New site.....

I am letting this site go...find me at this place...where I already have about the 1/2 the posts I do on this one ;) dobbinsdesigns.blogspot.com

7 months!

Oh my good ness where has the time gone-so much has changed in the past months but the important stuff is the same. Claire is now 7 months old-she is crawling and starting to babble-eating solid foods-unbelievable-she is soooooooooo laid back and go with the flow (she gets that from her daddy:)) which is sooooo nice compared to our little intense and go-go-go man Blake (he gets that from his mommy). Blake has started pre-school and is LOVING it-it is a mom/dad and me setting so I am loving that I get some one on one time with him. Daily he surprises me with his funny sayings, most recent "Um mom I think you hair is a little silver..." and "You sure like food don't ya!" Are you kidding me!?!?!

I have made a HUGE career change in that I gave mine up for my kids. Before I did it, it seemed like a really scary and hard thing to do-but everyone kept telling me I wouldn't regret it-and they are sooo right! Working part time was wonderful with Blake and such a blessing-but being home full time is exactly where I want to be and I am quickly finding how fulfilling it is (although so different) and that although it is a sacrifice-it is so the only choice for me.

In that I have been soo blessed with some consulting opportunities that have come up so that I can help teach teachers how to best work with kids with emotional and behavioral disabilities-this gig not only keeps my toe in it but also helps with those finances-an added plus!

We recently took a trip, just the 4 of us to Seaside, OR and enjoyed a vacation as a family of four-and although different than our vacations as a family of 2-so fun and so many memories made. Everything we showed and introduced Blake to he loved and Claire was just along for the ride. I will soak these up-because I know the years will past sooo quickly and soon the eye rolls and conversations about not texting during family dinner will be upon me. :)

With the added time at home-and the added ability to- stay "connected" been given to me with the annoyance of cell phone companies not making good phones without data plans I have been struck by a question-and have been trying to make it not true in my life. "We have increased our ability to document and discuss memories so much that I wonder are we still taking the time to make them??" I sure hope I am-because I know that 5 years from now I am not going to care about someone's Facebook update-but rather will I remember something about my kids lives/development at this very moment? I sure hope so.....

2 Months!

I can't believe that today it will be 2 months since I last posted-and that is two months since we went from being a family of 3 to a family of 4. Claire has been an amazing addition to our family and Blake has adjusted quite well (there were definitely some tantrums in the beginning-but he never took his frustration out on sister, only us). He loves to ask to hold her and kiss her at night and all in all is enjoying his new role as a Big Brother as much as a 28 month old can! Claire is so cute and definitely her own person from the beginning, she let has made it clear that she will do things in her own time by being 5 days late. That trend has continued in that most babies smile between 6-8 weeks and I have been waiting for that day for a long time..well this weekend...the start of her 9th week she decided that she was ready and she smiled, in response to me when I went to get her out of her crib-it was soooooo GREAT! I am trying to not think about how the personality trait will forever drive me crazy as she is growing up! I think she will be Gods ever present reminder to me that I am not in charge of when things should happen!

Some fun things that have happened in the past few weeks:

Blake can sing the entire ABC song by himself unprompted.

I have gone back to work for the remainder of the year and on Justin's first day alone with the kids-when I got home Blake came to me and with a look of exhaustion said "Mom today has been busy..." I can only guess who he was imitating!

I found Blake holding the parts of my breast pump up to his chest (correctly I might add) he looked up at me and said "Mommy I am just milking...for Claire." Oh my goodness!

Justin and I got to go out on a date to celebrate 6 years of marriage! Wow where did the time go!

I have officially made the decision and told my boss that I will not be returning to Renton Academy next year-and can hardly wait until my 9 weeks are done! Really looking forward to my new role as a stay at home mom!

Things to be Thankful for...

I thought I would make this list as often when I am having to wait for something I tend to waver (very quickly) between content and discouraged. I also thought this list could serve as a way to help remind me of how I was taken care of during this time when the day comes she is here and I am reflecting on this time.

1. AMAZING weather-when ever before has there been 60 degree weather and sunny days for a FULL week or longer in Seattle in February?

