Things that go Vrooom!

We spent a wonderful Memorial Day weekend out in Devner with the whole Mawson clan (Jacaranda, Brett, Talen, Cade, Ansley, Jacinda, Dan, Amaya, Logan, Oyuna, Carole, and Sten).  Serevina had a blast hanging out with her cousins and Sven and I had a wonderful time hanging out with his siblings and their spouses.  

Serevina LOVED motoring around on the toys with wheels.  She wasn't quite big enough to ride/drive them correctly, but she sure had fun trying.  On Saturday she had Cade driving her around in the neighbors pink Jeep.  

On Monday she was all about the Hogs!

Santa Barbara Zoo

Santa Barbara Zoo

Gigi was able to get off work early today, so after lunch we headed to the Santa Barbara Zoo.  This was Serevina’s second trip to a zoo, the first being the Bronx Zoo last summer, which I don’t think she remembers.  She LOVED it!!  She was so excited to see all the animals and had a wonderful time walking around with Gigi and Auntie.  Once we stopped at the first animal and took her out to lift her up for a better view she decided she wanted to walk.  She was a trooper and we all had a wonderful time. 

We loved looking at the monkeys.
 

Serevina thought the giraffes came over our way just for her.  
She was waving at them and yelling "hello!" 

When we stopped by the gorillas they had a sign showing the arm span of a full grown gorilla.  Mom and I had Amber stretch out to see how her span compared and then Serevina wanted to do the same.

And I even got to have my picture taken with our little cutie!  


In the car on the way home we asked what animal was her favorite, 
to which she responded “elephant.” 

Thank you Auntie and Gigi for a very memorable day!

Smiles!!

Smiles!!

Sammy has started smiling in the last few days and gives some of his best smiles to his aunties!  First when Jacinda visited and now with Amber. It is so much fun watching his little personality start to come to life.  

He is just so cute!!  These first smiles are just so precious!! 

Serevina's 2!

Serevina’s Two!

I can’t believe she is already two!  A couple weeks ago I was talking to Amber about the birthday girl and she asked if Serevina was getting excited about her birthday.  I said no and then realized we hadn’t really been talking about it.  So I really made a point in the weeks leading up to talk about it often and to read birthday books.  It helped that there were a couple of birthdays in her classroom at day care so she had been exposed to some festivities, plus we attended Grant and Ade’s 3^rd Birthday Party last weekend.  Between their party and her big day there were lots of discussions about “happy birthday cake,” who was coming for her birthday, and singing of the “happy birthday” song.  Unfortunately we had to cancel her “friends” birthday party at the last minute.  We thought she had Hand, Foot, and Mouth (it was going around her classroom), but thankfully it was just some really bad eczema.  But since we had already sent out a cancelation notice we had a mellow party at home with Gigi, Papi, and Auntie Amber and hopefully we can reschedule the other party for soon!

When asked what type of birthday cake she wanted the most frequent response was “Happy Birthday Cake.”  Since I wasn’t sure what qualified as that I prodded further and possibly suggested things.  We settled on chocolate peanut butter.  I found a great pan at TJMaxx that makes three Jumbo cupcakes – it has six “cups,” three tops and three bottoms.  You cook them and then frost the halves together.  Amber made a delicious batch of  Barefoot Contessa Chocolate Cupcakes  We put them together and put a number 2 candle in one for Serevina to blow out and let her have it to chow down on. 

For the adults I made a delicious chocolate peanut butter cake that I found through pinterest.  It was awesome!!  I will definitely be making it again.

Serevina was a little unsure when we were done sining to her and didn't dig in to her cupcake like I thought she would.  But once she had her spoon in had she happily ate away!

Samuel Arthur Mawson

He's here!!

Samuel Arthur Mawson

Born January 23, 2013

3:31pm

7 lbs 12 oz, 20 inches

38 weeks

How far along? 38 weeks

Total Weight Gain? 18 pounds

Maternity Clothes? Yup! 

Stretch Marks?  They are still there from Serevina

Sleep? I feel like I am waking up every hour!  But I’m not that tired during the day so I guess I’m getting more sleep than I think.

