Baby's first haircut

No, I didn't really cut the mohawk on top, just the back and around the ears. I wanted to wait for his first cut until it was long enough for a big chunk to save. But, it was starting to look pretty mullety and Daddy was insisting that the time had come.Dakota did NOT like the experience at all and moved so much that a few chunks are missing. I was able to save a little bit in a baggy, but I'm sorry that his first haircut looks slightly botched.

50 cents worth of sqweels and wheels

Speaking of dog fights.......

I have nothing much to say. Nothing new to report. I'm home alone again without my hubby tonight and it's raining outside. Here are my boys at a restaurant we decided to make "our place". It's called Panera. It's only minutes down the road and it's very tasty.
We tried to figure out what it was about the place that made us like it so much and we came up with this; It is a bakery/soup,salad,sandwich place BUT it feels like a cozy coffee shop complete with stone fireplace and outdoor seating by the fountain. Together (and alone for that matter) we've spent a lot of time in coffee shops. Especially when we were dating and he was too busy with med school to really do anything, so Keith would study from his laptop while I cozied next to him with a good book rubbing our feet together both sipping cider and peeking up at each other now and then. Usually it was raining outside just like it is now.

Pe-what?

I don't know if it is a milestone that they left out of my book but it seams like quite an uncomfortable new step to me. I was shocked really even though daddy was impressed and pleased! Apparently, while taking a normal average bath, Dakota looked down and discovered a new shape in the water. As he does with objects that catch his interest, he slowly reaches for it and grabs it! "Oh my goodness baby! stop that" shrieks mommy. She turns her head to daddy and asks if he saw that. He however is clapping his hands in pride and shouts "That's my boy".

My All-American boy

is sicker than a dog in the dog days of summer!
(I always wanted to say that)It started with my biggest boy Keith bringing home from work a nasty little virus. He's been feeling horribly all week and hasn't had a full night sleep yet. That brings up the question; What happens to the doctors when they get sick? Well in his case they go in for a 30 hour shift and infect the rest of the trauma unit. (apparently residents only get sick days if they are IN the trauma unit themselves). Meanwhile, wife is home with poor sick baby son and starts to notice a striking similarity in the noises of sick baby & sick husband. Too bad husband doesn't get to be home enough to milk his sick boy status. Thank goodness I have a good hearty immune system (knock on wood) because the real question is: Who the heck would take care of me!

sleepy baby

Sometimes when Im sitting there holding on to my precious little boy, I get such intense feelings of joy and gratitude. I look at all his little parts and I want to scream, "I LOVE YOU" so much that it hurts! Quietly I rock him to sleep instead and I wonder in awe at how blessed I am and how I must have been given this child by mistake. He is so perfectly suited to me. I don't deserve him and I love him more than I thought possible. I am so happy with my baby.

Gifts from India

My darling girls! Goddesses from afar! Dearest friends!
They've been traveling world. Soaking up life. And creating colors!

Then they go and send me a piece of their magic in the mail!
I love packages! I love silky exotic fabric! I love this soulful blue!

But mostly, I love these girls of mine....

The surgeon's beach party

Just another day at the beach surrounded by doctors. At least you know you're covered should you suddenly need resuscitating. It was a beautiful sunny day with lots of sandy goodness.


Keith was what they call "post call". That means he just got off a shift that was all day, all night & all morning. I think it's silly to make the people cutting you up go all night without sleep but thats just what they do I guess. So he gave up his usual post call nap to have a little family fun instead. What a guy.
This is the back of the house at the top of the hill that looks out at the beach


These pictures were saved in my file right side up but I just couldn't seem to upload them the correct direction. I love this one of daddy tossing dakota. Trust me, he liked it.

Here I am with my head cocked funny but it's proof that I got in the water too.

Dakota Jack's first trip to the Zoo

This is a very momentous trip. Oh how we love animals and safari outfits. DJack had such a fun time with the baby goats not to mention his new little friend Josslyn ;) She is the daughter of a new friend of mine here who is also an intern's wife. She has a season pass to the zoo so I got in free as her guest! It is a tiny little zoo but with a baby and a pass it is perfect for frequent short visits. So, what sound does a giraffe make anyway?

..and now introducing (drum roll) COUS COUS!

It has a delightful texture with a delicate nutty aroma.
I simply adore this culinary masterpiece.

for dessert I'll have a twinkie

Christmas in July

Wow, we heard a knock at the door and a little UPS guy (Santa's elf in disguise) delivered two BIG Ol' boxes for Dakota Jack! Open them Open them!!!! What could it be?
Dakota was speachless. Overcome. Amazed by the colors and shapes.

This is so exciting! All these toys from Lisa & Grandpa S. We never had so much fun.














We thank you so much for all the great toys. He plays with them everyday and sqweels with delight. Thank you Thank you :)

Places to go, People to see....

