36 weeks and then some..

WHAT A MONTH!

We have been super busy the last few weeks!  I won't bore you with all the details, but here's a rundown.  We closed on our Decorah house last Thursday, we bought a house in Temecula, California and close on that next Tuesday, I'm 36 weeks with our baby girl today, Quinn is a talking machine who is a whole lot of work and the same amount of fun, Tony has his big inspection at work the next 2 weeks that he has been preparing for A LOT the last month, we have been approved to leave island June 4th, scheduling movers to come mid May, and the list goes on!  Luckily I have been able to sleep at night for the most part despite all that has to be done and planned for.  Sometimes the more you have, the more you just throw your hands up and trust that it will all get done.  It has to, right?

We are so excited about our place in California. It's on a quiet street with a nice backyard for the girls with parks nearby, running trails - and my favorite?  It's one story!  I'm looking forward to carrying laundry across the house, not up the stairs :)

Tony is very excited to start our Iowa house project when we get back in June!  He has warned me how much he will be there during the month we are home.  I will be forcing him to stop working some afternoons I'm sure!  The more we get done the better though, so we will use our time wisely!  In the meantime, I am thinking of what colors to paint, cabinets, etc.  All the fun stuff.  Won't be for awhile until we do the floors, cabinets, but hopefully we can get the outside painted while the weather is nice!

Quinn is 21 months now and has quite the little personality.  She is all about running these days ("wun") and demands that her new running shoes are on for awhile before she goes to bed and when right when she wakes. She does laps around the couch and we are not complaining!  Her favorite foods continue to be noodles and sauce, cheese, hummus, blueberries, strawberries, and finally coming around to bananas.  What kid won't eat bananas!!!??  She isn't a big vegetable eater, but she will do peas and cucumbers without a fight.  Still won't eat meat which is driving me bonkers...
She likes to help me at the grocery store to the point that it's REALLY nice when I don't have to take her.  Her idea of helping isn't quite the same as mine :)  She refuses to sit in the cart, but insists on riding ON the cart.  So I am that mom (when it's crowded) that has a very unhappy toddler strapped and trapped in the seat.  :)

We go to the beach or park daily and she always seems to meet a new friend to play with.  I've realized she's pretty shy around a group of kids, but when it's a few, she loves the attention and is very sweet to them.  Yesterday we went to the park with my good friend, Jen and her boys Lukas (8) and Nolan (20 months). Quinn adooorrrres Lukas.  He is so sweet to her and treats her like she is 6, which of course Quinn eats up.  Anyways, Yesterday I asked Quinn if I could have a sip of her water (that Lukas kindly bought her from the infamous Okinawa vending machine) and she looked at me and said "NO, ME" with a scowl.  Lukas piped in and said "Hey, Quinn - can your mama have a drink?" and without any hesitation she looked at me, handed me the water.  CAN HE LIVE WITH ME PLEASE!!! :) 

Her new friend we see at the park often.  This girl could be a GAP baby model!

Lately Quinn has been leading me to her friend Nolan's house.  Hey, when a girl wants her friends - she WANTS her friends!

My good friend, Natalie and Quinn

Quinn + Lukas

Quinn + Gabriel

"Here's how you eat a donut, Quinn"

As for me - I am doing well and very much ready for this sweet girl to make her appearance.  We've been so busy with everything I feel like I haven't had the proper time to think of her and connect like I did with Quinn.  Guess that's how it is when you're chasing a toddler around all day!  All is in place for Quinn's care when Tony and I head to the hospital.  Bags are packed.  Car seat is in tact.  I am ready.

Happy SPRING to all of you!
We will be in Decorah June 8 - July 15 or so.  Come visit :)