2. Wonderful people whose prayers and thoughts came at key moments during the process.

3. Friends willing to give up their time to help me pass mine.

4. Family who was willing to come down for a false alarm.

5. A Gracious God who has prompted me to read where and when I should and shown me such truth in those moments.

6. Overall not too uncomfortable.

7. Getting sleep at night as the days away from due date grew.

8. Extra time with just Blake-he is an amazing little boy and this week or so with him and just me has been so precious and I am truly thankful for that.

9. A Husband who is so supportive: with Blake, with chores, with me. :)

10. Each day, although long, has gone fairly smooth and makes me more and more excited to meet our little girl.

11. A good Dr. who calms my nerves and who shows me everything is okay.

12. Blake taking his nap like a trooper everyday so that I can sleep:)

I am sure there will be more to come and I am thinking that she is quite happy in her home but that is all for now:)

Different from the Start...

Well... I always had a feeling that Blake and his little sister to come (3 days until due date) would be different and unique in their own special and wonderful ways-and that is proving to be true even in the way they are choosing to come into this world. With Blake my water broke 5 days before my due date and we had him 4 days before. It was as if he said "Okay I am done-what is the quickest way to get out???" Although labor wasn't an ideal situation under those circumstances, it was the way he chose to enter the world. Now that I am getting to know him-that part of his personality is still with him. He is always ready to go, ready for an adventure, and is okay to do whatever in the fastest way possible. He even will tell us to "Go Fast, Go Fast" and wave his arms in fast conducting motions while singing bedtime songs. Now his sister to be on the other hand...well so far she has proven to be a little more deliberate and steady about this entering the world process. She is still "warm and cozy in Mommy's tummy" (as Blake is saying) but she has made steady progress over the past couple of weeks. At my 38th week appt I was 1 cm and 50% effaced, on Sunday (the start of week 39) I had about 7 hours of mild contractions-that stopped around 12 midnight...Then on Tuesday I went for my appt and I am now around 3 cm and still 50% effaced. I can't help but wonder if this slow and steady progress is a little picture into the personality of this little girl-and I can hardly wait to find out! (I am a little more like her brother;)

Some Blake Moments

Question: "Where do Gramma and Grampa live?"
Blake: "In WaHatchy!"

Upon opening all of his gifts at his Birthday and Christmas he would state "I NEED that!"

Learning to say "Goodness gracious sakes alive" from his Great Grandma Hanan this Christmas

Upon walking into Nana and Papa's house-with in 5 minutes he asks for the "Zune" to be turned on and the Beatles #1 album to be playing-he can tell you that song #15 is "Yellow Submarine, #14 is "Paperback Writer"-I dare you to challenge him on these facts!

He is starting to sing and if you start a song in the "wrong spot" he will sing where he wants you to start. For example:

Jingle Bells...- "No mama-"Dashing through the snow..."
Winnie the Pooh- "Um Deep in da hundred acre woods..."

If you ask him if he can fix or do something he says "Yes we can, Bob" As in Bob the Builder!

Put a camera near him and he does a wonderful CHEESE face!

He knows that he is two

First morning in his big boy room and bed he was sitting on his bed for me and when I walked in he said "I waited Mommy!"

Whenever we are at the Dr. to check on baby sis he gets mad when the Dr. pulls up my shirt and tries to pull in down-trying to keep me modest. When he hears her heartbeat he says "She round and noisy!"

Whenever he hears a sound he says "I hear that!"

He tells himself "Good job" after doing something he didn't want to do but did anyway.

He is starting to make up things like "pillow time"-which is when he takes off ALL of the couch pillows and puts them in a pile and jumps on them and "bed time" which is when he wants Daddy and Mommy and ALL his pillows and animals in his new bed (these things mostly get made up with Daddy and Blake are alone;)

He asks for hugs and "kisses."

He says "I uv u too."

He says "Thank you Jesus, Amen." when we ask him to pray.

These are just a few things our wonderful 2 year old does-written partly to share but mostly to help me remember in the midst of this busy life.