Ive been getting out and having a little fun. Most my pictures are on another computer right now but ill try to add them later. Here are my boys lounging at one of the many bbq/pool parties so far this summer. We even made it to our first movie since Dakota's birth thanks to a friend here babysitting for us. It was amazing to be unchilded for that long. (not that i dont totally adore you darling baby of mine, it just that grown ups like to play too)


And now I have been initiated into the doctors wives club called "MedMates". They are a cool bunch and all in similar situations. We had a really fun time chatting the night away and eating fancy food at our first get-together of the season. They have lots of little activities and so far I get a kick out of all of them.

welcome committee

There is more to my wildlife family then just Chip
I have a few of these little fellas. Two that are daily deck visitors. I named one Bushy and the other George. Sometimes they think they can swipe Chip's peanuts because they are bigger and stronger. How rude! My cat Monkey goes nuts herself watching them through the window as they lounge and flit their tails at her.

And here is Peter! He like the weeds that grow in the cracks of the patio. I reckon he either gets around at warp speed around the house or there just may be a few more Peters in my yard.

Now if I could only catch a picture of BackYard Bambilina

It's delicious and nutritious - with antioxidants too!

Mmmmmm this homemade babyfood is so good.
but I think I can handle it myself mom

Way to go kid on your first self-feed attempt. Just wait till you try spaghetti!

Sunny Days

Daddy and Dakota ready for some fun in the sun

It was time to break in our new backyard with a good 'ol sprinkler running




but, maybe sprinkler running isnt for everyone....

Chip

This is my front walkway. Do you see the crack in the middle?
Now look closer. Do you see a little something peeking out?
This is Chip. And apparently he lives at our address too! This is his walnut. He has brought several of them home so far but can never seem to get it to fit through his cement entryway. He'll try for hours to shove it down and then just leave in frustration with it jammed half way. I tried to get it down myself but they dont fit - so, i helped out by cracking them. I did this a few times but he keeps bringing more and more so I decided he needs to learn and I stopped.

Now I bring him peanuts instead.

Lake Michigan

Last week my awesome mother-in-law Deb (whom I love so much) came for a visit. It was really nice to see her and have somebody to talk with here at home. While she was here we decided to go for an exploration and find Lake Michigan!
It was a hot & hazy day but only 40 minutes away was this great beach (there are closer ones too).
Man, was I surprised to see such yummy sand but even more surprising was how delightfully WARM the water was! The little town was cute but I thought it was funny to see surf shops in a place with no real "surf" not to mention several feet of snow most of the year. At least the summer here is turning out to be pretty nice. Don't you think so Dakota? hmmm

Great Migration

Okay, Its been a while since I've posted I know. But im pooped! I feel like I havent sat down to take a break in a month! My feet ache my shoulders are tight, a stress line in my forehead is setting in and tensions are running high. But we did it! We moved all the way across the country with our infant, cat, plant and about 80% of our junk all on a budget.
Here we are in phase one - the pack up.
We chose to do a U-Pack where they deliver a truck to you, we pack it up ourselves and pay per sq ft then they pick it up and ship it to your new home. It was the cheapest way for us to go, but people, I warn you - if you can possibly afford another way please avoid this back breaking headache and hire someone to do it for you. We joke now because Keith thought it might take us about 3 hrs max to load up the whole house. I laughed and nodded because in the end it took 2 full days of sweat. Here is our truck on the road!

The car we drove was so cramped inside with all our remaining things (and passengers) that we ended up having to buy a roof bag and leave behind some perfectly good things that we just couldnt fit nor justify leaving the kid instead :(

Our first stop was in Milton-Freewater to see my dear Grandmother who I love so much!!!!! This was a great chance for her to meet her Great-grandson for the first time and for me to say good-bye. While we were there I video taped her talking and telling some great stories about her life. I cant wait to someday edit it into a nice DVD for posterity. She has such a beautiful name: V'Audrey Willoughby, and someday I may share with you the interesting story of how she got that name...

Dakota also got to meet his great Aunt Kathy! She's the coolest and i think he got a kick out of her.
There were two other stops but i didnt take pictures and now I feel bad about that. In Utah we stayed with Keith's cousins , Doug & Tracy & kids. They are so great and so good to us. They even made us stay in their master bed! Then we stay with my Uncle Doug & Angela's home in St Louis, MO. He is my mother's youngest brother and only 6 years older than me so he seems more like a cousin than uncle. They are having their 5th kid right now! all under 8 years old! What a champ. We passed through Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas , Missouri, illinois, and Indiana before we hit Michigan. Here we are somewhere in the middle of one of those nowheres at a dead stop on the freeway for a couple hours. It sure was hot, And just to see if you are still reading this, I had to pee in a bucket at this place. (good thing I just happened to have a bucket from cherry picking with my uncle Wayne)
Then one day, all of a stiff sudden I woke up to find that I had landed in my new home. I am a Michigginian!

Hop on dear and welcome to your new home! And hop on was exactly what I did.