New office updates

I didn't end up finishing in that one weekend I was shooting for...but here's the latest.
Phase 1:
We were able to paint the walls and we bought the new desk (wood door and cabinets).

Phase 2:
This past weekend Jim installed the shelves (Thanks so much, Jimmy!!)... don't they look great! And I've officially clearing out the brown desk, to which we are selling (anyone interested? $100 and its yours!). I've been pecking away at clearing off the computer so I can give it back (it's a loaner). It's painfully slow... I download onto a 2 GB thumb drive, then transfer to the PC and burn it to a disc and back to the MAC for more ... any ideas how to do this faster/easier??

I've got most of my books for teaching up on the shelves and out of their boxes... such an amazing feeling to get organized after months of being here and a month of teaching.

I also brought my herbs in. I like them here in the sunny window and they are close to the kitchen for easy access.

Phase 3:
Finish the transfer of files and give back MAC and sell brown desk.

Phase 4:
Install some kind of homemade bench/couch/reading/napping nook where brown desk currently is.

Catching up

Hard to believe its been over a week since our last entry. A busy week indeed. Last week, Henry went in for his 4 month checkups. He's just a picture of good health. Length: 24 1/4 inches.(@ 2 months = 23 inches)
Weight: 14 lb. 10 oz. (@ 2 months = 12 lb.4oz)
Head: 41cm (@ 2 months = 39 1/2 cm)
Doctor said he's staying in the same percentiles... 50% for height/75th for weight. But it looks to me that he's leveling out a bit.

The doctor encouraged us to start him on solids within the next month. I've been reading up (Thanks Wendy for the GREAT book!) and getting schooled on how you do this properly. Visions of me feeding Ayla a baked sweet potato for the first time are haunting me ... she loved it, so I kept feeding it to her and KEPT feeding... I figured she'd stop when she was full ... she ended up eating the WHOLE thing and then her right eye swelled up and started oozing and her face, chest and knees broke out in a rash. Not to mention the sweet potato bombs in her diaper the next few days. So, at least I know how NOT to do it. ;)

This is Henry's newest thing. When you pick him up, he leans back a bit and holds his arms open wide. So symbolic of his approach to the world. He's just wide open... taking it all in. I have to watch it cuz we've knocked things over not realizing how far out he's reaching!

Also last week was the finale to Ayla's fall volleyball season. It was a nailbiting clincher to the very end. Her team was matched up with the #1 team and really played well against them. They lost the 1st game. And were ahead most of the 2nd game until point 20. Then it was neck and neck points until Ayla's team scored 25 and they thought they had won it... but realized they needed to win by 2 points. All of the parents and team members were on the edge of their seat! So it was Ayla's serve (can you believe it!!) and she served beautifully, but her team didn't get it over giving the other team the advantage and eventually the win. Ayla played amazingly well and was having a lot of fun. She said their final game was the most exciting game she'd ever played. Go girl!!

It's time for more birthday wishes!

Henry would like to wish both his grammy's... Janni and Granma Joan... a very Happy Birthday to you both! With today being the 15th... Jan's birthday was 2 days ago... and Joan's birthday is in 2 days. So... HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES!!!! love, Henry.

Little precious

We've had a bit of a rough week. Mama's been working a lot, which makes me tired and extra emotional. Yesterday it all came to a head after dropping Ayla off at volleyball, after hearing him cry the entire 45 minutes of us fighting traffic back to our house, and my supervisor calling to see why I wasn't at work already. I lost it. And in my time of desperation and need, Jim couldn't have been sweeter and more helpful. I am so blessed to have such an amazing husband.

The deal is... I am so hypersensitive to having to wake sweet Henry up from his restful naps to go barrelling down the highway. I'm stuck in that "life's just not fair" feelings. I think the fact that I'm not happy about being in the car all day might be the true culprit.

We also tried to transition Henry to his crib which went fairly well, aside from the multiple trips up and down the stairs for mama. I've decided its just not worth it at this point. I'm just not willing to give up sleeping with Jim or my own bed yet to sleep downstairs on the extra bed in Henry's room.

Some great news is Henry has been rolling over for the last few weeks. We still haven't captured it on video to share, but will do when we get the chance. He's such a strong and happy baby. Henry and I have started a "Mommy and me" class on Friday mornings. I love the group of moms. They are all around my age. Just what I needed... a support group for both me and Henry. 2 good things.

Amongst all the chaos and emotional breakdowns.... there's always this little precious face that just melts my heart. Enjoy the pix.

So cool

Oprah did a show on this new cookbook by Jessica Seinfeld called Deceptively Delicious. I'm sure my mom has been doing this for decades, cuz it just makes perfect sense. She purees vegetables and "sneaks" them into familiar kids (and adults!) recipes. I'm always talking to Ayla about getting her 5 fruits and veggies a day... sometimes its really hard. But with recipes like chicken nuggets and mac 'n cheese that have veggie purees hidden in them is so smart. Such a cool idea, I just love it!

I admit, I tried this idea once a year or so ago... I pureed kale and put it in spaghetti sauce. It didn't fool Ayla one bit. I'm sure the fact that the sauce was a black/brown color didn't help. ha ha.

I can't wait to try these out.

Happy Birthday Sissy Ayla!

Big sister Ayla turned 12 on Wednesday. We had a great day celebrating her. WE LOVE YOU AYLA! When I was 11 or 12 I got my own checking account complete with an official DMV ID card. With checkbooks taking the backseat these days... we opened Ayla her own checking account complete with debit card. Happy Birthday big girl!

Tomorrow we are heading out to the ranch for a campout party and sleepover in a huge tent. Should be a really fun time. Let's hope the rain stays away!

More like mom or more like dad?

You decide...

Remember little buddy Jude?

Well... little Jude aint' so little anymore. He's pretty much neck'n'neck with Henry around 14-15 pounds. He's a shooter! 6 weeks younger and catchin' up fast. They are so cute together and are always finding each others hands. Don't they almost look like brothers?