Happy Birthday Erik!

Some pictures of Erik as a baby...I'm not sure how old Erik is in these photos, but I love them. The color one is of Erik and his Grandfather, Henry.


What an adorable baby! Today we celebrate Erik's 31st Birthday. I have known Erik for a few other birthday's and they have all been fun. We went to Reno with another couple one year (sooo fun, but won't write about it...heehee...), one year we went to the A's game (doesn't sound exciting, but I tricked Erik to believe he was in trouble with the state...he was relieved to find out I scored tickets to the sold out game, opening day, against the Yankee's), and last year we were in Hood River, Oregon (Portland). Two days after we returned from Portland we found out I was pregnant.

So starting this year Erik's birthday's will be changing. No big trips, no big games. We're going to the zoo. Don't laugh. He's being a really good sport. I did make cupcakes for a mini-party while we're there. I even bought party hats.

It's almost 1 am and it's officially Erik's birthday. He's in bed so I decorated (we do this for our own sake, men don't care) the kitchen table. Earlier I made a Pineapple upside down cake. My first, and I must pat myself on the back. It looks just like the picture and tastes just like heaven!

Happy Berfday Erik, We love you!

Do I have to tell you twice?

This is just a vent really. I shop at Target (or Tear-get for you SNL fans...so funny!!!) pretty much all the time. I like to go there. Now, my mind might be changing. One of the things I hate most about the "public" is having to deal with the people who stand outside the doors to ask you things or sell you things or something along those lines.

Lately the question is "Are you registered to vote?", to which I reply "yes", and think I got off the hook. Noooooo! Well, they've tricked me and they want my signature on something because I am a registered voter. Fat chance now.

Today as I was leaving Target I saw the group crowding around another poor shopper and thought 'Oh good, they're busy'..noooooooo! Out of nowhere here comes a young man asking me if I'm registered to vote. I kindly reply, "Yes I am, but I don't have time right now.." You'd think that would end it right there, wouldn't you? Nooooo. he follows me and says 'It will just take a moment, all we need is a signature."

Didn't he hear me the first time? Now I feel harassed and want to tell him what I really want to say to him. I just kept walking.

The only people that should be allowed to attack shoppers are the Girl Scouts. They aren't sneaky, they just want to sell some cookies.

This reminds me of Sex in the City episode when Miranda walks by the Blimpie sandwich. His big job of the day is to tell people too "Eat Me". After a few days, she's upset by this and talks to the manager. She then feels bad and develops a crush on the talking sandwich. Man, I can't wait for the movie to come out!!!

More Max!

Here are more pictures for you all to smile about.

Now really, whose kid is this? I think he looks so different here. I happened to catch him sneezing and I thought it was funny...
...then I got him doing it again. He's always sneezing!
You would probably call this a hand, right? Not me. I call this the barf catcher.
The barf catcher couldn't hold it all so some dripped to the floor. As I was wiping it up, Max started screaming because he couldn't see me and he really doesn't like to be alone. I called his name and he calmed down as he looked for me. It was sweet.
Could he be teething? He's always covered in drool and ALWAYS has to have his hands in his mouth, even through his clothes. It's either his hands or the ones he can grab and pull in.
This is something we tried a couple days ago. He stands so well on our laps (assisted of course) that we laughed about how soon he'd be holding onto the tables to stand. We tested it and he could sort of do it. His legs give after about 5 seconds, but it's a start!

Cry baby!

My sister Kelly told me to post more pictures of Max. So here, this is our morning so far. I grabbed the camera after he took an hour nap this morning. These are the really great ones while he's crying over just about everything. I'll post more of the cute ones next because in between crying fits, he gets cute.

Screamin' on the changing table. Moved him to the bed...still crying... Onto the couch...still crying... Change of diaper and out of jammies...still crying... After just 2 oz. of a bottle..all that crying wore him out!

A night in India

Last night Erik ad I decided to order take out and just stay in (like we venture out so often). There was a movie I wanted to see, The Namesake, about an Indian boy struggling with his culture while living in America. I started reading the book many years ago and unfortunately didn't finish it, but kept it with hopes to return to it someday.
The move was excellent. It was a nice way to get the feel for Indian culture, which I think is beautiful. I used to work for an Indian doctor whom I admired very much. She has moved to Texas and we've lost most contact. But, I enjoyed meeting her family and helping her with American traditions for her two boys (like getting a Christmas Tree for example). Her marriage was arranged but she was one of the lucky ones because her husband was once of her brother's closest friends. So she knew about him already. We have a beautiful vase on our bookshelf that she brought back after a trip to India to visit her family.

