Finally, An Update

So, this is the first time I've updated our blog in about 6 months... This is why I thought it might be a bad idea for me to try and have a blog. We have been so busy the last six months between work, fixing the house, Jackson on the move, and the best part: growing a baby! I'm over halfway and we couldn't be more excited to welcome another little boy into our family at the end of summer!

Highlights from the last few months:

• Jeff has been doing really well at work and although it has taken some getting used to his crazy schedule, we really enjoy the freedom it gives us. 
• We have continued fixing up our house! Slowly, but surely. It's crazy to think we've been here for over a year and a half already. We've repainted, and even though I miss our yellow walls, our blue/gray theme is much more relaxing and easy to match. We also installed carpet downstairs! This was a big deal since we went over a year with cement floors.
• Jackson has been growing so much! It's hard to believe sometimes that he's not even two years old yet! He is just starting to talk a little more, but he is still signing like crazy. He knows probably well over 100 signs and I think sometimes makes up his own. He knows his colors and loves to point out all the different colors everywhere we go. He is also learning his ABCs in sign and gets really excited to do them.  Jackson loves to be a big help around the house, which makes me feel more confident about having another baby! He loves to sweep, mop, unload the dishwasher and pick up trash. He is also very excited to be a big brother and loves to pat or hug my belly and will run over and pat my belly if we talk about the baby. Jackson still loves to read and is totally into trucks, trains, and anything with water.
• Pregnancy has been treating me fairly well. I was pretty sick in the beginning, but now I'm mostly just tired. I am carrying very differently and being the second pregnancy growing faster so in a little more pain earlier than I expected. But I'm excited that I haven't gained as much weight so far in this pregnancy! Not that I felt overweight with Jackson, but I definitely gained more weight than I needed to. 
• As a family we have been trying to make some lifestyle changes. We are starting to use essential oils more and loving the results. Especially because Jackson has been so sick this past flu season. We are also continuing to try and eat healthier. One big way we're trying to do that is cutting back on sugar, which has been especially hard being pregnant! But I found an amazing recipe for granola that I don't feel guilty eating. 
• Adapted recipe for homemade granola by Sarah Wilson:
• 2 c nuts (whatever I have on hand, usually walnuts, pecans, and almonds)
• 2 c instant oats
• 1/4 c coconut oil, melted
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 2 c shredded/shaved coconut
• 2 T chia seeds
• A little bit of raw honey
• Dates, chopped
• Mix all ingredients together, except dates, and spread evenly over pan. Bake at 250 for 25 minutes. Let cool and add dates.
• I love this recipe for breakfast and so does Jackson!
• Original recipe: http://www.sarahwilson.com/2012/08/sugar-free-granola-the-most-popular-recipe-from-my-cookbook/

I have to share one, recent, funny story. We took a family trip to Home Depot the other day and Jackson got super excited when we saw the wheelbarrows.
Me: "Jackson do you see the wheelbarrows?"
Jeff: "What did you say?"
Me: "...Wheel...barrows?" Beginning to feel dumb and embarrassed.
Jeff: "They're wheelbarrels!"
Me: silence and embarrassment
5 minutes later we're walking down another aisle when we see wheels for the wheelbarrels. Jackson gets all excited so we stop and look at them.
Me: "Hey love, come read this sign for me."
They definitely are called wheelbarrows! Jeff had no idea he's gone his whole life saying it wrong! Too funny!

Jackson snuggling with my baby bump

New fashion statement

Jackson's new thing: "cheese!" He thinks he's so funny with his cheesy smile.

In his new big boy bedroom. He's already mastered climbing to look out his window. 

So serious, hanging out with cousin Koa.

Snuggles with Dad!

Cute little heartbreaker on Valentine's Day.

Puppy love! Jackson loves to give the dogs kisses. 

 And play with them.

My little dancer in the making. haha

He loves to water the grass.

Trying to be tough like Daddy! He was trying to lift these 35lb weights. He sure couldn't lift them, but we was still able to move them around! 

Life as of Late

So it's been a little while since I've posted about what's going on in our lives lately.

