ThankYouWelcome

Davis has been saying and doing some funny things this week, including but not limited to:

1) "ThankYouWelcome" (without the slightest pause)

2) Singing "happy birthday" to himself. All the time.

3) "OwmpaLoompa Tony" (long story but he heard Tony say "oompa loompa" and thought it was hysterical, so he now pairs Tony with that funny word.

4) Bringing his blue blanket everywhere with him, "nuggling" it and smiling so big all the while.

5) Saying "penis" and giggling. Yep, this just happened tonight. Someone (Bennett) said it, Davis heard it, and thinks its funny. He even said "daddy say penis". Oops.

6) Diving into my arms when I got home tonight. Literally diving.

7) Thinking every unopened box is a present. Even if it's really swiffers.

8) Sitting in his new armchair from Honey, as much. as possible.

That's all I can think of now...but a few side notes:
A) Bennett turned my blog into a book for me for Christmas. So meaningful.

B) I will do a full post or two on Christmas and this awesome vacation week soon, I promise.

C) I think we decided on a na-ame. (read that in the sing-songy taunting tone implied...)

D) This next comment really requires, and will get, it's own post...but the closer I get to having this little one, the more I feel compelled to adopt the next one. It's crazy how much I think about it.

31.

My birthday was nothing short of amazing. I will add pictures later, but for now, lets just say I was treated really well. I slept in while Bennett took Davis to school...then enjoyed Bennett's breakfast tacos that were so good, I ate so much, and couldn't even eat lunch...

But my mom picked me up and we met Nikki at Nordstrom cafe for lunch anyway. I love lunching there. We had lunch, chatted and my mom and Nikki gave me two amazing presents. Nikki gave me $ toward a trip to New York in March for the book release party. SO thoughtful...and my mom gave me an Orla Kiely bag I've been wanting.

After lunch we shopped around and then it was time for a massage. So relaxing I fell asleep and woke myself up with a snort. Ha. My mom stayed over to watch Davis so Bennett and I could go to dinner...we had reservations at Fonda San Miguel. However, we decided to go see a movie instead..."my week with marilyn". Boy was she a train wreck. Oh but wait, before we left Bennett let me open my gift. An iPad!! I had no idea. So sweet. I've been playing with it all day. Also, my grandparents gave me a really pretty necklace...thank you G & G.

Such a fun day. A great start to 31.

What I Love Wednesday: Christmas Edition

1) Reading to Davis by the light of the giant vintage HoHo in his room...
2) Finding gifts that you know the recipient will really love
3) Sparkly wrapping paper
4) Packaging from the Paper Source
5) Thinking about Christmas like a child again- the excitement, the mystery, the joy
6) Doubling up the excitement with my birthday 3 days before
7) Game night with our community group
8) Christmas cookies
9) Sleeping in
10) Hustle and bustle

Okay, one thing I don't love...Davis was up till 3:00 last night, just sad and not feeling well. We're taking him to the doctor today- but he has no fever- so I can't really figure it out. And I'm tired. And I want him to feel better.

But to end on a fun note- a few fun things he has said lately:
- "diaper feel bad"
- "don't you potty in tub!"
- "new song, new song, new song" - okay actually this isn't funny. it's annoying. listening to music in the car has become painful. 9 times out of 10 he doesn't like the song and is looking for something else- and if you can't find that something else, after checking EVERY radio station- he just continues to say "new song" until he gets really agitated and says "PEEEAASSEE!!!! MOMMY!!!!!"
- "mommy get it" if he drops something and doesn't want to reach to get it.
- "nuggle, nuggle mommy..." and he sits in the same chair in our living room and waits for me to come snuggle with him.

Oh and here is the card his class' room mom put together for the teachers. So cute.

House! House!

I meant to mention that a couple weeks ago when I got home, Davis ran to the door saying "house! house!". I had no idea what he was talking about until he took me and showed me the cute little gingerbread house he and Honey had made that day. He was so proud...until he saw the hole in the roof. He pointed and said "hole..." over and over, very seriously. And it became clear to me that he had punched his little finger right through the roof. Ha.

Anyway- here is the little house and he still likes to sit up on the stool at the counter and look at it. And if I don't pay enough attention, he likes to steal a shingle or doorknob and eat it.

