a little something Slaten

Binkie Buddies

2011-05-30T02:00:00.000-07:00

Looking For a Good Read?

2010-12-29T15:31:00.001-08:00

I bought this book for myself for Christmas and am about a third of the way through. It's a fascinating read and I can't say enough wonderful things about it. If I had to be specific, there are 3 main reasons I am loving it so much.

When I was younger, say high school, I honestly thought I was capable of doing just about anything with my life. Huge, amazing, world-changing things. Of course it was all pretty vague about what exactly those things were, but nonetheless I was sure I'd do them. My experience, and I think it's a common one, has been that as I've gotten older, year by year, my expectations about what is possible and what my capabilities are, along with a more acute view of reality, have whittled down 'huge and amazing' to 'getting by' and feeling 'pigeon-holed.' This book brought such a fresh perspective, both in terms of what one is truly capable of accomplishing and redefining what true accomplishment can be.
Oftentimes I forget what is gospel and what is church culture, and confuse "the ideal"with what it really means to be Christian. The women in this book live in such diverse circumstances and have such varied experiences, yet those true gospel themes come through in each life story despite less than "ideal" or stereotypical situations. I feel so much less pressure when I remember the gospel is true in every circumstance, in every culture, and for everyone regardless of their situation. I am reminded to focus on what it means to follow Christ and put my efforts there rather than trying to adhere to assumed cultural expectations that are distracting, unimportant, and energy-sapping.
The stories and wisdom these women share are beautiful and inspiring.

Anyway I think you should read it.

Laguna

2010-09-13T21:38:00.000-07:00

Afternoon Art

2010-09-13T21:29:00.000-07:00

Title: "No Mom!"

Medium: Crayon

Price: "Mine!" or NFS

As you can see, she takes her artwork seriously.

Safety First

2010-09-07T20:39:00.000-07:00

2010-08-25T12:51:00.000-07:00

Zoe loves books, a girl after my own heart. I can't wait to introduce her to Ramona Quimbey or Nancy Drew or the Babysitters Club, most of which I read behind my text books during class. Throughout the day there are little pockets of quiet, and when I stop and listen, I hear her 'reading' to herself, her baby, no one in particular, with an impressive range of tones and even feigned laughter and 'oh no's!' She even asks to sleep with her books at night when it's too dark to see the pages. When I go in to check on her, she's sleeping with her arms wrapped around them like she used to snuggle her bear. When I get her out of bed in the morning, there are all sorts of strange marks from where the edges have pressed into her skin after rolling over in her sleep. Here she is this morning 'reading' to her cars while they take a much needed break from racing.

Today we went to check out the Beaumont Library because I heard they had a lot of neat programs for kids (they do) and we got our library card and some new books. I'm so excited for some fresh stories. If she didn't grow out of clothes and shoes so fast, I'd spend all that money on a private library of children's books. But she does, and the library is exciting and it was a fun way to spend the morning. These pictures marked the only time she was either still or quiet the entire time we were there, I'm sure they can't wait for us to come back.

We spent the rest of the morning in the breezey shade in front of the library while Zoe had fun collecting acorns. She took it rather seriously.

I will miss these toddler hands!

Then we went home and netflix played interference while I put away groceries. I figured an hour at the library would offset 15min of cartoons....

Modern Art

2010-08-15T18:26:00.000-07:00

When we were little my sisters and I loved doing all kinds of crafts and art projects, especially ones that included lots of glue and glitter. I remember sitting at our kitchen table for long stretches of time perfecting our "masterpieces" together. So it's been fun to start introcing Zoe to one of my favorite childhood pasttimes, making a huge mess with art supplies, while, of secondary importance, creating a work of art. Here she is finger-painting for the first time-it was a big hit after she embraced the idea of actually sticking her hands in the paint. (Floyd finds the whole thing anxiety-inducing and has requested that she not be allowed to do this while he is home).At first she was concerned about her hands getting dirty, but got over it after some reassurance. We may need to reconsider our inordinate emphasis on having clean hands and face before our OCD rubs off too much. She already obsessively washes her face. Anyway we're on to watercolors, oil pastels, chalk, stickers and playdough while holding off on all glitter products as long as possible!

Tricks

2010-08-04T11:56:00.000-07:00

Zoe is all about swimming this summer, thanks to her super fashionable floaty suit. She has mastered swimming all around the pool, and since then has been challenging herself with new feats.
This is her latest trick. Here she is poised and ready to go....

making sure we are absolutely not going to help her in any way (this child was born independent)

Laying back into the water, and there it is, the flip-over.

Ta Da!

Oak Glen

2010-07-14T14:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went to Oak Glen with friends, who convinced me to get Zoe a caramel apple. She loved it so much, I don't think she paid attention to anything else the entire time we were there! Next time, I'll know enough to save it for the end, or at least until AFTER the petting zoo - so gross!

Post-Hiatus Guilt

2010-07-11T14:39:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I've posted anything, and my guilt (AKA FLoyd) finally got to me. Here are some pictures of a recent weekend spent in San Diego. We're still working out how to vacation with a kid, but definitely made some improvements over our last trip, and now know even better what to do next time. One of the best parts of the trip for me was being able to go to the temple there while my sister kindly watched Zoe for us. Now if we could just book her for the rest of our vacations..... We took Zoe to the zoo for the first time which was fun. We got to see baby flamingos which I thought was interesting. Zoe was pretty tired as we went during nap-time on the last day of a 4 day weekend, but she really perked up when we saw the giraffes for some reason. They are pretty cool afterall.
Striking a pose with Dad.

