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Warning! This video may cause nausea.




Dr. Parks asked me on Wednesday, "Do you have good fetal movement?"

I should say so.

I remember Addie pushing and stretching in my belly, but this little one seems to be performing an entire Olympic floor routine on a daily basis.

And yes, I have noticed that my tummy resembles a raw, plucked, 22 pound turkey.

Makin' Cookies

Daddy's home and it's time to make cookies!

Addie is kinda picky with her sweets. Candy - oh my yes. Cake, not thanks but I'll be happy to eat the frosting off (Mama is always waiting patiently behind me so she can finish off her cake and then mine). Ice cream - yes please especially if it's a pretty color like pink, blue or rainbow. Pie - I'll pass. Cookies - not so much until chocolate chocolate chip was discovered.

So that is what we made on Sunday when Cap came back from NY.

This was the first time we've made cookies. There is no particular reason why we haven't made them in the past. I guess I probably felt like the last thing I needed to have in the house was the temptation of homemade cookies by the dozen sitting around. I am seriously still amazed by how much sugary crap I eat at work so having desserts at home is to be avoided. Thankfully, I'm not a big fan of chocolate chocolate chip so the excess are going to Cap's office. This weekend Addie also had two other dessert firsts - pudding and jello. Again, I haven't deliberately withheld such gooey, gelatinous sweets. It never really occurred to me to buy them before. She was tepid on the pudding but the jello she wolfed down. I still don't think I need to have them around the house, but if we should find ourselves dining in a cafeteria, I know she'll find something to eat.

July 4th Weekend

Before we hit this weekend, half of which I'm spending as a single mom without a camera as Cap is NYC for work, I'll conjure up last weekends adventures.

I had spent hours during the weeks and days before the long weekend, desperately in search of an affordable hotel somewhere within a 2 hour drive that had a great pool. I failed. Palm Springs was perfect except it was 110 degrees. Santa Barbara was perfect except hotels were $300+/night. Big Bear, well, seemed shoddy and there is no way I was going to be swimming in a lake any colder than 82 degrees. So we all slept in our own beds, and I managed to get over my I'm wasting a perfectly good 3 day weekend by staying in town.

We didn't really stay in town all weekend though as we escaped Friday morning to Santa Barbara for the day. We went to the zoo, ate Mexican food and rented one of those covered bicycled contraptions and biked along the beach. Perfect. Saturday we watched a cute little parade with Jake and Chloe, played in the kiddy pool and set up our beach tent in our yard before going to a friend's BBQ late that afternoon. Sunday, we swam at the Santa Monica College pool, ate more Mexican food and went to a 2 year old's birthday party. Busy! By the next holiday weekend I'll be on maternity leave either with a new little one or wishing she'd hurry up and come out!


Riding the tiny wooden carousel at the zoo.

Wide load coming through


Addie and Pinkie Pie Pony


I dug a giant hole for belly in the sand.


Our backyard tent.

Here are a few more photos of our weekend.

First Day of School

Okay so maybe I cried a little.

When we got to her classroom, we dropped off her lunch box and her stuff in her cubby (I love that she has a cubby!). She ran in, grabbed a book and plunked down on the carpet with the other kids. Wow that was easy. Only we hadn't really said goodbye, and I didn't want to sneak out which would have felt like some sort of betrayal. When she realized that Cap and I weren't going to hang out, she cried. Then I cried. And then Cap had to take us both outside where I stayed, and they went back in to say one last farewell.

When I went to pick her up at 5:15, she was happily playing near the swings with another little girl who she claimed couldn't talk. Her main teacher doesn't stay until this late so I didn't get a chance to ask how thing went, but Addie wanted to stay and hang out. I had to beg her to come home with me. Guess she likes it!

Graduation

Addie graduated from daycare on Thursday and will be starting at her new Montessori pre-school tomorrow. I can't believe it really. We have loved Andi's House and have become close friends with the families of Addie's compatriots. Today, we went to the fourth daycare pal birthday party in the past 3 weeks and it's amazing to think these kids have known each other their entire lives. All three years. I cried on Addie's last day at Andi's House when I came to pick her up. I couldn't help it. I'm just so proud of her. She's growing into such an amazing and wondrous little girl.

