Lady Lucca

2012-01-28T09:11:00.000-08:00

Lucca came down the stairs this morning wearing her necklace and bracelet, and when Rustin went to give her a kiss, she stepped back and said "Don't give me kisses when I look pretty, Daddy."

Just a preview of the teenage years I imagine..

How do you do it?

2012-01-26T21:28:00.000-08:00

Sometimes there are special little moments in the day that stop me right in my tracks and make me think THIS is why I do what I do. I had one of these moments yesterday at our music class with both kiddos sitting on my lap, another one today while having a lunch picnic in our sunny backyard, and another one teaching Lucca to skateboard while holding Jackson on my hip. Stay-at-home mommyhood was quite an adjustment from my career world, and now with 2 kids there are days that I'm honestly WISHING I was sitting in my old office drinking a hot Starbucks latte in PEACE & QUIET. Wishing I was wearing fancy heels and attending important meetings, wishing I was on a business trip to NYC dining at the latest hot spot...

And then, there are days like yesterday and today that have me thinking I couldn't quite possibly be missing out on these precious moments of my babies lives. I recently read "Motherhood is a short season of selflessness" and that quote has stuck with me. Couldn't be more true, right? Early motherhood is just a season, and a season I'm sure I'll long for once it's gone. It's HARD, it's rewarding, it's exhausting, it's fun and most importantly, it's a blessing.

Working mom friends always ask me HOW DO YOU DO IT? But days like today have me thinking HOW DO YOU NOT?

I guess it doesn't help that I have the most freaking adorable babes on the planet..

2012-01-13T15:00:00.001-08:00

My beautiful girl.

Each morning you want to wear make-up. Lip gloss and blush. And tights. No dress, no skirt, just tights.

And sparkly shoes. Tia (Karla) nicknamed you "sparkle" over Christmas and I can't think of a more perfect word that describes you right now...you just SPARKLE. It's true, and everyone agrees.

Every day you ask to go on "adventures" ... and often ask if we need anything at Target or Whole Foods. Yesterday you asked if we needed to go to Old Navy? What the ??

You can't wait for your birthday, when you turn "free" & you often let people know you will be having a kitty party. And then you remind me that on your birthday, you will get to eat pink & white cookies, cupcakes, chocolate, candy and cake. Wow.

You go to sleep every night singing This Old Man. And seven? It's up to Kevin, not heaven. Kevin, Wyatt and Parker. Your first crushes. Amazing that this starts so early. We're in trouble.

Your favorite show is Olivia.

Your favorite book is Good Night, San Francisco (fitting) and a Berenstein Bears book that only Daddy can read.

You like to go on "dates" to Starbucks and drink special milk for a treat. This is fun, and started right before Jackson was born.

Your favorite game is hide & seek with the monkey that Mimi bought you for Christmas. You and Daddy play this foreverrrrr.

Jumping on the trampoline is your favorite activity. And every time you jump, you sing the same song: "It's a hoppy Spring day, Hooray! We want to learn to sing with bunnies" over and over and over.

Some favorite Lucca sayings:

"When I'm 25, I can drink coffee"

"Maybe when I'm 3 I'll be tall enough"

"Love you to the moon Mom"

"Daddy's old, Mommy's new"

Lucca, you are still our gem. Turning into a little lady before our very eyes. Such a beautiful little lady. I always dreamed of having a girl, and you are fulfilling every bit of the girl I dreamed of, and a whole lot more.

2012: gonna be swelve.

2012-01-10T15:17:00.000-08:00

While I have yet to post about Christmas, or Thanksgiving for that matter, I do want to blog about my 2012 New Years resolutions. Moving onward :) But for the record, we did have an amazing Thanksgiving in Atlanta and an amazing Christmas in Folsom with our families. So there.

2012 Resolutions ("Goals" to appease those non-resolution types)

Planned date nights. Monthly? That would be rad. I never want to stop dating my husband.

Wear makeup. Feel pretty.

Find a new church/spiritual development

Organize. Become the queen of organization like my mama. OK maybe not that much. This includes meal planning & less trips to Whole Foods at 4:3o.

Read. Books! With a 2-year old and 9-month old, my days are busy, my nights are busy -- but finding a few moments when I can pick up a book and read has already proven beneficial to me.

Print photos.

Open up our home. Friends, playgroups, dinners, etc. I want our home to be an open door.

Happy 2012 people. Our family has adopted the mantra "Work Hard, Play Hard, Have a Ball" this year. Last year was a lot of hard work...this year we want to play just as hard. Hello vacations.

Dec Daily :: Day 20

2011-12-21T04:55:00.001-08:00

Our new stockings arrived and now our house finally looks like Christmas!

Dec Daily :: Day 19

2011-12-21T04:53:00.001-08:00

UH OH!!!

Dec Daily :: Day 18

2011-12-18T22:37:00.000-08:00

Today we got fancy and took some family photos. This little guy (and his big sis) did great.

Did you know New Year's cards are the new black?

;)

Dec Daily :: Day 17

2011-12-17T22:30:00.001-08:00

I bought a German nutcracker at a garage sale today.

So many strange things about that sentence, right? True story, stopped at an interesting looking garage sale and although the desk had just sold that originally caught my eye, I browsed the other junk...and found our little treasure.

Lucca has been learning all about the Nutcracker at music class this month and she looooves the teachers nutcracker. I figured she would like this guy, but I didn't know how much Jackson would too! He spotted "Olof" right away and was so excited to touch it.

We came home with the cool original German box for Olof too, and found out this guy actually carries a little value! It will be fun taking him out of his box every year at Christmas time and letting the kids play with it. We needed a nutcracker :)

Dec Daily :: Day 16

2011-12-16T21:55:00.000-08:00

We've made many recent trips to the mall for Christmas shopping, and each time we go, Lucca hugs this snowman. So funny. There are actually two of them, and yes, she hugs them both.

Dec Daily :: Day 15

2011-12-15T21:59:00.001-08:00

Someone loves Christmas even more than me! Tonight we took the kids and Grammie & Pops to the "Magic Christmas House" in Novato, with a billion lights and yard ornaments.

But that's not all. At this crazy house, you actually go INSIDE and see the madness continue in each and every room of their home. Never seen anything like it. A train room, a Santa room, an angel room....you name it.

To top off the experience? Lucca enjoyed her very 1st candy cane. Kid heaven. I can only imagine how magical her dreams will be tonight.

Dec Daily :: Day 14

2011-12-15T21:52:00.001-08:00

Jack, 8 months, lounging by the Christmas tree.

Dec Daily :: Day 13

2011-12-13T22:31:00.000-08:00

Dec Daily :: Day 12

2011-12-12T20:43:00.001-08:00

While not quite the moneymaker reactions this year, I still love the uncertainty my kids have of this man. This experience was not as traumatic as the past two years, but Lucca still doesn't feel comfortable in the arms of a big, fat stranger -- and I'm ok with that :)

When Santa asked what she wanted for Christmas, she told him she needs new paints because her other paints ran out. Gotta add that to my list.

