Talledega Nights

This weekend, Jason got the opportunity of a lifetime: he was invited to the Talledega Nascar race. It was our friend Allen's birthday, so his wife Sandy had planned a big surprise trip to the race since Allen is a huge Nascar fan. She didn't want to go, so she invited Jason along. I'm not sure if he knew what he was getting himself into.

So the two flew first class to Atlanta, where they were staying at a nice Hilton. The first night they just tried to adjust to the time change and calm their excitement. Jason called me at 1am their time and couldn't sleep. Allen was headed for the gift shop to find some NyQuil to help him fall asleep. The next day they were picked up by a motor coach and taken 200 miles to the race track, where they got to tour the pits and walk around on the speedway (I think that is the right terminology). The weather was sunny and humid, of which I was jealous. They had a great time exploring around seeing all the action up close.

The next day was the big race, so they set out again for the 200 mile drive in on the motor coach. I never realized how big these races were, but I guess over 200,000 people attend, so you can only imagine the traffic in and out on the small Alabama roads leading to it. Well, to solve that problem, their motor coach had a police escort, so people pulled over for them and let them through! Talk about the royal treatment! It was a great race day: nice and warm, seats right in the middle of everything, and an endless sea of rednecks for Jason to gawk at and joke about. I mean, these are true rednecks. Jeff Gordon won that day, and all was well. As they drove back out to the hotel, they passed miles and miles of people camping just right off the road for this big event. Monday morning they flew home, and though very exhausted, Jason had the time of his life

While he was gone, Taylor and I had the weekend to our self. I had been working a lot up to that weekend, so I was very excited to spend some time with him. Saturday we went with Sandy to Salmon Days in Issaquah, an annual celebration of the salmon migration upstream to spawn. (For those who didn't grow up in the northwest, this means they swim miles up stream back to where they were hatched, lay and fertilize their eggs, and then die). We had a fabulous time wandering the booths, watching the salmon try and jump up the latter to the spawning area, and eating a foot long corn dog (which I regretted later). We also grooved to the tunes of a fun 4 man singing group. They had everyone up and dancing, and as they sang, "Sing a song, and you will make it rain", it began to rain!Then that night Taylor and I went to our new parent playgroup, where we had a great time singing songs, playing on the floor, and enjoying a great potluck.

It was a great weekend for all of us, but we were very excited to be reunited on Monday.

Playtime Picts

Do The Puyallup

Fair, that is. For those who are not from Seattle, this fair is one of the biggest events of the summer. You've got to get there very early in the morning to avoid the 2 hour traffic jam trying to get in later in the day. For 3 weeks in September, the fair grounds are busting with food booths (Fisher Scones are seriously to die for), barns full of animals, rides, and a pavilion with people selling stuff from blenders, to massagers, to toy helicopters. When I was in high school they used to take the whole school to the fair every year, so I hadn't been since then and was very excited to go back and introduce Jason and Taylor to the Puyallup. My first line of business: find a Fisher Scone. I love these warm buttery pieces of heaven so much that a friend from college, who was also from the Seattle area and loved the fair as I do, brought me back a dozen when he went home to do the Puyallup a few years back. Oh, it was so good, even better than I remembered. We then went wardering through the barns full of horses, cows, pigs, and bunnies. Taylor had fun looking at all the big animals, at least when he was awake. He was such a good boy and took a few naps on the stroller. We watched the Clydsdale horse show, which was very cool. They also had a Dock Dogs competition, where owners try to get their dogs to jump the furthest off a dock into a big pool. Some jumped in very willingly, others where not about to get in. And a fair favorite: Muttin' Bustin'. This event entails little kids getting placed on the back of a sheep, which is then released from the pin and the kids have to hold on for as long as possible. Some are lucky to make it 2 seconds, while others crash and burn right at the beginning of the ride. Taylor get ready. Next year it is all you. Other than that we just wandered and ate lots of bad food. Oh, small world, I ran into the friend from college who had brought me the scones (who still lives in San Diego, but was up with a bunch of friends who came to go to the fair). So good to see you John Paul and Sammer! Ok, now Taylor wants to tell you about it in his own words.

"Mommy, I'm trying to eat here and you're getting scone crumbs in my ear!"

"Hey, if its so good, can I have a bite?"

"Just call me T-Dawg"

"Daddy, why do those horsies have bows and braids in their manes?"

