113, 106, 111...

Those are the temperatures that it has been this weekend round these parts. HOT. Okay, maybe I was a little overly anxious to set my fall stuff out. But honestly, I live in Southern California, so if I were to wait for it to get cold before I set it out, I'd be waiting a long time.

However, I am anxiously awaiting a day cool enough to wear my new MEK jeans and these cute new shoes.

I've never had a pair of leopard shoes before, but I've been wanting some ever since I saw an episode of Oprah last year about fashion. They had a model wearing leopard shoes, and the stylist said, "If you don't have some, get some. They match nothing, therefore they go with everything." Hmmm, I pondered that one. Match nothing, go with everything. It's so true. They go with black, or brown, or red, or green, or anything you want. I can't wait to wear them with everything.

Besides trying on shoes, and cleaning out my closet a bit this weekend, it was too hot to go outside, so what's a girl to do but shop!

I went to the mall, and bought a new bedding set that I have been eyeing for a while. I've always gone with such a neutral color for our bed and I have been feeling the need to add some more color to my home lately.

I was so excited to get home and get it all washed and put on the bed that I even ironed my sheets for the first time ever.

I love the color of my new sheets!

It's a nice result, but I don't know that I will do that every time fresh sheets are put on the bed. Jake and the girls were out of the house, otherwise I would never have even attempted this project.

I also had the new BEP cd playing very loudly in my room. It is a make you want to get up and dance kind of cd. (Or make you wanna iron your sheets kind of cd) Every single song. I love it. Good clean wholesome fun. Check it out.

This is our old bedspread.

This is the new.

A closer look...

What do you think?

I am happy with it. It's fun to add that much color to the room. Next we need new nightstands. Right now ours are mismatched and they drive me crazy.

Flasback Photo:

This was the first bedding we had together. It was a wedding gift from our dear friends Pete & Helen. Boy did they spoil us with this Windsor bed set by Croscill, and the 1000 thread count sheets, and pillows to match! I learned what a difference a higher thread count makes in your sheets, and now I can never buy cheap sheets. I absolutely loved this bedding. When we got a bedroom furniture set it was for a Cal King and that bedding was for a queen. It is actually the bedding on the bed in my parents motorhome right now, but I told my Mom when we have a spare room again, I want it back!

The above picture was our bare looking bedroom when we first moved into our house. Looks a little different now. :)

Claire is 9 Months Old!

Claire turned 9 months old on the 17th. 9 months still sounds like a baby age. But when we were at the pediatrician for her well baby check up, he said "We'll see ya in 3 more months when she turns one". And it hit me. She will be one. In just three short months. One. That doesn't sound like a baby age anymore. It made me sad. What if she's our last baby? In three more months, I won't have any babies. I'll have two big girls. It makes me sad...but not so sad that I'm planning to have a third, so your wheels can stop spinning right now.

Let's get back to Claire. It is getting harder and harder to get the monthly picture of her on the pink bear. Here's a bit of a glance at what it is like now that she is so mobile. I took these pictures on the 17th, right after we got home from her dr visit. She's still got her band-aids from her shots on and everything.

So we're going with this one for the "9 month" shot. It was the best of the bunch.

Doc says that Claire is healthy and doing great. Weighed 23 lbs. 7 oz, and was 30.3 inches long. Bigger than most one year olds.

She has had baby food meats a few times now and doesn't seem to mind them.

She's standing in the tub every chance she gets, and I am constantly telling her "no".

She looooves peekabo baby books. We read the same one over and over and she just cracks up each time. At night after her last bottle we have been reading Goodnight Moon. She thinks it's a good one.

She learned to clap. (I realize in the picture it looks like she has no hands, but that is because she is clapping)

Just two teeth still, and we can't see any others coming in yet.

I see a lot of this view of Claire these days. She only wants to be standing and scooting along whatever she can. She is also quite the climber.

I think she is going to love playing outside just as much as her big sister does.

This is a picture I scanned in of Hannah at exactly 9 months. Wearing the same shirt that Claire is wearing in the pictures above. I think they looked so similar at each milestone, but also different. Hannah's hair was a tad longer, and lighter and finer than Claire's is.

Time seems to be flying by with Claire and we are enjoying her every minute. I could not imagine our family without her.

Channeling My Inner Martha...

Or at least trying to.

I don't know if it's the slightly cooler weather, or maybe that it was cloudy and overcast today, but I was in the mood to do a little fall decorating.

I don't have much in the way of fall decor, but I set out a few things this afternoon while the girls were napping. I love fall decor, and I need to buy more. In the past I think my problem has just been that I love fall/home decor, but I love new clothes more. ;)

Some fall leaves in my wall sconces.

My friend Kelly brought this cute tea light lamp to me a couple years ago when I did her hair right before Halloween.


Pumpkin pillow.

My fall leaves. I got two of these at Kohl's a couple years ago. Hannah keeps setting her sippy cup in it like it is her own special drink holder.

My Mom used to set this pumpkin pie plate out every year, and a few years ago she gave it to me. I think she used to make fresh pumpkin pie to put in it too. We'll see about that...