New years thought

I can't believe that is is 2010-I was thinking about where I was 10 years ago and that would be starting my winter quarter of my sophomore year at SPU on 5th Hill-my how things have changed and not changed...I am still best friends with the lovely lady I roomed with that year-Jenny (Adams) Pitmon-although we are miles apart now we are in some ways we are closer than ever. I was just starting to get to know =the young man who is now my husband-Justin-for almost 6 years now! I had just decided to be a psych major-which I am sure helped to lead me to working with the students that I work with now. It is funny to sit down and think about how in the midst of the day to day life that we go through God does have a wonderful plan-and I can see now in just these 3 examples (there are many more) how he has had some pretty wonderful things come from choices and people he place in my life 10 years ago! It is my hope that in the next 10 years-as I approach 40- I will be able to look back on the fun I am having with my 2 year old and see how this time has helped to shape his pre-teen self (even as I write this I tear up-knowing how fast the time will go). I am in awe of who Blake is already and I really am excited to see who he will become-although I would be happy if this next 10 years didn't go as fast as it seems these have...

Fall...

I love fall...the ability to cook and bake without making your house to hot, the smells, and the changing weather. I do enjoy the change into the holiday season. As I sit here I realize that this holiday season is going to be oh so fun and go oh so fast! To be blessed with a two-year-old around the holidays is going to be a blast! Blake is not going to know what hit him during the two weeks of opening presents for both his birthday and Christmas-and I am anxiously awaiting that time as he is getting bored with his toys but I don't want to buy him any know the onslaught of stuff that is coming! Luckily he LOVES books and enjoys reading all of them, he has a pretty amazing memory for a little one that makes some people ask me if he can already read, because he can pick up a book and tell you a title or "read" a part of a page. It has been so fun watching his vocabulary increase, and to get to have little conversations with him because he now can speak in short sentences. He is wonderful and I am fully blessed I can't believe that he is almost two-where has the time gone. In the midst I hope and pray that I am soaking it up enough, not taking a moment for granted and at the same time I find myself exited for his future and the pleasure of meeting the amazing man that God has created him to be.

As well as loving my little guy I am starting to feel this little one more and more each day-she is making herself known-not as much as Blake did-but known. Blake loves to "find sis" which equals him lifting my shirt up and poking my belly button and today he gave my belly a hug and said "hug sis." So precious. But at the same time he has his moments with this whole idea...like the day I was hanging up some clothes I had gotten and some things my mom had brought me that I wore when I was little girl-he came in the room and pointed at the pile and said "baby sis?" and I said "Yes these are for baby sister." He then promptly walked up the pile and threw them all on the floor! Ha! How blessed I feel to have them both and I can hardly wait to meet her in 16 weeks!

Its Been a While

Hey to all the people out there-probably 3, but I do this for myself as much as for others so hope you enjoy it. Sorry it has been so long-we have had a busy 3 months. In August we started a kitchen remodel and it is slowly reaching its stages of completion-takes longer when you do it yourself-but costs a whole lot less! In September I started my new position at Renton School Districts Re-Education TOSA (teacher on special assignment). Re-ED is a philosophy developed in the 1960's on how to best work with troubled and troubling youth, if interested check out http://www.warea.org/ Anyway it is my job to support other teachers working with kids with Emotional Behavioral Disabilities in the classroom. It is, so far, a lot of work but a lot of fun and I am really thankful for this opportunity. And I am currently 1/2 way to being a mom of 2! We found out this week that we are having a little girl this February and are are really excited for Blake to be an older brother. Now let the preparation begin....last week we got to go see a couple of friends who just had a little boy and when I was holding him Blake stood by dad and cried "No No No" while shaking his head....we have some work! Needless to say life is really good right now and I am truly thankful. Here are some pics of things you have missed...

Us in the photo booth, this year, at the Fair.Blake seeing the ocean for the first time in Lincoln City OR:)

Running around in his "towa."

