Goofball Adderley and The Butterball

Happy New Year!

2011-01-18T11:44:00.000-08:00

What? That's it? No more presents for me?

(Well, except that huge one behind you kiddo).

Maybe most kids have this expression, or this feeling, one Christmas or another

in their childhood.

I remember, quite well, my little brother having a similar reaction one Christmas.

Two minutes later his beautiful new bike was wheeled in from outside.

It's not quite the same, but I do tend to feel a let-down after Christmas.

I feel somewhat sad, not for what wasn't received or for what didn't happen,

but because it's over.

But, like that big present looming behind Kingsley, or

my brother's soon-to-be-revealed bike, I need to remember that

there is always more good to come.

Happy New Year!

Laundry Day

2010-10-01T02:43:00.000-07:00

Well, well

2010-09-02T11:56:00.000-07:00

Well, well here we are again. I haven't documented much of our life lately, and the more I procrastinate the more overwhelming it becomes. It has been 6 months since we moved to Monterey County and our life is so full here. I really do love it. However, this means I need to be better about documenting, because there seems to be so much more of it to do. I'll try to catch up a little. I don't want to forget any of it.

Most recently, Kingsley has started preschool and loves it. He is lucky enough to attend with one of his best friends, Aiden (who lives across the street). Aiden, his big brother Cole (1st grader) and their cousin Ian (Kindergarten) show up at our house around 8 am and scramble around, check out toys, and play in the tents and closets. Once Aiden's Mom comes by with baby sister Siggy in tow (she's 3 weeks old!), the boys hurriedly find shoes and backpacks (and Charlie must be pried from breakfast) and we all walk to school. I love it. I love that we live in this neighborhood, with instant friends, with a beautiful school just around the block.

The only downer---and I knew enough to expect it---is the illness that often comes with the beginning of school, especially the early years. Kingsley has missed a full week of school this week (which is only two days for him, but still), not to mention 2 highly anticipated play dates. We have a tour of the Monterey Fire Station booked for tomorrow and I've been avoiding even mentioning it for fear that we won't be able to go. Oh the disappointment! Kingsley's reaction to not going to school and seeing friends is so much worse than any symptom he is experiencing--I am sure of it. I hope illness doesn't last too long, Kingsley's disappointment is truly heartbreaking. We will get back in the swing of things soon.

Goodbye Chargee

2010-08-04T11:33:00.000-07:00

It's funny how some things, some moments, just slip away ever so quietly.

A couple of days ago Charlie stopped referring to himself as "Chargee".

He, all of a sudden, refers to himself as "Charwee".

When Charlie was an infant (and Kingsley the same age as Charlie is now), Kingsley would also call Charlie "Chargee".

I remember being sort of sad when he started to pronounce his brother's name correctly.

I am sad to say good-bye to "Chargee" once again, perhaps for good.

But we love "Charwee" too.

It's the little things, you know?

Ice Cream...and New Friends!

2010-06-18T22:28:00.000-07:00

In the past 6 weeks I have joined two local "Mom's groups".

A good thing indeed. We've had some fun outings and have met some great kids and Moms.

These pictures are from an ice cream social.

Ice cream, new friends, beautiful park, sunny day...

what could be better?

Hopefully soon, I can add some pictures of our new friends

(haven't asked permission yet, so these photos will have to do for now).

Oh yes, I must not forget our new family friend.

MC the Hammerhead Shark must go with us wherever we go.

Boy does he get the comments.

I am so happy to have found some active groups that schedule really fun, creative

outings for these little guys.

Its so nice to have some friends that we see on a regular basis and we really do thrive on more of a routine (all three of us).

I hope to post more about these outings and friends soon!

Thistle Be Fun!

2010-06-16T21:12:00.001-07:00

Well, well I have a lot of catching up to do.

We start with the weekend of May 15/16th.

We spent a day at the Castroville Artichoke Festival.

Castroville is just northwest of here and is considered the "Artichoke Center of the World".

So, we thought we better go check it out.

This is a post heavy with pictures, but I always post with the boys' grandparents in mind.

Plus, there was so much to do!

First, the parade!

Fabulous dancers in fabulous dress.

Kingsley's little bit 'o' heaven.

Lots of cars, lots of them.

I am beginning to realize that no festival around here is complete

without cowboys.

Dancing horses!

You should have seen some of these performers, so incredible!

Festival fun is never complete without jumpy houses.

Different jumpy houses for different ages and likes.

Mini-train ride.

A big hit.

Even though we are active members of the Children's Museum in Monterey,

the boys loved checking out their booth and activities. Some cool stuff!

Rides!

Of course.

Festival music and dancing in the straw.

All done.

Kingsley's favorite car of the parade.

I did not take pictures of any artichokes!

In addition, I did not snap any pictures of the varied and creative (not to mention delicious)

ways in which artichokes were served and available for purchase.

We sampled deep-fried artichokes and an artichoke burrito which were heavenly.

We purchased 5 artichokes for $1 and sauteed some up for dinner.

A fun, and filling, day.

Oh yes, a word about the post title.

"Thistle be fun!" is the motto of the Artichoke Festival.

Artichokes are thistles, don't you know?

(I didn't.)

I love these two (crazy) boys...

2010-05-19T22:46:00.000-07:00

...more than I ever thought possible.

(Kingsley on day 3 of wearing his Junior Conductor hat from National Train Day).

All Aboard!

2010-05-18T11:48:00.000-07:00

Hop on board as I play catch up this week.

Our first stop: National Train Day in Salinas.

Though it didn't look exactly like the picture-perfect postcard above,

it was a fun side-trip in addition to our usual Saturday activities (library, farmer's market, park).

It is fair to say that Kingsley had a ball.

He was in train heaven when the gentleman let him operate the switches for the model rail road.

The boys were happy to see that Thomas and Percy made an appearance.

Kingsley wore this hat for five days in a row. My little Junior Conductor.

A fun day indeed.

Do You Know The Way to San Jose?

2010-05-06T10:26:00.000-07:00

Well, now we do!

We visited Happy Hollow Park and Zoo this past weekend.

What a fun place for little guys.

The park just re-opened after being closed for a couple of years due to extensive renovation.

We approve.

We enjoyed a gorgeous day, sunny and warm.

We visited some of the animals.

The boys enjoyed the many play structures.

A favorite park feature for the parents: The Jail, where parents could drop off

their children for up to 30 minutes---just enough time to enjoy a cup of coffee sans kids.

OK, just kidding (a girl can dream).

Riding the carousel.

The Crooked House.

Kingsley's favorite and a first:

The roller-coaster ride.

More fun rides.

Charlie just made the height requirement for The Frog Hopper.

They both loved it.

Following Danny the Dragon's sparkly green footsteps.

Someone didn't want to leave.

But, then the boys found sticks and all was well again.

This was truly a "Happy" place and we plan to return.

Next time we will fit in a puppet show and see some more of the animals.

And, hopefully the Danny the Dragon ride will be up and running again.

Friends

2010-05-03T10:44:00.001-07:00

We have lived in Monterey County for two months now.

I can hardly believe it.

We seem to fill our days quickly and my memories of Lake County already seem distant.

We love it here.

Jeremy likes his job.

There is so much to do, see, explore and enjoy.

It is beautiful.

But, we miss friends.

It is always difficult to start over some place new.

Perhaps we are having a slow start with finding new friends here because we mix it up so much.

We are still exploring and checking out new parks, new places to go.

This makes it difficult to meet and connect with the same people.

The time will come. I am not worried.

And having old friends--made new again--makes everything that much sweeter.

What a blessing to have Tonya and her beautiful kiddos here.

It is so fun to see all these little guys actually play with one another now.

So, a few pictures from out last outing together at Larkin Park in Monterey:

Marisol and Charlie in the tunnel.

The beautiful purple fairy.

Flynn doing fancy slide tricks.

Kingsley checking out Marisol's head band.

Our park outings usually include cars or trains of some sort.

Trying the tricycle.

The boys are so fast on their bikes now, it was difficult to fit them both in the frame!

Even if it takes a while to make new friends, we're pretty darn happy right now.

Nana and Barka's Visit

2010-04-22T10:10:00.000-07:00

We had a most wonderful time during Nana and Barka's visit these past couple of weeks.

Here Kingsley and Barka get reacquainted with one another.

It didn't take long for the boys to cozy up to Nana again.

We fit in lots of park time...

and some nice strolls.

We visited the MY Museum (Children's Museum in Monterey).

Here Charlie is giving the hospital the ETA from the ambulance. Very important work.

A few more pictures from the museum.

Kingsley still loves anything with wheels, gears, or cranks.

He loves to figure out how things work.

In the Tree House.

Working the construction site.

Playing dress-up in the green room with Papa.

Charlie treating Nana and Barka to some delicious plastic food meals in the play restaurant.

We celebrated Kingsley's birthday.

This is his first cupcake of the day.

He looks so old to me in this picture--no longer any signs of the baby I once knew.

More cupcakes.

Kingsley "let" the rest of us have some vanilla ones.

The boys enjoyed lots of story time with Nana.

Jeremy and I enjoyed a couple of days away.

We stayed at The Inn at Del Monte Beach in Monterey. Cool place.

We spent a day wandering around Carmel. Beautiful.

Thank you Nana and Barka---for everything!

(Barka is how Kingsley pronounced Grandpa way-back-when, and it stuck).

Our Easter

2010-04-05T22:29:00.001-07:00

Our Easter Day:

Waking up to simple Easter baskets complete with pinwheels, kite and glider, and Easter sweets.

Pinwheel Dancing

(clothing optional).

Egg Hunting.

It was fun, really.

Charlie sharing his jellybean with the photographer.

Haircut time. Kingsley enjoys it so.

(Yes, that's chocolate on his face).

To the park to try out the glider.

Charlie's new haircut.

Good day.

We hope you had a good holiday too.

Our friend, Janis, had a GREAT day.

Congratulations to Janis, Tom, and big brother Jack!

Welcome to the world Baby Violet---an Easter baby!

