Our Holiday Card

We had every intention of doing a holiday card this year with Ben's picture on it, but, by the time we got around to taking photos it was just too late. Here are some pics we had planned to use on the card...

A Day in the Life of Ben

Watching skate videos with Daddy in the morning,

Reading Books,

Reaching for the camera,

Hanging out with my Nonni,

Hanging out with my friends,

and the ladies,

tummy time,
nap time.

Boy Wonder

I added a new link to my list of blogs that I follow. This one is about a three-year old little boy named Russell who is the son of Leslie and Jeff. (Leslie and I were in the same sorority in college). Russell was diagnosed with with a rare form of stomach cancer the day before Thanksgiving. I can't seem to get Russell off of my mind, and now that I have a little man of my own, it's even harder. Leslie's sister has started a blog to keep people posted on his progress...
http://www.boywonder.typepad.com/
He seems like an amazing little man. He and his family will be in my thoughts for a quick and healthy recovery.

Happy Birthday, Mike!

Today is Mike's birthday! He thinks he's getting old (and sometimes he does act like an old man), but I look at my parents, and his parents, and they seem quite young to me. (Especially when you have a grandma that's 95!) It's definitely all in your head. We've been talking a lot about "the glass is half-full" in our house lately (sometimes it can be harder to practice that idea, but I think it's a much happier way to view the world). Happy Birthday Mike! We love you. You're 34 years young!

In Benjamin news....he has started rolling over! Oh boy! First he was rolling from his tummy to his back, and that was fine. Now he's rolling from his back to his tummy. We decided it was best not to swaddle him in-case he rolled over in his sleep. And, what did he do? I was so freaked out last night watching him on the monitor (roll onto his tummy), that I brought him into bed with us. I know that's not the answer, and I know I can't stop him now...he's on the move!

A lot to be Thankful for

I don't know if the time of year (or our 80 degree weather which has me in such a good mood) has had anything to do with my sudden overwhelming feelings, but lately I've just been feeling so thankful...

-thankful for our amazing, happy, and healthy little boy

-thankful for my wonderful (even though he can be crazy at times) husband

-thankful for Petey, our wacky dog

-thankful I'm able to work part-time at a beautiful school and continue doing what I love

-thankful Molly, my mother-in-law, beat Breast Cancer

-thankful for my incredible mom and dad, to whom I owe so much

-thankful I have a roof over my head, food in my refrigerator, and clothes on my back

-thankful for my friendships

-thankful that there is nothing I need (I have it all)

-thankful for walks to the corner cafe with my family

-thankful for the country house

-thankful for my health (one of these days I'll get back to the gym, I'm thankful for my gym membership as well)

-thankful for mornings laying in bed with my family, listening to Ben babble and watching his face light up with smiles...

-thankful for the farmer's market Saturdays

-thankful I get to wake up everyday to my wonderful life...

It's a good life. I'm a lucky girl.

Our Weather Forecast

For the next three days our weather forecast is 70, 79, and 79 degrees. Not bad for the middle of November (reason #26 why I heart California!).

Back to Work

This past week I went back to work part-time. I cried Sunday night, Monday morning as I was feeding Ben, and a little bit once I got to school. However, once I got busy planning my reading groups and ordering materials, it actually felt really good (since I haven't worked since May). I'm looking forward to my part-time work, I feel like I get the best of both worlds. Not to mention, Mike makes a great Mr. Mom! On his first day "alone" with Ben (Chad, Deedee and Caleb were still in-town), they went to the Aquarium and Bowling. Dad is so much fun...I'm going to have to work to keep Ben entertained on my days off. ;)

We had a wonderful time with Mike's brother, Deedee, and Caleb. Saturday it rained all day (our first big rain of the year), so we stayed in and ate burgers and pizza. Sunday we all went to the Zoo. Mike lent Caleb his camera, so Caleb took lots and lots of pictures to document our day. Here are a few from my camera.

