A Rolling Clara Gathers No Moss

Yesterday, at exactly 14 weeks Clara officially rolled over. Tyler saw it while he was changing her--I missed it. I know! I knew she was super close becuase the entire trip home from maryland she was twisting and halfrolling but I had to keep stopping her becuase i was changing her on groty airplane toilet lids (with a waterproofpad and a diaper rag for extra coverage that I had to fold a certain way so no 'airplane bathroom' germs would be spread in my diaper bag after I was done), airport bathroom counters (becuase the sign is LYING when it says there's a baby changing station!) and airport gate wiating-area seats.

I didn't want her getting a face full of who-knows-what from ANY of those surfaces.

Interstingly, I haven't seen her make a 'rolling' move since tyler made his announcement. I've made him swear it happened and he re-enacted it for me with her, but I just find it odd that she seems to be over it now.

It's almost as though I wasn't letting her do it, then she was able to finally roll, now she doesn't want to anymore. The allure is less becuase it is no longer forbidden.

Yikes. That can't be a good start!

Mary Land Follow-Up

I know I know, there's a lot about Maryland, but we spent a lot of time out there!

Plus I just got the last few pictures from Patrice, so here they are.

I bought Tyler a father's day card ages ago, way back when I first got pregnant (or maybe before, I don't remember, but it was a long time ago) and I've been saving it all this time. I brought it with me from Arizona to Maryland so I could give it to him on father's day. I moved it from my bag to Clara's bag but decided it might still get munched, so I moved it to a safe place to prevent said munching.

Come father's day I can't find the stupid thing. Tyler never saw it in the room, I've ransacked all our luggage and turned our room upside down--can't find it. I'm very distressed because I didn't have anything for him really aside from the card, and now I don't even have that!

Meanwhile, the Young family goes shopping at the American Greetings store for some cards and Patrice happens to pick out the EXACT same card for Greg that I bought for Tyler forever ago! So I was extra disappointed that they couldn't open it at the same time. To make it worse, Tyler just read his father's Father's Day Card because i ended up telling him all about it because I was so ticked off I couldn't find it and he only had a card from Clara to open.

Good thing i found it after Greg opened all his stuff and everyone had gone their separate ways.

It was in a book I brought, neatly un-munched as I had planned. But it was, needless to say, a little anticlimactic when I gave it to Tyler because he'd already read Greg's.

Yes, yes I know. I totally botched Father's Day. I'm sorry!

Here's Tyler, Greg, Clara and I in front of the Harpers Historic Hilltop Hotel ( I think there's another H in there somewhere, but I can't remember it). If you'll notice the yellow caution tape and the not-so-straight lines of the building. We saw a guy come out of the front door with a weed whacker--that can't be good for business. (we ended up going to Lunch at a diner closer to their house)

Tyler Clara and I at the Point. Where the rivers (wow I'm going to get it from Greg--I can't remember which rivers these are, but they're big and important and they're right next to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (more commonly known, thanks to monopoly, as B & O railroad) converge. It was a little overcast, but still incredibly beautiful land. I can't imagine having to trek across it with nothing but a wood canoe and a bowie knife.

After we got back from Harper's Ferry we had to pack up and get to the airport. Patrice helped Clara go potty because I was lying on the floor recovering from the hours of driving (I don't do so well in cars I've realized. I do worse when Tyler is driving, but Greg was driving this time. . . maybe its because my head was turned to calm Clara down most of the time? Either way I just felt a little gross in the stomach when we got home)

Anyway, Patrice held her over the potty and Clara went. She had a nice poop for Grandma! And Patrice was terribly excited that she helped Clara go potty, so we took a picture to commemorate the occasion! : ) (Its in a bag because she went in the 'travel potty'. I keep the gallon bag in the bowl, then when Clara goes I can put the dirty wipes and wet diaper (If there is one) in the bag and just throw the whole thing away. No muss no fuss. Fabulous.)

On another EC note, before we left for the airport the next morning, I let Clara go potty. Greg happened to be in the kitchen and as I help Clara over the potty and made the queuing noise she started going and Greg's jaw practically hit the floor. It was pretty funny : ) "wow! that's amazing! Patrice have you seen this?!" I laughed and asked him where he was for the past 10 days. I think that was the first time he actually saw her going instead of just seeing it in the bowl or seeing one of us emptying it in the bathroom.