It is so good to be back...

2010-03-30T21:52:00.000-07:00

living by the ocean again! This past weekend we headed to Monastery Beach (monastery pictured above), which is part of Carmel River State Beach. It is beautiful.

There were several pretty paths winding down around the shore and cliffs.

The boys are thoroughly enjoying Papa time on the weekends. Jeremy is home so much more and we have time for fun outings such as this.

The flowers gave the ocean a bit of competition on this hike. Truly a pretty time of year here.

Charlie being goofy. Oh how he loves Dora. So much so, she needed to be in the picture too.

All of her.

We are having a blast exploring our new home and surroundings. Come join us any time!

A Few of My Favorite Things

2010-03-22T21:33:00.000-07:00

New home: Calla lilies from the front porch.

Moving is rarely fun for most of us. In my case, I seem to go through a bit of a grieving stage each time we move. This period usually lasts a month, maybe two. It involves, of course, saying good-bye to friends and family, familiar places, favorite haunts, daily rhythms dictated by one's home and location (where the mail is delivered, for example). But it also means saying good-bye to the house we lived in...our home. We have never owned a home, and yet it has always been a little sad to say good-bye to the places we have called home, the places in which I tried to create a home. I suppose these last few moves were made more difficult due to having small children. Not so much the acts of packing and physically moving, but saying good-bye to places where milestones were reached. In our last home Charlie learned how to crawl and took his first steps. Kingsley transitioned from crib to bed and transitioned out of diapers.

So, as superficial as this post may seem, it is a tribute to the things I loved about our home in Hidden Valley Lake and some of the things I love about our new home. I am also fully aware that Goofball and Butterball may never have memories of either place---so why not jot some of this down?

Plus, part of the process of moving is not only saying good-bye to one's house, home, city and community, but also embracing one's new dwelling and surroundings.

More personal and person-filled posts to come....

New home: I am a sucker for six-paneled doors. One of those details that I think makes a big difference.

New home: I am very much loving our "spa" like master bath.

New home: I was tickled, yes tickled, to find this vanity in the guest (boys') bathroom. I love it. Complete with Lightning McQueen cup, of course.

New home: I love the stone floors and pattern. A bit cold, but easy to clean and easy on the eyes.

New home: I am enjoying the big kitchen, pretty granite counters---so easy to clean (recurring theme?).

New home: I LOVE the sink--stainless steel, big and deep and check out that faucet!

New home: I am still wondering who needs six burners, but I'm determined to use all of them (just maybe not all at once).

Previous home: The dining room's dark terracotta wall.

Previous home: Our deck, back yard and the skyline (last sunset before moving).

Previous home: The gorgeous sunsets beyond the hills and mountains (back yard view).

Previous home: The exterior detail, teal dots and trim. So long 19013.

Previous home: The stone path leading to our front door. Such a pretty detail.

Previous home: Stone detail continued into the drive way.

Previous home: Another view of the teal dots and trim.

Okay, I'm letting go now.

Packing

2010-02-27T00:44:00.000-08:00

I love how kids can find the fun in just about anything. Even in packing and moving and all the stress that goes with those two things.

We will be in our new home come Sunday. I will most likely take a short leave of absence from this blog and all other computer-related activities, but will return with a vengeance!

Oh yes, we are moving to Monterey County, not Chico (long, but good story). We are very excited. I am also super excited to be moving very close to the ever-inspirational, real-life wonder-woman, Tonya, and her beautiful kiddos. She is one of the first Moms I met at my first "baby blanket bash" through one of our San Diego Mom's groups. So crazy (and wonderful) how things turn out sometimes.

Back to packing....

My Baby is TWO!

2010-02-13T23:45:00.000-08:00

Baby Charlie turned two today. I am wondering if I should no longer call him "Baby" Charlie. Furthermore, I wonder if I am supposed to correct him now when he pats his little belly and blurts out, "I'm a baby!" No longer a baby, but always my baby. The past two years have flown by.

3 months old

9 months old

18 months old

23 months old

We had a wonderful day today celebrating with friends. The sun was shining, the temperature was in the 60's, a perfect day for cupcakes in the backyard. Today was also a day of good-byes as we prepare to leave our current home, say good-bye to friends, and bid adieu to "Baby" Charlie.

I hope to post pictures from today very soon, but will end for now. Happy Birthday my sweet, sweet BOY!

Barf and Gratitude

2010-02-10T17:06:00.000-08:00

Phew. Last week our family was hit with a stomach bug. Thank goodness this was only a 24 hour bug. How do parents cope with longer illnesses, I don't know. Kingsley was actually spared the whole ordeal (maybe his beloved role as "dirt boy" is really paying off?). Charlie got hit first on Monday. Then Tuesday it was me, which took me by surprise, as I usually don't even allow myself to *think* about getting sick. Thankfully Jeremy was home to care for the boys.

Just as my 24 hours was winding down, Jeremy gets a call from San Diego (a federal judge) ordering him to be in court by 9am Wednesday morning. What wonderful timing, but actually I was feeling much better by bedtime that night. By the time he returned home Thursday night, Jeremy was hit too. Factoring in his sleep deprivation from having to drive all night to San Diego, he was hit pretty hard.

Being sick is a drag. Being sick with sick kids is a real drag. But, last week also illuminated how lucky and blessed we are. How grateful I am that this was a short-lived bug and that we took turns getting sick. How grateful I am that Jeremy was HOME when I was sick. How wonderful that one child was spared. And the best of all....

..being sick made me realize that we had not been sick in over ONE YEAR. Maybe a phantom 24 hour fever, maybe a mild sniffle, but all-in-all we have not been sick at all this past year. I am sure that will all change once Kingsley enters the world of preschool, but for now I am incredibly grateful for our health. A true blessing.

Stay well!

No pictures this post---you didn't really want pictures did you?

And we interrupt our regularly scheduled programming...

2010-02-03T11:25:00.001-08:00

As much as I would love trudging through with (I mean reflecting on and documenting) my flashback of 2009, I'm afraid I will have to take a bit of a hiatus as we pack up and move. We are moving to Chico, CA! Another 2 hours north, a bigger town, a university town, a town with a huge urban park (Bidwell Park), a cycling friendly town, a town that offers beautiful parks, many children's programs, more culture, an arts community and so much more.

Jeremy has a new, exciting job, we have a house, now we just need to move and say good-bye once again. If you are ever in the area, please stop and say hello!

Onward and upward!

I don't know why...

2010-01-24T00:27:00.000-08:00

...but the latest development around here has really tugged at my heartstrings. This is Kingsley's first perceptible attempt at drawing figures. I actually started to tear up when he showed this to me. I thought it was so sweet and I was so excited that he was drawing faces and stick figures.

The figure at the bottom right is Kingsley. I don't know why he has so many eyes, but I like the hair. The figure to the left is a snowman. The figure above and center is Charlie. I asked Kingsley what was between Charlie's two legs and he replied, "the letter C, for Charlie"! I didn't ask him about the figure above his head, maybe a halo? Seriously, I will have to ask.

This picture was drawn the same day. The figure to the bottom right is Kingsley (again with several eyes). The figure in the center is Charlie. I asked him what all the other circle-type figures were and he replied, "backpacks".

This picture is from a few days ago. Our first family portrait. Charlie is upper left, Kingsley lower left, Papa lower right and Mama upper right. Kingsley then drew the figure to the right in brown and I asked him who that was and he replied, "Grandpa Ned".

This picture Kingsley painted yesterday. This picture is of Grandpa Ned (bottom) and Nana Rosey (upper). The figure to the left is Abby the dog (which actually belongs to his other set of grandparents).

The above picture Kingsley did today. The figure to the bottom left is Barka (his paternal grandfather) and the figure to the bottom right is Nana. The figure at the top is Abby the dog (Nana and Barka's big black lab). Kingsley is now incorporating arms into his figures. This is so fun! As long as our next family portrait doesn't look like this. (I love you Ashley and Jayda, I just really don't want to be depicted with horns).

February 2009

2010-01-15T16:03:00.000-08:00

February was a chilly, mostly rainy month. But, we were able to get outside for quite a few park outings. This is about the time that we abandoned the Baby Bjorn carrier for good. It served us well, but the jogging stroller was happy to find a lighter replacement for the time-being.

Of course, February was also the month that we celebrated Charlie's first birthday. A small affair (as was Kingsley's first), complete with balloons, cake, cupcakes (Kingsley's request "for his brother"), and lots of rain.

Good Morning Birthday Boy!

Charlie with his birthday cake.

The rest of February was spent participating in such activities as: banging on pots and pans, Charlie taking his balloons everywhere, and....

welcoming the beginnings of spring!

Plugging along

2010-01-11T22:04:00.001-08:00

We continue with this flashback of 2009 with the month of January.

The boys began taking baths together. A very fun milestone indeed.

January in Lake County can bring much rain, but also gorgeous days of sun and near 60 degree temperatures. We took advantage of the good weather and went on some family hikes (more like strolls, but oh well).

This set of pictures was taken at the Anderson State Marsh in Lower Lake.

On the rainy days it was fun to visit the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa (a short jaunt over the mountain). It was especially fun to share these outings with the beautiful "A" sisters, Ania (1 month younger than Charlie) and Americe (6 months Kingsley's senior).

Charlie and Ania

Checking out the rest of the museum.

Riding the Zamboni at the ice center next door. (This was a special winter events day for children).

Ania cruising.

Kingsley painting on the ice (and his hands).

Americe's ice painting.

Americe and Charlie having a chat.

Checking out the Snoopy and Charlie Brown sculptures on the grounds (the rain doesn't stick around too long in this neck of the woods---good thing).

Happy Birthday!

2010-01-08T11:24:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday to Goofball and Butterball's Papa!

A man who thoroughly enjoys sharing his birthday with the likes of Elvis Presley and David Bowie. Not bad company at all. We love you and wish you many, many more happy birthdays and happy days.

