all that and a bag of firecrackers

Three sleeping babies.

I was just thinking of a funny story: something that happened while we were at the UC Davis Picnic Day with Jodi and Dean.

We were walking around campus, fervently (me and Dean) attempting to get to the weiner dog races when Jodi decided to stop and take a look through one of the school greenhouses.  We barely walked into the door when a young college girl asked me something I could not understand.  I asked her to repeat it.  "Can your baby play with firecrackers?"  Of course, I thought I mis-heard her and again asked her to repeat it.  "Um, can your baby play with firecrackers?"  

I replied, "um, NO."  As I walked away, I half-turn to Jodi and give her one of those are-you-freaking-kidding-me-was-that-for-real looks.

It was great.  

I am pretty sure she was using her botannical skills on more than just orchids - if you know what I mean.

Jane's first food

I any of you readers know the STORY OF THE GREAT PEA WAR between my mother and me you'll wonder why peas were my first choice for Jane's first "solid" food.  Well, for 'babies with potential food allergies' they recommend starting with vegetables.  And, there were only 2 choices for stage 1 baby food with just vegetables at our lovely grocery store.  So yea for crappy Foods Co, and hello PEAS.

P.S. - Yvonne: I ran 2 times!

See you Monday, bright and early!

Live from Serrano Land

Photo taken just moments ago.

4-25-08

Jane, Delaney, and Emelyn

Emelyn & Delaney
4-22-08

Jane on Tuesday (4/22)

Jane on Wednesday (4/23)

Reporting from Sacramento.

Jane and I have been here at Jodi & Dean's house since last Thursday around 5pm. We drove up via 680 in order to drop off the Soledad Pool vacuum in Concord for repair. We got out and talked to Abe there at Lincoln Equipment. I see him every 6-12 months, so when he last saw me - I was pregnant!

Upon arriving, we gave big hugs to the twinsies and planned for the next 9 days. Friday I attended a class for Special Districts, so Jodi was going to have the "triplets". I had printed out a map to the class before leaving work on Thursday, and the class was only 4 miles from Jodi's house! I didn't even have to go onto the highway. So, I was able to come home for lunch and hang out with everyone. Jodi was doing fine. In fact, she was even walking with them at the big park across from her house when I got home: two in the double stroller and one in the bjorn!

Over the weekend we attended the UC Davis Picnic Day, ate at Chick-fil-a (a family favorite), hung out in the nursery at church, and made my first trip through Super Walmart. It was so much fun hanging out with Jodi, Dean, and the girls. They are relaxed people and confident parents.

Monday AM began my baby boot camp. And I've got to tell you - it is a lot easier than it sounds! Three babies is actually kind of fun: they stay put when you leave them, and are entranced by the light through mini-blinds. The little girls cry more than Jane, but I think they have some gas issues. Poor little girls. They all are very alert and smile when you interact with them.

As the whole family closes any communication.... : We can't wait for Bass Lake this summer! All the cousins in one place will be super fun. We are all totally looking forward to the tradition that my mom began for us: family time at the lake. They are some of my fondest memories. Thanks, Mom.

One more day here in Sac-town. Tomorrow morning Jane and I will saddle up the Explorer and hit the trail. WE miss you a lot (a TON) Blaine/Dad!! We look forward to seeing you tomorrow!!!!

Life is GOOD!

April 6, 2008

Jane and Dad

April 6, 2008

Soundly Sleeping

Life is good.  I just emailed my sister Amanda & that is her email address.  I love it.  It suggests that her choice is to be optimistic.  Even when the boys are both crying or pooping or making a mess.... or all of the above at the same time!  

I have a real hard time with making that decision: to say that life is good.  How is that possible?  Can you see the beautiful face of my little girl?  Did you notice that I am not wasting away for want of food or shelter?  Am I really lucky enough to boast my great job, house, husband, dog, kid, friends, family.....?  How could I possibly not believe that life is good every day?!

At church on Sunday, the pastor said that, although we cannot choose what comes our way, we have "the privilege" to make choices to stop any hurts coming FROM us.  Poignant.  This message came during a time of great struggle for me.  It was perfect.  

You could say it was a message from God.

Now, I must choose to allow it to sink in.  To reflect upon my responsibilities in relationships and retaliation.  It has been a topic heavy on my mind lately.  I have a real hard time with being rubber - you know, always trying to bounce that hurt right back in the direction it came from.  Problem is that I am more glue-like that I think & the hurt just sticks to me even harder.

So, I am going to take a deep breath and take it one hurt at a time.  I will try my darndest to move on and decide what I will allow to 'bounce' off of me.  Needless to say, I will need some help here.  If you get a chance, please pray for me and this deep struggle I have.  I would really appreciate it.

iSpoiled

Yes, that is correct.  i am now a Mac user.  Sorry PC, but your boring plaid shirts and ties in your commercials just couldn't attract me.  Mac has much cooler hair.  Plus, my sister Jodi digs you, and she & i are the only two sisters who haven't really shared a crush yet.  

So, goodbye PC.  You were good to me.  I will visit you at work.  But Mac gets to come home with me.  

Rub-a-dub-dub

January 6, 2008

almost 3 weeks old

January 21, 2008

one month old

March 17, 2008

almost 3 months old

You all warned me it would go by too fast.

You all said, "take it day by day".

You all said I wouldn't want to miss a moment.

You all were right!

Look at the difference just two months makes! jane is now 3 months old and alert, talkative, and inquisitive. She has recently found a new toy: her thumb. She enjoys sucking on her thumb and her whole fist, too. She has started to laugh: it is more like a little giggle that takes her by surprise, because she startles herself when she does it. She makes all different gurgling sounds, and sometimes I swear she is talking to me. So I sit and talk back.

Oh, my eyes are filling with tears of love even as I write this while she naps. She is such a joy for both of us.

Did I mention that I LOVE the book "on becoming babywise"? We had to struggle to keep Jane awake after eating, but only for the first week or so. She was a pretty good sleeper, but would fuss a lot at night when I tried to put her down: I was trying to rock her and walk with her to get her to sleep. But, since 6 weeks we've just let her cry herself to sleep in her own crib. She took to it right away, and now she rarely cries herself to sleep! She actually prefers to be in her crib or stroller to fall asleep: when we are out and I am trying to get her to sleep by rocking her in my arms, it takes forever & she is all fussy.

The 8.5 hours of uninterrupted sleep I got last night was heavenly. She has pretty much been sleeping through the night (sometimes she wakes up and talks to herself, but I don't go get her or feed her in the middle of the night) for 3 weeks now.

HALLELUJAH!

Now, my next big parenting task will be making it through teething. I understand that the whole sleeping thing gets all interrupted then. But for now I will cherish the full night's sleep I haven't had since before getting pregnant last year!

P.S. Bergholz Family: thanks so much for your comments. Jenn, you made me cry! Call me sometime so we can get together!

Time keeps on slippiin, slippin, slippin....into the future

3-19-08

3 months old

3-19-08
3 months old

I decided to do this photo shoot on the floor in front of the sliding glass door. I set up a blanket backdrop over a chair, and arranged the boppy pillow underneath for Jane's chair. I think they turned out really well! It helps to have such an adorable subject.

3/23/08

The Family on Easter Sunday