Halloween 2011

I have to post the silliness of our Halloween this past year. It was a last minute costume thrown together after finding wigs at a nearby store the day of Halloween. I totally lagged on getting Liv a costume. We had big plans for her to be several things but never made the order. Soooo after a quick run to Walgreens and a fabric store we had the goal to look like a mini family of off the hook rockstars. Instead after slapping tatoos all over our arms and chests (which stayed on for an extra week) Pete looked like Joe Dirt, I looked like a ghetto gangsta and Liv just hated her headband and cried until I took off her costume. It was a fun and mellow night anyway...We headed over the bridge to Marin to hang with Petes family, eat and drink and be merry and pass out candy. I have NEVER seen a street more packed and raging then in Mill Valley on that Halloween night. Kids EVERYWHERE. Wonder where we'll be in 2012?!?!

December 5th 2011, Pete's 33rd Birthday

This year for Pete's Birthday we went to the beautiful Nick's Cove in Tamalis Bay. His Birthday falls on the 5th of December, (obviously i'm a little behind on my blogging) so it is very important to him that we celebrate his day of birth before decking the halls for Christmas....After spending a night at this cozy little cove, kind of a hidden treasure tucked away on the coastline with a deck over looking the bay, complete with a quaint little wood burning stove fireplace, we decided that we would make this an annual birthday tradition. It will be a getaway that we'll look forward to every year and a place that will make hubby happy on his day. Walking distance from the little cottages is Nicks restaurant, where we enjoyed a birthday dinner, with Pete's brother Erik and his wife Lindsay (two Lindsey Stockers). Liv was such an angel all dinner.
We found out that night the hard way that 6 months was too big to let her sleep unbuckeled in her carseat. The waitress kindly offered the empty table next to us to put her on. Something inside of me knew it was unsafe because she is definitely a tosser in her sleep. I went for it anyway since she looked so tucked away and sound asleep (don't ever let the guys talk you into something if your motherly instinct tells you otherwise) ( ; Next thing we know, during a yummy dinner and good conversation, out of the corner of my eye I see her wriggling her way out of her seat, and in slow motion her little body slipped out of the carseat and headed for the hardwood floor. Lindsay and I stood up and screamed (the motherly thing to do of course) which catapulted Erik and Pete to their feet dashing toward Liv. Erik, being the closest to her and the hero of the evening caught her with about 6 inches until she hit the hard floor. Ugggghhhhhhh worst feeling EVER. My heart pounded along with everyone else for the next 15 minutes. Apparently she had no clue what had happened because she awoke and gave Erik a huge smile like he had been holding her throughout her whole sleep. So happy that my wiggly baby girl was ok. A lesson learned, and a huge relief that we didn't end up in the E.R. making sure she didn't have a concussion.
Happy Birthday to my sweets and here's to a GREAT 33rd year!

Today is Thursday, December 8th. I was at home all day with Liv, and realized that I was trying to keep this busy little bee (6 month old) happy so that I could scurry around and clean, and clean, then clean some more. She felt frustrated and I could tell that if she could use her words she would say mommy, I just want you to get down on the floor and be with me. Sometimes I get so over this never ending ride of cleaning, laundry, bills, what's for dinner whats for lunch, time for bed. Sometimes I get the feeling that we are robots, living in this society that tells us to go go go all of the time. Even Christmas now is a huge list of to do's that make you feel like you are never doing enough. I watched a Target commercial today that showed a bunch of people separately doing things and crossing them off of their mile long list while saying "done". It made me tired just watching it and I looked over at the sink and the morning breakfast dishes, and then down at my daughter who was looking up at me with needy eyes. I am a human being, not a human doing. Yes, of course I will do things, this grind is part of life. But what I don't want to do is get so caught up in the go go going that I forget to be, to stop and be. I feel like so many people have bought into the idea that the more you do, the more you have, the more accomplished you feel. Pete, my husband, just recently gifted me with some money to go shopping. Really sweet. After the money was gone, and I had things, I found myself wanting more things. I got sick of my things really fast. Now that I have more things, where do I have to go in my things? I mean, am I really gonna go anywhere where these things are gonna make me feel better? I'm not trying to sound like a pessimist, although I know I can be one at times. I think having Liv makes me re-evaluate often. Because the thing I never ever will grow tired of is time with her, quality time with my family, being with friends, yes enjoying the holidays, but not feeling guilty if I don't have all the decorations up by December 8th. Pete's birthday is December 5th, and he wants to make it known to me that we will celebrate his birthday before we decorate for Christmas! And yeah, we should! It is his birthday afterall, and what's the big deal in waiting one more week to decorate? I'm sitting here with cookies and a glass of milk, it is 5:50 pm, Pete gets off at 6, and tonight we are going to get our tree. What i'm excited about this year is experiencing Livs first Christmas. She is growing so much. There's nothing I would rather be doing then being her mommy.

