Happy birthday soul sistah!

Ahh, Happy Birthday to my bestie. Today is something big. You now have to mark the 35-40 box on forms and get to be vague about your age, "I'm in my mid 30's." You are allowed to be shameless when it comes to your accomplishments (why not brag? you've created TWO human beings and TWO organs-you can do what ya want), don't need any excuses if you'd rather watch "The Kardashians" than another episode of "Max and Ruby." I mean, really.

In honor of your most beloved day of arriving on this crazy, beautiful world of ours, I posted a pic of us. (*This is what happens when you search for most recent pic together in my photo library--and raising two rugrats, you get our preggy pics-unflattering, yes. But oh so cute!) a pic of fabulous YOU.

Happy Birthday fellow mama and more importantly, a sister, in my eyes and heart always.

We love you Ninang!

Harry, you Rule. You really do.

photo courtesy of Harsh Light

It seems so long ago when I first began my journey (along with millions of others) with Harry, Hermione, Ron, Dumbledore, and the rest of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter fame. I distinctly recall how I came to read this beloved series. Several years ago (I mean several years back, I mean way back, go further than that, nope, go a little bit further, there) I was on my way home, riding BART, and seeing several adults in my train with their noses stuck in these Harry Potter books (different books from the series). I sat across from one lady who was probably in her 50's and I remember staring at her for some time. She was definitely consumed in her book and never even made eye contact with me. I realized then and there, this was a book series I had to read.

Within the first 10 pages of The Sorcerer's Stone, I was hooked. Like, drug-addict hooked. As years wore on, I eventually finished the series. There is a sadness I feel as the final movie (part 2 of the final book) is being released. I, too, grew up with Harry and his merry band of cohorts. It's incredible the world J.K. Rowling created and how she's touched so many young readers, and dare I say, enlightened, older ones.

I cannot wait for Micro and Micron to read the series and hopefully enjoy it too. Harry Potter books will have a special place in my heart because it's a world born of imagination, where the author doesn't shirk the topic of fear, loss of loved ones, heart-break, or betrayal. All things most parents might think young children are not prepared to understand. There are strong, respectable, and admirable characters in the books (both good and bad). For me, the Harry Potter books have helped to reignite my love of reading. To quote Anatole Thibault, "To know is nothing at all. To imagine is everything." Thanks J.K for unleashing the power of imagination and creating an amazing world. 

Are you ready to ride the Hogwarts Express one last time?

Great times and Hi jinx!!

My little nuggets and my awfully cute goddaughter

is Micron's head really that big?

the little lady in the white hat is "Squiddles"

These guys are criminally cute. They look harmless, but beware, as the last photo are pics of future hi jinxers-in-the-making.

'Nuff said.

Goofin' around is so much fun

We've been enjoying some major nice weather lately in the Bay Area. After that bizarro downpour one day last week, the sun is back in full force. This past week, both my little nuggets aged just a little bit more. Micro turned 32 months and Micron turned 10 months old (aww gosh, she's freakin' TWO MONTHS away from turning into a toddler). I can safely say that having two babies is HARD, but FUN. 

I've watched my toddler son go from babbling phrases to speaking whole sentences. Watching him grow into this tiny person who can express his feelings with words (not just whimpers or cries anymore) is amazing and a bit sad. I miss the days when he'd struggle to find the right words to let me know he's hungry or say what he'd like to eat at that moment. Of course it's not like he's a grown-up and using big vocabulary to express himself. He still fusses, sometimes cries, but mostly, he just conducts himself in this more 'toddler'-mature manner, which is so surprising. I've seen him comfort Micron when she's so upset because mommy is giving herself a time-out from all the madness. His love for his sister is like no other. He's her best cheerleader when it comes to crawling and achieving those little milestones. Lately, it's been getting all excited and giddy when Micron pulls herself up. 

My youngest baby, and luckily, still a baby, is growing up too quickly. I feel like it was only just yesterday when I could feel powerful kicks in my belly. And now, here she is, almost a year old. She's so different from her brother. I can easily compare now, how different they were at similar ages. Micron is more calm, takes her time in doing things, and is an observer. To her, her big brother is the life of the party, the noisy one who runs circles around her at such dizzying speeds. She adores him and there's no one like her brother who can make her laugh crazy. Not even Mama. Bless their hearts, it's so beautiful to watch them grow. 

Though we've been doing a lot of outdoor activities like going to our community pool, going for long walks and bike rides, we still take time to enjoy each other's company. So much of our summer seems to book up so fast with spending time with friends, that the hubs and I have had to scale back these outings and focus on spending time together as a family. During most of the year, my husband is studying for his CFA and me and the kids are off doing stuff on our own, which makes it quite difficult to find "together time." So here's to a summer of family fun.

*pardon the blurriness, we used photobooth