Ashley's First Photo Session!

Wow! Did we have fun yesterday! Ashley had her first official photo session with Erin Palos of Sweet Baby Photo. I was so nervous because Ashley had been smiling and laughing all morning and I wasn't sure if she would have any left to give! When Erin showed up, Ashley was a little tired of performing, but between Dad, Mom and Erin, we managed to coax a few more smiles out of her! Erin did such an amazing job with her and said she would post a few photos that night for us to enjoy. I will admit, my expectations were a little low given my daughter's performance - she was so serious! But when I saw the amazing pictures that Erin took, tears came to my eyes! How lucky we are to have these pictures!

Go to www.sweetbabyblog.com to see a sneak peek of the session! The post is entitled, "Sweet Baby Ashley."

Thanks, Erin, for a fabulous day! We can't wait for another session after the new year! You are so talented!

My Future Executive

Doesn't it look like she is headed to a business meeting? I can't get enough of this dressing up business! It is like having your very own, living doll! (Except it cries and poops...this is what is referred to in the toy biz as a "feature doll' ...)

Chris is out of town in South Carolina for the BC/Clemson game. Apparently, this is a very big game. (Aren't they all!?) Ashley and I have been on our own since Tuesday and have been having a lovely time. Last night she slept for 7 hours! I have been working really hard to get her on the "Baby Wise" schedule. (Eat, Play, Nap ... in that order.) It has been sort of a pain, but now that I am getting used to it, it does make the daytime a little more predictable. And she is napping better, which means I can actually get a few things done. (It is sure hard to force her to take a nap when she looks up at you and laughs! All I want to do is pick her up and kiss her!)

In the back of my mind, my return to work is looming. I have such mixed emotions about it. I miss it ... even though everyone I talk to at the office says that it is insane there right now. But then I look at Ashley's little face and how much she changes every day and I feel so much anxiety about leaving her in someone else's hands. Not that I think the person we choose won't be capable, but I know that no one will feel the intense joy in her little triumphs like me.

My Future's So Bright...I Gotta Wear Shades!

Well, we took our very first family vacation this week. The three of us loaded up the car and headed up to the Bacara in Santa Barbara for a few days. We had a wonderful time. Ashley is the perfect baby. She slept all the way there and when we arrived, she was full of smiles, giggles and coos.Chris and I both think this is such a fun age ... she really has such a cute personality beginning to emerge. I cannot believe how quickly she is changing. When she is awake, she is a total Chatterbox! She loves to flirt and smile - I have never loved anything so much in my life!



But she can sure work the system too! Check out this fussy face! Gotta love it!



(Notice: Crying with Daddy; Laughing with Mommy...)

More Halloween Pictures

This costume was just too big - and my girl doesn't like polyester. Ah, they learn so fast. I am so proud of her!

Happy Halloween!

She is really not into dressing up...or maybe I am just mean!

Have a spooktacular day!

Free At Last, Free At Last...Well, Almost.

Today Ashley turned 7 weeks old! It is also the day that we returned to her doctor for her 2 month checkup and immunizations. At her first appointment, she was in the 50th percentile for height (19.5") and the 20th percentile for weight (6 pounds, 10 ounces). This time, she was 22.5 inches long and in the 65th percentile for height and a whopping 10 pounds, 3 ounces putting her in the 60th percentile for weight! Her doctor said breast milk is pretty much like having a steady diet of Häagen-Dazs ice cream in terms of fat. (Note to self, lay off the Häagen-Dazs!)

The doctor said we were very lucky because Ashley was such a mild tempered baby. She was also very impressed when we told her that Ashley could turn over from her stomach to her back. Apparently, that usually happens at around 4 months! Ashley was doing it at 3 weeks! She is very advanced - we may start filling out applications for gifted programs soon. (Kidding.)

After the glowing doctor's review, the nurse came in to give her the shots. FOUR SHOTS! Poor little thing! But the nurse did them so fast that it was over just as it started. Ashley screamed for about 60 seconds and then that was it. We really are lucky. She is such a sweet baby. Here is a picture of her a few minutes ago - you'd never even know she had to suffer through four shots!



The shots were supposed to be our ticket out of the house, but with the Santiago Canyon fire still burning with no end in site, the air is truly hideous. The smoke even seeps through the windows and doors, so it is hard to escape. And to think that this fire was set intentionally ... unbelievable.

Many of you have asked about the Grammy & Grandpa Larocca's house in Fallbrook. They were evacuated on Monday and are still not allowed back into the area. At this point, their home is untouched by the fire and we are hoping that they are able to get back into the house by the weekend when they return from visiting Baby Sylas in Idaho. I know they have appreciated all of your phone calls and good thoughts.

These fires sure put things in perspective ... hope you are all well.

End Caps Aren't Just For Lightbulbs Anymore...

So I had to go to Target today despite the "rules" of enclosed locations. You see, I have 1 breastpad left. As in One. Uno. Last time I checked I had two boobs. Where did the other breastpad go? Or are breastpad boxes like hot dog buns?! I digress...

This meant the piggy had to come with me. (I call her this and other rude names because she eats like one and is now pushing 10 pounds.) Before we even get in the door, she has a complete meltdown and is rooting around for something to eat. I was forced to sit on the ledge outside and feed her. I might as well just stop shaving my legs - this is getting out of control.

After that escapade, (from which I emerged with a big wet spot on my shirt because she was so intrigued by everything else besides the task at hand), we entered the store. Immediately, she made her serious, "I am pooping a poop beyond all poops imaginable" face. It is a very serious face, with pursed lips and a furrowed brow. Her skin also turns the color of red that I imagine you would paint your face if you were dressing up like the Devil for Halloween. I pretend I don't see this happening and head to the back of the store for the hotdog bun breastpads. This is when the fussing begins. I scramble for the pacifier. She is not having it. She starts punching the air like a little Mike Tyson, (this isn't too far off because she would for sure bite my ears off if she had teeth...), and the fussing gets louder and louder.

I, of course, cannot leave without the breastpads because these things leak at the drop of a hat. (Whose boobs are these anyway!?) Hoping to soothe her, I take her out of her stroller to carry her and put my hand right into a big, wet mess. She has blown out the side of her diaper. OF COURSE SHE HAS! Let me recap, I have just breastfed outside of a Target, am walking around with a big wet stain on my shirt, my child is crying and my hand is covered in her poop. Long gone are the days of cashmere sweaters and Happy Hour at Chat Noir.

As I turn the corner of the aisle with the breastpads, I notice that there is an almost empty end cap. These are the displays that are at the end of an aisle normally used to showcase a sale product. Yeah, I did it...I changed my daughter's diaper on an end cap in Target. But, I like to think of it as a "product demonstration" for Pampers.

In the end, I got my breastpads and by the time we walked back to the car, wouldn't you know it, she was sleeping like a perfect angel.

This makes it all worth while...