4 months old, and Autumn in the city

My sister is great at reminding me that I need to write another post...
Crazy how time gets away from me...how many things I constantly have swirling in my noggin of all that I should do or need to get done. (blogging being one of them) There is always another load of laundry, another bag to pack or unpack, it feels like we are always on the go, or the complete opposite, hangin in the loft for little peanut to have some good down time, just her daddy and i. I know the times we are living now are ones that I will wish for again come 5 years from now. There is always a part of me that is nostalgic for the past. And these moments with Liv as a baby girl will be one of those times in life I will wish for again in the future. So for now, while I have her little, I'm reminded to enjoy where we are RIGHT now, hold her a little longer, enjoy every minute with her even in the wee hours of the night when she's waking up a little extra because of teething, and kiss her tiny little soft cheeks a few extra times a day. (this little girl gets kissed A LOT). I'm okay with letting the laundry wait sometimes at this season in my life. Or else I need to stay up a couple extra hours a night to get these household things done...
Life flies by, on Sunday October 2nd she will be 4 months old. There is so much change in her that takes place weekly, daily even. She becomes more aware of her surroundings every single day. She loves pulling and grabbing her hanging toys and ends up getting pretty frustrated with them I think because she's waiting to hear them talk to her... She grabs things I put in front of her and puts them directly into her mouth, she's a little drool queen right now, but quite the talker and the fusser at certain times of the day. Also, blowing bubbles and spitting at me is her way of having conversation with me. It's the cutest thing and it makes me laugh. Definitely my fault since i've been doing that to her since day one. She's so smiley in the morning, and the best part about this past month is hearing her giggle for the first time. It usually happens when I startle her and say peek-a-boo, or peek my head over her crib after she's been playing with her furry friends...What can I say, I'm completely in love and obsessed with my daughter. We took her to her first Giants game at the beginning of September, and sadly they lost but we had a lot of fun. She stared at me the whole time from her Ergo seat and it cracked us up. I was wearing a hat and I think she was pretty curious about it. We took her to Santa Cruz this past weekend and she had her first experience on the beach and I think she quite liked it. ( :
We're so in love with her. She's the best thing that has EVER happened to us. As crazy as it may sound, Pete and I talk about having a big family and already somewhat planning on our next babe. Obviously we want to wait a little while and enjoy our time with Liv, but part of me would love to just grow our family quickly over the next 5 years. Pregnant next fall? Maybe just maybe....I love it that we have friends and cousins who are talking about starting their families soon too. Exciting times...
Pete is currently looking into a business opportunity in the foothills, which would take us out of the city and closer to my family. I think we would look at living in Nevada city/Grass Valley area if this business opportunity goes through. Right now its all in the works, and beginning stages but we shall see what happens. Never really imagined myself in that area, but you never know what life has in store... For now we are enjoying this beautiful Autumn weather in the city, taking lots of walk in the Marina, and hikes in Marin. I finally sent in my check for state board so I should be a licensed esthetician in the next few months after passing my test. I'm so excited for the upcoming holiday season, the Fall decor is out and the Halloween costume is in the works.
So much to look forward to but most importantly enjoying the moments RIGHT now, and the season we are in RIGHT now, watching Liv grow and seeing our relationship with one another grow and mature as well. All we have is right now...and learning to live in the moment is a great thing to get ahold of...

2 Months old today...

I can't even remember life without you in it...
What did I do? What did I think about? What was so important?
Obviously there were things that were important, and things that took up my time...
But nothing like the heart full of love and purpose I have experienced in the past 2 months having you as my baby girl...

You are 2 months today,
Already growing so much.

At 6 weeks the doctor couldn't believe how alert and "with it" you were.
He told me that you were a smart one and that you could easily have me wrapped around your finger in no time....done.
He showed me how your little legs were already strong and sturdy by bouncing them off of his hand.
He weighed you and measured you and you've grown two inches in height and gained 4 pounds. He reassured me you were getting plenty to eat, warning me not to over feed because it would take its toll on my body.
You got a shot that day in your upper thigh and you cried pretty hard, broke my heart.
You are starting a routine, you wake up to eat at 5 am, then back up at 7...and your tired for your morning nap at 8:30. Usually i will curl up next to you and we'll snooze together in your boppy (one of your favorite spots) I quietly sneak away to get some things done around the house but look over to check on your cute little face quite often. On some days, when i'm extra sleepy i will stay and nap with you the whole time...but thats only for you and I to know about. ( ;

You're talking more and more and when you really want to say something you kick your arms and legs really fast, trying to work up the energy to get it out. The past two weekends we have gone up to Meadowood and daddy and I take you on a hike up the trail. I'm a little afraid the whole time because there is a sign warning about mountain lions. "hike at your own risk" Ahhh!! Good thing we have Baron with us to lead the way and scare off any critters. You sleep in the ergo the whole time and then wake toward the last stretch of the trail. One of your favorite things to do and one of my favorite things to watch you do is look up at the sky and the tall trees. I can see your little brain working in wonder taking all of these new sights in. You're following things with your eyes including a bird that flew over head the other day. You also love music. We sing songs all day and you fall asleep at night to a lullaby album.

