Whenever I think of women going into labor, I think of FATHER OF FHE BRIDE II.

Have you seen that movie? If not, it's classic.

The younger pregnant woman is always saying it's time to go to the hospital, and of course her false alarms are in the middle of the night and have everyone jumping up like, "THE BRITISH ARE COMING!" only to show her returning in the morning because it was just gas, or not real contractions.

This is what I think of. I don't think of my first labor, which was like the typical fairy-tale pregnancy story of, "oh, my water broke."

With my second pregnancy I was seriously praying and hoping it would be like my first when it came time for labor... but I had a feeling it wouldn't be. Because, like everyone says, every labor is different.

But I was petrified of false alarms.

Why?

Maybe because I don't like to be embarrassed or wrong (did I just put that in writing?).

Or maybe because I thought that since I wasn't a first time mom, there was no excuse.

So when I started having what I thought were real contractions (did I mention I got drugged almost right away after my water broke the first time?) and my husband was away for work, I started to panic.

"If this is the real thing, I need to tell him to start driving because he's two hours away. But if I'm wrong, what then?"

I told him to come home. And when he was about fifteen minutes from our house, the contractions ceased.

But then the following morning, the contractions were there again. I mean, I wasn't doubled over in pain, but I had this idea in my head that I have a high pain tolerance.

I timed them, called the doc, and was told to head to the hospital. So, we did. But when I was checked, I was only 2cm...and according to them, I wasn't really having any contractions. After an hour of walking around the birthing floor, and the "contractions" stopping again, we were sent home.

False alarm #1.
Then the next night, the contractions were stronger and came in full force quickly. My mom said she could tell something was different, and she thought we should go to the hospital straight away. Well, I wanted to wait. We walked around the block a few times, I laid down on the couch... and still the contractions didn't go away. However, they weren't timing consistently. They'd range from 2 to 7 minutes apart... and I was so confused. But, under my mom's advice, we went in.

We went through the same routine as we did the first time at the hospital, and I was still only 2cm.


False alarm #2.
Now I was afraid. And embarrassed.

I was afraid of being wrong again, and embarrassed that this was my second pregnancy and yet I had gone to the hospital not once... but twice and been sent home.

I was determined that I wouldn't go in again unless my water broke, as it had with Michael. I was not going to risk being sent home again and alerting the masses of my inability to recognize true labor.

So, I waited.

I had my 39 week appointment and my doctor talked about what would happen if I was still pregnant in a week. She checked me and told me I was further along than I had been (between 2-3 cm), but to expect some cramping and contractions because she checked me.

I went home, and that night when the pain started I assumed that it was just false labor again.

So, I waited.

But the pain wasn't going away, and it started getting worse. It was to the point I was getting angry at everyone. I just wanted to lie down, go to bed...make it stop.

But it wouldn't. I started timing them.

This time my husband thought it was the real deal because of how I was acting, as did everyone else. My poor three-year-old was so worried because of the way I was acting, but we assured him that this time when he went to sleep, he'd wake up a big brother.

After an hour of contractions at home, we went to the hospital. I was 7-8cm, and they admitted me right away. It wasn't long before my water broke, and instead of getting the drugs I thought I had wanted, I demanded it was time to push.

My contractions started around 9pm. We left for the hospital around 10:15pm. Levi was born at 11:41pm. He didn't even make it to midnight. By that point, he was ready.

Levi James: 7 lbs, 13 oz; 19.5 inches
And oh, so were we.

While Clark was home he really wanted to do some camping. Since we weren't quite sure how Michael would act, we decided to test the waters in the backyard first. The other reason for this? It is already way too hot. Odds are, real camping won't happen until fall.


Michael loved being in the tent, as long as the "door" was open so he could see outside. He waited patiently anxiously excitedly for it to get dark outside and the stars to come out. We passed the time with s'mores and books. Granted, the s'mores didn't have roasted marshmallows. Nonetheless, Michael was a big fan.



We had a wonderful time. Once it was dark and Michael was getting sleepy, though, he requested to go inside. We didn't fight him. It was eight o'clock and over eighty outside. We'll try "serious" camping in the fall, but this will always be remembered as his first-- and mama's favorite.

" A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014. "

Last week we ventured into our backyard for a camping adventure. Michael was so excited at the aspect of sleeping in the tent with us. In the evening he snuggled onto Clark's lap to read, and it was a moment that completely pulled at my heartstrings. I love my boys so much, and nothing makes me happier than seeing them together.

