down time

When our babies were born, some fellow moms and I concurred that we would never be the types of moms who will conduct our lives based on our children's nap schedule.

Well, that was a bunch of crap.

Today I realized why it is so important that I have Melia home for naptime...it is my only downtime. Yes, I need my downtime. So if I suddenly have to rush out of the mall or disappear from the park, you will know why. I can't miss my window of opportunity for downtime.

Meanwhile, enjoy this picture of Melia with her cousin's Alec and Reid at the Royal Lahaina pool in Maui.

PS. Thanks, Elena, for pointing out to me today that I will probably become a video mom as well. Whatever.

Melia's turning 1!

Ok, so the date has been set. June 7th. Party at our house, or the park. Not sure yet. Gifts are not necessary but some just don't listen. So for those wanting to get a gift, please visit our previous blog post from March 24th- there are some ideas and links there.

Exact party details to come...

The life of a mom with a "nearly" 1- year old

So I was at my mom's group this past Monday. Something very alarming happened: we all broke out reciting "Pajama Time." We all participated. We all put our own little "tune" to the words. We all knew it by heart.

This is frightening.

So much for Proust and Shakespeare; its PAJAMA TIME.

Pics of our travels

1) Melia hangs with the Matzoh Man during her first Passover

2) Melia is still awake at 10:45pm

3) Visiting Venice Beach

4) Ryan's brother was married on April 26th in Maui- this was taken at the wedding

5) Sitting on a branch of Maui's largest banyan tree

6) Dining at Mama's Fish House on Maui- the BEST food in existence- we even ordered 3 desserts! Yes, 3 desserts.

7) In Kauai, Melia is wearing a plumeria flower in her ear. In Hawaiian, "Melia" means plumeria.

8) Hanging out at Poipu Beach in Kauai

Nearly a month of no posts...

...but we have a good excuse. Melia has become a frequent traveller, and if we actually paid for a ticket for her, she'd have enough miles to fly to Paris, well, not Paris, France, but perhaps Paris, Texas... You get the picture.

April 14th: Melia flies to Salt Lake City and back

April 18th: Melia flies to Los Angeles

April 21st: Melia flies to Maui

April 27th: Melia flies to Kauai

May 4th: Melia flies back to SF

Combine this with her other travels and she has been to 1/10th of all US States.

Learning to crawl....

And the mobility phase has commenced....

Things we do with our face

"I found my tongue-ing..."
"Smiling..."
"Laughing..."
"Thank goodness my tongue is still here-ing..."
"Inhaling..."
"Scrunching..."
"Burp-up-ing..."
"Swallowing..."
"Disgusting..."

Cute pics

Top two pictures: from my sister's wedding in Boise a few weeks ago

Bottom pic: Ryan explaining to Melia that we all have to wear a bib when eating

Birthday talk already?

Oh my, people are already asking about Melia's b'day. But it is still 3 months away! I can't believe it...she is growing up so fast.

The plan is to celebrate her b'day here at the house on June 21st, which is also her grandpa's b'day, and also happens to be one day after her daddy's b'day, and also happens to be 3 days after Auntie Amy's b'day, and about a week before Future Uncle Chad's b'day. Did I miss anyone? Oh! Melia herself! She's on the 19th...

We are so blessed to have so many people in Melia's life, and people who are asking what they can get M. for her b'day. With all of the craziness around the toy industry of late (does it contain lead, is it Made in China, is it PVC, are there phalates...need I go on?) we have made a conscious decision to try and purchase toys that we believe (and hope) are non-toxic and safe for her. So much goes in the mouth and the thought that she could be chewing on something that may contain lead or phalates is a bit unsettling.

There are a few toy companies that we really like:

Plan Toys

Haba

Maple Landmark

Holgate Toys

US Made Toys

And a few stores:

http://www.childtrek.com/

http://www.1888toys.com/

http://www.rightstart.com/
http://www.step2.com/

There are lots of things that she needs, like wooden blocks, puzzles, shape sorters, a playmat, walk and roll push toys, nesting cups, Imagibricks giant building blocks, play cube activity center (see 1888toys) and always books.

