Family Pictures

Blue Steel

Here is my amateur photo shoot with little Jude.

He Rolls

My little boy rolls over!! I have decided to celebrate his little milestones. We are currently working on getting him to sleep through the night. I was sick last week so out of survival, he cried it out in Zoe's room while she slept on our floor(her favorite spot anyway). I am not quite as anal about his naps as I was with Zoe so we have been out and about this weekend not on schedule so he doesn't have it down yet. We are getting there. I started giving him rice cereal too,
only when he smacks his lips and stares at food I'm eating.

Weather; you fickle friend

It has been raining for a week! I am not complaining I don't mind the rain since I hardly ever see it. The week before the weather was what can only be termed as "lovely". On such lovely days we like to spend our time outside resulting in the photos above. It took so long for it to get cold this winter that I don't really appreciate the warmth as much as others. I have enjoyed our few wet days. I actually had a "Moment" because of the rain. You know, a moment where you stop and realize how small you really are and how marvelous the earth is. Play group was at my house on one of these rainy days. Four little 2 1/2 year olds were sitting at my table coloring and asking for more raisins when it suddenly started to rain hard. I pulled up the blinds and opened the window. I asked the kids if they could hear the rain. For a moment all four children stood in front of the window completely silent. I'd say, "can you hear that?" and they'd sigh in wonder,"yeah". It was the coolest thing. Maybe you had to be there. Anyway, as long as I'm not boiling hot in my apartment, I consider it a good day.

We LOVE Santa!

I don't know what this picture says about my parenting skills but I think my kids will appreciate it when they are older. Zoë loved to look at Santa from afar but the minute he spoke to her the love was gone. I thought Jude was a happy little camper when Jamin passed him off to the mall Santa. Strange tradition now that I'm thinking about it. I think he got scared for a minute because of Zoë's protests. I was the lucky parent who ended up in the picture smiling big enough for all three of us. Jamin and I enjoy the holidays. We love the repetition in them. The cookies, music, decorations, trees, Christmas morning. There they are every year like a grandma you love to visit once a year and she waits for you with open arms. We run right into them. The Santa photo has been tacked on to these traditions for the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I don't know how time has gotten away from me, but it has. The holidays have come and gone(along with my sleep) and I no longer have a newborn. My children are growing up so fast. Zoe is taking a dance class and is starting pre-school. Jude, I am pretty sure weighs 16 lbs. and wears 6-9 months clothes although; he is only 16 weeks. I have completely slacked off on my blogging. Why?, one might ask. Have I been in Europe, Hawaii, away from my home unable to post? The answer is a very truthful, NO. Perhaps mentally though. Sleep deprivation in new mothers I believe is kind of like Madri Gras; one cannot be held accountable for ones action during such times. So I guess the best answer is I have not been myself lately. Women with many children probably laugh at that because they haven't slept in a long time but you have to admit, it is hard at first. What is funny, I just love my little boy who wakes me up at night. He is so sweet. I guess that is what being a mother is. I was thinking about the other day. You know how Shakespeare wrote, "All the worlds a stage". My whole life I have been the lead roll in my own play, but as a mother I am now in the supporting roll in my children's plays. My job is to help their stories be good ones. What a great roll, I think.

So, we finally joined the many families around here and purchased Disneyland passes. I actually really like Disneyland when it isn't obnoxiously crowded. Our little Zoe loves many Disney movies that she got to memorize while I was sick or on bed rest this year. She gets so excited when she sees a Buzz Lightyear or a Woody doll. There's a lot more where that came from, there is a place so dedicated to these characters she has grown to love I couldn't wait to see how her 2 year old mind would react. We also figured it was something we could do as a family. We seem limited on activities we can all enjoy but Disneyland seemed ideal. I guess that is why it is so busy. To inaugurate our Disneyland pass holder status we decided to spend Thanksgiving day there.

In the morning we had a character breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen. It was pure entertainment. The food was so-so but great for kids. Zoe actually ate food there, it's a miracle. Disney characters walk around the tables giving people the opportunity to take pictures with them. Zoe was in awe. When they got close however; her awe turned to fear.

To "take cover"

Jude wasn't scared

When there wasn't a character to cower from Zoe was wondering where they were and wanted one to come back and visit.


Once inside the park it was a toddlers wonderland. If only her parents would let her run freely would it have been better for her. I think I had more fun watching Zoe than anything. Jude of course was a trooper just hanging out in the car seat or sling. I hate to say it but I buy into the whole Disney magic.