Happenings at the Workman household and how you can help. . .

So, Brandon and I have a history together of doing everything all at once, in the mega stress fashion. My family laughs about the things we have decided to do- graduate from college 2 consecutive weekends, attend a friends wedding the next, get married the next, attend another 2 friends weddings the next and that week move to Iowa City. Or deciding to totally redo a meth house the 2nd semester of medical school and move the day after finals, or that we packed our moving truck for our Denver move at my medical school graduation, or probably the kicker- have a baby in typically the hardest year in residency. Yep, we like to do things complicated! Now is no exception. When we moved to Denver, we found this amazing house, but always planned on moving after 3-5 years to a place where our kids could grow up. We LOVE our house, but in someways, our needs with a family are different, and we knew this house wouldn't be where we would stay. Brandon has been casually looking at houses for the last year waiting for the perfect house, and we found it last week. We put in an offer, it was accepted- so we are moving. For those who are now trying to count how far along I am in my pregnancy- I'll save you the time- I'm 33 weeks along. Our closing date is exactly one week after my due date, and our house is not on the market yet. Add to that a very active 2 year old, and a husband who has recently started traveling for work, and you have a recipe for craziness. The great thing that we have to keep in mind right now is that we truly feel this is God's plan for us right now. So despite the stress, we know God has great plans for us. However, we could use your help.

1st and foremost- prayer- for our stress, getting the house on the market, attempting to sell it for roughly what we spent on it, for our sweet little one who's life is about to be turned upside down in more ways than one, for our marriage- that it is strengthened during this time, for safety with this pregnancy/health of our baby girl, etc. etc. This is the biggest way you can help us!!

Ask us how we are doing/coping and what you can do- we are not good (either one of us) at asking for help, so that is a big step!

Planning ahead some dinners that we can freeze for after the baby comes- to minimize cooking in this crazy time- I fully intend to move my deep freeze and frozen meals- we have to eat!!

Any tips you have on making a house look less full (especially in the storage department)

Moving help- both when we move to the house, and emptying boxes the weeks afterwards- given we will have a newborn and will be trying to figure out how to parent 2, and that I won't be able to lift a lot- we could totally use any help you can offer.

Playdates for BJ- both without us while we get things done, and with us- we want to make this the lowest possible stress for BJ, so diversions would be great!!

I think that is enough requests for now. We feel so blessed in this situation, and by our family and friends- thanks for your love, support, and prayers!!

100th post!!

Evidently life has gotten to the post a month stage right now! I know I always say it is crazy, but it never really changes. So I thought I'd give you a quick photo montage of the last little bit.

Brandon got me a new camera for mother's day (our's has been missing since Feb.), and then we found the old one! (But wanted to get a new one anyway)

BJ and I on Mother's day- he told me the camera was a present from Grammy- B wasn't too thrilled with that!

BJ and his baby- he loves all babies recently, loves to sleep with this baby doll and asks regularly if Kaelynn (our sitter's baby) can come over- the highlight of his day is getting to hold her!

BJ "fixing" his bike

The boys snuggling after a long day

BJ's first real pizza- he has passed his milk challenge! Yay! We will go back sometime later this summer for his egg challenge, but for now, it's great to hear him say "cheese no make BJ sick!!"

Ice cream that same night- we had to celebrate!!

Helping Daddy on the deck- BJ LOVES to help Daddy!

BJ napping in his big boy room- we made the transition last week- and he is doing great. He keeps asking if he sleeps in the Husker room, and tells us it is not scary!

The bump at 29 weeks and 4 days.

Great night. . .

