Marshmallow Sculpture

 Watching Curious George always gives us new ideas for art, science and math projects. Lucius has been wanting to make a bridge out of marshmallows and toothpicks for ages. Finally I gave in and this is the fun that ensued! Needless to say, he ate alot of marshmallows and gummies that day. He didn't get a tummy ache, which is a good thing. But now it's like he doesn't believe me that eating too many sweets it bad for you!

his robot!

his robot with legs

Hem, I made the robot with feet...

the lower one on the right is a giraffe (by Lu)

my attempt at a horse!

The ins and outs of the past few months....

Where to begin? First of all, Lucius is fully potty trained!! Woot woot! We do have the occasional accident, but it is safe to say he poops and pees in the big potty. I never thought that teaching another person to use the facilities would make me feel so proud and accomplished! Since reaching this mile stone, he is now able to attend preschool! And starting in the fall he will be attending a part-time, co-op preschool. This means that 3 days a week, for 3 hours a day he'll be in school. And for one of those days I will be there, as a teaching aid/assistant helping out with activities. I am super stoked about it. Being involved in the boys' education is very important for me and on of the main perks for not working a conventional job. We will be applying for a summer program, but will have to wait to see if we get in.

As far as Owen goes, in the past month, we have discovered that he has a milk allergy. It manifested itself in the form of a horrible eczema skin rash on his cheeks, neck and armpits. Poor baby! Considering that he is breastfed, I have had to omit all types of dairy from my diet because the milk protein is carried through the breast milk. No cheese, milk, yogurt, milk chocolate, lattes, sour cream, hot dogs, and you 'd be surprised to fin how many other products contain whey, lactose or lactic acid. Fun, huh? It takes about 3 weeks for the milk protein to fully leave your system. So he is definitely looking and feeling better. It now makes sense as to why he cried and fussed more as an infant.

Lucius, Owen and I made a short trip to SoCal with Emily and had an unexpected adventure. It all began with me trying to convince Em not to drive down from Sacramento to Long Beach all by herself. She had no other options and I figured a one day visit with the WHOLE family (mine and Michael's included!) would be fun and well worth the trip. Well, after missing 2 turnoffs in less than an hour, we began to smell something burning. We took it to a shop and they told us that we'd be lucky to make it down, but couldn't use the air conditioner, heater or defrost. So, it was pay $700 and spend 4 hours to get it fixed, or rent a car. We rented. And that was just by chance as well! The person who had the reservation on the last car didn't show and we lucked out! If we had been paying attention to the road and not talking as much, chances are that we would have broken down on the 5, thirty five miles from a station, with 2 kids and no potty! It took us a total of 10 hours to make it down. I arrived to Patricia's home just as the family was arriving! We had a great time and I got to hold Leah, who is about 2 months younger than Owen. She is Michael's cousins baby.

The next day we got to visit with my side of the family and for the first time all 5 grand babies got together. If anyone knows how to get three 7month olds, a 2 year old and a 3 year old to sit for a picture, PLEASE let me know!!! Owen kept scratching Addison's face and Abi was a squirmy wormy! Too funny and too cute. It was a great time.

That evening, Lu and I had dinner with my cousin Dawn and her hubby, Randy. By 8 am the next day, we were back on the road ( the rental had to be back in Tracy @ 1pm!!!) We made it back in time and had a great trip! Whew! Will I ever do it again??? I don't think so   :)

Blason, Addison, Owen, Abi and Lucius 

 I love this pic of Addison!

 Abi is either smiling or worried.

This one just makes me laugh!

Insert your own caption!

Owen sits @ 7 months

It's official! Owen is all grown up. He's 7 months old and sitting on his own. HE's a super sweet sweet and a cute cute!

Tornado Week!

Lucius and I trying out our homemade Tornado!

The boys

Click here to view this photo book larger

Video of Owen

Owen is a talky talky. But when he sees the camera he becomes entranced in its shiny-ness! So I tried to capture him without him seeing the camera. He loves to coo and goo, and I wanted to film it! Just click on the image below to view the video!

  

October Update

It seems like time escapes me and updating this blog keeps being pushed back on the priority list! Anywho, Lucius started a pre- preschool in September and is loving it. Once a week, for 2 hours, we go to school and read books, do arts and crafts, play with other 2-3 year olds and eat snacks. He was a bit shy at first but is doing much better. Last week we had a field trip to Little Farm in Tilden Park. Cows, sheep, goats, a big fat pig and fowl.

Lucius is learning to "go" on the potty. Some days he's on it (no pun intended!) and others, not so much. Very inconsistent but so much better than before. I just have to remember to ask him if he needs to go every 1 1/2 hours! Soon, I hope. I mean, he won't be in diapers forever... Right?


