Summer Lovin Continues

I always find myself wishing August by. The novelty of the park, pool, etc. have worn off just a little bit. I know I will be kicking myself for saying that come February. I realize that I talk about the calendar year a lot, but my mood is very effected by it and always has been. I like a nice, round four seasons, which can be difficult here in the East Bay. Last Monday I took a trip out to the city to meet Celeste for lunch and was pleased to find so many people dressed in boots, light sweaters, etc. It made for a nice break, not to mention that I ate the best grilled chicken sandwich and sweet potato fries I've ever had at Taylor's Refresher in the Ferry Building. I "shared" an order of the sweet potato fries with Celeste, but I think I inhaled them before she could get her hands on too many (and I wonder why I've gained more weight with this pregnancy?).

Anyways, we have managed to have some fun-filled August weekends, including a visit from my cousins, and a trip with the Maddox family up to Angel's Camp. Visits with my cousins always send me into huge laughing fits, the kind that make your stomach hurt and your eyes water. We enjoyed going to the city to visit Dane's new apartment (have I mentioned that my brother moved here?). He lives with his girlfriend in an incredible place right on Lombard Street, in the middle of pretty much everything. On Sunday we took a day trip to Sonoma where everyone delighted in a little wine tasting as I sipped on sparkling water and played designated driver. I really can't complain. I will camp out at Gloria Ferrer, enjoy the views, and eat all the little seasoned almonds they bring to your table any day.

As for camping, I know I've mentioned before that I have a little love/hate relationship with it. Well, we managed to have a really great time. Some people thought we had fallen off our rockers being that our company was made up of two pregnant women, a one year old, and a two year old, but everyone knows I'm always a great sport and up for anything (insert sarcastic laugh here). In all seriousness, it's kind of impossible not to have a fabulous time with the Maddox family. Also, I think it made things a little easier this year (for us at least) now that Ellie is older. No matter what kind of experiences our trips to Angel's Camp brings, they will always make for wonderful memories.

As it turns out, Roman was a great boat driver.

A little relaxing with "Yo Gabba Gabba"

Obviously my computer skills need work (I can't figure out how to delete this one).

Out Went July!

I wish I had some fabulous and exciting vacation to talk about, but our life recently has been an uncomplicated one. Most days involve swimming, park play dates, and spending a lot of time in the yard. We've been eating dinner on the back patio almost every night and watching Ellie tire herself out before settling her hot, sticky self into a bath and then bed. Sometimes we take long evening walks after dinner. The weekends usually involve the Farmer's Market (we love the peaches, heirloom tomatoes, and Brentwood corn), dinner out, pool picnics, and some sort of "field trip" (the Zoo, a lake, or maybe a cold, windy beach). Yes, I definitely get envious at times of friends' tropical vacations, fun adventures, or wine tasting trips, but that's not my life right now. I am trying to embrace this simple, slow-paced summer before the chaos hits again, because I know it's only a matter of time. Is this starting to sound like a country song? Alas, a few pictures of July:

24 weeks pregnant. Baby boy has made quite an appearance at this point.

We love spending time with sweet Kaden!

Ellie asked me to leave after taking this picture. She wanted to read the Sunday paper alone with Daddy.

Shawn came to California for a quick weekend visit! Remember Shawn? She's one of my favorite people.

Ellie has been insistent on putting on her own shoes. It takes a lot of patience (especially when we are in a rush), but she feels a huge sense of accomplishment!

An afternoon at Lake Anza with Uncle Dane

Woodlands 4th of July Parade

A very cold picnic at Baker Beach

A Little Late...

My dear, brown-eyed, girl turned two almost a month ago to the day (June 24th) and I feel the need to document it properly. Unfortunately, there really are no words to describe this very special age. She is an absolute joy that gets cuter and more challenging by the day. I am amazed with how fast she is learning new things. In a way it's easier because she is so much better at communicating what she wants, but she is also becoming extremely opinionated. She is a good listener, but can also throw a mean tantrum when she doesn't get her way. She is very sweet natured, nurturing, clingy, shy, and silly. Ellie loves to look at books and be read to (Little Miss Spider is her favorite), swing (for hours if we'd let her), swim, play with her dolls (Little Suzie and Megan), color, blow bubbles, dance, sing, and watch Sesame Street. Ellie is a good helper and likes to set the table, unload the dishwasher, do laundry, water the garden and flowers, and sweep (but only at her convenience). She loves her dog and likes to bother him and boss him around (she then gets frustrated because he never listens). She hates bugs, is obsessed with chocolate (See's candies and M&M's are among her favorites), and gets very excited on trash day (we have to stand in the front yard and wave when the trucks go by). She only likes to wear her Crocs and tennis shoes (absolutely no sandals or cute, dress shoes), yet she doesn't like getting dirty or playing in sand. Her favorite thing to sleep with is "Mope," a pink blanket that has to go everywhere with us. Mac and Cheese is her favorite food followed by any kind of buttered noodles, corn on the cob, bagels and cream cheese, quesadillas, waffles, and pancakes (or any other sort of high fattening or sugary carb). Our bed is her favorite hangout spot, where she likes to cuddle, read books, try on all my jewelry, eat cereal, drink juice, watch TV, and play with Rudy (our bed is always a mess).

