My techies

I'm not only outnumbered on gender, but on tech-savviness. No one wants to read or color with me! :(

I really, really, really love him

I'm grateful for so many things after reflecting on this past week, but one of the more trivial ones is I don't have to explain to Jake what happened. He's old enough to pick up on changes, like the locked gate at his school now, but young enough that he accepts my lame excuse that it helps keep the school warm. As much as I've extra-cherished Will this past week, I can't help but think Jake's just about the same size, maybe even has similar likes and characteristics of first graders. So I've been a mess and even though I haven't had to deal with tough explanations, he's noticed things, like if he's in arm's reach of me I gobble up his skinny, spastic little body in my arms and press my face into the one part of him with any remnant of baby fat left - his soft, full cheeks. And that he can have candy before dinner, because in the big scheme of things it's worth seeing him wiggle and squeal with excitement over a Hershey kiss even if he may end up taking one less bite of chicken. And that I've been reading four books at bedtime instead of one just to hear his little r-dropping voice recite reindeer names and lines from Curious George. And I haven't been snippy so much about him taking two decades to get into his car seat because I realized how amazing it is to watch his tiny little hands fiddle with the buckle while his tongue sticks out in pure concentration. I can't get out of my head how those poor families won't get to do any of these simple things I take for granted.

Jake told me that he knows I love him so much, every day, but that lately I "really, really, really love him."

Yes, I do. And not just lately, Jake. I always, always, always do.

Tis the season

We're late this year, but we got the tree and the lights up. All ready for Santa, except that what Jake wants is a "secret between me and Santa!" according to him.

Field Trip!

We braved the post-tday crowds and Jake's car sickness to go to the California Academy of Arts and Science in Golden Gate Park, one of my very favorite places (and to be embarrassingly honest I don't really like museums. Or theater, musicals (except "Wicked"!), and I guess most things cultural, if I'm being completely honest.) But I love this place full of fish and penguins and a rainforest and an albino crocodile and all housed in the most beautifully designed spaces imaginable. Jake melted old mom's heart but loving it just as much, if not more, than I do. Maybe mother son outings to Nordstrom are next?

Happy Thanksgiving

Extra happiness this Thanksgiving - we got to celebrate it with Dave's grandmother who just bounced back from heart surgery like it was nothing, and my Will, who wowed his doctor and nurses with how fast he kicked rsv's ass. Those Murphy genes are something else!

My turkeys came to cheer me on at the turkey trot (the largest turkey trot in the country!), then we headed over to GGs where we enjoyed the beautiful weather playing outside... And we ended the day with Jake falling into the pond. Ah well, we'll laugh about it someday.

Early thanksgiving

My sweet, big, happy bug celebrated turning 22 months with a slight fever that got him kicked out of daycare. I thought nothing of it because Will is the king of random, low-grade fevers that go as quickly as they come. So I took the day off, played with him like everything was fine, and put him in for a nap when soon after I heard him gasping for breath, and found him sitting up in his crib holding his chest with a complete look of panic on his face. I hysterically called the doctor, hysterically rushed him into the office, got even more hysterical when I saw them waiting for me and that his pediatrician looked a little hysterical (will NEVER complain about 45 minute wait AGAIN), and just sobbed while I held him while they gave him a breathing treatment. And I've just been a big ball of waterworks since then, including right at my desk this morning when someone asked how he was doing. But I'm giving thanks a little early that my little guy will get through this bout of RSV, without a stay in the hospital, and before I know it he'll be back to his normal little self yelling 'No!' and 'Elmo!' and throwing hard things at me and begging for candy and cookies and 'helping' with the laundry by throwing clean clothes in the hamper while yelling "yay! help!". Next week I can truly give thanks for two healthy kids. And to be honest, as exhausting as it is holding my big ball of love at night so he can sleep, it's secretly been kind of nice.

Much-needed break

Dave brought Jake and Will to see me at work this weekend while I tried to put together my presentation for South Africa. Jake was in awe of the snacks and Will loved the chalkboard walls. They both agreed that DreamWorks is way cooler (but we do have better snacks!).

Beating the heat

We came home today to 100 degree heat (at 6:30!). We beat the heat with a good old-fashioned white-trash dinner of fast food on the front porch, and fit in a photo session to pass the time.

Picture Day!

I was happily up at the crack of dawn ready to treat my four year old like a life - sized doll. If only he was this cooperative every day (had to bribe him with a trip to the toy store).

