Mama Day.

Today is Mama day! Since Marco can't say "happy" or "mother," Jeff came up with this name for it so that Marco could say it. It sounds like this, "Mama, daaaa-ay." You're just going to have to trust me, it's irresistible.

It was a very, very great day - think coffee, sourdough waffles, shopping, a pitcher of beer with lunch (don't worry I shared) and a nap on my fabulous deck. Here was my gift. Fab right?
And this is the miniature lime tree that we bought from our next door neighbor's yard sale for $2. Uh, awesome? These mini limes are begging for coronitas and a summer day, but I digress.

In other news, it looks like Marco is transitioning to a one-nap day. Two days in a row he accomplished it successfully with very little crankiness. He's so grown up!

We continue to marvel at his voracious, adventurous appetite, the sheer volume alone keeps our jaws dropped. I think I'll take a week and blog everything he eats. It's insane. And sometimes... not pretty.

Generally speaking I can skip the flashback photos, but celebrating Mother's Day has reminded me how far we've come! (And how far to go until Marco treats for Mother's Day lunch.) So here are this year's photos juxtaposed with last. Please note: Marco's hat says "I love mommy." I'm totally getting this kid beat up.

Yes we can!

We did it! Well, we helped do it anyway. My cousin Courtney is going to be the honorary bat girl at the A's game this Sunday! This from her...

I GET TO BE THE OAKLAND A'S HONORARY BAT GIRL AT THIS SUNDAY'S GAME!!!!

Thank you all for voting for me! If you are in the Bay Area and are free on Sunday - we'd love it if you could make it out to the game and cheer me on. I'll be down on the field hanging with the Team. They are giving me my own personalized pink jersey and pink baseball bat! I can't wait!

In honor of my new status as the A's Honorary Bat Girl, here is a quote that I really like from legendary baseball manager, Tommy Lasorda:

"The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination."

Here's to achieving the impossible!

Notes from the desk of Gr-Grandma

Spurred by an article on SFGate, I posed a philosophical (though practical) question to my Grandma. Since this blog is pretty lacking in wisdom, I thought I'd share hers with you.

Since my Grandma is technologically advanced, I emailed her:

I was reading an article in the Chronicle, which makes me ask this:
As a person with life experience and a perspective on the recovery of the Great Depression, what advice would you give to young people with families who are worried about the economy?

This was her response (yes, all caps):

IN ORDER TO GIVE A PHILOSOPHICAL ANSWER, I AM GOING TO PONDER A BIT AND THEN SEND YOU A WRITTEN RESPONSE. AS I STARTED THINKING ABOUT IT, I REALIZED IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO RECALL THAT PERIOD IN HISTORY. SO THERE WILL BE SOME FAMILY HISTORY BEING RECALLED. LOVE GRAMIE

Three days later, a handwritten note arrived:

Advice to young people with families worried about the economy.

Keep informed on what is happening in the financial world and how it might affect your family and community.

Make family plans to adjust spending. Emphasize cooperation. Don't panic. Plan.

Be aware of what might be affecting friends and neighbors. If you can be helpful to others, do so.

Alice F. Kroeck

(photo: January 2009)

Money Plays.

After three months of diet and exercise participating in "The Biggest Loser' at work, I won second place for a whopping $261! Trademark infrigement aside, a very successful few months! I will spare you the before and after pictures, but let's just say I went from Oprah to Elle.

Number one comment at work, "Now that you're skinnier than before you had Marco, you can have another baby!"

And here's what I learned... you know you're old and fat when your skinny pants are out of style.

In closing, if I owe you money, you have the wrong number. Wet burrito, here I come!

50/50?

Although I concede to Marco having a slight resemblance to Jeff in the face, please find below indisputable evidence that he is, in fact, all Jeff in the body (albeit, unfortunately with my skintone). Please note both of their giant man hands.

And hello? How hot is Jeff as a 2-year old?