Hanging on for dear life!

I know, I know, I married him....voluntarily!

(and happily I might add)

I think our favorite thing to do was to spend time at the hotel pool. We stayed right on the marina and took evening walks to the pool. Zoe and Floyd are fish for sure, and I easily aquainted myself with the spa and a book.

Checking out the botanical gardens in Balboa Park. Floyd is so patient. Check out Zoe's cute sunglasses-she calls them her 'so-cools.'I just love this picture. She's grown so much!

She's keeping us busy...

2010-03-21T20:46:00.000-07:00

It seems like everyday Zoe is learning something new, so we thought we'd share some of her latest pastimes.
She finally got over climbing up and down the stairs of the jungle gym and will now actually play on it. Along with this came the discovery of the slide. Interestingly enough (or not, maybe this is normal, I wouldn't know) she prefers climbing up to sliding down. I love the determination!

It's about time Zoe started to pull her weight around here, so we now give her a list of chores. She has to wash the dishes...

Load the dishwasher.... And vacuum everyday. You can also see in the picture she has her own broom, but sweeping is a little more difficult to master apparently.

Our sweet little girl has developed quite the independent streak. I was not prepared for this to set in so early! She is all about the booster seat now, and always wants to sit at the table. Lately the surest way get her to refuse dinner is to try to feed her yourself. Don't even go near her with a spoon in your hand, but don't forget to give her her own. She is much too good for eating with her hands. That's for babies...

However she is very generous with her meals and doesn't mind sharing.

After much trial and travail, she has mastered the ipod. Despite her concerns that she is quite possibly the only 14 month-old who doesn't have her own ipod, we're holding out til at least 2.

Each morning I have to allow an extra 10 minutes to get ready (above the previously instituted extra 30 minutes - kids can really slow you down!) as Zoe is now insisting on dressing herself.

There are a few small kinks to work out....

I'd call this multi-tasking, but for now it's just a reading chair.

Any tips/advice/techniques for potty training would be welcome....probably too early to think about?

Wonder where she learned this....

2010-03-06T16:20:00.000-08:00

At least she puts the cap back on!

Upping the Cuteness Factor

2010-03-06T16:04:00.000-08:00

My dancing queen is sporting a new look. Don't you love the pigtails?

Sick of Being Sick

2010-02-21T20:31:00.001-08:00

Sick of runny noses....

of being up all night,

and of battles over eating (see the tear?)....

but loving all the extra snuggling!

Dancing Queen

2010-01-31T21:18:00.000-08:00

It's a little long, but it really captures Zoe's little personality these days, minus the tantrums.

1 Year

2010-01-20T20:29:00.000-08:00

A year ago today, our lives were blessed forever.....

We had no idea the joy and sweetness Zoe would bring into our world.

I marvel everyday how this beautiful child of God was entrusted to our love and care....

....and how a year could have possibly gone by already.

Happy 1st Birthday ZoZo!

(and slow down a little!)

Official Season Pass Holders....

2010-01-15T14:34:00.000-08:00

.....to the Aquarium!

I know you were probably thinking Disneyland huh? We remain part of the dwindling few who don't have passes there. In fact, we've never even taken Zoe there and she'll be 1 next week, which I'm sure is considered by some verging sin and gross neglect by others. It's not that we have anything against Disneyland, I'm just not that excited by it. We'll go at some point, but for now I'm loving the aquarium.

We saw some really interesting fish...

Some really creepy things (get me outta here!)...

Hey guys, what's going on? I don't see any fish in this tank, do you?

Mom! What's he doing? What's HE DOING???

HEEEEELP!!!!

Let the adventures begin!

Portraits

2010-01-04T20:17:00.000-08:00

I took Zoe for the first time today to get a few portraits done. I've never taken her to get her picture taken, and wanted to see how it would turn out. The quality is poor here but you get the idea.
As you can see, Zoe was highly entertained by the photographer, her new BFF.

Love This

2010-01-02T02:53:00.000-08:00

I just ordered this print for Zoe's room. Isn't it perfect?

You can find it here, in case you were wondering...

New Year's Resolutions

2010-01-02T01:16:00.000-08:00

I love the fresh start that the new year offers. I've really let myself go in a lot of ways, so there was a lot to draw from in terms of making resolutions. After a couple months of working myself up to this point, I finally feel like I have it in me to make actual change and it is so energizing! I'm hoping this enthusiasm will fuel me as well as the Mountain Dew I'm giving up has....

11 Months

2009-12-29T11:29:00.000-08:00

On the 20th Zoe turned 11 months (I'm still catching up...). We went to see the Christmas lights in Upland with family and had a good time getting into the Christmas spirit with all the festivity. Zoe enjoyed pointing at everything and saying "oooooh!" with her lips puckered out to the extreme. I can't believe I'm already having to plan her first birthday party!

*Doesn't Floyd make a handsome reindeer?

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T22:34:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve

2009-12-24T21:18:00.000-08:00

Hey guys, did you hear? It's Christmas tomorrow!

I'm sorry, what's that you say?

I'm on the Naughty List? No presents?

