OC Zoo at Irvine Regional Park

Lately I have been trying to find new things to get Brayden and I out of the house in the morning. Hubby doesn't get home from work until super late/early so he is still sleeping when Brayden wakes up. In order to keep hubby asleep, I thought it would be best if we got out of the house so it was nice and quiet. Yesterday we went to a pirate park {it was just okay} but today my mom came with us to the OC Zoo at the Irvine Regional Park. 

It was a bit of a drive but not bad and the park and zoo are so cheap that it was totally worth it! Only $5 to park {$3 on the weekdays} and just $2 to get into the zoo! We got to see some awesome animals that our closer zoo doesn't have like mountain lions and a black bear. Brayden also got to pet and brush some goats which he loved!! Needless to say, we will be going back to this zoo and park. There is so much more to do than just the zoo! We also went on a train ride which was probably Brayden's favorite part!

The mountain lions were wrestling!

Brayden tried to grab the snake! Brave little boy!!

They also have pony rides but we didn't do that!

Waiting for our turn on the train!

Hahaha!! His face cracks me up!

Bumpdate: 28 Weeks!

Yikes!! I have only 12 weeks left (if I make it the full 40 weeks) and that means I am officially into the 3rd trimester. How has this gone by so fast?!

I know the next 12 weeks are going to fly by so I am really excited to have my baby shower{sprinkle} planned and to get some new, girly things for Madison. I am not so stoked on all the pink {it's definitely my least favorite color} but I am getting used to it a little.

-Due Date: September 11

-Weight Gain: I go to the doctor next week so I will have a new number then.

-Gender: GIRL! Madison Kay. I avoided purchasing anything for her this week, however, my sister bought her an adorable outfit from Target!

-Nursery: I don't think her room will have any pink and I am totally fine with that! I never understood how people could paint their nursery pink on every wall. I think I would barf just buying the paint! Like I said, I don't like pink. Anyways, I did receive the prints I ordered for the nursery so now I need to go buy some frames. I also need to make the mobile and then just wait for the baby shower to hopefully get the crib and dresser that I registered for.

-Movement: More and more movement from this little girl! She has a pretty regular schedule of movement right now and she goes nuts first thing in the morning and then usually again at night before I go to sleep. I guess those are pretty much the only two times that I am sitting/laying still for longer than 10 minutes!

-Clothing: I broke down and purchased two more maternity things...a black maxi dress and then a maxi skirt to wear for my maternity photos. I am pretty excited about the maxi dress because it will be great even after I have Madison to wear for the first few weeks when I am still pretty pregnant looking and the fabric crosses over in the front and will make nursing really easy.

-Cravings: Well I tried to get my shrimp fix from Taco Surf and ordered the shrimp fajitas but they were a huge bust. No flavor at all and they were overcooked. Ugh! Looks like I will have to get shrimp again this week from somewhere else!

-Overall Feeling: I feel awesome. So lucky to be feeling so great and the heat hasn't gotten too bad yet so I haven't had to deal with overheating. I am a little nervous for the rest of the summer but so far, so good.

-Fears: I am a little fearful for those first few weeks with a newborn and a toddler. Brayden is pretty attached to me during the day because I am usually the only one home with him. Now that hubby will be home more, I am hoping he isn't so bad when I can't pick him up or hold him because I am feeding. We will see.

Wordless Wednesday

Someone got a haircut today and is looking all grown up!!!

We usually just have a family friend cut Brayden's hair but our schedules weren't working lately and Brayden ABSOLUTELY needed a haircut before hubby's graduation from the academy and before Father's Day. We attempted this place right by our house (Great Clips) and it was pretty bad as soon as we walked in. They weren't super friendly and you could tell that it wasn't really a place for kids. Also, they had a 30 minute wait! Haha! We decided pretty quickly to leave and go somewhere else and that's where Rainbow Kids comes in. They were FABULOUS!! 

As soon as we walked in, I put Brayden in a chair and the movie Happy Feet was playing on a TV right in front of him. We just watched this movie for the first time yesterday and he loved it. It was meant to be! They the lady handed him a bucket of toys and action figures. He was a happy camper.

