These are the Days of Our Lives

Today is December 30, 2009. One year ago today our lives changed again for the better. My little baby boy was born on December 30, 2008 at 4:54am weighing in at 6 lbs 4 oz and something like 21 inches long. He was 16 days early and really a pleasant late holiday surprise.

For those who don’t know the story of when Oliver was born, let me take you back a little over a year ago. Over Thanksgiving 2008 holiday Lucky, Kate, and I had driven over to Coeur d’Alene so we could see the family and spend at least one holiday with them. We had already decided that we weren’t going to go back to Idaho for Christmas because knowing our luck Oliver would come early and have to be born away from home. (Although I would have been able to use the same doctor – my favorite! - that had delivered Kate.) Over Thanksgiving my sister, Crista, announced that she and her fiancée, Joe, were going to get married on December 28th (yes, only 4 weeks later) and that Lucky, Kate, and I were all in the wedding party. So although we were happy for Crista and Joe we had to admit that a part of us were kind of upset that we had to go back to CDA for a wedding at the end of the year. But Kate was born two days after her due date so I figured that Oliver would most likely do the same thing and wait to make an entrance in the middle of January. I mean, does any kid of mine really want to come early?

Lucky and Erin: 6 Years of Togetherness without any Deaths

Today is a day that will live in infamy. Not likely but Lucky and I have beaten the odds of staying together for 6 years. Anyone who knew Lucky back in the day, a la the days where he went by the name Chris, is still in a constant state of shock that Lucky is together with someone longer than 2 weeks! I might have something to do with that – 6 years ago today I hung out at Lucky’s house and pretty much never left.

I could write this post looking back at all the fun and not-so-fun times we’ve had, for example me getting on with my pregnant self kindly explaining to Lucky the importance of getting the correct Rocky Road ice cream because of the differences between marshmallow cream and actual marshmallows (actual marshmallows win). Or the time that Lucky called me at work to inform me he had just burnt down our kitchen making tacos and was on his way to the hospital because he lit his hand on fire. I could talk about all the times we stayed up all night talking or playing 20 questions (actually more like 300) until we decided to get up and go to Dennys at 3am on a Tuesday night. There were the crazy 400-person parties, Halo parties (my favorite was the one on Superbowl Sunday where 25 people were in the room and I was the only one that saw the Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction), moving days, knock down drag out fights, and the tattooing all-nighters.

Still I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Happy anniversary of togetherness, Lucky. We’re wading through the muck, still have a long way to go, but I can’t see it with any other person. I love you.

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Mother's Day

Mother's Day is almost upon us and is one of my favorite times of the year. What mom doesn't love the cute little homemade (or daycare made) gifts and some yummy breakfast in bed. Of course it is also the day where you have to watch your eggs carefully for some dropped eggshell, but that's besides the point.

Imagine my delight yesterday, when I get home from work and walk in the door finally out of the pouring rain, Kate runs up to me and drags me to the kitchen where she shows me her masterpiece she created at daycare for Mother's Day. This is one of those times that make me love being a mother.

There was some glitter writing on the flower pot but by the time I got around to taking a picture Kate had already picked it all off. What it said we'll never know.

A Momentous Occasion

Something happened last night that has never happened before. Kate ate all of her food for dinner -- and there was no mac and cheese in sight! We had amazing grilled steak, steamed broccoli and mashed potatoes and Kate didn't put up a fight to eat anything. Well, that's wishful thinking because she somewhat hesitated with the mashed potatoes but I can't really get angry because she ate meat!

Without cheese on it!

Hardly any carbs anywhere near her plate.

I can't get over it and had to take pictures of this historic occasion:

Kate has been giving the ultimate cheesy smiles for her photos lately but she had a little bit of evil thrown in to this one...

Just for the heck of it I had to throw in a pic of Oliver for good measure. Kate put one of her hats on Oliver and thought it was the funniest thing! Can't you tell he's having a blast with this thing on his head??? Yes, that is drool you see hanging from his chin...