This is not good, not good.

What should I do? Think Zoe think!

I know! I'll give Santa lots of kisses....

And smile real big.....

Yes! I'm so on the Nice List now!

Busted!

2009-12-22T14:57:00.001-08:00

Me: Zoe! Carson! What are you doing?

Carson: Uh-oh, we're in trouble!

Zoe: Don't worry, I know how to get us out of this.

Carson: How?

Zoe: Just smile and try to look really cute. Works every time....

Simplify.....

2009-12-22T13:15:00.000-08:00

Lately I haven't felt like I've accomplished a whole lot outside the wife/mother/homemaker arena, and truth be told I'm not doing so hot there either. My new motto has been 'simplify,' but I don't know if embracing that philosophy so fully is working for me. The whole goal of simplification is to let the extraneous fall away, giving you energy and focus to excel in the areas you've deemed most important. I'm sure this is true at some level, but it doesn't describe my experience. I feel like in the slowing down, I just run out of steam. So in a moment of self-evaluation, I decided I simplified too much. I pared down to the point of sparcity, and now realize that some of those unessentials really are essential. The struggle of time enough to do everything will always be there. And the energy? I look at it as more of an investment - I'll have to put energy in, but I'll get more in return. Those little things can revive your whole outlook, and I think I was too quick to dump them by the wayside. Little by little I'm bringing some of me back. Now if I could just figure out how to keep the pendulum from swinging too far to the other side....in a couple months I'll be writing about how frustrated, busy, and stressed-out
I am!

This is me BTW. I know your next question too and no, I don't have that AWESOME coat anymore.

The Medinas aka Zoe's second family

2009-12-21T21:57:00.000-08:00

We went up to Oak Glen and had fun taking some pictures - at least I did. Mostly they just tried not to freeze while posing.

Floyd says this one looks like they're walking into a forest fire, or off the edge of the earth. I was trying to be artistic...

Thanks for being so patient.... We love you Medina Family!

Aquarium of the Pacific

2009-12-21T20:12:00.000-08:00

Between Floyd's work schedule and mine, our weekend entertainment options are limited to whatever we can fit into a few hours on Saturday afternoon. Usually by this point I can't stay awake on a drive that's longer than 15 minutes anyway, so we end up at home watching random TV. Heart-stopping excitement I know. Needless to say, I've been itching to really get out and do something fun, so I jumped at the opportunity Thanksgiving weekend offered. We went ALL THE WAY to Long Beach to the Aquarium of the Pacific. I was practically giddy, no exaggeration. The place is amazing and I'm already planning a return trip. Unfortunately Zoe was completely consumed with pushing the stroller around to even bother to look up. When I tried to circumvent the issue by puttingluyl;j the brakes on, she would just walk over the the nearest stroller and try to push that one around. She does this at the grocery store too. I'm sure people are completely annoyed and wonder why I don't just put her in the cart. HELLO - I'm trying to wear her out so she'll take a nap! Plus I figure if I let her run around the store I don't have to take her to the park. I guess it's a little obnoxious. I'm getting off-track. Anyway we had a lot of fun and I'm definitely going to make it a priority to do things like this more. Consider this your warning Floyd :).

There was a live jazz band playing outside by the shark pools and Zoe had no inhibitions about breaking it down on the dance floor. Of course we were the doting/obnoxious parents, me with the camera and Floyd simultaneously taking video. It was pretty cute though, and we weren't the only one's taking pictures of her, which was a little weird in a way.....

10 Months

2009-12-21T19:35:00.000-08:00

I've decided it's totally ok to back-blog a little. I didn't want these months to go by without some kind of documentation. Here are a few pictures from Zoe's 10th month of life. She's definitely our sunshine. Zoe actually picked out these beads herself and puts them on just about everyday.

Couldn't resist doing some fall leaves pictures.....

Upgrade

Such a happy girl!

Family Photo

2009-11-04T20:06:00.000-08:00

9 Months

2009-10-20T18:16:00.000-07:00

She's getting older so fast! I always thought of 9 month-olds as babies still, but Zoe seems more like a toddler. The whole baby phase went way too fast for me, even though I really tried to savor every second of it. But focusing on the positives, it has been so fun to introduce her to different experiences and to see what will make her smile or laugh or mad. She's getting a little banged up in her overzealous approach to walking, but she loves her new freedom and it's so fun to see her puttering around. Besides walking, she finally cut her first tooth, dances to any music, got her first ear infection (double), had Roseola, and refuses to eat with a spoon. Overall she's a happy girl and we love her! We spent the afternoon at the Pumpkin Patch with a cousin and a friend and had a nice time, if you don't count the goat attack, the smelly horses, or the chastisement we got for taking pictures in the non-picture area. Anyway here are some pics of her first encounter with a petting zoo. The fact that I actually took her is a true testament to how much I love Zoe. They're disgusting, especially the goats!

So what did you say these things were again? Rabbits? So, um, do they bite?

It's eating my designer shoes!!!

And it tickles! Feeling brave, very, very brave.

Whoo hoo! I did it!

I think I like these guys....
Can I come out now? Please?

Officially a Girl....

2009-10-16T16:42:00.000-07:00

Accessorizing and talking incessantly!
Yay! Zoe's hair is finally long enough to get a barrette to stay in. Thanks to Floyd's cousins who inspired me!

