The Great Outdoors

Rice Cereal

Eatin' toes

39 Years in L-O-V-E

My parents celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary on September 20. In honor of their special day, they took us out to dinner. I'm quite sure that's not how it's supposed to work. (yes, we did get them a gift). We had a great time eating seafood and talking about the presidential candidates. Isabella, who is currently fascinated by anyone who is chewing food, attempted to grab anything she could lift to bring to her mouth for a taste.

Notice her eyes locked on the salad before her, her arms outstretched ready to
lean forward and pounce. Family photo? What family photo?

Ah, the fingers will do for now...

but not for long.

"They say I have A.D.D., but they don't understand. Oh look, a chicken!"
(as quoted from a card--Thanks Janett!)

Mark's Birthday

So Mark and I are trying to get better at life's celebrations, (i.e. birthdays) We tend to be last minute about everything these days. I had come up with a great idea this summer for his birthday--it was to be the birthday of all birthdays. I would whisk him and Isabella away the night before to my parents' house for a surprise BBQ and a Cherries Jubilee BR ice cream cake. My parents' gift to Mark was a gift certificate to REI, so after dinner we would pop over to the store so he could pick out a treat. Then we'd get up early Saturday morning and take a long drive out to the ocean for a day of kayaking. (Mark is an avid kayaker, but has not been out since moving to California.) I was so excited to execute my plans. A total surprise. A birthday to not be forgotten. As it turned out the week before Mark's birthday both he and Isabella got sick. Kayaking postponed. BR ice cream cake order pushed back a week. Then I got a call from the kayak rental that there were no kayaks available for the following weekend. Kayaking postponed again. BR ice cream cake order pushed back yet another week. Family plans interfered with the weekend after that. Kayaking canceled. BR Cherries Jubilee ice cream cake would have to be eaten by Dad. Bummer. In the end, I did whisk Mark to Mill Valley on the last weekend in September. The BBQ turned into a quick lunch of clam chowder and Dad and Mark ate the BR ice cream cake (Mom and I opted for Its-its). Mom babysat Isabella while we headed to REI for Mark's b'day treat. Better luck next year.

Dad was on his way to a Cal game but not before singing the fight song for the Isabubs.
I think the growling scared her.

Happy Birthday Mark. :)

Daddy's Girl

Who knew that one of life's greatest joys is watching a father and daughter interact. Isabella LOVES Mark. It just so happens that Isabella will often be contentedly drinking her bottle as Mark walks in the door from work. The bottle slips from her mouth, and she follows Mark with her eyes as he washes his hands or puts his things away. Afternoon feeding is over. And if he makes one of his noises or funny faces at her--forget it. She's gone to her happy Daddy place.

5 months, 2 weeks

I'm not sure why but for Isabella this week seemed to mark that magical transition from newborn to bona fide baby. She suddenly seemed more comfortable in her own skin. She tolerated tummy time for more than 10 seconds. The Baby Bjorn was no longer Public Enemy #1. She flipped from side to side and didn't need to be swaddled for her naps. And the ultimate: she suddenly figured out how to put her toes in her mouth. It seemed to be a magical transition for me too-- as if all those sleepless nights and emotional ups and downs of the first few months suddenly had a place and a purpose. It was motherhood on a whole new level.

And then came the first taste of rice cereal.

And then the first laugh.

And then the first tooth.