First post baby date-take two!

So after our last date I was a little nervous about going on a second date-it turned out great. 

We were so excited to get out of the house that we didn't even bother retaking the blurry picture. 

I was really excited to rock my birthday shoes from my friend JJ!

We were in a rush to get the 7:00 pm show so we ate some christian chicken in an attempt to offset the fact that we were about to watch an offensive show.

We found a free parking space downtown-SCORE!

I've been writing a piece for my graduating 8th graders for promotion. My theme is going to be; "be awesome today" and this marquee made my heart smile. It says "redefining awesome". I think that the word "awesome" is one of my favorite words.

AZIZ!!!!!!!

Beyond excited to sit super close and laugh all night!

He opened the show by allowing us to take photos of him and then yelled at us to put our cameras away. It was hysterical.

Aziz's show was fantastic. He talked about kids, dating, marriage, and ghosts. We couldn't stop laughing. 

Best night ever. We decided that for our sanity, and happiness we have to make the time to get away at least once a month. It's so hard for us because of Shan's work schedule and the baby, but we have to do it. I love dating my husband. 

Wife of the year....

Hello friends.....So by now most of you know that Shannon was in the hospital for 3 days last week. It was the most crazy thing. We started out our Saturday having fun-going to a birthday party and then going out to lunch as a family. After lunch we came home and Shannon said he didn't feel good and wanted to lay down. I was all about him getting rest because I was super excited about our post baby first date. I had been planning it for about 3 months! We had tickets to the La Jolla Comedy store to see Fortune Feimster. (who is hilarious, and a writer on Chelsea Lately) I had planned the perfect outfit, shaved my legs, put on makeup and was so pumped to go out with my bubbas. As we were getting ready Shannon kept saying, "I don't feel good, something isn't right." To which I responded,
"uh baby we are going out!!! I neeeeeeeed this." Poor guy didn't have a fighting chance. Needless to say our date did not go as planned.....

Janessa and Garrett arrived to watch the boys and Noah was so excited! We took a picture to commemorate our date, and also the fact that I am wearing snakeskin pleather leggings! 

We arrived in La Jolla and we went straight to Vons because Shannon said that Pepto might make him feel better. He took a double dose and said, "let's get some food!" I felt relieved that he seemed to be on the mend. We went and had sandwiches and in the middle of dinner he exclaimed-I have to go home and lay down. I want you to still go to the show. In the mean time Sarah and Bill called in their jovial moods and asked what was going on. I told them the whole story and they immediately said we will go to the show with you. Like I said I was bound and determined to see Fortune. I love her. So in a move of pure speed we drove home. I offered to drive and of course Shannon said " No-I got this. I just need to lay down." Of course half way home he confesses that he should have let me drive as he was in alot of pain. At this point I offered to take him to the hospital but again he said he just needed to lay down. Once Shannon got home I ran downtown to pick my peeps and off to the show we went making it just in time.

We laughed our butts off! She was hilarious. I so wish I could do what she did. I love her timing, her stories, and her self depricating humor. In the middle of her set I got a text from Shannon that he was in the ER. Seriously?! I figured that there wasn't much I could do.....so I did what any sensitive concerned wife would do. I ordered a drink and sat down to finish the show. I KNOW- I am such a jerk. Trust me, I know. As soon as the show was over I bee-lined out to the lobby to talk to Fortune, take a pic and  tell her how much I love her. She just about fell over when I told her that Shannon was in the ER.  It was pretty funny. So once I dropped off Sarah and Bill I hauled my butt to the ER. 

When I walked into the ER Shannon was such a sight; and apparently I was too as I was a little overdressed for the hospital. I was also infamous. I heard things like- "oh you're the one that was at the comedy club."  Ummmm Yeah and you would be too if it was Fortune! At any rate my outfit was quite the conversation piece. We learned that Shannon had a small bowel obstruction, and the location of the obstruction was in a place that usually was the result of stomach surgery. Shannon had never had surgery so the medical team was very concerned. Then a male nurse came in and asked me if I was squeamish, and to hold my husbands legs down. Time for the NG tube. The dude literally took a tube and shoved it up Shannon's nose and it went all the way into his stomach. There are no words to describe this experience, so I will show you a photo. 

I have no words.  At this point it was 1 am. Our awesome babysitters had gone home and thankfully Heavenly D. took over. They admitted Shannon and I got home that night around 3am. It was very sad to leave my bubs as he had never in 36 years spent the night in the hospital. The next day the obstruction was still there...so after more tests they did an enema and we waited. Janessa and Garrett took Noah and Zachary and I went to the hospital to meet Shannon's parents. On a side note-I am sure that I am in the dog house with my inlaws for going to a club while my husband was in the hospital.  Those two nights at home were the saddest I have ever been in our marriage. I know I joke a lot but I was so sad for Shannon. 

Here is my amazing sweatshirt that I wore to the hospital and Shannon laughed when he saw me. He couldn't believe that I choose that shirt to wear to a hospital....and my response was "uhh do you remember what I was wearing at the ER?" I just had to keep the conversation pieces going. So after 3 days the obstruction finally moved and the tube came out. I was able to bring my hubby home. It was wonderful. We really appreciated all the prayers, and help. So thanks-

Janessa and Garrett for watching and loving our babies

Sarah and Bill for making me laugh and going on my date with me

Heavenly for coming over at a moments notice

Karla for prayer in the Starbucks parking lot

Eman for sitting at Shannon's bedside all day and being a buddy

Anita and Naji for having Noah sleep over and taking care of all of us

It was a pretty intense experience. I'm glad it's over.

This is Shannon's new diet. 

