Plant

Our friend recommended Roger Reynolds Nursery as a fun place to visit. I was excited to explore a new nursery with the boys. They have a magical redwood grove at the back of the property. It felt nice to look up and realize there is a lot more to the world than my own, little thoughts. I found the exact plants I was wanting too. Exciting.

Up to the sky:


Blake playing with the man made chess board:


Acting like an ant on the ground:


My son is becoming a man. This morning he ran around the house in his knight uniform slaying dragons (his own words). He brought me the slain dragon and told me to put it on the table. I put it on the table (I was feeding Reade) and then he walked over to the table and said, "You [meaning him] cut head off." Then, with his sword he proceeded to cut the head off the dragon. Imagine lots of low grunts and slow movements like he was using a butter knife to finish the dragon off. He smiled, walked away, and started the game all over again. I wish I drank coffee.

Reade (Eight Months)

(okay, today is his 9 month birthday, but cut me some slack! We have been busy this weekend so maybe I should turn these into "what Reade has done in the last month.")


At 8 Months I:
* can crawl
* pulled myself up on things and cruised a bit before I crawled
* say "mah mah mah" "da da da" and "buh buh buh"
* squeal like a high pitched pig when upset or wanting something
* eat three, full meals a day
* eat my mom's homemade baby food, but eat jarred veggies because she can't keep up
* am almost 20 pounds
* go to bed at 8pm and wake up at 5am for a feeding and then go back to sleep
* put my hands in my mouth when I want to nurse
* still don't have teeth
* actually wrestle with my brother
* yell in a happy way when I hear my brother
* stick out my tongue in a funny, pointy way
* let my mom walk about six feet away from me
* now feel "stranger danger"
* have a juicy, plump body my mother goes crazy for
* roll during diaper changes
* love my immediate and extended family and get lots of joy from seeing them

Check out my Seven Month photo

Dirty

Three day weekends are great for an impromptu front yard project. I blogged about my front yard a while ago and have finally had it with the juniper. One thing led to another and here we are, knee deep in soil, pavers, and new plants. The neighborhood kids flocked to our dirt patch and showed me how much fun kids can have playing in the dirt. All of them would yell with delight each time they discovered weird things like centipedes or pulled out odd shaped roots. Too bad we can't keep it a dirt patch! Off to sleep so we can get back to it tomorrow.

Hard work:


Little helper (I think the neighbors were a bit taken back by how dirty I let Reade get):


Thank goodness Andrew's parents have a truck:

Crawl

Someone crawls now:










Right to mama.

Here is a mother. Here is one of the top role models in society today. Do I love her? Yes. Do I wish I was her? Yes. Some people would say I am following a pipe dream not set in reality. Then why did I open this email tonight and wince? Dreams might be closer than we realize. The worst part is, these are things I think of often.

From the parents group I belong to (over 3,000 members):

Mother's Night Out
When: Jan. 22nd 7-10pm
Speakers:

* Looking your best for 2011 by (omitted name), professional image and style consultant

Wine appreciation by (omitted name), mom, lead for (omitted company) and a gal with great sense of humor
- Wine for your health: Calories & carbs, benefits and justifications
- What's in a glass? Selecting the right glass for the job, why it matters and when it doesn't
- Selecting wines: Price, Preference, and Pairing
- Leftover wine: Don't let it go to waste!

Girl Friend's Guide to Plastic Surgery by (omitted name), a Stanford and fellowship trained Plastic Surgeon, mother of three, private practice for over a decade. She believes in education and subtle, natural looking results. Come and ask your questions about anything from noninvasive ways to surgeries. She will be honest and informative.

Dance moves for 2011 - get your groove back(no dance skills required) by (omitted name), dance instructor

Light dinner and drinks served


I am trying really hard to love this area, but it is slowly dragging me into the "should be" category instead of the "can be" way of thinking. It is up to me to put down the wine glass, forego the plastic surgery pamphlets, and walk right by the Sephora store at the mall. Then what? What the heck am I supposed to do with my time/energy. I hope I figure that out before my sons really understand the world around them.

By the way, the new season of the Bachelor started (wink, wink).

Blessed

I am blessed that these two things were in my life tonight.

Chocolates from Paris:


Chocolate cake from America:


Only nine days until I meet with a nutritionist to curb my sugar cravings/eating habits. Yeah, good luck with that. Thank goodness I only have to pay a $10 copay. I figure it is worth a shot.

Farm To Parking Lot

Oh, the experience of a farm in a parking lot. So much to ogle.

Hot chocolate because it was cold:


Mmm, temptation:


Better choices:


Land 'O honey:


Back at G'parent's house. Ellen made some yummy toast with fresh bread, tomatoes, and cheese. Relaxed minds and tummies: