Soon!!!!

Eric will be home SO soon. Due to OPSEC (Operations Security) I won't say the exact day, but soon!!! This morning, I went shopping with my little BFF (Carissa, duh!) and bought a new outift to wear when he comes home. I was getting so giddy. I'm like a schoolgirl! When I sit back and think about it, it is SUCH an amazing feeling. Usually the "butterflies" fade within months of dating. But, military spouses are lucky. We get to feel the butterflies a lot. After he is in the field for a week or month, when he gets back from deployment...it's remembering those beginning feelings all over again. When seeing him is the only thing you can think of. When he reaches across the front seat of the car on the way home from the 'Homecoming' and grabs my hand...Swoon!! I suppose I love him a little bit.

I am super excited for the kids to see him again. Carissa has grown so much, and Robert is such a big kid now! Eric is going to get such a kick out of them. Carissa walks around saying "hi dad, hi dad." I wonder what she will say when she actually sees him?!?! And Robert...well, there is only so much a Mom can do. He is getting older and needs his Dad more. I don't speak "football." Eric does.

Pictures and lots of excitement to come within the next week!! Check back!

03/24/2011        the day he left...

Carissa is ONE!!!

Yesterday our sweet baby girl turned ONE! I can not believe how quickly the past year has gone. It feels like just yesterday she entered the world. 9lbs, 2oz and 22inches long.

The moment I saw her, my heart tripled in size. She was here! And she had red hair!!! Throughout the past year, she has grown into a beautiful, funny little girl. She has her brother wrapped around her finger...and I suppose she has from Day 1!

AND her Daddy! I can just imagine the years of anxiety our sweet girl is going to give Eric!

Dear Carissa,
Happy Birthday pumpkin!! From the day I found out I was pregnant, I could just tell that you were a girl. I could FEEL it. And when the ultrasound confirmed what I already knew, I felt like I could explode with happiness. I was having a GIRL! I dreamt about meeting you. When I held you for the first time, I looked into your eyes and promised you that we would be best friends forever. And we are! Oh Carissa, I love nothing more than playing with you. You love to shop, to dress up...you love pretty things, and attention from anyone you meet. You love your brother "bob" and your puppy "bow bow." You blow kisses and give hugs. You have filled my heart with so much joy. The love between a mother and daughter is indescribable. I am your biggest fan, and I promise I always will be. You are going to grow up to be such a smart, beautiful girl...and I know that you will always stay as sweet as can be. Mommy and Daddy are so incredibly blessed to be your parents. Thank you for choosing us as your family. I love you princess C!

to the moon and back,
Mommy

Happy 6th Birthday to Robert

My baby boy isn't a baby anymore. Today he turned six! SIX! I remember bringing him home from the hospital like it was yesterday. I remember having him like it was yesterday. Every year, I tell him my labor story. I obviously leave out all of the grossness that labor and delivery brings, but I start at the night before, and the excitement Eric and I felt, heading to the hospital. I always tell him that I asked Eric to run into Wawa and grab me bubble gum and mints. And Eric walked out of the store with bubblemint gum, because he was in such a rush! I tell Robert about the nurses, and how Eric fell asleep when I had my pitocin drip started. And I always get a giggle out of the fact that he swallowed a bit of meconium. "Ewww! I ate poo??" Yes, sweetheart, you did.

My entire life changed for the better that day. My world made sense. My heart grew bigger than I knew it could. I was in love...and still am.

Dear Robert,
Happy Birthday, buddy! I can not believe that you are six years old already! Thank you for making Mommy smile everyday. From the moment I found out you were in my belly, I talked to you, I dreamed of you. We have been through a lot together, you and I. It was just us for awhile through two deployments and endless schools and training that Daddy did. But, with you by my side, it was hard for me to ever feel lonely. Your smile always lifted me up...made me laugh when I wanted to cry. You have always been more than a child to me, you have been my best friend. I enjoy nothing more than watching a movie with you, taking walks with you, and just talking together. You are so smart, so kind to your friends. You are a wonderful big brother to Carissa. Nothing makes her happier, than when she plays with her "Bob."
Mommy and Daddy love you very, very much. We are so blessed to be your parents. Thank you for picking us! Happy Birthday, sweetheart.

moon and back,
Mommy

thoughts throughout the week(s)

I think it is safe to say that I am officially a terrible blogger. I forget about it all of the time. And for some reason, I feel like I can only blog at night. Not the case. I am pretty sure I could blog in the morning and the world wouldn't end. With that being said, let me catch you up...

