Goose Lake Park

I can't believe that I've lived in Anchorage for almost four years and have never visited Goose Lake Park. It's literally about eight minutes from my home and is the perfect hang out spot for a beautiful summer day!

It was my day off, the sun was shining, and Lucas and I desperately needed to get out of the house! I didn't have any intentions of getting in the water, but as a parent I know you can never be too prepared. I brought Lucas a pair of swim trunks, his beach toys, and a towel. Thankfully so because I couldn't keep this boy out of the lake!

Of course my little big lover was ecstatic when he found himself a beetle! He even found a crazy worm like creature swimming in the water.

When we arrived there were three geese that were very interested in us. Shortly before we left a mother duck and her seven adorable little babies swam right in front of us! I love Alaskan summers more than I know how to express. The weather is great, the views are priceless and the wildlife is always showing themselves. I can't wait to explore more of Anchorage this summer!

August: welcoming change

August is going to be a month of great change for the Cecil Family! Two extremely big events are scheduled to take place:

1- We will be welcoming our second baby boy into this world, and
2- Lucas is scheduled to begin Preschool!

I am excited, yet skeptical at the same time. It's as if to say our lives are never going to be the same after this August. Which, in all reality, is completely true!

I have quite a few mixed emotions about these upcoming events, but I am excited nonetheless. I feel somewhat guilty...as if we are replacing Lucas because he is no longer a baby. I know that is not the case at all, but I'm still in disbelief that my first born son is entering into the world of school!

As I mentioned before, Lucas missed the cut-off requirement for nearly every preschool in Anchorage. And believe me...I called them all. I met the lady in charge of registration for Anchorage Cooperative Preschool recently and she gave me her personal contact information because she really wanted to help. Low and behold, she came through!!

They are completely working with me to ensure Lucas can attend school during this 2011-2012 school year. Classes begin in August and I will be required to attend with him every day until he physically turns three in November. That way, they can't get in trouble for not following protocol. Although this is going to be a bit of a challenge with a new baby, it is only 2 days a week and they are completely fine with me bringing baby along! I couldn't ask for more!

The philosophy of this school is different than most that I looked into. Family involvement and commitment is mandatory. It is for parents who wish to be an active part of their children's preschool experience and who are willing to work together to make it a success. Basically, the families are the owners of the school. It's a non-profit organization in which the families help educate, manage and raise funds for the school. Although the teacher is in charge of the curriculum, parental input is completely encouraged!

And best yet...a summer play group is now in affect for all students to meet weekly and get to know each other before the school year begins! The families strive to have a close connection with each other and do many activities outside of the classroom. They even coordinated a big camping trip for Memorial Day weekend. How awesome is that?

So, August - although I am excited for you to come, I am fine with you taking your time. We can't wait to meet our little baby boy, but I still have so much prep to do! And even though I am beyond thrilled to have found a great school for Lucas, I am not exactly prepared to consider him a big kid. He will forever be my baby.

Pirate Lucas

Over the past few months, Lucas has found himself a love for pirates. And when I say love, I really mean obsession! He runs around playing pirates for what seems like all day...every day.

My mom introduced him to the new Disney Channel show, Jake and the Never Land Pirates. As you can imagine, it which was an instant hit. The cartoon is like a perfect mix of Peter Pan and Dora...very cute! It truly feels like this show was made with him in mind! He used to cover up one eye and run around yelling, Arg Maytee! but now he sings, "Yo Ho, Let's Go!"

We ran into Party Craft just to pass some time this weekend and he was in awe of the pirate birthday party selection. I'm tempted to throw a "Just Because Pirate Party" for the sake of having one! I let him pick out a pair of swords for him and his daddy and I'm not exaggerating when I say that he never puts them down.

Lucas is the most imaginative little guy I know. Levi and I just laugh because we know he is going to be the class clown when he gets older. He can make a scene out of any props...even his fingers!

He loves to play in the front yard and wave his new sword at all the passing cars. Fate must have been working in our favor yesterday because a teenage boy rode by on his bike wearing a red bandanna. I've never seen Lucas' eyes light up so big! He ran over to me as fast as he could and yelled "Mom! I saw a pirate on a bicycle!" Of course, I played along :)

I love little boys! How could you not?!

"We're having a homebirth!!"

It's no big announcement that we are planning a homebirth with this little munchkin, so I recently purchased a kid friendly book to explain the process to Lucas. It is a short book, but covers all of the important topics; such as the role of a midwife, the importance of being a good labor support to mommy (while ensuring to give her lots of space, too!), noises that mom might make, the delivery of the baby and the placenta, cord cutting, and breastfeeding.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a toddler that they want present for their siblings birth. Although the book is rated for children ages 3-8, Lucas really enjoyed it. And more importantly, I feel that he comprehended it very well. I asked him about the book the following morning and he reiterated that the mommy had a baby in her belly...and that she has to push really hard to get it out! It was actually pretty funny listening to his account of childbirth.

