Sena & Papa

Letter Month Seventeen

Dear Sena,
I'm exhausted. In a matter of two weeks, you've gone from moving around to jetting around at a speed even an espresso-infused mama can't keep up with. At the same time, it is hilarious to see what you do—it gives me a little glimpse into your mind and your thoughts. "Hmm.. Coloring time. [sit down, empty crayons], Oh wait, the front door is open...[run to front door] Outside, Outside! Wait, maybe I'm hungry.. [jet back to highchair', 'num-num'"

And, the "num-num" is the one thing you're up for doing all the time. Apparently, Grandma Debbie says I was the same way. (Hence the Buddha belly at age 2.) The problem is you don't give me much of a heads up. You just decide you're hungry and head to your highchair and I have a matter of seconds to concoct what your fifth snack of the day is going to be, and how I'm going to make it healthy, when you've just about eaten everything I had planned for the entire day by 2 p.m. I guess I shouldn't complain. A good eater is better than a no-eater!

We've had an incredibly busy month. Aunt Tanya and cousins Ella and Shiloh came to visit us in Colorado. Although they stayed with Grandma Sheree, you were entranced with Ella, saying "Ella" nearly every time you woke up or remembered that you had a beautiful cousin to follow around. I can only imagine what it will be like next time we see them; hopefully, Ella will enjoy the constant sidekick.




Gi-Gi also came to visit, which was really nice. It has been much too long since we've seen her, and I think she got a kick out of your words, especially since you can now say Gi-Gi. (Of course, Ella came first..)

Afterward, mama's parents came to visit, too. I was so proud of you- you warmed up to Grandma & Grandpa so quickly- and even gave them kisses! You loved the Gymboree class they signed you up for, and quickly absorbed the first class lesson: Up/Down. (In fact, we went shopping with Grandma Debbie and you told her to "up/down" for nearly five minutes! And she did it!) You loved having Grandpa Ron in the car with you, reading you stories, making funny sounds and teaching you "Zoom-Zoom". Grandpa Ron also taught you "Moo" and Grandma Debbie taught you your first color— "lellow". Which you picked up with ease. Your vocabulary is amazing, child.





Other visitors this month: Great Aunt Janet, Cousin Ashlee and her new husband Janos. I think you found Janos's accent interesting, and were a bit uncertain why he sounded different, but weren't so uncertain afterall—you gave him a "bump" [fist pump] that seemed to make his day.

Last but not least, we took you to Folks Fest with Aunt Tanya, Cousins Shiloh & Ella, and Juli, Chad, and Will. I was a bit skeptical how you'd do at an all-day concert, but you all had so much fun. Dancing, hula-hooping (Ella), and letting mama and papa and friends really enjoy the beautiful Colorado setting as well as amazing music. This is going to definitely be a new annual family outing. (Thanks to the Pearsons!)




Okay, that's it for today. Mama needs some rest.
love,
mama

5 Year Countdown

Today is our anniversary! We've been married five years, but together since about 1998. (Long story...)
So, as a tribute:
Year one: Married- moved to Portland, Oregon. Buy a dog. Decide Oregon was too rainy, or hot. Can't decide. Need to move again. Bought a house just before year 2.
Year two: Pack up car for second time in 9 months and move to Colorado. Steven gets a new job. We buy another dog. Time to dismantle new house. Install new kitchen, new bathroom and new bedroom. Need a hobby. Buy two cruiser bikes.
Year three: Steven quits his job to go back to school, just before we find out we're preggers with Sena. Time to renovate again. Move office for third time since living in house.
Year four: Sena is born. Can't remember much of the rest of the year.
Year five: Happy family.. Steven graduates.. Gets new job... We celebrate our fifth anniversary by buying our first new car. A bright, shiny silver one. Just checked and silver isn't until our 25th anniversary. Year five is wood.
Happy Anniversary Honey!

A few more pictures of Sena..and the Moose.

A few more pictures of this weekend at Devil's Thumb Ranch. And, a special thank you to Shanon for arranging it!

Juli also posted a few more pictures of the trip here.

I Love My Husband.

So, this past weekend I turned 30. A big milestone, but one that I somehow was putting to the back of my mind. I knew Steven had planned something to celebrate, but I had no idea what he had up his sleeve.. as it turned out, it was a lot!

On Friday he sent me an email saying he was going to take the afternoon off and treat me to a massage. Hooray! He also told me to "get ready," but how and why would one get ready for a massage... I didn't think anything of it. He showed up at the house, relatively stressed (we were late), and drove me into Boulder. We found the spa, and as he was driving by, I told him to let me out. (We were late- right??) He said, "no" quite emphatically. So, I stayed put. We parked the car and walked into the salon. As he was checking me in, I turned around and saw my sister, getting a pedicure. That's crazy! How funny that Carrie would get a pedicure today of all days? (Am I the slowest person around? I blame it on age.) And, then to my BIGGER surprise, sitting next to Carrie was Lori. My lovely Lori. My best friend from Pittsburgh!!!!!!! I started to cry of course.. Steven had planned for us to have manis/pedis and wine... which was followed by dinner with a few good friends. Did I say I love my husband?

Well, the following morning, he wakes me at 7 and says. "You need to pack." I replied, "For the day, or overnight?" He says overnight and that we're leaving at 10... The birthday surprise culminated with a trip to Devil's Thumb Ranch with the Pearsons and Lori, full of hiking, wine, dinners, wine, playing with the kiddos, fishing, wine. Did I say wine? I love my husband. I love my daughter. I love my friends. Thank you!