Anyway, we decided to make it an Indian theme and order take out as well. When Erik lived in Berkeley, we ordered Indian food from a wonderful place ( I can't remember the name) all the time. When we lived in Oakland, we found another Indian place that wasn't so good. In fact ,we only ordered from them once. We are happy to announce we found the BEST Indian food in Vacaville called Torch of India.

Mexican food is my favorite food. But last night was a reminder of why Indian is a close second. YUMMMMMM!!! We have enough leftovers for another feast tonight. Can't wait!

Tahoe-we-o-we-o!!!!

My parents gave the family a great vacation to Lake Tahoe for the Easter weekend. We drove up Friday morning and came back this afternoon. There were 10 adults and 10 kids in a house that actually fit us all quite nicely. There was sledding, skiing, snowboarding, long walks, shopping, good food, John's fabulous fire, movie watching, snowman building, and the Easter Bunny even made a visit! Enough activities to keep everyone busy and the kids to get their energy out. Boy were they tired a the end of the day. We all hope this can be an annual event!

There were about a million pictures taken, but everyone will post their own on their family blogs. I just grabbed a few to put up here.

This is Erik and Max Easter morning. Max played Easter Bunny. He's always so happy when he wakes up!
Max enjoyed his first time in the snow. I found this little toddler sled and crossed my fingers. Turned out, he really liked it...as long as he was moving anyway. He got to touch the snow and taste it.
Even with all this snow, it was really warm. Shortly after this, Max cuddled up on my shoulder and fell asleep. Come to think of it, he was probably already sleeping when this picture was taken. What a good sport.
Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Mills, you guys really made it great!!!!

I love Edward

I'm in love with this book. I don't even know how to write about it. If you have read it, you know what I'm talking about. If not, I just sound crazy. When I think of the love story it tells, I smile and get butterflies in my stomach. (I hear it's called the "Edward high"). When I think of the Vampires, I get a cozy chill.

We might have to name our next kid "Cullen".

I finished the first one and felt jealous because I wasn't "with" them anymore. I got the second one tonight...and I have a big decision to make. Tomorrow we leave for Tahoe for 5 days. Do I take it and read the entire time or leave it at home and think about it the entire time?

There are three books so far, the fourth comes out in August. And the movie comes out in December.

If you haven't read them, GO FIND A COPY!!! I love talking about the book and am completely obsessed with the characters.

Okay, gotta get my pulse rate down...

P.S. Happy Persian New Year!

P.P.S. Happy First Day of Spring!

P.P.S. S. Happy Easter!!!

Some pictures of..... who else?

Yesterday we went to Jordan's baseball game. He did great, hit two triples and got the game ball. He's really good! This was right before Max toppled over onto a hot dog.
My sister-in-law, Melissa, put some pictures up of Addy in her excersaucer. So it made me want to post this one of Max. He only lasts a few minutes in this thing. But when he is in there, he loves to smile and talk to the starfish. When he realizes it's not talking back, he's done. Maxwell sleeping. Sometimes I forget his real name is Maxwell. Doesn't really fit him. Maximus does. We call him Maxi-moose too.
For Christmas, Max's Auntie Kelly made him this wonderful book. She took a lot of time and put pages of colors, numbers, shapes and letters together with stickers and cutouts, etc. MAX LOVES IT!!!! I give it to him every few days (he's a little rough on it) and he goes crazy. He can turn the pages and everything. (Not very gracefully...yet). Here he is looking at it while on the bed. But, it keeps him occupied in his high chair when we are working in the kitchen. He studies the pages and tries to grab things. This was such a thoughtful gift. Thank-you, Kelly!!!

Into the Wild

Erik and I just bought this movie. One of the best movies I have ever seen. I haven't read the book, but Erik suggests reading it first. He said the characters were all a perfect fit for the descriptions in the book. And the acting was fabulous. Of course anything that has to do with Sean Penn is great. It really pulls you in and makes you want to go outside to enjoy the land. Go watch it!

A little tied up today!

Max in his crib, reading his Czech book.
Max sleeping. I know, we break the rules...no sleeping with the boppy, no sleeping with the blankets. Whatever. He looks way to cozy to move around.
We went to Kirra's softball game yesterday. Here is Max hanging out with Grandma Mills.
This is this morning after his nap. He wakes up really happy. Today he woke up happy, and a little tied up. This blanket was one Erik used as a baby. His Mom gave it to us last weekend and it immediately went to Max. Another new Mom mistake. Cut off any loose strings, etc.
I had to use scissors to get him loose. He was fine, didn't even notice. I have a video too, but we all know how long that takes for me to figure out. I'll give it a shot.