Ten on Tuesday

Thank you Grandpa Mike

1. for taking me to the beach (twice), and letting me run around in my underwear, chasing waves and digging in the sand.

2. for taking me to the aquarium, even though the drive there and back was longer than the actual time looking at the fishes.

3. for watching me dance and sing to my music, and understanding when I didn't want you to participate.

4. for taking me to Veterans Park and pushing me on the swing.

5. for helping me color the bumble bee and bury him in the dirt so that he could rest in peace beautifully.

6. for my new Tinkerbell back-pack, bracelets and ponytail holders, and for my baby sisters pink blanket, Dr. Seuss book, and toy rings.

7. for helping Daddy epoxy the garage so it's shiny and new.

8. for taking me to get ice cream (twice).

9. for the yummy Chinese takeout so Daddy didn't have to cook one night.

10. for being a wonderful Grandpa who enjoys spending time with me as much as I love spending time with you! Come back and visit us soon. We love and miss you!

Jackpot

I'm pretty sure Lorelei felt she won the jackpot when we broke out the beloved exersaucer this weekend. We thought you folks out there would appreciate and enjoy our dolphin daughter (or dying cat, take your pick).

4 Months

At your four month photo shoot you found yourself a new friend to play with,

to hug

to suck on

to pull on

to grab a hold of

and to snuggle with. I think this is going to be a lasting friendship.

It is hard to believe that you are 1/3 of the way through your first year in this world. You are such a sweet joyful baby! You absolutely love bath time and splash and kick the water the entire time. You still like sucking on your fist, but the pacifier soothes you best when you are tired. You are hardly ever fussy and it is rare to hear you cry. You love sucking on blankets, especially your lovey. You are still sleeping in our room, and it will be sad day for Mommy when we move you to your bedroom. You weigh 14 pounds, 2 ounces and are 24 1/2 inches long, which puts you right at 50th percentile. Happy 4 month birthday little one, we just love you so!

Ten on Tuesday

1. Lorelei is 4 months old today! Check back Friday for her "official" 4 month photo post.

2. Kelsea is 41 months old today.
2. I am officially back to work full time. It is only Tuesday and I'm already exhausted.

3. The one nice thing about going back to work is getting to take yoga and pilates classes at lunch again.

4. Our conversation driving home from school last Wednesday:

Mommy, my hair was really crazy today and I cut a lot of it because it was in my face.
What do you mean you cut it Kels? Do you mean you pretend cut it?
No I cut it.
With scissors?
Yes, with school scissors.
Oh god. (Where were the friggen teachers)
Whats wrong Mommy, are you sad?
I'm just sad that you cut your curls hon.
Oh. Well, don't be sad mommy it will grow.
Touche my love, touche!

Here's a picture of her her new do before visiting our hairdresser Connie. Not bad really. We just now have bangs to deal with in the morning.

The new do after Connie. She just evened it out and put some layers around her face.

5. Kelsea periodically wears her life vest while playing outside. Not really sure what that is about. (We also have a picture of her napping in it last year). Here she is just waiting for her ride to take her somewhere...
Kelsea getting ready to give Daddy a ride on her back.
6. An expression we often see from Kelsea. I'm pretty sure this was the look she gave me when she told me not to be sad because her hair would grow back.
7. Wallis getting ready for a run with the girls.
8. I just like this one
9. Loving her sister. 10. Lorelei meeting my Aunt and Uncle's dog Gordan. I'm sure she's thinking, wow, he's bigger than Reilly!?

Ten on Tuesday

1. Transition week with Wallis in Florida is really no fun. Four days down and three to go!

2. Lorelei had a good day at daycare. I stopped by at lunch and she was playing and talking. She drank all her milk and took two naps. Small victories!

3. I am not a fan of breaking in new shoes. Can anyone recommend a shoe brand that carries 2-3 inch heels that are both comfortable and cute? My Bandolino ones certainly are not.

4. Kelsea has been a great helper this week. Although we really miss Daddy and can't wait for him to get back, it's been much calmer in our house with him gone. I can't figure out why that is?? Maybe I'm just calmer and more patient with Kelsea when I know it's only me that will have to deal with any sort of tantrum or whining frenzy.

5. Kelsea reading Lorelei a bedtime story. Doesn't look like Lorelei was too interested in anything but those polka dots!
6. We took Kelsea to see Up on Sunday. A bit of a downer for Kels. She was so upset when "Kevin" got captured and cried the rest of the movie. She is still talking about those scary dogs and how sad she was about Kevin.

7. Hard to believe that Lorelei will be 4 mos old in one week! Hard to believe that this was Kelsea just 3 years ago.
8. This is my last weekend before I go back full time to get stuff done! To include thank-you cards from Lorelei's baptism!

9. I hope we get to a Game 7, just to make it more exciting. Go Lakers!

10. I have an easy and fun (for the kids) Father's Day project if anyone is out of ideas. I would tell you about it, but that my spoil the fun for our Dads and Grandpas!

Worn out

In case you couldn't tell from the photo, my little Lorelei was worn out after her first day at the CDC. Although she was only there for 5 hours, she ate and slept half the amount she normally does at home. Ms. Aricka said she had some "sad moments" thanks to some crazy crying babies in her room, but that she enjoyed watching the hanging mobile and seeing herself in the mirror. I wonder if I should be concerned that Lorelei is soothed by starring at herself in the mirror? Hopefully these shorter days at day care this week will be less traumatic than the 9 hour days she is going to have soon. They are at least less traumatic for me, although not for my feet. After 3 months hanging out in my lovely rainbows, my feet have forgotton what it's like to where heels. Tomorrow I will go to work with my feet covered in band-aids. Kelsea is so jealous (and perplexed as to why I don't want to wear princesses on my feet).

Don't worry Lorelei, you will grow to love Ms. Aricka as much as your sister did. But I will miss listening to you discover your voice, and that look of pure joy on your face when blowing spit bubbles. I will especially miss hearing all those loud toots as you start to wake up from your nap, and that big goofy grin when you realize that I'm right there watching you. I will miss being able to kiss you and hug you and hold you whenever I want. I will miss the quiet moments of just us. I will miss the walks along the beach and the baby & me yoga classes. I will miss being able to take photos of you whenever I want. I didn't want to be sad about going back to work, but I am. I know you will be well taken care of, but I wish it was in my arms and not theirs. It is days like these that I realize we can't have it all.