sunny days

With this being busy season for Adam at work, we try to take advantage of the time we do get to spend together. We were blessed this last weekend with some absolutely gorgeous, sunny days that are rather elusive this time of year. On Saturday afternoon we packed a picnic lunch and headed to the wildlife refuge just down the road, I think it's technically in Tualatin. If we were real "birders" I'm sure I'd be able to tell you what kinds of birds we saw. Unfortunately, to me they are merely big birds, little birds, big-beaked birds, etc. Kenji was sad that she couldn't come, as she definitely would have disturbed the wildlife.

On Sunday, we took an excursion that Kenji was also allowed to come along on. (In case you were wondering, the cat never comes on trips - she hates the car. She also prefers having the house to herself, we're pretty sure.) We explored Lee Falls, apparently an infrequently trafficked attraction, considering there were no signs anywhere and we had to rely on an older guide book and some locals to point us in the right direction. But it was a great day and was worth the trip. Credit for the beautiful photos goes to my talented husband.

Food, glorious food!

We continue this adventure that is food. We've told Michaela that if she's her mother's daughter, she will love to eat. I think the jury is still out on this. As of today, she has now tasted rice cereal, sweet potatoes, and avocado. I think her favorite is sweet potato, for now.

How come it's not polite for us to look like this when we eat?

Half-Year Birthday

Yes, can you believe it?! Michaela turned 6 months old on Monday. Adam and I certainly have a hard time believing Michaela is that old, and yet on the other hand, it is hard to imagine our lives without her in our family. We have been greatly blessed through her.

Michaela's physical revealed all systems are go. She weighs 14 pounds, 12 ounces (25th percentile) and is 26 inches tall (55th percentile). She demonstrated for the doctor her ability to "fake cough" and tried to listen to her own heart with the stethoscope. The doctor gave us the go-ahead to start feeding Michaela solid foods. Rice cereal, here we come! Michaela later showed us the face of shock, pain and betrayal when she received her next round of vaccinations. Poor thing. Adam always makes me hold her hands and console her because he doesn't want to be associated anywhere near the scene of the crime. Thankfully, though, she didn't seem adversely affected by the shots (emotionally or otherwise) and behaved normally the rest of the day.

To celebrate her six-month-a-versary, we went to visit her new friend Lillian (pictured above with her proud mommy Sarah). Lillian was so excited to meet Michaela that she entered the world a few weeks early. She was four days old when we got to see her and I got to hold her. Weighing in at not quite six pounds, baby Lily made Michaela feel like a heavyweight champ! I will narrate the photos in case they don't speak for themselves.

#1 - Michaela thinks - Oh, how fun! A playmate! Lillian thinks - Hungry!!!

#2 - Michaela thinks - I can almost reach her... there, got her! Victory!

#3 - Lillian thinks - Owie! Where's my mommy?!? Michaela ponders the satisfaction of a job well done.

Michaela's First Food