and that is why I now understand exactly why Chloë was so whiny and clingy all of Saturday. Three of her top teeth just popped through. When I looked on Friday, nothing, come Saturday night, they were all there, with a fourth on the edge of breaking through. If I had three teeth piercing through my gums, all at the same time, I might be a little bit cranky too.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
beach vacation part II
After recovering from a nasty stomach bug we thought we'd left behind, we were all ready to start enjoying the California sun by Thursday afternoon. What we ended up doing on Thurday pretty much repeated itself on all the days we were on vacation. And that's a GOOD thing. We laid out by the pool, played the sand, stood by the water's edge as the water splashed us, and had nice outside lunches, and relaxing dinners. Chloë LOVED the pool, and the ocean even more. Though getting the sand off of her took days, as we kept finding little grains of sand EVERYWHERE. How is it possible the sand got INSIDE her diaper? I will never know. What I do know is that I would be getting her dressed for lunch, and as I wiped her clean I'd look, and oh look! there's more sand near the folds of her thighs. Oh, wait! And what is THAT? Yup, sand in her ear.
Despite all the sand (eveywhere!), the California sun treated us well. That is, until Saturday evening when thinking he was in the clear, Josh was hit by...yup-you guessed it. THE STOMACH BUG. That one we thought we'd left behind, only to find it upon our arrival. That one we thought we'd finally gotten rid of on Thursday. That same one managed to give us all enough time to think we were free, allowed us some enjoyment during our vacation, and on Saturday night showed its claws, full force and took hold of Josh. It hit him at around dinner time, so thankfully by Sunday late morning he was all good. But still! We can't get over the fact that we managed to bring the bug with us from DC, and it survived for days until tagging the final member of our little pack.
Thankfully we did not infect anyone else with our special bug, and despite having been accused of bringing the plague with us to our nice family vacation, we kept it contained, and some people were even contemplating how to get our bug thinking they might use it to their advantage and lose a few pounds!
All in all, it was a trip to remember. If anything, Chloë's sheer joy at seeing the ocean for the first time, and playing with the waves and the sand totally helped me forget (am I seriously admitting this?) the hours of whining and whimpering in the plane and have me almost convinced those were just minor blips during an otherwise fantastic vacation. I could even almost be convinced to take another 5 hour flight with Chloë before she turns, oh say, 10 or 11 years old. We'll see.
Now, enjoy some pictures from our trip. 
Chloë contemplating her next move at the playground by the beach.
Chloë looking all sunned out.
Us girls hanging by the pool. Chloë dressed like a nun as my mom pointed out.
Vovo with Max and Chloë.
Family picture on the beach (note the camera was propped up on a sand castle or something similar.)
Chloë very Jackie O-like.
(Mis)behaving at a fancy restaurant in Santa Monica.
Sunset in Santa Monica.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
our beach vacation (that almost wasn't) part I
staying true to form, Chloë almost managed to derail our vacation plans (again!) replaying scenes similar to those prior to our Christmas vacation. This time on Friday before our Wednesday night departure Chloë was diagnosed with an ear infection (yes, the same exact scenario as before...) but Dr. S. was confident she'd recover by Wednesday.
Keeping my fingers crossed, I went about my business over the weekend packing, planning, preparing, and getting all the STUFF we needed to bring with us together. There is an obsene mount of STUFF. I can't even begin to get into it, but if anyone is curious, I can send you my multiple packing lists which include: Diaper bag packing list, Carry-on packing list, and suitcase packing list.
Come Tuesday afternoon, Chloë got the green light to get on a plane for 5 hours, despite my increasing panic over how she'd behave. Our appointment with Dr. S. was at 4:45pm. We got home at 5:30pm and I was feeling good about getting a good night's sleep and departing the following the day. By 6:20pm Chloë started making some weird burping sounds, and as I sat her on her highchair for dinner, she spared nothing within a few feet and proceeded to projectile vomit EVERYWHERE. That lasted until about 10pm, when on an empty stomach, we put her to bed and I checked on her every half hour. The doctor on call said there was a stomach bug going around, that it would likely last 10-12 hours, and we should be fine to still make our flight. She had an uneasy night and barely slept, waking up every hour or so. She finally managed to nurse a little at 3am,and again at 5am. She woke up at 8:30am, and while she didn't seem sick anymore, she wasn't as hungry as usual, and wasn't her normal self. We called Dr. S. who said that if she managed to keep her breakfast and lunch in her tummy she was good to go.