As any parent knows, there are bad nights and there are great nights. Hopefully the great nights outnumber the bad ones :) Living with a two year old, things can be fairly volatile. One minute things are great, the next, he's throwing himself on the ground because he wanted the yellow cup. But tonight was a truly great night. When I came home, he shared with me that he played with a tent at Stefanie, Papa, Kirina, Kaelynn's house and that it was a good day. Then he "helped" Daddy with the Nova outside- I think he actually had a leg into the trunk at one point before Brandon pulled him out, but he did run around in the front yard some. He came inside and said "Yay, chicken" (not always the reaction to dinner around our house- generally it is "no dinner, snack!!"). He ate great! And almost made me cry when he actually ate his steamed broccoli!! Not joking, he has never eaten broccoli and he ate it tonight (both with hummus dip and alone)!!! AND multiple "trees." It did this Dr. Mom proud after talking about childhood obesity at work for quite a while today :) Plus he ate his cucumber (another one he doesn't always like)!! And he ate a lot- chicken, tortilla, berries, cucumber, broccoli, hummus, milk, and a little decaf iced tea (we have to splurge sometimes right?!?). Then we had bathtime complete with puffer fish wars- and rare tears with hair washing. He read himself some books, let me read him some. He prayed both at dinner and at bedtime- "Dear God, thank for food" both times :) Makes a mom's heart smile. Even disciplining he was sweet tonight. The rules at bedtime: "No talking, no jumping, or Mommy take baby" (his favorite nighttime buddy at the moment). So few minutes after going to bed I heard quite the ruckus upstairs. I was so bummed after such a great night, I didn't want to follow through, but knew I had to. I walked in and he was sitting up, stopped talking and grabbed Baby to pull her closer. He pouted when I asked what happens when he is talking. He rolled over onto baby. Then mumbled, "Take baby." I asked him to give mommy the baby- and he reluctantly handed her over- no crying, and laid back down. Unbelievable- is this even my child? So I guess some days, the work you put in does pay off (not expecting a repeat tomorrow though!) The other thing that had us cracking up tonight, he somehow started saying "Holy cow." And saying it almost appropriately- so hysterical to see a 2.5 year old saying "Holy cow" to most things tonight. Thanks BJ for such a sweet night! I love being your mom, and nights like tonight make it even better :) Love you!

I really do mean to blog more :)

Seriously, I do mean to blog more, I can't believe it's been over a month since I've blogged. So sorry! So updates:

Brandon started his new job and is really excited about the new opportunities and challenges in getting back into engineering. He definitely likes the people which is a definite positive. We will still have some adjusting to do when he starts traveling, but I think we have some good ideas about scheduling that.

BJ continues to grow- amazing, I know. He's actually growing out of his winter clothes, but we just keep putting him in them since the season is almost over. He's doing really well with potty training- rare accidents! He's scheduled for our 2nd try at a food challenge next week- hoping to clear him to eat baked goods with eggs and milk! Last time we weren't able to do the challenge due to his asthma wheezing at the time. Hoping he can be healthy by then (he has a cold now) so we can do the challenge. It was such a bummer to have to tell him we had to go bye-bye last time and couldn't stay to have "muppins with the special doctor, Dr. Dan."

My mom came out a couple weeks ago and spent the week helping us out- she basically single-handedly painted BJ's big boy room (Husker red with white and a black stripe)- and it looks really nice! Plus, it gave BJ and she more time to hang out- which I think they both loved. Plus, Brandon and I were able to sneak out for a night out- even overnight at a hotel while she was here- it was so refreshing- sleeping in (at least as much as we can now that we're old and parents!)

As far as pregnancy goes, BJ is going to have a baby sister! We're still working on names, but do have one we both like- amazingly. We're just letting it simmer for now :) I'm 24 weeks along- which is a nice place to reach- the age of viability (basically, if she was born now, she could survive- although we'd rather she cook for at least 13 more weeks :))

Here are some quick pics- we have officially lost our camera- so until we get a new one, you get cell phone pics, sorry!

The boys playing in a fort today:

BJ lounging while working on his "puter" at his aunt's house.

Grammy and BJ at the Children's museum

Older pic- 20 weeks.

More cute sayings. . .

It's funny, after I blogged about BJ's sayings, I've heard more and more and thought- man I should have put that one down!

My mom's favorite, his word for people, it is "peepeeoles"

Lately, we've been trying to help him with manners- thus the excuse me etc, but he has started using "No Thank you" for everything, as in, BJ would you like more carrots, "No thank you" but also," Time for bed" "No thank you", "You need to go potty before we leave" "No thank you", and my personal favorite, "BJ Time out!" "No thank you Mommy, no time outs" Picture all these with a two year old shrug, it is priceless.

The other one Brandon and I have been cracking up about recently is "Yes, I do!" said in a bit of a southern accent. Not sure where it came from but it is used appropriately and inappropriately: as in, "BJ do you like strawberries" "Yes, I do" but also, "BJ are you hungry?" "Yes I do", "BJ did you pick up your toys" "Yes, I do!" It's pretty cute.

BJ has become quite verbal and will talk for a long time telling you all about many things. Like, "Daddy's truck's at work. Daddy at work, Go to Target with Mommy today, See Daddy?" all in one string! The other awesome thing is to watch him read books. He has quite a few that are his favorite and it is quite cute to watch him read them. BJ's rendition of Go Dog Go "Dog, go, go. Big dog, little dog, Blue dog, yellow tree, Dog in water, Dog in house, Dogs up ladder" It is great to see he is already developing such a love of reading!

BJ is doing great currently with potty training, with only one accident in the last week!

Our other news is that Brandon was recently blessed with an offer from an engineering firm here in Denver. He has wanted for several years to get back into engineering, but knew it had to be the perfect position for him, and it seems this may be the one! He starts mid April and is pumped to get going. Our prayer is that we can all transition smoothly, as there will be some travel, but more flexibility with work hours.

The boys at a bridge near our house, they LOVE to go on walks together!

Riding his tricycle and pulling the trailer on a warmer day!

We had the opportunity for some antiquities pics so BJ got to dress up in a tux. He loved getting dressed up!

My little chef- he loves to help Mommy cook, even more so when he can lick the bowl!

More sayings. . .

Few more things I forgot to add:

Calls diapers "diaperts"

Now has started to say "Cusa you me"

He's been really into counting lately:

"One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eighteen, Nine"

Kids say the . . .

We often are laughing hysterically at all the things our sweet two year old says, I thought I would share some with you.

"No socks on, Mommy, toes on"

"BJ best"

"BJ go to bed first " (as in before his cousin) said while running naked to his room.

"Good job Mommy, Mommy go pee pee on the potty, Mommy get sticker"

"Go to Target Mommy" Instead of whatever fun thing I suggest.

"Daddy, hand?" As in, can I finish my cereal and milk with my hand?

"Trains go to work" (why we can't see them anymore)

"Horseys go moo"

2 year old prayers: "Thank you food" "Thank you for BJ's muppin (muffin), Thank you for Mommy's muppin" "Thank you for blanket"

"Shh, Daddy sleeeeping"

"Where's Daddy?" Mommy: "Daddy's going potty." BJ: "BJ watch Daddy?"

"BJ help Daddy Nova" (out of the blue- his dad was so proud)

"BJ no like that" Always said while spitting out "that" some food product.

"Fries, fries, please" As we leave McDonald's after a potty break (and after a full meal)

"Light off" (for Light on).

"See cow Mommy" (Because Mommies can magically make cows appear on the side of the road)

After being told to ask nicely: Please, have more [insert desire] Please" Always better with a double please

"Cusa you" for excuse me

BJ: "Pocket" Daddy: "What's in the pocket" BJ: "Hands!"

In pregnancy news I am feeling much better- no more nausea!! Yay! Still tired, although I think that has more to do with life than pregnancy. I don't get "cravings" but at the moment could live off of fresh berries, pretzels and hummus, Twizzler nibs, Silk Light Chocolate Milk, and Diet Dr. Pepper. (Although I would also venture to say these have been my favorites for a while, now just more so)!

And for all your enjoyment (and so sweet Baby #2 doesn't feel left out), a belly bump picture- taken this weekend at 16 weeks. (These pics all from my phone, trying to remember what I last did with the camera- or what B last did with it!)

On the carousel at the zoo! He did love it, even though this pic looks mellow.

Recent discovery: headphones- he's listening to "Go Fish"

Making bubbles at the Children's museum. We got a membership for Christmas, but this was the first time we've been able to go (don't worry, the membership starts now, not Christmas). He loved it! I wish I had better pics, but he was too busy running everywhere for me to get good ones. It will definitely be a favorite outing!!