Gunner's SIX month photo session!

I am completely obsessed<3

I know I am completely bias in saying this, but he really is the most beautiful baby boy I've ever seen. Yes, six months means he's still my baby ;)

 

Baby #2!

Well my friends, it is officially public news!

We are expecting another baby!

Due November 8th, I am currently approaching my 13th week!

 

 

We found out about 6 weeks ago and been keeping to ourselves until the time was right to go public. Of course, we had to tell our parents & families first. But more than anything, we needed time to really wrap our brains around this as well, as this was a big surprise.

 

We hadn't planned on having a 2nd baby until Gunner was a little older, closer to 2 maybe. But, life happens and you just go with it! After the initial shock wore off, we started figuring out our new plan and day by day it became less terrifying to imagine; it became exciting to think of actually.

 

Now, fast-forward six weeks and we could not be more happy with the way our plan has changed. The more people we tell the more we get excited. We have already picked out baby names and are starting the plans to re-design the nursery to hold two little ones.

 

I am still overwhelmed with emotions. Excitement, joy, love... but also a little fear. I'm not scared of the pregnancy or delivery because now I know what to expect. My body itself isn't even going through the "shock" of pregnancy because it just snapped back into "maternity mode", so that's been a huge blessing. However, I fear other things this time: How will Gunner react, How will his life be affected during my pregnancy and after the new baby comes, What will life be like with 2 little ones? I am extremely excited for another baby and another soul to love and spoil. Howver, it also comes with a whole new set of fears.

 

But day by day we are figuring out new plans and I have faith that everything will itself out. Gunner is the happiest little boy I have ever seen and I just know that Rick & myself have so much love to give to another child - it is the perfect time. And another baby will just bring more joy into our home, and Gunner will have a sibling to grow up with now - and that's when I realize that this surprising gift will actually enrich all of our lives, just as much as Gunner enriched ours.

 

With all that, THANK YOU to everyone for all of your support, love & well wishes. We couldn't do this without the support our families & friends and it means the world to us to know that we are surrounded with so much love. It really does make all the fears melt away. It's been no surprise to me how much I love being a mother, my whole world revolves around Gunner, and I absolutely love it.

 

& at the of the day when we're giving Gunner a bath or putting him to sleep - all the stressful questions are gone, and just the imagining our home with another baby in it is all I can see... and it looks pretty darn wonderful.

See you in July

Oh boy. Here we go again.

May & June - the 2 busiest months of the whole year for me.

Every year it's a struggle to keep track of everything that occurs in these 2 months, and every year it seems to get busier and busier.

 

just for my own sake, let me break the next few weeks down for you - 1) in order to get it off my chest & 2) in order to help mentally prepare & remind myself again of everything coming up. Even though I have about 23 lists of "to do"s and 3920299 calendar alerts on my phone - you can never been too prepared when these 2 months creep up.

 

So if you are (at any point) just curious - hm, I wonder what Roya & Gunner are doing today - hahaha, well friends - here is the breakdown of our next weeks to come:

 

This weekend (April 27-28)

Saturday: Ricks little sister's birthday party/ fight night at his mom's house that night

Sunday: Gunners SIX month photo shoot + a surprise project

 

Wednesday, May 1

-My mom's birthday - flowers being delievered to her office & cooking dinner for her and the whole family after work.. Yes, after work. (hint: cooking the night before may be a must)

-Danielle's birthday at work (decorate our office and surprise her with all the birthday goodies and small party at the office)

 

Friday, May 3

-Rick & my FIRST wedding anniversary!

-BIG surprise for the blog followers & friends :)

 

Weekend of May 4-5

Saturday: My birthday! :) Karin is taking me out for a "sisters day" of nails, lunch & a matinee. I'm not going to lie - I am pretty stoked about every detail of that. Sad I am going to be apart from Gunner for a few hours, but really excited for a movie & nail appt! That alone, is a huge present in itself!

Later that night, Dinner with the whole family (location to be announced because I have no clue where I want to go this year)

Sunday: Taking my mom out for her birthday surprise (& a little something special for myself as well) I made us both appointments for facials & massages at my favorite day spa! YES! so stoked. Then picking up little man and taking my mom out to lunch at some really nice seafood restaraunt I heard about. Really excited for some fancy food !

Rick gets off at 630 and then we hit the road!

yes.. HIT the ROAD! Dropping Gunner off at Rick's mom and heading to Tahoe for our anniversary/my birthday getaway (rick works weekends so this is our time together)

As NERVOUS/SCARED/HEARTBROKEN/SAD to leave my baby for the ENTIRE night, I am really excited for some "adult" time to relax & enjoy beautiful Lake Tahoe.

 

Monday May 6: Enjoying Tahoe with my hubby <3

Then driving back, picking up my baby (CANNOT WAIT ALREADY) then home to prepare for work the next day.

 

 

Friday May 10: Gunners SIX month checkup!! Ahh!

 

Weekend of May 11-12

Saturday: Ethan's FOURTH birthday party! Oh goodness. So many gifts and surprises to buy for my favorite little toddler. Really excited for his birthday party at the fire station!

