Halloween parade

Happy Halloween! Jake's preschool had a Halloween parade and party this morning. It was really so adorable, and I finally got to match parents with kids (I'm talking about you, Halen's mom and dad). 

Jake parading! That's Halen right behind him. (Yeah, sure, he'll totally be a cop some day.)

I don't know who got him to wear the hat. How cute is he? He's so cute. 

Group picture!

Another group photo on the fire truck. 

We got to watch circle time today! I love this picture because it looks  like Ms Theresa and Ms Lety are mad and they're flipping off the little kids. 

That's my boy! Totally not paying attention! 

Eating cupcakes, made by yours truly. 

I love my little astronaut. Sorry other parents, Jake really is the most adorable, funniest, cutest kid in the class. 

Pumpkin carving

We got into the spirit of Halloween by having a pumpkin carving party! Which actually turned into a "let's get these whining, fighting toddlers inside and in front of Dora so we can all sit back and enjoy a drink" party.

Sunny and 72

I couldn't believe the pictures my family and friends sent me today of the snowstorm in Mass. Heather kept me up-to-date by texting me pictures as the snow accumulated. She wasn't too happy about snow in October, so just to be mean I sent her this picture back of Will hanging out in the sun. (Will's forehead got into it with the train table and the train table won.)

Oh, Jake

Jake had me in stitches a few times last night. Which is good for him, because no matter how much attitude he's giving me, if it makes me laugh, I can't get mad (or say "no"). The bad part is, he's smart enough that he's catching on to that. 

Hysterical thing #1: 

Jake: "I need another popsicle, mommy." 

Me: "Jake, you had two, that's enough." 

Jake, holding up two sticks: "It isn't enough! How am I supposed to make an "H"!?!" (see picture - yes, he got three to make his H) 

Hysterical thing #2:

Jake: "At school, Landon told me he's not my friend anymore." 

Me, feeling so bad for him: "I'm sure you're still friends with Landon. Why did he say that?" 

Jake: "Because I kept running by him fast yelling in his face "You are the slowest BOY EVER!""

Me, not feeling so bad for him: "Oh."

Hysterical #3: 

Jake: "Why does Doc Hudson get so mad at Lightening McQueen in his garage?"

Me: "Because Lightening McQueen was touching his things... just like you get mad at Will sometimes." 

Jake: "Mommy, no he wasn't. Lightening McQueen does not have hands." 

Jake 5 minutes later: "Maybe he was touching Doc Hudson's things with his tires." 

Day out with dad

While I was stranded in the foothills with Will, Jake was enjoying a day with Dave at Stanford. That's field hockey he's watching (where are their plaid skirts?)

Taking a hike

Dave and Jake went to a soccer game today, so I decided to take Will on an adventure. I wanted to go for a hike to enjoy the weather, so we headed south to Calero County Park in the west foothills of the Santa Cruz mountains. Will enjoyed every minute of it by sleeping. 

So, tip 1: Make sure you don't take the "equestrian only" trail (horses don't like strollers, and people riding horses don't like dumb women who hike on the trails for horses). Tip 2: When you think you're all badass hiking up the super-steep hills, think of how you're going to get your 20-pound stroller (plus 25-pound baby) DOWN the super-steep, dirt (i.e., slippery) trails. Because crying at the top of the hill in sheer panic isn't going to help you. I haven't been that scared since looking down Mount Watchusett's bunny hill in the fifth grade at my very first ski lesson (thanks, mom, for putting me in the 'B group' because 'you weren't going to pay that kind of money' for the A group (beginning) lessons). We made it home unharmed, but take in the scenic picture because I think the backdrop to Will's photos from now on will be our yard or downtown Willow Glen. (At least for a good while.)

Lazy Saturday

I lost the "you have to get dressed" battle. Again.

Walking and driving

Will is very serious when he's behind the wheel. (Jake's not smoking; that's a lollipop.)

Big day of firsts

I had my 9-month checkup (holding steady in the 90th percentile for height, weight, and head circumference) which included my first flu shot, I'm eating cheese, and my mom finally found some shoes she could smoosh my chubby feet into. I'm tired!

Biggest fans

Jake and Will came to cheer me on at my first post-babies 5K. As I crossed the finish line (in 479th place! Woot!) Jake cheered for me. And then told me everyone was faster than me, even little boys and little girls. Next up is the Clinton turkey trot when I'm home for my t-day visit. When I think Clinton, I think hills so we'll see how that goes. If only the finish line was at my favorite bar in the world, the Old Timer, I'd be all set.

Big noggin

I don't know why people keep commenting on the size of Will's head.

Buddies

Braylen and Will at daycare. It's hard to tell from this picture but Will has two weeks and ten pounds on little Braylen!

Creek Drive gang

Will, Addy (with a giant tomato), Jake, and Delia hanging out after school/nanny!

Picture day

It's been a stressful two weeks leading up to picture day - I had no idea what to dress Jake in! After narrowing it down to three choices I did a quick consult with Jake's fashionista Aunt, Amy, and this was the final pick! Final cost of getting him in this get up? I promised him a bag of m&m's, a new monster truck, and a trip to Toys R Us to sit on the Batman power wheels. And I still kind of lost... he's supposed to be in a pair of jeans with his desert boots, but I gave up after a minor meltdown (both of us had one). I guess the sweater in 80 degrees is torture enough. Oh but the best part of today was when I walked him into class all his little friends clapped and yelled "Yay, Jacob's back!" (he's been out sick for two days). It was so sweet. Except for little Halen who said "you can't sit next to me." I didn't know I could despise a three-year-old until I met Halen. I did the Ben Stiller "watching you" move where I pointed at my eyes and then Halen's and left with nice thoughts of Jake not messing up his Bumble & Bumble-styled hair and doing a normal smile for the camera!

Will's 9 month photos

Will is going to be 9 months tomorrow! In case you hadn't heard, he will be 9 months at 1:11 pm. Heh. These are some photos I took yesterday with our new lens and although I think I'll never be able to figure out natural light, I like how they came out. It doesn't hurt when you have an incredibly adorable subject (take that, lady who told me yesterday "oh when my son was a baby he had a large forehead and tiny eyes too, but he's so handsome now!"). Will is just hysterical - he has such a personality and is a little clown. We've always called him our mellow guy, but we're learning now how feisty he can be. He does NOT like the word no, hates sitting still for diaper and clothes changes, and doesn't like it when we take "big boy" toys away from him. He's fully crawling now, and is definitely close to pulling himself up . He has a mouthful of teeth (I think he's breaking #9 right now) and does cute little things like peek-a-boo, leaning his (perfectly sized) forehead in for a kiss, and shaking his head when I say "no no!" These 9 months have flown by, but I'm kind of excited for the toddler phase!

Sick day

Little brothers are great, until you have a fever and a stomach ache and you can't get a minute of peace and quiet on the couch. (How much do you love the dramatic "I'm sick" pose? He's so my kid.)

Playtime

Taking advantage of late afternoon sunlight! Sad that daylight savings is almost over!

Will, about to eat a leaf.

They don't call it Creek Dr for nothing! Jake looking for ducks, while I keep an eye out for homeless people.

Jake listening intently to Will.

Action shot! The little Brady fan taking off across the park.


Sent from my iPhone

Peek-a-boo

One of the many adorable things Will does - playing peek-a-boo with his bib. It's worth having to listen to my annoying voice yell "peek-a-boo!!!" over and over to see him do it.