POTD: July 30, 2006

Come on tooth! You're killing us over here. This is the face Savannah had most of yesterday. We believe she is seriously teething, although she is much happier today and no new tooth yet.

POTD: July 25 & 26

Swimming!

Grandma Bridget is in town this week (to be joined soon by Grandpa Austin) and she tagged along with us to our final swim lesson and took pictures.

I don't think I have ever been so grateful to get in a pool in my life. It's been in the mid to high 90's here for the past three days and while that's not too hot in general, it is FAR TOO HOT when you don't have air conditioning. Out thermostat said 90 degrees (in the house) at about 5 pm yesterday. Blech.

Anyway, here are some pictures. Our instructor said that Savannah is a natural and we should keep putting her in the water so she stays comfortable. If the weather continues to be like this, that should not be a problem.

We tried life vests today - this one did not fit Savannah so well. She tolerated it.

Sitting on the side of the pool, making a noise about something.

The kiddies all got a turn being dragged around in the boat. Savannah enjoyed it (probably because her swim teacher was doing the driving and she'd do anything to impress her).

Savannah kicking and splashing. It is also official that I hate that bathing suit I'm wearing.

Ya'll....so hot

So hot here today. I would normally be fine, but not having A/C really stinks for about 2 weeks out of the year. I think at last check the thermostat said that is was 87 degrees in here.

Achhhh.

Funniest thing I heard at Mom's Group this week

One mom to another:

"See, it looks just like your nipple"

((me laughing hysterically because I am 12))

"I was comparing the BOTTLES, you idiot"

POTD: July 19, 2006

Ok, pictures!

I feel really bad for our nanny. Savannah was a nightmare all day long and right after she left, Savannah took a little catnap, woke up and was a delight until she went to sleep!

Delight!

Up to something? You be the judge!

I like this last one a lot. It's like she's shielding herself from the paparazzi.

I know, I know, no pictures....yet

Sorry about the lack o'pictures. I'll get some together soon.

Updates: I had some of the moms over yesterday for cocktails and snacks. It was terrific. Lots of them left the kiddos at home so they could have a break. We had bruchetta and mojitos and guacamole and chips - delicious!

I made some crazy strong mojitos though as I couldn't find our shot glass (haven't really needed it since we moved as I was pregnant at the time and not really boozing it up). It was like college when you're all "That looks about right" when you're pouring the rum and it's really ENTIRELY TOO MUCH. At least, so I've heard. I never overindulged in college. It was all studying all the time.

I think Savannah is officially getting another tooth or she's getting sick, which I will be sad about. She has cried and cried today (It's a nanny day too- I hope she doesn't quit). I hope she feels better soon. I feel so bad for her. She hasn't cried like this in a long time.

My Eye!

Savannah punched me right in the eye today - to the point where I was stunned with pain and had to hold on to the door for a minute. There are two things I'm taking away from this.

1. The finesse hand is the one that kapowed me. The action hand's influence is spreading. We should all be very afraid.

2. I am a giant wuss as a punch from a seven-month old infant almost took me down. I guess I'll never be the Ultimate Fighting Champion.

Good luck Grandma Jean

Have a great first day of work at your new school!

Get Well Soon Great Grandpa!

Savannah heard that her Great Grandpa is not feeling at his best, so she wanted to say Get Well Soon!!!

XOXO

Savannah

POTD: July 16, 2006

Bubbles!!!!!!!

Worst Feeling Ever

I put Savannah down for a nap this afternoon and within in a few minutes she was wailing - not the normal one either. I went in and there was blood all over her sheet and oozing from her mouth like a vampire! I don't know exactly what she cut, (I think she might have bit her tongue) but she bled for a few minutes.

Then she started laughing.......as I've said before - sturdy and adventurous little kid.

She's now sleeping soundly. Major trauma over.

Edited to add: It appears she bit the inside of her lip.

POTD Catching Up and the Nordstrom Sale

First, a catch up POTD entitled tupperware in kitchen.....




Also, yesterday was the first day of the Nordstrom Anniversary sale. For those of you not from around here, Nordstrom is a department store based here in Seattle that has this huge sale every year in July. It's a madhouse on the first day, but really fun. Myself and two friends have made a tradition of going downtown on the first day at 7:30 AM and shopping.

The day used to also entail spa treatments and a long lunch, but now that we all have babies, things are a bit different. My friends both had babysitting for the day, but since Savannah had just been with her nanny for two days, I just brought her along (during her morning naptime - a good sale will make you a bad mother).

