Saturday, November 28, 2009
Gobble Gobble
This year for Thanksgiving, we were so excited to have my Grandma and Grandpa (Ben's Great Grandparents) out from Florida to spend the holiday with us. We definitely did our share of eating...from appetizers to turkey, to our bagel brunch the next day. There was no shortage of food. I'm still feeling full.
Monday, November 23, 2009
The Yard
I think one of Ben's and Petey's favorite part about the new house is the yard! Petey has ample room to stretch his legs, chase balls, and hunt squirrels. AND, Ben has ample room to stretch his legs, chase balls, and join Petey in hunting squirrels. Petey finds his spots to rest his legs in the sun, and Ben thinks it's great to grab a broom and help me sweep leaves (I guess it's never to early to practice our cleaning skills)!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Long Overdue
I don't even know where to start...so I'll give you the most recent update. We bought a house and officially moved in last night! Moving is not an easy thing to do with a toddler (AND a dog), but luckily my parents are close, so they helped out with Ben while we unloaded boxes and made important decisions like where to put the wine glasses and our cereal bowls. Our new neighborhood is awesome! We have a beautiful park, and can walk to a yogurt shop, bakery, Peet's coffee, and a Sports Basement (should the need for anything sporty arise), but most importantly, a skate park for Mike, and one day, Ben.
My parents are fifteen minutes away, which means more date nights (hooray) and nights out in the City. It's strange to have so much space. Ben and Petey don't quite know what to do with themselves. The first day I brought Petey over to the house while I unpacking, he spent the first 20 minutes running in circles. He has become fast friends with the dogs next door (much to the owners delight, I'm sure). Ben likes to sit in the atrium and cover himself with the pebbles that cover the dirt for the plants.
Last night was the first night we spent the night. It was so quiet, I awoke to every creak, driving Mike a little bit crazy. I'm so used to the sounds of the city, Mopeds, people talking on the street, horns, sirens, the sounds of wheels from the shopping carts of our neighborhood vagrants roaming the streets. You get used to the noise living on a busy street, the sound of silence is a bit hard to adjust too and I do miss my city sounds. However, my 9am trek to Trader Joe's and parking out front was a delight! Not to mention unloading the groceries (that did not include parking, throwing on my hazards, unloading Ben into his pack n' play, unloading the groceries, then cruising the hood for parking). I just pulled up into the driveway and unloaded Ben and my six bags...
We look forward to settling in, and having our friends come to visit our new home, helping to make it feel even more like home.
My parents are fifteen minutes away, which means more date nights (hooray) and nights out in the City. It's strange to have so much space. Ben and Petey don't quite know what to do with themselves. The first day I brought Petey over to the house while I unpacking, he spent the first 20 minutes running in circles. He has become fast friends with the dogs next door (much to the owners delight, I'm sure). Ben likes to sit in the atrium and cover himself with the pebbles that cover the dirt for the plants.
Last night was the first night we spent the night. It was so quiet, I awoke to every creak, driving Mike a little bit crazy. I'm so used to the sounds of the city, Mopeds, people talking on the street, horns, sirens, the sounds of wheels from the shopping carts of our neighborhood vagrants roaming the streets. You get used to the noise living on a busy street, the sound of silence is a bit hard to adjust too and I do miss my city sounds. However, my 9am trek to Trader Joe's and parking out front was a delight! Not to mention unloading the groceries (that did not include parking, throwing on my hazards, unloading Ben into his pack n' play, unloading the groceries, then cruising the hood for parking). I just pulled up into the driveway and unloaded Ben and my six bags...
We look forward to settling in, and having our friends come to visit our new home, helping to make it feel even more like home.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Mani Nanny
Two words...Mani Nanny! My new favorite place in San Francisco. Yesterday I decided that it had been WAY too long since my last pedicure (I won't even go into details) and decided to try out this place not too far from the house. It was clean, quiet, and the owner is there to greet you at the door and offer tea or water as you get yourself (and baby settled). There's a little playroom with the one-sided glass so you can look in while getting your treatments, or you can look on the tv monitor to see what your little person is up to. The nanny was very sweet and kept him busy for about an hour while I got my toes done, and at the end we were both all smiles. This place is GENIUS and definitely worth the $10 nanny fee to have a few peaceful moments of pedicure bliss...
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Hooray for Ben
He's been taking little steps here and there, but tonight was official. He walked across the room and once he figured it out, there was no stopping him.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Thank Goodness for Grandmas!
Ben is very lucky to have two AMAZING grandmas, Nonni and Mops.
His Nonni (and sometimes Grandpa David) drive to the city every Monday to watch Ben while Mike and I are work. Together they lunch, shop, nap, and take long walks together. Ben's Nonni helps us out tremendously, and we are forever grateful.
