not in the mood

I don't feel like being a parent today - anyone want to come and substitute in? I'd be happy to take over your job for the day! After having a disaster errand this morning (which I chose to do while I had a babysitter, instead of investing my time doing something that would help me be a better mum, like a parenting book or journaling or something), I certainly didn't feel like coming back to be a parent! Ahh, at least it's sunny and although the kids are hyper, they are outside and happy. Sometimes I just want to live by my own agenda, I guess that's what it is...!

San Fran Zoo

We took an unplanned trip to the zoo on Sunday with a good friend who flew into town for an overnight visit. Kids could watch animals all day! Jon had a lot of patience with both kids, and won Laura over well enough to get a great big hug when he left!


I think Jon is wondering more what Daniel is doing to his hair than what the giraffes are up to...

It's always lovely to see other people with your kids, even if it's something as simple as looking through a window.

Patiently reasoning with Daniel about the reasons he can't bring the stick home with him.

Random...

A tent in the living room - babysitters are cool!

Spring planting...

Body slam! (when she says it, it sounds more like 'by sam!')


All ready for Daniel to return from preschool...

Talking with cousin Isaac

Busted by my almost-4-year old

M: "Daniel, don't laugh when someone is in trouble, it's not really nice." D: "But sometimes you laugh when someone is hurt..." M: [um, uhhh, well...] "Well I guess we should all just try our best not to..." (I do have an inappropriately-timed laugh button, but i thought i hid it well...!)

Happy birthday Jill!

Today is my younger sister's 28th birthday. It has been a tough, heart-breaking year for her, and I am immensely proud of the woman that she is, and the strength with which she has faced her circumstances. Jill, I love you. You should be proud of yourself and your family.

Seriously, only one

We really did have an ultrasound today. Honestly.

We told Daniel on the way to the doctor's that she was going to check the baby. He was pretty happy, and when we got there, he said "oh mom, I'm so excited about the baby!" Something about how he said it made me wonder, so I told him the baby wasn't coming out today. He was disappointed, so we talked about how the doctor would 'check' the baby without actually seeing it. I don't think he believed me until he saw it on the screen. And then he immediately decided it was a boy. Definitely. I'm only 14 weeks, so we didn't find out (and won't until birth), but after weeks and weeks of Daniel saying "We don't get to pick!", whenever someone asked whether he wants a brother or sister, he has decided it's a boy. So we'll see!!

Growing up

This picture holds much joy for me as I face years of airport travel! She is a much much happier traveler with her own suitcase! Who would've known... Thank you cousin Erica for the perfect Christmas present!

Hello, why wouldn't the baby want to see out the airplane window?!

Melt-worthy

A nicely arranged bunch of flowers neatly wrapped with a ribbon: $20.

A perfectly scrunched handful of 'flowers' offered by the boy: priceless...

(notice my matching shoes - not bad, hey?!)

Oh dear...

Lately, Daniel and Laura have been role-playing various parent-child scenarios, with each of them taking their turn at being the parent. Here's Daniel's turn:

"Laura, what did you do? [Laura murmurs something] I'm going to give you a little smack for that. Give me your hand. [tiny pat on her hand] Now don't do that. Now you have to cry - a big cry! [repeated a few times with a surprisingly willing Laura]"

The short list...

I hear you asking, "What else has there been?" Well, I don't have pictures of all my pregnancy mishaps, but suffice it to say that the combo of me, the stove/oven and pregnancy doesn't go well:

* eggs boiled dry after an hour and a half (all the while wondering what the neighbors were cooking!)

* multiple burnt bread disasters under the grill/broiler (but that's not a prego thing actually)

* and with the below picture attached for your further amusement, a pot of pumpkin soup that blurped all over the stove and countertops while I completely forgot about it...