Froberg Visit

Well I have struggled blogging while we've had so much company visiting the last two weeks. So here is a blog Tuesday...a week and a day late.

At our new apartment, we occasionally smell some wonderful aromas. We have a coffee factory right by our house, and also the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory. I blame this on my now large consumption of chocolate every week. Anyway, Brent finished his first Board exam, AND got a 4.0 this quarter so I took him to the factory outlet at the chocolate factory for a treat. He was very surprised and had a great time picking out all their amazing chocolates. Then I realized I forgot my wallet....so we had to drive back home to get it to pay for the chocolate. So my treat turned more into a mistake of mine, which is only funny now that I look back on it.

Isaac's first swing experience. He was wide-eyed but stone faced the entire time. Well, hopefully he'll like it more one day. 

During a skype session with Brent's parents, they decided they couldn't handle being away from Isaac any longer so they were coming to visit. I can't blame them, the little guy is pretty cute. So they came to visit us last week, and we had a great time!

We went to two beaches while they were here and San Francisco. The city is amazing, it's so busy and there are so many cool things to see but BOY is it crazy.

We took them to a new beach that is closer to us in Alameda. It's such a nice beach because it is Bay water so it's warmer and calmer. Isaac loved the water, watching it mesmerized and splashing in it.

Isaac loves to play with my hair. In other words, I have lost a lot of hair lately. 

Our next beach was north of the Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Beach, and was a long drive. The beach itself was beautiful, but unfortunately there were sand lice there. Lots of them. Which was really gross. But something else made it totally worth it. We stay a pod of dolphins!! They were by the shore and they were amazing! The tide went out and we had so much fun exploring the tide pools. There were hundreds of sea anemone and a few fun crabs.

We rode the BART into San Francisco because parking there not only is stressful, but expensive. The BART is always an experience. I like how fast it goes and looking out at the houses, but some weird people ride it.

We got a day pass to ride the Cable Cars and had a great time going up those amazing hills on the streets. We walked up Lombard street which was a huge workout, especially for Brent carrying the stroller up the hills/steps. It is amazing how huge and beautiful the houses are in San Francisco. We spent the rest of the day exploring on the Cars and Buses, finishing with a ride into the sunset on a hill. Isaac did so good, only having one fit the entire time. He loves to see things and be outside.  It was an awesome trip, but the most exciting thing was seeing Isaac with his Grandparents. Brent and I love him so much that it's fun to share him with our parents.

View from on top of Lombard Street

Taking Bites out of Life

This week has been the first that felt 'real'. Things are moved in, curtains are hung (90%) and beds are put together. Yes, that means Isaac's bed too! We finally got his mattress, and he has been sleeping in his own bed. It's funny how last week I was about to loose my mind because I was waking up 4-9 times a night but now that Isaac is in his own room, I only wake up with him once or twice! It's glorious!! He is sleeping so well at night. Day...not so much. He has gone from 4-5 naps to 1-2 naps. That is a huge jump...and he's not doing it gracefully. I don't know why this is what he wants, but he must have hit a developmental milestone that told him to do it. At this point, I blame the forces of nature.

He has also received his second tooth this week! Now he has both front bottom teeth. He has been so whiney, but we find things to help. Like this toy from his Bama that I place ice-cubes into.

"Why did you put me down mom?? My teeth hurt!" face

"Wow, what is this thing?"

"Oh my goodness it feels good on my gums!"

The only con is that the front of his onesie gets soaked. 

We also decided to start on solids. Isaac always grabs my oatmeal in the morning, so I tried giving him some 'baby' oatmeal. He didn't eat much but he seemed to enjoy the experience. I think that might be the last time I give him oat cereal, but who knows.

Brent accuses me of being a homebody, and he is right. Mostly because I hate traveling in the car. In California traffic, this hatred is magnified! It is so crazy to drive here and everything takes forever to get to. Also, last year around this time Brent and I got in a huge wreck here. We were hit on the freeway and it totaled our car. We honestly suffer from post traumatic stress syndrome. 

Anyway, I decided we needed to get out more often. We found a huge event where hundreds of food trucks were gathering in Oakland. We invited some of our best friends and we got some yummy food!!

We saw a Paella place and Brent HAD to get some. He loves Spain so much because of his mission. They even had fake pig legs (a spanish delicacy) hanging at the truck. 

Here are the huge pans they cook the Paella in. 

It was super yummy!

 We also had to try these carmel and cinnamon covered sweet potato fries. They were really good though very sweet.

This coming week is finals for Brent. He is finishing his fifth of twelve quarters. I can't believe how far we've gone!

Also as a side note, I found some yummy recipes lately.

First, the best gluten-free cookies ever. Are they healthy for you? Heck no. So of course I love them! She said not to use natural peanut butter because it's thinner, but I did anyway. Mostly because I think other peanut butter is yuck, and it also has soybean oil in it which Isaac is intolerant to. So I just added a little bit of cornstarch to thicken the batter up and they were amazing.

http://www.averiecooks.com/2015/06/the-best-flourless-peanut-butter-cookies.html

An amazing soup:

http://www.cookingclassy.com/2014/02/kale-quinoa-minestrone-vegan-gluten-free/

Chiro Wife

Did I know what I was getting myself into when Brent said he wanted to be a Chiropractor? Not in the slightest. It has been a huge year for us since we started school. I say we, because I feel like this is my journey and career too. It has become our life and will be how we support our family. Sometimes, I get tired of how Chiropractic is 80% of what we talk about. But then I see a glimpse of the end of this and I get so excited! Brent has really settled into a groove with school and has found his passion within the field. He just completed his first National Board test for his license. He has three more, but it feels good to get one done! It was really hard to have him at school from 7-7 every day for the past three months. I'm always amazed at how dedicated he is and his ability to work hard. We have struggled by for the last year and finally the Lord is rewarding our faith and giving Brent so many wonderful opportunities. Blessings rarely come in the beginning for us, but when they do come they are amazing.

Because Brent has been so busy lately, he hasn't spent much time with Isaac. Isaac has also not been sleeping well lately. So, Brent walks him around and he falls asleep like magic. He won't do it for me, but he just loves his daddy snuggles. Though it's a bad habit, it is just SO sweet. Also very helpful on Sundays at church.

Things have been really good in our new house. We love our neighborhood and the 'house' feeling over the apartment feeling. I do not miss loud hispanic music, thunder mufflers roaring by at 2am, and the smell of smoke!

On a super happy note, Isaac slept in his room for the first time last night! Even though we've been in our new apartment for a week and a half things have been so crazy we haven't gotten his room enough together. He still doesn't have a crib mattress, he is sleeping in a pack n' play we borrowed from friends. I got the best nights sleep last night. Who knew that waking up only 3 times would be the ideal?

Isaac has really humbled me. I thought everything was put together. He was sleeping through the night and was such an easy baby until July when sleeping has got hard. That's what I get for thinking I had this mom thing down.

I love having a washer and dryer in our new place! It makes laundry so much easier. Isaac always helps!

We start him on solids this month, and I am so nervous! There is so many conflicting beliefs on introducing foods. Anyone know what is the best way? I guess the best way will be whatever way we finally do it.

Last side note, Isaac can sit in his stroller without the carseat now. My heart hurts! He looks so big and grownup sitting up looking around. When did my baby grow up?

In the mornings, I bring Isaac into bed with me and we just play and snuggle. It is the best thing ever. I love this time we have together!  He used to not care if we were with him or not, but he has really started to love us and want to spend time with us.