Always entertaining

Some days, I look at my kids and think: where did these little people come from? How is it possible these tiny humans have taken over my life so totally? Everything I do, think, say is all about them...always. It's exhausting. Thank god I love them so much or else I would have to quit this job.

Here they are entertaining each other last night while I made dinner.



Serafina has two bottom teeth poking through and chews on everything she can get her hands on and shove in her mouth. She rolls from tummy to back and back to tummy. She can get to an object that is slightly out of her reach by scooting and stretching. I'm not going to make any predictions about her crawling since I said Leo was about to crawl for months before he actually made the move. Leo doesn't appreciate it when she tries to "eat" his stuff, but he's learning to keep thing out of her reach. I visited a preschool today to see if it would be a good option for Leo in September. It is literally just blocks away from our house, so we can walk there any morning the weather permits and I'm not running terribly late. It's a parent participation school, so I will have to help out in the classroom regularly and help with other stuff - newsletters, fundraisers, etc. It's kinda crazy to think about my little guy at "school" but "class" is only twice a week for two hours. I'm really hoping we get in because it seems like the perfect place. I'm not looking at any other places until I know for sure. We are still dealing with bathroom renovations. I can only hope that our house is at least somewhat close to normal when Nana arrives on Saturday.

Sunday chores

Leo helps Tom mow the lawn.
Serafina sleeps right through it very comfy on my back.
Leo shares his hat.
Cleaning up after a hard day's work.
Playing together after dinner.

Rat tail

Serafina was born with a lot of hair. Though it has thinned out in spots, she hasn't really lost it the way Leo did. People often comment on her mop and I love to run my fingers through it. Who doesn't love soft baby hair? Right out of the womb she had a rattail and it has only gotten longer and...well, strange looking since then. Friends and family have encouraged me to cut it and Tom (of course) has been pestering me to let him chop it off. I thought it was kind of cute, but I finally gave in today.

Here is the "tail".
Put in a rubber band for chopping and preserving.
Here comes daddy, scissors ready.
Post-chopping.
Tom checks his work.
She survived it.
She's sporting a very chic look now. I'm leaving the front and sides long because I want them to grow out and tuck behind her ears as opposed to dealing with bangs. We'll be using a lot of clips since it is starting to hang in her eyes.

I took a little video of the actual chop, but Serafina was crying. Once the hair came off, Leo burst into tears. And I start bitching at Tom to stop cutting because he kept making snips to even it out. We don't need to relive it. Everyone is happy now and the rattail is saved in the keepsake box.

Toes are delicious

Free Cone Night

Ben and Jerry's ice cream celebrate their anniversary every year with a "free cone night". Since our little family proved at Steamfest that our ability to wait in line is second to none, we decided to head over to the only Ben and Jerry's shop in our area. Our friends Cara and Addison and April and her three kids went too. Everyone really enjoyed it.

Leo and Addison wait in line.

Tom, Leo, Cara and Addison enjoy their ice cream. Cara is pregnant with Addison's little sister and is due in June.


April's son, James, cleans up in the fountain.
Leo gets in on the fountain action.

Nothing is more pathetic than...

a cat in a cone.
Don't worry; she's going to be okay.

Sunny day in the front yard

I found this shirt on clearance at the end of last summer. It cracks me up. You can't see the words on the pocket protector, but it reads "I'm the boss." Very true.
Teething on my apple.

Steamfest 2010

When I first read about Steamfest at the Niles Canyon Railroad in Fremont, CA I envisioned wanderings rows of shining steam engines, riding the railroad through the scenic canyon, and disembarking in Sunol, CA where we would stroll the charming main street and eat a nice lunch. I specifically imagined a big burger and milkshake. Of course I knew things could go wrong. The weather could be less than perfect; Leo could meltdown; most likely I would have to eat one-handed because I'd have to be nursing the baby at the same time. Needless to say, it wasn't at all like my vision. Far, far from it. We showed up at the "station" at Niles, which was just a dirt and gravel clearing behind some decrepit houses, just in time to be turned away from the 10:20 train, leaving about 15 minutes late. We bought tickets for the next train, but due to serious crowds and delays, we didn't pull out of the station until 1pm. Yep, that's over two hours of hanging out trying to keep ourselves entertained. Tom chatted up the train nerds, Leo ate a lot of snacks and played with little cars I have stashed in my bag and Serafina mostly slept in the carrier. We were very relieved to get on board and enjoy the ride. The scenery was beautiful and I tried to relax after feeling very tense about the circumstances. We didn't dare get off the train in Sunol. We didn't want to risk having to wait again and the town didn't look like it had much to offer. We got back to the Niles station and it was 3pm. Way past nap time for both kids. Tom and I were hungry and tired but proud of ourselves for working as team and keeping positive during our "adventure". Both kids slept on the drive home and went to bed early. Overall, it was a learning experience that I'm glad is behind us.

Now on to some pictures.

Leo checks out the hand-car to pass the time.
The train arrives at the station...finally.
Aboard a classic passenger car. Tom is chatting with a co-worker he ran into randomly. This happens a lot; he's like a Silicon Valley celebrity.
Me and my kids.
Leo tasting something "ucky", Tom and Fatty Magoo (aka Serafina).
Rocking the cool shades.
Serafina contemplating why she was subjected to this outing and how she will get back at us. I predict Ice Capades.
Beautiful canyon.
Happy baby at the end of the line.

Big hair

Here's my little fountain head. Poor girl can't get any decent daytime sleep because of the construction. This afternoon she was playing on the floor on her belly and pivoted around a full 360 degrees. It was pretty cool. She hasn't gotten up on her knees at all but she's definitely exploring her mobility.
Leo, on the other hand, had a big nap day. Four hours, in fact. He spiked a fever yesterday afternoon but seemed better this morning. We went to the park, but he started to run hot again, so I packed us up and headed home. It was barely noon and he started to doze off in the car. I made him wake up enough to walk into the house (we have to park in the street because of the construction). He staggered inside like a drunk, crawled into bed and stayed exactly where I left him for the full four hours. Poor little guy. He woke up a little sweaty, and I stroked his hair to make him feel better and the result was pretty awesome. He seemed better again by bedtime but we will continue to take it easy.

Family resemblence

Recently, I've been told that Serafina looks like me. That thrills me a bit since Leo doesn't take after me and all I ever hear is how much he looks like Tom. Personally, I think Leo looks like Leo and I only see a little bit of Tom in him. The kids are starting to look like each other too. I think it is most noticeable when they are in profile.
And a couple of videos...

First Tooth

I felt Serafina's first tooth yesterday and today I was able to spot it coming through the gum. My little girl is growing up. Leo was just shy of eight months old when he got his first tooth.

Here's a picture of her in our hamper today. I can't really explain why daddy put her there, but she was happy.

Air bed

Our master bathroom is being redone. It's a noisy, messy process that is suppose to take almost a month but the end result will be beautiful. Well, it damn well better be for all the chaos this is causing. We're only a couple days into construction and the demolition has been very loud, but Leo sleeps through it. Tom and I can't use our bedroom so we're camped out in the living room. Having the air bed set up is great fun for Leo but not exactly paradise for Tom and me. I just keep reminding myself it will be worth it in the end.

Here's a little video of the kids having fun on the air bed. You might be able to hear the construction in the background. Leo is about to take his nap that's why he's in a diaper and holding his special sleeping buddy, Rat.


Here's a little video of Leo being not so nice to Serafina. The video cuts off suddenly but I make him apologize to her and let him know if he does it again, I'll take his monster trucks away.

Holding hands

Keeping busy

Tom flew to New York Wednesday night to celebrate his mom's birthday (Happy Birthday, Grandma Ruthie!). I've been on my own with the kids, so we've tried to stay busy to pass the time. Dealing with the two kids by myself has been exhausting and bedtime has been a bit of a battle, but we're surviving.

Yesterday we went out for a little walk and I wore Serafina in a front carry so she could look out at the world. I think she liked it, especially since she could keep an eye on her brother.
Leo took over Tom's chores and got to work on the grass.
Pigtails!
Katie invited us over today to help distract from the fact it was Saturday without dad. Dougie played Serafina a little tune.
And checked out the pigtails.
Baby Maia was wearing one of the outfits I'd given her at the shower. I didn't intend for her mom to pull the pants up quite that much.
Sophia holding Serafina.
Post-pigtail hair.

Butternut squash

So far Serafina has had rice cereal and oatmeal, both mixed with breastmilk. Tonight we tried butternut squash (homemade) and I took a little video of the yuck face she made. Clearly she isn't a fan just yet, but she's a fan of her big brother.

Baby Maia's party

Leo's best bud Dougie is a big brother. Her name is Maia (pronounced like the traditional spelling, Maya) and we had a little party for her today.

I made red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting decorated with edible glitter.
The baby island. There are almost no pictures of the big kids because they would not hold still long enough.
The guest of honor, baby Maia.
Another sleeping beauty, baby Penny.
Happy Serafina.
A hug from big brother.
Katie and Serafina in a messy hair contest.
Adorable tu-tu outfit for Maia.
No one opens a gift alone around here.