Random Pieces of LIfe

Scarlett's sleeping the whole night in her crib now. She doesn't always look like this while she's in it, but at least she has a nice place to go.


Juan brought home a big piece of construction paper from work. It was like he'd brought home diamonds for as much Scarlett loved it!


Our little meditating baby. And she does make a kind of "OOOOM" sound.

We like to play with how freaky flexible she is!! Luckily, she doesn't mind

Weekend Trip

Last weekend we went on a quick trip to Bodega Bay. It was a lot of fun-- we definitely love camping and it's great to pull out the ol' tent trailer every once in awhile. It was chilly on the coast, but what a great respite from the hot hot valley weather! Plus I got to put Scarlett in cute sweat suits. She's going to look VERY cute this winter! Stay tuned!



The "Hood" sisters!

What a cutie! Look at her little red nose!

This beach is a lot different than Maui!

Family picture in front of the rock in "The Goonies"

Juan and baby by the fire

The whole set-up!

You can't hold someone accountable for how they look on a camping trip!! but it was fun!

Happy half-year birthday!

I'm ready for my peaches, Mom! Hook it up!


Give me MORE. NOW!


Scarlett turned six months old yesterday. Or, as I like to say, she turned the big point-five. We celebrated with a dinner of peaches and apple sauce. She really liked the peaches!

I can't believe we've had her for six months. I can't remember how life was like before her--- I have a vague recollection of long stretches of sleep, clothes without spit-up stains, long novels that I could read in an evening and, of course, restaurant meals that didn't have to start at 5:30 so they won't run into bedtime and leave us trapped in a restaraunt with a screaming, tired baby.
Wouldn't go back to it for the WORLD!

When can we go back?

This is how Scarlett cruises through the airport!

Similar to pictures on Shana's blog-- but still cute! The girls, completely unaware of their beautiful surroundings! A sippy cup is much more entertaining!

Shana and Chloe

The boys


Juan and I took a quick hike on the West Maui bluffs-- we were surprised how much it looks like Northern California!


The drinks do NOT belong to Scarlett!

Nana, Mom and Baby

Snuggling up to her dad's shoulder



Phew! A hard day swimming!

Family picture

Grandpa and his girls!

Look how much fun everyone's having!

We spent a LOT of time in the pool!

Back to Work!

Monday, August 20th is a red-letter day. Well, I'm leaving my precious (but at this very moment, farting!) baby behind while I dig deep into my closet to pull out a purse to exchange for the ever-present diaper bag. That's right, I'm going back to work! We spun by the school today to to pick up my class roster, check that my books were in the bookstore, pick up my mail, etc. I'm desperately trying to get my brain off of baby mood (I've been diagnosing poop color for 6 months now. How to suddenly start explaning what rhetoric means? And how to teach people how to do it??)

How do I feel, you may ask? Sad, because I'm worried that she's going to hate it when I leave, and sad because she might not hate it when I leave. Excited, because I get to talk to people about things I'm interested in, and excited because I'm teaching in a brand new building.

It's only 12 hours a week. What, you might say? That's barely gone at all! I'm guessing those 12 hours will feel like 120 hours and 10 minutes, all at the same time. And I guess that's just one of the wonderful contradictions that come along with motherhood.

PS Maui pictures to come!!

Bye Bye California!

Tomorrow morning we leave for Maui. Scarlett was pretty excited, and all ready to go in her pretty pink suitcase.



Hmmm... I think she's a little big, we might have to squish and squeeze to get her in...




Nope, her feet still stick out! Oh well, we tried!

The Evolution of Scarlett

Thought I'd give everyone a quick view of Scarlett's pre-church routine:



Starting out sweet and cute


Uh oh, looking a little mischevious!


The end result: No hair bow, a bib to mop up the spit-up and trying to get those darn shoes off!

Tree Talk!

Bye Bye Tree! We had a suicidal tree in our front yard that dropped limbs any which way it wanted, any time it wanted. We tried to keep it around because it was really pretty and the shade was great! In the end, though, it got too dangerous so the tree had to go. It had to walk the green mile. Pun totally intended!!



Dead Tree Standing!



Awwww.... poor tree




All that's left is firewood!