Life, in Instagram pictures .. and a pregnancy Q

First row: (1) lunch at Dixie Grill (again) (2) Brooke comforting baby Mason while donning her Snow White costume (3) having much too much fun at the bouncy house
Second row: (1) My 3 year old (2) Hawaii sunset without a filter (3) playground fun
Third row: (1) Brooke LOVES "pumerias" (2) weekend car rides (3) 50th state fair

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And a quick pregnancy question: when somebody asks you, "how many months are you?" how are you supposed to answer? Are you the type of person who divides the # of weeks you are by 4---so if you're 20 weeks, you'd answer 5 months. I don't do this solely because pregnancy is based off of 40 weeks and if you follow that logic, then it's 10 months long! 

I usually just go off of my due date - the month we're in -- so October - May makes me 4 months. OR I'll answer, "I'm due in October"

Just curious how you answer this question!

Southern food .. in Hawaii?

The other week (or two ago) my little fam tried out a restaurant called Dixie Grill, not far from where we live. It's a Southern-food type of joint, casual, fun (& they play country music, you just can't go wrong!) I admit, I was a little hesitant because there are little to no Southern restaurants in Hawaii and rightly so-- it's hard to do Southern food justice in Hawaii [at least I would imagine]

I love that you are served popcorn as soon as you sit down!

Sweet tea= my new favorite pregnancy drink! Alongside with Outback Steakhouse's lava flow mocktail

Mac & Cheese for the little monkey (who ALWAYS orders this, even after I read the entire kids menu to her) and frickles! Surprisingly good.

Beef brisket and pulled pork, he was a happy camper

Some kind of chicken sandwich ... not bad, but I'm not a huge sandwich eater in the first place

I love how casual it is .. little miss can scamper around the restaurant and we didn't feel as pressured to get her to stay seated and quiet!

I liked it so much we've gone back at least twice since then! My poor mom was not a fan and I dragged her there :( I do have to say that I think it's a little sad that so many military families/couples head to Dixie Grill for Southern food -- probably b/c it's one of the only Southern restaurants in Hawaii-- and I can't imagine this is "authentic!" 

Baby #2 is a ...

... boy!

I'm 18 weeks this week and I already feel different. Bigger and heavier in the belly area. I was told that you show quicker with your #2, but dang.

Anyway we are over the moon to add a little man to our household. I adore little boys and can't wait to meet my own mini-Vance. Brooke has already named the little guy already and we'll most likely go with it. Don't worry, it's not her typical suggestions like Mickey Mouse or Dudeskin or Buster. I was tossing around names I really liked with her one day and she would answer, "NO WAY!" and "I hate it!" when finally I said ________ and she said yeah! She's been referring little guy to that name ever since.

Change

I need a change. . . a blog change, that is. I've been in a bit of a blogging rut for quite some time now and am hoping that a little makeover will help. Once I hit 400 followers, I'm going to change the layout and whatnot of the blog, but I'm also playing with the idea of changing my actual blog name. Any suggestions? I was thinking something along the lines of it being Hawaii or island-related, but I just don't know.

Please help!

Birthday party for a 3 year old

Welp, the little lady turned 3 and she really wanted to have her party at Chuck E Cheese. She knew what she wanted and was so friggin excited, she was basically bouncing off the wall. Ridiculously cute. 

Vance's aunty baked this adorable cupcake-cake!

Little B was so thrilled to have Chuck E and Jasper sing happy birthday to her, she kept moving around and the end of the pig tail caught on fire! Here's her concerned dad checking out the damage...

Chuck E love

This is the point where she literally told me, "Mommy no more pictures!"

Opening one of her favorite gifts from mommy and daddy, baby Maggie

 .. and a carrier for little Maggie

My not-so-little girl

Tomorrow my little lady turns three. Over the past 3 years I have become less confident in what I'm doing ... this whole "motherhood" thing has thrown me for a loop. I find myself questioning, "am I doing this right?" even more so than I did when I brought Brooke home from the hospital, swaddled tightly, holding her to my chest. There are so many shades of grey (and no, not like the book) as they grow older-- be consistent and firm but pick your battles. Limit the sweets but if you don't let them try, they'll overindulge later. Does a tantrum or not listening deserve a worst punishment? Time out or just a stern talking to?

