The things that have changed

There are a few things that they never tell you about becoming a mother.Like after you have the baby, you feel a little like a kangaroo. You seem to have a pouch, but there is no baby kangaroo that is going to pop out of it. (at least I don't think so)I have also realized that I am not immuned to those black circles under my eyes, I just never had a reason to develop them before I had Liam.It is also like I had a weigh redistribution of every fat cell in my body. Where I used to have a little extra cushion I don't have a problem with anymore but there are other spots where all my fat cells have congregated at like it is some sort of summer festival.Also my beauty habits have changed. (not that I have ever been one for beauty anyways.) Using a hair dryer is a special event. (air drying hair overnight is the look that I sport) I haven't even thought about pulling out my straight iron.Also if the motherhood thing doesn't pan out, I could always join the circus. I have learned an uncanny ability to juggle all sorts of things at once. I feel like the word multitasking doesn't even cover it. I can use my breast pump, feed the baby a bottle, check my emails and facebook all at the same time.
Pretty soon you won't even recognize me with all my new look and talents. Either that or I will officially be considered a circus freak!

A reason to smile today

Liam loves to laugh during his bath. Apparently, the sour cream container and his dad are more entertaining than any of the toys we have bought. (except, of course, for his latest toy, that is still heaven sent.)

Big Dreams

I don't know if many of you have missed vacations lately. It makes for a very long, long summer. With me being on 'maternity' leave (permanently), and Trav just starting his job a few months ago, we are short on funds and vacation leave. All cabin fever and no vacation makes Molly a sad girl. We have been trying to explore the area up here, but it gets harder and harder to find things that are free or very cheap. Plus with two dogs and a small car which doesn't accommodate our ENTIRE family anymore, we can only be gone for no more than 4 or 5 hours.(dogs have to be let out since they can't come.) (Pity party for me, right?!)
This is just a limbo week for us because we are waiting to hear about a part time job for me then we will be in a better situation financially. And hopefully, if I get it, I will start planning our first real family vacation soon after that.
So the question is do you think Japan or Greece is more child-friendly?

Update: Money can buy happiness

While my baby is practically perfect (what every parent says about their darling offspring) he has one downfall. He never takes a nap in a traditional crib or bassinet. I have tried to put him down and every time he wakes up within about 5 minutes. He likes movement like rocking or dancing around. I am fine with this, (there are bigger things to worry about) instead he will take short cat naps in his swing or in my arms while I rock him. (which I adore because who doesn't love a baby asleep in their arms, plus it is a great arm workout.)
So last night, I was completely shocked when I noticed that Liam had stopped flailing at his octopus toy that was hanging above him. Upon further inspection, he was sound asleep. Holy mackerel! I think a note of thanks is in order to the manufacturer.

Who says money can't buy happiness?

I bought happiness for Liam to day. It cost about $70. It was the Baby Einstein Ocean Adventure Gym. He is so happy and just looks and chatters at all the toys. So entertaining for both me and him.

Let the record state

I am the party planner in the family. I try to make sure that when it is your special day, that everything is ready to celebrate. In the past, when I was in Utah, I would make sure you had a special cake (Like a Star Trek one for my husband or a Bejeweled one for my dad), and a special meal with the menu being completely your choice.(anything from a complete Thanksgiving meal for my nephew, to chicken enchiladas for my mother)
So my birthday is coming up... not just any birthday, but a big one. My 30th.
It is a mere two months away. (You hear that, Travis, two months.) Here is my hint about what I would really like for a present. (Travis, I am looking at you!) Or this. Or this. (ok, that last one is a joke, unless there is someone out there that would like to pay for it!)

As for a cake, any cake will do, I love all desserts equally. (Travis, so pretty much anything sweet that you put a candle in and light.) (Oh and just so you know, Travis, we already have candles... they are in the cupboard with all my spices.) :)

This may seem like a bit selfish of me to be listing off what I would like for my celebration. I am merely giving my husband clear requests of what I would be happy with. (no, mixed signals here) I am not expecting a big ta-doo, (I don't need to be carried into my party on a camel or anything exotic) but just a nice quaint chorus of 'happy birthday' and a present. So no pressure, and I am sure that anything that happens will be created out of love, just like this would be. :)

Do you ever wonder....

As I sit and hold my precious little one, I often wonder about what he thinks about. Usually the pictures I take help me to understand that there might be a tiny little piece of him already that thinks I am crazy!Even from the hospital, I had the feeling that he thought I was a little nuts!

I think at this point of me taking pictures of him in the bath, he is feeling like I am stalking him like a paparazzi.Clearly, he is thinking I am nuts for putting him in this sunhat.... even though he is so freaking cute in it.