Jackson cried for a split second, but that was nothing compared to the absolute freak outs his big sister had for two years.

This is our third year taking the Santa photo at this location, but this year the Santa changed. Kinda bummed about that -- where did our favorite Santa go? New Santa gig?

Dec Daily :: Day 11

2011-12-12T20:43:00.000-08:00

We spent this chilly December morning at the gem of the Bay Area, the Discovery Museum. We love this place. Our membership has expired, but if we still lived down the street I would renew in a heartbeart. This place is amazing for kiddos -- I highly recommend it.

Maybe we can take the Swishlette twins here next week??

Oh, and Jackson & his sweet baby blue track suit decided to start pulling himself up and standing (!!!) while we were there. #Awesome

Dec Daily :: Day 10

2011-12-10T22:18:00.001-08:00

Topping Lucca's Wish List: a Dollhouse.

We played with this one for about a half hour today. I see a dollhouse in her near future, she just needs to ask Daddy (aka Santa).

Also? I can't get over how old she is looking!!!

Dec Daily :: Day 9

2011-12-10T22:12:00.001-08:00

BESTIES.

"Look Mommy, he's holding my hand!"

Dec Daily :: Day 8

2011-12-08T21:33:00.000-08:00

Life moves fast, often too fast these days.

I take A LOT of photos of my kids, and I think it's because I want to preserve that very moment that we are living in that is so very special to me at the time. Things change quickly around here, and I want to remember all the sweet stages. Favorite foods, favorite songs (that we sing over and over again) and favorite places...right now, this moment. Because with a toddler and a baby, tomorrow could be a whole new world.

Dec Daily :: Day 7

2011-12-07T21:46:00.000-08:00

Was planning to photograph 5 of my favorite ornaments, but only got to three before Jackson woke up and our HP printer failed me. Both, not shocking. The two honorable mentions not included on my favorites page are 1) the American flag, in honor of my grandfather 2) my very 1st Christmas ornament my mother got the year I was born, 1981.

A game we play daily around here is "pick your favorite ornament" and sweet Lucca loves it. She walks around and around the tree, examining each ornament very closely before picking her favorite (which happens to be the same every time...the gondola!).

I love our tree and all the memories that come alive when hanging the ornaments. It's no wonder my mother cried every year while we decorated the tree :) Suddenly, it all makes sense.

Dec Daily :: Day 6

2011-12-06T21:26:00.001-08:00

Once upon a time we grew up and got a big ol' house in the burbs. What fun! Our very first place to hang Christmas lights on. Thankful, so very thankful, for someone who knows how to do it...Pops! Would your Dad drive 2 hours after work to hang YOUR lights?

Lucca had the best time helping Pops make her house look the prettiest and most magical on the block. Thanks Popsy!

Dec Daily :: Day 5

2011-12-05T21:57:00.001-08:00

Welcome to our Monday night. Here we are, 20 minutes after Daddy came home from work, 5 minutes before bedtime. Having fun every chance we get because that's how we roll.

Even on Mondays.

Dec Daily :: Day 4

2011-12-04T21:07:00.000-08:00

Thank God for little girls. For MY special little girl.

Lucca picked out her own Christmas dress this year, and I love it. Who says you have to wear red on Christmas? Certainly not me. I held up a couple other dresses at the store that she disapproved of, for this was the one she wanted. The pink three-tiered ribbon dress, of course. As soon as she tried it on, she began twirling. It is so instinctual in little girls. Put them in a dress and watch them twirl, twirl, twirl.

Next up, the gold shoes she wants to go with it.

Dec Daily :: Day 3

2011-12-03T21:20:00.000-08:00

"If you think our hands are full, you should see our hearts."

If you know us, you know we love our weekends.

FAMILY TIME. DADDY TIME.

Lucca knows what the weekends mean. She reminds us over and over again on Saturdays & Sundays that Daddy has "no work today!" and doesn't let him out of her sight. In the history of daddy/daughter relationships, I'd be pretty amazed if such a relationship as this ever existed. It's pretty special. And to watch the relationship between my dudes forming as well, just melts this proud mama's heart.

I lovely love my family.

Yes, this says Sunday. Yes, today is Saturday. Yes, I'm losing my mind.

It's been confirmed, I am so not a scrapbooker.

Dec Daily :: Day 2

2011-12-02T21:50:00.000-08:00

December 2, 2011 = 70 degrees and sunny and FRIDAY!

Do you know what's awesome? Having a backyard.

We spent this gorgeous morning in the backyard (!), jumping on the kids new trampoline. This is an early Christmas present from Mimi and we are already enjoying it immensely. Lucca wakes up each day and goes to the window to check and see if the trampoline is still there, and then asks if we can keep it forever. It will be no time before Jackson is jumping right along with her. Here's to hoping we have many more sunny December days just like today.

(Album page)

Hello, December

2011-12-01T20:38:00.000-08:00

Meet my December Daily project :: a photo album I'm creating to document the days leading up to Christmas. I'm excited about making this a December tradition in our family, so we will have many memories to celebrate and share for years and years to come.

Last year, I shared a December Daily photo each day on the blog, but this year I've already created the album and will be actually printing out the photo each day to include in my album . I'm excited to capture stories and moments of these sweet & magical days we are living in.

Day 1 was an easy one! First thing this morning, Lucca started rearranging the ornaments on the Christmas tree (as she has done each day that our tree has been up...). She LOVES our tree and loves "decorating" it. Jackson adores Lucca and watches her every move, so this photo melts my heart. Lucca in action. Jackson in adoration. <3

The album page

Best Sister EVER

2011-11-14T21:47:00.001-08:00

Jackson is a lucky dude - because Lucca is his sister. Actually I can't get over what an amazing sister she is. She has so much patience with her brother, soo much love for him, and she's such a helpful little mommy. I am so proud of her. She is so understanding, beyond her 2 years, of why she is loaded and unloaded last into the car, why her dinner is ready after his dinner, why I have to nurse Jackson before we have a tea party, why I need to put buddy down for his nap before we can go in the backyard, etc etc etc. Sometimes it feels like I am always telling her "just a minute" so I can take care of Jackson. She never throws a fit over any of this -- never seems to get jealous -- never resents that the world doesn't revolve only around Lucca anymore. Tonight in the bath, Jackson kept taking every toy away from Lucca. Every single one. And she never got upset with him. When he took her ball, I was waiting for her to tell him nooo buddy, but she didn't. She would just grab something else.

She is seriously the best big sister.

Jackson stealing her water

Best Friends

Playing music together (Sis always brings Jackson an instrument to play)

Playing together in the ball pit

Buddies

I Scream

2011-11-10T13:51:00.001-08:00

Lucca got a very special treat for traipsing through IKEA with me today. Her very own ice cream cone. She thought she was pretty hot stuff and pulled out all kinds of moves while she was eating that cone. Sometimes you gotta live a little!

