Perfect Evening

Its been a rough week; sickness, little sleep, busy at work. But on Friday evening, we decided to head out west to Cooper Mtn Winery to have a picnic, listen to Brasilian music, and enjoy a warm summer evening together. We all had such a lovely time. These are my favorite summer moments and much needed after this week!

Curious Little Cat

Besides the fact that she looks super adorable in her daddy's beanie, Lucia was shining as she was helping me go through and clean out drawers. Every little thing she pulled out had to be inspected and manipulated and she was determined to figure out what to do with what she found. I hope she never loses this curious spirit about her, I'm just glad that for now, the pencil didn't make it's way to wall for art :-)

Nut Doesn't Fall Far

While Lucia gets my dashing good looks and my charming personality (hehehe) she gets her distaste for textures from Papae. After being a preschool teacher for years, Lucia is the first child I've seen not like play dough. When I first brought it to the table she threw her head back in disgust and wanted to get away from there, and fast! A few rounds later, and we have graduated to lightly touching the play dough with a thumb and pointer finger. Now if you're thinking to yourself that's progress, well it is, but I had to trick her first and shed much rather touch it through a plastic knife. One cool aspect, is she learned to say the word blue, now only if she'd touch blue play dough!

Little Sickling

Our sweet girl is under the weather. She's not sleeping or eating well, and she only wants to watch Xuxa, her Brasilian kids DVD that Vovo gave her. So the last three days have been all about take out, relaxing, and trying to keep Lucia as comfortable and happy as we can. We aren't sure what ales her but we suspect a pretty strong round of teething. Feel better sweet girl.

"I'll Just Sit Right Here, Thank You"

July Birthdays!

Marisa, Nataliya and I had a little shin dig at work for our July birthdays. We ventured out and made Mojitos and Bruschetta! It turned out great!

And thank you for a house full of people I love. Amen. ~Terri

Happy Birthday Hour

Rafa and I went to PCG last night for my birthday. Lovely evening, delish food! Lucia had a hard time at her friends house, but the more we go out the easier it will be for all of us :-)

Fearless

Lucia was completely fearless yesterday when we went to the pool.  Rafa took her on the big slide, I mean huge and super fast for just a little baby!  She was a little nervous as they first sat down, but then she "weeee" d all the way down and then at the bottom, after the splash, she gave the sign for "more" and said it too, to make certain we heard.  So she went two more times and had a blast.  From there she decided that going on the kids slide about 100 times was just as great.  I love that she is brave and adventurous, and that she feels safe with us.  I didn't get any photos, but let me tell you, not only were we so proud of our little dare devil, but she was so proud too.  The grin on her face and the glow in her eyes every time she successfully made it to the bottom of the slide, was the single best part of my week.  Love this little person.

The slide on the left is the big one, and the frog on the right is the smaller one.  :-)

Boating

We finally took the boat out with Lucia for the first time since last year.  I admit, we were both a little terrified of how the whole event would turn out, since last year when Lucia was just a wee thing, she completely hated it.  Oh but now...she wants to be the captain, move over papae! We even stopped for some swimming :-) Lovely morning out with my family and a huge success!

True Colors

You with the sad eyes
Don't be discouraged
Oh I realize
Its hard to take courage
In a world full of people
You can lose sight of it all
And the darkness inside you
Can make you feel so small

But I see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful,
Like a rainbow

Show me a smile then,
Don't be unhappy, can't remember
When I last saw you laughing
If this world makes you crazy
And you've taken all you can bear
You call me up
Because you know I'll be there

And I'll see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful,
Like a rainbow

(When I last saw you laughing)
If this world makes you crazy
And you've taken all you can bear
You call me up
Because you know I'll be there

And I'll see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show

Your true colors
True colors
True colors
Shining through

I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful,
Like a rainbow

Picnic in the Park :-)

This time last year, Lucia was 3 months. Now she is an eating, talking, playful and lovely little lady. And what better way to spend a Thursday evening doing all if those things than at a concert in the park. It was nice to enjoy the warm weather and also hang out with 4 other families. Sadly I didn't get their photos but it was a perfect evening nonetheless!

Mac & Cheese

Lucia loves her Mac & Cheese, and her independence eating too. Not just with a spoon but with a fork as well :-)

15 Month Appointment

Lucia had her 15 month appointment and she rocked it!  75% for height and weight, and 91% for head size. And the doctor said that she is really advanced for her communication (both verbal and with ASL), physical ability, and problem solving skills.  Let me tell you, Lucia was really showing off ;-)  The doctor was impressed that she is sleeping through the night, weaned from binki and bottle, and is so advanced too.   There aren't many times where you just feel so proud, at least not for me.  But today, I was completely in my glory. But, along with Lucia's abilities, comes the next stage....toddlerhood.  And that means tantrums galore, pushing the limits, and just being down right ornery.  She tested Rafa and I yesterday like we have never seen.  So I guess this means that now comes the time outs, being really firm, and not tolerating dangerous or aggressive behavior.  She thinks hitting is funny.  Rascal.  


We are really proud at where Lucia is at, but now comes the real test for Rafa and I.  We have to be firm and consistent.  Wish us luck.  By the way, how can a face so sweet cover up so much mischief???

Night Out!

So last night was our first overnight without Lucia.  Let me tell you, it was a real treat.  We headed out to Bonneville Hot Springs where we lounged by the pool for the afternoon, and then dressed up for dinner at Skamania Lodge.  We had leisure meals and talks, no rush, no where to be.  It was so nice.  We love Lucia, but having some time on our own was so deserved.  And since we don't have family in town, we are incredibly thankful for our dear friend Cori, who left her own family, to come care for ours.  We have no desire to leave Lucia for long, for we feel that she is a part of our family and should be with us.  But to have a night every now again would be just perfect.  BTW, we definitely got a little silly :)

And check out these photos, current and then in 2007!  Just a little fuller and I am no longer blonde, but not bad!

Freedom....

May the sun in his course visit no land more free, more happy, more lovely, than this our own country!  ~Daniel Webster


What a lovely 4th of July!