Blessed

I know, I know…I said I was back to blogging and I had high hopes.  I’m back, slowly.

This move to California has been tough, challenging, emotional and good {and every other emotion you can possibly imagine} for me.  The first three months were hard, and I mean the hardest three months of my life.  Thanks to a wonderfully supportive husband, family and friends, I made it through.  We are approaching month seven here and I’m feeling very blessed. 

It all came to me this week, I'm feeling blessed and happy.  Blessed that someone has been looking out for me, blessed that I have a support system, blessed that I’m enjoying life in CA and blessed to have made friends that I really enjoy. 

There are three women in particular that I love to be around.  They have fun kids and we do fun things together.  These three women are wonderful people and they have no idea how big an impact they have had on my life.  They laid a brick down, a brick in the foundation of my life and I'm grateful.  In a sense, they are angels.  I hope to do for someone else, what they have done for me, unknowingly.

I'm Baaack...

It’s been 10 months since I blogged and to say we’ve had a lot going on is an understatement! 

Most importantly, Ayla Marie was born!!! Ten days “late” but on her own and quickly we welcomed this sweet little girl!  She made us a family of four and as everyone says, you love your second child just as much as the first!  She is a sweet smiley little cherub and we can’t imagine our life without her.

Becoming a family of four was quite a transition.  Josie took it the hardest, which I guess is expected, but I wasn’t quite prepared for her reaction.  She was so sad and not her happy little self.  I was intern sad for her, that her little life as she new it was no longer.  In the long run, I knew she’d never remember this transition, which I’m thankful for, and she’d have a sister to experience life with. 

There are plenty of days, pictures and wild happenings I could blog about in the last 10 months, but those just aren’t going to make an appearance here.  September was a life changing month for us and for ease; you’ll be getting the Cliff’s Notes. 

Sonneman Cliff’s Notes: August 2012-May 2013

• September – Kyle received a phone call from Samsung, recruiting him to a job in San Jose California.
• October – We, as a family, accepted the position.  Our house went on the market.
• November – Our house sold.  Kyle moved to San Jose and started his job.  My mother-in-law graciously came to help me with the first 12 days by myself.  The girls and I learned how to function without Kyle.  He came home for Thanksgiving; it was his first trip home and it was absolutely wonderful to see him.
• December – Josie, Ayla, my mom and I (of course Kyle was there) went to San Jose for a house hunting trip.  Miraculously we found a house, in a housing market that is on fire.  Success!  The moving company came, packed and all of our belongings went into storage in San Jose.  The girls and I moved into my mom’s house with three suitcases for a 2 month stay.  Kyle came home for Christmas, again wonderful.
• January – Kyle came home for two weekends.  We made our traditional trek to the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo and celebrated his birthday.  The girls and I had a lot of play dates as our moved date loomed.
• February – We had official move in dates.  Ayla and I flew to San Jose for our closing.  The girls and I got on a one-way flight to California on Sunday February 24^th.  My mom, sister and niece came out to help us unpack three days after we arrived.
• March – My in-laws came for two weeks and continued helping us get settled.  We went to San Diego to spend Easter with my Aunt and family.  It was a pretty easy drive down and the girls and I flew back a few days later.  We staying to play at the Wild Animal Park and Sea World with my cousin and her daughter that is two days younger than Ayla.
• April – Music started, the same music program we were involved with in Denver, and Josie started swim lessons and ballet class.  We decided on a preschool for Josie this fall and I’m so happy it’s walking distance from our house!  Kel, Juliet and my grandma came to visit.  I so needed a familiar face, it was wonderful!
• May – Lisa came to visit and we did some much needed clothes shopping.   Mother’s Day was wonderful as we went exploring in Big Sur and Carmel.  My mom was next on the visitors list.  We did lot of new things and showed her a few things we like to do…the beach!  Of course anyone’s visit goes by quickly and feels too short.  The rest of the month deserves its own post..

So for now my friends, you’re update on our life.  It’s been 10 months of highest of highs and lowest of lows, but we’re hanging in there.  We’ve been in California now for three months and while we are settled in our house, we’re still getting to know people and the area.  I couldn’t live without my GPS, that’s for sure.

Here’s to being back to blogging!

The waiting game...

I thought by now we'd be a family of 4.  Much to my surprise, and everyone else's, Baby girl #2 has NOT made an appearance.  I've been so ready, freezer full of food, house cleaned, laundry folded and put away, nursery done, bassinet ready, hospital bags packed....and still no baby.  My in-laws have been here for 10 days as of today...just hanging out, doing house projects and playing with Josie.  Everyone is on the edge of their seat...How are you feeling?  Any contractions?  Nothing folks, I've got nothin'!!!  Sunday night I had false labor, completely disappointing.  She's clearly not ready, but everyone else is!  

We had a non-stress test today and she is doing just fine....another one on Friday and will be induced on Monday.  She can arrive on her own or Monday July 30th it is.  I have a max of 6 more days of being pregnant with this little one.  So anxious to meet her, maybe she'll be a laid back little one?!  Until baby arrives....

Kelsey and Nathan’s Wedding

This was a big weekend for all of us.  When my cousin Kelsey got engaged, she asked Josie to be the flower girl, of course we said yes.  At the time I wasn’t pregnant, so come Christmas when we told the extended family that I was pregnant, I also had to tell Kelsey that Kyle and I wouldn’t be at her wedding but Josie could still be the flower girl.  I thought it would be no big deal, send her with my family for the weekend…..But as June 21^st got closer, I had different thoughts about sending my little 2 year old for a weekend away without either parent.  What the HELL was I thinking? 

