We're Back!

Josh and I had a great trip to San Francisco last weekend. The skies were clear, but the temperature was cold and the wind made it ever worse. Despite the chill it was a lot of fun. We spent a couple days in and around the city, seeing pretty much everything we were looking forward to seeing. I actually remembered more than I thought I would from my trip to San Fran almost 5 years ago. It is one of my favorite places so it was nice to go back with Josh. We had a great time with my cousin Natalie and her husband Greg. We haven't seen them in so long! It was good that we went when we did because they're moving next month and we wouldn't have had excellent tour guides to get us around everywhere.

I missed little Macie so much while we were gone! I was always thinking about her and what she would think and say if she were with us. There were some things I knew she would totally enjoy, and others that I knew she would have a hard time with. For example, walking around for days straight until your feet feel like they're going to fall off isn't something Macie would've liked. On the other hand, she would've loved the trolley and the sea lions. When we got home my sister brought Macie to meet us at the airport and it felt like I hadn't seen her in forever. She looked so much older! I guess stepping away for a few days makes a big difference. After Macie ran up and hugged us the first thing she said was, "Macie's presents?" That's my girl! She still thinks it's her birthday. When we left we told her we would bring her a present when we got back. Growing up my parents always did that for us and we thought it was the best thing ever. For me, there's nothing like making a little child happy in simple ways.

I tried to keep the slide show short, but here's a quick rundown of what we did while we were there:
-Walked around Sausalito
-Golden Gate Bridge
-Shopping at Union Square
-Rode the trolley
-Ate some great treats at Ghiradelli Square
-Walked Fisherman's Wharf
-Went to China Town
-Visited Muir Woods
-Took pictures at the Oakland Temple
-Saw a first edition Book of Mormon on display at the Visitor's Center
-More shopping in Oakland at Nordstrom Rack and Gap
-Ate GREAT food all over the place

It really was nice to relax and have a fun time with Natalie and Greg in the city. I loved seeing the nice (and not so nice) architecture and going up and down all the busy city streets. It's fun to visit someplace different for a change and experience new things. However, the even greater part is definitely being home again.

Momzilla

Let's just say things have been going a little differently lately. Issues, circumstances, pressures...we all reach a point. I really don't want to blame my behavior on the pregnancy, but it certainly doesn't help when I am completely exhausted. I'm comparable to a cranky toddler if I don't get a nap. I think it's fair to say I've become a Momzilla: that crazy person that no one wants to be around because she's out of control. My patient husband has been a large recipient of my irrational mood swings, but luckily he still likes me. To deal with my issues, I've been spotted zoning out in front of the TV at night flipping through channels. I never resort to that kind of distraction. It's been bad. Don't get worried, I'm not neglecting my child. I'm pretty much only sane around Macie these days. Needless to say, it's time for action.

Josh tried to surprise me with a trip this weekend, but I got it out of him before he got too far in the planning process. We're heading up to San Francisco on Friday morning without Macie. She'll be staying home with my sister Mel. I'm actually not trying to think about the whole part about leaving Macie for the first time ever, but that's a whole separate issue in itself. We'll see if I get on the plane or not. However, it will be fun to visit my cousin Natalie and her husband Greg that we haven't seen in a long time and get some time away from my home-self. Maybe it will help me be my own self again. I don't think I've truly understood the meaning of "needing a vacation" until I got to the point where my sanity depends on it.

Macie's Announcement

Since my parents live out of town, this is the way we determined would be best to share some news with them. About a month later I figure it's probably time that everyone else know too.


Surprise! I'm 14 1/2 weeks along, due September 16th. The amazing thing this time around is how fast I started showing. If you saw me now you would know I was pregnant. The first few videos we took were great, but taken sideways and we couldn't figure out how to turn them. This was probably the 10th take, so Macie was pretty much ignoring me by this point.

This picture is my favorite. After 20 minutes of pictures and videos Macie ended up on the floor crying. 2-year-olds definitely have a short attention span! And best of all, she has no idea what being the big sister means; she is merely trained to say it. She does request to wear her big sister shirt on a regular basis now.

Happy Birthday Macie Lee!

I wanted to dedicate a quick post to my Macie girl on her special day. Macie is the best part of my day every day and I can't imagine life without her. We pretty much do everything together, and I am sad for her to grow up and need her mom's help less and less! I went through her pictures and found some that I wanted to share from the past 2 years.

What a gorgeous girl! She was just a few days old here and it's one of my favorite pictures.

This is the photo we used for her birth announcement. I think I caught her first smile on camera!

This girl loves her daddy. And I'm pretty sure she's got him wrapped around her finger too.

This is at 9 months old. I love that smile!

This was from her first birthday. Yes, she is holding a box of matches. No, she couldn't open it.

Looking back at these pictures makes me laugh because she really starts looking like a toddler, yet still has no hair.

Macie always gets a kick out of making us laugh.

Finally getting some hair and a little time behind the wheel.

Macie has to be one of the youngest recruits ever.

Too sassy to get in the car, so I got out my camera because it was too cute to pass up!

Rainy day in the neighborhood. Macie loves pockets by the way.

She was saying "cheese," can't you tell?

Family picture from Valentine's Day last month.

My cute 2-year-old at snack time. The band-aid explanation will have to come another day. We love our Macie Lee!