Father's Day Celebration, belated

This weekend our adventures took a busy turn. We started out at the XXX Burger joints Chevy only car show. (I am a Chevy girl through and through and told Travis that this cute little 1960 red corvette would be a great gift for his wife when we make our millions.) It was a beautiful day and just the right temperature to meander around the cars. My dad was in town (along with my mother, of course) and he loves car shows. He has been a mechanic for the last about 40 years or so, and he loves to look at his craft. I have been drug all over the western United States and have seen all sorts of car shows. I used to hate going to them but now I find that I actually enjoy walking around and seeing all the beautiful cars that the owners have taken such good care of.
After the car show, we took my dad to Dick's Burgers. (seriously the best burger joint around and the best value.) We then headed to the Center for Wooden Boats. It was fun, but I wouldn't classify it as an actual museum. It was kinda just about 8 boats in the water with plaques explaining what they were.
After that we took a short drive around Lake Union to my favorite, Gas Works Park. My dad loved it there because you could watch all the boats and water planes landing. I think he would have stayed there all afternoon. (I know I would have been happy to if only the wind was a little less and my baby was a little more tired.)
It was a great day to celebrate our "Father's day" with my dad. I think he had a great time and we got to see a bunch of stuff we haven't seen yet. Happy Father's day Dad! (even though there is no way he will ever even see this post... he only knows how to find Bejeweled on the internet.) :)

A day of Assumptions

Earlier this week, my mother and I (with the baby in tow) headed over to Alki beach for a cup of coffee and a pastry. My husband likes to call us Lucy and Ethel because we always seem to get ourselves into trouble. (there are many stories I could tell you about our adventures, but that will be for another day.) While we stayed out of trouble we did have some fun people watching along the beach. My mom said that we were sitting there assuming things about people. (I found this funny because it was so brutally honest) I have forgotten how crazy spending time with my mom can be. The girl in this picture was cracking us up. She was wearing a bikini top with some super tight black leggings and to finish off the outfit she had on a pair of high heels. I had to take this picture incognito that is why it is a little off. It was probably not the most karmically correct thing we could have done, but it was nice to just sit there and have a laugh. (We kept reminding each other that we are no lookers either, so it kept it real.)
Everybody had fun....Liam was completely happy looking at his newly discovered hands.
In this picture, aren't his eyes so big?!
This is the picture taken by me, as you can see for Liam picture taking falls somewhere below looking at his hands.

Why do they do those nice things?

I am not going to lie, I have not been the nicest to my husband since the baby came. I have had my moments where I am sweet to him, but I have the feeling if you asked him about my personality he might have to think about when I was nice last. (I get some sort of points for at least being honest about my attitude, right?!)So how do you think I felt when he was nice enough to get a free $100 dollar gift certificate from his work and he chose to get if to a cooking store for me instead of someplace he could use it? His work cashed in all their reward points for the company credit cards the sales reps use and they decided to get a bunch of $100 gift cards to various places and give them to the employees. (seriously, this company really cares about their employees... and we are happy with that.)
With it, I got to go to Williams-Sonoma (which in no way supports this blog, but I would definitely not object if they wanted to!) I got a bundt pan, a cookie sheet liner, a silicon spoon and some muffin liners. If you are a baker, these things are very exciting. I never would have thought that I would be so happy to buy a bundt pan, but it made my day!My husband is so kind and thoughtful, I definitely need to not bite his head off whenever he screws up. (which with all my hormones raging, seems to be quite often lately.) So sorry honey, for all the snarky remarks, and I appreciate the card. You are the best and I will remember that every time I bake a bundt!

I'm not saying your baby is ugly,

I'm just sayin how cute mine is! Seriously the cutest thing EVER! I love when he smiles... my heart melts a little bit.

Fourth of July Craziness!

This is what our Fourth of July activities included, watching Liam coo and gurgle at us. Oh, and we watched The Hangover with my mom, which was entertaining enough because she was actually laughing at the movie a bunch.
We didn't hit the fireworks this year for two reasons, 1: We didn't know how Ratchet would react to the fireworks and we didn't want to leave him alone(we only got him at the end of last July) and 2: It was sprinkling outside. Of course, I used the baby as an excuse as to why I didn't want to go and sit on the wet grass to watch a bunch of fireworks go off. That is what babies are for, right?!
Hope everyone had a great and safe 4th of July.

My real job

I don't feel so much like this lately....But more like this.....

I never realized that I would be milked more than this creature every day.
I have gained a whole new respect for my spotted hoofed friend.