Sports

While dating, we never sat down to a football game, never went to a sporting event, never even talked about the score of a game or favorite teams even though we don’t pay attention.
But our first year of marriage Scott made friends with Baseball fans. Much to my dismay (as I was not raised on sporting events other than my brothers AYSO soccer games) Scott began to become interested in sporting events again. This interest from his childhood that had become dormant was now very much active. Like a volcano, suddenly he was bursting with a desire to watch and follow baseball. At first, I thought this was just a phase, “It will be over soon” I thought/hoped “then life will resume as normal.”

Life was never normal again! :) Baseball season lasted longer than I ever would have thought (April – October not counting spring training). Therefore, we became Angel fans. It turned out to be fun, something we could share together. We went to games, picked favorite players, talk about the score and just enjoy this activity together.

3 years ago Scott started becoming friends with football fans…This is where I draw the line! I hate football; I was putting my foot down. We will NOT follow football, we will NOT become USC fans, baseball is my limit! I don’t like football, I don’t understand football, I spent too many Friday nights sitting on the bleachers in a marching band uniform watching football games that I did not understand drag on.

I resisted. Scott hung out with our friends to watch the USC games without me. Once in a while I would come just to hang out with the girls but I was NOT there to watch football. They would try to explain football to me saying the reason I did not like it was that I did not understand it. I have given in (slightly). My husband watches college ball on Saturdays and I will sit on the floor and craft or do other things while somewhat watching the game.

Today, Scott’s dad is coming over all day to watch football with his son and see his grandkids. I plan to leave the house most of the morning, but know that I will end up watching football with them for some of it. *sigh* I give up.

But I defiantly will NOT watch Nascar, that is final!

Single Parenting

I am very thankful that I am not a single parent, I have a loving husband that is going through this with me. Because of Scott's work schedule, I feel as though I take the brunt of the childcare at home, but I think that most women, when completely honest, will say the same thing.

Last week, Both Scott and I had "plans" (although not yet discussed with the other yet) to hang out with friends. Being that Mondays are on of the only nights in which Scott and I both have free, we don't get a lot of time to spend with friends. Scott graciously agreed to have his friend come over to our house to watch a movie so that Brendan could stay home with him instead of me taking him out in the cold. The girls and I went to Downtown Riverside to the Festival of Lights. (You can read about it on Jenni's Blog.) It was a really great time that we could just enjoy each other's company and walk around the lights of Riverside. As I drove home that night, I thought about how lucky I was to have a husband to share the workload. We both do laundry (especially now that it is in the house with us and we don't have to cart it up and down stairs with a timer set) we both do dishes, clean the house, take care of Brendan. It really is a team effort and I know I could not do it with out him.

Last night, The girls hung out again. We had dinner at Olive Garden, just the girls. Scott once again, watched Brendan so I could have a stress free meal with the girls. Because taking an active toddler to Olive Garden is not my idea of a fun night! In fact, I wouldn't go if I couldn't leave Brendan at home. Scott is lucky enough to have guy friends that understand he has a kid, and some with kids themselves. I am lucky enough to have a husband that understands, I need time alone too.

So Scott hung out with the guys and three kids, while I was able to hang out with 5 amazing girls. I feel so refreshed this morning. I am also reminded that even though I feel stressed with Brendan and the though of another on the way sometimes scares me, I know that I am not alone.

Dueling Pianos - Date Night

The night before Scott left for his 3 week Europe trip, the two of us went on a very nice date night. We had a babysitter for Brendan, got dressed up and went out to see Dueling Pianos. We had reservations to At My Place, a local restaurant in Corona that features Las Vegas style pianists every weekend. Although we didn't take any pictures, we had a wonderful time. The food was good and very decently priced. I would defiantly recommend this place. We can't wait for an opportunity to go back. I think next time we will try to go on a Thursday night since there isn't a cover on Thursdays.

Overall, it was a wonderful date night for the two of us to spend together. Three weeks is a long time to be away from your spouse!

Happy Anniversary

Yesterday, Scott and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary. I must admit, our celebration was a lot better than last year. Brendan was born on the 14th, which means we came home from the hospital on the 15th. So on the 16th, our third anniversary, and the first full day home with our baby. Scott wanted to go out to dinner just the two of us, even though Scott doesn't remember this, but even then we knew something wasn't right with Brendan. He wasn't eating well, he didn't really cry, and all he did was sleep. But we tried to go celebrate together anyway. My mom stayed home with Brendan and Scott and I just ended up going to Islands. We were back in less than 45 minutes. It was so hard for me to be away from my baby at that point, I was still too emotional! Scott still gives me a hard time about that night! :)

While I was at work yesterday, Scott brought me some lovely flowers and a nice card. It was such a nice surprise. For my anniversary present, Scott got me another very sweet card that was very heartfelt, and a beautiful bracelet from Switzerland. I didn't take a picture but it is beautiful with pearls and a silver chain. My husband has good taste in jewelry, he has picked out all of the jewelery he has bought me, including my wedding ring. What a wonderful husband.