It may seem silly to write all of this down, But I want to remember all of it. Time flies so quickly, and I have the worst memory./ : It's time to get some sleep now, it's getting late...This weekend we are heading up to Tahoe for a few days and then off to Yuba we go to spend a week there. Nana and Papa and all your cousins will be so happy to see you. You are so loved little girl. Sweet dreams.

My lil Drama Queen...

Cute when she cries



Liv's first 4th of July in Lahontan Truckee



Poolside nap time with the cousins, Truckee



Emma was in a play this Summer. She was such a good little actress and her pretty little face shined on stage!! I had a smile the whole time.


Ella (7) and Avery (5) both just celebrated Birthdays this month! HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRLS!! I love you SOOOO much!!! I can't believe how big and beautiful they are, and how quickly time has flown by...



A 6 mile walk around the city (Haight and Ashbury)



Sean and Changa's beautiful wedding June 3rd



Our "night out" costume party.




My sweet little Liv.



Mommy loves you so much.


There's so much to write about. Things are changing around here every day. I've been finding it hard to find time to sit down and blog. Liv is awake a lot more these days, slowly growing out of that very newborn stage. She is 7 weeks tomorrow and becoming so much more aware of her surroundings everyday. As I write this she is asleep in the ergo with her head on my chest. I'm LOVING this Ergo, it's a front pack that fits her securely and allows me to get some things done. Not to mention if she is fussy I will put her in, bounce around and she will fall asleep within a minute. (Thanks Jackie and Lindsay) It's so true what they say about newborns wanting to still be close to mommy. I will be sad when these days pass. Already she is past the days of wanting to lay still on my chest. It's the cutest thing how her head bobbles back and forth. She has discovered that there is so much to see. It's like the world around her just opened up for her in the past 2 weeks and she received her eyes to take it all in. I love the connections she is making with everyone who loves her. Last week in Yuba, we had our first conversation back and forth and i got it on video which is at the bottom of this post. (please excuse my annoying baby talking voice) She has also definitely discovered her voice and knows exactly how to get our attention. This little girl has got a set of lungs on her and this past week she received a new nickname hence the title of this post. I can't help but take pictures when she cries, and I find myself laughing a little when she wails, only because I think she looks really cute and I can tell she's got some spice in her. It's amazing how much of her personnality I can already see. She likes to be heard, she knows what she wants, she loves to play, she's extremely curious, she loves music, she's very keen and aware of her surroundings, and she loves to be paid attention to. And she's affectionate and oh so cuddly. I love everything about this little drama queen.
Already so many places we have been since she was born; 2 weddings, Tahoe for the 4th of July, a weekend in Meadowood, A week in Yuba, and all around to meet all of her baby friends. She was so happy to return home on Saturday and it was really evident that she knew we were in her safe familiar home. Nana and Papa came back to the city with me to watch her that night so Pete and I could go out for a friends 30th birthday. It was a costume party (thrown together costume) where we drove a trolley on wheels all around the city. While it was a lot of fun, I of course called every hour to check on her and nana did such a good job at making us feel comfortable to enjoy ourselves. Still, we made our own trolley stop and got off to head home to our baby at around 11:30. I love the feeling of having such a wonderful love and partner in Pete, where we are on the same page to get home to our little family. It's been so nice enjoying our loft after months of renovating. We spend our evenings making dinner, adoring Liv, and sometimes getting a movie in. We feel so blessed with so many people who already love Liv and shower her with their affections. This is one loved little girl...

(Posting this a week late...tomorrow she will be 8 weeks!! Which calls for another post)

Me and Liv

I was practicing applying fake eyelashes for state board. ( :


Our first shopping trip together.






Olivia is 5 weeks old today...I'm so enjoying watching her grow and become much more alert everyday. She insists on watching me from her car seat everywhere we go, and her eyes rarely leave mine. Sometimes I wonder if I'm creating a little bit of a drama queen as she's learning quickly that I will respond quickly to her crying, and wow can she cry!!! It's a really hard thing to just let her cry. Everyone has different opinions but I mostly read that in the first few months, ignoring them while crying isn't teaching any lessons. When she cries I think she's letting me know that she wants to be close, and she has had enough independent time. And I'm okay with that. I want to cherish this time that she is little and fits so snug in my arms. She's doing so well sleeping in her own bed (right next to my bed) at night. She also loves being outside. I'm so excited to learn more and more about her little personality. She's really sweet. She already smiles a lot, when she's tired she cries her hardest. Just thinking of her little face while she's upstairs asleep makes me want to wake her up and kiss her cheeks. A few pictures of us together. We lay in bed a lot together. ( : Today we had a coffee date at the corner coffee shop and she was so content just sitting in my arms while I ate. I'm so content doing nothing but being her mommy everyday.
A few of her nicknames: Livvy, Livvy-Lou, Livvy Love, Livvy Lou-who. I'm sure there will be many more along the way.



I LOVE thsi picture of us in bed together.