Happy Birthday, Mark!!

Today is my husband's birthday. Here's a picture of his birthday cake, which I made for him. It is known around this house as a "Refrigerator Cake." Mark's mom made him this cake every year for as long as he could remember. Of course, it's his favorite! So, the year after Mark and I got engaged, his mom (my future mother-in-law, whom I love dearly!) gave me her very old (30+ years) recipe card for this cake. I, of course, lost the card, right after making this cake for him the very first time. I just don't know what happened to it... Anyhow, Lynn found the recipe online and fwd'd it to me so that Mark can have his favorite cake every year on his birthday. Check out the kindergarten writing on the cake. A cake decorator, I'm not - but I'll tell you what... that cake is soooooo yummy!!

Mark spent the whole day with our beautiful daughter. What a wonderful birthday gift! She is becoming such a funny little person so fast that it's mind boggling. I practiced with her all morning to say, "Happy Birthday, Daddy." ...and so ALL day she would burst out of nowhere and say to Mark, "Happy Birthday, Daddy!"







Shayna really loves her books. She loves to just sit down and open a book to read to one of her favorite stuffed animals. Today, it was her beloved "Kitty." Check it out in the video below.


I know that a lot of you have emailed me about the Do-Re-Me & You products. Don't forget to click on the link http://drmy.net/lbartee to check out the catalog! There are some very unique and fun products!

My New Business!!

For my 101st post, I'd like to announce that I decided to join Do-Re-Me & You! I fell in love with the products. Mark and I have spent painstakingly long hours searching for educational toys for Shayna because she seems to lose interest quickly with the toys she has from Toys R'Us... My friend, Jen, who I've known since the 5th grade turned me on to the wonderful products this company has to offer. It really was a no-brainer to sign up! So check out my website - www.drmy.net/lbartee - please visit for more information about the company and its products. You can also email me and I will get back to you with answers to your questions.

Thanks for looking!!!

My 100th Post!!

My 100th Post!
Well, I've reached the milestone at last! My 100th post! So, as such, the custom around this land of blogville, I'm going to list 100 things about me. If you get through this, then you will certainly earn some Brownie points!

Here goes...(deep breath)

1) I can't believe my 100th post is already here

2) I don't have time to write 100 things...

3) and most of you don't have time to read them.

4) I am at work right now
5) I was an only child for 20 months – then my brother, Dennis, was born.

6) I have two younger brothers.

7) My dad married my mom at age 23

8) My mom married my dad at age 21.

9) They are still married.

10) I was their first child.

11) My mom was just 24 when she had me.

12) We lived in a small apartment in the Hollywood Hills

13) I was only 5 days old when the San Fernando earthquake hit.

14) I really don’t remember it, though.

15) was also in the 1987 Whittier earthquake

16) ...and the 1989 Loma Prieta (World Series) earthquake

17) …and the 1992 Lander’s earthquake

18) …and the 1994 Northridge earthquake

19) I wanted to be a seismologist

20) but after experiencing those quakes, I changed my mind

21) I interned at USGS/Cal Tech Seismology Department in the Summer of 1993
22) I interned at the La Brea Tar Pits a bit later
23) When I was in grade school, I wanted to be a teacher or psychologist
24) Funny, how they're both pretty much the same profession these days

25) I went to private schools from the 4th grade on
26) I played varsity basketball and softball in high school
27) I was First Team All-League in both sports
28) …from 10th to 12th grade
29) I also played JV volleyball
30) …but I wasn’t very good
31) Went to Sonoma State University
32) was recruited to play both basketball and softball
33) offered a scholarship to play basketball at the University of Hawaii
34) …and Gonzaga University
35) …and Whittier College
36) turned them down to play at SSU, the only conference in NCAA Div.2 to NOT offer scholarships (duh…)
37) majored in Business as a Freshman
38) …switched to Communications my Junior year
39) was a DJ at SSU’s cable radio station KSUN
40) Became Sports Department Head at the radio station
41) got bored and switched majors again… to Geology
42) LOVED IT!
43) graduated in 1994 with a BS in Geology
44) Met Mark (my future husband) at SSU
45) he also graduated in 1994 with a BS in Geology
46) got my first Geology job with GeoSoils in October, 1994
47) moved in with Mark in 1995
48) got married in 2000
49) …on a huge yacht in Newport Beach, CA
50) I married a great guy.

51) Sometimes I bug him just a little.
52) Sometimes he bugs me just a little.

53) But I think I love him more than the day I married him.

54) Before we were first married, we bought a 30’ Grampian sailboat.

55) Then in 1997 we bought a 41’ SeaWolf Ketch.

56) We loved sailing together

57) we would go to Catalina Island frequently

58) we loved to go fishing off the boat

59) we loved to go SCUBA diving, too
60) I sure miss those good ole days

61) don’t get me wrong… I love these days, too!

62) I love my husband’s family!