Best moment this week? Getting your newborn session nailed down, I can’t wait!

 Food Cravings? Nothing in particular

Anything making you sick?  Nope!

Gender? Boy!

Movement? Kicks!              

Labor Signs? Nada!

Belly Button in or out? In, barely!!

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Happy or Moody?  Happy! 

Looking forward to? Dinner out with Kristin and Jamie to celebrate you!  Date night with daddy!

Dear baby,

            We are starting to get more and more ready for your arrival. This weekend we are going to try to move some furniture around and go on a date!  I am also going to go to dinner with Kristin and Jamie to celebrate you, we are going to Mountain House and I am really looking forward to having girl time!

Love,

Mommy

37 weeks

How far along? 37 weeks

Total Weight Gain? 16 pounds

Maternity Clothes? Yup! 

Stretch Marks?  They are still there from Serevina

Sleep? I feel like I am waking up every hour!  But I’m not that tired during the day so I guess I’m getting more sleep than I think.

Best moment this week? Getting home and the everything being great even though there was some major storms while we were gone!

 Food Cravings? Nothing in particular

Anything making you sick?  The diapers can still be a little tough…but not as bad as at the beginning.

Gender? Boy!

Movement? Kicks!              

Labor Signs? Nada!

Belly Button in or out? In, barely!!

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Happy or Moody?  Happy! 

Looking forward to? A belated birthday dinner with Pépé, that daddy is cooking!

Dear baby,

            We are home!  I would still appreciate if you wait a couple weeks to arrive, but now that we are near doctors and home it would be okay if you come.  The doctor said that everything looks good and that you should keep cooking for a bit longer, so hopefully we can get some more done around the house before you arrive!

Love,

Mommy

36 Weeks

How far along? 36 weeks

Total Weight Gain? We will find out in a couple days!

Maternity Clothes? Yup! 

Stretch Marks?  They are still there from Serevina

Sleep? Annoying….it is hard to get comfortable and I have to get up a lot at night to go to the bathroom

Best moment this week? Spending time with family! We are really going to miss being with everyone!

 Food Cravings? Nothing in particular

Anything making you sick?  The diapers can still be a little tough…but not as bad as at the beginning.

Gender? Boy!

Movement? Kicks!              

Labor Signs? Nada!

Belly Button in or out? In!

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Happy or Moody?  Happy! 

Looking forward to? Getting home, it has been a long time!

Dear baby,

            Please continue to cooperate as we drive home!!  We are almost back in the states…just hold on till we get there!!

Love,

Mommy

35 Weeks

How far along? 35 weeks

Total Weight Gain? Don’t know how accurate the scale I used is in terms of actual weight…I did lose 4.5lbs with this yucky flu bug thing.

Maternity Clothes? Yup! 

Stretch Marks?  They are still there from Serevina

Sleep? Annoying….it is hard to get comfortable and I have to get up a lot at night to go to the bathroom

Best moment this week? Gigi, Papi, Aunite Amber, and Uncle Gary joining us in Cabo!

 Food Cravings? Nothing in particular

Anything making you sick?  The diapers can still be a little tough…but not as bad as at the beginning.

Gender? Boy!

Movement? Kicks!              

Labor Signs? Nada!

Belly Button in or out? In!

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Happy or Moody?  Happy! 

Looking forward to? Getting home, it has been a long time!

Dear baby,

            This trip has gone by so fast, I can’t wait to bring you back in two years!  You continue to move up a storm, I am really going to miss feeling you kick!  Keep baking in there…

Love,

Mommy

34 weeks

How far along? 34 weeks

Total Weight Gain? We are now officially on vacation so I won’t know till we get home.

Maternity Clothes? Yup! 

Stretch Marks?  They are still there from Serevina

Sleep? Annoying….it is hard to get comfortable and I have to get up a lot at night to go to the bathroom

Best moment this week? Arriving in Cabo, showing Serevina whales breaching as we swim in the pool.

 Food Cravings? Nothing in particular

Anything making you sick?  Serevina’s dirty diapers (only occasionally now) and cigarette smoke

Gender? Boy!

Movement? Kicks!              

Labor Signs? Nada!

Belly Button in or out? In!

