Sunday, November 30, 2008

Zoolights Pic




I didn't take any good pics of the event, so I found a few online of this years Zoolights.




Saturday, November 29, 2008

Zoolights





Well, we started a new family tradition. Josh, Gabriel and I joined his family at PDZA's Zoolights. Even though it was a chilly night, we all managed to stay warm with a thermos of hot chocolate and a jacket on the boy (courtesy of mommy's Black Friday shopping). It was so beautiful. We read in the paper that there was over 100,000 lights that lit up the park. They had amazing displays, varying from trees with lights and birds catching prey in a sequential event. There was even a monkey that swung across the top of one of the roofs. Too many light displays to mention. Gabriel was taking it all in, completely exhausted from the days events. He woke up at went shopping with me in the morning, and then was bundled up and loaded onto daddy's back for Zoolights. He was so warm and cozy that it was the brightness of the lights and the loud conversations that kept him awake. He even tried to catch a little shut eye while riding the carousel with daddy.


Definitely a family tradition worth repeating.

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving, we went to my mother's for dinner. Josh, Gabriel and I brought small cheesecake cupcakes and a chocolate pie. There was ham and mashed potatoes and corn, rolls, gravy and (of course) turkey. We ate more than we should have and felt the results after. Gabriel had a little mashed potatoes and some gravy. Then daddy took him into the bedroom so he could take his afternoon nap.

Question is, who's nap was it?

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Quick Update

Ok... the house I put on this site as our "dream home" did have flaws that we recently found out about. First, the location is far for Josh's work. Second, it's at the top of a steep hill. And third, it's the first house on this hill which gets lots of water from the other homes. As a result, there is a ditch dug in the yard (neighbors got permission from the previous owners) to use as a drain. The neighbors apparently have a huge draining problem and their water and what not goes to the property we were looking at. Uh, no thank you.

Also, as the thanksgiving weekend approaches, we are preparing to have a lot of family visiting at my mom's and spending time with Josh's dad and step mom. They will have his two little sisters too, which Josh is eager to see. And now Gabriel isn't just laying around, so I think he'll be more fun for them. :)

As for the fam, Josh had a fight with a tile at work and lost, resulting in three stitches on his elbow. Gabriel allowed another tooth to join his curiously cute smile (top right lateral incisor). Now we just need the top left front tooth to fill in the gap. :) And I am preparing for "black friday" and a crazy weekend.

Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Daddy's Night

Josh and I alternate puttting Gabriel down for bed. I make sure he is all fed and ready, and then we read him a bedtime story. Last night was Josh's turn. I left to the store, while Josh was rocking and calming Gabriel down for bed. He's usually really hyper from playing and roughhousing with daddy, so he's gotta calm down before we put him in his crib for bed. When I got back from the store, Josh was irritated like someone had just cut him off in traffic and Gabriel was crying behind a closed bedroom door. I asked Josh what happened and is everything was ok. He said that Gabriel had gone to the bathroom while he was rocking him. He didn't want to put him down with a dirty diaper, so he went to change him. As he took off the dirty diaper, Gabriel rolled over (always does that for Josh) and got his leg in the mess. Then he stood up and got it all over himself. Josh had to grab the dirty diaper and remove it before a bigger mess occured (if that's possible). By the time Josh was done, he had poop on Gabriel, on himself, and on the floor. I couldn't stop laughing. I know, I shouldn't have. But it was hilarious. I went into Gabriel's room, cleaned up a little (cause Josh just "josh cleaned") and put Gabriel to sleep after calming him myself. I think Josh will take me up on my advice and give Gabriel a distraction toy while changing him.

Ever since the little guy became mobile, It's hard to get him to sit still. At least this happened on Daddy's night. :)

Monday, November 24, 2008

Finding Our Dream Home

Well, we did it. We found our dream home. Only it's about ten miles further for Josh to drive. Seeing as how he commutes already an unpleasant fourty four miles, adding another ten just doesn't seem right. Location, Location, Location. As much as this home was perfect for us (large lot, three bedroom, three bath, fully fenced large yard, end of a cul de sac-so limited traffic, new paint and roof, beautiful layout, and in our price range), I think we will have to RELUCTANTLY decline an offer on it.

