Self Portrait

I think all aspiring photographers take the self timer self portrait at some time.  Here is my best shot.  The kids didn't recognize me when they saw the picture.  I don't know what that means or says about me.

picture of the day

I decided to do a picture of the day. Top of the world hike. I would die and go to heaven to have this much energy and athletic stamina again. Look at how little the kids are. Crazy.

A is for Artichoke

It's the dreaded, I just had a baby and now I am 25lbs overweight blog post. As a nursing mom I have to be careful not to drop the weight too fast, so I don't affect my milk supply. But to add insult to injury, I have to get measured for a bridesmaids dress next week.

Those of you who know me, know that when I try to loose weight it's all about the Fiber. Fiber is King in my book. The American Dietetic association recommends 25 - 35 grams a day. So this week I started a food diary. I am keeping track of grams of fiber. Yesterday was a pretty fibrous day.

Just for fun I am going to share with you my fiber intake food log from yesterday. Don't judge!

1 cup coffee with creamer - 0
1 cup frozen blackberries - 3
2 trader Joe's multi grain pancakes - 2
3 fresh apricots - 2.5
1 yogurt - 0
1 turkey sandwich (oroweat double fiber bread) - 13
1 fiber bar - 9
1 cup pinto beans - 14
1 chicken breast - 0
1/2 artichoke (no butter) - 1.5
1 Heineken light - 0
1 skinny cow ice cream bar - 3

That was 48 grams of fiber in one day. By the way, my stomach is fine.

Here is a little gem of info, one large artichoke has 30 calories and 3 grams of fiber!

lace & Lacie

We went wedding dress shopping today for miss Lacie, my sister in law.

It was fun and made me reminisce about my own wedding. Lacie of course is gorgeous and made all the dresses look good. I think she found the one and we all we all knew it. It's amazing how that works.

little projects

So I have been living in my house since June. Have I decorated much? Nope. But today I did a little project. I even did it the right way so hubby would be happy. Yes I used the stud finder, level, and the right drywall screw things. I am happy I have three less pictures to hang.

This is in my office above the computer so now I have some extra scenery when trying to figure out what to blog about today.

Let me introduce Pat

Pat is my nickname. Jerry gave it to me.

When I do something really well, I kind of gush about myself too much. I "pat" myself on the back.

This usually happens when I cook a really good dinner. Pat comes out in full force.

By the way, Friday I made the best Lasagna. I may even share the recipe.

I just need an alter ego for the Stephanie who is hungry and eats all the time. That way I can blame my pregnancy weight on her.

That's right

Hannah: "Jamesy boy is a boy"
Me: "yes"
Hannah: "Chippy boy is a boy"
Me: "Yep, what is Momma"
Hannah: "Um, Momma is a girl"
Me: "Right, what is Hannah"
Hannah: "Hannah is a princess"

Happy Birthday - 30 year edition

Well I hit the 30 year mark on Saturday! I had one of the best days I could ever imagine. I did the flowers for my good college friend's wedding. I just love working with the flowers, it had been a long time and I had forgotten how much I liked doing it.

Her wedding was in Geyserville, near Napa, it was a beautiful day, we had a break from the 110 degree heat here in Bakersfield. The Bride was beautiful and the wedding was a blast. I got to hang out with old college room mates, we drank wine and danced till dark.

And to make the day even better Jerry and I did some impromptu wine tasting before the wedding and we bought some wine that will be special to us for a long time.

So to sum up 30'th birthday = flowers, wine, friends, dancing & love

This is my princess face

This little fireball is going to be two years old tomorrow!

Time has gone by so fast. Long ago are the days of adorable Hannah, we are full on terrible twos these days.

After moving too many toys and cruise target for too long not liking anything we decided that stuff for her room is going to be her birthday gift. What two year old doesn't like book shelves and bed spreads?

pig tails

How do you get pig tails even on a squirming 1 year old? I have been trying almost everyday lately and I haven't mastered it yet. Hannah has to settle for uneven hair until she can sit still.

Happy Birthday to Me

What did I want for my birthday this year? To run the rock to pier. I did it, I had company (good company), I had fun. Birthday wish completed. It felt so good. It was a great race with great weather. We were dripping wet at the end from all the mist in the air. I ran at a 8:50/M pace -really good for slow me.



Plus I got to spend my birthday in SLO! We ate and went to farmers and I got this lovely surprise...