Bringing in the New Year 2009

2010-01-01T23:09:00.001-08:00

The end of December 2008, and into the new year of 2009, brought Nana and Barka (Jeremy's parents) to our home to help celebrate the holidays. We had not spent Christmas together (the 4 adults) since way before Kingsley was born, so this was extra, extra special.

The visit was especially sweet since this was Charlie's first Christmas and Nana and Barka got to witness his first real steps.

With Papa.

How fun it was to have Nana and Barka there on Christmas morning to watch the boys open gifts.

Charlie checking out some decorations.

Barka and Charlie

What a wonderful way to spend Christmas and ring in the new year!

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T23:36:00.000-08:00

Kicking off a new year.

Happy New Year!

I am not one for new year's resolutions, but I am hoping for:

More peace.

More love.

More smiles.

More hugs.

More family time.

More Wisconsin time.

A San Diego visit.

A few date nights would be nice.

More adventures.

Healthy eating.

Lots more exercise.

A place to settle.

Focusing on the positive.

Being thankful and showing thanks.

I have been a hit-or-miss blogger this year,

and it is falling short.

I have missed documenting some big moments this past year.

I hope to be a better historian this year, but I will start with a review of

2009.

Buckle your seats and get some popcorn...

Here's to 2010!

(picture is from April 2009)

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays!

2009-12-23T23:42:00.000-08:00

Wishing you peace and love.

2009

2008

Doing the holiday jig.

May your days be merry and bright!

22 months

2009-12-14T22:31:00.000-08:00

Almost 22 months

Charlie turned 22 months and one day today. Kingsley was 22 months and one day old on the day Charlie was born. I cannot even fathom welcoming another baby home at this time. I cannot even fathom the boys being introduced to a new baby right now---especially Charlie (wow, would that throw him for a loop).

I was discussing these thoughts with some friends of mine and they struck me as interesting enough (to me, anyways) to jot down.

Charlie seems so much younger and baby-like to me at this age (when compared to my memories of Kingsley). But, I know he is not. He is actually a little more advanced in some areas, mainly verbally (at this age anyways).

I think Charlie seems smaller because I cannot help but compare him to Kingsley---in the present, every day. Of course he looks and seems smaller.

I think Kingsley did not seem so small at 22 months of age because he was a first born child. By 22 months of age the first child starts resembling a little kid, shedding most of his/her "baby-ness". They seem so much bigger, they can do so much more, the child is talking and starting to string together sentences, the child is running, hopping, climbing the big kid play structures at the park, etc. By 22 months with Kingsley---he and I had been through so much!

Then, I look at pictures of Kingsley from around that time and I am surprised with how little he looks. I am even more surprised to realize, in retrospect, what a huge, drastic, confounding event Kingsley experienced at that age (bringing a new baby home). What a tough time that must have been and I think a tough age for such an upending to happen. Poor little guy--I'll have to be especially nice and attentive this week.

Things are pretty darn good now. Charlie continues to adore Kingsley. And Kingsley, I think he really loves having a little brother most of the time, a playmate, a buddy. The boys each ask after each other in the morning, each wanting to wake the other up (whether it be morning or after naps), they play well together, and they fight like two close brothers too (mostly over cars, go figure). They tattle on each other, help each other, make each other laugh, chase each other, hug and tickle each other, sing and dance together, and sometimes feed each other. Life is good, life is sweet.

Fireworks, But No Santa

2009-12-09T22:33:00.000-08:00

Charlie's reaction to the fireworks.

Continuing the holiday festivities, and to furthur immerse ourselves in holiday spirit, we joined in on our community's tree lighting event this past weekend. Fun for all, including cookies, hot cocoa, horse-drawn wagon rides, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and fireworks! Hidden Valley Lake opts to put on their fireworks show at this December event instead of the 4th of July due to extreme fire hazard (very hot, very dry that time of year here).

Last year we did not stay for the fireworks---too late for a very young Charlie. But we saw Santa and the Mrs. As you can see from the above picture, Kingsley's quite dramatic 2 1/2 year old tantrum was easily and quickly extinguished once Santa handed him a cheap stuffed snowman.

This year we were able to stay for a really grand fireworks show, but for some odd reason Santa and Mrs. Claus up and left at 7pm with 5 children still (quite obviously) waiting in line for a visit. Thank goodness Kingsley took it all in stride. I was expecting the worst (who me?) as we had been pumping this evening up and rehearsing what he was going to say to Santa. Phew. I think the fireworks helped and getting to run amok with his buddy (and our neighbor) Nathan.

Kingsley saying "cheese". Quite the ham these days.

Another decent family photo---not too bad.

A chilly, but fun and festive evening.

One bad thing...

2009-11-30T09:56:00.000-08:00

...about Christmas parades is that they do not repeat on demand.

Sorry boys.

But really, tractors, old cars, horses, race cars, snow men, motorcycles, monster trucks, Santa, candy, and fire engines (complete with sirens)---what more could a boy want?

Well, besides the french fries and chocolate shakes after the parade.

Happy Holidays!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-25T23:31:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful for my Goofball and Butterball--I couldn't ask for anything more.

Happy Thanksgiving to all our family and friends! Thank you, especially, to those who have been so good, loving, and generous to the boys. Thank you, especially, to those who have seen my flaws, my dark side, my baggage and yet still love me. We are so incredibly blessed. I am humbled by all the love I feel as I write this. Happy Thanksgiving every one, may you find peace, happiness and much love during this holiday season!

What's new?

2009-11-22T23:07:00.001-08:00

Well, it isn't really new news---it's old news. My procrastination that is. I am hoping to get back into the blogging groove again this week. As usual, I have so much I want to share here. For now, I leave you with our first successful family picture since Charlie arrived on scene. A feat that has only been attempted a few times, with very poor outcomes. Thank you Nana for snapping the shot!

Life is too short...

2009-10-18T21:29:00.000-07:00

to eat ice cream with just ONE spoon.

(Picture taken at my Mom and Dad's house six weeks ago).

2009-10-14T10:42:00.000-07:00

14 years ago today I married my best friend. The best part---he is still my best friend. A crazy, wonderful ride (including: two states, seven homes, three college degrees, ten jobs (between us), and two beautiful boys). I can't think of anyone I'd rather have by my side---any time, any place. Here's to the next 14 years!

I miss...

2009-10-09T16:42:00.000-07:00

this.... Sunset near Pacific Beach

But, we do have this now. Gorgeous autumnal sunsets behind the mountains. Not a bad back-drop for back yard play in the evenings.

We're Back

2009-09-11T23:18:00.000-07:00

We are back from our Wisconsin holiday and we are just getting back into the swing of things this week. I plan on documenting our trip in a few more posts----soon. We had such a good time, so much fun, so many fun outings and days. Its good to be home though. We missed Papa dearly. What a long stretch without him. Until I muster up the time and energy to write more, I leave you with this picture, a picture that pretty much sums up most summer vacations. Ahhhhh.....

Going Green

2009-08-28T07:20:00.000-07:00

We are in Wisconsin. We are having a ball. My computer time has been very limited, so just a quick entry for today. The boys are absolutely loving Nana (x2), Grandpa, Barka and Gigi (Great Grandma) time, and they had a blast with their cousins and second-cousins. We've had lots of fun outings and some much-needed relaxing days too (including some for this no-longer-frazzled Mama).

It is so gorgeously green here. It seems strange that I am always struck by that thought when I return to my home state. I hope to post lots of pictures when we return. But, until then I'm off to scratch my new (and growing) collection of mosquito bites (goes with the green, unfortunately).

We are truly blessed with wonderful family and friends---thank you, each and everyone of you.

One Year Ago...

2009-07-31T22:07:00.000-07:00

Two weeks after moving, enjoying the backyard.

Bubbles on the back deck. Charlie is almost too big for this shirt now.

One year ago, this very day, we packed up and said goodbye to San Diego. We drove all night to our new, our current home. Today I find it difficult to believe a whole year has passed. And, yet, when I look back at pictures from the last year I am in awe of all the change, all the growing each member of our little family has accomplished. I truly think this past year has been the most difficult of my life, but I have grown so much. Maybe not so oddly, I feel I have much more growing to do. I thought at this stage of my life I would have all the answers, at least a lot more than I do. But, I don't. And I kind of like growing up along with my children---all over again. After all (again, maybe not so oddly), they have turned out to be pretty good teachers.

Charlie was 5 months old when we moved. He had not even started eating solids at that point. He had just barely started his army crawling. Kingsley was not even 2 1/2 at the time. We've come a long way babies. Despite part of me still missing San Diego and our friends, there is part of me that is learning to enjoy this ride. Bumpy though it may be.

Check this out!

2009-07-30T01:02:00.000-07:00

OK, I admit it. I am totally guilty of slacking when it comes to this blog. And yet I have mustered up the energy to blog about this contest. I am totally guilty of wanting to win some of this beautiful jewelry. Right now I am being selfish. But, its very unselfish to share this information with any one who happens to read this (because now you can enter and take away my chances of winning, see?). Even Steven. Good Luck!

Check it out HERE.

Almost

2009-07-26T22:54:00.000-07:00

Almost the dog days of summer, but we'll be doing much of the same when they arrive.

Lately

2009-07-16T17:32:00.000-07:00

Ahh, strawberries!

Lately things have been going pretty well and pretty smoothly. In the last couple of weeks we have had the opportunity to have friends and family visit us. We have also had ample opportunity to spend time with our friends that live close by. Fabulous!

Meeting friends Jack-Jack and Aidan (from San Diego!) at Howarth park in Santa Rosa.

My Aunt Maureen, cousin Kate (visiting from Wisconsin and Idaho) and my naked boys.

With lots of love, affection and attention, Kingsley has required fewer and fewer timeouts or discipline (we have gone a stretch of days without a timeout now). I have tried remaining calm, not raising my voice and giving very direct, brief instruction. That, coupled with somehow demonstrating that I adore him, seems to be working. He, however, has lost all interest in the potty. He will often state, "I'm too busy doing (fill in the blank) ." Oh well, all in good time.

