The 6-year itch

This was the pool project on Friday the 15th. I know that I am way behind on keeping you all updated, but my camera and the cord thingy that transfers the photos to the computer are never in the same place at the same time. Additionally, I have only the use of one arm most of the time due to this adorable face:

Yes, Dr. Sears, this is a pacifier. It could also be the saving grace for those parents who are desperate to maintain their sanity, and their warm dinners. I can't imagine that she will become dependent on the pacifier, as we practically have to pin her down and talk her through how to use it each time. This is one of two successful attempts at pacifier usage. Yea mom & dad!

Jane had her 2 month doctor appointment on Friday (2/22). She weighs a whopping 11 pounds, 14 ounces. She is also 21.75 inches long. I just wanted to get a picutre of her adorably chunky arms and thighs. You can see her birth mark in this photo (the pink splotch on her inside left thigh). We think she is pretty cute.

To sum up this past big week:

Monday, 2/18 - sad shopping trip to mall to find clothes that fit. Purchased larger size pants (2) and tops (2) for wearing to work.

Tuesday, 2/19 - First day back at work. we are very lucky to have found a wonderful gal to watch jane two-three days a week. She lives halfway between home and work, and already babysits her 18-month old granddaughter. I went over to feed Jane at lunch time.

Wednesday, 2/20 - Frances and I do some of our own demolition in the lobby of the swimming pool: we are rearranging the counters to better utilize the space. Blaine picks Jane up again from the babysitter (I had lunch with her again).

Thursday, 2/21 - Blaine, Jane, and I head up to Sacramento to stay at the Serrano's. Blaine had a recruiting dinner at UC Davis, and Jane and I hung out with the girls & Dean. They are changing so much!

Friday, 2/22 - we head for home to make Jane's Dr. appointment, but were held up in traffic for an hour! We were late for our appointment, so I had to cancel the 4-H scrapbooking class I was supposed to teach directly afterwards. Jane was alert and happy at the Dr. office....until this less-than-stellar stoic nurse stabbed her three times! She screamed, I cried, we both needed comforting. But, we were O.K because Blaine was there for us.

Saturday, 2/23 - Softball (FREEZING) sign-ups and try-outs in the morning. A nice visit from Carson, Patty, and Steve in the afternoon. Dinner with Patty and Steve at Fresh Cream at night. We were celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary, and invited them along. It was great fun, and we were able to enjoy ourselves because Blaine's parents graciously took care of our beautiful girl.

Sunday, 2/24 - Blaine cared for Jane all morning so I could sleep in (she was up a million times last night). They are currently both napping, then we will take a trip to REI and then dinner with the Wilson clan.

Have a great week!

sleeping like a ... well, like a baby

Why is it when people see someone sleeping peacefully they describe it as sleeping like a baby? I'm telling you that they are not talking about the quantity of sleep at one time. Maybe it is the quality of sleep; they must be talking about this kind:

Taking a nap today, 2/15/08

Peetering out helping mom make lemon bars 2/13/08

Driving to Sacramento 2/3/08

Hey, at least somebody is getting some sleep around here! It sure ain't me!

It is about time

Today marks a great day in history for Soledad. I have worked for 5+ years on the renovation project for the Soledad Pool. Today we held a small reception to commemorate the occassion of the demoliton of the pool portion of the building. Some fellow Rotarians, City of Soledad staff members, patrons, and community members attended.

Last week when our excellent project manager from the construction company called to say that the demolition permit was ready and we could pick a day to begin, I nearly keeled over. I have been using the comparrison of a carrot on the end of a stick to describe this project. I have been somewhat shocked that it will actually come to fruition.

Well, it will almost come to fruition. Due to muliplying construction costs, we are commencing with Phase 1: the frame, roof, and wall panel replacement of the swimming pool room (along with some ADA compliance upgrades, including parking lot). Phase 2 is a complete remodel of the lobby and locker rooms. Believe it or not this Phase 1 is costing nearly 1 million dollars! Phase 2 wouldn't be that much, but we probably need to raise that much to complete it by the time it happens.

