Portland!

The beginning of this month John, E, and I headed off to Portland to satisfy many needs/wants. First off, we got to meet our newest little nephew, Kai. My younger brother, Justin, and his wife, Yuan, had Kai just last month. So we got to come see him only 4 weeks old and John got to participate in the baby blessing. It was awesome!

Secondly we got to visit with my sister and her fam. Always a joy to see her and Mark and of course the darling duo, Maddie and Timmy.

Third we got to celebrate many-a-birthdays! Yuan's birthday was the 6th, mine, the 7th, and Justin's the 11th (as well as E turning 9 months old on the 8th).

And last off all, we needed some much time off. I actually convinced John to take a day off of work! Hooray! I did such good convincing that we got to go for four days! Luckily he has a guy working for him now so he didn't have to close the shop. All in all, this was a much needed vacation and John even got to do a little fishing.

So there is a place there called Horning's Hideout, which, by the way, John says he wants to retire and own a place just like it. It's a small pond/lake that has little mini-docks and a place to rent the poles and see wild peacocks and basically just get to enjoy the day without all the hassle of carting all your own junk there. Oh yeah, and did I say that the lake is stocked so I have a little better chance of getting a fish, which usually makes for a happier girl.
While we were there we tried out my sister's backpack for little man. Oh did he love it. I don't think he stopped grinning the whole time he was in it. And that's without any naps, so that really is saying something.

And only once did E almost pitch into the lake. Not bad.

E didn't even mind it when daddy had to get the hook out.

The proud fisherman/woman. John and I caught a grand total of 11. John also caught the biggest fish of the day. With Timmy a close second. Timmy, mind you, just turned three, however it was just heavy competition. He has a cars fishing pole. Don't mess.

John, thankfully, cleaned all of our fish. Actually my sister helped. I was in charge of the photodocumention and could not get my hands in on the grime, saldy. Luckily there were instructions on site. Please note the use of the phrase, "poop hole." Don't you see why John wants to retire here?

E also particpated in the action.Then we went back to Jami and Mark's to enjoy our catch of the day smoke on cedar planks.The aforementioned Maddie who kicked our trash at Wii bowling. And we weren't even being nice. This kid can bowl. This game she didn't even have any open frames. All strikes and spares. E had a few firsts while we were there. One of which was pulling himself to stand up. And then even letting go, so he could play with Timmy's car.
We went on a fantastic walk to the nearest park where E had his first try in the swing.
Here we are just having a little mommy time.on the way back he fell asleep in the backpack.And our sweet little Asian babe -- Mr. Kai, and proud little Yuan. Thank you fam for such an excellent vacation. Can we do it again next month?

The haps of May...

Yes, a-post-a-month-Tara is my new nickname. At least I'm consistent. And really, that only rarely happens in my life.

And in the showcase today we have one fantastic new set of shoes. Bought and paid for by yours truly. Can you not see what a dream come true these shoes are? I mean besides the worn-in kind of comfort from day one that you would expect from a pair of house slippers, these beauts seem to bring on the sunshine whenever I where them. I think of summer, lemonade, butter, sunshine, Popsicles, and all things good. In fact, I think I wore them everyday this entire month. Which is hard to say about just any shoe. I'm quite pleased with my little pockets of pleasure.
Here is the little mini dreamboat on his 8-month birthday. Seriously who could get tired of this grin? I know I only post happy pictures (which will be remedied in just a matter of moments, but I won't give that away...) This kids just keeps getting cuter. This month was full of a lot of firsts. E can sit up from a crawling position. He now uses a sippy cup with setup. He sleeps in his crib for his naptime (before he would only sleep in mommy & daddy's bed for naptime).
First mother's day. Well as a mom I should say. I technically wasn't a mom last year because E was just a mini fetus, actually I think we found out he had boy parts about a year ago, so he was a little bigger than mini, but anyway. If the government doesn't give me a tax rebate for being pregnant, or letting me ride the carpool lane because I'm pregnant, than I don't think you can count mother's day then either.
E had his first cheerios, which I did in fact video tape, but it had a somewhat anti-climactic ending, what with all of them ending up on the floor. He managed to get one in his mouth and then shook his head "no" and spit it out. I call it a success though. At least he can say "no" now.

Here is a big first. E is now creeping. Not crawling, but more inching along. And don't let him fool you for a second in these videos it's more of a sauntering along. At our house, on the even ground this guy can cover some distance.

I clocked him going 20 feet per minute on the carpet.


E also got his first haircut, given by daddy(5/27). We opted for using the beard trimmers. After much discussion we both were putting money on the fact that should we use scissors, E would be one eye short going through the rest of life, and we decided that wasn't good odds.

