12/30/2012 - Kono New Years Extravaganza

I remembered to bring my camera to the Kono New Years party yesterday, but I neglected to bring my SD card to actually save any pictures. So I don't have a picture of the day, but I do have great memories of a lovely party with my extended family. Finn was a big shy with the aunties and uncles, but he had a great time running around and playing in the mud with his boy cousins. He also had a great time reading books with Jordan. He mentioned to me that he was really shy with all of the grandmas and grandpas, but wasn't shy to his boy or girl cousins. Finn has Jesse's personality. Jesse prefers one on one time with people rather than large groups. Our little social butterfly Liam was running around being his goofy and smiley self. He had multiple people vying for his attention by the end of the evening. Liam thrives in large groups and enjoys the attention like his mama. Fun times. Might have to steal some of Tio's pics.

12/29/2012 - Family reunion

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I got more quality time with the Lwin's this week. We headed over to Brentwood to hang out with her family. We spent some time hanging at Rhea's parents' beautiful home and then headed to a local Mexican joint for delicious dinner. The big kids got to sit solo at their own table. Finn and Carissa really got along well.

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So glad that I got more time with Rhea. Glad that we had 2 chances to hang out this week. Love my best friend! Best Christmas present ever!

12/28/2012 - Stay at home dad

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Papa took a day off today and stayed home with the boys. They had a lovely busy day with a trip to Play Cafe and both boys took a long nap in the afternoon. Glad Jesse got some qt with the kids this week.

12/27/2012 - Papa Time

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I am super thankful each day to have an engaged and loving partner for myself who is also a very involved father. Jesse is as doting to the kids as he has always been to me. They boys absolutely adore their father. Lucky to have three lovely boys in my life that mke me smile each day, especially after my first day back at work after 5 glorious days off.

12/26/2012 - Day off

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What an awesome day off! Both of the boys got to sleep in today. Our little Liam slept until 9 am!! Craziness! Both boys enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before our visitors.

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The Lwins came to visit us today. All 4 kids had a great time together. Liam and Trevor argued a bit over toys, but it was super cute to hear Liam scream "No Trev-O". So great to be reunited with my best friend. I love how things really never change between us. Excited to get some more time with her this weekend if everything works out! Thoroughly enjoyed my 5 days off and ready to head to work tomorrow.

12/25/2012 - Christmas Love

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What a lovely Christmas day. We had a mellow Christmas morning playing with all of the toys from Santa and watching some Netflix on my iphone. The only place I can get both boys to sit still and take a picture together. We hosted Christmas lunch at our house after we opened presents with Baachan, Jiichan, Tio and Auntie Stacy.

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We ended our evening with a nice Skype session with Kim and Kai. The boys were so excited to show each other their Christmas bounty. Such a lovely day.

12/24/2012 - Christmas Eve Ice Skating Session

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We spent our lovely 60 degree CA Christmas Eve at an outdoor ice rink in Alameda. It was Liam's first time and Jesse did most of the work skating around with him. Finn made it two times around the rink, but was over it pretty quickly. Such a fun time for the entire family. Thankful for my cozy fun family this Christmas Eve.

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12/23/2012 - Friend Day

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Our king and his tiara! We had a visit from our dear dear friends the Minors today. Great reunion after not seeing each other for years. I love friendships like this. It's like we didn't even skip a beat. Love them so much and wish that they lived closer to us.

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Love my girl to death! Need to plan a trip to Oregon to see them soon!

12/22/2012 - Cookie Chaos

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I made the most amazing cookies for my cookie exchange tomorrow. See the beautiful pumpkin oatmeal semi sweet and white chocolate delghts.

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These were Finn's favorite ones. Tastiness.

12/21/2012 - Wrap Job

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We ran out of scotch tape. So Jesse wrapped my Christmas presents with masking tape. Ha! It looks amazing. Might be rather difficult to unwrap though?

12/20/2012 - Early Christmas gift

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After surviving a somewhat challenging day and evening routine, we let the kids open one of their gifts early. I managed to make both kids dinner after a napless day, with Liam crying and pushing me around for 20 minutes straight. Don't know how I safely make a batch of pancakes, cooked bacon, fed Liam both water and juice, and finished my dinner while calmly soothing an overtired toddler. It did help that Finn was passed out on the couch and I seem to have become numb to the Liam wail at times. So, I survived it, fed the kids and didn't even raise my voice one bit. Success for all, therefore the kids get to don their cute Yo Gabba Gabba tees early. I more day to survive until a 5 day break from work madness.

12/19/2012 - Jingle Bell Rocker

We attended Finn's holiday program at Chatham. It was amazing!!So stinking cute! Finn was totally dancing and rocking out to Jingle Bell Rock.Kid has major star potential. Totally enjoyable to see your kid performing in front of a big group and doing so well. Love that kid so much!!

