Sometimes it’s more reality then I care to deal with! That sounds crazy, I’m sure- but sometimes it’s nice to sweep this crap under the rug. Sometimes it’s nice to forget all your problems & just be happy. Luckily, Scott & I only seem to fight when business or bills are involved & since today was Saturday we had a wonderful day. Which is just what our family needed to recoup from another really tough week of trying to figure out how to move forward.

We decided to head up to Filoli today with the kids to walk around for a little while. We have a membership & free fun equals a good time! So, we tied the wagon to the top of the PT Cruiser- side note: we need a bigger car. I mean seriously. It’s ridiculous. But, obviously that’s not happening for a long time! Anyhow- we tied the wagon to the PT & went to pick up sandwiches at a local gourmet grocery I love. Hudson & I went in while Scott & the twins sat in the car & I let Hudson do a lot of the shopping. He is really something! Seriously! He chose Watermelon juice for himself & gooseberries as our fruit. I had never seen gooseberries before. They were really tart but it was kinda like eating warheads so it was fun! He also met a set of boy girl twins who were sitting in a stroller at the deli counter. He went right up to them and said “A baby like Tutu & a baby like Soysoy” as he pointed to the boy & the girl. It’s funny he gets that they were twins like T & S. He also wore UNDERWEAR on this outing for the first time.

Anyhow, we got to Filoli and had our lunch. Then we loaded up the kids and enjoyed a nice walk through the gardens. I feel like it’s been a long time since we’ve been there. The twins sat up in the wagon and looked around. They were interested in everything around them. Hudson asked questions about the flowers. He learned about Roses (which for some reason he says are Sawyer flowers) Lavender, poppies and dahlias. I loved telling him the facts I knew about stuff but of course at 2 I doubt he cared about most of them, he just wanted to smell them all. “Smells so good mommy!” He did LOVE watching the bumble bees and honey bees pollenating the flowers. In the lavender section it was like the bushes were alive. There were hundred upon hundreds of bees. Hudson kept asking us to “shhh” and when we’d fall silent we’d hear the buzz of the swarm and then Hudson would chime in buzzing along! It was adorable. Once we got home he was still talking about the bees. That they make honey. And like purple lavender and poppies and Sawyer flowers. It’s so funny how much of a child he’s become in only a few months. This age group is amazing because they learn SO FAST. It’s something new every day & it is such a treat to watch.

We DID have our first accident today at Filoli. All my bragging. I was sure my kid would just be potty trained. But, as he watched the babbling fountain at Filoli, a little pool formed at his feet & though I was prepared with a new outfit (a super ridiculous one at that), I was a little disappointed. I know he’s only been at it exactly a week. He’ll get it soon. I know it. Once we got home it was business as usual. No accidents.

This evening was just as enjoyable. I had Starbucks with my sister-in-laws. We gave all the kids baths. Krust & I got the material for the dress she’s making me to wear to our friend Carolynn’s wedding. I set up my new printer which I had to break down & buy since ours took a crap and I had no way of billing my customers. It’s AMAZING what leaps and bounds printers have made in the last 6 years! It’s a whole new ballgame! I made a wonderful yummy healthy dinner. And then ruined it with two scoops of Baskin Robbins. We watched the kids giggle together at dinner & play legos. I folded all the laundry. I watched ‘The Kids are Alright’ & cried like a chump. It really was an awesome & productive day & tomorrow will hopefully be just as wonderful as we are looking at a few rental houses and my mama is spending the night to help with the kids.

I am grateful for the weekends more than I ever have been. Right now we don’t just want them, we need them. It’s our time as a family to relax and reconnect. To realize how awesome what we have is. This family of ours has a real great thing together. Times like these I know money doesn’t matter. I would still be this happy in a tiny apartment or a cardboard box, so long as I had my husband, children, family & amazing friends. But, winning the lottery wouldn’t hurt either.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.

Today Scott had a big dollar job scheduled. It was an all day thing so he didn’t schedule anything else. He got up early, dragged ass out of bed and headed out to work. Not 10 minutes later he called form Starbucks with the news that the job had been cancelled due to the customer not finishing the prep work for us. So, by 830 I was in the shower (with a frap!) and we were formulating a plan for the day. Which ended up being a much awaited trip to the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. I haven’t been since the OLD one was open. It’s been like 20 years.

I am IN LOVE with days like today. Not only was it a (surprise!) family day but it was also a day where I got to see my children in a new way. New experiences through their eyes. Watching them literally SOAK IN information.

