Due Date

It has come + gone. Baby girl keeps psyching us out. Thursday the Belly Doctor confirmed I'd made excellent progress. I was dilated at least 1.5 cm, 80% effaced, and her head was completely down as low as she can go. We're just waiting for A) my water to break at home OR B) more regular contractions to begin. I found out my favorite dr. was on call tonight and the one doctor in the practice who I do NOT love is delivering this weekend. So I've been trying my darnedest to get this show on the road, even borrowing "The Inducer" from my neighbor. It's a back massager that puts everyone in labor within 24 hours, including me the first time around. I know she'll come in her own time. We just can't wait to meet her. Wish us luck! I'll keep you posted.

To the Market

We made a stop at one of my favorite markets today. Buby pushed a kid-size cart around + I let him pick out his own groceries. He filled the cart with bananas, watermelon, red potatoes, corn on the cob, cheese, tea, milk, and an orange. Grandma + I just followed him all the way to the register. Here he is contemplating dessert.

To the Playground

We go when normal people are eating dinner so we typically have the place to ourselves. Awesome playground. Buby, Grandma + I had the BEST time tonight running between 5 climbers, 4 swings, 4 slides, 3 hangers, and a ginormous sandbox. It wasn't easy to get him into the car after all that.

Heads Up

I looked up as we walked out of the park.

Simply beautiful. I love how trees flirt with free space

and sunsets create silhouettes in the sky.

Sticks + Stones

4.24.08

Too tired to post anything but pictures. We've had awesome weather and lots of outdoor time this week. Tonight we walked down to the river + collected rocks along the way. By the time we reached our destination all the cup holders in our little red wagon were full. I placed this stick on the ground and told Buby not to cross it. He threw one rock at a time into the water, cheered, and ran back to the wagon for more.

Graphic Art

I love the angle and tightness of this shot. All I did was increase the contrast in Photoshop for ~ what I think is ~ a pretty abstract piece of artwork. Those eyes! Can't wait to capture a similar shot of Bebe for a pair.

"It's Mines"

Grandma "KEEN" + I watched Buby create an original

just for her this past Saturday. First she told him she loved his artwork. Buby looked around his playroom + responded "IT'S MINES" and that she couldn't have it. Then he headed into his art 'studio', grabbed a smock, a piece of large heavy stock paper, 2 brushes, and 2 jars of acrylic paint {in Grandma's hues}. Buby never said what he was painting + we never asked. But it looks like a person's profile to me. A nose, a mouth, a chin, bright yellow locks. Buby clapped for himself when he finished and told Grandma that she could take this one home with her. Ha!

Merci Merci

A great big THANK YOU goes out to Buby's Aunt Jen + her fam. They sent up the most delicious bag of goodies for Buby + Bleu on Saturday. First of all, you KNOW we love felt food. And all things handmade. And sugar cookies with sprinkles. Buby has been rolling and whisking his heart out.





Can't wait to put Bleu in these beautiful dresses.

And bib. THANK YOU!

In Her Shoes

Buby disappeared into my dressing room, closed the door behind him + and reappeared catwalking in these.

From Buby with Love

Original acrylic paint on canvas by Buby. Dated: 4.15.08. Origination: Buby Land. Value: Priceless. Note: Buby + I bought this blank canvas for Bleu's room. I took out the brushes and several paints + he did his thing, all the while reminding me it was for his "BABY SISTER."

Blue Sky

Buby's always saying his favorite color is blue. He picked out these funky shades at the craft shop + I thought how cool... everything a bit more blue. As he rode around the village in his wagon last night, he reached for his glasses and looked up to the sky. He said, "OOH, IT'S REALLY BLUE." And it was, even without special effects.

Grandma Time

4.19.08

Buby is busy playing with Grandma. Since she arrived, he's pulled out the wagon, the stroller, the scooter, the tricycle, the big wheel, the bubbles, the sand, AND the chalk for her. He's showed her the playground, the river, the slides, the bagel shop, AND his Little Gym class. I hope the sublime weather continues. It's fun to watch these 2 catch up.

Chalk It Up

I hope it doesn't rain for a while. Buby made some chalk drawings on the driveway this weekend, and it just makes me happy to look at it.

This is him hard at work.

The final product. He says it's a banana, but I think it looks like one of those dragon kite things.

The artist sits in reflection of his work.

Old Photo Friday

No way could I wait until June to post this. It's one of my all-time fave shots. Buby's grandparents getting hitched on June 15, 1974. Of course the best part is my dad's wind-blown hair and white tux. His Saturday Night Feverness totally steals the show from the beautiful bride.

Uploading Video Now

While Buby is napping. Be patient....

