The Haight Street Experience

When my brothers said they were coming out I asked them to make a list of things they wanted to do in the Bay Area. Top of their list...'just spend time with you Linsey?' No...they wanted the Haight Street Experience. I have to admit I was a little turned off by this request. I do not frequent the Haight. After our day I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. It is always good to have guests in town to get you to explore the things that have been right under your nose. It is a very cool place where people feel free to be themselves...no matter how freakish that is. Ha! We trolled the shops and had lunch at Magnolia. Great food, I'll definitely go back. We can all check this one off our list...peace, love, and all that stuff!

All I Want For Christmas Are My Two Front Teeth

They're here! Barrett's first two teeth poked out the day after Christmas. It is crazy; one day they aren't there and the next day they are. He was a little fussy on Christmas Eve Day and Christmas. We thought it was because of the excitement of the holidays and guests in the house. Then we noticed him sort of rolling his tounge along the bottom gum and took a look and realized it was because of the two toofies that had joined us. I hear a lot of horror stories around teething...we feel fortunate, these first two weren't bad at all. I know, I know...there is a whole mouthful still to come.

Cereal For Breakfast

It is official, Baby B has been introduced to solids. Well...semi solids; we made his first bowl of cereal a little runny for this first attempt. He did a really good job. At first he was feeling it out...what is this in my mouth??? By the third or fourth bite though he was swallowing it down and reaching for the spoon. I'm not sure if he was reaching for the spoon because he wanted the cereal or because he wanted to put that spoon in his mouth. Either way, the result was the same, he ate the whole bowl. Yah Baby B!!!

Merry Christmas 2009!

Barrett's First Christmas!

Our little elf had his first Christmas. It was nice to have the house filled with family. Grandma Sharon, Uncle Matt, Auntie Robyn, Uncle Shane and Mommy and Daddy unwrapped our gifts on Christmas Eve. Barrett scored on the gifts. Grandma and Grandpa Fort sent him a new super-soft froggy, Grandma Sharon got him a new basketball hoop and his 'Night Before Christmas' book, top it off with Sophie and a new Crawl Ball from Santa. Wow! And Christmas is only going to get better every year. Merry Christmas, baby!

We tried out an old family tradition and made oyster stew for the boys. And Lucky Mommy got a Snuggie from Dad. Just what she loathes. I hate those things, ha ha Daddy. I should have sent it home with Matt since he was enjoying it so much.

Gentlemen, This Is Only Cute When You're A Baby

An Early Christmas

We kicked off the holidays on Wednesday with a little Christmas celebration with the Sanchez family. Presents, presents for the kiddies and dinner for the mommies and daddies. This was Barrett and Tatum's first time opening presents and Landon was so helpful.

Meet the Unckies

Finally, Barrett was able to meet his Uncle Matt, Aunt Robyn, and Uncle Shane. We call them the 'unckies.' They flew out for the holidays to spend some time with us. They got out of middle America just in time because there was a huge winter storm that hit on Christmas. You really can't beat the 60 degree weather here when you know you would be scooping your driveway back home. I was very confused at the airport curb waiting for two very different looking people to show up. Shane has given up his short cut and grew his hair out; and Matt, who has shaved his head for as long as I can remember, now has hair and a full beard.

We have a lot of fun planned for their vacation. We're going to spend a few days around home, Anchor Steam Brewery, the Haight, cable car rides, Ruth's Chris buttery heaven, Crabfest 2010, and Matt and Shane are excited about the 30th and 31st at the Further concerts.

5 Months Old

Another month has come to pass and Barrett is 5 months old...

There isn't a well baby visit again until 6 months so I don't have any stats to publish. He's just a growing boy, smiling, laughing, and happy! I still can't believe we have this amazing little man. He's getting so big and can do so much now. He is working on sitting up and we have had a few rolls from tummy to back. I will be posting that video soon. Up next, crawling and solid foods. Life is good!!!

Christmas Cards...Starring Mr. Cutie

Mommy and Auntie 'Lissa took a photography class last week so that Mommy could actually use some of the functionality on her new fancy SLR camera instead of taking all her pictures on the 'Auto' setting. Some of it sunk in...I think. I tried out my new skills with my favorite model Mr. B. It was good to practice and also get some photos for this year's Christmas card.

Mommy's Back At Work

Today was my first day back at work...working mommy on duty.
It just seemed like another Saturday where Jeff was staying home with Barrett so I could run some errands and get some of my own things done. It really hasn't hit me that there will be five of these days in a row. I am thankful that Jeff has this time with Barrett. I know they will have a lot of fun once they get into their routine.
It was nice to actually carry a purse today, not a diaper bag; to be able to stop at Peet's and not have to worry about waking Barrett up by dragging him in there; and to wear heels!!!

Wintery White

Of course our little 'snow' doesn't compare to this...

