Six Months!

Precious Van is six months today. Unbelievable. To celebrate, we are going to the park and Van is trying out his new sippie cup! He is halfway to the year mark. I am trying to get a video of Van giggling, it is my favorite thing in the world--but everytime I approach him with the video camera he gets curious and shy. Happy Monday!

5 years

ago today I met Erv.

He is a fantastic human being in so many ways. I am blessed to be married to such a faithful, cute, loving, and supportive husband. The past five years have been the best, craziest, most loving years of my life:

I love wondering what our next five years will bring! Babies?! Trips, special time with friends and family...

To celebrate, we are going on an oh-so-swanky date to El Rodeo, then to hear a lecture on modern art in the Third Reich. {Strange, I know} but whats even more strange, is I am currently reading Sarah's Key about the round-up of French Jews in Paris during the war. A sad, but incredible read. So I am already a little interested in the topic. Hope you all have good weekends!

Life.

The house is a mess.

Our baby is cute.

But teething.

{His cute hat is minimonograms}

I am bordering insanity.

Luckily our first cleaning lady ever comes tomorrow!

Our porch got a simple sweet spring makeover:

Back to the grind.

Today: I surrender.

To a thesis that never gets worked on.
To the delicious supper that never gets made.
To the "restore the core" pilates video rarely used.
To the pile of laundry neglected for 2 weeks.
To the empty garden waiting to be planted.
To the poor dog wanting me to throw the ball one last time.
To my sweet dumpling that is not satisfied today.

I just need 3 more arms, 4 more cups of coffee and -- wait. I don't need anything but a deep breath and a pep talk. Anyone up for that?? : ) You know my number.

The best baby toy ever.

I might sound like a hippie, or a passage from Walden but, I think the best baby toy is nature. No joke.  Flashy baby toys need not apply. I love laying Van on a blanket outside and watching his eyes follow a butterfly or bee, or looking up at the sky.

I enjoy seeing him turn to look at birds he hears chirping or cars passing by. Squirrels, Sophie, neighbors... he hears dogs barking... sees all of the flowers blooming in our front yard.  Surely he smells the yummy flowering bushes across the street. ...All of this sensory stimulation is natural and much more peaceful than a loud, crazy baby toy!

At 5:30 p.m., any day of the week, you will find me, Van, and Sophie, outside on Nanny's bench, (well...Soph is at our feet) waiting for Evans to come home from work.

Its my favorite time of day (not only because my help arrives) but because we get to pause and watch all of the neat things going on outside.

Somewhere along the way, my child has turned from an infant to a little boy:

{Those orange sweet potatoes go well with green and white stripes}

And he has decided to sit up on his own!

{Van's "ipod" has him so captivated... maybe some flashy baby toys are okay...}

Milestone.

{Sort-of holding his own bottle!}

Starbucks and Pedicures...a Three Year Tradition

Hard to believe we started this monthly tradition in May 2007 (isn't it Rhombus and Snags?) I felt like anything going on this long is worthy of a post. Of course, things are a little less exciting without one of our regular members. :(

I hope it lasts many more years {we just won't let dad know how much of the yearly budget goes towards foot care}...

Megan and I have both adhered to this tradition pre-pregnancy, during pregnancy and post pregnancy {although I believe Snags had to bail once because of the manicure fumes}.

And yes Rhombus's feet are prettier.

Speaking of footcare...any of you regular runners have good tennis shoe recommendations? I am in the market for a new pair. Let me know your faves!