Cutest little girl you ever did see...

Daddy gets the giggles

Thanksgiving

We spent a very low key Thanksgiving as a family of three - our last one to be spent that way! It was a perfect long weekend to unwind and just be together. We cooked a nice non-traditional dinner, and in the week leading up to turkey day, started a "thankful turkey". What a fun new tradition that I hope we are able to continue!
This year since we started it so late, mom and dad got in on the action, too. Next year the goal will be to start Nov. 1 and have Ellie's list be the whole thing.
PS: 2nd pic is our little turkey on turkey day, doing what she loves most these days...collecting pinecones at the park!

"Announcing" baby sister!

Of course, our toddler wasn't really into cooperating for pics, but fortunately when you just keep taking them, you get a few winners.

Missing Uncle Ev and Joshy

AZ baby takes on "winter"

With a few of our morning temps in the high 40s, this AZ baby had no clue what to do with herself! Hilarious.

OMG - PAINTED NAILS

Guess who requested "pink" on her nails for the first time?!
And she was even  quick study in holding her hands out in front of her so they didn't smudge.
Beyond precious.

COLDS

Grrr...none of us have been sick for quite awhile and I guess we should count our blessings for that. But Ellie and I have both come down with a horrible cold. YUCK. The only plus side is she's extra snuggly.
And check out how I found B and E after coming downstairs after a shower? Spoiler alert: he's sound asleep.
Yep, we're both feeling it after dealing with a sick toddler.

Special Guest Star

Love when we get a visit from a special guest star!
Today was Papa, in town for work, and able to squeeze in a morning park date before his work began.

Smoothie Pops!

I so want to be one of those moms who is always making fun, healthy foods with like, smiley faces and cookie cutters. But let's be real: I probably won't ever be, and I'm really okay with that. I'm just over here attempting to get my kid to eat something healthy at each meal.
However, today I had what felt like a big win - homemade "smoothie pops" that #eleanorclaire (and I) loved! Yogurt, spinach, blueberries, 🍓, and 🍌! 

Meeting a legend

I am a pretty big sports fan. Especially of sports figures who embody what I feel an athlete should: humility, generosity, patience, philanthropy, and an incredible work ethic. Enter Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals, who I have been a HUGE fan of before we even moved to AZ.

On Nov. 14, we were invited to attend the Patrick Peterson (another AZ Cardinal) Gala which benefits his non-profit (an org that puts books in schools). I had no idea who would show up, but I had my fingers and toes crossed that Fitz just might make an appearance. Not only did he show, but it turns out our table was right next to the Cardinals table (owner, coaches, staff, etc), so that's where he sat. AND in an even bigger stroke of luck, the person who invited us is NEIGHBORS with him, so they're basically pals. Yep, he got a big hug and they chatted like they'd known each other for years.
I was totally star stuck and amazed and my generous table host introduced us. I totally stumbled over my words and looked a little crazy but I told him I thought he was amazing on and off the field - I got my point across. I even got a pic which I will cherish - ha!
The Instagram post I did that night sums it up best:

I geeked out. Totally and completely. 🙈
I became a #fitzfan long before I moved to AZ, and truthfully at a time when I wasn't excited to move here, I seriously thought to myself, "at least I get to watch @larryfitzgerald every week during football season". He is everything an athlete should be - humble, kind, truly aware how large of a platform he has and uses it in a meaningful and responsible way. He is philanthropic, well spoken and educated. He is the kind of athlete you want to expose your kids to.
So honored to have been able to attend Patrick Peterson's #foundationforsuccess Celebs and Steaks event last night (and let's be real, he's as amazing as Fitz) and beyond thrilled to have been given the opportunity to meet a person I so greatly admire. 

Dancing by the light of the Supermoon

the Holsopples

We were so lucky to get another visit from Amy, Scott and Hadley who were last in PHX in June. It's amazing to look back at the pics at how much the girls have grown in 5 short months! We enjoyed dinner with Amy and Scott for my birthday, and then got an afternoon and evening with Amy and Hadley - we even got to check out the supermoon together!
Love these ladies and so glad they continue to be such a special part of our lives. And how special that two old friends have girls so close in age who are becoming friends, too!?

Belated birthday celebration

Since Brad was out of town the weekend after my birthday, we had a belated adults-only dinner celebration the weekend he was back. What a fun evening with so many wonderful people I've come to call friends. Plus, the added bonus of an old and dear friend being in town to celebrate with me!

Baby #2 is on the way!

I guess it's probably a good time to officially post about baby #2...on the way in May! 

Backing up, it was a long summer for a lot of reasons, but most notably I suffered a miscarriage when I was 10 weeks pregnant while on our three week Midwest Tour. It was a pretty jarring experience, and honestly one I never ever thought I'd go through. I don't know why - for some reason I just thought it wasn't going to happen to me. I think I was in shock for a long time, and while I never really got depressed about it, there was obviously some sadness. It was made harder by the fact that I wasn't in AZ, had no access to my doctor, and Brad wasn't with me (although he was able to fly back to Wichita for a few days to help me through the actual process as I had it naturally). 