Usually he HATES the clippers but he got used to them after just a few seconds and really only complained when they were by his ears. They she used the scissors to cut the top and even added some styling cream. And then I think I melted into a puddle of cuteness. Holy goodness, he looks so big with his hair all styled! I just might have to go get some product for his hair so we can style it when we have a party or something. He just looks so dang cute! 

I can safely say we will be returning to Rainbow Kids for all his future hair cuts! I am one happy momma!

23 Months!

Holy mother of God...Brayden will be TWO YEARS OLD in just one, quick month. I am totally freaking out. How can I have a two year old?!?! 

My mother and I recently found a camera used when Brayden was first born and during his first Christmas and I can't believe how different he is. Obviously I have been through all the changes with him and I KNOW he is so grown up, but I look at those old pictures and suddenly remember how he used to be so small. How has he grown up and gotten so big so fast? Where has my little baby boy gone? 

Whelp, he has turned into quite the comical little toddler! He is constantly making us all laugh and is talks non-stop. Even random strangers at Target and the grocery store will mention how well he talks (because he is obviously talking the ENTIRE time we are there and they hear every word!). He is so much fun to have around and I am so incredibly happy that I get to be home with him. I get to experience all those funny moments during the day that I would otherwise miss if I was working away from home. Don't get me wrong, I sometimes need a break from this crazy little man but on most days, I get bored during his nap because he is so entertaining. Needless to say, we love our little monster like crazy and I can't wait to see him evolve into an amazing big brother. 

Here are some new things he is doing: 
-Drinking out of a big boy cup (not sippy cups)
-Practicing sitting on his big boy potty (hasn't gone potty yet and we aren't actually potty training, just getting him used to it)
-Swinging on the big kid swing
-Jumping off small steps and ledges (he just started this at the park yesterday and although it is scary, it's pretty cute. And he doesn't jump off anything high {yet} so he can't hurt himself too bad if he falls)
-Sitting at a regular chair to eat (we just did this earlier today while eating breakfast at Panera and he did great! He didn't try to get down once and sat eating his breakfast like a big kid!)
-Chores; not cleaning the bathroom or anything but he has to help put all his toys away before going to bed each night. This helps to get the house picked up and I try to make him feel super great for helping Mommy and Daddy. He also puts his dirty clothes in the hamper after we get him changed into his pajamas. Hopefully he continues to enjoy helping us!

Notice how all these things are "big kid" things?!?! Yeah, he is definitely becoming a big kid.

Likes: 
-Movies (all Baby Genius DVDs, Tangled, Ice Age, Happy Feet, Up)
-Pretty much all food and drinks
-Books
-Puzzles
-Being outside
-Swimming
-Music class
-Baths
-Running
-Wrestling
-Helping out
-Being on Mommy and Daddy's bed
-Cartoons (Mickey, Sofia, Super Why, Elmo, Hugglemonsters, Jake and the Neverland Pirates)
-Ice cream

Dislikes:
-Berries (for some reason, he won't even try berries or grapes)
-Being in the car for long periods of time
-Being told "no" {obviously}
-Not getting to watch his DVDs {or not being able to take them absolutely EVERYWHERE!!}

Pretty excited about his ice cream sandwich!

His first big boy cup!

Playing on GiGi's iPad! The only one he ever gets to play on.

"peek-a-boo"

No more baby swings for this kid!

Taken by Brayden himself!

Helping out by mixing the pancake batter!

So there you have it! Brayden at 23 months in a nutshell. I can't believe that when I write this post next month, he will actually be TWO! I guess it's time to start getting things ready for his party. Here's a clue....ARRRRGGG!!! Check back in a couple weeks for some DIY projects I will be making for his party.

Bumpdate: 27 Weeks!

Only 13 weeks left to go (maybe) and it has been flying by! Madison is really growing a ton and her movements are getting much stronger. She is almost 2 pounds and about the size of a head of cauliflower. Good news is...if I so happened to go into labor, Madison would most likely survive with A LOT of help from doctors! This is obviously not on my radar at all but it is a comforting fact that her lungs are matured JUST enough to survive if she had to. Let's just make it at least another 12-13 weeks!