Clara had a long day, apparently. we were playing monopoly and when I looked over (becuase she was being awefully quiet) I found her like this.

Mary Land Part 4

Happy Father's Day! Sunday we went to church and heard the WORST speaker EVER. The entire talk was read from Tim Russert's book. And I know this becuase she not only told us that, but she kindly brought the book and showed it to us like she was Jon Stewart or something. Thank goodness she went 15 minutes over thus eliminating the need for her 'calvin and hobbes' Fatherly advice. Although, did I mention she went FIFTEEN MINUTES over? The bishop even had to had her the 'you're done' card. But she still have five plus minutes in her : ) IT was horrifying. . . . but afterwards was enjoyable.

We took truckloads of family photos of everyone in their sunday bests.

All the dads at the house, with at least one of their progeny.


And what would family photos be without one shot of hte chaos that prefaced the good one? Clara's left shoe kept falling off for some reason and Greg stuck it on her hand. I think she was confused, but she tried to fit it in her mouth anyway.



Grandma Patrice and Grrandpa Greg with the grandkids (we haven't thought of better names than that. Hopefully the kids will put a little pizazz into their titles : )










Clara in her SUPER cute dress! I love it! It looks so much cuter in person. But evertime I'd change her diaper and she'd grab all the fabric and pull it up, it reminded me of Back to the Future when Biff is in the car with Lorraine and George opens the door on them. Just all those ruffles. . . I don't know why, but it just made me laugh every time I changed her diaper (or she grabbed al lthe ruffles and tried to put them in her mouth. That's her new thing. She turend 3 months and started eating her clothes.)

Golden,, Brittnie. Gifford and Christina left Sunday night. MOnday Greg, Patrice, Tyler and I drove out to Harper's Ferry. We ran into a bit of bum luck with road construction and associated traffic, drizzley weather, and the resuraunt they wanted to go to for lunch was in a 100+ year old building that was finally condemed and slotted for total rennovation as of January. But, the drive was very pretty : ) I only wish more of the stores were open or we had more time to visit and walk around.

We had to get back to catch our flight home at 6pm. As I walked out of the airport bathroom with Clara I see the flight board has delayed our flight until 7:30. I tell tyler I don't want to wait around and can we please call his parents to come back and get us. He says, yeah, they just announced it would be 8:30 over the PA. So I go to the shortest Delta Counter line in eyesight and we get two seats on a flight out Tuesday at noon. Perfect. Now we just call G and P and they come back and get us.

The thunderstorm (or other weather) canceled a bunch of flights, so we couldn't get our luggage. We just let it go on ahead to Phoenix whenever our plan took off (Which dind't happen until 9:40pm). Fortunately they put aside her carseat and stroller in 'weird shaped baggage' or whatever its called, so we had that.

Greg and I watched office space that night while Partice and Tyler fell asleep : ) Then we flew back to Phoenix on Tuesday without a hitch! So, done and done!

Mary Land PArt 3

Yesterday we went to the Maryland Science Center at Baltimore Harbor to see the Body Worlds 2 Exhibit. It was pretty cool. This part of the traveling exhibit (I guess there's a few roaming the world) focused on the brain and had some really interesting displays.We asked a stranger to take our picture outside the Center because no pictures were allowed inside the exhibit.

This was right at the entrance to the exhibit.

Afterward we got some food at the food court in I can't remember which building. Clara was still sleeping so I got to eat most of my chicken broccoli penne Alfredo. I tried to keep a napkin over her face like at Bare Bones the other day (With the philly cheese steak) but the wind proved a formidable adversary to that goal. I blame the wind also for making me drop one sauce covered penne noodle on her cheek (She didn't wake up).

I also accidentally dropped a sock on the floor of the bathroom when I was changing her and refused to pick it up and put it in my bag. Far to 'public' of a restroom for that if you know what i mean. . . I can afford another pair of baby socks. And Tyler forgot the matching hat to go with her Pink Cherry outfit (Which was the whole point of the outfit!) so we had a few wardrobe problems, but managed just fine.