Check back in to read more about our camping adventure next week!

Part of Practising Simplicity's 52 Project.

Things are always crazy when Clark comes home. It's easy to fall behind. Michael was way too excited to take Dada to "the trains" as he calls the railroad park. We had a blast, even if it was pretty hot.



Clark and Michael got sick, starting around my birthday. It's taken us all week to get Michael up and running again, but yesterday he finally seemed to be his "whole self". Now if we could just get his sleep back on track, I'll be one happy mama.

Part of Practising Simplicity's 52 Project.

My dad got to visit us at the end of March. My parents took turns, since they both work for a church in Iowa they couldn't be away at the same time. Of course, now that they've been, they're determined to come together next year for a winter vacation for, like, two weeks.

Michael had a lot of fun with his Papa, but I'm still hearing about how he and Papa went to the baseball game and the park. Before Clark came home, my dad, Michael, and I went to a Cubs vs. White Sox spring training game. Michael had SO much fun. Playtime with Papa was pretty much the center of his world.




As for the park, my dad watched Michael while Clark and I got a movie-date in and they went to the park for a very long time.

Other than that, we all had a lot of fun. We got to go hiking, just hang out, and try some of the local foods that we hadn't just yet... and some that we had. I mean, who can come out West and not go to In-N-Out?

If you hadn't noticed on Instagram or with previous posts, we've been enjoying some baseball. The great thing about where we now live is we are in the midst of spring training and just 30 minutes or so from Chase Field.

Clark and I both grew up loving baseball. He played when he was younger, and my dad took me to Rigley Field (and I played softball as a child). But I wasn't one to watch the games on TV (a little boring if you ask me), and I just didn't see following sports as a priority otherwise (I still don't, if I'm being honest). But now that we're here, there's really no excuse not to enjoy the game up close. Tickets are so reasonably priced and we're so close. Why not make it family fun?

The last day Clark left Michael had been asking to go to a baseball game after looking at pictures of him and Papa at the Cubs game we went to. Sadly, spring training was over, and we're not Diamondbacks fans, but then I remembered that the SF Giants were still playing in Phoenix. The Giants, thanks to my sister and her husband, is our new "family team". It was Clark and Michael's first pro-baseball game, even if it was spring training. While I know the Giants have a WAY better chance at going all this way than the Cubs (since the Cubs haven't won a world series in, like, over 100 years), I'm still a Cubs fan at heart. It was a my first game, and something special I always got to share with my dad.

I digress.

I bought last minute tickets to the SF Giants at Diamondbacks game. Even last minute the tickets were reasonably priced and we were on the First Base line and everything! It was so exciting, and Michael made it to the seventh inning stretch, which was the goal since it was a PM game.

Now, what you've been waiting for, the pictures. By the way... the Giants won... go figure.

" A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014. "
Early this week before my dad had to leave to go back to Iowa we all went on a hike. It was a little too hot for my taste, so I don't foresee us really going hiking, er, anywhere come summer time. The boys, though, had way too much fun. There was a pass in the rocks that Michael loved going through, and the pass also made for a sort of rock slide which Michael went down over... and over... and over.

Part of Practising Simplicity's 52 Project.

" A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014. "
My dad is visiting this week and we got to take him to the Cubs vs. White Sox spring training game. Michael loved being at the ball game with his Papa. After getting ice cream, pistachios (we brought them in place of peanuts), and popcorn, the boy was set. Did I mention Papa bought him the shirt and the hat? He's trying to bread a Cubs fan, considering when the See You There crowd was here we were rooting for the Giants. Sadly, I think Clark is stuck on rooting for the Giants. Something about the Cubs and my first game being at Rigley field, though, has me hoping that Michael might just root for both of them.

Part of Practising Simplicity's 52 Project.

One reason I'm so thankful for our move is we're clearly in a prime spot for family to visit right now. I mean, they're all facing snow... and here we are in our own little oasis.

At the end of February/beginning of March my sister from See You There and her family came to visit. We had the best time possible. I'm so thankful Michael is going to grow up being BFF's with his cousin, Maile.






Sadly, the only group picture we got was at the zoo, and my scanner is being dumb. But I promise, my sister was there. I can prove it, because she took all these pictures except the one of me and Maile.

We had a lot of adventures, but my favorite was definitely the baseball game. We saw the SF Giants play the Arizona Diamondbacks, and let's just say the Giants may have some new fans.