The Cupcake Game

Don't look too closely. These rubber cupcakes are balancing on my belly. Hey, you have to be creative when you're 39 weeks preggers and your energetic 2 year old wants you to chase him around the ottoman at least 100 more times. I needed a break this morning. Just a second to sit and catch my breath. Buby + I were gettin' rowdy, so I plopped down and asked him to bring me his cupcakes. These things go from room to room all day... we use them to sort shapes + sweeten up our tea parties. I lifted the bottom of my shirt {for nonslip grip} and Buby built a cupcake tower on my ginormous belly. Three was our record and then he would gently topple them over. I laughed. He laughed more. And it gave me 20-30 guilt-free minutes on my tush.

Richard Scarry Fans

Buby loves author Richard Scarry. Something about his illustrations. We don't have many of his titles, but this "Biggest Word Book Ever!" from Random House is a fave! We picked it up at a town-wide garage sale last year for only $3 {in lieu of the $40 list price}, and Buby pulls it out at least once a day to talk to me about such whimsical things as bananamobiles, pickle or corn cars, and Harry Pig's paint easel. I totally recommend it, because it's as humongo as your child's imagination and you two can lay on the floor and talk about all the things crammed into each page for hours.

Happy Friday

4.18.08

Do I photograph him so much he doesn't even notice the camera anymore? I wait until I have good daylight {no flash} and the mood strikes. But this total disregard for me being up close in his face is hilarious! What would I do without my little Canon PowerShot.

I Must Know

image: flickr

when baby girl will grace us with her presence.
It's driving me crazy. Will it be tonight? This weekend? As My Sweets jumps on the express train for work Monday? While we're at one of our two Little Gym makeup classes? Gulp... right before the long awaited return of Grey's Anatomy on Thursday? I wonder will my water break first? Will I just have back labor again or will I feel it in the front this time? You know I like to plan + prepare, so if someone could just narrow my options for how this whole shindig is going to go down I'd appreciate it. The doctor is no help in this department. I keep prodding him for a prediction. His lame response: "The only prediction is that there is no prediction." What?!? You can't even guess a day~any day~to shut me up? Every time I finish laundry, grocery shopping or cleaning... I think "Okay, I'm ready.... NOW." But days pass and we run out of laundry, out of food, and the house is dirty again. And I pray she holds out until I do it all over again. I can't leave Buby sans his fave pjs or clean sheets can I? So I've been thinking. I'll say it out loud just in case my sweet girl is listening in there... Thursday middle of the night works for me. Friday early morning is good, too. I particularly like odd numbers.

The Belly Doctor

4.17.08


My feet have never looked so small. Nothing too exciting from today's regularly scheduled visit to the belly doctor. I'm at least 70% effaced and Bleu has moved down even lower {is that possible?}. But I'm only dilated a fingertip according to the good doc. Starting my 40th and hopefully final week tomorrow. This photo reminds me... Buby got up from his nap yesterday, lifted his shirt + patted his bare belly. I jokingly said, "Ooh, big belly today Buby." He thought for a moment and came back with, "MOMMY, YOUR BELLY IS BIG EVERY DAY" and started laughing hysterically. I said, "Ha ha you're funny!" He replied, "YES. SOMETIMES. SOMETIMES I'M VERY FUNNY."

A RED Scooter

Buby is ga-ga over this new RED scooter. Well, except that it's red. Two weeks ago we read a book with a picture of a scooter in it. Suddenly Buby announced that he would ask Santa for a scooter for Christmas. I laughed and said, "Okay..." But he'd remind us every night for the next 10 nights. He was wishing on Santa... in April. I laughed about it with My Sweets. Later Buby announced that the scooter must be orange. Just orange. I researched starter scooters one night and found only 2 toddler versions that I felt were safe + suitable. But they were both RED. Oh, he'll get over the orange thing. Three wheels, not tippy, extra wide base, folds up flat, all of that. I forwarded the link to My Sweets' Blackberry and that evening he came home with Kung Pao Chicken for me and a surprise scooter for Buby. Yesterday Buby said again how much he LOVES his "NEW SPECIAL SURPRISE" as he calls it. We got another "THANK YOU, MOMMY + DADDY" with big hugs to boot. "You're welcome, Bubs." Then he reminded us that~though he likes it a lot~it's not orange, and he's still asking Santa for an orange one. Ha!

Here's the Radio Flyer First Scooter in PINK from here... for all inquiring galpals.

Scoot Scoot

The Bubster + his new wheels.
How fast they learn. He'll be doing stunts by next week.

2.67 Days

Until Graga arrives in Buby Land. We're psyched!!

Graga has been sending Buby these cutie patootie postcards since he was very little. We call them "love letters" because we just love getting them.

