Yosemite!

Ahh, Yosemite. One of the most beautiful places I have been to. It's amazing how despite the many many people that are sharing it with you, it still is such a serene and special place. This was our first time visiting, and we already are scheming plans to return. 

Having a toddler and being 8 months pregnant, the sites we saw were pretty mainstream, and the "hikes" we did were more like nature walks. I definitely was glad for it this time around. When I can come back, Victor and I do hope to do some more serious hiking. But there's a reason the mainstream sites are so popular. Such gorgeous views and things to see. 

First up was the Tunnel View Overlook: with El Capitan on the left, Half Dome in the middle (off in the distance). and Bridalveil Falls (not flowing strongly enough to see in this picture)

Then we went and checked out Bridalveil Falls. If you want to see waterfalls better, don't go to Yosemite at the end of a very dry summer. 

We enjoyed the walk to Lower Yosemite Falls, which didn't have any water coming from it at all, unfortunately.

At this point we had been walking through Yosemite Valley for a while and it was hot. I wish it would have been more socially acceptable to walk around "burta la soare" as they say in Romania (belly to the sun)--meaning when the men let their big beer bellies hang out and get some air to cool down. It really does work!! Haha. 

Also if you know Victor and I, you know that we don't do camping. So we opted to stay at a lodge in El Portal--a small town right outside the entrance to Yosemite. There are a lot of entrances, but we knew we would be spending most our time in the Valley area, which is why we chose El Portal. We enjoyed that they had a pool. Baby J definitely enjoyed it the most. 

Our Sunday morning was one I will always remember. We turned on hymns as we drove back into the park. It was something I will never forget. Loved the spirit that could be felt as we drove in and talked about the wonder of God's creation. 

We also drove up to Glacier Point to get sweeping views of Half Dome and the valley. J got to play with a dog, which made him happy, but apparently his picture taking quota was maxed out. 

Victor and I also decided we are going to return to Half Dome and climb it together. Who wants to join us??

Until next time, Yosemite!

Family Photos in Yosemite Valley

We spent a beautiful weekend up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at Yosemite National Park. It was a wonderful weekend away with our little family. While we were there I made my boys do a family photo shoot since I realized we haven't taken a decent photo of all three of us for a long time. So we brought our handy tripod, I made the boys pack matching outfits, and we did our best to get some good photos of us, because it definitely wasn't hard to get good photos of the scenery!

^^my heart explodes with this picture. matching sweaters is the best thing ever^^

 This gorgeous golden lighting was provided by the fire that was burning in another part of the park, unfortunately. We could see ashes landing on our car! But man, it made the light so so gorgeous for these pictures.

Currently

(idea taken from my friend Mickelle)

Reading: Technically I am reading Tortilla Flat in my effort to read all of Steinbeck's novels since so many take place in Monterey. I haven't read it for a few weeks so I really need to get back on it. Also reading the talks from General Conference, starting with the Women's Session. 

Eating: Too much sugar! Sweets are definitely my biggest pregnancy craving, or just general life craving. I've been making rice krispie treats and inhaling them. It's shameful, really. 

Thinking About: Not being pregnant anymore. I am now in the phase where I begin to feel like an old lady--limited by my body. My toddler likes to climb all over me and I feel bad trying to stop him because it hurts! 

And I'm also thinking a lot about friends and friendships. Because I don't feel like I've been trying to make friends like I did in Okinawa. Victor and I are both missing our friends from our last duty station really bad. We had it good. And as I've been thinking about it, I realize how they were exactly what I needed from being stationed out there. Victor was working so much and sometimes out of the country, so good friends were a must, and definitely the biggest blessing. I wonder if it's because Victor is able to be around so often here in California that that's why I haven't been trying as hard. Either way, I want to do better.

Looking forward to: A few things this month. We are heading to Yosemite this weekend. Never been so I'm excited. And my mom is visiting next week yay!!

Enjoying: All the beautiful things to see around here. We've been exploring and there are still so many places I want to see. I need to blog about them. And I've said it before, but I am enjoying seeing all of them with my husband. It's so great that he has the time to go exploring with me. Also enjoying my toddler/baby (it's a transitional time and I don't want to let go). He is absolutely delicious. I think he senses when I'm not feeling too hot, because he will just come and want to snuggle with me. He has never been a snuggle baby so Victor and I are loving it. He is such a sweet soul. 

Loving: Being pregnant. I know I just complained about it, but that being said, I am still so grateful to be pregnant, and am loving all the baby's movements. Also loving Fixer Upper on HGTV. Seriously, I love it. 

So there you go. A random post of what's been going on lately. Have a great day!

Married Conversations

It's the kitchen/cooking edition of married conversations. 

Background: we don't have a dishwasher. It's rough. We have resorted to using paper plates and stuff...a lot. Doing dishes non stop is the worst!

Me: "we are all out of paper plates."

Victor: "oh no. I guess we're going to have to...buy more paper plates."

So we also just subscribed to Blue Apron meals--more on that later. This was when we got our first delivery.

Me: "So since we are making these fancy meals, are we going to use our real plates?"

Victor: audibly scoffs. "Nope!"

