Yowza - It's mid-April!?!?

Denial...
I can't believe it's nearing the end of April.  Clearly, I'm not a "blogger" if my last post was in January when we found out we were having a boy.  But that's okay, I don't need anything else going on right now.  SO much has happened since then.  I will try to squeeze out an update since I probably won't get out another post until Summer :)

February-March:
I started a new job!  God opened a door that I wasn't expecting, but it has turned out to be a huge blessing.  (did that rhyme?).  The only thing I was "expecting" this year was a baby in June.  So, I left Co-Cola after 4 years to become a Client Manager for a health management company (don't want to go into too many details).  So far I love it - mainly for the work-life balance and flexibility of working from home.  It's also a huge challenge.  I have so much to learn!  Sometimes it's just easier to stay where we are doing what we "know how" to do... so as much as I want to know everything about my job right now, I know I need to be patient and take it slow.

I feel like the new job has been a launching pad for us to finally HOUSE HUNT!  We knew this was a huge priority with the baby coming and all - but God is truly blessing us and working out the details (isn't He awesome!?).  We've been house-hunting since January fell in love with one - cried when we heard it went under contract... re-focused and have made 4 offers since then.  Hello!?  Can someone just sell us a house?  I never knew it would be this difficult (and please, let me spare you the details).  BUT, we fully trust God, we have to be patient (regardless of our June-due-date).  We know the right house is around the corner and we're getting close.  We've spent every weekend (and some week days) looking for our future house...I CAN'T EXPRESS HOW EXCITED WE ARE! We've been waiting for this for 9 years!  I don't think anyone can be MORE excited and anxious than I am, to move... not possible :)  Oh, and our house-hunt has turned me into a pinterest-addict.  (confession...)

Aislynn also started part-time pre-school a nearby church on March 1!  Still surreal to me, but she absolutely loves it and we love that it is preparing her for big-girl school in a couple years.  She goes from 9-12:30, she's one of 10 in her class (5 boys and girls) and she has learned the cutest little songs & games.  We like the fact that it provides structure and teaches her independence (amongst many other things, they have a well-rounded curriculum).  Our favorite thing has been 2 particular songs that she sings all day long!

1.  The meal "prayer": God our Father, God our Father, we give thanks, we give thanks, for our many blessings, for our many blessings - aaaaamen, aaaamen (except she likes to sing it warp speed).
2.  "If I had a little box I'd put my (fill in the blank:  Mommy, Daddy, etc...) in, I'd take 'em out and and put them back again!"  Sooo cute when she sings this to us.

April:
Dad's birthday - Aislynn's 3RD BIRTHDAY (On Easter) - My birthday!  I can't believe my precious baby girl is 3 years old.  Oh, how I can feel her tiny newborn beany-butt cradled in my arms still.  She is TRULY my pride and joy.  I love her more than words can describe - she's the most perfect awesome little girl God could've ever picked out for me (us).  aaahhhh... 

Pregnancy:
My pregnancy has been going great.  No complaints.  I'm bigger and carrying a bit lower this time around.  At my last appt (30 wks), they confirmed that lil' man is head down (yay!).  They also told me where his extremeties are - which explains why I'm getting kicked, bumped and nudged 24/7 on my right side.  I NEVER imagined this baby would be as active as he is.  He moves CONSTANTLY.  He gets the hiccups a lot too and settles down for about 20 mins at a time... then it's back to river dancing.  I'm definitely feeling the third trimester pains of not a lot of sleeping, achy ribs/back/hips - BH contractions - tiredness and ligament soreness.  But - it's all worth the bundle that grows inside.

I'm super excited b/c tomorrow we get to see what the next Adamski looks like!  I got a 3d/4d ultrasound gift certificate for my birthday (thanks Dad) and booked my appt right away.  It's just a quick peek - so I'm hoping we get some good shots of his face.  I can't wait to see him!  I kinda feel like it's "cheating", the fact that we get to see him before he's born (this isn't how it used to be)... but we can't deny the perks of modern technology, so what the HAY?  :) 

THEENNNNN... off to my baby shower.  yay.