:( House Hunting Sucks.

Scouting Out and Finding Gold

Josh and I went to the Super Mall in Auburn a few days ago. We were just holiday window shopping. No money to spend, just looking for future purchases on the dreaded "Black Friday". We found a great winter coat for the boy, Josh found an unnecessary sweater (our closet is full with at least twenty, and there is only two of us), and I found a lot of cute outfits for the boy too. There wasn't anything I really needed, so I wasn't really looking for myself. Gabriel is growing so fast that we are going to have to buy him at least four or five outfits. After three hours of walking around the mall and looking at all the stores that peaked our interest, we left to go home with an exhausted son and mentally drained parents. This Friday is going to be crazy. Mall opens at 7am and somehow Josh got out of going (not sure how he worked that one out). Wish me luck! There are a lot of crazed holiday shoppers, and I gotta go on the offense to get the scouted out goods.

...who can I bring as my defense?

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Still Looking

Well, for the third time, Josh and I were outbid for another home. It's ok. Just wasn't the one we were suppose to get. Plus, all three times, the homeowners were offered more than asked without paying closing costs. Please. These homes are technically abandoned as a result of the housing market, and they need work. We were not going to give them more than it was worth and say, "Hey, we'll pay the closing costs too." We go and look at another home tomorrow. Wish us luck.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

House Hunting Part 2

I wrote before about the disaster that was house hunting part 1. Well, Josh and I have made a few offers and are looking at home in BonneyLake Wa. It's on a good size lot and is extremely underpriced because of the previous tenants up and leaving it as is. So.. we would have to do some TLC to it, but Josh seems eager to take on this task. I'm a little apprehensive, and let me explain why.

First off, it's a major financial purchase. That in and of itself has someone like me completely worried that we will get into a huge problem with a home that we can't afford to fix (or just can't afford). Second, It has disgusting floors. Josh thinks that we'll keep the hard wood flooring in the livingroom... uh no. It has a brick fireplace that is screaming to be falled onto by a little boy running around in socks on a slick floor. I think not. Third, and lastly, small fixes add up. Not that it wouldn't be worth the cost and time. I'm just not comfortable with all the small fixes as a whole.

I see a task at its entirety. Josh looks at it in pieces. I think that's where we tend to disagree. But, all in all, running numbers and looking at location, lot, and overall maintence needed, this home is well worth it.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Crazy Toofers


Gabriel got another tooth yesterday morning. He now has his two bottom teeth, top left lateral incisor and his top tight front tooth. Talk about a goofy smile. At least he only has two more causing him grief, maybe then we'll get a break.

....teething bites

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Relaxing in Noise

I never realized how hard it was to get quiet, relaxing time to yourself when you had children. I only have one, but I sometimes consider Josh just an overgrown child. Gabriel is constantly exploring new areas (our apartment is only so big, yet he manages to get into something new everyday) and Josh tries to be quiet but fails miserably.

When our boy is down for his naps (9am, 2pm), if Josh is home, then Josh usually plays his video games online. He bought this headset to hear and talk to people. Supposedly to make it harder for me to complain about how loud his game is, but I'm thinking he had other motives. Now, when Gabriel is crying or wanting something, Josh can honestly say he didn't know. I yelled for him before (a meal was done, we were going somewhere, etc) and he is literally in his own world. Someone should create a gadget that works that well for women/moms too... I would be first in line to purchase it.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Play Dates
















Gabriel had his first play date today. It was with a little girl a month older than him. Her mommy, Rebecca and I are in a Mom Group at the local church. Her daughter and Gabriel hit it off so well that we decided to let them play together again. It was so adorable. They were sharing each other's toys (and paci's) and crawling all over one another like road blocks. I don't think Gabriel has had this much fun with another baby. Granted, he hasn't really been around babies his age (a lot younger or older only really).

He was so cute. I think more play dates are in his future. And less worrying what he's getting into alone, is in mine.

