Our Weekend: The Zoo & Super Bowl

On Saturday we spent the afternoon at the zoo. We were pretty lucky because the weather was perfect and spring-like and all the animals were out. The elephant even came all the way across his pen to visit with us, and when we started walking away to check out the zebras he followed us like he didn't want us to go. He was a very friendly elephant but unfortunately Declan was not impressed. Other highlights were the train to see the emus and wallaroos and Ez's ride on the cars where he discovered his inner road rage. 

For Super Bowl Sunday we went out for lunch at my favorite vegetarian place and then we went to the mall where Joe bought me an early Valentine's Day present: a new phone! Afterward we hung out at home eating yummy food and watching the game. Fun fact: the jets that flew over the stadium before the start of the game also flew right over our house. They were so loud it actually sounded like they flew through our house. Unfortunately Ez was sleeping so he missed it. He's obsessed with planes so he would've loved seeing some jets.

On Friday we met my sister downtown for lunch and they had all kinds of super bowl festivities set up in the park. There were board games and a giant jenga set, live music, a beer garden and food trucks, plus a mini football field for kids to run around on. I love all the fun community get togethers San Jose has. It's like the best of city + small town living all combined in one place.

And, perhaps the most noteworthy part of our weekend is what a handful Declan has become. He's lighting fast with his crawling and he instinctively knows exactly where he shouldn't be and then beelines straight there. Over and over and over again. Also, he's pulling himself up to standing and we've already caught him standing all on his own, completely unassisted for a few seconds at a time. This boy has trouble written all over him and I get the distinct feeling that the lazy half-assed child proofing we did with Ez isn't gonna work this time around. At least he's cute while he's causing all this mischief ;)

Hope you all had a great weekend too!

Cheers to the Moms

I took a little unexpected blogging break this week. I had a few posts planned and they're sitting half finished in a folder right now. Those, along with several other chores, have been sitting on my to do list all week just waiting to be crossed off and they were weighing on my mind, because we all know how great it feels to cross items off your to do list. But then I decided to go ahead and give myself a free pass. Because I don't want blogging to be a chore, I want it to be something I enjoy. And if I find it more enjoyable to be on the ground with kids crawling all over me, then that's where I'm going to be. Or napping while the kids nap, because let's be real, caffeine can only get you so far. We all need a break sometimes. Especially moms, who are counted on by so many people and who tend to put the most pressure on themselves. 

So here's a big cheers to all you moms out there who prioritized playing puzzles on the floor over your to do lists. And cheers to all the stains you've scrubbed out of clothes and carpets. Cheers to all the tears you've kissed away, all the cuddles you've soaked up, and all the impromptu dance parties had. Cheers to every tooth brushing battle you've won and to all the clothing battles you've decided weren't worth your energy. Cheers to just one more ounce of patience when it feels like you've got none left and cheers to tempers lost too. It's all just a normal day for a parent and we all deserve a pat on the back because parenting is the hardest and best thing all at the same time. 

If you're feeling a little sentimental, here are some good parenting reads:

http://time.com/4097995/parenting-kids-remember/

http://www.scarymommy.com/growing-up-saying-goodbye/

TGIF! Have a lovely weekend friends!

 

Our Weekend

On Saturday we took an impromptu trip to Berkeley. We grabbed some lunch then walked around the campus and the town for a bit. Ez and I had a little mother son dance near the student center where they were having some kind of Lindy Hop. That kid is so into dancing lately. Anytime he hears music, even if it's just a commercial, he stops what he's doing so he can sway along. 

We brought Ez's soccer ball because that's his other obsession of the moment and spent a good amount of time chasing the ball around in front of the clock tower.

In other news, we officially have a crawler in the house. Declan is obsessed with moving all over the place and is no longer content to just sit in our laps watching the action. He's gotta be right in the mix, following Ez around, stealing toys, and tugging on every electrical cord he can find. Life just got a whole lot more interesting.

On Sunday we checked out another wedding venue which we didn't like nearly as much as the first one and then we went out to lunch for my brother's birthday. Happy Birthday Uncle Avery!

Such a fun weekend and I'm sad to say goodbye. Especially since Declan is getting shots today. Hope you're all experiencing a more mellow Monday than what we've got in store!

