Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Where did summer go?
This summer flew quicker than any I can remember. I suppose this is something we'll have to get used to as Fiona (and we) get older.
It was a summer of many visitors, adventures, and firsts. Uncle John, Papa Sharkey, and cousin Caitlin were here in May; Grandma Dale visited in June; Uncle Russ and Aunt Teresa came in July; Papa and Granny Sharkey swung by in August, followed by great aunt Pam and 2nd cousin Adrienne in September. And Grandma Dale is on her way with Grandpa Rudy next week! Phweew!
In addition to the excitement above, we had a few adventures of our own. Firstly we introduced Fiona to her first Scottish highland games. She didn't cringe at the sound of bagpipes - a promising reaction considering she freaks out when she hears most loud noises, including the blender, vacuum, and coffee grinder. In fact, today she cried when I pulled out the vacuum...I hadn't even turned it on.
We spent a lot of time on the Oregon coast this summer, and Fiona got her fill of sunshine, amazing scenery, and sea gulls. Her daddy discovered Pacific City - a beautiful beach where motorists are allowed to drive onto the beach itself and park. We picnicked out of the back of our Xterra. Granny and Papa also let us tag along with them as they rented a condo in Lincoln City, only a block away from the beach. We were there for a WHOLE WEEK. This was especially glorious for me, as I was not only able to read (for fun), and relax, but the trip also came with a built in cook, maid, and two very willing babysitters. Delightful!
As I mentioned previously, this summer was one of many first for Fiona. We discovered she adores the water, and we're sure she'll be a swimmer in high school as she kicks her legs so hard in the bath, or any other body of water, she soaks anybody or anything within 5 feet. Bathtime has become one of her favorite events. The best is the intense look of determination on her face when she kicks her little legs as hard as humanly possible. Often she's aiming at the rubber duckies in the bath with her.
She also broke her first 2 teeth within the last month. She looks much older now. :(
This summer, Fiona learned to remove her own diaper, much to her mommy's chagrin. One hot day in July, about 15 minutes before I had to leave to teach class, I had just placed dinner in the oven and was on my way upstairs to change, when I glanced at my baby. Since it was warm in the house, I had left her to play on the floor in just a diaper. On my way up the stairs, glanced at my little angel, and noticed she was holding her own diaper...it was barely fastened to her body. It was, of course, quite poopy. Just before it came completely off, I was able to snatch her up by her arm and a poop-smeared leg. I rushed her to the bathroom, and placed her in a waterless tub. I didn't know what else to do! I gave her her quickest sponge bath yet. Meanwhile, the chicken pot pie in the oven burned to a crisp, and I still hadn't changed clothes.
Fiona also learned to wave bye-bye thanks to Granny and Papa's prodding. She also sits up like a pro, and can scoot on her belly in complete circles. She's beginning to figure out that pulling her knees up to her chest helps in propelling her forward. Crawling is right around the corner. She babbles non-stop these days, and has even learned to say "Mama." Although, she mostly says it when she's upset or frustrated. She's figuring out many consonant sounds, and is surely going to be asking for the car keys before too long.
I know there are many things I'm forgetting. But this will have to do for now. We're looking forward to 3 trips within the next 3 months. I will be in my friend's wedding in Los Angeles next month. Then Bryan's off to Denver in November for a leadership academy and training for work. December, of course, is Fiona's 1st birthday and the holidays. We're looking forward to seeing many of you.
Hope you are healthy and happy.
It was a summer of many visitors, adventures, and firsts. Uncle John, Papa Sharkey, and cousin Caitlin were here in May; Grandma Dale visited in June; Uncle Russ and Aunt Teresa came in July; Papa and Granny Sharkey swung by in August, followed by great aunt Pam and 2nd cousin Adrienne in September. And Grandma Dale is on her way with Grandpa Rudy next week! Phweew!
In addition to the excitement above, we had a few adventures of our own. Firstly we introduced Fiona to her first Scottish highland games. She didn't cringe at the sound of bagpipes - a promising reaction considering she freaks out when she hears most loud noises, including the blender, vacuum, and coffee grinder. In fact, today she cried when I pulled out the vacuum...I hadn't even turned it on.
