At first Landon thought the zoo was about as entertaining as watching grass grow.


Not even the elephant could produce a smile.

We even paid for an extra special treat - feeding the giraffe - but nothing. Not even a hand wave. You would think the kid got to feed giraffes everyday. (At least we got our moneys worth since RJ enjoyed it.)

And then he met this guy:

SCORE!

And kisses from Oma are pretty special too!

And finally, me and my hubs. We stopped to take a pic in front of the Gibbons (a monkey species) since I realized that in the last nine months (aka - since Landon was born) we've taken a total of maybe 5 pictures together. Someone else keeps stealing the spotlight.

Santa Barbara Zoo Favorites

Anna: The Gibbons

Landon: The Gorilla

Oma: The Gorilla (she's just a sucker for anything Landon!)

RJ: The giant porcupine 

A WOW Moment

I had a WOW moment yesterday.

RJ, Landon and I were out to dinner at a local (semi-good-for-you) burger joint. I had gotten a coupon for a free burger in the mail, and now that my professional job title(s) includes "household manager" we go to dinner where there are coupons. Anyway, RJ was grubbing on the free burger, I got steak salad, and we were splitting onion rings. Landon had eaten yellow mush at home before we left - lucky boy - so he was just chillin' in the hair chair playing with Mama's keys.

Well, the keys distracted him for a whopping .02 seconds and then he wanted some of what we had. In Landon's word adult stuff is WAY more fun than baby stuff. (I'm still waiting for someone to make millions by inventing "baby toys" that resemble glorified tupperware.) Looking at our plates I couldn't figure out what to feed the boy to keep him happy. RJ's semi-healthy (but not really) burger was a no-no, so were the onion rings, my steak was too difficult to chew, and I couldn't really image him being interested in the lettuce itself. 

I sat staring at my salad plate, tomatoes pushed to the side since neither RJ or I like raw tomatoes, wondering if I could feed the baby a crushed up crouton when it hit me:

Landon might like the tomato. 

Even though RJ and I hate them, he might like it.

BECAUSE HE IS HIS VERY OWN PERSON.

Wow. 

It hit me like a ton of bricks: Landon is his own individual. I've know this in my head but I didn't really get it. We might help shape him and guide him, but he is going to have his very own likes and dislikes. He might hate the ocean (heaven forbid!) but love the snow (this could be a problem.) Maybe he'll be less talkative than his parents but he'll have a beautiful singing voice (it would be a miracle based on his genes.) We have yet to see, and I am so excited to find out. Who is this beautiful little person? What will he like and be and do? 

Already he's surprising me - he not only ate that slice of raw tomato, but he demanded a second!

Landon Went to Visit Daddy At Work Today

Dilemmas in Motherhood #1

What do you do when you need to use a public restroom but the stroller won't fit inside the stall?

This is a serious problem in my little word. Because liquid flows through at the speed of "instant" I am a frequent public restroom user. It's just the way it has to be. However, since Landon came along I've often found myself in a very puzzling situation. What do I do with the baby when his stroller won't fit in the stall with me? It's easy when I'm with a friend since I can just hand him off. But, more times than not, it is just the two of us and no reasonable solution in sight. 

Most places curiously off a handicap stall which will easily accommodate myself, the stroller, and baby. And there are the occasional restrooms with one of those Koala Care changing stations inside the stall. In those instances I leave the stroller outside, run a sanitary wipe along along the station, strap the bambino in, and pray he won't catch a horrific disease while I do my business. 

But what is a girl to do when there is just a teeny-tiny stall and no room for baby? So far I've come up with three options. None of them acceptable, but they're all I've got. Because I am (obviously) unwilling to leave the little guy outside of the stall alone I can (1) park the stroller outside the stall door and leave it open.  Objectionable for a number for reasons. Or, (2), remove the changing pad from the diaper bag, put it on the floor, and sit baby on it. Let me tell you, baby doesn't stay on the pad. Nastiness. And finally, my favorite option and the one I usually use: (3) leave the stroller outside, hold baby in one hand, unzip pants with one hand, tinkle holding baby (you haven't lived until you've done this!), flush holding baby, and then attempt to get pants back up while holding baby.  Most days I can get them up put there is no zipping or buttoning one-handed (I am incredibly impressed with those of you that can pull this off). Therefore, exit stall unzipped, ignore stares of pity from those waiting in line, strap baby back into stroller, finish dressing, and finally, sanitize self, baby and stroller (just in case). 

