Monterey and Checking In

Momma's been pretty busy (and stressed) at work for the last month so my blog entries have left a bit to be desired.  Fortunately, data from our experiments is coming in and we might just save this work project after all!

We are looking forward to next weekend and visiting Tahoe for the first time together, and with Olivia, and with the Bellenger family.  Mum-mums and Pop-Pops have rented a timeshare by the lake and it'll be wonderful to get away for a long weekend.  My parents fly in late Thursday night, will crash here, and then we'll all drive out to the lake on Friday.  Kevin and I are hoping to depart right at naptime so our little angel sleeps for most of the trip.

Speaking of the angel....

She is walking around while holding fingers or her sit-to-stand toy.  We had a fabulous time at cousin Walter's 2nd birthday party a few weekends ago and played with bubbles and walking around.  She doesn't seem too bothered to be crawling most places as she likes to get to a spot and pull out all the toys, then sit and discover them.  Olivia isn't as interested in the gross motor skills yet, but she's getting there.

Little girl is so funny.  She'll be *so* proud of herself when she's figured something out that she'll screech and have a little giggle.  Adorable.  She'll have this little light in her eye... Olivia will be a handful, I can see it already!

Two weekends ago we went to Monterey for an overnight.  I had a free Marriott night from my Marriott credit card so we went somewhere nearby but out of town at the same time.  We left the house a little later than anticipated on Saturday because Olivia was not feeling well (she had gas) in the morning.  (Amy Cooprider also managed to stop by before taking off for her BIG OCEAN ADVENTURE for the next 6-months to a year.  I feel special that she wanted to stop by on her way out to meet the family on the boat in another port.  Good luck to them!)  But we finally made it down to Monterey around dinner time - thus we took a walk along the bike path and had delicious dinner with a view at some restaurant I don't remember the name.  Olivia was getting tired so she was moving from one thing to the next.  She loved looking out the window and seeing all the seagulls; and she ate like a champ!  We finished off dinner quickly, took a stroll around Cannery Row to settle our tummies, and headed to our hotel in Salinas (closer than Fremont!).

he Residence Inn was nice, and thank goodness for all the extra room and refrigerator!  Olivia took a little while to go down for real - she finally settled when Momma held her for several minutes with our little "Thank Heaven for Little Girls" music box playing.  I love snuggling with my little sweetie!  Then Olivia was out for the night - and even slept in until 7:45 am - fabulous!

Sunday we packed up quickly and headed back to Monterey.  But while we were showering and getting dressed, Kevin turned on cartoons... Curious George.  Olivia recognized that the monkey on TV is the same as her little stuffed Curious George I bought her a couple months ago, and who was with us for the weekend.  She was *so* excited, screeching, bouncing, hugging her dolly - Olivia could hardly contain her happiness.  Too adorable for words.

In Monterey, we tried the touristy cinnamon rolls at Cannery Row and took the plunge, deciding to tour the Aquarium.  Olivia was a bit testy at times (it was a lot of stimulus for her!) but we had some fabulous moments:
- Olivia eye-level with the water level at the sea bird exhibit and two birds cleaning themselves and saying hello right in front of her
- Playing around in the infant area of the aquarium, especially the waterbed with bubble walls and the water trough
- Sleeping while Mommy and Daddy toured the Jellies and Tentacles exhibits
- Grabbing at the anchovies swimming in circles

After the aquarium, it was time to head on home.  We enjoyed the walk back to our car, and little Princess slept for most of the way home.  Lovely family weekend!

Last weekend, Momma was struggling with work stress on Saturday and Pops helped by being on Olivia duty so I could take a little break.  We had tasty dinner at Buffalo Bills with the Janeiro clan to celebrate Patti and my birthdays, and Olivia was a perfect angel at dinner (Dad was entertaining her with food).  On Sunday, Charlie and Steven came over to help Kevin mock up the Pergola in the back (the wood was all delivered, so now it's time to erect the structure!) and Patti came over to play with Olivia (so I had a chance to run to the store without little girl, which was very helpful).  Steve and Patti stayed for dinner and it was delicious!  Kevin is happy with how things are looking, and in a couple weeks the pergola may actually be on it's way UP!!!!  Awesome!!!







