Snoozer (Day 13)

On a day like today where I have so much to do before we leave for our Thanksgiving extravaganza in the Pacific Northwest, I am especially thankful for naptime.  And, a naptime without any fussing at that!

Al Gore Invented the Internet (Day 12)

This past week, my parents and I have been Skype-ing a little more than usual. Of course, something is wrong with their web cam, so it's a little one-sided, but the main purpose is still accomplished -- they have a chance to see Olivia in action. It's been so much fun laying the laptop down on the family room floor and having her crawl from one side of the room to the other and then listening to my parents shriek with excitement. (So, yeah, I guess I do kind of wish I could also see their facial expressions.)

Anyway, it got me thinking about how fortunate we are to live in a time where technology is so amazing. We can click on a button on our computer and Olivia's grandparents can watch her crawl in real time from 568 miles away. That's just crazy. And, such a blessing. I wish I may, I wish I might, have my parents over each night, BUT, if that can't happen, this is a pretty good replacement.

So, today I am thankful for all of the modern technologies that we have that allow us all to keep tabs on each other so much more easily - facebook, blogs, instant messaging, cell phones, email, and the internets (Oh, DubYa, I kinda miss having you to make fun of).

So, in honor of that, check out this little ditty:

*You'll hear me say "no" to Olivia for what appears to be no logical reason, but I wanted to show you, internets, that little stinker's face when I tell her not to do something. And, please, for the love of God, turn your speakers down so you don't have to hear my voice on camera! (And, if the video hasn't shown up, just click on the "She Talks, She Crawls" title and it will take you to the vimeo site and you can view the video there.)

She Talks, She Crawls! from Amanda Michelson on Vimeo.

Girls Night In (Day 11)

Even though my friend Michele only lives a little over an hour away, it's really hard jiving our schedules with her work schedule to try and get together.  She had the day off today and made the trek up to spend the afternoon and evening with us.  It was great having some girl time tonight and we were even able to squeeze in a little living room dance party before she had to leave.

I know I blogged about the new friends that we've made, but I'm eternally grateful that I have a little piece of home out here with me.

Baby Love (Day 10)

Today, Olivia turns seven months old. SEVEN MONTHS. Do you know what that means (besides the fact that I should be at my pre-pregnancy weight by now)??? That means that she is closer to being a one year old than she is to being a newborn. Newsflash: Me no likey! This has gone way too fast. But, I have loved every minute of it. Even when she's cried. Even when she's had poop explosions. Even when she's had projectile vomit. And, even when she's woken up every hour on the hour during the middle of the night, I have loved it all.

Today, I'm thankful for Olivia and for the fact that I've been able to be at home with her each day watching her grow and change.

Oh yeah, I'm also thankful for tights!!

Oh No He Didn't

So, I'm thinking that there's a certain someone in this household that's a little jealous of Olivia.  I've seen hints of it in the past seven months.  (Again, SEVEN MONTHS, really?!)  He likes to get right down on the ground while we're playing with her or he'll jump up on my lap while I'm nursing her, but today?  Today, he pushed the limits.

After lunch, I got Olivia all dressed, got our blanket and hats ready, and headed outside with the camera to take some birthday pictures.  And, here's pretty much how that went, from Olivia's perspective:

Yay - Magnum's coming over!

I love it when Magnum is around!

Wait, where did he go?

Um, Magnum?  Magnum, what are you doing?

MAGNUM!!

Oh Magnum, have you no shame?

Mom, why did he do that?

We promptly moved spots in the yard.  I'm sorry, but the only phrase going through my head is, "That Little Shit!"

Welcome to the World, Baby Noah! (Day 9)

The day we brought Olivia home from the hospital, David's cousin (am I allowed to say and my personal favorite?) called us to congratulate us on our new addition and also to announce that she and her equally amazing husband were expecting a little bambino of their own come November.  Well, HELLO November and welcome Baby Noah!

I have spent several hours stalking Brianna and filling her head with all of my personal beliefs on which baby products are good and which ones are flops.  This morning, I pulled out my phone to text her and ask if she was having any contractions and stopped myself because I remembered how my dad checked on me EVERY HOUR the week they were out here before Olivia was born, and not that it wasn't great, but it was a total bummer to say, "Noooo, nothing yet."  Well, lo and behold if I didn't check on facebook a few hours later and see that Brianna Reina Showell was a mom!!!!  I swear I probably checked facebook 20 times today waiting for pictures, stats, ANYTHING.  Not to mention, I'm pretty sure I filled Brianna's inbox with way too many text messages to even be considered a normal member of her family.  (Sorry Bari, but I was just sooooooo excited!)

Anyway, without further ado, here is the newest addition to our extended family:  Noah Showell, born November 15th at 10:43pm, weighing 8 pounds 5 ounces and measuring 19.25 inches.  He is absolutely adorable and already sporting way more hair than his cousin Olivia.

Yes, Brianna, he IS cute as a button!

David must have told Michael how awesome that pose is!

Such a sweet moment.

And, as if my cousin-in-law didn't have enough on her plate being a Craft Goddess, working at Nike and becoming a new mom, she's started a side project as an image consultant.  You can check out her new endeavor here.  Because, seriously, who wouldn't want to take style tips from this knock-out?!

So, OBVIOUSLY, today I am so so so thankful that our new baby cousin has arrived and is as perfect as can be.  And, I am doubly thankful that in just a little over a week, I will be able to stalk meet him in person and get my hands on a teeny tiny newborn!

Congratulations Michael and Brianna - you are in for the most amazing ride of your life.  A plethora of hugs and kisses to your beautiful little family.

After a Few Days Off, Come to Find Out I'm Still Thankful (Day 8)

The last four days have been incredibly busy.  I have made a trip up to San Luis Obispo every single day.  And, even though it's only a 30 minute drive, when you factor in taking a baby with you and getting the nap/feeding timing down, it can make it a lot more difficult.  (Is that a good enough excuse for missing a few days?)

Friday night, we had our friends Ken and Katie come over for dinner and it reminded me that I am thankful for the new friends that we've made since we've moved out here.

Yep, that's the best I can do.

It was really difficult at first to meet people since I wasn't working and David works from home.  We've been fortunate to meet some really great people and have been blessed with wonderful neighbors.  We spent Saturday with our photographers, Daniel and his beautiful wife Laura, and they are just FABULOUS, FABULOUS people.  And, today, our neighbors loaned me their car so I could take another trip up to SLO while David was using our car.

I am truly thankful to the lovely people of the central coast who have shown me that it's not just midwesterners who can be warm and fuzzy.