Mindless Madness

Tomorrow we leave for our first big international vacation with both kids. Today I spent most of my day running around like a chicken with my head cut off to finish all loose ends (BTW, was my Mom the only one that over-used that saying, LOL?!).

After exhausting myself, I was delighted to arrive home to this nice little package on my doorstep. I was excited not only because making sure I have something fun for myself was at the bottom of my list (the part I never made it to) but because it will provide many hours of (interupt-able) entertainment on our journey! Thank you KR, you always know what a girl needs, really, THANK YOU!

Bon Voyage everyone! See you soon!

Friday Family Faves (FFF)

Yes, I know it is Monday, but let's just pretend it is Friday! ;-)

DD loves these soft rubber blocks. She can grab them, chew on them (a prerequisite for her toys) and they even make a squeak when you squeeze them. We received these as a gift from a coworker of DH's and they have been a BIG hit. I can also see how she will be able to grow with them since DS enjoys stacking them and pointing out the different letters and animals.

This is now on my gift-giving list for all new Mom's along with a plastic basket full of fruit & vegetables that DD played with (while wearing her Sparky the Sun Devil outfit) for over an hour at The C's house during the USC game. The simple things they enjoy, she was as happy as can be and she didn't even know that USC won!

Happy Monday!

A favorite song

I am driving along the 405 freeway the other day to my in-laws house (we go over there every Tuesday) listening to a favorite tune on the radio and I hear something that catches my ear. The sound of hard belly laughter.

I turn the radio off and sure enough, it is what I thought it was. I smile from ear to ear.

DS is playing peek-a-boo with his baby sister (car seat to car seat) and they are both laughing hysterically. I debated pulling out my camera right then and there but one can never to be too cautious when driving on the 405 freeway so I opted to just sit back, drive and smile ear to ear while listening to my favorite song (their laughter).

It wasn't too long ago that they barely noticed each other back there. Now their interactions not only entertain me, they make me completely joyful!

I love you just the way you are

My kids ... being themselves.

I love their individual personalities. I love the different moods they each express at different times. I love (them) just the way they are.



(in case you forgot an appropriate fun fact, our wedding song was Just the way you are by Billy Joel)



Hope you all enjoyed your weekend. Happy Monday!

Motivation

Why the new look? .... Just like getting a new pair of running shoes or Lululemon work out gear to motivate you to work-out the new Blog look is to help motivate me to Blog more.

Hope you enjoy!

And I should add, once again changing looks also means all your sweet and SO APPRECIATED comments are deleted. I hope that just means you have to leave more comments (because I can't tell you how much they mean to me, seriously, and thanks in advance!)

What's your sign?

We finally entered modern day technology when we moved here and purchased a DVR to go along with our generous house warming gift from the in-laws (a wonderful 42 inch flat screen television).

I remember, back in the day people used to ask, "what's your sign" with the intent of getting to learn a little bit about the person. In today's times I think "what's on your DVR (TiVo, etc.)" is more telling of a person now.

So you ask (or so you didn't, LOL), what's on our DVR?

TLC's What not to Wear and Jon & Kate plus Eight and Say Yes to the Dress

Bravo's Flipping Out and Project Runway. (BTW, as Jeff Lewis promised on Flipping Outs reunion, Zoila's picture is for sale and you can bid HERE!)

I did have MTV's Legally Blond Search until I completed the season and currently have the movie Mystic Pizza (an all-time fave that DH mentioned he hasn't seen yet).

And for DS, Super Why, Cars and Happy Feet. DH has several Nova shows and an occasional sporting event.

And FYI for all the old schoolers: Aquarius, Pisces, Leo and Cancer - that would be DS, DD, DH and I. :-)

So, what's on your DVR?

Back from the store

Last week I was on my laptop looking for new bedding for DS (we decided to move him into a big boy bed after a successful nap at his Omi and Opa's house) and DS walks up pulling his back-pack on wheels and says in his cute sing-song voice, "Mommy, I am back from the stooooorrre, I bought you something."

"Wow, how nice, what did you get me love bug?"

His reply, "lipgloss and coffee". Does my DS know me or what?! :-)

BTW, I did find adorable bedding to fit the theme we were trying to accomplish in his room per his interersts (transportation theme). But best of all, he is doing WONDERFUL in his big boy bed. Although, I am not too surprised he is sleeping so well in his new bed since Mommy spared no expense on his 440 thread count sheets. They are heavenly!