I do truly think I was able to keep pretty good perspective - that it happened for a reason and it just wasn't meant to be - but I was just so ready to be home in my space in my own life. I don't think I was really able to reflect on what happened until I was. 

Not everyone feels the same when they go through this (and I have talked to LOTS of people who have gone through this), but for me I knew the only thing that was going to make it better was to get pregnant again. It was almost like I needed that to prove I wasn't broken, or something. I know having Ellie here proves that, but once a miscarriage happens, you just start to question your body and how it's working for you. So we started trying again after a month, which was the wait time my doctor recommended. 

We were VERY lucky that it happened VERY quickly and after a miscarriage in July, I got a positive on a pregnancy test in September. We were extremely cautious about telling people this time around, and our doctor was very cautious, too. While most patients go in for their first exam at 8 weeks, my doctor wanted to see me for a sonogram at 6 weeks, again at 8 weeks, and wasn't going to do my first exam until 10 weeks, just to make sure things were going okay. We went in at 6 weeks, only to find out that I was actually 8 and a half weeks pregnant! The timing is a complete mystery to us, but we couldn't question it and just had to have faith that this babe was meant to be. 

I went back in the following week, and then had my first exam at 10 to find a healthy baby in my tummy. 

We did the genetic testing again this pregnancy which also detects gender, and Brad surprised me on my birthday with the reveal...that we were having another GIRL! I was totally fine with either, but I am beyond excited for Ellie to grow up with a sister - something I never had but always wished I did. 

Everything has been pretty smooth - no morning sickness (again), and other than extreme exhaustion in the first trimester, I've felt great. We continue to count our blessings every day and continue to pray for the little girl growing bigger by the day. 

I will say, once you have a miscarriage it's like the mystery and wonder of pregnancy completely disappears. You wonder all the time if that box you just picked up, or that funny twinge in your side, or the random ache in your back means the worst. You look for blood every time you go the bathroom. It feels a little like waiting for the other shoe to drop. Thankfully I have a husband who tries very hard to keep me grounded and I have a crazy 23 month old to keep me very occupied. 

We've been taking "bump" pictures along the way, so I'll post them and will continue to do so as this pregnancy progresses! 

 

Park Princess

23 months!

How are you only 1 month away from TWO, child?!
This girl continues to amaze us every single day with her energy, light and hilarious conversations. My goodness we are so lucky to be on this journey with her.
(She has recently started working on her "faces" - below you'll find happy, sad, excited, silly, and surprised)

Park Life

The POTTY

We have been spending a LOT of time on the potty. We're not pushing anything, but E is really excited about it and loves watching her shows from the comfort of her "throne". And I am so happy to report we've even had some success! Yes, below you will find her first ever pee-pee in a potty. It may only be a few dribbles, but that is PEE in a TOILET. Ah, proud parent moments! HA!

Cool Chick

Park Date

Sometimes (read: a lot of the time) I just can't stop taking pictures of my little love.
And sometimes I get some total GEMS. Exhibit A: these pics from the park

Railroad Park

We ventured into south Scottsdale and hit up Railroad Park with our friends Kaela and Poppi last weekend. So fun! Ellie is obsessed with carousels, so this park is especially fun.

Bath time with Beckett

Since Brad was out of town my birthday weekend, E and I spent Saturday evening with the Del Chiaros...Brenton agreed to watch the kiddos while they slept so Lindsay and I could enjoy a much needed girls dinner out. But before bedtime, the kiddos enjoyed tubby time!

Weekend walks - it's DADA!

When we take family weekend walks, we take Penny with us, but if we're going to stop at the park, Brad usually walks Penny home, and E and I wait for him to meet us back at the park. This is her typical reaction when she sees him coming up the path. My heart.

Backfloat Ribbon!

My little fishy earned her BACKFLOAT RIBBON at swim class this week! This is earned with two 10 second back floats, completely unassisted. I was SO PROUD of her! And she was pretty proud of herself, too :)

Happy birthday, Mama!

I turned the big 3-4 yesterday and officially entered my mid-thirties. I must say, I'm feeling pretty darn good. I love where my life has led, and I love all that my life is. I'm in better shape physically than I ever have been, and I am more comfortable in my own skin than I ever have been. Becoming a mom has been a huge part of that journey, and I am so grateful.
I had a lovely day kicked off with a Starbucks date with my girl (PSL for me and a cake pop for breakfast for her!), followed by some park time, a walk around Kierland, lunch with B, a low key afternoon while E napped, and a home cooked dinner of grilled cheese and tomato soup compliments of B. I feel very loved and beyond blessed. Cheers to an amazing year ahead!