I love my turtleneck!

....And I like to stand,

With Daddy's help, of course.

You talkin' to me?

This is love.

Four Months Old.....already?

4 mos old....4 raggedy dolls to pose with!  Her appointment with the pediatrician went well.  She clocked in weighing 13 lbs, 11 oz and measured 25 inches long.  It appears she's gonna be long and lean because she was exactly 50th percentile in weight and 76th percentile in length.  She received another round of vaccinations: 2 pricks and 1 oral dose.  She's such a trooper!
A couple of days ago she laughed for the first time....a  real laugh! She was laying in my lap while I was moving her arms & legs and singing "Let's get physical."   She also discovered her feet while in my lap.  She grabbed her tiny toes with a face of determination.  Watching her reach out to grab her feet until she made contact was the sweetest thing.  I'm so amazed with her strength.  She can now support her weight while standing for at least a minute before her knees buckle....and I'm only holding her hands while she does it.   Developmentally, she is right on track, except she can't push her chest up during tummy time.  Infact, she hates tummy time! We were given the okay to begin solid foods, but I think we'll wait a little longer until we introduce them.  Although, I must admit, I'm curious to see her react to new tastes.

 

Global Cooling?

So much for global warming!  Daddy was super excited to show McKinley her first hailstorm. Yesterday we had high winds, and today we got a lot of rain, thunder & ice....thrusting this month as the coldest month of May in the record books for the Pacific Northwest. 

The Emperor Baby

While we were visiting the Tualatin River Wildlife Refuge,

we had a very strange encounter......

"If you will not be turned, you will be destroyed."

[shoots Mr. Chipmunk with Force lightning]

"Soon I'll be dead, and you with me..."

[laughing] "Perhaps you refer to the eminent attack of your rebel 

fleet?  Yes, I assure you, we are quite safe from your friends here."

"Your overconfidence is your weakness."

"Your faith in your friends is yours."

Snowing in May?

For the past couple days, we've had some pretty warm spring temperatures, ranging from low 70's to high 70's.  As a result, Benji and I decided to purchase some plastic adirondack chairs for our patio in the backyard.  We also thought it was time to take McKinley to the park.  Yesterday, Benji held her for a fling in the swing and a ride down the slide.  She wasn't very impressed.  However, she did enjoy watching kids play on the park equipment.  She was fixated!
Today we strolled to the park while Daddy took a nap.  Again, she was enamored by all of the children playing, which afforded me the opportunity to trim her fingernails.  As we were sitting on our blanket in the shade, I noticed white specks floating in the sky.  Millions of cotton-like clumps drifted past us, and it felt like we were caught in a summertime snow blizzard.

Sad face!

My first ride in the swing.

My first ride down the slide.

Me and Daddy chillin' in the shade.

So pretty in my summer skirt! 

(Thank you Auntie Susan!)

All-American girl!

Happy Mother's Day

For you created my inmost being;

      you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and

     wonderfully made...  Psalm 139: 13-14a

 

 

Thank you Ahmma for my lovely sunflower dress!

I look like my Daddy because I smile like my Daddy!

The Brey House Bed & Breakfast

We celebrated Mother's day a tiny bit early, since Benji would be working. My husband and daughter surprised me with an overnight trip to the coast with a stay in a quaint little B & B right on the beach.  Rates are considerably lower during the middle of the week, especially before the summer season, so we practically had Lincoln City to ourselves.  We left on Wednesday, May 5, and McKinley slept the entire drive.  One thing Benji and I adore about where we reside, is that we are so close to the coast; after less than an hour and a half, we were there. We spent the afternoon walking on the beach, snapping lots of pictures, then dined at a charming 60's cafe for dinner.  McKinley slept through the night even though this was her first bedtime away from home! The following morning we had a spectacular breakfast of crab omelets and homemade scones. We leisurely checked out and visited the outlet stores before heading home. Overall, I'd say it was a wonderful first Mother's day!

Day 1:

 Getting ready for the beach.

"I got my fleece hoodie on, toes in the sand,

Not a worry in the world, Daddy's holding my hand,

Life is good today...life is good today!"

 

Two cool girls rocking their shades!

Two bumps on a log!

Two sailors and a baby!

My first sunset.

Day 2:  

Lovin' the Pacific Ocean!

What a great trip!

Thank you Auntie Natalie!

Auntie Natalie sent us some beautiful pictures that she took when her, Travis, and Micah-moo were here for a visit.  Thank you Auntie!

On the way to church for McKinley's baby dedication.

Surrounded by snow-capped trees at Mt. Hood.

Family shot in front of the Colombia River.