…watching Maximilian fall asleep in my arms.

…or rather, spending hours trying to get Maximilian to fall asleep in my arms and then not wanting to let go of him or leave his side once he’s finally asleep.

…art… especially Jose’s! And, the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington DC is one of my all time faves.

Jose at the Hirshhorn way back in 2005

…a good blog like Zen Habits that transforms the way I live and helps guide me toward my real purpose in life… which is always ever-changing and being rediscovered.

…my new website!

…watching Maximilian learn and grow every single day.

Maximilian, December 2010

…the fact that Jose makes me (and Max!) laugh all day, everyday, so hard I could cry… but sometimes it’s even more awesome when I can make him laugh. :)

…inspirational stories like that of Kelle Hampton, a fellow mama + photographer, that make me want to be a better person or donate to a good cause.

…folding baby clothes fresh out of the dryer because they’re so adorable tiny.

…the mountains…. especially around Yosemite National Park and Whitefish, Montana, or the tropical version in places like Maui, Hawaii.

Glacier National Park, Montana, 2009

…the ocean and seeing how much Max is intrigued by it when he watches movies like Oceans. I can’t wait until he sees the real thing! Looking forward to one day taking him to the Monterrey Bay Aquarium.

…the desert… sometimes. Or maybe just the solitude of it.

…dessert– always! Especially German Chocolate Cake on my birthday… and then eating it everyday for breakfast until it’s gone. My mom makes it the best.

…waking up next to the love of my life… everyday… with at least one dog at our feet… in what now feels like a tiny queen-sized bed.

…the fact that one of our dogs is a light-haired Golden Retriever named Leona (after a fave Millencolin song!) and the other is a Black Lab named Chewbacca (self-explanatory?), so no matter if we have light furniture or dark floors (or vice versa), their hair is always going to show up… and there’s not a whole lot I can do about it.

Leona and Chewbacca, Halloween 2010 (photo by Jose)

…photographers that ridiculously inspire me.

…a simple, clutter-free life (always working on this one!!).

…traveling.  Sometimes that’s when I feel the most alive. The Tedeschi Vineyards in Maui is one of my favorite places ever.

Tedeschi Vineyards in Maui, 2009

…hot showers on cold mornings.

…monogamy.

…love stories.

Our wedding: June 3, 2006. Photo by Bronson Pate of Bauman Photographers

…yoga… especially prenatal yoga when there’s a little babe growing inside of me.

…watching Max do his own version of downward facing dog… using just his head.  Too cute.

…baby butt cheeks… especially Max’s. ;-)

Max’s too-cute-for-words butt cheeks ;-)

…laughing at funny movies (like Despicable Me… for the 357th time…) with both of my boys.

…going to movies at the Alamo Drafthouse.

…comedies… and dramas… and thrillers… and romance… and action movies… and spy movies…..

…the sky… especially when it’s painted with white clouds on an always lovely blue backdrop… or when it’s a fiery sunrise (which I now feel like I see everyday!) or sunset.

Sunset in Maui, 2009

…long walks in cool, crisp air that help reinvigorate the soul.

…goooood food.

…great company.

…amazing musicians like John Mayer and their songs that really speak to me like Jimmy Eat World’s A Praise Chorus.

Strung Out playing at the Vans Warped Tour, 2005

…family, most importantly. It’s what makes my world go ’round.

Max on his first birthday with my mom and dad :)