Do you know these people?
The bears came right up too the glass!
Chad and Deedee- so precious!
Finally, the little man wakes up!
He makes a perfect journalist.

And just a brief side-note, we have the Bjorn, which Ben likes a lot, we have the ERGO, which I think he'll grow into, Mike wanted the Moby Wrap (so we bought that and never used it) but I just discovered the New Native Baby Carrier Sling and am in LOVE! Not to mention Ben loves it too. It's so easy. I'm a happy mommy.

The November Rain is Here

It's November 1st and our beautiful Indian Summer has come to an end. The month of October was warm and wonderful! I think it was the most perfect weather month of the whole year. It's sad to see it end, but the holidays are almost here. Usually when I am working in the schools I am so aware of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and all of the Winter Holidays, but since I've been home with the little munchkin, I seem to have lost all sense of time.

Little B is now a little over 3 1/2 months and has become so much fun! I definitely think that at 12 weeks the "Fourth Trimester Fog"has lifted and he has become this smiley, content little fellow. Now when he's awake he's happy, alert, and so interested in the world around him. He's discovered now that he can get his hands into his mouth and likes to suck his two middle fingers (which makes a ton of noise) and has become a big fan of his pacifier. Whatever makes him happy!

Mike's brother, Chad, and his family, Deedee and Caleb are coming for the weekend to meet Ben. It should be a nice weekend (and Caleb can give Petey lot's of extra special love).

Ben's friend, Owen (who we go to Yoga with on Wednesdays) was hosting a Halloween picnic in the park last weekend. We were so excited to put on Ben's giraffe costume.

Getting ready for the picnic.


Owen! Our host with the most.

Dimitri-the cutest (and biggest) Sweet Pea that I ever did see!

Eskimo kisses with my Daddy.

"Why do you think it's so funny to blow in my face?!?!"

Big Belly Laughs!

Ben is growing fast and I can't believe that he is 12 weeks today. Where does the time go?!?

We have been very very busy. We were in Florida and had an amazing time for my grandmother's 95th Birthday. My whole family was there and everyone was so excited to meet Ben, but most importantly, my grandmother had an amazing birthday! B did an excellent job on the plane and I was so proud of our little guy...on our way back we knew we had a layover in Pheonix, but what we didn't know was that the flight to Pheonix was making a pit-stop in New Orleans...needless to say it was a looooong day.

We had a nice visit from Aunt Mary and Cloudy ;). It was too short and unfortunately Ben was a bit cranky that day. However, I'm sure Aunt Mary will get lots of smiles in December when we head to Charlotte for the Holidays.

Uncle Chad and Aunt Deedee are coming out the first weekend of November to meet Ben. I realize it's all about him now...which is just fine with me.

Ben and I have been having some fun at Mommy and Me yoga, Music Class, and Mommy Groups. The other day in our music class, we were walking in a circle singing "She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain" and Ben let out a laugh that caused everyone else to stop and laugh. His whole face lit up and his body shook. It was the best sound I've ever heard. I'll do whatever I can to hear that belly laugh.

Here's a cute photo that my dad took. He's wearing his pumpkin hat. My dad calls this picture, Halloween Head...


After bath-time...

It's Already September!?!

I can't believe it's already mid-September! Where has the time gone? Oh, I know, we've had our hands full with Petey and Little Ben. It's been a busy few weeks. Mike's parents were in-town and we were very busy. They finally got us out of the house. It's hard to negotiate baby, stroller, diaper bag, feeding, crying and everything else that goes along with baby as a new parent when you step out into public. However, we did it, and all survived! While Mops and Pops were in-town we went to the DeYoung and Ben saw the Dale Chihuly exhibit, which was beautiful. Ben loved the lights and all of the colors. We also went downtown where we had a bit of an adventure (which I won't go into-but everyone survived!), and we went shopping on Union Street. It was a lot of fun. While Mops and Pops were in-town, Mike went to Brazil to speak. We missed him a lot, but Ben and I went to the "country house" (and Petey, too) and had a great time with his Noni and Poppi!

