Christmas Morning

Reagan woke us up at 7am this morning. Here is his reaction.

Merry Christmas

Originally uploaded by Haute Mama.

I hope that everyone is having a most wonderful Christmas with friends, family and loved ones.
We went to Mass this evening, came home and put Reagan in the tub while Taro prepared a delicous feast. Reagan went blissfully to sleep and I had the yummiest prime rib dinner. Our busy s"elves" are assembling Reagan's toys for tomorrow. I can't wait to see his face!
Wishing you all Christmas blessings.

Introducing Henry Oliver Cole Masuda

Yes, I am finally posting about our new family member. Henry came to us by way of the wonderful Festival of Trees. This year's festival featured a puppy themed tree called, Happy Howlidays. It was a beautiful flocked tree with a tartan plaid and black color scheme. Very sophisticated. The tree came with wonderful gifts such as dog obedience lessons, food, toys, vaccinations and check-ups for a year, etc. Oh, did I mention it also came with an adorable puppy?! Taro and I ducked out of the Gala to take a sneak peek of the puppy before the auction got underway and we couldn't resist his cuteness and puppy breath, we had to have him. It was a very excting auction and I became so confused but my wonderful husband would not be outbid! That's my man, I love auctions! Henry is adjusting fine to our home. He is such a good, well-behaved puppy. The best part is that he was already potty trained. Henry's gets his beauty from his mother who is a Golden Retriever and his father who is a Black Labrador. A hybrid dog, how progressive of us.

Goood Morning America!

Yawn! Boy am I beat! Would you believe it if I told you I woke up at 2:30am this morning? Two friends and myself braved the snow and cold (with Starbucks) and drove to Leavenworth to watch a taping of Good Morning America. Hoping to be discovered, we chased down cameramen and shoved our way past kids with signs. I Tivo'ed the whole thing and if you have high-def t.v. you may be able to see a sliver of us.
If you look real close in the photo above, right below the sign that reads, "Hi Katie, Katie Liz, etc.", in the green brimmed hat, is my friend Brianne, thats MY head she is talking to. ah, well, I'm going to bed. you can see more photos here.

Vacation

I am finally posting about our fantastic family vacation that we took in October.

This year we returned to the gorgeous Mexican Caribbean. We had such a great time at this resort last year so we booked it again. Normally when Taro and I have traveled we like to explore the location and do things on our own. Traveling with a child is another story and I feel that all-inclusive is the only way to do it. The best thing about this place is that childcare is also inclusive and boy did we use it. With Reagan's skin and his allergies the hot, humid weather didn't agree with him and it turned out he was the only child being cared for that week. So he was able to have two wonderful gals look after him and burn of some energy during the day. In the late afternoon we would bring him back to our palapa by the pool and munch on snacks or take naps. Ah, the life.

Set your Tivo!

I know, I know. I promised details about our new family member and I'll get right to it as soon as I get the energy.
In the meantime, some girlfriends of mine and I will be headed to Leavenworth at the early hour of 3am in hopes to get on camera while Good Morning America is being taped. Tivo GMA for this Thursday!

The Masuda Family Grew by One

Details to come...

Vacation, here we come

Originally uploaded by Haute Momma.

Countdown to Friday evening has begun! Friday evening the three of us depart to Mexico. We are staying at the same fantastic place as last year. Yes, the one with childcare included!
I have so, so much to do before our trip. This evening I have two volunteer meeting with another one tomorrow evening. Yikes, I am not in freak out mode yet, that will probably happen at about 10pm Thursday night.
This is a picture of Reagan slumbering under a palapa last year.

This is me

This is me. The past 48 hours I have felt like the cat in this photo and i have nobody to blame but myself. Once again I have bit off more than I can chew and overcommitted myself to too much responsibility and volunteer work. The real secret is that I kind of get off on it.
October and November are usually my busy months then comes December and the stresses of all that comes with that month. At least I have January to look forward to and celebrating my birthday with family and good friends.
I am involved with our valleys Festival of Trees which is held the weekend before Thanksgiving. I am the co-chair for the decorated trees, the whole reason for the event! I feel that I owe so much to the Festival, not only because it supports our Performing Arts Center but because this is where I have made great and wonderful friendships. My favorite part of the Festival is the Gala and Dinner Auction. I love auctions, live ones, silent ones, it don't matta'! The day after the Festival is over I fall into a bit of a funk because it has ended. But then it's full swing again come May.
I am also a member of a valley Guild here in town. It is made up of 50 amazing women where we support needy children and families in our community. Each October we sell live wreaths and garlands to raise money for a chosen charity. We are also planning a 60th anniversary gala in March and I have volunteered for the invitation and guests committee.
Recently a friend introduced me to another friend of hers who started a toybrary in Philadelphia (website comming soon). She plans on opening one up here and is looking for a committee. Taro is going to kill me. No, really, he is very supportive. He also enjoys telling me, "I told you so" when I am working until the early morning because my deadline was yesterday and I begged for an extension and I am still late turning in my designer profiles to the printer!

