Nothing to Report!

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No labor- no baby. Maybe holding out for Friday February 18 after all? We had a fun day though, the girls played with Emmy and went to stomp at Shoup Park in the morning and I met Emily, Anne and Kelly for girls lunch out at Mayfield Cafe then did some baby shopping at Town & Country and got a new diaper bag I am in love with at Mom's The Word. It was a crazy stormy day- lots of rain then the sun would come out for an hour or two. Another day of waiting for a baby to come tomorrow... or maybe not?!


*And these pictures were from last week- we haven't had furniture out on the deck off the kitchen since Maisie is such a climber and it's a long way down from here. But this weekend Heff built a safety rail "addition" to the gazebo part of the deck and added 17 inches of height to keep the monsters in. I'll have to take a picture- he did such a great job making it look good and now we have the couches and outdoor furniture back... just in time for the rain I guess!

and the girls have been so "helpful"... "Look Mom! We cleaned out all the cubbies for you!" OHHH thanks ladies :)

Ready for You Baby

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It's about time but our bags are finally packed, baby clothes are washed and ready, tiny diapers are lined up and plans for the girls have been made (sorry about the 2 page novel on bedtime and nap routines Oma, Jannie and Em). A nursery area is all set up in our room (Jannie made a new set of bumpers and sheets for round three) and we are ready to meet you Baby Heff! When are you going to decide to make your appearance?!

These big sisters keep knocking on my belly and asking you to come out! Now be a good third child and listen to your sisters :)

Waiting and Waiting

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These days/weeks waiting for a baby are so much fun but such torture! (kind of like my not-so-sweet-and-innocnet little stinker's faces when I asked them to smile nicely for Emmy:)

It really is a fun time I always look back on and want to do all over again- thinking every twitch could mean a baby is coming and knowing you get to meet this new little baby any minute! But it's also so hard not to be able to plan anything, to feel like you've been waiting forever and to just be done with being pregnant and kind of uncomfortable. But it's all worth it in the end and I'll try to be patient (not one of my strong points :)

I go to the hospital 1-2 times a week for a Non-Stress Test (since my OB is part of the high-risk clinic so he's used to being extra cautious) to check out the baby and see how it's heart rate/fluid levels etc are. I know the ladies well and every time it's the same "baby looks good, you look fine, see ya next time" which I know is great news but it would be nice to have some action already! I was reading People magazine last week getting my haircut and my horoscope said "This is a great week to organize your life, as you will soon be busy with a remarkable person." I'm organized and ready to meet you baby!

Heff's birthday came and went so we're all clear for a 15, 16, 17 or 18 baby!

Happy 39th Birthday Heff!

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Heff kind of gets jipped every year on his birthday- since it's Valentine's Day! Last year we were in LA for Thomas' baptism and this year he kind of got overshadowed by "waiting for a baby"- so we tried to treat him like the birthday boy all weekend and then Sunday night we had in impromptu party at our house with my parents and Uncle Jerry (just in case we were otherwise occupied tonight but so far no such luck). The girls and I decorated while Heff was on a run, Jannie and Grampa brought really yummy lamb chops and Francie lead the charge on cupcakes for dessert.

Francie wrote "DAD" (connecting some dots :) all by herself

We made Heff a Troopy pinata! (well they had a army jeep at Target we took the tissue paper off and re-did- I was not that ambitions to paper mache a car shaped pinata) and TG for my 25,000 pieces of tissue paper for last minute decorations

Thanks for all the help France! and smiling at the camera for once

instead of the usual faces I get:

Francie found a "Cakes for Kids Book" and insisted Heff pick out a cake she was going to make for him right then and there. "I'm SERIOUS Dad- I'm going to make it look just like this rocket ship." She made Uncle Jerry ready the "interstructions" and then barked orders- "Jannie, turn on the oven for 350!" "Mom, I need a baking pan!" Brian finally said someone has to tell her the rocket ship isn't happening. We settled for cupcakes instead.