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12/18/2012 - Early morning wake up

Argh, what a morning! Finn woke up at 3 am saying he couldn't sleep, requested to go downstairs, and proceeded to fall asleep on the couch while mama was now wide awake. Liam woke up crying for me at 5:30 am in the worst mood ever. We decided to head to Baachan and Jiichan's early and stop for donuts on the way. The boys each picked out a chocolate glazed sprinkle donut, while mommy bought herself a fitness magazine and vicariously lived through their donut delight. Here is Liam pre-donut, no chocolate glaze on any body parts. I should have captured him afterwards,Chocolate donut glase is surprisingly hard to get off with just napkin alone.

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Finn devoured his donut quickly and thanked me with a non-weird faced photo, Lately, he has been making cute, but weird facial expressions in every photo. He really is mama's son.

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12/17/2012 - King on his throne

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Our California King on his California King.

12/16/2012 - Mama/Liam Date Day

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Everyone had different tasks that we needed to take care of today, so Jesse and I split up and each took a kid. Jesse and Finn went to Chabot Space & Science Center. I took Liam for a haircut and lunch down in Alameda. He looks so much older each time he gets a haircut. So handsome. Growing up before my eyes. We had a nice lunch together. My messy little boy ate very well, as we split pizza, garlic rolls and Caesar Salad. He tried every course. Then we strolled around Alameda after yummy frozen yogurt dessert. Fun times with my little man. Rarely get that kind of individual time. Totally relished it.

12/15/2012 - Holi-Day out with Thomas

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Today, we took a little jaunt down to Santa Cruz, to ride on Thomas the Train. I guess annually, they host some sort of Holiday Celebration for the month of December where you can take rides on an actual Thomas the Train. They have all kinds of Thomas activities, cookie decorating, ornament making, Thomas temporary tattoos, face painting, and even pictures with Sir Topham Hatt. What a fun experience for our family! We had Beth and Juan meet us there and they were game enough to come along for the train ride. So lucky to have such cool kidless friends.

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Everyone had a blast! Maybe we will have to do this again next year!!

12/14/2012 - My two biggest treasures

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What an awful tragedy today in Newtown, CT. I could never imagine the pain the victim's families are going through right now. After I heard about the awful incident, all I wanted was to go home to my babies and give them hugs. My two boys are my biggest pride and joy in the life. I love them so much and would do everything in my power to protect them. I need to make sure to tell them how much I love them more often. Hug your family today.

12/13/2012 - Liam wants it all

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Liam wants both Jesse and I ... all the time. No sharing his parents with his brother. He wants both of us to sit with him on the couch. He wants both of us to feed him. He wants both of us to read him separate books simultaneously. No sharing his parents with his brother. Finn had us for 2 years and 5 months all to himself. Liam wants to take as much of his 2 years and 5 months of single child life as possible. Poor kiddos!

12/12/2012 - Front Row Parking

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Front row parking for preschool pick up! Score!

12/11/2012 - Snugglepuppies

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Lately, the boys like to rip all the cushions off the couch and loveseat and make little nests. They were playing Snugglepuppies (Finn made that name up) and were cuddled up on the couch. So cute. You can see Liam is saying "CHEEESSSEEEEEE!"

12/10/2012 - Crazy Hair Liam

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I have been loving the boys with their longer hair, but Liam's is getting a little out of control. Jesse thinks that this picture looks like a 70's folk album cover. Our little baby as a hippie folk artist, probably not! Haircuts this weekend!!

12/9/2012 - Party Party

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We attended the birthday party of one of Finn's friends tonight. Finn did a great job with the pinata. Such a fun time. So lucky to be able to attend these fun events with the kids! Liam made friends with so many people. He even had a little girl giving him kisses! Jesse and I am totally in trouble with this one!

12/8/2012 - Home of Chicken and Waffles

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We had our first experience at Home of Chicken and Waffles in Jack London Square. Lunch was super filling and delicious and definitely not the healthiest thing ever, but delicious and well worth it!

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12/7/2012 - Special visitor

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Jesse and I signed our refi docs yesterday at my office, so I had a special visitor in my husband to the office yesterday. It was great to have him visit and I swear I had a great day at work because of it and because we are saving money from this refi! Yippee!!

12/6/2012 - Kelsey Declutter 2012

In support of our declutter for the end of the year, I have no photo to post. Yeah, getting rid of stuff and making more space in our home that will soon be filled with Christmas presents! Oh the cycle! When will it end!

12/5/2012 - Free hugs

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Captured a cute though blurry pic of the boys hugging. They may fight a lot but they really do adore each other.

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My 3 greatest loves of my life.

12/4/2012 - Rainboots Hurrah!!

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While sorting through Liam's drawers I discovered Finn's old rainboots which fit the Liam perfectly right now! Yeah, our little one has rainboots too and THEY MATCH MINE!!!! So cute, I can't wait for it to rain so we can wear them together!

12/3/2012 - Mr. Smiles

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Liam can be a bulldog if you don't know him well. He gives the best serious face ever. I am lucky that he reserves his biggest smiles for the people closest to him. If only everyone knew what a happy happy kid he has.

