Oliver Turns 2!

As promised, I am finally starting to update on the past month.  While everything seems so unimportant when tragedy strikes, I know I need to document the fun, happy memories that were had in the midst of it all.  And right there, my little boy turned 2.

I will save the sentimental stuff for another day...which should be soon, considering I am extra hormonal these days.

I started planning Oliver's second birthday months ago...but with the pregnancy, a few complications, general life stress, I just couldn't get it together the way I wanted to...ala last years Neverland 1st birthday, but even better. So, since I knew this was the last year I could probably get away with him not being totally aware of his birthday, we decided on a small close friends and family gathering only and a trip to see the mouse.  

Then, once everything happened, I knew I couldn't even go through with that, it was too much and too soon...so we downsized to only closest family, cake and pizza at home.   Despite what had happened just three days prior, it was amazing to be surrounded by family celebrating the two years of life with this little one, and to be thankful that Grandpa saw those two years as well.  

On to happy pictures!!!

Nana and Papa surprised Oliver with a Schwinn for tots!  It's one of those grow with you trikes, but I appreciate the parent steering mechanism for now. He loves it, and knows that when he sees his helmet, it's trike time!

Saying "Hi!!" to the passerbys

No hands!

Cake time!  Note to self: Don't blow off the wax number candles at Target for the cuter ones at Whole Foods.  They smell like a dirty hippie.

Making a wish...which was probably, "let me at that cake!"

Opening his presents..

...Wanting to stop everything to look at the books from Kristen..

"A Thomas!!"

...Back to Kristen's book...

Quality smooch face for Uncle Ryan W. (He has two uncle Ryan's, plus an adult cousin Ryan, so life is confusing for this one)

Trains from cousin Eli!!

Happy Birthday, my little one.  You will always be my baby.

Returning

I recently took a hiatus from blogging due to a personal family tragedy...It wasn't an intentional hiatus, it's just been insanely busy adjusting to a new life, while already going through the transition of expecting a new little one, daily life with a toddler, ect.  I've tried multiple times to blog about what happened last month, but it's been a disaster everytime, and nothing I write does justice, so that shall wait until time better heals the wound.  

But, until then, I am back with updates on the happy moments that have occurred since. 

If I have learned anything from the past month, it is this.  Life is so fragile, we must celebrate each and every day.  So, I will start by recounting my celebrations here.

 My little love turned TWO.

My Brother graduated grad school.

We celebrated a fabulous Mothers Day.

My darling Penelope was showered at my baby sprinkle.

I scheduled my repeat c-section.

And now we are all anxiously preparing for her arrival.

So sit back and enjoy the updates coming here very shortly.

Xoxo

Actual Easter Day Hunt and Round Up

A week late, but here's my wrap up of Easter Sunday...if I don't post these pics now I never will!

We continued our tradition of having Ry and Kindy come over to Grandma's where our Easter dinne is always held for O and Eli to hunt.  Last year, I was recovering from food poisoning on Easter, so I woke up long enough to walk outside, dump a bag of eggs on the grass in giant heap and puke my way back indoors.  The boys were like 11 months and 9 months respectively, so whatever. I tried.  This year, everyone was feeling much better. And the boys were much, much more into it!  Loved it.

And they're off

Daddy-son crouching

Finding my actual hidden eggs

Eli dropped his basket at one point..ever the opportunist, my child...

O abandoned his basket..

And look at Eli being a concerned citizen, returning it to him!

Digging in

Wagon time

Look at that face!

Can't wait till next year...and I cannot believe there will be two more babies there next year! Eek!

Xoxo

The Egg Hunt, Massive Amounts of Toddlers Edition, Photo Dump #8

We kicked off Easter last week with a massive Egg Hunt my friend Amy put together.  There was like 11 or 12 tots there, which is A LOT of young children.  All under 4.  That's seriously tons of tot energy.  I'd say it was a huge success with all the kids and the adults!

O and Eli looking like big boys on the real swings!!

About half the group...

A few more of the group..

Ready to GO!

There were literally hundreds of eggs for these nuggets.  I know there are hundreds for a fact because each mom brought a pack and this mom brought 7 packs.  Not because I'm super generous or anything, but because I let O fill up the cart with packs of eggs and candy at the dollar store because frankly, it kept him entertained, and I just told myself I would remove them prior to checking out.  Well, I forgot to remove them, was confused why my bill was so high, but didn't realize until I got home that I purchased a million eggs and packs of jelly bellies.  Mom fail.  Tot win.  Oh, well! 

Checking out his loot before he continues..

Uh Oh, someone brought a helicopter and consequently halted all egg retrieving.

Jude, Joelle and Wyatt

The boys

O's half already opened basket of eggs

Hand dimples headed for a sugar cookie

Finally, proof the Szuberlas need a little boy.  Look how good D looks with two!!

Xoxo

Kansas City Cousin Visit Photo Dump #7

Earlier this month, our cousins (well, technically Ty and his brother's cousin Caitlin and her husband Jeff) came out to visit for a long weekend.  We had an absolute blast with them and despite having only met Caitlin and Jeff once before last year when we went back to Texas, I felt like I had known them my whole life.  We just all got along so well, and had a fabulous time showing them America's Finest City!

We hit up the beach, the zoo, a park, a few shops, Stone Brewery, Hacienda De Vega, Boxd, Downtown Disney, the Gaslamp district, In n Out (because you HAVE to get out of towners some!), had an eclectic BBQ featuring pizza, hot dogs, baked beans, strawberry salad and donuts, ect ect ect.  Seriously, the whole weekend was so much fun for us, just playing tourists in our own town.

Here's a photo dump of some of the trip!

Last year, O was ALL about the water at the beach...much to my dismay.  I've traveled too much to know how cold and miserable our water is here.  This year, however, it was early March, and O got a taste of what real San Diego water feels like.  He didn't like it.  I was pleased.  

Not wanting to get his feet in it again...smart child.

The following photos are here to show just HOW GOOD Cali looks on Cait and Jeff.

The boys being boys...

Taking a breather

Please notice the twins in Sue Sylvester track suits...

This was fun!

At the Zoo...trying to find elusive otters

Panda spotting

This didn't go according to plan at all...

We did a million cool things, but apparently I was too busy chatting to catch the rest.  

Oh, well,  guess we'll have to plan another fam reunion!!!  I cannot wait for the next vacay with this crew!!!

Xoxo