Sunday: Mother's Day!! Still have to make some big plans for my mama - but definitely will be a day full of fun & spoiling my mama! And so excited for my very first Mothers Day with my sweet little boy<3

 

 

Friday May 24 - TWO really big things happening! (will be announced later because I don't want to ruin the surprise if anyone inparticular looks at this) but either way - let's just say, it's a big big day :)

 

 

Then fastfoward to a couple weeks later:

June 10 - Rick & his grandma's birthday! Got some BIG BIG plans for him! Including a very HUGE surprise for my super hubby that me & gunner have been working on :)

 

Sunday June 16:

Father's Day!!! Day full of fun and got lots of big plans in the works for my dad & then Rick (once he gets off work) - it's going to be so fun celebrating my dad & gunner's amazingly incredible dad as well :)

 

 

 

WOW! See what I'm working with here!? All I can do to survive the next few weeks is plan, plan, plan & stick to my "to do" lists & reminders and lets hope it all goes smooth! All I know is there is a lot of fun and exciting things coming up and as stressful as these 2 months are, they are really the funnest of the whole year! let the fun/madness/memories begin!! And I can't even wait to share every single event with Gunner! Now to just find outfits for him for all these big occassions! =X

cereal, sitting & a little more

So I know it's not time for Gunner's monthly blog update - but two very major milestones have been reached for our little bambino!

 

Rice cereal - as in, real food that comes in a bowl and fed with a spoon?!

 

And we are now working with gunner to learn to sit! exhibit a: his new CHAIR!

 

Now... if this isn't enough growing in a matter of weeks - I don't know what is. I've always heard that six months is the funnest time because that's when they really start learning and excelling. and WOWzers was that true! Everyday he is learning something new and this is the most precious of times because every moment he's closer to hitting a huge milestone.

 

I can't even imagine what all will be in his six month blog (which, mind you, will be in less than THREE weeks!) Ahh, this is craziness.

 

Oh & that reminds me... for all you who do follow me & my blogs - please stay tuned because there will be a little something extra featured on Gunner's next blog!

today I have a five month old!

Even typing this is crazy for me to believe.

Five months? really?

 

just yesterday you were a little 6 lb newborn and today you are an actual BOY. Full of energy and personality, expressions & character. This is nuts!

I know I say this every month, but THIS is the best month yet. By far, you grew more in this month then any month before. I'm noticing that every month becomes a bigger month than the last, because you are just learning new things every single day. By the end of the month I could write three blogs on all your progress & updates!

But I'll do my best to keep this month's updates to the biggest & best ones =)

 

Well little man, you are officially a BIG boy.

teething baby at its finest! this actually is perfect for this month's picture because this sums up your entire months main update (in a nutshell)

 

- you are in level 2 diapers now (for 14 lbs+ mind you!)

 

-teething is in full effect! You have been teething since you were 2 months old, but now all those little white spots in your gums - are actually starting to break through!

 

-your first tooth has officially broken through!! It's right in the front, on your bottom gums. almost dead smack in the middle. it's the cutest thing because that's all you see when you smile. & ouch! now we know now to let you chew on our fingers right there!

 

- you finally are playing with your toys! oh man, you don't even know how happy this makes me. I have been trying to get you excited about toys since you were a baby! and finally you have found the fun in them! It's so sweet! You grab all your toys and hold them and shake them and rattle them all day long. With that, our house is a bit messy now because there are piles of toys of yours all over the place because you have to have something in your hands at all times so there's a pile for every room. happy baby happy parents right? I'm just excited that you love your toys now & it gives me something fun to buy you when i'm out because you enjoy them now :)

 

- You know how to use your teethers now! you can hold them in your mouth by yourself and just chew chew chew away.

 

- YOU CAN HOLD YOUR OWN BOTTLE! Yes, yes - it's true. You refuse to let us help you hold it anymore so feedings take a little while longer.. but you hold it all by yourself! Amazing. you are such a smart little boy.

 

- we have to be very cautious now because you have discovered your hands and mouth. Every single thing you can grab you pick up and instantly put it in your mouth. I left the room for two minutes and you had scooted over and started chewing on some magazines on the floor! insane! didn't take long to start baby proofing the house.

 

- with that - you are just about mobile. not crawling yet, but crazy close to it. you can roll & roll and scoot around so fast you never ever stay on your playmat anymore. I'm sure by your next blog you'll make progress in this department.

 

- your sleeping is about the same. you go to sleep around 10 and are up for the day around 9, with an average of 3 feedings through the night. but you are dont even open your eyes to eat so it's not long before your asleep again.

 

- you have somehow learned to argue with people. it's adorable, don't get me wrong. but scares me for the future. lol. between your expressions, your faces & the different tones of voices you have - it's not hard to read how you are feeling. & arguing is something you definitely caught on quick to! lol (i'd say that's from dad)

 

- I went shopping this month and bought you an entire new summer wardrobe! it's was crazy buying 6 month sized clothes, but i know it's fast approaching so it gave me an excuse to take you on a little shopping spree to get you ready to break out in style!