He was also very intrigued by the cutting of the cord. I asked him who gets to cut the cord and he immediately answered, "daddy!" But then after a moment of thought he said "I wanna cut the cord with my baby scissors!" Watching him imitate scissors with his fingers and then run off to find his plastic play-doh pair was absolutely priceless! I can totally picture him attempting this task when the day comes, too. Oh geez!

There are two parts to this book that I particularly like. The first is how it explains that mommy is going to make lots of noises when pushing out the baby...kind of like an elephant! It's great that they try to relate the birth process to something familiar to a child. (Although I barely made a peep during my whole first labor!) The second was that it mentioned how daddy will cut the cord a short while after the placenta comes out. I am very adamant about delaying the cutting of the cord, and I'm glad this book believes in that same approach.

I am going to continue reading this book to him frequently, and then once again on the actual day. I labored so well with him, so I pray that this second time is just as simple...if not easier. I want him to be present to see, and hold, his baby brother as soon as he possibly can. I think he's half as excited as we are!

Sisters!

After looking back through a few of my mom's old photos for some of my Great Grandmother and myself, I couldn't help but set aside some adorable pictures of me and my sisters. My sister Amber and I are just a little over three years apart...fairly similar to what my boys will be. Pictures sure bring back memories and I just love reminiscing about my childhood! Weren't we just adorable?!

Growing up in a household of girls has me very excited and anxious to parent on the opposite spectrum. It'll be interesting to compare how different my boys' childhood will differ from my own. I hear boys are easier, so we shall see! As young children, Amber and I were night and day. I was the girly girl and she was the tom boy who loved tonka trucks and dirt! We didn't always get along, but we sure loved each other.

After my mom married, we became a trio! Life was definitely interesting with a house full of girls...especially as we all became pre-teens and had to fight over one bathroom!

I miss my sisters like crazy and realize how much so each time I return home. Amber recently moved back in with our mom, so we got to spend lots of quality time with her. Lucas really opened up and continuously asked me where Amber was and what she was doing. He especially liked sleeping in her bed, too! We also had a nice little dinner over at Amanda's new apartment where Lucas got to play with her pups and watch her gecko eat some worms. (Boy did he like that!) I hate living so far away, especially now that I am a mother. My boys deserve to spend time with their Aunties...and vise versa. I'm even more excited to move to Washington now knowing that we'll only be a short and inexpensive plane ride away. I love you sisters!

Looking back through these pictures has me really wanting a girl now! Lucas sure looks just like his daddy...I wonder if a daughter would look just like me?!

Great Grandma, Reba!

My Great Grandmother passed away on October 20, 2007...a day that I will always remember. Losing her was difficult for everyone in my family and I sometimes wonder how life goes on without her. She was such an amazing woman with a pure heart of gold. So many of my childhood memories revolve around her and it breaks my heart that my children will never have the opportunity to know her as I did.

I mentioned before that Mother's Day was extra special this year because I actually got to spend it with my family. But what I didn't tell you was that I was surprised with something entirely unexpected.

My Grandmother handed me the card that she had gotten me for Mother's Day and then handed me a small stack of handmade cards with a very delicate look on her face. I immediately recognized the handwriting on the envelopes as my Great Grandmothers and stood in shock for a moment. Apparently my Grandma had found these cards addressed to me in my Great Grandma's belongings. I was almost too nervous to open them, but the excitement of holding something that she intended for me to have was somewhat overwhelming.

I was taken back by so many emotions and couldn't keep the tears from flowing. I was reminded just how much I miss her and how special she always made me feel. I immediately flew home when her health declined, but her ceremony was not held until after I had already departed. I have always felt guilty for not being able to attend her funeral, so I took advantage of this recent trip to visit her resting place and say my good byes. I feel like it was a form of closure that I never received, although I will never stop thinking of her and missing her as I do now.

There are so many subtle activities that I do in my current life that instantly bring back memories of her. I can never eat french bread without remembering our Sunday afternoon lunch tradition, or see a hummingbird without instantly being reminded of her. I love you Great Grandma and you will forever be in my heart. Thank you for being such a strong impact in my life and showing me the value of love. RIP

Strawberry Festival

Lucas really enjoyed spending quality time with my family while we were back home for a short visit. I was a little nervous leaving him for 3 days to attend my class, but he did wonderful! My mom and sister took him to the Strawberry Festival and he got to ride a pony for the first time!

Me on the left, Lucas on the right!
She took me to the exact same festival when I was a child and I remember riding the same strawberry spinner! It's amazing how different things are nowadays, but as a parent, it is so fun to see him experience something that I did as a little girl!


I wish I could have gone with them, but I know my mom truly cherished this alone time with her first grandson. She just melted every time he called out to her and she sure took advantage of his cuddles! I'm thrilled that he bonded with everyone so easily and I cannot wait until they come up to visit in September!