Packing

I should be packing for our trip to Fort Lauderdale tomorrow, but someone doesn't want to leave my lap.  So here we sit.  Hopefully she'll pass out soon so I can get a little done.  

We're excited for Rebecca's first flight and hope things go well------I'm more nervous than Rich is.  I'm always nervous before flying, so it's expected.  Wish us luck!

Mommy and Daddy

There's a lot of speculation going on about who Rebecca looks like, so I thought I'd add in a few pictures of Mommy and Daddy when they were little.

Daddy's First:

And here's Mommy:

Social Calendar

We've been busy the past few days, and Rebecca's been in high demand. She had a visit from Grandma Ellie this last week, who we were very happy to see.

Becca's also been out and about town this week---lunch Tuesday with Anne  and dinner Wednesday with Amy and Heather (in no particular order).  We had a great time with everyone.  Anne gave us a great stroller that we look forward to using next week on our trip to Fort Lauderdale.  Watch for pictures from the trip (I forgot to take any that day).  It was great to catch up with her; she gave me great advice throughout my pregnancy and I've missed seeing her.

Heather, Amy, Becca, and I had our monthly girls' night.  This time we went "fancy."

Amy tried so hard to stay away from my camera, but I sneaked this one by her.  It was too cute to keep secret.

Can't wait to see the two of you on the 5th---where are we going?

DMV

Okay, it's not even called the DMV here, but that's what it is.  Anyway, Rebecca and I have a funny little story to share.

Car inspections are different here than in CA and UT.  You register first and then go to a state inspection place that's like a long metal tunnel where they drive your car through and test as it goes.  You wait in a little glass/metal box on a little metal bench while your car works it way through the stations.  My particular testing site is four lanes wide.  I don't know if that's standard.

Anyway, Becca, of course, fell asleep in the car on the way to the testing station.  So while I waited in the car, in line, to enter the building, I kept checking back to see if Becca was still sleeping--first in the rear-view and then turning back and talking to her in my soothing, quiet, mommy voice.  Remember there were four lanes of cars whose horns were being tested, right in front of us.  But on she slept.  After several minutes of talking and turning, I noticed that the guy in the car to the right of me was smiling and half waving at me.  I gave a polite smile and nod, and thought nothing of it.

We got to the front of our line first, and Becca and I went into the little glass box to wait.  Still, she slept.  I set her car seat on the floor near the edge of the bench, and sat next to her.  Others entered and sat next to me.  Then the guy came in.  "Oh, a BABY!" he said, obviously surprised.  Apparently he thought I had been looking at HIM the entire time.  Unfortunately, his embarrassed laugh woke her up.  Fortunately it also drew the attention of the little old lady sitting next to me who hopped up to fawn all over Baby Girl, giving me someone else to talk to.

And the best news----the car passed.  We don't have to go back until 2010.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Al and Laura decided to scrap the big wedding this summer and got married yesterday.  




Although I was bummed that we couldn't be there because of the short notice, we're happy to welcome Laura into the family--Becca now has another aunt!

Thanks guys (and Wedge) for the cell phone pictures and keeping me posted on the day.  It was almost like being there without the dressing up, sitting still, and delicious Japanese food.

Perspective

Last night I dreamt of the ocean.  The waves were gently rocking me and it was so peaceful.  

Then Rich said something to the effect of "Will you change her diaper already so she'll stop slamming her legs and we can sleep?"  Ironically, he loves the ocean and I always get seasick.  

Rice Cereal, Round Two

Well, we decided it was time to give it another go with solids, and it looks like she's ready to start. Becca started by feeding herself, but mom and dad soon took over. The video's a little long, but she was too cute to edit. For our ADD friends who can't sit through it, we've included pictures.

Safety First

Another beautiful day and another great boat trip on Thursday. Here's a picture of how Becca spent her time.

Alphabet Sleep

When Becca gets worked up, there are a few things we try to do to calm her.  Rich found that over-enunciating the alphabet works really well.  She focuses on your lips as you say each of the letters and stops crying.  The two of us have probably repeated the alphabet to her at least a hundred times by now.  But it was still a surprise a couple of nights ago when she woke us up at 4 am to the sound of "A----B----C----noise, noise, noise----F----noise, noise, noise,noise----Zeeeeee."  We were both in hysterics.

The other thing that has consistently calmed her down is when either of us sings "That's Amore."  I can't remember why I started this song; it was months ago and I guess I was just tired of baby songs, but this one works almost all the time.


 "Volare" is okay, but not as consistently effective.  It doesn't even matter if the words are right.  No matter how hard she's crying, she'll kick up her heels as you rock her from side to side as you sing. Yep, baby girl is a Dean Martin fan.   Him, and Patsy Cline.

