She's rolling over!

She is on the move. Last Friday Anya officially rolled over from flat on her back to flat on her tummy. I ran upstairs to grab something and when I came back down she had completely flipped. She has since done it while Myles and I were watching so we know Boone didn't just nose her over!
During the past two weeks she has visited with family and friends quite a bit. She spent some time with her older girl cousins who all wanted to hold her and play with her. We also went up to the cabin (again) this was her third trip. She did really well and even ate an oyster! (well I did so indirectly she did)
On a not so great note, she decided she didn't like the bottle anymore last weekend. We will continue to try different types but it was a major struggle. She is getting older and knows the difference now... good and bad I guess.


Lot's of cute pictures over the last two weeks. She is getting cuter and cuter as the weeks go on.


Her sleeping is all over the map. Some nights she sleeps from 8:30 to 3 am and then wakes again at 7:30. Those are awesome! One night we put her to bed kind of late and she slept from 10pm to 5 am- I considered that sleeping through the night but that was a one time occurrence. Other nights she wakes at 12am, 3am or 4am and then 6am or 7am. Those are long nights with even longer days following.
All and all, Myles and I are adjusting to our life as parents and we can't imagine our life without her. What did we do all day? ha ha. Myles loves playing with her and making her exercise-even if it is just in her socks and diaper. Good look huh!

First Vacation to the San Juan Islands

We are home from a successful albeit cold and rainy trip to the San Juans aboard the Rock N Roll. Normally, Myles and I take up our sailboat every summer to the San Juan and Gulf Islands but this year we decided it would be too difficult to do the trip with our 2 1/2 month old daughter. So fortunately my parents were up in the islands all summer and invited us up for a week to stay and cruise aboard their boat.

We started in Anacortes and lugged all of our "baby crap" on the boat. Dad had made extra room for us and our stuff by off loading their golf clubs and bikes. We toured and stayed at Sucia Island, then headed into Canada (Anya's first trip abroad), staying in Otter Bay, then Tumbo Island and finally Poets cove. We came back into the US and stayed in Friday harbor where Myles caught a ferry back to Anacortes a few days earlier then Anya and I. We remained on the boat and went to La Conner and then headed back through the locks into Lake Washington on Friday afternoon.

The weather was rainy off and on and cold usually but we had a few nicer days slipped in too. Anya did very on the boat and got to wear some of her cute hoodies and warmer clothes she hasn't been wearing at home due to the hot weather. The real treat was for her grandparents and dad to spend quality time with her. We relaxed and played watching her discover her hands and start to use them to bat objects around that we hung over her head. She also started drooling a lot and blowing bubbles with her spit- very ladylike! By the end of the trip we left her alone with her grandpa for 1/2 hour and he did fabulously even though he was panicked every time she whimpered or cried. He just wanted to "fix it" and sometimes babies just cry so dad was always relieved when she was happy and cooing in his arms.

She has been sleeping well, but the night Myles left her sleeping went totally awry. She was up all night fussing and grunting and since we were sharing a cabin I heard everything and didn't sleep a wink. After she had proceeded to do the exact same thing a second night in a row we decided to come home a day early and get her back in her regular environment. At least at home I can stick her in her room and let her fuss instead of having her right next to my head. Thankfully upon our return she has easily slipped back into her sleeping patterns that allows me (and her) to get some good rest.

Just in the last few days her coos and smiles have been accompanied with some giggles. It is absolutely adorable. She grins her huge toothless gummy grin and giggles at you.... nothing is funnier or more sweet.

Two months and counting

Today Anya is 9 weeks old. These first two months have flown by (so has our summer!)

We went to the doctor today and she had her two month checkup complete with vaccinations. Watching her get poked and then her face turned bright red in pain was just about as much as I could stomach. That has got to be one of the toughest things to watch ever. She is on Tylenol tonight and is much fussier then our normal sweet baby. I guess this is a little taste of what life would be like if she was a cholicy or fussy baby normally. Usually when she cries there is a definite reason and Myles or I can easily take care to relieve the source of her frustration. Tonight it's just fussy cries- poor girl.