Separately, I picked Davis up yesterday and right when I walked in the door I knew something was wrong. All the kids were sitting right in front of the entrance, hearing a story read by a dog puppet. Not Davis. I could hear crying from the other side of the room- so I walked over and he was sitting with Logan, just crying crying crying. He was crying so hard he didn't even notice me. When he looked up, his little face was red, his eyes were heavy looking, and his hair was sweaty. Poor guy was hot to the touch. Logan said he had been crying for a little while so they walked to the office to take his temperature- but he only had a low grade fever. We gave him some ibuprofen, I carried him to the car, and within minutes, he was asleep.

By the time we got home, he was feeling better, and loved the pallet I set up for him on the couch. He watched Barney. He took a bath. He ate a full meal...and he went to bed. Very uneventful. Didn't wake up all night. No fever, and happy as a clam this morning. So, I took him to school. Wonder what that was all about?

Anyway- I just want him to feel better. Love him so.

Kiss-mas Tee!

Saturday we talked all afternoon about going to the big kiss-mas tee with Porter...Davis's eyes lit up each time we talked about how big the tree was going to be, and we weren't disappointed. We had dinner with the Ryans and then parked downtown and walked over to Zilker Park to see the big tree. This was our first year- and it certainly won't be our last.

Okay yes, it's kind of tacky...but imagine if you were two.

And spinning underneath it? Awesome.

On the way to the BIG KISS-MAS TEE!

The closest pic to getting both of them smiling.

Davis and Bennett

Bennett and I.

Porter and Davis.

A little smooch under the tree. I look like a giraffe. He looks like a wildabeast.

Carrie and I!

Girls Christmas Exchange

Last night was the 5th anniversary of our girls christmas exchange in Austin. The first year there were 6 of us and it's grown to 10. It's always so fun to get together, have a great food (this year was at Fino), drink wine and just spend time together.

Every year I'm reminded of how great my friends are and I'm seriously amazed that I get to keep close company with them. Here are a few snapshots of last night. This year Kirsten was able to join- which made it extra fun.

I drew Carrie's name and gave her the earrings you see in the picture- from Noonday. Courtney Greenburg drew my name and gave me the cutest little sparkly studs from Anthro. The funniest gift was an 80s Kama Sutra book, and the best quote that came along with it was "why is everything so hazy?" HA!

Hey Mr. Postman

When I was little and not feeling well, my mom would take me to the local movie store (Pop N Go, in Sioux Falls) and I would pick out some movies to watch while sitting in my bean bag. Without fail, I would choose one, or an assortment of, the following movies: Gidget, Goonies, Troop Beverly Hills and Rags to Riches. Hence the video clip. Geez, I loved that part of the movie. I still do. If you didn't notice, it's a riff on the "Hey Mr. Postman" song.

Today I received a cute note in the mail with a magazine tear-out from my friend, Katie Brewerton. It made my day. Occasionally, Katie, Kirsten and my grandmother will send me something in the real mail- and I just love it.

Where are you going with this, Sam? Okay, so the point is this: I was excited to receive the note. So excited that I started thinking about how much I appreciate the U.S. Postal Service. Which made me start singing "Hey Mr. Postman" in tribute. Which made me think of "Rags to Riches".

Full circle. There you go.
Anyway- here is the cute tear-out from Katie...and a picture of Davis. Did I tell you all that next month is what I am calling "Breaking Binky"? Well it is. Dreading it.

Let the Games Begin

Davis isn't feeling so well. He's not sick, but he's not 100%, and I think this is causing him to be sort of miserable. Today I picked him up from school, they said he had a good day, but as we left and I wouldn't let him take his cubby with us, he threw a full-on, on the ground kicking, screaming tantrum. People had to walk over us to get out the door, and it lasted all the way to the car.

We got home and played a bit- everything was okay but I think it was mainly because I made it an easy night. A bath, Barney, toast and fruit for dinner, and some playtime. I put him in bed at 7:30 and waited for the new "cry" he's been trying out lately that I experienced for an hour last night as he fought going to bed. It's sort of a rhythmic moaning, or wailing. It's horrible- more annoying than anything because you can tell he's not in pain or anything- he's just being a stinker. I went in and out about 8 times last night, so tonight I decided I would wait it out and he could tire himself out. I laid in my bed (feeling sorry for myself, thinking about all the work I needed to do, my sore throat, and how much I just wanted to go to bed) for 20 minutes of this new cry.

