*celebrating

Ben turned in his last projects for the semester this week and last night we celebrated with a delicious dinner and a [couple] bottle[s] of amazing wine. He hasn't had a break for a long long time and I'm so glad he has a restful and fun [Portland, Tahoe, Rock Creek, baby daughter...]summer ahead of him.

...and I had fun taking pictures of our meal: carmelized shallot bruschetta with goat cheese and thyme, fresh Steelhead trout, couscous and a yummy salad. Thank you mom for the treat :)

*stats

Vera had her 9 month check-up this week. She's kind of a skinny mini right now at just 17 lbs. 3 oz. and 27.25 inches (30 and 50th percentiles). We'll just see what happens when she's allowed to eat ice cream and peanut butter.

*3-in-1

Caught on video:

::> She has been letting go while standing, but yesterday started just popping up without any support at all! It's so crazy to see her changing from a little baby into a little person.

::> Pat the Bunny [aka Lick the Bunny] is her favorite book - I love seeing how she knows what to do on each page. She is going to be sooooooo smart.

::> After a couple months break, her little growl is back.

*los vecinos

It's been hard to meet a lot of friends in the 2 years we've been here. Two sets of neighbors though have proven to be some of our closest friends. We were invited over for a nice dinner last night which turned out to be a little belated birthday for Ben as well as an *almost* done with the semester and really just a great time. Vera sat in her little booster seat entertaining herself [and others] with spatulas, noodles and laughing/making faces at everyone for at least an hour. Usually if we have dinner with them, I go put her to bed and then we switch off hanging out/keeping watch. This time we put her to bed in their guest room [a pac-n-play for their little baby on the way...] and got to stay out like a normal couple until past 11:00!! This is huge. Anyway, we had a great time eating some delicious food, drinking wine and tequila, playing a heated game of Jenga and just enjoying a night with friends: a very rare occurence these days.

Ben had ordered an apple pie for his birthday dinner which I finally made for last night.... mmmm it was worth the wait :)

*

....a cute family foto from the other day.....

*le scarpe

My little sister is in Italy studying at a shoe design institute. I am insanely jealous [yes I need a word that strong] but am enjoying living through her experiences and so happy for her and this amazing opportunity. Check out her flikr page - her photos are really neat.

*feeling summery

Oh what a beautiful day.

Warm enough to take a barefooted little baby to the park for a nice summer preview. We sat by the playground and watched the big kids play, stood by the stroller, tried to put wood chips in our mouths and watched the baby goslings and ducklings at the mini-lake [Sadly my camera battery died, but I will get a picture of them. They were the cutest little things I've ever seen].

{this last one she is intently watching the ducks - not sure what to think}

*playin'

The other day: the light was right and the subject was cute.

*31

Happy Birthday Ben!!!

We love you so so much and are so happy to share this day with you. You are an amazing person, Ben. Your dedication to your studies, your love for your family and your commitment to your faith are truly inspiring.

Happy Birthday!

*the battle of the nap

Vera is finally taking decent naps! Immediately following this day, I decided that she needed to learn to nap on her own. It took a couple months of slow slow progress, but she now usually goes down without a whimper! Her first nap is 1/2 hour and the second at least 1 hour (the past few days almost 2!). I usually hear her shaking things about or talking to herself and then it goes silent. I always like to peek in on my sleeping babe and this is what I find:



*For all my new and soon-to-be mommy friends, I highly recommend the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. Even if you don't use his techniques, it is very informative! The No-Cry Sleep Solution was really helpful too.

** Also, [in the manner of the Academy Awards] I'd like to thank Beth, Emily and Jenny for all their advice and support :)

*** Also, I fully realize that this may not last, and she may again decide that she won't take a nap. In the meantime, it's really nice.

*just eat!!

I wasn't going to post anything tonight, but dinner was just too funny. And frustrating - she only ate about an ounce of her "summer vegetable dinner" and a small handful of bread. Pretty much the same story for several days now - I can't believe she isn't starving.

*trip: part 4

This is the last one, I promise [until our next trip.... which may be in a couple weeks. ridiculous? a little :)].

