Room Sharing

January 13, 2016December 30, 2025 ~ Girlmom ~ 1 Comment

Room sharing, you want to guess how that has been going? The past 14 days have actually been pretty amazing. Aside from this morning, they have been sleeping through the night and quiet until the green light comes on at 6:30. The only downside is when Aves wakes up screaming I have to go get her up so she doesn’t wake up K but since it was early in the morning, Kaili popped up and the house was alive at five.

The girls got a trampoline for Christmas and Kaili gets some good energy out on it. Averi just likes to climb in and out, in and out and then cry when Kaili won’t let her in.

We took the trolley downtown to the SD auto show.

Kaili got to test drive a car and holy smokes she is a terrible driver. She crashed into everything and almost broke through the barricade, but she enjoyed herself.

Kaili is in school 5 days a week now and starting up soccer practice at the YMCA. I have my fingers crossed that she really likes it. Averi just likes to get into mischief and then whine about it. She is starting to show more interest in books, instead of turning the pages and then throwing the book on the ground, she will listen to the words and point to the pictures.

She is also not as terrified of sand anymore. I took the girls to the park on the bay and she spent a lot of time drawing in the sand with a stick. In the past she would freeze in place and cry if any sand got on her hands, we might actually be able to go to the beach this summer.

17 months…Right?

December 15, 2015December 30, 2025 ~ Girlmom ~ 1 Comment

Shane and I were going back and forth on how old Averi was, pretty sure she is 17 months, a year and a half…almost two. How did that happen?

This girl, that face. She is so loving and cuddly, just what I always wanted, but with that she is also very clingy and emotional. Sometimes I feel that I am never away from her…ever, more so than with Kaili.. There are days where I just want to walk out of the door and say “see ya” be back tonight…but others where I just want to lay with her and breathe her in.

She is a pretty good listener. We didn’t have to do much to keep her away from the Christmas tree, ornaments or presents. She listens when I tell her “no” but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t throw herself on the ground and have herself a little tantrum. She is happy with daddy but when I enter the room, she starts crying and wants to be held. I am sure this is a learned behavior and it sucks and sometimes it sucks the life out of me.

She wants to be like sister, do like sister and have everything that sister has. I took plenty of early childhood education courses and learned how to deal with two children wanting that one thing…Ya, that doesn’t work very well in the house with children of different ages….two of everything (for the most part) is the easiest or laziest answer to that.

Her language is coming along, she doesn’t have too many words but she can express what she wants, or I am just good at guessing. She loves to climb, explore and just run free. Run free into the street…ack! You can’t take your eyes off of her outside, if she isn’t eating something off the ground, she is off to the races down the road.We can not leave the front door open for more than a minute without her heading down the front steps…it’s exhausting.

She has the cutest little laugh and quite the sense of humor. She is learning to put up with big sisters bullying and they are starting to play more together which melts my heart. Nothing makes my heart happier than hearing the two of them laughing.

And at the end of the day, this is my view, simply perfect.

Trick, Treat and Tennis

November 10, 2015December 30, 2025 ~ Girlmom ~ Leave a comment

Averi had a hard time waiting around for the sun to go down, she was one un happy camper.

Kaili was just eager. We were going to Trick or Treat with her little neighbor friend, I think that was the most exciting part.

By the time we were ready to head out, everyone was in a better mood.

Averi went up to a few houses and then happily sat in the stroller taking it all in. Kaili went for about 2 hours, we finally had to drag her home to get the baby to bed.

The next morning they were both up early, as always, and thanks to DLS time ending, sleep has been shit ever since.

We spent the following weekend in Orange county watching the two final matches of the Tennis Doubles Masters. Even though the kids were in the beginning stages of colds, they did pretty good. I was thankful to have family support at the final to help wrangle the kids so I could enjoy the match, because it was a good one.

Nick and Wags, Champions once again.

I was dreading the drive home, traffic looked bad and both kids were on their last leg but they were fine. Both slept part of the way and I think they were so done, they didn’t even have the energy to cry about it.

Halloween Eve

November 3, 2015 ~ Girlmom ~ 1 Comment

Friday, we took Kaili out of school so we could make our annual trip to Bates Nut Farm. Going the day before Halloween was a big WIN! There was hardly anyone there, meaning no lines for pony rides, plenty of room in the petting zoo and you could actually browse the store without being shoved by the person behind you.

