*perfect summer day (minus the beach)

A full satisfying day yesterday: I went through Vera's drawers and set a lot aside for an upcoming yard sale, did five loads of laundry, switched our sheets from flannel to crisp whites, went for a family walk through the park - filled with people eager to be in the sunshine too, planted some 'blue fescue' in the front while Ben planted lilacs in the back, went for a [short] run, cut some flowers from the garden and then sat down to our favorite summer meal.

*sponteneity

Is that how you spell that? On Saturday I came home at noon and told Ben we should do something fun that day. He said let's do something craaazy. There was a [relative] deal on tickets and so by 5:00 we were on a plane to Orange County! We surprised his mom and dad which was so much fun. I love surprises - they're one of my most favorite things. Ben had to come home Monday, but I was able to stay and visit. We had a GREAT time just spending time with everyone. Really, I feel very lucky to have all these amazingly fun trips.


traveling light::


walks with grandpop::


on the front lawn with lola [grandma in filipino :)] and auntie j::

thinking it's really funny to mess up mommy's hair::

lovin' uncle matty::

looking at uncle ben's fishes. check out the crazy eyebrow::

Monday we drove up to LA to visit Auntie Sarah [so happy :)]. I've never seen Verah so silly - she's really starting to understand how cute she is::

[by the way I can't stand the spacing on blogspot. it really frustrates me and I wish this all came out looking more balanced. ayay]

*momma

I'm out of town and don't have a picture to share, but I've been thinking about Mother's Day [obviously] and wanted to write down some thoughts::

I love being Vera's mom. [mom?! I can't believe I'm a mom.]
I love when she leans her head against me when I read her a story.
I love when she reaches her little arms to be picked up.
I love that I can comfort her when she falls, when she bumps her head, when she's hungry, when she's tired.
I love when I enter the room and she takes off crawling towards me.
I love to rub her little back when I put her down to sleep.
I love to see her love her daddy.

I love to imagine her walking and talking.

I love her little hands busily exploring something new.
I love her long little toes.
I love dressing her up.
I love picking her up after a nap and feeling her sleepy little head nuzzle against me.
I love watching her face light up when daddy gets home.
I love when she wrinkles her nose.
I love making her laugh.
I love playing around and finding her ticklish spot of the day.
I love nursing her before bed [I know I shouldn't be doing that still...] and having the last little cuddle.
I love to imagine who she'll be and how our relationship will look as she grows up.

*sigh* I love my little baby.

*grandma sheila

My mom was here this week helping out. As always such an easy guest. We did some gardening [she was a lot more motivated than me to get out there] - replacing the lawn in the little front strip with plants that don't need so much water. I feel very blessed to have the mother that I do and am constantly aware of how much she did for us growing up. It's a humbling thing being a mom myself now and having such an example to live up to. With God's grace :)

*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!