We got Blue Apron because I've had zero motivation/inspiration/energy to cook meals that don't involve some kind of Costco involvement or frozen something. Victor is sick of it. I don't blame him. So we subscribed, and I messaged my friend Sarah because she had mentioned something about giving a referral discount. This convo is texting with her. 

Me: "I signed up because all victor and I argue about is how I don't have energy to plan and cook healthy meals. What's wrong with frozen meals?? 😆😜  So I was sick of it."

Sarah: "Haha! If that's the only thing you argue about, you're in good shape. I hope Blue Apron saves your marriage."

We made our first meal tonight, and I think it is going to save our marriage. Because I enjoyed cooking again! And he  didn't have to eat hamburger helper! 

(And we used our real plates to celebrate)

Until next time!

30 Weeks and My Second Baby Worries

THIRTY Weeks. Is it just me, or did that just come sooo fast?!

Here's what the baby bump is looking like these days...

And of course my little sidekick joined me in the photo shoot. 

This pregnancy has flown by because it has been so much easier than my pregnancy with J. Before I was feeling movements, I was seriously doubting I was even pregnant haha. But it's definitely happening. And if I had to describe how I'm feeling, all I can say is this: ROLLER COASTER.

One moment I am so excited and am all, "yeah, I think I can handle this whole two kids under two thing. It will be fun!" And then there are the moments where my baby is exhibiting toddler craziness and I think "WHAT WAS I THINKING." One of my instagram friends has two boys that are 15 months apart and her "advice" was this: hang on for dear life. One of my other friends asked me if I'm prepared to keep two kids alive. My response was that keeping them alive is the easy part. All that involves is keeping them fed. My concern is not losing my sanity and messing them up for life.

But the thing that concerns me most is trusting the fact that I will love both these children equally. Because that is something that I just don't know how that is all going to happen.

When I found out I was pregnant (feels like forever ago!) I remember immediately feeling guilty...maybe scared...that I would love J less because I was wanting a baby so badly. And then in those moments of pure bliss with J--meaning when he is just such a joy, which is way more often than not--I found myself wondering how it is it at all possible for me to love another kid as much as J. He is just such a happy, friendly, easy going, lovable kid, so what if the next kid isn't like that?

And then of course, with J coming into toddlerhood, he definitely has his moments where he tests me and pushes me to the edge, and I'm once again feeling bad that I'm looking forward to a little baby that just does whatever I want and is content to just cuddle on my lap. Like I said: ROLLER COASTER!

With my first pregnancy, I had said that choosing to become a mother was a leap of faith for me, because I was never a baby hungry person who couldn't wait to have kids. I'm feeling like having this second baby is once again a leap of faith but of a different kind. Everyone always says how easy it is to love your children equally, but since it hasn't been something I've experienced, I'm just trusting it will happen. That while I say I hope this baby boy is as easy-to-love as J, I am putting my faith in the fact that I will love him just as much.

I still can't comprehend how it all happens, but I've seen it countless times with everyone I know with multiple children, my own mother included. And I sure love my little toddler, so just going on that, this new baby boy is so loved already.

More glimpses of The Cottage

We had Victor's parents visit for Labor Day, and it was so nice having them here. Victor's stepdad helped us with so many projects around the house, they played with J, and Victor and I got to go on a date. So I'm feeling a little better about the state of our house--meaning there are no more moving boxes in the house! So here are a few more glimpses into our little cottage. 

The front porch: I still want to do more to make it a place to hang out and relax, but it's much more inviting now than before.

Entryway: 

Other side of entryway. I don't know what to put on these shelves! Especially since a toddler will come through and probably destroy it. 

Another view of the kitchen. I'm trying to embrace this room, but it is the most difficult. That counter space you see there is the only counter space there is for cooking and stuff. We've had to do a lot of Ikea purchasing for some portable counter things. That door leads to our laundry room and J's itty bitty room. How we are going to fit two kids in there is intimidating me!

And the playroom/guest bedroom/Victor's kind of man cave since our tv is in there/etc. This room is right off the living room which is why we decided to not have the baby sleep in there.

It always feels so nice to make a house a home. Despite the annoyances of living in an old house, we are really loving this little cottage.

Glimpses into The Cottage

I call our little Monterey house "The Cottage" because that is exactly what it feels like. It's an old house, so while it has lots of old house details that give it charm, it also has old house lack-of-modern conveniences like a dishwasher, disposal, and only one bathroom with a claw foot tub, which so many people on the internet think is so charming, and it looks charming, but showering and trying to keep the floor dry can be tricky. 

A few days ago we finally got all our stuff that had been in storage so we can finally start truly unpacking. But it definitely is overwhelming! We have to be ultra organized because of lack of closet space, and we have a one year old who loves to throw things out of drawers when you're trying to put stuff in, or put stuff in boxes when you're trying to take things out which makes it more exhausting!

So slowly but surely, it's coming together. And while I still feel like there is lots to do (because there is), these are some spaces in the house that when I look at them it helps calm me from the areas of disaster that are out of the camera frame!

Living room:

Kitchen:

And a little boy's room, photobombed by a cute little boy:

It's definitely been a slower process for decorating, but it's coming along. You have to start somewhere and these little spaces are giving me hope to persevere!

We are grateful for our little cottage. Stay tuned for more updates as we make progress.