Note from mom-Baby Girl is almost here!

Um....I guess we are really having another baby! I think I might have been in slight denial up until now that we were having another baby, let alone a little girl. I'm about a week away and I SWEAR I'm not going to make it to my due date of June 11th, but then again I thought that with Price. 

Pregnancy is no joke-or at least for me. I'm a pregnancy wimp. It's been really hard for me, especially this 2nd time around. And don't get me wrong, I am soooo happy, so appreciative and very excited to have our complete family. But Pregnancy-well, it's not for me I've decided. I want to be that active person I once was. I want to run around the yard and beach playing with Price, picking him up and tossing him up and down. Not happening right now and it sucks. I'm tired, my hips hurt, my crotch feels like it's going to fall out (maybe the baby too?) my face is fat, my legs cramp up, can't sleep, I'm moody. As much as I am done and want to have Brooking Baby #2 I am trying to cherish the last moments of Price as a single child. It makes me sad at times. I hope we don't rock his world too much. I hope we still are able to give him the attention he needs and deserves. When I rock and sing him to sleep I think to myself, this will never again be this way. In just about a week, or sooner, he'll have a baby sister always around. 

Last night Kadin asked Price where the baby girls room was. He showed him. Then he asked him where IS your baby sister? He stopped for a second, got a serious look on his face like he was deep in thought and then said, "Momma." Kadin then said, "Price, can you show me where baby sister is?" and then he went right over to my belly and pointed to it! Precious. I guess he really does get what is going on. :)

It's so funny how life is. Growing up I always wanted to be a mom and to have a boy and a girl. But after having such a hard time getting pregnant for years I figured, well-maybe Price will be it and that would be just fine. But look at what has happened now. My perfect family is about to be born. It's simply crazy and amazing and I am so thankful. Baby Brooking Girl-we are ready for you, come out and play! 

My New Shoes!

My first pair of running shoes. Mom took me to the store yesterday to get these beauties. Daddy had his first home track meet yesterday so I couldn't show up in just regular shoes. When I saw him on the track I ran up to him and showed him right away. Then I ran and I ran fast! 

I woke up this morning wanting to wear them, even in my pajamas. 

Then it was time to get outside and hit the pavement. I'm ready for my morning jog. 

Warming it up!

And stretching it out. Gotta get those hamstrings all nice and warm. 

Outside Fun!

Now that I got my big boy rubber boots just like daddy, I can go outside rain or shine to play. There is so much to do before baby sister comes so I have to get to work! One thing I helped with is making our first garden in the backyard. 

Daddy went and got some compost so I had to help him unload the truck. 

We need more dirt daddy!

I thought since the vegetables were planted the garden needed mowing? Mom and dad told me though lawnmowers are just for the grass. oh well.

Alright....alright, I'm done.

Another big job I have is calling for the kitties. Here kitty kitty...

Okay, maybe I'll just have to go down and get them myself. 

Note from mom-the loss of my dad

On Thursday, April 5, 2012 my dad finally passed away after a long struggle with Alzheimers. The past 10 years he endured more than any human should ever go through. Our family has suffered immensely as well and now the struggle is finally over. Even though my dad will not be here physically, his memory will live on forever. Price will know his grandpa Price well and so will our daughter. It makes me cry knowing my dad will not be given the opportunity to share in what my mom will share: watching our kids grow up. But I know he'll be watching from somewhere, looking over us and giving his great big, proud smile. My dad was my best friend, my hero, my protector, my inspiration. He was everything to me and he'd do anything for me and my family. He wanted grandchildren so much and looked forward to what that would bring. He talked often about taking our kids to the zoo, taking them out on his boat, going to the beach. He'll still be there with us on those trips, I know that. One of the most important things to me was that my dad knew I was able to have children. When he started to get sick he comforted me during my miscarriage and I was fearful that I would never give him a grandchild he and I wanted so badly. But our miracle of Price was born and he got to hold him and see him on various occasions. He lived past his first birthday, almost his second. During our last visits together I would talk about our daughter to be and would say, "you are so lucky, you got a grandson and a grand daughter." On our final visit together I sensed it might be our last. I told him what he always wanted for our family-that we are all okay. I don't think he was able to go until he knew we were all okay, and we are-we will all but just fine. I love my dad more than anything, will miss my dad greatly but his memory will forever live on. 