Well here is to one more year left in my 20's.


In my 20's I will have ...

started dating my monkey man
gotten engaged
gotten married
bought a house
sold a house
started building a house
had 2 babies
taught 5th grade
taught 6th grade
retired from teaching
started a small floral business

And so much else I can't remember right now.

Seriously, you want ME to smile?

OK we TRIED to take Hannah's 1st birthday pictures today. She would not smile, not at all!
We tried twice in the morning and in the afternoon. And this is one of the best. She is looking at us like ya right!

I did it

Ok, I am stupid. I know it and I acknowledge it. I decided to do my own hair.

I know now its better to wait till your hair girl gets off maternity leave than to do it your self.

Let me preface this by telling you all that I have had luck in the past with putting in my own highlights. My problem was not with the color but with the application. I used one of those highlighting kits and the stupid combs they give you leaves a big blob at the roots. I don't need to say any more. My hair is a patchwork quilt of color.

I have tried to color over my mistakes and now I have orange hair. Oh boy.

I don't think all the chlorine from my pool helped my efforts either. So tonight I went swimming without getting my hair wet. Like its going to help anything Now.

It must have been the endorphins

This morning I got up at 5:30 so I could run before it gets hot. I decided I needed to run 6 miles, just to make sure I could do it before I run the rock to pier race in July. I had a nice run, I made it and felt good. So I got back to the house around 6:30 and that's when I realized, I am all alone! So I picked up toys and cleaned up the kitchen. I made coffee and started a load of laundry, all the while thinking wow, I am SO productive. Then I started thinking. I should get up at 5:30 every morning. I imagined all the things I could get done with my day. Now at 1:30 in the afternoon. I am thinking that is some crazy nonsense to be thinking, and sleeping while the kids are sleeping is the way to live.

Patience, who me?

So I go between not really caring how my hair looks because its usually pulled up anyways to all of a sudden needing it done, now! I am getting to that needing it done stage and my hair girl is on maternity leave. I cancelled my last appointment because Jerry had just broke his back and I wasn't going to have someone watch the kids so I could get my hair done. The thing is I want it to be a bit longer for pony tail reasons but I really could use some highlights. So I am thinking why not do them myself. Whats the harm? Maybe all my hair could fall out this time and I would really learn my lesson about home hair salon.

Small & Mighty II

By the way James is great but it's all about Hannah these days.

We had our 12 month check up today.

Weight: 19.1 lbs - 20%
Height: 29.5 in - 50%

at our 9 mo check up

Weight: 16.12
Height: 27.5

She is growing slowly but surely.

Its bitter Sweet

Happy Birthday Hannah!

A year has gone by so fast. One year ago this tiny little girl came into our lives and everything changed, for the better of course. My children's birthdays make me sad and happy at the same time. I want my children to stay my babies forever. Yet a year goes by so fast and remembering what they were like a month ago is hard. But as I am learning with James each new phase in his life is more fun than the last. I guess that's why I take lots of pictures to try and remember. I look forward to this coming year of walking and talking and eating that Hannah will be learning. I look forward to her and James playing together and getting into trouble together.

Snaggle tooth Girl

So since I may be the absolute worse at keeping memory books for my children. I will note a few accomplishments of Hannah's here in my blog. We have two teeth now. The second one cut in sometime over the weekend (June 16/17). We walk on fingers and can balance for a moment. We are really good at mimicking words, bubbles, doggies, and a few others. We can say hi, mama, & dada. Butt schooching is still the favorite way to get around. Nursing is our hobby. We like sesame street and James makes us laugh.

My wish list

1. a button to push for a clean house.

2. a diesel vw jetta station wagon with all wheel drive.

3. some time alone.

4. to sleep at night again, thanks Hannah.

5. a pedicure done by someone other than me who speaks the same language I do.

6. to get running again at a regular schedule so I can do rock to peir with out dying.

7. for Jerry to heal completely and to take it easy like the good dr. ordered.

8. some highlights.

9. to sell the house quickly & effortlessly.

10. to have lots of fun this summer.

Granny's roll wars

Stephanie's - Jerry's

Jerry and I are having roll wars. We are using his grandmas famous recipe. But we think there may be a mistake on oven temp. Anyways whose would you rather eat?

Jerry's are much more brown & larger. My rolls are smaller and golden. But to be fair. I had all night to think about it and realize 400 is way too hot for bread baking. We better check with the source when she gets home.