Pumpkin jar with candy on the island, and my first apple cinnamon candle of the season. One of my clients sells the Gold Canyon Candles so I am looking forward to buying a few new fall scents next time I see her.

Kitchen dish towels.


More fall leaves by the front door.

Fall wreaths on the porch.

Hanging in the backyard.

And back inside the kitchen...

Tamale pie, in all her glory.

If you are intersted in this easy tamale pie recipe, just keep reading...

In large skillet, brown 1lb ground beef, drain fat. Then add 1 can of corn, 1 can sliced olives, 1 package taco seasoning, and 2 cans diced tomatoes. (The recipe calls for 1 can tomatoes, but I like to use 2. I also like the roasted garlic flavor cans.) Mix together and bring to a boil.

In bowl, prepare one box corn muffin mix.

Transfer meat mixture to a casserole dish, and then top with corn muffin mix. Bake at 400 degress for about 20 minutes, keeping your eye on it.

Then top tamale pie with a bit of cheddar cheese and put back in the oven to melt cheese for about 3-5 minutes. Then top with green onion and let stand for a bit before serving.

It's easy, it tastes good, and it makes good leftovers.

Don't Turn Around...

No, I'm not talking about the late 90's Ace of Base hit song. I'm talking about do not turn your back on your kids. EVER.

Kids should seriously come with a handbook. You know, some sort of owner's manual that you are sent home from the hospital with. Why don't they? Or at least with a few warning labels, to fore warn you of anything bad that could and probably will happen.

Instead we just learn as we go. Armed with a little bit more knowledge and confidence when the second baby comes along, but we still make mistakes with the younger ones too.

This morning I took the girls and went grocery shopping. Trying to muster up the motivation to cook a couple of dinners this week. I always bring in my floppy seat for Claire to sit on in the front of the cart, and Hannah rides in the big part.




For those who don't know what a floppy seat is... it's a fabric lining basically to go over your grocery cart so your baby isn't touching or chewing on the dirty germy handles. Works over public high chairs too.

So there we are in the produce section at Albertson's. I set my cart beside a table with baskets full of tomatoes. Get what I need from that table, and then turn around (Don't Turn Around!) to grab some strawberries. Seriously 3 steps away from my cart. I turn back to face the cart and my kids, just in time to see Claire hanging over the side of the cart falling out. All I could think of was Claire's head hitting the hard concrete floor and going splat. Oh my gosh. I think I threw the strawberries that were in my hands up into the air, my sunglasses went flying off my head, and I did a softball style head first dive towards her. She flipped upside down out of the cart, legs went into the tomato basket knocking some out, and my hands caught her on the floor just in time to manipulate her head from hitting first. She landed on her back, but luckily my hands were underneath her.
I was on the floor, legs and arms sprawled out to catch my baby. She was on the floor, looking up at me like what in the heck just happened? She of course started crying, and I almost did too. She was fine. More scared than anything, and I was probably more scared than she was.
Note to self: Never ever put baby in floppy seat without buckling the seat belt. Never. Ever.
Poor Claire. Guess this means I might not win the mom of the year award now.
I quickly got the rest of my groceries and hurried home.
After lunch I tried to make it up to Claire by squirting a little whip cream on her tray. I think she forgives me now.



Hannah got a little whip cream action too.


A few other things that have happened today:

• I woke up with a sore throat.
• Hannah had a potty "accident"
• Hannah had a major meltdown because she stubbed her toe, which resulted in multiple timeouts and screaming for almost half an hour.
• Claire choked on a puff, and then projectile vomited puffs.
• Claire was being a bit too quiet when I was cleaning up after she ate her lunch, and it was because I found her underneath Hannah's seat, munching on a piece of bologna from Hannah's luncheable.
• Now it's nap time. Both girls are asleep. I better go enjoy myself.

Monday

Today was nice.
The high was only about 83.
Claire turned 9 months old today.
I took her to her doctors appointment.
Jake took Hannah to swim.
We all got home and ate lunch together.
After lunch Jake and I sat on the floor in the living room and played with the girls.
The windows were open, a nice breeze blowing through the house, and the sound of giggles filling the air.
We were all giggling.
Being goofy, messing up our hair, and having fun.
I love those moments when we just sit back, enjoy our girls, and each other.
I wish those moments happened everyday.
They do, it's just I am not always present enough to enjoy them.
Today I had some great moments.
Hope you did too.

I saw this cute idea to put flowers in an empty Starbuck's glass on this blog a while back.

The flowers that Jake gave me last week were starting to die, so I took a few that were still looking pretty and put them in a glass.


I also picked a couple roses from the backyard and put them in a glass too. I set this one in my half bath downstairs.

Dear Claire,

My sweet little Claire Berry. Today you are nine months old. Where did the time go Claire? It really does seem like we were just bringing you home from the hospital and now you are crawling all over the place.

This morning I took you to your 9 month check up appointment at Dr. Furutan's office. The waiting room was so crowded, and we waited forever to get called back into a room. You didn't seem to mind one bit. You just sat in my lap and snuggled with me while you chewed on whatever I would let you put in your mouth. You are such a good baby Claire. You are so content to just sit back and people watch. You are quite the observer. I often wonder what is going on inside that pretty little head of yours. Wish I could know what you were thinking.

