sweet little boy

if i was a writer...

...i would have entered this contest from Real Simple earlier in the year - with an essay answering the question "When did you realize that you had become a grown-up?". And here is my answer :: There is nothing that makes you feel more grown-up than paying a babysitter to have a night out on the town. Wasn't I the one babysitting just a couple of years ago? Now the tables have turned and I am asking the girls that babysit my boys what shoes to wear with my outfit as I rush out the door {because I no longer know what is in style}... girls that look and seem like my peers - but really, I am a decade older. A decade. What?! When did that happen?!

It happened just the other night...my sister-in-law and her adorable baby girl, who will be soon celebrating her 1st birthday, came to visit from Chicago - they were here almost a week. We had a perfect time - as perfect as it can be when you are outnumbered by three children under the age of 3. ;) Here is a picture of us heading out to enjoy wine, sushi and good conversation. {...the prom-like photo was taken, of course, in front of the mantel of my fireplace by our babysitter.}


And a picture of me with E, because he was feeling all left out.


What is your answer? When did you first realize you were a grown-up?

end of summer

We ended our summer with a visit from Lance's parents last week -- they stayed at a nearby hotel so we were able to take advantage of the swimming pool -- which we had all to ourselves. It was really nice for E. The last time we took E to a pool, he screamed and wailed until we let him out. He did much better this time. He kept saying "look mama. I brave. I swimming."


And S...oh where do I start? He's growing. Talk about night and day difference from E. S is a mover and a shaker and our prediction is that he will continue to hit milestones at a very rapid pace. He still really likes the sound of his own voice - at very high decibels - but through the screams, I am finding it a joy to be his mama. I was just sitting here working and looked over and saw this...


Oh how I love the view from my office.

Here are a couple more. It remains to be seen if he will be a thumb-sucker, but he definitely has found it a lot lately, as well as his fist.


Working on a couple of new ideas but it may be a couple weeks until the reveal. Gotta find some time. Anyone know where I can get any?!

Family Tree Necklace

The winner of the Facebook giveaway helped me design this new pendant for her FREE necklace. It features a family tree design - the birds can be added or changed to represent your own family. And can also be customized using names or without names.

You can find it here...

Japanese Gardens

We spent some time at the Japanese Gardens at Cal State Long Beach today. Lance and I went to a beautiful wedding there a few months after we moved to California 4 1/2 years ago and even though I pass it almost daily, we have never gone back. I'm feeling silly that I've never taken E. He l o v e d it - I knew he would! There is a huge koi pond, beautiful plants, trees, vibrant flowers and so much to discover and explore!