No Daddy

Macie and I are left home without a daddy and husband for a few days. Josh left yesterday afternoon for a business trip and won't be home until very late Thursday night. Usually Macie and I are the ones leaving him to go out of town, so this is quite the change. However, it is kind of difficult to notice his absence anytime except when I'm sleeping in bed by myself. How can that be, right? Well, there are 7 other adults all staying in the house this week, not including myself. My family is visiting from northern Nevada for 8 days. It has been non-stop craziness and fun as usual. Macie has been getting way too much attention, further indulging her silliness and show-off sides. Tomorrow my little ham will be turning two, but since her daddy won't be here we're having her party on Friday. She obviously won't know the difference. If you ask her, everyday is her birthday.

The Need for Speed

My daughter completely loves anything that can go fast. Even today as we walked out of Costco she yelled at me, "Push fast Mom!" So, I dashed across the parking lot as fast as I could with a large shopping cart. Her love for speed started very young and was instilled, of course, by her dad. She was exposed to 4-wheelers, boating, riding bikes (Josh would ride the bike pictured below with Macie on his hip and one arm steering...my neighbor told me about it), and motorcycles. No, she hasn't ridden on one, but she likes to sit on them and wishes she could go.

Since the weather has been so nice we've been getting a lot of use out of the bike trailer. Macie loves to go for rides in it. There's a green belt that goes right out our neighborhood to two parks. We've also ridden to cousin Luke's house and the leisure center (Macie's gymnastics class). Josh usually takes her for longer rides when he wants more of a workout. It's hard work pulling a trailer uphill, let me tell you!

Macie and Dad heading off for a morning ride.

We strapped in little Sadie girl and rode down to the park. She whined most of the way despite her happy face here.

She was probably asking me for a snack to take on her ride. That's what the pockets are for: drinks and snacks.

Come meet us at the park!

The Best of the Worst

My daughter has a definite mind of her own. She is particular about many things, especially when it comes to clothing. Although she has debuted many creative outifts recently, I chose some of my personal favorites to show off. So what do you think, is she a creative genius or what?

Ah, the beloved swimsuit look. Fortunately we reached an agreement that she can wear the swimsuit as long as she gets dressed first. This is a weekly choice.

I believe the pants and green shirt originally matched, until she insisted on wearing her army shirt. She loves it. What can I say, Macie loves Papi and supports our troops. If you're going to go for the military look you've got to wear boots right? What great vision.

I don't think further explanation is needed here.

Let's just call this "princess to the max." The sunglasses, purse and shoes revolve around the princess theme. The scarf wrapped around the pajamas was what I came up with when she held it up and asked me to put it on her. Um, how do you put that on? I guess it works...the necklace and backpack seem to round it out nicely.

This can defintiely be called the sporty look. My sister's shoes and Josh's hat. Simple yet straight to the point.

Seriously, where did this girl come from??? Let's take a vote. Which is your favorite?

The Wedding Planner

Ok folks, I'm soliciting for help. My sister Lisa is getting married in June and we're working on planning the wedding. I am probably more stressed than she is at this point. Do any of you Vegas people have someone you would recommend for flowers or invitations? We are at a loss there. Any other fabulous ideas please send my way. Thanks!

Bastaball and Sharts

I'm backtracking just a little to last Saturday. We had a great day out and about with our Macie girl. Our first stop was the Rebel game. I've really been wanting to take Macie, but the games usually start too late. Luckily Saturday was an afternoon game, so we packed her up and went to see the Rebels win! Macie had a great time, just as I suspected she would. She loved the cheering, clapping, little boys sitting behind us, popcorn, mascot, etc. I am so glad she went. The funnest part was getting her all pumped up in the car to go see "bastaball". It is seriously the funnest thing to get her excited about something. She claps and screams and talks non-stop about whatever it is, even if she has no clue. I'm pretty sure she assumes that if Mom thinks it's exciting, then it must be exciting.

After the game we decided to stop at Mandalay Bay to go to the Shark Reef. Macie loves fish and knows about sharks, but has never seen them. I knew she'd enjoy it. She was all over the place running right up to the glass pointing at the fish saying, "Ohhh, big one!" Occasionally there were small ones, but to her they were mostly big. She especially liked the "sharts," and I was surprised she wasn't scared of them. As you walk through tunnels they swim overhead and it looks like they're swimming right in front of you. Josh held her up and she would reach out and tell me "touch it Mom." Even when they swam right up along the glass she stood still watching it go by and tell me how big she thought it was. Here's a poor picture of her talking about the fish.

She also enjoyed the sting ray and wanted to touch it like Daddy, but her little arms were too short. She has no fear! The cutest part was when we stopped to see the jellyfish. Of course they don't look like fish at all, so Macie kept saying,"Where jellyfish Mom?" When I pointed and said they were right there she would repeat her same question. Oh well, she'll learn when she's older.

We ended the day meeting friends at IHOP for dinner. (I know, what a healthy choice.) Macie was SO excited for her funny face pancake that she could hardly contain herself. By the time we got home it made for a long day, but was well worth it. We are loving the stage Macie is in right now. She is so aware of everything around her and communicates really well. For me, there's nothing more enjoyable as a parent than watching your child discover, be happy, and have fun. And of course when your child is such a crack up it makes life entertaining as well.

Baby Vance is Here!

Vance Waldron was born on February 13th and weighed 8 lbs, 4 oz. He arrived 4 weeks early, so the little guy is toughing it out in the NICU getting his lungs nice and strong so he can then learn to eat on his own. He sure is a cutie! We are so excited that Macie's first cousin on the Waldron side of the family is finally here.

It breaks my heart seeing little babies with tubes going in and out. Hopefully he'll be going home in a week or so.

Macie brought flowers to Aunt Alli and baby Vance at the hospital.
And then she ate Alli's dinner. Really Alli didn't want it, so Chad offered her some. That girl never passes up food!