Eskimo Pie

Today is my favorite older sister's birthday. She is almost 10 years older than but we have a very close and awesome relationship. Most siblings with such a huge age difference have more of a motherly type relationship but Ingrid and I are true sista's! I have the greatest childhood memories because of her. I went everywhere with her when I was a little girl and had always thought I had the coolest sister never knowing that she was really babysitting me, I just thought I was special and that she and her friends wanted to hang out with me. You can all thank Ingrid for my smooth dance moves too. I can't help but think of Ingrid and me dancing in her room every time I hear Funkytown.
The older we get the deeper and closer our relationship has become. We are now both wives and mothers and and I don't really see her as "older" than me anymore. She has a young spirit and I pray she never lets go of that. Ingrid, thank you for being such a wonderful sister and keeping me sane and in-check when I need it. I love you, happy 42!

New Video camera

Here is the first video taken from our new camera, the Flip!

Chi Chi Chi Le Le Le Viva Chile!

Today is Fiestas Patrias in Chile (independence day). I have been trying to call my parents for the past two days to see how they are celebrating. I guess they are either too drunk or hungover to pick up the phone.

Rummikub

We are now addicted to this game. Well, I am. I have always had a number phobia but this game really gets me goin'! I first played it while visiting my sister and her family and now we are hooked. I must get the travel version...for our beach trip!

Must have this!

Oh how I love these cake plates. I would bake dozens of cupcakes and top them with yummy pink, yellow, and green cream cheese frosting then arrange them on these cake plates. I am really excited about Martha's new line at Macys.

Can't keep up!

The Tacoma is gone. I had no idea I would have such a hard time letting go of a vehicle. We listed it on Craigslist and it sold within 48 hours. The first person that came to look at it I overheard him telling his friend how he wanted to make some changes to the body and bumper, NEXT! The second man that came by Taro and I both had a good feeling about him. He just matched the truck, literally. His whole color scheme that day even his hat and boots! I took the truck out for a drive before the buyer came by to pick it up and had a little cry. Ah, I miss it.

My mom came for a visit a few weeks ago. Reagan and I drove to Seattle to pick her up. We had some lunch, went to Nordstrom and got the heck out of the city and came home. Ay, I could never live in a city again. Traffic gives me anxiety! Seriously.
It was incredible having my mama here. She was such an enormous help with Reagan and preparing meals. We took advantage of it her mad cooking skills and froze some meals. mmm Charquican (made with ground beef!). Everyone knows I am a mama's girl so it was especially hard to say goodbye. We are all hoping that she can come back and stay with Reagan while Taro and I attend a wedding in Mexico this March. Oh, please, please!

Other than that our summer has been pretty quiet and uneventful. Reagan has kept us both very busy. The past few months have been so much fun and entertaining. He actually plays with his toys rather than just putting them in his mouth. He loves bouncy balls and trucks. Such a boy, this one. Garbage day is huge around here. We sit in front of the window or go outside and watch our container full of atomic diapers being dumped into the truck. He loves it.

I have been teaching him sign language and it is really exciting to have him communicate with us. So far he knows eat, drink, bye/ciao, rain (thanks to itsy bitsy spider), sleep (my favorite) and baa baa or milk (or breastmilk if you will). I would tell a funny story about baa baa's and a friend but this friend reads this blog and I would like to keep her as a friend.

I think it is important to mention Reagan's favorite things. Blankies and all things soft. In the morning when he wakes he holds his arms out for us then plops back down, grabs his blankie and demands out! He carries it all over the house and at times will suddenly cuddle with it on the floor for a bit then pop back up and chase us or the cat. He also does this with a stuffed puppy animal. oh, so cute.