We spent a nice leisurely day, playing and packing, and by 5pm we left for the airport. Chloë was a trooper and only got annoyed once we had boarded and she was starting to get overly tired and sleepy. She kept us busy for the first 2 1/2 hours of the flight, but surprisingly she passed out after whimpering for a while, and slept for the other 2 1/2 hours. She was happy as a clam once we landed, and even played with everyone once we arrived in LA. We got to the house at 11:30pm and by midnight I had nursed her and she was back asleep. All in all, not bad night, one would think.
Fast forward to 2:30am, less than two hours after I managed to fall asleep, and I woke up and was greeted by Chloë's stomach bug, you know, the one we thought we'd left back home. Suffice to say, it was not a fun night. My saving grace was knowing that within 10-12 hours, I'd be fine.
And thus began our vacation.
** More to come later...while we've been back for several days, things have been hectic, and hence the lack of blogging. I promise once life gets back to normal, I'll be offering more regular updates!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
in celebration (of world breastfeeding week)
August 1-7th is World Breastfeeding Week, and while I'm on vacation in California, enjoying the sun and beach with Chloë and Josh (pictures to come upon our return later this week), I'm still happy and proud to support WBW. I'm especially happy that I'm still nursing as it was an invaluable tool in helping calm Chloë during our 5 hour flight from DC to California. It has also been wonderful to be able to offer her some comfort and a link back to her daily routine while she adjusted to the time difference, the different crib, the multiple activities and the various people clamoring for her attention. She's been nursing often, and eagerly, especially when she gets uneasy, tired and confused about where she is and what we are doing so far away from home.
We go back home tonight, and there'll be lots of pictures to sort through, and stories to tell, and in between all of that, Chloë will continue to nurse.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
a walkin' talkin'
Chloë really did wait to turn one to start doing all the things big girls should do. She learned how to clap a few days short of her first birthday, started waving and saying bye-bye, and in the last couple of weeks has also started calling for mama and papa, oh! and let's not forget--she has already thrown a few tantrums here and there. But Saturday evening (July 25th--I made a mental note!) she really outdid herself. She took several steps, SEVERAL!! ALL ON HER OWN! She took 3 steps, paused, looked around, LAUGHED (at the comical sight that is a tiny, teeny little babe trying to walk, no doubt) and then took another 3 steps before collapsing into my arms and squealing. I think she realized that she had just done something BIG, which is why clapping followed the squealing.
Now, I wouldn't say these first real steps mean she's now a walking machine, she's still learning, it's hard work (but she's persistent!) so we'll see how long until she's more comfortable with the whole thing. There's been two or three repeat performances already, but 'm hoping, REALLY hoping, that she doesn't get itchy feet for real until AFTER we get back from our California beach vacation. Something tells me that 6 hours on a plane with a 1 year old that is learning how to walk may not equal fun times.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
the many (same) faces of Chloë
she really does have many faces, but this one particularly stands out, in many different ways:
and there you have it!
an exciting weekend
there was so much going on this weekend I almost forgot everything that happened. I'm not sure if I can do the weekend justice by blogging about it days after, so the highlights will have to do. In one (run-on) sentence, here's what we did this past weekend:
Allison's first birthday party on Saturday afternoon--eccentric dinner out with Reagan, Jess and Mark at Honey Pig Korean BBQ restaurant Saturday evening-- sangrias at Coyote Grille with Bridgie and Aaron Sunday afternoon--outside play time with new birthday presents--CRASH: sunday bedtime.
In all the fun and running around, we did manage to capture a few pictures. Here are some of the best moments:
Reagan and Chloë at Allison's party
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
a big week. HUGE.
on Tuesday she took two steps. TWO REAL steps...tentative, but still--THE WERE STEPS! The third step she fell into my arms. Wednesday rolls around and while we're trying to figure out how to best encourage her to keep taking steps, she decides steps are for babies, and she's one WHOLE year old--a toddler! So, now she's going to TALK. So she waved her hand and said "bye bye." And with that my heart melted all over.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
the best first birthday party EVER!
words are simply not enough to describe exactly how much fun was there to be had at Chloë's 1st birthday party, so these will have to do:
the best cake ever, inside and out.
couldn't have asked for cuter cookies...
adorable cupcakes topped off the look.
and the cake was indeed a huge hit!
need I say more?
cake coma.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
one whole year
dear Chloë,
today you are one. You are one WHOLE year old. Earlier this week I had lunch with some friends, and one of them was 8 months pregnant, and my mind drifted off to the days when you were inside me, always close to me. The days when I could always protect you, the days when I didn't have to hold on to you because you were just always there. And then I remembered, oh yah, I never made it to 8 months...so I don't exactly remember how it is to be THAT kind of pregnant, but still, I remember your kicks, and your jabs, and OH MAN--your HICCUPS! ALL the frickin' time! You had these hiccuping fits four or five times a day, and I would look down on my belly, terribly amused at the little dance your hiccups played in my tummy. I remember everything.