" A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014. "
Last week my sister (author of See You There) and her family were visiting. We all went to a SF Giants Spring Training game against the AZ Diamondbacks. Michael and Maile took their turns napping throughout the game, and when they were awake at the same time near the end-- they held hands. Perfect picture op, even if it was with my iPhone.

Part of Practising Simplicity's 52 Project.

A couple weeks ago now my mom came for a visit. Since she's been stuck in the midst of blizzards and feet of snow, I know for a fact she had more than a few reasons for visiting us in the desert!


Michael had such a wonderful time. He loved waking up and going downstairs to find Marmee waiting to tell him good-morning.


We were able to do so many wonderful things; Clark and I even got a date in while he was home for a couple of days.


Next up, my sister and her family are coming to visit this week! After that, my dad is coming at the end of March, and a friend is coming at the beginning of April.

So, if you're thinking of visiting, you may want to stake your claim of time now... just saying. We're a popular spot... until the summer comes around, that is.

" A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014. "
This past week Marmee stayed with us and Michael and I enjoyed it so, so much. It was so nice to have her visit our new home, and Michael is missing her dearly.

Part of Practising Simplicity's 52 Project.

After the wedding, everyone needed a little of a breather. We had driven to Cali, helped as much as we good, rehearsed, and celebrated. It was such a wonderful time, but we decided to "escape" for a little bit to Balboa Park // The San Diego Zoo.





Michael kept asking to see the elephants, so that's the corner of the zoo we decided to do. It was HUGE, but so worth the time we took to walk around. As you can see, we didn't even reach the "end" of our corner and Michael passed out in the stroller.

I can't wait until we find a time to go back again.

Last week we ventured to San Diego, CA for Clark's brother's wedding. We had such a wonderful time. It was mine and Michael's first time to California, and it's definitely not going to be our last. I may have fallen in love with it. The longer we're here, the more I'm loving the West Coast in general.

Don't quote me on that just yet, though.





Our first full day there was the wedding rehearsal, but that was in the evening. Most of the day we were able to spend it in the sunshine. These pictures were taken at the pier on Pacific Beach, San Diego.

One more installment of this mini-vacation to come.

We left Iowa the day after Christmas. Sadly, we didn't have a lot of time to spare. We had to get to Arizona by Saturday at the latest because we knew Clark had to go back to work the first or second, and we needed plenty of time to unpack and attempt to settle in.

This was probably the longest stretch. We were "hung over" from Christmas and family time and I wanted nothing more than to just curl up and go to sleep, but we kept goin'. I'm actually rather proud of myself for this. If you remember from the first post, we were both driving. While Clark's job entails lots of driving and he's pretty accustomed to it, I am not. I used to love road trips, but six hours was usually my max of driving. Having a ten hour day with our two year old in the car... it was definitely a challenge. Here was our route.


I think the days of driving before weren't that bad because we were going to family. Knowing we were driving into the unknown afterwards was a little intimidating. It's not that I wasn't excited... I was just all nerves. The funny thing was Michael woke up the morning of the 26th and said, "Ready to go. Dada drive the big truck, Mama drive the car." It's like he knew that we were going somewhere important. He was ready... or he was just used to our routine of two days to stay, and then hitting the road again.

But before we made any hotel stops, we made our way to Lawrence, KS to visit my grandparents. I'm lucky if I get to see them once a year, so it was so wonderful that it worked out for us to see them. Although Michael was a bit of a grumpy gils, he managed to enjoy spending time with them after settling in a little bit.

(Please excuse the quality of the pictures, they were taken with my phone.)




Afterwards, he was pretty much done for the day...


until we had to stop for dinner and McDonald's was the only food option. Let me tell you, traveling is rough. I know you can make healthier options, but it seemed almost impossible with the route we took. Needless to say I'm making up for it now!


He didn't eat anything except the fries. Our child has yet to venture into trying chicken nuggets... or, really, any meat other than tuna.We made it to Ponca City, OK. It wasn't quite our goal. We had hoped to make it to Oklahoma City... but I was just too tired. I needed to stop, and so we did.

But I made up for it. The next day we drove all the way to Albuquerque, NM. Which, by the way, isn't exactly a party. It seemed like we hit so many stretches of nothing. It was beautiful, but definitely different than what I'm used to. Michael, bless him, did a little better the next day. We kept telling him, "We're going to the big house!"


It really seemed to be catching. Just wait until you see where we finally landed!