We spent a lot of time on the Oregon coast this summer, and Fiona got her fill of sunshine, amazing scenery, and sea gulls. Her daddy discovered Pacific City - a beautiful beach where motorists are allowed to drive onto the beach itself and park. We picnicked out of the back of our Xterra. Granny and Papa also let us tag along with them as they rented a condo in Lincoln City, only a block away from the beach. We were there for a WHOLE WEEK. This was especially glorious for me, as I was not only able to read (for fun), and relax, but the trip also came with a built in cook, maid, and two very willing babysitters. Delightful!
As I mentioned previously, this summer was one of many first for Fiona. We discovered she adores the water, and we're sure she'll be a swimmer in high school as she kicks her legs so hard in the bath, or any other body of water, she soaks anybody or anything within 5 feet. Bathtime has become one of her favorite events. The best is the intense look of determination on her face when she kicks her little legs as hard as humanly possible. Often she's aiming at the rubber duckies in the bath with her.
She also broke her first 2 teeth within the last month. She looks much older now. :(
This summer, Fiona learned to remove her own diaper, much to her mommy's chagrin. One hot day in July, about 15 minutes before I had to leave to teach class, I had just placed dinner in the oven and was on my way upstairs to change, when I glanced at my baby. Since it was warm in the house, I had left her to play on the floor in just a diaper. On my way up the stairs, glanced at my little angel, and noticed she was holding her own diaper...it was barely fastened to her body. It was, of course, quite poopy. Just before it came completely off, I was able to snatch her up by her arm and a poop-smeared leg. I rushed her to the bathroom, and placed her in a waterless tub. I didn't know what else to do! I gave her her quickest sponge bath yet. Meanwhile, the chicken pot pie in the oven burned to a crisp, and I still hadn't changed clothes.
Fiona also learned to wave bye-bye thanks to Granny and Papa's prodding. She also sits up like a pro, and can scoot on her belly in complete circles. She's beginning to figure out that pulling her knees up to her chest helps in propelling her forward. Crawling is right around the corner. She babbles non-stop these days, and has even learned to say "Mama." Although, she mostly says it when she's upset or frustrated. She's figuring out many consonant sounds, and is surely going to be asking for the car keys before too long.
I know there are many things I'm forgetting. But this will have to do for now. We're looking forward to 3 trips within the next 3 months. I will be in my friend's wedding in Los Angeles next month. Then Bryan's off to Denver in November for a leadership academy and training for work. December, of course, is Fiona's 1st birthday and the holidays. We're looking forward to seeing many of you.
Hope you are healthy and happy.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
June
Lads and Lassies,
June was a wildly busy month, thus, no recent blog updates. Finally, Fiona's taking a nap lasting longer than 45 minutes, so I thought I'd catch up on catching you up.
All's well in our neck of the woods. We enjoyed a visit by Grandma Dale early in the month. In fact, she was a Godsend during my last week of the school term, and she took great care of Fiona while I graded papers and submitted final grades.
Fiona took to her Grandma in no time flat, and gave Grandma some of the best belly laughs yet. She won't even laugh for her own mom and dad that way! We're a little jealous... Grandma swears Fiona is a genius and understands much more than other 6 month olds. Not that she's the least bit partial.... :)
After a week's break, I began teaching on campus two evenings a week. So far, so good. I was a little nervous to leave Fiona all alone with Daddy on the nights I go to class. I wasn't sure if I'd come back to my baby sporting a tattoo or nose ring. But Daddy and Baby are getting along brilliantly. In fact, Fiona's eyes brighten when Daddy comes home, as she knows "this guy's fun!"
Fiona is developing at lightening speed, and we're enjoying all her new "tricks." She's extremely close to rolling over from her back to her front, which is interesting as most babies begin rolling from their front to their back first. Not our little prodigy! She's also becoming interested in sitting up, although she still topples sideways when left alone for more than a few seconds.
She's beginning to use her consonants, and I'm hearing a lot of "ba, ba, ba, ba" these days. She began eating rice cereal at 5 1/2 months when Mama's milk was just not cutting it anymore. Now she's regularly eating sweet potatoes, prunes, rice cereal, and squash. Avocados were not her favorite when they were first introduced, but we're going to try them again soon. Grabbing her feet and rolling from side to side on the floor is her favorite pastime, and she's close to being able to sit up on her own. As you can see, it's been a busy month or so!
