Our good friends Chad and Rachele got married this weekend. It was an awesome time had by all including Selena.

The wedding was at Mt. Springs Lodge. Beautiful place. We stayed in a cabin that could have easily fit 30 people comfortably…no kidding!

Friday night

The rehearsal. KC had to fend off a duck that tried to attack Penny (Rachele and Chad’s dog the other grooms lady), it was cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Selena passed out, so we stuck her in her stroller and continued to mingle and ended the night playing cut throat.

Day of the wedding

Started the day off bright and early with a few cups of coffee. Got my hair and makeup done with the ladies. BTW I was a groomsman. This is the first adult wedding I’ve been in (I was a flower girl in my Aunt and Uncle’s wedding) and I was a groomswoman. I was very excited and honored.

Anyways….Rachele’s hair stylist rocked. The wedding was awesome. Selena wouldn’t let us hand her off to anyone and freaked out before walking down the aisle, so I had to walk down carrying her and I had to carry her during the whole ceremony (she passed out halfway through). I had no idea what to do with her. I hope Rachele doesn’t get upset. I don’t think she saw.

During the ceremony the duck tried once again to attack Penny, but KC intervened. For the recessional they played the Beatles, “Here comes the sun,” and the sun actually came out. Their wedding was almost rained out, but it stopped just for their wedding, the sun came out and then the rain came again.

The reception rocked. Chad and Rachele looked gorgeous. Dancing, good food and good conversation was had by all. I even got the band to do a second line in honor of the bride and groom. Can’t have a wedding without one.

….and later that night

Good times were had by all and the next morning wasn’t so great. But we all met for brunch before driving back to the city. I have to say it was a fantastic wedding. Better pics will come later.

In other news….Selena said her first word this weekend, “MOMMA!” Awesome. She also had her ultrasound and is ok. Thank goodness.

Selena had her six month doctor visit.

Outcome:

Weight – almost 14 pounds. She’s in the 10th percentile. She’s tiny, but the doc says not to worry as long as she’s growing and gaining weight.

Height – she’s taller

She has two follow up appointments, one to check her head for a possible helmet (just in time for football season) and another to check out a lump we found under her arm. The doctor says it’s probably nothing since it’s soft, but he would rather be safe and check it out.

I finally found a food Selena hates. It was some country vegetable mix. She actually gagged. Man, they said she would let us know when she didn’t like something and well she hates country veggies!!!

In other news

Aunt Marcia is visiting and we’ve had a fun time chilling, checking out the farmer’s market and hanging around.

This weekend Peter and I are in Rachele and Chad’s wedding. Should be a good time, but we have to find someone to hold Selena during the wedding….hmmm.

Florida, destination – Amelia Island. We’ve never been to the east coast of Florida. The water was nice, the beaches were long and the heat was….Florida heat! I have to say I’d come again. We could own property here, it was very quaint and relaxing…..just what we needed.

Sarah, Sean, Kris, Sonia, cousin D, Selena, Peter and I all rented a condo on the beach. Historically this place is pretty interesting. Google it!

Little turtles are protected on the beach with caution tape and notes saying if you mess with the nest you get a rather large fine.

Interesting happenings:

Our family can cook. Woo wee. Dinner every night was fantastic and I have to say I didn’t cook anything because I wouldn’t be writing it was fantastic…hahha. I think I gained weight on this trip.

Things I’ve learned:

Sean thinks a ghost saved her from a snake when she was in college.

Sonia does not like Liberachi like Kris and I thought she did.

Kris cares more about knowledge than friends and money. (we played a game called Imagineiff).

Sarah secretly has a voyeuristic nature….her binoculars are always present.

Peter is a secret chef. He should cook more at home…heehee

D loves balls, loves to sing the second line song, and everything is “hot.”

Selena loves to eat…and she’s still eating. Oh and she saw her first Saints game (it was a pre-season game but it still counted)!

And the rest of the story

Selena did great flying, she only cried when hungry and when she was really tired. I had to change her poopy diaper on the last flight and there wasn’t a changing station in the bathroom, so I changed it on the stewardess’ chair…they freaked out. Seriously I had no idea what to do. I need a dummies guide to babies.

Dummies guide to babies

Seriously I do need a guide….hahah. Selena doubled her food intake, not sure what to do, good thing she has a doc. appointment this week. She’s getting chunky!

