Robot Mom.

When I was on maternity leave, I definately felt like I was just going through the repetitive motions with Charlie. Baby cries. Go hold/cuddle him. Whats that smell? Take off diaper, clean with wipe, add butt paste, put new diaper on. Feed. Burp. Play. Spit Up. Over and over again.

Now that Charlie is older, there is obviously still routine but I don't think its as menantenous (ok, I can't find online how to spell that word). With that being said, I still find myself going through the motions.

Now that its getting cold, we're putting sockies on Charlie's tootsies. They are pretty cute socks I might add. My sister in law, Kathy, the other day started laughing and saying how they totally don't fit him. What?! I looked at his feet and sure enough they were wayyyyyyyy too small. I've been putting these socks on him for weeks and didn't notice. What a ding a ling. I'm happy to report we went to Target the next day and got big boy socks for him.

Note the top of the white part is supposed to be around his heel.

12 Days of Christmas - Day 3

Today's topic: Meaningful/Memorable Gift(s)

I am very easy to shop for, I love everything. Its sort of a problem, but I'll save that for another blog post. Growing up, my parents Santa gave some pretty kick ass gifts. We got our "normal" wrapped gifts but on Christmas morning, Santa would leave us a "big" unwrapped gift.

Here are some of the big gifts I remember: my first big girl stereo, pager (ha!), dvd player, skiing gear (boots/poles/skis), nintendo, etc. Santa doesn't leave me big gifts anymore but my parents are still spot on on their gift giving. This year we have decided to forgo big kid presents and focus on the little ones so now its Charlie's time to get spoiled!

Rob has done well with giving me some great and special gifts. I think last year he gave me a pretty meaningful gift by giving me a digital frame. He knew I would be going back to work in a few months and he loaded the frame up with pictures of Charlie so I can look at him while I'm at work. Super thoughtful and I still use it everyday. However, I've been meaning to bring it home and take out a couple pictures because there are a few graphic ones (like them holding him up all bloody and stuff and one where they are weighing him and his man area is exposed).

What have been some of your most memorable gifts?

12 Days of Christmas - Day 2

Day 2: Black Friday/General Shopping Tips & Tricks

Hmph. I do not really have any Black Friday tips/tricks and I typically do not venture out to the mall if I don't have to. I went once and that was one too many times for me. Last year I did go to our local target and it actually was not crazy but we live in a small town so maybe thats not the norm. I might venture out to Target again this year or Wal-Mart and see what kind of toy sales they have going on.
 
I do most of my shopping online and I'll admit I often get swayed to go and buy something from those email ads you get in your inbox around this time of year that say "Extra 30% off PLUS free shippping!" or "Pre-Black Friday Sale!" I'm all about a good deal and if I think I found one, I jump on it.
 
In the past, I think all the good online deals were on the following Monday or also known as Cyber Monday. But I feel like the past few years the stores try to get a jump start on the sales so they get the business so I'm not sure if prices online are typically better on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. If anyone knows, please do me a solid and leave a comment and let me know.

12 Days of Christmas - Day 1

One of the blogs I read mentioned a 12 Days of Christmas blog challenge that another blog was promoting. I thought it might be a good way to get in the holiday spirit! I do not know these people but thats ok.






Yesterday was day 1 but I'll play a little catch up today.

Today's topic: Christmas/Holiday Traditions

Growing up our big Christmas tradition was baking dozens and dozens of cookies with my sister and my mom. We continue to follow the tradition but now we only bake everyone’s favorites instead of every single cookie known to man.

2004

Baking with my sister Ashley and brother in law Jim. Jim technically wasn't baking but was part of the Quality Control.

2005

Baking with Ashley (again) and this time Rob was the Quality Control guy. Its a position the men fight over every year.

I also remember decorating the tree to big a big deal when we were little ones. I looooved decorating the tree and my mom and dad had eggnog for us (non-alco of course, sheesh). I never really liked straight up eggnog (eggnog lattes are another story), but I sipped it anyway because it was fun and Christmasy. I still like decorating the tree, but I wouldn’t say I love it. Probably because these days I do it alone. Hint hint, Rob.