63) I am so lucky to have the best in-laws

64) they have welcomed me into their family with open arms

65) especially when they take my money on poker nights! LOL

66) I have celebrated many XMAS holidays with them

67) I am Jewish

68) So…I never celebrated XMAS before I met Mark

69) I always wondered, as a kid, how people celebrated XMAS

70) well, it’s better than I ever had imagined it

71) My dad was born in Asbury Park, New Jersey

72) that’s where Bruce Springsteen is from

73) My mom was born in Queens, New York

74) My dad’s family moved to southern California in 1953

75) My mom’s family moved to southern California in 1948

76) My paternal grandparents were born in the United States

77) My maternal grandmother was born in England in 1915

78) My maternal grandfather was born in Belgium in 1910
79) They moved to the States right before World War II

80) My maternal grandparents were first cousins

81) I was very close my maternal grandmother, Selma

82) I was only 10 when she passed away…*tear

83) Shayna is named for her

84) I am getting old and I don't like it, not one bit!

85) Luckily, my husband will always be older than I am. ;)

86) I will be 36 on Superbowl Sunday
87) I'm a little bit excited by that!

88) I have been to Italy… twice

89) I have also been to England, France, & Belgium

90) I love watching World War II movies

91) Though I’m not really sure why

92) I would love to have one more child

93) I won a Gold Medal in basketball at the 1986 Maccabi Games in Toronto, Canada

94) I was a ball girl on the sidelines for the Sonoma State University football team

95) I love, love, love my baby girl, Shayna

96) My favorite movie is "The Sound of Music"
97) My favorite vacation spot is Maui

98) I started school a year early, so I graduated high school right after turning 17

99) My favorite class in college was Sedimentary Petrology… Paleontology was a close second.

100) Although I'm guilty of sometimes forgetting...I am very, very blessed!

Whew! I made it! Thanks for reading my Blog!

Livin' in Long Beach...

On Monday, Shayna and I were off to meet our neighbors, Jenny and Larissa, at the Aquarium of the Pacific. It was a great day to go, as there were no school trips and hardly any visitors. Shayna & Larissa had a great time running around and petting the sea life.









At the Aquarium, there is also an outdoor Lorikeet exhibit. These birds love to fly low and buzz the visitors. One can even buy some nectar to feed them, as they are very friendly. One of the staff members helped place a bird on Shayna's arm. The adventure only lasted a few seconds (not enough time for a picture). She is still excited about it!











Then... Tuesday morning I went outside to get in the car to go to work and I noticed that the driver's side door to the Tahoe was open...hmmmmm... "Mark - you forgot to shut the door." Nope, that wasn't the case. Someone tried to steal our car. I went inside the house to get Mark and when he opened the door he noticed this (see picture below). The would-be-amateur car thieves got away with Mark's Blockbuster Video card and my mom's handicapped placard (which is a total bummer!). We were very lucky that they didn't get away with the car! Mark called the police and they sent someone right away to make a report. Then they sent out a CSI unit to fingerprint the car. The officer said he got a "good" print... so we'll see what happens... gotta love livin' in the LBZ! (Needless to say, our "CLUB," which was somewhere in the garage at the time of the incident, is now properly placed on the steering wheel!)

Busy...Busy...Busy!

This weekend, Shayna and I had some alone time. Mark was in Scottsdale, AZ for my younger brother's bachelor party. We dropped Mark off at the airport Friday at noon and headed to the Valley. We hung out with my parents for the afternoon then headed over to my Uncle and Aunt's for dinner. It was great visiting with them, especially because Shayna and I love my cousin, Brian! Then we were back at my parent's house to spend the night.
The next morning, Shayna, my mom, and myself were off to the Getty Museum to meet my cousin Jackie and her son, Aviv. . I can't believe that I have never been up there. I mean, it only opened 3 years ago... time sure flies! Here is a picture of us in the Garden at the Getty Museum. It is so beautiful there... plus it's free admission - can't beat that! How do you like my pink boots? Nice, huh?!

Here's a really nice shot of a portion of the museum. Those travertine columns remind me of that game, Jenga!

Here's a cute shot of Shayna and Aviv.






Shayna and I left the museum at around 1pm and headed home. The Lindsay's invited us over for dinner, so we headed over there at around 4pm. Shayna loved playing with Camille and Mason! Check out the video below to see how much fun! I apologize for the dark quality of the video!

Another Cute Video!

OK... here's another cute one from Shayna....

Now I Know My ABC's...

We bought Shayna a Leap Frog Fridge Phonics toy, stuck it to the the fridge and now she sings her ABC's... all day! I bought this for her months ago (so she can keep up with her genius friends, Camille & Mason Lindsay) and she has known her ABC's by heart for quite a while, but I finally got it on tape - so check it out! She's soooo cute!

A Kid's Life!

Today, we woke up here in the LBZ with bone-chilling temps! Granted, it is winter, but below freezing temps??? Wha??? This is Long BEACH, California!!!! I don't even have a coat for these temps! Yeah, I have a ski jacket, but that's a ski jacket. I miss summer!











