Spring has Sprung

A few of you know how much I have wanted a wall-mount vase for our entryway. I found one online that I really liked, but it was a gamble because you never really know how online stuff looks in person. A few weeks ago I took the risk and ordered two of the same, hoping they would fill out and look good near our front door. I knew I wanted a mirror between the two vases, and I finally found the one I thought would look good (actually the three I thought would look good) this past weekend Chad and I got them on the wall. Immediately we went to our backyard and pulled some spanish lavender to fill the vases and voila! Exactly what I wanted for that area.

I love love love how they turned out. What do you think?

Beach Baby

Maggie saw the ocean in December (Montana de Oro on the Central Coast) but this past Saturday was the first time she actually put her feet in the Pacific. We rolled up her pant legs and when Chad placed her feet and lower legs in the ocean she didn't flinch in the slightest. Me? I screamed like a sissy because the temperature was so cold (darn you California beaches!), but not Maggie. She simply stood there with Chad like she was standing in the bathtub.Weirdo.

San Diego

Last night we got back from a four-day trip to San Diego. And it was great! Lots of firsts for Maggie and we have tons of photos to show for them. We went to Balboa Park (where Chad and I were married), Old Town, Ocean Beach and were able to visit Chad's grandma and both sisters and their families. The weekend was action packed and a great way to welcome Spring. Below are a few photos documenting our fun trip.

Here are Chad, Maggie and me at the Casa del Rey Moro garden in Balboa Park, where we said our wedding vows.

  

Next are photos of Maggie and her grandpa and grandma (Chad's folks) and Maggie with her great grandma, Hazel, Chad's grandmother. She's 93 and enjoyed meeting Maggie. Maggie liked her too and especially liked playing with her name tag!

And Next She'll Ask for Unlimited Text Messaging

Yesterday Maggie figured out how to get from a laying into a sitting position. That's not entirely true, but yesterday is when the concept actually stuck. She did sit up on her own a couple weeks ago when she was playing with Chad but forgot after that one evening. Yesterday, however, she remembered, and sat up for most of the day and much of this morning. Who wants to lay down all the time, right? That's so February 2010...

One new skill at a time, I told her earlier this afternoon. There's no need to rush things. But she was having none of that. I think maybe she took it as a challenge, actually, and wracked her brain to figure out something else that would change her world. And that skill, she decided, would be crawling. She's still getting the hang of it and has only done a total of oh, 15 steps or so, but she's definitely on the move. I'm thinking maybe this one will be like her last skill where she forgets about it for a couple weeks before picking it up again. Holy canoli, wish us luck!

Fun Weekend

This weekend our good friends Loren and Andy came to visit. We spent the few short days they were here up at the cabin relaxing, cooking and enjoying each others company. Seems like just yesterday I was getting the house ready, shopping for food and waiting for their arrival. We're looking forward to seeing them again soon.

8 Months

Today Maggie is eight months old. This age is a fun one. She's able to play with her toys independently and is curious about the world around her. She loves to stare at people and usually gives them a sweet smile. Her favorite word, and only word so far, is mama ma mamamam mamama mama. Music to my ears. She enjoys spending time in her Bjorn and loves seeing the sights and cruising in her stroller. She rolls around on the floor and is almost ready to crawl. She gets to her knees and jumps, hops or rocks back and forth, unsure of what to do next. I haven't told her that she's preparing to crawl and have offered nothing in the way of encouragement or praise for nearly doing such a thing. I'm not ready to be a mom of a crawler. Just not ready.

Happy 2/3 of a year birthday, Maggie! We love you.