This makes me happy

Anyone who reads this blog regularly (yes, I'm talking to the three of you) know that Dave and I don't get out much, but would like to, but my hunt for a babysitter has been an epic fail. To be fair, Dave's parents are always willing to watch the boys, but they're not too close and nights are hard. So for, oh, three years I've been looking for a babysitter/nanny. It's become a joke in the neighborhood because there are a couple of babysitters that everyone uses and swears by. I met them. I didn't like either. And the true test is Jake, who also didn't like either. So I gave up for a while until this dinner pops up for Dave's mom that we really need to go to and really had no one to watch the kids. So I figured I'd start the hunt again and signed up for one of those caregiver sites. CRAZY. In one day I had over 100 responses to my post for "hi, looking for a babysitter for my two boys." (I have to take the post down, but I think I'm well over 200 responses.) It was insane! And people say the weirdest things! But like 10 women/girls sounded normal, so I met with them, and didn't like any of them (including the one who is now habitually texting me asking why I didn't like her). So I thought the site was just a waste of time, but then when I was scanning some responses just to kill time and one popped out. Jessica. (Cue "hallelujah" music.) In a sea of "please hire me I will die for your children and I will die if you don't hire me!!" responses, was this nice, normal "I really enjoy working with kids" response. We met her, Jake did not hide, and I liked her (!!!). Dave and I WENT. OUT. We did! We left the house. Twice now!! Anyway, I know she's as great as I think because Jake reports that Jessica: does things better than I do, NEVER yells or gets 'grumpy' with him, and can make Will stop crying better than I can. And he cried when he woke up Thursday morning because "Why is Jessica not in my bed?!?" But then it's little things like this.. I noticed this in the backyard. Pictures that she must have drawn with the boys. It made me smile so much. See, that's all I wanted, someone to play with my kids, and adore them as much as I do. 

Crawling!

Little Einstein

Jake's preschool informed us today that Jake's extremely advanced for his class. I know, I know, we all saw this coming... he's my kid, right? Now if we can just get him to poop on the potty, put his shoes on the right feet, and stop calling the Indian boy in class "boy Riya" we can start filling out applications to Harvard.

Going on a squishy hunt...

At least I think that's what he's saying... it's one of the songs he picked up at school. The best part of this video is how intently Will is listening. Definitely Jake's biggest fan!

Sunny playdate

Riya and Jake enjoying some running, more running, climbing, and fruit-snacking in Santa Clara today.

Closer to crawling

Will is so close to crawling that when I turn my back for even a second, he manages to scoot himself into precarious situations, like sterolite containers. If I've told him once, I've told him a hundred times - think *outside* the box!

Screw the baby toys

My little bruiser has no time for squeaky animals, soft blocks, or teething rings....

Smiley

Ms. Teresa, Jake's teacher, said Jake is such a happy kid and that he smiles when he naps. :) He kind of has a joker mouth like mine so the corners just turn up, but I'll stick with thinking he's that happy at "school."

New hair do

Julie's been cutting Jake's hair for the past two years, but now that he's not there during the day, we took a trip to a kids' salon this weekend. I was a little nervous about how he'd react to his first real hair cut, but he flipped over the jeep/chairs (genius) and that they were playing 'Toy Story 3." He was a champ, and he looks A-DOR-ABLE. 

getting started...

Not happy that she's blocking 'Toy Story"

Ta-daaaa!!!

The place even had a jumpy house! 

Early bird

I love this shot... all snug in his PJs with the sun rising through the window. I'd like to say we were playing together on the floor, but really, he's completely engrossed in RHONJ. When you wake me up twice during the night and wake up for good with the sun, mommy's going to make you watch trash TV before Jake gets up and takes over. If he could talk he'd totally be saying, "team Gorga!"

Lunch date

Jake invited his BFF, Riya, over for lunch and a walk to the park today. Riya's my kind of girl - into "Cars," Thomas, and for Halloween she wants to be a "witch with a wand so I can lock princesses away in the tower!" At two weeks apart it's awesome to watch and hear them interact. The best exchange from today? Riya to Jake: "My favorite color is blocks!" Jake to Riya: "My favorite color is train tracks!"

Correction

He's in 12-18 month clothes! I'm going to give the poor meatball a complex. (nice excuse to post another pic of him, though!... And that onesie is size 24 months, but it's a brand that runs small)

Monster truck ramp

Dave wins best parent award (again) by digging around in the recycling and making this monster truck ramp for Jake. Jake takes such good care of it, carefully putting it away each day after playing with it. And to be honest, the thing is sweet! I can get some good air off of it (if Jake is being generous and doesn't make me play with the broken monster truck). And... check out our apples! 

8 months

Our little man turned 8 months old on Sunday! At 23 pounds, Will's having a hard time getting himself off the floor to crawl, but he gets around by simply rolling (I'll have to get video of it). That goes for pulling himself up, too. Anything that has to do with supporting his weight he's a wee bit behind on. But he's advanced on a few things! Eating for one, proven by the box of raisins he dug up under the couch that he devoured (I got to him when he had a mouthful, tipped him upside down and frantically started smacking his back and he just laughed and continued to chew them up) and the lilies he ate when Dave and I left him sitting in the backyard within reach of our flowers (quick google search calmed any fears that lilies are poisonous). He has six teeth and two more are breaking through right now. He's in size 18-24 months clothes and it's just bizarre to see him sitting there in an outfit Jake was running around in just a year ago! He's got a nice crop of hair now that's dark blonde and he has beautiful hazel eyes that I think are going to stick as hazel and not turn true brown. He loves music, dogs, and has the best, deepest belly laugh when he's tickled. He's also quite the ladies man. When we drop Jake off at preschool all the little three-year-old girls come running to pet him and coo at him, and he LOVES it. Yes, it makes me a bit nervous but we just keep their grimy little hands off his face and purell those thighs when we get back to the car. 

Look familiar?

We have our neighbors' deaf and partially blind 12-year-old golden for the weekend. Does Freddie remind you of anyone?

Big brother

Jake holding his "little" brother.

Six years!

Dave and I celebrated our anniversary kid-free (thank you Julie!!) in Carmel. It was so weird to go for a drive without listening to Kidz Bop.