Happy Birthday Uncle Kevin!

Great job to Becca on her first cake with fondant :)

Lunch was great, love that greek salad with lemon chicken.

Kevin is sporting a new hair cut-looks great!

Lastly, Rachel is going to need to learn to master the task of turning the kids face towards the camera ;)

What's In A Name?

Sleeping Beauty is the only one of the princesses that goes by multple names. If you don't want to call her Sleeping Beauty you could refer to her as Princess Aurora, Briar Rose or simply Rose.

I guess there werent enough choices for Sydney, she calls her "I Know" because in the princess video Sleeping Beauty is singing "I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream. I know you, the gleam in your eye is so familiar a gleam and I know it's true that visions are seldom what they seem but if I know you, I know what you'll do, you'll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream" And yes, she sings the whole song.

Sleeping With My Little Sister

Burke Williams And Starbucks

Question: What do Burke Williams and Starbucks have in common?
Answer: Becca introduced both of these loves to my life

I mocked Becca for quite awhile telling her she was being trendy about frequenting Starbucks and I refused to go for years until......one day Marian convinced me to try a Chai Latte and approximately 4022 Chai's later (seriously that seems a little excessive). Bottom line: Becca was right, Starbucks rocks.

I went to Burke Williams for the first time before Rachel's wedding. This was Becca's suggestion and I didn't think I would enjoy it that much (stupid). Many massages later it is one of my most favorite places to be. Bottom Line: Becca was right again.

Today, I had a Chai this morning with mom and Becca and I spent the evening at Burke Williams getting their new Burke Williams Signature Massage.

The Burke Williams Signature Massage: This custom massage experience begins with a spray of our Signature blend of essential oils. Warm, moist heat pads are cocooned around the back to relax the muscles. Textured gloves and Chinese herbs are used to polish the skin focusing on the forearms, feet and back. Available in both Swedish and Deep Tissue massage styles the service incorporates our Burke Williams massage lotion, the special blend of essential oils that creates our Signature scent. All of these elements combine to create a uniquely relaxing massage experience. My quote when Becca asked me if I liked it: "I could do without the back scratching"

BTW: The pic was immediately following my massage, so relaxing (even with the back scratching)

Oh and thanks to David and Jason for watching the kids!!! Good Times :)

Droid: The 60 Day Review

I hesitate to even post this episode of the Kim and Laura show. This episode entitled Droid Introduction could also be entitled Kim and her weird pregnancy facial expressions or Kim and her terrible pregnancy posture or Kim needs a haircut something awful or Kim's not funny at 9 months pregnant or Brooke will be here in 19 days.

The episode is shot on Droid day 7 and day 5. Now that I have had my Android phone for 60 days I will offer a more in depth review.

I still often miss my Blackberry Pearl, the biggest misses are as follows:

(1) Camera-While the camera is better from a mega pixel perspective I have big struggles with it. 1. Action shots are always blurry, this is a problem if you are taking pictures of toddlers. 2. Discreet photography you can almost forger about because the camera has a huge delay on it. Although you can turn off the shutter sound which is nice. 3. Too long between shots 4. I struggle with rotating pictures for blog postings 5. Self portraits are difficult
(2) Phone-I'm not a big fan of the phone or contacts access. This is bad for a 5K minutes a month user. I also cant get conference bridges to auto dial. My standard line about the Droid is "It's toy first, phone second"-thats a problem for me.
(3) Blackberry Messenger-I miss my Blackberry Messenger contacts
(4) Size-The Droid is heavy, large and won't fit well in my bra. I miss the size of my pearl
(5) Keyboard- Really hate it. Luckily we found an app called Swype which has improved our ability to type immensely, if I lost the application it would be a deal killer for the Droid. Can't tell you how awful and unproductive all 3 keyboards that come with it are.

On to what I love:

(1) Love the internet access including You Tube
(2) Love all the applications that are available and most of them are free. Favorite applications are as follows: 1. Calorie Counter that includes a barcode scanner. 2. Baby application that tracks diaper changes, naps, bottles, nursing, etc. 3. Our Groceries which links multiple Droids and syncs shopping lists by store-AWESOME 4. Ride Hopper is an application that tracks line wait times for rides at many amusement parks. It's great for a day at Disneyland 5. Tons of Games 6. Free 411 puts anything you are looking for at your fingertips. For example where's the closest Starbucks.