4 Months Today

Oliver is 4 months old today. I can't believe how fast the time has gone yet at the same time it seems like Oliver has been here forever. He is learning how to laugh and talks back to people with goo goos and ga gas. Oliver is trying to form words and every once in a while it seems like he says hi or something comparable. He loves to talk and yell and tell people what's going on in his world. Oliver is starting to drool a lot and we don't think it will be long before he starts teething. *sigh* Great.

Oliver has put himself on his own little schedule that goes: waking up, feeding, changing, playing/talking, sleeping. He will sleep anywhere between 30 minutes to 2 hours before waking up and going through the process again. It isn't until around midnight that he will stay asleep for 9-10 hours. It is cool that he is on his own little schedule but I don't think it will make for easy road trips. Kate is cool with anything but if Oliver doesn't get what he wants or needs on time then the crying begins. Another *sigh* Oh well, I couldn't imagine life without him. Or Kate. Or Lucky. Ahhh, my life is complete. :)
Pics of my babies.

Fun in the Sun

After work yesterday we caravaned over to Bill's house and had some fun. Abby was graciously letting Kate play her pretend games with her so I was able to take Oliver out into the grass to see how he liked it. He felt the grass on his feet were a little weird but would take that over sitting in his Bumbo chari any day. Kind of depressing because I want him to like that chair so much - he'll sit in it for about 10 minutes at a time before screaming at the top of his lungs that he wants out. argh...

Kate was in the middle of doing the Vogue (I have no idea where that came from) and wouldn't keep her hands still.

Oliver was chillin' on the couch and started pushing himself up really well. I had to get a few pics but couldn't stop because he always had the same shocked expression on his face. If you've seen the pictures in the past, it seems like this is his perma-expression. The second pic just kills me, I think I'm going to make a Christmas card out of it or something!

Black and White

Playing around with the black and white settings on my camera. Had a little too much fun... Kate loved it though.

What a Good Day!

Lucky got a call from the loan office of Wells Fargo and the guy told him that we got approved for the shop loan! Oh my gosh! I am shaking right now. This is amazing news. After yesterday of crappy news after crappy news, this comes at us like sunshine on a rainy day. Stay tuned for more when we get it!

Lazy Days

Yeah right. I wish I could say that was true. After starting back at work there has been absolutely no free time whatsoever. I do have to say that it's nice being able to have a conversation with people my own age 70% of the day instead of 20% of the day. Other than that, I wish I could keep taking naps around 2pm when the house is quiet and children are sleeping.

Oh well.

Things have been going good albeit hectic. We were able to go to the Pacific Science Center on Easter which was awesome. It was pouring rain outside so the Pac Sci Center was perfect. Of course, knowing that there was a Blue Moon Burger on the way was making me crazy so we were able to stop there for some lunch beforehand. mmmm mmmm!

OK, enough talking, on to pictures.
I was trying to get a pic of Oliver in his cute little button up shirt and jeans. Then he cracked this huge smile and I couldn't stop laughing.














I had a hankerin' for some bleu cheese so I was happy after my Black and Bleu burger at Blue Moon Burger.














Yes, Brittany is smiling while holding a baby... I know, weird.

































This was just this evening. Kate wanted to go outside and ride her new bike so we took the kids out to enjoy the fresh, non-raining air.














I like this pic because it show another expression of Oliver's. Plus now everyone can see how much he looks like Kate when she was that age.














I love this pic. Kate is actually riding towards me. You can see her hair and the streamers blowing in the wind.



















Hi, how are ya?

Hello World!

Welcome back to me!

Sorry I haven't blogged for a while, in between Oliver feedings, burpings, changings and consolings as well as Kate's constant needing attention and chauferring, I haven't had time to blog. Good news, though, we finally have internet at our house again! Woo hoo! I should have a chance to blog more often so look forward to more.

I started back to work last week after three full months of maternity leave. Although the maternity leave was great, I didn't get a lot of relaxing time and I'm sure you're feeling bad for me. That's ok. It has been fun but I am so glad to be back at work. It has been difficult to go to bed before 3am and difficult to get up at 5:30am but I am ok with the sacrifice. I love being back at work it's unbelievable. I'm looking forward to a long time without time off. Yes, that's crazy but try having two young kids at home and you would be begging to go back to work too.

Enough about me, here are some pics of the kids. I know that's what you've been waiting for anyway.