The Museum is amazing in design & in what it contained. But watching Truman point furiously at “fish!” and “Turrrrtle!”? Or watching Sawyer meander through the gift shop and return hugging a little stuffed Albino Alligator wearing a neon pink hoodie with the Academy of Sciences logo on it? (how could we say no!?) And of course Hudson who is at an incredible age. No stroller at all- just walking with his hand in mine. Pointing to lions, gorillas, monkeys, zebras, fish, sharks etc. He was like my little docent. He was showing us everything and telling us what things were. (“Look mama! Alligator! Captain hook is SCARED of alligators!” “Penguin SCARED me when he jumped in water!” “Gorilla big and SCARY!” Yes, he has a new favorite emotion.) When he didn’t know- he’d ASK. It was amazing. All three were wide eyed the entire time- and though we didn’t leave the museum until close to 3 (the twins usually nap 12-3) all three were awake until they were cuddled into their car seats and on the way back home. Even Hudson napped. And Sawyer slept clutching the stuffed alligator, of course.

Scott & I decided to take advantage of the sleep time & went to the mall for Legos for him (yes. I know. He’s a lego maniac at 31.) and a new Kate Spade wallet for me. Side note: OMG. I felt SO 1997 while purchasing a Kate Spade wallet. But I needed a new leather wallet as my Chanel (from 2004) FINALLY broke down. And I went with a more budget friendly option than Chanel this time. And it will no doubt last just as long.

Of course today was Thursday so we went to my Dad & Stepmom’s house for dinner- which was trying only because the kids can be really difficult when in a non-childproofed environment. We had a wonderful dinner, the kids got some new clothes from their Nona & I got a really great family heirloom from my dad that I could not treasure any more than I do. It is AMAZING. It was a great night. Especially hearing Hudson tell his Pop about the museum. He said things like “I saw an ALBINO alligator.” I told him that at the museum but he remembered. He also told pop that he pet a starfish and an urchin and went in a tunnel of fish. All without coaxing. His memory is really taking off.

Once home (with a horrible headache) we put the twins in bed & read a few books with all three in their beds. Sometimes I feel like I’m in a movie. Does that happen to you? Tonight during story time was one of those times. Hudson laid down on his pillow and both twins sat upright with their feet dangling through the bars of their cribs. They were listening. They were smiling and giggling. All three of them. Being a parent is sometimes like being complete outside yourself, right? I don’t know how to really articulate that, but- it’s this crazy feeling I get sometimes. It makes me insanely happy. Then Hudson came downstairs repeatedly begging for “more stories.” “Read _______” etc. He also decided to call me “Emily ” “Babe” & “Emmie” like 100 times for no reason which was HILARIOUS.

It took a visit from Kelsey around 10 who rough housed with Hudson for about 45 minutes to tire him out finally and he is currently passed out in our bed between us.

So that was today in a delicious nutshell. July 14th, you’ve been good to our family. Did I mention I bought presale tickets to Portishead for October in Berkeley this morning? Did I mention I bought their first album circa 1994 and still have never had a chance to see them live? Well here I am.  17 years later with a ticket in my hot little hand. CANNOT WAIT.

Also this week:

Our house- FINALLY appraised.

I’m taking a giant sign of relief and sponging up every last second of this week. I cannot believe it is Friday already. Can you!?!

Happy Birthday, My dearest Softpack. I love you more than I can even express. Heterosexual Life Partners FOREVER!

<3

We had a lovely brunch at Scott’s aunt & uncle’s home & they were gracious enough to also invite my mom & stepdad along as well. We watched the kids run around in the yard & ate yummy food. Though, with brunch being right at naptime I didn’t do much eating. I am SO high strung when it comes to wrangling my kids in non-childproofed homes. Tired, crabby babies & breakables in the same place makes my blood pressure rise!

But, we made it through without any incident & as a plus all 3 took a nice long nap when we got home. Happy easter, friends. Also: I hope no one was offended by Zombie Jesus. A friend from high school said it on facebook yesterday & I thought it was hilarious. First time I’d ever heard that. I must be behind the times though because for every “Happy Easter” on FB today there was one “Happy Zombie Jesus Day!” So, apparently I live under a rock.

OK, now for pictures:

How cute are my children? I mean, maybe I’m biased but those outfits? I was DYINGGGGG.

Why is this?
Why can a dude not just feel kinda shitty? Why must every illness be earth shatteringly awful?
Honestly, I thought this was a problem that only my husband had. Because for the last 14 years if I have a headache- his is worse. If I am tired- he is more tired. If I need a shower- he needs one first.

