Summer 2008

Since my last post was a "then and now" post - I thought I would continue the theme. We have been in SoCal now for two years. I was looking back at some pictures and can't believe how much has changed. We came as a family of 3 plus a dog. We are now a family of 4 minus a dog. Julia has gone from a baby with next to no hair, to a little girl with long and beautiful curls - right before our eyes. Here is a small look back at Summer 2008.

Then and Now

Here are two pictures of Julia and Jeff at the beach - almost exactly one year apart. The first one was taken right before Jeff deployed to Iraq and I took the new one just a few weeks ago. Both were taken at Carlsbad State Beach...

Today's Adventure

Another successful Mommy and Julia morning! Today we went to breakfast at Denny's where Julia enjoyed a Jr. Grand Slam. I was actually disciplined and got oatmeal - AND surprisingly it was really yummy! We then trekked over to the Hobby Shop where we participated in Paint-Me-A-Story. My friend Joanna and her son Jackson met us there. Here are some pics of our morning....

Raspberry Face

Generally speaking, I don't find pictures of children to be very cute when they have food smeared all over their faces. But seeing as he is mine - I find it adorable. :)

Pool Fun

One of the best things about summer time is the afternoons spent poolside. OK, well, that makes it sound nice and leisurely - like it used to be pre-kids....book in hand, headphones on....warm sun on my skin...ahhhh, the memories....

These days, I still spend it poolside, but now being "poolside" usually just means me being around the pool and trying to keep Jake from crawling strait into it! While Jake is happy just watching from the side or - at most - sitting and splashing on the top step, Julia is a true water bug. She is as happy as a clam when she is in the water and she is becoming quite the little swimmer. She loves having her vest on because it means that she can be independent and "swim" on her own. She and Jeff have a few favorite games they play...dad being the dolphin while she rides on his back while choking him with her arms...throwing the dive sticks as far as she can and having dad go and retrieve them....jumping off dad's shoulders and into the water below...etc. She never wants to leave - at this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if she wants to spend her summers as a lifeguard at the pool.

Mommy Julia Day

We have a new tradition...Mommy and Julia Day. This summer I have taken it upon myself to give Julia a morning spent with just the two of us. Just like the old days. We put Jake in Fisher CDC (which I feel he needs regardless in order to quell his mommy addiction) and we head out for 4 hours of fun. Today we started our day at Longboarder Cafe and had a huge and delicious breakfast. Julia chose french toast over pancakes today...and as much as I wanted to join her in her french toast endeavor, I opted for the "hawaiian scramble." It was delish...love that place! We then headed out to the Oceanside Farmers Market, which conveniently is right outside of the restaurant. I bought some local produce and Julia talked me into a balloon animal and a "baby cactus" (a kid-friendly one of course). Lastly, we made our way back to base and took advantage of the $1 bowling on Thursday at the alley. Here is a picture of my little one in action - you can't really make it out, but of course she chose the ORANGE ball. She actually bowled a 64 - which I think is pretty good for a 3 year old!

Jake's Baptism

It was a good day when Jake finally got baptized at 9 months old (yes, I know that is late...but trying to coordinate everything with the base chaplin's office and with family far away, it took a bit of extra time). The Vandaveers came down for Jake's special day and Jake wore a baptism outfit that my mom handmade (she made Julia's as well). We got lucky because the base chapel only does baptisms one sunday per month and somehow we managed to be the only ones that day! We had the chapel all to ourselves...which was nice because Julia decided that she just HAD to go potty right in the middle of the ceremony! :)

Jake was a champ and didn't really fuss at all...he was a bit wiggly, but what else can you expect of a 9 month old boy, right? He sure was darn cute in that outfit though, huh?

More Pictures

Yes, yes, I know....the blog is never updated. Yes, yes, I know.....I need to get organized. In the mean time, here are some other pics of our (now not so) new baby....

5 Months Later...

Its been 5 months since I last posted and, wow, has alot changed. Baby came, dog died, husband is back, moved to a new house...it is no wonder that I have been so neglectful of my blog! I will dedicate this entry to our newest addition - Jacob. Born in September. I never thought I would have a baby alone - but that is exactly what I did. Jeff was deployed so there really was no other option. I did make a great decision however and hired a local Doula to help me out. She was fantastic and I dont think I my experience would have been nearly as good without her there. My mom was supposed to be there but her plane was delayed and she arrived at the hospital 20 minutes after the baby was born. That was probably for the best though - because my labor was NOT a pretty thing to behold! I tried to go "natural"...and let me tell you - I wont be doing that again. Been there, done that, not for me! Here are some pictures of our little man - these are pretty old though and I will follow up with another post with more recent pictures: