Luke's Nursery

Check out:

http://dwellingbydesign.blogspot.com/

She's done a feature on Luke's nursery. This is a really fun blog, with great design ideas!

It's exhausting being me!

The Pilgrim

This is for all you La Canadains. In fourth grade in La Canada everyone takes a field trip to "The Pilgrim". It's a full sized replica of a boat from the mid-1800's that is a part of the California gold rush history. We took Carson to see it and it sure brought back memories!

The OC

My parents are renting a house in Dana Point until they figure out where they will be. They are so close to the beach you can hear the waves crash, so wonderful! The weather finally cleared up and we had a lot of fun at the pool and the beach while we were waiting for Steve to come home. Carson was a little bit of a basket case (lots of crying, poor sleeping, and a lot of clinging to me). I guess he was making me pay for leaving him. Regardless he had a blast and sure loves his Grandma and Grandpa.

Becky holding Ollie, holding Luke. Ami just hanging out!

Steve and I can't wait to go back, but with that said it's always nice to be home. Carson is a kid who needs routine and structure. It's nice to get back into the groove of things.

Scooter's Jungle

On one of the raining days while staying at my parents we took the kids to Scooter's Jungle in Aliso Viejo. It was SO FUN! Seriously I don't think Carson has ever had so much fun in his entire life!!!

I love Ollie doing the splits

That smile says it all! 

Don't Mess with Texas

Steve had business in Houston for the week and Luke and I decided to tag along for a few days. We left Carson at my parent's house and flew out of LA. It was my first time to Texas and I've got to say that I am a fan. It didn't hurt that the weather was perfect, I've been told Houston is UNBEARABLE in the summer.

Everyone was so nice, polite and friendly. I loved all the trees and greenery, and that there are churches on every corner. Don't even get me started on the food. Texans' can eat! I had THE BEST fajitas I've ever had in my life.  Last night I had this incredible chocolate dessert. It was a box made out of dark chocolate, stuffed with white chocolate moose and fresh berries. I wish I would have taken a picture of it.

Just for fun we looked at a few homes while we were there and went to some open houses. It is crazy how much house you can get for your money. I'm talking beautiful, huge brick homes in super nice neighborhoods for $200,000. I don't know, maybe I could do the heat and humidity for an incredible home. Don't worry, we aren't planning on moving anytime in the near future. It's just fun to see what other options are out there.

Steve stays in Houston for a few more days and I am hear with the boys at my parents' house. They said Carson was a very good boy while we were gone. And get this, supposedly he slept great the whole time I was gone! I guess all that sleep exhaustion finally caught up with him. Let's hope he keeps it up once we get home. I'll have to take some pictures these next few days and post them. It is very fun staying so close to the beach, but it's been rainy. Hopefully there will be some sunny weather so we can play outside!

Sleep, how I miss you...

For the past month or so Carson has been waking-up between 5am and 6am. In the past he's been about a 6:30am guy, which is a little early, but I can handle it. I can't handle the 5's! Especially when I am up 1-2/night with Luke PLUS Carson has been pulling the waking-up in the middle of the night thing too. He has been so winey and emotional because he is exhausted! Which makes me think he still needs the same amount of sleep, he's just not getting it anymore.

Last week we pushed back his bedtime in hopes of sleeping in. It didn't work, he is still waking-up at the same time, each day grumpier than the last. This week I am cutting his naps in half so I'll let you know if that helps.

If you have any tips or advice I am all ears. Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child gives a few suggestions such as moving up the bed time or keeping them up really late in hopes to shock their system to"reboot" their sleeping...I don't know, HELP!

Stinson Beach

Beaches in Northern California are very beautiful, but for the most part they are cold. I mean even in the middle of the summer you are lucky when you find a warm beach day. Yesterday was one of those PERFECT Norcal beach days! Steve took the afternoon off and we headed to Stinson. The Hornfischers pulled their kids out of school (how great is that) and met us there. Mid-80's, no wind or clouds = fantastic. It felt so good to soak up the sun and heat of the day. All the kids has a lot of fun and Luke did really well.

Leah holding Luke (yes we are both named Leah!)

Carson and O.G. playing in the hole Steve dug

Sandy Boy!!

Say Cheese!

One of those days

The other day I needed to run to Babies-R-Us and Trader Joes. Honestly, it is exhausting taking both kids to any stores now a days, but I decided to brave it. Things were going fine, I had timed everything to a tee. We were leaving Trader Joes, Luke was starting to get hungry, it was close to nap time for Carson, we'd get home at the perfect time. Then I realize that I LOCKED MY KEYS IN THE CAR.

I call AAA and our membership had expired. I get free road side assistance through Kia, but my VIN # is inside the car and they won't send anyone if you don't have it. It is then that I realize that my phone battery is almost dead. (Meanwhile Luke is screaming because he is hungry and Carson is running around like a wild man.) I call Steve in a panic and quickly explain what is going on and tell him to fix it. He renewed our membership and got someone out there to unlock my car 20 minutes later. Thanks baby!

The low point of the ordeal was me trying to nurse in the mother's lounge in Babies-R-Us, while trying to block the door so Carson couldn't run out. More then a few times I ended up chasing him up and down a toy isle with "body parts" dangling, a baby screaming, and a two-year-old laughing hysterically.

Luckily Steve gave me some sound advice "don't lock your keys in your car." Thanks babe, I'll remember that next time...