Double your pleasure

Word on the street is this one is now over 17 lbs. p.s. he's only 2 months old

Owen

My nephew. Born on July 6th. He's going to be such a charmer.

Family Fotos

My dear friend Liz gave me the great honor of taking our Family portraits before hightailing it to AZ. We will forever be grateful. Family schamily. I still can't believe she left me. Who needs a 9000 square foot house anyway?

Onto the main delight. Of course E was the star of the show. Now you may see what a little gem we have (as if you didn't know already). We took these at the Shadelands rose gardens right at dusk.

And yes, I know that John's head is cut off in this one, but really, is his hair all that interesting? Use your imagination and plug it in. Liz is also highly entertaining, so we really were all laughing in this one.

I think this one could very well be found hanging on our living room wall someday. That is of course, when we have time to do pleasant things like decorate the house. We prefer to do the demolishing...more on that next time.

E loves giving his mommas kisses. And from the looks of it, he is definitely all boy. I don't think girls could be this rough at 10 months. It's a good thing he doesn't have any teeth yet.

The Kai Man

So my brother sent a few more pics of his new baby boy Kai, and they were so cute, I just had to share.

Fun in the Sun

I know I know! Three posts this month already. I'm on fire.

E and I decided to take advantage of Pammie's neighborhood pool this weekend. The summer seems to be flying by and we only have so long before she moves to Provo. (on a sidenote: She got into BYU and got a scholarship -- way to go Pammie!). So Jared, Shannon, Henry, Pammie, E and I all spent the afternoon enjoying the sun's rays.

E is taking after daddy in so many ways...

E took to the life jacket like I've never seen a baby. He just kicked back and paddled himself all the way around the toddler pool. He even threw a little fit when I tried to get him to sit up with me again. This boy loves the outdoors, especially the water.

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.