The Pumpkin Experience

I belong to a 'moms group' and for our outting this week we decided to go to the pumpkin patch. This is the first thing we see, so of course we all bust out the cameras and hold our babies up. Because as you all know, there are just a million and one things that a 6 month old can do at a pumpkin patch.

Everyone else was doing it. Therefore, so must I.

This is a close-up of Claire in that pumpkin sign thingy. The funny thing, is I actually have a picture of me in a somewhat similiar pose when I was little.

I took this picture while on the train ride that drove us in a large circle. We were going through the tunnel as I snapped this. I think it was totally relaxing for the both of us. Wouldn't you agree?

SCARECROW = PHOTO OP.
Enough Said.

Here is a delightful photo of Claire with her friends:
Ethan (on the left) and Dillon (on the right).

I think this picture exemplifies the passion Claire felt about sitting next to a half-way rotting pumpkin. Good times. Good times.

It was quite the day, and just after 1pm Claire konked out before even getting to the car. Guess all that pumpkin stuff wore her out.

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures (okay.. so maybe only 4)

Okay, so this was SO not meant to be the first picture you see, but hey, I guess things happen for a reason, right? haha. Anyway, this is a photo from a 'Britney Spears' themed birthday party I went to. The blonde on the right is my friend Mary (and birthday girl). And believe it or not, she was ACTUALLY MISTAKEN FOR BRITNEY SPEARS while we were out. Hmm. I mean, I think she had a great costume and all... but really... if we're being honest here, I think I AM the most authentic Britney. Who doesn't love an Asian Brit -right?!?!?! It's believable. Yeah... Sure it is.

I was doing hair the other night and I walked into the room to see Bob and Claire lying on the floor watching football. This had to be one of the cutest things I've ever seen in my entire life, so of course I had to go run and get my camera. Fortunately they were willing to hold their 'pose'. SO CUTE - and so is my daughter.. (hee-hee, love you Bob!)

This is our little munchkin that we know and love. It's photos like this that make me just want to squeeze her!! I'm proud to say that she is now just about 14lbs. I know, she's just bigger than a large infant. But at six months, she's has doubled her birth-weight, so it's all good.

Sweet little Claire. So unhappy. I know the 'quality' of this photo is totally lacking, but I just had to post this as I love her 'big lip' as we call it. See.. the girl DOES get upset! She's not perfect all the time!

Ahhh... another beautiful wedding!

So the Lesiw family just returned from a weekend up in Little River. For those of you who are not familiar with the area, Little River is just outside of Mendocino, which is just outside of Fort Bragg. Basically, its up on the Northern California coastline.

My best friend Krissie, who I've known for 27 years (yes, that DOES make me feel old) just married the love of her life, Adrian. They were married on a bluff overlooking a rocky coast. There were clouds spread through-out a blue sky, with the sun shinning down on all of us. The day before was wet and grey, so we were all thrilled to wake up to sunshine on Saturday. Krissie looked absolutely gorgeous in a white dress that literally floated down. During the ceremony, a slight breeze softly blew her hair and veil in such a way that you felt like you were watching a movie.

We stayed at 'the Mallory House' at Little River Inn. Our room was lined with windows that allowed us to look out onto the ocean. There was a deck that had 2 rocking chairs and even a hot tub. (note to self, always pack a bathing suit, just in case. oh well.. lesson learned)

The reason I'm explaining all this is because we LOST OUR STUPID CAMERA AND WASN'T ABLE TO TAKE A SINGLE PHOTO THE ENTIRE TRIP SO I HAVE NOTHING TO SHOW OF THIS WEDDING. Can you tell I'm a bit frustrated? On a bathroom stop on the way home we found the camera. Hidden in a compartment in the diaper bag. I literally had to breathe and just 'let it go'. I'm sure I can get pictures from her family members, but its still a bummer. I'm really disappointed about that.

I'm still here...

Okay.. so I was GREAT for 2 days posting. Not bad, but then I just got really busy and now I feel like I'm so far behind

I have some random pictures to post, but I had to email them to myself from Bob's computer. But my email hasn't received them yet, so I guess I'll have to wait. We're leaving tomorrow morning for Krissie's wedding, and I'm REALLY hoping that we aren't going to be too late. I have a million things to do still.. (hense the after mid-night posting) so I guess I should get off this thing.