Ben is amazing. He's started smiling and cooing. He's becoming a lot more alert and interactive. During the week we spend a lot of time at DayOne (a wonderful place for new mommies). They have all sorts of resources there and we meet our friends Lisa and Cole (who was born one day before Ben at the same hospital!) there for Mommy and Me group. Ben is usually the only one screaming there, but I'm going to keep going (just to get out of the house). We are heading to Florida next weekend for my Grandma's 95th birthday. Ben is going to meet both of his Great-Grandmothers, my Aunt and Uncle and Cousin. I'm a little anxious about traveling with a 9 week old on the plane (only because I worry about him screaming and irritating the passengers around us)...uh-oh, looks like somebody's awake...time to eat!

Staring at my Pops! Chillin' with Mops. Ben and Noni!

A few quiet moments...

The little man is sleeping in his favorite swing at the moment, so I thought I would post a few pictures while I had the chance . He's changing so quickly, getting bigger and bigger everyday. It's amazing how our day gets consumed by changing diapers, eating, sleeping, neighborhood walks, and some tummy time here and there. Ben loves his bouncer (however, there are no batteries in the bouncer, so if you stop moving it, be prepared for a cry) and bouncing on the pilates ball with mom and dad. He's making great gains with his weight and is spending more and more time awake and alert, looking around and checking out his new world!

Getting weighed at the doctor last week.

Ben's cute outfit from Megan. It says, "I ruff you," in honor of Petey.

Eyes open...(this is one of my favorite faces)

The bouncy chair...looking around.

Benjamin Hasse Buzzard is Here!

Ben arrived healthy and happy one week ago today at 2:04 pm, weighing in at 7 lbs. 3 oz., and measuring 20 1/4 inches long! He has the same colored hair as his daddy and is pretty much a mini version of Mike. Petey is adjusting pretty well to the newest member of our family and is just very curious about the little bundle that makes noise.

His pattern so far is sleeping through the day, and we've had him sleep through the night and keep us up until 5 in the morning. Hopefully he'll do more of the sleeping through the night. Mom and Dad would really appreciate it!

He loves his swing and his giraffe that plays a lullaby. Here are a few pictures, and there will be more to come. As of right now, we are just figuring things out, day by day...

So very, very sleepy...

Chillin' in my swing, eyes wide open!

All snuggled in

Big brother, Petey, tries to help

Daddy gives me my first bath

"Hurry up and dry me off! It's COLD!"

For more pictures you can check out Mike's flickr and my flickr accounts...

flickr.com/photos/daradara
flickr.com/photos/buzzard

Pee and Poo

Mike and I went to see Wall-E yesterday, which was pretty cute. The storyline was very clever. We went to the Kabuki theater, which had a makeover recently. Mike was very excited about the bar in the theater and said it was his new favorite theater in the city. (It doesn't take a lot to make his "favorites" list). It is convenient, though. You can buy your tickets on-line, and choose your seats. The other plus is the parking garage that is right under the theater...it's the little things that you learn to appreciate living in the city.
When we got home, there was a present waiting for us. Well, not for us, but for Ben. Mike had seen this in a store down in Hayes Valley once, and thought it was pretty great.
It was a gift from The Plock's...thank you Ferris and Kelly. I'm sure little "B" is going to love his Pee and Poo dolls!

Completely unrelated to bodily functions, here are a few pictures that Mike took last weekend with his Rolleiflex camera. The camera had originally belonged to his great-grandfather, and it takes some beautiful pictures!



As of now, we are 3 days away from our due date! Hopefully our little man will be here very soon!

My Belly

Here it is...

The Countdown is on

9 more official days until my due date! After yesterdays doctor's visit I am 2 cm dilated and 70% effaced (for any of you who know what that means). The doctor told me to WALK WALK WALK! So that's what I plan, to take Petey on lots of nice long walks...he's going to love me. I tried spicy Indian food, but it didn't work.