13.1

I did it. I ran a half marathon. Slowly, but I did it. In the past six months I've switched jobs to work at a company where most of the employees graduated from ivy league schools, so I feel like I suck; commuting over two hours a day and spending so much less time with my kids, so I feel like I suck; and feeling so overwhelmed with shit that I've forgotten my family's birthdays and my own anniversary, so I know I suck. But I can run and I'm good at it. I'm slow, but I love it and that makes it fun and worth the aches and pains. And today I went out to run the SF Giants 10k, but I didn't turn around at the 3 mile mark - I kept going, and I kept my crappy little pace for 13 miles and I did it. My knee feels broken, I'm chafed in places I didn't think I could be chafed, and I know halfs are seen as lame, but I did it and I kind of feel like I don't suck. And the "likes" and comments I got on Facebook today when I'd posted I'd finished overwhelmed me. So, even though as I was finishing up my last mile (a bit misty eyed) and realized most of the people running with me looked less fit than the group in my last weight watchers meeting, I still think, just for today, that I don't suck - I fucking rock.

Poolside

We've had a great summer at SJ Swim and Racquet! It's no Spec Pond, but it was fun all the same.

My little artists

Jake is assigned homework this year (oh, don't get even get me started...) and since Will has to do everything his big brother does, I set him up with some crayons and paper. It was totally adorable until Will ATE an entire red crayon.

What not to wear

Jake popped out of his room this morning all dressed. For the first time, ever. I kind of winced but Dave quickly reminded me with his enthusiastic attitude that effort and initiative were more important than fashion. So even though Jake somehow found the horrible monster truck t shirt (I swear that was hidden in the back of the drawer), and the shorts from his "play/paint clothes" bin in his closet, and two socks that don't match even though I spent an hour matching his socks last weekend, I gave him a big hug and am still a little emotional at just how proud he was of himself. I even took a picture - he picked out Will's outfit, too! But tomorrow's another day, and let's not make this a habit, buddy.

Happy bug

He's just amazing, isn't he?

Summer Party

Facebook had a summer party today. I'd known about it for months, but had no interest in trekking up to Alameda (farther than Oakland) for some company social thing when I could have a nice work from home day. But then I found out it was at a shipyard and I knew my planes, trains and automobiles (including ships!) enthusiast would be totally impressed. So I surprised him this morning and told him school was out and partying was in. And OH MY GOD. The party wasn't AT the ship yard, it was ON the aircraft carrier! We were immediately greeted with people offering us cotton candy, pretzels, popcorn, ice cream - you name it! People offering to put Jake on ferris wheels and tea cups that had been brought in for the event. And inside? Open bars everywhere (dammit, maybe next time we'll take the shuttle) and FOOD. And every type of jumpy house, clowns, puppet shows, pools with miniature row boats, trampolines, and build-a-bear workstations. It. Was. Crazy. I mean, jesus Facebook - my kid would've been happy with a potato sack race and a candy bar, but well done.

School's in!

Jake's first day of school was Monday! It totally snuck up on me, I realized, I tried to shove his feet into his old sneakers (closed-toed shoes required so no sandals). Back to school shopping isn't a big deal for boys or four-year-olds, I told myself to lessen the guilt. The best part was Jake insisted Will come and see his classroom. :)

Here's hoping for a good year for all 24 4-year-olds, especially Jake, in Miss Pam's class!!

Summer!

Is almost over! Amy told me how much she missed my blog, so here's an update!
- Will is 19 months old!! He's talking more and more and copying everything Jake does, and can take pics of himself with my phone
- Jake has preschool orientation tomorrow and his first day back is Monday. So not looking forward to having two different places to drop and pick up at everyday but happy he wants to go back. I'm a terrible mother and didn't even get him new shoes!
- Jake has been swimming just about every day and he loves it. He goes off the diving board and can make it to the side. I've been taking video so there will be a piece of his childhood to show at the 2032 Olympics.
- we went back east and didn't get to spend enough time there, but Jake is turning into a pro when it comes to flying so hoping to do a long weekend with him this fall.
- we're all just TIRED! :)

Milestones

The move from working from home to commuting two hours has been exhausting, and my time management skills have gone down the toilet (much like my 3-month-old iPhone). But here's a quick recap of recent important events that, no matter how hectic things get, make me stop and smile.
- Jake picked out his own outfit and dressed himself for the first time! (He probably could've done this sooner but this is one thing I wanted to control. Forever.)
- Will conquered his fear of the duck sprinkler!
- I lost Jake while I was making dinner, found him halfway up the butterfly tree.
- Will's mastered the plasma car. He does everything Jake does!

16.5 months

Little whipper snapper's about to turn 17 months without me even realizing it. He's as sweet, cuddly, and laid back as ever. Less of a talker and more of a doer, like his big bro was at this age. If I turn my back for a second he's escaped from the backyard or has climbed to the top of something and is about to jump! He loves bananas, potato chips, "Moo baa la la la," Dora, and will totally get down if he hears music. He gives the best kisses, complete with a dramatic "mmmm-whaaa" sound effect. Such a love bug.

Fun with the Doctors

Fun impromptu lunch with the Doctors today! Four boys under 6. Thank god for wine...