Have yourself a merry little Christmas!

 

I know it’s been awhile, and a post of iPhone pictures taken in the past few months is not a really REAL post…but it’s what I have the energy for today.

We miss our girl

Hanging out with baby Leo

Our olives have turned!

World Series shenanigans!

Bodega Bay

Dickson family celebrating on election night!

Where did September run off to? We’re already nearing the end of October?! Game 1 of the World Series is already IN THE BAG?! GO GIANTS!!

Last week I was greeted with five days of temperatures in the low forties. HOLY CRUD ITS FREEZING ALREADY. So, I started unpacking my fall/winter stuff and moving the spring/summer stuff to the back of the closet.  The ugly truth is, I have a very hard time discarding things that don’t fit me anymore (I’m looking at you, vintage lace skirt).  My boots are happy to be dusted off, polished, and made new again.

Last month, we took Marco to the San Francisco Zoo. Dude…he loved it. It was so much fun, we became members! A few fun pics:

View on the way into the city

On the steam train with my boy

Feeding the goats with Daddy

Yes, those are sleeping koalas. Yes, they are spooning. Yes, I squee’d.

This kid loves a sale {side note: On his own, Marco decided his elephant was a girl and he named her Eva}

Recipes, updates, and random stuff (per usual) coming soon!

Over my birthday week, we tried a new breakfast spot in Downtown Napa called Biscuits, and it was so good we went back last weekend. We’re officially addicted.

Tasty iced coffee

Kisses

Also, umm yeah. Chicken and waffles. So flipping good.  This fried chicken was so good, Tim finished his biscuits and gravy breakfast, and ate a chicken wing and a waffle. THIEF.

Marco was smart and ordered his own waffle.

I’ve started eating chicken once a week to increase my protein intake (doc says I must), but now that I’ll basically be eating fried chicken once a week, the health benefits are probably nil. OH WELL DON’T CARE. NOM NOM NOM.

Marco’s 2nd birthday was last Sunday, but I was so busy preparing for his party that I didn’t get a chance to post this…

Dear Marco,

You, sir, are now a big 2 year old. Our little preschooler!

 I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: you are truly the most beautiful boy. Those big green eyes, framed with long eyelashes…and those cheeks! Your floppy mop-top hair! That beautiful smile!  Allow me to borrow a phrase from J.D. Salinger: you just knock me out.

Last week, you said “I love you, mama” and “I love you, dadda”! It will forever be the most heart-fluttering moment of my life.

You’re so smart –  I have to watch you constantly because you can figure out how to do almost anything. It’s a little frightening (taking Daddy’s hammer and scrap wood to your room to ‘build’) and extremely daring (climbing out of your crib by pulling yourself with your tummy muscles onto the changing table and dropping down to the floor), but I know it’s all part of you becoming the person you’re meant to be.

You have your serious times, and when you’re cranky it’s palpable, but most of the time you are a happy, bouncy boy. You zip through the day laughing 90% of the time, so while tiring, I can’t help but enjoy every minute.

Daddy and I love you so much.

xoxoxo

My mother’s day was just as lovely as I could have hoped! I got to sleep in, was greeted upon waking with flowers, donuts, coffee, and hugs! Marco drew a card for me, and I even received a special card from my fur babies! <3

We decided to go to the movies to see ‘The Pirates! Band of Misfits’, which was quite silly and fun. British humor is rather quirky. Rather. Ha, see what I did there? Right-o, Jeeves.

Marco and I both took an afternoon nap, and after, I was able to read in bed. Blissful silence…

For a special treat, Tim took Marco and I to dinner at the Calistoga Inn, one of our favorite haunts in the valley.

Tim, contemplating the dinner menu. It’s serious business, guys.

Marco, lookin’ handsome (as always!)

Marco’s smooches are the best mom’s day present!

Love the patio

Spring risotto!! Mmmm

I love this picture of us!

After dinner, Tim picked up a lemon-blueberry cheesecake for us to enjoy at home, and we settled in with a glass of wine and an episode of ‘Mad Men’. I was completely disappointed in Betty’s childish behavior (when will it cease??), and kind of furious with Don for his treatment of Ginsberg (whom I adore!), but otherwise I quite enjoyed our evening.

Here’s to the mamas!

P.S. My baby turns 2 in three days. Trying not to have a heart attack.

Last week was the long-awaited Death Cab for Cutie concert at The Fox! It was a very good show. They’re currently touring with the Magik*Magik Orchestra.

We went with Adan (aka Flan) and my friend Laura. Good times, good times. The opening act, Youth Lagoon, was just ok. A little whine-y – plus, the guy was like 12 and it was weird as opposed to impressive.  Ha.

I was happy to note that Ben Gibbard sounds just as good live as he does on the albums, and though a mellow style of music, the show was fun. So happy when they played ‘A Movie Script Ending’, but bummed that ‘Brothers on a Hotel Bed’ didn’t make the set list.  Phooey!

In other news, my adorable son is growing up ridiculously fast. Look at this:

Also, I don’t know how I am going to make do without ‘House’. Crying ridiculous amounts the past few episodes. One episode left.  One word: Oreos.

It’s Mother’s Day – possibly my favorite holiday EVER. See 2011(part 1 and part 2) and 2010

I get to be mommy for these precious babies…

Marco

Stabler

Roux

Chloe (with her sarcastic face!)

And that is reason to celebrate.

Happy Mother’s Day to all mommies – whether it be people babies or fur babies!

 

I’m a week behind, but here’s some unbelievably adorable pictures of my boy during our Easter festivities!

I even got a basket from the Easter bunny – complete with Cadbury Mini Eggs and a Kermit the Frog pez dispenser – thanks Mr Bunny. After our jelly bean appetizers, I made whole-wheat Bunny pancakes for breakfast. Actually, pretty darn good! I’m not generally a pancake person, but the whole-wheat flour created a tasty flavor.

After our breakfast, we watched Sesame Street, read books, and got ready for our day with Tim’s parents and grandparents. My son is hilarious about his clothes: he has to pick his own outfits. He picked out every item, down to his socks. MY KID IS SO FLIPPING STYLISH. Also, he’s a ham – he started posing for the camera! Tim stood behind me and did funny poses that Marco imitated – it was awesome. Next time CrewCuts needs a model, they should call Marco, am I right?

Once we got to Judy and Len’s, Marco hunted for eggs (I didn’t think he’d be into it, but he thought it was the most fun thing ever), and we noshed on good food all day (my kind of day, lol!).

Yesterday was my first day back at work, and though only a half day, I found myself exhausted!

So, now I’m feeling a little lazy, and figured a post of photos from my iPhone was the least tiring type of post

New Year’s Eve countdown with Marco

Marco and his aunt Chloe are silly geese

My beautiful, sweet friends Adrian and Micaela visited me last week to cheer me up, keep me company, and fatten me up a little, LOL. In addition to the Gott’s lunch we had (complete with milkshakes!), Adrian brought Timmy and I dinner – a tasty lasagna! Her recipe is HERE

Flowers from my bosses and coworkers

The best way to wake up in the morning!

I love my flats! – REPORT ‘Foley’ 

Dinner at home – black bean ‘burger’ in pita bread, with spicy hummus, yellow bell pepper,tomato and fat-free feta

My pretty girl, Roux

Creepy kitty… ha ha poor Stabler