The Life and Times of the Sturtevant Family
Sturtevant Twins
The Babymooners
Andy and I were lucky enough to enjoy a wonderful, 3 day & 2 night babymoon on the Sonoma Coast thanks to Aunt Geraldine, Uncle Nathan and Nanny. It was an amazing trip where we got to rest, relax, reconnect, reflect on our life as it is now and prepare ourselves for the arrival of Baby Juliet.
A new baby is one of life's greatest joys, but it's also hard - really, really hard. I'm so happy that we had this opportunity to focus on each other and spend uninterrupted, quality time together before the littles outnumber us three-to-two! It felt like we were on a mini-honeymoon.
Awww...the happy couple
We were welcomed with baskets of baked goods, pies, a gourmet cheese platter with local organic honey, organic fruit, fresh apple juice, etc. This was perfect since we spent an inordinate amount of time resting and eating.
This was the view from our deck where we watched the seals play
We visited Goat Rock beach which is where they filmed the last scene of Goonies, one of our fav movies! I happened upon a piece of driftwood, which looked just like a heart when turned on it's bottom. Yes, I was very tempted to take it home, but we left it there.
Where we enjoyed breakfast in the mornings
and exceptional dinners in the evenings. The food was delicious!
Andy flew a kite and made it up the rocks to the totem pole
After all of this, we had a relaxation/massage workshop, couples massages and more. I read "The Hunger Games" in one day and we got to watch regular, cable TV which is a treat we don't normally enjoy. It was a wonderful and memorable trip. We are so grateful to Aunt Geraldine, Uncle Nathan & Nanny for arranging the perfect retreat for Andy & I and to Nanny for taking such wonderful care of Bettie and Quade while we were gone. The kids were so happy with Nanny (of course) and we didn't have a worry in the world!
A new baby is one of life's greatest joys, but it's also hard - really, really hard. I'm so happy that we had this opportunity to focus on each other and spend uninterrupted, quality time together before the littles outnumber us three-to-two! It felt like we were on a mini-honeymoon.
Awww...the happy couple
We were welcomed with baskets of baked goods, pies, a gourmet cheese platter with local organic honey, organic fruit, fresh apple juice, etc. This was perfect since we spent an inordinate amount of time resting and eating.
This was the view from our deck where we watched the seals play
We visited Goat Rock beach which is where they filmed the last scene of Goonies, one of our fav movies! I happened upon a piece of driftwood, which looked just like a heart when turned on it's bottom. Yes, I was very tempted to take it home, but we left it there.
Where we enjoyed breakfast in the mornings
and exceptional dinners in the evenings. The food was delicious!
Andy flew a kite and made it up the rocks to the totem pole
After all of this, we had a relaxation/massage workshop, couples massages and more. I read "The Hunger Games" in one day and we got to watch regular, cable TV which is a treat we don't normally enjoy. It was a wonderful and memorable trip. We are so grateful to Aunt Geraldine, Uncle Nathan & Nanny for arranging the perfect retreat for Andy & I and to Nanny for taking such wonderful care of Bettie and Quade while we were gone. The kids were so happy with Nanny (of course) and we didn't have a worry in the world!
Arteests
This easel was the best $15 I've ever spent. The kids spend time here every single day - drawing with pens, coloring with markers and painting which is their favorite. I love seeing their awesome creations and hearing the stories behind them. Bettie and Quade are both really creative and I like knowing that they are able to express themselves through art.
After they are done, they cut out their artwork, ask me for strips of tape and then tape it up all over the house. Lord help me if I try to remove it! We are practicing Butterfly Footprints because I have a fun project in mind for us when Baby Juliet arrives. Fun stuff.
After they are done, they cut out their artwork, ask me for strips of tape and then tape it up all over the house. Lord help me if I try to remove it! We are practicing Butterfly Footprints because I have a fun project in mind for us when Baby Juliet arrives. Fun stuff.
Another Soccer Player In The House!
Bettie started playing soccer! She had her first class last week and loved it.
During the last soccer session, Quade & Andy went to soccer while Bettie & I stayed home. One day, I took her to watch Quade and she was soooo upset that she couldn't play with Quade and the other kids. I thought that she would forget about it, but no. Every time we pass a park with kids playing soccer, she has a full on, throw down, screaming fit tantrum when she can't play with them. It's time to start her in soccer!
Honestly, I was not sure how she would do in a group class with other 4yr olds who were already experienced with soccer skills. She has a hard time focusing and following directions when the instructions are given to the group and not given to her individually, but we had to let her try.