Maisie even got to help

They did almost everything themselves thanks to some easy recipe we found with 6 ingredients and 3 steps. The batter was more like sugar cookies than cupcakes but served as an appetizer (the dough bowl) and the cupcakes didn't need any frosting

time for presents!

big helpers

and cupcakes- sort of, no frosting :)

Delivered in one piece without burning anything down- impressive with all that tissue paper in her way :)

Make a wish Daddy! (and for your wife's sake you better have wished for this baby to arrive SOON!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOVE - WE LOVE YOU DADDY!

Francie's First Vaulting Lesson

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This morning we went out to Woodside for the Woodside Vaulters Tiny Tots class! I was a vaulter growing up and although I get made fun of a LOT by my brothers/friends/husband for spending my pre-teen and teenage years in a spandex unitard doing gymnastics on horseback- I loved the sport, competitions and being part of a team. Oma's newest barn addition is a Vaulting horse so Francie has to learn the moves to teach her cousins in Red Bluff- we've already got an entire vaulting team and a few alternates in kids! I was really proud of Francie and so was her dad- she jumped right into the class and LOVED it.

Warming up with the other tiny tots

Sommersaults on the mat

Francie's turn at the walk!

approaching Izzy the Trot Horse

Grab on to the leg straps when you can't yet reach the handles

and on you go!

Feeling proud of herself

Bouncing around on Izzy at a trot!

Nothing to this sitting thing :)

And up on her knees

even one handed!

Brave girl

Big smiles when she passes Mom, Dad and Maisie watching from the sidelines

and making sure we're still watching half way around the ring

Big kids in the background practicing with their team (Francie asked when she could try their horse) The team events have 8 vaulters doing a choreographed routine on a horse with 1-3 people on the horse for a five minutes.

My team in 1996 was the first to perform a "stand on stand" in the US in competition- but here is a video clip from 2008 and they've gotten even more daring since then!

Sideseat practicing for the "windmill" compulsory

all done- great job France! You make your mom, Oma and Jannie (who loved the vaulting years :) very proud

Vaulting shoes on the list next

Fancy pony barrel for practicing!

Someday she'll stand on the horse! I started Vaulting in 8th grade and went for six months carpooling with a friend for two hour practices where we learned to tack up the horse, stretch, practice, then take care of the horses and barn chores after- so my mom would drop my off or pick up but was never really sure what we were doing. At the first competition Jannie told the other mom "I just saw some girl standing on a horse!" and the mom told her- "uh, yeah Janet that's what Mary and Dana do too." My parents didn't know what I had gotten them into :)

Poor Maisie kept asking "I ride?!" but she'll have to wait until she's 2. She got some barrel action though

and for Jannie and Oma- a short video of Francie doing the "riding seat" at the trot

Off to untack the horse and give her treats

Brushing her down and picking hooves

and what class is complete without a sticker for good behavior!? Francie made sure to ask if her sister could have one too when she saw they were "Jessie" (Toy Story) Maisie's favorite

No Baby Yet

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Well we missed a 2-11-2011 baby! Today was my due date (as you can see on my iPhone ap) and my lucky number :) but I'll take this baby whenever it decides to make it's appearance. I was up at 1am this morning with contractions and thought for sure we would be in labor today- I was wide awake until 5am but then they stopped and I reluctantly went back to sleep.

We had a "Due Date" fun lunch out with Emily, Lucy, Christian, Summer and the girls at Vida. Heff came by to grab lunch too and then took the girls to BB so I could finish my spicy sausage couscous (and glass of champagne!) in peace.

Still pregnant Mom

and Francie took this picture with my iPhone (I love when I check my pictures and find these random shots of me or whatever she takes on there- almost as much of the video she took of me sleeping one morning- delete!) brushing my teeth before going to bed on 2-11.

Maybe an 18th birthday like Francie and Maisie will be but a week feels awfully far away! Brian's birthday is Monday February 14, but having your birthday on Valentines Day and sharing it with your child means he'd lose any part of it being his day :)

Did you guess yet!?

Hidden Villa

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Tuesday after naps we didn't have much planned so at the last minute we called Jannie, packed up and drove out to Hidden Villa to check out the new baby animals. It's so nice that it is so close to our house now, just a few minutes up El Monte and a $5 parking fee for a whole afternoon of fun. We practically had the whole place to ourselves and wore the girls out before we came home for dinner with Dad. Thanks for coming with us Jannie!

