Friday, February 5, 2010

Tired Boy

Think he is tired?

After a long day of looking at tools with Daddy, Cooper was one tired little boy.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Big News

Jason and I got the shock of a lifetime on my birthday morning when the test popped up "PREGNANT". We had thought we were done at 3, but I guess we're going for 4!

After being in shock all weekend, and not uttering a word, we had an ultra-sound on Monday which showed we are already done with the first Trimester. The baby is due the beginning of August. It took another two days to process that fact and finally on Wednesday we broke the news to the kids.

Now, almost a week later, I think we are all adjusted to the fact that our house is going to busting at the seams. Today's ultra-sound makes it all even more real.

Happy Birthday, to me!

The 22nd was my birthday! I know lots of people don't want to admit when it is there birthday, or they want to let it pass quietly in the night. I'm not one of those people. I love birthdays, especially my own. I don't mind getting a year older. It is sure better than the alternative. I might feel differently when I'm "old" but I'm perfectly happy being 36.

It is not about presents or having all the attention on me. I just like that birthdays are a chance to spend the day with family and friends. And, of course, there is no pressure to bake a big meal or decorate the house like on other holidays.

Jason likes to joke that my birthday lasts for a week. The first year we were married my father took Jason to Mexico dove hunting over my birthday weekend. I joked that we could celebrate before he left and finish our celebrating when he got back. Since then I try to stretch the party out as long as possible.

This year the big day was on a Friday, so I could only stretch it over the weekend. On Saturday, my parents, Jason, the kids and I all went to the Melting Pot in Larkspur for fondue. We had never been there before but I've been wanting to go for several years. I think Jason and Dad weren't too sure what we were getting into, but went along for the ride since it was a request I had made. Turns out the place was fabulous. Everyone enjoyed themselves and the food. Cooper especially liked the chocolate. The only bad part was I forgot my camera so no chocolaty grins for the blog.

On Friday night we gathered at our house for Chicken Parmesan and presents. Both of the girls made me homemade cards which I absolutely adore. There is nothing quite like a personal note from one of your kids. Cooper can't write yet, but he did sing me happy birthday (his favorite song). Click on the photo to hear him singing.

Monday, January 18, 2010

New Uses for Tool Benches

Santa brought Cooper the coolest toolbench for Christmas. Cooper loves to hang out with Daddy in the workshop, so he knew this would be the perfect present.
I'm sure he didn't imagine that Cooper would climb into the bench to sit on the lower shelf.

Rainy Day Fun

Yesterday it started raining. The weather forecast is predicting a steady week of rain with several inches falling in the next 8 days.
The kids and I have today off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day (King Day as Gracie calls it), so we were looking for something to keep us occupied while staying dry. Playdough seemed the perfect answer.

We mixed up two batches yesterday afternoon while Cooper was napping. Gracie made purple (although she insisted on calling it magenta).


Emma Jo made aqua-marine. The girls spent a good hour yesterday making playdough pizzas and animals.



This morning Emma Jo is more interested in playing on the Wii, but Cooper loves the playdough.



He has been bring me presents saying "cookie for you" or "Merry Christmas" and asking me to taste his creations.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

MIA

Over the past year, I've really come to enjoy reading other people's blogs. It is a little glimpse into other people's lives. Sort of like reality TV but without the staging and drama... I've always been disappointed when my favorite bloggers sort of disappear for a while or dramatically reduce the number of entries they post. They usually return after the absence and apologize but explain that life just got too busy and they didn't have time to write. I could never understand that. For me posts usually take 10 minutes in the very early hours of the morning after Jason has left for work and the kids are still sleeping. It is my quiet time and I spend it reflecting on the previous day and preparing for the day ahead. If there was something noteworthy that happened the day before I jot it down and share. I do it as much for my recollection as I do for my readers. I never felt that blogging was a time drain... Until recently.

December was one whirlwind of a month. At work I manage a shipping department and we had a record number of orders each day for a week! My staff worked 50-60 hours a week for the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It was non-stop all day and everyone pitched in to get the packages off to our customers. On top of that the kids were busy. We had many Christmas activities between school, work, church, Girl Scouts, Awana and Family. There wasn't a chance to unwind from work in the evening.

To top it off, Cooper chose December to be the month when he wouldn't sleep. We were lucky if he was asleep by 9pm and hoped that he would only wake up once during the night. Then he would wake up at 5am (or earlier). Not only did his night waking reduce our level of sleep, his early morning wake up prevented me from having my quiet time. No quiet time equals no blog posts.

Now things have calmed down. The Holiday rush is over at work. The Christmas activities are behind us for another year. Cooper is sleep better (although still not great). But I'm still at a loss for words. I think part of it is winter dull-drums. The cold weather has really prevented us from "doing anything" which is a little depressing.
We had a family talk today and decided we would like to have at least one "family activity" every month. Choices include going to the beach, visiting the zoo, camping, Angel Island or Alcatraz, China Town and a Giants game. I'm looking forward to many family activities during the new year.

Last night we were able to go to the Janine Faloni Pasta Dinner Fundraiser. Janine was injured in November when an SUV jumped the curb and pinned her to a pillar. She lost one leg and severely injured the other. During her 6+ weeks in the hospital and numerous surgeries, her faith in the Lord carried her through. Janine's daughter goes to school with the girls and we are members at the same church. Her faith and reliance on prayer has been a testament to me and I was encouraged to see the turn-out at the event last night. The event sold out and they had to halt the collection of auction items because they got so many donations. It was amazing to see people from church, school and the community that banded together to help this local family.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Christmas 2009

This Christmas season was a whirlwind. Between work, family, kids, parties and activities, I've hardly had time to breathe let alone post. I was utterly exhausted last weekend trying to re-coup from our Christmas celebrations. Now I feel better than normal! Here are the pictures we captured from the season.



Decorating the Tree.


Opening Presents Christmas Morning.


Ready to go to Grammie's.


Mid-Brown. Grace's number 1 Christmas Present. She asked for it for weeks. Grampa came through, just as she knew he would!


Cooper and his new motorcycle.


Cooper riding one of the Twins' new motorcycles.


Grace and Mid-Brown watching a movie on Grammie's bed.