I heard a little thud, but he occasionally hits his crib or something into the wall so I didn't think much of it. After a few minutes it got quiet...and I congratulated myself on sticking it out. A few minutes later, I had to walk out to my car to get my computer to start work...I heard more crying. I peeked my head in and holy cow- there was Davis- STANDING NEXT TO HIS BED. I was so shocked. He was so scared. I sat down with him, hugged him, helped him calm down and then told him over and over that "we stay in our bed at night..."

He went back to bed, and it's 10:00 now, and he's still asleep...but I can't help but think that this is an early start to my sleepless nights. Ugh. I had been hoping to avoid this until after the baby comes. Let the games begin.

Confessions

I finish almost every dinner with a pack of Davis' fruit snacks.

Sometimes in the car, on the way home, I pretend I'm being interviewed on a news or talk show about some amazing project I've just completed. Usually it's a best selling book. (Gotta have dreams to achieve them, right?)

I hate having trash in my car. I mean, I hate it to the point where I used to litter. I'm a reformed litterer. Sometimes I relapse.

I am obsessed with efficiency. I will think of four things I need to do at home and figure out the most efficient route and way to do them- even to the point where I make a plan that doesn't allow me to back track from one room to the other. THAT IS CRAZY!!! (I realize this...)

Sometimes I feel like blowing a lot of cash on fun things. I'll fill up many online shopping carts...wait a few days, think about it, and then go back and revise my cart. Sometimes there aren't so many revisions. EEK!

Very often, I think about what my life would be like in a completely different career. Sometimes I am a lawyer. Other times I am a delivery nurse. Often I am a teacher. Sometimes I am a public speaker.

I am about to start a book of my own. I am very excited about it. I think it might be part of my calling. We'll see, I guess. If I finish it, get an agent, get it published, and do a book tour.

As excited as I am about baby #2, I'm also really anxious and nervous. Sometimes I can't sleep thinking about it.

I have started enjoying cheese. Mainly just sharp cheddar. The other day I was eating some cheese with Bennett and I thought to myself "This must be how people feel about cheese...it's sort of amazing." (Usually, not pregnant, I don't really care for cheese. Especially non-yellow types).

I had the realization last night that every single person is just trying to figure things out in life. Some people are just more transparent than others. Then I thought of this formula: The more proactive you are in your endeavor, the more successful you will be. The more transparent you are in your struggles and successes, the more helpful you will be. The more helpful you are, the more joyful you will be.

I am bummed that my panel didn't get into SxSW interactive festival. But I'm also aware that out of 4000 entries they picked 500, AND I would have a 4 week old baby at that time- so that would have been pretty stressful.

I really missed karaoke this holiday season. It's true. I did.

That's all I got for now. I feel so much better. I guess this is sort of like being Catholic.

Room Re-Dos

We've been working away on some room re-dos in anticipation of the new littlest Bennett. It's so fun to create new spaces- and when you have a designer like Nikki in your family- the outcome is always amazing. Not that we have a final outcome yet- not even close. These pics are of the works in progress.

I am kicking myself for not taking a picture of the guest room BEFORE we started turning it into the baby room. Same for the office BEFORE we modified it to be an office/sleep spot for Honey. I could have really done a nicer job with the before and after that way...but it is what it is.

Bennett's office:

Purchased this twin bed from West Elm and we're trying to create a sitting space during the day- with a sleeping option when we have a guest. Picked up the shams at Red and Urban Outfitters.

To the right of the settee- our bookshelf. Ignore two things in this picture: the wrinkly sheet and the junk hidden in the corner behind the bookshelf.

Bennett's workspace. This is the tidiest you will ever see it. His work approach is nothing short of organized chaos.

Some fun photos to the right of his desk.

Pics taken in Boston and some of Bennett and his buddies.

The littlest Bennett's room:

I have painted this room three different colors. We chose this color a few years ago and I LOVE it. I planned to keep it for boy or girl.

That light sitting on the floor is from Red and it used to be in our kitchen. We are going to see how it looks as the overhead light in her room.

Her bed, pre-Red bedding. I picked up that little sheet at Target months ago and I think it's so great for $12. I mean, seriously? Pillow is from Red- of course- and blanket is from Giggle in L.A.

My maps! One of my favorite items in our house. Love them.

The new dresser, some random storage type things just sitting on top, and an adorable orange from a new business pitch a few years ago. I'll let you guess the company. The mailroom guys laughed when I screamed as I saw them throwing that gem in the dumpster.