Off to find animals

First a bunch of brand new baby lambs

Little Baby Piggies

Francie saw one of the little pigs trying to nurse the big momma and she said "Mom, what do you think that piggy is saying to it's mom?" and I said "Um probably that it wants some milk." and she said "Well I think it is saying 'Mom, your udders are dirty." HA! But she was right- they were gross

Looking in on Cleo and MAISY the cows! (Maisie carried her cowgirl hat that is way too small for her head) around the entire time)

Found the chickens and one rooster-

Jannie and Maisie walking out of the piggy barn- Maisie wanted to feed the baby pigs some gross old hay she found on the ground all the way across the field and wouldn't stop until she did

Francie says "Look Mom I'm like a sloth!"

Maisie dancing in the sunlight

Francie climbing trees with a little help from Jannie

and Maisie had to have a turn

Happy girl

Sister love on Fanny Bridge

Sometimes the love is a little one sided

an outtake of my attempt to get a picture of Jannie and the girls

How many stomachs do cows have?!?

Francie playing waitress in the garden fort- serving Jannie and Maisie pretend food for tips (genius France :)

too much fun!

MaryMarjorie

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In pigtails! Not really but she insisted :) The hair is finally coming in but just enough to give her bedhead and cover up the cute baldness. At 22 months she lives up to the moniker Crazy-Maisie but we wouldn't have her any other way!

Maisie is such a girly-girl… she always has to have a purse on her shoulder and she loves putting on jewelry and playing with my makeup. But she's still pretty rough and tumble! Her big feet trip her up sometimes and she says "I ok- I ok" and keeps on going. She's kind of a diva and very opinionated but she holds her own with "GaGa/Bashie" (her sister) and let's herself be known.

She is also very kind and thoughtful- last night I put her in her crib (only gets the binky now in her crib for naps/bed and that seems to keep her from crawling out too much!) and Francie has left her favorite horsey in Maisie's crib so I told her she was in luck and got to sleep with it. I said goodnight and 5 minutes later out comes Maisie carrying the horse, shaking her head "no-no, this GaGa's" and went into Francie's room to give her the horse- then went right back into her crib. I'm sure that won't last long but she's still so sweet to Francie

We love you Maisie- sorry you are about to become the middle child but I think you'll take it in stride and be a GREAT big sister!

Airplanes

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Monday I had a non-stress test at the hospital (baby still looks great- nothing to report!) so Heff came home early to hang out with his girls. He texted me on my way home they were walking down the the Nature Preserve to fly airplanes so I met them down there (after I heard them from our back porch) They built the little wooden planes and were shooting them off in the clearings. I'm not sure who had more fun ;)

Maisie had seen a real live bunny rabbit hop into a pile of wood and was SO excited to tell me about it she could hardly contain herself. She spent the next hour searching for the "nun-nyy!"

while her sister (looking special in her helmet, skirt and hiking boots :) flew airplanes with Dad. Enjoying this 70+ degree weather while it lasts!



and pulling her skirt up was the other activity for the walk apparently

She does this…

and it sticks! (I'll go warn her about crossing her eyes next)

"Mine turn!" says Maisie

They were the fancy planes with rubber bands to torque up and go- Heff got a little over ambitious and we left we two popped rubber bands but after 20+ flights I think they loved their expected life

Go get it!

Does this face say "Oh crap my airplane is stuck way up in that tree" or what!?

oh well off to the next activity… and is it just me or does she look like such a big girl all of the sudden?

So does my Maisie Moo-

checking out the gardens on the walk home

Riding her bike home- even uphill! She's really good at balancing on it now… just took a little practice

See ya! That's my Maisie :)

Happy Birthday Jannie!

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Sunday night we had a Super Bowl Super Birthday Party for Jannie's big day- February 6. She just got home from a trip to NYC and Nashville then overnight in Half Moon Bay with Grampa for her birthday so the girls were in Jannie withdrawls. I set up a Super Bowl Pool to keep things competitive, Jannie-style :) but our girls were still napping half way through the game and we arrived to a very unenthusiastic crowd - I won the first Q, Heff won the Half and Maisie won the 3rd Q! So they set up their own pool without us :) at least Pat won our final- (prize is on it's way Pat :)

Jannie and her granddaughters- great faces girls

Emmy and Francie playing with the American Girl dolls Jannie is hoarding - Emmy always has to be Addy!