Charlie continues to charm and beguile. We often receive comments about how happy he seems. He is an affectionate child, often giving hugs and (open-mouthed) kisses without prompting. He loves music and will dance and clap when he hears most songs. Charlie is very interested in words lately. He is at that stage where he brings a multitude of objects to show us, mainly wanting to know what the object is called, he then repeats the word and is off to find something else. I have lost count at this point as to how many words he says and uses appropriately (definitely over 50 at this point, crazy). He even says and signs please without prompting, but usually only in the context of asking for more food or milk. This boy can eat and he, unfortunately, likes snacking---but snacks of the goldfish or other starchy variety. So, I am in search of healthier snacks that will keep my happy, charming boy---well, happy, charming, and satisfied. He is loving learning body parts as of late, especially the face. Get too close to him, and he will grab your nose and then show you his (repeat with eyes, cheeks, tongue, etc) He seems to be very quick to pick up on things, whether it be language or social cues. However, he has taken to ripping up almost every single book in the house. I don't know if its the feel, the sound, the power, or figuring out cause-and-effect. It's driving me a bit mad though and I should be installing very high shelves instead of writing this.

Kingsley is now of the age where he is saying some funny and intriguing things. These are the latest:

Kingsley: Get purple sand for sandbox?
Me: No, sweetie. We just got more sand for the sand box last week.
Kingsley: We'll see.

Kingsley: Can I have a brownie?
Me: No, not right now. We are going to have dinner in a couple of minutes.
Kingsley: We'll see.

And many more "we'll see" moments. This must go hand-in-hand with his selective hearing.

Kingsley saw a man whose leg had been amputated. The man was sitting in a wheelchair and one could clearly see his stump. Kingsley had not seen this before and I could feel him staring and also trying to figure out this situation. I tried to explain to him that the man had lost his leg and needed a wheelchair to help move around. Kingsley's response to hearing that the man lost his leg was "Go find it?"

He loves saying his name as of late: "I am King-suh-lee"--with three syllables.

He also likes to say: "I am amazing."

I hope to add more to the list soon. This is getting fun.

Cutie Girl

2009-07-01T09:21:00.000-07:00

Well, today is off to a better start. After he woke up, Kingsley wanted to cuddle in our bed this morning. He was all smiles, I think he likes this alone time with Mama (and sometimes Papa). He stroked my hair and called me "Cutie girl". At this early hour he has already said "please" when asking for something three times--unprompted. Much better. Poor kid, I think he just needs lots and lots of attention. Hopefully positive attention will win out today.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

2009-06-30T23:27:00.001-07:00

Happier times

Recently, we have had some really nice days, some fun outings----I will call these days "the Good" (please see most recent posts).

Today, we had "the Bad and the Ugly".

To be brief, I came out of the shower this morning to find Kingsley in the cabinet that holds all of our medicine (bar stool pushed to counter to reach the very high cabinet). I thought he was still sleeping. No damage done. After much fun at the grocery store (tantrums, lying on floor, touching everything), we decided to go swimming. Swimming was cut short after a certain someone pooped in the pool (not Charlie). I guess a certain someone is not ready to swim without a swim diaper. As I was cleaning the pool and pool toys, I look at Kingsley to see mud around his mouth and him chewing something. Turns out he is chewing broken glass he found in the dirt. Lovely. Apparently it did not hurt and apparently he did not swallow.

Kingsley finally went to sleep at 10:30 pm after throwing a toy while refusing story time with Papa. He even used the old asking-for-water trick to delay bedtime as long as possible. I'm exhausted. I love and adore this little guy, but --whew--he's pulling out all the stops lately.

And Charlie? Charlie is fine, his usual, happy self. I'm not sure I ever want him to be 3 though.

A Lovely Day

2009-06-14T23:15:00.000-07:00

The boys' artwork

One week ago the family took to the hills for the Lake County EcoArts Sculpture Walk. This is a County Park we have hiked at before, but never during the EcoArts season. For the past seven years, artists have displayed their work along the hiking trail (summer season). Some of these contributors are professional artists and some are local school students. We attended the opening of the EcoArts trail this year. The theme is "In Dialogue with Nature".

It was fantastic. The adults (Jeremy and me) got to stroll around looking at art. The kiddos got to run around on the trails, play in the "interactive" exhibit (a big pit containing sticks, pinecones, smooth white stones, rocks, etc). We were greeted by a lovely woman handing out guides and red parasols (to protect us from the sun and heat---though it was a beautiful day, not too hot for even this time of year here). At the end of the trail there was a drumming circle and the boys very willingly took part----shaking, drumming and dancing. Also at the end of the trail, the organizers had set up a big tent where all were invited to create a piece of art (canvas, paints, crayons, pencils provided) and then pick out a frame. So, as was explained, everyone could go home with a framed piece of art. How cool. Kingsley painted (his canvas as well as his face and hands) and Charlie opted for crayons (and Papa's help).

Maybe the best part of the day was the last part. At the entrance of the park a local riding center provided guided horse back rides. Just a week prior to this, Kingsley rode a horse for the first time (at this same riding center's grand opening) and LOVED it. He was thrilled to be able to ride a horse again. This time he was paired up with Little Red. Every day since, if you ask Kingsley if he has a favorite animal, he promptly replies, "I like horses", or "I love horses". Needless to say, we will be looking in to some riding lessons for kiddo (or at least some fun rides).

I find myself needing to apologize (I am sorry) as I am bunching most of the pictures in groups. I have been having a difficult time posting pictures without it taking much effort and editing. The pictures depict some of the art work along the trails, the boys in the interactive art exhibit, Kingsley with red parasol, the drum circle, the boys creating their art to take home, and Kingsley riding----of course.

What's better....

2009-05-15T15:53:00.001-07:00

than jumping in the pool on a hot, sunny day? Why jumping in multi-colored sand after jumping in the pool. Of course!

A Pretty Good Day

2009-05-12T16:51:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago the family had a pretty good day. We slept in, we ate pancakes made by Papa. The boys got a haircut (Charlie's first!) and then a bath.

We drove to Calistoga (about an hour west, over the mountain pass, quite a few hair-pin turns). Kingsley got carsick for the first time. Poor chap, taking after his Mama---really not fair. Calistoga is a very cute, touristy town with a great park, a stream, and an icecream store. Perfect.

Then, we headed home, watched a movie, played with cars and Papa made his famous pizza (rolls the dough and everything). Really, a pretty good day.

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T09:03:00.001-07:00

Happy Mother's Day!
Especially to my Mom....thank you for everything, for all you do and have done and all that you continue to hope and wish for me. (How's that for a run-on sentence?). Thank you for all your patience, all that you have taught and instilled in me. I love you. I miss you. I will see you soon.

And....thank you for your sense of humor.

Thank you and Happy Mother's Day too to my Mom-in-law! Susan, a girl couldn't wish for a better Mother-in-Law. Thank you for everything! I love you too.

Happy Mother's Day to Jeremy's Grandmas, the boys' Great Grandmas---we love you and hope to see you very soon.

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms I know, all the ones I call friends, the ones I am lucky enough to have as family. Celebrate today, won't you? Celebrate you today and please do something just for you.

My little boy---

2009-05-03T23:38:00.000-07:00

is growing up!

This is the required potty post that most, if not all, blogging Moms must write at one point (or another). Kingsley peed on the potty for the first time today (twice!). I have been waiting for this moment for a very long time. Firstly, because I knew he would be so proud when it finally happened (and he is). Secondly, because I was beginning to be a tad worried (who me?) that it may never happen (or that he would be the only one in kindegarten in diapers).

I have tried really hard to step back and let Kingsley take the lead---this approach has not failed me in the past. However, the worrier and the control-freak in me do not like letting the laid-back, whatever happens...happens Mom take over. I don't think I will ever stop worrying. I don't think anyone will ever describe me as laid-back. But, Kingsley is teaching this old dog a few new tricks whether he realizes it or not. The big trick is realizing I don't have to control everything and that's OK. These big milestones will happen all in good time. The other big trick is realizing when to step back, slow down and just enjoy the ride (instead of constantly looking at the next goal). All in good time, all in good time. And, really, what is the rush?

Who would have thunk it? I am endlessly trying to get Kingsley to RELAX---and here he is teaching me how to do it instead.

Another first for this household today: My wonderful and fabulous Mom-in-law purchased a crock pot for me (its been on my wish list for a little while now). We used it for the first time today---stupendous. How did we get along without it? Thank you Nana!

Getting back in the swing of things....

2009-04-22T15:24:00.000-07:00

Where to start? The boys are napping, or should I say "napping"? The quotes are really only meant for Kingsley who now pokes around his room for who-knows-how-many-minutes until he konks out for a good, solid nap. So, I am catching up on e-mail and friends' blogs and landed here, thinking I should write *something* with all that has been going on.

So much going on. My Mom and Dad's recent visit in March, Nana Susan's (my Mom-in-Law) visit this past week, Kingsley's 3rd birthday, and other various outings and adventures.

I'll catch up here, all in good time, I promise. But, I start with today. Once the boys went down for their nap I finished off the bag of Doritos (which I really don't like and rarely have), had a glass of wine, and ---just for good measure---finished all the peas I made for Charlie for lunch (which is actually a good portion, since he didn't eat any). Telling of our morning? Perhaps. Tantrum-land---for both. Yes, we are at that point where both are of the age. Yippee.

I feel bad though. I think Charlie's tantrums are the result of him being a bit sick. The start of a cold, I think. He had a low-grade temperature this morning and the 90 degree heat doesn't really seem to help. He has never been sick, so he is not used to feeling so blah (and I'm not used to him being so grumpy). Well, being sick means the sick one usually gets more attention. And, well, that doesn't sit well with Mr. Kingsley. Especially on the heels of Nana's visit (and much extra attention).

So, there you have it. I am going to go try on spring and summer clothes now. Do you ever do that? Play dress-up during nap time? I do. I put on all my pretty clothes (that actually fit now) and all my jewelry that I haven't been able to wear the past 3 years and think about where I could go for lunch in my stunning get-ups. I am being a bit wistful and a bit cheeky---since I really never got dressed up and went out for lunch pre-baby either. But, my day's coming baby----just you watch.