Overall I think the Droid's a keeper.
Now onto this episode of the Kim and Laura Show:

Happy Birthday, REM!

No matter what I do I can't post this picture right side up. Thats too bad because you look awesome in your hot sunglasses the day before your 13th birthday. I think you are Rach1AwesomeTeenager!!!!!!! If you are using a laptop and want to see how hot she is turn your laptop upside down.

Elizabeth's Grilled Cheese

Elizabeth liked her grilled cheese sandwich alot. Almost all the cheese is gone and I couldn't tell you what happened to the bread. The greatest part is she liked it so much she insisted on taking the leftovers home. LOL!

Thinking Of You & You're Lil Cutie Pie

Community Meeting

On Saturday I noticed a digital sign on the side of the road near my house. The sign said:

Community Meeting
March 25th at PHS
For more info call 626-744-7808

I called the number and just got voicemail for a Pasadena police officer. I forgot about the sign and the meeting until this morning when I saw another sign with the same message near my moms house. The following conversation ensued when I dialed mom:

KT: What's with this community meeting?
Mom: What community meeting?
KT: Well I saw a sign by house and now there is one by your house saying there is a community meeting at PHS
Mom: I don't know, we have never had one
KT: There is a number to call for info and I called it and got a Lieutenant from the Police Departments voicemail but it didn't say what the meeting was about.
Mom: (In a serious voice) Well, I guess the police have something to say
KT: Thanks for that insight, I would have never guessed that

BTW: Here is some info on the meeting

The Aquarium Of The Pacific

Can't touch the Georgia Aquarium but the company was great and the kids had a blast.

Cisco Helps Jack

First: If Cisco provides conferencing solutions to CTU and the White House they certainly should be able to help your small business

Second: You gotta wonder how much Cisco paid for their on-air advertisements during 24.

Another Shake Post

The best shake in Southern California that we have found so far is at Connal's in Pasadena. This place is less than a mile from where I grew up and yet I only went (I think once) with my dad. James reintroduced me to Connal's last week by buying me a chocolate-peanut butter-bannana shake and let me tell you it was FANTASTIC! So.....I went back and got another one Saturday night :)

Buying Newborn Diapers

I was shopping for newborn diapers at Target the other day and at first could only find the regular package of Huggies that comes with 36 diapers. After a few minutes of searching I found what was marked "Jumbo" package, this one has 40 diapers. What? Seriously? A 4 diaper difference between regular and jumbo?

Wife: Just get the small package
*Husband comes home with the "Jumbo" package*
Wife: I said the small package, we only need 36 diapers what are we going to do with the extra 4?

Luckily, I found one package of "Super Mega" diapers (72) shortly afterwards.

I'm Virtually Toasting The Queen

Apio Verde, Queen! Hope your day is great!!!!!!!!

One Month Old, Two Disneyland Trips

Last Friday, Brooke went to Disneyland for the first time. We were accompanied by Grandma, Becca, Elizabeth and Joshua. (Should have gotten a picture with the crew). Brooke's first ride was Dumbo (Sydney and Micah's was Finding Nemo), contrary to popular belief she cannot yet communicate to me whether she liked it or not but since she is my child, I'm sure she did.

Tuesday, she went to Disneyland again, this time with Grandma, Jane and the Little Jane's. If we wanted to keep track of her ride count the tally would be as follows:

*Dumbo-1
*Jungle Cruise-1
*Pirates of the Caribbean-2

She has yet to make it to California Adventure. Maybe next week ;)

Sydney and Brooke Meet The Criteria

Thank You!!!!

Bec 072

What are the odds? The other day at Disneyland Becca got the Bec license plate. I wish it was Bec 077 though, Bec 22 would be pretty cool, maybe Bec 143 or even Bec1AwesomeSister :)

Spring Break 2010

I haven't had spring break since I was in college but when you are on maternity leave and some of your favorite people come to visit (during their spring break) it's sort of like being on spring break yourself.

CD's By Steve

For years, Steve has been sending David's CD's of some of their favorite bands. I didn't realize how much effort actually went into creating these CD's, I also didn't realize how many of them he had sent until I went through the CD Footprint project last week.

