Notes on Motherhood

You lose all grace when you become a mother.

I'm the mom whose empty double stroller gets blown over entirely in a gust of wind, causing all the other parks moms—whom I don't know—to rush to my rescue while I juggle Chase and reassure Trenton that his beloved fruit snacks are not dirty and are still indeed fit for consumption.

I'm the mom who all too frequently interrupts church meetings to retrieve Chase's carseat from the room it got left in when I went to change a diaper. Oh wait, I probably forgot the wipes, too, so let's go for one more interruption!

I'm the mom who throws a baby at anyone who looks willing on my way up to lead the music in Relief Society. (Thank you, friends!)

I'm the mom who is lucky to get out the door daily with matching shoes. (Trenton's match too? Bonus!)

I'm the mom whose child yells "A-MEN!" after a Sacrament prayer. (We're working on the whole quiet voice thing, I promise.)

I'm a good mom. But I feel like my life just became so much more VISIBLE when I had kids. Like I'm always on display. Making a spectacle. Do you ever get used to that feeling?? I'm not saying I mind; in fact, I rather love it. It's just different. There is no anonymity in raising children! Unless you stay at home all day every day, of course, and that's just not our style. :)

"Doctor. FUN!"

I took both boys to the doctor's office today. It was a little chaotic juggling them both and trying to talk to the doctor at the same time, but believe it or not, it was so much FUN! (Maybe it helps that I love my pediatrician.)

Trenton has been really excited all week to go to the doctor. We've been having lots of conversations about how the doctor would check his ears, his belly button, his toes, etc. In fact, the last thing he said last night, right after I laid him down in the crib, was "Doctor. FUN!" Life is so simple when you're two.

Trenton was super compliant (what??), doing whatever the doctor asked. And when it was Chase's turn, as long as Trenton got to stand on a chair and play with his own stethoscope, he was good to go!

When he got his shot, all he said was "Owie. (Pause) Hurt." He was more concerned when Chase got them than when he did. After Chase got them, he walked around repeating the word "sharp" for about ten minutes. Then he'd ask me, "K?" To which I answer, "Yes, Chase is okay."

The T Monster measured in at 32 pounds (90 percentile, as always) and 37 inches (97 percentile). I knew that boy was tall!

Chase is smaller than Trenton was, but I don't mind, because he's much easier to carry around! :) He measured in at 16 pounds (just under the 50th percentile) and 27 inches (75th percentile).



Go boys!

Date Night

Sarah and Javier watched the boys (and put both of them to bed!) Saturday night so we could go on a date. It was so sweet of them! We drove out to Half Moon Bay and stopped on the way to buy some super cheap, wholesale flowers. (I need to do that more often!) Then we ate at the Half Moon Bay Brewing House. The restaurant sits right on the coast, and it was a gorgeous, warm night, so we sat outside and enjoyed the fading sunshine and beautiful view. We even caught a movie afterward! What a fantastic night.

Kinda looks like an engagement picture, huh? haha

Ryan left today for Austin, Texas, and I am such a BABY! He'll be gone for two weeks, though it looks like he'll be able to come home for a quick weekend in the middle. (Thank goodness!) Like my mom says, distance makes the heart grow fonder... It really seems to do the trick for me! I love and miss you, babe!

And a TREMENDOUS THANK YOU to Sarah and Javier! Come stay with us anytime!

6 Months and So Beautiful

Chase reached the 6-month mark! People often tell me he seems like an easygoing baby, and he is. Most days he is content to lie on his back, rolling to his tummy, trying to get his toys to his mouth, for good stretches of time after each feeding. He does like frequent changes of scenery, so I move him to a different spot around the house about every 20 minutes all throughout the day. :)

Chase laughs when I tickle him, and Trenton thinks it's so funny when Chase accidentally grabs Trenton's arm or hair or fingers—whatever it may be.