Well - This is really just a "blah" update to rid myself of the guilt of not being better about blogging regularly.... "some day" right? shyeah...  There have been so many other little updates and happenings that I want to update on here.  Especially Aislynn updates, preggo updates, pictures and all that 'purty' stuff (Ais first day of school pics, Easter & bday pics, friends' bday party pics, etc...)  More to come.  (who am I kidding, I think the only person that actually reads this post is also typing it right now) :)

(Okay, here's a couple pictures, just to make this look a little less boring)

Aislynn's 3rd Bday

Aislynn's 1st day of School (3/1)

-Kim

Baby Adamski (2) is a...

**BOY**

We are very excited and can't wait to meet our little man.  Lot's of planning to do - we'll see if we can agree on a name before he comes (no, we won't be sharing name ideas or picks) :)  We thank God for a healthy baby!



Winter recap... 2012 is gonna be good!

It's been one month since Christmas but it feels like 3!

We flew out to CO right after they got dumped with snow. What a change to see all the mountains and everything covered in white. We had a guest with us when we flew... a cute little puppy named Poppy! She was a surprise Christmas present from my brother to my sis-in-law. A puppy that my dad & step-mom bred. She did great on the flight & my brother was surprised we flew her out! I was just soo glad to be on vacation!

(Pikes Peak)

When we got to my moms, we just relaxed & then I made plans to meet up w/ 2 good friends from H/S. Erin was moving to Korea w/ her fam & this was me & Becca's chance to get together & meet each others kiddos. It was great to see them, we had snacks while the kids spread them all over the place. We somehow managed to snap some pics. So maybe setting the camera on the play kitchen on auto-timer didn't work out like we thought, but it captures the craziness just fine. After saying our goodbyes, went back to the house for some lunch & rest (staying up the night before till 2 am, then waking at 3 am does things to your head.)  (pics coming soon)

Christmas Eve was busy - we started by seeing Santa at the mall & then visiting Tommy's church for an evening service, then a yummy Eve dinner at his house. Ais loved playing & catching up with her cousins! Such sweet boys.

 

 Christmas morning was fun, Ais is starting to understand what Santa is all about, but mostly that it's Jesus' bday. We sang happy bday to him & opened presents. Funny how the presents you think will be big hits aren't that exciting (isn't that how it always is with toddlers?) My mom's Brittish neighbor, John, stopped by & Ais was all about impressing him! She would open a present and show him and tell him all kinds of interesting things. She loved her new tea set & Mr. Potato head & mostly her play-doh cupcake set. She also loved playing "balls" every day (all day) on grandpa's vintage pool table.

We enjoyed Xmas dinner with my step-siblings (Misty & Miles) & their fam. Craziness w/ 2.5 toddlers running around opening presents, over tired... I just really enjoyed just spending time with everyone.

(I need to finish uploading all my pics!)

Right about this time, I noticed Ais was sniffly & warm. I know sickness had been all around us - and yes... Within a couple days it wiped us all out! We all were zapped w/ somethin' awful & lucky me couldn't really take anything. By the time we pulled ourselves together, my mom got the flu. We did manage to still enjoy our little bit of time left together & play in the snow. We made a sweet Frosty & zipped Ais around on a little sled.

The "men" (Rory, Tommy, Miles & Michael) went to a ranch to go shooting one afternoon. From the sounds of it, they enjoyed themselves, had some typical "man" convo and shot stuff... Isn't that what it's all about for them?

We also ventured to Manitou Springs to the penny arcades one day (old vintage arcades for just nickels, dimes & quarters) it was fun to see the kids play where I used to hang as a teen.

(yes this is my brother w/ a giant beard & lightin' a stoagie, he teleported here from 1930)

The week came to a close & we were fat-full of good times with fam! We miss CO but it was good to get home. We flew into Atlanta at midnight on New Years eve. Talking about running on fumes.