If you would like to get her clothes, she will most likely be wearing 18months by then, so while 18months is fine, 2T is probably best. August and September are warm months, after which we really cool off.

Annual passes to things like the zoo, Habitot Children's Museum or Lawrence Hall of Science would be cool too!

Anyone reading this is invited to her little soiree, and gifts are NOT necessary. But should you want to get her something, we hope this helps. And of course, money for her 529 plan is always a good thing.

Much love to all!

A few of my favorite things @ 9 mos

Melia's favorite things:

Favorite food: anything really, but cottage cheese and bananas are at the top

Favorite comforts: sucking her thumb while nuzzling something soft, preferably a blankie or her stuffed pal, tiger

Favorite toy: sound stage (see picture), balls

Favorite thing to do: drumming and singing

Favorite activity: swinging, taking baths, attempting to crawl

Just too damn cute!

Better than ripping paper (see the following: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXXm696UbKY)

Giddy Up!

Learning to ride Daddy's knee!

Swing, Swing, Swing!

We were in Sausalito last weekend visiting a really cool pottery place called Heath Ceramics and decided to stop by this cool park for Melia.

Peek-A-Baby

Oh man, this is hilarious...


By the way, did I mention that Melia is now sleeping through the night? And has been for 2-1/2 weeks now? Oh sweet dreams, thou art mine...

Carseats are funny

Red Bull, it gives you wings

My milk must have super powers. Everytime I feed Melia she suddenly gets this super boost of energy. It doesn't matter if she is dead tired. One gulp of milk and she has wings.

Oh my, teeth. Two of them. Cute, you say? Ouch, I say.

Here is Chuckie, getting ready for a leisurely stroll.


This is Jessica, she is 3 weeks old! Can you believe Melia was once this size?

Tofu and Peas

Melia doesn't like tofu, I mean she REALLY doesn't like it.

She is normally a very good, and clean, eater. Even the peas (which she loves) were turned down.

Just sit already

So Melia began sitting a couple of weeks ago. But until she did, she gave her abs a real workout trying to get to the sitting position. Check this out:

Hi Tooth

No pics of it yet, but the tooth a'comith...

Top 10 suggestions by people who love Melia on how to help the pains of teething:

1) Rub brandy, whisky or bourbon on the gums
2) Frozen washcloth soaked in apple juice
3) Hyland's teething tablets
4) Tylenol
5) Suffer through it
6) Frozen bananas or peaches
7) Cold bottle of water
8) The handle of a hairbrush
9) A bib for all of the drooling

and my favorite...

10) A toe to suck on

Here is what really works: sucking on the end of my toothbrush while it is vibrating.

Christmas and New Years in Colorado

It was a lot of firsts for Melia: first plane ride, first Christmas, first snow, first New Years, first NASTY cold, first time meeting cousins and an uncle...

We had a wonderful time and took a ton of photos. I will get an album together shortly, and post the link here. In the meantime, enjoy these memorable photos!




1) A walk in the snow. It was 15degrees outside and Melia LOVED it! She and I did a quick jog along the road and she was laughing the entire time. After about 20 minutes we had to head back inside as her snot was freezing on her lip.

2) New Years, 12:10am. Melia went down for bed, and then woke up on her own at 11:45. She didn't want to miss her first ball dropping!

3) Melia's first snowfall, Christmas Day. It was a blizzard outside, windy, snowy...gorgeous! Melia went back in with daddy, who couldn't handle the cold, and mommy went sledding. Daddy's no fun.

4) Grammy, Auntie Lisa, and Auntie Heather made some fun stuff for Melia. Here is a long hat and blankie.

5) Reid read a book to Melia and Alec. Oh man, it was too cute! Melia LOVED her cousins and had the best time with them. (Cousin Seth didn't come until the 26th)

Check back on Monday for a link to the rest of the album.