1.    Robert started First Grade!!!!

So far, he loves it. He really enjoys school. He comes home everyday with new stories to tell me. I hope that never changes.

2.    Eric will be home in ONE month! WooHoo! I can not believe how fast the past six months have gone. It's crazy. I can't wait for him to see the kids. They have grown so much. They miss their daddy, and I miss my best friend!

3.    Robert will be 6 years old on Tuesday. Carissa will be one in two weeks. I will be 28 in a week. EEK!

4.    Have you ever seen a more beautiful baby??

5.    I decorated for fall. This is our Scarecrow Family.

6.    I have been shopping for fall and winter clothes for Carissa. o.m.g. It is SO fun. Winter clothes for a soon to be 1 year old may just be the cutest things ever. You know what Winter means? Uggs. Carissa in Uggs. 'Nuff said.

7.    The best photographer on Earth is taking "Cake Smash" pics next week for Carissa's first birthday pictures. This is her hair flair for the shoot.

She's a fancy little girl...what can I say?

8.    Robert is still LOVING football. He'll be bummed when it's over


So, that's about all that is happening. I promise to get better at the blogging. (I say that in every post, don't I?)

Labor Day weekend

Holiday weekends are SO much fun. I used to dread them when Eric was gone, but I'm so over that. I need to make them fun for the kids...and me, too! So, this weekend has been great so far. Yesterday was pretty low-key. Football game in the morning. (Don't ask, Robert is NOT happy...26-0, the other team. Shhhh! Don't tell him I told you!!) And then we went to the pool in the afternoon. Last night, I let Robert stay up late to wait for Eric to call, so we made this concoction.

It was caramelized bananas, almond slivers and chocolate chips inside a puff pastry shell. omg. Delicious. As you can see, they didn't last long.

Today, we went to the beach in the morning! It was great. Sunny, blue skies, high waves. The kids had a blast playing in the sand and the water. Carissa ate some sand. A seagull ate Roberts lunchable...good times had by all.

This afternoon, we ventured out once again...this time to Mission Trails Regional Park. It is about three minutes from our house, and beautiful. We did an easy hike.

And the BIGGEST news of all today....

Carissa Grace is 11 months old!!!

Our sweet baby is now FULLY walking...saying a bunch of words "mama, dada, bob, duck, hi," signing "milk" "all done" and "eat," still nursing, but eating three full meals a day as well as snacks. Her favorite foods right now are watermelon, broccoli and ground turkey. I can not believe that she will be a year old next month. Where has the time gone?

Robert starts first grade on Tuesday. Tomorrow is Labor Day. We are hoping to relax and spend our last day of summer vacation having fun! Maybe back to the beach??

Look out for a special 'First Day of School' post on Tuesday!!!



thoughts throughout the week

What a week it has been already...and it's only Tuesday. Here are some of last week and this weeks happenings..

1.    Robert is loving football. He practices hard and crashes even harder! The Cougars won their first game 26-0 and lost their second 12-6. The second game was lost in the last TWO seconds. Such a bummer for the boys. But, they looked great and had fun...and really, that's all that matters.

2.    School starts next week. This has been the quickest summer of my life. Poor Robert barely had a summer. Between VBS and then football practice and karate, he hasn't had an actual day off. Besides the weekends. Crazy.

3.    I am in love. Yes, of course with my husband. And kids. And dog. But I have found a new love as well...Pinterest. OMG. So addictive. But, way better than playing cheesy games. I am not a game player. But I LOVE pinboards. This is right up my alley.

4.    I haven't been sleeping well. At all. I lay awake and just think and think. I hate it. I need sleep. I've been making an afternoon pot of coffee to get through the day. Oh well, this shall pass.

5.    I'm ready for October. Ready for cooler weather, for pumpkin flavored things...but most of all, I am ready for Eric to come home. I miss him. I LOVE fall. I am going all out this year. I love to decorate the house in pumpkins and berries and scarecrows.

Here's hoping for a good week...and some sleep!

watch out world...she's on the move!!

Carissa walks!! She has been taking a few steps here and there for the past two weeks, but yesterday she seemed to have got it down. She still likes to crawl, and be carried, but she knows what she is doing. I think she'll walk when she feels like it, crawl when she doesn't. Obviously, I am beyond proud of her. I sent videos to Eric, who is also very proud of our little girl. I can't wait until he gets home so that C can show off her skills!