12/2/2012 - It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

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We are finally getting our California winter weather. We had a rainy rainy weekend. The kids were good sports when we dragged them out for errands this morning. Liam walked happily through the big puddles in the driveway and I couldn't resist getting a quick picture of him.

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The Mormon temple was all lit up and Finn has been begging us to go see it. Since there was a break in the rain this evening, we happily obliged. So gorgeous!

12/1/2012 - Elementary My Dear

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We went to an art event hosted at what could be Finn's elementary school next year. The kids in the school create an art piece from a theme each year and display it in the school gymnasium. This year's theme was "Not a box". The kids had to create something amazing from a cardboard box. There were lots of cool creations, a guitar, a pinball machine, an air hockey table. It was inspiring and amazing to see the creativity. It made Jesse and I more excited about the possibility of Finny attending school here. Crazy to think that my little one will be a Kindergartner this year, he looks so big, yet I still picture him as my little infant.

11/30/2012 - Evening Playdate

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Tonight, while Jesse was at the Springsteen Concert at the Oracle Arena, I had my neighbor and her daughter over for pizza and playtime. THe kids were so sweet and had a total blast together. Meanwhile, Jesse and my neighbor's husband were rocking out to Bruce. It was a lovely and relaxing night for all.

11/29/2012 - Children's Play

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The cute little 5 year old daughter of one of my bosses came into the office today. She is recovering from having her adenoids removed and couldn't go to school all week, so my boss brought her into the office for a couple of hours today. Her daughter is adorable and sweet. She spent most of her time in the office drawing on the whiteboard and making pictures for my coworker and I. This is the latest masterpiece that now adorns the wall of my cubicle. I think it is awesome!

11/28/2012 - Natural Beauty

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I wish that I could adequately capture the beauty of the sunset from tonight. It was every color of pink and lavender and really was quite breathtaking. Today, after introducing my new blog to family and friends, I have felt an overwhelming amount of gratitude. Having such an outpouring of support and love was so amazing. I feel energized and motivated to keep up my work towards a healthier life. I think that this gratitude allowed me to stop breathe and notice the natural beauty that lies all around us. I'm going to try to be more aware of that. It was nice to take a moment after a long commute to hold my boys and look at a beautiful California sunset.

11/27/2012 - Lego Creations

When I picked up the kids from Baachan and Jiichan's place today, Finn excitedly answered the door and proceeded to pull me into the family room to show me his latest creation. Both boys had loving designed Lego Masterpieces all on their own. The pride and joy on their sweet little faces after a long day at work was just what I needed to feel refreshed. Love those boys, they bring me so much joy each day without even trying.

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11/26/2012 - Monday Evening Snuggles

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After a long 4 day weekend and a long day back at school and work, we were exhausted. It takes a lot of work to relax for 4 days straight and then have to go back to normalcy. The Kelsey men did a couch snuggle prior to their bedtime. Finny is giving the best facial expressions lately. He really is my little boy! Like mother like son!

11/25/2012 - Busy Lazy Sunday

Today was the last day of our somewhat luxurious 4 day weekend. Our little Liam has been having some tummy troubles the past couple days, so we basically have been begging him to eat anything to get something in his stomach. He only obliged when we offered him yogurt or ME-MO as Liam lovingly calls it. But, he insists on feeding it to himself. Here is his lovely yogurt beard.

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Since both Jesse and Liam were feeling a little under the weather, Finn and I met up with some friends for a playdate at Super Franks. It was AMAZING!!! Arcade games, bouncy houses, foam block pit, indoor climbing structures, plasma cars, you name it! It was a kids dream.

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Finally we ended our busy lazy Sunday with some Netflix time and snuggling. Liam has been transitioning into a papa phase. It's pretty cute!

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11/24/2012 - Dimond Park Discoveries

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We took a little morning walk for coffee, pastries and play. On our walk through Dimond Park there were the most beautiful spiderwebs among the trees near the side of the park. I only wish that I had had my big camera to truly capture how gorgeous they were. This 4 day weekend has lasted so long and we still have one more day to enjoy each others company.

11/23/2012 - Longest Day

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Today felt like the longest day ever in the most positive way possible. I got up early to do a little bit of work and then spent the rest of the day just enjoying having a Friday off. We attempted a run around Lake Merritt with Liam in the stroller and Finny on his bike, but it was a bust. Liam screamed for about a half a mile before Jesse gave in and took him out of the stroller. Finn made it a mile before begging to go back to Liam and Papa. So, we scrapped our family run around the lake and went to the local coffee shop for a midmorning snack and playtime at Launchpad Park. Finn got to go with Dylan to Fairyland while Liam stayed home with us. It was both sad and cute as Liam sat despondently wailing for Finn at the front door until he collapsed from exhaustion and fell sleep at the bottom of the stairs. I reluctantly took a run around the neighborhood, but as expected was happy that I had done it. Jesse put together a lovely turkey noodle soup from Thanksgiving leftovers. It was a lovely lovely day. I love the good days that seem to last forever.