JAB blab

Still trying out this picasa web file sharing. If the above is not working, here is a link…mostly Easter fun.

Pirate Jack and his Cheeky Monkey…

Still here? Fascinating. I didn’t think there were that many of you to begin with. I assume there are even fewer now. I imagine even my loyal family members have given up.

In the hiatus, we’ve kept busy and this blog is not the only thing that fell by the wayside…ohh there’s that stack of non-urgent mail that probably includes some unpaid bills and my summons for jury duty that I totally forgot about, just to name a couple. I used to be SO on top of things. What happened?

It was an overly hectic couple of months starting with Jack’s second birthday

which slid into Thanksgiving at K’s mom where Jack enjoyed some quality time with his cousins, aunt, uncle, and “Gigi.”

This was, of course, followed by Christmas and all it’s revelries. We spent Christmas here at home for the first time EVER which was fantastic. As much as I love being around extended family, nixing the travel to and from makes for a much more relaxing holiday. I feel the need, however, to post the first ever”daddy Christmas construction shots:”

Forget the milk and cookies…K went straight for the beer.

Jack enjoyed Christmas. He was obsessed with snowmen, which is funny given there’s no snow or even the possibility of it here. He enjoyed the opening of the gifts and with each present exclaimed, “Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy…a box!” We did allow for some actual gifts, of course. And the train obsession was fueled by his Aunt Sarah:

Yes, a few pieces immediately went by the wayside. Really it was all about that remote control operated Thomas. And who doesn’t love that hat?

Following a very low key New Year’s, Jack and I took a little jaunt down to LA to visit temporary resident, T2, for the weekend. Despite the torrential downpours, we managed to get out and see a bit of the “sights.”

Despite staying in Hollywood, I totally missed the big ol’ sign. Clearly my powers of observation are dwindling in my old age. This is my second visit to LA and I  found myself underwhelmed once again. I just don’t think it’s the city for me. No worries, I was there for the company and that was fabulous! It’s rare to have time to catch up with friends these days and Jack was a dream child. It couldn’t have been an easier trip.

When it rains here in the Bay Area, Tahoe gets dumped with snow so K headed up to Tahoe this past weekend for some  snowboarding. And speaking of old age, he hits the ripe old age of 35 on Friday.

Whew. All caught up. Work is busy. We open a show in February. If you are local, come see it. Oh, and my belly gets bigger and bigger. This little girl seems to want to compete with her big brother in size! All is well on that front. I’ve decided to schedule a c-section given the last go around with labor was such a bear. So look to welcome Abigail Elizabeth on March 21st–unless she decides to come earlier. Given I am planning to work up to the very last minute and we will likely not have the physical space to accomodate her before then, I imagine she will do just that. The number one parenting lesson that I repeatedly learn is that there are very few things in life that I actually have control over!

…came the rain,

rides on the train,

and Halloween fun with friends.

October’s photos are on muchado.

I also felt the “new” baby move. On my last check-up to the doctor, she mentioned I was “almost half way there.” Yikes. This pregnancy is flying by. The nesting instinct has set in, beginning with a scheduled bulk pick up in a couple of weeks in an effort to make room for the new addition in March. Here we go again!

Happy Chinese New Year.

Good friend Missy over at Yoga Village spends a great deal of time in Beijing these days. Though we miss her when she is abroad…especially now that she hangs her hat in PA…we are often the recipients of some awesome prezzies. I believe this ensemble was purchased before Jack was even born:

It seems fitting that he grew into it just in time for the new year. I suited him up when we returned from Tahoe and in celebration we headed out for an afternoon on the town. Where did we go, you ask? Chinese restaurant, of course, followed by the playground. I doubt there was anything authentic about this experience, but I tried.

This is your baby…

This is your baby on sugar…

Any questions?

are the belated pictures!

Lots going on, least of which is the new blog’s “look.” Weigh in. Too boring? User friendly?

And if that is not enough to keep you busy, ponder this. A man in an electric wheelchair ran into me today…in my SUV! How does that happen?

It’s been a while. You would think the holidays would offer up the perfect time for writing what with all of the extra sets of hands willing to entertain Jack, but then where’s the fun in that? I like to relax and visit with friends and relatives as well. That included a much appreciated vacation from the laptop.

The Christmas season started out with this mama’s first overnight outing sans baby. Cassoulete turned the big 3-0 this year and I took her to Sonoma for a mini retreat. We had massages, took a cooking class, and stayed at a nice inn. It felt luxurious and very, very relaxing. I love giving birthday gifts from which I can also benefit. Everyone asked me how I felt about leaving Jack for the first time…so much so that I considered calling upon my acting skills and releasing a tear or two whilst saying that it would be hard but that I thought it was a good thing for both of us. The truth of the matter was that I had been looking forward to this for a long time; Jack was in more than capable and very loving hands; and I was excited. Perhaps I am a selfish mama, but if that means an indulgent night or two, I can live with that distinction!