Owen is now 12 weeks old. On his 2 month check up he was 13lb 4oz, 24" long and very healthy. Got his shots and did very well. It's funny because you always hear that every baby is different, but it becomes more evident when you have 2! Owen is sweet and precious but he is very needy. Loves to be held, or should I say, demands to be held often. Loves to smile, laugh and coo! And still won't sleep for more than 1 1/2 -3 ours at a time!!!! Ugg! But we couldn't be happier!

Last weekend we all went up to Tomales Bay for some oysters and beach time. There is a secluded beach that we love and it was an amazingly relaxing time. I have to say that I am in love with my family and life. Everyday I feel loved, blessed and excited.

1 month old

Owen's 2 month pic, His brother cracks him up!

Scott, Lucius & Baby Abigail

Owen 7 weeks

Lucius' 1st day of school

Grampy, MeMe & Owen

Lucius' 1st field trip

Tomales Bay 10/2/10

Drinkin wine out of coffee mugs! Classy!

My boys!

Owen Elliott

Born on July 12th at 2:42pm, weighing in at 8lb 4oz, our second son, Owen Elliott was born. He has dark hair and blue/gray eyes (for now). It was a scheduled c-section and everything thing went smoothly. I couldn't have asked for more! Although undergoing major surgery is very frightening, it was well worth it when Owen was born without a hitch. We were hoping to avoid the situation that happened with Lucius' birth and we were successful. My wonderful mother-in-law was staying with us and watching Lucius. Roy, Michael's dad was also in town and between the two of them, Lu has never been more spoiled!!! Grandpa Roy got him a John Deere power wheels tractor. Watch out sidewalk enthusiasts, Lucius is on the roll! Speaking of Lu, he is loving being a big brother. He is so gentle and loving towards Owen. Michael & I feel very lucky to have such a great family.

Big Boy Bed!

It seems like Lucius is growing up so fast! After he climbed out of his pack-n-play in Vegas, we decided it was time to convert his crib into a Big Boy Bed! He thinks it's great and hangs out on his bed. He calls it his bee bo beh. The first night he did fall out once so I put a comforter on the ground to pad his fall. It seems to be working out so far. Before I know it, he'll be shaving!





Playing with his favorite kinda toy: Trucks!!!





Lucius climbed into the Z and Michael was tickled. He said" get the camera, quick!" with a big grin. He's cute!


~j

Las Vegas

My mom recently moved to Las Vegas. Lucius and I had to jump on the opportunity to visit her since she's so darn close! Even though they have been living in their house for 3 weeks, their furniture still hadn't arrived yet. Thus, a huge indoor playground for Lucius to run around in! He had a blast! It was great to see my mom, even though it reached 106 degrees! Air conditioning you say... she keeps the house at a balmy 85. Nice, huh? Needless to say, we spent some time at shopping malls and Target. It's fair to say, Lucius loves his Halmoni (he pronounced it Um-e). He was calling for her all week! They laughed and ran and played all over the place. I can't wait to go back soon and see her and Dennis. I think the next time we go back will be mid December.

We went to this mall because they had this great play area. However it was under going renovations for the entire week we were there. It's a good thing we found these carts with a car attachment. For Lucius, it's just like an amusement park!




Halmoni and Lucius





Having lots of fun!










Sweet Baby!



~j

Gram & Grandpa's Visit

The weekend following our trip down south, my grandparent came up for a visit. Like I mentioned before, it's hard to get quality time in when we visit the fam, so it was a real treat to have them all to ourselves!! We had loads of fun. Lucius loves his great-grandparents. He couldn't stop asking for Santa! While they were here, we went to Tilden park to ride on the steam trains and the Merry Go Round (yeah, we do that often... but Lucius LOVES it!!). On Sunday, we had a BBQ at my brothers' new place, which is about 8 blocks away!! It was great. I continually feel blessed and extraordinarily lucky to have a such a wonderful family. That's probably the greatest gift Lucius will inherit.

Catalina & Disneyland!!

We all went to SoCal for my cousin Travis' wedding on Catalina. It was our first time there... and maybe our last. It was quite a pretty penny for the boat ride out there... However, it was a gorgeous day. We got to spend the weekend with my cousin Jess and her sweet baby, Blason. It was great to get some one on one time with her. So often, we are surrounded by dozens of family members, it's hard to get real quality time in.

Sunday, the day after the wedding, Patricia took us to Disneyland for the first time. Another sunny and hot day. Surprisingly enough, the lines were not too bad. The longest was Dumbo... but honestly, I can understand why! We rode on lots of fun rides and had a great time. By 5pm, Lucius was done for, and Grammy Patricia took him home while Michael and I rocked it out for the rest of the night. Very cool. Overall, it was another great trip down south. I've got a great Mother-in-Law!

The boat ride with Jess, Blason, Aunt Kim, Me, Michael & Lucius





Grandpa and Blason




Post Wedding



The nuptials



Grammy, Lucius and Gramma



Check out the slide show for more Pics!
~j