I can say without a doubt that Bettie was thrilled to be in the class! She was soooo happy running around with the ball and although she didn't seem to get the instructions given to the group, when the coach gave her one-on-one directions, she was on it! She's a very visual learner and is great at watching what the other kids are doing and following suit.
I loved her enthusiasm and seeing her so happy and engaged. I hope she is always this eager to try new things! Quade was not thrilled about "sharing" his class with Bettie, but he was still super supportive and encouraging. Bettie even picked out Quade's soccer shirt the day after class and asked, "mine?" and Quade said, "It's ok Bettie. You can wear my soccer shirt today." I guess it's time to get Bettie her own soccer shirt too!
My little champ
Heading for the goal
Quade, Bettie and friends Dillon and Devon are all in the same class. Could they be any cuter?
During the last soccer session, Quade & Andy went to soccer while Bettie & I stayed home. One day, I took her to watch Quade and she was soooo upset that she couldn't play with Quade and the other kids. I thought that she would forget about it, but no. Every time we pass a park with kids playing soccer, she has a full on, throw down, screaming fit tantrum when she can't play with them. It's time to start her in soccer!
Honestly, I was not sure how she would do in a group class with other 4yr olds who were already experienced with soccer skills. She has a hard time focusing and following directions when the instructions are given to the group and not given to her individually, but we had to let her try.
I can say without a doubt that Bettie was thrilled to be in the class! She was soooo happy running around with the ball and although she didn't seem to get the instructions given to the group, when the coach gave her one-on-one directions, she was on it! She's a very visual learner and is great at watching what the other kids are doing and following suit.
I loved her enthusiasm and seeing her so happy and engaged. I hope she is always this eager to try new things! Quade was not thrilled about "sharing" his class with Bettie, but he was still super supportive and encouraging. Bettie even picked out Quade's soccer shirt the day after class and asked, "mine?" and Quade said, "It's ok Bettie. You can wear my soccer shirt today." I guess it's time to get Bettie her own soccer shirt too!
My little champ
Heading for the goal
Quade, Bettie and friends Dillon and Devon are all in the same class. Could they be any cuter?
I Love You All The Numbers
My little McQuade comes up with the cutest sayings. He can be a needy/demanding/bouncing-off-the-walls handful, but he is also the sweetest, most expressive little guy. I can't tell you how many times a day, Andy and I hear "I love you". It's amazing how those three little words rock our world. We never get enough of it.
In addition to being very sweet, Quade is also very competitive. He has to be the biggest, fastest & best at everything. He's even competitive with his I love you's which is how he came up with the famous, "I love you all the numbers" saying.
Q: I love you Mom
Me: I love you too Quade
Q: I love you more than you love me
Me: No, I love you more than you love me
Q: How much do you love me? What number? 5? (because 5 is a really big number)
Me: I love you 44
Q: Wow, 44? Well, I love you 45!
Me: I love you 46!
(repeat many, many times)
Q: Mom, I love you ALL the numbers!
(Game over - I'm smitten)
In addition to being very sweet, Quade is also very competitive. He has to be the biggest, fastest & best at everything. He's even competitive with his I love you's which is how he came up with the famous, "I love you all the numbers" saying.
Q: I love you Mom
Me: I love you too Quade
Q: I love you more than you love me
Me: No, I love you more than you love me
Q: How much do you love me? What number? 5? (because 5 is a really big number)
Me: I love you 44
Q: Wow, 44? Well, I love you 45!
Me: I love you 46!
(repeat many, many times)
Q: Mom, I love you ALL the numbers!
(Game over - I'm smitten)
B's First Haircut
Bettie got her first haircut! Finally! I put it off for four years, because a) I want her hair to grow and b) I knew she would really dislike getting her hair cut. It was definitely time to get off all of those dead ends, straighten out the (mommy cut) bangs and take off the wispy bits, so I'm glad we did it. Bettie looks gorgeous!
As soon as we walked in to the children's hair salon, she was "all done". Even the movies, toys and lollipops did nothing but Andy was there to hold her while she was in the chair. Afterwards, she was happily munching on her candy and playing in the play area. Whew! Quade still gets his hair cut at home since he doesn't like going to the barber shop either.
Before...........................................During...
After
Bettie's new haircut is adorable! I saved her lock of hair and her "first haircut" certificate. My little girl is growing up!
