The effects of an evening walk

We took Cyanne out for an evening stroll tonight.
She was talkative and chewing on her toys for the first half. When we looked at her when we got home, this is what we saw...

Cyanne and her Egyptian Garb

Grandma brought Cyanne quite the Egyptian scarf when she returned from her trip a few days ago. It makes all kinds of noise.

Carding

I just wanted to share a fun moment I had the other day.
Being 31... and usually accompanied by an infant and a man with heavy-duty five o'clock shadow, I am not carded much anymore. My anti-aging, peptide/antioxidant/vitamin laden creams can only do so much.

However, the other day, Tom & Cyanne went in to grab an outdoor table at The Beachside for lunch. He, as my excellent husband, ordered me a margarita as I parked the car. When I sat down, she brought over the beverages and said to him "I know I've served you before but" and then she looked at me and said " are you over 21?"
Ah yes... I smiled and said "Indeed. I'm 31 in fact but thanks!" Tom said, "well, now you've made her day..."

I was thinking to myself - perhaps I should always wear sunglasses and my Red Sox baseball cap. That may be the key...
At any rate, it was a nice treat...
It is the little things these days, you know?

Memorial Day 2008

Today, Tom, Cyanne and I visited the Santa Barbara Cemetery. I wanted to show Tom how beautiful and touching it is there on Memorial Day with all of the flags blowing in the breeze, marking the final resting places for all of the veterans.

We visited some very special people there this afternoon.

It did turn out to be a beautiful afternoon - quiet, peaceful, and all around - flags blowing in the breeze.

Many sections had flag after flag positioned above stones or markers, honoring those who had served our country, including my grandfather.
We also stopped to pay a visit to my brother John as well as an old friend of mine, Jennifer.

Here are a few shots:





This is my grandfather's stone. He served with the Navy in the Pacific Theater during WWII.
I had wanted to introduce Cyanne to her great-grandfather but alas... the serenity of the place lulled her to sleep. As she took her afternoon nap in the car, I told him a little about her. I promised we'd come back to visit him and she could 'meet' him.

Happy 8 Month Birthday!

Cyanne had quite an active day marking her 8 months!

Also, she enjoyed the fact that her birthday fell on Memorial Day and Mommy & Daddy got the day off!

More time to spend with the special girl!

We hung out at the ranch, got Mexican take-out, visited Grandpa and Grandma (who had just returned from Egypt), visited the Santa Barbara Cemetary (photos to follow) to visit and honor family members and friends, and topped off the day with an adventerous trip to Haskell's Beach.

We ventured to the beach with Lucky and Cyanne in the Bob stroller. We definitely tried to test out the "off roading" features, seeing as the tide was high... and the beach was covered in rocks - big and small. We started off down a dirt trail then made it on to the beach. Tom & I carried the stroller over rock piles down to the surf line thinking it would be easier to roll in the hard packed sand.

Well... the waves came crashing... and crashing... We had a wet stroller, wet clothes (on us), and a wet blanket (on Cyanne). But it was pretty exciting!

We tried to out run the waves and make it around rock outcroppings but then decided that it would be best for all involved if we called it a day and headed home.

Lucky, I believe, was most disappointed by this decision.

He did have several moments and trips out in the water to retrieve the ball though.

So... all in all... quite a big day for Ms. Cyanne and her 8 month birthday.

I Madonnari Festival

One weekend each May, the area in front of the Santa Barbara Mission becomes a canvas for artists who create the most amazing chalk drawings.
We ventured over to the Mislang's for a quick bite (otherwise known as Lara's excellent cake and mimosas...) and then walked up to the Mission to see the artists at work.

Here are a few images of the drawings:








Cyanne found the whole thing rather stimulating and therefore, succumbed to a bottle and nap. I carried her around while we looked at the rest of the drawings and she finished - in one serving - 6 ounces! That's the most she's ever consumed at a time... We were shocked. Impressed, and shocked. My arms were very .... very tired. She's getting so big!

We stopped to take a few shots of her, passed out in my arms, in front of the rose garden. It's hard to see her face but she was completely, totally out. =)

Walk with Lucky

This was one of Cyanne's first walks in the Bob Stroller without the car seat.
I love how blue her eyes look contrasted with the blue of the fleece jacket.
She and Lucky are really good friends. She LOVES him.
Say "puppy" and she lights up.


This face cracks me up...
"What you talkin' about?"

Visit with Jenn & Phil

We were so happy and excited to see Jenn & Phil for an evening when they were out in Southern California.
They drove up from Los Angeles to see us and meet Cyanne!
They were both very helpful and were happy to do some serious baby-holding and entertaining... =)
Cyanne had a great time with them, too!
We really hope we see them in a few weeks in upstate New York!!

Teething

This morning, I felt Cyanne's first tooth start to come in on the bottom!
You can see this pale white tooth starting to push its way through.

Let's hope she's a good teether and doesn't have too much pain...

Another 'milestone' on its way.

While Daddy is away...