These pictures are from this past Sunday, not that long ago at all. Don't they look happy?

Barka

2009-04-10T16:15:00.000-07:00

May 2008

December 2008

December 2008

I am feeling the need to send out love and thank-yous to the boys' grandparents as of late. We start with Barka. Barka gets his name from Kingsley's early pronunciation of Grandpa---and it has stuck. We love you Barka and the boys adore you. We can't wait to see you again and we hope that is soon.. We are so blessed to have you---for me, I couldn't ask for a better father-in-law. For the boys, what a wonderful Barka you are--so loving and warm, so patient and calm, so adoring. And as you probably know, your son deeply misses you and spending time with his best friend.

February 2008

We had a wonderful, wonderful time with you at Christmas---but that even seems so long ago now. Hopefully, we will be able to see you more often----very, very soon. We love you.

October 2007

Say Cheese

2009-04-02T16:24:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by my friend Erin to stop everything I was doing and take a photo of myself right then and there and post it to my blog. Thanks a whole bunch Erin. :) I have been known to avoid these tags in the past for fear that the focus of this blog gets lost. The focus is Kingsley and Charlie, not me--their Mama. However, it really is difficult to separate us at this point, isn't it? Let's face it, whatever is going on with me very much affects them (right now).

So, I give you my picture. Taken at 11:15pm, me basking in the glow of the computer monitor with dish towel on shoulder----because I should be finishing cleaning the kitchen but, instead, I am looking at Erin's blog, and my other friends' blogs and Facebook and e-mail, etc. You get the drift. From somewhere between 9 pm and midnight is ME time. ME time unfairly includes kitchen duty, but also the bulk of my computer time, sometimes it is when I eat my dinner, it is often when I have a glass (or two) of wine, when I go through mail and catalogs, take out the garbage, fold laundry (an impossible task when the boys are awake), and get ready for bed. I should be sleeping during these hours, but I get a second wind once the boys are in bed. I become almost giddy with the prospect of ME time---but, you can't really detect giddiness in the picture.

I would also like to mention that I am again wearing my cream-colored cardigan in this picture. I have this same cardigan on in my profile picture and on a different profile picture on Facebook---the same sweater spanning a couple of years. My husband calls the sweater "The Biscuit" and it is not nicknamed lovingly. Perhaps too much information (as this is a family blog), but The Biscuit serves as a very effective form of birth control. But, I love it so. It is comfortable, goes with everything, washes well---and darn, it gets chilly in the evening (read: late at night) when I welcome atrophy after yet another physically-demanding day. Perhaps I should add shopping to my ME time list.

So, there you have it---a picture is worth a thousand words (give or take). I love my boys, but I love me some ME time too.

And now for the fun part----I am tagging the lovely and talented Janis, the beautiful and creative Melissa, and my lovely, talented, beautiful and creative cousin Kate.

Sweet Boy

2009-03-17T17:48:00.000-07:00

Kingsley has taken to bringing me home flowers from his excursions out with Papa. This is unprompted, by the way. He can be such a sweet boy. And all the times when he's not so sweet? Well, after he brings me flowers, I don't seem to recall those times.

Our kitchen window sill: Rain outside, stones from "Rock Park", my current favorite ring (green amethyst), flowers from Kingsley, "Lake County diamonds"--also found at "Rock Park" near our house.

Good night. Sleep tight.

2009-03-13T22:52:00.000-07:00

Well, one of the milestones I was referring to in my catch-up post is Kingsley making the transition to a big boy bed. It's funny how some of these transitions take place. For instance, I stopped giving Charlie a bath in the kitchen sink around Christmas because our kitchen sink kept getting plugged and would back up when the disposal would be turned on. Enough of that, into the tub (with your big brother) you go.

In similar circumstances we said "Good Bye" to Kingsley's crib. I lowered the side rail to change his sheets one day, and it literally fell apart (just the side rail, but still). He had recently learned how to climb INTO his crib---never OUT (can you believe it? This boy, this monkey, never figured out how to climb out of his crib?). Either way, once a child finds out how to get in, or out, of their crib unassisted, the crib's days are numbered.

The transition is going OK. Let's just say that we (our whole family) liked Kingsley's crib. We, his parents, loved it---the confinement, the good sleeping, and the confinement. Kingsley seemed to love his crib too---the security, the trampoline-like qualities, not to mention, the security. He likes his new "crib"---he calls it a crib. He has new sheets (Lightning McQueen) and a new pillow (that he has no idea what to do with). He still wants his crib (the remaining intact part) to be pushed up against his bed at night (so we haven't been able to get rid of it yet). He has acquired a new night light and now takes a flash light to bed. He has also had a few night terrors since the big move. But, all in all, it has been a smooth transition.

The boys like jumping on the bed. We have quite a few bumped and bruised noggins in our household. However, the bumped and bruised noggins would happen with, or without, a new "big boy bed".

I will end this post with a quote from a favorite bedtime story: "Mama called the doctor, and the doctor said, "No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

Good night, sleep tight.

"Whew, now Mama can go to bed."

P.S. Thank you crib. We are forever indebted to you for your years of service. You will be missed---and already are. Thank you. Rest in peace.

Daily Life: A Few Snippets

2009-03-05T23:51:00.000-08:00

I love the word snippet. Here are a few pictures depicting snippets of our daily life.

Charlie continuing his love affair with dish towels.

Roughing up big brother.

Give Kingsley anything with wheels and he will stage a race.

The boys loving their new activity table (Thank You Nana!)

Just a side note: These pictures were taken on different days, almost a week apart---despite the exact same outfits. Note to self: The boys have a TON of clothes---mix it up a bit!

Playing catch-up

2009-03-03T14:38:00.000-08:00

Charlie learning to share

So, I have decided that in the next few posts I will be playing catch-up. So much has been going on the past couple of months and I feel the need to put it down in writing. Mostly I feel the need to do this for Kingsley's and Charlie's grandparents and far away family and friends. But, I know a lot of the desire to document our happenings is for my selfish reasons. I want to remember---especially all of the good.

Kingsley finds the water, and mud, wherever we go.

Charlie holding his own on park outings.
He is catching up to his big brother in the muddy laundry department.

For the most part, life in our neck of the woods is good. Currently it is rainy season, which (literally) puts a damper on things. My daily challenge lately is finding fun stuff to do despite all of this rain. I think I would actually prefer the cold winters of Wisconsin to this. Playing in snow is a lot more fun then playing in mud---but then again, I'm not a toddler- or preschooler-age boy. The daffodils and irises are blooming, as well as the fruit trees. And it is starting to look very green around here. Plus, we need the rain---the locals will soon remind me (and anyone who will listen) of the wild fires in this area last summer, right before we moved here. So, yes, rain is good. I'm just longing for a decent indoor play area like the many we enjoyed in San Diego.

Our pretty flowering tree off our back deck.
The sun finally making an appearance at sunset after a rainy day.

So, I'm including a few pictures of what we are doing NOW. Coming soon: Posts about Christmas,winter here, memorable outings, recent milestones and Charlie's first birthday.

Making cookies on a rainy afternoon (with leftover Christmas sprinkles and colored sugar).

Hmmm....Me Thinks

2009-02-24T16:52:00.000-08:00

Hmmm...me thinks I will take a nap at the same time as my little brother today (just like every day the past two weeks). I am positive this will help my Mama feel like a brand new woman, I'm sure of it. Yes, let's do it!

Charlie, are you in?

Thank you boys, I am in HEAVEN!

(Yes, its February, but Kingsley still insists on wearing his Santa hat.)

Happy Valentine's Day!---Breaking Hearts is Hard to Do

2009-02-14T15:24:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was all about Charlie (well, mostly) and I will post more on that later. But, Valentine's Day makes me think of Kingsley. My mind keeps going back to Valentine's Day 2008. There is no way for me to know for sure, but I feel like I broke someone's heart that day. My gut still twists into knots when I think about it.

That was the first day, the first time, that Kingsley met his new brother. It was also the first time he saw his Mama after spending his first night away from me. Unless my mind fails me in old age (or sooner), I will NEVER forget the look on his face when he walked into my hospital room. His expression was unusually and oddly complex for a 22 month old. It was a look of happiness and relief to see me, but in the same moment a strange realization of something completely different, of not being the center of attention, and an "oh by the way---why are we here in this strange room---and what, or who, is that that you are holding?" sort of look. I do not think I could ever put into words all that was going on in his mind in that split second. I do know that things have never been the same. In many ways that is more than OK (the understatement of a century) and life is SO good and SO sweet with my two boys. But, there is a tiny, tiny piece of my heart that still misses my one-on-one time with Kingsley.

Maybe it was my heart that broke that day. It was so hard to let go of Kingsley, let go of being his "just about everything". Until the day Charlie was born, I was the one who bathed and put Kingsley to bed every night. I was the one who fed him every meal. I was the one who took him to the park every day. I changed 95% of his diapers. And I really loved it. Papa would join us at the park on the weekends, Papa would help change diapers when he was home and help feed Kingsley too. I don't mean to sound like a single parent and I am not complaining (Jeremy works super hard so that I have the privilege of staying home to care for the boys full time)---I only mean to illustrate the bond, the dependency, the closeness that my firstborn and I shared.

I still recall the physical pain, or more of an aching, that I felt the first time Barka (the boys' grandpa) and Jeremy took Kingsley to the park after Charlie and I returned home. I know that they were helping me out, giving Kingsley much-needed attention, and also getting to spend some quality time with him too. But, I recall wanting to go with them SO badly. I wanted to go too. I didn't want to miss a second of what Kingsley was doing. Did he go on the swings first? Was he finally able to master the ladder on the climbing structure? Did he point out birds, airplanes and ladybugs? It seems so trivial now, but I had rarely missed any of those moments until then. And it bothered me.

