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videoegg hates me. It's a good thing there's no sound because I was talking crazy to get her to smile.
I do need to update our stuff so you all can get the whole package, sight and sound. Amy--didn't your last camera take video? What was it?

It has been a pretty uneventful day since the rollover. I am literally waiting for the cable guy. It's amazing...we pay hundreds of dollars a month for service that works half the time. But we're hooked on the stuff. Especially Big Brother.

Finally!

Marlo rolled over this morning! We were laying on our bed and she just rolled right towards me, from her back to her belly. She looked pleased with herself, and a little surprised. It was pretty cute.
I couldn't fall asleep last night because I was thinking about her doctor's appointment tomorrow when she gets her shots. I know she needs them and all that it's just so hard to see her in pain and not be able to do anything. I'm going to really try not to get upset and be a big girl myself so I can be there for her. I know some of you are laughing at me, but if you have kids, you understand.
I have always said I would put my kid in a giant hamster ball and roll them to school so they'd be safe and believe me it still sounds like a good idea. Bumps and bruises are bound to happen, I know. And there's the obvious: she's going to cut teeth and then in a few years they'll fall right out of her head! I mean, it's horrific.
I've got to get a handle on this.

Have fun, Grandma and Grandpa!

My mom and John are off to Italy tomorrow with their friends Bill and Claudia. They plan on going to Switzerland and the French Alps too. My poor mom was at work till 8 tonight trying to finish up and she's going in early tomorrow morning. (Someone has to support John's life of leisure). They'll be gone for over two weeks...
I'm going to miss talking to my mom everyday. She calls every morning to see what Marlo's doing and it's usually nothing at all, but she still wants to hear all about it. I can't wait to be there next month...

Just Marlo

So I left Marlo sleeping at Aunt Lane's today so I could get a pedicure. When I got back, Lane was in her front courtyard with Marlo, who was bawling her head off. Lane said once she figured out her mom wasn't there, there was no consoling her. She was in a frenzy, she even had a rash on her face from it.
But the minute Lane handed her to me, she was was perfectly fine. Made me feel kind of good, but kinda bad because she was naughty to her aunt and uncle who love her so much.

So sweet

She was giving her dad the sweetest smiles this morning before he left for work. She has this look that is just for him, like he's just dreamy. That's the only way I can describe it.

Crankypants

Please excuse the outfit, Marlo cannot be bothered with wardrobe today. She is all wound up, trying out some new yelling techniques.
So she likes to stand up and show off her legs. She has yet to roll over, although she comes very close.

This morning...

took a few photos while Mark was still asleep. She is such a character.

We call these

BIG OL' HANGIN'CHEEKS.

Spoiled?

I want Marlo to learn to fall asleep on her own, but it's so hard to listen to her cry. But she has to do it, right? And who knows if she'll ever take a bottle. Maybe I give up too easily. But I don't think I'm spoiling her.
Everyone seems to have an opinion on spoiled children. I was looking at Babyconnection.com and I came across an article about it. I thought it had some good things to say, my favorite being "Your responsive love is the measure your baby uses to gauge his worth".

Soo excited...

Last night Mark informed me that we are going to Lake Tahoe for our anniversary!!! I love it there in the summerime, it is so beautiful. I know I'm lucky to live by the beach, but I miss lakes and rivers and mountains.
The other good news is I'm just going to stay up there until Cassandra's wedding, so Marlo and I will now be in Napa for a whole week!

Cheese!

Well, Grandma Pat, it's not so hard to get a smile anymore. Her little face just lights up, and then there's that gummy grin. I was dancing with her today and she was laughing more than she ever has, just cracking up.

That's the thing...everything is new, or new and improved. I see her do something for the first time, and it takes my breath away. It's like I'm in shock, and I want to grab the camera or pick up the phone to call someone, and then I realize this is going to happen over and over again. So I stop and focus, and take that moment, that special first time, and tuck it away in my heart to recall for years to come.

Progress?

She used to suck on any part of her hand indiscriminately, but she's finally figured out how to get ahold of her thumb, and it's now her digit of choice. She just hasn't quite figured out what to do with those two fingers.
Our DVD/stereo system went out last week, and after buying and returning three of them from Costco, we finally got one that works. Mark spent hours setting it up last night (getting the wiring through the walls, etc) and he never got frustrated. I really admire that about him, he never loses his patience or lets things get to him, he just deals with it. How else would he handle a pain in the @#* like me?

My daughter

This may be my favorite picture of Marlo. It just captures her sweet spirit. Today I was thinking of how much I wanted to be a mother. I looked forward to it all of my life. I knew I could do it, I knew I had so much love to give, I wanted so badly for it to happen. I think of how much everyone loved her and wanted her before she was even born...the baby shower and all the gifts. My mom and sister glued to my side that last days of my pregnancy, as if staring at me would start contractions. Everyone coming to the hospital when I was in labor and after she was born. I look forward to telling her how everyone was waiting for her.
My whole pregnancy I wondered what my child would look like, what her temperament would be, her likes and dislikes, her talents, her dreams.
I could have never imagined her to be so precious and perfect, nor could I have known what joy she would bring to my life, that just one of her little smiles would literally make my day.

Exersaucer

So I went to Babies r Us to get this thing and there were so many different ones to choose from. I was there forever trying to decide. I eventually gave up and just got the fanciest one.

Turns out fancy takes a long time to put together. It was easier to graduate from college. But the girl likes it, so it's all worth it.

Girls' night in

Mark is at his monthly poker tournament, so it's just me and Marlo tonight. I gave her a manicure and pedicure.
I am missing a bachelorette weekend up in Napa for my friend Cassandra. It just couldn't work out. But we just booked our plane tickets for her wedding October 1st, and knowing that's done makes me feel better. I can't wait to see everyone.