As I said, not the best options.

Anyone got anything better?

(One girlfriend suggested inventing a type of parachute harness for baby. You could strap him in and then hang him from the purse hook on the inside of the stall door. It could work....)

baby goodness

Some pics of the babe.

Since it's been awhile and I know you're all having withdrawals. 

the stuff we eat

• Side Note: This is my 150th blog post. My very first post was 2.5 years ago about RJ's modeling for Patagonia. It's fun to see that the 5 people who started reading the blog are the 5 that are still reading it. Thanks friends!

• As stated on my Facebook status - Please go see the movie FOOD, INC. It's full of fantastic information that will change the way you eat. RJ and I are making a commitment to try and get 90% of our meat and produce from local, organic sources. Since the meat is going to be so much more expensive we'll be eating it much less (2-3 times per week). And we will now be easing seasonal fruits and veggies. No more blueberries from Mexico that were pumped full of crap to help them grow big and then ripened on a truck. 

• Unfortunately our food system is so warped it is nearly impossible for those below the median income to eat healthy foods. You can't even a homemade burger for less money than a fast food one. Ridiculous! Those of us who have the means to make healthy choices need to step up (even if it means going with less meat in your diet or stretching your budget a bit more) and "vote" for changes in the food industry through the spending of each dollar. As the movie states, every dollar spent at the grocery store or at the famers' market is a vote. 

• Because I'm so riled up about this issue I've been checking out different websites. Some are focused on the food industry and others just social causes in general but here a few recommendations: Take Part, Slow Food, and Me to We. 

• The food subject is something I am so passionate about. I read (most of ) The Omnivores Dilemma a few years ago so much of the information in Food, Inc. wasn't new. But seeing the imagery, rather than just reading the words, struck me hard. It was enough to make anyone want to join PETA. I was tempted to find out if they had an omnivore's chapter. For those of us not yet ready to give up meat but sickened by the idea of eating a tortured chicken or cow. We are such a self centered society. So many Americans think they need meat everyday. I bet if every American gave up meat just once or twice a week we wouldn't need to "manufacture" chickens, we could raise them naturally for slaughter. On real feed, in real outdoor/indoor conditions, without genetically modifying their growth. 

• Now, i know I'm no certified Aggie. And some of the (few) people who read this blog are. So I would love to get their (and your) opinion? What do you think about genetically modified crops and/or animals? Or, if you've seen the movie what are your thoughts? Thanks!

Twenty-Ten

The word Resolution doesn't sit well with me. It conjures up feelings of failure. Mostly b/c I am never-ever good at doing something every-single-day. I kiss my husband and baby, brush my teeth, eat, and sleep everyday. And that's about it. Everything else is somewhat willy-nilly. Not too much structure. I don't even shower daily (sorry if that grosses you out. It doesn't bother me at all.) 

Anyway, most New Years Resolution require too much structure. Losing weight asks that I cut calories everyday. Excising, to be successful, requires a disciplined weekly program. Etc. However, I love the idea of New Beginnings. A clean slate. And I love making lists. So, I've come up with a collection of ideas for the New Year. Things I would like to work on and/or see happen. No pressure. Just fun.

1. Play More Music. I seriously forget to put music on most of the day.  But when it is on the entire atmosphere changes. And Landon loves it.

2. Write letters. Who doesn't love getting snail-mail? Such an easy way to bless others.

3. Channel Julia Child. "A little wine for the sauce; a little wine for me." A mistake in the kitchen can always be fixed with a good attitude.

4. Have lunch with RJ. He loves it when we visit him at work. 

5. Floss my teeth more. (It's so easy. Why am I terrible at it?)

6. Read more books to Landon. And do the voices.

7. Style my hair. The ponytail is not a style.

8.  Follow through on my ideas. I am an idea girl; I have "brilliant" ideas all the time - for helping people, for businesses, for written articles, fun for Landon, dates with RJ, etc. I just never actually DO them.

9. Wear jewelry.

10. Set the table with the silver and china more than once a year.

11. Explore where I live. I know there are hundreds of fun things to do around here. I only live an hour away from one of the biggest cities in the US. I've never even been to the Ghetty for crying-out-loud!

12. Give gifts for no reason.

13. Learn to use RJ's camera. The thing is amazing. It takes fantastic pictures and I have it at my disposal all day. 

14. Facebook less; blog more.

15. Love my boys. They already have my entire heart but I figure it can't hurt to try and squeeze out even more.