If any one cares, I'll be posting pictures soon.

Lesson Learned

You know, I'm starting to think that the whole 'motherly instincts' thing is over rated.

Claire is in the middle of her first cold. I think I'm rather lucky, actually, because she's basically six months and I'm just dealing with this now. Although she did end up in the ER at 2 months due to a high fever, but I still think that was a fluke. Anyway, the night before last I awoke to the sounds of Claire crying at 1:45am. I go into her room to find her WIDE awake and after a series of 'tries', I get her to fall back asleep around 3 am. She wakes up again just after 6, where I promptly just bring her to bed with me. (I know, its highly suggested that you don't have a 'family bed' but I really enjoy my sleep and since I don't have a nanny that will allow me to sleep in all morning, I figure this is the next best thing) It works for a bit, but then we have to start our day. I'm tired, but figure I'll get to lay down at some point. Well, to make a long story short, I never got a nap, Claire was fussy ALL DAY LONG, and I've never been so thankful to see Bob walk through the door as now I'm calling the 'first alternate' up to duty.

As night approaches, I figure I'm going to be REALLY prepared this time. Okay, so I thought about being 'prepared' after Claire got up at 11pm with absolutely NO signs of wanting to go back to sleep. I decide to sleep in the spare room with her. Might as well just start us together since I know that's how we'll end up in the morning. I get the bed all ready with pillows to surround her; I have a 'bottle making station' set up next to me in case it actually gets to that point (which I'm more than willing to do if it means a few more minutes of sleep for me in the end) and of course her nose squeezy thing and burp cloths. As Bob sets up the humidifier I'm actually kind of smiling to myself at being so organzied in dealing with this cold. So we all say good night, turn off the lights, and settle in.

And then all heck breaks loose.

Claire is scratching my eyes and face and starts this crying/screaming thing. I try singing to her, but realize its hard to sing quietly while laying on your side, so I switch to a half whistle that I think really annoyed her. So then I try sitting up and rocking her, patting her bum, ANYTHING I can think of. Totally not working. After I don't know how long, I take her into our room and tell Bob I need his help. (poor guy, he has to get up early in the morning, but I figure a few minutes of awake time now, is better than lots of minutes of her crying) As Bob holds her in our dark room, I run downstairs and make up the couch so that I can hold her through the night as she sleeps. Yes, I actually thought that I could just cradle her in my arms and let her sleep. I think, 'she can't breath through her nose, so she wants to be elevated'. I grab the 'bottle making station', the nose thingy, burp cloths and all, and have it all set up next to me on the couch. Bob brings her down and thats where we notice that Claire is SUPER happy. Weirdly happy. She's wired and we have NO idea why. So we just look at her. I'm actually debating putting on the TV at this point. After a bit Bob goes back upstairs while Claire is just sitting next to me on the couch. We turn on a light so its not too dark, and I try and start to settle Claire down for the night.

Again. No good.

She's crying, arching her back, rubbing her snotty nose all over my shoulder. Its miserable. For both of us. Annoyed that yet another one of my clever ideas didn't work, I take her upstairs and put her in her crib. To which she promptly rolls over, grabs her blanket, and goes to sleep.

Hmm. All she wanted was to be in her bed.

She wakes up one more time right before Bob's alarm goes off, but she goes back to sleep pretty quickly. So fortunately I get a bit more sleep. Now a new day is here, and I'm hoping that this cold is on its way out the door. Because really, I don't want to have another night like the last, and I'm sure you all don't want to hear it again!

Umm... ah.... hello?

So... I guess this is the beginning of the Lesiw Family Blog. Bob of course thinks this is lame, but since I'll be the one updating and managing this blog, I figure it doesn't matter what he thinks! Hardy har har. Anyway, I'm basically jumping on this bandwagon of blogging only... what... 10 years after the craze started? My hope and intent is that I will be able to update this thing more often than I call, and post more pictures than I send. So, with my posting a few pictures today, I'll already be ahead of the curve.

Okay. I'm off to figure out how this thing works.