Olivia's Tricks
- Saying "Ball"
- Practicing Walking
- Brushing Teeth OK
- Not crying when we drop her off at daycare
- Crying on the car ride home from daycare (hungry and tired)
- Flipping pages of books (Loves "Dear Zoo" and "10 Little Ladybugs" - Mom and Dad love "Buenas Noches Luna" and "the Cow Loves Cookies", "Pajama Time", "On the Night You Were Born" and MORE!
- Lifting the flaps on "Dear Zoo", touching the paws/tactile things in "If I were a Pup/Duck"
- Recently loves looking at all the animals in the animal book I bought her
- Crawling in and out of the back patio door
- Excited to see Baby James at daycare - they're best buddies
- Friday Night Dance Night - starts bopping in her chair when Pops turns on the music, and screeching!  LOVES it!
- Waving "Hi" and "Bye Bye" - saying both very clearly now.
- Splashing in the bath with Dad
- Not letting you put on her diaper or PJs at nights (diaper is almost every change.... it's a battle each time!)
- Trying to put her socks and shoes on her feet - holding them up next to her feet.  Super cute
- Helps getting dressed, knows one arm, then the next arm
- Does not like her carseat (still facing backwards)
- Reaches for her bed after night time storytime - lets you know she wants to go to sleep!
- Then stays up talking to herself in her crib for an hour in the dark.  Happy as can be.

I'm sure I'm missing a few things from the list.  But that'll do for now.  Sleepy sleeps time for momma.  Can't wait for Tahoe!

Camping Gualala Point Regional Park

Success!  We had a lovely time last weekend all the way up at Gualala Point Regional Park in northern Sonoma County.  Natalie had reserved the spot months ago and asked if we would join them for a weekend camping.  This was their second time camping ever.  Fun!


Since the park was so far away (3 hours no traffic, took us ~6 hours with a 45 min stop in Petaluma on Friday), we reserved the site for Friday night as well to make it worth it.  Kevin returned from FL late Thursday night, we packed and did a little work Friday morning, departing finally around 2pm to pick up Olivia from daycare... right after she'd awoke from her nap.  Doh!  The original plan was to leave at noon, in time for her to sleep in the car!

Olivia cried pretty much the whole way up, and there was traffic in Fremont, and of course near Petaluma.  Our Target break was just what the doctor ordered!  We bought a new camping stove (forgot to pack ours), a cast iron skillet and perfect saucepan for heating water.  I bought Olivia a fleece jacket and warm parka just in case and two pairs of 18 month footie PJs.  We picked up a few food items and Olivia consumed two puree packets while we shopped.  Little girl was a bit happier when we set out again headed West to the coast from Petaluma.  She fell asleep finally within about 20 long minutes and Kevin and I could finally enjoy the drive.... except for know that we'd be setting up camp in the dark - again.

Thank goodness for that Target run!  WE used everything and the new stove and PJs were PERFECT!

Friday night we were a little testy trying to get the tent setup while having a wired 13 month old.  She did have fun exploring the tent while I was pumping the air mattress and trying to set up the sleeping bags... but she kept trying to stick her finger in the pump.  Eventually, I took Olivia for a looooonnnnggg walk and she finally fell asleep.  Then we enjoyed a little T&O and cheese and crackers, bread, mustard, salami delicious.  To bed around midnight.





Olivia slept through the night without waking once... all the way until about 7:30!  At that point I gave her a bottle and talked to her in the pack n play and we got another ~1hour in bed.  Yay!  She was so happy!  She loved exploring the tent again in the AM, and when outside, I finally just put her down in the dirt.... happy as a clam, Olivia tasted all sorts of leaves, twigs, pine needles, ugh!!!  We spent much of the morning standing on the picnic table bench, reaching for things on the table, and stacking Cheerios on top of the wipes container.  That was a fun game.

Almost free!

Escape!  Almost.

Naptime!

Olivia practiced walking around the campsite while holding on to mom's fingers several times.  After our tasty breakfast of eggs, bacon and coffee, we went exploring to the town of Gualala just north of us and picked up uncured bacon, bug spray (bad mosquitos in the am) and a few sundry items.  Back at the campsite around noon, Natalie, Steve, Gabbie and Maddy had arrived (and baby Kaufman)!  Their tent was already setup - it's the easiest thing of wonder ever, and huge!  So we made tuna sandwiches, and Natalie and I ended up playing rummy while Gabbie slept, Steve walked Maddy around, and Kevin took Olivia for about an hour walk to the ocean!  Fun!  I haven't played cards in ages!  