So Sunday evening we went to my brother's for dinner. It was so great during college when I'd drive up for the weekend and sleep on their couch - fun memories of throwing pillows and blankets on Tyler all morning :) I really missed them when I moved away - it's so hard to go months without seeing the little ones. I feel lucky this year having seen them several times. Anyway, we would love to end up in Seattle so we could be near them!!

Jamesen reading to Vera:

Playing with cousin Tyler:

This is Vera's signature look:

Happy Birthday Gegi!

*trip: part 3

Are you tired of my pictures yet? :)

Another big highlight of our trip was staying with the Freise's and meeting little Eva!! She is the snuggliest, softest sweet little baby I've ever held.

I loved getting to spend so much time with them! It's so much nicer when you don't have to fit the whole conversation into a little coffee date, but rather have it stretched over a couple days: breakfast on the couch, in the backyard, on a walk through the neighborhood... Saturday was the most beautiful day ever - I wish I'd taken pictures of all the flowers blooming along our walk. I love Queen Anne - such an amazing place. [I have lots of memories of walking around with my niece there in the Baby Bjorn. I'd pretend she was mine and smile when people said she looked like me :)] Anyway, we even got to go to Queen Anne Thriftway [unfortunately called Metropolitan Market now] - where my love for grocery stores was born. Julie, I wish we were neighbors and could meet up for walks or coffee or picnics on the grass whenever we wanted to!

flora at metropolitan market:

why doesn't this baby get up and play?


beautiful sunny day:

see the orange hazelnut pinwheel in front of Julie? I still regret not getting another:

having a good time while Julie & I enjoy our sandwiches:

*the trip: part 2

I was so glad that Vera and I were able to fly up to Seattle for Michelle's beautiful wedding! Julie and I were saying that I never know when I'll get up there, but it always seems to work out that I do. Michelle was always a favorite friend - ever since we shared a room with 3 others sophomore year [is this where I admit I was in a sorority??]. It was so great to see all the familiar friendly faces - I'm still bummed that I didn't get a chance to really talk to anyone for any length of time. I miss you girls! Anyway, Vera's bedtime is at 7:00 and that's when the wedding started. I have never ever seen her so tired as she was by 11:00 when we left. Poor little bugger, rubbing her eyes like crazy. A favorite moment [Erin, do you read this?] was when Nate asked how old "he" was. And I said Nate, she's wearing a dress. I'm never offended by those things, but it was just too funny how badly he felt and how every time I saw him the rest of the night he'd apologize and exclaim, "it's a blue dress!!"

***

Sitting in the baby-corner with our sippy cups, diaper bags and glasses of wine:

Viv, Janna, Erin + Laura [the dresses appear neon here, but were actually quite cute]:

Another favorite moment - when Jud said to Vera, "You're not in Montana anymore" (as in you're not in Kansas...) and I corrected him: "Utah, you're not in Utah anymore." I guess I have successfully avoided mentioning where we live. Now all you crazy internet stalkers know :)

.... and the beautiful bride:

*the trip: part 1

We're home! We had such a great time and did so many things that I'm having a hard time even organizing it all in my head. So I'm going to give it to you in little instalments. First we stayed with my cousin Beth, her husband, Ryan, and their precious little guy, Pierce. It was so nice to get to just relax and hang out with Beth and watch the babies play. At first they kind of did their own thing, but by the end of the week they were old friends and were so excited to see each other every morning - it was adorable. I really loved getting to share in a bit of their daily lives and came home motivated to do lots of things: make all our babyfood, put my own art/photos up on the wall, actually make all the recipes I bookmark in my magazines... and watch the next Bachelor on Monday :)

It's really hard to choose from all the pictures I took. I just realized I didn't get any of us adults, but here's some favorite moments of the two little cuties:

***
It was great to be in a nearly baby-proof house equipped with lots of new and exciting places/toys to explore. Pierce was a good little sport too and shared well :)

*giddy

Still on vacation but thought I'd post this video that Ben just put on YouTube. Things are just so funny when she's tired:

*travels

I am SO excited for our trip to Seattle!! We'll be staying with my cousin Beth and her family, going to Michelle's wedding, spending a night with the Freises, celebrating Gegi's birthday and of course just loving being in one of my favorite places. I'm not so excited about our long day of traveling tomorrow. Lord, please help her to sleep on the plane...