Here are her latest stats

weight 10 lbs 5 oz 48%
length 22 1/4 inches 50%
head 15 inches 45%

So yes, sadly she has fallen from 75% in length to 50%. Looks like she will be more in line with her Mom and Dad in the height department!

Developmentally she is doing very well. The Dr commented on her affinity for standing. YES she stands with assistance of course and has been doing this since she was a newborn. The Dr suggested we buy a jumper for her soon since she loves to stand erect so much. Her head control is very good now and she has almost rolled all the way over. She gets very close and is drooling and concentrating so hard it is only a matter of days before she gets all the way over. I'm not quite sure what she will do once she does finally flip though because she isn't that fond of tummy time. We shall see.......

Last week was HOT. We survived by trips to the mall and even hanging out at a friends house with AC on Wednesday. Breastfeeding in a 90 degree house is miserable for both mom and baby. We are VERY happy the cooler weather has returned.

I continued to teach my cycle class for two days last week and Diane Sweeney came to our house and watched Anya while I taught. It was so nice to have her around and Anya absolutely adores her. On Thursday we went out to lunch and Anya was being a little fussy in her carseat so we took her out and let her lounge on the booth bench. So funny!

This Friday Myles, Anya and I are leaving to meet my parents on the Rock N Roll ( boat) up at Anacortes. We will be travelling throughout the San Juans and possibly Gulf Islands next week. We are all very excited. I think the grandparents are just as excited to spend some time with their granddaughter- finally!

For our sailboat and our trip aboard my parents boat we purchased an infant life jacket for Anya. They fit babies from 0-30 lbs! So the pictures say it all- it is mammoth on her but it is worth it for the extra protection on board.

I have added a quick video just to see if it works. Nothing special but I will be taking more if this works.

Smiley Girl

I finally caught some good pictures of Anya smiling. She smiles a ton now but when I take the camera out they all disappear.

Last week Anya was left with a few babysitters. First, on Thursday I dropped her off at a friends house so I could teach my first cycle class post baby. Admittedly it was a little hard to drop her off and leave, but she was a good girl and seemed happy to see me when I returned (if not only to eat!)

Her cousins came up from Tacoma to visit later that same day and Natalie wanted to hold her the whole time. She was very sweet.

My parents came home on Thursday evening and were reunited with their granddaughter who had grown by leaps and bounds while they were away. Their stay was short and sweet and they took very good care of her on Friday evening while Myles and I attended a wedding. This was our first time away from Anya for an extended period of time and it went very well for grandparents and parents.
On Saturday Anya had her first photo shoot. Phil Acuncius, the photographer who shot my maternity pictures, returned and shot Anya's "newborn" pictures. She was somewhat cooperative but again the smiles were elusive. I'm sure he took enough pictures to insure us some gems.
Sunday we all went down to Gig Harbor to stay by the water and visit with Oma and Opa among others. Anya met her cousin Chloe for the first time and they are going to be fast friends. I can envision them getting into a lot trouble together.
This week we are trying to beat the heat. A few afternoons on the sailboat are on call for sure. Anya spends most the day naked in a diaper trying to stay cool. We do have a portable air conditioner in our bedroom which helps at night immensely. Now if it weren't for a baby we could get some good sleep!

Her sleeping is going very well for a baby her age actually. She usually has one 4-5 hour stretch and a 3 hour one following. 6 am seems to be the time she likes to wake up no matter when she ate last- this can be a challenge.

Oh momma it's HOT!

Anya has spent the last week in a onesie- Well let me clarify that, we usually go through several onesies in a day but she hasn't worn any pants because the weather is so hot.
Both mom and baby have been getting out more. We started our PEPS group (a group of moms that have babies around the same age and live in the same city) three weeks ago. The group of moms is fabulous and having the weekly planned social outing and mommy "vent" period is much needed. Anya is the youngest baby so I get to listen and learn as the other moms proclaim what worked for them and express frustration in other areas. Every mom's experience is different and it is fun to share and learn about each individual baby. I would highly recommend this non-profit association to any new mom who wants to make friends and get out of the house. Next week I host the group at our home and it will be my first time entertaining since baby was born. All that is required are light snacks but it feels like a big deal nonetheless.