 

- you are incredibly active now! nonstop all day long you are playing with something or talking to everyone and everything in sight.

 

- you discovered your toes! and your favorite thing to do is stick those cute little toesies right into your mouth! it's so funny because you do it and work so hard to make sure they don't fall out of your mouth. it is the cutest thing ever to watch how big your eyes get everytime you discover something new and pick it up.

Well Gunner bear, like I said, I could go on forever. This month was a big month for you. I can't even believe that the next blog I write will be your SIX MONTH BLOG. 1/2 a year old already. Ahh, lets just focus on month 5 for now, that's about all my heart can handle. I want to say slow down on growing so fast, but we really are enjoying everything you are learning. Everyday is a whole new adventure with you and everyday is the very best day, because of you. Love you little man <3 

Gunner's 1st Easter

I cannot even believe it is EASTER already! This year is flying by before my eyes! Well I was really looking forward to Easter because it's always been one of the funnest holidays for me. I always LOVED the magic of the Easter Bunny, coloring eggs & I've always been a HUGE fan of Easter Egg Hunts. Up until last year, my mom still made me hunt for eggs she would hide for me and my brother, lol. It's just a really fun and special holiday.

 

I spent weeks buying things for Gunner's Easter basket & preparing everything for his first introduction to the Easter Bunny & Easter. Yes, I'm aware that he's too little to really understand, but it's great practice for me - & I really have so much fun with holidays, I cannot even help myself with over-doing-it for him. But, I am DEFINITELY excited for next year when he can waddle around on his first Easter egg hunt & get excited when he sees that Easter basket full of goodies.

 

Sunday Gunner and I woke up really sick. I had a really bad cold and felt feverish & gunner is teething really bad so he had a very LONG night and was very grumpy. I did the best I could to make the morning fun, but it defintely was a tough one. We went to my moms for lunch and Gunner got TWO really great Easter Baskets from both my parents. My mom got him the cutest swim suit with matching hat & flip flops so I'm definitely looking foward to seeing him in that when Summer comes. After that we went to Rick's mom's house for a really big Easter Dinner. They make prime rib every year and WOW, it's definitely something we look forward to every year.

 

I didn't get a lot of pictures because I got increasingly sicker as the day went on. But that night when we got home I got some medicine and a hot shower - and then we were able to do our own Easter with Gunner at the house. I took some Easter pictures with him, we gave him his basket, read him his letter from the Easter Bunny, and then let him do his own version of an Easter egg hunt (basically letting him play with 100 plastic eggs). He LOVED the eggs the most. He was rolling around in them & grabbing them and hitting them - he played for over an hour with all these eggs and eventually fell asleep in his little bunny costume, surrounded by all his eggs. I'd say, for a (almost) 5-month-old - he definitely enjoyed his Easter!

My attempt at a little Easter photo shoot. He wouldn't keep the eggs out of his mouth long enough though and just wanted to play! So... eventually we just let him play with them :)

 



It's a NEW year!

I'm a little late on this blog {big surprise} but a couple weeks ago was Norooz, aka Persian New Years. My dad's side of the family is 100% Iranian, so naturally this is a very BIG day for our family. We always spend the day celebrating together with a big dinner at someone's house, the whole house decorated with all the appropriate settings to bless everyone & the new year to come. It's pretty special to be apart of something unique and I always get excited to have a "New Years" in March. It's like a second-chance to start fresh if I haven't held up to my New Years resolutions since Decemeber.

Random fact: In Iran, this new year puts them at year 1392! Pretty nuts!

 

On the day of Norooz (March 20) we went to my grandma's house for dinner with the family. She decorated her house and really wanted everyone to come see her table setting (In Persian culture you decorate the whole table with each of the main blessings for the year to come, you decorate it early on in the month and leave it out until Norooz arrives). The whole family went over to house for Pizza & Cake for a true "Persian Cuisine" LOL! No, really we had the big celebration scheduled for the weekend so we just had a quick dinner while we could get together at her house.

 

Sunday we went to my cousin & his wife's house and had a FEAST of food. All my favorite foods and dishes and the whole family! Couldn't ask for more!

 

I cannot wait until Gunner is older to explain all these things to him. Rick always asks my dad and uncles and grandma about the culture and everything - he's really curious about everything since it's all so different from American culture. So I'm really excited for one day Gunner can ask those same qeustions and learn about it too. It's really nice that he'll have different cultures to learn about from Rick & My families :)

 

Here are some pictures from both celebrations & Gunner's FIRST Norooz



Gunner got some money in his little pocket! lol!

His new thing is passing out at the most random times!

Here are the pictures from Sunday's celebrations. There aren't a lot because Gunner passed out early into the party and slept the rest the time. Pictures are definitely worth a thousand words.. (lol)

 

Passed out while being bounced! (It got really hot and he gets fussy if he gets hot so.. off with the shirt!)



This about sums up Gunner's celebrations.. tuckered out!

Ethan sure does love his little cousin<3