Time in The Ranch

A Thursday morning outing, we left the house half past nine, and arrived in Rancho Santa Fe before 10.

We met the Duncan's at The Pancake House.  It was nice catching up with each others lives, I really missed them.  They couldn't get enough of the belly, it was sweet.  After breakfast we headed to their home in Rancho Santa Fe.   Squeals of excitement is what you heard in my car, the girls were so excited they were going to ride Freaky the pony, they kept asking "Are we almost there?", I couldn't help being excited for them.

Estella and Freaky getting reacquainted

Estella showing proper Equitation

she said "ok, I'm ready"

Happy girls at the end of their ride

Freaky ready for some lunch... hay that is, not the Corgi

Savannah

 I fell in love with her

sitting pretty

Here I am, sitting pretty at 33 days to go

Can we speed it up, please?  

Things I'm whining about lately: Swollen feet, lower back pain, constant visits to the bathroom (especially in the middle of the night), shortness of breath, and the unbearable heartburn... Are there really 33 days to go?  

Thankful for: My neighbor Bonnie, for having Tums late last night, for My darling Jacob for picking up the Tums, and Estellita who will out of the blue lift my shirt (anywhere) to kiss & talk to the belly and say "Hiii baby, I love you baby", chocolate, chocolate and some more chocolate, and to God, for giving me patience when I most need it.

Apples!

We took a little road trip to the country, were we picked apples in Julian.  It made me want to move to the country.  We got a little car sick along the way, but that was Ok, we'd do it again.  

I loved watching Estella race up & down rows of apple trees, shouting "Apples!", giggling, and picking apples along the way to have a taste.  

We came home with a 5 lb. bag of various apples, and prepared them in many ways.  Estella enjoyed them the most al natural, and Jake and I as apple crisp, with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream, please.

We hope your day is as sweet as Apple pie

or better yet,

 as sweet as her :)

Trick-or-Treat song... then REVISED!

JUST FOR KICKS & GIGGLES

A SILLY LITTLE SONG, FROM US TO YOU

I WAS ASKED TO REVISE SONG BY DADDY-O,  

WE OBLIGED

rated G version

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Loving on Estella

Wondering, "Where did the time go?"

Our little girl is now 3 years old, full of questions, determination, and just living one day at a time.  

I question whether we have done a good job raising her so far, and come to the conclusion that we have certainly tried, and that we are learning each day, as she is, and know she's a happy, bright, healthy, and kind little girl, with such a sense of humor.

We were reminiscing over her baby-thru-recent pictures, and these are some of the pictures, and short clips we always get a crack-up, among some of her favorites.   

It's especially sweet to see Estella taking such interest in certain pictures; she gets a big smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye, and confirms "That's me".

From the beginning she has known what she likes and doesn't like--

Yes, she's giving me the bird, not liking the fact that I put her in that cute little dress, when she was so comfortable in her onesie.

We're so proud she loves her vegetables, she loves yellow beans or green.

but not to sure about dried apricots, although loves fresh ones

She always has a great time with cousin Isabella a.k.a "My friend" as she would say.  

Doesn't she laugh like Ernie from Sesame Street?

this post is to be continued... 

As I have a request to play hide-n-seek with Estella, Daddy-O and Wally

Birthday Girl

Dear Estella,

Three sweet years ago, today, you came into this world, your Daddy-O and I were the happiest parents alive, and still are.  I want to Thank you for being the best daughter any parent could ever have.  I love you to the moon & back!

Love,

Mommy-O

By Martina McBride

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero

I am strong and wise and I know no fear

But the truth is plain to see

She was sent to rescue me

I see who I wanna be

In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal

Darkness turns to light and the

world is at peace

This miracle God gave to me gives me

strength when I am weak

I find reason to believe 

In my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand

around my finger

Oh, it puts a smile in my heart

Everything becomes a little clearer

I realize what life is all about

It's hangin' on when your heart

has had enough

It's giving more when you feel like giving up

I've seen the light

It's in my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes I can see the future

A reflection of who I am and what will be

Though she'll grow and someday leave

Maybe raise a family

When I'm gone I hope you see how happy

she made me

For I'll be there

In my daughter's eyes

Combo Dance

It was her first day of dance, and I had butterflies in my tummy. 

 

Estella practiced ballet with her little ballerina until it was time to go.  

My heart melted when My little ballerina lined up with all the other Ballerina's to warm up.