She did wonderfully with all of the chaos (for the most part) and was fussed over by about 10,000 people. I was lucky enough to land the most helpful salesgirl that has ever lived. Since I had the stroller, I was having a hard time maneuvering. She (Chelsea) came up to me and said "Oh, just point out stuff you like and I'll go in and get it for you" and she DID! I felt like royalty. "How about that blue sweater over there?" It would appear in my size. I even went as far as saying "I really like that jacket that girl is carrying." Boom! She found it for me. So thanks Chelsea for making my day (and the credit card company's day as well)

Savannah couldn't wait to look at all the stuff we bought!

Thirdly, a super cute picture.

The power of 10 minutes

I fed Savannah dinner about 10 minutes later than usual tonight as we were waiting for Conor to come home and were having a good time playing on the kitchen floor with Tupperware lids. (I mean, who doesn't have fun with that?) By the time I got her in her high chair, she was just sitting there with her mouth open. I guess she was hungry......

She cracks me up with something new every day.

Mom's Group

I am in a mom's group that has been meeting since Savannah was six weeks old. The above picture was taken about 3 months ago - not a dud in the group - they are all so gorgeous.

It's a great group - all the babies were born between September and December of last year, so it originally started out as a newborn support group. I have such love for the women and the babies in this group. It was a sanity-saver to have someone to ask random questions to, and complain with and get support from every Thursday. They helped me through Savannah wearing her harness to sleeping issues to what was a good type of size 3 diaper. We've just kept meeting as we all really get along and it's great for the babies to have little friends to play with.

Today it was our turn to host. Some of the babies are crawling now and it was pandemonium! It made me realize how non-baby-proofed our house is. Although I'm anxious for Savannah to start crawling and walking, I realized the benefit of being able to put her down somewhere, answer the phone and have her be in the same spot when I turn around.

POTD: July 13, 2006

Actually from last night, but close enough. Plus FLOWERS! Woo!

I don't know if you can tell in the above picture, but those pants are pink camo - so stinkin' cute. I love Target. This is our backyard and the deck that was here when we moved in. It's the most weirdly constructed thing ever. My friend Kirsten refers to it as a home improvement project that got away from someone. It's a great description.

Dahlia!!!!!!

Mini Dahlia!!!!!!! I have one more plant that is yet to bloom. I keep thinking I planted some red ones, but we'll see. I know you all can't wait to find out. (ha!)

POTD: July 12, 2006

Savannah reads a book!

Grumpy

I think Savannah is getting another tooth - she is grumpy and moany. Poor kiddo. However, I am going to resort to earplugs if the moaning doesn't stop soon.

Seven Months

Our girl is seven months old today!

Items of note from the past month:

• Hair! Look at all the new hair! The first picture is at six months and the second is today. It finally just started shooting out of her head. The color is very odd. Some of it is super blond, some is very dark like Conor's and some is just regular brown. I have no idea which color is going to win at this point.
• Hands! We have dubbed her left hand the finesse hand and her right hand the action hand. She is all about beating anything with her right hand, while the left is the hand she uses to pick things up and examine them. I have no idea what this means as far as right or left handedness, but it's very interesting, plus funny to watch.
• Food! She finally gets real food. I think she was ready waaaay before six months for solid food, but we waited like our pediatrician recommended and she seems to really like it. Oddly enough, she seems to like vegetables more than fruits. So far, no allergies or dislikes, except for a specific brand of bananas. Real bananas are OK with her.
• Sleep! Still a good sleeper. A few short months ago I never thought I'd be able to say that. But she is a champ now.
• Hilarious! Things she finds funny: Mom & Dad jumping up and down, peek-a-boo, when I shake my hair crazily and basically any sort of physical comedy.
• Sitting! Savannah is a great sitter. She's got no interest in crawling or standing yet, but we have mastered sitting.

All in all, it's too fast! She's more and more fun every day, but growing up so quickly. Every time I shoot a wedding now, I always look at the bride and think about how her parents probably remember the first time she had carrots or grabbed for a toy.

POTD: July 7, 2006

I was trying to take some pictures of her with her little wagon as she matched it today, but why sit quietly with a prop when you can flip it over to see how it works? Possibly there are MORE EXCITING things to chew on the bottom side.

The Toy Buffet as I have come to call it. We pile up about a zillion toys and she goes through each of them. You will notice in the above picture, the first thing she went for was a cap that goes over her bottle. Tupperware is becoming big.

"Oh, hello there. I was just trying to eat my toes while looking at the tree outside. Care to join me?"

Bobbing for Toys

This afternoon while holding a toy in each hand, Savannah spied something else that she wanted. She looked carefully at each hand and decided that what she had was too valuable to let go of, so she dove in for the third toy with her mouth. Very, very hilarious. I wish I had a picture to show you.