Then there was hanging around the campfire, chatting, eventually making sausage and beans dinner, roasting marshmallows, Olivia practicing walking.... and Gabbie loving on Olivia, giving her hugs - and Olivia loving on Gabbie, wanting her to come over and give hugs.  Too cute!  I joined the Kaufman/Dolce's for a little adventure around the campsite while Kevin had prepped most of the dinner items.

Bedtime on Saturday was a little rough.  Maddy refused to sleep, as did Olivia.  Eventually, I changed Olivia's diaper and took her on a long walk again.  Finally she fell asleep just after 10 pm.  There were just too many fun things to look at!  Once asleep though, she slept through the night beautifully!  When I was up at 3am to use the restroom, Olivia hadn't moved yet - the blankets were undisturbed.  She's a restless sleeper at home, so that was a big deal.  I loved having those 18 month footie PJs for her - really kept Olivia just warm enough.

Sunday morning breakfast of bacon and eggs was delish again- the uncured bacon is SO the way to go!  OMG it was so tasty!  Yay for coffee, and Olivia practicing to walk more.  I think everyone had a good time - I know I did.  Maddie had trouble sleeping through the night on Saturday, but overall, the family had a better experience than their first attempt at camping with two single friends.  I guess they were less stressed about kiddo behavior around us, which is a good thing.

Hugs from Gabby!

Before hitting the road, we all went for a walk to the Gualala River that runs through the campground, skipping rocks, finding the dead (and decapitated) crane or heron, and looking for Choopacabra / Big Foot!  I wore Olivia in the little backpack - comfortable and fun.

The weather couldn't have been nicer.  Olivia was pretty good on the drive home - only fussy when she was sitting in a very poopy diaper, and when we were 5 min from home.  We attempted to eat lunch in Bodega Bay, but she was throwing a tired fit at the table, so after our cup of clam chowder, it was time to leave.

I'm so proud of my little girl starting to walk around more and being so proud of herself.  They said she was walking all over the place at daycare (assisted, of course) and tonight I had her "walk" to the bathroom for bedtime from the family room... and right at the threshold to the bathroom, she decided she didn't want to go in, turned, and crawled into our bedroom.  Pretty funny!

I'm uploading a bunch of pics to smugmug right now.  Eventually, I'll have all the camping photos up as well.

New Shoes! New Car Seat!

Yes, that's crying to see.... and I'm taking the pic through the door because it's only worse when I'm inside.

Week 2 in the toddler room was a little better, but Olivia still cries every morning when she is dropped off.  When we pick her up right around 5pm, we get to see all the cute little kiddos gathered around their toddler-sized table in their toddler-sized chair having a snicky-snack.  Sometimes it's a graham cracker and water, or maybe a cookie - but it's so cute to see all these little ones sitting together quietly eating their treats!







 Last weekend we had a fabulous time joining little Maddy up in Santa Rosa for her 2nd birthday!  The house looks good with their new grass installed in the back, and Olivia was a good little girl.  On the way home we dropped by a salvage wood yard and saw a few possible hand-hewn beams for our fireplace mantel.  Nothing really stood out though, so we didn't make a purchase.  Next stop, Stride Rite Shoe store in San Francisco street where Olivia picked out her first real shoes!!!!  Daycare kept mentioning that the ones I bought her from Target aren't quite right, so we had Olivia's dainty little foot measured at the store - size 3 - and bought two pairs.  One fits her now, the second will fit her in a month or so.  Ridiculously cute!!!

This past week, Kevin was in town but in very busy meetings so we didn't see a lot of him.  Kevin was supposed to travel to Florida on Thursday, his birthday, but that trip was canceled at the very last second (Wed night) and yay, Kevin was home for his bday!  Charlie and Delores came over in the evening and babysat so we could go out to dinner for Kev's bday.  We tried a Mexican place that used to be good, then went to Chili's for a better drink afterwards.

Friday's big task was ordering the pergola lumber.  The materials will be delivered in a couple weeks and then the clock starts ticking to put it up!  Kevin's been researching stainless steel bolts - my are they expensive!!!  But I guess the advantage is that they won't stain the wood over time.  We bought cedar STK (small tight knot) lumber - light and strong.

