Professional Pictures

On Thursday the 23rd, Leah turned seven months old. My neighbor Deb and I took her to the mall and got her portrait taken at Sears. She did so well and took some super adorable pictures. She started out in front of a floral background which I was apprehensive about, but it turned out cute. Then I insisted on the more classic brown and black backgrounds. There were eight poses done in all and it was impressive how easily the photographer got Leah to smile. Then we went to Baby Gap and got a winter snowsuit to keep her warm this winter. It's hot pink with a brown fur edge on the hood. She likes it!

Morning Walk

Kirk, Leah and I just went on a morning walk around Kirk's Mom's neighborhood. We walked about a mile to Starbucks and had some coffee and I had breakfast. Starbucks has this new option of some healthy breakfast choices. I had oatmeal with dried fruit and nuts. I was also able to add a protein option. This is a nice option with me needing a good balance of nutrients as a nursing mom. It was delicious and I felt good about having it instead of a danish. I feel vibrant with a walk and a decent breakfast.

We took Leah in the Baby Bjorn and she did so well. She sat foward on the way over there and enjoyed the scenery. She sat facing in on the way home and fell asleep snuggled to Daddy.

Kirk's Birthday

Yesterday, September 21st, was my sweet's birtday. He's 29! We had a picnic at a gorgeous winery, Lambert Bridge, in the Dry Creek Valley of Sonoma County. This is where the best Zinfandel grapes are grown in the country. Zin is my favorite grape for wine. The wine is incredible and there are so many wonderful boutique wineries around that really take the wine to the top level. It is really fun to learn more about wine, I add a little factoid everytime I visit.

Then we took our two nieces, Kaitlyn and Genevieve,and our two nephews, Ryan and Justin to the bookstore. This is a Christmas tradition Kirk started when Kaitlyn and Ryan were tiny. He would take them for an afternoon, buy them lunch and a bookstore giftcard. They would pick out books to read and have to figure out the math in order to not go over the giftcard amount. Kirk is so good at working in a lesson amidst some fun. Since we are not going to be here for Christmas, we did it now because Kirk enjoys it so much and it was what he wanted to do for his birthday. It was fun and I picked out some classics for Leah, she also got a giftcard even though she was at home napping with Grandma Linda.

Then Kirk's mom Linda treated us to a wonderful birthday dinner amongst the whole family of sixteen members of Kirk's family. All together a great day. Happy Birthday my love!

Picking Grapes

Kirk's stepdad, Ray Carlson, owns a vineyard where various varietals of grapes are grown. Chardonnay, Cabernet, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel are the main ones. They just so happened to be picking on Friday so we went out to see how it is done. They still pick by hand at this vineyard, but it is set up to be machine picked if so needed in the future. It was so cool to see the huge crates of grapes being weighed and loaded on the flatbed truck. Each crate weighed approximately 1,000 pounds. I tasted the grapes and wine grapes are tasty. They reminded me of gooseberries.

They have a cooperative relationship set up to get the grapes to be made into wine. Ray provides the land for the grapes to be grown, John Balletto provides the farming labor and know how and they have an agreement from DeLoach Winery to buy the grapes for wine each fall. I learned a lot.

Vacation

We are on day two of our vacation in Santa Rosa, California. Santa Rosa is in the middle of the best part of our country...Wine Country in Sonoma. We are a couple of hours north of San Francisco. It is fantastic and it is Kirk's hometown. He says it's hard to be from here since everything pales in comparison. It is wonderful, I agree. Are you jealous yet?

It's great to see all of Kirk's family and catch up with the kids who are growing like weeds. Leah did pretty well on the plane over, she did a few squeals but didn't full on rage or anything. Yesterday we went to our nephew Justins testing for his Tae Kwon Do camo belt. He did awesome and we are so proud of him. Congratulations on earning your camo belt, Justin!! We love you!!

Garage Sale

Kirk and I have been planning a garage sale for years now. It started when we moved in together and started getting rid of duplicates and old stuff we didn't need anymore. We aren't the neatest couple around so keeping order, organization and minimalist habits are important to us. We aren't there yet, but we are getting closer. Getting rid of all the junk in the garage and doing another comb over of the house will, hopefully, lighten our load and help us to enjoy life more. We have realized how important it is to not put all importance in things and more on family and good times. We made some great progress this weekend. If all goes well, we will have the garage sale this coming weekend. Wish us luck!!