POTD: July 5, 2006

Before everyone gets all excited, I actually propped her up on the windowsill - she didn't pull herself up or anything. However, she held herself there for a good 5 seconds or so.

Daddy had hockey practice tonight, so we girls had dinner by ourselves. This was after the clean-up. The before picture in this series would have had many more peas on the face!

My Dahlias are getting ready to bloom! I always forget which color flowers I bought until they bloom. I'm happy about how these are turning out!

Say it, Don't Spray it

I was just commenting to my friend Darcie the other day, while photographing her adorable 4 month old, that Savannah has never been a raspberry blower. Her little one was bubbling up a storm at the time. Secretly, I was pleased by this as it seemed to add a hint of refinement to Savannah's personality. I know it's a developmental step and all, but she's making all the other sounds she's supposed to be making, so I wasn't worried.

Well, in the last few days, this has all changed. It started out with just her blowing on her fingers when they were in her mouth and progressed to her blowing into her bottle to make bubbles. (Super annoying because that would cause the milk in her bottle to spray out like a fountain) Now, she sounds like a little motorboat all the time. "BBBBBBBbbbbbbbb....ahhhhhh...buh...buh". It's complete with spit flying all over the place. So much for refinement.

POTD: July 4, 2006

Happy 4th of July!

POTD: July 3, 2006

Dad came home early today!

The Club in action.

Just cute.

Not of Savannah, but look how well my lilies are growing.

Swim Lessons

Savannah had her second swim lesson today. We are swimming at a YMCA near our house and it is so much fun. There are 6 kids in our class and Savannah is the youngest. The age range is from 6 to 24 months.

She's not really learning to swim as much as she's just getting acclimated to the water. We just sing songs and play mostly, but I could tell a big difference between this week and last. She was kicking her feet a lot more and splashing around with her hands. She doesn't care for floating on her back, but I think today that had more to do with the fact that the water was a little colder than normal.

The other big news is that she went under water this week! I chickened out last week putting her under (I have no idea why - she is the bravest and most adventurous kid) but we did it twice this week. As with most things, it didn't phase her at all. She was like "wha? huh? OK!" I think she was just trying to impress her teacher, who she LOVES! The instructor takes each child for a few minutes and Savannah was just smiling and laughing when it was her turn. She even pulled out the fake cough to get her attention (and it worked like a charm. "Oh Savannah! Did you get some water in your mouth?" Me in my head "Ummmm...no" Crafty kid)

Anyway, we're not penciling her in the for the 2020 Olympics just yet, but it's super fun to have such an adventurous little girl that's willing to try anything and usually ends up with a smile on her face.

Red, White & Zoo

I did not make this up. It's the theme this weekend for the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. They're giving the animals watermelon shaped like stars as treats! U-S-A! U-S-A!

I can't resist a snappy slogan so the family headed out for Savannah's first trip to the zoo!

It was a beautiful day here - we are having unusually nice weather - highs in the 80's. Typically the weather doesn't perk up until after July 4th. I have watched fireworks shivering in a sweatshirt and jeans more times than a person should.

Anyhoo, we got to the zoo, found a parking spot, and got in line. While in line, we met two kids with their grandparents. The little girl was about seven and super precocious and friendly. She had lots to tell us about living in Spokane, the other zoos she had visited and how cute Savannah was. Her little brother just nodded in agreement to most of what she had to say.

Once in the zoo it was action time! I believe the first thing Conor said was "Let's find the monkeys!" I strongly agreed as the apes and monkeys rule the zoo. On our way to the gorilla exhibit, we stopped and saw a Jaguar (sleeping), a Lion (sleeping) and some Giraffes (NOT sleeping! Yes!)

Savannah was having a great time as there was so much to look at, but she was just as interested in other kids as the sleeping animals. We did start to get her interested in actual animals when we got to the gorillas. You can get really close to them, so she was able to see them.

She also seemed interested to see the animals at the petting zoo, aka the location 'Where Shannon Offends a Zookeeper". We were going in the pen and she said "Make sure you wash you hands when you leave and pet the animals only on the back and sides." To which I replied "Oh, I won't be touching the animals." The Zookeepers face was a bit shocked, like 'Ummmm....this is kind of my JOB lady." Nice one on my part.

However, the coolest part of the day was in the Australia section of the zoo. We got to go in this room that had a few hundred Australian birds and we were able to feed them from these little seed sticks. It was super fun.

All in all, a great day for everyone and another first.

POTD: July 1, 2006

So there were suggestions from certain blog readers (Aunt Joyce I'm looking in your direction) that more pictures involving me and/or Conor were needed. So here you go....a family version of the POTD. (Photo credit to Grandma Jean)