Ben's Grandma Mops lives a bit farther away, a 4 1/2-6 hour plane ride, depending on which direction across the country you are flying. Recently Mops came for a visit and helped us out of a tricky situation. Little Ben started out sleeping beautifully in his bassinet and then around 3 1/2 months or so, we transitioned him to his crib. It all seemed to be going fine-"ish" until we went out of town two weekends in a row, broke up our routine, and let the little man sleep with us. Needless to say we were having one heck of a time getting him to sleep in his own crib, got lazy, and had a slumber party every night.
Upon her arrival, we asked her advice (having raised four children of her own). That night she poured me a few glasses of wine, we let Ben cry a little (and really, it was just a little), and Mops camped out on his floor on the air mattress and helped him back to sleep each time he woke up. The next night was a little easier, and by night five, Ben was sleeping through the night! In his crib! And napping there, too! I'm not religious at all, but HALLELUJAH!!!!!!! Mops is a miracle worker. We're all getting some sleep now thanks to Mops...who knows what her secret is, but from what I understand, helping sleep train babies is a big business. Mops should seriously consider this as an option, I'm sure a lot of sleep deprived mommies would pay big $$$ for her services.
Thank you Grandma's! We love you!
His Nonni (and sometimes Grandpa David) drive to the city every Monday to watch Ben while Mike and I are work. Together they lunch, shop, nap, and take long walks together. Ben's Nonni helps us out tremendously, and we are forever grateful.
Ben's Grandma Mops lives a bit farther away, a 4 1/2-6 hour plane ride, depending on which direction across the country you are flying. Recently Mops came for a visit and helped us out of a tricky situation. Little Ben started out sleeping beautifully in his bassinet and then around 3 1/2 months or so, we transitioned him to his crib. It all seemed to be going fine-"ish" until we went out of town two weekends in a row, broke up our routine, and let the little man sleep with us. Needless to say we were having one heck of a time getting him to sleep in his own crib, got lazy, and had a slumber party every night.
Upon her arrival, we asked her advice (having raised four children of her own). That night she poured me a few glasses of wine, we let Ben cry a little (and really, it was just a little), and Mops camped out on his floor on the air mattress and helped him back to sleep each time he woke up. The next night was a little easier, and by night five, Ben was sleeping through the night! In his crib! And napping there, too! I'm not religious at all, but HALLELUJAH!!!!!!! Mops is a miracle worker. We're all getting some sleep now thanks to Mops...who knows what her secret is, but from what I understand, helping sleep train babies is a big business. Mops should seriously consider this as an option, I'm sure a lot of sleep deprived mommies would pay big $$$ for her services.
Thank you Grandma's! We love you!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Making Waves
Grandpa David got some great photos of Ben in his little pool at the country house. I think we have a future swimmer on our hands...
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Waving Ben
Ben recently discovered how to wave. Sometimes he waves on command if you ask him to "wave," other times I notice he'll wave at anything, and sometimes when he waves I see him staring at his hand trying to figure out what this floppy thing is doing in-front of his face. I was lucky enough to catch him in a mood when I asked him to wave.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
All by Myself
My mom had gotten Ben these letters for his room, and it's only taken 9 months to put them up! All I needed was a ladder, a hammer, and some nails (which Mike helped with). The rest was all me. I think I did a pretty good job, and now he'll have no excuse not to spell his name. :)
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Saturday, April 18, 2009
Some Recent Pics
We've been super busy lately...here, there, and everywhere! Here are some recent pictures of some of his latest activities. He pulls himself up on everything, and I get my excercise by chasing him around the house.
This is at the Discovery Museum in Sausolito with Cole...this place is amazing! They are sitting on a water-bed type thing (that is supposed to be like water) and there is a fish tank above them. and bubbles on the sides..so much fun!
Here he is in his pack n' play, just giving some attitude...like his dad!
This morning we were at a birthday party, and now we are off to a bbq (we've got to take advantage of this amazing weather).
This is at the Discovery Museum in Sausolito with Cole...this place is amazing! They are sitting on a water-bed type thing (that is supposed to be like water) and there is a fish tank above them. and bubbles on the sides..so much fun!
Here he is in his pack n' play, just giving some attitude...like his dad!
This morning we were at a birthday party, and now we are off to a bbq (we've got to take advantage of this amazing weather).
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Rub-a-dub-dub...Four Babies in a Tub
Today we went to the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park and met up with Noah, Cole, and our new friend, Anna, at the Tot Spot. We got a membership so we could take Ben to the Tot Spot so he could cruise around without us having to worry about electrical outlets and wires (not that we have a ton, but it's nice not to worry). Ben was so busy it was hard to get a good picture of him, but you can see Cole and Noah posed for the camera.
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Monday, March 30, 2009
Busy Day
Today was a busy day. After morning nap we headed to Mommy Group to see our friends Lisa and Cole. After that we walked the dog and tried (key word being "tried") to pick up the house. Somehow I feel like even when we clean, things get dirty right away. I put B in his excersaucer so I could do a few things without having to worry...
