bathing suit

Yesterday was kind of a crazy day to be this mama and baby. Fussiness, lack of sleep, four (yes, count them -- 4) dirty diapers. After the last especially dirty one, bath time came early. Michaela loves her baths now, so that's not a problem. The problem was with parental focus. Filled the tub... added the toys.. checked the water temp... took off Michaela's diaper and plunked her in... then I decided I should probably take off her socks, too.
Ooops!

Learning to crawl or learning to do the seal dance?

Sayonara Tax Season...Hello Long Weekends

After months of never ending work, it is finally time to play. And what better way to kick off the season than with a four day weekend. We went hiking in the Columbia Gorge, went to the season opening Timbers soccer game, watched a Blazer playoff win, played Wii, and my personal favorite, rolled around on the floor with Michaela.

Enjoying a Saturday hike in the woods. A special thank you to the Magee family for the great child carrier.

A panoramic shot of the view from the top of our hike.

Michaela just hanging out and relaxing.

Oh, the elegance of an eight-month-old

Time to chronicle the developmental excitement of the last month of our lives. Granted, I'm one day late (Michaela's month-a-versary was yesterday) but I've come to accept that much about my life happens more slowly and not on time compared to our pre-baby days.
Michaela is getting to be such a big girl these days! She is interested in the camera, and already strikes a pose when it makes an appearance. As I mentioned in the last post, she may not be crawling yet, but she is working on other things, like waving, clapping (we haven't yet determined if she's got rhythm) and pinching. I have figured out that is where the term "pincer grasp" comes from. She's definitely got one, and practices most of the time on my bare skin!


One of my challenges is to make sure Michaela wears all the cute clothes she has been given by her loving family and friends. With the rate she grows, we try to make sure she gets at least a few wears in something before she outgrows it! The tag in the picture above is from a new pair of Michaela's pants. Really is this necessary? I would hope my child's pants, not to mention my child's leg and entire body, are kept away from fire altogether!

Michaela's added more foods to her diet (carrots, bananas or barley cereal, anyone?) and it seems to be keeping her feisty. Her latest trick when playing on the floor is to roll towards the unsuspecting (oftentimes sleeping) dog and begin to play with her paws. Kenji awakes all afluster and begins licking the closest moving thing. Kenji tries to be good, but I think Michaela enjoys seeing if she can get the dog in trouble.

Stay tuned.. in month nine we are hoping to undertake Michaela's first airplane flight and her first trip to the beach!

He is Risen!

We spent Easter Sunday attending church at Adam's grandparents' church in Rose Valley, and then joining family and more family at their house afterward for a delicious dinner. Michaela really enjoyed her time there, since she was always the center of someone's attention, and she also got to play with her cousin Genevieve. We were hoping Genevieve would teach Michaela to crawl, but it doesn't seem like it rubbed off on her yet. I'm not all that disappointed, really, considering I will be the one spending most of my time running after Michaela the minute she learns to navigate quickly in any direction she chooses.

Michaela "reading" her very first Easter card from Great-Grandpa Carr

hanging out with Aunt Abbey

laughing with Papi

very first shoes! (the white ones)

love the camera! love the camera!