I’m ready for the next vacation!!!!

Her first step down the road to food independence.

Ok so the blog had issues, but we’re back and we have a new design.

It’s August and man Selena is getting bigger and balder. Milestones; she rolls over, can hold a plastic bottle, and almost sits up. We introduced her to her first solids; rice cereal, bananas, apple sauce and sweet potatoes. Her favorite, hands down, is apple sauce…she freaked out when she first tasted it and I couldn’t shovel food fast enough in her mouth. I since made her organic apple sauce and a huge supply of sweet potatoes. She also had her first trip to the zoo, the milk carton derby races and frisbee golf.

Oh and she sleeps through the night. That started at 4 months. We’re lucky….whew!

I’m back to work 5 days a week and I miss being with Selena. Mom is watching her now and seems to be having fun. She takes her on daily adventures.

In other news we’re about to head to Florida. It will be our first plane trip with Selena. I’m crossing my fingers we aren’t “those parents with a screaming kid.”

Latest news for me:

I dyed my hair a bright blonde, I’m studying to take the GRE and I made a puppet theater for Selena. I just need to paint it, put up a curtain and make some puppets.

In Peter’s world:

He just got back from a bachelor party in Portland. Apparently there’s full nude strip shows. Hmmm never been to a full nude show. Peter is trying to see how high he can let the backyard grass get. We got a quote for a mower and they wanted $600. WTF.

4th of July = Selena’s first overnight trip

We went to the Tulalip Indian Reservation to stay with Chad and Rachele for the 4th at their cabin. KC also came with his girlfriend and her two kids, so we had a full cabin….so to say. Selena went to bed late and woke up at all hours of the night and met the new day at 6am bright and happy….egads, her parents weren’t too happy. The 4th of July consisted of the beach, blowing up fireworks and naked dudes…ok well we had two streakers down the beach. Someone threw a bottle at the streakers, so their hot headed dad came over and almost started a wrestling match….but all was calmed.

It’s Official… Amelia Island

Our new trip is Amelia Island. Located in Florida on the East coast, Amelia Island is a lot farther than Pensacola, different body of water too….should be interesting. Our condo is booked, all that’s missing is our plane tickets….woops. We’ll get right on that.

Hot Summer Days

Yup its been in the 90s this week. I love it. Bring on the heat baby! Now all I need is a swimming pool.

Rice Cereal Anyone?

Selena had her first week of rice cereal….she loves it, she wants me to dump all of it in her mouth at once, I can’t feed her fast enough. I tasted it and it’s not that good. Selena doesn’t know what she’s missing yet, but just wait.

World Cup

The World Cup is on Sunday and I’m rooting for Spain.

And finally I’ve been able to finish a painting/drawing….

It’s a little odd, but I feel like I’m inspired again….check it out.

I really thought that title just sounded good…hahah. Looks like the Pensacola trip will have to change locations. Oil has washed ashore all over the coast. It’s really sad and I wonder if Selena will ever see the white sands of Florida? I really hope she does, Florida has my favorite beaches. I’ve learned in the past ten years to not take people, places, things and memories for granted. On my worse day I know I have it far better than some.

In other news…the US has advanced again in the world cup. Another game commences.

Selena rolled over on Friday, June 25th, and I think this time it was on purpose. I wish I had a video camera. I mean I have one, but I’m just not fast enough to catch a roll like that.

Today is KC Franks birthday and we’re hitting up Theatro ZinZanni. It’s a 4 course dinner show. Serving food is part of the show. I took Peter for his birthday a few years back. They change the menu and theme every year, and it makes a great date night. I plan to drink like a normal person tonight. Its been over a year since I’ve had much to drink.

In other news

We found a nanny….my mom. She’s moving down the street and will rent a house while taking care of Selena. We’re really lucky to have her in Seattle. I know at times we fight and that just comes with a mother daughter relationship, but she’s a lifesaver in more ways than being a nanny.

Work is starting to get back to normal…although I feel like I’m always catching up and probably will be until I’m back to five days a week (starting in August). I’m going to apply to a PHD program at Seattle University, but I have a ton of work to do to preparation.

We want to introduce rice cereal to Selena this week.

Watching the World Cup in about an hour and a half. Peter is currently making breakfast….yumm. What a great guy.

Selena had her “almost four month” check up.

