Photo Friday: An Engagement and a Baby!

There were two very exciting events in our world this week.

An engagement and a baby!
(No, I'm not pregnant.)

I mean, really, is there anything better?



My brother, Ron, proposed to his girlfriend, Michelle, last Saturday night!
The lovely couple was enjoying a weekend away in San Diego, and Ron popped the question on the beach, around sunset. This was the picture right after she said yes!
Words can't express how excited our family is to welcome Michelle into our lives. It's almost as if Michelle has always been around. Ron is the happiest we've ever seen him, and Michelle is a breath of fresh air. Together, they are even better.
I can't wait to celebrate their nuptials this summer, and to have new sister!
I love you both!




Meet Ellie Sophia!
Ellie is the newest baby on Bobby's side of the family. Isn't she beautiful?!
Bobby's sister, Sarah, and her husband Sergio, welcomed this precious bundle into the world, last Friday. Sarah and Sergio have three other children; two here, and one in heaven. They were so excited that Ellie made her debut!
Ellie was four weeks early, and has had some issues with keeping her bilirubin blood count down. She's spent the first week of her life in the hospital, but has made some serious progress the last few days and is doing so well! Sarah and Sergio are hoping to take her home in a few days. YES!

Babies make life so sweet. Their family lives in Kansas, so we can't wait to meet baby Ellie over Skype and send her lots of love that way. I could just eat her up!
We love you, Ellie!

Did you have a good week? I hope so!
Link Up below and share what your highlights of the week were.

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!
~Jessica

Photo Friday- Earring Disaster

Welcome to Photo Friday!

Here's my horrifying picture for this week.

When Layla woke me last Saturday morning, complaining of a little bit of dried blood on the back of her ear, I said, "No big deal, Buggie! We can totally clean it up. Let me look at your earring," and didn't think anything of it. Anyone with their ears pierced knows that from time to time, your ear can get infection, or it can poke your skin, so both of those options were the obvious first thought when I began to investigate the dried blood situation for Layla.

Well, imagine my horror when I looked behind her ear to find that the back of her earring had somehow buried itself back into the hole. What the heck am I looking at?!
I calmly said to Layla, "Hey sweetie, let's go into the bathroom so I can clean it for you and look closer." She and I went to the bathroom, and I soon discovered that I was out of my league. I had no idea what had happened, and felt completely uncomfortable attempting to get this earring out on my own. Part of the earring looked like it had skin that had grown over it- which we later found out was not the case. Phew!

Bobby, was still asleep, when I woke him up to tell him that we needed to go to Urgent Care, STAT. He jumped up and headed straight for the bathroom to check her ear out. It took him no time to agree that we needed some extra help getting this fixed. So we told Layla that everything was ok, but we needed to go to the doctor so they could help, since we didn't want to hurt her. A few tears flowed, out of fear, but when we mentioned the words "donuts and chocolate milk" her eyes dried up pretty quickly.

We were the first ones at the Seattle Children's Urgent Care that morning, so thankfully we had no wait time (Sidenote: If you live in the Seattle/Eastside area and need to take your child to Urgent Care, I would highly highly recommend Seattle Children's Urgent Care in Bellevue.). The staff was incredible, and the doctor who actually helped Layla get her earring out was kind, calm, and gentle. She was able to pop the earring right out, and Layla did even flinch. Impressive. We were there from start to finish, for an hour. Our experience was wonderful. "Wonderful" in this case, meaning smooth, easy, and minimal pain.

Come to find out, the post of Layla's earring had bent, likely from sleeping, causing the earring back to dig into her skin. The back of her earring actually sliced her skin and created a slit for a hole, which is why it was able to bury itself like it did. But, thank God that our bodies heal fast, and that it wasn't anything worse, because Layla was able to put a new earring in the next day- doctor said it was ok- and now Layla has no issues. I'm glad we got out of that one, seemingly pain free. I think I was more worried that Layla was.

So, here's to this Saturday being filled with my Mother's Day massage, and not an urgent care visit. I'm sure grateful that places like that exist, but I'm not planning to make another trip there anytime soon.

What's a fun or crazy picture from your week! Link up below and share it!

Have a fabulous Mother's Day weekend!
~Jessica

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Photo Friday: Surprise Picnics

Welcome to my first Photo Friday!
Here's the picture that sums up my week.

This past weekend, Bobby was "on-call" for work. It happens about every 2 months, and I always brace myself for a potentially long week. If Bobby could get a call to go help a client at anytime, then I have to be ready to be on complete mom duty anytime, as well. Needless to say, my energy is zapped, and I'm completely depleted by the end of the week that Bobby is on-call- and he is too. Taking the following weekend to recovery is always our plan. And that starts tonight!

Between last Friday night and last Sunday evening, Bobby put in 18 hours of work. It was a very busy on-call weekend, and I was definitely tired from the all the disruption that it brought. He was on his last call for the night on Sunday, and Layla was itching for something to do- because let's be honest, I ran out of ideas on hour two that Bobby was gone. I saw her taking plates, bowls, and crackers to her room, and quickly noticed she was setting up a picnic of sorts. I asked her what she was getting all this together for, and she responded, "It's a surprise party for daddy!" How sweet and thoughtful my lil' lady is.

So, when Bobby walked in the door, she showed him to her room, and they dined on water and Cheez-its. Only the best over here, folks. Cullen promptly joined in the fun, and though the picture doesn't show it well, he was giving Bobby a back massage. A two year old version, at least.

As I look at this picture, there is so much I feel grateful for, even in the midst of my exhaustion happening simultaneously.

1) I have a husband who works his ass off. Seriously, he does everything he can to provide for us, and does it well. Even when it means massive overtime during the weekend.

2) I have two healthy kids, who are full of energy and creativity.

3) We actually have snacks and bowls to make picnics with. Something I rarely think about, but am aware of how thankful I am for that in this picture. We are provided for, and have what we need.

4) My kids have a father who will sit down with them, and join in on this spontaneous picnic, after a super long day. He is present and active in their lives. Grateful.

5) Finally, we have a home for my husband to walk into, and have picnics in. Our small dwelling makes me happy and full.

So, here's to a weekend of rest, and recovery, and to being grateful for the small things in my life, that actually end up being huge after all.

What's the picture for you that sums up your week?

Have a great weekend, friends!
~Jessica