Nesting

We are now two months away from meeting our little addition and I am beginning to have all the same emotions I did when Joseph was about to arrive...anxious, nervous, exhausted....basically I'm a basket of emotions and Vince is ready to move out...I'm a little hard to handle right now. Still, he's being as patient as possible with me. I'm slowing getting the nursery back in order and soon about to tackle the kitchen to organize all baby items. The last time I did this, I had my sister here telling me where, how, and what to do with everything. As well as just doing it herself :) Now, I am on my own and being 7 months pregnant makes for a stressful task. A little each day is my goal.
This time around is definitely a lot harder having Joseph to pick up constantly. He wants to be held all the time which I love but in all honesty, I can barely hold myself up.
Mommy isn't so much fun since it's hard to sit on the floor to play. I am still trying my best to enjoy the next two months of just me and my Joseph. I know it will never be just the two of us during the day again, which makes me a little sad but then I think about the new playmate he will have and who probably will be little more fun than me.
Currently, we are searching the house high and low for our camera charger....pregnancy brain is an actual thing. So instead, I'm using the phone to capture any cuteness that Joseph gives us. He has all of a sudden become very chatty. We're not sure what he's trying to say but he's definitely got a lot to talk about. He is now saying MOMMA! It's the sweetest sound a mother can hear...until he says I love you and than he can have absolutely whatever he wants :)
He now signs the following:
"Please"
"Daddy"
"Mommy"
"Sleep"
"Bird"
"Outside"
"All Done"
"Music"
and working on "Baby" :)
It's an absolute blessing having him sign during Mass. Instead of screaming, he signs "Please" and I know he wants a snack. Makes my life so much easier...and less embarrassing :)
So here are pictures from the past couple of weeks.

Coolin off with my Pirate water table

My hired chef. If it were up to him, we'd have macaroni for dinner every night. Good thing moms the boss!

Coloring Easter things. Dad's better at it than mom. Hence, daddy's bunny vs. mommy's easter egg......

Feeding Pa K pirates booty and listening to banjos on the river

Love my spinach fruit smoothies! Moms little trick to sneak some fruit in his diet.

Little boys need accessories too!

At the races where I skinned up both of my knees for the first time. Mom didn't cry.

No 1 Wubby is ever enough

Cutie overall booty!!!

He glows in the dark, too.

16 Month old in the house

Joseph recently had his 15 month checkup...ran a little behind on this visit due to Christmas and traveling but he is now...
*21 pounds (still a little fella)
*Still in 12 month clothes (poor guy might be vertically challenged like mommy)
*10 Teeth!!! He has two molars now!
*Says "Hi!" to just about everyone and can also say "Outside" and this morning started saying "Nana" for banana!
*Using his sign language now and can sign "All Done" "Bird" "Outside" & "Sleep"
***Funny story, the other morning I opened the back door to let Berkeley out and left it open because it was so nice out, Joseph turned and started signing BIRD because he heard birds chirping! Very proud mommy moment!
*He can also make a monkey sound, a cow sound, a lion sound, and a snake sound.
*A few days ago he tried popcorn shrimp for the first time and loved it! Looks like we're good with shellfish. Lately, we're on a fruit strike so mommy is making spinach fruit smoothies for him, which he absolutely loves.
*With all the fun we do have with him we do have our rough patches during the day.....tantrums. The tantrums are brutal but Vince and I ignore him, walk away or end up tickling the frustration out of him. It doesn't seem to last too long.


And in other baby news...
I am now 24 weeks along and beginning to look 39 weeks along. We had our anatomy ultrasound a few weeks ago and were able to see his cute little body. He is a very active little guy, always kicking and moving around, much more than Joseph ever did. Everyone say a prayer that he's still just as laid back as Joseph is...please. We've decided to put baby Jack in Joseph's room since the room is still set up and organized for an infant. Joseph will be transferred to the guest room that of course we will make very special for just him :)
We recently just put in baby gates which he absolutely hates, Joseph, not Vince ;) However, mommy is LOVING them. I can now cook dinner without my little toddler under my feet. Berkeley's not a huge fan of them either...he's usually stuck on the wrong side of them along with Joseph. As long as they are away from the hot oven and safe, mommy is happy.

Mardi Gras has started around here and we've already been to 3 parades around town. Joseph's getting lots of goodies and beginning to get used to beads being thrown at his head :) Vince and I are also enjoying the parades more now that we have a little one around. He gets lots of attention and we come home with more junk goodies than we ever did before!
Here are some recent pictures from this past two weeks.

Krewe of Slidellian Parade

Little Bead Catcher

Playtime at the park before we see Baby Jack on the big screen.

Painting in the tub

Abita Springs Push Mow Parade.....slight tantrum face

I walk everywhere now! Very independent...

Lombardy's Take Tahoe

As a late Christmas present, my parents rented a cabin in Lake Tahoe so that we could all meet up and enjoy a week of family fun together. It's not often that my family can get together so planning far in advance is a must. Unfortunately, the lack of snow was a bummer but we managed to find a perfect spot for the kids (and adults) could sled and make snowmen. Joseph loved it! Even ate most of the snow that was there.
Since day one of being with Vince, he has done nothing but talk about the greatness of Lake Tahoe. I knew one day I would eventually get to see it and after 4 years I can now say that I've witnessed all that it has to offer. Tahoe is absolutely beautiful and I can see why he loves it so much. The views are outstanding and there's so much to do..even for a pregnant lady!
We are now back home and all trying to recover from a very busy week in the mountains. The trip was wonderful to say the least with lots of sledding, skiing, snowboarding, shopping, ice skating, birthdays, site seeing and sugar sugar sugar. It was a perfect week spent with my family that I hope we can recreate in the near future.
Almost 1,000 pictures were taken so sorry in advance for the overload :)

Lombardy's hit Lake Tahoe

Daddy and Joseph

Little baby, big chair

Snow Cuddles

Jojo, Pa K, and the grandkids

Sissy snow time

Mommy Daughter time in the snow

Cousins in Squaw Valley

One of his many interests..