A Small Step...Dangling Earrings... :)

For those of you who know me I am a creature of habit and a rule follower. This has lead to many things in life that I realize in my adulthood that I haven't done or seen because I couldn't when I was younger (ie haven't seen "Pretty Woman"). Last night at KOHLs I was shopping with my 30% off of coupon in tow and I was finding some good deals for stuff for Justin (lets be honest that is the only way the guy gets new clothes for himself-I buy them take them home he tries them on-if he likes them we keep them if not I take them back :). I was not enjoying finding clothes for me-I wasn't in the mood-and I still think I am in a state of limbo with this "new" body -although it has been a year and a half it really has only been 7 months-as I nursed buddy for 11 months and my body was NOT one that just lost all the weight from nursing-in fact it held onto about 10 pounds the whole time! And even though I am within 2-3 pounds of my pre-pregnancy weight-which I think is great-it is not exactly the same...so I am still figuring that all out. Needless to say I wandered into the jewelry aisle...there was a bunch on sale and I in that moment realized that I should get myself some fun earrings...Yes at 28 I only have about 2 pair of fun dangling earrings. So I did-I had a ball. On the way home I was thinking about why did I not have them as part of my life...I have always like them on others. It was then I realized that my mom never wore them-she doesn't like them on herself, so not that it was a rule that she made-I just never really was around them in my childhood and therefore carried that into my adulthood. Funny. Random story I know but it made me think about other things that I have carried over from my childhood into my adulthood-I am sure some just as small and others larger-and I would like to spend some time moving on and having fun with the process of still "growing up."

Summer Fun!

We have had quite the summer so far-I can't believe that July is almost over! I got to go to our church's summer conference in the mid-west this year-which was a blast and made me oh so thankful that I don't live there! Yikes that humidity and heat is a nightmare. Then my best friend from college and her husband and baby girl came to visit over the fourth of July. It was so fun to see our two kiddos together! We joke that they should get married-hey moms can dream right?!?! Here are some pictures from the visit:)

Soo much fun!

This summer has also found myself waiting....I still have yet to hear about weather or not I am working next fall. It is up in the air and will probably be for a long time. As I know about myself, in times of change, it is not the change itself that I struggle but rather waiting for the change to happen. It is why I didn't love being engaged and couldn't wait to have my pregnancy be over-I just want to get on with the next step-waiting for the inevitable change has always been difficult. I find myself knowing that I will be sad if the answer is no-and yet so thankful that my identity ultimately is not found in what I do-but rather who loves me. I will keep you posted!

Winding Down...

In only 4 short days I am no longer a classroom teacher...the feeling is that of relief and confusion at the same time. I have spent the past 9 years of my life dedicated to this-through working in schools, getting my Masters, and teaching for 4 years...it is weird to know that it is over for a time-but good to know that it is on my terms. I don't want to go back full time while Blake and is someday siblings (not yet) are young and I also don't want to work part time with just anyone-this year has been a blessing-but it had to come to an end. I thought I would feel more sadness-but right now I am just excited for what is to come, knowing that I am always a teacher...just taking a break for a moment-maybe a long moment. We will see what the future holds-but if I know going into this new chapter that if I continue to trust God for the plan it is going to be a great one!

Morning Run on a Hot Day

It is days like today that I am thankful for 3 things; #1 that I am a morning person, #2 that Justin is not and #3 that I only work part-time. Why you might wonder? Well the combination allows me to go running, before Justin gets up for work, on my two mornings off. If he were a morning person too he would probably be up and getting ready to leave-which would mean no run (someone has to stay with Blake :)) Today was a perfect day for such an activity. I love a morning run on a day that is going to be hot. Today is beautiful, it is the reason I LOVE Seattle-the rain in the winter months allow for spring and summer days to be sunny and green at the same time. I don't know what it is about a morning run, but I have always preferred them. Maybe it is the sweet, crisp smell of the morning. Or maybe it is the sheer fact that I am a morning person. But I really think it has something to do with the fact that I have ALWAYS loved the feeling of being hot and cold at the same time-when I was a kid I would love to wrap up in a blanket in the car when the AC was on full blast or windows were wide open. As I was running this morning that same sensation occurs, my legs that exposed are cold from breeze of the morning air but my face and body are sweating from the heat that is rising. All that said is is a great start to the weekend and a wonderful reminder that God loves to give his children good good things-no matter how simple.

Update!

Pictures and a brief update-sorry for the delay!

Mother's Day 2009!


Kick Kick on Daddy's new toy!

Yummy toast and jam!

Easter 2009

Family after Blake's haircut at a group party!

