My Brasilian Beauties

Enough said!

You Capture Me...

with that beautiful and expressive face.  Keep em coming girl, it's what keeps me on my toes everyday. Love ya.

Lucia 6 Weeks Young

Our little charmer is 6 weeks young, almost 7 weeks now.  She is changing and developing at incredible speed.  I remember at 3-4 weeks, I saw that she was becoming more alert, and now at 6 weeks, she can focus her attention for 5 minutes at a time on an object (really loves our blinds in the master bedroom), she can hold her head up and look in all different directions. At our baby and me class she laid on her tummy and looked at another baby next to us.  She also now follows her gaze at me when I get up or move to the side.  Lucia is also reaching for her feet and her toys on her play mat.  She still doesn't know she is doing it but I can see that is right around the corner.  And the big one, she finally can be soothed by just my cuddle or my voice.  Ah my sweet Lucia.  Before the only thing that mattered was food, sleep, and a fresh diaper change :-)  I have discovered that she loves massage before bed, and has been sleeping 6-7 hours in row at night.  And, it doesn't take us rocking her to sleep, she can now be awake and go to sleep on her own, well with a pacifier too : )  At 8 weeks, I am going to try and see if she will sleep in her own room, in the same crib we have had in the bedroom. That will be harder for me than for her.

I have been at home with her on my own now for a couple weeks and things are going well.  While I am not able to get to all of the house chores (and that makes me crazy!) I realize that the most important time now, is th time I spend with her.  Even when she takes a little nap, I miss her.  I can only imagine what it will be like going back to work.  So for now, I am going to let go of all of what I am not doing and just squeeze and kiss those fluffy cheeks.

Falling in love has never been more easy....

Lucia's 1st Hike!

Yesterday we woke up early and drove out to Multnomah Falls for a hike.  It was a bit cool in the morning,  but the afternoon turned out to be to warm and sunny.  Lucia did great and at one point was looking around so alert at the trees : )

San Diego

Lucia Kate and I went down to San Diego this past week for a few days to visit friends.  While I was anticipating being there, I was not excited to fly with an infant and I was a little worried about how she would feel on the plane.  However, the entire experience was amazing.  From Alaska Airlines giving us a total of 3 extra seats both ways (they really try to help new mamas), to Lucia being a complete gem, the travel was not bad at all and in fact it was quite pleasant.  Sure it was a lot of work, and everything required extra time, but other than that we did very well the two of us.

San Diego was lovely, except the last day (rain, boo). I really miss that place.  Every time I go there, I relive so many memories, I love how much there is to do, and of course the weather is usually sunny and beautiful, something Portland is seriously lacking.  We were able to see Becca, Stacey and Kristi.  On the first day, Becca, Lucia and I went to Sea Port Village and rode the carousel, danced to a band and walked to a nearby hotel where we sat in the lounge chairs and soaked up the sun.  That evening we went to a delicious Italian dinner and had great conversation while Lucia slept : ) The next day Lucia and I took a drive up the coast and hit up a few beaches, the most important one, Del Mar.  I always have a heavy heart when I think of my Grams and Paps there, but having my little Lucia didn't allow much time for tears.  So we went swinging at the park overlooking the ocean.  It was peaceful and lovely and reminded me of the good times at the same park when I was little.  Afterwards we met Becca for lunch in Solana Beach.  That evening Lucia and I met up with Kristi and Becca for a little Mexican food, it was great to see Kristi even for a short time and play catch up.  The third day was raining, so Lucia and I hit up the movies to see Bridesmaids.  It was a hilarious movie, and Lucia did wonderful in the theatre!  That evening we went to Stacey and Nicks for dinner.  Lucia didn't have her best evening, she seemed out of sorts; fussy and unsettled.  So while it was great to see them, we didn't get as much time as I had hoped.  That evening was the first time Lucia slept 6 hours in a row, so I think she was just very tired.  All in all, a great trip, can't wait to go back again soon!

Some videos of our time :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHBFYwoEGP8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC8P1jHgo80

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL00fNbLXc0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoUxouMJb4M

Lucia's 1st Bath!

Lucia had her first bath on Saturday, and she seemed to love it, ok, at least not hate it! Of course she did great, while Rafa and I were all disorganized! The hard part was the toweling off and making sure she was warm enough.  I am sure we will get better baby girl, just give us some more time : )
 PS...I did have my bathing suit on : )

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9XMuxnzAhA

Pics below...

Meeting Lucia....

While in the hospital we were lucky to have had a few visitors.  My friends Noela and Nataliya came by with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and Olimpia came by with some essentials...diapers, chocolate, and almonds (something for all of us!!)  As well, Rafa's boss Charlie and his wife Susan came by and delivered some beautiful flowers for us.  It was nice to have visitors at the hospital, no matter how tired I was! I was so proud to show off how perfect little Lucia was ;-)

Marisa and Derrick came by a couple days later to our house, but I didn't get a photo :( but it was great to see them too.  I can't wait until our girls are all playing together one day.  And then Liza stopped by for a few minutes to say hi and then came back again to deliver an adorable little hat she made Lucia. It is so stinking cute, and the very first item with her name on it : )

I cannot believe Lucia is now 4 weeks young.  And while we have been to lucky to have family in town for the last 5 weeks to help us, I do look forward to spending more time with our friends this summer with our little Lucia!  This next week Lucia gets to meet Becca, Stacey, and Kristi down in San Diego...Cannot wait for that!

Just me and my girl....

enjoying this gorgeous 70 degree day....

Great Aunt Desi Visits

It was a great week while Aunt Desi was here.  We did a nice mix of touristy things and relaxing things too! We were all sad to see the week end but I think Bella was the saddest of all...she and Aunt Desi are best buds.

Great Aunt Desi and Lucia...

Our visit to Tillamook Cheese Factory, of course we tasted cheeses and ice cream, yum!

Then we hit up Blue Heron for sampling of cheese and dips, and wine and we also stayed for lunch.

They had a petting zoo too!

A couple days later we went to the Tulip Festival...and lucky for us the sun came out...it was gorgeous : )

On Saturday, we went to the Saturday Market downtown and ate some grub and walked around...again, beautiful afternoon!

What you don't see from these pictures is all the tasty food we ate during the week...I think I may be past my full term pregnancy weight now ;-)

Great week..thanks family!