Momma Meetings

This past weekend we met up with my Mom down in Roseburg, Oregon. Since she has moved down to Northern Cali we have made a point to meet up about once a month. Either we make our way down there, which has only been once (due to not wanting to travel that far with baby), or she makes the journey up to us. On a couple occasions we decide to meet in the middle and stay a couple nights in a hotel. This monthly meeting was fantastic. She got some good pricing on the hotel as well as Wildlife Safari!!! The afternoon we arrived we almost immediately hoped back in the car to go discover some animals

Some of my favorites...

The next day we drove out Hwy 138 along the Umpqua River. WOW!!! How beautiful!!! We found some potential camping and hiking spots!!! I can't wait for warm weather so we can take Amelia on hikes and even more fun, camping! I better start getting ready for summer. Already prepared with Little Swimmers...what else will I need? I can just see our car now... loaded down with mostly baby things. I have so many great memories of camping from when I was a youngin'. I can't wait to aid in creating her camping memories.

Ok, back on subject... We had a great time visiting Gammy!!!

Now I leave you with a video of what was and still remains the best part of Wildlife Safari... The car pecking Ostrich.

Newport Photo Walk

The day in Newport Beach was amazing. The weather was HOT on the beach, there was an ever so slight breeze, there was fantastic people watching opportunities, and of course family was there to enjoy the day with. We strolled down the beach and back enjoying the bright Oregon coast sunshine and the warmth it had to offer. Enjoying the casual walk and easy going conversations, Amelia so silently fell into her short afternoon nap. I looked down on her, all nestled into my body and said "It must be nice to nap in this nice ocean breeze". Next we were all off to Lighthouse Deli to consume the most delicious fish and chips around. After we were full and content we drove down to the Historic Newport Bay Front and enjoyed MORE strolling and sunshine. While we were there the sun made it's descent showing off it's cozy yellow hues, carrying us into the calm of the evening. The bay front provides spectacular views of the Newport bridge, old and new fishing boats, bay seals and sea lions, and of course some of the locals (crazy or not). The temperature began to decline as we made our way back to our cars, urging us to seek warmth. The day was over, and I was so very relaxed. The day proved to be just what I needed to reconnect with my husband, let the worries float out of my mind and enjoy the small things in life. I couldn't have asked for a better Oregon Coast day.

The End

First Cereal

For some reason I decided to see what Amelia would do if I put a spoon up to her mouth. I had read online that if a baby leans forward to put the spoon in

their mouth, they may be ready for solids. Of course what DOESN'T she want to put in her mouth? :)

I found the spoon I received from WIC and held it in front of her mouth. She was like an eagle catching her prey! She seemed more excited to put that in her mouth than any other toy she has. I said to myself, "OK, lets try it!!!" I mixed a tablespoon of rice cereal with about 4 tablespoons of breast milk and sat her in her BUMBO. On went the BUMBO tray and the bib! I sat down nervously in front of her, with a little bit of guilt in the back of my mind (am I doing this too early???) Tony got the camera ready, and then it started, there was no turning

back now!!!

YUM YUM

Amelia would feverishly suck on the spoon then I would remove it from her mouth resulting in her pressing her lips together and pushing out the cereal with her tongue. I was surprised that she didn't make any kind of sour or un-approving face at the first taste of the cereal.

She went on for a couple bites then was mostly interested in her bib!!!

When she had enough of the spoon, because now the bib was her best friend, I decided to dump the remaining cereal in the rest of her bottle. Soon we were off to her bedroom to have her night night bottle (as it's referred to in this house) a good swaddle. My sweet sweet baby then slept for 8 HOURS STRAIGHT!!!!!!!!

My body is so used to waking through the night, that I woke around 4:45am realizing she had yet to wake up. I quietly went into her room and placed my hand upon her stomach, just to make sure (moms you know what I'm talking about). Breathing a sigh of relief I tip toed back to bed and rolled around until 6:00am when, she finally woke up. I nursed her and she proceeded to fall back asleep for another 3 hours. WOW, I was so shocked that the cereal would have that kind of affect (effect? I'm still confused about that one) on my little girl.

The next night I attempted the same scenario, minus the BUMBO feeding. I just put the cereal directly in her bottle and continued our night time schedule of swaddling, eating then SLEEP! To my shock, she woke about every 2 hours.... YIKES!!! My theory is that she had slept too much during the day because of our long time periods in the car, from driving to Newport Beach and back in the same day (by the way, it was absolutely beautiful there!!!).

Tonight she was lulled asleep by nursing, no bottle, no cereal. Wow, can I be anymore inconsistent? So tonight I fully expect to be woken AT LEAST 3 times. On that note, I better be off to bed, she has already been sleeping for an hour.

Nighty night!

That's Really Beachy

I'm so excited for today! We are venturing out to Newport Beach for the day to celebrate Nona's Birthday! Among our plans is to dine at Light House Deli,which is now called something like South Beach Fish Company, but we prefer to call it by it's original name. They have the most delicious fish n' chips on the Oregon Coast (among other things, including fish candy). As my brother and I would put it - D-Lish!!!

I'm sure a trip down to the marina will be included so we can walk the shops and look down onto the lives of the Newport Bay seals, barking and sleeping away the day in the sun. The weather is supposed to be around 60 degrees and clear!!!

This will be Amelia's second trip to the beach, the first being with Gammy down in Northern Cali. She will be so excited to wear her diva sunglasses today. Let's hope those sunglasses don't bring on what happened LAST time she wore them ;)

So happy birthday to Nona Maria!!! We love you!!!

Whats wrong with this picture?

I was so innocently taking pictures of my darling little girl in her stylish little infant sunglasses. Let me tell ya, she was really workin' it!

And as I took the last photo I checked my camera to see what it looked like.....

Yeah.... Can you see it?

Let's just say it was bath time after that one!!!

She's my little poop monster (Sorry if you were consuming something delicious)

Thanks for the diva glasses Gunkle!!!!!

Whirlwind of a Life

Time has just been flying by. It seems as though I just got married and here I am with a husband AND a 4 month old. I am beyond happy with my little family, it's what I have always wanted. In addition I have always wanted to just be a mommy. I received my BA in elementary education and have worked as a Pre-K teacher for a total of about 3 years. So here I am, a stay at home mom (not really by choice).

Maybe it's because we are struggling to make it on one smaller than

average income, but I'm feeling this need to do more. I don't want to say that money buys happiness, but I do feel it would be a huge contributor to me feeling like a successful stay at home mother. With money I could provide daily/weekly enrichment activities for Amelia and I, but without the gas and money to get into some activities I feel I can't provide enough. This pity party comes a couple times a month, the other times I am content

with being at home with my little girl and being lazy around the house. Heck, the rain doesn't help either!!! What do you do in a teeny tiny apartment when the weather remains gloomy for weeks at a time?

Ok, pity party over!

I leave you with a picture from when Amelia was just 4-5 days old :)