Other Beach Days

OK, so I decided to put up another post tonight...I had all the pics opened and don't wanna go to bed without putting up a few more...so, here are some more pics from the trip to the beach with Bob (Summer's grandma (my mom), remember?) and Aunt Ginger.

These are simply taken from the water, getting closer to the sun-screen. Bought that Sun-screen at Target, it's awesome. Seems large and cumbersome, but it breaks down small and when it's up, it is so roomy, it's great!

Great view of the Santa Monica cliffs from the water. That's our tent.



And here you can see inside, and how much shade it gives and it is pretty tall.



Finally, this is Summer in her car seat. First time she was on the sand, sorta. First time we went to the beach she stayed in her stroller. This was Summer's second time at the beach, when we were with Unka Chris and Bob. The two above shots were from the third time we went to the beach. So, we got pics from every time except the first...since we didn't really get to the sand or anything.



OK, nearly ten...time for bed!! See ya.

KMR Beach Bash

So, today was Jess' work's Summer beach party. So we loaded up Summer and took her to the beach...for the FOURTH time. She's becoming quite the little beach bum. Today I figured it would be a good day to get her feet wet.



Those two pics I cropped, since my bum was sticking out...this last pic I thought was the best of the three, so it links to full size!



What's really cool is that she was fairly alert for an hour, but quiet and when we took her to the water she was totally OK with everything...I really think she likes the water!

I know, I know, I still haven't put up all the other beach pictures, and I will, but these were ready and easy, so I figured to put them up right away. Pretty good weekend, got up five posts! Yay!! More to come, for sure. Still have some catching up to do...like have I mentioned how many faces she makes, and how she smiles when she sees us/hears out voices? Summer is definitely starting to become more aware of her surroundings and remember some people. At least she remembers us! Whew...thank goodness.

I keep speaking of this video. In addition to the dolphins, I filmed her making faces, so I should be able to put together a little collage, as well...

OK, until then. I think I need to get to bed. I'll be getting up to feed her again before I know it! I just fed her now, Jess takes the next one and hopefully Summer will sleep until 3:30 or 4, so I can get up with her, feed her and get ready for work and head off at a reasonable time.

Aunt Ginger

OK, Finally.

Aunt Ginger came out to see Summer for a quick little weekend. But during that weekend, WOW! She went to Disneyland, the beach, down to the Santa Monica Pier...She was busy every moment.

Ginger did have some downtime, though. Times such as these:





The great part was that Auntie Ging helped out with Summer, too! She held her, fed her, took her off our hands.

At the beach there were dolphins and such, it was very cool. I only have that decently on a video-tape. I'll have to download that to the PC and cut out a few frames later. There were tons of dolphins swimming up and down the beach that day.



This pic just shows how great the day was. Mom and Ginger were with us and took this picture for us. It was Ginger's idea and a good one, at that!

Lastly here are Ginger and mom walking up the beach.



I don't have any pics of Ginger at Disneyland, or anything, but that's ok...Summer wasn't there... ;-)

Soon Summer will be able to go with everyone. Hopefully next year Ginger will bring the whole family for Summer's first birthday, so everyone can meet Summer and goto Disneyland or Universal...

Sleeping

Well, last night was a long one...sorta. We slept a little while then you got up to eat at 1. You were pretty loud about it. Mom and I had to tag-team you a little. Then you wouldn't go down quietly. You just love to sleep in our laps...so last night I played some more poker online while you slept in my arms.

I didn't let you cry out loud in your crib because I was trying to let mommy sleep. Finally about 6am, I got you to sleep in your crib after a good feeding. Around 8-ish or so, mommy got up to feed you again and take care of you. She then brought you to bed for me to watch/hold while she did a few things...Well, I passed out and mommy caught it with the camera:



Then a little later, after I took a bath and everything you were still sleeping...



You really are such a cutie, Summer

Bowling!!!

First off, Happy Birthday to Uncle Gabe and Aunt Krissy! We just went out tonight to celebrate their birthdays. We went to the bowling alley!! Gigi held and fed Summer when she got hungry:


What a fun night, Jess got to use her brand new ball, a purple Brunswick Power Groove and wear her brand new shoes, too!

Here's a pic of the lanes:

Well that's about it; Nothing much else to say, as Summer slept through the whole thing, except to eat for a bit. She was perfect, until about 8PM, just as we were leaving...which is good overall, as she didn't make us have to leave early. We all bowled great. Jess and her dad both got a Turkey. (I was one pin shy, missed the third strike by the ten pin.)

When we were done bowling and sat down to eat Gabe and Krissy's birthday cake, we noticed Norm Mac Donald with his family. I'm not one to introduce myself or ask for an autograph, but he DID hold the door open for us as we were leaving. He seemed to be with his family having a good time.

