G-Pa and Paddleboarding

Following our little stint in Atlanta, we had plans to host my dad and family for the weekend. Danny absolutely loved having my dad around to watch truck videos, play cars and look at his car books. And at almost 10 years old, Mac is such a great little playmate. We had two beautiful beach days together and lots of good catching up. Danny, Mac and Beth all had their paddleboard maiden voyages as well!

Danny riding with daddy

Atlanta Adventure

With Danny starting preschool the beginning of September, we decided some family QT was in order. So when Jimmy booked a last minute business trip to Atlanta last week, we decided to tag along. As you can imagine, it was a lot more mommy and Danny time, but nice that daddy didn't miss out on seeing us for almost a whole week. Oh and daddy got to go with us to LegoLand!

On the way down to Atlanta, we made the "mistake" of telling Danny we were taking him to LegoLand. As a result, he fought his nap like crazy, afraid we'd drive right by it if he wasn't on the lookout.

After he finally succumbed...

While Danny is no stranger to aquariums, he had never seen anything like the Georgia Aquarium. We ventured on the MARTA to the center of Atlanta and walked through Centennial Park to get there. Just the subway ride alone was entertainment for Danny! But seriously, the aquarium was amazing. We ended our morning there with a Seaworld-esque dolphin show. Two thumbs up!

Riding the "choo choo train"

LegoLand with mommy and daddy!

And here are just some other random pics from the week. Lots of family QT and even got to have dinner with Matt and Kari Atkinson!

Kari + Kaylie (with babies due 2 days apart!)

Snuggling in our hotel bed

Name that Truck

I've said it before, but I'll say it again. Danny is OBSESSED with all things planes, trains, automobiles, trucks, construction equipment, etc. His favorite books are about these subjects and his favorite toys are of these objects. Jimmy recently found this Twenty Trucks YouTube channel that features live footage of trucks set to cutesy sing-along-songs, i.e. "front end loader, you're as goooood as gooooold!" Having daddy play said videos is the first thing Danny asks for in the morning, after nap and when he comes home from work. Below is a snippet of Danny naming the trucks he sees in one of the videos though it doesn't even come close to capturing his excitement over this activity. Also note the book on his lap with pictures of all kinds of fire trucks and the box of full of Hot Wheels cars topped with miniature construction equipment.

Like a Pro

Danny is still doing great on the potty training front. Like riding a bike, I guess. We did have one "regression" day and he sometimes puts up a fight at my mom's, but otherwise all good! Diapers can be repurposed as bonnets and underwear make a great speedo when you decide to go swimming instead of just wading.

Patch the Puffin

The Town of Kure Beach hosted local author Brigid O'Connor for a reading of her cute children's books, The Adventures of Patch the Puffin, and Danny and I were sure to be in attendance. Danny was more into the bookmark making craft and pirate playground afterwards...

Hello 3rd Trimester! (28 weeks belly shot)

Wow, just when I think that I should do a blog post about this pregnancy and share a belly shot, I'm in the 3rd trimester already! How, just how?? Little man is due November 2nd and, no, we don't have a name yet! But even when we do, we think we're going to wait until he's born to share with everyone. So there :)

Feeling...
So far, so great! I'm way past the all-day, early exhaustion phase. And so far no heartburn or swelling and only minimal back and feet aches. I definitely tire easy and I'm ready to rest at the end of the day, but that's to be expected, right? Passed the glucose test at 26 weeks. I really think I must have a short torso because it feels like he's really low (read: have to use the ladies room constantly) and yet his feet are consistently in my right side and under my right ribs. Maybe I'm not recollecting accurately, but I swear he's feistier than Danny ever was! My little ninja...

Here the bump at 28 weeks!

Danny's POV...
He definitely "gets" that his baby brother is in my belly and usually confirms that notion by giving him a sweet kiss or two. We're also starting to read books about being a big brother. I'm trying to soak up every second I have with just him before our new, adorable little boy arrives. I have no doubt there will be some degree of jealousy and attention-starved behavior, but we'll make do...and Christmas will be right around the corner. Presents always help ;)

Craving...
If you follow me on Pinterest, you can probably guess that I'm majorly craving sweets. But not just any sweets, but pastries. Like chocolate croissants, donuts, cakes, cupcakes, etc. You'd think with it being summer, it would be ice cream, but no. Lucky for us all, I don't bake daily desserts like I'd like to, but I pin them for future inspiration nonetheless. In the beginning of this pregnancy, I was craving random things from day-to-day like Hot Tamales candies one day and then deviled eggs the next - what in the world?? Now it's less actual cravings and more just being hungry all the time! Oh and lime and lemonade. Something about the tart is just irresistible!

I'm getting there! Fingers crossed for a safe and smooth third and final trimester!

Grocery List

Danny likes to go away on his own to pretend grocery shop. The list of things he is going to pick up used to only consist of cookies and milk. Just this morning, it was pretty extensive and surprisingly healthy...

Cookies
Milk
Pizza
Banana
Watermelon
Corn
Onion
Cauliflower
Cucumber
Pizza

Happy Friday everyone!

Insta-Lately

Every 1st and 3rd Monday the Wilmington Railroad Museum hosts a great little story time where the leader dresses up as a conductor for stories and sing-alongs. It's chocked full of little boys as equally obsessed with trains as Danny. Following story time, everyone gets together in the Children's Hall where there are lots of trains to play with and even more behind glass in a little train village of sorts.

Pretty much tackles daddy the second he walks in the door.

Jimmy had a work dinner thing the other night, so I decided to take Danny (me) out for an ice cream sundae. Maybe it was the flavors I chose or something, but he wasn't into it. Alas, I had to try and eat the whole thing myself...

Yuck, we had non-stop rain all weekend. NOT ideal with a toddler boy. Luckily Jimmy made the best of it by taking Danny out to play regardless. Oh and they pitched a tent in the living room.

Happy Monday everyone!

Future Gymnast?

One of our favorite daily outings is "Watch me Play" at the Carolina Gymnastics Academy. It's so funny (and bittersweet) to think about our first trips there when Danny was barely walking. Now he's all over the place! P.S. I just realized that he's barely smiling in any of these pictures, but he's having fun, I swear!