Carter is 4 months

OK well almost, we went to the doctor before leaving Merced and he weighed in at 16.2 (80%),
height 25 3/4 inches (90%), head circumference 42 1/2 inches (65%) just shy of 4 months.

He continues to be the easiest baby known to mankind, no offence Mason. He smiles, he laughs, he squeals, he loves standing and chewing on his fingers. His latest trick- zerberts.

best friend

Along with leaving Merced I'll be leaving my best friend. Besides a marriage and two boys she is the best thing that I got out of this town. And man did she exceed my expectations. My mom has always said it was meant to be and I believe it. We were meant to run into each other, destined to be friends and well our kids... They didn't have a choice.
We met while on a walk. Our babies just two days apart & were only two weeks old. Who knew she was going to be my bosom buddy, like Diana was to Anne of Green Gables. She was my first friend as a mom and who knew how important that was! Better than any swaddle blanket, stroller or bouncy chair was to a new mom, a best friend with a baby the same age is priceless! This amazing woman gave me so much more than a good friendship, she was a teacher, a confidant, a neighbor, a walking partner and I am going to miss her. She was/is a gift. I'm not sure how I would have gotten through my first years of motherhood without her and to be honest as I head to her house this morning for one if our last play date/gab/coffee sessions I'm not sure how I'll get through the next two years, she has given me so much strength!
I'm going to miss you dear friend. But don't worry I'll still call you and vent, I'll still visit, I'll still make you dinner when your baby boy arrives, I'll try to reassure Mason when he says he wants to see you but most of all I'll try to be as good as a friend as you are to me!

Thank you for giving me your gift of friendship.
We are bonded. For life.

2012- a new chapter

So 2011 will close a chapter in Tom and my life, we're moving to Santa Barbara.
A sort of homecoming.

We'll be leaving Merced at the end of the year and much to our surprise, it's bittersweet. Fortunately, everything that has made these past 5 1/2 years so memorable for me are all under this roof and will be coming with me. We'll be leaving behind an awesome job and good friends. But I know 2012 will hold many opportunities for Tom and I and our two boys.

carter is 3 months

Carter is 3 months old

(ok so I'm a little behind, he's almost four)

He is the happiest baby a mother ever did see. He is a constant source of joy. Besides smiling, he laughing, cooing, and starting to babble. He can stand up like no 3 month old should and he is dying to sit up and tries every time I lay him on his back. His favorite person to watch is Mason for sure. I'm sure he's already plotting on how to chase him around the house, I'm seeing payback.

This boy has a twinkle in his eye and at the moment I'm enjoying just gazing... 

brotherly love

The big questions I had before Carter was born was "what was it going to be like with two?" and "how was Mason going to be as a big brother?" And let me tell you Mason has been amazing in every way. He's been through a lot these past 3 months for only being 2 years old- a move, a new house, a new brother... and has adjusted amazingly well. He is the sweetest big brother to Carter. He is so gentle with him. Always curious, wanting to hold him, trying to make him laugh. I know it wont always be like this, so I am savouring every moment. But I know these two are going to be the best of friends!

Carter is 2 months

Carter is 2 months!

Its been a long two months and to be honest it feels like he's been apart of our life for much longer

We took Carter to his 6 week appointment and got the weigh in...

11 lbs and 23 inches long

(not that I'll ever compare these two, ok well I'll try not to compare them,
at this same age Mason was 12lbs and 23 inches long as well)

pumpkin patch 2011

Getting ready for our first fall as a family of four.
never a dull moment with a 2 year old. he had to pick out six pumpkins, so we let him. this kid is spoiled rotten but we LOVE him.

Carter getting all his daddy love.

me & my boys

see you next year!

my little boy Carter... the delivery

He was only 5 days late but this little guy was breach. They had to go in a get him, by c-section, and grab him by his ankles and pull him out, no joke. It wasn't my first choice but as Tom and I kept reciting to ourselves "all we want is a healthy mom and healthy baby".