James was not impressed with our prizes even though we won them all back

Until the dance moves started rhythmic gymnastics style- and Emmy enthralled with the Princess Piano book Grampa gave the girls

time for cake!

Francie picked it- and asked the guy to draw a Mickey head on it... which got a little squished but no one seemed to mind. Nothing like a huge blob of grey frosting, and I had to stop Jannie from giving Francie the entire thing!

Happy Birthday to Jannie!

Dish Walk

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It was 75 and sunny today so we took a family walk at The Dish after church and breakfast at the bagel shop. We started with the steep hills first and then the girls walked for a good while- counting cows and ground squirrels. Francie jumped back in the Chariot for snacks but Maisie was a trooper and walked for at least a mile of the three mile hike! (even sometimes helping "push" her sister) I got some sun (only a few comments on my belly- my OB walks the dish on weekends so weren't worried :) and Dad carried the tired babies while pushing the stroller on the last big hill for a real workout so we were all happy :)

Packing up the Troopy after the walk, Francie likes to swing on the "monkey cage" roll bars

SO TIRED after their hike and guzzling water

Date Night!

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Heff and I went out on the town last night for Mexican at La Mornita in Palo Alto while my parents, Uncle Jerry and Emmy watched the girls at Jannie's house. We were both so tired we decided not to go out as planned and then rallied at 8pm after giving tghe girls baths and putting them in PJ's- it was worth it for a fun night out.

Jalapeno poppers and an agave wine margarita- labor inducers!? The same thing I made Emily eat a few nights before she had Lucy, here's hoping!

We hit 39 weeks and ready for this baby anytime!

Boy's Trip/Girl's Night

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Heff went to Reno to meet up with five of his good friend's from Red Bluff for a guys weekend (just overnight) at a Hunting Show. It was basically a Bachelor Party without a Bachelor but they made the most of the quick 24 hour trip and had a lot of fun catching up. They went to a really nice dinner at a steak house, gambled the night/their ATM cards away and then walked the whole show early the next morning.

He texted us pictures of the cool stuff at the show like this:

He swears he's taking the girls to the show next year just to see all the cool taxidermy (lots of african safari)

The girls and I had a fun night- We made the trek to Valley Fair Mall on a Friday night to take them to Build-A-Bear. They were so into making their little Bunny Bears and dressing them up in some seriously eclectic outfits. Saturday we walked around downtown Los Alto with our friends all day and took long naps when we got home before Dad came home to his girls!

Spending quarters we found on dad's dresser for some ride-on fun for awhile

Then picking out our bears to make- Maisie thought this part was pretty funny

There was no way Francie was sweet talking me into these "beautiful matching chairs"

Giving their bears baths

Francie's final product… her PJ'ed legs look like they are coming out of the bear! She took the red sparkle shoes and heart shaped headband off by now

Baby Clothes

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Am I really going to have a baby that small again soon!? After putting in print I had nothing ready for the baby- I decided maybe I should get something done! Last night while Heff had a Dad's Night Out the girls and I dug up the bins of newborn and 0-3 month clothes and organized everything to wash. Francie was a big help and told Maisie "Awww it's so cute- you used to wear this Maise!" I actually have a lot of blue for boy stuff too- and I had a dream we had a boy so maybe we'll be putting ALL the pink stuff away for next time!

This used to fit you!

Francie's going to be a great big-big sister

Surveying the inventory-

Folding things to put in the hamper- not gonna say no to folding help even if it is on the way to the washing machine :)

It's February!!!

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Month 2 - Year 11 is here... since 211 has always ben my lucky number (admittedly a weird lucky number) it sounds like a great time to have a baby :) I am officially due in 11 days, it's so fun to get to the point where people ask you when you are due and you can say "next Friday." I know I've probably got the better part of this month to wait it out but I love going to bed every night thinking "I COULD go into labor tonight!"

I have a doctor's appointment and a non-stress test today so we'll see if he thinks there are any signs of an early baby or if this one will be way overdue like Maisie (Francie was 4 days early c-section since she was breech and didn't turn- Maisie was 9 days late and a successful VBAC but just under the wire!)

