What two kids do for 12 hours on a very rainy day...

A little over a week ago it rained very hard almost all day long. The month before we were blessed with beautiful sunny weather where we spent long days at the park, beach, and on bike rides. When I woke up to the nasty weather outside I was a little concerned. What would we do all day long? The kids weren't worried one bit. Charlie kept saying all day, this is the best day ever!

They read books on the couch....

Giggled together while exploring their tunnel.

When they got tired of that game they flattened the box and turned it into a steep hill for their cars:

We spent a long time building a castle with our blocks and Magna tiles

Both kids really focused and worked together to make it just right...

They watched the pouring rain together, chatting the whole time.

They played Mommy-Daddy for a while. Oh, and I crack up at what they like to do with their "babies". They usually either take them to the fair for cotton candy, or set them all up on the couch to watch scary movies. Basically, they act out things that Adam and I don't let them do. I love it.

Charlie took art to a whole new level. Notice the mess in the background. They emptied the big cardboard box and played with the trash all day long. I had to secretly throw out a piece every once in a while until days later it was finally call cleaned up.

Finally around 3 after 8 hours of indoor play the rained stopped. We got all dressed up for some serious puddle jumping.....isn't my gnomie adorable? And notice she is wearing jeans...over her tights. It was that cold.

My other gnome checking out the puddle damage...

There have been plenty of days where the kids seem to fight and bicker all day long. But somehow this day was perfect. Thank you Kate and Charlie for leading the way in a great day.

Snow for the first time since 1976

It snowed last Saturday in HMB from 7 until 7:40. I ran around my parents house waking up everyone the same way I did when I was a kid Christmas morning. The flakes were huge and it was beautiful. It didn't stick, but it was magical as it was falling. I sat in front of the window sipping a nice cup of coffee and truly felt like it was winter. And then it was over. And it probably won't happen again until I am 67....

Our new place

We are in love with our new place. It is small, cute, homey, and cozy. The kids love the easy access to the front and back yard, and Lily seems to be in heaven. So far every day has been sunny, and we have views of the mountains and ocean from our deck (our deck that we can't walk on because it is unsafe...but still...)

We closed escrow on Feb 11 after 5 weeks of ups and downs, and moved in Feb 26. Not bad considering we had to tent for a week, paint the whole place, pack up our entire place (ok, not everything but most things).

A big thanks goes out to Adam's parents for dedicating two full weekends to painting and moving. And another big thanks goes to my parents for making us dinners, and watching the kids while I worked and Adam and his parents painted. It really did take a village for us to buy and move into this home, and we will be forever grateful for our village.

Originally I was a wee bit concerned about moving my stomping grounds all the way to Montara. I have spent the past 4 plus years walking around downtown hmb, at Ocean View park, biking along the bluffs, walking to the beach....exploring an entirely new place seemed just a bit daunting. But it only took a few mornings in this beautiful neighborhood for me to realize we hit a goldmine.

Yesterday morning while waiting for our friends to arrive we took a walk down the street to meet some of our furry neighbors. Two cute goats were there to greet us and the kids were so excited. Right by the school is a llama farm that we are going to be visiting today. We also have Montara mountain in our backyard, and Montara beach. I am excited that we have so many new places to explore.

With something unbelievable great comes the fear of loss. I keep feeling like this is too good to be true. Like something terrible might be right around the corner. I am trying to live in the moment and just appreciate how wonderful life is in this moment. I feel in awe of Adam and how hard he is working both at work and with this house to make things comfortable for us. I watch him act so lovingly with the kids as the stress of moving and a changed routine takes it's toll.

There will be definite adjustments. I work in HMB and PES, preschool, swim class, and tennis classes are all in HMB making the day more chopped up by driving than I like. We forced Kate to drop her nap a few months ago for many reasons, but now loading her up in the car for a 15 minute drive at 2:30 is just asking her to take a car nap. Yesterday I was driving while turning around and tickling her and rolling down all the windows just she wouldn't fall asleep. Cuz napping at 3 is not allowed in this family.

Here is our house. We haven't put up any pictures and there has been no decorating yet. But we are simply people so I can't promise much for than this for a while. We LOVE having a fire place, it is gas and very efficient and heads up the main room very nicely.

I spend a lot of time cooking and baking in the kitchen and I love the look and feel of this kitchen. I realized quickly when unpacking that we don't have very much...but I will add on with time. Oh and my fridge and freezer are those two bigger drawers. We have another fridge in garage but I love having a smaller space in the kitchen. I am hoping it will help with my new food budget.