The CD's are mostly of live performances from all over the world. Most are two CD's and all include a great cover, song lineups and notes from Steve on the particular CD. It's impressive to say the least. Here is one example:

Happy St Patricks Day

I am not sure what is going on in this picture. My best guess is that Joshua is trying to be a leprechaun in celebration of St Patrick's Day. This looks NOTHING like him!!! Still, it's too funny (or scary) not to share. Love you, buddy!

First Shamrock Shake

Sydney loves shakes and usually if we are indulging we will share a strawberry shake from McDonalds. A couple of weeks ago we got a Shamrock Shake to share. It's safe to say that she likes Mint just about as much as she likes Strawberry. (Let me add, I have tried to get Shamrock shakes 3 times since this first time and everytime McDonalds has been out of them. Seriously? How can you be out of Shamrock shakes?)

Impossible To Indulge

I'm not sure why picture number 2 will not rotate correctly but I do know that you can still see how small this cup is. I love Wendy's frosty's and on the rare occasion that I visit I usually get a small frosty. Well I am not sure if they have downsized or what but the other day I ordered a small frosty and the small was....well....small. The cup was barely bigger than my hand and I only managed to get 4 or 5 bites. Still, that was perfect for the post pregnancy diet so I'm not really complaining.

Look Who's Cooking

The last week I have started getting Sydney involved in cooking dinner. She loves throwing things into the pot and then (with moms help) looking at whatever it is cooking. The other day, she made the garlic bread. Do you think she likes cooking?

A Toddler, Disney and French Onion Soup

I think Ariel likes French Onion Soup more than Sydney.

You Certainly Are......

Our CD Footprint

We have tons of CD's. Most of them have been stored in our old office on these CD shelves we had gotten at IKEA. We don't have room for these shelves in the new office so I have been trying to come up with a way of reducing the space required to store our CD's. I ended up convincing David that we should throw out the plastic cases and just keep the paper inserts (which we can store in the attic) and the CD's which we can store in CD book cases. Check out the results: (And yes, that entire trash can was filled with nothing but CD cases)

Instructions (In Case You Didn't Know How)

Early Morning With The Girls

The Target Elevator Is Cool

Sydney enjoyed the mirror on the ceiling of the elevator so much that we rode the elevator 4 times.

Mail From The Braun's

About 1.5 months ago the item below was received in the mail from the Braun's. There were no contents. I wonder what was in it?

The Angry Pickle

Joining the Scary Tile and the Scary Desk we now have the Angry Pickle .

PS: This is the 4th food post in the last week.

Turkey Tortilla Soup

Turkey Tortilla Soup was on the menu for tonight. I started with a basic recipe for Chicken Tortilla Soup that included stock, onions, chili powder and chicken. I was a lucky recipient of my moms turkey carcass from her turkey dinner on Sunday so I started by making a stock then I added the basics above. It definitely needed more so I added some cilantro, black beans, garlic, and tomatoes. Simmered it for about an hour and then topped it off with avocado, sour cream, monterey jack and some tortilla chips. It was delicious. (Doesn't it look like the mozzerella is forming a 2 in the middle of this picture? I have to wonder where the other 2 is....maybe it's in Laura's Wedding soup or Queen B's Chicken Noodle)

Random Tuesday Thoughts (KT On Maternity Leave Version)

*It's so much easier taking a rectal temperature on a 2 week old than a 2 year old
*I wish the parks were this cool when I was a kid
*Short-term disability was better in 2008
*Judge Judy needs a hairstylist
*How come Swype is not working on my Droid
*I need a program on my phone to remember to change Sydney's diaper
*Formula is so much easier than Breast feeding
*I need to go to Costco for wipes and diapers
*Boy that umbilical cord is disgusting
*Is it socially acceptable to wear maternity clothes indefinitely?

Southern Steak Rolls

I love to cook but haven't made a real meal since I went on bed rest. I am so sick of take out and restaurants in general and tonight I returned o the kitchen. I decided to make a recipe out of my newest cookbook, The Blue Willow Inn, Bible of Southern Cookbook. This was a gift for Christmas from Ms Andrea and happens to be her favorite cookbook.

So I made steak rolls with a sour cream sauce. David loved them I thought they were pretty good as well. I forgot to take a final picture but here is the picture I took off the steak rolls when I took them out of the oven.

Tomorrow, Chicken Tortilla Soup.