Her Latest Stats:

12.5 pounds and 24 inches long. 50% for length and 30% for weight. She’s kind of tall, and rather petite, but healthy. The boob juice is working. Since she’s not quite 4 months, we have to wait and get her shots this week. Also, the doc. said we can start introducing rice cereal to her. Food here we come.

Physical Therapy

She had a physical therapy appointment this past week and her head is much better, but we need her sleeping with her head turned left. We have two months to average out her head, otherwise we have to get a helmet she would wear for 6 weeks….egads.

Oh and…

Selena turned over from her belly to her back on Tuesday June 8th. Quite impressive. She’s also found her feet. Yum yumm. I think our exercises from physical therapy are helping her to learn how to control her body quicker.

Sarah and Sean Visit

The grandmothers (Mims and Bebo) came for a visit. We had a good time hanging out, BBQing and just talking. Selena likes her Mims and Bebo. Peter and I were able to have time to ourselves, which was nice.

Selena developed a slight cold and started teething at the same time, so we had to bust out the humidifier and use a dropper to put saline in her nose and clear it out, and we had to give her some Tylenol. We’re gonna have to keep a close watch on her.

World Cup

The World cup has started….I honestly thought US would lose to England, so it’s a nice surprise we tied. Let the games begin! Speaking of games we were given field passes to the Sounders Vs. DC United this past week. It was sweet…we met one of the owners and had free beer, doughnuts and nuts (nice combo). I’ll have to post some pics.

In other news we’re going to check an open house down the street and just relax while we can.

I’ve been lazy about writing, or rather haven’t found the time.

I’m back at work and am enjoying being around adults, but also I miss Selena. There are sometimes I would like to hide out in a hotel room and just sleep. There go the days of sleeping in…now sleeping in is 8am….egads. I get up so early for work I’m surprised I’m not falling asleep at my desk. It’s been a rather hard transition this week, but all will be better soon.

To catch you up on what we’ve been up to

Selena continues to grow over night and is very talkative, laughs and has started to commando crawl. We’ve been doing physical therapy with her because of her neck and all of her exercises are helping her with rolling over and crawling. She hates to take naps, so we battle her every day and she’s extremely active, like her mom….aaaah. Nighttime is working out so far. Peter says he can’t work from home with her so we’re getting mom to watch her twice a week until we find a nanny. I’m just plugging along trying to figure out how to have some “me” time, being a mom, working and being a wife. Peter and I’ve been trying to figure out our relationship in this whole parent thing. I think we’re doing pretty good, but we have to keep communicating about our worries, issues and frustrations. It’s a whole new world.

I learned something new

A raccoon crawled under our deck and died just out of reach. So Peter had to use a shovel and broom to get him out. Animal control only picks up dead cats and dogs, so they told us to throw him in the garbage…made me sad.

The oil spill issue has really gotten to me. We’re suppose to take a trip to Pensacola in August and they’ve already spotted oil off the coast. I hope our white beaches of Florida aren’t ruined forever. The spill will have lasting effects and no one knows the real damage as of yet.

Selena has her 4 month appointment this coming week. I can’t believe its been 4 months already. Wow time flies. Peter’s parents are coming in this week. I’m excited to see them.

In other news the Sounders beat New England Revolution last night in a shut out….woop woop. The World Cup starts this weekend.

Aunt Linda came for a visit. We had a blast and managed to squeeze in a ton of stuff in three days; we went to Pike Place market, walked on the waterfront, bought crabs from the market (yummy), ate on Lake Union, visited two wineries, Chateau Ste. Michelle and the Columbia winery.

On the last day of Aunt Linda’s visit we went hiking all day. Man that was a work out. I’ve realized how out of shape I am. Peter lugged Selena around (he got the biggest work out). I had to breast feed on the trail….that was interesting. The entire hike we dreamed of giant burgers smothered with cheese, and our dreams came true. It was a nice way to end the weekend.

Nap time Sucks

Selena’s schedule was all messed up the past four days (not that she has much of a schedule anyways), but she’s been waking up at 5am ready for the day….egads. Mom is not a morning person and probably never will be.

Today I’m battling her with the nap….I’m trying to get her to take a nice long one, but it’s not working and this is the 4th time in a row I’ve put her down for a nap. Maybe I just need to wear her out.

Next Monday I start work again. I’m happy and sad all in one. I do need to be around adults, otherwise my language skills will be reduced to baby babble….hahha.