Monday, March 30, 2009

A subtle reminder...

Yesterday, after T finished washing his hands in his bathroom, he noticed a small framed picture on the shelf.

He asks, "What's this?" I say, "That's a picture of Mommy and Daddy a long time ago, before we had you."........he ponders the statement for several seconds...."Ohhh...what happened to you?"

Leave it to my 3 year old to give me the not so subtle reminder of how I really am progressing to age, even if I don't feel that way, and as we all know, I am having issues with the actual number 30 just around the bend!

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Why didn't you bring a flashlight?

Today we took T to Pinnacles National Park to go hiking, go through the caves and hopefully see some bats (or "Baps" as T likes to say!). The weather couldn't have been more perfect at 78 degrees, any warmer would have been exhausting, and we had a wonderful time just being surrounded by such beautiful scenery!

Unfortunately we weren't the only ones who thought this would be a good idea, as hundreds of other families and groups descended upon the park with the same plan! This only was an issue when we first arrived though, as rangers were re-directing parking because their 2 small lots were already full and were reaching capacity...and we had to take a shuttle up the hill to start the trails, a shuttle that came every half hour and sat 15 at a time! So an hour after we arrived, and waited behind everyone else, we finally made it to the trails and headed on our way....once everyone dispersed, the 3 of us were on our own for some time until we reached the caves!

Now I had a fleeting thought before leaving the house today and even mentioned to Jason that we can't forget the flashlights so we can see inside the caves....And that was that...as I packed our lunches, got T and I dressed, packed the car, and picked up a bit before we left, the thought left my brain as soon as it came and we left with no flashlights.

Tromping through deep, dank, dark caves with no flashlight and a 3 year old hoping to see Baps was an interesting experience as Jason and I clutched on to T with dear life! When we realized we had gone deep enough into the cave that it was silly to turn back around but unsure of how much farther or deeper it went, Jason makes the statement, "Why didn't YOU pack a flashlight?"

Why I ever would have thought that the mere mention of a flashlight to Jason this morning would have prompted him to either take one out and put it on the counter or even remind me before we left would have been too high of an expectation! Bear in mind that the only time my husband helps pack for any trip or outing is 2 minutes before departure when he chooses his CD selection for the drive and decides which sweatshirt to bring just in case he gets cold...Packing and preparing for any trip is my responsibility, understandably because we Mom's are just better organizers and planners, and moreover I should know this after 11 years together!

Still the sarcasm in his voice as we crouched under boulders in a dripping cave really annoyed me! Thankfully a family in front of us saw our pathetic struggles to see and would hold their flashlights in front of us to lead us! They were very kind...I don't think we were in the cave more than 15 minutes but boy it felt longer....and we never saw any Baps, we heard some though! It was an experience f

or sure, but overall I think T had a really fun time on our hike!

We finally made it to the lake, along with fifty or so other hikers...There is something so not enjoyable about being surrounded by such beautiful scenery and pristine weather, yet seeing people leave their trash along the rocks, kids throw water bottles in the water, and hearing teenagers telling stories super loud with such potty-mouths...kind of took away from this serene area unfortunately.



GORGEOUS View


Hugging his extra special treat after our long hike - chips! You would think his life depended on this one bag of Lays the way he clutched onto them! He was starving and we ate everything I packed for lunch and this was what they had to choose from at the general store...his Pasha(my Mom) would be so proud of his choice - my mom's snack of choice on a bad day is classic Lays with a Pepsi...there's nothing better!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

80's Throwback

So this was my ensemble from Jason's decades company party last weekend, hair and makeup not done yet....professional pic to come!

Photobooth Fun with Shelley!

Two Noses...Yikes!Twins...oh thank goodness

Tunnel vision
"I in a aquarium, mommy?!"
Did you hit your head?

Monday, March 23, 2009

When the husband isn't working...

all of my Girl Scout cookies mysteriously dissappear!!!

Saturday, March 21, 2009

My new obsession

I have been obsessing over these islands since I saw one reworked on an episode of Design on a Dime, HGTV. I love that they can be used as storage, prep counter, and a small kitchen table! Our kitchen has a space that I believe would be perfect but right now there is a pottery barn bar in its place(a newlwed purchase, I was coaxed into buying it!)
Any thoughts....





Friday, March 20, 2009

Look at me...

I have thousands of pictures of the back of T since he turned 3!! His hyperactivity and constant motion makes it mission impossible to photograph his sweet face....but I do occasionally snap some good ones of his back:)