But yesterday evening we decided to go out, my mom stayed home with Brendan again (this time completely healthy) and Scott and I went out to Victoria Gardens. We had a lovely dinner at Lucille's BBQ, If you don't know Scott and I very well, we LOVE Barbeque. For dinner we had their "Feast for Two" let me tell you, it was a FEAST, the two of us couldn't finish it and brought home most of the meat and one of the desserts! What a deal!

We walked around Victoria Gardens for a short while, but Scott was just so tired, he is still a little off from his travels to Europe, so this time it was Scott that wanted to cut the evening short, at least we were out for three hours this time.

Happy Anniversary Babe, "I love you more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow!"

Funny Story...

Those of you who are not aware, my husband has left me. Okay so I may have made it sound more dramatic than it really his. Currently my husband is touring all of Western Europe with a group of his students, he will be gone for almost three full weeks. I'm sure he is having a wonderful time.

He left on Saturday June 28th. That morning we were running around trying to get all the last minute things taken care of. An hour and a half before we were to leave the house, Scott decides he wants a hair cut. I have to agree that his hair was getting a little long and he didn't want to mess with the hair while away. So we got out the cheap clippers that are way past their prime and cut his hair to the desired length. After washing his hair again to get all the loose hair off of him, I took the clippers to do a final touch up....Oooops!!!

Not something you want to hear while your wife is cutting your hair. I had cleaned the clippers and forgot to put the attachment back on! (Unfortunately, this is not the first, or even second time I have done this, you think he would go to a professional). So as I cried and my husband tried his best to remain calm and not get upset over his wife's stupidity, we shaved the rest of his head. Oh how I hate his head shaved.

My poor husband. This was one of the first pictures I received of the group in Europe. Can you see Scott's poor white head? Most of the other pictures show him in a hat...

Here is a close up, just in case you couldn't find him. At least he didn't have to worry about his hair while in Europe! He was really a good sport about it, I really don't think I would have been so.

Friendship Friday - My Husband

This probably will not be the only post about my husband on a Friendship Friday, mostly because, he is my best friend. At times he may drive me crazy, but I still want to be around him, experience new things with him and grow old together. I love watching my husband be a father. Since I have worked with young children practically my entire life, many things I have experienced with motherhood have been expected (not all, but many). I know the basics of baby care. My husband on the other hand, has not been around many babies for extensive amounts of time. He knew how to change a diaper, bathe and feed a child, but many other things he had never experienced before . He he trying hard and love Brendan very much. I love that we are growing together as a family.

Last weekend, we took a drive and went to Long Beach. No special reason, just because. We walked around, looked at shops and enjoyed our time together. Here is one of the pictures of Scott and Brendan that I just love.

Another reason that I wanted to mention my husband today was for yesterday evening. Yesterday I came home from work, Scott and Brendan were sitting together on the couch, and there were roses on the table. What a sweet and thoughtful husband I have!

Date Night

After Christmas, my mother stayed in town for a few extra days. Scott and I took advantage of Grandma being in town and asked to to watch Brendan for one night as Scott and I went out. This brought up the point that even though Brendan is at Day Care every day, I have a hard time leaving him with people for Scott and I to have a date. My mom brought up a good point that we should be trading off with another couple.

I asked our friends Tawni & Rob if they wanted to trade off with us. We will watch Sammy one week while they have a night to themselves and then the next week, they will watch Brendan. I am really looking froward to a scheduled date night. Even if we just stay home and have a quiet dinner just the two of us, that sounds great to me!

Tonight is the first night, we are watching Sammy to give Tawni & Rob an opportunity to spend the evening together.

More Memories

I have noticed that lot of the Christmas decorations in our house are mine or from my childhood, even most of the decorations on the tree are mine. So this year I really wanted to bring a focus on something of Scott's. We got his Santa ornament collection a couple years ago from him mom but we have never hung them. These ornaments are 17 Santa's from all over the world, made out of porcelain. I believe these Santa's were given to him by his late Grandma. Scott's Grandma was very special to him and he talks about her very fondly, so I know these ornaments are very special to him.

When we got the decorations, many were broken and Scott was very upset, he was ready to throw them all away. Instead, I found some super-glue and fixed what I could, most had a clean break and were not shattered so I could fix them, I then wrapped them all safely so they wouldn't get broken again and that is where they have stayed safe in a box - for two years now. This year I kept bringing up that we should hang them, being that they are so special to Scott. Scott declined this year saying that he didn't want them to get broken, so instead they stayed in the box.