Family Christmas 2015

Even with a black eye, she's gorgeous.

'Squeeze In' in Truckee, CA.

Shades on in Truckee, CA

Northstar Resort

Ice Skating at Northstar

The Matching Silver Bullets

Trying to stay warm with our matching scarves

Emerald Bay

21 Weeks

 Pro Sledder

Wagon Rides and Walkers

We now have a 15 month old! Everyone has been telling me that one day a little light bulb will seem to have come on and he will start learning new skills every day. Well, they were right. On Christmas Eve he officially started walking EvEryWhErE and has already face planted into the coffee table a few times. Bruises are becoming a normal look for him. 

He is babbling more and more and I'm pretty sure he can say "Night Night", "Tick Tock", and "Momma" he's also using his sign language more which is a huge help with knowing what he wants when he wants it. Every morning when we get up he signs "milk." He also signs "All Done" and is now clapping! I've decided that this age is my absolute favorite. Granted the temper tantrums are not the best and whining has become an extreme, however, I love that he is learning so much and is starting to communicate with us. We are having a blast with him and can't wait to add another little boy to the mix for double the fun! 

Wagon Rides around the neighborhood

Mommy put our names on cushions to keep our bottoms comfy and warm for all of those Mardi Gras parades

MOM! It's 70 degrees out, can I please take off this fleece vest?

Smiling is not my thing sometimes

Daddy gives the best wagon rides. Sometimes he goes really really fast.

Belly Boom!

I am now 18 weeks along and beginning to feel very pregnant. My sciatic nerve has decided to start giving me fits, this is something I never had with Joseph so the next few months should be a blast. I'm spending a lot of time in the massage chair...thanks Kim and Edna!!!
Luckily, this time around I won't have to deal with the Lousiana summer heat while pregnant so that's a giant plus in my book! As of now we are due at the end of May. My doctor is going to allow me to schedule the delivery a week earlier than my due date so we will have a better heads up of an exact day as the time gets closer. This week we are headed to our anatomy ultrasound so we can see all those teeny arms, legs, fingers, and toes! I'm beginning to feel a few flutters here and there but no real kicking going on yet. I'm sure with the next couple of weeks I will feel more and more movement.
We decided to find out early what we were having since I was 16 weeks right before Christmas. As hard as it was to keep a secret until Christmas, I managed to keep it zipped for 9 days...glad that's over with. And it didn't take us long to decide on a name for this little one, Jack. It was Vince's grandfathers name and we love to hand down family names, plus I thought it went well with Joseph :) The middle name is still up for debate and I'm hoping that once it all starts getting closer, Vince will decide that my name of choice is a better option ;) Stay tuned....

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year!!! We are headed to an "In Bed By 10" party tonight! Just our style :)

Here are pictures of the gradual belly progress....

LITTLE BROTHER ON HIS WAY!

8 Weeks

13 Weeks

The ever so perfect bathroom selfie....15 Weeks

18 Weeks

A Very Merry Joseph Christmas

Christmas has come and gone and the house is already back to looking it's normal self. However, this Christmas was unlike any other. We had a blast celebrating the day with Joseph and all that Santa brought him. My parents stayed the night with us so we could all spend the entire day together eating and playing with Joseph and his new toys.
Christmas Eve we attended the children's Mass at our church which we all very much enjoyed. I've been to other children's masses before but this one was different being that the children sang the entire mass! What a treat! Joseph also sang and talked the entire mass but every time Vince looked over at me with the "should I take him out" look, I quickly said absolutely not, he's not bothering anyone and at least he's not crying or screaming! Lately, we've been bad Catholics and haven't attended mass every Sunday in fear of what he would be like at this age and all of our expectations were met that night. Thank goodness I went prepared with snacks, water, books, and toys. He was a very wiggly worm but only chatted and sang along with the children's choir so I can count this visit as a win win.
Christmas morning we all woke up to see that Santa had left Joseph a new red wagon, a zoo, books, and a new big boy chair with his name on it! He went straight for the zoo. Unfortunately, Santa forgot batteries so the novelty wore off quickly. Always remember batteries, SANTA! The wagon was a huge hit too. He enjoyed a few laps around the house with his Pa K to break it in a little. I love the wagon because it's the exact same one that I had growing up and my sister and I wore the thing out. So I know Joseph and his baby brother will love it just as much. So instead of me rambling on, here are some pictures from our Christmas!

Ready for Christmas!

We officially have a walker on our hands

Daddy let me open a gift early and Jojo and Pa K taught me how to use it...and Thimble

Jojo, Pa K, and Thimble

The last family of 3 for Christmas

Santa came!

Happy boy in his new chair

Every boy needs a red wagon

Wagon rides through the house

My new roller coaster from Jojo and Pa K! Whoa, that's fast!

Let's do that again daddy!

My new basketball goal from Grandma and Grandpa! Berkeley loves the basketballs as well...

A box for Christmas!

Sugar time!

Babiators from my Taylor's! These will be perfect when I'm skiing down mountains next week!

Mommy's selfie stick from the Pascazio's! 

And my GIANT water table from Aunt Linda and Uncle Pete! This is going to be fun to share with my little brother.