Moving Home!!

On my promise to update more often...here is my first update since Emmalin was born. Her 6 month half-birthday is this Friday. I can't believe my baby girl is already 6 months old. She has brought such joy and happiness to our family. It is evident that her and her brother are very similar, but yet so different. She is very determined and outgoing. We can see it already. I am not sure if she will be mobile before her brother, but its possible. Oliver didn't crawl until 9 months. Walked at 13 months. I guess we will wait and see.

In July 2012, I will be moving home for good. I cannot wait. I am so excited. Shaun will have to stay in MD for another 6 weeks or so, but I will be coming home with the kids in July so I can get a job. We don't want to have a loss of income during this move. Hoping the way we planned it will be as flawless of a transition as it can be with a 1 and 3 year old! My greatest fear is the week and a half we will be "on the road" driving across the country.

So, 5 months and counting!

Weird

I know I don't write often, but I just tried to view my blog and it said I had been deleted. I guess I need to post more. Luckily I was able to restore it. Appears there might have been spam associated with it. I don't know. I am thinking I should make this more private. If you are a loyal reader and want to be included in my blog. Just leave me a message. I will be sure to include everyone that wants to. I will try to update more, even if just short blurbs of info!

Emmalin has arrived!

We were blessed with the birth of our first daughter, Emmalin, in August. She is now almost 8 weeks old. She looks just like her brother, Oliver. Oliver is adjusting very well to being a big brother and helps out a lot.

We moved to Frederick, MD last week. We are finally starting to get things all put away and make it a home. I am really going to like living here, but still counting down the days until I get to move back to Washington. Less than a year now.

Here are a few pics of Emmalin and Oliver. Some are from a photoshoot with my dear friend, Ruthie, and others are from home, and some from Picture People.

Oliver and Emmalin

Emmalin-2 weeks old

Emmalin-4 days old

Emmalin-coming home from the hospital

First pic of Emmalin and Mom (that's me!)

Emmalin-7 weeks

Oliver loves his sister!

This is my favorite picture!!

Emmalin-1 month

Emmalin-4 weeks

Still Pregnant...

Well, I am still pregnant. Okay, most of you are saying, duh? You aren't due until Aug 30th. You are right. I am just getting to the end and am really uncomfortable. I am starting to swell so bad I can't put my shoes on (except flipflops) and my hips hurt to walk. Classic end of pregnancy symptoms (I know), but I can still complain. I have that right.

Good news is we have pretty much everything done. We are ready. Clothes are washed and put away. Room is rearranged and Oliver is in all his "big boy" stuff now. He transitioned great to his bed and hasn't looked back once.

On another note, I am super excited about thirty-one. I have my kick-start Open House this weekend. So far, no one has said they will come, but I am holding out hope. I am hoping that those that can't come will check it out online, as August has amazing specials of 15% off entire catalog. That has never been done before, so I am hoping people take advantage of it! Also, hoping for a party or two before this little one decides to join us!

Of course when she arrives I will post an update and pictures. I am hoping for beginning of August, but I will settle for anyday as long as she is strong and healthy! I will suffer through to make sure she is ready! I know we are ready though!

Thirty-One Consultant

Hi All,

I have decided to become a thirty-one consultant. I will be selling a great product of bags, wallets, tote, organizers, etc. They are a great company and have a great product. I look forward to seeing where I can go with this company.

I am new to the consultant selling game, but I look forward to my first open house and then helping others have parties to share with their friends. I will post some more info about when I get it.

The new Fall line starts Aug 2011, so I will be starting my business the end of this month and having my first party beginning of August! I am super excited!!

Box of Awesome!

Received my box of awesome today from Heidi D. She had a contest and I won. I can truly say that it is a box of awesome! Every single thing in it, I said "awesome". She put so much thought and personal thought into it that I felt like it was from my best friend that has known me for years. Thank you Heidi! I plan to pay it forward, I am just not sure how yet.

Caribbean Cruise-3rd Anniversary Trip

Cruise was so much fun! I didn't do real well with the ship, rocking back and forth, but I made it through and would totally do it again! It was great to get away and just be with Shaun. We stopped in Key West, Fl on the first day and just walked around and shopped a little. I got my first coach purse purchase at an outlet store. A small wristlet, but that is what I like to use anyhow. I love it! We got some cool hats to keep the sun off when we get to Cozumel!

That night was our anniversary and coincidently formal night on the ship. We dressed up, had a nice dinner and a show. It was a wonderful way to spend our 3rd anniversary. Shaun had surprised me with a rose in our room! He is so sweet!

Next day we had fun in Cozumel, Mexico. We did a sail, snorkel, beach excursion. It was a ton of fun. I had never snorkeled before so it was new to me. First in the water I couldn't breathe, but I was able to acclimate pretty quickly and had some fun. Apparently there was a big hurricane several years back that was centered right over the area and the reef was bleached. No fancy colors, but still super cool!

Then we sailed for about 20 minutes to a private beach. It was so hot and we are not really beach people. We played in the water some and layed on the beach for a while, but it wasn't long before we had to escape to the shade. This momma sure can't handle the sun for long. Plus I didn't want to get dehydrated!

The next day was an at sea day, so Shaun and I took it easy. He got a chance to go behind the scenes and take a tour of the ship. It was only open to 16 people total, so he really wanted to do it. He is a total geek and loved every second of it. His words not mine. I love my total geek! I rested while he was gone, and then in the evening watched another show. The next morning we were back at Miami, and headed home to see my baby! I sure missed him so much. I think he missed us too, but just can't quite say it yet. "Bapa" (what he calls Grandpa) said he was asking for us all day.

Cruise Day

Cruise Day has arrived. We leave early Monday morning to Miami, to board our first ever Carnival Caribbean Cruise. We will be leaving Oliver, which I am very sad about, but I know we will have fun. I will post pics and stories when I return! Have a great week all!!

Kathleen