The kids enjoyed themselves, you goat to believe it.

After the pumpkin patch we went to a restaurant on our to-do list and I was honestly miserable the entire time. Kaili was so good and so easy to take out to restaurants. But Averi, well she isn’t. There is whining, so much whining and she isn’t happy unless she is eating or walking around. It wasn’t a very “kid inviting” restaurant and I just felt horrible for her screeching while others tried to enjoy their lunch. Meanwhile, Kaili fell off her chair hitting the ground head first, causing gasps from everyone around us…she was fine. My blood pressure was not.

After lunch we hit a few new wineries nearby because after that lunch, we all needed a drink. The first winery, Deer Park Winery and Auto Museum was like walking into the past. Everything in the “museum” had a layer of dust on it. The wine bar was something out of the 70’s as was the decor. The wine though, the wine was atrocious. The whole experience was strange. Yes, Averi is eating off of old dirty carpet.

After that experience we hopped into another winery but I think we were all done and ready to head home. After baths, finally able to relax we enjoyed dinner outside while the men watched baseball and the girls played until dark.

Before the Sun

October 12, 2015October 14, 2015 ~ Girlmom ~ 1 Comment

Oh, it’s only been a month since I blogged last…sigh.

Shane and I celebrated our 9 year anniversary. We went downtown for dinner, without the kids, went to an underground Speakeasy and played pool. It was just what I needed, in fact it’s something I could get used to, say once a month?

Averi is now 15 months and things are pretty much the same, most days are routine and a tad mundane. Her sleep schedule is 6:30 to 6:30 give or take. We just got over the girls having colds, Averi was waking up multiple times a night but knock on wood, that is over.

Her vocabulary is coming along, saying mom, dad, all done, bye and a lot of whining. She is waving and blowing kisses bye bye unless it’s to me, then it’s a full meltdown. She is very attached and although she is fine when I am gone, it’s the going and returning part that causes the tears.

Kaili was going through some 4 year old challenging behaviors. Not listening, trying to get rid of her sister and her sleeping regressed. Can I say how DONE I am with not sleeping? We are hoping that the girls will share a room sometime but the way it’s going, I am not sure how that will ever work. Sometimes they piggy back each other in the wake ups and if one of them actually sleeps in, I can promise you the other one was awake at 5.

I decided to try a behavior chart with her, made it myself to fit our needs. I have to say it really worked well for the first few months but her sleeping is back to shit. Okay, that is a strong word. She goes to sleep by 7 and is, for the most part (4 out the 7 days a week) is quiet once in bed. She has been waking up in the middle of the night due to nightmares or scary sounds and sometimes it’s a battle to get her back to sleep. But really the problem lies in her waking up for the day. She is usually up before 6:00 and comes into my room. The rule is, she is to stay in her room (aside from bathroom runs) until 6:30 when the green light on her clock comes on, but that is out the window. I could let her in my room or go into hers but I don’t want to create a habit but, I also don’t want to spend that time getting up and down in a fight with her. Ugh, does this make sense?

Anyhow, the chart hasn’t really been working for me in that department. I don’t know what else to do except make a mandatory rest time after school if she doesn’t follow the wake up rule.

Out and About

September 14, 2015September 15, 2015 ~ Girlmom ~ 2 Comments

There is a new restaurant down in Harbor Island. One I have been anticipating for months. Since Shane and I don’t get many chances to go out alone, we decided to try Coasterra with kids in tow. The view is AHmazing, I crave sitting outside along the water and their atmosphere definitely satisfied.

I can’t go into detail on the food, we had a few apps and a soup, all good but not AHmazing. Their menu was enticing but pricey, not worth dropping that much on a meal that I can’t enjoy in peace…know what i’m saying?

Kaili got to see San Diego from a higher point of view, she loved it…she also loved her first attempt at pool, she needs some practice.

We don’t get downtown much these days but since they let little kids in bars, I don’t see why we don’t go more often.

May 4, 2015 ~ Girlmom ~ 1 Comment

Worst blogger ever. I have been so terrible about taking time to catch up. We were busy with a certain four year olds birthday party and since then we have been on the go. Just as I sat down to write this I had to stop more than once to tend to a whiny child, not naming names.

Kali’s party was hit, most of it great, some of it not. I have a ton of thank you cards to get to but I will have a post dedicated to the birthday party soon.

