Sorry for Lack of Posting

I have been under the weather for a week or so. If you want to see some of what we have been up to visit here.

I'll have something more exciting soon.

It's Done!

She is officially potty trained. She was such a trooper. So much easier than Jolie. We had our celebratory ice cream date last night. So fun. I am so happy! One thing of my list.

Festival of Books

We had so much fun on Saturday. We saw the author of Fancy Nancy, and boy was she fancy. She was so cute with her darling entourage of girls in feather boas. She was very cute reading Bonjour Butterfly and getting the audience involved. Jolie hasn't stopped saying the word "exquisite" yet.

Johnny and the Sprites were also there. They put on a very fun stage show, the girls were mesmerized. I have to say Johnny was adorable! The girls thought they were seeing a major celebrity.

This is the best I could do getting the girls together in a picture. Something about hot weather and Playhouse Disney that makes these girls silly!

Look See

We had another ultrasound last week. Here is our baby boy. The first thing the doctor said when he saw the baby was, "Wow, this kid has some cheeks!" Big surprise there, he wouldn't be my child without them.

It's Potty Time

We are on day 2 of potty training. I hadn't planned on starting this week, but after Lucy removed her own diaper and brought me a new one for the 10th time in the last week, I figured she was ready.

So far so good. Only 1 real accident yesterday. Gummy worms are her reward of choice. And when she finally goes number 2 we will take her to get ice cream.

We went to Target today (in panties!) to pick out more panties and get some pull-ups for bed time and nap time. I don't believe in pull-ups during the day for potty training. I believe that you have to go cold turkey on the diapers so they don't cheat on you. But then again I don't know how I can go on long errands at this point without one! Have your kids ever had an embarrassing accident in public? I live in serious fear of this. I think that is why it took me so long to potty train Jolie.

I am just determined to get this over quickly so maybe for a few blissful months I won't have to buy any diapers. And I know I will be so happy when baby comes to already have her trained.

If you have any creative advice let me know.

P.S. This weekend if anyone wants to join us we will be here.

No Fun

I am not what I would consider a fun mom. Sure I am a good mom. I love my children and enjoy playing with them and teaching them new things. Let me explain. I hate play dough. I hate paints and glitter. I hate cheesy chips and popsicles and pretty much anything messy. It doesn't mean my children never get to do these things, that is what their dad is for! He is the one who picks out these messy and fun toys for them. He loves to see them get creative and just get a bit dirty. I on the other hand have to leave the room while this is going on. I don't know why, all I know is that I inherited this OCD from my mom. I am trying. I really am.

My mother-in-law is totally a fun mom (or grandma.) When she came to visit she had a pajama party with the girls complete with make-overs. She even let Jolie do her makeup. It was sooooo fun! My good friend Teresa will just give her boys a bucket of water and just watch comfortably as they get soaked and dirty. How I envy her! Her kids get to have so much fun every day. Hmmm, maybe that's why my kids love to go over there so much.

My new goal is to lighten up about this stuff. Especially with a new baby coming. I am going to have less control than ever. I want my kids to remember the fun and unexpected things they did with me. I don't want them to remember their mother as obsessive and controlling.

Does anyone else have issues with this as well? How do you deal with the messes and just let things roll off your back?

Heat Wave

It was a glorious day in Hermosa Beach on Saturday. (90+ degrees outside!)

Friends were made.

Frolicking in the frigid water took place.

Happiness was everywhere.

Holes were dug.

Sandcastles were created.

Just a lovely day.

Happy April to all!

Little Boys

So I guess it is time that I report our reaction to learning of our little boy on his way. I guess I have to admit that at my 12 week appointment the ultrasound tech did tell me she thought it looked much like a boy. She told me I wasn't to announce anything because she could be wrong but basically from that day on I have been just SURE it was a boy. Landon on the other hand wasn't at that appointment and just didn't believe it. He was convinced it was going to be a girl. So I was right- for once. And he was quite surprised to learn that!

I really am very thrilled to be having a baby boy. I just haven't really gotten used to the idea yet. It is certainly going to change the dynamic around here! Jolie was very excited to hear it was a boy. Her first thoughts were, "But mom, we don't have any boy toys. Does this mean we can get some boy toys?" Needless to say she is very happy to be getting new toys around here. She is really into superheroes right now.

