The Jinx

So, I shouldn't be surprised.
We were warned by our friend Devon, who has experienced the Jinx first hand.
Yesterday evening, while Tom & I were enjoying dinner and a glass of wine and watching something incredibly intellectual like 'So you think you can Dance,' I said:
"Don't you think it's just amazing that Cyanne has been sleeping through the night so well? I mean, she's done it for a few weeks now. It's just the best feeling to go to sleep and not have to wake up during the night."
And Tom concurred...

And then, we started to hear rumblings on the monitor. Only little ones at first...
Then, when we got into bed, they got louder. Just as I'd drift off, she'd really start to cry. She did this throughout the entire night...
Not helped by Lucky barking really loudly at 4 AM at who knows what, which woke her up...

Topped off by us having to get up at 5 when she was definitely done sleeping -
So, we made a bottle and hoped that a little shushing and rocking would lure her back to sleep - if only for an hour more.
It's amazing how tired I was at 5 AM...
Cyanne however, was all smiles and giggles.

She did succumb for an hour plus... but I learned my lesson.
From now on, whenever I say anything that might cause 'the jinx,' i'll knock on wood...
or something equally as effective.

Lesson learned.

Cyanne & Her "Kitties"

Cyanne and Max enjoy each other's company while hanging out on the playmat...
I originally put her down right next to him to try and dissuade him from laying on her mat.
He was not phased.

However, as it has been since the day we brought her home, Max likes to be in all of 'her' places. Her mats, pack n' play, blankets, room...
As I've said, they're going to be buddies.
She likes to sit on him, grab his tail, pull out tufts of fur, and most of all, clap right in his face.

Sonsie likes Cyanne too... she just jumps up and runs a few inches away when Cyanne comes to hang out with her. Theirs is a more slowly developing relationship...

Yo, yo, yo... Who dressed me like a boy?!?

Whaz up?
For some reason, Mommy decided to dress me just like a little boy today.
I have the whole get-up goin' on...


Beige overalls, a blue and tan stripped onesie that says "my puppy," and a baseball cap (from Auntie Devon) that says "Boston" on it.
I do really like the onesie though, because, as everyone knows, I do love "my puppy."
I tried to do some cool moves and act all tough but then, well... Daddy started tickling me and that didn't last... Until next time...
Peace out y'all.

Shots on the Grass

These are several shots down at Nanny's house that same evening we met Balthazar.
There was gorgeous light that evening.

Cyanne had a fun time sitting on the grass with Grandma, feeling the grass and taking in the view.

Cyanne & Balthazar

Cyanne, Tom & I were thrilled to meet Balthazar this evening. Guilhem came up with Balthazar (and their nanny, Yvette) for the evening.


We all met down at Nanny's for Sunday dinner.
It was a gorgeous evening.


Balthazar is three months younger than Cyanne.
He was so sweet and well-behaved!
Though he did decide that it was bedtime shortly after we arrived.
While we were sitting out on the patio, Cyanne reached out and grabbed his hand.
It was very cute...
They enjoyed starring deeply into each other's eyes.





Cyanne gets the first good look at her cousin...
And Papa Guilhem serves up an in-demand bottle...

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?"