Addie's really excited about starting her new school. She told me she's going to make new friends and learn so many things especially about kangaroos. I'm sad that none of her friends from daycare will be joining her but I know she'll make new friends quickly and we will see her old Andi's House pals all the time on weekends.

I hope I don't cry when I drop her off tomorrow. . . or at least I hope she doesn't see me.

30 weeks

Swollen ankles, thighs that resemble Stay Puft marshmallows, waddling . . . I was wondering when the heck my third trimester was gonna start. Turns out it was two weeks ago! Well, that explains it. I feel enormous and am fearful knowing I will only get bigger. If I gain the same amount of weight I did with Addie, I'll be looking at another, yes, another 23 pounds in a little over 2 months. Oye. Still, I can't seem to resist the pie, cheesecake and birthday cake that seems to be thrust upon me daily. Why is there so much dessert available at work?

Other then a growing ungainliness and a shrinking maternity wardrobe, the pregnancy has really been great. Little Miss is quite active usually in the early evening when Cap is treated to what looks like a stray cat trying to escape from a sack. We are both wondering if we are gonna be in for it. Luckily she'll have Addie to show her who's boss.

Addie continues to be excited for the arrival of her little sister. She talks about her a lot and likes to tickle my tummy saying, "I'm tickling the baby!" I'm getting more excited to find out if she's going to look like Addie or not. If she comes out looking like an eskimo then we'll know she's gonna resemble her big sister!



Thanks to Janne who reminded me I needed to take some photos and to Cap who took them.

Father's Day

On Father's Day, Cap was a little under the weather. To give him some time to rest, I took Addie to Franklin Canyon to (illegally) feed the ducks. We saw lots of lizards and Addie got to pet a turtle that was sunning himself by the edge of the pond. Another Dad came by and asked if you could get salmonella from wild turtles. Um, don't know but I did get out a wipe for her hands when we were ready to move on. I noticed he didn't let his kid pet the turtle but he did shove a camera about an inch from the poor turtles face and probably blinding him with the flash.

Later that afternoon, we had a little backyard BBQ for Cap and his Dad. This photo makes me chuckle. They sorta look like two patients relaxing outside Shady Grove Home for the Sick. Cap was wondering why I was taking their picture when the better photo opportunity was going on behind me.



Nothing like several yards of pink tulle to keep her entertained! Addie likes to have the two of us go underneath it for a princess picnic. I asked her what princesses like to eat and she answered carrots.

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads in my life!

Get Your Craft On

Addie and I attended Cousin Esme's wedding shower two weekends ago - a first for both of us! We had a blast and I won a prize for my behind-the-back silhouette of a Bridal Esme (way too complicated to explain how to play that game). Then Addie and I got our craft on. For her wedding, Esme had her guests decorate the table centerpieces which will hold potted orchids. We all used different sizes and textures of hot pink and yellow ribbons. Ours is Kate Spade inspired. Addie was an excellent ribbon gluer.

The Backyardigans

We have cherry tomatoes fresh from my one pot garden.



We have new lawn furniture fresh from World Market.



We have a little girl that drinks beer. I'm jealous!

Actually, we were practicing blowing into the bottle, but when I wasn't paying attention she poured some on her play food tray and licked it off. Technically that doesn't count as drinking beer.

Untitled (Toes)

Addie "borrowed" my camera Sunday early evening and took her first photos. She struggled under the weight of the SLR, but she did manage to look through the viewfinder. I think she's got a pretty good eye, or at least a foot fetish.

Saturday Pancakes

Every Saturday, Cap busts out the pink kitchenaid mixer and Addie and Cap make pancakes. This is a pretty good deal for me since all I have to do is set the table and eat. This is probably the only meal we actually eat at the table so it's pretty special. We might even do a repeat on Sunday morning or switch it up with, say, waffles. Addie is now cooking in style thanks to her cowgirl apron from Aunt Karen. I do love cowgirl stuff. and pancakes.

What We're Watching

Elmo was so last year. Then it was Little Einsteins - one particular episode (Instrument Dinosaurs) that Addie watched ad nauseum. Right now it's Charlie and Lola with a little Angelina Ballerina thrown in too. I love the style of the animation on Charlie and Lola. Check out that wallpaper in their apartment and Lola always has a differently patterned dress on. To die for!