But when I complained to The Twitter about it, I got one answer. “He has a mancold”

A FUCKING MANCOLD!

DUHHHHH.

Scott had a mancold. My cold? though equal on all fronts- was less severe because I. DON’T. GET. TO. BE. SICK. When I am sick, I still get up with the kids. I still feed them & entertain them. I am their mother- and if I don’t- no one else will. So I have to suck it up. When I am sick, there is still laundry & dishes & people & animals to be fed. So I just do it. Even when I feel like I am dying.

But the mancold- was surely worse than mine. He had a SINUS INFECTION. A BACTERIAL INFECTION. Flu. SWINE Flu. Surely, regular medicine from Target wouldn’t cure his incredibly rare & Sudafed resistant cold. But that didn’t stop him from sending me to Target with babies to find Theraflu & throat drops & Dayquil & ET on DVD. ET on DEE. VEE. DEE. AT 830AM.

Anyone else have a man-baby on your hands every time he gets the sniffles? What are your favorite fixes to help your dude feel better?

And please don’t say Neti pot- because though it totally works- Scott refuses to follow the instructions and instead chokes and gags and dry heaves while trying to use the thing. And I am sick of looking at the spectacle.

Can’t wait to have my husband back on his game!

Sawyer, you are such a joy in my life. You are so sassy & strong. Your hilarious growls & snarls when Hudson tries to take your toys crack me up. You hold your own, mama! You take no shit & I love it. I like to think that attitude is all me. I am so proud of your nature. It is a very important quality for a young woman to have.

And those EYES!? I mean, I know we have blue eyes in the family, but your eyes are BLUE. A gorgeous blue I had always hoped to see but never expected. It’s kind of mind boggling how different you look from me. I thought I’d always have a little girl who looks like me, but you look a lot like your grandmother’s baby pictures to me. And that? Is amazing. She was one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met.

I have a special place for you, my daughter. I dreamed of having you always. I held my breath in the ultrasound room as they discovered that Truman was a boy just hoping with everything in me that you were growing inside of me. And here you are.

Happy Birthday, Soy Soy. I love you more than words could explain.

Within a few minutes they whisked you off to NICU for what amounted to a 3-day stay of tubes & needles & teeny tiny blood pressure cuffs. I never once doubted your strength. And of course, you proved that because after a 3 night stay in the hospital we went home as a family.

And you haven’t stopped since.

Truman, you are not only the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen (don’t tell your siblings!) but you are also the sweetest, most gentle soul I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. You are infallibly happy. Your infectious smile & laughter gets me EVERY. TIME. You are probably the best candidate in the WORLD to be a little brother to Hudson, since any time he pushes you to the ground or steals your toy- you just get up & keep going. You don’t cry or get upset. And Hudson is lucky you have this nature, because you, sir, are a big boy! You are almost as big as him now! He has it coming when you outgrow him someday, I just know it.

Your gorgeous blonde hair & steel grey eyes just captivate me. I can’t stand how cute you are. Seriously.

My sweet boy, it has been a gift watching you grow this past year. Happy Birthday, Tutu. (Toots, Tootie, Tru) I love you with every ounce of my being.

It started a day or two ago when Truman walked about three steps from the wall to a piece of furniture. Followed the next day by Sawyer taking 3 steps while I was busy trying to coax Truman into walking. They aren’t fully walking around yet, but when they are rested & fed- they can WALK. Truman walked at least 10 steps a few different times today (sunday) and I couldn’t be more excited/fearful of what this important “step” means for my everyday life. It’s also funny because Hudson started walking about a week before his birthday talking a couple steps at a time- and the day of his 1st birthday party (3 days before his birthday) he started WALKING and never crawled again. Tomorrow is 3 days before the twins turn 1. It’s a cute little coincidence & I hope tomorrow brings us great luck in the form of Tru & Sawyer making the transition to walking full time. We will see. Hopefully, I will have videos soon!

Saturday night Scott’s aunt had us, my sister-in-laws, my father-in-law & my dad & stepmom over for a little birthday dinner for Scott. He opened gifts & we had cake. It was lovely. Then after we had a couple friends over & hung out till 2am+ & even had a drunky sleep on our couch because it was that kind of party!

Today was spent relaxing & playing with the kids. Today was also my husband Scott’s 31st birthday. So I was sure to make 3 homemade meals & make sure he had a great day. And it was great. Pure & simple. In the late afternoon Scott’s sisters came over (FYI we hang out with them 5+ times a week.) & we ate an AWESOME dinner & watched the Oscars.

Here are some pics from the weekend: