July Roundup

I have been a terrible blogger this month. Summertime, what can I say?

Some pretty big news is that we've decided to put our house on the market. We won't be moving far, but we'll be getting a new home and we're excited to be able to pick out our own flooring, counter tops, etc. We spent a couple weekends looking around and Carter was a trooper! We've already started fixing the house up a bit to sell and we're hoping to have it on the market by the end of August/beginning of September.

Carter got a haircut!

We went to a new water park by our house

And of course we had to see the new "Planes" movie

We had a family dinner at the beach complete with smores. It was Carter's first time roasting marshmallows and he was hooked!

A self portrait by my artist

And my last bit of news is that I had my first IUI (interuterine insemination). This pic is us in the elevator on our way to the car following the procedure. We are both very hopeful for this cycle, but also trying to prepare ourselves should it not work. The success rate is about 10-20% for a woman under 35. Sometimes it's still hard to believe that we're at this place, but this journey has showed me parts of myself I didn't know existed (or maybe they didn't until now). And I'm so blessed to have such an amazing partner by my side. Russ is my rock. So at this point we've done all we can this cycle and now we wait. Please send prayers and positive energy our way.

This week we wrap up July and prepare for all that August has in store. My birthday, Russ' birthday, a trip to Vegas and hopefully a positive pregnancy test!

June Activities

I've fallen behind on my 'Weekly Roundup' posts (as slacking on posts seems to happen for me during the busy summer months), so I'm loading this post full of photos from some day trips and activities we've done lately.

Ever since we went to the Palm Springs Air Museum Carter's taken a big interest in planes. Before the really bad summer heat seats in we decided to check out the Planes of Fame air museum in Chino. 

Carter also still has his love of fish and other sea creatures and the Birch Aquarium at Scripps was an exciting day for him. 

Hands on tide pools

The water table is a hit with all ages :)

The Birch Aquarium is a great alternative to Sea World. They have no captive cetaceans, the animals aren't forced to perform and it really is educational. I highly recommend going here or to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.  

And what June is complete without at least one graduation party? This weekend we celebrated Russ' cousins High School graduation at a beautiful park in Huntington Beach. Does anything beat cool, coastal weather?!

The grad is on the left. Congrats Nicole!!

Weekly Roundup 5/12-5/18

The weather was in the hundreds for most of the week so we tried to find things to do indoors (or we were at the pool). We had a play date at the trampoline park which has quickly become a hit with Carter!

 On Friday we went to Pennypickles Workshop and it was Russ' first time going with us. Like I've said before, the place is pretty amazing. Everything is just so creative! Each session there is usually one experiment done with the kids by the curator. There weren't that many kids there the day we went so Carter got to do 4! The curator was very impressed with Carter's attention span and enthusiasm. At the end she came up to us and told us that she sees a lot of kids come through and she could tell Carter is very bright. Maybe that's something she says to all the parents, but it made us feel good...and of course we think the same!

Let's talk spelling! This week alone Carter has learned how to spell zoo, zebra, Netflix and fish (and he already knew how to spell Carter). Seemed like everyday I'd walk by the fridge and there would be a new word! His memory amazes me! I know it will come in handy throughout life, too!

We're still working on getting Carter to eat more, but it's going well. Whole grain waffles with sugar free syrup is one of his current favs...

He got some shades for the summer, but so far has only worn them in the house. At least he'll wear a hat for us, though.

And I had an ultrasound with my fertility specialist to check my follicles for this cycle. I have nothing to report at this point, but my fingers are crossed! This has been such an emotional journey, but I know it will all be worth it. I'm not giving up!

Storm Game

Saturday night we did a little tailgating before going to the Storm game with my dad's church service organization. It was Carter's first entire baseball game and I was pleasantly surprised by how much he enjoyed it! 

One of my dad's friends got to throw the first pitch and was given this signed ball. He then gave it to Carter! He thought it was so cool since it's not just a baseball, but one with eyes!

 (signed by #23 Matthew Shepherd)

Park & Duck Pond

You have probably noticed that we spend a lot of time at the park these days. Since we have a "tot lot" pretty much in our backyard it's an easy walk over. The other day we brought our "good" camera and snapped some cute shots. Madison was also over this weekend so our Superbowl Sunday consisted of lunch at Pat and Oscars and feeding ducks...oh, and our yearly tradition of watching The Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet (can you tell we aren't football fans?).