Self Reflection & Simple Pleasures

When things get tough (as they are for so many of us these days) it becomes too easy to get mad at the world.  Irritability runs high and patience runs low.  It's times like this when I realize the best cure is to take a look at myself to see where changes can be made.  When you feel like nothing is going the way you want it to....you can make changes and take control of your own actions.

The changes I'm going to work on are living more simply.  I want to enjoy the people in my life and be grateful for the things we do have by living on less, taking things less seriously and looking for ways to enjoy all of lifes simple pleasures.

Watching how my son interacts with his world is a great place to start!

Quentin having fun with some self-reflection time.

LOVING the balloons!

Getting excited about exploring tunnels.

Mom made yummy crepe pancakes for breakfast.  This special one is shaped like a cow's head.  They are super tasty with some yogurt on them!

The Spirit of Summer

August 26th, 2009

It's been awfully hot here this summer, but that hasn't seemed to slow down little Q. Crawling, pulling up on every surface he can reach, swimming and trying all sorts of fun foods; the little man has been keeping quite busy.

Last weekend we found ourselves out to breakfast and a young waiter caught the attention of little Q. They played peek-a-boo throughout the meal from across the restaurant. Before we left he made a point of coming to meet Quentin in person. He remarked at "what a wonderful spirit" Quentin had.

We couldn't agree more!

Visiting Oma and Poppy in Oregon

In early January Quentin and I headed up to Oregon to visit Oma and Poppy and to meet my grandparents. Before we left though, we spent some quality time with the doggies.

Willie is resting his head on a napping Quentin here.

Bela ejnoying the sun while she stays close to the baby.

A napping doggie keeping close tabs on his baby brother.

Waking up together.


Scott has Q in his arms the minute he walks in the door from work.

My cousing Lebn was in Phoenix for a few days and got to see Quentin.

Auntie Carolyn reading morning stories to cousin Penelope and Quentin at Oma & Poppy's.

Quentin meets Oma and Poppy's dog, Elsie.

Cousin Freya and Quentin doing tummy time together.

Side by side babies!

Leslie and I with Quentin and Freya. (This is pretty much what we did most of the trip)

Auntie Carolyn keeping cousin Penelope entertained with lots of reading!

Lisa E came for a visit from Eugene, just to spend time with the babies!

More side by side cousins.

Poppy in 7th Heaven with all his grandkids.

Introducing Opa for the first time to Freya and Quentin.

Quentin and Freya. There will be SO many shots like these since they are only 1 day apart in age.

Ice cream faced Penelope and Carolyn.

A backseat full of precious cargo!

Meeting Chloe's little boy (born a week after our babies). Quentin, Lucien and Freya.

Super Mom!

Helping Penelope put together the 'Kinght and Princess' puzzle we gave her as a belated Christmas gift. She told me it was a good puzzle for her because she's "kind of into kinghts and princesses and horses right now"!

Introducing Quentin and Freya to Grandmother Nancy!

Baby's First Christmas

We spent Q's first Christmas in Phoenix this year. It was a nice, relaxing time with just our new immediate family. We had friends and family over for Christmas Eve dinner and then Grammy and Grumpy came over on Christmas morning too for a visit.

Scott found something for me...something I've been trying to find, for forever! A Star of David Christmas Tree Topper! Yeah for Christmakkah - Hanukkamas!

Quentin, making spirits bright with his holiday onsie!

Nicole and Zahria celebrated Christmas Eve with us!

Lots of love from Grammy this holiday season!

Quentin's adorable hat Nicole made for him. She was worried it might be too small, but with a little pin head like Q, small is good!

The family on a lazy Christmas morning.

Bathtime!

Mommy and Quentin by the tree.
Quentin with Christine and Kristi on New Years Eve.

Christine, Quentin and I on New Years at Christine and Mark's New Years Party.


Best Wishes for 2009!

A trip to Denver

We made another trip just a few weeks after Thanksgiving to Denver to celebrate aunt Melissa's graduation from her graduate program. It was a chilly but very fun trip and Quentin did great once again on the plane. Mom and dad are getting better and better at traveling with the little guy. Congrats aunt Melissa on a great accomplishment!!

Reaching for toys at home.

Starting to get really smiley!

Meeting daddy's aunt Helaine for the first time.

Getting a bottle from aunt Melissa in Denver.

Meeting uncle Dmitry.

Being such a good baby at aunt Melissa's graduation ceremony.

Grammy and Grumpy with aunt Melissa and uncle Dmitry at the graduation.

Hanging out with Grammy while it snowed outside.

Making Grumpy not so grumpy!