As if you needed further proof . . .

that I am the best mom ever, I took the day off of work on my birthday (my birthday) and took my son to the zoo. Actually Muti took us to the zoo, but you get the picture.

Finn was very excited about the baby turtles.  

He wanted so badly to get in the aquarium with them.

Hey there baby turtles!

Yup, it's a goat.

Showing off my zebra t-shirt to the elephant.  

Get ready.  I'm about to have a meltdown.

I can hardly contain my excitement over the giraffes.

 

Muti and I celebrated my birthday with a nice lunch at the Park Chalet followed by Muti's famous angel food birthday cake.  Okay.  Maybe she is the best mom ever.

Dear Jason

It's true. I started this blog to write funny-often-mean things mostly about you. And to share photos of our beautiful son. But today you surprised me.

Out of pure exhaustion, I ducked out of the office early. When I came home I found the dishwasher washing away. For a second I thought perhaps someone broke into the house. Of course, people don't generally break into your house to clean.

Scout and I cozied up on the couch to rest. About a half an hour later I heard some commotion at the back door. Scout investigated and came back a few moments later to resume her resting spot. I figured that meant it was you at the door or at least a friendly intruder. It turns out it was you. You had been to the grocery store and were putting groceries away! Next you were doing laundry and tidying up the house. When I questioned you about all this you told me you've been doing this every couple of weeks for a while now. Really? I know that I haven't been doing it I just didn't realize that you were taking time away from your work day (your precious, precious working hours) to take care of the domestic duties. But the piece de resistance was when you presented me with a huge slice of german chocolate cake that you picked up at the store just for me. My eyes filling with tears I whispered, "You love me. You really love me."

I can't imagine why you are being so nice. I haven't been very useful to you lately. Although perhaps I have offered some comic relief by letting you catch me checking out my preggo belly in the mirror in my oh so sexy underwear and white socks ensemble. Or when I exhibit my burp-followed-immediately-by-gagging ritual which you find funny only because you think the burp so disgusting that the gagging is deserved.

Then tonight you made dinner and had it on the table by the time Finn and I were back from daycare. Dare I say that you are the best husband ever? I darest. Now don't screw it up.

Happy Birthday Finn!

An Elmo themed 2nd Birthday Breakfast for Finn

Ready to party.

Special candle in my birthday pancakes.

Opening my gifts with my teeth.

Play-doh!

Trying out my new sidewalk chalk.



Dear Finn

Tomorrow you will be 2. Can I hardly believe it? You betcha. Here are some important things about you right now.

• You talk . . . A LOT! You must have 100 words in your vocabulary and thousands of made-up jibberish words.
• You wake up talking. Sometimes we can hear you singing in your crib. This morning you kept saying "oh man."
• You are a bundle of energy and rarely sit or stand still.
• You love water in all forms- bath, shower, fountain, faucet.
• You have a sweet tooth- you get that from me. We can't even say the word "cookie" around you without stirring up trouble.
• You have impressive hygiene skills- yesterday you brushed your teeth, combed your hair and tried desperately to put on deodorant. You even tell us when you need a diaper change.
• You are very good at saying "please" and "thank you." So good in fact that when your Auntie Kirsten babysat you, she said every time she handed you something you said "thank you."
• When you are excited you put your whole body into it, doubling over and popping back up with a "Wow!"
• You have the most gorgeous blond hair and beautiful big blue eyes.
• You love music and love to dance. Although you prefer adult music (Sublime, Iggy Pop, AC/DC) your favorite song is The Itsy Bitsy Spider.
• You give the best hugs and can be so sweet.
• When you say "I love Momma" my heart melts.
• You are incredibly independent and want to do everything by yourself. If your legs were long enough I think you would try to drive the car. Seriously.
• You are a huge flirt, especially with pretty brunette girls between the ages of 18-25.
• You are mesmerized by big kids. You want to do everything your cousins do.
• You are in such a hurry to grow up. Please stop.

We love you very much little man! Happy Birthday.

More fun with felt

Last weekend I was invited to a baby shower.  It was gift card shower so the hostesses decided to have a contest for the most creative wrapping.  Genius idea considering otherwise the guest of honor would get a pile of cards and nothing fun or pretty to look at or open.  My competitive brain immediately went to work and I came up with the truck above.  And you know how I love felt.  It's based on an early 20th century market truck that I designed myself.  Did I win?  Well, victory went to a guest who wrapped the gift card in a diaper.  Lord knows I have plenty of those lying around the house and I could have saved myself many hours of thinking, drawing and sewing.  But that's okay.  I did it for fun, not for the glory.

* Do I sound bitter?  That's probably just from my finger tips that are still healing from some of the more difficult stitches.

** No, I did not give her a Christmas themed Starbucks card.  Though a new mom could very well use that.  

Go Adrienne!

My friend, Adrienne Simmons, a sylist and personal shopper, appeared on Fox this morning to discuss magazine fashion deals. How cool is that? Now, I know what your wondering. How do you know someone so cool and hip? Well, Adrienne is also an attorney and we once spent months working in a cramped conference room full of legal documents. Definitely not fashionable.

You can check out her Fox interview here. If you like that then definitely check out her blog be fashion fierce!

Awesome Day

Last weekend, Finn and I went to the big purple building, aka the Children's Discovery Museum in San Jose. I found street parking (score!) and we got there just as the museum was opening. Seeing all of the other little munchkins heading toward the same place we were heading was the first hint that we were going somewhere he might like and he started to get excited. Once in the museum, what can I say, you can't pay for that kind of pure joy and enthusiasm. Every exhibit was like the coolest. We started out in the bubble room. Then headed upstairs to the Wonder Cabinet which is for kids 4 and under. He was having a blast playing, jumping, climbing, checking out puppets. Everything was his size and he was in heaven. We stayed for about 2 1/2 hours. He fell asleep in my arms on the walk back to the car. Sweet boy. Awesome day.

Trying to eat the bubbles as they came out of the hose.

What do I do with this thing?

Put it over my head!

Zonked out before we leave our parking spot.