Spring has Sprung!

Spring is definitely here, we've been getting a good amount of rain, but in between we have great weather. This last week we have been out enjoying the season! Jordan was taking a class for work all last week, and one of the days he had a couple hours in between class and going back to work, so we met in Carlsbad and let Clara play at the beach. She loves the water and will not stop running towards it. We were feeding her yogurt, and she decided to make a lovely sand/yogurt concoction, we let her do it because it kept her out of the water for 10 minutes!

Today Clara and I went to the Carlsbad Flower Fields with my sister and Ella, and my cousin Monica and Penelope. I think we were a little ambitious though, and by the end of the day we were dragging the kids along behind us! First I had a doctor's appointment, I am 37 weeks and everything is looking great. I am down to once a week appointments, and it feels like I am always there, but at least they are quick! Then we headed to lunch at Ruby's, went to the Carter's Outlet store to get some cute kid clothes, and finally went to the Flower Fields. It was a lot of walking (mostly carrying the kids) and the flowers aren't completely in bloom yet. But we had fun for the most part. After a couple melt downs we were on our way home, with the kids passed out in the car. It's nice to get out though, and I still have in the back of my mind that I better take advantage of having 1 kid. Thanks for all the comments/advice on my last post, it's nice to know other moms out there in similar situations!

Busy, busy, busy...

Ella loves trying to "get" Clara...

I squatted down to get a picture of her, so she squatted too ;)

I probably carried her waaay to much, but she has a nice "seat" with my belly!

Such a cute picture, but it is way too hard to get kids this age to look at the camera!

The spring time fun is going to continue, we are going beach camping for a couple of days, and the weather is supposed to be fantastic, I can't wait!

Safari Park

Yesterday my sister and I took the kiddos to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, otherwise known as the Wild Animal Park. It was a lot of fun, she pushed them around in our snazzy new double stroller and I waddled along behind trying to keep up. The weather was beautiful, and I think we managed to see quite a bit, it was just nice to get out and go somewhere! Before we headed down, we went out to breakfast. I was hoping to fill Clara up to the brim so maybe I wouldn't have to feed her so many snacks once we were there. She managed to eat...half a banana before we left the house, the rest of the banana mixed in with baby oatmeal at the restaurant, then two sausages, some scrambled egg, and half a pancake...once we got our food. Oh, and lots of whole milk. However, as soon as we got there, she began to fuss and smack her lips, which is how she tells me she's hungry. I couldn't believe it! Luckily I never leave the house without a million snacks, so I was just breaking them out as we went. This girl can eat, but I don't know where she puts it! She was in a great mood the whole day, and behaved really well, yay!

Riding the tram...

Eating some of her snacks...I would try to point out an animal and she would be more concerned about asking for more...is this normal? At least she says please!

You ask Clara to smile...and she says, "Cheese!" Then she gives you cheese, she is so goofy!

She loved the petting zoo...

...but wasn't too sure about sitting on a large rhino ;)

I am trying to take advantage of having only one kid at the moment. Even though simple tasks seem insurmountable with my large belly. But soon I will have two, and then I'm not sure I am going to leave the house! Any tips or advice from you mom's out there that have two or more? How do you manage to leave the house, in between two napping schedules, packing an endless amount of food for the older one, and nursing the younger. I'll let my mom friends of only one know my tricks once I learn them!

P.S. I do have to add that Clara isn't always the best eater, breakfast is her hungriest time. After that she can be very fickle, such as not liking something she loved the day before. She also loves to snack, and after breakfast I have a hard time getting her to eat other real meals. So don't worry, she is not the perfect eater, she is still your typical toddler!

Baby Sprinkle!

We had my baby "sprinkle" last Sunday, and it turned out beautifully. We called it a sprinkle because I already have most of my baby necessities from our first, but I just needed a few extra boy things like clothes, blankets, burp cloths etc. We invited family and a few close friends and had a great time enjoying each others company. My mom and sister threw it for me at my sister's house and the decorations were beautiful, the food was yummy, and I especially loved the cake pops, which I actually helped my sister make. Those are not for the faint of heart! They were fun to make, but very time consuming and a little messy. But they turned out sooo cute and were absolutely delicious! Other fun things were an Ice Cream Sundae station, a college fund piggy bank game, and setting a timer while I was opening presents and whenever the timer went off whom ever's gift I was opening got a prize.

Family...

Some friends...

Clara and her friend Lauren...

My cousin Karina, due in May also having a boy...

Cousin Mindy with her nephew Ashton...

Clara helped me open presents, and got some of her own...

My sister, the wonderful host, and beautiful Ella...

The generations are expanding!

Trying to squirm away from mamma...

Jordan stopped by at the end to help pack things up...

It was so nice to get all the presents, and I definitely am feeling a little more prepared and ready for this little guy to arrive. I received all the things I needed to finish the nursery, like my bedding, changing pad and cover, laundry hamper and lots of clothes and blankets. Now I just need to get it all organized! I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped and came, I really feel so blessed, Thank you!!

Just in case you were wondering, I took some pictures of how to make Cake Pops...

You bake a simple box cake according to directions and allow to cool (we used a vanilla and chocolate cake), then crumble the cake into a bowl and mix with a can of cream cheese frosting (with your hands, it gets messy). Next you roll the mixture into quarter size balls and chill for a few hours. Add the Popsicle sticks, dip into melted chocolate, add sprinkles, and allow to dry upright. We stuck them into a Styrofoam board which my sister later decorated.

...Delicious and adorable!!