Life Lately: Update on Motherhood, Marriage, and Our New Home

Every now and then I like to do a brain dump type post.. what life has looked like lately. While we are still back in Wisconsin for another 2 weeks and Instagram makes it look like one big vacation, we have so much going on behind the scenes that you don’t see on our highlight reel. We are so lucky to be spending time at the family cabin in Northern Wisconsin with the grandparents, great grandparents, and aunt & uncle.

My boys are truly living their best life out here fishing, playing on the beach, going on outings with their grandparents, spending their entire day outside running in the grass and getting such quality time as an extended family. Britt and I feel very fortunate to have two sets of grandparents (and aunts/uncles) who are so helpful and involved.. I don’t worry one bit when I run into town for groceries or Britt and I escape for an outdoor date night. My boys are well taken care of and in the best hands.

Jackson and Cammy are two peas in a pod these days.. they don’t leave each other’s side and I think come fall if/when school resumes, it’s going to be a tough transition.. mostly for Cam. He idolizes his big brother and wants to be just like him so when school begins again and they are separated, it could take a few weeks to adjust. However, I also feel like it will be good for them to do their own thing again. Jackson officially graduated from PreK earlier this month and while on his Zoom call with his classmates, he told them he was moving to a new school and that he would miss them. He has been nothing but excited for our move this Summer but on that call, he looked at me and said, “Mom, I’m sad I won’t see my friends again.” And this is exactly why we are making this move NOW instead of when they are older and really feel the effects of moving away from close friends. Jackson is extremely confident and outgoing and I have no doubt he will begin to make lifelong friends out in Redmond this Fall. We threw him a graduation party and talked about how exciting it is that he is ready for Kindergarten. We are so proud of him 🙂

Cammy also graduated from Preschool.. just kidding. But he thinks he did because Jackson graduated from PreK so we said the cake was for him, too. Cam is still our class clown with facial expressions and a sense of humor that rivals me 😉 But he definitely is our most sensitive child and cries at the drop of a hat if he gets hurt (obviously) or someone hurts his feelings. It’s hard not to get frustrated with him but what he has taught me is that you can’t compare your children. They are all SO, SO, SO different and that has been an important lesson. Cam is so unique and while it has taken him time to catch up to his brother, he will never be Jackson and vice versa. I really can’t wait to see him start at a new school in the Fall and blossom into his own little person.. but I think no matter how old he is, he will always look up to his big bro.

Parker is 19 months old and making moves. While back here in Wisconsin, P took his first steps on the patio for the entire family to witness. I almost cried because witnessing a child’s first steps is pretty incredible. He was SO proud of himself and wanted to keep doing it because we all clapped and praised his accomplishment. He is now off and (almost) running.. walking more and more everyday and gaining confidence on his feet. It’s amazing to watch and it still makes me emotional when I see him strolling across the room. He naps twice a day here and once we are home and settled, I’ll transition him to one big afternoon nap. But out in Wisconsin, he gets so much sun, fresh air, and plays HARD that he requires two naps.. and no one is mad about it 😉 I’ve said it before but he is a Scorpio to his core.. determined and headstrong with a dominant personality. He is always working on something.. taking things apart, putting them back together, unscrewing a top to put it back on, reorganizing the pantry contents, stacking plastic cups.. it never ends. He’s very cuddly and will sit on my lap in the mornings but when he has decided that he’s had enough, he has HAD ENOUGH. I’ll take the snuggles while I can.

Moving on down the food chain to my husband lol.. we celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary TOMORROW! I can’t believe it has been 8 years since we got married down in Newport Beach.. one of the best days of my life and still the best decision I’ve made. We have been sneaking in date nights here and there while in Wisconsin because 1. the restaurants are open (responsibly and always outdoors) and 2. we finally have grandparents at our disposal! I like to think that quarantine has been good for us as we see what each other does day in and day out (him at work and me at home with the kids) and can appreciate the work we put in separately and together. Britt is the best dad, the most caring husband, and loyal friend.. not sure what I did to deserve a partner like him because I can be a handful and it takes a lot for me to admit that 😉 Love you babe if you’re reading this!

We are leaving Wisconsin on July 14th and going home to pack up our home in Seattle. We don’t have a firm moving date yet but the house is ours and we are SO excited to move in and get our hands on it (we should be in by the end of July). I plan to update some light fixtures and paint in the beginning and we will do major projects like bathroom remodels and new floors in the coming years. While I am sad to move from our neighborhood and community, I think this is the best decision our family has made. Spending so much time out in Wisconsin with outdoor space to play has driven the point home that our boys need a place to roam.. and our new house will give them just that. Here’s a sneak peek:

So for now, we are going to soak up the next 14 days in Wisconsin and try not to have a worry in the world even though we have SO much to look forward to and prepare for when we get home. Next up: the big move. Stay tuned!

xx, H