Birthday Love

It's official... I am now into my 30's. Yikes.

My day started with Eggs Chesapeake... one of my favorite hubby dishes! He has perfected it and this time we through in some garden tomatoes! Yum!


After breakfast we headed to this little girls 2nd birthday!

Lexi turned 2 on August 28... Happy Birthday little one!

As per usual, we did the group shot. You'll notice I called it group shot rather than line up... lining them up is significantly harder these days... so we throw them all in place and run back to take the picture. Worked well, don't you think?

That's Jack, Alexander, Adam, Anna, Jenna, Lexi, Sadie, Adrianna and Chase... not too shabby. We let baby Chloe sit this one out.

And wherever there are partying toddlers, there are cupcakes.

Adam calls this the 'unbib'... sometimes it's just easier. We are classy.

After nap (which can hardly be called a nap) we headed to the in-laws for a cookout.


This right here is fake surprise... clearly I was aware the iPhone was my birthday present ;~)


This is genuine surprise. My MIL knew I wanted a Breast Cancer bracelet so she did some research, found a local jeweler and together they designed this one for me. She even had the beads spell "Love Iris"... I couldn't have asked for a more personal and perfect gift.

Here we are with our matching 'cause' bracelets. Mine is for Breast Cancer and hers is for Suicide Prevention.


My little helper assisting me with the rest of my presents.

The Molten Chocolate Cake has become quite a tradition... and I do love them. But, for this birthday I opted for one of my favorite desserts... an Apple Crisp.

Adam did not disappoint... it was delicious. Seriously stuffed myself with this dessert. I may be asking for that again soon!


Chase man definitely liked it!

It really was a great birthday... laid back and relaxed... even a little productive (we went spider killing in our garage!) I am very blessed and couldn't have asked for more!

Moo Baa La La La

A cow says MOO.
A sheep says BAA.
Three singing pigs say LA LA LA!


"No, No!" you say, "that isn't right.
The pigs say OINK all day and night."


Rhinoceroses SNORT and SNUFF
and little dogs go RUFF RUFF RUFF!


Some other dogs go BOW WOW WOW!
And cats and kittens say MEOW.


QUACK! says the duck.
A horse says NEIGH.


(It's quiet now.  What do you say?)*

I love him more than words can describe.

*by Sandra Boynton

SF Part 7... the conclusion

Seriously, I bet you are saying 'thank God... now she can get back to the boring MD posts'... come on, I know you are.

So yesterday was a full day of travel. We left the apartment at 7:30am and didn't pull into our driveway until 10:00pm. Tired doesn't even begin to describe how we felt!

Chase was in a good mood as we were getting ready to leave...

I just love that laughing smile he gets ;~) Oh and Mandy... check out the shorts!!! They went on sale at Target and I just had to buy them!


Chase had a great time with 'Mah-ric' (Maverick for those who don't speak fluent Chase)... and I think Maverick actually enjoyed having Chase around... you know, when Chase wasn't trying to walk him while he ate.

We got to the airport at a pretty reasonable hour... plenty of time to get some breakfast, drink some coffee and putz around... so we thought. We get back to our gate to see that group C is boarding... and no one is in line. Why? Because everyone is already on the plane.

I have to mention here that we were group A 34 and 35... which are pretty prime spots to be boarding with... but dumb us putzed too long and let it slip through our fingers.

So we board the plane and as you might imagine... there isn't a seat together left... nor are there any aisle or window seats. It's middle and it's separated.

Don't let the smile fool you... I was devastated to be separated from Adam. Not to mention the fact that the dude next to me was less than thrilled when I sat down. I showed him though... Chase was an angel through the whole flight!

All the sudden it dawned on me that we were only going to San Diego... then people would get off... we could move around... and more people would get on. So I set my attitude right and just prayed for the strength to get through an hour on my own.

Well once I was able to change Chase (Lord have mercy I didn't want what happened on the flight out there to happen now!) and put him in the sling... things just fell into place. I recited a few books to Chase... we sang a few songs and before long he was fast asleep.

Where he stayed for the rest of the flight and landing... 3 for 3 sleeping through the landings at this point!

The woman next to me was pretty enamored with Chase and she kept asking questions and chatting with me (which was welcome... I didn't have much of anything else to do ;~)

Like I thought, the plane landed soon after it took off and about 85% of the passengers got off. Don't think I wasn't tempted to get off and start a life out in San Diego! Talk about perfect weather (sans the fire season ;~)

As people were deplaning Adam asked if we should move to the front of the plane... I said sure, why not. I was thinking that we wouldn't have to wait as long to get off the plane once we landed and that was the reason for him wanting to move. However, once I got to the front of the plane I realized why he jumped at the move... there was so much room! I mean we could let Chase sit on the floor and play with plenty of room for our legs... not to mention the fact that we could stretch out!

Score one for the plane ride home.