I definitely feel a tad nervous at having to raise a boy. I really just pictured myself as a mother of girls. They are easy, they like the same things I do: shopping, clothes, cooking, pretty things. Boys can be so rough and tumble. And from my experience they seem much messier! Not to mention constant hair cuts, and how in the world do you potty train a boy? And what about kindergarten? With an August birthday do I hold him back another year?

But our biggest hurdle over this boy thing has been - brace yourselves - to circumsize our son or not? (Warning: if you are offended by body part talk, don't read further.) Landon thinks NO WAY! He thinks it is brutal, archaic, and totally unnecessary. I am completely the opposite on this issue. I think a boy should be like his father. And from all I have read it is MUCH easier to take care of a circumsized boy's privates once they turn around 4 or 5. I did all sorts of reading on the subject. And it turns out that the only health benefit is that you have a slightly smaller chance of urinary tract infections. But I still hold firm, and Landon has finally given in to me. And it's a good thing too because whether he liked it or not I was going to do it anyway!

So that is my rambling on about my thoughts these days. Since this is looking like it will probably be my last baby, I feel truly blessed to have the opportunity to be a mother to both my daughters and now a son. I always wanted to do both. I am looking forward to doing a blue nursery this time around.

Slow Down

I have had that feeling lately that I get every so often that I just wish the days and weeks would just pass a little quicker. This difficult pregnancy has already taken too much out of me, and I just want it to be over! I hate feeling this way, it is utterly ungrateful of me.

About 3 years ago I had a little experience that has really helped me in times like these. I was spending the weekend with my parents. We were at a carnival at Camille's school. We had been there a while and I was impatient and tired and just wanted to go home and put Jolie down for bed and relax. I said as much to my dad. A few minutes later he turned to me and said, "This is life, we are living it!" He said it not to make me feel bad but to show me his perspective on living. All I know is that that conversation has really stuck with me. I always try to remember the feeling I felt after he said that. I just knew that he was right. I really needed to spend more time enjoying the moment I was in, not looking forward to later.

It has really helped me with the task of being a good, patient mother. I truly and honestly can say that almost everyday I spend with my children is a precious moment. More often then ever I can just sit and watch my children play and feel such a sense of satisfaction and contentment. I am so grateful for that (one among many) lesson my dad taught me.

I am struggling with it right now. I am impatient for little boy Cowan to come into our family. I am impatient for summer to come when we will be busy with fun summertime pool parties, beach days, and barbecues. I just need to take a deep breath, suck it up and enjoy these precious, precious moments with my sweet little girls and my funny, darling, handsome husband. They are what life is all about right?

A to Z Tag

I normally don't have the patience for these things. But I am bored this week with Jolie out of school so here goes.

A. Attached or Single? attached
B. Best Friend? Landon
C. Cake or Pie? Usually pie, but only if its homemade.
D. Day of choice?. Saturday- be with Landon
E. Essential item? Cell Phone, don't you just feel naked and vulnerable without it? Sad.
F. Favorite color? purple, don't ask me why it just always has been.
G. Greatest Accomplishment? my babies
H. Hometown?Irvine, Ca.
I. Indulgences?Diet Coke, dates to cheesecake factory with Landon. mmmm
J.January or July? July
K. Kids? 2 and a half
L.Life is incomplete without? a home with family
M. Marriage date? December 21, 2001
N. Number of siblings? 2 sisters, 1 brother
O. Oranges or Apples? apples
P. Phobias or fears? car accidents
Q. Quotes? "Kif, I have made it with a woman ... inform the men." If you know what that is from you are amazing.
R. Reason to smile? babies
S.Season? summer all the way
T. Tag three Friends. Anyone who is also bored this week
Unknown fact about me? I read about a book a week
V. Very favorite store?. Hmmm, at this stage of my life probably Target
W. Worst habit? diet coke
X. X-ray or Ultrasound? Ultrasound
Y. Your favorite food? Superburger from Ruby's
Z. Zodiac? Scorpio

Wow that was silly. I hope you are all having a marvelous April 1st.