Fiona attended her first sports event this past weekend to celebrate a late Father's Day. We watched the Portland Timbers beat Montreal in soccer. Since Daddy has already decided Fiona is going to be his little soccer protégée, he figured we should introduce her to the sport early. She was awestruck by the colors, sounds, and crazy fans, and did amazingly well. Success!
Here are some photos to catch you up. We love you and miss you all.
June was a wildly busy month, thus, no recent blog updates. Finally, Fiona's taking a nap lasting longer than 45 minutes, so I thought I'd catch up on catching you up.
All's well in our neck of the woods. We enjoyed a visit by Grandma Dale early in the month. In fact, she was a Godsend during my last week of the school term, and she took great care of Fiona while I graded papers and submitted final grades.
Fiona took to her Grandma in no time flat, and gave Grandma some of the best belly laughs yet. She won't even laugh for her own mom and dad that way! We're a little jealous... Grandma swears Fiona is a genius and understands much more than other 6 month olds. Not that she's the least bit partial.... :)
After a week's break, I began teaching on campus two evenings a week. So far, so good. I was a little nervous to leave Fiona all alone with Daddy on the nights I go to class. I wasn't sure if I'd come back to my baby sporting a tattoo or nose ring. But Daddy and Baby are getting along brilliantly. In fact, Fiona's eyes brighten when Daddy comes home, as she knows "this guy's fun!"
Fiona is developing at lightening speed, and we're enjoying all her new "tricks." She's extremely close to rolling over from her back to her front, which is interesting as most babies begin rolling from their front to their back first. Not our little prodigy! She's also becoming interested in sitting up, although she still topples sideways when left alone for more than a few seconds.
She's beginning to use her consonants, and I'm hearing a lot of "ba, ba, ba, ba" these days. She began eating rice cereal at 5 1/2 months when Mama's milk was just not cutting it anymore. Now she's regularly eating sweet potatoes, prunes, rice cereal, and squash. Avocados were not her favorite when they were first introduced, but we're going to try them again soon. Grabbing her feet and rolling from side to side on the floor is her favorite pastime, and she's close to being able to sit up on her own. As you can see, it's been a busy month or so!
Fiona attended her first sports event this past weekend to celebrate a late Father's Day. We watched the Portland Timbers beat Montreal in soccer. Since Daddy has already decided Fiona is going to be his little soccer protégée, he figured we should introduce her to the sport early. She was awestruck by the colors, sounds, and crazy fans, and did amazingly well. Success!
Here are some photos to catch you up. We love you and miss you all.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Mother's Day and Other Fun Stuff
Just a quick post to update you all on the latest. I'm supposed to be grading 21 narrative essays while the baby is sleeping, but blogging is much more fun. Plus, I don't want to get behind in my photos to you. God forbid!
The latest: Fiona is now sleeping in her co-sleeper in her own room for most of the night (except for last night when she was awake between midnight and 2:00am chattering up a storm, pumping her legs as if she was on a bicycle, with eyes wide open as if she had just downed a Starbucks espresso. Mommy is exhausted....but still blogging). Moving her into her own bedroom was a big step for Bryan and I. Now we just have to transition her into her own crib, and the process will be complete.
Fiona is full of chatter these days. She loves to give her two cents especially in her car seat as we're driving, or while Mom is on the phone. She also discovered coughing for affect. She now coughs to see what reaction she'll get out of people. She is hilarious. She also has taken to her cousin Micaela's old blanket, and loves to sleep with her face pressed against it or, as you see in the photos, with the blanket completely covering her face.
Last weekend was my first Mother's Day. Fiona and Daddy brought me to Ponzi winery and vineyards for a picnic with our good friends, the Buckendorfs. Then they surprised me with a gift card for a facial and body massage! I'm so looking forward to cashing that in.
She was introduced to the beach this weekend while Papa, Uncle John, and cousin Caitlin were visiting. She didn't seem terribly impressed, but got a good nap in while we enjoyed a long walk along the beach.
That's the latest and here are some photos of her. She turns 5 months old today! The weeks are flying.
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