Dress Up

2011-11-01T21:52:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Halloween for many days in October. Lucca has discovered the fun of dressing up...and it's been awesome. The rotation line-up consisted of three costume changes: a bee, a kitty and a cupcake. Next year, she is already requesting a dinosaur costume :)

Newest lover of Halloween? Me.

She's normal

2011-10-20T10:19:00.001-07:00

Doesn't like the crust..

2011-10-14T22:13:00.001-07:00

Lucca, please be 2.5 years old forever.

Farmers market

2011-10-09T13:50:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite things to do is go to the Farmers Markets in Marin. Amazing fruits, vegetables, bread, coffee...and slides & ponies of course!

Lucca was the smallest tot to climb up the big slide, so the attendant suggested I go with her. I started to follow her and she immediately told me "No Mommy!! You wait over there!". Ha, never underestimate what this child can do all by herself. Miss Independent. So she climbed right up to the top and slid down, as the other kids got scared and came back down the ladder or waited for their parent to climb up and slide with them. She rules.

And then we rode a pony. Smokey to be exact.

We left the market with a stroller full of goodies, a flower balloon, and the happiest little girl in the whole world.

Tot School

2011-09-26T14:54:00.001-07:00

You know what's the coolest thing about having a sister with kids the exact same age as yours? Everything. But especially having fabulous mom ideas to share with each other. The latest, our attempt at Tot School. At home. God, forgive me for ever mocking homeschoolers. For this household has officially started our homeschool preschool. And by official, I mean we have completed Day 1 of "studying" Apples!

Today we've been doing lots of apple projects, singing apple songs, reading apple poems and duh, eating apples. Here's a little glimpse at our first day of school. And as my student said herself, "Mommy, I didn't even cry at school!" I must be an amazing teacher.

We colored apples

We played a little matching game

(which we looooved)

And played again, and again..

The masterpiece

And then we stamped big A's and little a's (and a few random's)

And made an apple tree

Then we traced Lucca's hand/arm for a tree trunk and glued it to a blue sheet of paper, which Lucca fingerpainted. We were attempting to create green leaves on the tree, but she is 2 years old with a creative mind..

So our tree became a painting of "Whole Foods"

Which is just fine by me.

We had a ton of fun, lots of learning for Lucca and mama. My main goal today was just to get Lucca to listen to my instructions and then follow directions. She did great. We are planning on doing this a couple mornings a week for 30 minutes. Upcoming themes we will study include farm, pumpkins, dinosaurs, turkeys and other rad 2 year old appropriate topics.

Happy homeschooling!

Oh October

2011-09-24T16:53:00.000-07:00

Now that I'm a mom, October is quickly becoming my favorite month of the year. Which is funny since it used to be my least favorite. Kind of like when I used to not understand why the state of Oregon even existed, then I spent a year in Portland and love the place tremendously. Ah, life.

But, October! Fall is here. Which means holidays are around the corner. Halloween costume planning is in full effect. A trip to the pumpkin patch is in order. Our daily chatter is about harvest festivals, hay rides, scarecrows, apple pickin, trick or treating and leaf hunts. And don't forget about pumpkin pancakes and baked apples. And hot cider! Which reminds me of Apple Hill and pony rides. So many fun kid things to do at this time of year. Meaning fun for mom (and dad) too.

I've always loved the holidays, but everything is becoming much more fun as Lucca gets older.

October, you aren't so bad after all.

Backyard fun

2011-09-14T21:14:00.000-07:00

Lucca is so happy to have a backyard, she doesn't even make it past the deck steps sometimes!

Songbird

2011-09-13T23:13:00.000-07:00

This mama's heart melted when I caught a glimpse of Lucca singing to her baby brother to calm him down. He was crying so she ran over to him and (in case you don't recognize the song) sang "hey little baby, it's gonna be alright..."

He stopped crying immediately. Coco Wins.

Goodnight Boats

2011-08-31T21:07:00.000-07:00

Part of Lucca's bedtime routine is brushing her teeth while standing at the front door saying "Goodnight" to the boats in the bay. Yet another little piece of Sausalito we will miss when we move on from here.

On another note... Are all two-year-olds bedtime routines as prolonged as ours? Starting at 7:00 Lucca takes a bath, then watches her show, eats a bedtime snack, reads a story or three, brushes her teeth, looks at the boats, kisses her brother and daddy goodnight, says goodnight to all the family photos in our home, and then we enter her bedroom. We talk about what we did that day, sometimes we sing a song, and then I tuck her in her bed. She asks me if everything is closed for the day...the grocery store, the coffeeshop, the deli, etc. I say Yes, and that's the end of the routine. 8:00...Night, Night, Lucca. Whew.

(then she talks & sings from anywhere between 5 minutes to 1.5 hours in her crib)

LOVE THIS GIRL

Summer in Sausalito

2011-08-31T18:53:00.000-07:00

...Is too dang cold! A winter hat and sweater in August?! Forecast was 76 today, but we are sitting here bundled up and freezing. Cheers to Novato, where we hope to find some warmth ASAP.

Sausalito Friday nights

2011-08-26T21:48:00.000-07:00

Lucca loved her time at Sausalito's Music by the Bay tonight. We met Rustin at the ferry and then enjoyed some good food, fun music, a gorgeous setting and friends! We had a picnic dinner on the waterfront...A fresh olive baguette from the farmer's market with Cowgirl Creamery cheese and heirloom tomatoes on top. So yummy! Lucca couldn't get enough of the cheese & bread, go figure, we're related! Then we had berries and chocolate coconut macaroons for dessert. And vino! Lucca danced with daddy, herself, and anyone else who felt like movin' and shakin'... Always the life of the party, our little shining star. Not sure where she learned the one leg hop dance, but like everything else at this age, we are sure it's just a phase. let's hope :). And in case you didn't know: Age 2 is the bomb.

2011-08-23T15:13:00.001-07:00

Thank you for being the kid who tells me you are ready for nap, and then proceeds to sleep for three hours, every single day. At this rate, I am NEVER taking your paci away.

#justwhatmamaneeds

Isle of Palms

2011-08-19T14:05:00.000-07:00

We just got back from another amazing Chao Family summer vacation. This year we spent a week in Isle of Palms, South Carolina. Heaven! It's a beautiful little beach town 15 minutes outside of Charleston. We spent our days by the pool & beach, riding bikes, eating Mimi's delicious home cookin and relaxing! We even got a parents night out thanks to Mimi and Papa watching all 5 grandkids. What a treat. It was so great to spend time with cousins and family we don't get to see nearly enough. Lucca had the best time, and Jackson was super chill as usual. And Rustin and I survived the cross-country flight both ways thanks to these amazing little travelers...

Our pool and view from the house. Stunning.