I can't help but include some photos of Miss Jane Nicole as well. She is just becoming more alert every day (and putting on the o-z s). It is hilarious especially to watch her try to fall asleep when we are trying to keep her awake. Her eyes are at half-mast, she plays half smiles across her face, and sometimes she squeals in a half attempt to cry - accompanied by a big pouty lip.

Today she barfed all over my pants (making me look like I peed). I just went to the "groundbreaking" ceremony without even thinking about it, but thankfully it dried clear! Then, while we were there she barfed all over Blaine in the exact same spot! Ha! He was complaining to me, but it fell on deaf ears.

Yesterday she had some explosive excrements from the other end - all over her new little jeans - TWICE! She was pretty much just hanging out in the bath tub all day.

Last week we (Jane & I) went to Sacramento to hang out with the girls (oh and Jodi and Dean, too). They are SO SMALL compared to Jane - she weighs about twice what they do! But they are so cute, and make a lot of the same facial expressions and stuff as Jane does. It was awesome to see them so healthy and growing.


(Delaney on left, Emelyn on right - I am the one in brown :) )

Looking forward to "Babywise"

Most recent picture - taken just hours ago.

Checkin myself out for the first time

Hangin with Olivia at Nordy's

Sleeping on dad

Thank you Mr. Nathan Williams!! Blaine's northern CA cohort just sent us the books "On Becoming Babywise" 1 & 2. The jist that I gather so far is paying close attention to your child's cues in order to effectively manage feeding and sleeping times in order to "SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT". I have heard of this phenomenon, yet am suspicious of it's reality. It seems like a case for the X-files. No doubt it will be difficult to take on, since we are already "starting late".

Wish us luck!

New Furniture

Two weeks ago Jane and I were having lunch with Frances at this new pizza place in Chole. As we were leaving, this lady was loading up a couple of fabulous arm chairs from the empty retail space next door. We had to ask where/what the...?

It turns out that a developer is selling all of the furniture from a bunch of model homes! SWEET! I had heard about something like this before, and always missed the opportunity. I had the nice gal (Amanda) hold a couple of things until I could get Blaine to come and check it out.

We ended up with 2 red arm chairs, 2 side tables, 1 coffee table, and a rustic wooden dining set.

Living/Dining (new chairs & tables)

Kitchen/Family/Breakfast (new table, 2 benches, 2 chairs)

For now we have 3 dining sets in our house! The new one is too big for the space, but we are going to wait to find a new couch to do the big transition we've been discussing. If you are in the market for a table and chairs - look no further - we'll give 'em to you!

For those who don't know, we currently have a dining room/living room and a kitchen/breakfast nook/family room. The conversion would create one big family room and one big dining area. I highly look forward to it, but the one downfall is the strange placement of the fireplace - it will be in the new dining room.

Seriously, let us know if you or anyone you know would like a table/chairs set. One is more kitchen-y and the other more formal.

Peace.

Real Quick

As i seem to have lost both the semblance of "free time" and the simultaneous use of my hands, it is increasingly difficult to write interesting tid-bits about my days with jane. Please forgive, and enjoy a couple of cute pics of our girl.

What's up Homies?

Jane and Dad taking naps

Every day

Every day I wake up (did I ever actually fall asleep?) to stare at this beautiful girl. It doesn't matter that I am sooooo tired when I see her open her eyes and look at me.

Every day I feed this girl seemingly nonstop, yet worry that she is growing up too fast already.




Every day I pretty much get nothing else accomplished, but comforting this child.


Every day I take pictures...

Jane and her dad

Jane & Olivia (& Marie)

And that's pretty much it! As in: that's all I do! Until tomorrow, that is. Tomorrow Jane and I embark on our most adventuresome trip yet: errands! Wow, our life is the peak of excitement. I wouldn't have it any other way.