(in the car on the way to the airport)

(At the Denver airport saying goodbye)

Ais was given a cool NYE headband w/ lights by a lady on the shuttle. By the time we reached our house... My voice was almost gone. Rang in the New Year unable to speak... Nice... Typical

Aislynn got her first official hair cut by yours truly. We want to let it grow, but it was time for a trim. She did great, & I managed to accomplish a nice even trim (maybe 1/2 or 3/4 inch?) maybe now it'll grow a little quicker. I do love her little curls at the bottom.

So my dad-in-law John came out to visit right after the new year. It was great to see him and have him visit. Man, him & Michael got so much done! All kinds of little home improvement projects around the house! I wish he could've stayed an extra 2 weeks! Aside from that, it was fun visiting different places, sight seeing, and Aislynn charming him all week. She sure loves grandad.

The next exciting thing about January was unexpected... A new opportunity popped up for me! Never would I have imagined changing jobs mid-pregnancy, but It was clear that this was a God thing. It turned out to be a huge blessing for us in many ways. Without going into too much detail, I will be an account manager for a health management company that provides an array of health/wellness programs (what I love) to big companies. It was bittersweet putting in my notice at Coke. It's been a good 4 years but I'm excited to venture on!

Praise the Lord for all He has given us, I'm amazed at how good He is to us when we sooo don't deserve it. I truly feel that 2012 is a year of blessings and growth. I can't wait!

The pregnancy has been going great. Showing so much more this time around - it's flying by! I'm 19 weeks now & baby kicks all the time. I love it. Ais is so cute too. She always asks if my baby is still there & if it's kicking. She'll rub my belly & give it kisses. She's gonna be the best big sis!

(17 weeks)

(19 weeks - Ais jumpin' in to feel)

(kissing the baby)

(Ais was showing off her belly too)

Next up: baby Adamski's gender reveal... Excited to know, but enjoying the mystery for now. More to come!

Happy Girl!!!

Where does the time go? (huge update)

I can't believe it's been 4 months since my last post!  Where does the time go?  Summer faded away, and Fall has graced us with her presence, Winter is knockin'...  I don't mind the colder weather.
So what have we been up to?  hmmmm, lets see...

SEPTEMBER:
I attempted a Fall garden.  I planted lettuce (sproutlings and seeds), arugula, beets, radishes, spinach, carrots and beans.  I can't remember what order I planted them in, except my carrots are on the right.  My tomato plant grew out of control & kept sprouting so I left it in-tact - it's a monster!  We did enjoy a couple beefy tomatos (Oh, I even harvest 2 baby cucumbers from the summer garden) Aislynn and I really enjoyed crunching them. 

 A couple of my lettuce plants spiked up in a weird way and nothing seems to be progressing (my fault, I'm not really tending to it like I should).  We did pick one radish a couple weeks ago, but never ate it.

It's okay though b/c I'm starting a community garden with a few of my neighbors!  We are doing lots of work now to prepare some lovely Spring beds!  I can't wait.  I'm blogging about that separately (as we progress) but need to update that blog as well :)

We also went to "Coca-Cola employee day" at Six Flags.  The whole park was rented out just for Coca-Cola employees.  We brought The Mareaus with us and had a great time!  Aislynn enjoyed the rides and time with her cousins.

 Log Ride w/ Mommy

OCTOBER: 

My boox (aka Aislynn) turned 2 1/2!  I remember when she was 2 1/2 months.  She's so big and even more adorable.  I fall in love w/ her every day.  Her "isms" and personality are the sunshine in my life.  Here's some of her stats:

Height (at 2 1/2): 

Weight (approx):  28 lbs

Waist & Chest:  19.5" (I only know this b/c of Halloween costume measurments - she's a tube!)