Lucca collecting seashells along our beach

The bridge into Charleston

Cousins Lucca and Lia and their unplanned matching dresses

Mema! Meeting Jackson for the 1st time. Most special part of the trip

More seashell collecting. We came home with many :)

Evenings were spent playing games. Mema playing Catch Phrase = Priceless

Tanning

Jackson turned 4 months in South Carolina

The BEST dad and uncle

Jackson loved the pool

Vacation is awesomeee

Dolphin Watching... so cool

My husband, the hair model

Lucca reading to Aunt Ashley

Landing at SFO after a long day of traveling

Home Sweet Home!

Thank you Mimi for planning another AMAZING vacation for us all. Wish we were still there!

We love you, Sausalito

2011-08-17T13:35:00.001-07:00

Our family has called Sausalito home sweet home for the past three years. Our city livin days came to a close shortly after having Lucca and realizing San Francisco was not the ideal environment we wanted to raise our family in. So we headed a wee bit North, crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, and settled into the closest-to-SF-without-actually-living-in-SF-city we could find: sweet & charming Sausalito. We've grown to love it, quirks, tourists, fog and all. But now that our family has expanded again, we've grown out of our home here and are moving further North to get even more space and sunshine.

We have about a month left here in Sausalito and I'm starting to get a little bit nostalgic and sad already. This town will always be super special to us and I hope I'll always hang on to some my favorite memories of this magical little place:

Driving by the elephants downtown, remembering when Lucca was about a year old and would raise her arm and make an elephant sound each and every time we passed those statues. They were "Lucca's elephants" of course.

Passing by the art gallery that has different colors of balloons on their sign every day.

Spending day after day going to the Bay Area Discovery Museum, making the most of our membership. Lucca has the museum memorized.

Throwing rocks into the water by Spinnakers.

The Sushi Ran water fountain that Lucca "washes her hands" in, even on the coldest of days. Same for the Yoga of Sausalito fountain.

Hiking these ridiculous hills, sometimes pushing a stroller while carrying a toddler. Hello, calf muscles.

Family walks to Cibo for lattes & muffins on Saturdays. And Lucca playing with the milk crates with all her buddies while parents sip their coffee.

Taste of Rome breakfast sandwiches -- we were in that rut for a long time

Fire House Pancake Breakfast. Eating pancakes in the firehouse, Lucca wearing a pink firehat and asking the fireman for more bacon. Awesome.

Taking walks along the boats, choosing our favorite ones. This is the best at Christmastime when the boats are decorated for the holidays.

Valeting the car at Poggio's to Lucca's dismay. She cried and cried when the man took our car.

The Sausalito Library. Probably the only library in America that hates kids, but we have fun nonetheless. Puzzles, coloring, blocks and dinosaurs. Wait, a library has books?

The beach! Beach days with our buddies. Standing on the surfboards for hours on end and stealing all the beach balls we can find.

The best Thai food. Arawan. And the girl who picks up Lucca every time we go there, even though Lucca is 2 now and not so light anymore.

Mollie Stones. I'm sure I'm not the only mom who goes and buys groceries so my child can get a balloon right? Every employee knows Lucca by name, and we know all their names. Ahmed spoils Lucca and gives her two balloons each time. Ann is the one who makes the balloons SO BIG that they pop before we make it home, every single time.

Honking at the tourists who go 5 mph in the 45 zone and who stop at all the YIELD signs.

Monday-Wednesday-Friday playtime! We met many of our favorite friends at Sausalito's Adventure Club. So thankful for this.

Taking Lucca on a walk along Bridgeway, 8 months pregnant with Jackson, and dropping my car keys in the gutter on the street. Sausalito Fire Department to the rescue. They saved my keys. My pride? Not so much.

Fourth of July parade. As lame as it was, small town fun indeed.

Picking up Daddy from the ferry, one of our favorite past-times. No daddy could be happier than ours to see his family waiting for him.

The park AKA Lucca's backyard. Robin Sweeney park, we are leaving before you get your remodel. And we are glad about that. We love you just the way you are...old, wooden, metal, sand, dangerous, etc. Soon you will look like every other park, big and bright, all plastic and safe with rubber turf. We loved our old-school park and spent HOURS AND HOURS AND HOURS here. The tire swing, the balance beam, the slides. Drawing Gabba characters and surfboards with chalk on the basketball court. Learning to ride a scooter and a skateboard on this basketball court. Learning to roll in the grass at this park. Picking flowers, climbing trees and hiding in the bushes. So. Many. Memories.

Our house with 21 steps to the front door. This I will not miss.

The list goes on and on. We love this place and have endless memories here. I'm trying not to be sad because I know the next place is full of new memories to be made. We are thankful we had the opportunity to live here in the first place. People come from all over the world to see our little town, and they all leave happy they came. I feel the same way. Sausalito, I'm glad you were a stop on our journey. What an adventure its been.

(photo credit)

Goodbye July

2011-07-31T21:54:00.000-07:00

What a month! I can't believe I ever thought I was tired or busy when I just had one child. How easy that seems now! HA. No offense mothers of one baby -- your job is still tough, but just WAIT til you have another one ;) muhahahaha...

We stuck close to home in July and started to find our groove with Lucca & Jackson's schedules. Everyone always tells me to just get through the first year of life with two babes and the rest is golden. But as crazy as it is having two, we realize these are sweet, sweet days, and my mindset is anything but "just getting through this year" and more like trying to soak up each moment of this year. A few favorite moments...

Our beloved park bench. We eat lunch here almost every day. We also read books here.

Jackson listens to the stories too.

Lucca is becoming quite the little artist, which I'm so happy about. We've been doing lots and lots of painting...watercolor, acrylic on canvas, finger painting, you name it. I love watching her be creative. She names every painting, a few of the most recent are "Cowboy" "Boo Boo" "Buddy" "Peedie" and my personal fave... "Crazy Jumping Pirate Bugs"

Unfortunately, I now have a big stack of Lucca's art that I can't seem to part with yet. You may be getting some in the mail soon if you're lucky :)

The bath time ritual is something we so greatly look forward to every day. 7:00 on the dot -- this girl gets in the tub, sometimes with balloons (string of balloon pictured below..ha)

Lucca the Ballerina!

Lucca went to her first ballet class a few weeks ago and I'm not sure she's taken her tutu off since. Which is funny, because we've had 5 tutu's here for the past year but they all the sudden are the coolest thing in the house. Now that she actually realizes they are for dancing she likes them. Just bend be thankful that I did not post a photo of ME wearing one of her tutu's, because yes, that happened.

Lucca LOVES her brother. I have become more than Jackson's mother, I am his bodyguard - from Lucca. The love she has for him is shown in many ways, including squeezing, squishing, squealing, holding, poking, shouting and jumping all over him.

But who is Lucca's #1 fan? Jackson.