Shane’s mom has been in town all week and we have been all over San Diego..Mission beach, downtown, Old town, Little Italy and Coronado. We ate our way through a lot of neighborhoods and had two nights out with friends without the kids. So much fun.

For an early mother’s day we went to the Hotel Del Coronado brunch buffet. I didn’t get any pictures but it was quite an ordeal. Imagine being inside a grand dining room. Waiters bustling, champagne flowing and food galore. The stations were spread out and separated by cuisine. Breakfast and omelets, seafood, carving station, soups, salads, soup, cheese, charcuterie, chocolate fountain, desserts and candy. Figuring out what to eat is almost like a science or in my case, all the crab legs and the double cream cheese. The girls were good, having Averi in a high chair now helps tremendously and lengthens our stay, but really, if you are going to have this experience, go without kids.

Chicken Pot Pie

April 6, 2015 ~ Girlmom ~ 2 Comments

I decided Easter was a perfect day for me to try my hand at making a pot pie. I told Shane that it will be our Easter tradition. Something the girls can complain about years down the road, having to eat moms chicken pot pie…again. I think that sounds like a great tradition.

I decided they would be indivual per Shane’s request and that I would not make the pie crust from scratch, at least this time because duh. I decided on this Ina Gartens recipe but I did a double crust. The filling was so good it could be eaten on its own so I knew adding pastry was going to make this dish extra ordinary…and it was.

I only made a few pies so I had quite a bit of filling left and now it’s in the freezer for the next time I want to make one. The store bought pie crust was pretty good, it was no homemade but the easy factor was worth it!

5 Months

December 12, 2014December 12, 2014 ~ Girlmom ~ 2 Comments

Our little monkey butt is 5 months old and I have to say she is a bona fide cutie.

She eats a lot, at least a lot more than K did and more frequently. She goes through 5 ounces every 2 1/2 hours. I feel like I am perpetually making or washing bottles.

Sleep, for the most part is great. She takes two naps a day ranging from 1-2 1/2 hours. Bedtime is at 6:30 and if she wakes up its anywhere from 1-4 am. Recently she has mastered rolling onto her tummy, if you put her on her back she WILL roll but she can’t roll back over, so you can guess what that means. This has thrown a wrench into sleep, I found myself walking into her room a good 5 times early this morning to flip her back over. That was not fun.

She thinks her sister is hilarious, Kaili just has to make a funny face at her and Averi will crack up. I come in second in the comedy department, apparently my singing is pretty funny, not sure how I feel about that.

I feel really lucky with how easy she is.She does have her moments and they arrive around 4-5 pm or also known as “witching hour”. The hardest part for me is when Shane is gone and I am trying to make dinner. Some days are better than others, like Friday through Sunday. The outcome is that Kali’s weekly dinner menu has really weakened in creativity. Occasionally I beat myself up over it because her palate is getting fussy but honestly as long as she is eating I will not stress over it.

After the holidays I will start Averi on some oatmeal and veg. I would like to say I will make all her food but… ya, probably not going to happen.

Happy 5 months baby girl.

A Week (or 2) in Photos

December 9, 2014 ~ Girlmom ~ 2 Comments

A few weeks ago we were still having amazing weather. It was so nice that we braved the crowds and hit up SeaPort Village…Too many people! The line for Surf Santa had to have been 2 + hours long. I would need a gang of people who wanted to take turns holding my place in line while we hopped on the carousel and guzzled adult beverages to ever brave that line.

We took the girls to see the mall Santa. Kali was more excited about the candy cane then she was him, and when asked what she wanted for Christmas she replied “one pink present.”

I paid money for this picture …Shane took a better one with his phone so I need you all to see what money can buy. Awkward smiles and one unimpressed baby.

{I wonder what shade of hair color Santa uses?}

We spent a good amount of time laying on beds. They had legos that kept Kaili busy for about an hour, best nap of my life.

Averi agreed.

We took the whole clan to La Jolla for our Christmas card shoot. It was messy and the kids were soaked by the end but you’ll be happy with the final outcome. Totally worth 20 minutes of chaos.

Kali went to her little friends birthday Tea Party. This place was a trip and totally divine. The girls were in their princess dresses, drank tea out of china, ate tea sandwiches and petit fours, fanciest party I have ever been to. Kali was in heaven.