Here she goes...

Six years...

It's been 6 years since I married my best friend. I thought about what to write here, on our Anniversary...I think that this sums it up. (these are my vows to Eric on our Wedding Day!)


I, Melissa, take you, Eric as my best friend for life...

All I know of love begins and ends with you...

With you, I have found someone that I always like to be with, no matter what we do.

With you, I have discovered how much it means to be able to share hopes and dreams, good times and bad times.

With you, I have found warmth, understanding, and a depth of caring that has touched my heart.

With you, I have found not only the love of my lifetime, but also my very best friend.

You have changed my life in so many ways. Without you, I would not be the person that I am today. You have showed me the true meaning of love. Before you, I never knew that feelings like this were real. From the moment on the beach, I knew that you were the man that I was going to marry. I realized that I didn't want to waste another minute of my life without you in it. I was, and still am, willing to go anywhere or do anything in order to stay by your side for the rest of my life. Since that day, we have both grown and changed in so many different ways. We have loved, and also lost, and I do believe that it has made our relationship stronger by the day. We now have something else to look foward to, the arrival of our son, Robert Joseph. There is no doubt in my mind that you will make an amazing father. You have so much love inside of you, that I do believe he is already the luckiest little boy in the world. I know that we are ready to accept this challenge and face it head on. Whatever life throws our way, we will be able to handle, because we have eachother. You have made me not only the happiest, but the luckiest woman on Earth. I do not know where I would be without you. We are now beginning the journey of marriage. I can not wait to spend the rest of my life with you, the man that I love, the father of our son, and also my very best friend. I know that I have everything that anyone could ever want...Someone who shares the same values, shares the same dreams..Someone who understands the parts of me that other people don't even know exist. I have found the most amazing man in the world, and I promise to love and respect you for the rest of our lives.

I promise to share everything with you, to talk about our ideas, our dreams, the little everyday things that make us laugh, and the not so little things that we can't help worrying about.

I promise to give you my love as a place you can always come to for acceptance or the simple comfort that silence brings when things left unspoken can still be understood. But most of all, I promise to love you for the rest of my life, to wake up every morning with you by my side, knowing that no matter what happens we will be able to come home to each others loving arms.

I promise to grow old with you, to watch our life unfold, and our dreams, one by one come true...

I promise to love you forever...this is my solemn vow.

Happy Anniversary, Eric. I love you.

#72

Robert got his Football Jersey tonight! He has Erics old number...72!! He is so excited. His coach did a little ceremony to hand them out. All of the kids were really excited. Coach also asked me tonight how old Robert is...when I answered that he is still 5, he said "that's insane, he talks like he's 30." Pssshhhh. Tell me about it.

thoughts throughout the week

I am slacking at this blogger thing. I'm not very good at it. I sit down every night to write Eric an email, and when I am through, I don't really feel like writing more. Oh well. Onto my mid-week random thoughts...

1.    I don't know if I have said this yet, but Carissa has THREE teeth. She is now also taking up to SIX steps. Where is the time going?

2.    I saw a Basset Hound puppy the other day. I fell in love. I want one. Now.
                                         

3.    Robert had his first scrimmage tonight at football. They played against the other Cougar flag team. It was awesome. I didn't realize that I would be "that Mom." But, lo and behold, I can scream motivating things with the best of them! Here's a video of their post scrimmage "Cougar Jacks"...probably a little grainy.

4.    I miss my Mom. It was so so so nice to have her here for three whole weeks. If you complain about your parents, or take advantage of them, STOP. You don't know how lucky you are. I so wish my mom lived around the corner...to watch my kids grow up, to be there to talk to...(and my Dad...I love you too, Frank!)

5.    Yes, I call my Dad Frank. No, he is not my Step-Dad, either. My parents have been married almost 29 years. I call my Mom, Mom and my Dad, Frank. I need to stop. It's terrible. Eric tells me all of the time to stop, but come on...I've been calling him by his first name since I was a kid. How terribly disrespectful. Sorry Frank Dad!

6.    I found this in Eric's CD collection. Ummm, babe...When were you jamming out to "Barbie Girl?"

7.    In three days I will have been married to my best friend for six years. I will for sure blog about that on Saturday!

Hope you are all having a splendid week! (haha, the word *splendid* reminds me of my brother, Rob...and Mr. Gassner, my 8th Grade French teacher...and the amazing impression that Rob did of Mr Gassner that used to land him in detention...ahhhh, the memories!)

three...no! four steps!!!