1st Canvas

2011-07-26T22:12:00.000-07:00

Lucca painted her first canvas today, which will proudly hang in her room. She liked it, I liked it, and hopefully when she's in 7th grade I can get her out of school early to go to painting classes with me -- just to keep the tradition going, right mom?

Grammie visits!

2011-07-22T16:21:00.000-07:00

Every now and then it's good to get some help! This week I asked my mom to come over so I could take Lucca to a couple of her classes BY HERSELF! Without Jackson. It's proven to be pretty difficult to walk the balance beam and swing on the rings with Lucca at gymnastics while wearing Jackson in the Baby Bjorn. So what a treat when Grammie watched the baby so LC could enjoy 100% of mommy's attention at her classes. She was a star at gymnastics as usual and today was Lucca's 1st ballet class at Tutu School. Adorable & hilarious. Teaching 2 year olds how to plié and stand in 1st and 2nd position is an amazing sight to see :)

And of course Grammie does all the laundry and washes dishes each time she's here, and bathes Jackson, and wakes up early with the babies, etc etc etc!

Grammie, come back soon...PLEASE.

Cleaning Lady

2011-07-15T22:26:00.000-07:00

It's about time she starts cleaning up her messes!

My heart.

2011-07-12T22:04:00.001-07:00

My sweet Lucca,

I've so appropriately called you a little gem since you were a wee babe and today this nickname could not have been more fitting. You melted my heart about a billion times today. Two years old is a crazy age -- some days are amazing, some days test every bit of patience that exists in my body. Your personality is larger than life and most days the sky is your limit.

Today you wore a pretty little white dress, sweet as could be. Daddy woke you up and made you breakfast and let me stay in bed. I woke up to you climbing into my bed asking me to read you a Curious George book. "Mommy wakes up," you said. We watched your favorite show, Super Why, which you dance and sing the intro to every single time. We walked to the park and went straight to the swings of course. On the swings you like to sing Doe-a-Deer, play the Rhyme game, and count, both in English and Spanish. Then you made a birthday cake in the sand, used sticks for candles and sang happy birthday to Muno. You ran in the grass, chased a butterfly until it flew away, and then you came running back to me saying "Excuse me mommy, do you know where that butterfly went?" ... I died.

You ate three bean salad and a mini Cibo muffin for lunch. We had lunch with Daddy, so that was a treat. You touched the flamingos and crocodiles (people in Sausalito have wacko yard ornaments..) on the way back to our house the way you always do. We galloped. We hopped. We jumped.

After nap, you didn't want to go anywhere - you just wanted to play at the house. You love to use your imagination. You played with your animals, lined them all up on your surfboard so they could surf. Then they had a tea party. The gorilla stayed in the bag like he always does...you play with all the animals but him.

We went to the grocery store and you got two balloons from the nice old guy that loves when we come in. You also took a bath with those balloons tonight. We watched Gabba and got ready for bed. Jackson was having a rough time settling down and was crying which sometimes makes you cry, you sweet little thing. I got him to sleep and then read your Mickey Mouse story that you waited so, so patiently for. Sometimes it's rough being the big sister and being second in line to the newborn baby, but you do it so well - you really are the best big sis.

You sang your way to sleep to the song of choice lately, This Old Man. I hope you have the sweetest dreams tonight my little lady Lucca-Lu.

You. Are. A. Gem.

July 4

2011-07-09T13:38:00.000-07:00

We had a hometown holiday on July 4. Started the day with a pancake breakfast down the street, followed by the Sausalito parade, live music in the park, and then home for red, white and blue cake. Although the parade left much to be desired, Lucca loved it. She sat on top of Daddy's shoulders to see the floats pass by (if you could call them floats) and then danced the day away to the live music across the street at the park by the water. The Cal Alumni band found their biggest fan. She is 2 years old, 3 feet tall and full of good moves.

Perfect weather, perfect company, perfect weekend and perfect not-pictured baby brother who slept in his stroller most of the time. Proud to be an American family.

Creative Genius

2011-06-30T14:23:00.000-07:00

Lucca Elizabeth: Age 2

Counting the bricks on our steps.

May I remember days like these forever.

And that voice!

100 Things To Do

2011-06-27T22:27:00.001-07:00

Came across this list recently, and although some of the things are a part of our daily routine, some sparked new ideas. Maybe it will be helpful to you too? Toddler days can be long.

Color
Blow Bubbles
Play Hide-and-Seek
Peek-a-Boo
Play Chase
Do Finger-plays
Sing a song
Collect rocks in a basket
Make an obstacle course out of cushions and/or furniture
Make a fort out of cushions and sheets
Go for a Walk
Make a Car out of a Box
Read a book
Go to the park
Finger-paint
Play with Play-Dough
Toss Bean bags into a Bucket
Play the shell and pea game
Dance to music
Download games for toddlers from the Internet
Practice putting things in and taking things out of boxes and bags
Make a temporary slide out of a table leaf and your couch
Roll a ball back and forth on the floor
Scoop dirt or sand into a child's bucket (or use a serving spoon and bowl)
Practice climbing by stacking boxes on top of each other (only with adult supervision)
Put on a puppet show
Go fishing with a yard stick and yarn
Make a Horseshoe game
Make a Shape Puzzle
Play paper basketball
Run through a Sprinkler
Play with a bucket of water and a sponge (PLEASE WATCH CHILD AT ALL TIMES!)
Make a Drum out of an oatmeal box
Play with a kazoo
Wash windows together
Bang on Pots and Pans with a spoon
Brush each other's teeth
Play dress-up with stuffed animals and your child's clothes
Stack canned or boxed food on top of each other
Let child stack mixing bowls inside each other
Make a playhouse out of a large box
Let child play with a sticker sheet (make sure your child doesn't eat them!)
Put stickers on fingers for finger puppets
Play a musical instrument together- i.e.recorder, piano, etc.
Go on a Smelling Hunt
Frost Cookies
Plant a flower or vegetable plant together
Roll a tennis ball into an empty trash can or bucket
Draw on a mirror with dry-erase markers
Play hide and seek together- trying to find a stuffed animal or other object
Have a splash party together in the bathtub
Put a leash on a stuffed animal and walk around the house
Record each other on a tape recorder (great for scrapbooks or journals!)
Make and try on paper hats
Give a piggy-back ride
Play "Horsey"
Talk into an electric fan (it distorts your voice)
Play tug-of-war with a blanket
Collect flowers (felt, artificial, real...)
Make a camera and go on a Safari
Play games with frozen juice lids
Disconnect your phone and pretend to make phone calls to relatives
Leave your phone connected and really make phone calls to relatives- let your child talk too
String large beads onto or along a shoelace
Squirt each other with squirt bottles
Glue shapes onto paper
Make sock puppets
Make paper puppets
Fill an old purse with toys
Use a paper towel tube as a megaphone
Make binoculars and go "Bird Watching" or "Stuffed Animal Watching"
Put snacks in different fun containers (paper sacks, empty canisters, etc.)
Act out a story from a book
Walk on a balance beam- use a 2x4 placed on the ground
Draw with chalk on the sidewalk
Sketch an outline of your child on the sidewalk or paper with chalk
Paint child's palms with tempura paint and blot on paper. Makes a great card for loved ones!
Put lipstick on child and kiss a mirror
Make a puddle on cement and splash barefoot in it
Let child decorate and eat an open peanut butter sandwich
Make a toilet paper barricade for child to go under, over, or through
Do the Hokey Pokey
Make a super-hero costume out of household items
Do Knee-Bouncing Rhymes
Play "Red Light, Green Light" saying "Go" and "Stop"
Make a shoe-box train for stuffed animals
Make a pillow pile to jump on (keep it clear from any hard surfaces, including walls!)
Make an easy puzzle with felt and Velcro
Make bracelets or collars for stuffed animals out of pipe cleaners and jingle bells
Learn numbers from a deck of cards
Play the matching game with a deck of cards
Make a domino chain
Have a picnic in the park, backyard, or living room!
Play dress up in Mommy or Daddy's clothes
Make a tin cup telephone and talk to each other in it
Make a nature collage
Mirror each other
Make a "Mummy Mommy" with toilet paper
Make a tape recording of short music selections and instructions to move in different ways
Make and walk along a toilet paper trail