Sweet Pie

I heart the smile. Buby learns to swing with his legs together.

Postcard Project, XIII

Grammy DJ from Tucson, Arizona on 4.12.08

Postcard Project, XII

Grammy DJ from Newport Beach, California on 4.9.08

Nothing Compares

To a Saturday afternoon. Outside. With my guys. We live in such a beautiful part of the country. There are mountains and valleys, farms and fields, rivers and streams, and the ocean all within a teeny distance. We could do breakfast in one state, lunch in another, and dinner in a third if we really wanted to. It makes us feel FREE, and we take advantage every chance.



Don't you love this bridge? I took this shot Saturday.


We slept in and then headed to the Little League Opening Day Parade in our village. Buby held his Daddy's hand and skipped alongside all the marching kids in jersey. I told Buby he can join them when he's a bit older if he'd like, and he said "OH YES." A very old man behind the wheel of one village fire truck was super sweet to Buby and honked his horn every time he saw our hopeful faces. We ended up at the park and playground with everyone else for some swinging, sliding, and climbing.



Yes, that's Buby--with My Sweets--casting from his stroller.


After the park we walked to our fave coffee shop to pick up some bread {for steak sandwiches later} and a chewy chocoloate chip cookie for ME. Then home to grab the fishing pole and begin our excursion. Destination: A zoo and wildlife refuge. Lots of walking and hills, but I did it. I think someone was trying to jumpstart my labor while he was home.





Lions and tigers and bears! Buby fished in the lake for a bit before we all ventured over to a Merry-Go-Round at the base of the mountain. Little Dude had no interest in the classic animal seats... Buby screamed "SANTA'S SLEIGH" and jumped right in that one. Daddy joined him + the two laughed hysterically as they gazed up at the decorated ceiling. We had to drag Buby out of there eventually. Daddy was craving a rib place we had passed along the way. Yum.



Isn't he cute? There were 3 like this.



These geese came right up to us. I asked the chick in charge and she said they are called Tolouse?? Not sure of the spelling. But they go by the name "Jenny Geese," after the girl who rescued them. I like that.

Buby Land in Bloom

Worth the wait! Our first flower of the season blossomed--after much anticipation--on 4.11.08.

i heart

4.11.08

my life.
and my love.
which grows bigger by the second.

Postcard Project, XI

Grammy DJ from Florida on 4.7.08

Self Portrait

Starting Week 39. Buby + I paid a visit to "THE BELLY DOCTOR" this morning. I love this guy. He spends a lot of time just shooting the breeze with Buby before talking to me. They are buddies. He tells me stories of crazy deliveries {because I'm a sensational junky} and keeps preparing me that this baby~though she may not come today or tomorrow~may come FAST! When Dr. S. walked into the room today, Buby was behind me sitting in a chair eating his Goldfish pretzels, drinking water + swinging his legs. Buby asked him, "YOU TAKING BABY OUT OF BELLY TODAY?" Dr. said "Maybe, we'll see." My heart skipped. But the exam showed I'm not quite dilated to 1 + I'm only 60%-70% effaced. The baby's head is down, extremely low, and in great position for delivery. So just waiting for the contractions to begin.

Upon returning home, Buby + I played outside. It was considerably chillier than yesterday's heat wave {hence the layers}, but Buby craved some quality time with his tricycle + fishing pole. I felt like I was walking 2 kids around the neighborhood. Forget about basketball. I think I've graduated to a jumbo-size beach ball. Here's my attempt at a self portrait with baby girl. Buby's casting his fishing pole in the background... In the first shot I faced a huge mirror that's hanging on the side of our house {leftover from a magazine shoot 2 summers ago}.

Is this for real?!? I hope I still slightly resemeble my pre-pregnant self with the exception of this GINORMOUS BELLY which makes it super duper tricky to tie my shoes, turn over in bed, get up from a chair, you name it. Was I this big with Buby? Just about. The good doctor thinks {from my measurements} that Bleu will be a little bit smaller than Buby was at 8 lbs, 2.5 ounces, but no guarantees. I don't have tiny babies.

Old Photo Friday

April 2006. Maybe not that long ago to you, but it feels like forever to me. Two years ago this week Buby was getting his first teeth, crawling, and standing up on his own against the Little Tikes activity center. I pulled it from the attic recently and cleaned it for Bebe. Weird to think in just 2 weeks {or sooner} we'll have another baby here in Buby Land. That she'll ALSO sit up for the first time, crawl, get her first tooth, all of that. We'll be weepy proud over a whole new set of firsts for a whole new kid. Getting to experience that again--and WITH Buby this time--is something I can't even put into words. It's going to be SO MUCH FUN!!