My Beautiful Leah

My dearest friend in the whole wide world is Dr. Monica A. Montoya. She is a naturapathic physician, currently working and residing at Chiva Som Health Resort in Hua Hin, Thailand. She has fantastic taste in music and has taught me a lot about musicians I never would have discovered on my own. One such is, PJ Harvey, an avant garde rock musician with music that is weird, deep, addicting and beautiful. Coincidentally, she has a song called "My Beautiful Leah". Most of the words don't really make a good match with my daughter, but the name of the song sure does. Please enjoy. The video is two minutes long.
"My Beautiful Leah"

Did you see her walking ?
Did she come around here, sir ?
Black hair, brown eyes
My beautiful leah

She was always so needing
Said "I have no-one"
Even as I held her
She went out looking for someone
Looking for someone

She only had nightmares
And her sadness never lifted
And slowly over the years
Her lovely face twisted

Did she come around here, Sir?
I swear you would remember
Black hair, brown eyes
Late september
October, November, December

It never leaves my mind
The last words she said
If I don't find it this time
Then I'm better off dead

Sunny, Victoria, Melissa, Camila and Deb

I'm currently at another meeting of the She-Woman Man Hater's Club right now. We are supposed to be playing games, but we haven't gotten past the food and cake. Yummy cake galore, black forest trifle!

Leah's Baldspot

This bald spot must be blogged about for posterity.

Miguel and Kristen's House

Congratulations to my brother Miguel and his wife Kristen. Here's a picture of their new house in Tucson, AZ!

Fernando's Fish

Check out the amazing fish my brother Fernando caught.

Leah's Nino

Here's a great pic of Leah and her nino Miguel the day before her baptism.

Leah's Nina

Recently, Leah's nina Camila came over for some quality time. They took an afternoon nap together. I got lots of things done.

Facebook

I have a new obsession in life...Facebook. I only meant to peek in quietly yesterday and had an onslaught of activity that basically took over the rest of my day. I'm sure it will calm down after a while but right now I am embracing the "evil" habit of Facebook. I am thoroughly impressed with how easy it is to make many social connections and I am enjoying connecting with many long, lost friends. I can't believe I drug my feet for so long to join social networking.

Better

Things are going better with my back. I have seen the chiropractor three times, gotten a massage, done some yoga and resumed training sessions with my strength trainer. It's exciting to be on the road to getting back in shape and getting better, but stressful fitting it around Leah's schedule and getting babysitters during the weekdays. I need to get a more well rounded babysitting network. Leah went WITH me to the gym today, (I felt like such a freak) thankfully Kent allowed it. Leah was very well behaved, but missed her morning nap...I feel so bad when that happens.

No Blogging Lately

My back went out on Sunday and isn't getting better so far. So I am staying away from the computer as much as I can. I hope to be feeling better soon. This is driving me crazy, I have so much to do and so much I want to say. Michael Phelps just got his seventh gold medal, that was so tense!! Exciting.

Dreamy Whole Foods Shop

I hadn't been to Whole Foods in over six months now. It was definitely before Leah was born and I think much more than that (Leah is almost five months now). I left Leah fed and napping and headed to Santa Fe to shop. It was luxurious to shop without the baby, knowing her needs were taken care of and I could concentrate on getting lots of healthy and yummy stuff for our family. It was so nice, so many nice people. The fishmonger was so helpful and I stocked up on some wild halibut and coho salmon which is in season for a short while right now. I'm not a big fish eating person, I get kind of grossed out with it. This is not new, I've been like this since I first tasted it as a baby. So I only buy it at Whole Foods and enjoy fresh seafood on the coasts. Snobby, I suppose...but I'm really not that picky about most things.