Ladies who Lunch

2011-06-16T13:14:00.001-07:00

2 going on 20. Can't believe my own eyes sometimes when I stare at this little lady, becoming exactly that -- a little lady! Today she asked to go to the coffee shop, with her sunglasses and purse in tow. Why did she want to go there? To eat a pastry, of course. Such a chick!

We love Instagram

2011-06-15T13:59:00.001-07:00

I love my clunky Canon EOS, but when it comes to snapping quick pics of the kiddos, my iPhone is always within arms reach. Some of my iphone favorites this week..

Painting

Smoochin brother

Being a diva, sunglasses indoors

Helping Mommy pick flowers

Coloring with chalk on our doorstep

We still get excited about ponytails around here!

2011-06-13T15:13:00.000-07:00

Oh poop

2011-06-09T15:52:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, potty training! We finally did it. Lucca was ready at 16 months and here we are, pooping and peeing on the potty at 2 years old. I missed the window at 18 months. We bought a potty and Lucca pooped on it once and wanted nothing to do with it after that, until this past week when we made diapers disappear and Yo Gabba Gabba undies appear. I am still waiting for the "it's so freeing" feeling to hit, because right now we plan our whole day in small increments based on when/where/how often she will have to pee.

After spending 5 pretty solid days at home, boy oh boy were we all ready to get out of the house. So far, we are on Day 8 and haven't had any accidents since Day 2. I'm convinced potty training is more of a mommy accomplishment than a child's. I didn't realize how exhausting it would be -- sitting on the bathroom floor reading stories for hours on end, making up potty songs and word games while sitting on the potty, bribing with treats, asking every 5 seconds if she had to pee, waiting patiently for the glorious poop to come, and doing it all over again and again. Not to mention packing the change of clothes or two every time we go somewhere, just in case.

It all makes sense to me now why so many mom's post facebook status updates about their kid finally pooping on the potty. Because it is a FREAKING BIG DEAL!! Never again will I mock the mama who proclaims victory over potty training on a social network, because it is a victorious feeling indeed.

Mission Accomplished.

Lucca in a Nutshell.

2011-06-03T15:42:00.001-07:00

This photo makes me laugh because it pretty much sums up Lucca. A happy girl, always on the GO...laughing, dancing, singing, running, hopping, galloping, jumping, spinning, or just plain moving! Non-stop.

Best Buddies

2011-06-01T22:17:00.001-07:00

"Animals are going to Hawaii"

2011-05-27T09:58:00.001-07:00

Oh, how I love the imagination of my girl. This morning, after lining up all her animals, I asked her where they were going. Her reply? To Hawaii, of course.

Rainy Day Tea Party

2011-05-25T11:19:00.000-07:00

Pouring the tea...

Kissing the teapot...(?)

Stirring in some honey...

Delicious!

Lucca, I sent these photos to your Daddy and his response: "She's growing up too fast on us. I wish we could just freeze her at this age." So sweet. We are in love with you baby girl. And I didn't even tell him that you set aside a little blue cup of tea for him at the party, too. Maybe I should have and he'd be on the next ferry home.

Lucca & the Beach Ball

2011-05-20T15:04:00.001-07:00

Parents of two year olds: run to Target and get a beach ball out of the $1 bin. Result = super happy kid and super cute photos.

Lucca's Ponytail! (thanks Tia)

2011-05-15T13:41:00.000-07:00

Surfin'

2011-05-12T22:48:00.000-07:00

two-year old talk

2011-05-10T18:29:00.000-07:00

Me: Are you ready to go, Lucca?

Lucca: No, I need to just do one more somersault first, Mommy.

You got it babe.

Heartbreaker

2011-05-09T21:59:00.000-07:00

Her daddy's gonna be in trouble someday don't you think?

My pretty little Starbucks date

(also, the scratch that is never-going-away dang it)

Drama Queen

2011-05-06T22:10:00.000-07:00

LUCCA, LUCCA, LUCCA! Your mommy and daddy sure do love you. You have become quite an emotional little girl over the past few weeks since your baby brother has moved in. While you adore your buddy, your emotions are in full swing with mommy and daddy. And let me tell you...a two-year-old emotional roller coaster is a FUN ride! The latest? Every time you come back from the park with Daddy-O you burst through the front door asking me for a special surprise. I made the mistake once of having a "special surprise" waiting for you when you got back from playing outside, and now you think this is part of the routine. You try to demand a surprise, mommy tells you we don't have a special surprise every day, and you burst into full on tears. This happens every day. Oh the DRAMA.

You also have a little scratch on the top of your nose right by your eye. Not sure how you got this, but you can't leave it alone and you pick the scab off every day. Today I told you to stop picking the scab on your "ouchie" so that it can heal. As soon as I say the word "ouchie" you start totally sobbing. Tears galore. As if it still hurts. All because I pointed out the scratch on your nose. So, I told Lucca not to touch it about three times today, and every time we talked about it, the same reaction from my drama queen. Sobbing. And needing big hugs from mommy. At this rate, I am pretty sure that scratch is never going away.

No clogged tear ducts around here, that is for sure. The best part? Every time Lucca cries, she goes and stands in front of the mirror to watch herself crying. Totally normal, right?

Jackson's Blog

2011-05-06T14:20:00.000-07:00

Brother got his own blog, so I'll be posting all things Jackson here...

http://dear-jackson.blogspot.com

"Here Kitty, Kitty"

2011-05-04T22:10:00.001-07:00

Slide!

