Boating for Babies

We had a great time at Laume's. But all good things must eventually come to an end. So now we are over at Sam's house, where we have spent the last two days out on his boat. After searching a couple different stores, we finally found a life jacket to fit Joli. She wasn't too happy about it at first.

But she warmed up to it. Especially once she got to play in the water!

Elena and I mostly just hung out on the boat.

Then we finally talked her into wake surfing. She did pretty good too.

Joe loved wake surfing and that most of the time.

That is when Sam wasn't doing it.

Good Times

Relaxing in Paradise!

We have finally arrived. We have a little over a week to just enjoy being away. I'm sure we won't be just sitting around, but it's nice to hang out in the front yard with family. My sister Elena is going to start her own quilt too. There's just some kind of inspiring magic about this place I guess. We also started reading. I just started Chicken Soup for the Military Wife's Soul, and Elena is reading The Secret Life of Bees. Yay for paradise!

Heading Out

With so much chaos going on, it took two days to pack before we started heading up to Laume's. We got Sam and Kyla off on their flight. Joe had to work. Laume and I tried to see some more of Coronado. And William played video games. We're finally on our way, and hopefully it won't be an enormously long drive.

Shamu Rocks!!

We woke up today and the girls headed off for th outlet mall. Something Kyla and I had been looking forward to all weekend. Unfortunately I was instructed not to spend more than two dollars, but it was still fun. Then we rushed back because Sam wanted to go to Sea World really bad. We decided to go later in the afternoon so we could see all the night shows. We missed the dolphin show, but I finally got to see Cirque de la Mer. It only took two years. Then we went to the show that we were there for. It's called Shamu Rocks. For anyone that's been to Sea World, they know that the Shamu show is pretty exciting, but the night show is awesome!! There's lights and music, there's even a guy on the electric guitar. It's amazing how incredible killer whales look at night with all those lights! We had fun to say the least.

Sandy Fun

Once all the formalities were over, Joe's family wanted to just relax on the beach, and we were all for it. We packed up all our gear and spent the afternoon playing in the surf and laying in the sun. Some of us chose other activities.

We had an all around good time. Of course come of chose not to wear sun screen and weren't quite as happy. Oh well, life goes on.

Joe Graduated!!

The day has finally come! After two and a half years, Joe has finally completed the program! We are so excited!!!! We picked up Joe's brother, Sam, and his girlfriend, Kyla, from the airport yesterday. About an hour or so later, Joe's mom and his brother William arrived! So we decided to go out to dinner. We all had a great time, and Joli certainly enjoyed herself.

Then the boys headed off to do boy things, while us girls went straight for the beach. It was all fun and games until I stepped on a sting ray. As pain was shooting up and down my leg, I was thinking " I don't really feel so much like walking on the beach anymore". So I sat down and let Joli play with her grammi a little more.

Then we decided to walk up to Starbucks while we waited for the boys. I'll sacrifice pain for Starbucks. Finally we headed home to get some rest before the big day! Graduation was like most graduations. Long, sort of boring, but also so exciting!! We're so proud of Joe!!

Joli was very good through the whole ceremony. She didn't scream or cry at all! When she got tired, she just went to sleep!

Joli was very excited to see her daddy graduate!One happy family!Daddy's Trident!

My Family!

Once Joe was done chatting, we went out to lunch with both our families, and then relaxed for the rest of the afternoon. Once the evening came Laume said she'd watch Joli so I could go to Joe's gradution party with him. I was very excited since this was the first time I was going to get to go out since I was about four months pregnant. So Joe, Sam, Kyla, and I went down to this bar on the beach and partied it up with a bunch of Joe's friends. The evening was very exciting, especially when Joe got his pin pounded into his chest! I don't think I'd be up for that, but I guess it's tradition. At this point I should mention that Kyla and I have been friends for ten years. So we danced while the boys talked about manly things. About four hours later I started getting a little antsy about my baby, and everyone was ready to go, so we headed back. Joe passed out the minute he hit the pillow. Sam yaked in my bushes for awhile. Kyla helped Laume make pancakes. And I fed my baby. It was a great time!!

Communication

Well I have come to a sudden realization today. My child and I have horrible communication. I have discovered that what I am saying and what she is hearing is entirely different. Examples:

I say: "I'm going to get you another spoon."
She hears: "I'm leaving you forever, you must survive on your own."