Then a Southwest crew worker asked if I wanted to use our car seat... the flight wasn't full and we could put Chase in a seat of his own. I was happy at the thought of him having his own seat but sad that we had checked the car seat instead of gate checking it. No problem she says... what does it look like and what is your last name. 5 minutes later she brings it into the cabin!

Score two for the plane ride home.

As we are setting up camp in the front row with our car seat, I notice the cockpit door is open. All the cool buttons and the pilot and co-pilots chair... what a fun photo op! I ask the flight attendant and she said sure, bring him up! So Chase and I spent about 5-10 minutes playing around in the cockpit with the captain (who was as nice as could be!).

Score three for the plane ride home.

Once everyone was in and seated, the flight attendant started her safety speech. However, she started it by saying "We have a lost wallet up here"... *enter collective shuffling from the cabin*... "Now that I have your attention, we are going to start our safety demonstration". From there it just got better... I wasn't sure if we were on a flight or in a comedy club.

"Smoking is permitted... we just ask that if you do, please step out on the wing and enjoy our in service movie Gone With the Wind"

"If you don't find our flight satisfactory, there are 6 ways off the airplane"

"My ex-husband and boyfriend are coming through the cabin to take drink orders"

"If you disable the smoke detectors in the bathroom, there is a $2,000 fine. We know that if you wanted to pay $2,000 for a airplane ticket, you would have booked with Delta"

"If there is anything we can do to make your flight better, please let us know on your way out"

The best part was she was so completely straight faced through the whole thing. It really just made the flight that much better.

Score four (and final) for the plane ride home.

Now, a few pictures (did you expect anything less ;~)...

Checking out the cockpit with the captain


Love love love this picture!


Flying the plane! (the captain was actually moving the wheel but Chase thought he was doing it ;~)


Chase helping the captain turn on the air for the plane.


Chase actually letting the captain hold him! This guy must have a lot of experience with kids... he was pushing all sorts of buttons which made the plane make noise (did you know that a plane has the ability to make a machine gun noise? I had no idea but it does!) It really was a blast seeing how much fun Chase had up there.

Throughout the 'gate to gate' 5 hour flight, we had to pull out a few tricks with Chase.

Drinking juice straight from Mommy's cup!


Sticker time with Daddy!


Nap with Daddy... seriously, they are both completely zonked out!


Playdoh time! Thanks Kristin!


We read the in flight magazines.


We worked on buckling our seat belt.

Notice the burp cloth on the car seat... yep, it happened again... another diaper leak! Although not quite as bad or tragic as last time. I think all the sitting and bad positioning just creates the perfect storm for leaking. When I changed this diaper it wasn't even that full... I have seen much worse!

Whatever, we came better prepared this time!


Daddy and Chase tried to figure out what state we were flying over.

Chase and I even went for a walk up and down the aisle... just to kill a few minutes.

I have to say, people will give you cross looks just for bringing a baby on a plane... it doesn't even matter if they are complete angels. Being a parent on a plane... you need a thick skin! I just concentrated on the ones that smiled at Chase and ignored the others ;~)

After being on a plane all day and subsisting on crackers and juice, Wendy's was our first stop out of the airport! Chase took down half a chicken sandwich and a few handfuls of fries before passing out.


He woke up just before we got home and after some getting situated, went right back to sleep in his own crib. And there he slept until 9:30 this morning!

Now we are back to the familiarity of our regular lives. Adam is diving back into work at the new practice, Riley is back home, Chase and I have already visited Grandma and I am back on the clock at Roof Shampoo! All is right with the world ;~)

We had a really great time out in San Francisco and have some great memories but it's good to be back too. I missed our little place in the world ;~)

SF Part 6

Monday was pretty much our last day in SF and we decided to be a little touristy.

I have seen Fisherman's Wharf more times than one person should but I couldn't help going back again... I really wanted Chase to see the Sea Lions. And well, once we were at the Wharf... well the expression 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do' seemed to fit.

Because Adam and I were on our own today... Philz was first on the agenda. What can I say, when in SF, drink as much Philz as possible!


Perhaps one of the cutest things Chase has done on this trip is this:

whoever is not pushing gets the distinct honor of holding a seated Chase's hand. Just when I think he can't possibly be any cuter, he goes and does this.

On the way to meet friends of mine we happened across this statue and just couldn't pass up the photo op...


Lucky for me, my friends Kristine and Jeanine were both able to steal an hour away from work to come have coffee with us!

I haven't seen them in at least 4 years... since our vacation to Lake Tahoe/SF back in 2005.

This picture is from well before Lake Tahoe but I couldn't resist posting it...

This is circa 2002/2003... the early years of working at Ad.com... with my original SF team. Oh how I loved that time and this team!

Miss you guys and it was great to catch up!

After I said goodbye to the girls, Adam Chase and I headed to Fisherman's Wharf to see the Sea Lions. On the way there this happened:

Par for the course ;~) Equally as cute but for some reason this walk/sling-nap crushed my back. I actually had to sit down part of the way there... guess walking 1.5 miles with 30 lb toddler strapped to you doesn't always work out ;~)

Once we were there we did a little shopping... or at least some trying on...

