J/Concierge In Training

For those who don't know what I do (when I am not being a wife, mom & stepmom!), I manage a small business that caters to the sailing industry, specializing in event management for regattas and rendezvous'. One of the activities that we do is at one of the largest regional regattas - Long Beach Race Week. We set up breakfast on the dock on Saturday and Sunday morning, and have refreshments on Saturday afternoon when the racers come in off the water. The regatta was this past weekend, and Becky, her dad and her big brother came to help......

Welcoming all the races back to the dock and letting them know where the refreshments are!

Becky is a really easy baby in a lot of ways - but two in particular stand out to me right now. First, she likes to shop - grocery shop, shopping at the mall, Target, the Farmer's Market - you name- she likes it! My precious baby will sit in the cart or her stroller and just hang out -

The other thing she loves it to sit at the table - doesn't matter if it's at home or in a restaurant. She will hang in her chair and play and giggle or sit and read her book. This is a very good thing for us - as we like to eat out and I love to go to lunch with my friends - and now, so does Becky!

We took these tonight on our patio; we ate outside and she has her special chair for the patio table - she swings her feet and because the chair is attached to the table, if she does it hard enough, the table will rock a little bit!

It's all in the Accessories

Becky has received so many beautiful things from her fan club and we (OK - I) have been having a great time dressing her up to look cute. This week - she proved that the look is all in the accessories!

Every girl must have her bling purse. This adorable little purse (thanks to Auntie Jeri!) has been sitting on her shelf as a decoration - she took it off, put it over her arm, and continued looking for the book she wanted!

She got so many compliments on the red flower hat - kudos to Cousin Camille! I loved it on her - not sure she shared that position, but I thought it was absolutely perfect!

OK - so a package of teething biscuits doesn't technically qualify as an official accessory, bit for most of the morning, it was an integral part of the outfit, so it gets included (besides - it was in her mouth...now if we could just get her to put it in her mouth when the paper is off!)

More Friends & It's a dog's life

We had more friends visit today - and this was very special. Our friend Carol and her two daughters were flying through LAX from Hong Kong on their way to Detroit for some R&R with their family. You can see more about Carol and her family here. We met them for dinner and had a really fun time!

Poor Sailor - first...mom brings home this little thing that demands far too much attention..then this little thing takes her toys...now, the last bastion of her domain has been invaded.......

Good Friends

We had a great visit today from our dear friends Brenda & Jerry, and their 6 year old grand daughter Maison. Becky really warmed up to Brenda & Maison right away - not so much Jerry!

Becky really liked Brenda....
with Maison & mommy.....

Her favorite of the day was Maison - who spent most of the day on the floor playing with Becky!

I wish you could hear the giggle that goes along with this - it is priceless!

Hanging out at Home

We haven't been doing much of anything the last few days (Doug had to have a "procedure" this morning, so we needed to stay close to home yesterday while he prepared). Becky grandpa called Doug this afternoon and complained that he needed some new pictures - so here you go!

Helping Daddy with his e-mail

"Are you sure about this dad?"

Paper - especially shiny paper - is still the toy of choice


Her newest expression - it's an absolute hoot!

It started well...

Today, Becky had her follow up check up with Dr. Joe for her ear infections. She was in a great mood and she really enjoyed the paper liner on the exam table. Dr. Joe was amazed at how well she was doing - both how she looked and how she was acting.

However, it quickly went downhill after he checked her ears and the infection is still there - and prescribed an injection. There are no pictures of that...I couldn't see through my tears - Doug had to hold her because I couldn't even watch. She recovered better than I did -

New Tricks & Great Expressions

Newest trick - she can get herself out of her high chair and onto the table in about 5 seconds....heading for mom's ice tea here - good thing big brother had quick reflexes

She's developing a very expressive personality - and her dad has taught her some new expressions; it is such a joy to watch her coming out of her shell and laugh and enjoy herself!

A Day in the Park

We took Becky to the regional park near our house this morning after we picked up Matt - nothing exciting, but some cute pictures!

Daddy & Becky at the park....

Becky at the park.....

Daddy, Becky & Sailor at the park....

Matt at the park....

Sunshine & Sharing

On the advice of my irreplaceable CWA web board pals, we are trying to get Becky into the sunshine more to regulate her internal clock. Today, we took a little outing to the Fullerton Arboretum. She looked very cool.....

Our dog, Sailor, is also learning how to share....watch where the green ball starts out & where it ends up!

the ball starts in Sailor's mouth....

until someone decides she would like it....

and Sailor learns about sharing!

Party Girl

The crow has come home to roost (or whatever that saying is!). In college on Friday & Saturday nights (and sometimes Tuesdays & Thursdays) my room mates & I would sleep from about 8 pm to 9:30 so we could then go out & party till the wee hours. My daughter is now perfecting this art. For the past two nights, she has peacefully & soundly fallen asleep about 8 pm - and then promptly at 9:30, woken up. We try for about an hour to get her back to sleep, when it becomes apparent that she is having no part of it. What she wants is to play & watch her BabyFaith "God Made Me" video. Here is our solution:

If you notice, the couch in the background is prepared for mommy sleep. At this time, Becky could care less about us right now - she is focused on playing & her video. Mommy catches a few minutes shut eye. This activity has lasted from 1 1/2 - 2 hours, then she wants out of the stroller, and sits on the couch and plays with toys for another hour or two before finally giving up the ghost about 2-3 am. Yawn.......

A Quiet Day

Today was a bit of a quiet day - only one visitor and not too much else going on during the day, but we did something really special tonight as a family of three. Our favorite Italian restaurant is a little local place called Lomeli's. We probably eat there at least once a week - or at least get take out. I think Doug ate there about every other day while I was in China! Becky made her debut appearance there tonight - we are now officially home!

Milestone Day!

We hit some major milestones today with Becky. Up until this afternoon, she would tolerate Doug at best and would reluctantly let him feed her. She was strictly a "momma's girl". While we somewhat expected this, and logically it made sense, it was hard on me and harder on Doug.

Today - she had a major break through, and spent the better part of this afternoon playing with daddy & doggy!

The other major milestone was this evening and her bath time. For the past two weeks, bath time has been - in her mind - torture time. While we were in China, I had to be in the tub with her, and she would still melt down. She tends to sweat a bit and has been crawling on the floors (which -because of two cats & a dog - aren't "eating off of" clean) - so she needs the bath. Tonight - she decided that it was fun to splash the water & play with her toys!!

Our first few days home

Well - we are settling in! Becky is finally almost sleeping on California time, and her ears are feeling better. She went to the doctor's on Friday -and had ear infections in both of her ears. The antibotic is working so she is feeling better, so we all are feeling better! Her "people" have been visiting, and she is getting used to the dogs & cats. Her pop pop came on Saturday (Karen's dad) and spent a couple of days with us. Overall, she is starting to adjust to us and her new environment fairly well.

Welcome Home!

We had an absolutely wonderful homecoming! Becky did exceptionally well on the plane - didn't sleep much, but didn't make the other passengers regret her existence! After two days, I still can not find the words to describe how wonderful it was for me to see my husband and Becky's dad waiting for us after we went through customs.

Becky meets dad - and I think she likes him!


Big sis Ashlee could hardly contain herself...


We had a very special gift - Doug's brother Mike, his wife Kathy & their boys Stephen and Jason were in town for a nephew's graduation - and were flying out of LAX a few hours after we landed, so Becky got to meet some of her St. Louis relatives

Our kids - together at last - this picture always makes me cry no matter how many times I have seen it

"Not sure about this whole car seat thing....but I guess a girl can get used to it - at least it's pink!"

Be it ever so humble there's no place like home!