On life, lately

Well, well, well, look what we have here. It's me! Remember me, the one who used to blog regularly? While I am a shell of my former blogging self, I have found that I am at an exceptionally busy season of life lately and just do not have the same amount of time or energy that I once had (and I am pretty sure my blood type is now caffeine+). Thankfully, I have not let my beloved Instagram be silent, so if you follow along there, you'll know that I am not fully living under a rock. Quite the contrary actually. I am one busy bee (keeper) and our hive is a'bustling. 

Let's see, here are some highlights from life lately. 

We moved! But you knew that. I am looking forward to decorating our hive for the Advent and Christmas seasons. Right now we have about fifteen pumpkins scattered about thanks to my dear mom when she last visited. I have given our new hive a hashtag if you want to see more of the place.

I went back to work at the end of October. It was less difficult than when I had to go back to school when Emma was a baby because this time around I am part-time. Whew. And there are a lot fewer evening obligations. I get to leave work at work. I still work at the community dental center, but I am now working at a private practice as well. Yippie!

Our Halloween costumes were a hit. They were really easy to put together, but I am buzzing (<-- bad mom joke) with joy at how they turned out. Emma was not entirely sure about our large hats. But I gave her a flower and all was well in the world. 

We celebrated our friends', Derek and Allison, wedding. We stayed in an adorable inn and got away for a few days. It was nice to put on some finer clothing and dance our hearts out while we celebrated a beautiful couple. And took some photo booth gems.

We don't know how to be normal.

See this Instagram photo by @substance_soul * 79 likes

I am practicing a new hobby -- modern and brush calligraphy. I'll show some of my work at some point. 

My mom and dad visited on separate occasions. Emma was in heaven. 

Best buds. #loloandemma #grandpalove

See this Instagram photo by @substance_soul * 45 likes

We painted today (even Henry) and tonight during Emma's prayers she says, "thank you Jesus for Emma school, thank you for painting with Mamaw, thank you for mommy, thank you for Emma, thank you for baby Henry, Amen." This stage has its challenges, but boy is it also incredible. #funwithgrandma #mamawtime

See this Instagram photo by @substance_soul * 67 likes

Henry is putting on the best baby chub and we are hard at work getting Miss Emma potty trained. Emma loves her school and we found a nanny share for Henry. He seems happy and I am grateful that my breast milk supply is keeping up with his appetite. 

And Paul and I are just trying to spend time together. We don't have much time on the weekend or in the evenings, but I am soaking in every precious minute. I am also looking forward to Advent when I can take some time to chill out and reflect. (Have you gotten your Blessed Is She Advent goodies yet?)

So that's some of life lately over on these parts. Be sure to follow along on Instagram for all the daily gems from our hive and our precious dictators, Emma Badger and Henry Henry Henry. 

Halloweekend

Oh how I just love when Halloween falls on a weekend. (Not that weekends mean much to Emma and myself, but we get to have Paul home all to ourselves and we love it. Moving along.) Our weekend started Friday morning with a trip to the pediatrician for Emma's 18 month check-up. We found a new doc for Emma here in Alameda and we loved it. We did not feel rushed, the doctor took her time answering all our questions and it was much more my speed compared to the rushed appointments in SF (we did love our SF pediatrician but the appointments always felt too short). Emma was brave for her vaccinations and bounced back quickly. Although, she did send me that look of betrayal through the tears. After her nap, we took a dip in the kiddie pool (nearly 80 degrees, whaaaat) and she did some hilarious dances. She shakes her groove thing with the best of 'em.

My friend from Dental School invited us to a costume parade and merchant trick-or-treating Saturday morning. Emma enjoyed trick-or-treating more than I could have imagined, she was very in to it and amassed quite a pile of goodies. She did not even care about eating it, she just wanted to fill her pumpkin. Her costume was super creative on my part - unicorn. Basically I had some tulle and a unicorn hat and voila, a costume was born. I was a tooth fairy. Last year I set the costume bar pretty high, so it's a long way down from the top. Oh well. 

Love from, Frida Kahlo and the Emmacorn. 

On Saturday evening, we trick-or-treated again with our neighbors and their little girl. These ladies had some more fun collecting candy and ended the night with sticky faces and bright eyes. We all threw the rules out the window and enjoyed dinner and wine after the festivities and the girls ran around fighting sleep and playing together. Side note: we are so blessed to have wonderful neighbors who enjoy many playdates with us.

