29 May 2005
This weekend Tim and I took an epic walk around Greenlake. I think we neared three hours. I’ve been averaging two hours for these walks, but this one kept on going. Kayla decided she wanted to eat at about every quarter mile or so. Luckily it was another gorgeous day, so it wasn’t too painful to sit on the grass in the shade, with my wonderful husband and daughter. It certainly wore me out though. I guess time takes on a new meaning with a new daughter.
After our walk we went out to Tim’s favorite restaurant- Agua Verde.
Susie and Seth came to visit this weekend. They had spent Saturday at Folklife, dancing the day away.
Sunday night Oma and Opa babysat Kayla while Tim and I went to see Revenge of the Sith. We actually got there about 25 minutes early, and Tim waited on line while I parked. He then went to get the tickets in the will call line, but the actual line moved faster and we ended up being almost the last ones inside. Things were looking grim in terms of sitting together, but I finally found two empty seats scattered in one row. After some finagling and persuading, one group of three moved down a seat so we could sit together. Yeah for nice people. I survived the night away from my baby, but not without some discomfort as I miscalculated the time we would be gone – some 4 1/2 hours later…
26 May 2005
We all went to St. Edwards Park for a picnic on Wednesday night. Opa, Oma and I were going to walk on the trails but Kayla had other plans. She had had quite a fussy day, and needed some calming down. It was such a gorgeous day out that it was still really nice to sit outside. We met up with Tim and several of his friends from work for the picnic. We may try to make it a regular thing.
Kayla is really much more alert. She is keeping her gaze longer, smiling and she even giggled at me the other day. There are also many more grunts and other sounds coming from her. I can’t quite call them coos or gurgles yet. She is holding her head up better at times as well, especially when one holds her over the shoulder. Opa said that Kayla really tracked his watch when he moved it from side to side.
Oma has been real good with Kayla, playing with her and quieting her if she is fussy. Oma has a good knack for that. Opa also has his own way to calm Kayla- making up stories. Who knows, he may have a future in children’s books or storytelling.
Opa helped rig up the butterfly mobile. Kayla doesn’t always look up, but when she does the butterflies hold her gaze. It was hard to capture both her and the mobile in the picture and really see her expression.
23 May 2005
Oma and Opa arrived today for a week long visit. We walked around Greenlake today, and then took it easy at home. Here is Opa reading Kayla the paper. She seems very content. Never too young to work on the intellect.
This is Tim feeding Kayla. His second time feeding her. She gave him a bit more trouble about taking the bottle this time, but as you see, she did eat. When I came into the room, everyone pointed out that Kayla had her thumb in her mouth. I had a hunch she might be a thumb sucker as I have seen her sucking her fist where the thumb should. She usually has the thumbs tucked into her fists. Oma said that earlier when she was holding Kayla, Kayla stuck her thumb so far into her mouth that she gagged on it. A bit overexcited perhaps. I’m sure this is still all reflex, but kind of exciting notheless.
18 May 2005
For the right price you too can sit in our jungle chair. It is an experience not to be missed…
Great grandma and grandpa Taft.
I had to include an Aris shot. She is getting lots of love from her dad, less from me I must admit. She comes around the baby and us, but my guess it’s because she knows that where Kayla is there are someone’s hands that might just reach out and pet her. As much as I’d like to think she has an innate fondness for the new addtition, that most likely is not the case.
14 May 2005
We ventured out to Discovery Park this weekend. Tim opted for the new stroller which did suprisingly well over the roots and rough path, at least as far as we could tell. Kayla was vibrating around a bit :-).
The whole path along the bluffs was roped off. We noticed months ago that a large section of the path had eroded and was gone. Into the Sound I suppose. Now you can’t even walk along there. Precaution is better than losing a few locals, it is a long way down to the water. The views are still great though.
Kayla and I attended two baby showers for some friends. Tim came to the first one. The second was women only.
And, finally, what do you do with a crying baby? Why dance of course. Put on your favorite tunes, and boogie. Jack Johnson has been a favorite of hers, but she didn’t seem to mind the random mix we had in the stereo this day.
12 May 2005
Great grandmother Snazzy and Wayne drove Vicky and Lila back here, and were able to have a visit with Kayla. Four generations of women, surrounded by Tim and Zayden.
Kayla changes her looks nearly every day. She is gaining weight well, and was close to 8 pounds at our last doctor’s visit. We still love her very much, and are finding ways to get through the fussy periods. It’s so hard when she’s crying so fiercely and we can’t figure out how to help her. But, then we wake up in the morning next to this cute, sweet face, and are ready to start again.
8 May 2005
This was taken on my 34th birthday. We invited some friends over last minute, to come and bring some food to grill. It was nice to have friends around. I had about zero sleep that day, and was therefore not very conversational, but I did my best. Tim and his sister made a yummy carrot cake for the occasion. It looked so pretty with the strawberries on it, so I thought I’d include a photo.
This is Tim and Kayla on our first mother’s day. We went out to eat brunch at a local restaurant I’ve been wanting to try. It was not bad, but I don’t think we’d go back. It was fun to be out and about a bit more. We went down to Greenlake yesterday, and walked around a bit, then had some drinks and appetizers at the greenlake bar and grill. She did really well and slept the whole time.
1 May 2005
Vicky, Lila and Zayden are all visiting. Zayden has really changed since we last saw him in December. They have been providing meals and that is a big help. They will be heading to Longview to celebrate Great grandmother’s (to Kayla) birthday.
I just love this shot. Vicky was exposing Kayla to the sun to help break up any jaundice. She is looking much less yellow now. Yeah!
Tim and I actually watched a couple movies this weekend during the late evening feeding time. We saw “Elf” which was really good. It elicited a few belly laughs from us. We also saw the 1978 version of “Dawn of the Dead”. Can’t say I really recommend that one, though seeing the special effects and outfits from that time was rather amusing. Tim seems to think we needed to see the old version before the new one. Hopefully the newer one is better.