March Happenings

March has been a very busy month for the Durkee family. We started the month off by going to Disneyland to celebrate my grandmother's birthday. She hadn't been to the park in about 40 years so it was really exciting to be able to share such a fun experience with her. Tiernan had a blast playing with Grandma Melodie and GG Rachel and showing them all his favorite rides. We expected very large crowds, but it wasn't bad...in fact, we got to go on Small World two times in a row without even getting off the boat! I promise I will post pics, unfortunately, my laptop doesn't have a place to put my memory card.

Tiernan also had tubes put in his ears this month. He was a champ! I was very worried that when the nurse came to take him to the surgery room he'd scream the whole way...but he didn't even bat an eye! Apparently, while he was in the surgery room he gave all of the Dr's and nurses high fives. Coming out of sleep is usually a bit traumatic for kids, but he did just fine. We are so blessed to have such a sweet little boy.

This month Tiernan decided he was ready to start potty training. We don't really push it, if he wants to go he tells us. He really likes feeling like he's a big boy and we are just amazed that he started it all on his own!

He also decided he was done with his crib. So, we went along with it...for a few days. Two nights in a row he decided he wanted to sleep on a pile of stuffed animals on the floor. We decided to put his crib mattress on the floor and see how he slept. He did really well, except normally if he wakes up in the wee hours of the morning and he's in his crib, he'll go right back to sleep...not so much outside of the crib. We decided that his 5 a.m. wake up routine and shortened naps were depriving us all of sleep, so back into the crib he went and he appears to be very happy there now.

Earlier this week Tiernan went on his first Easter egg hunt. Once he understood he was supposed to be looking for eggs and not playing in the rocks, he did really well! Thanks to the Yi family for hosting the hunt.

Our family also celebrated Passover with the Zaragoza family. It's a tradition Steve has shared with their family for almost two decades! It is by far, one of our favorite traditions. Unfortunately, Tiernan didn't have a very good nap that day, so he wasn't as excited about it as we were...but it was still a lot of fun! Thank you so much to Carl and Antje for putting together such a wonderful get-together. We love being included year after year.

As pretty much everyone knows, March was a big month because Steve and I decided to start trying for baby #2 again. Many of you have asked me how it's going...I am in fact pregnant! It is very, very early and we didn't plan on sharing the information for at least another month, but I've had so many people ask about it, I figured I may as well share. I am only 4 weeks pregnant so anything could happen at this point, but we're thinking positive and praying a lot and I'm making sure to rest and take good care of my body. I would certainly appreciate prayers from my family and friends for the health of this pregnancy. Being pregnant after losing a pregnancy is much different than when I was pregnant with Tiernan. I never worried about the "what ifs" the first time around...this time, I am much more aware of how delicate an early pregnancy is. I have decided not to do an ultrasound until we should be able to see a heartbeat, but I can't wait much past 6 weeks in case this pregnancy is also tubal. Please keep our family in your prayers as we wait patiently for good news.

April is going to be another busy, exciting month! Grandpa Dave will be here next weekend and will stay for a whole week! Then, at the end of April we will be going to Montana to stay with the Wilson family for two weeks...I AM SO EXCITED! I haven't seen the Wilsons in almost three years! For those who don't know, the Wilson family (Mommy Gail, Daddy Bud, Melissa, and Jeff) started watching me soon after I was born and have been a very important part of my life. I call them mom and dad and consider Jeff and Melissa to be my brother and sister. This will be the first time they get to meet Tiernan and I know he will love running around their property and playing with Melissa's son Tristan.

I hope that the month of March has treated all of you and your families well. Please know that our family is so thankful to have you in our lives...our family and friends are a true blessing.

Peace and Love,
Alyssa