Scary monsters...

I got this little cow today. It plays a song and shimmies around. Marlo liked it at the store.


But she didn't like it once it was out of the box!



I love that pouty face, I've been trying to get a good picture of it. I know that's mean but it's just too cute.

It has been

a rough couple of days. It's not that I'm lonely, it's just that I'm missing my friends and family a lot. I always said I didn't want to put my kids on a plane to see their grandparents, but here were are.
Don't get me wrong, I love our life here, I love our home, I love San Diego. I just wish everyone I love lived next door.
It would be great to be able to just "stop by" somewhere. Luckily I see my sister every week, and I can go to Lane and Tom's anytime. In fact, I was there last night. I'm so grateful for that.
Everything's okay, just a little sentimental, that's all. So basically, if you're reading this, I miss you and I love you and I wish we were together...

That's right!

They won the championship, of course.
Thanks Walker for finally commenting on my blog, even if it was to point out a typo!

Big Daddy

What a chunker! He is lacking the forearm roll though. He's got his championship basketball game tonight and of course he'll win.

It's rare

to get a picture without her tongue sticking out anymore. She's very nosy and likes to be facing out so she can see everything. Today I had her in the baby bjorn at the grocery store, (usually she's in her car seat) and she loved it. Her little head was whipping back and forth. She was probably sticking her tongue out at everyone .

29 years ago today...

the world lost a great man. Yes, he was fat and greasy and wearing jumpsuits, but he was still a great man. Like many others, I prefer the young Elvis...fresh-faced, pre-dyed black hair. If I were around then I would have cried and screamed and fainted with the best of them.
Don't get me wrong, I loved the 70's Elvis too. I especially recommend Live at Madison Square Garden (on CD and DVD) where he performs a moving rendition of "In the Ghetto".
There are some not-so-pleasant things I've heard about him, especially from my mother-in-law whose college roommate dated him. And yes, it did tarnish the glow a little. But nonetheless, I find him dreamy. Besides, doesn't everyone need a little Elvis in their life?
Miss you big guy! TCB!

What am I going to do with this girl?

She's sassing me already!

Tongue action

Coronado

I met my sister for lunch on Coronado so she could see Marlo before she goes to Cozumel for a wedding. It was a nice day and good food.
We used to be on Coronado all the time when Mark worked there. I stopped by Emerald City (his old shop) and saw Marco. His little girl Stella is 9 months old. He ran home to get her so I could see her. She has the most beautiful eyes and lashes! We're going to try to go to the zoo together soon.

Rolls..

Those arms! She has built-in floaties!
We're just having a relaxing day. Marlo slept 10 hours again last night. We went to the Crazy Burro for lunch and it may be my new favorite thing. Ben gave us his elliptical machine, so he brought that over. Mark is taking his last broker test online, and I'm watching the Big Lebowski on tv.
It's funny, I have this movie (and many more) on DVD, but I never watch it. Yet when they're on tv it's like I've struck gold. Sometimes there's an extra scene.

Pretty baby

She looks so different when she's lying on her back because her big cheeks don't hang down. Will her eyes stay blue or go brown?

BBQ at Ben's

We had a really good time over there. And we finally got to meet Kris and Courtney's baby boy Jonathan Riley (JR for short). He was born a month after Marlo. That's Kris with our girl, and holding JR is Miranda. She's engaged to James Bryan, for those of you who know him. They now live here and he works with Ben.
Marlo, who is sweeter than ever, tried a bottle for the first time today. She kinda got it, but didn't really like it. Practice...

Morning light

I really like this photo.

Well rested

Marlo slept 10 hours last night, and has already taken a nap. She's so happy and sweet. (Mark has yet to make an appearance).
Her tongue behavior has taken a turn for the worse; she now sticks it out as far as possible. Very Gene Simmons and very unladylike.

In order to watch this video...

You must imagine two things:

1. Marlo making cute baby noises

2. That Montel Williams (albeit a commercial) is not on in the background.

Sooo disgusting

I thought I'd share. So I cut up all my veggies (potatoes, carrots, celery, onion) and pour in canned tomato and broth. Then I open up the roast package and it's just bad. I'm so grossed out.
It's just funny because I'm in kind of a cooking rut, and I rarely get it all together and the one time I try...I called Mark at 6:30 and told him about it and he said,
"That's okay, I'm not even hungry right now."
Well, yeah. But we won't eat until 8:30 or 9:00. But that's the thing about him. He can't think about what he wants to eat unless he's hungry. I'm fascinated by that, because all I do is think about food.

Finally, some clothes!

I love her face in the bottom photo, she looks so serene and satisfied, and she's not trying to chew anything.
I'm cooking dinner in a crock pot for the first time in my life. Wish me luck. And let me know of any good recipes.

Still naked

She seriously never stops chewing her tongue. I don't get it. This has been going on for a couple of weeks...maybe it will stop when she gets teeth. You'd think she'd take a pacifier with such an oral fixation...

Uncle Walker

This is from a few weeks ago, but I thought Ann and Amy would want to see how tan and slim their brother is!

Naked baby

She looks like she doesn't even have a diaper on, but she does. I really do put clothes on her, actually several times a day, due to drooling issues. I guess it's just that there's nothing better than a naked baby.

More often than not

her tongue is sticking out.

What a great day

We had lunch at Chipotle (or Chipony as some say) and it was excellent. I haven't eaten there in ages, even though my brother in law manages one. I am gonna hit him up for some burrito bucks.
Aunt Lane watched Marlo while I got a pedicure. It was glorious! Then on the way home I stopped to get frozen yogurt and it was 2 for 1 day. And tonight's the episode that Dog the Bounty Hunter and Beth get married! These are the thrills of my life...
Also, check out Uncle Tom in contacts!