Back in Oakland on Thursday, K and I put the finishing touches on the packing of holiday gear for the trip to Alabama. On Friday morning we endured a hellish two hour check-in line at the Oakland airport that left us sprinting to our gate. Jack gleefully giggled in my arms as we raced through the airport, Kieran and I both laden with more bags than two people should carry on an airplane. Yes, we were the stereotypical holiday family travelers. By sheer luck we got on our flight despite the open hostility and contempt of a very pregnant traveler and her companion who really wanted our seats on stand-by. Sorry lady, I have been in your position too and I feel your pain, but trust me, the screaming one year old stuck in an airport on stand-by all day is worse than the swelling of your ankles. You shall see what I mean.

Two flights later, we touched down in Alabama, epicenter of the Auburn Tigers (War Eagle!) and Bama (Roll Tide!) rivalry, heart of the Civil Rights Movement, land of sweet tea and lilting southern accents, and home to both my sister and brother. We were in Birmingham to be specific and descended upon my sister’s house for a Cothran family Christmas. It was the year of the “sweet baby boys” as my mom would say. Graham, seven months, and Jack, the big boy at 13 months, took center stage. My sister’s house was about as child friendly and accomodating as we could wish for…between the multiple play areas, multiple Christmas trees, and multiple adults on hand to entertain him, Jack was in toddler heaven. He even decided to try and teach Graham his new words, getting up in Graham’s face and clearly articulating his limited vocabulary as if to say, “repeat after me!” He enjoyed some hugs with Granna and lots of fun peek-a-boo games with Grandpa. He took a particular liking to his soon to be Aunt Sassy (Uncle Rob’s fiance). We seem to be witnessing a trend in which Jack eagerly attaches himself to the slight brunettes.

Though this was supposed to be the low key Christmas with fewer gifts (the adults had picked names in a not-so-secret-Santa like way and we had instructed everyone to take it easy with the boys), there were presents a plenty. Two trees-ful to be exact. What with the Christmas booty and purchases made in the day after sales, we had to buy an extra suitcase to haul everything back home. Ho! Ho! Ho!

Once back in California we learned that someone had taught Jack how to find his nose. This discovery was made after a confusing day of Jack pointing to his nose every time one of us said “NO!” to him. Clever little sucker. Not only is he smart enough to master that skill, he is also smart enough to use it in such a cute way as to make us forget he is engaging in some sort of forbidden activity such as maming the cat or sticking his finger in an electrical socket.

Though most of you cool cats are ringing in the New Year this evening (how old school of you), we celebrated last night. Oh yeah, it was a crazy night with two other sets of parents…family Sabenfass and family Shiso. We went to dinner and a concert. Truth be told, I enjoyed dinner the most since I was still awake and slightly coherent. The concert was fun, but the main act didn’t appear until 11:00 and sadly that is just too late for me these days. It wasn’t just me…in looking around at my party I could tell we were all feeling it. As we rung in the “new year” all I could think was that Jack might be getting up in four hours and it was my turn to get up with him. Shortly thereafter we left…the concert still a rockin, I am sorry to say. Happy New Year to me, though! When the five o’clock wake up call came, K took my spot and let me sleep in. Have I mentioned that I have the BEST husband in the world? I am a seriously lucky girl.

So here we are sliding into 2007. I’m contemplating this New Year’s resolutions…drink more water, eat better, exercise, cut down on caffeine…the usuals. We’ll see. All in all, I’m pretty content in my skin, thankful for my friends and family, and looking forward to more adventures. Wishing you the same.

In lieu of the traditional holiday photo, I thought it would be kind of cute to have an illustration of the family. It was a kind of an impromptu inspiration fueled by the fact that I had not managed to capture a decent photo of the three of us. I know ya’ll don’t really care about Kieran and I anymore, but I thought it might be good to have photographic evidence that his parents did exist. Despite a few attempts to secure said photograph, it just wasn’t happening so when we stepped into one of the play cafes for Sunday coffee and an illustrator/cartoonist was on the premises, I knew all my problems had been solved. I watched her work for a while and was satisfied with the slightly cartoonish but very cute likenesses of some adorable little tots. Now, we can all agree on Jack’s cuteness, right? So what happened here?!?!?…

I guess it’s back to the proverbial drawing board. No pun intended.

We went all out for Jack’s first Halloween experience dressing in celebration of the Dr. Seuss that we all enjoy:

4531

Yes, I am wearing footed pajamas. And yes, I did make those patches myself.

4525 Aren’t you proud of me?

We had a grand time at the neighborhood parade. It was quite the to do with all of the shops handing out treats and goodies. The tiny circuit gym even had a dance party for the kids.

Check out his friend, Oscar. 4537 Isn’t that the cutest!