My dad sent me this. This is the recent snow in my hometown in NE. It is so pretty after it first falls. Thanks for this shot Dad! I'm glad I got you that digital camera so you can send me these things.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

'It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...'

The tree is up and decorated! As always, the cats are very excited for that. They can all be found laying underneath it on the tree skirt and I regularly put back the ornaments they knock off and bat around.

And it snowed!!! We usually get snow on Mr. Diablo and the surrounding hills but this year it snowed in our backyard! Barrett and I woke up the other day and as usual we went to sit and look outside in the window bed in our room. I pulled up the shade and was so surprised to see snowflakes falling. They didn't stick to the ground, but they still fell which was good enough for me. It was nice not to have to go to Tahoe or home to Nebraska to see that. It was short lived, 20 minutes or so, but we saw it.

I always enjoy Christmas, but it is even more special to celebrate Barrett's first Christmas! I know he is too little to really enjoy it yet but he does enjoy the lights on the tree and the colorful presents. I already have a few wrapped for him to tear into on Christmas Eve. And it will be so nice to have Uncle Matt, Auntie Robyn, and Uncle Shane here. It is good to be able to spend the holiday with my family. I don't always get to do that. I'm really lucky this Christmas...I must have been good all year!

Barrett's New 'Car'

I got Barrett's first Christmas present the other day, but it didn't quite make it under the tree. I was too excited. We had played with it a little at the store and he was so memorized and intrigued that I couldn't wait to see him have at it at home. It is a little car dash that plays music and lights up. He really is partial to the steering wheel and the little horn in the middle. He tends to focus his time there. It is a little big for him still. It is supposed to be for 9+ months when they can sit by themselves but Mommy is resourceful and just stacks up pillows for him. No problem, he can reach now.

PS - Don't mind the pants. I figured I should get more than just one use out of this Thanksgiving outfit...he is just lounging around the house, right.

My Jumperoo

Barrett is finally using his jumperoo...properly. We have had him in the jumperoo for about a month now. The first few weeks he was just using it as a chair. He would stuff his hands in his mouth and sink down into the seat and just sit there. I was afraid I had the only baby that didn't like a jumperoo.
All of a sudden two weeks ago he figured out what this is all about...and he likes it. He is a maniac in this thing...jumping up and down, grabbing all the toys, and laughing away. It is so fun to watch him. When Daddy comes home and he is in the jumperoo he goes CRAZY! He sees Jeff and just starts licking his legs so hard and smiling.
You gotta love the jumperoo; it is nice to have a part time babysitter to help me out during the day...

Finally...Some Winetasting

It has been... let's see about 2 years, since Jeff and I have went wine tasting??? It had been awhile since we had gone before I got pregnant and then there is my entire pregnancy and the 5 months Barrett has been with us. It was time!

We met up with Carlos and Melissa and Mimi and Papa Taylor again graciously agreed to babysit the kids for us. Then, on top of that, they cooked dinner for us when we went back to pick them up. We really owe them!

How can you not have a good time wine tasting, really?
It was a gorgeous day in Sonoma and the leaves that were left on the vines were so beautiful.
The wine was great. I don't know if Jeff remembers but he did join a wine club, Imagery. I think what really pushed him over the edge is when they offered to make him a wood fire pizza while we were tasting. That and the horseshoe pit they had outside.
And we always have a good time with Carlos and Melissa. By the end of the day all there is in the car is laughter.
Can't wait to do it again, we will not wait so long for the next time.

Ooops...Sorry Daddy!

Daddy was having a little too much fun with our little bear the other night. He was laying on his back playing 'flying baby' and the baby flying above him decided to drop cargo. Jeff was on his back and got bombed. He barely had time to close his mouth ...eeehhhwww. Then Barrett just looked up at him like, 'what's that stuff, it wasn't there a minute ago...did I do that?' At least Daddy found some humor in it!

Granny

My grandmother Carrie Elaine passed away early Wednesday morning after 96 years of life.

I don't think it has totally sunk in for me yet. I knew she couldn't live forever, even though I would have tried to keep her around that long, but I was not prepared for her to go yet. She was a tenacious old lady. We have had many scares in the past but somehow to everyone's surprise she always pulled through. That's why I am still in shock because when she went into the hospital again this week I assumed she would make another miraculous recovery. I talked to her Tuesday and I had no idea it would be the last time. There is so much more I would have liked to say. She knew though, and she told me she loved me very much, and she loved Jeff, and she said take care of that beautiful baby. I really wanted her to meet Barrett. He really missed out... but I will tell him about her often.

I will tell him how she used to make me the best macaroni and cheese when I was little; that she called us all 'stinkers' when we were ornery; that she always beat us at yahtzee and card games (even though I suspect a little cheating); that at 96 she could still count dominos faster than me; that she always made me laugh with her witty little comments, things you wouldn't expect an ordinary Grandma to say.

I will tell him all about my wonderful grandma, what a kind, gentle, amazing woman she was, and how she loved me unconditionally and how much she loved him too.