*Can you just tell from the picture how vocal she is?

Watch This

2009-10-13T21:25:00.000-07:00

3 minutes to a better outlook found here. You won't be disappointed....

Girls' Night Out

2009-10-11T10:04:00.000-07:00

Last night I went out with 2 of my sisters for a spur of the moment girls night out. I can't remember the last time I went out without Zoe to do something not work or gym related, so it was definitely time. Luckily there was enough football on so I didn't feel too bad for leaving Floyd home. And even though I was tired form working the past few nights, it was nothing a Mountain Dew on the way over couldn't fix.We went to the Macaroni Grill for dessert and I just have to say, it was fabulous! I love how we can just talk and laugh for hours about anything and everything and share sinful desserts without guilt. Life is so good....thanks girls!

*BTW the Citrus Passion cake is AMAZING! I like it even more than the chocolate dessert we had, so you know it had to be impressive. Seriously, go try it. You won't be disappointed. If you need someone to go with, you know who to call.

Look Out World

2009-10-06T16:40:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago Floyd called me at work to tell me Zoe had taken her first steps. After a lot of practice (thanks Medinas) I think it's official - Zoe is walking. She can only get about halfway across a room, but is fairly steady and will do it all on her own i.e. not under duress from eager parents. It's the strangest thing to walk into the room and see her walking around. What's next? To conquer the world, after naptime of course!

On the Bright Side

2009-10-04T20:07:00.000-07:00

Overall my life is soooo different than it was a year ago. I've never been one to adjust well to change, even good change, so I knew having a baby was going to be challenging. 8 months later I'm still adjusting, but I've decided it would help to focus on the bright side of things. For example, the other day I finally decided to clean out my closet and have only clothes that actually fit me hanging (all 2 outfits). The saddest part, even sadder than taking all my 'skinny clothes' to DI, was realizing that I don't need so many scrubs anymore, that that phase of my life is over for a long time. I love my job and I really miss being in the thick of things at work. I miss being able to put in the mental and emotional energy I used to give. Now I barely have the physical energy to get through a shift some nights. It's probably one of those things that will just take time to get used to. On the bright side, I get to be home with Floyd and Zoe more. What I had anticipated to be the most difficult change, raising a baby, has actually been the easiest. I completely surprised myself with how much I have really just enjoyed being a mom to Zoe. The pace is completely different, and all the aspects of motherhood that I imagined would be so mundane and repetitive are actually quite captivating. I really had no idea it would be this great, and I love it - thankfully! How's that for a bright side?

Are You Kidding Me?

2009-09-27T17:36:00.001-07:00

Caught red-handed! So much for baby-proofing....

My Great Example

2009-09-24T11:41:00.001-07:00

Maybe I should cut back a little.....

Check This Out

2009-09-24T11:27:00.000-07:00

I'm not a huge jewelry person, but I came across this boutique on etsy and have already spent a few hundred dollars (in my head-I'm too poor to actually buy all the pieces I want). It's actually very reasonable with most pieces $10-$35 and the perfect vintage style. I don't have any personal connection with any of this, but I love a great tip myself so I just thought I'd share....

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5618559&view_type=gallery

8 Months

2009-09-20T20:13:00.001-07:00

Somehow Zoe is 8 months old today. Poor girl spent the day "celebrating" with around the clock tylenol and frequent nasal suctioning. Unfortunately for her, I do this for a living and am completely proficient at tuning out the crying until the "procedure" is over.
The day wasn't without its high points though. Peek-a-boo with the clear shower curtain - should I be concerned that this entertained her for as long as it did?

A much needed naptime (finally!) with Dad.

Happily coating herself with lunch.

I guess the day wasn't as bad as it seemed after all!

Could I Be Projecting?

2009-09-17T00:04:00.000-07:00

As every mother can attest to, there is a kind of quiet that is the wrong kind of quiet, the Too Quiet quiet. I was doing some sort of cleaning when with a mild panic I realized that it had crept up on me. Imagine my relief, and then delight, when I found Zoe "reading" one of my books! It's the best feeling when your child discovers something you love yourself, even on this level. I'm already imagining the library days, book orders, and afternoons spent reading together....

The Kitchen Sink: My New BFF

2009-09-16T22:59:00.000-07:00

Me: So Zoe, did you enjoy lunch today?

Zoe: It was ok I guess. You think you're pretty sly mixing the salmon in with the tomatoes and carrots huh? And don't think I didn't notice when you mixed it with the apples and blackberries either. I think it tastes better when I mush it all over every surface within throwing distance. But the jar and the lid are always the best part.Here, see for yourself.

Me: Well I guess we better give you a bath so I don't get fishy kisses the rest of the day.

Zoe: Yay! I love, LoVe, LOVE bathtime!!!

The sink Mom? Seriously? Are you getting lazy? It's actually a little cold. I'm sure you won't mind if I adjust the hot water a little....Me: As long as you're in the sink, you can help me with the dishes. It's so fun to help around the house!

Zoe: Mom, I'm only 7 months old! I don't know if I can look cute AND do housework. Plus none of my friends' moms make them do chores!

Seriously Mom, these dishes are not going to do themselves. You can start with this one.

I'm going to take a break and get a drink while you get started on that....Hey! Where are you going?