A semi-new tradition that was put into place maybe 5-8 years ago was fondue. Every year is a fondue Christmas and we have dinner/dessert fondue style with chicken, filet, shrimp, bread, broccoli, cauliflower along with all different types of sauces and cheese. And of course, chocolate fondue for dessert. Oooh, I think my stomach just rumbled.

I asked Rob the other day about Christmas traditions we want to create with Charlie and the problem is not coming up with ideas but having too many things we want to do with him. We are both very excited for this Christmas. Rob confessed he listened to Christmas music in the car on the way home from Sacramento last week. ‘Tis the season!

Celebrating Our Anniversary - SF Style.

A couple weeks ago, Rob and I went to San Francisco for the day to celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary. Our friend Dorothy watched Charlie and he had a blast. He had so much fun he napped for 3 hrs. This never happens. She said her mission was to wear him out, and to her I say, mission accomplished.

Rob and I went to SF and drove the 49 mile drive which in a nutshell takes you through the major SF landmarks and hot spots. We started in union square and did a ltitle shopping then we were on our way. We only ended up doing about 2/3 of the drive because we had to head home plus we were driving around for hours and pretty much saw all that we wanted to see. We saw a lot of things we've seen before but haven't see in awhile and we also saw some new things.

Here are some highlights...

Lunch at Colibri

Palace of Fine Arts

Coit Tower

View of the Golden Gate Bridge



Lombard Street

The Italian deli Rob's Nonni used to shop at

China Town



Very steep streets

One classy establishment



Goodbye, San Francisco, until next time!





Quote of the Day.

Rob: "I buy you a $250 watch and you put it in a drawer with tools and a rotting banana?!"
Me: "I guess I should take this ring out of the drawer, too?"

Back Story:

Often times, I "clean up" by shoving my crap in a drawer or a bag and put it "away" in the corner of the guest bedroom. It drives Rob nuts. I don't just put stuff in any drawer, I do have a system and that is to only put my crap in the kitchen drawer and the drawer in the family room that is attached to the bar. I also put my crap in grocery store bags and put them in the guest bedroom. This way, I only have a few places to look when things go missing. I think what drives him even more batty is I typically find the missing items within 10 mins which indicates the system is working! (for me)

Today I am Thankful For...

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and its the time of year to count your blessings and think about what you are truly thankful for. First things that probably come to mind for most is to be thankful for family, friends, good health, their job, etc. I have seen this all over facebook the "today am thankful for ______".

This morning I went to Starbucks and got an Eggnog Latte. Some baristas burn the eggnog and it just doesn't taste yummy. This morning, the barista got it spot on and I was thankful for that.

Then I started thinking...what other "little things" am I thankful for?

I am thankful for....

1.) Un-burnt eggnot lattes
2.) That my eyebrows are not too dark this way when I need a brow wax, its not THAT obvious.
3.) I am also thankful that I do not have dark hair on my arms because my arm hair can get long (I typically cut my arm hair with scissors, I know, its weird).
4.) I am thankful for any readers who are still reading this blog post
5.) I am thankful for the person who came up with the saying "i after e except after c." If it weren't for him/her, I'd be an even worse speller.
6.) I am thankful for rap (but not too hardcore rap, more softcore rap). It gets the blood pumping through my veins in the morning
7.)  I am thankful that Charlie only woke up once last night. We have been co-sleeping for the past 2 weeks and Charlie has been loving it but we have not. We are trying to break him of the cycle of waking up and wanting to come in our bed. Its working. Thanks poo for your work on this while I've been catching up on my beauty sleep downstairs.
8.) I am thankful for Uggs. Uggs makes it almost acceptable to leave your house in slippers
9.) I am thankful for my unplanned c-section. I feel like I got a "get out of giving child birth jail free card." I got the easy way out for sure. I'm not sure I could have done it and respect all y'all that have done it
10.) I am thankful for blogs. I have learned so much about infertility, crafts, baking/cooking, parenthood and I have also read blogs where I didn't learn an ounce of anything, and sometimes those are the best blogs.

What are you thankful for?