Tag Archives: coco

contemplations of mr. charles

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greetings, ladies and gentlemen.

well…things have really changed around here.  we now have a tiny human living with us.  you know that elinor that everyone was talking about?  well, turns out she is a tiny human.  she has some fur on her head which i like to sniff and occasionally groom with my tongue, only when my mom and dad aren’t looking.  she makes funny sounds all the time – squeaks and hiccups and sighs.  she also makes a really loud “waaahh” noise every so often.  i don’t like that sound and i don’t think my parents like it either.

since bringing her home, coco and i have been trying to adjust.  coco has accepted things rather quickly.  she just wags her tail and visits from time to time before lying down on her furry blanket.  i, on the other hand, have taken up my post as protector of the tiny human.  from the first moment i met her, i knew that i needed to take care of her.  this is my charge.  i stand guard while mom feeds her and i stay on high alert whenever others come to our home and try to hold her.  i do my best to make sure people don’t make her “waaahh”.  and i sit nearby while she is eats and burps and sleeps – just to make sure that she isn’t disturbed.

i must say that i am quite enjoying my new life as elinor guardian.  i think that we will get along rather swimmingly.

30 weeks

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cravings & such:  this was a pretty bad week, i must admit.  in an effort to get more calcium in my diet,  i kinda gave myself license to indulge in much too much ice cream.  oops.  i think i just needed to get that out of my system.  check!  i did somewhat counteract those actions by consuming a few green smoothies.  my recipe of choice is: spinach, spirulina, pineapple, peaches, blueberries, almond milk, flax powder, and whey protein.  elinor LOVES these, by the way.  what a good little girl.  and, spinach contains calcium and iron which are preggo musts.  i am not a huge raw spinach fan so this is a sneaky way to consume those leafy greens.  here’s to more smoothies and fewer pints of ice cream!  i will keep you posted…

the bump:  i am sure that it has doubled in the past week.  or, at least it feels that way.  and she still has four or more pounds to go!

cool & cute things:  baby’s eyesight continues to develop, though it is not very keen.  even after birth, she will keep those peepers closed for a good part of the day.  she will respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision and only make out objects a few inches from her face.  looks like it will be a few months before she can truly grasp the cuteness that is her room.  i suppose i can hold off on buying that mobile for a few more months…

new things:  little miss is about 15.7 inches long now and weighs almost 3 pounds.  a pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds baby girl but that volume will decrease as baby gets bigger and takes up more room.  things are about to get crowded… 

meaningful moments:  spending time in e’s room with charlie and coco.  letting them explore and get comfortable with things.  they like to stand on their hind legs and peer between the rails of the crib.  their little noses just sniffing like crazy.  pretty cute.  and, they both hopped up in my lap while i was test-driving the new rocking chair.  they are my furry little babies, for sure.

the countdown:  70 days!  folks, that is really close to 60 days…which will mean two months to go!  goodness gracious.

current size:  a cabbage

snaps & snippets & blurbs

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what a lazy and lovely weekend we had!  filled with good food, family get-togethers, birthday celebration, some bourne action, baby room decorating, and much-needed do-nothingness.  ahhh…lovely.

happy faces + happy birthday balloons for mark’s b-day + mushroom, onion, prosciutto, goat cheese tart + smoked salmon toasts with lemon horseradish creme and fresh dill + sassy family faces + some post-grocery shopping shakes from whole foods…kale, strawberries, acai, spirulina, flax, almond milk, and dark chocolate + the fantasmagorical wall o’ prints for miss elinor’s room + yummiest cream cheese EVER + a random plate of deliciousness for lunch + my hubby’s plate of heirloom tomatoes with fresh mozzarella and balsamic drizzle + grabbing some lush burger after bourne legacy + cookies and cream shake + basket of fries + the dogpile.  coco likes to sleep on charlie’s lap.  those buddies… + the most amazing ice cream sandwich in the land!  chocolate chips cookies with brown butter candied bacon ice cream from cool haus.  just. so. good.  thank you, whole foods frozen department for bringing this into our life.

dear peanut

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oh, baby girl.  your room is just so darn cute!  you have gold polka dots on your wall!  your papa has lovingly assembled your furniture to ensure that you have a place to sleep and a place to organize all your teeny-tiny clothes.  we are having a blast preparing for your arrival.  and, we have had so many kind words and offers to help from friends and family.  you sure are loved.

your furry siblings, charlie and coco have been hanging out in your room too.  coco has been “helping” us with the polka dots.  i would get one placed and then she would try to snatch it off the wall and nibble on it.  she really likes those golden circles of yours.  charlie…oh charlie…well, he just knows that something is up.  he has noticed that we are spending more time in your room and he knows that it isn’t for him.  there has been a lot of paw-stomping and grumbling from that one.  but don’t worry, i know that he will adore you and love to cuddle with you once he finally meets you in person.  he just needs some time to adjust to the idea.

in other news, we successfully survived the glucose test!  wahoo!  as you know, it was gross and it was waaaayyy too much sugar.  sorry about that.  but, we got through it and can just settle in and enjoy the final weeks together, gestational diabetes free.  i have another appointment to check in on you in a few weeks.  then, we are scheduled for every two weeks until your arrival.  wow.  time is just flying by.  and i am just itching for the fall to arrive.  we can’t wait to meet you soon.

