Snow Day!

If I were a kid, this would be a great day...no school, snowball fights, hot cocoa. This is definitely not the world or weather I grew up in. Novembers are still mild and could see 80...today the high is 32, FREEZING!!! This will be all my daughter knows though, this will be her winter, and although it is totally opposite to my childhood, I am excited for her. Last night our neighbors were out making snowmen and having snowball fights. Unlike my LA upbringing, this really does feel like Christmastime. In time I will learn to live in it (and like it!) - the shoveling, the driving, etc, but for now I'll just stay home and bask in the beauty of it all.

Things that change when you have a baby...

I didn't make these up, they are copied from a website I frequent:

You finally stop to smell the roses, because your baby is in your arms.

Where you once believed you were fearless, you now find yourself afraid.

The sacrifices you thought you made to have a child no longer seem like sacrifices.

You respect your body ... finally.

You respect your parents and love them in a new way.

You find that your baby's pain feels much worse than your own.

Your heart breaks much more easily.

You think of someone else 234,836,178,976 times a day.

Every day is a surprise.

Bodily functions are no longer repulsive. In fact, they please you. (Hooray for poop!)

You look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself.

You become a morning person.

You don't mind going to bed at 9 p.m. on Friday night

You realize that the 15 pounds you can't seem to get rid of are totally worth having

You learn that taking a shower is a luxury

Thanksgiving

I've been in a reflective/senitmental mood lately - maybe it's the holidays that does it to me or that I'm far from home, family and friends, or being a new mom! Brian mentioned last night that I had seemed more "sensitive" lately, I acknowledged that, and apologized explaining that I'm still adjusting to life here - I know a lot of you can relate!

On a more positive note, Brian and I are very thankful for each other and for the beautiful baby girl that God has blessed us with. Already in her two months of life we have loved to watch her grow, gurgle and smile at us everyday! I never could've imagined this kind of love.

We are also thankful for you, our family and friends, here and everywhere. I hope this Thanksgiving finds you healthy, happy and enjoying time with ones you love! Don't take it for granted! Love to you all!

Brown

I love the color brown...I wear it, drink it and dress my baby in it almost everyday. Which her grandmas and great grandmas find funny because back in the day you never dressed a baby girl in brown...pink is for girls!

We're having a fun week with my sister visiting from Florida. It's always so nice having family or friends come visit (HINT! HINT!). We've been exploring all Yakima has to offer, which isn't too much, but fall temperatures and seeing mountains are enough for the Floridian.

I took this picture of Olivia yesterday...this is by far my favorite hat! All she needs now is a Starbucks cup and she's officially Washington. Thank you for the cute outfit Aunt Jen!

Road Trip!

Weekend before last we packed up ALL our gear and took a road trip to Eastern Washington with Brian's parents. Our purpose was twofold - to see Brian's grandparents and to meet up with my friends Melinda and Jason. They were going to Washington State, their alma mater, to watch the Cougs play UCLA (and they won! Go Cougs!). We had a great time seeing family and friends. Olivia is a great little traveler. She slept most of the 3 1/2 hour car ride and woke up to eat once. Sorry, no pics of me feeding in the wheat fields of La Crosse, Wa (mom in laws home town!). Let's just say that wouldn't be happening on the side of the 405 or the 101...gotta love being in the middle of nowhere.

We had so much fun with Grandpa Ray and Grandma Jean - Olivia has 5 great grandparents still living (4 of those being Brian's...unbelieveable!). I'm so happy about that. And seeing my childhood friend hold my baby girl was pretty special too! I miss you Melinda! Attached is a way cool pic of them at the game! Beth you need one of these, come visit soon!

Smiles and Halloween!

Olivia started smiling at us this week...it just melted my heart! I was feeling kinda home sick on Monday, missing all you family and friends, but that first smile certainly turned that around. It's amazing how you can be having one of those days and suddenly a smile from your child changes everything. Can anyone relate...c'mon indulge the first time mom!

We had fun last night passing out candy to the neighborhood! The last minute in me ran out yesterday and found that onesie..1.99! Sometimes it pays to procastinate.

I feel like I am adjusting more to motherhood these days. It's amazing how your body just learns to live on less sleep and you suddenly grow more hands to multi task with. We went out yesterday and ran several errands - Macy's, Old Navy, etc. Like mother like daughter, Olivia's a good little shopper (well, it helped that she slept all 3 hours we were gone!).

Fall is in full swing here. This Californian is just in awe of the beauty all around me. It's my favorite time of year - the crisp air, the colorful leaves, and the chilly nights! This is Washington at its best. I love living the different seasons...remind me of that in the dead of winter, ok?