Tom knew that I really wanted to have some "skin to skin" time and even though its almost unheard of with a c-section he did an amazing job of making that happen. At the time, I was feeling a little claustrophobic from the anesthesia, so it only lasted for a second, but looking back at this picture makes me so happy. Looking at my little boy, telling him "hello" for the first time and explaining to him that I'm his mama and that I'm going to take such good care of him. Its a moment I'll never forget and one that I am so happy for making it happen.

The players... Tom, Carter, me and yes that's my mom.

My OB doctor is a good friend of Tom and mine and so one could say we got the royal treatment, step one, allowing more than just Tom in on the action. Being my mom, Nona was the obvious choice. I'm telling you as far a c-sections go this was a special one. Thanks Nona! I will never forget having you there.

meeting her third grandson, Carter Ellis.

Daddy checking him out our little boy, what a moment!

Here he is all cleaned up. What a sweet face, my little boy!

my dream come true...

On August 26th I got my wish. My two little boys!

Carter Ellis Bosma

He has arrived.
Carter Ellis Bosma. 08.26.11
7lbs 15 ounces 19.5 inches long at 2:38 in the afternoon.

Its the 4th of July and...

I'm pregnant again!!

We had a great long and very warm weekend of leisure spent by the pool. Grandpa Maso came for a visit and the 3 of us enjoyed his company immensely. Two years ago fourth of July he snapped these pics of Tom and I when I was pregnant with Mason so I thought it would be fun to compare...

baby boy #2 (33weeks) Mason (37 weeks)

I'm not sure revisiting these pictures was the best idea, seeing that belly is a little scary. And to think Mason did not arrive until 4 weeks later... Wow, the power (and stretch-ability) of the female body!

Baby boy #2 has a little more growing to do. Take your time sweet boy. We are looking forward to meeting you and look forward to sharing you with your little brother.

slip n' slide a father's creation.

We had a great Father's Day. Spent the entire enjoying the company of Mason's great dad and my amazing husband. Mason loves his daddy. I feel like at times I get more out of it than anyone seeing the man that I love, nurture and tenderly shape our little guy into a man as sweet and caring as Tom is himself. I don't need a holiday to remind me of what a great father Tom is; he reminds of that every day that the three of us are together or as he teaches Mason how to wrestle on the floor, or as he rocks him gently to sleep. I am so lucky and so is this little peanut in my belly who is about to experience the amazing love of a father.

what is the SPF of Yogurt?

just one of the cute moments at the table with our M.

Welcome baby Harper

My sister and her husband Pete welcomed their baby girl Harper Marie Schaw on May15th. Tom, Mason and I just got back from a great visit in Seattle where we got to meet this little bundle of joy. Our first girl in the family! As you can see she is ADORABLE... Harrison is particularly sweet with her.
these pictures, courtesy of Rachel, were taken just seconds apart.

baby bump

I tell my patients all the time every pregnancy is different. And man o man am I living that truth. This pregnancy is so different. For one I've had morning sickness for 7 months and counting, yet somehow I am managing to put on weight that seems out of my control. I'm exhausted at the end of the day but that may have something to do with chasing a toddler around. This little guy is a mover. I thought Mason kicked a lot but this little boy is putting Mason's kicks to sham. That does make me a little nervous because if that is any indication as to how active they are as babies, we are screwed! I am feeling much more connected to this baby in my belly, I think the first go around the entire thing seemed so surreal. But now I can imagine a little person in there and every time he kicks or moves I tell him a little hello and let him know of all the great people that are out here waiting to meet him. For now he is making me look like I swallowed a basketball and I'm sure my hips will forgive him in a few months or so.

Baby Boy Bosma #2

Here he is making his debut at 20 weeks. We don't have any names picked out yet but we are taking suggestions...

