Day 164

Today was supposed to be another HOT day, but wasn't... :(  We had planned on being in the pool again, but since it was gloomy, we stayed in bed as late as we could snuggling and then hung around until Penelope finished her morning nap. Afterwards, we went chandelier shopping! We had been talking about how nice it'd be to have one over the island in the kitchen, so we decided to go for it. It wasn't easy agreeing on one, our tastes are pretty different, but we finally settled on one of Daddy's choices... :)  I ended up LOVING it, by the way. When we got home, T installed it, which was WAY more work than he or I thought it'd be, but he did it. And wow, it's just beautiful!! It completes the kitchen, giving it a very finished look. Plus the extra light is awesome. Penelope was a trooper all day-- from shopping (Lamps Plus, Target AND Home Depot) to all the noise and distraction of installation. She is easy to have around now... Well, easier! She likes being with Mommy and Daddy-- and if she is, she's happy anywhere. :)

Penelope took a bath in the kitchen sink today without her baby seat! We got a slip proof sink mat for her and filled it up only partially so that she could sit on her own and play with her toys. She absolutely loved it!! Yet another big-girl advancement, and this Mommy is very proud. Also, Daddy taught her how to give kisses earlier... She hasn't got it down completely, but she's learning! It's very sweet... :)

Here's a few pics from today... The horse is something we saw in Lamps Plus. Goodnight!

Day 163

We had a nice day at home today, just hanging around the backyard and in the pool. We did think it'd be much hotter (there is supposedly a heat wave presently), but we had some early marine layer and then maybe 75 degrees, when we decided to finally swim. Penelope and Daddy played in the water and in her new floatie, and I watched from the raft and took pics. P choked a little when we took her under water-- it's something we'll have to really keep practicing. She is super comfortable in the water, so that is a good start. We'll swim again tomorrow if weather permits-- after household chores are finished, that is! ;)

Penelope is standing up a lot now-- in her crib, holding onto the ottoman in the living room, and anywhere else she can hold onto something and pull herself up. She can do it one handed now, and I caught her trying to let go of that one hand today. She really wants to stand on her own and walk!! Our baby is growing up so so fast, it's so much fun to watch her. She tasted avocado for the first time today-- and promptly looked like she wanted to vomit. We'll try again tomorrow! :/

Daddy fixed chicken and shrimp kabobs for dinner-- here are pics from swimming and dinner. Goodnight!

Day 162

Today was HOT. We spent the morning/afternoon at home, but this evening we (us plus Grandma Gayle) rode bikes to Costa Mesa's 60th birthday street fair. It wasn't as special as any of us may have expected, but we had a good time anyway. Penelope, as usual, loved the ride in her bike trailer, and had fun walking around, but once 7pm rolled around, she made it known it was past her bedtime. I'm glad she's used to her schedule, that she counts on it, and that I can be with her each night so she feels secure and happy (I hope!). We have Daddy home for the next 3 days (woohoo!), so hopefully we'll have some fun this weekend. Tomorrow I think we'll all go swimming! :) I haven't been in the pool in FOREVER, and since its been so darn hot, I think it's due time. Plus, P can use her new pool floatie and beach ball. ;)

That's all for today, here are a few pics.... 'Night!

Day 161

We had a very busy day today. First, I had to go to the dentist, so Penelope spent her morning (late morning-- she was with Mama until 10) with Papa. I hear they ate breakfast, then went swimming, since the pool is so nice lately. When they picked me up from the dentist, we had to take Daddy to his doctor's appointment. We had only been home 20 minutes when we went back for him. :)  Around 5, Mana came over to watch P so we could have a date night-- T took me to eat Japanese BBQ and to see "Catch Me If You Can", the musical! What fun, we really had such a good time, and were so grateful we could leave P and know she's be just fine. :)

We get to have Papa home for the next three days-- yay! We plan on riding bikes tomorrow, and definitely get in the pool again... This weekend should be fun! 

Here's today's pics, goodnight.

Day 160

Today Penelope and I went to L.A. To visit Aunt Anita & Cousin Anabella. We had a great time, and the kids got along real well! Bella takes great care in being gentle with P, and sharing her toys. It was sweet to watch. :)  The girls even napped together, well in the same room, and we got a chance to catch up. 

Penelope went to bed this evening without a peep, but screamed at a knock on the door at 8:45... I'll have to make a sign letting everyone know not to knock after 7, and during naptime. 

Goodnight... Here are some pics from our day.

Day 159

Today Penelope and I spent the day at home together-- I cleaned and put the house back in order, and P crawled all over the house chasing after me! :) I love it, she is so independent now and is in such a rush to stand & walk! She falls down a lot, trying to get here and there-- it's hard to see! :/

We'll go see my sister tomorrow, so I'm glad the house is back in order... Provided Miss P-nuts isn't too cranky! :) 

Here's a pic of our baby after breakfast today... Goodnight!

