The Big Boy Bed

We have another first: Nolan slept in his big boy bed overnight for the first time! We bought the bed over a month ago and let him just get use to it being in his room. I would put him in it for naps when he was really exhausted and that had seemed to go pretty well. Last night we were getting ready for bed and he climbed into his big boy bed all on his own, laid down and then asked for his binky and Jag (his favorite Jaguar stuffed-animal). We went through his normal routine and when I closed the door he lifted his head and said, "mommy?" and then just went to sleep. We had expected to have to put him back in bed in the middle of the night but he did great! He woke up crying once just after midnight and then again at 4am. Both times I went in his room briefly and let him know it was still night time, "I love you", "sweet dreams" and then left. The second time I went in there and found him lying on the floor. I asked him if he fell out of bed and he said, "Yeah" but was fine once I put him back in bed. He opened our bedroom door at 8 a.m. bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. We are so excited!

Girls Gone Sideways

Getting "Sideways" at Kalyra winery.

This weekend I left the boys on their own while I went on a trip to Santa Barbara for my best friend's bachlorette party. It was a glorious 46 hours of no diaper duty! It was a totally eclectic blend of personalities and stages of life. We had "no plans to get married" a few "just married" and of course the "I'm getting married" guest of honor. We had staunch Republicans, Republican-Libertarians, Democrats and Un-Declared. We had hard core adventurist, triathletes and "I'm not walking that far again". I filled in the stay-at-home mom niche. Despite all the differences, we all got along so well and had a blast.....especially after we agreed to stop talking politics after breakfast. Instead, the conversation kept returning to "broken vaginas". Don't ask!


Jessica, Natasha - Bride-to-be, Me, Dawn, Molly and Jenny at Blackjack Winery.


Rideau Winery


Natasha acting sober while she paints away at Artiste winery.


Molly painting with her teeth.


Bride - To -Be : Princess Natasha


Jenny, 7 months pregnant, boozing it up at our last winery (but not really).

After our day of wine tasting, we went to dinner at Ca' Dario and then out clubbing. That's when we got all the truly scandalous pictures, unfortunately not on my camera. I'm sure if you go to TheDirty.com or GirlsGoneWild.com you might get a glimpse of Natasha up on the Go-Go Dancer stage with the very nearly naked go-go dancer. We only got as far as Wildcat before Natasha ended up in the bathroom and then back to the hotel.

Martin and Nolan did great together and had some good male bonding time. Even though I had a great time over the weekend, I missed them both and I was so happy to be home.

Our Little Johnny Appleseed

Today, Nolan and I went to the Avila Valley Barn to pick apples. Nolan was absolutely thrilled. First, they drove us out to the apple orchard on a tractor bed past rows of corn, raspberry vines and a pumpkin patch. Once we got to the apples, Nolan was given a bag to fill with as many apples his little heart desired. He was loving it! He pulled at those apples so hard he ended up rolling in the dirt most of the time. Nolan noticed all the other kids had begun to eat their apples so he promptly looked to the ground for a pre-munched, crawling with ants apple and shoved it in his mouth before I could stop him. Right idea .... wrong apple. Don't worry, the apple he is eating in all the pictures is one of his freshly picked clean apples.
Nolan picking apples.


Eating his apple on the tractor ride back to the barn.

For the first time Nolan wasn't scared to feed the goats or even the sheep. We spent the rest of the day chasing roosters, playing with the water faucet (oh the mystery of mud), eating apples and climbing hay bales. Not bad for a Tuesday morning.

Nolan feeding the goats.
Proud Mommy Moment: Nolan finds broccoli in the bin. "Mommy...Bob-li... Mmm" In front of other parents no less! That's my boy!

Cutie Cousins

Martin's brother Russell, his wife Noelle and their baby Makena all came for a visit on Saturday. It was so awesome to see Makena and how big she's gotten. She is 7 months old, sitting up and although she hasn't officially started to crawl she is rocking back and revving up! Most times we see her it is around so much family that she spends the whole time being passed around. I loved seeing her on her own and in action. Nolan took to her very well. He wanted to hold her and hug her and kiss her. She was a little overwhelmed by "mega-baby boy" but she handled it well.

When Makena got fussy, Nolan tried to be helpful and put her binky in her mouth.

Daddy was holding Makena and Nolan want to be a part of the action too.

He's just soo cute! Makena watches and learns.

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Noelle & Makena

Uncle Martin & Makena

Nolan endearingly looks at Uncle Russell while they play together.