Nightmares

DH frantically turns on the computer, logs-in, sends himself an email, opens it, and hits print.

What just happened you ask?

DH had woken from a dream that he did not pass the Level III CFA Exam exactly one week after finding out that he did. And just in case his nightmare was reality he sent himself the confirmation email to his personal email account and printed a copy (all this after checking every day for the past week to once again see that 4 letter word) ... reality is: HE PASSED THE LEVEL III CFA EXAM and no one can change that!!! WOOHOO!!!

Congratulations sweetheart, we are so proud of you!

Mid-week Glee

I found DS's napkin completely used (independently with out prompting) after lunch today. All that nagging does pay off. :)

Mommy is gleeful, our walls are grateful!

The crazy things that can make a Mommy gleeful! Ha! Oh and if you are wondering why his napkin is pink, I am still trying to use up all the left-over napkins from DD's baptism! :)

Fun in the sun!

DS is in this week's Baby Zone photo contest. It has been quite awhile since I have entered any of my pictures (or for that matter, since I have taken any fantastic pictures, ugh, I keep promising myself to get out and photograph more!) If you have the time, please check it out HERE! You can vote once a day for the entire week. Thanks in advance!

Mr. Brown Bear; His Baby

Mr. Brown Bear is not just DS's lovey right now, it has also become his "baby".

Recently, I have overheard DS telling Mr. Brown Bear the following:

"time out Brown Bear"

"we are leaving in one minute Brown Bear"

"are you hungry Brown Bear?"

"do you have a poopy diaper, let me get a fresh one Brown Bear"

"be careful, that is dangerous Brown Bear"

"you ready for night-night Brown Bear"

"you want to go to Sea World Brown Bear"

"hello Brown Bear, how are you?"

and one of my favorites ...

"I missed you Brown Bear"

...and best of all, he wraps him up in a blanket and carries him around the house like his baby. I cherish this soft side because in a split second he is out the door and playing rough like a boy! I am sure going to miss this stage.

No Fender Bender

DH's Stratocaster Fender guitar arrived Sunday and DS's little hands have already been all over it. The guitar is gorgeous!

DH can plug earphones into his amplifier so he won't wake the kids in the evenings when he is practicing. I haven't quite decided if this is a benefit to my ears too. LOL!

Get Your Own Mom

Just wanted to share my big boy and his shirt, "Get Your Own Mom"!

Sunday's FFF

Yes, I am late for our FFF (Friday's Family Faves) ... but better late then never, right?

DD has started on baby food and the big winner so far (she has only tried two, LOL) is sweet potatoes. I think sweet potatoes are a favorite for many kids!

DS has been walking around all week carrying his anti-itch cream and asking if any of us need "itch-y cream" or if we have "itchies". LOL!!! Already obsessed with pharmaceuticals like his Daddy.

DH has still been obsessed over his Fender guitar and is anxiously waiting for it to arrive in the next two weeks.

And me, I indulged a little each day this past week on that delicious-sinfully-good trail mix from Trader Joe's. The one that is appropriately named Trader Joe's TEMPTATION Trail Mix. YUMMMM, it is a mix of peanuts, almonds, cashews, dried cranberries, chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. Definitely not good for my desire to be back (comfortably) in my old pre-pregnancy jeans before Germany.

And today's picture is just because I like it ... I took this picture yesterday for my Great-Aunt that sent this outfit for DD earlier this week.

Snails and puppy dog tails ...

... are what little boys are made of.

DS discovered snails a long time ago. But what he saw this past weekend was a first in his snail hunting adventures: a snail laying eggs in our yard. DH discovered it as the two of them were outside trying to "pretty up" the patio for company. Don't let me fool you though. First off, there is not much to our yard or pretty-ing up to be done. Secondly, most of their time is spent looking for snails, butterflies, flowers and playing with the garden hose not cleaning. But I must admit, I love seeing my boys out there in the dirt and wouldn't have it any other way.

After DH found the snail eggs DS quickly ran inside to tell me about it. I quickly ran outside to see because I was curious. You see, being a girl, any time spent in the dirt (& it was limited) was spent making mud-pies, cakes, and cookies not looking for creepy crawly things. Although, I did find it pretty cool and even grabbed my camera to catch a picture (see below).

