10 months...

Matthew turned 10 months old yesterday on Mother's Day. We were reminiscing about how last year on Mother's Day, I was out househunting since the house we were trying to buy as a short sale fell through the friday before Mother's Day. I was 7.5 months pregnant and desperate to find a house and move before the baby came. And so, on Mother's Day last year, we walked into our house and said, "we'll take it!!!" Three weeks later, we moved in! It has been a wonderful home for us this last year or so... and we are still working on our home improvement projects!

Adam and Matthew have both been adjusting quite well this last month to my starting my new job and being gone for a number of hours each day. Our new nanny, Alice, is fantastic and we feel so fortunate to have our boys left in such capable, loving hands. Monday mornings are always hardest since we've all spent the weekend together. So, when I come home from the office, I always try to do something special with the kids and shower them with attention and affection. Walking in the door and being greeted by the gleeful smiles, excitement and hugs helps to offset those tough mornings when I feel my heartstrings tugged as I pull out of the driveway. Sometimes I wonder if isn't harder on me than it is on them. :)

Adam is growing up so fast. He makes plans, negotiates deals, and is always coming up with interesting thoughts. He's still an avid puzzle solver and has been loving the warm weather and playing outside in the sprinklers. His swimming lessons are going great and he can now jump into the pool off the side and push off the bottom of the pool. He's swimming on his own more and more and loves it! He's also singing us songs all the time - the words aren't always spot on, but the sound sure is. I love hearing him sing John Denver's "Country Roads" - it is just too cute. He loves his little brother and is a big helper most of the time. He loves his jobs - emptying the lint from the dryer, putting away the silverware from the dishwasher, feeding the cat "Smokey" who has adopted us, and watering the plants. He's growing up each day before our eyes!

Matthew is quite the little person these days. Quick with a smile and easily entertained. He's exploring everywhere and one of his favorite activities is emptying things - cabinets, baskets, diaper bags, purses, boxes - if it has something in it, he'll show you how he can take it all out and spread it around. He's crawling everywhere and pulling himself up whenever he can. I think his favorite room in the house is the bathroom because he can pull himself up on the toilet (which we have to keep closed or he'll paddle in it) and the bathtub. Plus, he also has a love for water and will happily play in the tub or on the floor of the shower and cries every time he gets taken out no matter how long he's had to play in the water. He's expanding his list of foods he likes and is generally a pretty good eater. My favorite time of day is first thing in the morning when he wakes up all sleepy smiling, barely able to balance his head on his shoulders but so excited to start his day. Adam wakes up the same way and it is just such a sweet moment with each of them.

My new job is going well so far. It felt weird at first to leave and go sit in an office, in the quiet and work. I am so used to working amidst the chaos of little ones and constant multi-tasking, that it has been an adjustment to being able to focus on one thing for a period of time. The work has been interesting so far - learning the players and office dynamics, as well as my work responsibilities. I think I will like it and I am so fortunate to have this new opportunity just minutes from home.

Nadia is also moving to Napa - finally! I found a barn about 10 minutes from home and it is just a beautiful facility - very well managed and clean. She will have a cozy stall with a window looking out over the valley at night and her own paddock during the day. I am looking forward to having her nearby, and at the same time wondering where I will find the time to ride. They do have a lighted indoor arena, so at least daylight isn't a limiting factor. Adam is excited to have Nadia closer. He loves the horses and hanging out at the barn. We are going to get her on May 31.

Marchus made sure I had a wonderful Mother's Day. He and the boys let me sleep in and got me coffee and donuts. I felt so rested and spoiled. It was really wonderful. We then went to get Matthew and Adam's photo taken at the mall and then over to Omi and Papa's for dinner with Marchus's family - the dads cooked and cleaned and treated us well! All the mamas got to kick back and enjoy. :) Thanks dads!

That's all for now. I will try to keep posting and juggling in the months ahead. :)