* please note no babies were harmed during the making of this video. Nor were they maimed.

E was just being a little dramatic and by the end of the haircut he seemed to be warming up to the beard trimmers after all. I think he was just sad to lose his surfer locks. Me too buddy. Me too. Daddy was just getting concerned about the soon-to-be mullet look you were heading for.

It's all a matter of distraction.

And for the grand finale. As promised. The little cricket himself. If I could figure out how to do it, I would put this video to the music of Billy Joel's "We didn't start the fire." Also if you listen very carefully, you can hear my "grandpa laugh" in full force. It's worth it.

The entire month of April

Well and some of March too. I've been severely neglecting my bragging duties as mom. Turns out I'm not any better at contributing and journaling to a blog than I ever was at keeping a written journal. Well actually, at least once a month or every two months is better. I think the last time I wrote in my journal I was a freshman in college. So I guess it all depends on your perspective. At least I'm posting this often and you're not seeing Ethan graduating or something.
In March, my mom had the beach house in Monterey and she invited John's mom to come along. We had Jared, Shannon, cousin Henry, Pammie and Jane along with our little fam. Mostly we spent a whole lot of time doing practically nothing. It was a dream come true.
And by practically nothing you should know that we spent only time eating and sleeping. Since that's all we do in Monterey. Oh how we love eating.Also featured in the month of march, John and I had dinner group at our house. The theme was Hawaiian Luau along with Tiki Torches and grass hats. In case you can't find Ethan, he's the head mysteriously bobbing amidst the floral motifs of our shirts. In my opinion nothing tops funny like family matching outfits. Thanks Tim for the Christmas presents. See? We're using them!
Now in April:
Ethan got to fulfill his own dad's dream of drooling over a 572 Chevy motor. John will be embarrassed that I can't remember the horsepower anymore. I think it was like 590 or something, but maybe he can correct me later. Whatever it was, it was pretty and worth more alone than my entire car. And dad was so proud that Ethan couldn't take his hands off the thing.
Ethan turned 7 months! No specs here, but I do have a funny story. You see, in case you haven't met me I'm a person of extremes. If I'm in, I'm in all the way. So when it came time to buy Ethan the number 2 baby foods, I didn't just buy a few to get us started, I bought EVERY one that they make. Turns out there are over 25 new foods and I don't think you really HAVE to buy all of them. Oh, but I do. Then there were so many that I had to create an excel spreadsheet so I wouldn't get mixed up in what new foods I had introduced and which ones I had given to the sitter for her to give him for the first time. It was quite the process. Did I mention how much I love excel? I'm a total geek. It's a little known secret, but I'm a closet OCD fan. I can't say that I am OCD, as if you've seen my house you'll know that's a lie. But I do have some things that must be a certain way. That includes hangers must look like a question mark when you're looking at the shirt, the toilet roll paper must come off like a waterfall, and the hangers in my house must all line up evenly (thanks Jami). I also have a certain way to put a pillowcase on the pillow, but I cannot go on. There are more, but there must be some secrets kept. Otherwise my sister may learn more new ways to irritate me...

Ethan loves his number two foods and is eating like a champ these days. And in fact, becoming more and more of a ladies man.Here are Ethan and cousin Henry on a recent play date. Ethan was thrilled to have such a friend come over. Henry was less than certain about this meeting. Oh but they are going to be quite the pair.

And here are my favorite boys getting some good cuddle time. Ethan does love his daddy. You should see the legs kick when Daddy comes home. Ethan has a funny little habit of rubbing his feet together much like a cricket. When he get excited he rubs them faster and harder and his poor little ankles even turn red. I need to get a video of it soon. Ethan and I also got to spend some good time at the park this month. And this is why I love living in the Bay Area. I remember when I was at school, I would call home and it would be freezing cold outside, slick ice on the roads and Pammie would tell me things like, oh it 86 here, I forgot it's still snowing there. And I would grumble and vow I was never leaving California after graduation. It's a good thing I found a husband who was just as agreeable to that notion. If you haven't come to visit. Now is the time. You can stay with us. The weather makes everyone agreeable.
Ta Dah! A whirlwind of a blog, but I posted pics. Some dialogue. And I can be guilt free for another month. Or, I may just post again in a week. Who knows!

The Juicy Ones Begin

By "juicy" I, of course, mean the diapers. That's right, we have officially started solid foods, rice cereal, sweet potatoes, squash, & carrots. He seems to fluctuate a lot depending on his level of wakefulness. (I sound like I'm doing my documentation at work...must stop that) However, the food seems to be going well. I'm ready to move on to the green ones. Oh and can anyone tell me how I'm supposed to transition to two meals a day? It's great that everyone tells me I can do whatever I want. Usually I thrive with that sort of notion, but when it comes to feeding the kid, I'm looking for just a little more guidance.

Here is little man wearing an "I love daddy" bib. I simply had to document that I brainwash E equally with both "I love Mommy" and "I love Daddy" clothing options. Otherwise, John will continue making accusations.Here are the videos from the first couple times. And yes, I am aware that I said the date was 2007. I promise I am now completely oriented and ready to join the dementia unit at work.

And again just a few days later. I must warn you though, you will be hearing an entire minute of tara's "motherese." You may mute it if you like, or just skip it all together.

Half Full or Half Empty?

So do I say six months have come and gone? Six more months until Ethan is a year? Either way time is going by waaaaaaay too fast! Hence my blogging has come to a slow paced idle. I'm lucky if I average one post a month now, and then it's followed by promises to do more, but really, who is kidding who? We both know that isn't likely to start. Just like I'm not likely to be on time for your next function. But I will try...

So the stats are: 28 inches long, 17lbs 4 oz. making Ethan in the 93rd and 50th percentiles respectively. So a post wouldn't be a post without the pictures to show off. Here is your eye candy!

Grinning his little face off as always. And he still has that one dimple on his cheek.

Those baby blues...the good kind!
Ethan has mastered a bunch of skills....cooing, raspberries, drooling, chewing on everything in sight...especially fabrics (Justin, how did you teach him about gaga's already?), sitting up, giving baby hugs, squealing, standing on mama's lap with a little help, and scooting.And by mastered of course, I mean things he's doing, all the time and only some of the time.

Crawford Look-alike Meter

I didn't believe it the first time so I had to try it again. The question is, what if I put a baby picture of John in there? I betting it would say he still looked like me.

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Family album - Pedigree

Tub O' Love

To avoid having the next post be all that you see on my blog, I had to quickly upload some photos from tonight. And besides who would want to wait to see these?

So whoever said you can't use your kids to live out your own dreams is a nutcase because I only wish I could sport a mohawk and still be adorable.

Ethan has discovered the mirror and likes to entertain his mirror-self. I'm not sure you can see it, but the glass is covered with splashes of water from the tub. Every time I give him a bath, I have to sop up the water off of the sink for all that splashing. And bring it on little boy, I love it!
Too long. His poor little feet are all wrinkled up. He was just having so much fun, I didn't want to take him out yet.
Just wanted to post a picture of those healthy thighs of his. Turns out he did inherit something from me afterall.

Crawford Look-alike Meter

Who are they kidding?

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Ancestors - Geneology

Vomit

vomit: (n) the matter ejected in vomiting, the reflex act of ejecting the contents of the stomach through the mouth (I especially like the term ejecting here.)
a.k.a. barf, disgorge, purge, emit, expel, hurl, keck, lose it, regurgitate, retch, ruminate, spew, throw up, upchuck, puke, blow chunks, heave...any others?
Vomiting (also throwing up or emesis) is the forceful expulsion of the contents of one's stomach through the mouth and sometimes the nose.

Yes, through the nose. I've been doing that and the other. So, now I'm catching up on some belated blog news. Since November. Oops. Didn't I warn you about expectations when I started this blog? Not meant to be blogwork. This is meant to be fun. And it still is. So thanks for your patience in letting me be lazy. you'll find out soon what I've been up to.
p.s. no, I'm not pregnant. just the flu.

January 2008

Just look at this little munchkin! He is 4 months old!

 I still can't get over how much he looks like John! He's just a little mini-me! Or, I guess a mini-E!

 Check out this sweet sleep sack I made for him! John is totally not a fan of the animal print. I, of course, love it. Plus, if we ever have a girl, we can use it for her too! John says he looks like a girl already. I think he looks like Tarzan.

 This month I got to have a girls haircutting night at my house. April is not that grouchy, she was simple giving her sad "before" look.

Doesn't she look so happy now?

 Here is Brittany's before:

 And her after: Love it!

 Wow. Worst picture ever. I should never make this face again. Remind me that I look like this when I'm sad, and I'll remember never to do it again.

 Here are all the ladies that came, including our fabulous Janna that made our night (and at least next 6 weeks) even better!

 Also this month we got to go to the Exploratorium. I don't know why these are the only pictures I took. I love going to the Exploratorium and it's especially great when we go with Rex. He likes to point out why each exhibit is awesome and the physics behind everything. I always feel a little smarter after I go there. Too bad I can't retain any of it.

 Here is Justin, you can't even see his head!

 And here is no neck John!