Hmmm, Daddy, I think I like these 'shoe' thingies!

Thanks Pop-Pops for the new Sophie!  I needed her for my sore gums!

Pretty soon, I'll be OUT this door!  No one will hold me back...

New favorite game - take all the blocks out, then put a few back in.

Annie and Walter spent the night Friday night because Joel was out of town for a conference and it sounded like fun!  Originally, Kevin was going to be gone in FL that night too, but this way we were all able to sing a Happy Birthday song to Kevin together!  I made him a cake which turned out as good as can be expected from a box mix.... next time I'll try making it from scratch!  That will be an adventure!

The cousins had fun playing outside on the patio.  We had a more active Friday Night Dance Night together, and at one point Walter entertained Olivia by running up and down the hallway while Olivia was strapped into her high chair.  They were both laughing so hard!  Too much cuteness.  During the Saturday afternoon nap time, Annie hung out at home and Kevin and I drove out to LA Nursery in Sunol to purchase two crepe myrtle (Muskogee) trees for along the back fence.  When everyone was awake, we harvested tomatoes!  Very productive day.  Big milestone:  Olivia learned out to crawl in and out of the backyard door!  We're in trouble now!  We also played with crayons out back, and Rodi, and the tricycle.  So much fun to have in the backyard!

Cake Overload!

 Sunday, we all went to Home Depot for supplies, and I helped Kevin plant the two new trees when Olivia went down for her (very long, thank goodness) nap.  I also trimmed a number of the neighbor's tree branches that were encroaching on our yard.  The fence line looks much cleaner now.  It was hot out!  When Olivia awoke, I whisked her away to a secret errand, and then the grocery store.  The secret errand was to purchase biking shoes for Kevin... his current pair is WAY too small!  We want to go on some rides together with Olivia soon - I have so many positive memories riding bikes with my family that I want to make sure Olivia's into it too!  We are currently debating between a trailer for Olivia, or the seat that goes on the back of one of our bikes.  I vote seat, Kevin is stubborn about a trailer.  And he calls me stubborn.  Sigh.  Kev and I sat on the back patio in the evening enjoying a beer and our backyard.  We find that since we do all the maintenance, it's sometimes hard to sit and enjoy the good parts because all we see are the chores that need to be done.

I'm so cute... when I'm about to eat this shopping cart

After this trip to Home Depot, I set out a little tub of water for Olivia to play with and she was 'soaking' wet in 3 seconds.  So much fun!  I loved having the time to play with her one-on-one. :)


Today, Labor Day, we took Olivia for a walk at Lake Chabot.  Sadly, she bonked her head pretty hard on a door hinge right before leaving, so she has a blue bump on her forehead, poor thing.  We resorted to cartoons to help her calm down - first time.  Lake Chabot was bopping!  Multitudes of people dogs, bikes around.  Lots of smoke from all the BBQs, but one big party!  We didn't get too far before Olivia was done with being in the stroller.  She missed a good nap today.  Eventually, we went out an purchased a new car seat - the Graco 4ever seat.  Theoretically, it'll last us 8-9 years and will grow with her.  I still cannot believe how long kids are supposed to sit in car seats these days - 10 years!!!  100 lbs!!!!  If these safety people had their way, even adults would be rear-facing!  Olivia sure seemed to like the new seat when we strapped her in at the store!  Our salesman, Kevin, sure knew what he was talking about as he led us around the seats.  We bought two - one for each car.  That gave us a 10% discount (they call it the 'twins' discount) and there is a mail in rebate.  I'm happy to have the purchase over with and know that we won't need to do it again for a long time!

Tomorrow, Kevin heads to FL for a few days.  I'll be scrambling to get my hours in at work and minimize the vacation time I take on Friday when we head up the coast to Gualala Point Regional Park to camp.  Natalie & Steve & family will meet us there for Saturday night.  I intend to hit up the grocery store during the week.  We will have to work quickly to pull out all the camping gear and pack the car as early as possible on Friday so we can hit the road for our long drive.  I'm hoping we'll leave around 12:30 - pick up Olivia from daycare a naptime and hit the road!

Nighty Night time!