Valentine's Day

Today was a food day, which means more to me than it would normally because I was feeling well enough to cook! For the last two months I've been exhausted and feeling crummy pretty much all the time, so preparing food has become my enemy. :( That's probably one of the reasons I feel like pregnancy robs me of who I really am; one of the downsides to growing a human. Thankfully, it seems like it's on it's way out when I have days like today! Granted, if given the opportunity I would have laid down and rested, but it wasn't like I had to rest, which has been the case MANY times.

So lunch was more like a breakfast lunch with scrambled eggs and bell peppers and onions and chicken sausage.

Dinner was the main meal I spent the day preparing for. I was really looking forward to having a Valentine's meal with Jake. He was scheduled to arrive in Sacramento at 5:30pm. Then a mechanical on the plane he was flying happened and they had to deice in Minneapolis. :( This meant Jake was going to miss his connecting flight and consequently not arrive to SMF until 8:30pm. I was so bummed. To lighten the blow, I shared some of the left over chocolate mousse (I had made for dessert) with Isaac. He was very happy to be part of my coping.

I didn't realize it at the time, but Jake had ordered me flowers AND chocolate (what a splurge)! He clued me to check the front door and there was the gift. So sweet.

Even though I'd like to be, Jake and I aren't naturally very festive, so doing anything special on holidays is pretty exciting. The flowers were beautiful and the chocolates surprisingly good! (I'm always a little weary of chocolates not purchased from See's or another reputable chocolate shop.) Sadly, as my life would have it, when I left to get Jake from the airport, my animals worked together to get the chocolates off the counter and ate about two-thirds of the box. Thankfully, no throw up and everyone is acting normal. I'm still bummed not to have the chocolates, but better for my health, right?

So before Jake got home I prepared salmon from a grilled salmon recipe, fingerling potatoes, and green beans. As soon as we got home from the airport, I put Isaac down and Jake put the food on the grill. Even though it doesn't look super pretty, it sure tasted good! Success!

Then for dessert, we had and a small red velvet bundt cake (mmmmm) and chocolate mousse with strawberries and whipped cream. YUM!

So it might have ended up being a late night, but it was wonderful to end it with my forever Valentine. :)

Thanksgiving Visit

There was talk that Jake, Isaac and I would be in Florida for Thanksgiving since he had training down there. However, with the stress of traveling and the attention that training would require of Jake, Isaac and I stayed back. With this new development, Isaac and I were able to drive to San Luis Obispo to spend the holiday with my parents. Thankfully, Jake was able to take an early flight on Thursday and made it to SLO by noon! Pretty lucky. Then on Friday my parents watched Ike so Jake and I could get some time alone. We went to Nautical Bean (a favorite coffee shop) and then drove out to Port San Luis to watch the sunset over the ocean. Such a beautiful and peaceful place.

My parents had a fabulous time playing with Ike and naturally he enjoyed himself too. He made circles on their floor, played with the popper and rang my mom's bell (a trophy bell she got for running a 5k back in the day). That bell is definitely the most multifunctional trophy. I remember enjoying playing with it when I was a kid.

Anyway, as always, the weather did not disappoint and even though our Thanksgiving meal was low key, it was nice to have it with family.

I didn't get any pictures, but I also got to see my sister and her family as they passed through on their way to San Diego for Thanksgiving. Jake and I also visited with Travis and Kate and played Spontuneous with the girls. :) 

Lovely time and the drive back wasn't too bad either. Here's a little video of our time with the Hasson Grandparents. :) wonderful memories made.

Dates

I have been feeling a little off since Jake and I haven't had a "date night" in about a month. So yesterday I texted my cousins to see if one of them would be willing to watch Ike for a couple of hours so Jake and I could go out. Soon after, I found myself hanging out with Jake outside in our beautiful weather while Isaac napped and I realized something: the beauty of having one child is that every time he naps Jake and I get some time together. Granted, most of those times I am cooking or cleaning or doing something to prepare for when Isaac is awake, but there are the sweet occasions when Jake and I get to nap as well! Or we just sit outside, like yesterday, and laugh and talk. I don't usually put as much value on those times, I think, because we are home and it's not a "date," but they truly are just as special and noteworthy.

We still went out that evening and of course, we enjoyed that as well. :)

We went to a little pub in Old Roseville called "The Monk's Cellar." It was nice to get away and have a drink like when it was just us two. Naturally, we spent most of our time talking about Isaac, but what can you expect? So nice to have family nearby to watch little Ike. We'll have to do it again!

Date Night at Duveneck Dinner

This last Saturday Jake and I made a trip to Los Altos Hills to attend the 19th Annual Frank and Josephine Duveneck Humanitarian Awards Dinner. I have attended this dinner a couple of times, but this was Jake's first time. This was also Isaac's first time being with a babysitter who isn't family. I am proud to say he did great!

My sister lives in San Jose (close to Los Altos Hills), so we left Ike with the babysitter that was watching my sister's girls. It was fun hanging out with my sister and her husband and as always, the honorees were so inspiring! When they talk about the legacy of my great grandparents it makes me proud to say I am a Duveneck. Dressing up for the dinner and leaving Isaac with the sitter also made me feel so adult! Am I growing up? I guess so. :)

Mid-State Fair

I love spending time with Jake- just me and him. Now, especially with a little one, I have to make us time intentional. Since Jake is gone usually a few days a week, I have tried to make one day out of the week where we spend some exclusive one on one time. This last week, on the 31st, my Mom and Dad watched Isaac so Jake and I could go out. We had such a good time.

First we went to the Derby Wine Estates to get dinner and wine and listen to my friend, Aaron, perform. Then it was off to the Fair.

After walking around some, we went on a few rides, starting with the Zipper (a childhood favorite of mine). As we stood in line Jake looked up the history of the ride and its safety. 

Our view from inside the cage of the Zipper!

We then went on the Hammer and finished the night with a ride on the Ferris Wheel. Such a great time with the one I love. If I were to die on one of these rickety rides, I would want it to be with him.

Love you, honey!