The 7 Year Itch

Nick and I decided we needed a day together to celebrate our seven years of marriage and almost 13 years together.  I'm pretty excited he isn't sick of me yet.  We dropped the kiddos off at school and headed to Mt. Pilchuck for romantic 5.5 mile hike.  No itching here; except for the mosquito bites on the hike we took.  My first major athletic excursion since Tova went pretty well...I was thoroughly exhausted by the end but after I got back into the truck, turned on the air conditioning and drank some liquid I was good as new (two days later when my muscles returned to normal)!

 This is Nick and Sam in the first half mile before I became to weak and disoriented to walk and take pictures at the same time! :)

 Our much needed fuel to get us up the mountain, mixed nuts with M&M's, so delicious.

 We of course took Sam with us, he had such a good time.  Poor guy just doesn't get out any more.  I am hoping this will change very soon!!

 Our view from the look out tower of Mt. Pilchuck.  We couldn't go up together because there was too many people to leave Sammers down below alone.  Some day we will get back just the two of us but it's hard to justify ditching our first child.

I signed the book for us.  I really wonder where these books go.  I think it would be awesome if people scanned them and posted on an official mt web site or something.  Someone should get on this.

This is us on our way down.  I chose a black and white edit so you can't see my red face and dripping sweat!!  Seven years, here's to seven more babe!!

random pic

A fun picture from our low key Saturday.  Deven wanted to sit on my lap with sister so to make enough room I put her on his lap which he thought was super cool.  Nick and I are really thankful that no matter how cranky his little sister is he still seems to love her more then anything...even his new tow truck.

Date Day

This is my last week of working part-time so Nick and I decided to take one of my off days and have a date day.  Our school Country Dawn was able to let us start Tova a week early so we could make this happen.  Nick and I haven't spent grown up time and/or time with just the two of us in longer than I can remember.

Our date day was bitter sweet in that it was also Tova's first day at school.  I talked myself into being OK by noting that if all hell broke lose I would be able to race right back to her as opposed to a day when I would not be able to because I was at work.  She gave her new teachers a huge smile and was not crying when we left so we drove South with optimism.

Of course we chose to head down town and make our favorite rounds.  Pastries and coffee at Le Panier, walking the Pike Market for spices, browsing Pacific Place, a quick stop at Frans, cocktails at Cutters, a visit to the map store, and lunch at Cafe Campagne.  We even tried to visit SAM but of course they are closed on Tuesdays!  No matter though, we had a blast and were so full of yummy food and treats that dinner was completely unnecessary. 

When we picked up the kiddos Deven was in a good mood and Tova was so calm and happy.  It was a perfect end to one of most relaxed days we have had in too long.

Thursday is my last day of leave with Tova, cross your fingers that it will a good one!

A couple pics from our day.

walking the pike market first thing in the morning

a cyprus marg from Cutters (peach with black rock salt)

Home bound

Tova and I have been trying to have a few more adventures each day but with all the daytime sleeping and nursing some days staying at home is the best we can do.  Here are some of my favorite pictures over the last week.

40 weeks tomorrow

So tomorrow is my official due date.  Statistically speaking it is very unlikely that I will be having this little lady tomorrow but just in case I thought I would do a belly update tonight, while not in labor! :)
One good thing about not having sister here yet is that I got to keep my hair appointment and now I will look a little less icky in those after birth/surgery pics. 
So the plan is that we will give this whole vbac or 'trial of labor' a shot for one more week and then we have to call it quits because risks to me and baby are just get too high.  So next Wednesday if she hasn't graced us with her presence we are going to go in and get her!   Creating an end date has really helped me relax and not be so anxious or worried.  It will be slightly disappointing to not experience the whole labor thing but if this time is anything like the one we had with Deven, full of joy and love, then how she gets here is really besides the point. 

Cuddle time

Deven's a little under the weather tonight so we've been cuddling...all three of us!  Sister and I had a check up today and things are moving along nicely...who knows I may just go into labor this time!! 
-38 weeks

Spa evening

I'm fresh from GJ thanks to saved up Christmas and Valentine's gifts from Nick and Deven.  Maternity massage and pedi can't go wrong.  I'm feeling pretty comfortable so I thought it would be a good time to document the 'ol belly so I can remember why we will be done after two!! : ).  37 weeks tomorrow!

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!!

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.

31 week comparison

Technically Deven was measuring a little bigger at this point but it's looking pretty on par in comparison.  We had a check up on Monday and everything is great.  Baby sister is measuring right at 31 weeks, has a heart rate of about 130 and feels like she is facing down.  Apparently she is resting right on my bladder...something I definitely knew already!  We have check ups every two weeks now and we will have an ultrasound around 36 weeks to get a better estimate of what her size will be around 40 weeks.  Stay tuned!!