I had her little suitcase so organize, all the clothes for each day in bags, so my Mom/Sister/Aunt/Grandma would know what she was wearing, shoes, bows, snacks, distractions, music…everything I could possibly think of to make their weekend easier.  The day of, I was a wreck, I mean from the minute I got up!  I had called the airline to see if I could get a gate pass and they said it would be no problem, to get it when I check Josie in.  So I knew I would see her off until the very last second. 

My Mom, Josie and I are at the counter checking her in and I ask the agent for a gate pass.  She said, “Oh no problem, let me get so-and-so to get that for you”.  So this nice lady comes over and says, “We only give gate passes to people traveling with seniors that need assistance”.  I LOST IT, full on tears, couldn’t speak….a scene to say the least.  My mom tells her the situation and thankfully the lady gave me a pass, but it didn’t help the fact that I already couldn’t compose myself and she made it 100 times worse.  Moving on…I got the pass and we were off through security and to the gate.  We picked up some lunch that Josie could eat on the place and then it was time to board.  They boarded early and again I was a mess…could cry as I type, just remembering the day.  I said goodbye to my baby girl and down the ramp they went. 

The weekend went well, Josie was a little angel, walked down the isle and danced the night away.  She made friends with Kelsey’s bridesmaids and took a special liking to one named Brit.

The first night she was gone, I slept terribly…it was just so quiet at home.  The second night was better and by Saturday I was just counting down the hours until 2:41pm on Sunday when the plane was scheduled to land.  I met them at baggage claim and Josie came running, oh I was so glad to see her.  I think my family was pretty exhausted. 

The repercussions of sending your two year old off for 4 days and 3 nights of off schedule living…she slept and ate for two and a half days upon her return.  I was so happy to have our family under one roof again. 

Congrats to Kelsey and Nathan!!!

Sitting in the make-up chair, waiting for her turn

Rehearsal dinner with Aunt Karen and Grammy

walking down the isle to Aunt Kelly

Being announced at the reception, assisted by Aunt Karen

Kelsey and Josie

She clearly has no idea what's happening...

Hanging with Grammy

Doing the chicken dance, to whatever song is playing

clap, clap, clap!

The beautiful couple

Visit from Aunt Lisa and “Ankle” Brian

Lisa and her fiancé Brian came for a visit and we had a great time.  Of course Josie had a great time with them playing and showing off all her tricks.  Brian hadn’t been to Denver, so we showed him around…local restaurants we love, Coors brewery, the mountains, Breckenridge and the alpine slide, Boulder, shopping at the outlets, and Red Rocks.  We ran around for 5 full days and honestly I was exhausted, but had a great time. 

Kyle took Josie up the chairlift to take her down the alpine slide.  I was a nervous wreck about the chairlift part.  No seat belt, potentially a deadly fall, how in the world was he going to keep our little wiggle worm in his arms.  Needless to say they arrived at the bottom of the hill safe and sound and she had such a great time.  It was also Father's day, so it was a big weekend!

Sadly Lisa and Brian had to go home, but we get to see them again in less than two months at their wedding Labor day weekend!

Happy Father's Day!

Coming down the slide, she kept saying "faster Dada"

intently listening to the tour at Coors Brewery...

2 years old!!!!

This is so very over due, but we had a great celebration for Josie’s 2^nd birthday.  I still can’t believe we officially have a toddler, and I thought life was fast before kids.  Ha!  We had a little birthday the three of us and Uncle Walt on her actual birthday and after the first candle blowout and ice cream eating, she said “again”, so we did it all over again.  Even a second helping of ice cream….I mean, it is her birthday, of course another helping is appropriate

The weekend after her birthday was Memorial Day weekend and the three of us headed to Aspen for our last trip before baby arrives.  We had a great time, playing in the park and river, morning walks along the Rio Grande Trail and enjoying some family time.  On Friday night she started saying “Josie do it” and Saturday she wanted to eat corn on the cob, on the cob. (I had been cutting it off for her).  She had no idea it was her birthday and that she was now two years old, but it certainly seemed like she changed into a little two year old over night!  Kyle loves her independence, I’m getting used to it:) I know I’ll love it soon, we just can’t do anything quickly when “Josie do it”.

The following weekend we had a small celebration with family and friends.  It was so much fun to have kids Josie plays with over for a little party.  It was a simple BBQ, sprinkler action that was a huge hit and of course cake and ice cream.  She LOVES Sesame Street and specifically Elmo so it was an Elmo party.  I love parties, but I tired not to go overboard especially since she really had no idea what it was all about.  I figure I have years of parties to plan.  We all had a great time and took naps that afternoon.  WARNING: lots of pictures!

First helping...not quite sure what to do with the candles.

Second helping...she gets it now!

Dig in!

So very happy...Alphabet Elmo from Grandpa Tom

walking in the river, in ICE COLD WATER!

ready to go!

corn on the cob...

waiting for the bus

at the park

 

Sprinklers, water, splashing...and mud!

This girl is obsessed with water.  She loves to play in the little sprinkler out back, splash in the water in front of the grocery store after they water the flowers or have a cup of ice and water out back.  It’s pure enjoyment.  And when water is mixed with dirt….ooohhh, we have ourselves mud and that is even better than water.  

Just a little morning mud mask

"Do you want some Mama?"

Just testing it out

"COLD"

we're down one article of clothing, the dress...

Not getting too close

Down a second article...the bloomers

leaving her tracks