Hey all! I recently went to a wedding of one of Justin's friends from high school, Congrats Andrea and Tyler!, and a couple people told me that I hadn't updated my blog since the flue! YIKES! So here is my attempt to do a large up date! Well....lets see what haven't we been up to would be a better question:) Blake got his first haircut in March and while it was sad it was good to see the mullet go! He is growing up so fast and now has sooo many words, animal sounds, and a couple of sentences (car go and up pease) and signs (more). Justin got to go to Vegas with some buddies for a bachelor party and we both recently go to go to San Diego (sans Blake) to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary (that is hard to believe!!!). As summer approaches rapidly (I only have 7 more full days and 6 half days!) I am really looking forward to my time off with Blake and time to relax and do some projects around the house-possibly the kitchen this summer. I continue to be in awe of the job of being a mom and while some days I want to pull my hair out, others I just die laughing because of how amazing he is-truly the best job ever! Thanks for being interested in our lives and I hope to be better at this during my time off:)

Flu-eww!

So we got the stomach flu this week. Blake first and then me...currently hoping that Justin escapes its wrath. It (other than the blood draw with Blake at 9 months) was one of the worst experiences as a mom-he was so sick and hurt so bad and all I wanted to do was fix it for him and tell him it would be over soon. A 13th month has some understanding of language and the ability to be comforted but I could just tell he was so confused and just kept wanting it to stop, it was as if he was asking "Why?" This then made me think of the process of growing up and letting your kids go, as he grows up bad things are going to happen to him, this world, and our sinful nature, doesn't let anyone escape it, and some things I won't have answers for, nor will I be able to stop them. I just pray that when we are in those moments I will have the wisdom to look to Jesus and faith to believe that he will help me comfort and love my son the way he needs me to. Who knew that lesson would come in the form of a stomach bug...God is funny!

One year photos

Here are some photos from our one-year photo shoot with Blake. It was exhausting but fun to capture moments in our own home. I can hardly believe that a year has gone by-time has never gone so fast-I everyday am amazed by him and his sweet nature. I am also amazed at how much he is a combination of Justin and I-and everyday fall in love with who he is which makes me more and more excited daily see the man that God will create him to be-I am blessed to be a part of the process.

Snow!

Here are a couple pictures of Blake in our backyard during our Winter Wonderland in the Northwest! Such a cutie all bundled up! He kepts trying to crawl and walk in the snow, then he would face plant-thought that was sooo funny!

It has been a while...

As I sit here and realize that it has been almost three months since I updated this I can hardly believe it! We have had a GREAT holiday season-been quite busy through it all but enjoyed every minute. We celebrated Blake's first birthday, had an amazing snowstorm (about 18 inches in Renton!), got to celebrate Christmas with both sides of our family-so fun! Blake is growing up so fast, I can't believe it, he is walking and talking. His favorite work is "ight" (light) and he says it every time he sees a light, lamp or a switch! He also enjoys a game of peek-a-boo and will hold his blanket over his head and go "ooo ooo" as you say "where is Blake" and then he pulls the blanket down and laughs and laughs! So much fun a 1 year old is! He also LOVES music and will "tell" me that he wants the music on by walking over to our radio and dancing by it...so funny!'

Blake "helping" Mommy wash dishes:)Family photo Thanksgiving weekend.

Picking out the Christmas tree:)Yummy Birthday Cake! I am one!

Trip to AZ

Over Veteran's Day weekend we got to go to AZ and visit my brother and his wife, Abby in AZ. It was a great weekend of catching up and seeing where they live-and a great few days in the sun-as it has been rainy (as it should be) in the Northwest. Here are a few pics of our fun trip!

Justin, Me, Kenton and Abby

Blake sitting on the edge of the pool

Kick kick kick with Daddy!

With Aunt Abby!

Me and my Uncle Kenton
In the airport-I thought it was quite funny to crawl away from the group!

See I am funny-here I go!

Mommy and me asleep on the plane-loooong plane ride home...

Friends and Fun

Blake and the ladies!
Here are a few pics from our time with the Jacksons over my Birthday Weekend! Fun times!

Blake with Kate doing "so big!"

Blake and all the fellas!

Kate and me back home.

Justin and I celebrating at the Melting Pot-YUM!