I say: "I'm going to change your diaper."
She hears: "I'm going to remove you right leg."

I say: "It's time for a nap."
She hears: "You will sleep for twenty years, only to be awaken by loves first kiss."
I say: "Would you like some booby?"
She hears: "If you do not get my breast into your mouth in next five seconds, you will not survive."

And last but not least:
I say: "Let's go get in the car."
She hears: "You will be strapped into the electric chair."


She's also decided that clothes are the root of all evil.

Keeping Up

It seems like anytime that Joe is home a lot, I get behind on everything. On the plus side, I do get to see him a lot. Since he's graduating on Friday, he's basically doing nothing all week. So he's been spending a lot of time at home and with us. Today we were lucky enough to have him join us in a trip out to Summers Past. He mostly slept while I played with Joli and read a book, but he was there!

Once we got home it was time for dinner and Joli's first time with spaghetti! She had a blast. She was a little tired and cranky, but she's was having so much fun she just kept eating it!

After she was done I realized there was just no point in trying to wipe her off so she went directly into the tub.

This of course was very fun. Especially when she trap all her toys at one end so she could reach them all.

All except the one who got away.

The rest of the week has been pretty fun. Yesterday we went to the Farmer's Market. Joli seemed to enjoy it.Tomorrow everyone shows up for graduation. We're so excited!!!

Just Chillin'

Well not much is happening in our household today. Joe and I washed the cars while Joli played in the grass. Then we all put on sweats and laid around watching t.v. Joli and I now have the cold that Joe had last week so we don't have very much energy right now. Oh well, everyone needs a lazy day sometimes I guess.

Almost Time

We are getting so very excited around here. After over two years of training, my husband is finally going to graduate! He's worked so hard and we are so proud of him! He got to come home early today, so we decided to have a little family outing. As we were walking by one of the local coffee carts, we saw this on their sign! Yay Joe!!

Walking

Well it doesn't look like it'll be too long before my little sweetheart is running around the house. She's still trying to get the hang of crawling but keeps pulling herself up on stuff. Crazy Baby!

A Wonderfully Exciting and Exausting Six Months!!

Today is Joli's six month birthday! Yay, for Joli! It has been wonderful. She is such an amazing child, who does something amazingly wonderful everyday. Sometimes they are great things and sometimes they are scary things. Today for example she pulled herself up on her hands and knees and tried to crawl. Then later at dinner, she choked on a bean. Her face turned red, she continued to gag, I picked her up to help and she threw up all over me. Then smiled. Scared the crap out of me. But that is my child. She is so hilarious. I find myself laughing at the things she does all throughout my day. Like today when she tried a piece of tomato. She gave me a very sour face, and then a wiggly-shake with her whole body. I also heard her say "mom", "good", and "yeah", several times today. Joe heard to talk too. I swear I'm not insane. In any case, it was a very lovely day, and I am so happy to tell her Happy Six Month Birthday!! I also wanted to share a picture of myself as a child, to see if anyone can see any resemblance.

Crazy Me

1. Where is your dad right now? Probably at work.

2. Last time you kissed someone? Two minutes ago, kissed my baby.

3. What is something you've learned about yourself recently? I get stressed out when someone screams for an hour and a half.

4. What color is your watch? I don't have one, I like to go by where the sun is. If it's on the right side of my house, it's too early. If it's right in the middle then I better be doing something. If it's on the left side then I should have eaten twice by now. If it's gone then there's something good on t.v.

5. Who do you love? Joli, Joe, and our families!

6. Are you close to your mom? Yes, we talk often.

7. Where does your best friend work? Well that's tricky because then I have to figure out who my best friend is. I have several friends that I'm really close with. The person I've also called my best friend is Jessica who I've known since seventh grade, but I don't hardly ever see her, so I don't know if I'm still supposed to call her my best friend. The past few years I've said that Joe is my best friend, but he doesn't really like talking to me lately. I talk to his mom several times a day, but I think that would be weird to call her my best friend. Then of course there's my baby, who I talk to more than anyone, and who knows all of my thoughts. But if someone can't comprehend or respond to your thoughts I'm not sure if that makes them qualified to be called a best friend. What is with the world thinking that you need to have a best friend anyway. I have lots of people that I'm close to and that's all that should matter. I don't think I should have to pick just one person and say "You are my best friend, I shall keep you in my pocket and we shall go everywhere and do everything together". I think that's not fair to the other people who I might be just as close to. They would be sad if I said "I'm sorry, you are not my best friend, you can't come over". Just too complicated.