They started off with tap

tap, heel, toe

tap, heel, toe

After tap, they prepared for ballet---

But of course, that's when my camera died!!!  I was bummed... no worries, our next dance session is on Saturday, and my camera will be fully charged.

"Want some corn Reifer?!"

Back in the day, during corn season (August- September), in Houtzdale; there used to be a lady who sold fresh corn around the neighborhood.  When she would arrive at the Reifer's compound, she'd peek her head in the door-way, and shriek-out "Want some corn Reifer?!"  

It's funny to hear that story, but it's even funnier to see my darling husband eat corn.  He tells stories of how he and his brothers & sisters used to have contests, to see who ate corn the fastest.  

 

Estella eating corn on the cob the way Daddy-O taught her.

Happy be-lated Labor day!

I'm a little late posting about Labor day, but I hope you all had a lovely holiday.  

We laid low, labored a little, but definitely enjoyed our beautiful San Diego weather.

Labor Day at Mission Bay

making mud cakes

Isn't he CUTE!

Belly silhouette

fully belly pose

& now that our Holiday is over and we've relaxed, we're back on the grin.  Projects are going hay-wire (is that how you say it?).  I'm busy planning an "Estella in Wonderland" Birthday Party.  A full execution plan is in order, invites need to be mailed out, party supplies ordered, and all the bells & whistles to go with it.

Have a great day!

Hermit crab

For the last several days I've stayed indoors, in our nice air-conditioned home, due to the 90-something degree weather we've been having.  I'm starting to get cabin fever which is accompanied by the grouch syndrome.

So, because the weather remains the same, I remain indoors; cooking, baking, and eating.  Last Thursday I had an appointment with my Nutritionist, she recommend I "curve my diet"; I've laughed at myself almost every day after that appointment, for really (NOT!) following her advise.  These are some of the yummy foods I've been preparing, my palate has never been happier.

Cauliflower Soup -- Excellent!

Potato Bundles -- These potatos are so tasty, and easy clean up

Coq au Vin   DAlicious!

Disasterpiece  when I saw this cake, I wanted it right there on the spot.

Grandpere's Chicken, and Tiffany's Sugo Rosa for Pasta Tasty-tasty!

I also plan on baking this lovely soon, I got all the ingredients yesterday, so excited!

Bon Appetit!

Happy Birthday Honey!

Our Darling Jacob's Birthday was yesterday

A crowd of friends & family came together to celebrate his birthday.

Estella requested to help with all 37 candles, then stated

"That's a lot of candles".

We gathered around the Cool cat and sang him the old "Happy Birthday" song.  

I loved the smiled he carried all night.

Starting the grand finale!

*@#%&!

Mrs. Peters in the "Seven Silly Eaters" by Mary Ann Hoberman (one of our favorite books).

A couple of months ago I was feeling like Mrs. Peters in this picture; I had piles of laundry to fold, dishes & pots galore in the sink, toys, art/craft stuff in & out of the house, golf hats & balls, dog hair every where I looked; our home was a mess.  I had neglected our home, due to the bad case of nausea and the travels we'd taken.

So, in results to feeling like I was in a tornado, my sweet-kind Mother asked what she could do to help.  Well, we got down and dirty, we scrubbed the floors and corners, which led to organizing; we started with the arts & crafts closet (looks so good, if I don't say so myself), then we moved on to Estella new bedroom, we painted walls, and hung pictures.  Baby's room is still in progress, my goal to get it done this week.  

Organized Arts & Crafts closet

The junk corner, work in progress... sigh

The kitchen came next, cabinets, refrigerator and pantry were emptied out, cleaned & reorganized. 

There was more painting, and furniture rearranged.  And now, somehow ? the projects keep coming--

For instance, to my surprise, last Monday the new fence installation started, and then all of a sudden we are working on an outdoor living space with a Fireplace (we're really excited about this one).  After this project is completed, I'm excited to say we're getting new carpet installed in main living room and bedrooms, Yay, horrid (current) carpet will finally be gone!

The new fence getting there 

Future home of outdoor living space & Fireplace

Since My Darling Jacob is on a roll, I kindly requested a remodel of the bathrooms... keep your fingers crossed for me :)

Fuchsia Ball?

Estella & the Fuchsia Ball ?

No my friends, that ball looking-thing Estella is holding is not a Ball, it's My belly, and it gets bigger by the day! 

I have four more months to go (roughly), and I feel like "La Cerdita gordita", Oink-oink!