July: We were so blessed to take a vacation to California to visit family this summer. Jackson and I went with my friend Janelle two weeks before Jeff! We had so much fun, but were so happy when Jeff got there with us! While we were in California, we got to welcome our new nephew, Tucker, into the world! He is just perfect and I cannot wait to see him in a few months along with his big sister Tailer who is just the cutest little girl in the world!

Baby Tucker

I think Jackson was trying to tickle him.

What a sweet, big sister

While we were there, the Hume siblings took a trip to the Long Beach Aquarium, which was a lot of fun!

We celebrated the life of a very special lady: Nana. Although we miss her, we know that she is no longer in pain. I love Nana very much and feel so privileged that I got to live with her when Jeff and I were first married. It was fun to reminisce about some of our crazy Nana stories and some of the tender ones too.

Nana's legacy

August: Jackson turned one! I already posted about that, but here are a few birthday pictures that didn't make it last time.

His party theme was "You Are My Sunshine"

I also graduated from college! No big deal, right? haha Never thought I would actually make it. I will probably post about my experiences later because it's been on my mind lately. I was so blessed to have both sets of my parents here and I would not have made it through college without them. 

My man. Words honestly can't even describe how amazing and supportive he's been through this whole time. I am THE luckiest woman in the world. 

Cool skill I learned in college: sewing! That dress is a product of my learning.

In September and October we were lucky to go on a few camping trips and work on our house because we have awesome parents that have been so helpful and handy. Coming soon: before and after pictures of our home!

And I've started working! I started teaching Kindermusik in September and love it! Learn more about it here! I also started my own sewing business called Kelly Said Sew. Right now, I sell car seat blankets, but am trying to come up with other things to sell year round. Any ideas? Let me know! 

Here's a sample of what I've been up to!

You can see more like this one and learn more about how they work here!

Overall, life is good! Jeff and I couldn't be more grateful for how things are going in our life right now. 

#1

Today our sweet little boy turned 1 year old! I don't what we were celebrating; the fact that Jackson made it through this year, or that Jeff and I did! One year ago, our lives changed and never could we have expected what being parents would be like. But let me tell you, as hard as it is sometimes, there is absolutely nothing better in the world! I love the quote, "a child fills a hole in your heart you never knew was empty."  That is exactly how I feel.  Although sometimes I long for more one on one time with Jeff, I cannot imagine my life without our little Ikaika. He has lived up to his name this last year and really been a strength to our family.

Jackson Kamakana-Ikaika Hume

8/3/12

1:19am

7lbs 10oz 

The last year has been a huge struggle for us, but Jackson has been our light and strength.  He is very patient and has taught both of us to be patient. He is very stubborn, just like Mommy and Daddy. Some things that I just love about our little guy:

-He loves to laugh and make others laugh

-He loves to read

-Has lots of energy and is always moving, but also loves to get some cuddle time in

-Loves his puppy dogs

-Points at everything and always waves at people when we are in line at the grocery

-His hair!

-Has almost 6 teeth

-He takes life at his own pace and doesn't rush things

-He loves Mommy and Daddy

Cool things he's doing now:

-Standing on his own

-Walking if he's holding onto one of our fingers

-Eating: he eats like a champ even though he is still nursing...a lot. But he likes almost every food we give him, except for the chocolate cake today. Jackson loves avocados, sweet potatoes, bananas, and so many other good and healthy foods.

-Signing: We've been trying to teach him to sign and the only one he does consistently is more. It's cute because sometimes he'll grab our hands and make us do the sign. He also sometimes says milk and all done.

-Talking: His favorite word to say is dog and dad. Every four-legged animal he sees, he calls it a dog. He only says Mom or Mama if he really wants me; like in the middle of the night to get him out of the crib or if he is hungry. He has just recently started saying Boo, short for Boomer, our puppy.

-Reading: He loves to sit down and read with me. And don't you try and turn the pages, that's his job! 

-Dancing: He loves music, whether it's dancing along or drumming along

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the last year

I can't wait to see what the next year holds for us. It will be so fun seeing Jackson continue to grow and develop. Being a mother is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, but looking at this little boy makes every single minute worth it. I am eternally grateful for the gift I have been given to be a mother. I love my little Ikaika so much. Happy First Birthday son! Mommy and Daddy love you more than you will ever know!