-Due Date: September 11

-Weight Gain: Same until I visit the doc again at the end of the month. +14 pounds total so far.

-Gender: GIRL! Madison Kay. And I have discovered that I have a shopping problem. I bought her 3 more outfits. I really need to stop because I haven't even had a baby shower yet and I know my family is dying to buy some girl stuff so she will get a ton!! But aren't they so cute?!?

-Nursery: (New topic!) We have started clearing things out of Madison's room to get the nursery ready. The only thing we have in there so far is a bookshelf that we already had but I am pretty excited to start decorating. I recently bought some prints from Zulily that will be the main focal point of her room and I also found a super easy mobile that I am going to make to hang over her crib. The "theme" is nature I guess if I have to label it. Lots of colors too!

-Movement: A whole lotta movement going on around here. It seems like she is constantly moving (already trying to keep up with her big brother!) and I love every bit of it!! Hubby is also less freaked out about it so he has been feeling her move more.

-Clothing: I am wearing all maternity clothes and I just bought another maxi skirt from Target that will do wonders for me over the summer. It is lightweight but it also crosses over in the front so I get a good breeze through the little gap in the fabric.

-Cravings: I don't even think I let myself crave the shrimp tacos this time because I had them again. I could probably eat them 2-3 times a week! So freaking delicious!

-Overall Feeling: I feel great!! I think a little insomnia has kicked in because I was awake from 3-5 in the morning but other than that I am pretty good. I am so lucky to have such easy pregnancies and that I am still able to play with Brayden and get down on the floor with him. I am also SUPER excited. Hubby graduates from the academy this week and then we will have him at home for a solid 3-4 days a week! I can't wait for all the family time we will get to spend together and do fun things like the park and the zoo and the aquarium. Things I don't really take Brayden to do by myself (except for the park) and things I know hubby is really looking forward to doing with Brayden. I am also going to be signing Brayden up for a new class of some sort (his music class ends after Wednesday) and I want it to be a class that hubby takes Brayden to. I think it will be excellent bonding time for them!

-Fears: Ugh...blame it on the early morning TV shows that are available (not many) but I am nervous about giving birth again. I remember it being painful obviously but that isn't really what I am worried about. I am worried about the things I cannot control...like if something goes wrong. I just need to stay positive and know that my doctor is amazing and that everything will be fine. Stupid baby shows that get me all nervous about things I never even thought about! Lesson learned: don't watch the baby shows while pregnant!

Just Keep Swimming...

As most of you already know, Brayden absolutely LOVES the water. Baths, dog bowls, buckets full and of course, pools! My aunt has an amazing backyard and Brayden does NOT get out of the pool. The first weekend, Mother's Day, was a blast but poor Brayden left with cut up feet from running on the benches in the pool and spa (the heat was not on!). He was barely walking the next day because each and every little toe had a scab on it. Oops! Mommy fail. Also, it was quite a workout for us adults because he doesn't swim on his own yet so someone had to hold him the whole time he was in there (ALL DAY!). 

So we used our brains a little more for the next weekend. First up...water shoes! Those poor little piggies had just healed and I wasn't about to let him get new scabs! He didn't mind the water shoes at all and he could actually run a little better on the benches. Win, win. Next up, a floaty! My mom bought him one from Costco that just goes around his arms and waist. They are the new design but already approved by the US Coast Guard so I felt safe putting him in the spa with it on. Bonus...he loved it! I was a little nervous that he wouldn't even let me put it on him but he didn't mind at all.

Then we spent the day just watching him from the side of the spa kicking his little heart out!

It was an awesome day and I loved not having to worry SO much about him being in the spa. Even when someone is with him, there is that chance that he will wiggle out of their arms and go under. Obviously, he would survive this incident as someone is right there with him, but it would be tragic anyways(probably more for me than him!). This will be our perfect summer activity, especially since I bought a family-size pool from Target for my parent's backyard! Let the swimming commence!

Music Class...Success!!

