The Perfect Storm

June 19, 2008

6 months old

June 19, 2008

6 months old

June 24, 2007

Nose Bubbles: gotta love 'em

I am sure none of your kids are quite as talented as mine: nose bubbles are a tricky thing.  I mean, first you have to be really congested.  Then you have to be dazed and confused from waking up al night not being able to breathe.  And even still you must sneeze strongly enough to eject all that mucos.  It is like the perfect storm.

6 months + 3 days = 1 tooth

Cousin Elsie & Jane at the cabin

6-14-08

June 7, 2008

May 14, 2008

Over this past weekend Jane developed an increasingly stuffed up nose.  It woke her (read: us) up a bunch of times throughout the nights.  In an attempt to pack light I left the diaper bag at home: no nasal aspirator! Twice, in the middle of the night, I took a steam shower with Jane to attempt to clear up her congestion. Poor little snotty girl.

On our return trip (from Mendocino county) on Sunday I felt the source of all the commotion: a tiny tooth poking through her gums on the lower left front side! One down, twenty-seven to go!

 

Dean's Awesome photos

If you haven't checked out Dean (my brother-in-law)'s awesome photography skills yet, go to his blog (listed at right).  He took these amazing photos of Jane and Blaine the night before Blaine's birthday party.

Of course Jane is doing well, and sleeping through the night again!  (She had a couple of rough nights a week or so ago).  We are just getting ready to hit the road up to Sacramento tomorrow.  I have another Special District's class on Friday all day.  Dean will be babysitting "the triplets" that day.  Afterwards, Jane & I will jump right back into the car to rush home to prepare for the Soledad Rec Girls Softball closing day and BBQ (sliced tri-tip sandwich anyone?).  

It will be a crazy couple of days.  Based on my last few, however, it may just be a breeze.  **Sorry Marie for not making it down to the restaurant tonight**

Peace.

SW

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.