Who's The Boss?

Photohunt: Glass

Isn't it amazing what is on the other side of the glass?

Photo from a 2006 trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Photohunt: I Spy

I spy with my big brown eye....

Hint 1: It's maroon.

Hint 2: It carries passengers

Hint 3: It is not a train.

you can click on the photo to enlarge and click on the link below to get the answer

Photohunt: Different

In mainstream American culture, we don't place a ton of value on the extended family.  When sons or daughters marry, they move out of the house and start their own family.  Sometimes thousands of miles away from their parents.  In Neville's culture, when a son marries, his wife joins him at his parent's house.  And they live together, with the in-laws, for a period of time.  Sometimes it is a couple of years.  Sometimes it is for life.

When we had Darius, we decided to live with Neville's mother.  I was very, very nervous about the situation.  It was so different from what I was accustomed to in my culture.  But I'll tell you, it was one of the best decisions I think we've ever made as a couple.  His mother and I have become the best of friends.  And having an extra pair of hands around the house is a God send. 

So this week's photo is in honor of my wonderful mother-in-law.  She is such a blessing.  To see her having fun with her grandson every day.  To see Darius loving his grandma every day.  It is so worth it.  Plus, she like to wash dishes and fold laundry.  It just can't get any better.

Photohunt: Wooden

This week I thought it was only appropriate to showcase Darius' love of Thomas the Train.  Most days, the wooden trains and tracks are scattered all over the play room floor.  Putting together a complicated track that connects and routes all over is a nightly challenge for me.  I'm not always the most gracious in allowing D to help, either.  I often cringe while telling him to move out of the way when I'm trying to figure out a complex connection.  Well cringe on the inside.  Because it certainly doesn't stop me from taking over.  Who knew that I'd have more fun putting the track together? 

Once the track is together, D lines up nearly every train he has to made the "world's longest train."  It's quite fun to watch as he carefully select each train and their order. 

Tonight, we are going to ride a real train up to Sacramento to visit with Neville's twin brother.  I can't wait to see Darius get wide eyed and bushy tailed over the train station, riding a real train, and then getting to visit with his uncle.   It's going to be a fabulous trip!

Photohunt: Free

I was going through some of our old photos this week and found a cute set of Darius and his daddy wrestling around in our old house.  Nothing like free entertainment watching a father and son duke it out on the carpet.  What the camera didn't catch was a the unethical head-on move that Darius pulled on his dad - sending them both to the kitchen for ice and subsequent black eyes.

Photohunt: Heavy

When Darius was born, he weighed a healthy 8lbs 7oz.  I had seriously injured my back in the labor process, tearing my lower left back muscles away from my spine and spent 12 weeks in physical therapy.  Those 8.5 pounds of baby felt like carrying a 50 pound bowling ball.   Boy did I think he was heavy.

By two months, he had doubled his birth weight.  With therapy improving my back, it was more like carrying around a sack of potatoes.

Yesterday, Darius asked to be picked up.  I agreed but only for a few minutes.  At nearly four, he weighs 35 pounds.  He's totally an average kid.  But he turned to me with pride and said "I'm so heavy now, momma.  You can't carry me for long." 

To which I replied "My child, you have always been heavy to me."

Photohunt: Narrow

This week's hunt is dedicated to Neville's Uncle Pete.

Pete was involved in a very serious car accident on January 8, 2008 on his way to work in Missouri. He was hit head-on by an oil tanker during a rain storm.  He narrowly escaped death.  The majority of the bones in his left side are broken (or shattered) and he will have to undergo numerous surgeries to correct the bones in his leg and arm. He also has 4 broken ribs, collasped left lung and fractured vertebrae but no spinal cord injuries.

By the Grace of God, there were no head, neck, nor major internal injuries. He has a lot of underlying medical conditions that have come into play.  He is still in the ICU and is not out of the woods just yet.  His doctors are estimating his stay in the hospital to be well over 6 months before he'll be able to go home.

With prayers from everyone and a firm belief in God, he will win this battle.  We love you Uncle Pete and you are in our thoughts and prayers!

Photohunt: Old-fashioned

Old-fashioned: adhering to customs of a past era

Neville's family is Indian; Parsi to be exact.  So when N's brother became engaged, their mother started planning a Mendhi celebration.  Mendhi is a tradition wedding custom. But we decided to do it with a twist. 

The bride elected to have a scaled-down version of Mendhi.  Traditionally the bride would have hands, palms, and feet decorated in fine detail.

Men and women were invited.  The old-fashioned custom is to have women only. 