Brittnie hung out with Clara a lot. Clara mostly tried to pull her shirts up or down, depending on the outfit. Rusty hung out with anyone. He's the coolest diaper-wearing-gay dog I ever met! (that's for you brittnie! : )

Today we were supposed to go to New York, but that sort of fell apart. So instead Gifford, Christina (who arrived Friday Night) Tyler, Greg and Brittnie went to see The Hulk while Patrice and I went to babies R Us.

Golden finally made it out after helping his family pack up their moving truck. Then we had a nice BBQ outside again with everyone. Again, the leaves were very refreshing.

Mary Land PArt 2

Tuesday night Clara slept until 7:45 am!! IT was awesome.

Carly came out from Gettysburg with Porter on Wednesday. WE got to take lots of cousin pictures and I videoed a little bit. Porter's about a month old and is as big as Clara. I think he weights a a little over 10 pounds? Clara might have an inch on him, but if she does its just barely an inch.

Brittnie, Tyler and I played Monopoly that night and Tyler landed on Boardwalk and parkplace and Brittnie went out first-to Tyler. I didn't last much longer after he got over $1200 from free parking. (we played again tonight and I went out first despite having landed on all the reds and building houses because brittnie had about $4000 cash and kept getting more by the stupid chance and community chest cards, and Tyler landed on free parking again for $1,415. You read that right. One thousand, four-hundred fifteen dollars. IT was ridiculous)

Last night we also had a little BBQ out on the deck since the weather was so nice. Greg had to work pretty late so he missed it, but it was nice to hang out with Carly and Patrice and BRittnie (Tyler too I guess : ) And the weather really was beautiful. And I figured out that I miss leaves. I don't like desert flora and fauna-what little there is. I appreciate trees with actual leaves. And Grass. I like grass. The look of it. The smell of it. The feel of it under bare feel. I enjoy it. I'm looking forward to having a patch of grass of my own again eventually.

Today went to the Mall and did a little card shopping for Father's Day (Tyler's first one!) and some other window/real shopping. Then we stopped for a late lunch at the food court and came home. Clara peed on the carpet because she moved her bum off the double layers of diaper cloth. Fortunately Greg wasn't too mad because the dogs have, apparently, already taken a toll on the carpets (but you can't tell). IT was just a teeny bit that leaked through though, really, about the size of a dime.

Tomorrow we're headed to the Harbor to the Museum of I can't remember what for the Body Works or Body Moves traveling exhibit. We're all going so that should be lots of fun.

Mary Land Part 1

We're in Maryland now visiting Tyler's Family before we head out to Japan. Getting her was sorta rough. I pushed back clara's schedule about 2 hours the week before we left so the time change wouldn't be so hard. But she woke up about 3 or 4 times the night before we left, so even though our flight didn't leave until noon, I was already pretty tired.

Our layover in Memphis was fine, but when we got to BWI we were in a holding pattern because of some weather. THey diverted us to Dulles (in DC) and said they were goign to refuel and fly us back to BWI. I asked Tyler if we could just get off here and drive the hour to his parents, but the pilot chose that moment to tell everyone that they could get off if they wanted, but their baggage was going to BWI. Since the carseat was checked, we stayed put. Clara had been sleeping for about 30 minutes but woke up when we landed and the bright lights came on. I stood up and wrapped her to me and was standing for pretty much the next two hours. After they refueled (and hour later, yeah right pilot "20 minutes", who do you think you're kidding?) they started the plan up and got some computer error. After another hour they just let us off--with our baggage. So I"m completely exhausted, a little tired, and so sick of airplane air (seriously, do they purposefully filter it though some nasty old seat cushion? because it smells like that). I've already had a crying bout and now we're still an hour away from a shower and bed. It's midnight in Maryland. We've been 'traveling' for 9 hours.

His parents are still at BWI, Tyler tels them to book it to Dulles. Meanwhile Greg calls Gifford to have him come get us (he lives about 10 minutes away) and start driving us towards them. Giff picks us up because he's awesome--but we clearly dragged him out of a very comfortable bed at MIDNIGHT. And it was a good thing we did that too, because as soon as we loaded up his car his phone rings. Greg and Patrice are about 10 minutes away.