And it still bothers me, but not in an ungrateful way---if that makes sense? I just wish I could do it all, all the time. I am so happy and so relieved that Jeremy takes over at bath time so I can clean up after dinner. I am so happy and relieved that Jeremy reads Kingsley a story and puts him to bed when Charlie is too tired to sit through story time. I am so grateful that Jeremy gets Kingsley breakfast on mornings he doesn't have to be at work real early. But, I would be lying if I said I didn't miss doing all of those things for and with Kingsley all of the time. I knew I would have to let go of my baby sometime, I just didn't foresee the beginning of it starting so soon, at such a tender, young age.

But, change is good. It sometimes takes me a while to see it and embrace it. I see now the gift that we have given Kingsley too---the gift of a sibling. The boys are at an age where they are really starting to enjoy each other and care about one another. And it is precious to witness. I sometimes wonder if Kingsley ever remembers life without Charlie. I get glimpses of it, like when Kingsley (every once in a blue moon) wakes in the middle of the night and wants milk and to sit in the "chair"---the rocking chair that is now in Charlie's room for nursing---I know he still remembers the chair being in his room and remembers being rocked back to sleep. But, I think those moments will fade away for good, sooner rather than later.

Breaking hearts is hard to do, but it is necessary in order to gain a larger, stronger heart. Think of weight-lifting and building muscle mass. One has to strain, and sometimes injure, those muscle fibers in order for those muscles to strengthen and grow. This causes pain, soreness and takes much effort----but the pay-off is always worth it. The heart is just a big ol' muscle, you know. And mine is all the more stronger, and bigger, today.

Happy Valentine's Day 2009!

The picture is of Kingsley and Barka Valentine's Day 2008. Kingsley is eating the Valentine's sugar cookie that arrived on my hospital lunch tray.

Happy 1st Birthday Charlie!

2009-02-12T23:23:00.000-08:00

My baby turns ONE tomorrow! What a whirlwind year. Happy, Happy Birthday my sweet Charlie!

Thank you for being such a sweet, sweet soul. Thank you for smiling and laughing as much as you do. Thank you for learning how to use the sippy cup (last week!). Thank you for saying "Mama" for the first time two days ago. Thank you for trying to console your brother tonight (by trying to hug him). Thank you for being so patient with me, with your brother, with life. Thank you for your squeals of delight, your zest for life, your pats on my back, your laid-back style, your knowing eyes, your hugs, your clapping, your dancing....for being you. I adore you.

I worried about how I was going to love another child, another boy, the way I love and fell in love with my first. Such a silly worry. One's heart really does expand and swell to make room for each child. And how different and beautiful each child is. I love you Charlie. Thank you for being you. I am so happy to be your Mama. Happy Birthday my little Peanut, my Butterball!

More news to come---so much to catch up on....

I Won?

2009-01-30T14:54:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but I feel like I should win one of those HUGE stuffed animals (like at the fair) for squeezing Charlie into his sleeper every night. I know they are made to be snug---but WOW! Not to mention that *someone* has taken to imitating a buttered eel during all diaper and clothing changes. "Flipper, Flounder, Ferret Boy" is what we called Kingsley during this same stage.

Ahhh, if this is the toughest part of my day---then I have it pretty darn good.

The picture is Charlie's 11 month old photo with Snoopy (we do them too, Erin!)---no good ones because he won't hold STILL!

Holy Bleep Batman!

2009-01-13T16:53:00.000-08:00

Charlie is 11 months old TODAY! What's new?----Another mum exclaiming about time and how it seems to speed up more quickly every day, week, month, year. But, holy bleep Batman, Charlie is 11 months old! Where is the time going? He's walking, eating all sorts of foods, pushed his big brother back the other day----and I think he said "burrito" in the correct context today---seriously.

Time is spinning by so quickly that a picture from two weeks ago will have to do. My baby is growing up---sigh.

Happy Birthday Kari!

2009-01-11T23:26:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday my forever friend! I love you and miss you like crazy. I hope you did something FUN today and something just for YOU.

Sometimes (in those rare moments --when I actually have time to reflect), I cannot believe that we have been friends since the age of two! The age my oldest son is. I find it difficult to imagine Kingsley making a forever friend at this age --a friend that would be one of his closest mates throughout his childhood AND his adulthood.

How rare, how wonderful our friendship. I am so blessed to have you in my life. I am so blessed to share so many fabulous and wonderful memories with you. I feel so blessed in being able to anticipate many more years together as forever friends---and creating many more beautiful memories. Vamonos!

Feliz Cumpleanos, my beautiful, beautiful friend!

And we interrupt our regularly scheduled programming...

2009-01-07T23:30:00.000-08:00

To wish Goofball and Butterball's Papa a Happy, Happy Birthday!!! (January 8th---yes, Elvis' birthday, as well as David Bowie's). Lookin' damn (can I say that?) fine for 29.

I love you. Happy Birthday!

A Christmas Miracle?

2008-12-29T15:48:00.000-08:00

Well, perhaps not a miracle---but exciting nonetheless. It is safe to say we now have another walker in the family. A few days before Christmas Charlie could string a few steps together, but come Christmas day he was walking across rooms, changing direction without falling and recovering from stepping on toys. What a good little walker! He turned 10 months old on December 13th. Needless to say, Charlie is very excited about his newfound skill, and so are we. The video was taken on Christmas Day.

More Christmas news to come....we are very much enjoying Nana and Barka's visit, so we are a bit occupied for the time being and my computer time is quite limited.

Happy New Year and see you soon!

One year ago today...

2008-12-18T23:32:00.000-08:00

One year ago today we were spending a wonderful morning (into afternoon) with my very fabulous and very missed friends---Ashley and Susanna and their lovely daughters Jayda and Mya. We spent the morning making and decorating salt dough ornaments, listening to Christmas music, watching the kiddos play and snack together-- while we visited. I have very fond memories of that day.

One year later we all have second babies. And my boys and I are too, too far away from my fabulous friends and their fabulous children. Today, one year later, I hung my salt dough ornaments (made that day) on our tree and felt a tiny, little bit closer to you---Ashley and Susanna. I miss you.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace...

2008-12-14T21:57:00.000-08:00

Or not. Just an update on the Charlie sleeping saga----He is NOT sleeping through the night, and has only done so a handful of times since the post about him sleeping through the night (what, early November? See, I can't even remember its been so long ago). He continues to wake up one to two times per night, eats --or dream feeds-- and is back to the land of nod. Oh well, sleep will come....

On a brighter note (and possibly related to Charlie waking during the night), Charlie took 3 steps on his own today and many other single step attempts throughout the day. He had taken one step on two separate occasions in the past week or so---but, today he was really going gung ho. Oh my, am I ready for this? I must admit that I teared up after he took those steps, as once he is walking I will no longer have my baby, but a toddler. Can I say "Oh my" again? Oh my. He turned 10 months old yesterday. Oh my. OK, I'll stop.

On a funny side note, Kingsley has taken to imitating Charlie trying to walk. We cheer Charlie on when he takes a step and he, of course, falls after such an attempt. I don't know if Kingsley thinks we are cheering on the falling, but that's what he will do---in grand dramatic fashion---so we cheer him on too. Such fun. The only way I got Kingsley to eat all of his applesauce the other day was to spoon-feed it to him (like I do Charlie). I guess a little (short-lived) regression never hurt anyone. Hopefully he will get some (more) much-needed attention when Barka (Grandpa) and Nana come to visit NEXT WEEK!

Pictures taken one month ago, when it was still NICE here. Today we had rain, highs in the 40's and there were cars and trucks at the local grocery store that had thick layers of wet snow on them (must have come down from the mountain). Yikes. I should have asked for winter clothing for the boys for Christmas. I'm not ready for this either.

Are You Ready?

2008-12-10T22:19:00.000-08:00

For the Holidays?

This picture makes me think: Bah-Humbug!

However, I am actually getting pretty excited. The older these little guys get, the more excited I am about celebrating, starting traditions, and sharing in the festivities with my boys.

Don't they look excited?

Happy Holidays!

Do Me a Favor

2008-12-07T21:44:00.000-08:00

If you have an infant---or even a younger toddler---do me a favor, please. Take a moment, a focused moment, in the next few days to hold your child. Do this outside, if possible. Then, just "be in the moment", revel in it. Hold your baby to your chest (chest to chest) so you can nuzzle his or her soft, fuzzy head (well, my baby's head is fuzzy). Breathe. Focus on how your baby feels against you, what he or she smells like, what your baby is doing or babbling, where his or her feet touch. Breathe. Focus on your breathing and your baby's breathing. Feel how big (or how small) your baby feels against you and think about how he or she will only feel that size for such a short time.

Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

Giving Thanks

2008-11-27T21:59:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for so much---so much so that I thought I should jot it down. Plus, the boys (yes, ALL of the boys) were in bed by 8:15pm tonight and I am a bit lonely and my head swimming with what to do with this free time.

I am thankful for:
My God. I do not feel an affiliation (formal) to any organized religion (sorry Mom), but I am intensely spiritual. I speak and pray to God every day. I believe in a Higher Being, I feel like I am being guided and protected. I am thankful for this connection, for this peace, for the joy and love I feel. I am thankful for the beauty I see all around me, every day, even in the smallest of details.

I am thankful for:
My husband. We have been through so much together and through it all he makes me feel special, smart, beautiful and valuable. He is my best friend, my confidante. He is handsome, witty and the brightest person I know. He is a brilliant attorney, a smashing father and the best-dressed man I have ever met. He has a wonderful calming effect on me, which is needed more than I like to admit. I feel so blessed to spend my life with this man.

I am thankful for:
My two beautiful boys! Are you kidding me? I feel so blessed to be a Mama. It is something I have always wanted to be. Though challenging and frustrating at times, this has been my favorite phase of my life so far. Every day my love grows for these incredible, wonderful, intriguing little human beings. And they are HEALTHY, they are BEAUTIFUL, they are HAPPY (for the most part) and LOVELY beyond words. I adore my sons.

