We're officially becoming a family of four

It's official, we are no longer going to be just the 3 of us, and out little guy is going to become a big brother! We are expecting a baby in March 2010! We did tell T that he is going to be a big brother and that there is a tiny baby growing every day in my belly. He asks often, "why is the baby not growing bigger?" As in, hurry up and get here, baby! He says he is going to share everything with the baby - his bed, his toys, his blankets! We'll see when the baby actually arrives!!

We are very excited, and can't wait for October when we find out the baby's gender. The Warren side is really praying for pink, or my preference purple, so we'll see! The Chinese gender prediction lunar calender says it's a boy, based on my age and the estimated date of conception!:) But ultimately we'll be happy with a healthy baby of course, and T goes back and forth between saying he wants a sister or a brother.

It is still sinking in for me I think, I just keep trying to imagine what it will be like this time next year when there is another addition to our family. Weekly beach trips with a new baby and 4 year old?! Day trips on a whim? How blessed and lucky I have been to be able to do these things with T. We'll have to see what I can handle when this baby arrives! It has been just the 3 of us for almost 4 years now and we have grown quite comfortable in our routine, and have such an amazing relationship with our little guy, adding a baby to this does leave me feeling a bit anxious. I know it is natural to feel a bit of fear and trepidation with the knowledge that your family is expanding, and this bit of anxiety is temporary.

I can't wait to actually start having a bit of a belly, so I can wear all of my cute maternity clothes! This pregnancy is occurring at the opposite time of year from when I was pregnant with T, but I hope to not have to buy too many new things. There is a faint purple line on the left!

The hat we made for a little stuffed animal to announce to Daddy we were pregnant

My intention was to make a hat that said "Big brother is 2010" so T could announce to everyone our big news.

My attempt at creativity ended in splattered paint! By the time Jason arrived home, the puff paint was still tacky, but I had told T to put his hat on when Daddy got home, so this was the end result when he put it on - "Big Brother in *&(&8(0#*" supposed to say 2010!! Oh well, this is our reality these days, having a 3 1/2 year old assist with art projects can only be expected to turn out in this special way.

7th Inning stretch

That is how many innings T made it through at his first major league Giants game, not bad! Jason planned a surprise trip for us to take T up to the city to see his first Giants game, then we took him to the Pier 39 aquarium, then the Rainforest Cafe for dinner.
We were pleasantly surprised by how attentive T was at the game, for a 3 year old baseball isn't exactly action packed, so I thought he did surprisingly well. We had ideal seats, although it was quite hot that day, and sitting in direct sun did cause my energy to wilt a bit. T seemed a little overwhelmed when we first arrived at the stadium...there is so much to see, overstimulating really. With all the flashing signage, music, things shooting off, TV screens, vendors yelling out, I don't think he knew where to look or keep his attention. I have to say the one part of the game he found most entertaining was seeing the Giants mascot riding around down on the field in a little cart throwing pizza at the crowd!
Of course the aquarium was a hit! This little guy can't get enough of sea life! He particularly liked the touch pools, where he was able to touch a bat ray and a leopard shark "with one finger" as he was instructed to do by the aquarium volunteer. The Rainforest Cafe was as crowded as we remembered from 10 years ago, as we had an hour wait before dinner! But Jason and I knew T would absolutely love being surrounded by all of the animals, hearing the sounds of the jungle and eating in a coral reef. For such an animal lover as T is, he enjoyed every moment of the more than 2 hours we spent in that restaurant! (If you are exhausted, in a time crunch, or just plain don't have patience, the Rainforest Cafe is not for you-they are not known for their impeccable service nor their gourmet dining, but we make these sacrifices for our children sometimes don't we! :)

Watching the stinky sea lions at Pier 39, I observed from wayyyy afar! Little sensitive to smells these days, so Pier 39 wasn't exactly the ideal place for me hang around for long periods!

Wasn't it a gorgeous day?!

Second day in Truckee

Our second day in Truckee, we were up early to head over to Upper and Lower Sardine Lake, about an hour away, for a day of hiking and fishing. The pictures of this Upper lake really do not do it justice, nor convey the feeling of peace and tranquility that is overwhelming up there. The lake is surrounded by granite, so T had his fill of rock skipping and throwing for several hours! He loves watching to see what different combinations of sounds or sizes of splash the rocks will make. We could have stayed there all day, but there were fish to be caught before the day became too warm. After lunch, we found several different spots to fish around the Lower lake, T encountered many frogs along the shoreline, and quickly became the Frog Whisperer - as opposed to the frogs jumping away and being difficult to catch, he held them for so long, and rubbed their backs. Those pictures to come, they're on Jason's phone, as of course my camera died halfway through the day! We had such a memorable day together, even though yet again no fish were caught, it was the time spent enjoying each other's company, fumbling with tangled fishing line, helping each other maneuver over boulders on our hike, skipping rocks of course, and taking in nature at it's best....I will never forget this day.
Unfortunately the next morning, T became very ill with a stomach virus, and I spent the next 24 hrs getting him through the worst part of it. I sent my Dad and Jason off to fish and hang out, as it was actually Jason's birthday and I didn't want him to spend it with a barfy child! I am thankful that my Dad was there, and that he and Jason were able to spend some father-in-law/son-in-law bonding time together! We made it home the following day, and thankfully T is back to himself, finally, today.

Upper Sardine Lake

Lower Sardine Lake

Halfway up our 2 mile hike to the Upper Sardine

Please dismiss the horrible angle

So many rocks, he doesn't know what to do with himself!

First day in Truckee

Our first day in Truckee was not without a few snaffoos if you will! A few incidences of getting, uh...lost(but don't use that word with Jason or my Dad!!) finding the condo and than again finding this lake, made for some extra time spent in the car! Thankfully, T is a superior travel companion and wasn't too phased by the increased drive time. We ate lunch at the Truckee diner, then headed off to Martis Lake, a location where in years past before I was married and a Mom, my Dad would fish by himself while my mom, sister and I would shop in downtown Truckee. On this particular day, I think the act of fishing outweighed the actual act of catching fish, as there was only one significant nibble in about 3 hours! But T could care less, he was just happy to be outside with his Dad and Papa, throwing rocks.

Hooray for worms

Where are all of the fish?

Love that I caught this moment

When we say T is going fishing, it really means rock throwing! The actual action of fishing lasts about 5 minutes, before distraction takes over!

Proper rock-skipping technique

My dad tying his fly's on the line

Distracted!!

First shaving lesson

Jason doesn't typically use shaving gel, but on this day he did, and when T saw Jason putting this silly foam concoction on his face, he immediately needed to take part! I was actually surprised how eager he was to put the gel on his face, as he is one of those kids that has tactile issues, but he kept it on until Jason was done. He loved his first shaving experience!

"Just liking daddy" as T would say!

I love this one. ..T growling at his unusual image in the mirror!

A day at the beach and Thomas the Train

Waiting patiently for Thomas

Again...patience...is this train ever going to move?!

Papa Warren showing T the cool train mechanisms

Our cute boys!

Getting his first "tattoo"

2 weeks back we went to see Thomas the Train in Felton at Roaring Camp. The whole Warren/Foster clan made our way there and spent the day riding the train and then headed to Twin Lakes before dinner. It is forever baffling to me how much energy and resilience children have after so much activity, when the parents and grandparents are so completely besides themselves with exhaustion....our boys have a never-ending energy battery for sure!