2 Month Photoshoot

For Taylor's 2 month pictures, I decided to take him to JC Penney. I heard they were pretty good for the price, and I want to capture each age as he grow (because he is changing so fast!). They said come a little early, have him well rested and fed, and ready to go. My appointment was at 10:40 (they opened at 10), so I got there early, fed him, and changed him. Well, they didn't call us in until 11:10, so by that point Taylor was asleep! So I had to jiggle him awake and try to get him perky looking for his pictures. The photographer had me sit to the side of him and hold him from behind so he wouldn't fall over. Then to make him smile, she started making these possessed tropical bird noises and sneezing loudly in his face. He just looked at her like she was from another planet, as she kept clicking pictures. I was getting frustrated because those weren't the kind of pictures I wanted. I wanted ones of his precious smile! So I tried to lean in and get him to smile. But then the lady said, "Back up, you're blocking the light!". Ooh, I was mad, but non confrontational me did nothing. I also wanted to incorporate his little lovey blanket, but she just ignored me when I told her. She finally got some smiles out of him, but I was not a happy camper. She also made me get in some pictures (which I was not planning on), so I had no makeup and a big puffy sweatshirt on. When it was over I was ready to go home because I had to work that night, but they told me I had to stay around and view them that day. Oh, and that they wouldn't be ready for 30 minutes. When it came time to view them, it was this high pressure, try to sell me on everything event. I just wanted to push the guy away from the computer and tell home to let me look at them on my own. Along with non confrontational, I'm also indecisive, so it took me a long time to figure out which ones I wanted. All the while the guy kept looking at his watch and trying to rush me. When it was all over and we were ready to check out, the price was not what I was thinking it would be. "Oh," he said, "The ones we enhanced in black and white or sepia are $15 a sheet, not $4". So you wait till we are checking out to tell me this!!!!! Grrrr! Thankfully some of the pictures turned out, but I will not be gracing my presence at JC Penney Portraits again.

Get Away Weekend

For our anniversary, Jason surprised me with a weekend away. Friday morning we headed south, and ended up in Portland, Oregon. When I realized where we were going, I suggested that we stop by to see my old college friends Katie and Bobby so they could meet Taylor. He said, "We'll play it by ear". We checked in to the hotel, got changed, and headed to a restaurant next door. When I walked through the door, there stood Katie and Bobby! What a surprise! Jason is such a great husband. He thinks of everything. So we had a wonderful dinner catching up and passing Taylor around. Then after we went back to the hotel, the boys playing a game of pool while Katie and I chatted. We parted with plans to see them again Sunday for a BBQ at their house.

Saturday was a day of relaxation. We slept in, then went and had a delicious breakfast at a local specialty bakery and bistro. Taylor was a little angel and slept through the whole thing. Then we took a little trip to the hotel's pool, where Taylor went swimming for the first time. Well, not really swimming,but slowly introduced to the water. He had gotten some cute little swim trunks, so we had to use them before he outgrew them. The water was a bit cool, and the pool was half indoors and half outdoors, so we just stuck his lower half, feet, and hands in. He didn't cry, but he didn't look super happy either. It was a good start. Hopefully next time the water will be warmer, because he is loves his bath so I'm sure he is going to loves the water just like his dad does.

Saturday night we had a fabulous dinner at The Chart House. It is up on the hillside above Portland, and has an amazing view of downtown and the river. We arrived early, so we got very nice window seats. Taylor fell asleep on the way there and slept the whole way through dinner. It was nice to have a little time just the two of us to talk, remember our wedding day, and make goals for the next year.

Then on Sunday we got to see Katie and Bobby again, and their new house for the first time! Bobby whipped up some awesome burgers, and we had a great time playing with Taylor and chatting.

It was so much fun that it was hard to leave. But alas, we had to return home for another busy week. It was a terrific weekend, and I have a wonderful husband who loves to surprise me to thank for it.

It was just 2 years ago that....

we got married! Yup! Yesterday, we celebrated 2 years of marital bliss. Man, it feels like just the other day that I was walking down the isle toward the man of my dreams. Our wedding was at the Point Loma Submarine Base, located right on the harbor in San Diego. We could hear the sound of the waves and feel the cool ocean breeze through the whole ceremony. The place was decorated with sunset colored flowers and candles. It was the most perfect day.

Then after that we took off to Bora Bora for the honeymoon of our dreams. Our resort was on a little island off the main island of Bora Bora. It always felt like we had the place to ourselves because there were only 80 people at the resort. We spent the days lying on the beach, swimming in the pool, and doing fun excursions like swimming with sharks and stingrays, taking a 4x4 trip to the highest lookout points, and jet skiing. In the evening we would sit in the open air restaurant and eat delicious food with the warm trade winds blowing around us. I think we could have stayed forever.

Since then, we've been very busy: moved to Seattle, bought a house, had a baby. We are just loving being married, and loving life. Here's to many more wonderful years together!

Last Days of Summer

The summer is nearly over, so we've been soaking up the last few rays of sun. Here, let me have Taylor tell you about it.