La Leche League

I attended the monthly meeting of La Leche League in Santa Fe today. I find this group so helpful. In the beginning, because breastfeeding was giving me lots of trouble. Now, because the questions never end. Every month seems to bring new milestones and changes for Leah and my nursing relationship. The coolest thing I learned today is that a lot of the milk is made on the spot as I am nursing. Breasts are more manufacturing centers than warehouses. Such a great analogy, Lise

Kirk's on Travel - Day 4

It's a green day!

Kirk's on Travel - Day 3

Hey Baby-

We miss you!

Maria and Leah

Kirk's on Travel - Day 2

Leah is taking a nap with Leonardo this morning!

Baby Nascar

Kirk is really good at coming up with little games to play with Leah. He recently came up with one that is especially fun and endearing. I call it Baby Nascar. Check out Leah racing away.

Kirk's on Travel - Day 1

Junk Mail

I've always been green friendly but I've really stepped up our green living this year. I just signed us up for a www.greendimes.com account. It cost $20, but it has a free option. I hope it will eliminate a ton of junk mail. I hate all the paper I end up recycling and it also takes time out of my busy life. Double win!

I opted for the premium package because they do all the work and I need all the help I can get right now. I feel so utterly busy lately, and don't feel like I can keep up with all my interests, passions, social engagements and responsibilities.

Test of Email Blogging

I just set up a setting in blogger that should allow me to post to
this blog via email. I think this would be the way that I blog from
my phone if I ever get data service on my cell phone. This opens up
lots of possibilities.

She-Woman Man Haters Club

My sister in law Melissa has done the coolest thing. She started a girls night out club called the She-Woman Man Haters Club. It meets the last Wednesday of the month. It started last month with bowling but I missed that one. This month we went to watch Mamma Mia at the Dreamcatcher theater. I felt like a teenager! It was so fun, we were all giggling so much and eating lots of junk food. The movie was fantastic and it felt really good to be viewing it with others who appreciated it. Kirk and my brother would have divorced us if we had made them watch it. I do admit it was "puro queso", the ultimate of cheesiness, but it was also heartwarming, ear candy deliciousness. Abba makes me think of my Mamma Mia who loves Abba and listened to them a lot when we were young. She even named my brother Fernando after the Abba song, Fernando, which is such a beautiful song, but it really just makes us chuckle and tease my brother.

End of Softball Season

We had a bbq at the softball games Kirk played tonight. Kirk plays on a mens league in White Rock every year. I love going to socialize, I'm not the best spectator, I almost always miss all the good action. I can't help it, I'm too busy visiting with all the other wives/girlfriends/friends. Lately, most of those other spectators are moms, it was a stroller brigade tonight. Emily and Matt provided the lions share of the work and bbq. I made peanut butter cookies. I'm glad we were able to participate so much this year, I wasn't sure how it would be with a new baby. We have endeavored to be a family that doesn't disappear once they have a baby. So far that is going pretty well.

There was a new baby (approx. 1 week old) who showed up to cheer on his dad. Little Jack and his wonderful Mom Jen and Grandmother showed up for the second game. Welcome to softball night Jack!

Cousin Rebecca

We went to a bbq at my Aunt Susan's last night. Her daughter Rebecca was home from Houston for the weekend. Everyone loves hanging out with Leah. It is entertaining to see my aunts fight over who gets to hold her and change her dipes!

Spanish Market

Today is the sixth anniversary of Kirk and my fourth date. We met on July 21, 2002 and went to the Spanish Market the next weekend. Kirk had a navajo taco for the first time and we have been going ever since. I have two cousins that exhibit at the market, so it is always nice to visit with them.

This year was a new experience, as are all, now that we are pushing a stroller with little Leah in it. Here's to six busy wonderful years!

Friday Night

Watching Old School with Will Ferrell and Vince Vaughn. Leah nursed her way into oblivion and conked out on the recliner tonight, it was so funny to see her. She looks like Homer Simpson. We have been watching a little of Criss Angel's MindFreak lately and I joked that I performed a mindfreak on Leah and that's why she passed out. Good times!

Shopping on Monday

Leah, Linda (my mother in law) and I had a leisurely lunch at Towa Golf where my sis works. We waited for Kirk to get off of work and headed to downtown Santa Fe. We bought toys at Toyopolis and got some more of our wedding china on deep discount at Nambe. We finished off the evening with margaritas and mexican food at Maria's Mexican Restaurant. It was really fun to cruise around the plaza and enjoy the summer afternoon.

