Sweet Smiles

Alaina is getting really good at smiling.   Boy, these smiles sure brighten up my day!  Hopefully yours too...Enjoy!

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Valentine's Gift

This year for Valentine's day, Jason surprised me with some new running shoes!  Now, back in the day, I used to love running.  I ran almost everyday in the summer, and often on the treadmill in winter.  Once I had Ethan, my running days diminished greatly.  I got back into it again for a bit, but then stopped as I became pregnant again.  And although they say you can run while pregnant, I never felt up to it.  So It has been over a year since I went on a real run.  But now that I am no longer pregnant, I am hoping to find the time to get a few runs in each week.  We'll see how it goes!  I went on a short, warm-up run on Sunday, and boy am I out of shape.....but hopefully my new shoes will get me back in gear...thanks Jason!

Our big 1-month old!

As my friend reminded me today, the days are long but the weeks are short!

Here we are at one month already! Cant believe it.  She has grown and stretched out.  She is more aware of her surroundings and even has started the occasional social smile.  She likes to watch her mobile now.  And nights are getting better.  Still up every 3 hours to eat but (knock on wood), she has been going back to sleep after eating--hooray!!!
What a sweetie pie!  Happy one-month birthday, Alaina!

10 Years Together!

Just over 10 years ago, on 2/7/03, Jason and I went on our first date!

Now look at us--two jobs, a house, a mortgage and two kids 10 years later....who would have thought?
We actually met the week before at a Chicago-area medical school social...for our first date we went to an Italian restaurant on the North side of Chicago--which I think is no longer around!

I remember being so nervous about our first date, and wondering if we would run out of things to talk about---well we didnt--and we still havent!  But it does make me feel old to think  we have been together for 10 years!!!

I am so lucky to have found such a wonderful person to share my life with--I hope we have many more great years together!

Ethan's Birthday Weekend

We have had a busy weekend celebrating Ethan's 4th Birthday!  I can't believe it has been 4 years since he was born--looking at Alaina now, I see how much he has grown in those four short years and I am really amazed.

Ethan's birthday was Friday.  We wanted it to be extra-special, since he has had to adjust to a new sister, and getting less attention.  Unfortunately, the day before I was suddenly struck by a case of mastitis.  It was quite possibly the sickest I have ever been, and was definitely worse than labor (not kidding).  So, Jason stepped up and baked muffins and brought in the birthday treats for snacktime at Ethan's preschool.  What a great Dad!  Meanwhile, Jason's parents came over and took care of me and Alaina.  What great in-laws!!  I sure realized what a great family I have out here!

Anyhow, Ethan enjoyed celebrating with his class.

That night for dinner, he chose french toast for a birthday meal (just like last year!).  He enjoyed it with dad, grandma and grandpa.  I made it out of bed to watch him blow out candles on some cupcakes and open his presents.

On Sunday, we had planned his party at a gym near our house.  Weeks ago we realized we wouldn't be able to do a good job hosting a party with a 3 week old, so we outsourced it to San Rafael Gymnastics.  Boy I am glad we did, since I was still under the weather, and we would have had to cancel if it was at our place.

Ethan and his friends had a blast doing gymnastics, jumping on the trampolines, jumping into the foam pit, and going on special swings.

So despite my absence, it seems as though he had a great celebration.  Happy birthday, Ethan!!

Happy 4 th birthday, Ethan!