Dani's first trip to California

Last week the kids and I flew down to California to visit everyone.  It was my first trip with just me and three kids and I'll admit I was a little nervous about the flight.  At this point Weston is a veteran flyer, however this would be Tyge's first trip in his own seat (now that he is 2 and can't be a lap child).  Even after we were delayed three hours, they all did really well (I was actually surprised at how great they were).  I think it helps to start a week before in prepping them on what do do on a plane.  Now whenever you ask Tyge what happens when you get on the plane he will scream, "put on my seatbelt!".   

Fuzzy cell phone pictures.....but they were so happy to be getting off the plane finally, and so cute with their backpacks! Tyge and Dani were pretty comfortable taking a nap on Ava. 

One of Tyge's favorite things to do is go to the feedlot or dairy.  He checks on the calves, helps Uncle Jan breed heifers (gets right in the pen and walks with him) and rides around with Avo.  Weston just likes yo drive the mule or gator around.  We spent most of Saturday just hanging out around the place, and then the boys got to go to their first movie at the theatre with Uncle Jan, Aunt Lisa and cousin Alexx.

We spent Sunday afternoon at the Manteca Festa, where upon arrival Weston promptly pointed out to Avo which auction item he liked (which of course they purchased for him).  Tyge made made buddies with Gil Fagundes, wanting to know what all the buttons did on his new scooter.

On Monday we went to the train museum in Old Sac with Grandma and Papa (who had flown in the night before), Aunt Tami, Kash and Karli and Aunt Jennifer and Colbie.  The boys thought it was really cool and we finished the afternoon at Joe's Crab Shack.  We headed back to Aunt Jenn's house where my boys were introduced to the ice cream truck....I don't know who was more excited, them or Papa and I when we found out the truck had soft serve.  Tuesday consisted of a brief trip to the fair and a bbq at Aunt Tami's.  Overall it was a good, fun trip, but it was also good to come home!

Three weeks old pictures

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm still trying to figure out my new camera.  So instead of risking not having any great shots of Dani, I had a friend of a friend take some of her last Thursday.  Here's a preview of the amazing job she did.

 A few more pics from Dani's first week.....

Couldn't help but take a picture of Grandma and Weston, both playing on their Ipads/Kindles.  Weston got to ride in the neighbor's dump truck with dad one afternoon.  Picture three is of the back seat....pretty crowded with three car seats.  Weston finally asked to hold her when she was five days old....Tyge is always wanting to be around her and brought her all of his cows one night.

 At Dani's two week check up she weighed 8 pounds (even) and was in the 50th percentile for height, weight, etc.  With the sudden influx of pictures I've been taking lately I started thinking about a new camera again (the thought has been on my mind for some time now). 

 After attempting the above pics with my old point and shoot, I made the leap and purchased a Canon T3i camera, with three different lenses thanks to the recommendations from some friends.  I've had a lot of fun playing around with it and can't believe the increased quality of the shots....even when I'm just using the auto focus modes.  I still need to figure out how to take good indoor photos, as you can see by the pic of the boys with Alexx, who stayed with us a couple of nights on her way to see friends in Forest Grove.

This week started with a trip to the dentist for Weston....his first time getting x-rays.  His teeth are all healthy and no cavities! 

Dani's first few days.....

Heading home from the hospital.....snuck a bow on her before daddy could say anything!

Tyge wants to hold her all the time, while it took Weston five days before he wanted to, and he insisted "no pictures!".  Grandma did her first bath at home (Dani didn't like it so much), just like she did when we brought the boys home.  She got dressed up for church on Sunday and she already got a good nap outside on the patio since we have such great weather. 

Boys will be boys and they keep doing all of their normal things.  Although I don't think they are thrilled that someone else is getting most of the attention right now (Weston is always saying "she's eating again!".)

May 2, 2013.....another day that our lives were changed forever!

11am: check in to hospital for induction after being pushed back from a 7am appt.
12pm: water broke and pitocin started
3pm:  epideral (magical!!!)
4:37pm:  welcomed Dani Lucille Meneses!  7 pounds, 14 ounces, 20 inches long

Grandma brought the boys in a few hours after Dani arrived....in custom big brother t-shirts.  We are all doing well and feeling very blessed!

Almost time....

In the last couple of weeks as we wait for baby #3 to arrive, we haven't slowed down much.  Aunt Jennifer, Uncle Chad and Colbie came for a quick visit.  I didn't take any pictures of them except on Sunday morning when the boys came to our bed as usual for cartoons and Colbie joined us. 

Later that week I decided to make a quick trip over to Newport to have some fun time with the boys.  We spent a few hours at the aquarium which they both are still talking about.  Weston goes to the computer to show anyone who comes in the house the pictures of our day trip. 

Today we had really nice weather, and I needed to get out the hose to water a few flowers.  Although it was only 70 degrees and windy, Weston begged for a sprinkler to run in and soon they were both down to their skibbies having a great time. 

Less than a week away from the "official" due date.....but still have no idea when baby girl will make her appearance!

Long overdue update

Ok, so I haven't been on top of things lately....blame the busy schedules, the kids, the dog, whoever/whatever you want.  Here is what we've been up to in the last couple of months.

Trip to California: - in February we headed south, spending almost a week with family.  While we were there we got to visit Danny's godparent's Amos & Paula.  They have a goat dairy in Livingston and we all really enjoyed seeing the hundreds of new babies they had.  We also spent a lot of time on the dairy, Tyge always wanting to go with Uncle Jan to check the cows.  Weston just wanted to drive the mule all around the ranch, to "check on things for Avo". 

One of the most exciting things about the trip was that we were there to celebrate Januario & Zita's 50th wedding anniversary.  We all got dressed up, and although they didn't enjoy taking pictures, the boys looked so cute in their suits!

 In March it seems like we had something going on every weekend, but I'm not sure if any of it was picture worthy since all I seem to have is random pics of our two little men.  Tyge is still obsessed with cows, but also likes to play with cars and trucks.  Weston is in to a little bit of everything, but for the last week has wanted to do nothing but ride his new bike that our neighbor, Mr. Cook brought over (it was purchased for his grandson but was too small).  The boys got some Easter money in the mail from their Tia Julie, and although I usually make them take everything to the bank, this time I let them spend a little of it.  They picked out pirate swords and bells for their bikes. 

 On Saturday we went down to the park for the annual Easter egg hunt.  Tyge cried when they blew the whistle, and Weston was really slow going, moseying around.  I didn't think he was going to get any eggs because all of the other kids run and grab them as fast as they can.  But he ended up with four, and one of them was a golden egg, which he got to trade in for a bucket of prizes. 

I need to make this picture an annual event....since I have one of the two of them in the same place last year. 

After church we headed to Steve and Maureens, for more egg hunting and lunch. 

The weather is finally getting nicer and we've been taking a lot of evening rides out on the 4-wheeler to check cows.  So far we have five babies on the ground.  I think at this time next year with three kids we are going to have to upgrade a side by side or get another quad.

And finally, last weekend I worked on updating the baby's room.  The boys are sleeping in the same room together for two weeks now (with no problems yet), so I've been trying to organize and add some girly touches.  I made a new window valance with matching crib skirt, and got some art work up on the wall.  Still need to figure out what to put on the other wall, but it's a work in progress....and although I didn't paint, it still looks quite different from when we had the boys.  Four more weeks to go until the estimated date of arrival!