It's really quite impossible to sum up Ellie without going on for hours. She is a very unique little person with a lot of personality. Mostly, she is very gentle and loving, which I think are characteristics that will make a great big sister. I can't wait to see the changes that this new year brings, yet I kind of want to freeze her at this age forever. She is one well loved little girl!

Think Blue

This is a 3D picture of the little guy. You can see part of his face, neck, and chest. Unfortunately, he is partly obstructed by the placenta. Is that weird to say? He is a bit gaunt looking, but I'm sure he will fatten up these last few months.

I mentioned I was pregnant, right? This poor, little fetus gets no blog love. Well, this one is of a different species then my first...the male kind. We are very excited to be expecting a baby boy! He looked great from our ultrasound. He looked like a boy should. I wasn't too shocked since previous ultrasounds seemed to indicate that it was a boy, but Knute refused to believe it until he saw the official "boy" shot.

No, we don't have a name yet. Yes, we are open to suggestions, but please don't be offended if I tell you your idea is just plain stupid. I'm only kidding of course (sort of). Knute and I are currently at a stand still when it comes to names. He likes traditional. I used to like traditional names, but have veered away from them recently. I'm sure we will eventually come up with something we both love and agree on. Either I will go back to traditional again or vs. versa. This is where someone is supposed to comment that I should be able to choose the name after carrying the child for nine months, right? After enduring the sleepless nights, the morning sickness, the swollen ankles, the excess weight, the ongoing feeling of general discomfort, the moodiness, the gross unmentionables, etc. The pain of labor....OH THE PAIN!!!! To top all this off, I don't even get to drink wine!!! Don't you think, after having been through all this, I should be able to pick out a name?

Anyways, I have other updates, but I will save them for a later time. Someone absolutely wonderful and special to me turned two years old, but for one entry I had to let her brother have his moment to shine. After all, she'll have to get used to not always being in the spotlight.

June Love

After all the rain, summer has finally crept it's way into our lives. We've been enjoying all the traditional luxuries of the warm weather with backyard BBQ, plenty of time spent at the pool, etc. We have the kind of neighborhood that a friend described as "suburbia on crack," and what's not to love about that? So far June has brought neighborhood dinner parties, wedding celebrations, birthday celebrations, family celebrations, and any other kind of celebration I may have failed to mention. June is FUN and we're loving it!

"Goodbye" dinner for Eric on Forbes Island

Melissa and Luke's Wedding (the greatest dancing I've ever witnessed)

Old Friends

What's a good Wedding without a guy in a sequined American flag vest?

Meeting Baby Aiden

Celebrating Mark's 60th Birthday at Campo di Bocce

Two of my favorite little people :)

"Welcome to the Neighborhood" dinner at the Maddox's house

Road Trip Part 3

I've lost my steam on these road trip blogs, but that doesn't mean the third leg was any less exciting. We spent the remainder of the trip (4 days) in San Diego. We had images of building sand castles on the beach and lying around the pool drinking fruity beverages, but the weather didn't exactly cooperate. Fortunately, we had a couple sunny days, but Knute was extremely disappointed to have had food poisoning for one of them. It was terrible. I felt horrible for him. He felt horrible for himself. Ellie and I spent the day at the San Diego Zoo while he remained prisoner in the hotel room. After a quick recovery, we were able to enjoy the last day of our trip in La Jolla walking along the beaches, eating (at least on my part), and getting in a little shopping (but there are only so many fine jewelry stores you can drool over). It was a great way to end the trip. We enjoyed a wonderful vacation with our little family of three (for now).

Road Trip Part 2

We left Santa Monica and headed to Anaheim, home to the happiest place on earth. Yes, Disneyland! There must be something they pump into the air because everything makes you feel, well, happy. I couldn't believe the effect it had on my husband. Is there a name for this? He couldn't stop grinning from ear to ear. He couldn't stop talking about Churros. I had to make him leave the Disney store when it became too hard to contain himself. He was one of those types. You know the kind. The best part of all was watching how much fun Ellie had. We thought she might be too young, but she wasn't. She got caught up in all the excitement with everyone else. A Disney experience of this magnitude is truly priceless (at least Knute would argue so).

Dancing for the parade.

She just kept on going!

Mickey Mouse was standing right there as soon as we entered the gates in the morning.

This wasn't my idea.

Her favorite ride