 

all our love to you, little peanut.

love, your mama + your papa

snaps & snippets & blurbs

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this was a pretty great weekend.  don’t you just love birthdays?!  what a perfect excuse to eat yummy food, indulge in way too much dessert, spend extra time alone with my man, and do some shopping!  fun. fun. fun.

even though my birthday was technically on friday, i received my hubby’s blessing to commandeer the entire weekend.  we did it up.  we kicked things off early with a whitehouse family dinner on my birthday eve. then we enjoyed a hubby & me date night on friday for dinner and shopping…shopping for baby goodies.  we walked away with a bag of tiny little apparel to begin her wardrobe.  a very merry un-birhday to you, baby girl.  it was so much fun. then we had an ice cream social [okay, there were only four people there but there was ice cream and we were social] followed by some additional baby girl shopping.  this time, it was off to home depot for paint.  wahoo!  and finally, we wrapped up the birthday-palooza weekend with a dinner with my dad, my fianc-ed sister, and her man.  whew!  needless to say, it was a splendid few days.  i feel quite celebrated.  quite full.  and actually, quite accomplished.  i couldn’t ask for more.

here are some snaps. 

date night with my handsome man + citizen public house.  yes.  again. + fondue with pears, grilled bread, and peppered sausage + the famous and scrumptious [gf] fried chicken and waffles with almond butter and desert lavender honey + plate o’ bread and sausage and cheddar and grainy mustard + rockin’ the scarf and looking like a “fashionable, old-fashioned cleaning lady” as ben’s sister katie calls it + a bag of tiny baby goodies for our tiny baby girl + a table-full of gifts from my man.  the contents thereof: a cookbook, chocolate bars from vosages, baubles and a scarf from j.crew, a giant bag of my favorite decaf coffee beans from local roaster matador, and a fancy-schmancy cold coffee brewing system + miss coco.  she was very jealous of the my presents and the baby’s clothes… + enjoying some of the aforementioned fancy-schmancy cold brewed coffee + a vegan peanut butter cookie from tammie coe.  ah.maz.ing + heading out for some ice cream + sweet republic artisan ice cream + some sweet republic press & a sassy face + my huckleberry ice cream + painting supplies for baby girl’s room! + off to church + dinner at the greene house + the california-cool decor + my dad + my b-day balloon + the menu + the goods…tuna; potato gnocchi with sausage, peas, and mushrooms; chicken ravioli; and scallops + some share-able birthday dessert…chocolate bars of yumminess.

…

as i was assembling the collection, i realized that this weekend was a pretty fabulous tour of some great local venues and vendors from the scottsdale/phoenix area.  fox restaurants, citizen public house, sweet republic, matador coffee roasters, tammie coe.  we are blessed to live in a cool town.

snaps & snippets & blurbs

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this was a very nice weekend.  we have been so busy-busy that a couple days of down time sure felt good.  hubby and i did a lot of relaxing, movie-watching, and snacking.  we did have a laundry and ironing party on sunday evening so we weren’t complete bumps on a log.  here’s to a fresh week!

just me and my man + a double date night with my parents at mellow mushroom + so cool inside + we were seated in the psychedelic room + a perfect salad + an amazing pizza to share + our weekend couch companions.  some of the cutest little faces around + my beverage of choice: sparkling water with crushed ice and lots of lime + popcorn! + movie time.  an oldie but goodie.  you can’t go wrong with frank sinatra, bing crosby, grace kelly, and louis armstrong + consuming LOTS of cheese this weekend…cheese plate with fig and olive rainforest crisps with a side of marinated mozzarella + this fabulously sassy little face…coco is such a glamour-puss.

snaps & snippets & blurbs

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this was kind of a weird weekend for us…hubby was in san diego visiting his buds for some pre-wedding boy time so that left me and the buddies for a weekend of chick flicks (sorry charlie man) and naps.  i also got a pedicure!  and enjoyed a dinner date / chat session with my friend hallie.  i was pretty lazy, i must say.  but i thoroughly enjoyed the relaxation.

welcome, new week!

heading out for dinner with my friend + that’s right…zinburger AGAIN + those amazing truffle fries + a bunless burger…baby just wanted a pile of meat and cheese + adorable miss hallie enjoying her cookies and cream shake.  yum!  and a chocolate shake for me [not pictured] + relaxing after dinner with some teavana iced tea + sitting outdoors, enjoying the scenery and lighted trees + coco all curled up in her favorite fuzzy blanket + intently watching miss congeniality [i was in a sandra bullock movie mood] + charlie taking cover from all the girly activities.  such a good sport and such a sweet cuddly lap buddy