Wearing:  very few 24m & 2T, we're buying 3T for her now, size 7 1/2 shoe, size 4 diaper (hopefully not for long)

Current sayings and 'isms':  "to infinity & beyond" (buzz), She sings the happy birthday song ALL THE TIME.  It's always someone's birthday "coming up in 2 days" (not really), "I (fill in the blank action) all day", ---for some reason, when she's trying to describe a length of time, it's always "all day".  Ex:  "I saw mommy all day" "I played play dohs all day" "I watched woody all day".  "Okay edybody..." (when she's about to direct me & Michael).  "I da play your phone just one sec", "So..." (she starts all her sentences out with 'so'), "FINE!" (when she's sassy), "You wanna color wis me?"  "yeah yeah? okay yeah?", "I can't want to" or "I can't like it" (everything is "can't" instead of "don't"),  "Okay, first time..." (then she procedes to do something like dance, or pose), "On your mark, get set, go!",  Very expressively, she says "Oh I love you so much" or "Oh thank-you so much", She still says "I would" instead of saying "I do" or "I did",  "I da see daddy! - or No, I need mommy!!!" when she's mad or doesn't want to do something we're telling her to do. (like bedtime).

(crazy hair)

She's really into:  Tinker Bell (still) and sings all the songs.  She's also watched all 3 Toy Story movies and loves them (She loves Buzz & Woody of course).   She also likes Nemo, and is really into the 2 Curious George Movies (especially the Christmas one), and Mickey Mouse "Scrooge".  Generally, she loves to watch movies in the "big bed".  Aside from movies, she loves to color & write with pens.  She's always grabbing a stray pen and scrap of paper, envelope, card, newspaper... She's also starting to color a bit different, more big fast strokes like she's trying to focus her coloring to one section.  She loves to play with Play Doh, she likes to dance and she jumps/hops a lot.  She always wants to play with our phones.  She loves the foam soap when it's bathtime, She's NOT interested in the potty.  We've really dropped the ball on potty training - (guilty) - but starting to pick it back up.  When you ask her if she needs/wants to go potty, she yells NO.  When we do coax her to it, she goes.  We've let her wear her tinker bell and dora underwear on occasion, and she' has done really good.  I have a potty training book calling my name and I need to just read the darn thing. (sigh)

Personality:  She's a girl who knows what she wants.  She's wanting to try things all by herself (don't help mommy), she likes to direct me and Michael, but she's got such a sweet spirit, she's very expressive and affectionate.  She hugs & kisses on us, her babies, and zeus.  When she sees another crying child or baby, she's genuinely concerned and even tries to comfort them (or us "it's okay" when we stub a toe, etc...).  She's discovering her sassy side, but she's always such a good girl in public or at social events.  Still a little shy when she's in a new surrounding or crowd, she warms up really quickly.  I just LOVE this little girl to pieces.  I never knew I could love that much.  I think of her all day, and am beyond grateful that God gave her to me.

CAMPING!  We went on a multi-family camping trip earlier in October.  It was a blast.  We went to Jacks River Falls right on the GA/TN border.  It's a very remote area, with TONS of hiking trails and fishing.  It was Aislynn's first camping trip and I think she liked it (Until about 8:30 pm when she was saying "mommy, I want to go home).  She hadn't napped our first day up there, and she was so tired.  She slept good though. (Toasty warm next to mama).  She had fun playing w/ the big kids. 
We really enjoyed ourselves and the nice cool weather (Fun times w/ the Littles, the Mareaus, Mike Brown & his bud Faris).  Our last day, we went on a mile+ long hike along Jacks River.  We were hoping to make it to the waterfalls, but it was just too far for us and Ais.
(will have to add pics later!)

Fab 5!:  Me and the Fab5 girls and friends got together and did a "surprise" congrats party for Chelsea, our friend who (was) expecting and moving forward positively with the adoption of their foster-son.  All the little ones dressed up, we had some yummy food and made a craft :)  I'm always excited to get together with these gals

Ais & her best pal, Alaina

Let's not forget - Michael's Birthday!  We had a nice BBQ lunch after church on the 30th - just nice & relaxing...

HALLOWEEN!  This was Aislynn's official 3rd halloween, but 2nd for trick-or-treating.  I was more excited than she was.  My mom made her the most adorable Tinker Bell costume (wings and all) to look just like "the lost treasure" costume. And I will say she was the most adorable Tinker!  We all got together at our friends house, The Littles, joined by the Addingtons & Mareaus - such a fun bunch.  Most of the kids were fast on their feet, while our little Tinker Bell carefully visited each house.  This year, she was old enough to say "Trick or Treat" by herself, and even stand at the door by herself.  As soon as one door would shut, she'd say "Lets go to the next house" (every single time).  The girl made out on some candy!  It's December, and we still have some.  

