A Little Honest, Hormonal Gushing

A son, a brother, a friend, a husband and a father.  My J does it all.  As we get closer and closer to adding another little boy to our family, I find myself reflecting more and more on my husband.  He is simply extraordinarily. This is not to say we don't have our disagreements or that he doesn't do some of the 'typical men' things, which I'm always helpfully quick to point out [I swear one day he will actually be able to find something because the blinder that sits 'right in front of his nose' will disappear ;) - a girl can hope can't see], but in the end, he stands in a playing field all his own.

As a son and a brother, I am only a spectator to his interactions, but can see how he treasures his parents and sister and how much he wants them to be a part of Ayden's life whether near or far (thank goodness for video chats!).  He expresses to me how proud he is of his sister and how he cherishes his ever-growing and maturing relationship with her.

But as a husband and a father - theses are things I experience first hand.  The way he has stepped up in all facets of our life to make things just a little bit easier on me as we come down the homestretch.  The sacrifices he has made to accommodate our ever changing lives. The patience he has with his large, outspoken, hormonal, (sometimes!) irrational, opinionated (but always right), very pregnant wife. The glimpses of vulnerability he lets me see.  The support he has given me to venture off to a new career at a time when it feels our lives couldn't get much more complicated.  These actions are just the surface of the deeply kind hearted, patient, loving man I married.  In the ten years (yes, I am rounding J) we have been together, the growth and change he has inspired and then supported in me is immense.  We have grown beyond belief in our relationship and as individuals.  But nothing has changed or impacted us more than becoming parents.  To watch us become 'mommy' and 'daddy' on top of all the other roles we play has been an amazing journey and one that has only just begun.  I feel I have changed, matured, and blossomed through the process, but know for sure Jeremy has as I get to see it, experience it and live it day in and day out.  J is not just a 'dad', he is truly a 'father' to Ayden.  He is patient with him, he listens to him, he talks to him, he empathizes with him, he is crafty and creative with him, and most of all he is honest and natural with him.  When J is with Ayden I see the truest form of J I know.  Even better, I see the light - that sparkle- in Ayden's eyes when he spots his 'Daddy', and the return of that sparkle, that pride, in J's eyes when he sees Ayden.

There are days I feel old and settled -  I cannot believe we have been married for over 5 years, together for almost 10, and are almost a family of 4....but there are other days where I feel we are still just figuring this whole thing called 'life' out - it is during these days I feel most comforted because I think in the end, life should never and will never be old and settled.  Each day brings with it new challenges, adventures and experiences and in order to partake, we must be open to them -  it is the willingness to adapt, to change, to compromise, to be vulnerable, to be aware of your limits - what's in your control and what's not - that will keep us feeling young and invigorated for decades to come.

So, while our lives continue to press forward at Mach speed with hairpin turns, bumpy roads and at times poor visibility, I can say there is no one else I'd rather have by my side [in the passenger seat of course since we know I'd be driving ;)] than my husband, Jeremy.

Jeremy - I love you with all my heart.  This is a small tribute you and all that you do for our family.

And may it serve as a reminder you can point me to when we are in the thick of the next chapter of our lives (to begin in 6 days no less!) of the fact that I really do love you despite you not having to be up every two hours to feed the baby or aching with glued stomach muscles and bursting boobs =)

In the words of our (in my humble opinion) insanely adorable, smart, adorable, talented, adorable, smart little man......"LET'S DO IT!"

Tucson Sunset

Though taken with i-Phone going Mach speed from inside car window....I think you get the point....mother nature has blessed Tucson with so much beauty!

Just Another Day at the Park

During the holidays, not unlike every other week, we found ourselves at the park...a lot.  Ayden is a park junkie which you have probably gathered from my other posts.  This park experience was no different, but we did meet up with some friends, the Doaks and their two little boys.  I wish I could say I had pictures of everyone playing together and being cute, but no...apparently I just brought my camera for appearances only =)

I was able to take these three...and though you don't see Ayden's face, it amazes me (or, lets be honest.... scares me) how sometimes when his hair catches the sun just right, it looks so RED!!  On top of that I love that you can see his rosy pudgy cheeks.  I have no idea where he gets that from......

And finally, my favorite thing about Tucson.  The snowcapped mountains in the 'winter'.  This picture should have been taken a day or two earlier - when they had lots of snow and it was super beautiful, but as with the other non-existent pictures in this post...my actions are desperately behind my intentions these days!

Riley/Rupprecht Adventures in the Mountains

Back in the beginning of December (yes...I get it...I'm behind!), we went to the mountains with our dear friends Candice and Kevin and their adorable little girl Taylor, whom Ayden has a huge crush on =).

It was a blast.  Laid back, relaxed, and chilly.  No snow yet, so it was perfect to take the kiddos out all bundled up.  We ate all our meals at home and played lots of games..carefully timed around nap and bedtime.

Taylor is ready to go all bundled in her BOB.

This is our house.  Right on the lake.  It was beautiful.

Ayden was a trooper in his Eskimo jacket (thank you Zane!)

Rocks....Ayden's favorite pastime...

Candice chased Ayden all over cause momma was slow and exhausted! Thanks Aunt Candice!!

One day while Taylor napped, J and I took Ayden to a nearby park.

Hi-five from Daddy!!

The best husband and father a woman could ask for...well maybe without the grizzzzzzly beard ;)

I'm not sure if this kids loves slides or what?!?!?

(speaking to the above picture of course)

 

Our first attempt on the Big Boy swing.  Captain Safety (aka Daddy) prepared him well since all he chanted was 'hold on tight, don't let go!"

And hold on he did...it was a bit of a struggle to get him off the swing and back in the car.

This was the beginning of our adventure to go feed the ducks in our lake.

My favorite picture of the trip!!  What a sweet face!!

The Cattails that separated us from the lake were tall and thick...never fear, we had Kevin leading us through and around and over...

Kev making us a path...

Unfortunately every time we came within 15 feet of the water, the ducks found themselves on the opposite side of the lake.  There was no duck feeding to be had that dy....just a lot of walking, climbing, wind and cattails!

Which leads us to the next big adventure of the trip....hunting for the Rupprecht Family Christmas tree.

To fully appreciate this photo, you have to know Candice.  It is the perfect depiction of her. A strong woman, no fear, tramping off into the woods toting a saw, her child carrier, an adorable boots with skinny jeans outfit and pink gloves.  She was our leader for the afternoon.  And she was definitely on a mission!!

Ayden was in heaven between the men, jumping and flying over rocks.

This was option #1.  I should point out that the choices within the permit regulations were slim to slim at best.

They went with option 2.  What an adorable family!

Since the kiddos were such troopers we thought what a perfect time to get a photo of them together...

Guess they had plans of their own...

And where there is Candice, there is a craft project =)

The dough was a tad bit salty...but Taylor kept goin' back for more and the face was priceless - too bad we never actually caught it on camera!

It was the perfect start to the holiday season.