Pics of the Day ~ Venice Beach Baby ~

Despite some stomach issues on my part, we had a fab day at the beach! Venice Beach was so cool to experience! I cannot imagine how insane it gets there in the summer time!

We left early morning and parked at Venice Beach. It was still pretty quiet (Southern Californians rarely venture out early on weekends, even to the mall it is odd). It was nice to browse the stands and art and all the sidewalk/boardwalk vendors. Then we walked to the Santa Monica Pier (just a couple miles I believe). We stopped at a playground for Becca to play.

It was funny. Becca has become quite the climber as of late, however I have to let her go for it even when she asks for help. If I rescue her, fear takes her over and she is paralyzed and can go no further. If she gets past it on her own, she rocks and is very proud of herself (a lot of this self-confidence issue comes from the lack of depth perception pre-glasses). Well she decided to climb up these bars, something I know she can accomplish independently. Well the other parents at the playground kept looking at us as if we were monsters not rescuing her immediately. Finally I say to J, (since he is looking like he about to pounce and help her out) that we have to allow her to try or she will not be able to say she did it herself. The other Dad, looks all relieved that I am not a neglectful parent and I actually know what I am doing. Moments later, with a little verbal encouragement, Becca made it to the top! Everyone cheered and she completed the climb over and over again!

Once at the Santa Monica Pier, we stopped in at Bubba Gumps for lunch, then walked the pier. Becca was very anxious to do some digging in the sand, so we stopped to feed Ethan and Becca was a little digger!

As we made our way back to Venice Beach, Becca fell asleep in the stroller. Ethan got a little cranky (it was warm) and I had bad tummy cramps. We pushed through, and despite it all it was an awesome day!

Becca woke up in time to do some more digging and then to go into the ocean. She was only suppose to let her tickle her toes, but the little beach bum went almost completely in the frigid waters! It was so cold, the sun had disappeared behind the clouds and the water was frightful. Becca did not have a care in the world and chased the waves! It was so fun to watch her, even though I was frozen!

I am tired … But so happy to have spent the day with my awesome family.

Pics of the Day ~ The Kiddies Outside ~

The contract negotiations on this Stay at Home Mom gig, need to be re-negotiated. I am so not loving cleaning the bathroom and dusting. There has to be a way out of those chores (I would imagine working moms have the same chores, but in my fantasies they all have hot male maids to do their bidding … realistic?)

Once I made my back ache real good, I took the kiddies outside to enjoy the nice weather we are FINALLY having! Sheesh, we start to plan to move and Southern California stops being sunny! Becca enjoyed splashing around in her pool, Ethan slept in the shade and I had the opportunity to knit … Life is good (maybe this gig staying at home is not soooo bad after all?)

I am sooooo excited. J has to work tomorrow (not the exciting part, that actually sucks a little but eh whatever), but on Sunday due to a cancellation in the knitting (again not a good part of the story … moving on) we are trekking to VENICE BEACH … BOOYAH! hehe! It has been on my … MUST SEE BEFORE WE LEAVE CALIFORNIA list for like EVER! So we are heading out early and checking it out. I will be sure to take many many photos! I hope to hit Santa Monica Pier too (time permitting!). Becca and I went last year with friends, but J has not seen it. I am so excited.

Hopefully, the little one, that thankfully is very cute will allow us a little sleep before the day trip to the beach! Ethan kept us up and cranky (hehe umm I was cranky and J was the one mostly up except for feeding time) last night. The little one decided nursing every hour at night … all the cool kids do it … *~sigh~* He seems to do this every few nights … the good nights in between increasing so really cannot complain … I am just a tad tired today.

Oh, big news on the war against diapers … for the toddler … Becca has now decided that the big potty is the bomb! w00t, no more wiping out the little potty! Except now, if she is taking one of her hour poops (she reads on the pot … like FOREVER) and I have to pee … I have to wait … progress always seems to have its pitfalls.

Ha! So some kind soul nominated me for a Blogger’s Choice Award, for Hottest Mommy Blogger, and all I can think of is that Rod Stewart song … “So Ya Think I am Sexy” over & over all day! So thanks for thinking I am hot (usually a thought reserved for my husband alone!) and if you wander over to the site to vote and hit page 58, haha you will find the blog listed there! HAHAHA! Although my chances are slim to NONE of winning, being nominated strokes the ego nicely! Have a Fab Weekend Internets!

She wanders off singing ….

If you want my body and you think I’m sexy
Come on, sugar, let me know
If you really need me just reach out and touch me
Come on, honey, tell me so

Over and Over …

Pics of the Day ~ Ethan’s First Bath ~

Becca had her last appointment with the goddess of pediatric eye specilaists This specialist was amazing, not only did she rock working with Becca, she was kind, caring and helped us avoid eye surgery! Becca’s eyes continue to respond to the eye therapy (aka her glasses). She utilizes the bi-focals the way they are intended and her eyes are straight while she wears the glasses. The doctor gave us some names of eye specialists in New Mexico so we can continue her treatment and eye care there.

