A Peek at the Poulsens

Maybe because I'm only 23, or I've only been married (almost) 3 years, or most of my long-time friends don't have kids yet, or I don't have a minivan, but I sometimes feel like it's weird or unexpected that I'm a mom. Not that I don't feel comfortable or capable or love my children or any of that, it's just I've looked forward to this stage of life since I was little, and now I'm actually here in the middle of it and it seems like it came out of NOWHERE. Does that make sense? I love that I've added "Mom" to my identity, and I could talk your ear off about sleeping routines and breastfeeding and birth stories and binks and which brand of diapers I use (right now, Luvs), but I still feel like I'm playing pretend sometimes, since ten years ago this is what I was dreaming about, and ta daa! now I'm here. I don't refer to my children as "my daughter" and "my son" very often at all, for some reason....

Natalie's new favorite thing is RAIN. She can't get enough. The other day she looked outside and then came over to me and said, "yrain...on." (translation: turn the rain on!) She doesn't really understand weather haha, but it was cute.  she had so much fun splashing...you can't really tell but it was POURING. i went out to play too : ) The weather has been delightful - we've spent most days at different parks. We found one today that is a hidden gem! It was completely deserted and hiding along this cozy trail, but it's new and nice and so fun. We loved it and will definitely be back - extra bonus: it's right by Austin's work!  this mini spinner was the perfect Natsby size...she loved it! We've spent a lot of time with family this summer and it's been great! We love when people come to visit. I'm so glad we live close to our parents and most of our siblings so our children will know and love them, and vice ver...

Ha, this title reminds me of the Weasley twins putting "Big" on Percy's Head Boy badge so it reads "Big Head Boy." Fitting, since it is HARRY POTTER MONTH! But more on that later... my handsome guy Stockton is nine months old! What a champ. He loves his blue blankie, laughing at peekaboo, watching his sister, and listening to music. He is getting closer to crawling and standing up against furniture. He sits up, but his head pulls him down sometimes so he's not entirely reliable. Speaking of his noggin: it has been growing a little faster than his other measurements for the past months and the doctor wanted to do an ultrasound to make sure there wasn't some sort of underlying issue...we went to Saint E's and got him all checked out and he is good to go, but it made us nervous! We are grateful for healthy children and each other. So, looks like Mr. Stomp just has a big head!  attacking his mum-mum (a thin rice cracker that dissolves quickly...

Grandpa Bim, my dad's dad, has a nickname for all of us (mine is JB for Jessie 'Beth for Jessie Elizabeth, how's that for tangled?) and it's cute that he's continued this for his great-grandchildren. Natalie is NJ, naturally, but I didn't know what LB Stockton stood for until he visited last week. He told me that the first time he saw a picture of his great-grandson, he just looked like a "little buddy," so he called him LB Stockton. Is it still a nickname if the nickname is longer than the original name? Ha, maybe it will just morph into "LB" someday. I think it's cute, especially coming from my characteristically grumpy grandpa.  showing off his Harry Potter shirt from our friend - isn't he a handsome little marauder? Other than smiling and giggling, this little boy has been busy studying the carpet (he loves rolling to the corner of the rug and just examining it, haha), cutting some teeth, sleeping in his sister's roo...

I am LOVING this summer. It may not be as exciting as past summers filled with Europe, roadtrips, summer camps, single adventures, wedding planning, etc, but it is so fulfilling! It is fun to wake up and think, "hmm, what should we do today?" and then go do it! I like asking Natalie what she wants to do. She has only ever given me one of two options, ha: "tzoo" or "shatchews." We also like playing with friends, hanging at the splash pad, and going to the store. "WHEEEEEEULLLSSSS!" Natalie pretty much idolizes the car cart at the grocery store (it is a complete disaster trying to get her to leave, ugh) and last week we added Stockton to the seat! It was such a fun parent moment, seeing my children sitting together with their wheels! how fun is it that they are together!?  "see here, Stockton, this is the horn, and this is the wheel. you got that?" my view from behind - precious! siblings ^^^ I LOVE this picture! A ...