As soon as we walked in to the children's hair salon, she was "all done". Even the movies, toys and lollipops did nothing but Andy was there to hold her while she was in the chair. Afterwards, she was happily munching on her candy and playing in the play area. Whew! Quade still gets his hair cut at home since he doesn't like going to the barber shop either.
Before...........................................During...
After
Bettie's new haircut is adorable! I saved her lock of hair and her "first haircut" certificate. My little girl is growing up!
The Baby's First Name Is.....
The time has come for us to reveal our beautiful baby's first name...
Andy chose our daughter's first name, Juliet and we are both in love with it. It's classic, romantic, feminine and not very common. My mom has the honor of choosing Juliet's middle name which she will share when Juliet is born. I can't wait to hear what it is!
We will get to meet JULIET _________ STURTEVANT in less than 7 weeks!
Andy chose our daughter's first name, Juliet and we are both in love with it. It's classic, romantic, feminine and not very common. My mom has the honor of choosing Juliet's middle name which she will share when Juliet is born. I can't wait to hear what it is!
We will get to meet JULIET _________ STURTEVANT in less than 7 weeks!
Take Another Little Pizza My Heart
It was "make your own pizza" night at the local pizzeria and the kids had a fun time making pizza, playing with their friend Mabel and then eating frozen yogurt afterward. Yum! It was a fantastic way to celebrate the first day of Spring and welcome these longer days and great weather!
On our walk, we found a knitted tree. "Look! That tree is wearing a sweater! That's silly, isn't it? Trees don't wear sweaters." We thought it was pretty cool!
Toppings galore
Just a plain ol pizza? No thanks. Bettie wanted a pepperoni, cheese, pineapple and olive stuffed calzone. Not bad. Not bad at all.
On our walk, we found a knitted tree. "Look! That tree is wearing a sweater! That's silly, isn't it? Trees don't wear sweaters." We thought it was pretty cool!
Toppings galore
Just a plain ol pizza? No thanks. Bettie wanted a pepperoni, cheese, pineapple and olive stuffed calzone. Not bad. Not bad at all.
Daddy's Girl
Bettie was helping me with the laundry and she ended up helping herself to one of Andy's shirts. She disappeared in the middle of her "job" and I found her in the bathroom, washing her hands and wearing this. Too adorable!
32 Weeks
32 weeks already! I only have about two more months left and I'm finally starting to slow down. Up until about week 30, I was skipping around with plenty of energy but all of the sudden, I feel s-l-o-w and heavy. Maybe it has something to do with not sleeping at all since Bettie is congested again and waking every hour. Or maybe it's the 4lbs I gained in the last two weeks. I'm sure those four pounds have nothing to do with my recent chocolate cravings or the 4 boxes of Thin Mints I managed to devour all on my own. Darn you, Girl Scout cookies!
Either way, I definitely need to put my feet up every afternoon and am starting to feel really pregnant. I'm not complaining though. This is easy-peasy compared to a twin pregnancy!
I have another appointment this upcoming week. I'm hoping the doctor will tell me how big the baby is now.
Either way, I definitely need to put my feet up every afternoon and am starting to feel really pregnant. I'm not complaining though. This is easy-peasy compared to a twin pregnancy!
I have another appointment this upcoming week. I'm hoping the doctor will tell me how big the baby is now.
The Nursery - First Glimpses
I have been working hard at getting the nursery together and having lots of fun with it. Can you tell? I'm so happy that the baby will have her own room and that I get to make it cute, practical and a bit whimsical. Yay for nesting!
I have already made a special, crafty sign with her name (which we are not revealing yet) and have been blessed with many hand-me-downs given to us by my uber-generous friends. Although I didn't plan it this way, it looks like the colors are turning out to be pink, yellow and white mostly because the walls are already yellow and it's hard to get away from pink. I think it looks good though!
My favorite piece is the giant 3' x 4' photo of "My Triplets" above the organizers. It cost less than $10 to make and I'm in love with it. Thanks Pinterest!
I have already made a special, crafty sign with her name (which we are not revealing yet) and have been blessed with many hand-me-downs given to us by my uber-generous friends. Although I didn't plan it this way, it looks like the colors are turning out to be pink, yellow and white mostly because the walls are already yellow and it's hard to get away from pink. I think it looks good though!
My favorite piece is the giant 3' x 4' photo of "My Triplets" above the organizers. It cost less than $10 to make and I'm in love with it. Thanks Pinterest!