I am thankful for:
Family, whom I miss very much. My heart aches around the holidays because I miss our family (mine and Jeremy's) so much. I love the din and warmth and swirl of chatter and children that comes with family celebrations. I miss you and I am so thankful for you. Especially my Mom and Dad.

I am thankful for:
Friends, many of whom I miss very much because now many are so far away. Lifelong friends, childhood friends, college friends, work friends, family friends, Mom friends, couple friends---the list could go on and on. Thank you for lifting me up when I needed it the most, for not judging me, for loving me for who I am and helping me be a better person.

I am thankful for:
The blessing of being able to be a stay-at-home Mom. Thank you Jeremy. Day in and day out (and no matter what I say at 7pm), there is no place I would rather be.

Not to be forgotten, I am thankful for:
My health
My body
My mind
My fabulous childhood (thank you Mom and Dad).
My education (thank you Uncle Eddie).
Never wanting for anything---a comfortable, cozy home; nice, functioning cars; all the baby gear to make being a Mama so much easier.

Wonderful in-laws---how lucky can a girl get when her husband's parents make her feel like their very own daughter? Thank you for EVERYTHING!!!

An intact sense of humor!

Breastfeeding success this go-round---(this means more to me than I think anyone (save a handful of people) could ever understand--and that's OK). So, so thankful.

Next year I hope to be thankful for:
potty training success
daily (or every other day) showers
my baby saying the word "Mama"
more opportunities to visit family and friends
a place to settle
more date nights
lots more sleep (please)
some ME time
all of the above

And, I hope to tell you all, with much more frequency, just how thankful I really am. Peace.

"No trucks, no cars, no diggers."

2008-11-20T23:25:00.000-08:00

For the past week or so, I have witnessed some very powerful, very LONG, perplexing, frustrating, agonizing and heartbreaking tantrums. Wow---so this is what a 2 1/2 year-old tantrum is all about. I'm not sure if the full moon was partly at fault, but *something* has taken over my child---my lovely, spirited child.

To help prevent just such a tantrum I had "the talk" with Kingsley the other day before going to Rite-Aid. I have bought Kingsley at least one toy car from this store in the past. Well, last time I refused. Oh how my boy cried---not a tantrum, just outright bawling, like someone stole his puppy. He cried through the rest of our shopping, through check-out, and all the way home.

I had to go to Rite Aid again the other day and was dreading a repeat of this scene (or even worse, a full-blown tantrum). So, I sat Kingsley down and told him---"We have to go to the store. They have lots of cool cars at this store. But we cannot get a car today---no trucks, no cars, no diggers, OK? We can't get a car every time we go to the store. You just got a cool digger yesterday (grocery store/hardware store), so we cannot get another car or digger today, OK? (Side note---I am really, REALLY trying to stop adding the "OK?" at the end of my statements---especially when things are clearly NOT OK to/for kiddo). I repeated this a few times before we ventured out.

It seemed to work. As soon as we pulled into the parking lot, Kingsley recognized this store as a place he had gotten a coloring book in the past and said "Coloring book--trucks?"---to which I replied, "Yes, let's get a coloring book with trucks!"---hoping it would distract from any cars. We passed the lovely display of cars and Kingsley did get very excited. When I said 'no', tears started welling-up in his eyes, but I just reminded him of our talk and tried to distract him with a new coloring book. He said NO to all the coloring books, so I picked one for him---one with trucks and tractors---telling him that we talked about getting a coloring book with trucks and this looked like a good one, so I was going to get it. And that's it---he was fine the rest of the outing.

I put him to bed the other night and we reviewed our day. I told him that we had to go to the grocery store the next day and he replied (half asleep), "No trucks, no cars, no diggers." Now he says this every time we have to go shopping. Cute---and effective (but, I'm sure I'll cave and get him a new car or truck every once in a while---just not every time!).

Oh Me, Oh My!

2008-11-16T22:56:00.000-08:00

I am excited. I am excited because I am his Mama. For the past four or five days, Charlie has stood on his own for ~5 seconds---a handful of times. Usually this occurs while he is engaged in discovering some new thing, like tinfoil or the garbage can. We catch him standing and oooh and ahhh, and he looks at us, gets that big, beautiful Charlie grin and then he laughs. He doesn't get excited until we get excited. This kid is so adorable, so happy. We're in love.

I hope this lasts for a little while. I am not ready for my baby to not be an infant anymore---not ready for him to be a toddler. No rush, baby---take your time. Although, I know you would love to learn how to get out of your steamroller brother's way---and how.

OK, so this picture is from Halloween--so what, its cute.

Yes He Can!

2008-11-06T12:46:00.000-08:00

And you thought this was going to be a political post---silly you. The title refers to my little Charlie, who slept through the night AGAIN (8:45-7:45am), yes siree. Now this Mama just needs to go to bed earlier and not wake at every creak, groan, anything resembling a cry or a moan. Not sure when that will be---but its been nice not having to get out of a warm bed to go nurse Charlie. Is it lame that I kind of miss it too?

Could it be?

2008-11-05T15:19:00.000-08:00

Could it be, could it be---the start of sleeping through the night again? I'll try not to get my hopes up, but OH MY---Charlie slept from 8:45pm until 8:15am. This is HUGE as he usually wakes somewhere around midnight and again around 4-6 am. Strange, strange morning as Kingsley slept until 8:45 am (he was in bed by 8:30pm) and for as long as I can remember (in recent days anyways) he has been waking at about 7:15/7:30am with loud talking and screaming. He was completely quiet, and as some paranoid Moms do, I thought something was extremely wrong, so Charlie and I greeted Kingsley this morning with bated breath---only to find him awake, QUIET, and smiling in his crib.

I did a load of laundry, unloaded the dishwasher, made and drank my first cup of coffee, made my bed, got dressed and put on make-up (that's right, make-up!), checked my e-mail and the results of Proposition 8 (Oh Lord, don't get me started)----all before the bubs were even *stirring*---unheard of!

I don't know if it has anything to do with our house being 56 degrees this morning---Brrrrr. Who knows? I'm just hoping it lasts.

I Voted!

2008-11-04T15:39:00.000-08:00

This may not seem like a big deal to some, but to me, it was a major feat accomplished. I took both boys with me, Kingsley in the stroller and Charlie in the Bjorn. I should have, would have, could have done (and will do so in the future) the absentee ballot (or mail-in ballot), but with moving I forgot and actually registered by mail the last day allowed.

Charlie tore down all of the paper reminders and instructions in the booth. He was very upset that he was not allowed to chew on my ballot. Kingsley actually sat nicely in the stroller looking at books and eating goldfish crackers. There was no wait and the voting took place at our community's fire station, which was super cool since Kingsley could check out the fire trucks after I was done.

After hearing about long waits and lines and not knowing if I was actually registered properly, I almost didn't go. But then, I kept thinking about how I was going to answer that question in the future. You know, the one in which Kingsley or Charlie ask me *if* I voted (or even how I voted) in this historic election. I did not want to say that I didn't because Kingsley (or Charlie) was having a meltdown (etc.)--a big deal in the moment, but not a big deal when one looks at the big picture. So, I voted today---for myself, for my children, and because I CAN.

(Kingsley's artwork above)

Halloween 2008; Part deux

2008-11-04T15:08:00.000-08:00

I thought I would add some pictures from Halloween as there seems to be a bit of trouble with viewing the scrap blog. We missed celebrating Halloween in San Diego very, very much for many reasons. One, we missed our good friends' big Halloween/Birthday bash in Chula Vista---something I look forward to all year. Happy Birthday Tristan (6 years old!), and Happy Birthday Emma (the big 3!). We miss you and hope you had a great party. Secondly, it rained (and I mean poured) from Thursday until yesterday. Thirdly, we missed out on our fabulous Moms' group Halloween party---which looked wickedly fun and very well-attended.

We stayed home and greeted trick-or-treaters (and had quite a few), dressed up, and ate some (quantity unspecified) candy. I had to take my wig and hat off because Charlie was freaking out and just beside himself (what happened to my Mama?). Kingsley was exactly the same way 2 years ago. Oh well, maybe in a couple of years Halloween will be really fun again, with dry weather, and the boys will WANT to dress up and won't care if I do.

Oh, and Kingsley was a pirate, although a very last-minute, find-what-you-can-around-the-house costume (sometimes those are the best though, no?). We went shopping a couple of times in the past few weeks and every time I tried to buy a costume, he would have a spectacular (spook-tacular?) two-year old tantrum, even throwing the costume out of the cart if I tried to put it in (that was the Fireman costume, which I thought he would *love*, since he's so into firetrucks and firemen right now). If we would have gone trick-or-treating, I was going to have him go as himself. Nothing scarier than a two-year old having a fit, I think.

Halloween 2008

2008-11-02T01:28:00.001-07:00

Click on the "view full size" link to see the scrap blog. You may have to click on it a second time. I apologize, seems there is a problem with the scrap blog loading. Otherwise, hope you can view it and enjoy.

Avocado anyone?

2008-10-29T23:06:00.000-07:00

Not sure why I made him try it twice. His dislike was quite obvious. But, I love it so. We'll just have to try again in a few weeks. For some reason, I just find this yuck face priceless.

Weight Watchers

2008-10-26T22:14:00.000-07:00

Like many women with infants I find myself wanting to shed a few pounds. I was thinking of Weight Watchers, not actually doing it, just thinking about it. It struck me that with my current life and way of eating there is no way I could do a program like Weight Watchers.

For instance, I'm sorry, how many points are the leftover sweet potato puffs that I find (and eat--yes, I eat them) in the high chair while cleaning it? Same goes for cheerios, licking the top of baby food jars (have you ever *tried* Stage 2 bananas?----de-doubly-licious), PB&J sandwich crusts, apple peels, stray grapes, bites of burrito, mangled string cheese, unfinished orange juice, several hundred uneaten peas, and all those random spoonfuls of baby food---just to make sure the stuff tastes OK because I'm getting the yuck face a LOT. Oh, and the goldfish and animal crackers from the diaper bag---somebody's got to eat them, they're getting stale. So, how many points is that?