We are so excited to meet this new baby- Heff and I both still think it's a girl but he is always right and I am always wrong so one of us is about to break our streak. We have names picked out (they've changed recently!) and really have nothing else ready (no carseats in cars, no bags packed for hospital, no room ready for baby, no clothes washed and folded :) but we'll figure it out. It's going to be strange to have a newborn again- but I can't wait to find out who you are little baby!

Wanna Guess?! (and no cheating this time Beth Carter and entering a new guess after the baby is born :)

and I can't do a post without a picture- here is a random shot of Maisie hugging the China-man thing Uncle James gave Heff for Christmas in the "$5 gift exchange"- she spends all day giving this guy high fives and hugging him. HOPEFULLY she'll hug the new baby like this and not kick it off my lap for her throne back!

My New Project… Bumble!

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Finally getting around to posting about the new business I've been working on and I'm so excited about… I'm opening up a family "play cafe" in downtown Los Altos called "Bumble." It will be open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and family style dinner seven days a week and we'll have really good coffee and espresso as well as beer, wine and champagne of course :)

Bumble is going in a cute little almost 100 year old cottage on First Street so we had out work cut out for us in the build out… construction started in October but we're putting in a full commercial kitchen, three bathrooms, ADA ramps/doors, new decks and a few fun surprises too! It's going to be a huge transformation for this cottage- one of the original structures downtown where the town librarian used to live (and four blocks from our house!)

You can "like" our page on Facebook to see updates on the process- we hope to open in a few months!

Francie loves the construction and checking out the site- even in PJ's :)

and it's certainly a work in progress- construction takes awhile! This was a picture from a few weeks ago in what will be the Fireside Lounge...

and another one more recent- still a lot of work but we are making progress!

This will be a big, step-down playroom called "Tumble" for kids to play with our staff while parents relax in the cafe lounge. Tumble will be kind of like Brilliant Babies- lots of toys, dress-up, art projects and a great outdoor deck for trikes, gardening and running around.

and this hole in the wall and hole in the ground will be the tranquil adults-only outdoor patio!

Heff is so supportive of my crazy new ventures and never complains about being right there with me through all of the trials of opening a new business- like when the giant crate from Wyoming with a huge antler chandeleir for the Fireplace Lounge came to the house instead- he hauled it by himself on a Sunday morning over to the job site! Thanks Heff :)

These will be the bathrooms- still lots of work to do

and this will be our kitchen dry storage- using every square inch we can in a small cottage

and this will be the kitchen! Can't you see it ;) We wanted a home/cozy feel for the cafe so when you walk in the front door the kitchen is right there on your left. We have a huge island counter tip for bar stools and ordering… hopefully we'll be serving you from it soon!

We have our logo and our little mascot Buzzy Bee (he needs a good name- any ideas?) designed by Alyssa Warnock- we love it!

and we've also been busy scouring the bay area for comfy, unique furniture and decor we can reupholster in Crypton fabric (virtually indestructible and water repellant for those little monsters to eat on!) Kate of Kate Collins Interiors (and a friend from growing up!) has been awesome helping me shop, find, buy and coordinate all of it! She even braved the Alameda Antique Fair in the freezing rain one Sunday while she was on crutches!! Her husband was a good sport to help and they found a few cool pieces for Bumble :) Thanks Kate!

Here is a before and after on a high back settee for the Fireplace Lounge

We've had lots of fun working on the menu- hosting focus groups and tasting parties with chefs at our house! We're working on healthy, locally-sourced, organic DELICIOUS food for kids and adults alike- lots of small bites and finger foods to enjoy while you play with your kids and enjoy the company of other parents.


and working on finding fun, creative and unique ways to serve food without tradition table-tops! The cafe will have more of a lounge feel with couches, comfortable group seating and side tables- kids can play on the floor while you kick back, eat and drink!

My first draft business cards- love that everyone thinks my name is Mary Heff :) fake phone and email… don't try calling us yet :)

Can't wait to see you at Bumble and serve you up a fresh hot coffee or sparkling glass of champagne at Bumble Los Altos!