(tom is my scan guy but since these are 4 weeks old I figured I better just put them up, sorry if they're hard to view)

daddy's shoes

Mason has always been a lover of shoes. He especially loves putting on daddy's shoes in the morning when Tom is running late. So far we all still have a matching pairs.

get the ball Tibia

Mason has so much fun playing with Tibia. He loves to hide her ball and lately his favorite has been the slide. Good thing Tibia doesn't care as long as someone is playing with her. Its a good thing her and M are becoming such good friends because at least they'll have each other when their world turns up-side-down when #2 arrives. He already knows how to feed her, now if only we could teach Mason how to take her for a walk around the block we'd be all set.

this is my favorite age

I remember my sister and Pete saying "how could Harrison get any cuter and then he would". Maybe this means I'm not a baby baby person (I could have told you that), but this is my favorite age. Mason is 20 months and I really don't see how he could get any cuter. I am relishing every moment. He is all smiles, full of determination (which equals a few tantrums), articulate (well in comparison), learning things so fast and really showering Tom and I in his love. At night before he goes to bed he orders kisses "mommy- maymay" (that's what he calls himself), "mommy-daddy", "daddy- maymay", it makes Tom and I smile every time.
I was telling my dad how cute he was and how this is my favorite age and he said "Cecily, they are cute at every age, even when they're in 2nd grade and score their first goal you'll still say this is your favorite age". I'm not so sure, this boy is darn cute. Tom and I are very lucky. This morning he counted to 6 at breakfast, total coincidence but Tom and I just about fell out of our chairs. His favorite color is yellow, everything is yellow even if its blue. He loves practicing his colors and body parts, he knows all his body parts but is stuck on the butt, who can blame him. He learned how to give zerberts to Tom and I last night, hilarious, don't worry we'll get some video. Hopefully this means he'll share my poop and fart humor. His latest is telling us to go "fast". Tom was sure he was trying to get him a speeding ticket on the way to daycare. Yesterday I took him for a bike ride and he kept saying "faster mommy", poor guy didn't know I was giving it all I had. He has a need for speed. I just hope he doesn't like motorcycles. He is very bossy (I wonder who he gets that from) yesterday morning he was going outside with Tom and I was sitting on the deck and he looks at me and says "up mommy, outside". I was so shocked I got up and followed like a good little mommy. I really didn't know parenting was going be this fun.

Easter 2011

spring planting

We don't know where we're going to be living in 2 months and doing anything in the yard or house for that matter seems like a waste of time but we love gardening. And when I say we I mean we (even Tom). Now its a family affair....

Yes, for those of you who don't know we are trying to sell our house. With a little one on the way we've decided, like most Americans, we need something bigger. And we'd like to be footloose and fancy free to move at a whims notice when our dream job opens up closer to grandparents. What can I say, my parents emphasized positive thinking.

So, with the help of Mason the tomatoes are in the ground.
Don't you just love spring gardening? If Tibia doesn't get to them first (she ate ALL of our tomatoes 2 years ago) I just know Mason will love our summer harvest.

Nothing wrong with a little child labor right?

Oh, my grandma would be so proud!

Ready for Maui

Our bags are packed...
Tom and I are ready for some R+R, sun, sand and ocean healing.
Mason on the other hand has no idea what he's in for, but he's ready in his little swimmer suit.

I have a little anxiety for the 5.5 hour plane flight with little sweet ACTIVE Mason, but, its 2 against one, so hopefully Tom and I can tag-team him. We'll be the ones with the toddler cruising up and down the aisle saying "hi" to all the passengers.

Mr. Mason at daycare

Our sweet daycare lady Ms. Ana figured out how to take pictures on her phone and text them, don't you love technology these days? I'm mean talk about a sudden improvement in your day when this shows up on your phone. Especially for a working mom who suffers from serious catholic guilt. Look at that face, a little devilish but so sweet.

This picture really took me back because he looks like such a big boy, no baby left in that face.

He rules the place. On Wednesdays its just Mason and Ana, so he gets all the love and attention he can stand. We are so lucky to have her.

ring around the rosie

weekends at home

We've been having so much fun, just hanging at home.

Playing in the yard. Just being goofy...

swinging in the rain...

Mason is a blast and makes Tom ad I laugh every day...

18 months

Mason turned a year and a half today.
We celebrated with his first ice cream cone.