Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Summer Tradition

Every summer while I was growing up, my immediate and extended family would travel up to the warmer climates of Sonoma county. Growing up in San Francisco meant not really understanding that the sun existed for more than a few hours at a time and that hot weather worthy of owning a pair of shorts really did exist. When it was time for our pasty "white" selves to get some color, we would head out to Agua Calientes to soak our cold bodies in warm natural spring pools and enjoy a long day of overeating and delicious cool treats.

This was a tradition my brother and I most definitely looked forward to each year. I remember us gathering our supplies, getting into our blue Ford with the bench seat in back, traveling for what seemed like forever, and then finally arriving to our destination. Our trip included a stop at a deli beforehand where we would buy sandwiches, macaroni salad, drinks (for some reason I really remember drinking "Clearly Canadian"), and whatever supplies were needed. The place we'd spend the day at was a park with three pools outside and a really large grassy area for BBQ'ing and playing. I have soo many great memories of our days there. We would always visit the snack bar for rainbow sherbet and the pool with the really high diving board was freezing! Then, after a long day basking in the sun and enjoying family, we would make one last stop before heading home- a vanilla cone dipped in chocolate from DQ was the perfect ending to our lazy summer day.

A few weeks ago my brother (the oldest one of the three and the only one that experienced these summer visits to Sonoma) suggested that we continue the tradition we had as kids. I thought this was a brilliant idea and I got started making plans. Well, it turned out that the place we visited as children is now a members-only park. poop. But, I was able to find another park that would provide us with the same memories and we drove out there this past Saturday. This time, it would include all my brothers, their significant others, our mom, the hubby, our children, and new memories/traditions for them.

{our bathing beauty}

{the hubby called her our Amish baby because of her bonnet}



{the cousins, Corbin and Amélie}

{three generations. Amélie enjoyed pool time by 
sleeping and dipping her feet in the water. It was a very hot day.}

{my brother Gabe and his baby boy. the boys were the only 
ones that actually went in the water.}

We had a wonderful time. I'm sure this is something we'll be continuing. 

Thanks Gabilan for reminding me of our great summer tradition and for driving up to make it happen. We love you!

Rice and Beans: Month Two

To my sweet Amélie,

It sounds so cliché, but the time really is flying by. On this particular day you are actually closer to three months, but the days are really moving by so quickly that I have not gotten a chance to write this. But I cannot allow myself to skip detailing your exciting second month of life. 

Although you started out as an itty bitty thing at just a little over 5 pounds, you spent your second month making up for it. You have created a very good relationship with your food source (your mama) and those once skinny legs have filled out and developed little rolls. Those kissable cheeks have gotten bigger and have received enough kisses from me to last you over a lifetime.  

You are my sweetest, my nena, chiquita, hermosa, preciosa, bonita, rubia. Over the last month, you and I have created a deeper understanding of what our roles mean. I am amazed every single day by you- your movements, your tiny nails, your fleeting smiles, those big blue eyes, the perfect shape of your lips, your adorable nose, your ability to identify us as your parents, and...I could go on. There have been silent moments during the night when I cannot get enough of your smell and your soft baby skin and instead of returning your to your crib, I sit rocking you, loving you, and eventually sneak you into bed with me because I cannot let you go. I have loved every second I have spent with you during your second month and I dread the idea of eventually going back to work. In my ideal world, my only job would be to be your mommy. 


This month introduced your refusal to sleep during the day and your little fighting spirit came out. You detested having to sleep although you very well, as we did, know that sleep was what you needed. By the end of the month, we came up with a happy medium to your naps. You started to learn it was okay to fall asleep and perhaps even sleep in your crib during the day. 


During this month you were able to meet your cousin Corbin, uncle Gabe, and auntie Amberly. You enjoyed their visit by sleeping almost the entire time they were here. When we compared Corbin to you, your small size was only emphasized. Although he's much larger than you now, by this time next year, we probably won't notice much difference between you two. It's exciting for your uncle and I to imagine you two kids growing up together and sharing your milestones with one another. We are looking forward to creating new traditions as well as continuing ones that we had growing up. 



