The weekend

Deven decided that a nap was not in the cards today so we took a drive to the Mukilteo beach. We saw the ferry, a coast guard boat and a light house. We played with rocks, shells with creatures, sand and ultimately muddy grass which thankfully was solved with a quick-change on the truck bed. I'm sure glad we remembered the diaper bag!!

President's Day - aka Seattle Aquarium Day

Daddo had to work and Momma was feeling the need to be OUT of the house with a crazy kiddo so we made the trek down to the Seattle Aquarium. It was about the time I noticed the 10 family deep line to pay for public parking that I realized it wasn't just Deven and I that had the day off. Either way we had nothing better to do and Deven was too stoked to see the fishy museum to care about waiting in line(s) - this is a first. Once we were able to pay for parking there was still about a half an hour wait to purchase tickets. I am not sure how he kept it together but there were only two instances of the 'momma chases toddler' game. Deven being under three was still free, score! This isn't the first time Deven has been to the museum but it will be the first time he will be able to participate in all the fun.

We made it in just in time for the first group activity which involved a huge parachute with an octopus on it. Yes, it was octopus week at the aquarium. Deven was a crab, which is a type of food that octopus love to eat...just so you know. We touched star fish and sea anemones galore. We saw huge fish, tiny fish and even sea horses. The seals, sea lions and otters were a hit but the Octopus and the scuba diver were the ultimate show stopper.

It was getting close to lunch time and Deven had requested hamburgers - I am 34 weeks pregnant so I cannot say I have any sort of will power to resist this type of request. I looked at the schedule and noticed that there was going to be a presentation in the main tank area so I asked Deven if he wanted to stay for the talk or go get hamburgers...he chose the talk...GOOD BOY!! It ended up being the only time of year they let an octopus in the main tank and the scuba diver had a speaker to talk to the kids while she was in the tank...I have to say it was pretty awesome!!

After the talk we grabbed some burgers on the Pier and had a peanut butter ice cream cone which he refused to share with me...how can I blame him honestly. When we got home he was too exhausted to resist a long nap and thus my ultimate goal was achieved. :) A great day.

Valentine's Day Dash

Deven signed up for his first race this month. Well actually, I couldn't stand not signing up for the dash again this year so I made the whole family come with me!! We got Deven his first running shoes and prepared him by talking about the race all week. When we got to the race he prepared by running almost the full length of the neighboring soccer field, downed a dum dum sucker from the packet pick-up table and inhaled a full banana. He was good to go.



After I felt satisfied with the number of pre-dash pictures I had taken it was time to get him lined up. Kiddos his age were required to be at the back so Nick and Deven got ready...the competition was pretty fierce. There were lady love bugs everywhere! I am pretty sure Deven (accompanied by Daddo and Momma) were last. I'm talking the people making sure the course was cleaned up had to slow down for him to finish!! Regardless, he had the best time and celebrated with his honorary ribbon and tons of hugs and kisses from Grandma and Grandpa Bodle!


Next up was the official Valentine's Day Dash. I made the decision to stop running around 26 weeks (6.5 months) so it had been almost two months since I had even put the 'ol running shoes on. Thankfully edema has not been an issue this pregnancy so they actually fit...no, they would not have fit at this point with Deven! I strapped Deven into his spaceship (aka stroller) and we headed to the outer most corral so as not to disturb those 15 minute 5k finishers.

I decided to do what I could running wise, which proudly was about 3/4 of a mile, before it was just too uncomfortable. I finished the rest walking as fast as I could which wasn't as fast as some stroller mommas but I managed to finish before they cleaned up the coarse! Bottom line is Deven and I finished in about 49 minutes. Nick circled backed to make sure baby sister was still in my belly so we all finished as a family. Uncle Aaron presented Deven with his first trophy after we crossed the finish line.

The race was a success and officially a tradition for the Johnston Family. Will we enter into our 4th consecutive St. Patrick's Day Dash?? TBD!!

Célébration de Bébé

So this girl has some pretty awesome friends. I received a surprise shower for baby sister today. It was a Paris, France themed shower. From your required dessert croissants down to the black toile decorations, it was all there. This event of events was supposed to occur two weeks ago but a certain freak winter storm in the great northwest caused a delay. The girls were able to reschedule today with what appears to have been only minor complications. It seemed to me that everyone there (as well as several ladies that couldn't make it) played a part in the planning process. Thank you to everyone involved!! I was feeling very ill prepared for this baby before today but from here on out if she were to come (no little girl, that isn't an invitation just yet) we would be able to cloth, feed and shelter her in some pretty swanky baby girls stuff. We've got guest made onesies until she is over a year old, the cutest knit hat I have ever seen, baby under armer, baby leggings galore, her first baby doll, and a baby monitor specially purchased for future baby sitters. We are so set!!

Thank you everyone Thank you!!

Here are some pics to show you just how awesome my ladies are!!



Croissants from a little French bakery in Silver Lake called L'Artisan French Bakery...pure bliss!!



There were labels (in French) for everything just like this. Perfection!


Cupcakes by Codie. They looked store bought, I can't believe I even thought it!!


Gonna put this up on her wall, for sure!


32 weeks along, 8 more to go...1.5 inches to go until my belly hits the steering wheel. I can't remember when this happened with Deven but it is sure is an interesting phenomenon.