We love Uncle Nooch!

Bubba's latest prize from Nooch. We always get excited we get a package from Paul. B has received some really cool gifts from him including a personalized Louisville slugger bat, a Star Wars ship and the Totoro movie!

The latest is this blue, plastic Tick doll and DVD. How randomly wonderful! Thanks, friend. You are by far the best gift-giver I'll ever know.

My Little Boob-Tube

What on earth can entrance a 2 year old like this? It can only be one thing: Finding Nemo!



1st it was CARS
Now it's NEMO
What next?

Kevin worries that B might have A.D.D. because he's so all-over-the-place when we go out in public. But I assure him that kids with A.D.D. do not sit thru an entire hour & 1/2 movie. On our lap no less.

That's another thing, I love that Bubba sits on our laps. He's such a sweet baby. This morning I reached my arm in front of him and he leaned over and kissed my arm. Can you imagine?! So precious.

My First Gig!

Hey! Did I mention yet that I had my first photography gig?! I did! For a local real estate team: The Zia Group in Santa Barbara. It was so much fun. Of course they're all so great looking that it made it a super easy shoot but I must say, I did a pretty good job. Thankyouverymuch.

Edited: 100% of my earnings went to support our friends Matt & Heather Richter

Brody Bday!

Some of my favorite crafty bloggers always show pictures of their kids' birthday party supplies and favors so I'll follow suit and share the details of Brody's 2nd Bday Party!

We had the party at Chase Palm Park so the kids could enjoy the Santa Barbara Easter Egg Hunt. We have been practicing 'egg hunts' for a couple of months now so Brody got it right away! He took off and collected a ton of eggs and consumed a ton of chocolate. He even shared some eggs with other children. Very sweet!

Then we and the other 25,000 SB children who were participating in the hunt headed off for the play ground. It was a bit manic but the kids were having a blast and that's really what it's all about right?
Kevin set off for the carousel park to set up for the party. All 25,000 kids were headed to the merry-go-round about that time too but fortunately, they got right in line and didn't take over the lawn area where we were.

We bought this really rad bubble machine (the green thing in the pic below) at Coscto a couple of weeks ago and it was a HUGE hit! We had no idea! We hung out on the lawn, played with bubbles, ate food, opened a present or two and just enjoyed being around friends and other babies. It was great!

After lunch, cake and bubble-enjoying we all headed to the carousel for a whirl. By this time the line was gone and we were the only ones on it! Most of the kids loved it and the pictures came out great! The party bags (hand crafted by Rah Rah) included a money egg for the carousel plus some candy, a toy, bubbles, and play-do.

At first I was thinking, "Man. Who's idea was it to have a morning birthday party!?" but afterward I couldn't be more pleased. It was bit crazy but then it was nap time and we had the whole rest of the day still. All-in-all, a great day and a great celebration.

Brody loved playing and hunting and eating too many sweet treats all in one day! He also loved having so much of his family here. Thanks to Grandmama, Mor Mor and Papa, and the Mathi3 for making the journey. And to our dear friends the Wolds and the Hulseys for making the drive. We love you all so much and wish we had more time with you.

Happy Birthday, Bubba. You are such a prince and a such a joy to know. This year is going to be great!

Reflections

My Baby Boy is turning 2. How can that be? Weren't you just born!? When I see women from my PEP group with 2 year olds I always have to sort of stop myself from saying, "How can your baby be walking already?!" or something insane like that. Because in my mind, their baby is still a newborn! In my mind, my baby is still a newborn too. But he's not. He is a full-on two year old. Mr. Independent (commonly heard phrase: "Buhdoit" translated "Bubba Do It"). He throws tantrums - tho usually pretty short lived. He's becoming more cautious with his tantrums. Now instead of sitting down and throwing himself backwards and screaming from the pain and shock of smacking his head on a hard surface, he gently sits down and takes a few seconds to lie down on the floor....and then screams for a few minutes in protest. So silly. He talks constantly and usually in the first-person! Some popular phrases these days include: "Bubba open shut it"; "Bubba push Gabe"; "Dada at work in Hank" [Hank is Kevin's truck]; "Turn it down!" [to the passing by teenagers who turn their base all the way up...no idea where on earth he got that. Ehhem.] and something with the word 'dude' in it? He's been saying it a lot lately and the only thing I can think of is maybe he's saying a line from Finding Nemo. You know the surfer sea turtle? We love that part.

I could go on and on. For now, a quick list of my favorite things about Brody:
* his feet
* his voice
* spontaneous kisses and 'i love yous'
* his cheeks (both sets)
* when he says "hi" to any passer byers
* his run
* when he says "Bubba kared" [Bubba scared] b/c he is playing "boo" with someone
* when he plays hide and seek
* his laugh

Oh there are so many...maybe I'll add to this one or I'll keep posting new ones. Man, that kid. I just love him.