I feel like I have fallen off the face of the blog-Earth.

Sorry.

CARISSA WALKED.

Okay, she took a few steps. Maybe she isn't "walking." buuuuut, she sure is trying! She stands and claps. She LOVES to clap. Today, she decided to take a step towards me...and then another...and another! Three steps! And then another! FOUR steps!!!!

Wow. I was impressed. And then I cried. Ohhhh, I was sad. I am so proud of her. I really, really am. But, she waaaaalked. That makes her not so much of a baby. And that makes me sad. Robert started walking three days before he turned seven months. That is YOUNG. But, with him, my first born, I was so so excited! I couldn't wait for him to meet milestones. Now, with Carissa, I want everything to go slower.

I love watching my children grow. They amaze me everyday.

world breastfeeding week

Some of you may know that I breastfeed Carissa. You may also know that I did not breastfeed Robert. I can try every excuse in the book as to why I didn't with Robert. It hurt, he wasn't latching, he didn't get it, blah blah blah. Truth be told, it was hard and I gave up. I pumped...kinda, for about three weeks. That was that. I always felt a pang of guilt, giving Robert formula. I am in no way preaching, saying that formula is "bad" but I always kind of felt like crap giving him a bottle in public. I'm weird.

Then came Carissa...oh my sweet, sweet girl. I told myself and Eric from the beginning that I was going to breastfeed her. I think Eric just went along with me, thinking, 'suuuuuure you will.' While I was pregnant, I bought nursing bras, a breastpump, nursing tanks. What I did NOT buy were bottles. OR formula.

The evening that Carissa made her way into the world is one that I will never forget. I will one day post my birth story, but for now all I can say is that when she was finally brought to me to cuddle, I put her to my breast and OMG, she did it. She latched on! She was a pro from the start!

I have friends and know many people that have had so much trouble with breastfeeding. With Mastitis, or tounge tie, with family members not agreeing with their decision...and they keep going. It makes me sad that I didn't try harder with Robert, but SO proud that Carissa will be TEN months old tomorrow and we are still going strong. I like to say that Carissa taught me what to do. I was clueless. She was a natural.

I won't post any pictures of myself actually feeding her, but I will say that it is such a beautiful bonding experience. From the very beginning, she would look up and me with her big blue eyes, and I would know that she knew who I was. Who I am. Her mom. I am doing the most natural, wonderful thing for my child and I love every minute of it.

I will probably wean her within the next five-six months, and that's okay. I never planned to nurse a four year old! So, with this week being world breastfeeding week I figured I would share my story.

first football practice

Today was Roberts first day of football practice!

Enjoy these videos of practice!

I sat there watching him, just thinking how about the years to come and how much fun we are going to have. He has not been able to stop talking about practice since we got home! I am so excited for him.

thoughts throughout the week

I wanted to post my random thoughts on Wednesdays. I forgot. So, here we are!

1.    Robert is doing VBS this year at his old preschool. He loves it. They have a theme everyday. Crazy hair, crazy hat, crazy sunglasses... Today Robert won crazy sunglasses. He was so excited!

2.    My mom has been here for a week and a half. She has another week and a half to go. I hope it drags. I never want her to leave! (but, my dad may miss her if she stays!!)

3.    Carissa got her SECOND tooth yesterday. It broke through much easier than the first. Thank goodness.

4.    Our wonderful neighbors, Sharon and Dave are moving tomorrow. We are going to miss them so much. The kids played all afternoon. I am so thankful that we have had such wonderful luck with our neighbors. Here is a pic of Eric, Brian and Dave from a driveway dinner about a year and a half ago!!

Hilarious, right?

5.    Carissa climbed two flights of steps today. Time to put up the baby gates.

6.    I need glasses. I went to the eye doctor the other day and he confirmed what I already knew. My left eye is my bum eye. I'll really just need them for driving, reading, watching TV and playing on the computer. Now, to find some frames that don't make me look like a total dork.

7.    Eric and I have been talking a lot about whether or not to stay in CA or move back East. We were thinking Quantico. I think we made up our minds, though.
In the words of Katy Perry...
"you can travel the world, but nothing comes close to the Golden Coast..."
We may still move, but it would just be up to Camp Pendleton. A lot to think about, I will keep you updated :)

That's all for today. Looking foward to a fun, relaxing weekend!

never, ever again...