Charlie is the older and most patient brother to precious and funny, 4-year old Lola. When Lola accidentally spills pink milk on Charlie's diorama for school, he doesn't punch his sister and throw the soggy shoe box at her like I would have, but in his most exasperated voice, says, "Loooo-la!" Plus, they speak with British accents which means cash registers are money pingers and popsicles are ice lollies. All the more fun!

Addie Antics

After Addie's bath at night, she and Cap spend 10 or 15 minutes playing on our bed before we go into her room to read books. Cap has called it Romper Time since she was a tiny baby. He tosses her around, performs gravity defying stunts, tickles her and basically makes her hysterical with laughter. Most of the time I can't even watch because I'm terrified she's going to launch off the bed as he flips her around. Last night, Cap had some work to do (I know it's hard when work involves going to a movie) so I had to stand in for Romper Time. It's a little less acrobatic with me, but Addie and I nonetheless got the giggles anyway.

Tonight I hop on a plane to San Francisco for the weekend. Just me, myself and I. Can't wait! I'm visiting my second family - the Armstrongs of SF and VA .

Happy Birthday Princess!

Sunday we celebrated Addie's third birthday with a Painting Party in our backyard. We borrowed easels for creating masterpieces and set up a craft table for the kids to decorate their own king, queen and princess crowns with glitter glue and gemstones. We ate pizza and strawberry ice cream cake. Later that afternoon, we opened presents galore and then all curled up for a nap on Mommy and Daddy's bed.

I feel like I've been saying Addie is "almost three" for so long that two seems like eons ago. Having left Elmo and Little Einstein's behind, she is knee deep in pink princess garb and ready for Montessori pre-school to start this July. I love that Addie is such a little whipper snapper - alternately fiercely stubborn and independent, and then loving and caring the next. She can certainly hold her own on the playground but has taken on the role of protector to the younger kids at her daycare. She told me the other day, "Good job Mommy. I'm proud of you." and all because I'd polished off my own bowl of cereal. Gosh, I'm just so proud of my little girl.

Happy Birthday! Go get 'em Addie!




Hard at work at her easel.


In case you think she's all princess, here she is with her pal Clyde playing with an earthworm.


Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo!


Parties and presents are tough work. Napping with her new rainbow baton.

Tummy Love

Rubbing my growing belly with cocoa butter every night before bed
was a task Cap lovingly performed when I was pregnant with Addie.
Now Addie has taken on belly duty.
Afterwards she likes to rub it on her own belly telling me
she has a brother in her tummy. or a puppy.

The Happiest Place

We played hooky on Tuesday, got up early (I woke up at 5:50 am I was so excited), and headed to Disneyland to celebrate Addie's birthday a few days early. Sure, we could have gone this coming weekend, but Disneyland over Memorial Day? No thanks.

So we decided to do it before . . .
. . . Addie turned three and we have to buy her a ticket. We're cheap.
. . . it got bloody hot in Anaheim. Mommy's comfort is a priority.
. . . school let out and summer vacation kicked in. Avoid the crowds.
. . . the new baby comes. Not sure infants add to the fun.
Maybe before Mommy got pregnant might have been good too but we missed that window. Oh well.

And it was a blast.

She told me in the car on the way that she wanted to know what color the soap was at Disneyland. She thought brown. Now that we're using a lot more public bathrooms, Addie always comments on soap. Oh, it's green! They have pink! yellow! clear! white! Turns out, the soap at Disneyland is blue. The two other things she specifically wanted to experience other than hand soap were 1) see scary ghosts (Haunted Mansion) and 2) ride in the elephant (Dumbo). Check, check and check!

The lines were all relatively short since it was a Tuesday. I think we waited longer for ice cream in the afternoon than we did to go on Pirates of the Caribbean. Addie was amazing and willing to try anything even though a handful of rides scared the bejeezus out of her. She recovered immediately and was ready for the next adventure, "I want to see scary ghosts!"