Book Recommendation

2009-08-30T16:14:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading this book for the third time, and I'm sure I'll read it again. It's an easy read, yet thought provoking and uplifting. I never would have picked it up, except I had read another book she wrote and loved it (that one I picked up strictly for the title - see below). Just thought I'd pass it on in case anyone was looking for something.

*Do you recognize the expression on the husband's face - too accurate! It's a great book btw- not man-bashing in any way, although I kept it turned around on the bookshelf so Floyd wouldn't see the title. What can I say? I needed some help figuring out the whole husband thing and it practically jumped off the shelf. Reading is a better coping strategy than many others I can think of, especially since a glass of wine is not an option. Now I've moved onto the parenting and weight loss books (sigh).

We Love the Park!

2009-08-30T15:47:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited for Zoe to be old enough to really enjoy the park. It turns out it might be sooner than I thought. Now we just have to wait for under 100 degree weather.....

Walk, Don't Run

2009-08-27T16:55:00.000-07:00

This is my first attempt at posting a video. It's almost a month old because I've been delinquent with blogging, but I still wanted to share it. It all started when I heard Floyd yelling for me from another room. I was thinking to myself, "I hate when he yells for me to come like that. I'm not a dog!" But I took a deep breath and went into the bedroom and found Zoe walking around with her push toy. It was so cute! Now she pushes it all around our small condo and always has this expression on her face that says "I have somewhere really important to be and I'm running late!" She's actually pretty fast and it's quite comical. If she gets stuck against a wall she just moves to the side and pushes it sideways. She can really manhandle that thing!

*Post Edit: So the video is a little long, and by the time we got the camera out the magic was almost over. Plus my voice is pretty obnoxious as I feel compelled to narrate the whole thing. This one is for the grandparents for sure.

7 Months

2009-08-20T17:46:00.000-07:00

Zoe is 7 months old today. Uncharacteristically (ahem) I put this post off until the last minute. We did a little photo shoot for the occassion, after which I noticed there was no memory card in the camera. So it goes I guess. Anyway, Zoe is full of personality and brings us so much happiness. We love you Zoebug! More pictures to come...

Our 6 Month-Old

2009-07-20T20:20:00.000-07:00

Somehow Zoe is 6 months old today. She's grown so much and mastered so many new skills. Crawling is just around the corner and I'm not ready for that yet. While it's completely exhilarating to see her reach a new stage, I feel like mourning the loss of the previous one. If I've learned one thing about parenting so far, it has been how to live in the moment more. I'm not perfect at it, but I appreciate and enjoy everything so much more when I do, and time doesn't seem to slip through my fingers as quickly. We celebrated her 6 month birthday by going to the beach. I figured we had better start getting her used to the sand and water etc since we are a beach-going family, but she did amazingly well for her first day.
She loved the water and wanted to spend the entire time splashing and walking through the tiny waves.
The sand however was a constant battle. Any tips on how to keep it out of the mouth?
Unfortunately the fun had to come to an end and we topped off the celebration with a trip to the pediatrician for her 6 month immunizations. She took it like a champ.

Random pictures of Zoe, because I can

2009-07-08T14:59:00.000-07:00

We spent the weekend in San Diego...Zoe woke up every hour wailing the first night! Floyd said it was because she had restless leg syndrome from being in the stroller all day.

She had her first 'big girl' bath in the hotel.

Let me tell you, the girl is LOUD!

Thankfully it is generally a happy kind of loud.

I just thought she was cute in this one.

What Zoe does during nap time...

Can you imagine if we let her watch TV?

I Love You Floyd!

2009-07-07T15:58:00.000-07:00

I'm either hot or cold with this blogging thing. The We {Heart} Floyd Week ended rather abruptly, I know. My plan was to end the week with something amazing I wrote just for Floyd that would let him know just how much I love and appreciate him and everything he does for us, and frankly for hanging in there and putting up with me in general. It was going to be funny, touching, original, and would totally make him tear up. Other husbands would read it (because I'm sure there are so many of them out there who read this blog) and secretly wish their wives would say those things about them. So where is the post you ask, as I'm quite sure you're on the edge of your seat by now? Yeah, about that - I never actually wrote it. The week ended with back-to-back shifts for me and I couldn't muster up the emotional, intellectual, or physical energy to produce this masterpiece I had envisioned. Rather than settle for something less than perfect I put it off until I could (the story of my life...), because that always works out. Realizing that it's never going to happen unless I just sit down and do it, I'm typing this while simultaneously cooking one of Floyd's favorite vegetarian dinners (that might classify as an oxymoron), doing the dishes, and praying that Zoe naps for at least 5 more minutes. So here it goes.....

I knew Floyd for a few months before we actually started 'seeing eachother' and I remember everything always being more fun when he was there - still true. His energy and optimism about anything is contagious and admirable. He takes really good care of me, and Zoe now too, even if it's just something little. Like the other day we were at the fair and I said I wanted a Mountain Dew. Almost all of the vendors only had Coke, but Floyd made it his first order of business to find the one that had Mountain Dew. I know it sounds kind of silly, but to me that's love. He writes the best cards and gives the most thoughtful gifts and always puts everyone else first. It sounds funny, but I love that I chose him to be Zoe's dad. She's in for such a treat! The man can cook too - he puts me to shame in the kitchen everytime. Of course he is not without faults, don't get me wrong. For instance, he's a morning person. Who can live with that? Most people after a triple espresso wouldn't be as happy and energetic as he is in the morning. Now he goes into work at 4am and I can wake up in my slow grumpy fashion alone! But I digress. In all seriousness, I really admire and adore him. Plus, have you seen the guy? H-O-T HOT! And who doesn't love a man who can rock the jump rope! Wish I had taken pictures of the double dutch...

