Special Moments and Memories

Yesterday I saw two young girls (maybe 4 and 6) walking with their mom and carrying a large grocery bag. It was lunch time - and the girls were bringing lunch to their daddy at his office. As one of the MANY things that "sets me off" emotionally - this one did. I was so touched by the mom's thoughtfulness, the excitement on the girl's faces, and the anticipation for the dad is getting to spend the long drawn out lunch with his family!

It reminded me of several times when I was a little girl that I had special moments with my dad. One general memory is when my dad used to play in an adult basketball league. My mom would bring my brother and I to the games to watch him play. I remember thinking how fun/cool it was that my dad played basketball - he was like my own personal NBA star (except I didn't know about the NBA at that time!).

Another more specific time was when my dad made *me* a picnic lunch. He packed me a lunch, with specific "special" things that I like, then came to my school at lunch time, took me to a near by park - and we had a picnic lunch together! (He even bought me Oreos - which I NEVER got growing up!).

I am working hard to bring up all these fun, special, everyday loving moments from when I was little... so that Andrew will have beautiful memories like this when he's grown and big! So far Andrew has been able to attend two of Brandyn's basketball team games (that he coaches) and randomly/spontaneously showed up in his classroom (at the end of the day) so Brandyn could show Andrew off around school.

I wish we were on a reality TV show...

There have been so many times over the last 10 months when I wish I had our video camera out to capture all the fun/unique moments. But those moments happen so quickly, there's no time for a camera. And besides, if I went and got the camera each and every time, then I how I be "present" in the moment.

So that's why, sometimes I wish we were part of a reality TV show. That our entire lives were captured on film. You know, capturing all of our amazing family moments - like Jon & Kate + Eight. ;) OK... never mind... I guess I really don't wish that. I guess I'll just have to rely on my memory.

From this past weekend, here are a few moments I would like to remember:

- On Friday, Andrew had his sights set on Lucy. She was sitting on a chair at the kitchen table. Andrew was playing with magnets on the fridge when she caught his attention. He crawled over to the table toward her chair. She immediately smelled "danger" and moved to another chair. Andrew continued to "chase" her through the dinning room table while she jumped from chair to chair and finally ended up on top of the table. The game stopped when Andrew tried to climb up the table (not that he's really capable of doing that) and got stuck. He pulled himself up (under the table) holding onto a chair and then bumped his head trying to pull himself up on the chair. Not surprisingly, this moment ended in tears.

- Then later that day, Andrew played chase with me. Brandyn was holding Andrew and started running after me telling Andrew "Get mommy, get mommy." I, of course, cried "No, don't GET me!" Andrew was laughing uncontrollably ... as we all three ran around and around and around the kitchen a living room.

- Sunday was a day full of cuddles in our house, as Andrew was beginning to have symptoms of what we now know is a double ear infection. Andrew didn't want to be put on the floor, to play with his toys , as he usually does - he just wanted to be held. Nap times were the same "don't put me down" cry!! So after two very short naps in the middle of the day... Andrew spent his last nap, laying cuddled up on the couch with his daddy. Andrew's no-longer-itty-bitty-body draped across Brandyn chest and stomach. Brandyn said Andrew fell asleep almost instantly when he cuddled him in his arms. Such a tender moment.

Our "other" family members....

There's a love/hate relationship around our house with our cats. Basically we love one of them and hate the other. OK, hate is a strong word. But let's just say that anyone thinking of getting a Siamese cat... should think twice! Lucy is, apparently, the typical Siamese. She's neurotic, hyper, moody, crazy and very... high maintainance.

Luckily... Linus is the Yang to Lucy's Ying! He is sweet, cuddly, loving and can NOT get enough attention. As it is in most households... the pets seem to go from 1st priority... to... 3rd or 4th when a baby joins. We feel pretty bad that we haven't given the cats as much love and attention as we used too. So Andrew decided to get in on the kitty lovin' action.

While Lucy avoids Andrew at any instance (just like she does with us!)... Linus seems to love (or tolerate) him just fine. When Linus enters the room - Andrews attention is immediatly drawn to him. He loves trying to get Linus, touch him, pet (or hit) him, etc. And that Lover Linus... he doesn't seem to mind either!

Well... maybe he minds just a little bit!!

Play time at the park!

Since Andrew was born in March, he was really too small to take to the park during the beautiful summer and fall months. When my family decided to forgo the cold, and hit up the beautiful Vasona park in Los Gatos... we decided it would be a perfect time to introduce Andrew to all that is swings, play sets, and more. And he...... loved it!!

Andrew and Uncle Ryan.

Welcome to 2010!

Since last years "public goal setting" seemed to work pretty well.... I thought I'd do it again for 2010.

Left over 2009 goals, now moved over to 2010!
- Grow a few of vegetables/fruits/herbs in our back yard.
- Participate in the March for Babies. And I'm going to bump this year's goal up a little bit... I'm going to create a TEAM! The race is April 24, 2010.

New 2010 goals:
- Walk 30-45 min, 2-3 days a week. Before I got pregnant with Andrew last year, I was walking during my work lunch. But then I got knocked up... and my good coworker/friend Annie left... and I got lazy... and I stopped walking. I really want to start that up again.
- My "green" efforts are to *try* and eliminate paper towels from our kitchen and instead use rags. I would also like to purchase only environmentally friendly cleaning products from Method. (We use their soaps now, but once our other cleaning products are empty - I'll replace them with Method).
- Date night *alone* (not with friends) with my husband once a month.
- Explore community churches to participate in.

Merry Christmas - Part Three

Our post Christmas celebration included a trip to Saratoga to visit my mom's family.

Great Grandma loved spending time with her grand and great grand kids. This is my brother, his wife and their daughter Evey.

Every year my family spends the afternoon of the 27th (my Grandma's birthday) playing bocci ball at a local in door court. The whole family gets in on the action - and Andrew's no exception!

Merry Christmas - Part Two

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Brandyn's family in Fresno.

On Christmas morning, Andrew woke up early, and found that Santa had left one VERY special present for him - unwrapped under the tree - a xylophone.


Andrew received a lot of very nice gifts - but I think he enjoyed playing in the boxes and paper more than anything!


Andrew loved all the time he got hanging out with his cousins.

And, of course, we squeezed in a little nap time too. Andrew had trouble going to sleep... so obviously, I had to help him.