"Westward Wind" puts her to sleep.  As long as you gently rock her on your knees.  

Yeah, she's pretty spoiled.

Speed Racer

Rebecca's been using her "walker" since just before Easter.  She's spent the first week just licking the keys and the second, playing them.  This past week she's been able to get her toes to the ground and has suddenly taken off.  While she is able to negotiate some of the turns, others are a bit too tricky for her.  But she'll definitely let you know about it.

Gym Time

It's 70 degrees out--best day we've seen all year, and of course we went to the pediatrician this morning so Becca's sleep schedule is a little off.  After a GOOD bit of fussing, she's now out cold.  I'm torn between hoping she sleeps for a good hour (she needs it) and hoping she'll wake up soon so we can go outside and play.  In the mean time I'm doing laundry and posting.  No word on the car, yet.  

One of the best presents we received before Rebecca was born was our play gym.  I had no idea at the time how much she would love it.  And I had no idea how much space everything else would take up, while this thing folds flat and stores almost anywhere.  My good friend Ellen who's a mom and (although you'd never think so to look at her) a grandmom gave it to us, and I guess she knew what she was doing.  Here's a little sample of Rebecca really enjoying her time in the gym:

At 3 days old (November 23, 2007)

At 6 days old (November 26, 2007)


February 1st


March 1st

March 7, 2008


March 24, 3008


March 31st


April 4th

The Joys of an Eleven-Year-Old Car

On the one hand, I haven't made a car payment in 8 years.  

Maybe if I keep thinking that way I'll feel better.

It's time for my biannual car inspection, and the third tail light, the superfluous one in the window, was out again.  Every time I have inspection I put in a new bulb, pass, and it burns out within a week or so.  So I bought the new bulb, put it in, and . . . nothing.  Went to the auto parts store for a new casing, left with directions to the salvage yard.  Called salvage yard; no luck.  Let car sit two days--wouldn't start.  New battery.  Still the light's broken.  Took to mechanic.  He cleaned it and super-glued it together (hope it lasts to inspection).  Then he called to tell me I need new tires, brakes, struts, alignment, etc.  Grand total----$1,400+tax.  Blue book value----$2,230.  Great.  So we did tires and brakes, and decided to see if it would pass.  

Cut to this afternoon.  Rich comes home to watch Becca.  My car and I get 7 miles down the road when the engine light comes on.  So back home to collect Rich and the girl, and back to the mechanic.  Will know more tomorrow.  Maybe tomorrow I'll type with two hands.

Spring Is Finally Here!

It's officially Spring at our house--we took the first boat trip of the season.  We live for the outdoor season around here; we've been going a little stir-crazy waiting to use the back yard again.  We're heading into our fifth summer on the lake, and expect that sharing it with Becca will make it the best yet.

In truth, Rich spent more time setting up and putting away the boat than we spent on the water, but Rebecca had never been on the lake before so it was worth it (especially for me since I had no part in the work).

Rebecca and Dad in the back yard

Rebecca and Dad in the boat

Dad on the water (handsome, yes?)

Me and Baby Girl

Dad fishing

Becca tasting the wind

One of my favorite things about Rebecca is how she sticks her tongue out whenever it's windy or cold, like an adorable little snake.  Rich loves it, too.  He had to take this picture.

Becca was pretty serious and quiet while we were out, but had plenty to "say" as soon as we came back inside.  Always the way, isn't it?

 

Ultrasound

Even before Rebecca was born, we were excited to have her as part of our family.  We were both so sure she going to be a boy.  We just felt it.  On June 20th, though, we learned otherwise.  We also saw her little up-turned nose and those hands, forever going for her mouth, for the first time.  We fell in love with her all over again, just like we do every morning.  Who wants a stinky boy, anyway?

Bath Time

Well, we're officially done with baths in the laundry room. Becca was getting a little too big to change on top of the washer anyway but yesterday she figured out that she can reach up and turn all the knobs and make the lights flash across the washer while you try to dress her. Not a great idea. So back to the kitchen she'll go. Too bad, though, the laundry room is the warmest one in the house, and it didn't bother me to get water everywhere.

Here are some completely unrelated pictures of Rebecca bathing over the last few months:

First Bath

With Dad after first bath (right before the poop and immediate second bath)

First BIG bath (and only so far)

Laundry Room bath 3/25/08

Feed Me

Rebecca had her first taste of "solids" this evening:

Mmmmmmmmm, a slurry of amino acids suspended in vegetable oil with rice cereal.

Who wouldn't want that?

We figured anything would be an improvement over the french fry-smelling hypoallergenic formula she has every day,

but it didn't go over too well.

The poor girl clung to the bottle when it was all over.