Last week I had my 6 month check up with the OB and all is well. He signed my disability waiver so I can now return to my cycle classes and teach. I am soooo looking forward to it. Anya will be taken care of by several wonderful volunteers twice a week for two months until she is old enough to go to childcare with me at the gym. I start back this Thursday-hurray!

Bob and Annette have been missing in action. They are up on their boat in the Gulf Islands and are travelling around entertaining guests aboard their boat for about two months. We have been Skyping to keep up so they can see Anya grow but the coverage in the islands isn't great.
They are coming home this weekend to watch Anya for us while Myles and I go to a wedding Friday night. This will be our first long time away from baby and I am looking forward to it and dreading it at the same time. How can I miss her so much after being out for only 2 hours? It baffles me, but when I return home I have to scoop her up and kiss and hug her until she protests.

Wow, lots to update today. Last week we went to Tacoma to visit some friends and made a surprise stop by Oma's work. She introduced Anya to all her coworkers and got to see some special smiles.

To beat the heat last weekend we went sailing on Friday and Sunday. Friday we were joined by Kelly Bratton (my really good friend that just recently moved back up here from CA) and it was a beautiful day. We were on the boat from 2-9 and Anya was a trouper. On Sunday Myles and I braved it on our own and we were able to sail and manage her just fine. Given our new found skills, we are tentatively planning an over night trip on the boat for Labor Day weekend.

It is nice having a new baby because I have a great excuse to see my friends more often. Last week we had a visitor or visited someone every single day!

A day of Sailing

Anya is officially "christened" as a sailor. She enjoyed her first sailing experience aboard the Tide Knot with Mom, Dad, Auntie Christel, and Boone. She spent the entire time down below strapped safely in her car seat while the others lounged above enjoying the sun and wind. There was just enough wind to make it a good sailing day without scaring Mom too much. Anya slept through most the trip, the rocking and jostling must be very relaxing.

We had an unexpected trip to the doctor this week. Anya had gotten a bad rash on her face over the 4th of July weekend and I thought it was either baby acne or heat rash. But when it spread to her chest by Thursday I decided it would be a good idea to have a doctor take a look just in case it was something more serious. Well, turns out it is just baby acne and we have been putting hydrocortisone cream on her face which has helped clear it up. She is looking much better and I feel better knowing what it is. I know, typical over reaction of a first time parent, but hey- I feel better and now we know how to treat it if it should flare up again.

Boone, Anya and Mom all went to Green lake this week to meet Kelly Adsero. It was a little stressful trying to manage the dog and the stroller but Kelly helped by taking Boone. After our jog around the park, we went to a great restaurant and Anya sat quietly in her car seat while we enjoyed our lunch. What a good baby!

Anya is now grinning and smiling regularly. If you speak to her in a high pitched silly voice she likes that best. Boone also thinks it is fun and wants to be a part of those conversations!

First 4th of July

Another week older! Wow this is going so fast. Today we have reached the 5 week mark. I weighted Anya last week when she was one month old and she had gained 2 lbs since birth weighing in at 8 lbs 10 oz.
This past week Anya and I had our first night on our own without Myles. We went up to the Hood Canal cabin on Thursday afternoon and Myles met us on Friday. It was a fairly easy night but it did feel weird not having Myles there with us.
We had a great fourth of July weekend. The weather was extraordinary and Anya had a lot of babysitters so Myles and I could enjoy all the cabin had to offer. Anya slept well- even through the fireworks- and adapted well to life away from home.
She is starting to become more alert and smiles on purpose now, melting my heart every time she does. She already has Myles wrapped around her little finger.

On the way home from Hood Canal we stopped in Gig Harbor so Anya could meet her great grandfather and great grandmother (Grumps and Gee gee) and also visited with her Oma and Opa.