Outdoor Living Love...

Who would have thought these four fenced walls would be my favorite room in our new house? I love that we can spend nine months of the year out here.

John is becoming quite the grill master.  To this hungry wifey, a barbecuing hubby is a sight for sore eyes.  Last nights Salmon rocked my seafood loving socks.

 Swim suit season is here, along with wading pools, and water fights:)

 We had a spontaneous cook out over the weekend with some of our friends.  These two ladies both had babies a couple weeks ago.  Seeing their sweet babes gives me hope we'll eventually have one too.  It is easy for me to forget this tummy ache turns into something so great.

 James loves riding bikes and insists on wearing his helmet around the house from sun up to sun down.  Such a safety kid we have.

If only pants were also as important:)

We wish we could snap our fingers and have our far away friends and family over for our San Diego-ish weather.  Then when it is hotter than hell, you can share your cooler summer;)  We miss you all.  XOXO, Jess

Spring Break at the Bayou...

Leave it to a beaver

It looks like South Padre Island at the park by our house.  The beavers are busy body surfing, the turtles are working on their tans, and the butterflies are drinking nectar Mai Tais.  Probably not exciting enough for MTV, but for me and my buddy it couldn't be any better. 

 

 

Growing Pains

Today I read my baby is now the size of a lemon.  And that my friends, is sweet lemonade for this sister’s thirsty soul.  After my first ultrasound the doc called me to let me know that I am at a higher risk for miscarriage thanks to a blood clot nestled between my baby and my uterus. They said I shouldn’t do anything too strenuous and if I feel anything abnormal to come in ASAP, but don’t let it stress me.  Um okay, don't stress, no prob…Easier said than done.  I must say, as much as I love modern technology and seeing my baby swim on the monitor in front of me, I am more of an ignorance is bliss kind of girl, and would rather be on baby brewing cloud nine instead of worrying all the time.  But with each passing day of feeling nauseous, and another week under my belly band belt, I feel a little more reassured I will reach my due date.  And then we can really celebrate.  

Here is a sketch of the glimpse I caught in the reflection of the window today.   It made my heart swell to see my stomach stretching.  A beautiful sign that baby #2 is growing just fine:)  

A Reason to Celebrate...

Though we've hardly left our front steps the last few weeks, we can't escape the beautiful signs of the season...

My morning sickness has given me and James a fever...Spring fever that is.  So we spend lots of time on  a blanket in the backyard eating popsicles.  Seventy-eight degree weather and the sound of song birds seems to be just what the doctor ordered:)

 Our neighborhood has exploded with Azaleas.  This is my first time I've ever seen this southern flowering phenomenon.  So much color helps to soften my longing for spring skiing.

 John says I must really like my feet because I post so many pics.  Sometimes I  just want to represent with out having to show my face.  Plus, freshly polish on my footsies puts a smile on my face.

Since I've been a bit bed (or blanket) ridden lately, James and I have become bird watchers.  You think I would be going crazy, but I am surprisingly content staying home with this kiddo everyday.  I guess I am  just not cut out for a cubicles and coworkers.   For now, I much prefer kiddos and crayolas.

I hope everyone is equally enjoying some sunshine (minus feeling sick). Miss you.  XOXO, Jess

You Are My Sunshine...

I have felt so icky lately, it is hard not to let it dampen my spirits.  Even though I told myself when I was having a hard time getting pregnant that if I would ever get a bun in the oven again I would never complain about morning sickness.  But not feeling myself and lots of sleepless nights has started me in a downward spiral.  So I might be doing some Pollyanna-ish posts in the coming weeks to help me count my blessing and pull me up by my bootstraps.  I have so much to be grateful for and I know babies are so worth feeling like a seasick sailor.  I just need to remember to dwell on the following instead of focusing on the vomiting…

• Cuddling with James and lightly running my finger over his face until he falls asleep.                                        
• Every time a family member comes to visit, James carries their picture around the house for days.  The pictures are getting slimed but it is so sweet.
• All the blossoms and pretty spring flowers that are blooming around our house. 
• John staying home from work for a few hours so I could get some more sleep.
• I started to cry because I wasn’t feeling good and James climbed on my lap, gave me a hug, then put his hand on my cheek, and then started pretending to run into the wall and falling back until I started laughing.  I am incredibly lucky to have such a compassionate comedic kid.
• Heather helping me so much while she was here.
• Seeing my nephews all week.
• Spending time with my sister on the porch swing.
• It’s Friday!
• This family video James and I have watched about 20 times the past two weeks.  It always puts a smile on our faces.  Disclaimer:  I know it looks like James is being forced to see the Disney princesses but he has huge crushes on all these leading ladies.  When we didn’t feel like waiting in line to see Snow White, we had to drag him away kicking and screaming.  

Busy With Boys...

My sister Heather and her family are here. This past week we've been busy showing them the Houston sights.  We’ve gone to NASA, The Children’s Museum, the beach, the boardwalk, The Rainforest Café, we tried to go sailing twice (too windy, then not enough wind), watched a movie in 3-d [then I ran out of steam] and they kept going… on a dolphin cruise, the Houston Rodeo, and had a craft day.  My sister has so much more energy than me right now.  James is loving having three other partners in crime to run around with, and I am enjoying some quality sister time.  Now I need to stop blogging and get back to bonding.  Our house is going to be too quiet by tomorrow nightL

Dinner on the dock of a bay

Feeding the fish our left-over appetizer

Our weekend in Galveston 

Heather is 5 months prego with a girl!

Dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. I wish all restaurants had a huge tropical fish tank to entertain the kiddos while the parents conversed!

Of course there is always lots of delicious ice-cream when uncle Dave is around.