Photo of Neville (left) and the Groom.

For fun, we put a little henna on the newest addition to the family.

Photohunt: Important

So I'm not trying to go too political on this blog.  But it is voting season in the US.  Over the next month, many of us will be lining up at the polls to cast our votes in the Presidential Primary election.  It is very important for every able American to stand up and vote. 

To represent the importance of voting, I bring you a picture of the White House.  Taken on my short stay in DC a few years back.  My grandmother stated that she wanted to see the White House before she died.  Wish granted.  We spent four days in DC, touring the White House, seeing the Capital building, going to the various monuments.  It was the only time in my life that I have travelled with a baby (Darius was 1) and a Senior Citizen.  Needless to say, there were lots of rest stops along the way.

Photo from inside the Capital building.  The quote reads, "We defend and we build a way of life, not for America alone but for all Mankind."

Photohunt: Messy

WARNING: Little boys that do not pick up their toys...

and then stick out their tongues at their mommas....

Will be tickled to the full extent of the law.

Messes are a serious matter in this household. Consider yourself warned.

Photohunt: Light

A few weeks back, we headed up to the Randall Museum to take part in their holiday crafts event.  We had a great time making beeswax candles.  But the icing on the cake was making wooden candle holders.  Darius used a real tool to cut out one from the wood.  When I asked hime who he was planning on giving these to for Christmas, he very sweetly replied "To myself.  These stay with me."

The candles will be our source of light at our table on Christmas Eve.

Photohunt: Small

Kayaking on the Pacific Ocean in Cabo San Lucas

Walking along the miles and miles of coastline

The power of one little pepper

Three friends taking a small vacation and making big memories.

Photohunt: Long

Darius, about 45 minutes old.  We waited a long time for him.  He was eight days late - which any pregnant woman knows feels like years instead of days.  He was born after ten long hours of labor.

My little baby is now a very big three year old boy. 

One tired mom after long nights of nursing, burping, changing, singing, rocking, and nursing again. It's amazing that this photo feels like such a long time ago. Having a little boy instead of a baby happens fast. Part of me longs for those infant days back. A really little part of me. Because I certainly do not miss those bags under my eyes.

Photohunt: Red

Darius with Santa.

For all my photo hunting friends, check out my giveaway for HP Photo Books.  Enter to win one by Saturday.

Photohunt: I love _____________

this man.

this child.

Photohunt: Flexible

Photohunt: Classic

During the summer, D and I went to a local county fair.  At the fair, there was a race car.  I'm not a NASCAR fan, but I hear it is a classic American past time, like apple pie and the Superbowl.  Personally, I'll take the pie.  But my kiddo loved posing in front of the car.  There definitely is a NASCAR fan in the making.

My grandma's 85th birthday is this Sunday.  She is a classic example of her generation: God-fearing, patriotic, fabulous cook and homemaker.  She has had a rough couple of years due to poor health.  But she still prays for all her friends and each family every day during her devotional.  Happy Birthday Grandma!  We love you.

Photohunt: Pink

In the winter of 2006 (I'm joking about the winter since we live in the Bay Area), there was a freak snow "storm" in the Santa Cruz Mountains that left a few inches of snow on the ground for over a week.  It was great to drive only 20 minutes to be able to play in snow.   We lasted a whopping 15 minutes outside.  D refused to wear gloves and had freezing pink hands and a cute pink nose.  Yes, we are Californians and cannot handle the cold.

Sorry, but I won't be playing the "hunt" and visiting sites for this weekend.  I'm off to one of my best friends weddings where I'm sure I'll have pink eyes from crying (I love weddings even tho they make me cry). 

Photohunt: Practical

A practical (and green) way to store food.  It's a working mom's dream.  I can easily take stock of what we need and making school lunches is a breeze.

And it doesn't cost a lot of green to get organized in the cupboard.  Most of these containers were purchased from Ikea for under $3.

Photohunt: Smelly

I'm back after a two week break from the hunt.  It's been a crazy month.

This week's theme is Smelly.  My first thought was to take a picture of Neville after he's finsihed a work out.  Pee Yew.  He's one stinky guy after that.  But I thought I'd spare you of that (and my model was being a diva).

So I decided to bring you photos of things more pleasant.  Of smells that I love.

fresh spring flowers

the salty air at the beach

cinnamon and pine at Christmas

and the sweet, sweet smell of a newborn baby (pic of D, about 1 hour old)

Photohunt: Paper

Being in the UK this week for work, I thought it only appropriate to focus this week's theme on the UK.

