Good contractors are hard to find

For the past year and a half or so, we have dealt with contractors here and there to build our house. Like any profession, some are good and some are bad. But, I seriously laughed my pants off when I got an e-mail with these pics. I'm glad we didn't have these guys on our projects:






Funny, huh?

Ah, the spa

On Wednesday, Steve came home for about 4 hours so I could go to the spa for my birthday. Why does this sound like a lot, but not feel like a lot? It went by WAY to fast. This time, I tried something different, and I'm not sure I'll do it again- microdermabrasion.

People swear by it- but I have such sensitive skin, that I feel like basically she put a piece of sandpaper on my face and kept on scrubbing it until I only had one thin layer of skin left. Sounds more horrible than it really was, but I may go for something a little bit less invasive next time around. But, if I look 10 years younger next time you see me- then maybe it was worth it ! Hee hee.

I also got the regular swedish massage- you can't go wrong with that. I put all of my stress in my shoulders, so this is almost transforming for me. My body feels like it can actually move again, and I can move my neck from side to side without feeling lots of pressure.

Anyway- here's to 1 more year- to the ripe age of 31. It's like wine, right? Only better with age.

I have to comment

Along with 9 million other viewers, we tuned into the opening season of Jon and Kate plus 8. (if you don't know what this is, that's ok. You are probably doing something more important.)

This show was so disturbing on so many levels that I'm sure all of you felt. But, I just kept on thinking- this family needs to get off TV and work on their marriage. No need to make it even more complicated than it already is. I can't even imagine getting a divorce with sixtuplets and twins and on a reality show? Talk about a mess.

But, more importantly, Steve and I just kept on saying how heartbreaking the whole situation is. Divorce is one of the most shattering things that can happen, especially with children... that I hope they can work it out.

In one more month, Steve and I will be married for 10 years. It hasn't been a walk in the park. It is hard work. There are always moments where I want to walk out the door and start life as a swinging single (as I'm sure he does sometimes too). But, I'd like to think that we are going to work on it and work on it until we fall over dead (literally).

I've often thought about going to a marriage boot camp or something- does this exist? I would love to go where there are other couples and a professional marriage counselor and just work through everything for a week. I know it sounds weird, but I think it sounds like a lot of fun... and so rewarding.

I think Jon is depressed. Depressed that he doesn't have a job, and maybe is going through some sort of midlife crisis (given that he got married so young and had children so fast.) Kate is obviously too critical. So- they both need to work on it... with professional help obviously. They just shouldn't give up- they need to both get humble and want this marriage to work. They've worked so hard up until this point, and recognize that having so many kids is ridiculously stressful, and take baby steps to heal what has been broken.

Don't cry over a broken bookcase

Maddie has outgrown her crib (I know, she has been in there a bit too long)... so we bought a bunk bed. I would have totally loved to drop 2K on this beauty up here, but we settled on the $299 special that is a bit more practical with our budget :)

In order to get this price, we bought the bunk bed in a color we didn't like, but decided that painting it would be no big deal. We also bought a bookcase...

Steve worked on the bookcase and beds all day on Sat, and I was just waiting for the hours to pass.... checking in on him every second. Finally around 5, he said he was done. YAY!

As we waited for them to dry, we hear a big BOOM. The wind blew the bookcase over and it completely broke the back of the bookcase and cracked the top.

Mad/sad/angry doesn't quite describe how I felt!!! URGH. Isn't life just like this sometimes?!!! You spend all the energy you have, and all of the energy that you don't have to get something done, and then BOOM. It's all over, and you have to peel yourself off of the floor and try again.

I'm so glad there are 24 hours cycles :)

My Grandfather

My grandfather passed away yesterday in the morning. It is never a call that you want to pick up. Death catches us when we least expect it, and sometimes it doesn't even seem real. But, old age is hard, and I'm confident that he is with my grandmother again and doesn't have the pains of this world.

He was a character. He had quite a sense of style and a passion for life. He played chess with me, he took me to the parks. I loved how he ate breakfast in the mornings- always a boiled egg. I loved the smell of his sweaters and how he wore scarves. He was a wonderful artist and architect, and I admired all of the art he painted of my grandmother.

Because my grandparents lived in another country, I didn't seem them as much as I wanted to, but I loved them dearly. I will miss them both very very much.

Can't move

Ever have one of those days where the thought of lifting your body off the couch makes you cry? That's how my body is feeling today.

The thought of doing all the errands I have to do with two kids is an overwhelming thought and a RedBull (which I find slightly repulsive) is sounding more are more appealing.

The weekend

Steve's brother, sister in law and beautiful kids came into town this weekend, and we packed each day with adventures... SF, Gilroy Gardens, Santa Cruz...

Here are some highlights:

Walking/swinging downtown SF waiting for the trolleys

I LOVE the cable cars, but it was a little daring of me to take Emilie- she held up... but it's not really meant for 4 mo olds...

Riding the cars at Gilroy Gardens- I had such good memories doing this as a kid, and I think Maddie will too.

The two cousins in their adorable swimsuits trying to keep cool.