Cyanne and mommy shall play.
Or, at least, attempt to.
Now that Tom is back home (as of this afternoon), I feel okay posting about our first three days alone.
This is noteworthy for a few reasons and those of you who know me, know that I have, as Tom likes to say, "a very overactive imagination" and thus, when left to my own devices, alone in an old farm house on a large plot of land, will come up with all sorts of varying scenarios.
Tom left Tuesday to go on a work trip to Sacramento.
Cyanne and I took him to the airport and bid farewell.
We then stopped at Starbucks to fortify me... and journeyed home.
There are those of you who have been alone with your babies already and kudos to you. I had been dreading Tom leaving ever since he told me (which was about two months ago) about the trip.

I do not like being alone in that house: it is old. It is very dark. It is surrounded by coyotes at night. Lucky barks at varying things and my mind starts to whirl about what he sees beyond the pale glow of our porch light. The branches of trees and bushes scrape the windows. The wind howls. Screen doors slam with the gusts of wind. The floorboards creak.

My sense of unease was heightened exponentially having a baby sleeping in the room next door. I kept wondering - if someone comes in, do I run and grab her? Do I check out the disturbance first? How do we hide when she's bound to make noise?

And no, to your thinking, I am not normally this neurotic. Tom likes to say I've read too many books and seen too many movies. Perhaps. Either way, my mind takes on a life of its own when I am lying there, in bed, listening to the noises around me.

But at any rate - the days went well. Cyanne was a very good sport. We had fun. She's learning to sleep - we're still working on the sleep training.
We did the usual eating, sleeping/napping, playing, reading books, lots of rolling... and more rolling... walks with the dog. Throwing the ball to Lucky and being outside must be her greatest joy, as far as I can tell. She smiles constantly and laughs when he runs up to her. He gives her a slick on the face and she giggles. It is very cute.

I am very glad that Tom is back - but I am also happy that I was able to spend the days alone with her. Lots of quality mom and baby time. We made it through the evenings (with a glass or two of wine to help calm the nerves...) and tried to come up with fun things to do and read during the day.

We get to do it again for 5 days in June... Which, me being me, I am already starting to think about. I'm game if anyone wants to come and have a sleepover... I'll make some tasty, gourmet meals and supply fun beverages... any takers? =)
Cyanne promises to be on her best behavior and to shower you with smiles and kisses.

Cyanne's first "beach day"!!

Today, Cyanne, Tom & I ventured to Hope Ranch Beach.
The weather has been incredible - hot (upper 90's), sunny, dry, and breezy.
Certainly the kind of weather that makes people realize why it is they live in Southern California.

But, for our outing to the beach...
We came well armed (and felt rather pack-mule-ish) with chairs, lots of towels for Cyanne to hang out on, an umbrella, Bob stroller, bags for us, diaper bag for Cyanne, and the requisite sunscreen and sun hat!

She loved it!

Here are some photos of our very cute little beach girl:



She didn't cry at all when we got her feet in the water. In fact, she really seemed to enjoy it!
And let me tell you... that ocean water is cold. Very cold!





Contemplating the ocean...



Wheeeee......



A comparison shot.
Cyanne feet. Daddy feet.



Relaxing under the umbrella.
Someone was very happy...










This next one really entertains Tom and me.
The hat is from my parents when they were in Hawaii.
Tom likes to turn the brim up so Cyanne looks.... well, it makes us laugh =)





Very content with her 'ring of wooden flowers' toy from Grandpa.



Cyanne told us she thought this beach stuff was fun... and really wanted to come back and do it again sometime soon.
Good thing summer is right around the corner.

The Joys of Sleep Training

We have embarked on the process of "Ferberizing" Cyanne.
Last night was our first foray into the world of sleep training. We got C. all dressed and ready for bed, fed her, and read a book. Then, we put her in her crib and proceeded to go through the whole process.
She started to cry. We waited the first 3 minute period.
We went back in and talked to her and tried to calm her down.
We left again for the next period - 5 minutes.
She kept crying.
We went back in and tried to soothe her.
We left again for the next period - 10 minutes.
Ah, the sounds that came from our monitor. She was one unhappy, exhausted, crying baby. Poor girl. But boy, she's got a good pair of lungs...
Tom went in after 10 minutes to talk to her and try and calm her down.
Then... miraculously... 2 minutes into the next 10 minute period, the monitor went quiet.
There was silence.
We turned on the monitor to look at the screen and there she was, on her stomach, fast asleep.
She was still breathing pretty heavily but she was asleep.
We looked at each other, then the monitor, then each other...
It actually worked - at least for last night.

I'm trying it right now as we speak for a nap this morning and we're almost done with first 5 minute portion.
Someone is not happy. In fact, extremely unhappy would be more apt.

I feel so bad and it's so hard to hear her cry. She just seems so upset, sad, frustrated... And the tears... her hair gets damp from the tears. Her face is all red and blotchy.
Poor baby...

But hopefully, we're teaching her to be a better sleeper.

Wish us luck. Wish her luck. It is a rough process.

A very happy moment

Cyanne was very happy the other afternoon while lying on her mat.





This is a perspective shot - Cyanne compared to her musical Octopus...
=)


Someone was in a very good mood this afternoon, playing on her mat.

Exploring