Boy oh boy, it was easy when all I had to do was cater to her every need. She cries, I feed. She cries more, I change. She cries even harder and I stand up and rock her back to sleep.

Not anymore.

These days are filled with lots of chitter chatter (the girl can't stop talking), constant pushing of boundaries, testing limits and stretching my patience to the very brim.

And in every moment I count myself to be so incredibly blessed to not only know such a crazy, vivacious and amazing little person like Brooke, but I get to be her mom.

In the past three years I haven't cried so hard, gotten so little sleep, worried so much, been so strict or loved so deeply. I can't believe my little love will be three tomorrow.

Little girl, I can't wait to see what great things you will do with your life. I just know you will take your dad and I on a wild ride and we are so excited. Happy (early) birthday ♥

Today I wore a muumuu.

Well, sorta. Today was my school's May Day celebration. It was sunny and beautiful and I am once again reminded of how gorgeous Hawaii truly is. There is nothing cuter than watching little kiddos dance to Hawaiian music! This was my first May Day celebration at this school and I was told that everyone wears aloha print, which put me in a huge dilemma, as I do not own anything aloha print. Luckily, I have a generous sister-in-law who loves anything Hawaiian, who was kind enough to lend me a dress!

Isn't this view just amazing?

1st graders, dancing

2nd graders dancing!

My amazing co-workers and my 16 week bump in a muumuu! 

We're in trouble...

My little girl is not even 3 years old, but she loves talking on the phone. The other day on her phone she was talking, talking, talking, so I asked her, "who are you talking to?" And she continued talking on the phone and said, "I KNOW. Mommy doesn't stop talking!" Of course, I cracked up and told her, "get off of the phone" and she told me, "chill out Mommy, chiiiiiill out!"

Here she is, on the phone again. In case you're curious what she's saying, I think it's, "I was wondering" and "I was starting to wonder..."

a night out

My roommate from college came down to visit with her husband and parents and we met up with them for dinner last night at Tanaka of Tokyo. It was delicious, entertaining ... and I guess you just can't have a bad time with good company. 

For those of you who are curious, here's my latest "bump" picture-- I am not a big "bump" updater, but here it is, 15 weeks and some days

Our chef. I missed the fire picture. He was quiet and we had to strain to hear a lot of his jokes. It also seemed like he was a little "off" that night-- he missed quite a bit of his tricks, but oh well. Still entertaining nonetheless!

 

Beer has never looked so good before :(

Hubs and I sans little B

And here's the little monster, the night before our night out. She'll be 3 in  a week and a half ... I can't believe how fast time is flying by!

30

I've got 2 (plus a few months) till I hit the big 3-0 but I came across this article and thought it was interesting/worth sharing. Have you crossed off everything on this list yet?
Read article here

By 30, you should have ...




1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come.



2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.



3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.



4. A purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.



5. A youth you’re content to move beyond.



6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.



7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age -- and some money set aside to help fund it.



8. An email address, a voice mailbox, and a bank account -- all of which nobody has access to but you.



9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded.



10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.



11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra.



12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.



13. The belief that you deserve it.



14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine, and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don’t get better after 30.



15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship, and all those other facets of life that do get better.





By 30, you should know ...



1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.



2. How you feel about having kids.



3. How to quit a job, break up with a man, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.



4. When to try harder and when to walk away.



5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.



6. The names of the secretary of state, your great-grandmothers, and the best tailor in town.



7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.



8. Where to go -- be it your best friend’s kitchen table or a yoga mat -- when your soul needs soothing.



9. That you can’t change the length of your legs, the width of your hips, or the nature of your parents.



10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.



11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.



12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs, or not flossing for very long.



13. Who you can trust, who you can’t, and why you shouldn’t take it personally.



14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.



15. Why they say life begins at 30





What's on your personal list of things to have and know -- and possibly do -- before turning 30?