Some funny pictures of Davis, pre-weekend haircut. He looks like one of the Three Stooges. Ha.

This was at Magnolia Cafe last week. We had a blast. Bfast tacos and a brownie a la mode for dessert. Boom.

Moore Girls Getaway

My mom took Nikki and I to San Antonio to stay overnight and shop at La Cantera. It was so much fun- I told Davis that I didn't even realize how much I needed a little break like that until I was there. We stayed at the Westin, which is right next to La Cantera, so it was perfect.

We left Friday morning, shopped at the outlets, then headed to SA for a little more shopping and dinner. The next day we did more shopping. It is so festive there and is such a nice outdoor mall- I highly recommend it. We think we might spend a Christmas there one of these years. Do Fiesta Texas Christmas stuff one night, take Davis skating on the ice rink at the Westin, and of course shop shop shop. :)

When I got home, Bennett had fully completed my wish list, which I didn't expect at all. I knew he was going to get some things done around the house- but seriously- he knocked it out! Made me feel great- I am really thankful. He took Davis to the gym for the first time and said he had a blast but he shoved each of the 6 other kids there. WHAT GIVES? Bennett said it wasn't malicious really- it was more like he was a magnet drawn to each of them. He couldn't help himself. He would shove the kids down and just look at them like "Yeah. That's what happened I guess..." Oh, two years old. Such a fine time.

We went to church this morning but left after about 15 minutes. It was a guest preacher and I unfortunately noticed within 2 minutes that he did this weird thing where he would lick his lips quickly between just about every other word. Like a lizard. I couldn't think of or focus on anything else. And of course I told Bennett. And then he couldn't focus on anything else. We started obsessively counting and nudging each other with each lizard lick. It was too much. So, we played hookie and went and picked out wrapping paper at Target. So fun. Adults playing hookie during church while our son is in church daycare. Ha.

This afternoon Carrie and Porter came over- it was a really fun way to break up the day and also catch up a bit. I've been so busy- Carrie and I usually get together frequently, but it's been a while. I still feel we need to catch up more- it's sort of hard when you're refereeing two two year olds that both want whatever the other has.

Tonight, I got an amazing pedicure. So nice. A weekend of indulgences. I love this time of year. I love picking out gifts for people. I love the festivity, the music and the hustle and bustle.

Speaking of music, tonight as I was rocking Davis to sleep, I was talking about how he will be going to school tomorrow. He said "music cass?" Yes, I said, you DO have music class tomorrow. Then he said "Jinga bells?" I was surprised. I guess that is a song they are working on...so I started to sing and asked him to sing and he sang the first verse. SO CUTE!

Also today we put batteries in all of his toys that had dead ones. He loved that. I gave him a little screwdriver and he "helped" me with all of them. :)

Cramming it In

There is a new intensity at the Bennett house. It's unsaid and unexplained, though I think it's certainly because we're busy, but also about realizing how little time we have until our lives are turned upside down again with another little one.

This pregnancy has gone so quickly, and so uneventfully, that I almost think we're a little bit in denial. Or a lot. I told myself to sort of pretend I wasn't pregnant at first- because I didn't want it to slow me down and I also didn't want to feel like I was WAITING for 9 months. And now, here we are, and I'm 32 weeks pregnant and I don't know how much we realize what is coming. Ha.

But my point is that both Bennett and I are running at about 100 mph right now. Mainly fun things...trying to cram it all in. Not like life is over after baby #2, but moreso that you do have a brief hiatus. I do think it will be more brief with #2, but again, I might be in denial.

Tomorrow Nikki, my mom and I are getting away for the night to go christmas shopping. Eating at great places, seeing a movie, shopping, and sleeping in, oh my! Next week is my work christmas party and next weekend Bennett is going to a Texans game in Houston. The week after that is my birthday and then Christmas that weekend. The first weekend of January is a guy's weekend for Bennett, and then holy cow, we're in mid-January.

It's coming quickly. I hope we're ready.

Separately, because I want to remember...tonight I was singing "ABC's" to Davis to see if he would sing along. He didn't seem interested, so I stopped at G. Then all of the sudden, Davis just started singing "H-I-J-K-L MNO- P"- perfect annunciation, perfect sound. I was so surprised. So smart.

Here's What's Awesome...

