So first things first. I am still very much pregnant. I am currently almost 28 weeks along and the third trimester really seemed to creep up on us. I can't believe that in a matter of a few months we are going to be parents of TWO. And not just parents of two...parents of two BOYS. Lord help us. Boys are amazing though and although very energetic, they are truly mama's little angels. When we found out we were having a boy (Luke) people CONSTANTLY asked if I was upset because he wasn't a girl. Really people?? Does it matter? I think it is such a sad question...its almost as if having two of the same gender is a tragedy. I could not imagine having it any other way and I am SO excited to be the mommy of two wonderful, bouncing, energetic, and loving baby boys. As for trying for another one to get a girl...well quite simply, NO THANKS. We are done. I love being a mom but two is enough. We have always decided that four was the family number for us and now that it has become a reality, we hold strong to the belief that its still the right thing for us. I want to delve a little bit into some things that have been on my mind about this whole "mom of two" thing but let's get to that in a bit. I still have a lot to talk about people.
We are officially Arizonans. We live in an amazing neighborhood in the west valley and we feel so blessed to be able to call it our home. For now we are renting but we plan to buy in the next year or so. Renting was just the easiest option for us as we made the transition from Austin to Phoenix. I am currently working for Litchfield School District (A district! Texas teacher friends...that is the equivalent of exemplary) and I get to work with my best friend!! It has been a roller coaster when you combine the pregnancy, leaving our home, starting new careers/jobs, and still trying to maintain a normal balance at home. I come home most days exhausted but I come home knowing that everything we have done and we continue to do is for our family and it is worth it. I miss AUstin and our friends terribly. Sometimes I forget that we don't have a Torchy's down the road or that we can't take Eli down to Zilker park for the day and it makes me a little blue. But then I think of how amazing it is to have my family close and our friends here who love us and support us. We made this move because it was the right financial thing to do...and we know that it was the only way we could afford a family of four comfortably. It is a HUGE transition period in our lives and there are still bumps daily that we work through but it is getting easier. Life is a series of changes and you either roll with them or you don't. We are rolling with them and so far we are very happy, blessed, and changed for the better. I think our marriage is stronger because we did this together...we have had to rely on eachother for support and a shoulder to cry on. We have had to learn how to manage our stress levels and make sure we prioritize our lives, regardless of what comes up. I love my husband more now than I ever have. He amazes me each and every day and sometimes (ok, ok probably more so nowadays with these damn hormones) when I snap or ask him to take on every single household chore, I realize all over again how absolutely, eternally in love with him I truly am.
Here are some pictures of the halfway decorated house. At some point in time I will post better pictures of a house that is cleaner and nicer looking. THere are no pictures of the upstairs because at the time of these photos, it was a total disaster. Hey, I'm an honest girl!
The kitchen looking in from the family room
Other side of the kitchen and a nook for a small office space. To the right of the picture is the door to the garage.
The family room
From the front door. To the right is a guest bathroom and stairs. To the left is our formal dining area.
Looking out the front door. We have a park right across the street!
Our big front porch. Can't wait until it is cool enough to relax out here!
Our steps :)
Leo greeting everyone who comes to the front door :)
Stairs
Downstairs guest 1/2 bath
And speaking of deep, eternal love, Elijah is doing amazing! He is now a little over 13 months old and he is growing way too fast. I can't believe our baby is now a toddler! What happened y'all?!?!?! I seriously think I need someone to explain this to me. Everytime I look back at his baby photos, I cry. Carlos has to tell me to stop because I really get myself worked up and its so ridiculous! I love that he is thriving and becoming such a little man, but I miss those baby days. And one day when he is getting married or going off to college, I will be in shock all over again. Being a parent is such a blessing and a curse. And as bad as that sounds it is true. You unconditionally love your babies...but with every passing moment they get older and you know (in the back of your mind) that one day they grow up and they leave the "nest". It just doesn't seem fair. I know, I know. Life's not fair (blah blah blah) but I just want my little boy to stay my little boy. As a working mom it is hard sometimes because you feel like you miss so much of the day with them. Sadly, I spend more time with my second graders than I do with my own child. I hate that realization. It depresses me. But then I realize how much Eli loves his school and how much he has gained from it. I know that the time I do have with him is true quality time because I know it's limited until the next day when I get home. There are still pros and cons of the working/stay at home mom bit and for now, I still lean towards the working mom side for our family. But who knows, that may change and if it does, we have the flexibility to make it happen. For now I revel in the pure joy I see in my son's face when I pick him up from school and how he runs to me all wobbly, arms wide, grinning ear to ear, squealing. It is my happy place.
We have had a lot of changes this last year but what fun is life without change? I know that in the next year we plan on buying/building a new house and yes, inevitably, probably buying a bigger car (Honda Pilot anyone?) and I have come to the conclusion that life just isn't going to slow down in the near future. Sometimes this thought completely consumes and overwhelms me and sometimes I am able to step back and realize how blessed we are to be able to experience these life changes. God is so good and we are so blessed...good times and bad.
