-of-babyness on a more regular basis.

After lunch we headed over to the Alaska Club South where we were having his party. We kept it small and only invited family (plus Sarah, David and Lyla because they're basically family) and everyone arrived between 4 and 4:30. We all suited up and headed to the pool to splash around, ride the waterslide and relax in the hot tub for a good hour and a half.

My camera fogged up so bad in the pool area so my pictures are pretty bad. But my dad managed to get some cute video for me with his GoPro. Thank you daddy! I think you should be able to see the video here, if you're interested :)

After pool time we dried off and went to the lounge area where we had some delicious croissant-lunchmeat sandwiches from Costco...they tasted amazing after working up an appetite swimming! We also had applesauce squeezes and juice boxes for the kids and we ditched cake or cupcakes and served Haagen Dazs ice cream bars instead (Riggs picked them out, switching from cream puffs at the last minute haha).

Looking back, I'm so glad that we decided to have his party at the gym. It really turned out perfect, everybody had a blast and set up/clean up was so so easy. The staff was extremely helpful and friendly as well, and I felt like it was a reasonable price for everything that was included.

Now that his party's over, I'm starting to wrap my head around the idea that my baby is two (and that we have another baby on the way!). I'm so looking forward to everything that this new year holds for our family: watching Riggs grow, adding another tiny member to our ranks, and thousands of memories just waiting to be made.

weekends go way too fast

Why is it that just when the weekend seems to start, it's already over? That's I always feel when Monday morning rolls around. 

Saturday I went skiing up at Government Peak Recreation Area with Sarah while her sweet mama watched our babies. It was so fun and refreshing to get out without worrying about keeping little fingers and toes warm.

It was also the grand opening of the new chalet so the ski area was packed with people. I love to see it thriving and doing so well - cross country skiing is such a great activity for the entire family. 

Other than that the weekend was spent lounging around together: playing, laughing, doing art projects and just some good old relaxing. Sunday we celebrated our sweet boy turning two, but I'll be writing a separate post about that soon.

Oh, also, I ventured into Target Sunday to pick up a few things for Riggs' party and I just happened to see these gorgeous sheets on a clearance end-cap. I love the simply shabby chic line at Target but I hate to pay full price for it. So whenever I find it marked down I'm thrilled. Especially when it's marked down over 60%.

They were a repackage but I checked to make sure everything was there and I figure I'll wash them anyway (obviously) so it didn't bother me too much. Yay clearance! 

five friday favorites

Oh my goodness I can't believe I have my stuff together enough to actually be sharing my five friday favorites for the week! It's been way too long and I have lots to share, so I'll get right to it!

Lately I've been trying to find meals that are nutritious, easy enough (don't require gourmet chef skills haha), and that don't break the bank when it comes to multiple trips to the grocery store for specialized ingredients. I've had a few misses (cauliflower crust was soooo an eww for me) but there have been some delicious results as well, all from recipes that I've pinned on Pinterest.

ONE | FAVORITE RECIPE

These were sooooo good, easy and pretty dang healthy! I actually used ground bison because Steve hates ground turkey, and this recipe is easy to modify based on ingredients you have around the house. These satisfied my comfort food craving but are mostly all vegetable, so it's a win-win. We were out of sour-cream and I think that would have made these just perfect.

TWO | FAVORITE RESOURCE

This website has been such an encouragement and great tool for me so far this pregnancy. I'm really focused on staying fit and as healthy as possible during this pregnancy and so finding the stories of others who have done so and what worked for them has really been important to me.

THREE | FAVORITE COLORS

These are gorgeous neutral choices and also would match the current colors in my house very well. I'm trying to find inspiration for what color/s to paint Riggs room, so daunting!

FOUR | FAVORITE DREAM

This cabin kitchen (and entire cabin if you click through the pinterest link) is just gorgeous and makes me crave the day when Steve and I can finally build our 'dream' cabin and have a quiet place to go relax and connect together in the woods. Growing up we spent so much time visiting my grandparents' off-the-grid cabin near Talkeetna (that looked a lot like the above picture, btw) and so many of my best memories are from those visits. I want that for my kids too, and for myself.

FIVE | FAVORITE WORDS

I love this quote because it's just so true. Sometimes I lose sight of how beautiful and magical the earth really is in the winter because it's so cold and dark. Yet there is so much music to be heard even on the coldest, darkest day of winter. I need to remember that.

four months, what?!

How Far Along? 16 weeks

Size of Baby: Avocado (4.6 inches, 3.5 oz)

Gender: We don't know yet, but we are getting crazy excited to find out! Hopefully we will know within the next two weeks or so!

Weight Gain: Three pounds.