The Fish Bucket

We love(d) this place. Taco Tuesday with 99 cent fish tacos and $2 beer. They had me at hello....

Until tonight.

The owner, this smug little man, refused to leave the salsa off of my mom and Roberts tacos. Are you kidding me? This place is not fine dining. I didn't ask him to leave off the black truffle reduction...that MAKES the meal. This is a taco. A 99 cent taco.

We have been patroning The Fish Bucket for about seven months. The tacos are seriously delicious. The customer service, not so much. I realized that the owner was a douche the first time we went, but we kept going because the atmosphere is fun and you can't beat good, cheap eats! I have asked them to not put the salsa on Roberts tacos before. It has never been a problem. This evening,we went to the Fish Bucket and I ordered a few regular Fish Tacos, and asked for TWO tacos to be without the tomato salsa. The owner, a smug, unfriendly man, said to me "You can't do that. It comes with everything." I replied that it has not been an issue before and that we were just there a few weeks ago. He said "yeah, well things have changed. You can't pick and choose how you want things. You'll get what you get."

So, I picked up my purse, gathered my family and have vowed never to go back. No matter how good your tacos are, little man.

So, I did what any sane person would do. I hightailed it home and gave The Fish Bucket HORRIBLE reviews on Yelp, Urban Spoon, yellowpages.com and google reviews.

Don't mess with me, little man. I have a sharp tounge and have no problem whatsoever letting everyone I meet know that you are a douche and that your customer service is horrendous.



Hope everyone else is having a good day! Glad I got that out!!!

Christmas in July!

Merry Christmas!!!

Okay...I know it's only "Christmas in July," but it's just so FUN. When I was a kid, we used to go to the Poconos in the summer. My uncles had a house there. One summer, we decided to celebrate Christmas in July. I remember my uncles decorating, and my parents taking us kids to Jim Thorpe (the small town there) to pick out small gifts for one another. It is such a distinct memory that I have, as are all memories from our times in the Poconos. I remember what the house smelled like, Coppertone SPF 30. And everytime I smell that sunscreen, it brings me back to that place...and puts a smile on my face.

Anyway, we celebrated on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday consisted of baking cookies, listening to Dolly & Kenny's "Once Upon a Christmas," watching Christmas movies and reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Oh, and making Pumpkin Pie Martinis!

Doesn't my Mom look happy?

After the fun preperations, we set out cookies and milk...*just in case.*

Whoa! Holy Flash, Batman!

Lo and behold...Santa made his way to San Diego. Also, along for the ride, bearing a note from the Big Guy, was Jingles. He is our Christmas Elf! The kids opened small gifts and we made cinnamon buns for breakfast, as we do every Christmas morning! We enjoyed hot chocolate and made a ham. It was a wonderful Christmas...in July.

The best part...celebrating the *holiday* with my Mom!

"special Mommy day"``

I was woken up this morning by a smiling Robert. He told me to stay in bed while he went to wake up Grandma. Usually, I would have said no, but my Mom alerted me that he would be asking. I knew something was up! About 15 minutes later, there was a knock on my bedroom door. Robert came in, arms full of flowers! A half dozen red roses and a bunch of sunflowers! One from him, one from Carissa. Next, my mom came in, carrying a tray of breakfast. My very first breakfast in bed!!! Scrambled egg whites and turkey bacon never tasted so good!

My mom told me that the day she got here, Robert asked her for help to plan a "Special Mommy Day." He asked my mom to take him to get flowers, to help him make breakfast and to make my day very special! According to my mom, Robert said that I "deserve it." How sweet is that???

It was a great day...extra special! Tonight is our Christmas Eve in July! More about that tomorrow!!

Roberts last day of Kindergarten...

My little boy is officially finished Kindergarten. It seems like yesterday that he started. What a day that was. I was nine months pregnant and very emotional. I took him up to school and got him in line. He wouldn't look at me as I stood there. I could see the tears in his eyes. I am thankful he was trying so hard to be strong and not look my way...because if he did, he would have seen the tears welled up in my eyes as well. Here is a picture from his first day of Kindergarten.

                                          How cute is he? The backpack was bigger than him!
Here is a picture from today

                                                                Look how big he got!
Robert has had SUCH an exciting year. There have been so many changes in his life. He started Kindergarten, then turned five...two short weeks later he became a big brother! Eric deployed, and Robert took over the roll of "man of the house." He looks after me and Carissa, always so helpful and loving. It has been a great year, full of changes and excitement.