stay tuned for a weekend update post…hubby style

contemplations of mr. charles

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good-day gals and gents,

today i would like to contemplate the idea of sharing.  i don’t like to share.  especially when papa gives me one of his socks to enjoy.  how i love socks!  i love to ball them up in my mouth and prance around the room as i proudly display my prize.  i even have a little prance-dance that i like to do.  it involves a waggily tail and squiggly behind.  i puff up my chest and stroll about with a wide stance.  once i have thoroughly strutted, i like to bring my soggy sock to papa and delicately place it at his feet.  i don’t give it up willingly, of course.  he has to risk my fierce nibbles in order to snatch the sock away.  but, once he has it in his possession…the game begins.  he will teasingly whip it back and forth, trying to throw me off my game.  but, i’m no fool.  i keep my gaze fixed on that sock.  never wavering.  until, the release!  then, it is run and pounce time.  it is also about this time when coco says “heeeyyy!  how come i don’t get to play?” in the whiniest of voices [mama and papa just hear her little raspy bark, but i know what is really being said].  she stands back and barks while shooting a desperate glance or so to papa.  meanwhile, papa and i keep at our play.  i usually maintain this activity for about 4 minutes.  after which, i will retire with my sock for a little nibble time on the floor.  at this point, coco tries to get in on the fun.  it usually starts with her facing me and trying to stare me down.  when that doesn’t work, she will try to lick my eyeball which i can only imagine is just her feeble attempt to distract me.  weird.  then, she strategically bites the end of he sock and tries to paw at my face to get me to release.  foolish girl.  then, she will go at it from another angle to try to pull it from my mouth.  nope.  finally, she nibbles and nibbles to see if she can get close enough to my mouth for me to let the sock go.  no cigar.  this repeats for about 3 or so minutes until she relents or until i start up the fetching again.

mama thinks that i should “be sweet to my sister” and give her some of the sock.  i disagree.  when it comes to socks.  you have to fight.  you have to rip that sucker away from me.  barking to mama won’t work.  licking my eyeball will not work.  i will not be manipulated or trifled with.  i will admit that if i cannot be overtaken by fighting, all you really need to do is outlast me.  this seems to work for coco.  at some point, i become tired of the sock and decide that it is nap on the lap time.  this is when coco can swoop in and take the sock.  and, she does.  of course, unlike me, coco likes to share.  so she usually brings it over to me and tries to get some playtime started.  she must like me or something.  hmmm…

that coco.  she is just too nice.

dear peanut

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things are moving along quite swimmingly.  no sickness.  nothing.  and, i am over the hump [yet still no bump] and into a new trimester!  the second trimester is known for a boost in energy and an enhanced feeling of happiness.  i suppose this is when that “pregnancy glow” kicks in.  i have been so blessed so far to have enjoyed an easy time.  you continue to be very well-behaved as you actively progress and move through your life.  i am pretty sure that you get that quiet tenacity from your papa.  hmmm.  perhaps you are just waiting to exhibit my tendencies as a postpartum party for me.  we are so excited to witness your demeanor outside the womb and begin to understand your personality.  no matter what you are like, no matter what combination of traits you have, we know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made.  it is going to be so much fun to get to know you and watch you grow.

i am noticing that you are making a bit more of an appearance these days [just a bit].  not much, but definitely more.  i am feeling a bit more pregnant which is so strange and really fun.  so many big changes to come.  i just continue to pray for patience and peace.

i have another appointment this week to check in on you and make sure that all is well.  and, i get to hear the rapid flutter of your heartbeat which is so cool.  i bet that won’t ever get old.  your entire family is awaiting the big news of whether you are a boy or a girl.  we still have four more weeks until the next appointment and we just want time to fly!  it is going to be so much fun to know what to expect so we can prepare for your arrival and for how to uniquely parent you.  your papa and i have been thinking through some ideas for how we want to do “the big reveal”.  we are planning a cozy and festive soirée with family so we can all celebrate together.  we have also been testing out name ideas on charlie and coco.  we will say a name and rate it based on tail waggily-ness.  it hasn’t been very conclusive and we probably won’t rely on them for the final decision.  but, it has helped them get used to the idea of you.  they are excited to meet you and give you lots of kisses.  ditto for your parents.

all our love to you, little peanut.

love, your mama + your papa

snaps & snippets & blurbs

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a very happy monday to you.  hubby and i had such a splendid weekend.  food-full, family-full, and fun-full.  practically perfect in every way.  and, all the laundry is not only washed, but folded and put away!  feels good.  starting off a new week on the right foot after a quite enjoyable weekend.  here are some snaps to prove it!

starting our weekend adventures together! + a late night run to in-n-out [just what hubby has been waiting for] + splitting a double-double and fries.  perfection + taking in a matinée of the avengers with rachel & nathan + happy faces + buttery and cheddar powder dusted popcorn + my very own bag + ben’s hands-off approach to popcorn consumption [hence the individual bags] + a dinner and dessert back at the whitehouse home + dad-in-law’s superb street tacos + colorful toppings + sunday morning grapefruit + car trip to church + post-church carb brunch of bagels…and a few sweet treats for my sweet hubby + dinner date night at home + steak and green beans with some brad mehldau mood music + coco’s sad little expression of longing as she attempts to share our meal + sorry miss monkey…no steak for you + a scrumptious dessert of fresh blackberries, the sweetest pineapple, and orange scented greek yogurt with a dusting of cinnamon.  a sweet close to a lovely weekend.