He still prefers four short naps a day, but thankfully, lately he is usually giving me one longer nap each day. So that helps with the sanity. :) He sleeps well at night, though he likes to resist my sleep training efforts. Oh well! For now, he goes to bed around 7pm, wakes to eat around 10, again around 3 or 4am, and is then up for the day between 6 and 7am. We still have occasional pacifier runs in there too. (Where he wakes crying but shouldn't be hungry, so I just pop in the pacifier and pray it works! Most of the time it does.)

I'll update with his 6 months stats after this week's doctor's appointment!

I love these close-ups Sarah took while she was here. They're so crisp and beautiful!



We love you, sweet Chase!

Crissy Field Beach

I seem to like to throw a preview picture up here when I have a great post coming. SO, be ready for some beautiful pictures of our beach trip with Ryan's sister Sarah and her fiance, Javier.

Trenton would not let go of this kite. (That is, except for the several times when he chucked it because he thought it was funny to see his dad sprint after it.)


And this little guy—Happy as ever to be outside.

The Birthday Boy

I had so much fun spoiling Trenton for his birthday. I let him "help" me make pancakes for breakfast, we gave him the cutest Radio Flyer red tricycle (which I got off craigslist), and we took him to a kiddie pool in Palo Alto that he is absolutely obsessed with. All week he kept repeating this string of words: "Burday! Wait. Coming." Which means, "My birthday is coming, but we have to wait!" He even said it to strangers a couple of times! He also kept excitedly pointing at his frosted cake on top of the fridge and exclaiming, "Burday!"

Having the time of his life at Rinaconada Pool in Palo Alto. Daddy got off work early Friday, so we hopped in the car and drove down for a spontaneous pool trip.

On Saturday we had a few friends over (mostly from our complex) for a cake and ice cream and swimming. We're sorry we couldn't invite everyone we know and love; my goal was to keep it super simple. After all, he's only 2! We'll have plenty of time for "friends parties" later. :)


Enjoying his very own slice of cake, which he devoured all by himself...Followed by two bowls of ice cream. Go Trenton!

Warming up after a nice dip in the pool. The water was 84 degrees, but it was unfortunately windy and a bit chilly out of the water! (Very representative of this year's s0-called summer)

Now that his birthday is over, he keeps repeating a new string of words: "Burday. Over. (Pause) Sad." It makes me laugh every time!

Thanks for being in our family, Trenton!

T Turns Two

Our beautiful boy had a fantastic second birthday! I wonder how long he'll keep trying to milk this birthday thing. He didn't really know what it meant—only that he seemed to get whatever he wanted when he would look at me sweetly and say, "Bur-day?!"

More details pending...

Right now I have a Relief Society (church) lesson to finish off! Yikes!

L.O.V.E.

"Before you were conceived I wanted you. Before you were born I loved you. Before you were here an hour I would die for you. This is the miracle of love." - Maureen Hawkins


"Remember when you go into the world to keep your eyes and ears wide open. And be kind. Love one another. Take care of each other. Tell the truth. Always do your best. Listen to the big people and the little people. Explore new paths and have fun. Know that you are loved like crazy. Give thanks for all your blessings. Above all else, love and you will do wonderful things in this world." - Rebecca Puig


I've been thinking a lot about these quotes lately. Today was the type of day I treasure. A day when I feel lucky to do what I do. To be a mother.

May Summer Never End

It's time to play catch-up!

My parents came into town again in July. It's so sweet of them to drive 11+ hours just to see us. Trenton thrived on the extra attention. In fact, I think it went a little to his head! (He was a bit of a diva that weekend. Read: More Tantrums.) We went to a couple of parks, took a little dip in our complex pool, ate yummy food, and just chatted the days away.

Grandpa and Trenton livin' it up at Ryder Park.

Our family by the pool at our complex. Can you tell Trenton likes the pool? Just proximity to it makes him deliriously happy.

I wasn't equipped for water play because up until this day, he was totally intimidated by squirting water. But that day he got brave and learned that he loved it. (Maybe he wanted to show off for Grandma and Grandpa!) I was so proud!

Yeah, did I say he loved it?

Thanks for coming to see us, Mom and Dad!