My mom and I have been planning a fun day for Roberts last day. We went shopping the other day to buy a couple of small 'end of the school year' gifts. We went to Party City today to get balloons for him as well. His school doesn't do a big Kindergarten Graduation, so I wanted to make sure that it was special for him. I asked his teacher this morning if I could bring popsicles for the class at the end of the day...so my Mom and I went up to school early and handed out popsicles to his class. At the end of the day, Robert was very quiet, seeming sad. He gave his teacher a hug, and it happened again...The tears. Quietly, he cried as she hugged him...and quietly I cried along with him. My little boy is growing up.

Eric called before school let out and I told him that it would be great if he could call back to talk to Robert when he finished school. We came home and Eric called a bit later. We only spoke with him for a few minutes. When Robert handed me the phone, Eric already had to go. He had waited yet ANOTHER 45 minutes in the phone line, just to Congratulate Robert. He is a wonderful father, and Robert is a wonderful boy.

We finished the celebrations by having dinner at Olive Garden. Roberts choice. Here are some pictures from today.

I took some cute pictures of Robert and his friends at school, but I won't post them. I don't feel comfortable posting pictures of other peoples kids on a public blog.

Robert, if you ever read this one day, I want you to know how very proud of you I am. Everyday you amaze me with your knowledge of different animals, your kindness to your friends. You have grown so much in the past year. You have went from a little boy to a big kid. I love that you still like to cuddle, you still give the best hugs... I know that you will do wonderful in First Grade. I am so lucky to be your mom. I love you munchkin.
xoxo
Mommy


ps...Robert got all 'Advanced' and a few 'Proficient' on his Report Card. so darn proud!

thoughts throughout the week

I thought it may be neat if on Wednesdays I just blogged about random things...whatever comes to mind, or things going on...

1.    Del Mar racetrack had their opening day today. I want to go next year. I would love for Eric and I to dress up and enjoy a day at the races. Neither of us bet, but the dressing up would be fun. I want a hat like this. But black and white. That would be hot.



2.    Tonorrow is Roberts last day of Kindergarten. That officially makes me feel old. And sad.

3.    I have lived in this house for two years and JUST learned how to work my alarm system yesterday. Bad guys beware, this thing is SCARY.

4.    My neighbor, Heather, from Earhart Photography, took some great candid pictures of the kids on 4th of July. She posted them today.

5.    Robert had an 'end of the year' party today at school. It was un-organized and kind of dumb. But he enjoyed himself, and his cupcake.

6.    My mom is getting to be a lot of fun as she ages. She has partaken in Happy Hour two nights in a row. One Baybreeze and Marie is giddy all night. I love her.

7.    I love this kid.

8.    And this one.

I am very, very blessed.

she's here!

Today is a great day! My Mom flew in from Philadelphia and is staying with us for 22 days! I am thrilled. Robert woke up this morning so excited. I got him out of school early to head to the airport to pick her up! Carissa took right to her, smiling and even let Grandma hold her! (and if you know Carissa, you know that she is a serious girl...my pretty baby doesn't like just anyone!) Looking foward to the next few weeks!

See the difference since the last time she was here...Carissa has grown a bit, don't you think??

I'll keep ya'll (yes, I said ya'll) updated as her trip goes on! Yay!

one day until the grandma arrives!

We slept past 5:30am today. It felt fantastic. I was so happy with the kids for "sleeping in" that I spiced up their usual Sunday morning pancakes. Strawberry shortcake pancakes.

If you were wondering...Robert ate five of them. Carissa had one. Sadly, I do not indulge in carbs at 6am.

Today was pretty relaxing. We're getting excited for my Mom to come out TOMORROW! Yay! She will be here for three weeks. Robert is thrilled, as am I! She hasn't seen Carissa since she was 8 weeks old. So I guess you could say she has changed a bit! I am looking foward to some much needed mother/daughter time, as well as playing with the kids and relaxing!

Carissa got some new BabyLegs the other day. Here she is with Robert, modeling them! I LOVE BabyLegs. They aren't just for girls, either. AND they can be worn on arms, as well. I am going to order Robert some for the Fall. For those crisp San Diego mornings, when you don't need a jacket or long sleeves because you'll be too hot by the end of the day!

Oh, and Carissa has been on a "dad" kick today. Crawling around, yelling it out. She also had a lot to say at Target this afternoon.

I am so excited for tomorrow! Safe travels, Mom! See you tomorrow!!