Bun in the Oven: Expected arrival September 8th!!

It's TRUE, we have a baby on the way!

Jace has been such a little blessing, and a pretty easy baby, so we decided that after Christmas we'd have another! Well, we're very excited to share that this moment came quickly for us, and we are blessed for that. I know far too many people that have difficulty getting pregnant, and my heart hurts for those people having challenges. We're excited that Jace will be close in age to his brother or sister. We'll be tired for a couple years, but it will all be worth it!

We were able to get into my midwife this past Friday, February 15th and although we thought this might be a little premature (we thought I was maybe only 6-7 weeks along based on when we found out), Greg had the day off, so we went for it!

When looking at the ultrasound, the first comment I made to Lori, my midwife with the perfect to-die-for eyelashes, was "Wow, it looks like a real baby already" and her comment back to me was, "You're further along than we thought!" Surprising to us, I was already 10 weeks along! My first thought was, 'Yippee, I'm almost out of first trimester' ;) Baby Rafuse has a strong heartbeat and is healthy thus far!

Strong heartbeat for baby Rafuse!

Little peanut!

We're very excited to welcome another little baby the first week of September this year!

Jace's First Haircut

You all know that this sweet, handsome baby of ours came out with some locks of love on his head! I recall the first day in the hospital, and Jace's first bath. The nurse thought it was so awesome that she could style his hair. I know, he's grown up so quick, so here's a FLASHBACK to 10 months ago:

Awwwweee!
Well, luckily for us, my cousin Sarah, Jace's "Auntie" is a kids hair stylist. We started out in the firetruck... woohoo!

All was dandy playing with a fake cell phone and some toys...

and then he looked a bit scared with cape and the noise of clippers.

 We've come to the conclusion, quite quickly in fact, that Jace is not a fan of the noise of buzzers, especially on his head. Thank goodness Sarah is fast with them!

And the tears begannnn...

Poor lil guy!

The one minute was up, and it was time for some cuddles and sitting on Mommy's lap for the rest of the cut. This was much more peaceful. :)

This was the easy part... and I got some cuddles in from my little guy who is on the go all the time, and rarely wants to snuggle. Win, win for me!

On the home stretch

Jace and Auntie Sarah made up... he's not mad at her anymore.

What a handsome lil guy with his haircut!

Family Day at the Aquarium!

First time to the Aquarium!

  On a lovely Saturday afternoon, we decided to take Jace to the Seattle Aquarium. He LOVED watching the bright fish, and watching the otters play. We're really looking forward to more trips to the aquarium, and trips to the zoo, as well as Jace being able to talk about the animals and fish! 

Here is a little picture line up of our day!

On our way to Seattle, and Jace is in his new big boy car seat!

Staring at the fish swimming by!

Mommy and Jacey underwater ;)

Trying to grab the fish!

Some of the fish were bigger than him :)

A Quiet NYE

This year we celebrated our first New Years Eve, but in quite a different way! I guess it has to happen at some point! We chose to spend it with our little guy, go out for dinner, and off to Uncle Brett and Auntie Jeccas for as long as Jace would last! It was a quick celebration, and a short night. Jace was ready for bed by 9:30pm, which is 2 hours past his bedtime. However, we managed to cram in a little fun and celebrating, and Greg and I made it to midnight! Success. 

At the Sunset Alehouse for dinner!

Downtime with a bottle before we're off to party ;)

Linds, Auntie Jecca, and me

Uncle Brett, Greg, and Jacey!

Jace's perfect NYE: throwin the ball for dogs his size!

"Really, cousin Harper?" LOL

So many dogs, so little Jace!

Santa Was Good To Us!

Jacey was very excited for Christmas!!

And of course, I take any opportunity or excuse to have a little photo shoot with our guy. ;) 

The whole family!

Our holiday season was extra fun & special this year!

Jace really enjoyed Christmas and our many celebrations in the days before and after. We had only one official breakdown through the 4 days of events, which was pretty excellent. Christmas Eve was spent with the Rafuse family at Jeff and Sarah's new place. We ate delicious food as Jace happily squealed as he ate. This was our first year of a white elephant gift exchange, which was filled with a lot of laughter.

Jace visiting Santa...  listening intently!

 

Mommy & Jace

Uncle Brett & Aunt Jecca

Bouncing on Daddy's shoulders- easy entertainment!

Uncle Jeff & Auntie Sarah

Just chowin down on some Christmas dinner!

Walter, one of Jace's favorite cousins. They are the same size now... but not for long!

Hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa Rafuse

Opening presents

HAHAHA, one of my most favorite pictures of Jace from the holidays. A rough life opening gifts ;)

Helping eat... I mean, unwrap Daddy's present.

Jace was fast asleep on the way home from our holiday partying, which was a good thing because the following morning both sets of Grandparents and my brother were over for breakfast and to watch Jace open his gifts. 

CHRISTMAS MORNING HAS ARRIVED!  

Any of you who have a baby know, that scheduling is key! Jace woke up right in time, and after a little yawn... he was ready to open presents!

The yawn was caught!

Like mother, like son...always ready to open, open, open!

Our handsome little guy!

Tasting the boxes, and making sure they're good!

Greg's first of many projects to assemble!

The aftermath... what a lucky little boy!

Jacey checkin out his new ride!

Ready to cruise!

Bouncing to the music and revving the engine ;)

Jacey with Grandma and Gramps

Of course, Kona wasn't left out, she too received a little surprise from Santa.

 After all of the exciting presents, Jace was wiped out, and it was nap time before our busy night ahead with my parents, brother, and the rest of my mom's side of the family!

Fireball shots with some of the family to start out the evening and get toasty!

Reading stories to Grandpa!

Santa's Little Helper ready to open more gifts!

Our sweet lil family!

Rach in town from Cali, and getting her baby snuggles in!

Here are some more pictures of our Christmas holiday!

Always happy while eating!

 

 

Hanging with Uncle Brett

MORE celebrations?... okay, twist my arm.

Spencer and Chloe taking good care of Jace

Sharing his cookies :)

Daddy time!

Jace loved Gianni's beard!

Tickle Monster Book with mommy! Jace LOVES to be tickled!

Presents with Uncle Ryan and Auntie Heather!

From our family to yours, hoping that you all had a very Merry Christmas too!