I Love Timbuk2!

I have been in a diaper bag dilemma with each one of my kids. There have been numerous bags I have bought, tried and then wanted to replace. Among the many problems with them, two really stood out. Size and how they were carried. With one kid it wasn't as big of a deal about either one of those. I just carried it and it had enough space for one baby's stuff.

With two kids I got the most gorgeous Vera Bradley bag for Christmas. I used it for a whole year but alas, I didn't realize when I asked for it, that it would be falling off my shoulders all the time (which is quite difficult to fix when you are in the street with a baby in your arms and a toddler holding your hand). It was also, HUGE! Which you would think would be great, except for I tended to load it up (since, hey, the stuff fit, so why not take it "just in case") and it only had one huge pocket where all my baby necessities and my things seemed to converge into one gigantic mess that I was constantly rummaging through. I also threw my back out on more than one occasion carrying it and my kids.

Recently, I have been using a cute red backpack that a friend got for me in Korea. It even has our name embroidered on it. It's only issue is that it is too small for day trips and has a fully unzipping side that when searching for baby treasure in the bag, everything tends to fall right out.

The task before me was for me for the "perfect" bag (which I truly do not believe it exists!). I was dumbfounded at the cost of diaper bags. I needed one that either had an over the shoulder strap or was a backpack and could hold all the essentials without being huge. I needed something durable, cause lets face it, I (and my kids) put our bags through the ringer. It travels with us everywhere and holds various items that can leak, spill, stick...you get the picture. Something easy to clean that can keep up with me with out looking grimy. I also did not want an obvious diaper bag (you know the ones with Pooh or Mickey on them). I wanted a bag that fit me.

So I landed (at the keen recommendation of a good friend) on the Timbuk2 website. They have all sorts of bags for everyone, not just moms, and you can even design your own. I choose to buy one that was on sale (because that is just how I am), and it just came in the mail today! I felt like it was my birthday! I reorganized all my stuff and loaded it up. So far I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I am so excited about this bag that I decided to write a post about it-instead of nap with my littles! That should tell you a lot.

Enjoying Spring

We have been loving the spring weather around here! Here are some highlights of how:

Trip to the zoo (Mo is checking out the elephants here).

Our group of kiddos in front of the Panda exhibit.

Levi LOVES the sunshine!!

Hey LION!

We also went to the Cherry Blossom Festival in DC. It was gorgeous!

Yay for spring and beautiful weather!!!

25 Weeks!

Hard to believe that I am over half way to meeting this little girl! I am officially in the "nesting" stage (much to Zack's dismay!). I have been taking it relatively easy-I just have a running list of everything I want to get done before pure exhaustion and summer heat set in. I have BIG ideas about redecorating the kids room and nursery. I will share pictures as it progresses.

No names picked out yet but there are a couple front runners. Moriah wants to call her "baby Quinn" (we already know a baby Quinn) and enjoys talking to her and giving my belly kisses. So EXCITED about snuggling her!!

Photography Classes

Photo by Me

Photo by Zack

For Zack's birthday this year I got him photography classes for us to take together. He is very talented (if I do say so myself) and takes some amazing shots for not ever being told how. He has always had a great eye for good photos. I on the other hand, have not taken the time or have the patients to capture the great scenery and moments like he does. I thoroughly enjoy his pictures though and I want to be able to have a common hobby with him. So, that brings me to our classes! Yippy! For the next four Saturdays we have procured babysitters for our kids and will be spending time together learning about this thing Zack loves so much and I love looking at so much! I might just post some of my efforts with the camera too, once I have some clue as to what I am doing (give me a point and shoot any day!).

Professional Photos

We recently got our pictures taken in a portrait studio (JC Penney's-can't beat the $3.99 a sheet coupon!). I have to say I LOVE the pictures that Zack takes of our kids. Capturing them enjoying life is so much better than a posed shot in my opinion but sometimes you just want those milestone classic pictures (and a family shot where BOTH kids are looking at the camera!). The trip to get pictures started out well. Levi just woke up from a nap so he was rested and Moriah was happy to be in her pretty dress. As soon as the camera came out my kids acted CRAZY! Moriah kept giving the photographer mean looks and Levi kept crying. Zack and I did our best to distract and try to get a few good shots. Then Moriah opened the stool prop up and whacked Levi in the head, marking the official end of operation photo shoot. Levi was hysterical and had a big red mark on his head so we called it a day and just picked the best of what they already took. My only regret is that we didn't get one of Levi standing...you know the big 1 year milestone. Oh well...we were lucky to get out of there without major meltdowns. Here is the best of the worst photo shoot ever!

A Walk in the Park

We enjoyed this beautiful day with a stroll around a lake, picnic lunch and play time on the playground. It was so relaxing and GORGEOUS out! Of course, I am not sure it would have been as much fun without our friends joining us. I love chatting with my momma buds and our kiddos sure love each other too!

Our Easter

Moriah in her Easter finery. Thanks Nana for the great outfits!

The kids' loot!

Levi was reading us the Easter story.

Moriah really got into the Resurrection eggs this year. She could tell us the whole story from memory. We did our best to keep our focus on the real meaning of Easter. She LOVES hearing about Jesus and has been trying to wash my feet a ton since reading the story about how Jesus washed his disciples' feet. Love her!

Sweet and silly Levi. He was such a trooper all day, even though he had been sick all weekend.

It was a great day with friends and our little family.

To see all our pictures from Easter click here.