*Thanks everyone who sent me their contributions to the I {Heart} Floyd Week. I know many of you also emailed or called him or contacted him via Facebook (my thoughts on Facebook another time). He loved it, although he did say it made him feel like he had died....

**Sorry for the almost 3 weeks of hideous birthday music

Floyd Eugene Slaten II

2009-06-26T14:48:00.000-07:00

Before you read the following contributions, I thought it would be wise to clarify Floyd's full name...

"Hey F. Eu! Now if your next kid is a boy you can name him F. Eu 2. I think over the years we have come up with a lot of little catch phrases and stupid words that have made us laugh really good. We could talk about Transit Care for hours. It helps that we both laugh really easily too. Good memories like one of the many beach trips, (except when you get nautious)......Or going to party it up in downtown San Diego and me falling asleep on the way there........Or swimming at the pool with the nasty whitetrash ladies from your complex.......Or all the nights you were "single" while Ashley was at work and (I know that sounds really bad). There have been a lot of memories over the years and I am sure the memories will just get better with our families hanging out together. Our family wouldn't be the same without you. Happy Birthday." -Alex

"Floyd, I think you are one cool dude ! :) I have known you for almost a year now, and already have so many memories. Before I started writing this I was thinking about what was one of my fondest, and Sonic Burger popped in my head!!! I remember they didn't have peanut butter and you really wanted it... and you got so mad.......and then on top of that they sucked at everything else, but we were all still laughing our heads off. And the car ride over I had announced that I didn't like the name Eugene and didn't know that was your middle name. ( oops) I'm still sorry about that by the way ;) but it was hilarious. I haven't laughed that hard in awhile. Not only was that night a blast with you guys....I have enjoyed the ikea trips , the beach, or just chillin at you and Ashleys house(oh and the bubble game on your i touch) it all has given me fond memories. You have been a great brother in law from the start. always willing to help out. Always making us laugh.a great father. a great example. a great person. thank you for that .....I am hoping for many more memories to come. luv ya Floyd!" -Celina

"Is it too late for one more story that just popped into my head in the middle of a funeral today and made me laugh out loud just a bit?
I remember one time when I was at Baker's with Floyd, wait a second, come to think of it, I remember 6,302 times at Baker's with Floyd. I think I may miss Baker's almost as much as I miss Floyd. Oh yeah, back to my story. So, this one time in particular at Baker's, Floyd ordered a taco and for some reason, they accidently gave him two taco shells, one inside the other. So Floyd took the empty taco shell up to the counter and told them that they forgot to put the stuff inside his taco. THey took the shell and made him another taco without even questioning him. They even apologized to him. Don't tell him, but I'm guess they spit in it. Wait a minute, I hope I didn't eat it." - Kandis

We {Heart} Floyd Week continues...

2009-06-25T11:15:00.000-07:00

I'm sure you can see why I couldn't resist posting this picture. This is Floyd and his older brother at the beach (FLoyd is the one in the Spiderman T-shirt if you couldn't tell). You can tell that FLoyd was a happy, easygoing kid and I'm sure it was his genetic influence that gave Zoe her happy personality. Isn't he just the cutest? There are some other great pictures out there, but these are all I've got so I had to exploit them to the fullest!

"Okay...so what we love about Floyd is that he is that kind of guy who will drop everything and help you in a moments notice! I have no doubt that if there were a raging fire, Floyd would be the first to rush in and save anyone.....with no thought of his own safety...the other guys would follow! {of course I am not refering to the "other guys" in OUR family...they would all probably get stuck trying to go throught the door together!" But excuse me, for I have diverged off the path! So, back to Floyd..........hmmm........his sense of humor is humorous of itself, his laughter contagious, and his energy to be in on the fun instantanious. But the best part of Floyd would be his humble devotion to try and do right...and his unquestionable love of his dear wife {my dear daughter!} and his total DOTING over his sweet baby girl. Zoe! So, Floyd, thanks for all you add to the clan, and have fun celebrating your day!!!!!!" - We love ya, Pat...Lori...Jace...Carter....Cade and of course...The Firecracker {aka Collin}

"Floyd is the type of guy everyone likes to be around. He has something about him that makes you feel at home when you're with him. Its probably his sense of humor and easy-to-laugh personality that gets you feeling comfortable and confident around him. I love how Floyd is always conscious of everyone and their situations and I have always appreciated how he is one of the first to say hi when I walk in a filled room or make a joke (many times at my expense!) to lighten a mood. I also love how active he is and know that if I were ever up to a kickball game or a hand stand contest he'd be already out of his seat offering to be a team captain or placing the bet. Floyd has added a burst of happiness to our family that is recognized and loved. I can tell what a caring husband and dad he is because of how happy Ashley is and I'm thankful he takes such good care of my big sister and littlest niece. Josh and I love Floyd! Happy Birthday!"