Maternity Clothes: Not yet. I am looking into finding some maternity work out pants (tights or capris, no 'bootleg' style yoga pants preferably) because all of mine are higher wasted and are cutting into my baby belly and/or rolling down when I workout. Other than that all of my normal clothes still work with my tiny bump. My jeans are pretty low cut so they're not a problem and everything else I wear on a regular basis is pretty stretchy.

Nursery: I'm actually starting to get serious about planning this. I'd like to have Riggs into a twin size bed by the time baby comes so that the crib will be free for naps and such for baby. I think I'm actually going to repaint Riggs' room and everything so I'm starting to get pretty excited! I've started pinning some ideas you, which you can check out here.

Movement: Still feeling those fluttery little movements now and then, but no kicks or jabs yet. Can't wait for those!

Symptoms: My biggest 'complaint' right now would be nipple soreness when Riggs breastfeeds. When he first latches on the agony is so bad I can barely keep from gasping and writhing in pain. It goes away after about 30 seconds, but man! I'm not really sure what to do about it, for now I'm just breathing through it and waiting for it to pass. Anyone else deal with this?

Sleep: Sleeping great except for that occasional 3am wake up, or if Riggs wakes up to nurse.

Cravings: Pretty much all food. Haha.

Best Moment This Week: Getting excited about shared-nursery planning!

Looking Forward To: My midwife appointment on Monday and making my ultrasound appointment. I'm hoping I can make it for sometime next week but it might have to wait until the week after. I'll keep you posted! 

Also need to have Steve take and 'official' bump picture for me. I'm resolved to have more than just selfies this pregnancy, haha.

7 artists I've been loving lately

Lana Del Rey | Jasmine Thompson | Imagine Dragons | Lorde | Florence + the Machine | Ellie Goulding | a Great Big World

I've been listening to this Pandora playlist pretty much non-stop for the last couple of weeks. I listen to it mostly in the car and at the gym while I'm working out and I just can't get enough. None of it's new or groundbreaking, but I thought I'd share here in case you're looking for some music inspiration.

Do you ever get stuck in a music rut and feel like you can't find any good new music? I feel like that's exactly how I am. It's one of the reasons I love Pandora because it will come up with some new artist or song that I haven't heard that I can 'thumbs up' and return to later.

I love music so much and all different kinds, so sometimes it's hard to figure out exactly what kind of music I feel like listening to at any specific moment. Sometimes it's country, sometimes it's oldies, sometimes it's pop, it really just depends on my mood. I find that hands down I've enjoyed the artists I listed above while I'm working out, but when I'm home, that playlist actually can really annoy me. I'm so fickle, haha.

Anyway I'd love to hear what you're loving right now, I'm always looking for new-to-me music to add to my library!

14 & 15 weeks

I'm a little behind on posting these, so I guess you'll be getting weekly update overload this week since I'll be posting my 16 week update Thursday or Friday. I'm trying not to go baby crazy on my blog but since it's mostly what's on my mind I can't help it! :)

Size of Baby: Lemon (3.4 inches, 1.5 oz)

Gender: Steve still thinks boy. I have no idea...hoping for healthy. And maybe there's a teeny bit of me that's hoping for girl. But I'll be excited either way!

Weight Gain: Still at pre-pregnancy weight right now.

Maternity Clothes: No, still fitting fine into my 'normal' clothes. I just noticed that my tiny bump is visible in tight tops this week, but it just looks like I'm thicker through the middle. I'm in that lovely awkward stage...

Nursery: Still just Riggs' room. I am starting to make plans for a baby setup in our room though. I cleared out a few drawers in my dresser for baby clothes and we'll use the top for a changing area. Also ordering a mini-crib mattress soon and Steve will be using the dimensions to make a cosleeper for next to our bed. 

Movement: Excited to be feeling tiny, fluttery little movements. I was feeling them one evening this week before bed and went to listen with my doppler and heard baby's heartbeat right when I was feeling the movement.

Symptoms: Feeling nearly 100% back to normal this week, hallelujah!! I don't know about you, but there's nothing like feeling horrible/sick for over a month to make you appreciate being healthy!

Sleep: Sleeping pretty normal again. Ever since I was pregnant with Riggs I've had problems waking up around 3 and not being able to go back to sleep. It's never really gone away because after he was born he'd often wake at that time to nurse. So now even when he sleeps through the night, I usually wake then and now that I'm pregnant I have to get up to pee. I'm trying really hard to not even peek at my phone because I find that the bright screen is often what keeps me from going back to sleep. Anyone else have this problem? Evil iPhone + no self control = tired mama haha.

Cravings: I hate sushi, but Steve loves it. So we've been going to Japanese/sushi restaurants quite a bit lately. At first I would grumble and complain, but now I'm completely hooked on the salad and soup they bring you before your main dish. I crave it like, all-the-time. I told Steve I just need to order a huge vat of the soup from them to have around the house, haha. 

Best Moment This Week: It was definitely feeling movement. There is just nothing like that feeling. To me the movement is the most exciting, special, magical part of pregnancy by far. I just can't wait to feel more!