Day 158

Today was a great (long) day! We went to one of my closest friends' vow renewal ceremony & reception in L.A. Penelope was dressed in a beautiful lavender dress, and she was a little angel in church! She did want to "talk" a little during quiet moments, but she did so well! At the reception, she was the star of the party-- hardly any of my friends' family members had ever seen her, and those who had, hadn't seen her recently, so she got TONS of attention. She loved it! Tom & I sat, talked to friends and each other, ate and she just hung out quietly with us. She really did so well today, we were both very proud-- and everyone else commented on how well behaved she was, so that was nice! :)  We left at 7pm (to miss traffic), but hit traffic-- baby girl wasn't in her bed until about 8:45... Verrrrry late for her! She had a long, fun day and is now sleeping peacefully. Papa just got hired for an overtime day tomorrow, so we'll miss him. We will definitely be sticking around the house-- cleaning and resting, getting back into our routine. 

Here are some pics from Patty & Jay Garcia's wedding, vow renewal, actually. 

Goodnight ;)

Day 157

Today we got things ready for a wedding we'll be going to tomorrow-- my friends Patty & Jay are renewing their vows! We got them a gift, and I had to find a dress since the dress that fit me last week didn't fit this week! :/  Penelope did quite well doing all our running around. Until the very last errand, then she had meltdown. I have to be more aware of time when we're out-- even though she seems older to me, crawling and climbing, she's still a baby who needs her naps! She was fussy in evening, I think her teeth hurt then... I hope she gets them soon. 

We are missing Papa and are happy we get to spend some fun time together tomorrow! Today's pic is P with her guilty pleasure: the tv remote!! :)

That is all for today. Night! 

Day 156

Today we went to our little friend Jakob's 2nd birthday party-- Penelope loved seeing other kids & babies, and was enjoying watching everything going on around her. I made a grocery store stop on our way home, and when we got home, P was overtired I think. She wouldn't sleep, and was just really fussy until bedtime. Was a long, LONG day, but fun too. :)

I got P a new umbrella stroller (waaaay easier to push, tote and carry, and a new toy-- see pics.  And yes, P has a lot of toys, but being home lots means playing with the same old stuff day in and day out-- we're happy to give up the space to give her a nice big play area! Let me tell you, Penelope is the ruling princess of this house!!! :)

Well, Mama is tired, goodnight. 

Day 155

We're back at home, and it feels great to be settled in again. We got up pretty early (thanks, Penelope!) and began cleaning up the cabin and packing up, gearing up for the ride home. We were on the road at 10am-- an hour before our scheduled time! The long, windy road down the mountain made me very VERY sick: nausea, headache, the whole enchilada! :/  Penelope, on the other hand, slept like a log the whole way down!! Thank goodness, I'd hate for her to have felt like I did. We arrived home around noon, and by 4ish, we were unpacked and the house was back in order. We had a great time together the last four days-- I'm so glad we made the trip! And P seems to be handling travel much better these days. We'll see if that's true at the end of July when we go to Seaside, Oregon to see her Grandfather. Fingers crossed!!! :)

First pic: killer road, second pic: P playing with the boys' light saber-- she was waving it around, it was pretty cute!

Goodnight.

Day 154

What a day! We began early, but not super early-- Penelope, Daddy & I "slept in" until 8:30!!! Now, for Penelope and I, that's amazing. She is always up either 5, 6 or 7am-- you can count on her for an early wake up call! And Daddy is a lark too, always up so early, so it was a rare treat that I thought worth mentioning. :)

After eggs, potatoes & biscuits (oatmeal & banana for P), we had our vacation-morning-nap. Such an indulgence for T and I. Later, we took a walk around the village, window shopping and enjoying the nice weather (if a little hot). We fully enjoyed our stay here in Big Bear, we quickly found a schedule that suited Penelope and the two of us, and I think we made it work. P is usually a bit weirded out away from home (in an overnight capacity), but she did really well this trip. She polished her crawling skills, and got her first red spot on the head from crawling into furniture. I guess we're going to see some of that, but it doesn't make it easy. :/  We noticed also that she's beginning to become upset when we sit down to eat and not include her. I think we're going to try eating together to see if that helps. It'd mean being done eating by 6pm, an hour before her wind down and bedtime at 7:30, so we'll see... :)

Here are pics from today-- some from our after dinner walk, and some from hanging out in the cabin. Goodnight!

Day 153

Ahh, another fun day in Big Bear! We were up early-- P slept so-so, we had to move her into our room in the middle of the night because she was very confused about our strange surroundings. After that, she slept fine. We went into town thrift shopping (T needed a book, he forgot to bring his), we went to see Grandaddy's old cabin, and out for some lunch. After an afternoon nap, we bbq'd, gave P a bath and put her to bed. She is having a good time, I think! 

Tomorrow we'll go to the Village to look around, and relax some more around here-- the cabin is so cozy. :)

Here are pics from our day... The first ones are P playing with Daddy while I showered, at lunch, and on the deck T dinner. Night!

P.S. Penelope is crawling now for real-- she's getting into everything and gets angry when we say "NO!" She is pulling herself up to standing, as well. Here we go!