 

NOVEMBER:  

My fingers are out of breath! So many updates, and I still have 2 months to go...

Aislynn had her first Dentist appt! I had been talking about it for 2 weeks, explaining that the Dentist is her friend who will count her teeth and make sure they are clean and healthy.  Luckily, I found an AWESOME children's dentistry (Dentistry for Children).  Their office is like a theme park!  Murals all over the place, an arcade, a wooden ship to play on, all kinds of toys, not to mention TV's on every wall and above every chair.  Then, lots of toys and goodies for the kids during their visit.  Aislynn literally "gasped" when we walked in b/c it was so cool.  And she did awesome.  It was like she knew what to do and she wasn't afraid.  Success!

The other highlight of November was Taryn's birthday party at the ice-skating rink.  Unfortunately, I only snapped a couple of pictures.  Daddy allowed Ais to try on some skates and go out on the ice (after some pleading).  Ais is 1/2 Canadian, so of course she needs to try out her skating feet as early as possible :)  She loved it!  Daddy was the perfect instructor

DECEMBER:

I can't believe it's DECEMBER!!!!!  Hello 2011, you were very short lived!  When you think of December, you pretty much JUST think about Christmas.  It really feels like it was just a couple months ago that we were in Canada celebrating Christmas with our Adamski fam.  This year, it's going to be difficult.  This whole year has been difficult.  Life isn't the same without my mother-in-law, "Nanny"- she's missed every single day.  So this Christmas is a little bitter-sweet.

However, it is my FAVORITE holiday - not just b/c of the festivities and decor, but truly b/c of the birthday of Jesus.  What a miracle - our Saviour was sent to earth.... our SAVIOUR!  I'm just so thankful that we are loved beyond what we can imagine - that we all have the chance to know Christ, and live with him forever, despite our sin.  I'm excited to help Aislynn learn about why we celebrate (she sure loves birthdays) so we are having a birthday party for Jesus.  She's already so into all the decorations, the lights, trees, and Christmas movies! :)

So, even through the heartache of missing our mom - we can celebrate and be happy for all this LOVE.  I am also excited b/c we'll be going to CO this year to visit my mom, brother & fam.  It's been 2 1/2 years since we've been there!  Ais was only 2 months old.  I'm just so excited to see everyone, get to play in the snow, spend time with family, and just RELAX for a week!  I will also get to see my step-sis, her fam, and some old friends.   We have so much to do still, only 13 more days till we leave!

The most exciting thing about December has definitely been the EXCITING NEWS we shared with everyone... I'm sure you can figure it out by the picture below:

Yes, we are going to be a family of 4 (this time, not counting Zeus).  We found out in October, but shared the news earlier this month.  1st trimester has been typical - no energy, major heartburn & acid reflux, just generally not feeling good.  But it's all for a good reason, and I'm about to be 13 weeks!  I'm just so thankful that I'm getting to experience this again.  I pray for a healthy pregnancy, delivery, and baby.  I pray that God will help our family adjust - and have full faith that we'll be doubly blessed!

Here's our little gummy bear. I'm kinda feeling boy, but the heart rate would indicate girl?  Either way I'll be perfectly pleased with  whatever God gives us. 

Ais is also excited to become a big-sister.  She knows mommy is expecting a baby, that it's in her tummy, and that it's really little.  She's so adorable when we ask her about it.  I just can't wait to see how this new baby changes her life.  I can't imagine life w/out my brother (bruises/fights and all), and personality wise, I know Aislynn was meant to be a big-sis!  Just can't wait!
So.... THAT is what we have been up to!!!  I fully intend on keeping this blog updated, primarily for the sake of documenting my journey, remembering all the blessings along the way, and - keeping a few of you updated.