From Co-Workers to Moms

One night on one of the last few weeks we were in Sacramento I went out to dinner with Sarah and Mel. We used to work together years ago until the company went bottoms up. We still keep in contact and found that we three are all pregnant at the same time. Sarah and Mel are due close to the same time in the end of the summer and I follow in October. Wish I was still living in Sacramento so our kids could grow up and play together. Miss you gals!

We Miss You Meow.

As I sit here in my office at my desk and choke back tears I think of my little kitty and what she's doing now. Is she afraid? Is she warm? Is she watching the birds? Or sitting in the sun?

In early January 2008 Nick and I went to go pick out a rescue kitten from one of the local Sacramento shelters. They were showing cats at a Petco and Frankie was there. We knew we wanted a kitten but, what breed we really had no preference. Nick and I held Frankie's sister who was black and white, her brother who was siamese and then we held the little runt of the siblings. All of the kittens we held that day were scared and didn't like being held. Frankie was very relaxed when we held her - so we took her home.

This was her room until she peed on the bed.

She slept in there for hours the night we brought her home.

While she was a kitten she was into people and new sounds. Once she got a little older she became more skiddish. After about 3 years she started having tummy problems and just couldn't keep any food down. We tried feeding her new food, meds, and many vet trips. Nothing seemed to help. The vet prescribed prozac and antacids for her barfing.

This seemed to help for a while but, the last year we had her we also had a new little member of the family arrive. She wasn't a big fan of Ben until he was about 6 months old. Now with another baby on the way and knowing that we were going to move we knew that she wouldn't benefit much from it. I had always said she needs an old lady and a lap but, this last year or more I wasn't able to give her that. So we decided to find her a new home. We found a gal who was willing to take her but, it didn't end up working out. She took Frankie to the Humane Society because I just couldn't bring her back here with me. She would have been just as unhappy.

One day about two weeks ago I took a quick peak at the Humane Society's website to see if her picture was up. It was. I could tell she was a little scared. She had the look of 'Oops, did I just lick all the butter off the counter? - and got caught doing it'. I noticed that there were a few things wrong with her profile so I contacted the Humane Society to see if I could change a few things and they told me that Frankie went to her new forever home that day.

Most days I'm so busy with Ben or feeling so pregnant that it's the only thing on my mind. Although there are the nights when I watch TV and Nick's busy doing something and all I want is my little Kitty Anne on my lap to keep me warm. She was really good at that.

I'll miss you forever Meow. You are such a good girl.

Her favorite spot... in the sun.

Choo Choo Museum

This past weekend we had some of our friends from Portland come to visit us. They brought their little boys with them and we were able to enjoy the sunshine by many play times outside. We also took a trek to down town Sac to check out the Railroad museum. It was pretty sweet I have to say! Ben wasn't a huge fan (yet) but, little Jake was really into it! We had a bunch of fun with you Lange family! Thanks for visiting.

Little Parker only 6 weeks old.

Ben didn't want to let go.

Kissing Puddles

Today we were outside running around when Ben noticed the puddle outside. He started by sticking fingers in it then hands and just couldn't get enough of it so he kissed it. I had to run and get the camera because how cute is that! Then he sat in it. Boys will be boys.

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

This is year two of doing the ol' sign for Grandpa! Ben was in too much of a hurry this year to just sit there and nicely crinkle up the sign. I could barely get him to just hold it with two hands! So here ya go Grandpa Joe! Hope you have a fantastic birthday! Love, Mandy and your favorite Grandson!

I couldn't even get him to stand by the sign. Someone is BUSY!

And always on the go!

Little Boys and Their Toys

Today Hunter came over and played... and boy did those boys play! They were into the big rigs for a little while and then we played with the little cars and finally finished off with some quiet mellow reading. These two are so funny to watch play together.

Exploring the Park

So it's been a few months since my last post! Lots has happend since then. Ben started walking right after Thanksgiving! He took a few steps but, that's all he would do for weeks. Until we went home to Portland for Christmas and once he hit the carpet at Grandma and Grandpa's house he just took off and never looked back! It's very exciting! He has been able to play with his friend Hunter on the same level now too. Hunter started walking I believe back in September so now they are having the best time ALL the time!

We went to the park yesterday and I was able to snap a few shots of these boys in action with my new lens I got for Christmas! It was way too much fun for them and for me :-)

We saw a truck drive by.

And... they're off.

Hunter fell on the bark dust... poor boy. You can almost hear him.

He's okay now though!