I finally got to the bedroom at 2am Baltimore time. Had a fabulous shower and konked out around 2:30 or 3. Tyler got up to go to Porter's baby blessing and left with his parents at 7:15. I was really bummed i couldn't go, but I was completely non-functional. I would have driven up afterwards for lunch, but I don't think Greg would have been cool with me strapping a carseat in the Z06. . . or me driving probably : ) SO I stayed home with Clara and took naps. Fortunately she was pretty wasted too so we didn't even get downstairs until noon.

I didn't even acutally know she was having POrter's blessing that sunday until the Friday before we left so I had to remember to bring a church outfit. THe pictures are really great and Tyler was able to stand in the circle, so that was really nice.

Sunday night she woke up a bunch of times and it was not fantastic. But we ran some errands with Patrice and then She and Greg watched her while Tyler and I went to see Kung Fu Panda. Which is, by the way, hilarious. Patrice was a trooper and kept clara up until almost 9 (which is only 6 in az) then she went to sleep. And she slept until 6am! WOo hoo! Went down again at 7 and slept until 10! YESssssssssssssss!

Patrice made Greg interact with Clara to make her smile. I've got about 30 shots of clara on the deck : )

So then we went to lunch with brittnie who rolled in around 11. And Clara had a little nap on my chest while I'll ate a philly cheesesteak. So that's where we're at right now.

I'll post some pictures later.

Clara's 2 1/2 month appointment

I had a different doctor than the Indian guy today. This new pediatrician was really nice and didn't give me crap about separating out Clara's vaccinations, so that was nice.

Clara is 23 inches long (75th Percentile) and weighs 9 pounds 10 ounces (10th Percentile).

She sleeps from about 7pm until about 5 or 6am (With a dream feed and a potty at around 10 or 11pm).

I asked the doctor if she was gaining enough weight and she said, "Yeah, she's just tall and skinny" She added a shoulder shrug which made me feel better : ) So Clara basically has a Young body type and a Young metabolism because she's eating now about every 1-2 hours during the day. I guess if she gets her calories in during the day she doesn't have to eat at night? And she pees all the time and a lot. I know because I catch a lot of them. I was tempted to measure them, but the Doctor said as long as she's 'tracking', meaning on the charts, she's fine. So, that's that.

A sad day--and smiles

She's already growing out of some of her onsies! : (

The top two pictures were just when she was taking a nap the other day. I thought she looked so comfortable and cute! I love how her little hand is laying across her chest.

The bottome two are today--I'm not sure why the collage cuts off the top of her head--in the onsie that is now significantly more fitted than it was last time she wore it (two weeks ago!) She's wearing her 'stone' baby legs which match a tad better than the blue bubbles pair. The socks we could still work on. . . .
I have to go through her wadrobe now and start putting aside the shirts and onsies that are too small for her already! I know this is only the beginning, but its still a little sad to think that she's already gwoing out of stuff! Below is a video I took. THere's no audio becuase it was taken with my digital camera, but I just htought I'd try to upload some video. Its only about 16 seconds--nothign fantastic, just her hanging out and responding to, "Can you smile for mama? Smile for mama! THERE"S a smile! That's a smile for mama!" Yes. . .I'm giving her the building blocks for a fantastic vocabulary, I know. Don't act like your'e not impressed : )

Claiforn-yorn-ya PArt 3

After we got back from Bakersfield (visiting G. Callie) we hung out at hte house for the rest of the day. The next day, MOnday, Tyler and I went out to the Ranch and picked ab unch of avocados and some lemons. Then we swung by the factory to get some poly planters so I can start using my compost! I think tyler was al ittle frustrated becuase the planters took up all the room in the car so there was no place to put the dog on the way home except the passenger's lap. But he was cool about it--and I'm so happy Ican start a container garden now! : )