The bathrooms are very small, cold, but cute.

We finally went for bunkbeds and we all love them. Julia and my parents treated my kids to beautiful pottery barn sheets/quilts as a house-warming gift. So far the first two nights went very smoothly. Both kids climbed into their beds and were asleep very shortly after. Adam and I waiting quietly on the couch. The first night we overheard: Kate are you awake? Yes, are you? Yes. Good night, Kate. Good night, Charlie. And then they both fell asleep. We were amazed , especially since it was only 7:15.

It has taken a few days but the kids are finally playing with their toys and together again. And as I blog they discovered that "couch play" can continue at this new house.

We asked the kids if they each wanted their own rooms or if they wanted to share two rooms, a sleeping room and playroom. We were proud when the both chose to have a playroom and sleeping room. They love "cooking" and playing babies together so we creating a corner for that kind of play.

We moved the nursing chair into the playroom because we didn't have room in the living room. But I like to think I will spend many mornings holding and nursing a newborn while my kids play around me.

There is a lot more work to be done, but for now we are very comfortable and very happy.

Ano Nuevo

It is hard to believe but up until yesterday I had never done the elephant seal tour at Ano Nuevo. When Adam's mom mentioned it back in December I jumped at the opportunity. We have explored the sand dune beaches south of town plenty, and even stumbled upon a huge male elephant seal many months back, but I was excited to take the actual tour and get up close and personal with this magnificent animals.

We saw big daddy's like this one:

And cute "weiners" as they were called....

Honestly, I spent most of my time watching Kate, she was just so darn cute the whole time

My boys were pretty cute to watch too. With three adults Charlie actually got to be held a bit. Between being freezing and a bit scared of the big elephant seals, Charlie wanted to be held a lot.

Our last lookout took us to the big batch of females, males, and pups. Of course I had my eye on a rock wash on the shore. I have heard there is great seaglass in Ano Nuevo...

Usually Adam takes the kids to the beach and hiking on Saturdays while I work. And I take the kids during the week while he works. It was nice that he was able to take the morning off and we could explore the area as a family...like old times.

K and C were the only kids on the tour. They were amazing. No meltdowns, no asking for snacks, bathroom breaks, or fighting. They just went with flow, and I hate to admit it but I think Charlie paid better attention to the docent than I did.

It was also nice to have Adam's mom there to lend a helping hand...literally. She carried Kate most of the time...

I love that Charlie chooses his gnome hat for every outdoor adventure. And I love how into nature my family is.

Dear littlest Kate,

Welcome to the world, baby Kate. It has been a wonderful three years.

Such a sweet baby...

You smiled on your first birthday, and haven't stopped smiling

First birthday

First bite of something sweet, yum carrot cake.

Kate and Kate

Enjoying a cupcake pre-party (2nd birthday)

Celebrating her 2nd birthday with family and friends, fairy-style

Getting ready to eat cake in her next outfit for the evening: her new swimsuit. She is our little swimming fish.

The almost three year old Kate. This year she informed me she didn't want a party, doesn't want anyone to sing happy birthday because it is embarrassing. She just wants waffles for breakfast, tomato soup for lunch, pizza for dinner, a chocolate cake "all the way round", and a bag of sand with ants too (ant farm) She truly is a low maintenance little girl.