Ride we thought wouldn't scare her but did:
Winner: Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
Runner up: King Arthur's Carousel

Ride we thought she'd be freaked out by and wasn't:
Winner: Pirates of the Caribbean
Runner up: Haunted Mansion

Sarah's favorite ride:
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters

Cap's favorite ride:
Haunted Mansion

I didn't want to lug the camera around, but I took some really lame videos. This at least proves we were there, right? Oh and the silhouette of Addie. I'm not sure it really looks like her though. Cap asked, "What's up with the bee sting lip?" Maybe it looks more like Shiloh?

The Little Ballerina

Addie looked so precious in her ballet outfit. All pink sweetie pie.

We didn't have much time to take photos of Addie in her ballerina outfit before her Saturday 9:15 am class. We almost didn't make it out the door when she demanded she wear a second tutu and then thought maybe she'd rather just take the whole outfit off. By 7:50 am we already had my car towed to the repair shop, got all of us dressed, fed and out of the house, and dropped Cap off at the Beverly Hilton for a work event he had to attend. Since he needed my camera, we only snatched this photo of her watching TV right before we left. Thankfully another Mom snapped a few before class started. The redhead is Addie's friend Arden.



I know it helped her to have a friend in the class. Sure, Addie is a pro about going to daycare, but I have never taken her someplace new and left her there with strangers. No parents are allowed in the room except at the very beginning as it is too distracting. The girls, ages 3 and 4, all dressed in pink, line up in front of the teacher, point their toe, curtsy and say their name before sitting down in the middle of the classroom. Once this ritual is complete, the parents are dismissed until class is over. We all camped out in the dark hallway for 50 minutes wishing we could install one way glass like they have in crime dramas.

Would she cry? Throw a fit, refuse to listen to the teacher, bite another ballerina, pee on the floor? I am thrilled to report that none of that happened. She did, however, excuse herself from class no less than three times to go on potty breaks. We'll be back this Saturday. Maybe I can slide a small mirror under the door and spy on them.

All About Me Day

Yup, it was a darn good Mother's Day. I was pretty clear with my wishes: french toast with berries at home and a subscription to Martha Stewart Living. Oh and of course spending the day with my little family of three. Did I get what I wanted? You bet. Plus, we trekked off to La Canada to stroll through Descanso Gardens mid-day and then Cap barbecued dinner for us in the late afternoon.

I'll admit (and apologize to Cap) that I might have gotten a little cranky a few times but that was easily rectified with sticking more food down my pie hole. Ah simple solutions.

Hugs to Po, Miss A and to all the Moms in my life who do so much for me all year!

Check out more photos from our trip to Descanso .

Sunday

Sunday we promised Addie she could go to the beach with her friend. Then her friend bailed. We promised her we'd go the beach just the three of us. Then we bailed. When I got out of the car after hunting for a parking spot, I declared it too cold for the beach. Actually, I said I was cold and Cap, from years of past experience, knows that when I'm cold I complain and when I complain everyone suffers. So he smartly suggested we abort our beach trip. So we promised Addie a pony ride instead. Do you think she's maybe a tiny bit spoiled?

Off to the Santa Monica Farmer's Market we go! Thankfully there was a pony ride, otherwise she would have had to settle for petting chickens, an activity she rather enjoyed the last time we were there. The place is getting so crowded you have to fight for food and a little spot on the lawn, but we prevailed. We shared a loaded baked potato and corn on the cob. Cap got Addie a pink magic wand balloon, which I foolishly thought was a sword she was holding the wrong way. Silly me! We listened to the bluegrass band and then Addie hit the dance floor. She's got an awesome little dance routine that involved stepping side to side and kicking out her heels. The market was shutting down and she finally got up enough courage to take a ride on a pony. She sat stoically on the biggest one.

Happy Birthday Cap!

Happy Birthday Po!

Addie made this card just for Daddy, and I'm excited for a birthday dinner for two at a new restaurant downtown!

Addie's been thinking she's pretty funny lately.
When Cap told her it was his birthday, she immediately sang, "Happy Birthday to Mommy!" giggling.
"Noooo, it's Daddy's birthday!"
More giggling and singing "Happy Birthday to Mommy"
Then came a second verse, "Happy Birthday to your bum!"
More squeals of laughter.
Then she decided it was her birthday.