Shrench Fries






T has a bit of trouble with the FR or TR sounds as most children do at some point, so french fries, is pronounced SHrench fries!
Here is evidence of the total elation he experiences when he eats them!
Here's a topic for discussion: I remember clearly stating at some point during my pregnancy that "my child will eat whatever I give him." I would be a diet full of fruits/veggies/whole grains, include a large variety and I would prevent him from being picky like I was and would not fall into the trap of fast food, snacky foods, or unhealthy foods! Now as I have mentioned before, T has been a picky eater since the early stages of baby foods around 6-8 months. At that age even then, he would stare for minutes at the colorful mush I put on his tray, before bending his nose towards it to sniff, and occasionally grasp it in his chubby little had to lick it with his tongue...he hasn't failed to continue with this behavior ever since. And believe me, I know that babies need to be offered foods at least 10-15 times before they are often inclined to try it let alone like it...I give this advice every day. T however is not only picky but gaggy - many new foods end up being chokes on or vomited all over my table so you know as a mom I've had to pick and choose my battles. Does he eat fruits? no. He loved them as a baby in mushy jar form, but not as whole fruit. Do I offer them? - yes, I eat fruit myself almost every day. But he eats almost all vegetables, with carrots being the most difficult still. I give him only whole grain products for the most part, with the exception of a lazy Kraft mac days which Jason loves also! He isn't big on sandwiches which has slowly been improving as of late, or condiments which I still am not either. But he loves anything with sauces, shockingly as I didn't eat spaghetti with pasta sauce until I was 18 years old or so! Sad but true.
Now on to french fries...I remember the first time he had one, we had finished a morning of shopping at the Gilroy outlets and I was craving fries and a strawberry milkshake- I believe he was around 2 yrs.old and he called from the backseat, "Mommy I want", showing some interest, so with a guilty hand I let him try one. He of course naturally loved them and probably had 5 more until I distracted him with snap peas. And ever since that time, when we DRIVE by a fast food restaurant he has pointed and known that is where fries some from. Now to be honest I really don't have fast food that often maybe a handful of times a year if that, and so thankfully I haven't given in so much to the temptation that so many families give in to - rightly so, the food is inexpensive, quick and typically tastes really good! When we eat out I always order some vegetable if available to accompany his chicken or pasta dish, but man I just can't get rid of the guilt that comes with his love of french fries...it's my fault he loves something so unhealthy! In the last few weeks he has finally shown a liking to sweet potato fries from Trader Joe's so those are a better option. And when I make fries at home, they are the frozen one's from Trader Joe's in my attempt to make a "healthy version."
Thoughts and opinions welcome

She Loves Me...

She Loves Me Not....






Stinky starfish




T cleaning his sea treasures























Yesterday I took full advantage of the beautiful sunny weather and took T over to Santa Cruz for a few hours before work. We went to a new beach this time, not our regular stomping ground at Twin Lakes. We went to a small beach called Live Oak which is near The Point off of 41st, it is a small little inlet in the middle of a quaint neighborhood, not very busy, close parking, and on this particular day there were tons of seashells and other sea treasures for us to collect! We even found a bright pink starfish - it was half hidden under the dry sand near where we were sitting, and was still soft and its little fingers reactive so after I took some quick pictures I had T "save it" and put it back in the ocean where it belongs. I don't know how long it had been out of the water, and not sure if it was too late for our little starfish friend but I hope it made it. And boy was that little guy stinky!
On days like this when I can visit my favorite place, the beach, enjoy the salty air, sun, relax and watch T run around the sand and splash in waves, I can't help but feel just overwhelmingly blessed and truly lucky to be able to experience this with my adorable, amazing son. Being his mommy gives me the greatest sense of joy and pride.
Also, I realize that, once we do have another baby, these day trips will become fewer and far between...just not as convenient and easy to pull off on a whim as they occur with one child. Recognizing this just helps me to appreciate the one and one time I have with T, the special bond we have together just the two of us, and how precious he is.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

"Little Cube"

Jason and I FINALLY attended his company party this Saturday, after several years of unsuccessful urging and begging on everyone else's part to convince Jas he would have a good time. The theme was decades of dance and music, or some variation of such cheesiness. So I decided on 80's prom/rocker chic in an all black ruffled taffeta and lace number... keep in mind that I rarely get dressed up for Halloween let alone any other reason so this was my first grown-up costume party if you will so I naturally gravitated towards a girly 80's outfit! I had a blast shopping at Moon Zoom of San Carlos in San Jose - such an awesome store in general, with an unbelievable selection of authentic clothing from many eras, mostly 50's through 90's, but most importantly the entire top floor devoted to 80's chic...you name it they had it - spandex unitards, poofy prom dresses, sequin tube tops, stonewashed denim, tracksuits. I could have played there all day, unfortunately T didn't find this selection nearly as exciting, so I grabbed what I could.
Jas went as Ice Cube (all his idea, I had no say whatsoever, his favorite genre of music and time period also.) So we made quite an unlikely pairing...pictures to come eventually! We had a really great time at the party, played poker, hung-out with Jason's sister and brother-in law who works for Air Systems also, and I was able to meet many of Jas's co-workers for the first time. Not to mention that this was our first date in months so this was long overdue!

T saw the wig Friday and immediately had to wear it! Here he is working the pik

Little Ice Cube, Jason named him
Fluffing his curls!

Friday, we had a playdate with Shelley and her Baby G. She is due to have her baby in 2 weeks although I believe it will be sooner! We walked to the neighborhood park and had a really great time visiting. T found a headlamp and wanted to show the light to the baby...this was so cute to see! I am so excited for Shelley to join the new Mommy club and to share our new experiences with each other for years to come!

Our closeup...a little too much of me in the shot, sorry!








Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Picture this...

THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE WASHABLE PAINT....THIS WAS AFTER HANDWASHING...NICE

In typical T fashion, tonight when I asked him to go downstairs to say goodnight to Daddy it looked a bit like this...

Before leaving his room, he had to run over to his bed, roll on his back, hang upside over the side and roll off onto the floor!

Off to the stairs...which he proceeded to take one at a time, slowly sliding both of his feet all the way to the edge of each step until he plopped on to the next. Again each step, and there are 15 I believe, so this was a hilarious yet tedious process. And then the token high jump from the bottom step!

Instead of walking easily over to Jason on the couch, he took an obstacle course, climbing over our reclining chair, again rolling onto his head to the floor, T-Rex stomped and all fours to kiss his Daddy, then galloped back to me!

Maybe it's just me, but I adore the silly way T does things.

Tonight in particular he just brought warmth to my heart and a joy to my smile! Very much needed after the tragic news of a family friend last week.

T also attempted a new word today: Armaduyehyo (Armadillo)...just cute.