-Melanie Brice

"Hey FLoyd- Hope you have a great B-day. I'm happy to know you and to share a lot of good times with our families. Hope you can have everything you want!" -Jose Grejada

The Floydinator

2009-06-23T21:37:00.000-07:00

That's what my sister calls Floyd - not sure where she got it but it always makes me laugh. What a handsome guy right?

"I always have and always will consider Floyd my big brother.He was my protector growing up. He also cheered me up whenever I needed it. He also drove me crazy like any good brother does. He would tease me and pick on me just like the rest of my brothers. But I always knew, just like the others, that he would never hurt me or sit back and let me hurt.
We had a love hate relationship on the basketball court. He may not know that but half the time we played I ended up running to my room crying afterwards. I'm sure the only reason he could ever beat me was that huge BUTT of his.
I'm not sure I can pick one favorite memory of FLoyd. Honestly, I don't have many memories that DON"T include Floyd.
I am so glad to see FLoyd marry an amazing woman. I know I don't know Ashley that well, but she's one of those people you can just tell is amazing after being around them. I never would have let him settle for anything less. Yeah, I admit, I would have found a way to ruin it to protect my big brother if I had to. In case I never told you, Welcome to the family Ashley!!!
Floyd taught me all the important things in life. How to play basketball, who NOT to cheer for in the NBA, how to destroy someones's yard, how to make a fool of yourself, what to expect from the opposite sex, and I could go on forever.
Our summers were full of hot days full of basketball and swimming and nonsleep nights full of talking.
FLoyd is not someone that just comes in and out of anyones life without making an impression. As weird, loud, and crazy as he is, it's always suprising to find out how caring, spiritual, and driven he is.
I'm trying to think of some specific stories but really can't think of any that don't include me looking like a fool. :)Thanks for helping me thru some tough times in life. And thank you even more for making the good times so much better. I love you Floyd!!" -Kandis Farnsworth

"My fondest memory is one that was told to me by my Mom.
One day, Toni and the kids were at Mom's. Toni patted my Mom and motioned over to Floyd and said "Watch this". Apparently, Floyd didn't feel that chewing his food was all that important, or he was starving, or both. My Mom said that after a couple of munches and a head toss, he swallowed a big bite of whatever he was eating, essentially whole. During the swallow, he blinked a few times. This is funny by itself, the whole visual image, but the capper is when Mom said he looked like a toad. Now that was funny.
Have a very happy birthday Mr. Floyd." - Aunt Patti

"Floyd, It is a privelege to work with you. You make me a better person. It is obvious you are loving being a Dad, the way you adore that beautiful girl. Happy Birthday to you. Your friend, Eric O."

Eat Like a Pig

2009-06-22T20:06:00.000-07:00

These are some pics from last night's birthday dinner. How fitting that we sat right underneath the 'Eat Like a Pig' sign - as if we needed any encouragement! What does it say when your dinner is served to you on a trash can lid? Anyway it was a yummy dinner and I think Floyd fully enjoyed it. And the 'We {Heart} Floyd Week continues....

"Floyd is a good father to Zoe. Floyd is a good reliable worker. You can always count on Floyd if you need any help out with anything whatever it may be. Floyd is generous...no questions asked! -Kendra and Blakeyxoxo!Happy Birthday!!!!!!

"So My Big Brother Floyd....I could never ask for a better brother. One thing that I will never ever forget is when I had Kevin a week later you were here to help me out no matter what. You moved in with us and you never had a problem with helping watch him or changing diapers. Jonathan and I could never thank you enough. So for that am happy to return the favor with lil Zoe. We love her. :) I hope you have a special birthday with your family and enjoy your "We heart Floyd week" You deserve it. You have a perfect family and am glad that you found Ashley she's the perfect fit for you. I love you and Happy Birthday. Love you sister Audra."

"Floyd, Happy Birthday. hope you have a great day!!! Your favorite brother in law,Jonathan

P.S. Happy birthday Tio Floyd. Love Kevin ~ Reese

"I remember riding with Bryce and Floyd in his blue Mitsubishi mini truck with Rage Against the Machine blarring thinking we were so cool. Good Times!
Brad remembers all the fun bike rides with Floyd. He was always up for a challenge with Bryce. There is of course the infamous "Hey Floyd, Watch This!" which ended with half of Bryce's face skinned off and Floyd catching the whole thing on the video camera.
Bryce says that his favorite is when Floyd burped out loud in Bakers and a man sitting behind them turned around and pointed at the guys then furiously said, "Do you want me to teach you how to eat boy?" Bryce says they thought they were going to get beat up by the guy.
Hope you like one of these. Happy Birthday Floyd! We love you!" -Trish

"I have known Floyd for most of my life. He provided fun laughs throughout high school, but I appreciate him most as he was there for me as a friend when I needed him. Whether it was moving boxes or helping me see through my girl troubles, he was there. As a tribute to Floyd, I thought I would share his new acronym:
F - Fun

L - Loving

O - Outgoing

Y - Young

D - Dad
Floyd, thanks for all the fun times!" -Jeremy Paye

We {Heart} Floyd Week

2009-06-22T12:15:00.001-07:00

*Doesn't this picture just kill you?

Today is my dear husband's birthday. In my family, when it's your birthday, you have to sit on a barstool in the middle of the living room. Then from youngest to oldest each person in the family has to come up and give you a gift, hug you, and then say why they love you. It's one of our best traditions, but I have decided to do it a little differently this year. I have officially declared the entire week to be the We {Heart} Floyd Week. Everyday I will be posting birthday messages from his family and friends, so if you'd like to get in on the action, just leave your message in the comment section or email it to me. So in no particular order, here it goes....