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Sunday, March 29, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
The Birthday Boy!
No, not Benjamin (his Birthday isn't for another 4 months..). It's Petey, the Wonder Weiner, who has been "gently nudged" out of the limelight by his little brother. Everyone said that once the baby came, Petey would come to find that he wasn't the "big man on campus" anymore . "Not MY Petey," I thought to myself. "Petey is baby #1." That was, of-course, before Benjamin came along. Since then, all of the posts and blogs have been Ben this, and Ben that. I decided to give a little extra love to Petey for his special day.
5 years ago, Petey arrived at SFO from Georgia, a little peanut. I took the day off work and Mike and I drove to the airport, eagerly awaiting our bundle of joy. As we paced about the cargo hold in anticipation, a man walked up to the desk with a crate and asked, "Is somebody waiting for a puppy?" There he was. I had no idea how much love this little dog was going to bring into our lives.
We let Petey snuggle in bed for his birthday and he decided to cuddle with Ben's lovie (that's okay, Ben doesn't use his lovie much, anyway).
And no doggie Birthday would be complete without a special bowl of chicken.
Happy Birthday, Petey! We love you even when you bark like crazy and we threaten to sell you to the gypsies, we love you even when we find you and a room full of stuffing from one of Ben's stuffed animals, we love you even when you try to challenge dogs much bigger than you in park, we love you even when you bark at the skateboarders at night and wake up Ben...you are cuddly, snuggly, and wonderful. Happy Birthday, Petey, we LOVE you.
5 years ago, Petey arrived at SFO from Georgia, a little peanut. I took the day off work and Mike and I drove to the airport, eagerly awaiting our bundle of joy. As we paced about the cargo hold in anticipation, a man walked up to the desk with a crate and asked, "Is somebody waiting for a puppy?" There he was. I had no idea how much love this little dog was going to bring into our lives.
We let Petey snuggle in bed for his birthday and he decided to cuddle with Ben's lovie (that's okay, Ben doesn't use his lovie much, anyway).
And no doggie Birthday would be complete without a special bowl of chicken.
Happy Birthday, Petey! We love you even when you bark like crazy and we threaten to sell you to the gypsies, we love you even when we find you and a room full of stuffing from one of Ben's stuffed animals, we love you even when you try to challenge dogs much bigger than you in park, we love you even when you bark at the skateboarders at night and wake up Ben...you are cuddly, snuggly, and wonderful. Happy Birthday, Petey, we LOVE you.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Life is Changing VERY Quickly
Ben is officially crawling and very, very, busy. His latest trick as of today is pulling himself up on whatever he can find. I put him down for a nap and when I went in to peek on him, I found that he can now pull himself up...I guess it's time to lower the crib. Gone are the days where I could put him under his "rainforest" on his back and quickly check my email without the fear he'd go anywhere. My running shoes are on! I am ready. It's a good thing I'm a teacher and have eyes in the back of my head. ;)
Posted via email from Buttons
On My Way To Work
I went in to say "bye" before I left for work and found these two snuggling...makes it a little hard to leave in the morning.
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Friday, February 6, 2009
Ben Takes A Bath
Ben's Nonni Ronni gave him a bath tonight! He kept staring at himself in the mirror and splashing around. Bathtime is one of our favorite times of day.
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Back to sleep
Buttons woke up at six this morning, so I brought him into bed with us and he slept another two-and-half hours.
Posted via email from Buttons
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
My Other Job....
I thought I would post some pictures of where I spend my days on the 2 1/2 days a week that I work. I'm currently working as a Reading Specialist at a beautiful school in San Francisco. I get to spend my days reading with first and second graders...
This is my "Reading Corner"
Literally, a corner.
These young ladies are just getting warmed up!
These are all of the leveled books we read.
These are my students books that they've read.
A pre-reading vocabulary activity, "Word Prediction."
I always remind my students of strategies that "Good Readers" use.
A post-reading, comprehension activity, "Sketch to Stretch."
A picture of a car helps us remember the "-ar" chunk!
A story summary using Interactive Writing (we share the pen and write the story together).
We use non-fiction literature and "code" the book, looking for information we already know, information that is new to us, and questions that we have about the information.
Not a bad way to spend my days!
This is my "Reading Corner"
Literally, a corner.
These young ladies are just getting warmed up!
These are all of the leveled books we read.
These are my students books that they've read.
A pre-reading vocabulary activity, "Word Prediction."
I always remind my students of strategies that "Good Readers" use.
A post-reading, comprehension activity, "Sketch to Stretch."
A picture of a car helps us remember the "-ar" chunk!
A story summary using Interactive Writing (we share the pen and write the story together).
We use non-fiction literature and "code" the book, looking for information we already know, information that is new to us, and questions that we have about the information.
Not a bad way to spend my days!
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