I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. Being at the hospital with Adam and your Aunt Kate waiting to be induced. You were a week over due and I had low amniotic fluid. I remember relaxing, laughing, listening to music as the contractions came on. At first they were light. I walked the halls, sat on the big ball, smiled, welcomed them with all my heart. After a few hours they started to increase in intensity. I hung on hour after hour determined to bring you into this world without an epidural. Around 7 centimeters and 10 hours after being induced I broke down and got the epidural, the relief was amazing. I was able to relax, and mentally prepare for welcoming my first daughter into the world. I remember feeling like I didn't even need the doctor to deliver you. You were ready to join us, the pressure was incredible, and I felt for sure I could just push you out in one push and catch you with my own hands. Our amazing midwife was there every step of the way, the Be Good Tanyas blasting in the background, my mom and Julia beaming with excitement, Adam smiling ear to ear ride by my side, and your Aunt Kate, your namesake actually caught you as you slid out of my body.
Your head was round and soft and perfect. Your pink lips eager to nurse, and warm, lovable body eager to cuddle.
We brought you home and you fit right in. Your brother Charlie at the young age of 19 months was very happy to see us all after having a staycation at my parents' house for 3 days.
It felt amazing having another tiny being in my arms. From the beginning everything seemed so simple with you. You nursed, slept in my ergo or arms, cuddled on your daddy's chest, sat next to your brother in the little chair. Both your bodies were so small you could fit anywhere together: swing, carseat, bouncy chair, my lap. You started smiling and cooing very early on, and were the happiest, sweetest, and most beautiful baby.
You were very connected to me from the beginning, and you still are. You never took a bottle, didn't want to be in a room I wasn't in, and preferred sleeping in the crook of my arm since the day you were born. Knowing how fast time flies I was and still am completely content to spend as much time holding you.
You started walking before you were 1, beating your brother in that department by something like 5 months. You learned signs quickly but by the time you were 13 months you realized that you could say the world just as easy. By 18 months you were talking in sentences, singing complete songs, and blowing everyone away with your charm, sense of humor, big smile, and sassy demeanor. 22 months you decided you were done with diapers for the most part. At 2 years old you decided pants, skirts, and jeans were unnecessary and stuck with tights, one of three shirts, and boots.
I watch you all day, Kate. I watch you brush your hair out of your eyes, I watch you read book after book to yourself everyday. I watch you take flying leaps off the couch, watch you look at your brother with such loving and endearing eyes. I watch you jump on Lily, taking your love for her one step to far and then following up with a kiss. I watch your face brighten up when daddy comes home. I watch your adorable body as you eat every meal standing in your seat.
I laugh at the way you say "Whose that?" for everything, marvel at the fact that your favorite word is "poopy head". I am inspired by your understanding and flexibility when your brother is in one of his moods. Just this morning you informed Pa that Charlie was going to your birthday party because he is too moody. My mood is lightened when I hear your sing. I watch you sleep, too. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and can't fall back to sleep, I just lay next to you and watch you. You have the sweetest face, freckles lining your nose and under your eyes, the fullest lips, and cute little whisps of hair that stick to your head in curls at night.
I look into your eyes and see myself. A mini me. I see you see spot a kid from across the park and claim you "hate" that kid, and although I would rather you proclaim you "love" that stranger...I giggle inside at your sassy, spunky personality. Time to time you have to yell at the universe (or me) and that is fine by me. I love every part of you. I know your stubbornness and desire to question authority will help you become a strong, independent and thoughtful teenager and adult.
So Kate on your third birthday I want you to know that you really are my sunshine. You brighten my day, make me laugh, encourage me to be young again, challenge me to stay calm, continue to help me become the most loving, accepting, patient, and flexible mom I can be.

From your fantastic naked dance moves, to your everyday get up of tights and boots, to your silly faces, to the way you play so creatively, from hearing your sweet little song echo from room to room, to the way you ride your balance bike along the coastal trail, to overhearing you "read" book after book throughout the day, to the way you play "molerats" "mommy-daddy" and "couch-play" with your brother, to the way you adore Lily and Henry, and the way you spend your days rough housing with Charlie and his friends, to the way you proclaim you like to cry, from your opinionated ways to the way you hold your sweet little hand on top of my belly to feel the baby move, to the way you say things like: It is beautiful today, let's go outside, or the way you jump into the swimming pool and swim the other end and climb out all on your own, from the way you still crawl into my lap and want to be snuggled to the way you push me away and telling me to "stop talking to you"....I love you. Every part of you. You amaze me and everyone else who is lucky enough to be a part of your life. I am smitten with you. You truly make this world a better place, and although I hate to let go of the 2 year old girl I am so in love with, and I am excited to get to know the 3 year old Kate.
Even though you don't want a party, and don't want anyone to say Happy Birthday or sing to you tonight, I am saying it loud and proud here. HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATE, We LOVE the little person you have become.

IDIG

It has been an interesting several months, full of many challenges yet just as many if not more wondrous days playing in the sun at the beach. I have so very much to be thankful for that I though an old IDIG was in order. Right now, as the children play "couch play" this is what I am thankful for.
1. The way both of our families came together to help make this home a reality for us.
2. The amazing community we live in. I have friends that I trust and enjoy, and this morning I am heading to my a winter festival with a very special group of women and all of our kids.
3. Two nights of Charlie not coughing. (the real success will be when we stop steroids and his cough doesn't come right back)
4. My mom slowly but surely getting better
5. Adam, and everything he does for us.
6. The deep, dark, glistening ocean, the green rolling hills, and the fields covered in yellow from mustard flowers.
7. This baby inside my belly, how perfect he/she looked last week in the ultrasound, and the constant kicking, moving, and dancing that goes on all day in my belly.
8. K and C and how creative, sweet, friendly, adorable and fun they are.

xmas dance party in gilroy