You most often have a smile on your face. Usually when you don't it is because I set you down when you want to be held. You are definitely a Mama's girl. You love your Daddy too, but your little face lights up and smiles so big when you see me. Words can't describe how that makes me feel. It melts my heart Claire. It makes me want to give you a big squeeze, and kiss your cheeks until you won't let me anymore.

Today you weighed 23lbs and 7oz, and were 30.3 inches long. You have always been off the charts. Bigger than a lot of one year olds the Dr said. You are perfect. Growing just as you should. When Hannah was 9 months old she weighed 23lbs, and was 31 inches long. You two have been almost identical at all of your milestones so far.

You got your first taste of meat tonight. I gave you baby food apples and chicken for dinner. You ate the whole thing, only hesitating for a brief moment after the first bite to notice that it was a new flavor. You seemed to like it. Your bottom two teeth are getting big and I am sure there will be more poking through very soon.

It is so fun to watch you grow baby girl. You want to keep up with your big sister so badly. You are pulling yourself up on just about anything you can, and starting to scoot along things. You've stood alone momentarily. I bet you'll be walking soon, and running by your first birthday!

We have recently begun reading books to you more often. You really love the peekaboo books. You giggle at each page and it is the cutest thing I've ever heard. Tonight I read you Goodnight Moon before I laid you down in your crib for bed.

You are such a sweet and beautiful little girl Claire. Every day with you is such a gift. I love you so so very much.

Love Always,
Your Mommy

A Recap of The Week...

• I came home from work on Wednesday to see these pretty flowers for me from Jake and the girls.
  

• I am trying to get back into some sort of workout routine again. I made it to the gym twice this week, and went for one jog.
• We worked on the potty training again with Hannah. She does great if I am putting her on the toilet to go every 3o minutes, but if I don't stay on top of it she has accidents. So frustrating. I really tried to talk it up about what a big girl she was for trying so we got her some special balloons.

• Claire wore her new skirt.

• Friday night was girls night out! I went to see Julie & Julia and out to dinner with my friends Kelly and Amy. We had a great time. The movie was so good, and our dinner and girl talk after was even better! Thanks girls.

• Saturday I made a trip out to Dos Lagos (with kids) and grocery shopped at Trader Joe's
• Later that afternoon I went back to Dos Lagos (sans kids) to do a little shopping. I was looking for something in particular, and did not find it.
• I cut Hannah's hair yesterday and gave her a new do...

I love it. I think she looks so cute. I accidentally cut her bangs a little too short, but you try cutting a squirmy non cooperative two year old's hair. It is not easy.

(Notice the dark spot on her lip? She fell face first onto the concrete in the backyard on Wednesday. That girl...)

• We found lizards in the backyard.
• Last night we went over to our neighbors house across the street for a drink before the girls went to bed.
• We were hoping for a date night last night, but it did not work out, so Jake and I watched I Love You Man at home. A bit dissapointing, but some funny parts.

Question- Am I the only one who just can't seem to find the motivation to cook dinner lately? Just wondering. Who's cooking? Who's not?

Happy Sunday!

A Reason To Celebrate

I can not wait until my kids go to school everyday.
That might sound mean to you.
But right now, it sounds real nice to me.


I remember every year when it was time for my sister and I to start up with school again, my Mom and a few of her friends always had a "back to school party". For themeselves, not us. I remember not quite understanding why they would do that, and it kind of hurting my feelings a little bit that these moms were all so excited to get rid of us when school began.

It wasn't until becoming a mother myself that I understood the reason (and need) for that back to school party.

I want to have one of those parties.
I can't wait.

Guess What I Got In The Mail Today!!!

My blog turned book! I turned all of my posts from 2008 into a book and had it printed. How cool is that.

A real book. Hardback copy and everything.

I used the website www.blurb.com . (Thanks Traci, I only knew about this website from you!) It was actually fairly easy. They had a few video tutorials you can watch so you know what you are doing. I spent so much time staring at the computer screen trying to figure how to format the whole thing, and I started to just want to hurry up and finish it. So after I had it printed, I figured out a few things that I would have done different (naturally). That's ok, now I know a bit more for when I print my book for 2009.

It's all there. All 251 pages of Life In The Hass House 2008!

What a neat keepsake this is.

Impromptu BBQ

Just as the girls awoke from their afternoon naps, my parents called to see if they could stop by.

We hung out in the backyard...

I got a picture of Claire's first two teeth...


And a picture of Hannah sporting a scrunci. Yes, I know what you are thinking, the daughter of a hairdresser and she is sporting a scrunci!

(Sex and the City fans, where you at? Remember the episode after Carrie reads Berger's book, and she tells him that "No self respecting woman in New York City wears a scrunci!")

Also, just so we're clear, I did not buy said scrunci. It came with a pajama set from The Children's Place and Hannah liked it. :)
After some visiting, we got hungry. So we threw some sausages on the grill, whipped up a salad and threw some french fries in the oven. Yum. Impromptu bbq.