Today, Shayna and I and a few friends peeled ourselves away from the TV (NFL playoffs.. OK, just me out of the group) and headed over to the Cerritos Center for the Arts to see the fabulous production of A Kid's Life. It was great! Shayna and the kids had a blast! This was Shayna's first show, so I was a bit worried. She was great! She sat in her seat with her legs crossed and her hands folded in her lap. She is so mellow. About half way through the show, I asked her if she wanted to sit in my lap and of course, she said, "yes." She nibbled on some dried blue berries and Cheerios, and all of a sudden, it was over. If you have a chance, check out the show. It's only about 1 hour long - just perfect for little kids (& most adults!).

We are so Blessed!

For Mark and I, the thought of having a child a few years ago, was crazy. We are so blessed to have our little girl, Shayna. She is an absolute dream and Mark and I are having the best time of our lives experiencing things that we've seen and done a million times... for the first time - through Shayna's eyes. Mark took this picture the other day while at the Nature Center, which is right down the street from our house. I wasn't sure what to write about tonight, so I uploaded this picture and typed away. She's asleep right now in her Big Girl Bed and I totally miss her!

The Happiest Toddler

Last night I was fortunate enough to be invited to my neighbor's, Jenny, house for a Long Beach Little Ones meeting. It was great meeting moms of similar aged children, plus it was really nice to get out and drink some wine! At the "meeting" we watched The Happiest Toddler on the Block video. It was very informative and I highly recommend it! Mark and I have been unknowingly utilizing some of Dr. Karp's techniques and they really do work.... so check it out! Larissa (Jenny's daughter) and Shayna will be competing for the Happiest Toddler on the Block status!

Big Changes! Part 2

...Just a quick update on the Big Girl Bed post...

Shayna is really taking to the bed. She falls asleep by herself at nap time and evening time. She fell out of bed last night at about 1 am, but I don't think she'll let that happen again tonight.

She is growing up way too fast! I just love her so very much!

Big Changes!

The day finally arrived when it was time for the "Big Girl" Bed! Shayna has never been a great sleeper and I blame that on her parents (maybe another blog entry at a later date), so Mark & I decided to try out another option... we went out and bought Shayna a bed.

We did it! Mark took the crib apart... and set up her bed... all this in one day! I don't think that we had a choice because all of the books encourage the parents to get their little ones excited about it. So, we woke up on Saturday and told Shayna our intentions. She seemed very excited and proud of herself, because not only can she do her business in the toilet, she now gets to sleep in a "Big Girl" bed.






Luckily we found a bed that Mark and I both agreed on. We were able to take it & the mattress home with us. Too bad it didn't fit in the Tahoe. We drove home, Mark jumped in the Van, drove back down to the OC, and picked it up. In the meantime, Shayna & I headed over to Bed, Bath, & Beyond for some bedding. We found some really cute things then headed over to Babies R' Us, where BTW, they do NOT carry Twin sized waterproof mattress covers (Target does, as I found out today). We bought some side rails and a new Baby Einstein video - so she could watch it while we set up her bed. Turns out, Shayna wanted to help, and I think that was a good thing. It was her "Big Girl" bed, afterall.










This is such a cute picture. It just reminds me of Dan Aykroyd in the SNL skit where he's a refrigerator repair man...hehehehe













For the rest of the day, all she could talk about was her bed. Then, it was time.....................

I went in with her, like usual, to read a book and say our prayers. When I left, she started to cry . During this time, Mark's high school buddy, Chris and his wife, Jean who were visiting, told us NOT to go in there. They are experienced parents in this sort of thing, so we took their advice. As painful as it was, we didn't go back in and after 15 minutes, ahe stopped crying & never crawled out of her bed! A HUGE thank you goes out to those two. Here's a picture that I snapped before Mark and I went to sleep that night. Awwww....














Here's a picture of Shayna calling her Grammie and PaPa to tell them the BIG news!

Here is our cutie pie, who BTW, slept til 7:30 am without waking up during the night!

Just for Fun...

Just a little fun for everyone. Shayna just loves Sesame Street so I thought I'd post this for everyone. You can figure out who you are by clicking below.

You Are Bert

Extremely serious and a little eccentric, people find you loveable - even if you don't love them! You are usually feeling: Logical - you rarely let your emotions rule you You are famous for: Being smart, a total neat freak, and maybe just a little evil How you life your life: With passion, even if your odd passions (like bottle caps and pigeons) are baffling to others

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

Back to Normal... Somewhat...

Our computer is out of intensive care and in stable condition. Mark has removed the horrible virus that has plagued this computer for weeks, so I am finally able to post again.

We are back from spending the XMAS holiday with Mark's parents. Shayna had a blast with PaPa and Grammie! Oh yeah, and Casey, the cat!












Shayna rec'd many wonderful presents, including her new piano, courtesy of mom & dad! As you can tell by this picture she hated it... just kidding!














Here is Shayna posing with her XMAS dress on in front of the Santa tree! She is so sweet.














Here's the happy family spending New Year's with the Lindsay Family. We actually celebrated at 9:00 pm (East Coast New Year). It was really fun and I know that Shayna had a really great time playing with Camille!

Happy New Year to you all!