House Hunting


Josh and I looked at another home yesterday. It was pouring down rain outside (has been for a few days now). I completely forgot to bring a warm coat for Gabriel. So he was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and Josh carried him like a kangaroo. It was adorable. I don't think Gabriel mind it one bit.

The home, however, brought truth to "location, location, location." The house, itself, was nice. It had vaulted ceilings, a finished basement, view of the mountain, and was surprisingly clean. The neighborhood was not. Josh and I joked that we would have to build a large, solid fence and just have tunnel vision if we lived there....we're still looking

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

New Toofers


After a few days of grumpelstiltskin, Gabriel finally released his third tooth from captivity. It's so adorable. Usually babies get their bottm two and top two (random order). But Misters has to be unique. He got lateral incisor (tooth between his first tooth and his cuspid - fang - tooth). It's so adorable. Josh just started laughing when I called him at work to let him know. He commented that Gabriel isn't doing anything else according to schedule (crawled extremely early, already standing up and walking - assisted - , cut bottom teeth at same time). I guess he's right.


Our little boy is growing so fast. I just can't get over it.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Veterans Day Mishap

Well, Gabriel and I didn't end up going to the zoo. We were driving there and an accident on the freeway clogged up all access around it. It was almost 1:30pm before we even got a quarter of the way there. Zoo closes at 4pm. So I told Gabriel we'll have to plan another day. I think he understood because he was in a great mood and happy go lucky when he thought we were going to the zoo. But when plans changed, so did he. I wonder if kids can have mood swings...

Needless to say, I owe him a trip to the zoo. And something tells me, he won't let me forget.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Veterans Day
















Josh and I are both considered veterans. It definitely has its perks. Free monday at the fair. Discounts at most retailers/stores. And today, Gabriel and I are going to the zoo without paying a penny (except the fifteen dollars worth of food, they gotta get their money somewhere). Today is Military Appreciation Day at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. Unfortunately, Josh is working. So we're flying solo. It'll be interesting. Last time Gabriel made friends with a parrot, peacock and Beluga Whale. If it wasn't bright or big, he could care less. We'll see how this one goes. Maybe the tigers won't act so lathargic. Lazy Kitties.










Sunday, November 9, 2008

Bath Time


In the hustle and bustle of Josh and I trying to get out the door to look at homes (we're trying to buy our first), we forgot about our son trying to comb his hair with his breakfast spoon. Lovely. He was covered in cinnamon granola raisin. Smelled Good though.


...No luck on homes....yet...

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Family Blog


This is going to serve as a family blog for Josh and myself. We'll be posting things and they will all say "posted by Eva" at the bottom, but it won't be. That's just the way this blog is set up. Again, I'm not super savy with the bloggin yet, so until I am, bear with me and let me figure things out.


Just breathe, relax, and look at the cute family pictures that I did post on flickr, even if i can't import them into a slideshow here.


Josh's First Post

Played with Wesley on call of duty 4 online with our xbox 360s it was fun I'm glad he's online because now we can play together.

Internet Savy

Well, I've had this blog for a few days now and I still can't figure out how to put pictures on it. It's kind of funny because I pride myself in being able to utilize up to date things, but I missed the train with myspace and blogging. I feel like a complete idiot. Anyone know how to load pics? I just can't seem to figure it out.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Dental Disasters

After three hours doing a retreat, I'm happy to say that the tooth that never bothered me still isn't. That's right. I had to get work done on a tooth that I would never have noticed was an issue if not for the wonderful world of cardboard pinching, awkward shaped dental x-rays. Seven years ago, I got a root canal (party for your teeth) and crown put on two of my molars. Yet, with years of education, the dentist didn't do his job right. I guess he was counting on repeat customers. I had to see a specialist today to fix what I didn't know was broken.

Poor Misters had to sit in the waiting room for the whole time with his nana. When he did come back to see me, he cried. Which isn't a suprise since I had this trampoline thing covering my mouth and the dentist had an entire building's frame on her face. She turned to him and smiled, then wondered why my son wouldn't stop screaming. Hmmm.. I wonder.