Anyone else constantly joined by little "friends" when dining out? #momlife

The Little Things

In my latest Toddlerville post I mentioned a few of the more trying aspects of living with a two and a half year old, but Ez and Declan both teach me so much about getting joy from the little things in life. I love watching them play and explore and seeing their little faces light up when they discover a new skill. Here are a few of the things that may seem like no big deal but bring a smile to their faces, and therefore mine too:

• Finger nails scratched down the side of the couch. Apparently Declan is part cat.
• Finding the perfect wooden surface to chew on. He's part woodchuck too.
• Climbing up every single slide at the playground.
• Making a soccer goal. Still a cause for celebration even when there's technically no goalie.
• Finding at least a dozen ladybugs. And a few hummingbirds too, for good measure.
• Riding the rocking horse at the park completely unassisted.
• Kit kats.
• Dance break! (Octonauts style)
• Spotting motorcycles. Or fire trucks. Or buses. Notice a theme here?
• Raspberries and tickle fights.
• Stealing one of brother's toys. (This is a two way street.)
• Matching pjs. Ok, this one's just for me.
• Swing sets and sunny days.
• Midweek lunches with auntie.

Happy Friday!

Declan's 6 & 7 Month Updates

Dear Declan,

You have the twinkliest eyes I've ever seen. It makes you look really jolly or really mischievous, depending on your current mood. You put those eyes to good use, always surveying the room, honing in on big brother and watching his every move with a little grin on your face. I suspect you're going to be my little secret agent when you're old enough to tattle. You're so eager to be mobile, you think you're ready to walk but mama isn't ready for that so please slow down. Your expressions are priceless and your sense of humor is really coming through lately. You think your daddy is hilarious, even if he does nothing more than look in your direction. You bounce up and down and scream excitedly whenever your brother enters the room. And you save your best coos and sweet smiles for me. Your daddy, brother, and I love you more than you'll ever know.

Milestones:

You can go from sitting to crawl/plank position and pull up to standing.

Somehow you're moving all over the room without actually crawling. Mostly through a system of sitting then laying down and then sitting back up. Not exactly the most efficient method, but it gets the job done.

With all that movement it's kinda crazy that there's still no back to tummy rolls.

You're "eating" solids.

Car rides are no longer torturous.

Likes:

Grabbing everything within reach.

Chewing everything within reach.

Ez.

Staying up all night.

Long naps.

Crinkly paper.

Trying to walk.

Being out and about.

Meeting new people.

The Parenthood theme songs.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Chewing food.

Spitting out food.

Trying to eat my hat.

Stroller rides.

Tickles from daddy.

Dislikes:

Sleeping at night.

Sleeping in the crib.

When Ez leaves the room.

Not being able to reach something.

Quirks:

Every time you're on the changing table you do these really funny fake exaggerated shivers.

If there is an electrical cord within a twenty foot radius you will somehow scoot yourself over to it.

Banging things together like a little drummer makes you really happy.

You have an obsession with grabbing people's faces. Sorry to break it to you, but that's actually kinda rude. And painful.

Sometimes you get so excited that you just have to let out an ear splitting scream. Usually it has to do with watching your big bro run around.

Eats:

I use the term "eats " loosely, because I'd be surprised if even 10% of the food we give you actually ends up in your stomach. You're really fond of chewing stuff up and spitting it back out. And despite that disgusted face you make after your first bite you always go back for seconds and thirds. Here are a few of your favorite things to munch on:

Bell peppers 

Zucchini 

Green beans 

Tofu

Cantaloupe 

Apple 

Bread

Carrot sticks 

Butternut squash 

Sweet potatoes

Potatoes 

Brussels sprouts 

Weekending

I haven't really posted too much from our weekends lately, even though we've been up to some fun stuff. Like our first hike of the year and Declan's first hike ever two weekends ago.

Last weekend we took a little train trip to Palo Alto with my mom for some lunch and shopping, or a lengthy game of tag between the clothing racks in Ez and Gangy's case. By the way, Ez has never slept so well in his life so can you please come chase your grandson around every night? Thanks! 

This past weekend I dropped the boys off with my parents and brothers on Friday so I could have some alone time, which mostly consisted of drinking iced tea at B&N while answering emails and browsing books uninterrupted. The bookstore is my happy place. There was a mom next to me wearing a baby about Declan's age with a son about Ez's age running around which made me both miss my kids and also made me all the more grateful for those few hours of alone time. Of course I couldn't resist buying Ez a Planes book. I'm pretty sure he has me brainwashed. I got back to a very lukewarm reception. Apparently nobody noticed or cared that I was gone. I expected that from Ez, but Declan didn't even pretend to be excited to see me. That made it a whole lot easier to leave them again, this time for dinner with some of my oldest and dearest friends. It was so fun to catch up and we've already made plans for another girl's night next month. We're not really the selfie types. Pictures just aren't as cute without kids in them, so this is the only picture I got from the evening:

On Sunday we looked at a possible wedding venue. I'll save that for another post, after we've looked at some more places, but it's gonna be hard to beat this beauty:

We've also had quite a bit of rain these past few weeks, which means Uno games, Friday Night Lights binges, and a few slippery park trips. 

How bout you? How was your weekend? Anyone dealing with the Jonas blizzard? Hope you're all staying warm!