Thanks for the memories

Taro and I have decided to sell our beloved Tacoma. This was one of Taro's many vehicles that he had in college and I am guessing it was his favorite. When I first met him I actually saw this truck in a parking lot where we first met first. I had always liked guys with trucks and thought you could tell a lot about the person by the way it was outfitted. Well, this particular truck on this particular day was totally outfitted to my taste. It was nice and shiny with a lift (not too high) a hefty brush bar and a rack with a pair of ski's atop. I always tease Taro that I fell in love with the truck first.
The truck really hasn't been driven for about a year now. Reagan's car seat is too big for the cab and I don't feel comfortable putting him in the front even with the airbags turned off. It does make me very sad to be selling it because we have had some really great trips in it. Hopefully we can find a good home for it.

Hallelujah!

This morning Taro and i woke to the joyful sounds of Reagan wanting to be picked up out of his crib. It was 7:30am and i had realized that Reagan had, OMG!, slept through the night! Twelve and a half hours of uninterupted sleep! Reagan has always been about going to sleepand being put down for a nap. He understands that the crib is for sleeping only and doesn't really put up a fight when we put him in there. Fact is he LOVES his crib and his blankie. I can't remember the last time i sung him a lullabye while patting him on om shoulder because he always lunges for the crib then attacks the blankie as if saying, "where have you been all my life". Staying asleep is another story. His naps rarely push past an hour and a half and he usually goes to bed at 6pm, wakes up around 1am demanding to have his diaper changed, nursing at about 2am and again at 5 or 6 am then finally waking at about 8am and still taking 2 naps during the day. I pray and pray that last night was not a one time thing. Lord, please hear my prayer.
UPDATE- Reagan took two naps today! The first lasted two and a half hours (unheard of!)and the second was 2.

WTF?!

I have wasted many precious hours trying to figure out why my posts of YouTube, Pictobrowser and Scrapblog is being chopped on the right side. If anyone knows, please help a girl out.

Whatchu know 'bout me!

I am loving this song. I even have it as my ring tone. I know, I am 15 years old. Everytime this song comes on Reagan and I break it down! I think I even caught Taro singing it.

Reagan's Jungle Safari Party

Last Saturday we held celebrated Reagan's First Birthday Party at a local park. I will admit I went against everything I have ever said about children's parties (especially those who are too young to remember) and went absolutely nuts. I chose Jungle Safari as the theme and had so much fun decorating and finding different items for the party. We even had animal print ballons and a lion pinata!
We had about 15 "little guests" along with their mom's and dads to wish Reagan a happy birthday. Thank you to all of our wonderful friends and family for all the nice cards, phone calls, and gifts.

My Taro has been gone 16 nights and 17 days. That is 16 times I have had to put Reagan to bed by myself and been woken by him and 17 days I have had to race while eating and showering and keeping Reagan happy. Taro comes home this evening and I couldn't be more happy. Taro and his dad have such an amazing relationship, I've never seen anything like it. The love and respect that the two have for eachother is beautiful and inspiring. The moment we found out we where having a boy my first thought was Taro's dad and I knew that Reagan and Taro would share the same thing. Happy Father's Day, Taro. I love you.

Happy Father's Day to MY Favorite Daddy

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Originally uploaded by Haute Momma.

This photo was taken last year about this time. It was so great to have my daddy with us for the first week of Reagan's life. Usually my sister Ingrid hogs all my dads time in that HOT Arizona weather.
I am so blessed to have such wonderful, strong men in my life and it is because of what my dad has taught me. I hope to raise my son in a way that will make him proud. I love and miss you very much, daddy!

We've Come A Long Way Baby

A year ago this morning my little 8 7.5 oz frog baby came into my life smelling like waffles with yummy maple syrup. He was born around breakfast and that is what the hospital was serving so now I think of his birth when I smell waffles and syrup. Lovely.
This year has been more than tough but the reward has been so great. A wise friend told me that with a baby your life doesn't change, you get a new one. Boy, was she right! I love my new life and wouldn't change it for anything. I have a sidekick that laughs at my funny faces, enjoys my singing and dancing and he loves to shop! What more could a mom ask for? Reagan, you melt my heart.

