Milestone Alert!!!

This just in----Our little guy has rolled over from back to stomach. He is supreme for certain.

19 Weeks!

I just can't take it, people! What a week we have had. As you may know, I started back to work this week, and it sucks. I mean, I love my job, and my colleagues and coworkers, and the patrons, but let me tell you....I love being with my baby more. Way more. Just being honest. Oh well, I am trying to stay positive, so I'll spare the gory details until I can look back at them and laugh. Any idea when that will be?

We tried to buy a car this week also, and we did purchase a 99 Audi wagon. And for 193 miles, Ben was so pleased with the luxury ride. And after those 193 miles, we returned the car. Seems the car dealer lost our cashier's check and wasn't 100% up front about the mechanical issues of the car, so stopped payment on the cashier's check (at dealer's request) and gave the car back (at dealer's suggestion). Sigh. Did I mention that it smelled like leather? It did.

Lucas experienced his first SF street fair in Noe Valley this weekend. The weather was beautiful, and we were on the prowl for a pumpkin photo shoot. Lucas wore his very first pair of jeans so that he could look rugged and farmish. Or just so that he looked so cute you could bite him. You decide. He was also working on his 'Harrison Ford' sideways smile made so famous in those Indiana Jones films. Man, this kid is cute, you better watch out, Harrison Ford!

But seriously, folks, how have 19 weeks gone by so fast? Our little guy used to need us for everything, and now he can grab things with two hands and shove them right into his own mouth. He rocks the bouncy chair. He runs his hand across my chest over and over while he eats, he claps his feet together, he really laughs, he takes a pacifier and puts goes right to sleep with it. Now if he would only sleep between 5:00 and 7:00 am. Please?

On the homeowner front, Ben and I have been doing some yardwork to try to bring the house up to snuff. I have been loving pulling out the junky plants and funky stumps in the yard. It is so liberating. Not so sure that Ben is liking how much I love for him to move huge chunks of concrete and pull up root balls, but he is doing it anyway. I love that. So, we'll be planning a fun new front yard for springtime.

But maybe best of all, I learned that my friend from forever is having twin girls! I can't wait to love those little peanuts!

Oh, and the video!

More photos...

I must stop myself!

Lucas in the Bouncy Chair!

Becky, Matt, and Ruby lent us this great contraption. I know, I know, the seat is too low, I fixed it!
Enjoy our little peanut in this video!
R

Finally Photos!

A few moments in the life.
I am allowed to post photos again.....at last!

18 weeks and then some....

Today was vaccination day. Since I handled the first vaccination with such cool, I thought I should twist Ben's arm and encourage him to come to the appointment to witness firsthand the torture and torment that plaugued our little boy last time. Of course Ben came, and of course the baby hardly cried. I mean, don't get me wrong, I don't want the little guy to be in pain, but seriously, he sure did take it better this time. (So did I, in case you were wondering.)

I had a little shot in the arm myself today. My buddy Moira called this morning to see how my first day back to work went. Poor thing didn't know that I was going to cry for twenty minutes. But I was reminded that no matter how tough you think something is, friends can really lighten the load and help you breath a little bit easier. Thanks, Moi!

I don't know why I have been unable to post pictures, but hopefully it will be fixed soon. By the way, our little guy is 21 pounds and a quarter ounce today!

18 weeks!

Wow, Lucas is now officially 4 months old now. This past week was the big day, and he took it all in stride. We have adjusted back to our lives in CA after the big trip to the East Coast and Spain. He is sleeping for 8 hours at a time, giggling all the time, and an all around happy baby.

On another note, I started work today. I like to call it Black Monday. It actually turned out better than I had hoped for, and that takes into account the huge rain storm that flooded the library and forced us to close. Such a relaxing day back to work. But, the great part of the day is that so many of my people checked in on me to see how I was doing. Don't worry, I was....mature. I didn't even cry. But I can't promise I won't cry. So there. Take that, maturity.

Anyway, back to the good stuff. Our baby boy is growing by leaps and bounds. He proudly sports a size four diaper and a minimum of 9 month clothes. He is just so supreme. He loves to suck on his little swaddles and has FINALLY decided that a pacifier is ok. He only takes it for a few moments in the crib before he drifts off to sleepy town. Yes, that is correct, he can fall asleep on his own, without assistance from my two assistants, if you catch my drift.

Dreamy.

Enjoy these photos, the video isn't cooperating with me, but I'll post again soon.

17 Weeks! Did you think I forgot?!?!

Hi all! I am still camped out at Aunt Paula's and don't know if I will ever really leave. We sure miss Ben and Panda back at home and are heading out this evening for the final leg of our journey. More details later, but wanted to give you this video treat. Grandpop and Lucas!!!! Love to all!
Rachel

Madrid!

Eat your heart out! Watch this video.

16 Weeks!!!!

Lucas at church.
Saint Paula at church.
Lucas really wishing he were sucking on something else in the taxi.
Aww. Look at us!



Holy Tortilla Espanola! How is this possible?!?!? What a great week Lucas has been having. First, Aunt Marie came out to visit. And if that weren't enough excitement, Aunt Marie, Lucas, and I got on the plane and made our way to Philadelphia. There we stayed at Grandmom and Grandpop's house and got to see so many people: Aunt Paula, Uncle Albert, Leslie, Lisa, Emily, Zachary, Aunt Helen, Uncle Wayne, Aunt Donna, Annamarie, Gabby, Uncle Carmen, Lenora, Aunt Susie, Caitlyn, and Mom and Dad, and man, was it fun! The flight was great, which gave me hope for the next leg of the journey....to MADRID! Aunt Paula and I took Lucas across the big pond and so far so great. He did a great job on the plane, and we are having such fun. We already went to church, see how fun we are?
We've already strolled around our neighborhood, and tomorrow we will head further afield. We've got internet, so feel free to skype or email. How would we survive without the internet?
Lucas is desperately missing his dad and Aunt Lainey, that is for sure. Here are some photos, and a video of Grandmom with Lucas and Aunt Marie with Lucas.