So yesterday marked our 3rd music class at our community center and Brayden finally likes it! At the first class, Brayden kept shouting "no music class, no music class" which was very embarrassing and he didn't want to participate at all. The music was loud, there were about 10 other kids and their parents in the class and he just wanted to be in my arms. Sort of how our swim class started. Unfortunately, the next week we couldn't go because I got sick with my cold. Then last week, he did a little better and participated some but still wanted to be up in my arms. The worst part? He had a FIT when we had to give back the drum sticks and the little rattle thing. Again...very embarrassing to have the only kid that freaks out when he has to give something back. 

However, I am so happy to say that yesterday went GREAT!!! Brayden started off a little shy but then he really started to participate. Then the instructor brought out the drum sticks and I got a little nervous. You see, drum sticks are basically Brayden's most favorite thing ever. He will hold one all day, hitting the ground, raising it up in the air as he sings and so on. Of course he really enjoyed using the drum sticks during the one song and then it was time to put them back. 

He gave it back all on his own without as much as a single "eh"!!!! I was so incredibly happy and immediately gave him a huge hug and a high five! Such a proud Mommy moment! Then he was really getting into the marching slow and then fast with the group. He wasn't nearly as attached to me today. In fact, there were times that he would go off without me. I was so proud of him! 

I am sad that we only have one class left, and they don't have a summer program, but I know that he has adjusted quickly and will be great. I am going to look for another little program for us to do for the summer and then hopefully something for him to do with his daddy for when Madison comes. A special little activity each week for the two of them to bond and for me to only have one child as a time.

For now, I am enjoying the days with just Brayden! Love this little monster!

This is the very end of the class...a puppet show. He loves to see Elmo! And he actually sat in the chair on his own without me having to be right there next to him. Awesome day!

Wordless Wednesday!

He is growing up right before my eyes! We started using a big boy cup today and it went really well. He was very proud of himself and thought drinking out of that cup was super fun! 

Next up, potty training. I bought him a potty today and a book all about going potty (it even has a button that makes a flushing noise when pushed!!). We are just going to practice sitting on it and getting him interested in it and used to sitting on it. Then maybe in about a week or so, we will spend a solid few days at home, with no diaper on, and really get down to business. Wish us luck!

Bumpdate: 26 Weeks.

Okay you guys, I recently met another woman with the same due date as me (cool!) and she doesn't even look pregnant (not cool)....this made me feel HUGE!!! I know I am not huge but when you see another woman, also 26 weeks along wearing her normal jeans and a normal, flowy top and doesn't even show...yeah, that's when I feel large! On a good note, Madison is growing a ton and the doc says everything is going great! Madison is now about 1.66 pounds and is about 14 inches long (the length of a scallion!).

-Due Date: September 11

-Weight Gain: 14 pounds...I am right on track to gain a healthy 25-30 pounds (this is what my doctor recommends!)

-Gender: GIRL!! Madison Kay.

-Movement: She moves most of the time now...constantly rolling and giving me little kicks! I absolutely LOVE feeling her move....gives me that confirmation that she is healthy and active!

-Clothing: Maternity clothes but I can still wear a few normal pieces. I am trying to expand my maternity wardrobe just enough to get me through. I need a few tank tops and maybe a couple more maxi skirts to get me through this hot summer.

-Cravings: No new cravings this week although the berries have come in at my parents house (from their backyard) and I swear I could eat a whole bucket of them daily! So delicious!

-Overall Feeling: Accomplished. The hubs and I got a lot of work done over the weekend. Sold some furniture, moved furniture and bough furniture! We sold our large couch and coffee table from our 3rd bedroom that was used as our den. That room is now going to be our master bedroom so we moved our bed, night stands, and armoire with TV into that room. We still need to move the dresser and then install a bar in the closet for our clothes to hang. Lots of progress though. Next up will be cleaning our previous master bedroom to get it ready for Madison's stuff. So exciting!

-Fears: Well my fear of getting everything done is slowly fading and I think after this coming weekend, I will feel confident that we can get it all done. However, Brayden had a rough day yesterday and I fear the days where I have a grouchy Brayden and a grouchy baby. Yikes. Luckily I have family close by and the hubs has 3-4 days off work each week to help out. I know we will make it though those days and I will sigh at the end, throw my feet up and drink some wine (or beer since I will be breastfeeding!).