Adventure to Alameda Beach

We got our act together (barely) and got out of the house for a trip to the beach.  We gathered all our gear (OMG! toys, extra clothes, diapers, snacks, bottles, sippy cups, sunblock, hats, towels, camera, holy crapload of stuff!) and hit the road...  it was totally worth it!!

Liv was so excited to use her pink shovel again - she must have asked me about it 6 times on the way there!

Luna's first day at the beach. However, she is still in that vampire stage where she can't abide direct sunlight...

choosing the very best rocks to throw into the bay...

going back for more

i think she likes it!

see what i'm saying about the acne? and that's like 1000% improved - yikes!

mom & Liv at the beach, again!

(are those my boobs?... really?!)

made a new friend, and shared toys; and she shared her kite, too!

AND 

we were serenaded by this nice man practicing his sax

who played "happy birthday" upon request...

what a day!

ps/ our thoughts and love to cousin Lynn & family, who had a house fire last night.

Picnic!

Beautiful weather here. We decided to have a little picnic. 

We packed a lunch and went for a little hike up the hill behind the house.

A Few New Pictures

sorry it's been so long since the last post... all is well here!

We are adjusting well to being a bigger family.

I'm finding it an interesting exercise to find the new priority balance in competing claims fo rmy attention. Some days I do feel like I have my hands full, especially when Jeff is working away from home. But there is no surprise there -- and I am overwhelmed only by the sheer joy and gratitude I feel every single day!

Camila Luna is suffering from some wicked baby acne this week - don't expect to see many pictures. haha...

She spends some time on her belly everyday and let's me know when she's had enough!!

Liv continues to amaze me everyday, she's asserting her independence more, which is a occasionally a challenge for me - but so far we're managing. Here she is reading a letter from Gramma Mayberry.

Happy Baby...

Liv and I found some rubber stamps at the dollar store, and a book about fingerprint stamping at the library. Definitely this week's favorite craft!

We're planning a "Turning Two" birthday celebration for next weekend. If you're available -- we'd love to have you come over for cupcakes!

Running in the Rain

We had a rain storm this afternoon.

We left the playground just as the first drops were falling,

but couldn't resist spashing around in it when we got home.

Camila Luna pics

Baby Luna (that's what I'm calling her this week...) is, as all babies do, developing incredibly fast!

She eats well, sleeps well, and loves to be carried in the Bjorn. She's weighing in these days at almost 11 pounds and about 22 inches. Still a chunk -- but not quite as round as she seemed at first! LOL

She's faster (and louder) to squawk than I remeber Liv being - but I suppose she had better be! :)

here are some pics from earlier this afternoon.

Soooo Good!

Many of you have heard Liv exclaim "Sooo Good!"

Here are some pics from snack yesterday.

- homemade blueberry muffins -

Thanks

Our thanks to Christina for staying with us these past few days - it's been a wonderful visit for all of us. Our hope is that Dan and Jeff will be able to join us next time!! 

Camila gets bigger and stronger with longer alert periods.

Sometimes, I swear she really is smiling!

Liv admiring her super-cute new bear jacket - thanks Carlota and family!

We're all sad to have to say goodbye to Tia Christina.

And excited that Daddy is coming home tomorrow.