2011-05-02T21:33:00.000-07:00

Best Big Sister Ever

2011-04-30T20:57:00.000-07:00

Lucca LOVES Jackson. It just melts my little heart to watch her with him. She asks to see him as soon as she wakes up each morning. She smothers him with kisses, hugs, snuggles, etc - and I mean smothers. We have to keep a very close eye on her because the love she has for her "brand new baby brother!" is immense and sometimes pours out by laying right on top of him. Or squeezing him. Or poking his eyes.

I am incredibly thankful Lucca has responded so well to Jackson. During my pregnancy, I would be up in the middle of the night worrying about her, wondering how she would react to a new baby in the house. On her turf. Uninvited. I felt guilty and nervous -- mostly scared that our new baby would change my relationship with Lucca. I was scared she would be mad, and jealous over all of the attention the new baby would require. But thankfully it's the exact opposite. We hear "Can we bring brother? Can I hold brother? Can I touch brother? Can I kiss brother?" And when she isn't asking us these questions, she is squealing with excitement over him. All his noises make her laugh. She likes when he yawns, sneezes, squeaks, toots. And when he cries? "It's okay buddy! What do you need buddy? I think he needs some milk from mommies boobies..."

She loves to love him. Thank you God. We are blessed, and know it. <3

Park Day!

2011-04-28T15:14:00.001-07:00

I got brave and went to the park today with my two babies. Actually, not super brave. I chose the park that's easiest to keep Lucca in the playground area. We had a blast, and 2-week old baby brother mostly cooperated. These adventures will be much easier when my new Ergo Baby Carrier arrives that I ordered today.

Not gonna lie

2011-04-22T19:57:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I just sit and stare at the beauty of my daughter.

Such a good Mommy

2011-04-21T11:20:00.000-07:00

Decorating Easter Eggs with Mimi

2011-04-20T22:02:00.000-07:00

Rainbow Brite

2011-04-17T21:52:00.001-07:00

Our big star.

2011-04-15T17:59:00.001-07:00

Our big star made her national TV debut this week. Can you find her?

Sweetest Girl

2011-04-14T21:32:00.000-07:00

"Baby brother is SO cute!" she squeals about 10 times a day.

Lucca has been amazing with Jackson so far, we couldn't ask for more. I was nervous about how the queen would respond to a stranger invading her castle (as her pediatrician perfectly put it), but she loves him. She gives him kisses, reads him stories, holds him and tries to give him milk and apple juice. When he's not called "brother" she likes to call him Jack. We know they will have a pretty special relationship and it's been melting my heart to watch it form already.

Best big sister in the world.

Lucca's New Toy

2011-04-12T18:40:00.001-07:00

BIG SISTER!

2011-04-11T11:30:00.000-07:00

Kitty Dress

2011-04-07T14:44:00.000-07:00

I'm also convinced Lucca needs this dress. Could you even imagine?

She would never, ever take it off!

(buy)

Summer is coming

2011-04-07T08:21:00.000-07:00

Reminder...must get this for Lucca.

(sold here)

Hooray for sunshine!

2011-04-01T14:39:00.000-07:00

lucky in love.

2011-03-30T20:53:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is our 4th wedding anniversary! Since I'm 38+ weeks pregnant, we already celebrated with a little Napa getaway a couple weeks ago. But tomorrow is still special...I love our anniversary! I love remembering our 'wedding week' in Lake Tahoe where we committed our love and lives to each other, surrounded by friends and family in the most gorgeous place on earth.

The past 4 years have been amazing... From our spontaneous engagement at the top of Twin Peaks, our beautiful wedding in Tahoe, buying our first home in San Francisco (at the height of the housing market...awesome), having our daughter Lucca, and now just days away from welcoming our son into the world. I am one lucky girl. I am more in love with my husband today than ever and am soo thankful he is my best friend and partner for life. As he told me last night, we make a pretty great team. He is the BEST dad, which is so freaking attractive. Lucca loves her daddy as much as I do. He is the hardest working man I know...providing for our family and making it possible for me to stay at home with our children, because we both feel so strongly that it's right for our family. Despite Rustin's crazy work schedule, he gets up every single day with Lucca and makes her breakfast before heading into the city. This is their time. I linger in bed (not complaining!) and let them do their thing until he has to go to work. He cleans my kitchen spotless. He likes to surprise me. He is the nicest guy in the world, really. He makes me laugh. He rubs my back. He brings me coffee. He loves me for everything I am.

All that to say I'm pretty happy I met this hot Southern boy at an ad agency in LA in 2003 :) The rest is history...our history.

LOVE U BABE!!!!

Two-year old

2011-03-29T13:46:00.001-07:00

This lil' blog was created with the goal of documenting milestones, memories and photos during Lucca's first year of life. It has become our little treasure chest of all things Lucca...and it's hard to believe it's now been TWO YEARS of capturing pieces of her world. Things are getting busier around here as we will be welcoming Baby Brother into our family any day now. Not sure how much we will keep up with this blog, or if we will be moving on to a family blog, but wanted to make sure I got her TWO YEAR statistics down from her well-baby/toddler check up last week:

Weight: 27 lbs (with her clothes on, so maybe just under 27 lbs)

Height: 34 1/4 inches (the nurses best guess, as Lucca wasn't exactly standing still!)

Both weight & height were in the 75th percentile, with the Doctor noting that she is definitely longer than she is wide...even though percentiles read evenly. She is long and lean...and will be one lucky lady if she stays that way!

The Doctors office is not Lucca's idea of a good time, and she was shouting "ALL DONE!" before we even stepped into the office. However, she did pretty well this time, probably her best yet...only crying a few times and mostly cooperating with the nurses and doctor. She is NOT a fan of getting her head measured or laying down on the crinkly Dr. office paper. Make her do that and she will turn on the tears. She got one shot this time, Hep A, and cried for one second, but then was fine and got some bunny fruit snacks to make it all better. Treats and stickers...the way to Lucca's heart.

We are soo very thankful for her outstanding health. Not sure we've met a healthier toddler, but we hope Brother has Lucca's immune system! He will be in good shape if he does.

So far, the two's have been anything but terrible. They are treating us well. Lucca, you are such a beautiful, smart and FUN little girl. You love snuggles, singing, dancing, adventures, puppies & kitties, balls and balloons. When she's not talking (rare), she's singing a song, and when she's not singing a song we know, she's singing her thoughts out loud. She's a songbird. Her best buddies in town are Emerson, Mia, Milo and Marley. She wants nothing to do with the potty. Her favorite foods lately are grapes, sweet potatoes, beans, corn, waffles, pancakes, eggs, cheese, and she looooves milk. Also, LOVES snacks (dried blueberries, apples, crackers, anything...). She does not like fresh berries or meat, but she has finally started eating some plain, baked chicken. She has discovered cupcakes since all her little friends have been turning two and we probably talk about cupcakes at least once a day. She can still run faster than any kid her age and would rather play with a ball than a doll - although she has many, many babies that she takes wonderful care of. She is very opinionated when it comes to getting dressed, picking out her shoes each day and the color of her outfit. She always wants to wear a sweater/jacket, and must always have a hat if it's the teeniest bit chilly outside. Purple is still her favorite color.