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Happy or Moody?  Happy! 

Looking forward to? Getting to Cabo!

Dear baby,

            Can’t wait to have you here in two years.  Serevina is swimming up a storm and we can’t wait to see if you are a swimmer like her!

Love,

Mommy

33 weeks

How far along? 33 weeks

Total Weight Gain? We are now officially on vacation so I won’t know till we get home.

Maternity Clothes? Yup! 

Stretch Marks?  They are still there from Serevina

Sleep? Annoying….it is hard to get comfortable and I have to get up a lot at night to go to the bathroom

Best moment this week? Finishing all the sewing projects for Christmas presents

 Food Cravings? Nothing in particular

Anything making you sick?  Serevina’s dirty diapers (only occasionally now) and cigarette smoke

Gender? Boy!

Movement? Kicks!              

Labor Signs? Nada!

Belly Button in or out? In!

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Happy or Moody?  Happy! 

Looking forward to? Getting to Cabo!

Dear baby,

            We are hoping you cooperate through the long drive and our trip to Cabo!  I can’t believe that in two years when we go back again you will be older than Serevina is for this trip. 

Love,

Mommy

32 Weeks

How far along? 32 weeks

Total Weight Gain? 14 pounds

Maternity Clothes? Yup! 

Stretch Marks?  They are still there from Serevina

Sleep? Annoying….it is hard to get comfortable and I have to get up a lot at night to go to the bathroom

Best moment this week? Attempting to holiday bake with Emily, Shannon, Jamie, and Kristin and the power going out!   Thankfully the stove still worked!

 Food Cravings? Fresh salad, salt bagels, ice cream

Anything making you sick?  Serevina’s dirty diapers (only occasionally now) and cigarette smoke

Gender? Boy!

Movement? Kicks!              

Labor Signs? Nada!

Belly Button in or out? In!

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Happy or Moody?  Happy! 

Looking forward to? Heading to Santa Barbara on Monday to see Gigi and Papi and the great grandparents!  And then off to Cabo!

Dear baby,

            We had another ultrasound on Thursday and it was great to see you moving around.  You are already up to 4lbs 6oz!  Everything looked good and we are all set to head to Cabo! 

Love,

Mommy

31 Weeks

How far along? 31 weeks

Total Weight Gain? 13 pounds

Maternity Clothes? Yup! 

Stretch Marks?  They are still there from Serevina

Sleep? Annoying….it is hard to get comfortable and I have to get up a lot at night to go to the bathroom

Best moment this week? Getting to see Sarah from college!!

 Food Cravings? Fresh salad, salt bagels, ice cream

Anything making you sick?  Serevina’s dirty diapers (only occasionally now) and cigarette smoke

Gender? Boy!

Movement? Kicks!              

Labor Signs? Nada!

Belly Button in or out? In!

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Happy or Moody?  Happy! 

Looking forward to? Holiday baking with the girls tomorrow!

Dear baby,

            You a maniac!  It feels like you move so much more than Serevina did.  All throughout the day I am feeling you rolling around, kicking, punching, having fun.  I love feeling you move around!! 

Love,

Mommy

30 weeks

How far along? 30 weeks

Total Weight Gain? 11 pounds

Maternity Clothes? Yup! 

Stretch Marks?  They are still there from Serevina

Sleep? Annoying….it is hard to get comfortable and I have to get up a lot at night to go to the bathroom

Best moment this week? Getting to spend the week at Gigi and Papi’s in Santa Barbara and getting to visit with both sets of Serevina’s Great-Grandparents.

 Food Cravings? Fresh salad, salt bagels, ice cream

Anything making you sick?  Serevina’s dirty diapers (only occasionally now) and cigarette smoke

Gender? Boy!

Movement? Kicks!              

Labor Signs? Nada!

Belly Button in or out? In!

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Happy or Moody?  Happy! 

Looking forward to? Seeing Sarah (BBF from TCU) on Saturday!!

Dear baby,

            You a maniac!  It feels like you move so much more than Serevina did.  All throughout the day I am feeling you rolling around, kicking, punching, having fun.  I love feeling you move around!! 

Love,

Mommy