Becca has officially graduated to size 4 clothes! GASP! She is too long for 3T & even 4T! Besides, in pants she gets awful plumber’s crack since she has no butt and wears panties rather than diapers. Oh … What’s up the Daisy Dukes for shorts for girls? I mean sure the kid has great legs but they are beat to heck since she plays hard core. So I have resorted to buying her boys shorts, which look incredibly cute as skater shorts on her

As for Ethan … why do they grow and change so fast? The babe is changing before my eyes and all I want to do is press the pause button. He face is slowly changing from that newborn look to baby look and he is putting on the pounds! Sleepers are slowly being placed in the outgrown bin! Ethan is starting to make eye contact and I swear he smiled at me yesterday (it could have been gas but darn it I want my moment!) Everyday he is more aware and awake. He sleeps like a champ most nights, only needing snuggles for a while so he does not have a tummy ache after chowing down. Tomorrow will be three weeks since he was born … that leaves me in awe. Time is going by much too quickly!

Ok so you have all tempted me into checking out Facebook. Darn it is so addicting and I am hooking up with people from all over! At first I thought I would be a looser on there with like my husband’s friends and a few others, but slowly I am gathering up some crew! I am such a geek! So if you wanna hook up on Facebook, I am so there ~*wink*~

Pics of the Day ~ My Favorite Picture of Ethan so far and Becca in the tub with a Popcycle! ~

Ok … I really cannot keep it all inside anymore. Blogging and keeping “secrets” is totally hard to do!

Here is the deal.

More than anything, J & I wanted to return our family back to Canada. J applied for all the academic positions that were posted in Canada this year, but due to a lot of qualified competition, it did not pan out.

In the meantime, J being the uber provider that he is, starting looking at alternatives without giving up on the ultimate goal of a position in Canada at a university. Through a series of events (it is so who you know not always what you know), J began pursuing a second post-doctoral position in Los Alamos.

There is a National Lab, located in Los Alamos. Most famous for *~gasp~* the development of the atomic bomb, many moons ago. Now a days it is not geared towards the mass destruction of our planet, instead the lab is a great facility for researchers.

As you know J, jetted over to New Mexico the days proceeding the birth of our son. The interview was a success! Well not “officially”. We have to wait for American government approval (since we are Canadian there is an up to 45 day waiting period for said approval) before receiving an “official” offer from the Lab.

Yet, J has been awarded a Fellowship Award that would enhance his standing at the National Lab, as well as (now this is to the best of my understanding, the world of Chemistry is friking confusing at the best of times) award him extra funding to attend Chemistry conferences, books and educational materials. His future “unofficially as of yet”, boss has submitted applications for not only this Fellowship but another that would place him in even better standing. I am not sure how much this makes sense to the non-science people. Fellowships=Good Reputation and great for J’s resume in the future.

J is very excited about the the work/research at the lab. That is very important to me. My husband’s work happiness is why we have sacrificed a “normal” life and have left our beautiful country. Los Alamos is a very small town. J is moving us from the hub of the universe to a 1 Starbucks town. No Target, one grocery store … small town. There appears to be a yarn shop there (phew!) and Sante Fe is a mere 3/4 hour drive away (I drive that knit every week in bad traffic! hehe).

We are not totally sure when we are hitting the open road, however it appears as though late June, early July is when we leave. I have not given this move a lot of thought. I kept saying I was going to have the baby first then deal with moving. Now we are going to wait for an official offer before I am going to get in a tizzy. However, J being awarded a Fellowship through the lab, and his future boss going to all this effort for him … things are looking pretty positive.

This life is never dull. I am going to miss my friends here so very much. My intention is to cram in as much time with them as humanly possible until we leave. We are also going to have Becca’s 3rd early so she can enjoy it with her friends. UGH … I want to go, start the new chapter in our lives … but leaving is always so hard to do … starting over … ugh. I’ll talk kids next time … it felt good to share this

Pic of the Day ~ Becca and Ethan ~

I hope everyone had a nice Earth Day! I know I am a little behind here but, eh better late than never! I am discovering that it will take some new approaches to live the life the way we did before Ethan arrived, and be on time.

Michelle from Scribbit just had a post on being late, I find it horrific to be late, yet that is what I find myself achieving, bringing me much anxiety.

I celebrated Earth Day, by knitting with Marina in the morning (wool is totally a renewable resource!) then after lunch, the family went to Santa Rosa Plateau for a hike. Ethan was bundled up in the Mei Tei and Becca was AMAZING hiking almost a mile and a half before J put her up on his shoulders. It was wonderful.

Yesterday, we spent the day at the park with Holly and Jamie. Always a good time. Holly shared yet another meal with us (she totally spoils me!!!) that was fabulous! I made good progress on a new knitting project that I want to get done for a friend’s baby girl.

Ethan is spitting up after eating. Becca was not a spitter-uper, so I am a little baffled by it. The last few nights he has had trouble sleeping, due to digestive issues. Yet during the day, the digestive issues are not so apparent. Last night, although still a bit of a challenge was much much better, allowing J & I both much needed sleep. I was all geared up to go to bed early then had to stay up to watch Heroes! hehe! Priorities!

Becca, Ethan and I are going on an errand spree this morning. We hope to hit 2 grocery stores and one addition store. It is a race against time (I hope to complete it all in between feedings for Ethan!) If we do not complete our mission, we have an open day tomorrow to run the errands missed!

At some point I would like to return everyone’s emails, finish projects that were started and organize myself. Oh and if you feel like we are in limbo on the moving/job thing, know that as soon as we know, I will share it all with you! (oh if the comments I leave are short and a little funky please know that it was probably due to one-handed, I am nursing while trying to stay in contact, commenting )