I asked DH if he had ever seen something like that.

His reply, "of course, I am a boy. I spent most my time outdoors catching anything that moved so I could then put them in a box and try to make them fight."

Hmmmm. I walked away and asked myself, "is that normal?". If so, I sure have a lot in store for me.

Luckily I have the The New York Times bestseller Dangerous Book for Boys in case DH ever forgets what it is like to be a boy. But really, what are the chances of that? After DS had long lost interest in the snail eggs DH stood there staring and playing with it .... wake up Dear Hubby ... And I am supposed to think they are outside cleaning the patio. Ha!

Friday Family Faves (FFF)

Thanks to CD, ever since I heard about being able to professionally print my Blog for a keepsake (don't worry, if you don't already know, I will do a seperate post for all you other bloggers out there) I have been wanting to blog more often. I just can't seem to keep up with their baby books and my journal. So, if all else fails, I will have these ramblings for them. :-)

Keeping with that goal I have decided to devote Fridays to each family member's current faves (which can be anything from fave song, fave food, fave word, fave shoes, etc.).

So, here I go, my attempt at my first FFF (Friday Family Faves):

DS: He actually asks every time we get in the car, "Mommy, play my favorite song.". He is referring to Read My Mind by The Killers (if you link here you can listen, there is a 5 second commercial before the music video starts). I am starting to wonder if my DD will be my R&B, Hip Hop, disco queen like her Mommy because this boy is all Rock and Roll! He even tells me, "louder, turn it up."!

DD: she loves her ever-so-popular and sought-after Sophie La Girafe. As Right Start even says on their site "the famous" Sophie La Girafe. And trust me, I was tempted not to buy it when I saw the price but OMG, yes, she LOVES it and worth the $19.99 plus it sure is fun when we got stopped and asked how we like "the giraffe". As far as newborn toys go, this is the only one that gives the winkle competition for top baby toy.

DH: his birthday present from us, his new Fender American Stratocaster Sunburst Guitar that hasn't even arrived yet because they start production after you order it. He already spends countless hours on-line admiring the pictures, researching amplifiers and talking about it. I just hope he loves it as much when he receives it (in late August) as he does now.

And me: I am loving my new Aqualumiere Chanel lipgloss. It is their new lipgloss and I like the consistency, applicator and color more then the Levres Scintillantes Chanel lipgloss I used to use.

A challenge to my 22 average readers per day (pretty impressive, huh?):

What are your FFF?

Taking the wind out of my sale ...

It has happened to me too. Once I became a mother I started (almost) exculsively shopping for my kids. I can still remember our long back to school shopping days with my Mom where we would return home with bags and bags of clothes but nothing for her - thanks Mom, if I knew then what I know now, I would have made sure we shopped for you too! If it makes you feel any better, I assure you, I am paying it forward to your wonderful Grandkids! :-)

I recently went to the infamous Nordstrom Anniversary sale (back in the day that meant a day off work - or at least a partial day off work - hey, I was in sales and it usually went unnoticed). This year, I bought for 5 people at the Nordstrom Anniversary sale. Out of those 5, none were me. In fact, I never made it past the men's and children's departments. When you have a husband, two kids and two godchildren who needs to shop for themselves?! I had more fun shopping for them. It only took 30 something years to get here. LOL!!!

Have you been yet, please share!? My favorite finds - these adorable jeans for DS and a great shirt for DH (not available on-line) that I plan on asking him wear to BC's birthday celebration in Laguna Beach next weekend .

He is ....

He is strong.

He is intelligent.

He is thoughtful.

He is handsome.

He is a fabulous Daddy.

He is funny.

He is a great cook.

He is a hardworker.

He is a good communicator.

He is a best friend.

He is my husband.



Happy 34th Birthday to my wonderful husband!



Love,

Your Adoring Wife



(we celebrated at home on Friday night, DD missed the picture, DS was in a mood and I wore my party hat the entire time. LOL!)

Walking on sunshine ...

... and don't it feel good!

I am thrilled with my new Nikkor 18-200 lens that my thoughtful DH got me for my birthday. The wider range of distance helps me stay out of DS's splash zone when I need to!

Happy 5 months old to my sweet girl!