8. What are you listening to right now? Baby's whining, again.

9. What do you smell like? I'm not sure. Joe says I have a certain smell about me. I don't know what it is. Apparently he likes it, so it's not bad. I hope it's not a breast milk, baby poop combo.

10. What color are your pants? Pants, what pants?

11. Do you have a roommate? Joe, Joli, Sampson, Romeo. (No Henry)

12. What color is your bedroom flooring? Browny-beige carpet.

13. Do you have a chair in your room? No, too much bed.

14. What time of day were you born? I think around happy hour.

15. Do you know anyone who is engaged? No, but I know someone who should get on it!

16. What's your favorite number? 21 or 6 (anniversary, birthday, and day Joli was born!)

17. Do you know someone named Lori? Yes, yes! My step-mom is Lori!

18. What color is your mom's hair? I think it's a reddy-orangy-blond color? It changes.

19. Do you have a dog? Someday. I have a baby though.

20. Do you remember singing any songs as kids? I remember singing songs always. People look at me funny because I sing songs in public, a lot.

21. When was the last time you went swimming? Last summer, when we had a pool.

22. When was the last time you talked to one of your siblings? Couple weekends ago I guess.

23. Did you ever go to camp as a kid? Yep, environmental camp, bible camp. I think that's all.

24. Do you play an instrument? Used to play the clarinet, I think I still could. I want to play the drums! So loud! So fun!

25. Do you like fire? A little too much I think.

26. Are you allergic to anything? Dicloxicylin

27. When was the last time you cried? Night before last. Baby screamed until 12:30am, then I had to pick up Joe at 2:30am, then I had a a little break down.

28. What kind of shampoo do you use? Herbal Essences, yeah baby!!

29. Have you ever been to a spa? Well, yeah. Last year I went and got a pregnancy massage, a manicure, and a pedicure. It was from my mom for my birthday. It was the best present!

30. Did you take science all four years of high school? I don't think so. Senior year I didn't do much, educationally.

31. Do you like butterflies? Yes, they a beautiful! And I love how they eat all that stuff and then come out of the cocoon!

32. Do you like Coke or Pepsi more? Oh, Pepsi! I don't really like drinking straight syrup!

33. What is the one thing you miss most about your past? Blackberries. Grandma has the best blackberries!

34. Did you ever see the school nurse? Until I was 18 and could sign my own notes.

35. Have you ever wanted to be a teacher? That's what I do when I'm not taking care of my own baby.

36. What is one thing you've learned about life? Live today.Tomorrow may not happen.

37. Jealous of anyone? No, only at 2:00am when my husband is sleeping.

38. Is anyone jealous of you? I doubt it.

39. Ever been stuck in an elevator? No, apparently it's on Joe's list though.

40. What does your dad call you? Mostly Lisa, sometimes hey.

41. What does your mom call you? Same as Dad.

42. What does your hair look like right now? The bottom of a toilet, with stuff sticking out.

43. Has a friend ever used you? I don't know, nothing memorable.

44. Has anyone recently told you that they like you? Well, Joe told me he loves me this morning. I think that counts.

45. What have you eaten today? Toothpaste, Then Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia.

46. Is your hair naturally curly or straight? Um, call it wavy.

47. Ever been called white trash? Not to my face.

48. Who was the last person you drove with? Joe, 3:00am, ah sleep.

49. What are you looking forward to? Joe graduating!! Yay, go Joe!

50. What is your favorite color? Today, it's yellow. With little duckies on it's butt!

Life in the Fast Lane

Joe began his day at what I like to fondly call "The butt-crack of dawn". Joli and I, not so much. We had a fairly late start. Not on my part, but someone stayed in bed until almost 11:00am.

