1 More Day

One more day of work... that's it! I wouldn' t even call it a whole day, as my co-workers have planned a going away party for me (which BTW starts at 3 pm). So, at 3 pm tomorrow, I am officially a Stay-At-Home Mom! Wow! For 13 years I have been employed as a Geologist. I'm not really sure how to transition from an employed professional to an unemployed professional homemaker. So, I bought a book - Staying Home: From Full-Time Professional to Full-Time Parent

I'm so lame! I can't believe that I felt compelled to buy a book. This should be instinctive... right?! I mean, I am still a woman... I should know how to do this. Where did I lose this information? My mom was really good at it! My grandmothers were really good at... but me... not too sure of myself!


So, I bought a book.....

This is me (standing in the middle with my hand on my hip & the bunny ears, courtesy of Matt Grandjean) in 1992 standing atop the Resting Springs Range in Death Valley with my fellow SSU Geology majors... I will miss geology...

But I will be loving this!!!

Baby Animals Day

Today was a really great day. We are fortunate enough to live in, what I think, is the best part of Long Beach. We live 1/8th of a mile from one of the largest recreational parks in southern California, with such amenities as a Nature Center, skate park, lakes, multiple libraries, and even a pint size train ride attraction! Today was the annual "Baby Animal Day" at the Nature Center. So, of course, we had to put Shayna in the jogger and mozy on over to the N.C., which BTW, has 2 various length dirt trails. It's a beautiful area!

Here's a great shot of Shayna with her hand in the baby mice exhibit. Not one of my favorites... yuck!

Here she is with a Python. Yeah right... Mommy is NOT touching this thing - that is why I am taking the picture!

I did, however, pet the dog!












...and the iguana (only because the handler said that it is too old to bite) - I'm such a wuss!

Flashdance!

I put Shayna in a dance class because she loves to dance. Here are some cute videos of her! She is sooo cute!









She loves her tap shoes!

My Little Angel..

Here is a picture that Mark took yesterday. Shayna has a halo! Too cool!

Domestic Engineer

OK... not really fired, but I gave notice last Thursday. My last day of official "Geologist" work is Friday, March 30th. I will start my new career as a full-time Domestic Engineer the following day. I am so very excited to watch my little girl grow and experience things for the very first time! I have some art classes planned for her and we will be starting swimming lessons once a week. I know that I am going to miss my friends from work, but this is something that Mark and I both agree needs to be done! I can't wait!

Daylight Savings Time...

OK, is every parent throughout the US going through what we're going through. It's almost 10 pm PDT and Shayna is still up! I mean I know her schedule is the same everyday, but come on... her nap went very well today. I put her down at 1pm PDT (which means that, according to her schedule, it's only noon). So why does this happen at night? Who knows... Mark is in there right now... I'll let you know how it goes! Here are some fun shots from today - BTW, it hit 94 degrees here in the LBZ today!

Thank GOD!!!

Thank GOD that I don't go into the office on Mondays!!! The building that I work in is connected to the back of this building (shown in picture to the right) in Signal Hill, where a man walked into his former place of employment and shot 3 people before killing himself. All of my co-workers were evacuated with their hands up!! SCARY!

Ahhh Love!!

We are back from Henderson, NV where we spent the entire weekend with my side of the family for my little brother,'s Josh, wedding. He married such a wonderful girl, Mindy! we are so happy for the two of them! Mazel Tov! here's a picture of the gorgeous bride and her 3 flower girls. Shayna was awesome! She actually wore the flowers in her hair AND walked down the aisle throwing flowers! ...it's a miracle - all of the worrying, for nothing!

Here's a video of the "kiss," scene! It was beautiful as you can tell from the applause!

Here are more pictures...