Birthday, A Big Wow :D

My birthday was last week. I thought I'd say something about it cause I guess it's a big thing. I'm twenty-six, people: 2 6. Looking back over the past 26 years, I wondered where the time went. I remember some parts of living in Colorado and Oregon. I remember my teen years in California. Unfortunately, I don't remember much of those years. My memories get fewer and fewer as I progress steadily to thirty. I'm sure it won't get any better when I surpass thirty. :D I do remember at about age 6 spending time before bed remembering past events knowing I'd forget them if I didn't keep them fresh in my mind. I should have kept that up. :P

I remember. . .

Throwing up red Kool-Aide in the den on the white carpet. I learned that day that vomit belonged in the toilet not on the floor. :P

Calling for my parents one night, because Anna was screaming in her crib. Their response, "Just ignore her." I tried comforting Anna that night, because I really wanted to sleep, but to no avail. She was just as stubborn then as she is now. :P

Getting my pink bicycle. Learning how to ride it in the church parking lot. I vividly remember the dumpster hurtling towards me (how rude is that?!?). I jumped off the bike--the action 'brake' wasn't an action in my mind at that moment--and hurting myself on the bar.

Skinning my knee real bad when I fell off my bicycle. I didn't cry because big girls don't cry.

Playing with Joe and his sister Jess. Well, we didn't really play with Jess, we ran from her. We were mean. Sorry Jess. :)

Finding out how much I loved to read. I'd stay up 'late' to read. Indian in the Cupboard and Boxcar Children introduced me to this wonderful world.

Sweeping up the cul-de-sac in Oregon. Don't ask.

Playing roller hockey in front of the house with friends. I remember I accidentally slap-shot the puck into Michael's groin. It was funny, but I still feel bad about that to this day.

Rollerblading all over Milpitas.

Sitting around the dinner table or in a room, laughing uproariously with my family.

The list can go on and on. I've talked with some people who said their childhood was lacking in one way or another. I'm very proud to say that my childhood was filled with happiness and love. Nothing was lacking.

. . . . .But where was I?

Ah yes, the BIG 26. I know some of you will read this and roll your eyes at me: "Pshaw! 26 is young!" I can't round down anymore. Hehe, is that a silly reason or what?! Middle-age is approaching fast. Live life to the fullest everyone! There's no turning back. :P

As for my birthday day celebrations, it was very pleasant and nice. Francoise came by and took the boys for the afternoon. (Side note: She is one remarkable woman. If only I can be as energetic & organized as she is.) Tom took me to Happy Sumo for lunch. Yummy! Delicious! Spectacular! That evening, Tom and I went with the Sabin's & Jimdy to the Novell Company Party, courtesy of the Sabin's. Collective Soul performed. It was very enjoyable. Overall, it was a great birthday.

The only bad thing about birthdays is they're reminders that you are another year older and not necessarily wiser. But then again, being a year older could be good thing. :)

Furniture a Bye-Bye

We got new furniture for the living room. I'm a bit sad. I miss our old overstuffed sofa. However, don't let my 'sorrow' trick you into thinking I'm not excited and happy with the new additions to our home. I like them. When we opened our new sofas, I was shocked to find that the color was not what I remembered/imagined them to be. They are brown. Between IM Home and when they were delivered the color of the fabric--in my mind--slowly went from a brown, to a taupe, to an olive green, to a mauve, and then to a plum purple. I don't know how that happened. :P

Let us say so long to our old couch: "So LONG!"

and Let us say welcome to its replacements: "Hello!"

Piano update: It's vonderbar!!!! I'm so grateful that we were able to get it. Music is definitely a must in any home. Where music is, you are sure to find love there as well.

Since this post is about furniture. Here's a pic of the boys' room:

Those duvet covers are just scrumptious!

Clean Clean Clean!

So the nesting bug has finally reared its horrible, yet wonderful, fangs and bit--bit HARD! There comes a point in every pregnancy where the mother gets 'bit' by the bug and needs to prepare the nest for the long awaited infant. And so here I am cleaning, organizing, and trying to DI stuff. I don't understand the chemical/hormonal changes that occur when the "Nesting Bug" attacks, but I am quite grateful for it. When would I find the motivation to do all things that 'need' to be done? The answer to that question is: Hardly ever. :) But with the bug, there is motivation and the need.

My kitchen is in fairly good order. I can see my counter top! I have fresh flowers on my table WITH a table cloth. Yup, a table cloth! My bathrooms are bleachy clean. My desk is no longer a mess, but an organized clutter of papers and whatnot's. My laundry room/mud room no longer resembles a storage unit. The beds are made daily. The summer clothes are out; while the winter clothes are put away in labeled bins. My living room is no longer a toy room. I must confess there are toys out and about in that room, but they're no longer the main attraction. The boys' room is clean and tidy. You can see the floor in my room. :P Vacuuming has become part of my weekly vocab. The clothes get folded within 3 days instead of 7 days. (I have to laugh at myself. Laundry is one of those things you can't avoid or put off. Yet I try.) The storage room shelves are organized and neat.

Ok ok. . . so you're probably saying to yourself: These are chores she should be doing all the time regardless of her hormonal motivation. Well, I shamefully admit that I don't do these chores all the time. :( It's something that I'm working on. :) Organization has never been my forte.

I still have a huge list of things to get done before the baby comes. I'm sure I'll tackle them within the next few days/weeks.

Can you believe I'm about 32 weeks along???!!!! This pregnancy has gone by faster than The Flash himself. I'm a bit scared. A girl is sooooo. . . how do you say. . . DIFFERENT than a boy.

Let the count down begin!!!

Terrible Twos are here!

Isaac had his birthday last Thursday. He is the big 2. I know I always comment on how time just flies, but it's true. My baby is no longer a baby. The first two years of any one's life are when one changes the most. Let's look back on how much Isaac's grown.

*Nostalgic music plays in the background.*

2 weeks old

1.4 years old

1.7 years old

2 Years old

He got his big boy bed as well last week. Isaac was/is still so excited about sleeping in a big boy bed. Benjamin and him are sharing a room. It's actually working out well. The first two nights in the new bed, Ike had trouble staying in bed, but since then he stays in bed when it's bed time. I attribute that to Ben's wonderful example. The only down side to this arrangement is Ike gets up at the crack of dawn with Ben now.

OH!!!! Tonight, when getting Ike ready for bed, I asked him if he wanted to go on the potty. He nodded enthusiastically. He was a bit frightened when he tried to sit him on the seat However as soon as we assured him he wasn't going to fall in, he relaxed enough to be placed on the seat. After a few moments, the wonderful sound of tinkle tinkle echoed off the porcelain seat into our ears. He peed!!! It's the small things that make a parent smile. This is just another indication of how much he's matured intellectually and physically. I know I've mentioned nothing about terrible twos. I thought I'd keep this post positive and happy. After all this is a tribute to Isaac's two years. :)