Taking a break.

We gave the girls a bath, and they were too adorable for words. I love these pics.

I think I might blow this one up.

Steve's parents came into town for Emilie's blessing, and it was nice to finally have them stay at our house. (for the past 10 years, they've had to stay at hotels because our places were too small).

Thanks for coming! We had a great time!!

The update

While Steve is in the beautiful city of Boston, eating at restaurants, sleeping in a hotel, talking with his friends, learning and growing in his profession (0k- so i'm jealous)......


We have been home (and a few other places) working on potty training (sorry for talking so much about this-- it really doesn't need two blog posts... but I've found something that is just about the coolest thing on earth).
Maddie is doing great- she is well on her way to adulthood!! I can say that it's working, and you need to go out and buy this if you see potty training in your future. I carry this little device everywhere I go... so she can use it in the car, at the park, in nasty stores where no one wants to touch anything... it's great. And, no need to clean anything, you can just throw away the plastic bags... and I don't even buy their plastic bags, I just use my 1000 million Safeway bags that I have been saving.

Ok- enough about that. I have also been looking for fun ways to welcome the summer months... and this is my first purchase:


This bad boy got 5 stars on about every search engine I looked at... but the only problem is that it's sold out everywhere. So, after 10 stores later, I just decided to buy the older model (not as cute umbrella and the box is green instead). Can't wait for it to come.

Please, thank your Mom and Dad

Because, potty training is one of those things that just stinks (no pun intended :)

I have been putting off potty training little M for a while now, because staying in the house in beautiful weather, or any weather for that matter, kills me... but no more! We have vowed to do it this week.

She's doing great, but I figure I'll have to lock ourselves up for the next couple of days even if it kills us. We're only at our 7th hour now, and already I'm checking to see if they have any of these in my color:

Mothers Day part 2

For the second part of my Mothers Day request, we went up to SF to check out the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. I've heard it was amazing since it was redone, and we were excited to check it out.

The building is very impressive- it has a "green" theme- everything is planet friendly- especially the roof which is covered with mulches/grass. It has the aquarium on the basement, a rainforest, an African section, a white crocodile, penquins... This is a view of the rainforest from above.

The rainforest part is basically a big dome where you walk with butterflies and see all of the different animals on the way.

A quick photo of the fam-- everyone always comments on how gargantuan our stroller is... but we love it.

These guys were amazing- I can't believe their colors and patterns.

Frogs that swing from trees line monkeys? Awesome.

We wanted to take them home...

I love venus fly traps.

The roof of the museum! Amazing, huh? Maybe this will be our future??

My two cuties.

Mothers Day

Steve asked me what I wanted for Mothers day and I said I wanted Pizza and I wanted to go San Francisco. So, ask and you shall receive.

Tonight we went to Amici's for some FABULOUS gluten free pizza. Oh, so good, especially when you haven't had it for 3 months.

I know this is weird, but I think I'm in love with white clam pizza? You need to try it.

Emi trying it... just kidding!

Maddie loved it of course.


A shot of Emilie while we were enjoying the moment together.

Afterwards, we walked around San Jose... climbing on walls, looking at the planes fly over our heads, dodging trains, playing with fountains...

It was a wonderful Mother's Day night. Thank you.

Love days like this

Worked out.

Started this book- and love love love it.

Changed the sheets- a real miracle.

Cleaned Maddie's room (Every piece of every toy in her room now has a place). Another miracle.

Chose the paintcolor for our house (So excited. And, it took like 30 shades of brown to decide that we're not doing brown?! Ha ha ha.... do you want to know what we decided? More on this later)

Started taking about Potty Training with Maddie(Yes, this is going to happen)

Went to the Farm (We love the farm, we love the walk to the farm, it makes all of us have a great day)

Took a nap (all of us slept at the same time? Miracle.)

And- sent special surprises to our moms for mother's day. (I love this idea, but can't ruin the surprise yet).

I guess this means that I'm in for a horrible day tomorrow?!

The update on the kiddos

First off, here's a couple of pics of the both of them. This is the first time Maddie has held Emi, and it went really well :) (for 30 seconds)

I haven't put Emilie on her tummy as much as I should, but I put her down today, and she was doing this!? Yikes. What good muscles :)

It's not as easy as it looks...

I honestly fall in love with my kids more and more each day. When they do cool things, it also helps.

Maddie set up this tea party all by herself. With the dog on the chair and everything.

She loves to tell her little sister what is going on all the time. "Ok, emi?"

And her mom. "ok mom?"

Emilie usually doesn't like Maddie when she comes up to her face (because it is usually accompanied by lots of hair and really loud yelling), but if Maddie is dancing or being like her goofy self, Emilie is loving every minute of it. Yesterday, she was giving out some big laughs.

This picture is quintessential Maddie. She is definitely a little performer, and very dramatic.

Even though we use the Dobi (this is what the pacifier is called by Maddie and the rest of the family now), Emilie still loves to suck her thumb- which has led to her rolling on her side! I love when babies start to do things, because they are excited, and start to interact with the world around them. (making it more fun for them, and easier on me!)