"Breastfeeding + sun bathing = heaven"

"I'm not sure I like sand between my toes"

"Hello, my name is Taylor. I like baseball, good music, and long walks on the beach."

"You're right dad! The lake is warm....and glassy!"

"I LOVE SUMMER!!!!!!!"

2 Months Old!

Taylor is 2 months old today! If only I could freeze time so I could enjoy this age for a little longer. He is just so much fun right now, with his big smiles and the beginnings of a laugh. It usually comes in the form of a high pitched sucking in of air. And he loves to just look around and take in the world around him. Plus, he is sleeping well at night, which I hear from other moms goes away at about 4 months.

He went to see the pediatrician last Friday for his check up and shots. He is now a whopping 11 pounds, 4 ounces! 45 percentile. Nice and average. :) He made sure to impress the nurse with his impression of a fountain as he was getting weighed, and then had to show off to the doctor how great of a pooper he is by having a massive blowout when she was examining him (thankfully the diaper was back on at that point). She gave him the all clear, saying he looked fabulous and healthy. Then it was on to the shots. I fed him a little before and gave him Tylenol to make him feel better. Once in the room, Jason held his arms, and I gave him kisses. The lady went really fast, but Taylor was not a happy camper. He got this shocked look on his face, then turned bright red. It took a few seconds for sound to come out, but eventually the screaming cry reached our ears. I have given many shots in my days as a nurse, but this was so much harder to watch. It broke my heart to see him hurt so much. After it was over I scooped him up quickly and gave him a big hug and lots of kisses. He stopped crying pretty quickly, then just clung to me and fell asleep. 5 hours later he woke up from his nap screaming, and nothing helped, not even eating which is usually the cure all. After some walking and bouncing, and another dose of Tylenol, he calmed down. The rest of the weekend he just needed extra cuddling around sleep time, but other than that was back to his normal smiley self.

Taylor and I went to check out the Issaquah Farmer's Market on Saturday while Jason was at work. It was fun to wander between all the booths and see the beautiful flowers and produce. I kicked myself for not bringing cash, because they had huge bouquets of flowers for only $5! Next time I will be smarter. But then we went for a little walk and Taylor slept. It was a beautiful day, so it was nice to just soak up the sun and walk through the trees. I can't believe summer is almost over. I feel like we need to enjoy every last sunny day to the fullest before they disappear into dark winter days. But lets not think about that yet. :)

Busy Bee

Well the weeks have just flown by since I updated last, and so much has been going on. Since going back to work, it is hard to keep up with everything. So with Taylor sleeping and Jason at work, I've got a few minutes finally! :)

A week and a half ago, Taylor's Grandma Fair (Jason's mom) was in town visiting. Taylor had lots of fun getting to know her, and on Saturday morning got to go to breakfast with both his Grandma and Nana (my mom). He is one lucky little boy!

Taylor has also been doing lots of boating recently. He loves being out on the water, just like his mom and dad. He usually just falls asleep to the rocking and the sound of the engine, but occasionally he will stay awake and just be full of smiles. Jason loves having him out there, and can't wait till he can teach Taylor to wake board. Speaking of Jason, I'd like to give a shout out to him for landing a 180 from one side of the wake to the other. All the practice this summer has made perfect! Taylor and I are very proud.

Taylor and I had a fun day last Thursday when we went to the Mom and Me day at the movies. The Lincoln Square movie theater has movie times for moms to bring their babies, so you don't have to worry if they cry. The seats were so nice (leather, and they rocked too), and they take your order and deliver your popcorn and soda right to your seat. We went with your friend Jacqui and her little guy Hayden (our first play date!). Hairspray was playing, which was fun because it was lots of music. Taylor ate, then fell asleep the rest of the movie. We plan to bring daddy next time to share in the fun.

Yesterday, Taylor got to go to his first birthday party for our new little friend Andrew from church. He was turning 1 and had a fabulous party at Red Robin. Taylor slept through part of it, but woke up in time to socialize a bit.

Jason and I are excited to be starting in a new home group with friends from church. It is going to be a new parents group, so it will be fun to share the joys and struggles of parenthood with people who may be going through the same things. It will also be nice to spend time praying for each other and doing a bible study.

Taylor is just a week shy of 2 months old, and he just gets more alert and smiley every day. Each day is just so fun with him, whether we're out on a walk, hanging out with friends, giving him a bath, or having family snuggle time in our bed in the morning. Now that I'm working, I just treasure every second I have with him, even the 2 am feeding. I love that he recognizes Jason and I, and after being held by someone else just needs his mommy or daddy. Every day I'm wondering what new thing he is going to do, and grab the camera to try and capture the moment when it happens. Parenthood is so wonderful. I would highly recommend it to anyone. :) Here's just a few more pictures of our little man, who is looking more and more like his dad every day.