Last weekend I decided to surprise Scott by hanging them on our garland above the window. I was very careful with each one and insured that they were securely on the hooks and hung securely on the garland. I think they look great, and it is nice to have something so special to Scott part of our Christmas decor!

Scott's Birthday

Scott's Birthday was on October 21st, but since I was in Sacramento on his birthday, we didn't get to celebrate on that day. Instead, we all went out on Thursday, (10/23) to celebrate. I had given Scott his birthday present before I left so we just wanted to go out for his birthday dinner. We ended up going to Islands for dinner. If you join there Birthday club, Islands will send you a certificate for a free MEAL on your birthday. A free burger or entree of your choice plus one of there Kona pies (to die for!). We had a wonderful evening together as a family, even if Brendan slept through the whole thing!
I ordered their Baja Tacos, which were really good, however, I do enjoy the Yaki Tacos better. Scott had a very large burger (can't remember which one) but we both really enjoyed our meal, especially since Scott's was FREE!! The best part was of course the Kona Pie "Mocha almond fudge ice cream and cookie-crust topped with chocolate fudge, roasted almonds, whipped cream & a cherry" Mmm, Mmm Good! Plus, it was also FREE! After dinner we headed to Borders to look around, one of Scott's favorite places to go. I'm sure he bought a book, I just can't remember which one. We had a wonderful evening.
Happy Birthday Hunny!

Grown-ups

I knew it would happen sooner or later, but it is not something you can't prepare for - feeling grown-up. As Scott, Brendan and I have fallen into a morning routine, I began to notice how different our lives had become.

When Scott and I found out we were pregnant, we were determined for it not to change who we were. We still wanted to be able to go places and do things; our son would just join us on our adventures. But having a child changes you no matter how much you try to stay the same. For Scott, having a new job (which he absolutely loves!) has changed our lives as well. The other morning, as we were getting ready to start our day, I stood in the doorway of our bedroom with a cup of coffee in my hands watch my husband, looking very professional in his shirt and tie, saying good-bye to Brendan. At that moment, it hit me: We are getting old! Here we are in our grown-up outfits, drinking coffee before work, with a baby to care for. We had changed without even expecting it and without much effort. Suddenly, I had a picture in my head of my own father in his business suit saying goodbye to us growing up before he left for work.

I'm not saying this is a bad thing, growing-up, it is just hard. We are no longer the newlyweds fresh out of college talking about our dreams and our future; we are living our future. We are not just playing house in our parents clothes pretending to be grown-up, we are the grown-ups here. It made me realize that we can not sit and discuss what our future is going to hold and what we plan to do "when we grow-up" instead, we have to live each day to the fullest, making the most of today because it is our future. We have chosen our careers and we must continue on to become all we were designed to be. If we continue to "plan" our future, the present will slip past and we may soon find ourselves stuck in a rut with our lives passing by. Already it seems as though our baby is growing so fast, we want to really LIVE through it all.

Speaking of growing-up, here is a picture of my baby yesterday morning:

Grumpy Day

Yesterday I had a grumpy day. I didn't get out of bed until 10:30, after some errands that Scott and I ran, I came back to write my paper for my new class that just started but I was so grumpy and irritated with the world that I just stayed in bed all afternoon, all I wanted to do was to sleep the day away, and I pretty much did! My poor husband, I snapped at him all day for absolutely no reason, I was just grumpy! Scott tried to leave me to myself; he worked on his lesson plans, went to the gym, and then went to the store. When he came back, he brought me back some beautiful flowers - daisies, my favorite! They were so pretty and he was so thoughtful I tried hard not to be grumpy at him anymore. What a wonderful and understanding husband I have!

Just a moment....

I have to take a moment to brag on how good my husband has been to me during this pregnancy. Since the moment he found out we were pregnant he has been so excited, telling everyone and has been so cautious of whatever I do (sometimes a little too cautious but I know he mean well). This weekend while I had to write a paper, he cleaned the house by himself so that I wouldn't have to worry about it. When Scott cleans, he really does clean, he scrubs the stove top, mops the floor, vacuums the carpet, and more.... It may not seem like much, but as I near the end of my pregnancy, little tasks become much harder to accomplish and I seem to get tierd much easier than before. Having a clean house makes all the difference in the world! The best part is, that this is the fourth time in the past 5 months that he has done it as a surprise to me so that I don’t have to. We usually clean house together every Saturday morning, but lately, he has been taking care of it all for me. I can’t thank him enough, What a great husband I have!