Road Trip

This weekend we took our first family road trip.  We went to Portland to watch and cheer daddy on at a soccer tournament.  Carmen was a good little traveler and slept almost the entire car ride both directions.  She also enjoyed sleeping in the big bed at the hotel and riding for the first time in her jogging stroller for which we discovered she is a wee bit small.  She ended up staring at the tray because she couldn't see over it.  The weekend flew by as daddy played in 6 soccer games.  Thankfully the weather cooperated and was rain-free which allowed Carmen and I to attend all of the games.  Based on the busy schedule, there was no tax-free shopping for me, which is probably a good thing as there was no room in the car to haul back any purchases.  All and all it was a successful weekend, as daddy and his team won the tournament in their division and we were able to spend it together as a family.

What would a road trip be without stopping at some tourist attractions!?

Carmen as a puppy dog.
She also was building her immune system as she decided she
wanted to lick the yucky, germ-filled wood!

Hmmm...I'm not so sure about this 'big girl' stroller.

Happy girl before bed time.



I survived watching 6 soccer games! Phew...!



Like Father, Like Daughter...

Thumbs

Carmen and I have been reading our way through Shel Silverstein's 'Where the Sidewalk Ends' and came across the poem 'Thumbs.'  Thought this was fitting based on Carmen's love of her thumb. I swear it has magical powers as it's able to calm her down almost instantly.

THUMBS

Oh the thumb-sucker's thumb

May look wrinkled and wet

And withered, and white as snow,

But the taste of a thumb

Is the sweetest taste yet

(As only the thumb-suckers know).

~Shel Silverstein

Oh how I love my thumb:

 

 



5 months

It's incredible to watch you learn each day; you are eagerly taking in the world around you and there is so much to see.  The simplest things excite and fascinate you: watching me brush my hair, watching us eat dinner, all of the different textures of so many different things.  You constantly run your hand up and down whatever you can touch: the wood on your changing table, the back of the couch, your play mat.  Your new favorite thing to do is roll, roll, roll.  Your favorite spot is under the coffee table where you'll stay for a bit to check things out from this hiding place.  We sit and watch you roll around the room and sometimes you run into obstacles but you always figure out a way to get around them.  You are so alert and so strong.  You are starting to hold your bottle by yourself and are developing quite the personality.  You certainly know what you want when you want it.  You recognize your name. Your smile lights up the room and oh how I love when you laugh.  You love music and your favorite song is the 'Mexican Hat Dance' (maybe because this is the only tune Mommy remembers how to hum).  Regardless, you smile every time.  So many wonderful discoveries this month and only more to uncover in the months to come.

10 little toes: Part 2

Carmen has graduated from just examining her feet and playing with her socks to sticking her entire foot in her mouth.  It's quite entertaining really...as she often tries to stick her foot in along with her hand.  Now, every diaper change she will contently nibble her toes for a few minutes which of course gives me a good laugh.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of the amazing mommys out there and there are many, my mom included.

I feel so blessed to be able to celebrate this special day with my baby girl.  She has changed my life so dramatically for the better and I couldn't imagine a single day without her.  Thank you, Carmen, for making me a mommy--the best moment of my life. 

Mother's Heart

I loved you from the very start,
You stole my breath, embraced my heart.
Our life together has just begun
You're part of me my little one.
As mother with child, each day I grew,
My mind was filled with thoughts of you.

I'd daydream of the things we'd share,
Like late-night bottles and Teddy bears.
Like first steps and skinned knees,
Like bedtime stories and ABC's.
I thought of things you'd want to know,
Like how birds fly and flowers grow.

I thought of lessons I'd need to share,
Like standing tall and playing fair.
When I first saw your precious face,
I prayed your life be touched with grace.
I thanked the angels from above,
And promised you unending love.

Each night I lay you down to sleep,
I gently kiss your head and cheek.
I count your little fingers and toes;
I memorize your eyes and nose.
I linger at your nursery door,
Awed each day I love you more.

Through misty eyes, I dim the light,
I whisper, "I love you" every night.
I loved you from the very start,
You stole my breath, embraced my heart.
As mother and child our journeys begin,
My heart's yours forever little one.

~author unknown

Bainbridge Island

Today Carmen had her first ferry ride--she loved feeling the wind blowing against her face.  We went to Bainbridge Island for brunch, got a coffee and then poked around the sleep little town. It was a fun day full of smiles.