Everyone loves bowling! Jess and I are going to try and get back into it again. Fun fun fun!!

Pics of Unka and me (with Summer, of course)

Hey all...OK, gonna throw up two posts tonight...First one is just a quickie for showing off Summer's Uncle (Unka) Chris. He came to visit while my mom was visiting and he went with us to the beach. Which was a good thing, because he helped put up the new sun screen we bought. Second time I did with Jess' help, but the first time it was harder, so his help was appreciated.

Here he is with the cutie:


And, also near all that time frame, I got another picture taken with Summer. This time I was playing cribbage with Ginger (If I remember correctly she beat me good...so, we're tied, one to one for the last two times we've played together in just over a year). Thanks for the game, Ging, and thanks for taking the pic, a bigger post with more about you is coming! :-)

Aunt Dee

Another amazing story of people showing their love to Summer! Aunt Dee came out to Las Vegas for a family Reunion (as did The Dave's) and Aunt Dee came out for the day, just one day, she got a flight out of Las Vegas just to bring Summer a little new baby gift and get in her holding, kisses and to say hi. :-)

I couldn't decide which picture to use...they are both cute in their own ways:





So, thank you Aunt Dee, it means a lot that you were so awesome and came out to see Summer. Thanks for the super cute clothes. Summer can't wait to dress up in them. We'll of course have to send you some pictures!

OK, I got two posts in tonight, yay!! Going to go make dinner now and will post all about The Dave's and Ginger's visiting as well. I think Ginger had the most amazing visit...did more in three days than I've done in the last 5 weeks!!!! :-)

Bob

I considered titling this "Ode to Bob", but then I figured I'd be forcing myself to wax poetic...I don't think I can do that right now. David and Dave are downstairs watching Summer, whom is sleeping quietly, of course...so I have only a moment to make a quick post. I have lots to write about and pictures to put up...I'm hoping to make a post a night during the week. :-) Wish me luck.

Anyway, this is all about Bob: My mom, Summer's Grandma.

Bob came here to help us two weeks ago tonight. She just left yesterday. It feels like she was here only a few hours as we were driving her to the airport. We had a great dinner at my favorite mexican restaurant Paco's Tacos with Bob, Ginger and the Dave's. Right after dinner we drove to LAX and Bob and Ginger got in their last Summer kisses.

The two weeks started with a bang. Summer was up all night. I stayed up to help out and visit with my mom. The next day I also stayed home to get Bob situated. We went grocery shopping (ended up going three times in the two weeks she was here). Bob bought the groceries, that first day, it was mostly water and pop (soda to you of those out west). The next night Summer was pretty good. At least I thought so, I put in ear plugs and slept through the night, as Bob took over the night-time duties. Jess was able to sleep through one, possibly two feedings. It was GREAT! Bob was THE BEST, such a great help.

In addition to watching Summer and helping through feedings, Jess and I had to run a few errands a couple of times, and we were able to go out and get things done. We were supposed to go out on a date night, but never got ourselves to do that, as we'd prefer to hang out with Bob (and Ginger and Dave later) and/or try and catch up on our sleep. Even with Bob, a new baby takes up a lot of sleep time! :-)

Bob was a great helper, she did laundry, dishes, swept the floors, made some dinners, changed Summer's diapers who knows how many times. Basically, an all around help.

Jess and I (along with Summer) appreciated every moment and can't say enough thank yous! We did our best to get Bob out to see the world...so to speak. We got her to the beach, twice.



We took her to brunch and lunch and made a big pancake breakfast for her a couple of times. But there is really no way we can really repay her for the time she helped and the extra sleep she allowed us to get.

Thank you, Bob! We love you!

Flipping

Am I a bad dad? I forgot to post, what 3-9 days ago, that Summer turned over by herself for the first time. I can remember seeing it. I remember trying to help set her up to do it again...unsuccessfully and then Jessica coming down the stairs and hoping Summer would flip for her...but to no avail.

Jessica remembers the event, too. But, like me, cannot for the life of her remember when it happened.

We're sorry Summer, it was a big event, and we can't even remember when it happened...maybe if you slept through the night and we weren't walking zombies ;-) we might remember some things.

Anyway, love you and you are sure getting stronger.

1 Month Birthday!!!

Summer made it to her first birthday!! (Only 1 month, but it's surely an event to remember!)

We just wanted to wish you a happy day, Summer!!!

And today (I think it was related to the 1 month date) people from work gave you a card and a little donation to go to your college fund, diapers or your jumper/bouncy thing... I'm sure we'll find something to get for you! Thanks everyone!

Everyone is still so generous. In the last week or so, Summer has received more clothes and gifts from her great uncles, great grandparents, some of my and Jess' coworkers, etc... It's amazing and we cannot tell you all how much we appreciate the help and outpouring of love and kindness. Thank you!

