Happy First Birthday, Marlo Ann

I was in the elevator with Marlo in Las Vegas when she was about six months old. A man who was about my dad's age got on. He looked at her and smiled, and then he looked at me and said, "Don't blink".

Was he ever right.

The time goes by so fast, and I don't want to miss a second of it. I've been looking at old photos and videos and I can't believe how much Marlo has changed and grown. And she was right in front of me the whole time, so I don't know why I feel so robbed.

Enough about sappy me!

Marlo has six teeth. She is walking more than she is crawling now. She is a chatterbox! "Baby" is the one word she uses consistenly in context. She loves music and does a little side-to-side sway. Sometimes she "sings" when she hears me butchering a song.

She likes to play pat-a-cake and peek-a-boo (now she is the peek-a-booer). She loves being chased and she's always looking for a reason to laugh. My favorite is when she hears the garage door when Mark comes home. She stops whatever she's doing and scrambles to the gate and the top of the stairs to see him.

Sweet, happy Marlo. I love the look of wonder on her face, the sound of her laugh, her little mouth when she's chewing, As much as I wish she'd stay a baby for just a bit longer, I look forward to watching her grow and learn because she just amazes me. She is a joy beyond measure...a blessing in every sense of the word.

Sorry

not really good shots today, she was too busy with bark.

Treasures...

from the antique show. The table isn't truly "antique" but I think it's pretty darn cute, especially for only $40. Please excuse the dust.
I had to have the wallet...it's from the 70s like me, only in better condition.
I don't know what it is about other people's junk, but I love going through it, particularly garage sales. I'm nosy I guess.
I do need to narrow it down and collect just a few types of things, instead of falling in love with everything I see!

Lunch today..

We went to the Charthouse, even though my sister wasn't at work yet. It has the best view of the ocean. Mark says the dining out experience is half food, half ambience...

Marlo is pointing at a bird flying by in that second photo. She got so excited everytime she saw one.

Some oldies

My friend Colleen took these way back on Mark's birthday. I swear Marlo was posing for her!

Good things

Mark is always making fun of me for buying every new gimmick. When he saw the Pepsi Jazz he just looked at me and said, "You will fall for anything they put out, won't you?"
I say it's my wide open mind and willingness to try new things. (I'm convincing myself it's an admirable quality and not gluttony).
The Cinnamon Wheat Thins are pretty darn good. Not overpowing, and they still have a little salt on them, so you get that nice sweet-salty combo. I'm trying to refrain from putting peanut butter on them.
I am really loving the Caramel Cream Jazz though. It is that over-the-top sweet, just like I like it, can't even tell that's it diet.

Walking!

She took her first steps a month ago and now she's a pro.

So big!

We were playing with one of her toys that sings and stuff, and when it said, "So big!" and she just shot those little arms up in the air, proud as punch.
My mom must have taught her that...I don't have anything to do with it.

Real bows

I can actually clip a bow in her hair and it will stay until she discovers it and pulls it out. She's got more hair than you think...it hardly shows up in photos. Don't get me wrong, we could still use more.

Bubbles

At the park

My girl is more interested in sand than anything else. When I tried to stop her from putting it in her mouth, she just flung it in there even faster.

Wild Animal Park

The baby elephants were the cutest. I got a short video...

My girl...

So I was going through Marlo photos the other night and I came across an old video of her at about two months. She was on her belly and was working at holding her little head up. Holding her head up. So hard to believe she was ever that small! I wanted to reach into the computer screen and hold my little baby who now won't even hold still...sigh...

Busy busy

Carlsbad flower fields

Wasn't quite the photographic opportunity I had hoped for, but it was really beautiful in person. Anyway it is fields of ranunculus...I had always thought they were tulips when I drove by. They're grown for the bulbs and they only sell like 2% of the flowers, the rest are left to die back and be seeds for next season. Pretty fascinating.

I also learned that the poinsettia came from Mexico. Had anyone ever heard that before?

We would have stayed longer but it was a really windy day. We'll have to go again before the flowers are gone in May.

(Cue chorus of angels singing)

Molly sent me Woodhouse chocolate for my birthday. It is the best chocolate ever, from the best friend ever.

This bottom one is of the salted caramels...divine...

a few stragglers...

I think these are the last from the trip.



My friend Harvest. Her daughter Hana is a little over two, but she was getting a cold so we didn't get to see her. Next time!


I love this photo Mike reading to the girls. It just says "family" to me. And Dana still pregnant!

Someday she'll have her very own...

Marlo is feeling better, no fever. My aunt Pam and cousins Joe and Nick came by today for a few hours. Then they went on to the Padres game. We'll be going to one tomorrow.

Happy Birthday Dad!

My dad is 59 today! He's always saying "Dang I'm old!" when he talks about how old all us kids are now. And you're right Dad.
Dang, you're old!
Love you!

I may have finally figured it out...

The whole reason I started a blog was so that I could post video and it worked for a while. Then I was wooed by New Blogger and it's been hard finding a hosting service that's compatible. Hopefully Videoegg has worked out the bugs...
Anyway this it at my in-law's. Mary has a central vacuum and this is the "outlet". Don't worry, I let it slam on my fingers and it doesn't hurt at all...no danger.

Happy Easter!

Thought I'd share some spring photos...yes, they're from the trip and I still have more. Hope everyone has a wonderful day.

Marlo's blessing

Marlo was blessed at Mark's grandmother's house in Yuba City. Mark's sister Amy took the photos of Marlo on the lawn. His mom made her outfit (silk!) and it's even cuter in person, as are the booties and hairclip that Ann made.

It was a very special day, so good to see everyone. Marlo tuckered out at the end. Aunt Lane can always get her to sleep!