Ready or not

I'm going to try my best not to compare my children - this is something I've thought a lot about, and though I know I won't perfectly accomplish this goal (esp. in my head), it's something I'm going to strive for, still.  

That said, it's been interesting to me to generally compare pregnancies, so that's what this is about.  At this time during my pregnancy with Jacob, he was already born!  (If you don't remember his birth story, you can read about it here.)  So, baby sister has already waited longer to come out than her big brother, and I expect the rest of her birth story to be very different, as well.  We'll see!

Then and now.

Don't tell her, but thanks to COVID-19 (and my husband, parents, friends, etc.) I've crossed everything off the pre-baby to-do list I made many months ago!  Of course, that means I immediately made new lists and continue to take advantage of the extra time I've been given (hence this blog post), but it sure does feel good to feel so settled/prepared.

We even crossed off one of our initial quarantine goals: making homemade Girl Scout cookies! 
They photographed ok, but certainly didn't turn out as expected - haha. 
Still very tasty, though, which is really all that matters!

People often ask if we're "ready," and though I don't know that I'll ever fully be ready (much like I've felt with marriage, first-time-parenthood, etc.), I do feel increasingly excited and anxious for her to arrive.  Though we've been through it before, the newborn phase seems daunting.  I know how fast it goes, but I also know how long it feels and how all-consuming it is, so I think that's why I don't know that I can say I'm "ready" for it.  Having so much squared away around the house, though, makes this easier - it helps to know just how much time and mental space I'll be able to devote to her (and Jacob) during the transition.  The house is cleaned, lawn mowed, garden watered, freezer stocked a bit, fall decorations up, laundry done (though this is never reallllly done), car seat installed, etc., etc.!  Plus, those new to-do lists are short and fairly non-essential.

The world still seems so crazy and out of control.  The unknowns (COVID-related do's and don't's, politics, job stuff, any potential travel/gathering plans) seem to outweigh the "knowns."  Those "known" things (God's love/grace/control, the imminent arrival of a sweet baby girl, the pure joy of a toddler), however, sure make the unknown ones less scary and more bearable.  So, for now, we're just truly enjoying some quality time together - our last few days as a family of three.

We'll be as close to "ready" as we can be whenever this little girl wants to join us on the outside.  In the meantime, we're making memories, making the most of our time, and making sure to be thankful for the many blessings and silver linings this life continues to offer.

Readily,
Kensy

Favorites of the day:

how excited J was to put up fall decorations

perfect pool days

good customer service

J's Golden Birthday

When it's your last birthday as an only child, in the middle of a global pandemic, your dad's off work, AND it's your golden birthday (turning 3 on the 3rd (of July)), you get to do whatever you want all day long.  It was his best day ever (if you want to have a day with a toddler void of behavior issues and/or disciplinary action, just let them call the shots all day long), and we so enjoyed spending it with him!

I'll let the pictures tell the story of our day.  ☺

Breakfast included donuts with sprinkles, of course. 
This early bird got to go pick out his own in his pajamas!

As you may know about him, all he wanted for his birthday was "frosting cupcakes with sprinkles," so we made cupcakes before 10 a.m.

Delivered these art projects as part of his non-birthday-party favors to friends, but had to test one out for ourselves. 

The cherry tomatoes finally turned red just in time to pick while the cupcakes baked! 
They didn't make it to the house.  ☺

Cucumbers were ready, too!

What a great morning to try out his new bubble birthday present from friends.

While the cupcakes cooled, they tried out another birthday gift - a robot from Aunt Roo!

Yellow frosting, of course.

Sprinkles!

He could do this all day. ♥
(One of his current favorites: "The Pokey Little Puppy.")

When making the party favor delivery, friends invited us in for a quick gift-opening!

Also received several special cards and packages in the mail.

He even got to pick out Mom and Dad's shirts for the day.

A man of simple tastes, he requested mac & cheese for lunch and a cheese sandwich (with puffs and grapes and chocolate milk, of course) for supper.

Birthday PJ's!

This lucky kiddo also got to have small birthday celebrations with both sides of our family!  The first was a half-way-between-KC-and-OK party in the park, complete with construction decorations and delicious cupcakes!

The second was a yellow("golden") theme that included an entirely yellow lunch menu, and again, cupcakes.  Yellow is his favorite color.  ☺

Notice he put his arms around both of us.
♥♥♥

As the cliché goes, he's growing up too fast.  It's been so fun to watch, though, and we're so glad to get to be his parents!  He deserved, appreciated, and was truly excited by all the celebrations in his honor, which is why we took advantage of an opportunity to spoil him a bit.  Thanks to all who took part, both near and far!

3-ly (I know this is weak...let me know if you come up with something better),

Kensy

Favorites of the day:

the weather this week!

sweet, growing families

garden-fresh caprese salad (and a toddler who likes it, too!)