Here is the beautiful Obituary of my dad, written by my mom in the Easter Sunday Everett Herald. 

Howard M. Price Jr

Howard M. Price Jr., 76, of Mukilteo, WA went to be with the Lord on April 5, 2012, freeing him of a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease.
Howard is survived by his devoted wife, Mary; son, Howard M. Price III of Scottsdale, AZ; daughter, Reenie (Kadin) Brooking; and grandson, Price Andrew Brooking of Mukilteo, WA. He is survived by his two brothers, Gary (Sharon) Price and Stephen Price; and an uncle, Stanley (Helen) Price; and many nieces and nephews. Numerous friends; extended family and; former students will also miss him.
Howard taught and coached in the Mukilteo School District for 36 years, of which 30 were at Mariner High School. He was among the original faculty when Mariner High opened in 1971, where he remained until he retired. Howard was a popular and successful track and field and x-country coach during those years, and was inducted into the Washington State Track & Field Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2010. Teaching and coaching was Howard's calling. He truly loved working with young people, and had a gift for motivating and inspiring them to do their best.
Howard was the oldest of three sons born to Howard Sr. and Verene Price. He grew up in Seattle and Edmonds, WA, and graduated from Edmonds High School in 1954 where he played in the band and excelled in track. After attending the UW for two years, he enlisted in the US Navy for four years where he studied and worked as a hospital medic in San Diego, CA and Guam. He was also an avid runner, which continued to be a lifelong passion for him. After finishing his military service, he met and married Mary, a love that lasted 50 years. He completed his BA in Education at WWU and his Masters in Physical Education at the UW.
In his youth, Howard loved the waters and outdoors around Puget Sound where he fished and rode his horses. Later in life he shared similar interests with his family who meant the world to him. After retiring, Howard and Mary became snowbirds to Arizona until Howard's health made it necessary to return to Mukilteo full time in 2009.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Hospice of Snohomish County (South) in Everett or to the Alzheimer's Association of WA in Seattle. Everyone is invited to attend a Memorial Celebration of Life which will be held in Everett in the near future.

Note from mom-my baby is getting so big, both of them!

Look at my shy, sweet little man. I love him so much! My friend Paige took these wonderful pictures and they were so much fun to look at. I'm 26 weeks along here with my pregnancy of our little girl. Price is 17 months, almost a year and a half. His tummy is almost as big as mine! Not sure if he fully understands that he'll be getting a baby sister in a couple months but he sure recognizes my belly getting bigger and my belly button looking different. 

I can NOT get enough kisses from these chubby cheeks! 

After our photo shoot Paige took us outside to show Price her husband's landcruiser. He was OBSESSED! He loves trucks more than anything so sitting in this and acting like he was driving it was almost too much to handle.

Outside Fun!

I'm almost a year and a half now and I'm sure doing a lot of fun and new things. I love my new bike and anytime it is nice outside I get on it and ride!

Different day, different hat, same bike!

My daddy and I went out to prune a fruit tree in our back yard. I got a special ride in this wheelbarrow. 

I really can't wait until it's nice outside most of the time. It sure has been rainy and snowy this winter. 

Is it really still winter?

It was only 2 weeks ago that it snowed almost a foot at my house and now it's sunny and warm! Mom and dad still made me wear a hat though because we were at the beach and it was a bit windy. We spent this beautiful day at Alki beach. 

Me and daddy walking down to throw rocks into the water

My grandpa even came to visit me at the beach!

So fun! I saw dogs, trucks, birds, kids, motorcycles and so much more.