We really wanted to go to lisa and chris's after the ranch and spend the night, but we got a late start and we out there until about 2:30. Plus it was Monday so we were goign to hit a truckload of memorial day traffic, so we had to scrap that plan unortunately. Mom watched Clara while we were in Santa Paula and then she watched her again while Tyler and I went out to Indian Food. It was pretty good, but my coconut korma was green. I found that to be odd.
We went to Big Bear on Tuesday morning. Before we left the dog was acting funny becuase we had all our bags out and she wasn't sure if she was coming (I think). So I bring some stuff out to TYler to put in the car, and I close the door behind me so frankie can't get out but I don't shut it. . . yeah Frankie pawed it shut while she barked (I think she thought we were leaving her). It wouldn't have been a problem if it hadn't been LOCKED! I think my parents would be happy to know its terribly difficult to get inside our house without either a key or breaking a window. Stupid dog. So that started out the trip a little stressfull, but once we got there it was great. This is the only picture I have of all three of us. I took it as soon as we got there so I wouldn't forget.
Clockwise: The view out the main floor windows. Those are Bear Mountain slopes you can see (without any snow on them : ) Frankie and Clara hanging out by the stove (fire). Clara nad me about to go on a walk with Tyler. No the coat isn't mine. Don't be fooled by the sun, it was pretty chilly. 65? Yes, that's chilly for AZ.

I have a garbage bag to collect pine cones becuase Erika and I used to do that when we were kids for kindling for my dad. We used to decorate some of htem too, but mostly we just burned them. Tyler didn't want to collect pine cones. But at least he stopped while I picked them up : )

Frankie was a bit of a soft shoe on the walk. I don't think she liked the rocks or the shrubbery. We need to toughen her up a bit : )

Frankie always tries to get as high as she can in any room--in case you couldn't tell. She spent most of her time on the back of this couch (which yes, used ot be in our living room at home--there's a matching arm chair too). We think she liked hte view out all the windows, and she could see us if we were at hte table, in the main room watching tv or if we were in the kitchen. Pretty good spot.

While we were packing up to go home she decided to sport a stradle which we thought was hilarious. She's never done that one before!






Remeber how there was no space in the car because of the poly planters? I had to Get to clara to check on her for some reason and frankie didn't appreciate me moving her, so she took up the rest of the seat. Her chin was resting on my shoe for a minute, but I couldn't get the camera out in time.

Ps. Yes that's subway to the left. Don't ever try to eat a cold cut trio in the passenger seat with a dog on your lap. And note: Frankie does not like lettuce, mustard or olives. Bread, cheese and meat she's ok with.

This was taken on the second leg of the trip home. Clara threw up on the windy road down the mountain--I felt SO TERRIBLE! I didn't even know! She wasn't fussing or anything, but when we stopped for gas there was vomit (not just spit up, it was vomit, and all of the last feeding was on the blanket). IT didn't get on her though becuase of how I had the blanket, but how awful! To feel so naseaus that you have to boot, but your'e straped down and can't move or lean dorward it can only go on you! I felt awful. . . I don't wnat to talk about it anymore. . . .

Californ-yorn-ya Part 2

On Sunday the 25th Tyler, Clara and I went to Bakersfield to visit his Grandma Callie and Ron. Clara is her first Great Grandchild. When I asked her what she wanted to be called she said "GG" which I thought was pretty appropriate beucase she always signs letters and cards as "G.C" so now she's "G.G.C". I guess I could write it Gigi. Or Geegee. . . ok, I'm done, you get the point.

Tyler's aunt Annette came over as well as his Uncle David, his wife Lisa and their two kids (Scott and Christine who have grown exponentially since we last saw them over a year ago). They had a nice little cookout with polish asusages, spicy hot dogs, baked beans, fresh fruit (including a bowl full of strawberries with splenda that I ate the large majority of), pasta salad etc etc etc.

I'm just glad I remebered to take pictures while TYler was there becuase he may not be able to make it out there again in August when we're in California again (before we head to Japan).

It was still pretty icky weather. It rained on the way out and was sort of overcast the rest of the day. I think it rained on the way back home too. But the acutall visiting was very nice.
Below going clockwise:
Uncle David holding his daugher Christine (who wasn't inclined to be in the picture but we're so glad she was!) Tyler, Clara and his "cousin scott" : )

G.Callie, me holding Clara nad Tyler

Clara sleeping back at my Mom's house. I thought it was pretty cute that her tongue was sticking out a little. Plus I thought she just looked so darn peacefull. I wish I could get some sound sleep like that! : )