Back in June we flew from PDX to SLC.  Noah's first flight was a success, well so I hear, I was all the way across the isle napping.  The plane wasn't full so we were able to bring Zaya's car seat along which meant a nap for Z and a nap for me.  Nice.  This being our first flight with kids I asked my friend Jessi, who has racked up the sky miles with kids in tow, for her best tips.  I used every. single. one.

(Our flight back was equally as perfect after we remembered, just as we were going through security, that Noah's ID was in Kristian's back pack and not in fact in the luggage I had just checked which was where I had last remembered putting it.  Whew, that was a close one.)

Apple juice, peanuts, new toys, and Daddy's undivided attention.  Noah hopes to fly again real soon.

In our view from the plan there were a few of the beautiful mountains that surround Portland.  Let's be honest, they all look the same to me and I have trouble remembering which is which.  When in doubt ask Kristian, he's climbed most of them.  After you have climbed them I imagine there is no forgetting which is which.

 Kristian has done a few do-it-yourself projects lately, an out door bench, and a platform bed.  And so it was time we embarked on a project together.  We have been frequenters of all things thrifty and I love the dining chairs she did that were all the same style but in different colors, seen here.  I have wanted to collect some mismatched dining chairs, via goodwill, and paint them all the same color for a while now.  One Saturday we embarked on the journey of the goodwill loop with both kids in tow.  There are four in this area that are pretty close so it makes sense to hit them all at the same time.  We have done this a few times before with no luck.  This time we hit the jackpot.  Two chairs for $5 a piece.

The previous owner of this chair was on the same wavelength because the chair came the exact color we were planning to paint it.  Although they must have been indecisive because there was also a layer of black and pink.  Decisions, decisions.

After a trip to home depot and fred meyer to get my painting supplies and krylon blue ocean breeze, and krylon smoke grey I returned home to dive in.  The second chair would require re-upholstery which I think K and I were both excited about.  Oh the possibilities.

 In our future is a bigger table, maybe I can talk Kristian into making one?  But for now we wanted to refinish the one we have, which is seen in the before shot below.

 We had a very willing helper while priming.

After fitting in painting during naptime and on Saturdays, and Kristian finishing everything off with a few coats of polyurethane here is the end result.

Yesterday we headed to the fabric store to find the perfect print.  We wanted something not to feminine, and non-trendy.  Houndstooth won out.  We both love the result.  Kristian did an excellent job with the re-upholstery.

 The table is a perfect fit with our two goodwill finds and our two existing chairs.  We broke them in tonight at dinner and I am loving the result. 

 Cuddling.

 Being silly.

Being cute.

And learning to sit up while being cute.

Motherhood has proven to be as rewarding as it is challenging.  These kids are my heart and soul.  And being their Mother has helped me to come to a largely greater appreciation and understanding of my Mom.  Her sacrifice, patience, love, kindness, and long-suffering.

This Mother's day was made exponentially great with Kristian and I both having our parents here and my Dad and Kristian's Dad standing in the circle for Zaya's blessing which was beautiful.  We are so grateful to have such supportive parents.

Here she is sporting the dress I wore as a baby for my blessing.

It was very sweet to finally introduce my Dad to Zaya, a few minutes after he and my Mom arrived I was holding her so that she could see my Dad and she began to coo and talk away for quite a while, and proceeded to the whole weekend.  She recently started smiling, cooing, and responding to smiles and talking from us, but to our delight, she just went on and on all weekend.

On Saturday Kristian and I ran the Lake run 5k for the 5th time.  Neither of us had been able to prepare as much as we would have liked but we did okay.  I was just happy to meet my goal of running the whole thing.

As I was up for a 1 am feeding with Zaya in the wee hours of Saturday morning my thoughts turned to 3 years ago as I was filled with relief that our Noah had finally arrived after such a long labor and so much anticipation.  It's true what they say, you bring your second child home and your first looks like an absolute giant.  Giants are fantastic helpers.

We had a party at out of this world pizza with a few friends.  The birthday boy requested cupcakes with blue frosting.

As we were packing everything up and making our way to the exit Noah said to me "Mommy, thank you for the birthday party."  And my heart melted.

A proud Dad of two.

After we all came home from the hospital Noah wasn't too keen on touching Zaya.  He worked up to touching her hand, then his bunny began to give her kisses, Noah gave her kisses, and just a few days ago he even agreed to sit by her.

My comic relief for the day.  Who needs pants?  Underwear and rain boots are a classic combination.

Baby Z enjoys the bath until it's time to get out.

Precious girl.