Mike and I have just been laying low. We've been restless, going to bed late (unusual for me), and getting up early (unusual for Mike). We are eagerly anticipating the arrival of our little man.

Today I am off to my office to clear out my desk! I have decided to change jobs next year. I will be working at a great little school in Pacific Heights, Claire Lilienthal, as a Reading teacher (part time- when I return to work later in the Fall). I am looking forward to working with the little ones again, doing what I love, teaching reading.

And Now We Wait...

Karen and Phil's wedding on Sunday was beautiful! It was up in Woodside in the mountains, surrounded by trees and the weather was perfect. We had decided to stay in Palo Alto instead of driving home that night, and as we checked into the hotel, I realized that it would be the last time for a while that we would be checking into a hotel without a baby...

I saw the doctor yesterday and am 1-2 cm dilated, and 50% effaced. The baby has also dropped and I've been having lot's of practice contractions. If they get organized enough, that'll be just what I need to send me into labor. So, at this time we wait! I plan to take Petey on some big walks to get things moving.

My friend Annie sent me a great list of things to do to evict the little man, from spicy food, to pineapple...they even have a special pizza that's called the "preggo pizza." If anyone has any suggestions, I'm listening!

Busy, Busy, Busy

Now that I'm 37 1/2 weeks and my fluid has been holding steady in the 10's, I've officially been taken off of bed rest with permission to do whatever I want- within reason, of-course. The past few days have been fairly "busy." At least, busier than they've been for me in a while, now that I'm off of bed rest.

The fourth of July was quiet. Mike re-arranged the living room (in hopes that we'll soon be purchasing a new couch from Room and Board-I think this is our first big furniture purchase together-how exciting). It now looks so much more spacious and cozy, and that was quite a project, which took a good chunk of the afternoon.

The rest of the day and evening was spent with Christian, Lisa, and baby Lucas who is quite adorable...



Yesterday was an early birthday brunch with my parents at Citizen Cake, since my dad will be out- of-town, cruising the Yukon looking for earthquake activity on my actual birthday. Then Sheila and Peter Reid came over for pizza, TMZ, and some Wii Fit!

Today we are off to Woodside for a wedding, which should be a lot of fun. The whole gang will be there!

Pretty Incredible!

This is pretty amazing...a gift from family friends Hope and Barry...I'm hysterical! :) My mom sent me the pictures this morning...maybe he'll be a race car driver!

Little "B's" First Ambulance Ride, Thanks to Mike

Friday morning, at about 3:45 am, Mike jumped out of bed in serious pain. He walked into the kitchen, and as I was waking up trying to figure out what was going on, I walked in to find him holding his side on the floor. I called 911 and off we went to the hospital.

After some pain relief from the IV and an x-ray, it confirmed what both Mike and the Dr. believed it to be...a kidney stone. It turns out there are more in his kidneys, so Mike will be following up with the Dr...we got home safe and sound around 6 am, a prescription of Vicodin in-hand (happy Mike), and he took the day off to catch up on sleep and rest. I told Mike that he has met his ambulance quota for a long, long time!

Later in the morning my mom came into the city to take me to my Non-Stress Test and then out to lunch at Le Boulangerie in Hayes Valley. The baby is looking great and my amniotic fluid is holding steady around 8+. From the looks of the pictures, he has some great cheeks. He was doing some sucking with his mouth (which we've been seeing him do a lot of the past couple of times) and he seems like a happy and VERY BUSY little guy. We only hope he inherits the Buzzard/Godfrey nose (sorry Schwartz family, but you know what I'm talking about). We are now 36 weeks and 2 days! YAY! I am off the terbutaline and have definitely been noticing more contractions, which at this point, is a good thing! We're gearing up for the big day. I can't wait.

Last night we just lounged and watched The Bucket List. I of-course, fell asleep, so I'll have to watch the end this morning.

Here are a few recent pics....hopefully we'll take some more of my belly very soon...

Here I am in the room to be...

Here we are at brunch...

This was taken before my shower...
I'll continue to keep you posted! Ha!