Celebration for Pops

Hello! This was at 30 weeks :)
I love pregnant women and their baby bumps... therefore I love that my belly is stretching that white shirt to its max.
I had nine weeks to go and made great use of a suitcase to rest my ever growing belly!

We arrived!! The drive to San Francisco from Sacramento gave us the much needed alone time to talk, laugh, and sit in SILENCE! 

It was wonderful and beautiful!  God is so creative and very giving in all the beauty he made for us.  

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1

The heavens were definitely declaring the glory of God on our drive.  

Our hotel was in Union Square.  We walked down the block to Farallon, a restaurant we hadn't heard of but was busy, and enjoyed ourselves a delicious meal and great wine.  

Familiar was the route we went when it came to breakfast.  Too bad we weren't in the know on some great places to visit.  Oh well, I'll never ever turn down a Starbucks.  Even though they raised their prices AGAIN... ridiculous

San Francisco firemen... 

Matt and I couldn't help but miss our boys after seeing the firetruck below.  The boys would have loved it.  

Our walk to Fisherman's Wharf was refreshing, beautiful and entertaining.  

The "mature" woman swimming in the bay, dressed in her bikini and swim cap, blew our mind.  

The water was so so cold.  

The picture below is the view from a high school around the Wharf.  Lucky kids!

Gigi took care of Eli and Cullen while we were away.  They were in for more than they bargained for.  Both of the boys came down with a stomach bug and were taking turns vomiting.  

This is Eli at his field trip.  Close, but not too close to that huge longhorn.  

Our last walk around the city was to the Giants stadium, AT&T Park.  It was a long walk, our route was a bit confusing, but it was worth it.  

Grabbed breakfast at Starbucks 

Made a stop at the 3 story Gap

Did a little bit of wandering

Purchased the boys each a Giants shirt 

Then the Giants go and win the World Series!  Way to go 

I knew Matt and I were lucky together ;D

After our time in San Francisco we headed back to Sacramento to celebrate Pops!
We made our way through Napa Valley on our way.
It was beautiful!  Miles and Miles of vineyards... the grapes were ready to be harvested and made into wine!  mmmm

Oh Napa, CA... you are beautiful!  Matt and I had such a good time driving there from San Francisco.  

Take a look at that sandwich.  Flavorful, fresh and very satisfying.  

Our first night in Sacramento we spent with family at Matt's Aunt Kathy's sisters house.    

The next day we visited the Church his parents were married in and grabbed a coffee at an urban chic coffee shop down the way.  

It was special to see a part of Kim and Jim's history.  They had a photographer take pictures of them outside the church to document their 40th wedding anniversary!   

After the service we walked from the church to the gardens surrounding the capitol building to take a few family photos with everyone there.  

The roses in the garden were fragrant and stunning.

The next night we had pizza with the whole crew. 

Me at 30 weeks and Tracey at about 19 weeks... I am not 100%

  Chet's trunk was donated to the capitol to be on displayed there.  

He was a true artist.  The woodworking he did was all so beautiful and thought out.  

Chet's children and 2nd wife.  

Kim, Bob, Mavis, Lori and Mike.  

They put on a wonderful celebration for the life Chet Lummen lived.  

He was kind, funny, loving, and thoughtful.  My boys loved their Pops and enjoyed his stories, jokes, and the toys he made for them.  I'm so glad to have known him, for the role he played in Matt's life, and that Eli and Cullen were able to know him.  

One very important stop before we headed home. 

Pops, you are loved!
I will cherish the time Matt and I spent with you in your final days in this life.  Holy Holy Holy and Be Thou my Vision will hold a special place in my heart and remind me of the time I sat holding your hand singing to you before you passed.  You were a hoot and a blessing all bundled into one package.

XOXO,
Laura

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Beckett at 1 month

Beckett Winston at 1 Month

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Cinni Minni

Over It! 

His One Month Stats: 

13lbs 22 inches 

Spitter 

Happy

Chunk

Pro at Nursing 

Blue Eyes

Maybe making one or two "coo" sounds

Sleeps in the Cradle in our room

Favorite Things: his owl hat and mom

We are loving Beckett.  His is such an angel!  Three isn't as difficult as I was dreading dreaming it would be but let me tell you it is because I am BLESSED with such a great involved husband!  

Matt has been a rockstar dad at making sure the older two don't feel ignored, that they know they are loved and he makes sure they get out of the house!  

What I wasn't ready for: 

He is a spitter/has reflux.  It is messy and I feel sorry for the little dude.  I've mastered the technique of "Bicycling" his legs to help him get out the gas.  

Thank you Emily Rose for the Nap Nanny (upright sleep positioner)!  That thing is amazing... yes it's been recalled, but we are not going to use it inappropriately so I'm not giving it up.  My sister in laws both used it and swore it helped... it does! so glad for other mothers and their wisdom :-) 

He looks just like his big brothers but he doesn't.  Does that make sense?  Well if you know what E and C look like and then looked at Beckett you'd get it.  I think it is that he has a smaller head and rounded face.  The eyes and nose are identical tough!  

God is so good.  I can look back now and think of how I worried.  Doesn't God say don't be anxious about tomorrow... Duh!  He is in all of our tomorrows so what was the point!

I was concerned we wouldn't be able to handle the dynamic of three kids, that Beckett would be sick, I was even nervous that he wasn't going to have a nose!  I was a LOONEY TOON!  not have a nose, come on Laura ;-)  

with that said, God is good... he loves me and he loves my family and his blessings are new everyday!  This time has been so sweet, I have three sweet loving boys and they're going to love their mommy "queen of the household", as they call me, forever!  

XOXO, Laura

I've taken a long enough breather!

hmm...

Maybe it's time for an update?!!?!?!

just not quite yet