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?!?!"