On Sunday, we celebrated All Saint's Day at church. It was also a family mass at our parish and many of the children dressed up at different Saints. Emma wore her Sunday best and only had two loud shrieks during mass. Paul is so wonderful to corral Emma during her pew hopping and hymnal throwing so I can sing in the choir. It means so much to me that we can attend church together on Sundays. Now that I am a mother, I have new appreciation and joy from watching the children flock to the alter during these types of services. The priest gave a great homily that they could understand and asked many questions of the children. Many of the kids sang in the choir with us and I only cry a zillion times when I hear those little voices sing. To sing in His name is a wonderful gift and to see these kiddos getting so excited about the Saints and the Word of the Lord is a true blessing to witness. 

We ended the weekend with a family dinner and a quiet evening on our deck as we watched the rain clouds come in. I admired a little girl with a head of beautiful curls as she pointed out every bird and plane in the sky. This was a weekend for the books (even with the time change that threw off Emma's delicate sleep schedule). Christmas music is already filling our home and I am not one bit ashamed to admit it. 

And today, on All Souls' Day pray for your dearly departed and all those in purgatory. 

Now off to enjoy the last minutes of precious nap time. I may or may not be eating the fruits of Emma's trick-or-treating labors as I type. Happy Monday.

Boo at the zoo

We had some family visit us this past weekend so we decided to take an impromptu trip to the San Francisco zoo. Being Halloween week, the theme was Boo at the Zoo. I know, adorable right? There were decorations everywhere and pumpkins in various states (eaten, stomped on, nested in, etc.) in with the animals. I think my favorite sighting was the pumpkin as burrow for a group of meerkats.

Paul, Emma, and I enjoyed spending time with our family and Emma especially enjoyed getting to spend time with her cousins. Our trip to the zoo was wonderful. I’m pretty sure Emma wishes she could take a ride on a giraffe.

There were kids dressed in costumes, parents running after said kids, and lots of animal butts. You’ll see what I mean.

We were sunscreened up, Emma had her monkey and lion blankets (because you know, zoo), and we were ready for an adventure.

There were beautiful creepy and slithery animals everywhere. This snake and I became fast friends. Too bad I never learned parseltongue.

This handler was dressed as Hermione. This iguana was dressed as a bigger iguana. I guess he ran out of ideas.

We walked past a huge furry butt sticking out of a hole. It ended up being this guy Mr. Polar Bear. Paul wondered why he wasn’t whiter. I said, um hello? dirt.

I fell in love with these two gorgeous grizzlies. They were fighting over a pair of shoes. True sisters. 

Next came the greatest exhibit of all times. The penguins. I literally ran to them. I took 16 million photos and tried to swim with them. In case you didn’t know this about me, I am obsessed with penguins. They are my spirit animal.

I squealed. Security was called. Mothers shielded their children. Holy water was sprinkled. I squealed louder.

Look how adorable! You’re cute too Emma.

I like big butts and I cannot lie.

Emma loved the giraffes. There was a baby that was only two months old. But still looked taller than the entire NBA standing on top of one another.

Family photo!

Her face just screams of joy, doesn’t it?

Oh speaking of giraffes. I’ll just take this one home with me.

Grandma Bev bought Emma this adorable shirt. Overall, I’d say this was a hoot and a half. We can’t wait to go again.

Woo hoo! We went to the zoo! Isn’t it coo(l)?

Pumpkin lickin', I mean pickin'

On Saturday, we took Emma to her first pumpkin patch. She laughed, we laughed, she tried licking pumpkins, I disinfected said pumpkins. Overall, it was a grand old time. We also ran into a dog dressed as Maleficent, so bonus points.

But why am I still talking? I know you are only here for the pictures. Get ready for a scrolling party. Can I get a woot woot? (Do people even say woot anymore?)

Emma just woke up from a nap. She was not amused.

Okay. Now we are getting somewhere.

“Well isn’t everything just so fascinating?”

“What is this? What am I supposed to do with it?”

Well, eat it apparently.

Aww shucks. These two.

image

Emma hunted for the perfect pumpkin. That pumpkin didn’t stand a chance!

“Yup. This is the one. You will be my squishy.” (name that movie)

You better believe she tried putting that corn in her mouth.

She was quite pleased with her choice. It’s the great pumpkin Emma Brown.

October and a little pumpkin

Outfit Details || Hat by Target, Shirt by Janie and Jack, Leggings by Gap Baby (similar here)

October has arrived! As one of my favorite months of the year, Emma and I decided to show off her new pumpkin hat. I’ll pick this pumpkin any day of the year. Delicious. This month we plan to do some pumpkin pickin’, pumpkin carvin’, and pumpkin spice latte-in’. I have also narrowed down the list of Halloween costumes for Emma to 13 million, so we will see what she ends up in. Have a wonderful October!