Then we visited the all important Sea Lions!

I just love watching these guys! My friend Kelly described it as a soap opera... someones always yelling, there's always a fight, a lot of pushing and shoving goes on and of course, someone is always sleeping with someone else... just look at them!

I don't think I have ever been here when it's been this crowded... not the people, the floating planks! There wasn't one plank open... they were all covered end to end with sea lions.

I wanted to take one home with me as a pet but then my nose changed my mind... man they can stink up an area ;~) Still cute... but I left them all there!


Family photo op!


Passing on my love affair with corn dogs. Seriously, if they are available, I can't pass them up!

After lunch we headed to see my dad at his new Google office in SF. He was commuting to Mountain View which was unpleasant to say the least... but nowadays, he's a quick 10 minute Muni ride to the office.

Google doesn't actually let you take pictures on the inside of the building (with good reason) but they do have this fun sign in the lobby...

'so... where are we again Mom?'

And because Adam and I were in charge of the day... back to Philz ;~) To be fair, we had to get off one Muni train and onto another right at the corner where Philz is... it's practically a sin not to go. And you know how I hate sinning.

Whatever, don't judge me.

I didn't actually get coffee this time for fear of not sleeping until Thursday... I don't do well with caffeine later in the day. I opted for the Philz Hot Chocolate which did not disappoint. I love that place.

So funny story...

This actually happened somewhere at the beginning of the week, I just forgot to post until now. So Chase was exploring his surroundings... figuring out what he could get into and how far he could get before being scolded. The kitchen is a particularly inviting place for this behavior.

I was at the fridge getting some water from the dispenser on the door. Now I have to say, our dispenser comes out like it's rationing water for Y2K... painfully slow. My dad's dispenser does not... it shoots water out with a vengeance.

Chase watched me get water and when I removed the glass, he put his little hands right up to the button (who knew he was that tall anyway!) and you guessed it... just like a bulls eye. He pushes the button and the water shoots him in the face.

There is silence for a moment... I just hold back to see what response he will give. Then the tears start... as does my uncontrollable laughter. I swear, I tried with all my might to comfort him but I will be damned if that wasn't the funniest thing I have seen in a while.

And you better believe, he stayed away from that button for the rest of the trip.

Ok, back to the day! For our last dinner, we headed to Eliza Restaurant near Dad and Stacie's apartment.

Grandpa getting some good hand holding time in with Chase!

Once we were at the restaurant Chase kind of threw a conniption fit... nothing where people really looked... mainly because I hauled his tush out before I could get the stares.

I put him in the sling and we walked and sang for a few blocks. I was really hoping that he would fall asleep but no such luck.

However, he did sit like this for a little while... probably 15 minutes while walking and 10 while in the restaurant. And somehow, that did the trick. For the rest of the evening he was pleasant and smiley. Just a little cuddle time with Mamah did the trick ;~)

I am so lucky that my friend Kelly was able to come out for dinner and visit with us. We were getting down to the wire and it wouldn't have been a complete trip if I didn't see her!

Kel and I have been friends since college... even going on Spring Break together (was that 98... Lord have mercy... I am not posting a picture of that!) We were fortunate enough to work together for a few years at Ad.com as well (hello small world!) I am so glad we were able to spend some time together before Adam and I headed back to the east coast!

Tuesday was our travel home day... which I am sitting on our couch... so rest assured the pilot did a good job ;~) Look for the last installment of the SF series tomorrow.

SF Part 5

Is anyone getting bored of this yet?

If you are, sorry... I can't stop. It's an addiction and I am not seeking help. Don't judge me.

Sunday morning we headed to the SF Zoo... but not before a little light modeling...



Checking out the flamingos... but not for too long, they stink!


The boy loves a tunnel


Mamah, Chase and Daddy being zoo keepers!


This might have been my favorite part of the whole zoo... the children's petting area. In this picture Chase had just fed some sheep and tried to walk away... as you can see, they followed him. Chase was not thrilled to turn around and see 3 large sheep heads coming toward him... who would really?


Playing on the swan statue


Family shot riding on the cha-choo!!


Adam spreading his wings... I have no words people...


Checking out the sleeping lion and tiger.


Watching the penguins munching on some pretzel.


As per usual, sleepy baby + moving car = instant nap.

Unfortunately we were home in less than 15 minutes so the nap wasn't stellar. Oh well, the kid's a trooper!

Sunday evening Cathleen, Michael and Ashlyn came over for dinner. Cathleen and Michael graciously lent us a pack and play, a booster seat and many many toys and books! We are so very grateful for their generosity!


Ashlyn and Chase seemed to hit it off... immediately they took a shared interest in photography.


Chase even worked on his sharing skills!


And of course, he always has huggins for the pretty girls ;~)

By some very crazy coincidence, Chase and Ashlyn both had polar bear pajamas...

So cute I can barely stand it ;~)

What a fun night and thanks again Cathleen and Michael... and Ashlyn! Can't wait to see you all again on the next visit ;~)