Leah's Shots

Leah got her 4 month old shots today. She cried a little bit, then immediately forgave Nurse Angela and smiled at her. What an angel baby!

Breathing Space

Today is my first day off in six days. Whew, I am tired. Thursday was busy as described below. Then Friday was deep cleaning house day. My aunts Susan and Margaret came and helped and I am so grateful. The house looked amazing for this weekend. Leah was baptized on Sunday morning.

My mother in law, Linda, arrived on Friday afternoon and we didn't stop until last night when we got home from the airport after dropping her off. Saturday was breakfast at a fab little breakfast spot, then we went and bought trees for Leah at Santa Fe Greenhouses. One of the pair of "Shademaster Honeylocust" trees is from Grandma Linda in celebration of Leah's birth. She wanted to do this when she was here for the birth, but it was too soon for our schedule. The other one is from Kirk and I in celebration of her baptism. We are putting them in the front yard in our circle drive. I am very happy to be adding trees to our property.

Saturday afternoon was cooking and prepping for the party. Aunt Judy, Linda, Deborah and I cooked all afternoon and Kirk primped up the yard. We made quiche, strata and dutch baby pancakes. Camila made fruit salad and we served coffee, tea, juice and green chile.

Saturday night was fun as well. Miguel and Camila (her padrinos...spanish for godparents) joined us for lasagna and Leah time. Sunday morning brought us to our goal moment. Leah was baptized in Pojoaque at 10:30am. It was a beautiful mass and Leah didn't cry. She did do a little leap when the water hit her head and I almost lost her into the baptisimal font. Fun times!

The whole family came to the house after mass and we had guests all afternoon. We finished off the day with champagne and opened Leah's cards. Leah had a special cake made by Deborah. It was a mini wedding cake with two tiers. It was pink and brown and was in the style of those topsy turvy, mad hatter cakes. It was precious!

More on Monday and Tuesday later.

Getting Things Done

I got two things done today that have been bugging my to do list. I repotted my Christmas cactus and potted the one I started for Leah during my pregnancy. I also cleaned out the easier half of the garage. The other half needs is harder because I have to go through boxes and organize and get rid of stuff. It's not a fun job going through stuff I haven't seen since I moved back from Seattle in 2002.

Busy Day

We have Leah's 4 month well baby group today at Dr. Friedman's. I can't wait to see how much she has grown. Last weight was 10 pounds. Then, we have a playgroup at noon. I am looking forward to it, I have worked hard to get it started and hope it adds lots of positives to our life. That will probably last for a couple of hours. At 4pm I have an appointment with my therapist who is so supportive and positive. I feel so good about myself and what I am doing for myself and family when I leave her office.

This evening is packed too. There is happy hour at the Pink Adobe's Dragon Room for AIGA, the professional group for my profession of graphic design. Kirk is also playing two games of softball tonight. Something is going to have to give, and unfortunately it will probably be happy hour. Feast or famine!

Sydney

Sydney, our dog, had her 6th birthday on Monday. She is at the vet today getting a thorough teeth cleaning. Kirk dropped her off before work and will pick her up on his way home. That means she is having a super fun day being spoiled by animal lovers and smelling lots of interesting smells.

My Little Buddy

Leah is my little buddy, she accompanies me everywhere I go nowadays. It's kind of hard sometimes, but it is nice to have company. We went to the dentist and she sat on my lap while I got my teeth cleaned. She charmed Dr. Rehorn and the hygienist. Then we went to have lunch at BODY, everyone was commenting on how Leah has good energy. I'm flattered, but I have to wonder to myself, "Don't all babies have good energy!". I bought her a little pink t-shirt dress with fairy wings on it. It is adorable. I want fairy wings on my clothes too!

The Start!

I am finally taking the plunge into blogging. I read many blogs and use google reader to handle the deluge of information. I am nervous about keeping up and being disciplined to blog often enough to keep readers interested. I am excited that I am finally starting to do something to keep my family and friends updated on Leah and our families activities. I guess that is all for now, I better get Leah and feed her.