Looking Forward To: Having another entire week with Steve off work and home with us.

Size of Baby: Navel Orange (4 inches, 2.5 oz)

Gender: Still have no idea. I am dying to find out though! I've been getting the itch to start buying things/going through Riggs' old clothes. Only about two or three more weeks!

Weight Gain: Up 2 pounds now. 

Maternity Clothes: Clothes are still fitting fine, but some pants aren't as comfortable if they dig into my bump. I mostly live in yoga-type clothes, so I've definitely been shopping around for more flowy, yoga-type tops. I've been working out nearly every day so it would be nice to have some more clothing options. Lately I've been loving the baby-doll cut bra-tops I've been seeing around. Target has some, as does Lululemon and Athleta. So cute!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Movement: Still feeling teeny little movements here and there. I can't wait for them to get stronger and ultimately to see them from the outside! I can't remember when I first started seeing them with Riggs, I think I was around 22-24 weeks?

Symptoms: Feeling great, but man, my skin has not been the best. I typically have perfectly clear skin, but this entire pregnancy I've just been broken out non-stop. And lately one side of my face has been completely clear and then the other side is covered in little blemishes. Pretty annoying but thank goodness for concealer! ;)

Cravings: Still craving that miso soup and yummy salad. Plus lots of veggies with ranch. I'm also craving ice cream  sooooo bad. I just want to eat it every single night. Maybe I need to buy stock in Haagen-Dazs ha. I'm pretty much loving all food since I didn't enjoy it for so long...I'm making up for lost time!

What I Miss: Sleeping on my stomach without having to prop myself up on pillows. I'm at the point where I'm switching positions throughout the night because none are that comfortable for very long. And I always wake up on my back!

Best Moment This Week: Those fluttery little movements are still so new and special. They bring a smile to my face every time I feel them, like at the gym when I was lifting weights in the weight room. And in some way it feels even more special because it's something only I can feel and notice, like a magical little secret between me and baby.

Looking Forward To: Getting the house back to normal this week after the holidays and Steve being off for two weeks. This place needs some serious purging, I feel like getting rid of everything! Anyway else bit by the New Years cleaning/organizing bug?

January so far

For some reason I feel like it's been January forever. Like Christmas was soooo long ago. Maybe it's because of the weather change, or because I have just never really liked January, I don't know, but man it's dragging so far. Today I'm sad because Steve will be going back to work tomorrow after two heavenly weeks off. 

He was actually supposed to go back today, but Sunday morning at about 3am he got called out to fix outages north of here (near Talkeetna) and then worked 24 hours, getting home early this morning. So he had today off but slept nearly the whole time and now it's nearly tomorrow and soon he'll be back at work for good. Is it okay to have a little pity party? In some ways it will be nice to get back to Riggs' and I's 'normal' routine but it has been so nice to be together as a family every single day for two whole weeks. We sure will miss him!

We've been spending most of our time relaxing around the house, playing guitar, reading, eating yummy food and soaking up the time together. I have just loved seeing Riggs and Steve get to spend more time together, and to be honest I've loved having the help with Riggs. 

When we've felt like going out, we've mostly been hitting the gym together. It's been so nice to work out together while Riggs plays in the daycare center provided by the gym. I only wish I could make use of the steam room and sauna but that won't be possible for another 6 months or so. I admit, I do go into the steam room for about a minute, I just can't resist. But I'm always out before I even start to sweat, so I think baby is most definitely fine. 

On a totally random note, I finally got around to making some spaghetti squash and I am just so proud of myself. I'm not a big squash person, but Steve loves it and I love trying to find healthier options for our family when it comes to meals. So I finally stopped grumbling about trying new things and went out and bought some spaghetti squash.

Then it sat on my counter for about a week before I finally mustered up the motivation to actually cook it and make a meal out of it. And guess what? It was super easy and delicious! Even Riggs loved it! Yay!

So there you have it, a rambling little recap of my boring life so far in January. Haha. Stay tuned for some weekly pregnancy updates and whatever else happens to pop into my jumbled mind this week. Happy Monday!

I am resolved

January is here and along with it a whole new year. I am so very excited for 2014, I know it's going to hold many exciting changes for me and our little family. I've been spending many minutes each day thinking about how fast time passed in 2013, how quickly the days and weeks and months went by.

I'm resolved in 2014 to get less caught up in the things that don't matter, and instead to focus on the 

moments and things that fill me with love, happiness, and joy. I found some words that I want to keep close to my heart this year, sort of like a personal motto.

"Life is too precious for us to lose ourselves in our ideas and concepts, in our anger and our despair.

We must wake up to the marvelous reality of life. 

We must begin to live fully and truly, every moment of our daily lives."

Thich Nhat Hanh

Happy New Year, everyone.