As my return "gift" to you all, I'll continue to load more pictures. We dressed Summer up this weekend and took her to the beach... I think I have one or two pics from that...I should have put her in the sand and taken a picture, but it was daytime, so of course she was sleeping... ;-) I'll try to get on and post some pics soon. I definitely need to put up a collage of her faces she makes sometimes when she's eating/waking/etc...funny stuff!

Summer Bubba...

So, had second baby appointment and got to get all the measurements on Summer... She's basically 21 inches long now, has grown about 3 inches. She is up to 9 lbs and 1/2 ounce. Told doc how Summer likes to eat. Says most babies take about two weeks to get back to their birth weight (7 lbs 11 oz). Summer was back to that within the first week, and has gained over a pound since then... Doc mentions that Summer should only be eating 2-3 ounces per feeding and maybe 4 ounes once in a while, if slept a lot and is really hungry....so those times she just kept eating and drank 5-6 ounces and her belly is distended...hmmm... Maybe a reason she cried? A belly ache? Well, we know now and will try to keep her more on the lower amount. Other than that, we got a clean bill of health and made another appt for Aug 21 for her shots...that'll be fun, but a baby needs her immunizations.

I think I'll stop mentioning good nights and bad nights, since they come and go. Monday "night", Summer was up til 5AM. She just wanted to get to know Grandma Bob...


As always, Summer is much quieter if you let her sleep on top of you... :-)

And last night Summer was pretty good again.

Summer is the most adorable baby...when she's sleeping...


Anyway, busy weekend and last couple of days. Bought a used Volvo XC 70 Station wagon and got rid of the Passat. This gives us a bit more room. Being used kept it more affordable, but it's fully loaded and quite comfy. Have three years and 60k miles for the warranty, so that's basically just as good as a new car.

Well, back at work today, so should get to it...just had to post another update and a few more pics. She's growing so fast!

No bed...

Last night Summer spent the entire night in her crib. Yes, yes, she woke up. Jess had to stay awake with her for two hours around 2am...so that wasn't any darned good, but Jess stayed in the room and put her back in the crib around 4. Summer woke up again around 6 or so, when I was getting up and getting ready for work. So, a bit of a rough night for Jessica. (Sorry, Honey!) But a decent sign that Summer may be OK in her crib and maybe get better at sleeping.

Innie

So, yesterday Jess got a hold of Summer's umbilical cord, and was finally able to remove it...and guess what...Summer has an Innie.



Other than that, cards, gifts, flowers, things keep showing up at the house. Dad and Deb got Summer some outfits and Baby Einstein blocks! The outfits came in a range of sizes so Summer can grow into them. Very well thought out. :-) Summer says THANK YOU!! Also, Summer got her first birthday cake, in the manner of a flower "cake" from (Grandma) Bob.



Other things "in the news" are Cheeto finally got so bold as to lick Summer's nose this morning. All the cats have been getting closer and checking her out (under close supervision of course) and this morning Cheeto gave Summer her first Kitty-Kiss! So cute.

Yesterday was Jessica's first day home alone...she should really make her own post about her time with Summer, but I know the story. Summer was crying and alert and only slept about 2 or 3 hours total for the day. Luckily for me, when I got home she was finally tired. Jess and I ran a "quick" errand for two hours and Summer slept right through. Then she ate and slept another hour, with some fussy crying.

We actually put her down in her crib and let her cry herself to sleep. She'd cry a minute to 5 and then sleep for 10 or so. She got about an hour solid in sleep, where I think we was able to get in about 30 minutes. Then, she was up again from 10:30 to midnight. Crying and being quietly alert. So, we (read Jessica) fed Summer for a while, we took her to our bed, fed her a little bit more and she finally fell asleep about 1AM...SHE SLEPT THROUGH the night (mostly, for 5.5 hours), so we got a reasonable nights rest! Now, hopefully Summer will be better for Jess today. From speaking with Jess, I know Summer's been a little awake, but not too bad, I don't think.

Tonight, we'll try her own crib again for a few hours. Trying to ween her off of my chest/in our bed/in our room in the bassinet all the time. She has to learn to put herself to sleep.

July 4th!

First Holiday, YAY!!! Saturday night is when we got out to watch some fireworks...unfortunately June Gloom rolled in some sea fog at night, into July, so the sky get bright, but could not see the fireworks properly. Kind of sad, only two blocks from where the fireworks were being launched from, where we were standing, it was completely clear. So, sadly, no fireworks pictures to share. Summer actually loved the fireworks, or so it seemed, she was resting quietly and had a good time, so she shares her mother's love of the fourth!

I have other pics I want to put up, but I haven't had a chance to put them onto the computer yet. Hopefully in the next day or so. Tomorrow I go back to work.

Summer still is up and loud more at night than during the day...so hopefully Jess will be able to get some rest.

'Til later