I remember our hospital stay, and the contractions that lasted for three weeks, and the countless times you tried to come out and the doctors kept you inside for a little while longer. I remember the day when you finally decided enough was enough and the nurse smiled at us and said "Well, you're having a baby today..." and I just cried and cried. I remember I wanted you to stay inside so badly, even if just for a little while longer, but when you did come out, and come out in style you did--crying and everything--I was so glad to see you on the 'outside'. I remember holding you for the first time and not even noticing exactly just how tiny you were, because all I could focus on was the fact that I was finally holding you--my baby--and I remember looking down at you as you nursed for the very first time. I remember it all.
I remember bringing you home, and the car ride that lasted forever because we were probably doing 30mph on 495. I remember all those sleepless nights, and checking on you to make sure you were still breathing. I remember your first smile, and hearing that first laughter, and seeing you learn how to crawl. I remember all of it.
It is all etched in my mind, painted on my heart.
And now, you're one. You are still always close to me, always hanging on to my chest, and my shoulders. And when you're tired, or cuddly, or shy, you rest your head on my chest and sigh heavily. And I still always do all I can to protect you (as I will for the rest of my life), and you still hiccup ALL the time!
Daddy always says he wishes you could stay "this small" forever, and sometimes I wish for that too. But something inside of me tells me, that to us, you will always be this small forever, no matter how big you get. You will always be our little pumpkin, our Chloë bear who couldn't wait to be born, and actually arrived in time to party at her own baby shower.
Here's to you, may your first birthday be everything you deserve!
PS. I'm so excited you would think this is MY birthday (which in a way, I guess it is...) and now I can officially say my own birthday doesn't feel nearly as exciting to me as yours does!
on the day you were born
one year later...
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
tomorrow will be a whole new day
tonight I went in to check in on Chloë as I do every night, and she lay there sleeping all sprawled out holding on to her duckie, as she does every night. tonight I stood there for a moment longer, lingering in the faint glow of her night light, listening to her breathing, my hand on her back. I stood there watching my babe, my little pumpkin, and my heart ached with so much love. Love, love, love...like nothing I've ever known, for a little girl who turns 1 tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
checkin' in
I never get tired of it. Every night before I go to bed, I sneak into Chloë's room and check on her. I place my hand on her back for a few seconds, and then on her cheek. I think at first I started doing it to make sure she was still breathing, that she was warm enough, or cool enough. I do it every night, and I never get tired of it. Now, some nights I'm not even sure I know that I'm going in there, it's as if that nightly routine is so much a part of me, I do it without even realizing it, because I have to, because without it I wouldn't be able to fall asleep. Without it I wouldn't be me.
Monday, July 6, 2009
the fun never ends
after a great fourth of july weekend, we decided to extend the sunday funday to ensure no one got a case of the mondays! after lunch Chloë and I went to the water fountain plaza nearby and I decked her out in her surfer gear, but anticipated she'd be as aprehensive as last time we tried it. WRONG. she loved it, LOVED. IT. She squealed, and shrieked, and laughed. She giggled, and looked at me, then at the water, with her big blue (soon to be brown) eyes, and back and forth. She squealed some more, and shrieked, and laughed again. The end result: a thoroughly soaked baby, and an equally soaked mommy.
There are way too many fun pictures of our wet afternoon, so instead of picking the perfect one, I'm posting all of my favorites:
Sunday, July 5, 2009
fourth of july
after a long morning nap on her very first fourth of July, we took Chloë to the firefighter's competition in old town Fairfax. She was very impressed and fascinated by it all, but did throw a tantrum when we took her to try and get a free child identification. she's not a fan of anyone wiping her mouth or touching her fingers (cutting her nails is a production!) so she was obviously not a huge fan of the whole fingerprinting part of the process. the firefighter gave up after her third finger and much screaming, and told us to come back next year.
after lunch we watched the tug of war firefighter-style while Chloë made friends with a labrador who unlike our Kyra did not attempt to run away everytime she tried to pet her. Chloë was so excited, and shrieked every time she touched Coco!
At the end of the afternoon she also enjoyed watching the action from the very top of daddy's shoulders!
The one thing she did miss were the fireworks. She was fast asleep, and despite a neighborhood dog barking nonstop from 8-10pm, she did not wake up with either the barks or the fireworks explosion nearby.
Friday, July 3, 2009
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