Chiquita, you have taken after your mommy in many ways. One of those ways being your love for warm weather and cozy environments. Your second month welcomed some very HOT days. Not only did I get to put you in all those cute little summer outfits I never thought you'd wear, but you slept like the baby that you are. Those hot days spent walking around town were blissful for both of us!


Whenever I look at you I see a little bit more of me. Your first few days I thought you resembled your daddy in almost every feature, but you're now looking like a mini blondie baby version of me. You have very light brown hair that has a tint of red and it's slight wave is transformed into curls when it is moistened. I love looking at your eyes as you nurse and have noticed how those once invisible lashes have become darker and longer. I'm in love with the little crease at your wrists that has developed because of your cute chubbiness. I miss you when you're sleeping and I welcome every new day because it means getting to look at you longer, smelling your sweet scent, and enjoying every bit of your being.


It is truly amazing to see the way you change and develop every day. Your "fur"brothers even enjoy getting to see the new things you'll do each day.


The weekends are some of our favorite days of the week. The presence of your daddy makes our days complete. We all enjoy sleeping in together and your daddy and I love waking up to your wide eyes and "agoos." We've enjoyed lazy days and beautiful sunny days strolling around the city. You love being carried by your daddy in the ergo and will fall asleep almost simultaneously.  We may be a bit biased, but we think you are the cutest baby in the world. You are the first one we kiss every morning and you're the last thought in our minds as we fall asleep. 



My muñeca, you have gone from a tiny thing to a girl with a big personality this month. You have shown us what you want and that you expect it immediately. At the beginning you were unhappy with tummy time and now you hold your head up so strong and high. You won't accept the bathwater unless it's perfectly really warm; just like your mommy. You will let mommy take a shower but only if it means you get to play. Your nap time and eating schedule is exactly how you want it every single day.


Amélie, you have brought us so much joy. We have fallen even more in love with you this month and we're sure every month following this will only bring the same. You are the light of our lives and we are incredibly thankful for all 10 pounds of you!

We love you,

mommy and daddy

p.s. Here are her stats from her two month wellness visit. 
                 weight: 9 lbs. 13 1/2 ounces (4 lbs. and 2 1/2 ounces bigger!)
                 height: 21 3/4 inches (3 inches longer)
                 head circumference: 38 1/2 cm (up 4 cm from birth)

      Our little girl was in the 20th-30th percentiles for all of her measurements. We've got a chiquitita!

Monday, September 13, 2010

The Mom Cut

I've been having the urge to cut my hair. Could this possibly be due to having a baby? When I mentioned to the hubby that I'm thinking of cutting my hair he gave me a look that said,"Oh no." Apparently he has some kind of association with women getting "mom" cuts after having a baby. I wonder if this is true because I also questioned myself when I started to think about getting a new do. Will I be following a trend or could it be the fact that Amelie loves looking at my hair and then grabbing onto it like her life depends on it?

The last time I really chopped my hair was about six years ago. After that I told myself I wouldn't cut my hair again until it was the longest it ever had been in my life and long enough that I could donate it to Locks of Love. Unfortunately, my hair takes forever to grow(it must be because it's curly) and so I don't know if I can donate it now. But, I had good intentions. I really loved my hair when it was short, but I really like it a lot now. I'm really torn about whether or not to cut my hair now and so I need some advice. Who better to ask than the girls I trust. Cut or no cut?

I was recently inserting a new picture into a frame and found one of me with short hair hiding behind the picture. It is my school/work picture from 5 years ago and made me think about this whole hair decision again. I started looking for pictures to take along with me when I get my hair done and I think the picture below is basically the look I'd be going for if I cut it.

{i won't look this adorably angelic, but you get the idea}


{this is what it's looking like now. 
although it's actually much longer than it looks here}


{this is what it looked like when my hair was shorter.
 i'm thinking of going shorter than this now. 
oh yeah, when it's shorter I often straighten it since it's fast and easy.}

I have an appointment to get my hair done this weekend and if I'm going to cut it I think this will be the time. 

Should I get the "mom cut" or not? Did any of you mommies get a new "do" after baby?

Amélie- Week Nine


Your personality is really coming out baby girl.

We love you more each day.

Amélie- Week Eight


You are our sunshine!

We love you sweet girl.