*Stay tuned for our first date take two. We tickets for May 6th to see Aziz Ansari. Do you recognize a theme? At this point in our lives we need some laughter.  Two kids is no joke. 

Slowing down.

Well, we have had a busy month.  Two kids has been quite the adjustment. All of a sudden Noah has the attitude of a 13 year old-seriously he is a butt munch. It's been pretty intense. He does however love his baby brother, and is really sweet and kind to him.  It's mommy and daddy that he has the issue with. It's been really fantastic. He has spent more time in time-out than ever before. He also become quite the bargainer-everything is "5 more minutes" or "I can do it myself." I've thought about renting him out as birth control-if your interested just give me a call. 

Easter weekend was really fun. We went to church on good Friday because we went away to Disneyland for the weekend. Easter is such an awesome time of year. The Easter story continues to amaze me. On a side note- if you watched The Bible series I think that the Jesus that they casted was just a little too attractive.

Here is Noah's Easter outfit. He is such a big boy. It really freaks me out how huge he is.

Our little bunny Zachary. I cannot wait to bust out this photo at Zachary's wedding.

For my 35th birthday Shannon and Noah decided that we should go to California Adventure. We went up on Saturday and had dinner at Goofy's kitchen. Noah was terrified of all the characters so most of the pictures are of me, Zach, and the characters.  The high point of the evening was when Aladdin came to our table. I was so excited to meet him. He still makes my heart flutter. Shannon was cracking up at our kodak moment. It was a great birthday dinner.

The next day we went to California Adventure. Noah absolutely loved cars land. Lightening McQueen and Mater are Noah's current obsessions. They were the only characters that Noah would take photos with. Cars land is awesome. It was a very magical day, and super fun way to celebrate my birthday with the family.

I also was able to celebrate my birthday with my girlfriends. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have such fantastic friends.  We met up at Cheesecake factory for drinks and dessert. I actually had TWO drinks and lots of laughs. There is nothing better than getting dressed up, girl talk, chocolate, and fancy presents. I was still laughing the next morning from my time with my girlfriends. 

These ladies are the best!

 Time is flying by. In fact time is flying by so fast that I made the executive decision to take some time off work. I learned a lesson with Noah-I worked right up  until I gave birth and went back to work after 12 weeks. It felt rushed. This time I took off two weeks before Zachary came, and I am not going back to work this school year. That means that I will be off for a total of 6 months. It is incredible. Originally I was going to go back when Zachary was 14 weeks-however I started to have some anxiety about going back to work.  After talking to my doctor he was kind enough to write me an excuse to take the rest of the year off. I will go back at the beginning of then next school year. 

I just want to slow down and take life one day at a time with my boys.

 This past weekend we went to a friends t-ball game. I took this picture and I was so shocked how Noah looked like a boy rather than a toddler.

This picture is perfect. Their faces make me melt.

Part of slowing down is appreciating every little moment that I have with my baby. I love the middle of the night feedings where it's just baby Z and I.  His faces are so cute.

This is my favorite photo our life as of late. All my boys snuggling. It was definitely a "slow down" life moment.

My mother in law sucks.

*Disclaimer* I recently wrote a blog about Zachary being born. My mother in law Anita immediately read it, and inquired why there was no mention of her or photos.  

1. I didn't have any photos of her in the hospital

2. I was already in my head writing this blog about her

3. She is impatient:)

I have been extremely blessed with the gift of a an amazing mother in law. Many people cannot say that. I truly love her, and she is like a mother to me. She is literally one of my closest friends, and without her I would not be able to function. I believe that God knew how much I craved and needed a healthy mother/daughter relationship, and it is one of the best gifts that I could have received. I decided to look through some old photos to share how much of an awesome woman that she is.

For my 30th birthday we all went on a cruise and had a pirate dinner party. She could use come help on her pirate face.

She is the best aunt to all her nieces and nephews. She loves them but not as much as me or her grandchildren:)

The woman bought me a snuggie. Enough said.

She throws a fabulous party. Seriously.

She taught Noah how to take care of a "baby" to prep for Zachary.

I love her so much that I let her wear my Marc Jacobs snow hat. NOW that is love.

She buys Noah ridiculous gifts.

She also makes him cry. I'm kidding-I am sure she is trying to comfort him.:)

She looks amazing bald!

She loves this damn jade dinosaur. She has also taught Noah to love it.

Did I mention that she loves to party?!

Anita has fun wherever she is. She lights up a room with her joy and kindness.

I love the marriage she and Naji have. They truly love each other, and are a great example of marriage.

She will go on train rides all day with Noah.

She will also go on rides with me.

We are true friends and she is stuck with an awesome daughter in law.

She lets us drag her on family adventures.

She treasures every adventure with Noah.

She is a breast cancer survivor! Man-that year sucked.

 She supports us in all of our endeavors.

Did I mention that she buys Noah ridiculous gifts?

 We are a Disney family-She loves to experience the magic with Noah and now Zachary.

 She loves her damn dog Echo. Seriously it's out of control.

Shannon and I love to buy her Christmas gifts that make her cry. It's our goal every year to make her cry. All I got to do is slap a picture on a product and BAM there are tears!

She gives great hugs.

 She recently moved into a house that is just plain stupid. And by stupid I mean amazing. Here is the movie theater, it is Noah's favorite room.

She is a straight up ganster.

Noah loves his grandma so much. If he goes a few days without seeing her he starts to bug me about going to grandma's. They have such a special relationship.

She is super fun to go to Vegas with! The woman is out of control.

She will dance the night away!

She loves her family!

She has the best friends. 

So...Awesome people generally attract awesome people so this means that I am super awesome and Anita lucked out with getting me as a daughter in law. :)