Scrapblog

This is a fantastic website that I just discovered and have been wasting all my precious sleep time on. I have never been very creative and not much of a scrapbooker but they make it so easy and fun to do. Everyone should try it, I know you'll be hooked too.

Happy Birthday Sofia

Today my niece Sofia turns five. I hear that she has really been looking forward to this birthday because apparently five is when you start loosing your teeth. Yeah, I don't think that will last very long.

Reagan and I visited Sofia in April for a few weeks and I am truly amazed at how intelligent she is. She was reading all sorts of books to Reagan, difficult books at that! She sure has a great sense of humor and was a good sport with all my teasing. Happy Birthday Sofia, I love you!

I found this picture in my files and just melted when I saw it. I think it was taken in December of 2004.

I Have Trick-a-nosis!

Reagan loves, loves his blankets. If I need to distract him or keep him entertained I just throw a blanket where ever I need him to be. He lunges and tackles it and cuddles with it. It is really adorable.

I have been trying to lure him with toys to get him to walk on his own and nothing has worked. Then today I had a brilliant idea and grabbed one of his beloved blankies and wouldn't you know it, his eyes get huge and he takes about five to six steps before falling. I am a genius. He is so going to be walking for his birthday!

Help Sis!

I wanted to make a collage of my sisters visit using a program that my other sister uses on her blog. I give up!

First Steps

My little stinker pinker pumpkin pie took his first steps this morning at the park...on the grass. Reagan was holding on to my leg while I was talking to a friend and maybe he became bored and decided, "hey, I'm outta here" and took three steps before falling on his hands. He did it again once we got home. Ofcourse this has to happen while Taro is out of town.
This year has really gone by so fast and it makes me sad at times. I would do anything to hold his tiny little frog baby body again or have his tiny hand grasp my thumb. I have to remind myself to savor every precious moment.

Happy Birthday Mommy

Mommy, I love you and miss you more than you will ever know. If you were here with us we would eat Village Inn Strawberry Waffles, watch Singing in the Rain and eat cheesecake with tea.

Reading

This book was chosen for one of my book clubs and I am so glad that it was. It is a true story told and written by two very different men. I don't want to go into detail about it because I think everyone should read it. It's that good.

The next book we will be reading is Barack Obama's Audacity of Hope. I hope I like it.

I'm Your Boogie Man

Growing up my parents always had the stereo on and I have always loved dancing. I have great memories dancing with my dad while I stood on his feet, swinging to Glen Miller with Toti in the kitchen and going to Funky Town with Ingrid upstairs in her room. Marcos sort of danced while doing air guitar. Does that qualify? I have made it a point to always have music on in the house and I've grown very tired of our collection of CD's so I listen to the local radio station. Husband, we. need. XM. at. home! Reagan has started to kind of sort of dance now. Sometimes it is a bounce a wiggle and while sitting it is a squirm but he only does it when he hears music so I believe he is dancing. His favorite song? Avril Lavigne, Girlfriend.

Guilty Pleasure Flavor of Love:Charm School

Holy crap, I love this show! My Tivo has a season pass. Tonight I sat down with non-buttered popcorn, chocolate chips (couldn't find Non-Pareils) and coca-cola and watched the first two episodes. My favorite person so far is Becky "Buckwild". She reminds me so much of a friend of mine who also has the best sense of humor and says the most outrageous, hilarious things. I hope Becky makes it to the end and Schatar goes down!
What is your guilty pleasure?

Family Outing

Last week the three of us went for a day hike and broke in our kid carrier backpack. In the three years we have lived here I can't belive we have never visited Ohme Gardens. Beautiful place with gorgeous views of our wonderful town. What an inspiration for our own garden too.

Swinging

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Originally uploaded by SnowPace.

The family and I took a bike ride then went to the park today IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY. I am so blessed to have my husband work from home.
Reagan really likes the swings and the slides but Mama is a huge germ-o-phobe!

Great Minds Think Alike

My sister sent me a picture of her new couch. She has horrible taste. I on the other hand have fantastic taste in couches.

OK, OK, our couch is new and she has only seen it once.

The one and only time he has ever kept the binky in his mouth

The one and only time he has ever kept the binky in his mouth
Originally uploaded by Haute Momma.

Yep, I have been doing a lot of this on this blog. Life happens. I am slowly getting my life and home in order and soon will have more time to keep this updated. Check back ya'll.