High Five!!!!

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Our Cinco de Mayo's have changed some in the last few years. It used to be an excuse to party. Tonight we may celebrate by having taco's or something. Maybe Erik will have a Pacifico. Whoo.

Today also marks our 1 year in Vacaville! From Oakland to Vacaville... wow...totally different places. We like it here.

Another special "5" for us marks Max's 5 months! It's not officially until the 7th, but he's so close we can taste it! Time is going by so quickly, as I knew it would. Here are some random pictures taken recently...

Yesterday Deda came up for a visit...
Cute growing young man playing...
And now, we have discovered the "adult" spoon. I learned the trick was to keep his paci in while he plays to avoid any gagging. It worked for a little while. He had so much fun banging the spoon around and shoving it into his mouth. It's like the gifts, the cardboard boxes are so much more fun than the actual gift. All we need are a bunch of spoons and we're set.

Notice the book in the bottom picture. We have arrived to the level of chewed up board books. I think it's gross and was bummed to find my star child is guilty of commiting such a horrible crime. It took him about 30 seconds to change the words to "own Bear, rown Bear, What do you see?" and to have chunks of dripping cardboard fall to the floor. Here's to many more slobber covered corners. Gross.

A weekend at the farm!

This post is way late, but I'm finally able to post pictures. Last weekend we took a trip up to Anderson to visit Erik's sister and her family. They recently moved to a home with about 3 acres and they are taking full advantage if it! The property came with 110 olive trees and 5 chickens...and a lot of space to play. They built a large sandbox for the kids (which was quickly turned into a bakery for mud-pies, etc.) and have done a TON of planting and gardening. I was so impressed with all they have done in the short time they have lived there. They have proved gardening is a lot of work, but so beneficial...and beautiful! This is our brother-in-law, Brian, and nephew, Ethan, looking into the Sacramento River. We were below an amazing bridge you will see below.
This is The Sundial Bridge. This is in Redding, CA and is really a sight to see.
The fam on the bridge.
The chickens!!! Right now they are producing about 3 eggs a day. They have 5 chicks inside the house getting ready to join them soon! They were so cute!
Here is Erik, Max and our niece, Vivian. First thing in the morning, cuddling on the couch.

At the fire pit! Yet another cool thing to find in their backyard. We enjoyed a fun fire and s'mores Friday evening. You can see Vivian roasting her marshmallow. We heard all sorts of neighboring animals around us as we chatted.
All the kiddos. I knew it would be difficult to get the three of them to pose for a photo, so this was the best we got. Vivian, Max and Ethan. It was really cold and very windy that afternoon. Nicole, Brian, Kathy (Brian's Mom who moved up too and has a great studio of her own on the property) and Erik all worked so hard gardening, painting and building that day.

It was a fun trip and will be fun to take Max up to the farm and see the changes over the years. Thanks for a great weekend!

It's just not working

We spent a nice weekend in Anderson, CA (just outside Redding) with my sister-in-law's family. We took a ton of pictures and I keep getting errors trying to upload them. Until then,

HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!

After spending the weekend around true gardeners, we have been motivated to plant some veggies and herbs. I've never done this so we are starting small. Hopefully, in honor of the day, we can make it out to get them in the ground. Well, in the containers. Our landlord has given us the option of doing what we wish with the yard. But, we're going to start in containers for now. Max hasn't liked the idea of letting me go lately so it might take longer then I thought. I'll take some pictures as soon as it's finished.

Facts about Max

Max had his 4 month check up on Friday. He's weighs 15 lbs 9oz and is 27 inches long. I was watching him sleep earlier this evening and couldn't believe how long he is now.

With the warmer weather we learned that Max does not like the heat! Just like his mommy. I really don't like being warm. I like nice days, but if it's over 80 degrees, it's way too hot for me. If I can just stay at home and inside, I'm good. But If I have to go somewhere in the heat, stay away from me. It's not pretty. Now, I have my evil twin to be miserable with me!

We tried to keep him cool with the Erik's new air mister (thanks to John and Carla for a "cool" gift!), cool washcloths, fans and wearing just a diaper. He's tossing around so we'll see how well it works. This is going to be a long summer!

Swimming and secrets...

This month we were able to celebrate April birthdays with a nice warm day in the pool at my parents house. Max got to swim for the first time.We had a great time for another fun birthday celebration. It kicked off the first of many swimming days at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Ryan, Melissa and Addy were up to visit too, from San Diego. Addy is just the sweetest little lady. I loved holding her and cuddling her. She's about six weeks older than Max. Max decided to let her in on a few family secrets .
"No cameras here please. This is private.""Come here Addy, I'll tell you a few things about this family. I know all sorts of secrets!"
"shwphp steshew shestepwey hashewut..."
"I hope you got all that Addy. I'm gonna tell Riley everything when she gets bigger and can understand it all. Just remember, it's only for the new ones...if you tell anyone, I'll knock you out!"

Another First...

As most of you know, Erik and I are big A's fans. We both grew up going to games and we really love going to the games now. The first game Erik and I went to together I bought a tan visor to match his. (We were so cute back then...what happened?) Today was a big turning point is Max's life. He may even remember this one. He got to attend his very first A's game! Big diaper butt.
Studying the players and learning the game. Who knows? He may be a future star!
Daddy teaching Max some of the rules.
So he might not remember the entire game. He fell asleep about halfway through and didn't wake up until we were in the parking lot loading the car. (Don't worry Grandma's, Max had baby sunblock on his cheeks and ears, was covered head to toe in A's garb, and the tip of his hat made a nice tent for his burp cloth to block out the sun).
This picture is actually pretty funny. Max was super fussy and we popped in the pacifier just to calm him down for the picture. Well, he took it too seriously and fell asleep within about 2 seconds. I leaned in with a smile and felt his heavy head fall against my face. So really, I'm holding up his head with mine, just for the picture.

Looking forward to the rest of the season!

Week of Many Firsts

Being first time parents almost every day brings us firsts. These were worth mentioning.

Max had his first trip to the zoo last week. We went to the Sacramento Zoo with the Kapele Family, Mills Family and Grandma Mills. It happened to be Erik's birthday so we celebrated in the park with cupcakes, party hats and a song before we went inside. The weather was great and we had a fun time!Above was after the zoo getting ready to go home. The park by the zoo was really beautiful. Below, Max and I were posing in front of the Red Panda's. You can't see any in this picture, but they sure make a tree branch look cozy.
This morning Max tried his first bowl of rice cereal. We started putting a little into his bottles last week to get his tummy ready. I think it worked. He actually liked it, mostly. Have you ever tasted rice cereal? It's gross. He was a little unsure of the texture, but by the second attempt this evening he ate it up! He was even holding the spoon (with Erik) and guiding it into his mouth.
I think Max was actually three months old when he was born.

So long, farewell!

We sold the trusty little commuter car. Bye Bye Honda. It was a 2005 Honda Civic 2 Door Coupe SE. Great car. For a 16 year old. Not only were we too big for it, but so was the car seat. Max had never even been in this car. I wasn't sad to sell it because it was one of the sacrifices we had to make for me to be able to stay at home for a while longer. We're saving a ton every month by parting this little beauty. So worth it!

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!!!