For the love of golf

The handsome Papi Reifer, after winning a golf tournament

Mr. William Reifer instilled the love of golf to his sons; & so, for the love of golf (and for the love of the Reifer's), we travel back east in August for a special golf tournament the Reifer boys play in, a brotherly bond.  Jacob will have a permanent smile the whole time we're there, he's free of worries, in the company of loved ones, and happy he'll be playing golf the whole time we're there. 

This year however, Estella and I did not accompany Daddy-O; Mommy-O just couldn't handle the long flight on her buns, not to mention the humidity back east.  So, we kept busy here, for five days.  

we build sand castles at Coronado Bay

Offering sand pies at Torrey Pines State Beach

Visited the Taj Mahal at Lego Land

Estella with 3D glassed at Bob the Builder show

Backing out Truck 23, uncle Todd would be proud

on a train ride with Mrs. Jamila and Kayla Dior

Estella and me on a helicopter ride

We had a nice time while Daddy-O was gone, we kept busy, BUT nothing in a hundred years could fill the void, we missed our Darling Jacob terribly, and promised not to be away for that long of a time again.

Keeping up with Estella

What are little girls made of-

what are little girls made of?

Sugar & Spice

And all things nice

That's what little girls are made of

Estella heading to her special hiding place... umm, I wonder what she's up to?

Me: "Estella, what are you doing?"

Estella: "Nothing"

Me: "Are you sure?"

Estella: smirks

I walk around to the couch

That little Rascal, she got a hold of the Sugar, again!

Me:  "I caught you red-handed!"

Estella: haaha-ha-ha-ha!! "I got Sugar!"

Estella:  "Just a little pinch Mommy, please?"

Me: "Sure"

I just couldn't say No, she went through all that trouble, plus she was so cute in doing it :)

Imitation of an Angel

Since I'm on the Angelic kick with my daughter, 

I'd like to share these shots of her imitating an Angel.

One hot busy afternoon as I got things ready for supper, I found Estella playing independently with tissue paper; she twirled with it chanting "I'm a ballerina", she wrapped her dolls in it saying to herself "wrapping a present for my birthday", jumping on it and saying "I'm crunching you", and so on; she was having a good time.  

As I concentrated on preparing supper, she said "Look Mommy I'm an Angel".

I'm glad my camera was near by, and charged up; sometimes these moments don't last too long---

Estella's imitation of an Angel

see my wings

making snow Angels

Blowing kisses

I took a time out, and joined her for creative play; and My, does she have an imagination, we giggled & laughed and had a really good time.

Unconditional LOVE

I had an Angel visit me at dawn

 

I was in a deep sleep

when I felt the gentlest touch 

&

heard the sweetest voice...

My face was being softly caressed with her small soft hands, and I heard her say to me, 

"You're so pretty, you're so pretty"

Sleepy-eyed, I opened my eyes, hoping I wasn't dreaming and there--

 I saw my little Angel looking right at me with her sweet-warm smile, 

she gently wrapped her arms around my neck and said 

"Good morning Mommy"

I responded with a cheerful "Good morning" (as I smelled my own morning breath; not pretty), 

she then planted a kiss right on my lip;

and hugged me tighter--- 

How lucky I am, to be loved unconditionally 

Beautiful sleeping Angel

Angel de mi Guarda

Dulce compania

No me desenpares

de noche ni de dia

No me dejes sola 

Porque me perderia

Amen

Our nightly prayer. 

Happy Birthday Ajai!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you!  

Happy Birthday Dear Ajai, happy birthday to you!

Ajai & his Mommy on the Monorail

Our dear friend Ajai lives in Seattle, and today he turns "3"!  

Last year we got to visit Ajai for he's 2nd birthday,  it was a lot of fun!  

Ajai & Estella playing at the fountain.  Ajai ended up getting soaked, it was the funniest thing!, he was running away from the racing water as fast as his little legs could carry him--- 

he tried, he really tried. 

We're sad we missed he's birthday this year, we hope we can get together soon, we miss you!

Twilight in the Park

Last night we enjoyed a free concert at Beautiful Balboa Park, the band playing was "Diamond is Forever" Neil Diamond Experience.  There was a lot of people, and everyone in a happy mood.  

Estella dancing to "Sweet Caroline"

Then, Estella and her BFF (Trinity) played hide-n-seek.

Estella hiding between the pillars

It was a fun night.

A tired little girl fell fast asleep on the drive home (no nap girl).  When we got home all I had to do was put her in bed (pj's were taken).  It was only 8, and she was in bed asleep!-- 

 a rare thing around here.  

My Darling Jacob and I got to enjoy the night to ourselves

with dessert and a movie.