Traveling with the President and CEO of your company, staying at the nicest hotel in L.A., and having your credit card declined at the front desk only to find out later that they held it for an $18 charge at the airport that seemed suspicious. Thanks Citicard. Can you credit my street cred because you seriously just blew it.

Ha. Oh well. Anyway- just got back from L.A. and I am exhausted. So many work projects popping up and all things I want/need to be a part of between now and February. Great timing. So I'm just cranking away- trying to stay on top of things. We'll see how it goes. I know I have way higher expectations of myself than anyone else- so I just need to remember that.

In the meantime- here are some pics from November now that I found my charger. Please note that Bennett's mustache was for Movember. Not for real.

On the docks in Portland. It was SO cold.

Davis wasn't so sure about the fish.

But he LOVED the forklift.

And the LIVE fish at L.L.Bean.

Sweet "baby Yeeya".

"Mo ceweal daddy."

Cruising with Andy at Specs.

Thanksgiving feast at the Greers.

Davis and daddy in Maine. Trying to stay warm.

Wax straws.

Happy Wednesday.

Christmas Card 2011

Here is the picture from our Christmas card this year. Carrie, of Sweet Louise Photography took it, and did an amazing job, of course. We didn't send a ton of Christmas cards, so if you didn't receive one, please don't feel sad. Enjoy this pic instead!

Happy Holidays!
Also, Davis woke up at 4:30 a.m. this morning a little freaked out by the rain. I walked into his room and he said "mommy, hold you?" So cute.

Sweet Times

This weekend has been so sweet, and I'm thankful for every minute.

Friday Nikki, Davis and I went to Ikea. It was really fun and Davis has been saying "Mikki, I-KEE-YAH?" all weekend. He is quite a repeater lately. For the most part it's fun, but yikes, sometimes...sometimes it's exhausting.

Saturday afternoon, B and Corky came over to hang out, and we couldn't have been happier. B took Davis outside and about 5 minutes later, Davis came barging back in saying "Corky, keys? keys?" with such urgency. He was ready to drive "B's tuck", of course. They played and played and had such a good time, giggling their heads off tickling each other. It's so special when your friends love your kids.

That night, the four of us had dinner at Asti. I had never been there and it was great. We stopped at a bakery across the street for dessert and I got a little Christmas tree sugar cookie for Davis. He is really into Christmas- we put up our tree the other day and a few decorations in the house. He points at the Christmas tree several times a day and says either "ho ho" which is what he says about everything Christmas...or "wook at it. wook at it." So anyway- today when I gave him his "ho ho cookie" he was very excited! Huge grin and he looked at it for quite a while before biting the top off.

Today we went to church and then came home for lunch. I put Davis down at 11:45 for a nap, and hoped he would take a good, normal nap. Both Friday and Saturday were such short naps, and as I'm so tired lately, I really could use a good stretch of time- to get things done or better yet- take a nap myself. :) Anyway. I had my fingers crossed today, so when I heard him talking still at 12:30, then 12:45, then 1:15, I started to lose hope. BUT he fell asleep at 1:20 and we had to wake him up at 3:30. Ha.

I went in to wake him up and he didn't want to get out of bed. He kept rolling around saying "Co-zy. Co-zy mommy." But we got him up...and went to scope out christmas gifts at the mall. Bennett's suggestion. Shocker! We are all really in the Christmas spirit this year.

Tonight we hung out, watched Caillou, made Cheesy Poblano soup, and then I got to put some things away in the new dresser Davis put together for me. It was so fun! I'm so excited.

Tomorrow starts a busy week- I thought Maine would be my last trip- but I was asked to go to L.A. for work, so this will be my last trip. I'm excited about the reason for the trip, but not really excited to travel, or be away from home right now. BUT, we're staying at Casa Del Mar, and it's two hours behind in LA, so I think I'll be pretending I'm on vacation Tuesday a.m., sleeping in and ordering room service. Or maybe I'll take a walk on the beach. Not so bad, eh? Not so bad at all. Also, I'll be back Tuesday night...quick trip.

Anyway- it's been a very sweet weekend- and I'm cherishing every moment in our lives right now. Geez. That sounds really cheesy. Cheesy like the soup I made for dinner. Ugh, there I go again...but it's true.

Being a Koala

Davis and his fellow Koalas, in November.

More Pictures from Maine

Of course he found their vacuum within about 20 minutes of being at their house. He has a 6th sense.