Cool Socks...

Cate really knows how to make feet look cool, huh? This is how I found Dad & Cate's feet the other night...Cate definitely knows how to make her dad look cool.

fires...

as you've probably heard on the news, there are some crazy wildfires going on out here in san diego. thought I'd let you all know that we are fine - we're only a couple of miles from the edge of the evacuation area, but still not too close to the fire. one of the officials said this morning they think it will actually reach the coast, which is totally crazy. hopefully the winds will die down and that won't happen. anyway, we're doing fine. staying inside with the air filters blasting. a few of our good friends have had to evacuate their homes. please keep them in your prayers and pray these fires actually die down instead of continue to grow. will keep you posted if anything happens where we are, but I think we should be safe.

I'll post some happy pictures later to lighten my mood.

Funny Cate-isms

Cate's going to be a ballerina for Halloween. I finished gluing all the "sparklies" on her tutu today and she can't WAIT for it to be dry so she can wear it. And every time she talks about her ballet slippers, puts them on, anything ballet-slipper related she says "Ta-da!" It's cracking me up.


Her latest funny thing she says ALL the time is "huh?" A few examples: We can't find a parking spot - Cate says "There's no parking spots, huh?" I tell her I'm going to go work - Cate says "You're working, huh?" It's time to get ready for bed - Cate says "I'm going to take a bath, huh?" You get the jist. It is HILARIOUS. It sounds so adult and casual coming out of a 2-year-old's mouth.

I have some funny videos of her that I need to upload. Will do soon!

Cate, Future Olympic Swimmer?

In an effort to make Cate a LITTLE more adventurous pysically, we signed her up for swimming lessons with her friend Hannah. They are complete OPPOSITES in the pool. It's hilarious. Last week Cate's teacher was trying to get her to step down to the bottom step and Cate looked at her and said, "I can't do that, I will fall" which can be loosely translated as "DUH, lady, you could drown in there! Are you crazy?!?!" At the same time, it's everything Hannah can do to stay ON the stairs. Good thing Han's there or I don't think Cate would try anything. Cate is making progress, however - she liked the 2nd week MUCH better.






Cate was at Hannah's house a few weeks ago. Adrianne found Hannah's door closed...she went inside to check on them and they were sitting together on Hannah's bed reading. They are SO CUTE together.


The other day while I was working, Cate's door was closed so I figured she was in her room playing. I went to check on her after a while and found her in the family room fast asleep in her armchair. It was SO SWEET. I had a twinge of guilt...busy, working mom has no idea her daughter fell asleep...but she looked so comfy I think she'll be okay. Plus she had Nikki with her. :)




I'm sorry my posts have been so few and far between! I honestly don't take that many pictures anymore! Although in 2 months time you'll be SICK of pictures from us, I'm sure. That's right, two months from today/tomorrow is the anticipated arrival date of "little sister." Time is FLYING. I am SO EXCITED...and I can't wait for this Christmas season. It's going to be magical. It's everything I can do to not listen to my Christmas music already. December is going to be GREAT. :) Until then, lots to do, including Halloween, Thanksgiving, WORK, baby prep...no wonder I'm tired. Love to all!

What a Happy Birthday!

Tuesday was my birthday and it was GREAT! Check out my food blog for more details and pictures of the fabulous birthday cake. Here's Cate enjoying the chocolatey goodness...


I know she looks like she's in pain here, but Cate really is smiling, mostly because she knows she's FINALLY going to get cake. She kept asking for it all night long, and kept singing "happy birthday" to herself b/c she knew cake comes after the birthday song...we couldn't believe the manipulations she was trying to get that cake! It was really funny.


The BEST part of my birthday was my nephew, Colby James Hansen, was born JUST in time to share my birthday! So fun! Welcome to the world, Colby - we cannot WAIT to meet you!


Here are a few more recent pictures. One quick story first...I've been fighting a cold for over a month now. Last week it caused me to completely lose my voice. I had to whisper and I told Cate I lost my voice...she looked thoughtful for a moment then said "I think you dropped it on the floor." It was so cute - gotta love the kid logic.

So, Cate has been taking her purse everywhere she goes lately. The other day while she was napping, I took a quick snapshot of what she carries with her. She always has that little paper coloring book, 3 pairs of sunglasses, 3 ballerinas, a penny and her brush. The strawberry shortcake dolls were a special addition this day. So cute to see what a 2 year old needs when she goes out...


Here's how I found the party girl yesterday in her bed when she would NOT go to sleep for a nap...she is not allowed to go to college. (yes, that's underwear)


A few weeks ago Cate started music classes and biddy sports. Here she is right before her first music class, which she LOVED. It's only been 3 weeks and she has all the songs memorized and just LOVES class and playing instruments. It's a blast, for her and for me.


Here she is right before her first biddy sports class...sadly the smile did not last for long. She literally cried the entire 45 minutes and would NOT participate. The whole time I just kept thinking, how am I going to do this 5 more times?!?! I kept doing everything the kids were supposed to do, hoping Cate would follow suit. Of course she didn't so I was the only mom out there doing stretches and soccer drills with a bunch of 2 year olds, pregnant to boot. Embarassing. Thank goodness the next week was a night and day difference...she LOVED it and now she likes going to biddy sports. PHEW. Nate's especially relieved since he's scared our kids are all going to be about as athletic as I am...

Cate & Abby

Here are Cate and Abby in their matching Cape Cod t-shirts. They were together for 2 weeks and got along beautifully...what good cousins!

Don't You Just Love Little Girls?

I've gotta admit, it's going to be fun having 2 little girls running (or more accurately laying and running) around here in a few months...they're just so CUTE. :)

I love this picture. Makes me excited about girls and how cute they are, especially in mini versions of grown-up swimming suits. This is Cate with her friend Amelia Wignall. Amelia is younger, but she's coming into her own lately. I can't believe the WWF smackdown moves she's got at the playground nowadays. It is hilarious. I'm just glad she can finally fight back, since Cate's been known to stage her own attacks in the past...the playing field is finally leveling.

Cate & Her Rolling Bag

So, I think I just need to post 1 picture each day, or I'm never going to get anything up here! Here's today's picture! :)

Cate LOVED dragging her little Red Sox rolly bag around the airport. It was really funny to watch, and she definitely turned a lot of heads. :)

Crazy Cape Cod Cate

I have soooo many pictures to choose from on the trip that I'm completely frozen with indecision. I'm too tired today to think about it, so here's a little something to whet your whistle. First and foremost, Cate's thinking of joining a KISS tribute band...


This is one of my favorite shots...(abby left, cate right)

Here are the Maynard kids...

My sister, Anne, and Cate...the "Jersey Fresh" girls (they picked up these matching Ts when we went peach picking)

Trip Update

Hey everybody...I have TONS of pictures to post, but I can't get my laptop online, so I may not post them until we get home next week. We'll see how ambitious I'm feeling about going between computers. Cate and I had a blast in New Hampshire and Cape Cod and are now in New Jersey. To all of our many friends who we haven't seen on this trip...we've barely had time to see family - I'm sad we haven't seen any friends on this trip. I didn't even go to the North End for my cannoli from Modern Pastry, so that should tell you how busy we've been. :) Know that we're thinking of you and miss you all tons!!!

Nate has now visited Stanford and Yale investigating post-doc opportunities...both schools are very cool. We'll keep you posted on what he decides...it's looking like we'll be in either of those places or San Diego when Nate finishes in the coming months. I know we have wonderful friends in each area, so we can't lose. :)

So, hopefully I'll post pictures soon! :)