Lucca, keep being good to your mama and daddy ... you are a GEM.

Hawaii :: January 2011
Photos by Christy Eriksson

Little person, big vocab.

2011-03-25T09:51:00.000-07:00

I'm a little overdue for a post about Lucca turning 2 and her fun little birthday party, but in the meantime, can I just say how crazy it is having a two-year old in the house? I am constantly caught off guard by hearing these things coming out of my little girls mouth...

"Well, actually..."

"Instead, maybe we can...."

"Daddy will probably share with Lucca..."

"Those cars are going to the store to buy balloons..."

And on and on and on. Pretty cute.

Loving this face

2011-03-23T22:42:00.001-07:00

Our Family of 3

2011-03-21T14:15:00.000-07:00

We have loved, loved, loved being a little family of three the past two years. Lucca, our first baby, is no longer a baby, and we are getting ready to welcome her brother into our world. We wanted to capture these sweet days just one last time before our family grows.

Here we are, at our favorite park in Pacific Heights, 36 weeks pregnant. I'm excited to tell Lucca the history of these steps we took photos on, which are the very same steps her Daddy and I used to run every night when we were just dating. You know, when we actually had time to work out ;)

Images taken by San Francisco photographer, Kelly Jacikas.

Conversations with Lucca

2011-03-17T15:34:00.000-07:00

Mama: We're almost home, Lucca.

Lucca: Getting closer!

Mama: Yep, almost there.

Lucca: Bring orange balloon in house?

Mama: Yep, we can bring the orange balloon inside.

Lucca: Squash spiders?

Mama: Yep, we can squash some spiders.

Lucca: Squash spiders just like Daddy!

The next HGTV host...

2011-03-13T22:36:00.000-07:00

Best Seat in the House

2011-03-10T13:53:00.001-08:00

The Almost-Two-Year-Old

2011-03-09T20:50:00.001-08:00

Mommy's shoes

2011-03-05T19:24:00.001-08:00

Birthday Wish List.

2011-03-02T19:26:00.001-08:00

Lucca's 2nd Birthday is right around the corner! March 15 to be exact.

Here's her wish list:

1) an umbrella

2) a pony

3) a purple suitcase

4) a skateboard

5) a pink cupcake

She rules.

Twinkle, Twinkle

2011-03-01T21:26:00.000-08:00

American Idol 2027

Meet BlaBla Kitty

2011-02-26T11:01:00.000-08:00

This is "Bla-Bla" kitty, creatively named by mommy. Lucca got Blabla from Santa, and she has gone to bed every single night with Lucca since Christmas.

If you know Lucca, you know she's mildly obsessed with kitties. Don't know where this came from. Mama is not a cat person - we don't even have any friends with cats. But our girl loves them. Despite our fears of her taking this cat obsession into adulthood, we've embraced her love for kitties and have even bought a shirt or 2 with the lil felines on 'um.

While searching for a Blabla doll to buy for baby brother today, I realized Lucca's Blabla kitty is not a kitty after all. WHOOPS! Lo and behold, this is Suzette the FOX!!

DON'T TELL LUCCA!!!

She reads to herself now, OUTLOUD. Amazing.

2011-02-23T21:14:00.000-08:00

Not sure we've seen anything more precious than Lucca grabbing a book, sitting on the couch, and reading it to herself outloud. Word for word. Must catch this on video asap.

Field Trip!

2011-02-22T13:59:00.001-08:00

You know you live in an amazing place when you wake up on a holiday and have to decide between spending the day at Half Moon Bay, Muir Woods, Wine Country, exploring the streets of San Francisco, etc etc etc.

Yesterday, we chose Muir Woods. It's not bad having this practically in our backyard. Lucca loved "the forest" even though we didn't see any tigers. That's what she was hoping for ;)

The lil' fashionista insisted on wearing her red shoes, despite hiking through the woods

The "huuuge-mongous" trees

Such a fun President's Day. After the woods, we ate lunch on the water at FISH in Sausalito, followed by family nap time. Holidays rule.

Miss Sausalito, cruisin' the town

2011-02-21T03:18:00.000-08:00

XOXO

2011-02-14T13:49:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day, friends!

LOVE,

Lucca (& her sweet feet)

Valentines Day 2011

Beach Date with Brendan

2011-02-11T19:44:00.000-08:00

Gotta love winter in California! Beach days in February can't be beat.

Showing off her surfing skills

Oh, what a day!

2011-02-10T20:41:00.000-08:00

We had ourselves a good lil' Thursday. Went shopping in the city with Grammie, ate a yummy lunch at Boudin SF, took a great nap and then had a mostly uneventful afternoon ... UNTIL...

Mommy decided to take Lucca on a walk down at the Sausalito waterfront. It was almost time to pick up Daddy from the ferry, so we headed back to the car and I loaded up Lucca. And then, someway, somehow, my keys dropped out of my hand, out of the car, onto the sidewalk and then straight down inside the gutter in the street. Probably 5 feet down...landing in sewer water. All in slow motion. AWESOME.

A quick call to the Sausalito Fire Department had 4 fireman (!!!) and a big red truck by my side within 15 minutes. They took off the gutter grate, lowered a guy in head first and he grabbed my keys. All while assuring me this has happened before. If only Grammie would have stayed around a couple hours longer for the excitement ;)

Never a dull moment.

Before the "incident"

She knows a good view when she sees one

Picking up Daddy at the boat

BFFs reunited

Time to go bake some cookies for the firemen ;)

Jet-set no more

2011-02-07T20:38:00.000-08:00

Warning: sentimental-pregnant-mommy post ahead.

I just realized it's the end of a sweet era. I'm grounded (i.e. no more flying) from here on out for the remainder of this pregnancy, so it dawned on me tonight that Lucca and I took our last flight together today as just the 2 of us. Kinda sad because I've traipsed all over the place with my girl. She's such an easy traveler, so there have been many times since she was itty bitty that Lucca and Mommy would hop on a flight together (mostly to go visit Daddy when he was away on business).

On today's flight she was such an angel and slept curled up on my lap the whole time. I didn't realize in the moment it was the last time that scenario would take place :( Next time, she will be the big sister in her own seat, and her baby brother will be on my lap. Gone are the somewhat easy travel days!!!

Shedding a tear for the end of my travels with just LC. Sooo many fun memories, and now anxiously awaiting the arrival of our dude and the travel chaos he will add to our jet-setting family...

Sweet Lila listening to the baby

2011-02-06T20:48:00.000-08:00

It doesn't rain much, but when it does, we go outside!

2011-01-30T18:13:00.001-08:00