Daily Life

With our third bundle of joy due in just a few months, Adrian and I have been looking at larger vehicles. The search started when we first found out I was pregnant. I had high expectations for our search and we narrowed our top three picks to the Volvo XC90, Honda Odyssey, and Volkswagon Routan. After the test drive we completely ruled out the Volvo. I would hate to drive that thing on a regular basis. So we then focused our conversations on the mini-vans. It’s so funny that younger us said that we would never in a million years drive a mini-van. They are just too perfect for a growing family, so I told my younger self to suck it up and deal with it. hahaha.

Ultimately we decided to go with quality and a more probable longer lasting car. We chose the Honda Odyssey. I absolutely LOVE it! The automatic doors and trunk are amazing! Adrian has some gripes about it but no car is perfect 😉 We traded in the Lexus and are going to privately sell the Subrau, so if you know anyone who is interested E-mail Adrian!

After having the car for one day we were appalled by Jillian kicking the seat haha, so I spent my entire Saturday evening while Adrian was away and made back of the seat organizers.  I made a purple one for Olivia and a pink one for Jillian. Adrian and I opted out of the mini-van entertainment system since we have an iPad. So I made an iPad insert into their organizers for long drives to watch movies on. I then made learning cards that would go into the pocket when the iPad is not there. I made an ABC chart, a hundred’s chart, and a car I Spy game. The girls love the I Spy game, they call it their “discovery card”.

My crazy chicken scratch of measurements 🙂

Today both Jillian and Olivia began ice skating lessons! Jillian was super excited about going! I had to keep talking to her all day about falling down 🙂 I knew it was inevitable and I wanted her to be okay with it. The girls did really well.

Jillian had an issue before she touched the ice, while practicing on the floor she hurt her finger, and since we didn’t explore other injuries occurring  she was quite upset. Once the class started towards the ice, she was over the hurting finger.  She fell a lot but overall it was a great first day.

Olivia has fantastic balance! She only fell a few times, unfortunatly towards the end of the class she was over it! On her last fall, I could tell that she was fighting back the tears. When her instructor tried to get her to stand back up, the waterworks began. She was so upset that the instructor had to pick her up and skate around with her. Luckily she is not discouraged, they are already talking about next week. I think it really helped that Adrian was able to be there too! He was able to help in all the positive self esteem building 🙂

Ice Skating Lessons from Sarah Barnes on Vimeo.

I haven’t made any New Year’s Resolutions but I am anticipating an exciting 2013! Our Baby Girl is due in May and I’m excited to meet her. I hope we can pick a name!! Jillian will be entering Kindergarten in September, WOW, where did the time go??? Olivia is potty training and will be attending preschool in September, which is just as crazy as Jillian entering Kindergarten! I’m also turning 30 this year and I feel very accomplished with my 30 before thirty list 🙂

This year we decided to take it easy on New Year’s Eve. My uncle Paul and my cousin Gianna have been taking Aerial lessons for the past year. They were preforming on New Year’s Eve at the Great Park. This was a perfect event for our low key New Year’s because the event was over by 9pm.  Olivia has had a cold for the past few weeks, and this evening was very cold, so we left her at home with my parents. It was kind of fun just going out with Jillian, we don’t do it very often.

The show was amazing! It made me consider taking lessons after the baby is born. Their upper body strength was incredible.

After the event we headed home and had a really low key night at home 🙂

My mom and I took the girls shopping at South Coast Plaza. My mom bought the girls these balloon animals. Jillian picked a penguin and Olivia picked a dog. I would have never thought that they would have played with these things as much as they do! The penguin’s name is Gork and the dog’s name is Spotty. 🙂 

Even though this pregnancy has been drastically different, we are expecting another girl!

(I had much more morning sickness this time and I crave salty things rather than sweet things)

The girls had a wonderful Christmas! I loved watching them get excited about everything they received! Their favorite gifts came from Santa: Dreamlights and Disney stuffed animals.

Santa also brought Jillian a bike and Olivia a Lego table. These were second string to the Dreamlights haha.

Olivia was super cute when emptying her stocking. She kept repeating, “I got everything!” hahaha. So Cute!!

One of my favorite parents from my classroom gave me an adorable cupcake set from Williams-Sonoma. The girls and I spent Christmas Eve decorating cupcakes 🙂

Living near the beach makes me a bit spoiled when it comes to weather. Haha I was shocked this morning when I walked out to find ice on my car! I can’t even imagine having to deal with snow in the morning while trying to get to work! I am very thankful for where I live!!!