First, give a guess how much money is in this photo?  It's only about 65 pounds.  Convert that over to US dollars, and you're looking at over 130 bucks. 

Second, children's books purchased a local thrift store.  All of the profits go to the Save the Children charity.  I've seen a dozen different thrift stores that all support a different charity.  Ones for pets, ones for breast cancer research, ones for the British Heart Association.  I think it is such a great idea to have so many charities that can easily be supported through buying little trinkets and souveniours. I can't wait to read these books to my little guy.

Photohunt: Plastic

A few weeks back, the Barnum and Bailey Circus came to town.  My dad bought the whole family tickets and we went on opening night.  See the plastic noses of the clowns.

For the record, I do not stand for the cruel and unethical animal taming practices that have been in the press lately against Barnum and Bailey.   I decided to go and see for myself and make judgement after.  I still don't know how exactly I feel about the whole issue, but I doubt we will ever go to a circus show again.

Photohunt: Music

I'm posting this week's challenge as fast as I can.  We are headed up to Sacramento for my brother-in-law's wedding in about 15 minutes.  And since we'll be half-way to Lake Tahoe, we'll be spending next week up there.  I'm really rough around the edges with everything at work and am so thrilled to finally unplug and reconnect with my family.

Onto this week's theme... man, was it hard.  So I give you an eccentric set of photos.

D's "turtle" preschool class during circle time.  They are singing songs (or at least their teacher is).  Darius is the one in the orange shirt NOT singing. 

In honor of Lake Tahoe, this photo is of my mom (Nana) and Darius.  D is just a year old.  We are listening to a band play outside and enjoying a glass of wine.  The boys (Grandpa and Daddy) are taking a nap in the hotel.

Darius at Music Class.  He's giving his teacher a high five while dancing to music.  In Music Class, we would sing, play with different instruments, and be downright silly.

Photohunt: Dirty

When Darius was around 18 months we took a field trip to a Sanitation Co with the local mother's club.  Nothing is dirtier than a Garbage truck, right?

Photohunt: Happy

Last Friday, Darius and I took the trek to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, CA (about 80 minutes from our home).  They have a new Thomas Town.  And Darius was thrilled to not only see Thomas the Tank Engine, but to get to ride him as well.  Needless to say, he was one happy boy.

Photohunt: Two

For this week's photohunt, I present you with two photos of Darius at his 2nd Birthday party.

Darius and his daddy as we sing Happy Birthday.

Homemade cake.  No I didn't make it.  I had the vision and then had my dad, Mr. Martha Stewart, bake and decorate.  I'm a firm believer in outsourcing.

Speaking of presents, have you checked out my contest?  Enter by 11:59pm PDT tonight for a chance to win free BlogHer swag.   

Photohunt: Row

For this weeks challenge, I decided to air my laundry.  Literally.  Hey!  At least is is clean laundry.  Two months ago, we bought laundry racks to line dry all of our clothes.  We purchased 4 and they each hold about a load of laundry.  See my row of laundry...

Yes it is in the house  (our un-lanscaped back yard is too dusty).  If you casually came over just about any day of the week, you'll see our clean laundry.  Yes, I make sure that they are put away when we know we are going to have guests.

The best part is, each month, our energy bill has dropped to pay for 1 rack.  In two more months, the racks will be paid off.  We are not only reducing our carbon footprint but we are also saving signficant $$ in our energy costs.

Go buy some yourself - and stop trying to look for my underwear in that pic.

Now if only I could find an energy reducing measure that will fold and put away the clothes.

Photohunt: Funky

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Yes, that is my son attempting to touch a goat's you know what.  Darius is 15 months old in this picture.  We were at Lemos Farm in Half Moon Bay.  Needless to say, it was a funky day.

Photohunt: Creative

This week's Photohunt is a picture of the fabulous women on Silicon Valley Mom's Blog and our sister site, Chicago Mom's Blog.  We had a fabulous cocktail party at Viand in Chicago courtesy of Yahoo! last night as a kick-off for BlogHer '07.  This group of writers are incredibly creative, smart, funny group of women.  And I am so proud to get to be a part of this blog community.

photo courtesy of SV Mom's Blog

Photohunt: Tiny

Me:  "Hey, Darius.  How much do you love Daddy."

Darius: "This much."

Me: "And how much do you love Grandpa?"

Darius: "This much."

Me: "And how much do you love Grandma?"

Darius: "This much."

Me: "And how much do you love me, Darius?  How much do you love Mommy?"

Darius: "I love you this teeny, tiny much."

Wherein, I hope quality far outweighs quantity.