My plan is to just not make meals for myself. I eat the kids' leftovers, have 2 cups of coffee in the morning (I used to only need one, but these days---don't get me started), and 1-2 glasses of wine at night (OK, sometimes 3, don't get me started), lots of water in between, and make sure I'm getting some protein in there should the leftovers be deficient. Add crunching a 35 lb toddler and a 20lb (I think) baby and doing my own version of Pilates while cleaning the kitchen every night---and voila! Not to mention that I've taken to wearing a back pack to the park now to carry all the varied vehicles Kingsley insists on accompanying us. Oh well, it evens out Butterball in the front carrier (still Bjorning it). My new weight loss book should be coming out any moment now.

Oh, I made this bundt cake the other day after googling "milk+cake recipes", we had a bunch of milk about to expire and I didn't want to waste it (who me, the same crazy lady who won't throw away errant high chair puffs?). It needed a little extra something, like lemon extract or lemon zest---but served with vanilla icecream, vanilla pudding or lemon yogurt---quite yummy.

Kingsley

2008-10-20T21:41:00.000-07:00

Caution:
The following was written over the course of a few days and is quite long. I mainly wrote it for me in lieu of a baby book entry and so I don't forget these little things about Kingsley.

And, then there's Kingsley. Hi baby (this is how we greet one another). I love you baby. I love you more each day. I don't know how that's possible, but it is. You are so fun right now and so amazing. I am in awe of how much you have learned and accomplished in the past six months and all while competing for attention with your baby brother. You are the light of my life, despite the tantrums and the "no's" (which are really not all that often), and the screaming.

I love how we start each day with you naming your "guys" in your crib, or you clarifying who is a boy, girl and who is a baby. Lately, we start the day with what color things are and what you want for breakfast (Papa gets to do this since he's been getting you up lately). You usually want toast or eggs, but will occasionally ask for a burrito. I love how you lick all the jelly off your toast and then ask for more toast despite there being a whole, intact slice of bread on your plate. You get to pick out your shirt for the day too and usually ask for orange shirt, red Elmo shirt, helicopter shirt, cement mixer truck shirt or tiger shirt.

I love how you love your brother. You try to make him laugh, especially when he is crying. You give him toys, especially when you take one away from him (that you don't want him to have) or when he is crying. I love how you caution him by saying "No cords Charlie" or "Too close Charlie" when he is playing with cords or standing too close to the television. I love how you get upset unless you have planted the perfect kiss on the right spot of his head at bedtime (usually needing to take Charlie's head with both hands). I love how you make each other giggle in the car. I'm not sure I love how you roll onto your brother like a dog rolling on top of a dead fish at the beach---but its still somewhat entertaining and gets a good laugh out of Charlie. I love how you pat his head and say "Baby, Baby Charlie". I am kind of sad that your pronunciation of Charlie is now Charlie---instead of Char-gee---which is how you pronounced his name from the get-go until only a few weeks ago. You are a great big brother and Charlie adores you.

I love that coloring and going to the park are the two most important events of our day---unless we have run out of bananas. When we do not have a banana in the house, we must go to the store to get more bananas and you say "Charlie car seat, Kingsley (pronounced 'Kinsey') car seat, Mama drive".

I love that after we visited the petting zoo a few weeks ago that anytime we left the house you asked if we were going to the zoo. When I replied no and explained that the animals were only in town for a little while you would respond, "Bye-bye goat, bye-bye sheep", etc. So matter-of-factly---so content to have seen the animals, wishing you could see them again, but since its not possible-- moving so quickly and effortlessly onto life's next adventure. How envious I am of that ability.

I love how literal you are right now. For example, when you got your face painted at the Steele Winery Harvest Festival the other weekend, I instructed you to hold your face still. So, you took your chin in your hand and tried to keep that face as still as possible (see photo).

I love how slapstick is your favorite comedy. The dunk tank at the elementary school's harvest festival was a huge hit. I don't think I have ever heard you laugh so much. You love when people fall (should I be worried?). You love older kids, the more animated, the more rough-housing, the better.

I love how your day is not complete without story time. I love reading books with you and amazed that you will sit down on your own, flip through a book and "read it", giving each page your 2-5 word synopsis based on how we have read that book in the past.

I'm sure there is so much more I could write about. But, I wanted to jot down some of the fleeting, wonderful things going on in your world right now. I don't ever want to forget.

Jeremy

2008-10-14T15:58:00.000-07:00

Today is our 13th wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary! I thought such an occasion deserved its own blog post even though this site is mainly about our two beautiful boys.

I was able to watch the movie "Juno" today because our two beautiful boys took blissfully long naps at the same time today.

Here is a quote from Juno's father:

"In my opinion the best thing you can do is find a person who loves you for exactly who you are. Good mood, bad mood...ugly, pretty...handsome, what have you. The right person's still going to think the sun shines out of your a$$."

Well, you found me and I'm wearing sunglasses baby. How's that for romantic and mushy? You are my best friend and I love you. Happy Anniversary.

XOXO

Charlie

2008-10-13T13:53:00.000-07:00

Charlie turned 8 months old today. I can hardly believe it. Time really does seem to fly by, especially this second time around. We moved to our current home August 1st, two and a half months ago. In that time span Charlie has learned to master the army crawl, master the actual crawl, sit independently, pull to stand, learned to cruise, learned to climb stairs, transitioned to his own room and his crib, he has started solids, started finger foods, cut his first two teeth, babbles mama and baba (who knows what they actually mean?) and various other utterings---and he has come to absolutely adore his older brother. There are times when only Kingsley can bring a smile to his face---and it is so fun and wonderful to witness.

I just culled Charlie's wardrobe today, holding back the tears as I set aside clothes for donation, clothes that Kingsley wore not so long ago. Now Charlie has outgrown them. So many memories flooding my brain these last few days. Sometimes I find life as a Mom so strange and conflicting. So many times I have wanted time to speed up so both boys can be running around at the park playing with each other (for example). And then there are days, like today, where I just want time to stop so I can hold my chunky, cuddly baby forever and nuzzle that fuzzy little head of his for the rest of my days.

Two years ago...

2008-10-03T13:04:00.000-07:00

Two years ago Kingsley was just starting to sit up---just before he turned six months old. Wow, this seems like so long ago!

One Year Ago

2008-10-01T22:17:00.000-07:00

Perhaps not to the day, but close enough. One year ago, my parents were visiting us in San Diego. I love their visits for many reasons. One being that our moments together seem to be so few and far between since moving to California. Another being that they sometimes stayed at the beach. Sad to say, it sometimes took our out-of-town visitors to be the motivation for us to visit the beach---which we surely did not do enough of while living in San Diego, not sure why?

At least one year ago Kingsley and I logged some beach time with my Mom and Dad --and because of my Mom and Dad-- (Charlie was still hitchin' a ride at the time---I was 5 months pregnant). I have very fond memories of this visit and love to look at pictures from their stay. I love you Mom and Dad and hope to see you both very soon.....XOXO.

Pretty darn cute

2008-09-26T15:25:00.000-07:00

It's always something....

2008-09-23T16:16:00.000-07:00

My lovely (truly) husband was nice enough to get Kingsley up and ready for the morning, as per usual on days he doesn't have to go in to work early. To his surprise he found our spirited boy covered in poo---and his crib, and his sheets, and his stuffed animals, floor, walls, you get the picture.

He had started making his usual morning noises and squeaks at about 8:15 am, but he was then quiet for a while so we were hoping he had fallen back asleep. We didn't hear any more noise until about 9am, so waited until then to get him up. Big Mistake.

Despite the initial gross-out factor (and the wonderful realization that this is how one's day is beginning), there are many blessings to be found in this scenario.

One: Thank goodness we have a nice backyard where we could hose and scrub the crib down.

Two: How blessed I am to have my own washer and dryer in the house for just such occasions.

Three: Jeremy was able to stay home and help clean everything, get Kingsley bathed, get Kingsley breakfast, help with the baby, etc. until order was restored.

Four: It is finally getting cool enough here at night that we can break out the sleepers. Ha ha.

Lessons learned:

One: Like my good friend, Janis, mentioned very recently----silence plus toddler usually equals mischief. And, oh how! No more trying to catch a few more winks in the am for this Mama. Which brings me to number two...

Two: Trying to catch up on sleep just ain't going to happen. I can sleep when I'm dead. Or, I can try to sleep when the boys are teenagers (any parent of a teenager --ever-- is probably laughing at that one). Or I can stop checking e-mail, blogging, etc. at night and go to bed at a decent hour. Also a very bemusing comment.

Three: I have a great husband.

Four: I need to buy more 3T onesies---does such a thing exist? Otherwise, sleepers it is for at least the next few nights.

Maybe Kingsley is heading towards interior design as a future calling? If so, I only hope he finds paint and wallpaper more attractive to work with.

One word

2008-09-21T11:46:00.000-07:00

I was awarded this award by Jane. There is a twist to receive this award....... There are rules in accepting this award. I have to answer the following questions with one word answers and one word only! Then I must pass it on to seven others!

1. Where is your cell phone? counter

2. Where is your significant other? park
3. Your hair color? highlighted
4. Your mother? complicated
5. Your father? contemplative
6. Your favorite thing? bed
7. Your dream last night? dreamy

8. Your dream/goal? house

9. The room you're in? play
10. Your hobby? photography
11. Your fear? anger
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? spa
13. Where were you last night? backyard
14. What you're not? peaceful
15. One of your wish-list items? curtains
16. Where you grew up? suburbia
17. The last thing you did? type
18. What are you wearing? band-aids
19. Your TV? dusty
20. Your pet? missed
21. Your computer? distracting
22. Your mood? anticipatory
23. Missing someone? many
24. Your car? New!
25. Something you're not wearing? tuxedo
26. Favorite store? antique
27. Your summer? bittersweet
28. Love someone? definitely
29. Your favorite color? green
30. When is the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? Friday

Who hasn't done this yet? If you're reading this and want to join in, please do! I would love to read your responses. Fun!