29+ weeks

Thought it would be fun to get both kiddos in a picture. I was 29 weeks this last Thursday. This months check up was normal accept I didn't pass my 1 hr glucose test so I go back tomorrow for a 3 hour test. That's three hours with no food for 12 to 14 hours before hand and 4 blood draws. Doesn't sound like a good time to me but gotta do what I gotta do to make sure we stay as healthy as possible. I plan to get some reading done at least...or maybe a nap...hmmm...either way there will be Mexican food involved after my testing. Anyone down town tomorrow is welcome to join in post test feasting!!

Baby sister is measuring right at 29 weeks and has a heart rate of 145. I have excellent blood pressure and still no significant swelling. I'm heading into the home stretch and will be visiting the doc every two weeks from now on. We are in no way ready for her to arrive but I do have a little travel bassinet and a dresser drawer so no matter what she will have a place to sleep! :)

27 weeks - then and now

I thought I would do a little comparison.  Looks about right...on track for another big one!!  :)
Original post is here: http://nickandangelasblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/27-weeks-and-counting.html?m=0

25 weeks and counting

We just had a check up and everything is great.  Sister has a heart rate of 145 which is normal and she continues to measure about a week ahead.  Generally feeling pretty good and no major swelling yet which is all a girl can ask for at this point! 

Christmas shopping!

We ran in to Santa's sleigh today at uvillage and a nice man took our picture!

Bellevue 10K

Nick and I decided to step up our fun runs a notch and signed up for the Bellevue 10k this month. We woke poor Deven up at the crack of dawn and made it down to Bellevue by 7am - no easy feat especially since Nick and I were celebrating a friend's 30 birthday and Deven was partying with his buddies at school until 10pm the night before!! We met up with Grandma and Grandpa Bodle who gladly played with Deven in a vacant mall while Nick and I endeavored our first run without Deven. It was sort of strange but also fun to see what we could do minus Deven and the stroller's 30+ pounds. We both kicked butt - but I must brag just this once - I totally beat Nick!! Awesome!! Here are our final results.

angela - my Bellevue Breakfast Rotary 5K & 10K - 10K results

nick - my Bellevue Breakfast Rotary 5K & 10K - 10K results

There was a Marine troop there who did the 5k and so we ran into them when the two races combined at the end. I was so energizing to see them/hear them as we ran and it really got me through that last mile!!

Ski Day!

Nick convinced me that we needed to take a day to ourselves, ditch out on work and go skiing.  It was such a great idea.  We had good snow, no lines and no rain.  A great April tradition! !

A New Job

Most of you now know that I have a new job but I guess I should make it official by putting it in "the blog."

It has been almost a month now since my last day at JJCo. I will be forever grateful for the opportunities I was given there. I have been in public accounting about 7 years and one of the biggest things I have learned is that I NEED to be learning constantly. I also NEED to be surrounded by people that help me accomplish this. I found this 10 fold at JJCo and was honestly really really nervous to leave. It was an extremely tough decision but the time it took me to commute was just cutting too much into the time with my men.

One of the great things about public accounting is the experience you get in a relatively short amount of time. I have been able to "dabble" and work with financial groups in many different companies, organizations and governments. I tend to get really close to my clients and have kept in touch with them through the years. This is actually how I found out about a job opening up here in the Everett area. For about 2.5 years of my career at my previous firm, Moss Adams, I had the opportunity to work on the Snohomish PUD audit. I stayed in contact with the folks there and when a new position was created for the Risk Management department they forwarded it to me and asked me to apply - a great honor!

I talked with Nick, who as you can imagine was on board, so I went ahead and made the decision to apply. A month or so later I got an interview and then the offer. It was a bit of a whorl wind but I am so happy with our decision. I say "our" decision because Nick and I really made this one together. We weighed the pros and cons and ultimately me working up in Everett meant Deven had an hour less of School a day, I would get to spend an additional 2 to 3 hours with them both.

This first month has been amazing. I have a 15 to 20 minute commute and I am working with very smart people that help me continue my career and life goals.

For this first year at the PUD I will be setting up a process and ensuring the District is in compliance with its Bond Issues. In this last month I have learned an entirely new financial vocabulary and I have been digging through bond documents and related IRS code - I am in heaven. I know it is sick but its true!!

Nick and I both agree the added time I can devote to the family has increased our quality of life significantly. So while I was really nervous to leave a great job with great people I am grateful to say, so far so good! ; )

Playing!

We went to a new recreation park in LS the other day. I wonder if Deven will play baseball, soccer and/or football here one day??

Welcome Baby Deven

To avoid posting to the blog, I told Ange I wouldn't do it until I had something interesting to say....I don't think I can put it off any longer. Today at 8:36am we welcomed Deven Porter Johnston into the world. He came in at a whopping 10lbs 11oz. and was 21" long. Needless to say, the planned C-section was the right way to go. Angela and Deven are doing great. Both are happy, healthy, and currently napping. Ah, the calm before the storm...

31 weeks

Thought I would just post an updated picture of our growing boy! We are just continuing to gear up for the big event and getting more and more excited. I have about two months left. As you can see though I am just a little uncertain how it can be possible for me to get bigger!