It was very exciting for me because I got to take a shower alone! And I shaved!! Big moments in a mommy's life. Once we got ourselves together, we had to take Joe to work. I figured since we were already going to be over there, why not go to the beach. Unfortunately, once we got there it was cloudy and a windy, and just a bit too cold by my standards. So Joli and I headed back to the house. Once we got home of course it was beautiful, so we settled for the park. Now we don't have a lot of snacky things in our house, but I do like to have some fruit every now and again. Which is why I brought an apple with me to the park. But as I have been learning lately, anything that I eat, Joli gets as well. This is why I didn't get to eat my ice cream until 11:30pm last night. But I forgot about this when I started to eat my apple. Joli of course was watching me very closely, just waiting for the moment when I was going to break down and give her some. Finally I did begin to break off tiny pieces and feed them to her. And this is what happened...

Apparently I am not longer in charge. Then after some more time under our little tree we headed home to play the "I'm really tired but I don't want to take a nap" dance. Eventually, after barely a nap and numerous screams, we made it through bath time and now my little linebacker is ready for bed.

Now if only I can get her to sleep for more than forty-five minutes before she wants to play again.

New Phases

Today was a day of new things. Joli and I finished going through a box of hand-be-downs. Sorting them into sizes and putting them in the appropriate box.

We also put her 3-6 month clothing in a box and took out the 6-9 month clothing. Just in time considering she went through five outfits today. Part of our task was trying on accessories to see what fits, and we discovered that the most adorable little tennis shoes that she got from her great-grandma Barb fit her!

Since it was a day of change and moving on, we took apart her baby swing that she can almost pull herself out of, and the bouncy seat, and put them in a box.

As if this was not exciting enough, Joli is learning new things as well. She is now starting to figure out how to get from the sitting position onto her hands and knees. She still hasn't really gone anywhere, but I don't think it will be too long now. She also is learning how to use a spoon. She can't get the food on the spoon yet, but if I put it on and then put the spoon on the tray, she can pick it up and put it in her mouth, mostly.

So onto a new phase, and new adventure. Even Joe made a comment about how fast his baby is growing up. The most widely shared piece of advice among mothers, is that it happens so fast and to enjoy it. I have enjoyed ever minute of being a mother. Even in those moments when I have threatened to toss her out the window, she just laughs and gives me that wonderful little smile and I'm still so happy. But I still can't help but be sad when I see the tiny little pink dress her daddy put on her when she was a week old, because he said he wanted her to look like a girl, and then held with her for an hour so I could sleep. I will never get those moments back, and I'm sad because they were wonderful, but at the same time I'm happy because I'm helping my little girl grow and we're moving on to the next wonderful stage. I get very excited about her being in the next stage, but I always have to take a little time to mourn those that have past. Having a child gives me a great appreciation for life and how very short it can be. Cherish the moments, or tomorrow they'll be gone and you'll wish you still had today.

Creative Clothing

Well once again I've used my child's clothing in a way in which it was not originally intended for, but once again it looks really cute. This "dress" is actually a shirt in a larger size. I put some bloomers under it and now it's a dress. Once it becomes too small to be a dress, she'll wear it as a shirt. Children's clothing is so much fun!!!

This "shirt" was actually a dress in a tiny infant size. I received it in a box of hand-be-downs. I put most of the little size in a box of stuff for the next baby, but this dress was just too cute. So now it's a shirt.

The Love of a Woman

Well my husband was sick today. Which of course meant I had two to take care of. But he was very sweet last night when he said that he wanted to go with us to one of my favorite places in San Diego. It's an herb farm called Summers Past. It's one of the most relaxing places to go when you live in the city. Today they were having a fairy festival. People make little fairy gardens to be entered in a contest, and children dress up as little fairies. Then at the end there is a fairy tea. I was very excited, especially since in all the time we've lived here I've never got my husband to go. Unfortunately when we woke up this morning it was very cloudy and windy, and Joe was feeling much worse than he did last night. So we didn't get to go. I told my little fairy when she woke up, and she was very sad.

The day was mostly boring. Sorting clothes, doing dishes, changing diapers, taking care of sicky. I was feeling slightly annoyed at being a woman, after my husband made a comment that I sit around doing nothing all. Especially since on this particular day I had yet to sit down when I did not have and infant attached to my breast. But then one of the perks of being a woman showed up with my husband, and I was okay with it.

So I guess I just call it another day that evened itself out. What can you do?