"You'd think with Floyd being who he is there would be all sorts of stories, and there are, but I just can't recall anything that stands out right now. I am surprised Floyd made it to live this long, me too for that matter. Floyd you're not the only lucky one to be married to Ashley. I'm not saying that she's married to someone else, but she's lucky to have you. You're a great guy and I'm glad to have you as a friend. Zoe is also lucky to have such a great father who absolutely adores her. Happy Birthday!!! Make it a good one, afterall it's the second longest day of the year." -Lyle White

I love you! Happy Birthday baby! -Me

"What to write...what to write? Just kidding! I've got plenty to say about you! I'll give you the good stuff first :). In my head I have always called you 'Old Reliable,' not because you're old, but because you will always be one of the most dependable people I have ever known. You are always willing to give a helping hand and always willing to to give more than you are obligated to give. I love the way that you are never too good for something free-or my dinner leftovers. You're great at talking to anyone and making friends. For this, you will always be surrounded by people who care about you and are indebted to you because of your neverending charity. Thanks for being yourself, and sorry I didn't have time to get to your bad traits!" -Rachel Grejada

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T18:22:00.000-07:00

Fathers are so special
With a special kind of love
They watch us and protect us
They guide us and direct us
Back to out home above

Happiness Day 6

2009-06-16T21:51:00.000-07:00

I have had an absolute love of reading my entire life. Few things make me happier than getting lost in a good book. Unfortunately I've been in somewhat of a drought lately. I know you must be asking yourself, 'Didn't she just have 6 months off of work? Isn't she only working 2 days a week? Doesn't she only have 1 kid? Why can't she find time to read?' I know, I know. To my credit I have actually read a lot the past year, but I don't count textbooks and that's all I've had the energy for. But I've decided to take a break from school, at least for the summer, and now that Zoe sleeps through the night (somewhat), I'm ready to break into some good reading. One of my favorite authors, David Sedaris, recently published another book, 'When You Are Engulfed in Flames.' I've read all of his books and literally laugh uncontrollably, with tears streaming down my face. I'm not exaggerating like I usually do - you can ask Floyd. It totally annoys him since I'm usually reading in bed after he's asleep. There is just no way to restrain that kind of laughter. After rousing him out of a deep sleep, ('I have to get up in 2 hours!') I try to read him the passage I found so amusing, and by then I'm so hysterical I can't even get past the first sentence. I keep trying though, and then can't figure out why he doesn't think the guy is funny. Someone from work lent me this book and I made the mistake of opening it there - I was a total mess. So anyway, I really need some good recommendations from you guys, nothing too dark or depressing, and PLEASE no Jodi Piccoult thank you. No Twilight series either - not my thing. Oh and don't go out and buy a David Sedaris book because of anything I said. This was not meant to be a recommendation, although I highly recommend him (does that even make sense?). He has a very specific type of humor and, although not crass in any way, I could see how some might find it offensive, or (gasp!) not even funny in the first place. That said, if you do pick up one of his books, stick with it for the first few chapters before you make any decisions.

5 Years

2009-06-16T18:17:00.000-07:00

5 years ago today, Floyd and I almost missed the boat to get married - literally! We pretty much eloped and tied the knot in Catalina (hence Zoe's middle name - Avalon). It's been a (mostly) wonderful 5 years full of growth, and it makes me happy to think I get to spend the next bazillion years with my man.

*This photo is actually from our anniversary last year. We went to the Newport Temple and then to the Melting Pot. This year, despite well-made plans, we ended up having dinner at Coco's at 10:30pm. We were both tired and sporting the I-slept-in-these-clothes-and-haven't-showered look, and I accented my outfit with sweet potato babyfood and bathwater. I hadn't shaved my legs for a week and I'm pretty sure I smelled lovely too (Floyd's a lucky guy!). Now you see why I posted last year's picture. To top it off, when we got there, we met the world's most annoying man alive. This guy was a new breed for sure, and he didn't help his standing with me any when he made reference to me being pregnant - ugh! I'm working on it ok? We had to wait in the lobby with him, sit at the table across from him, and then had to wait in line to pay our check with him. Even Floyd, who is much less harsh than me, was impressed. This man's annoyingness (I know that's probably not a word...) was like a sharpened skill, a talent in a negative sort of way. I practically ran down an older lady trying to get out the door before he followed us out to the car telling another lame joke. So although it was pretty unromantic overall, it was nice to spend some time by ourselves, and the food was actually really good. And I love my husband, which in all seriousness makes everything in life more fun, easier to bear, and sweeter to the taste.

Happiness Day 5

2009-06-16T17:58:00.000-07:00

Extra credit - 2 posts in one day! Nap time makes me happy. In the words of a fellow blogger,

"If motherhood's luxuries don't include napping when your monkey naps, then I don't know what else to look forward to in the future." - cjane

I'm finally learning....

Happines Day 4

2009-06-16T17:23:00.000-07:00

Seriously, I'm only on day 4? There are so many things that make me happy, you think I'd do better with this. Anyway, another source of happiness for me is work. That might be ironic to some, and I'm sorry for you if it is. I love my job. It's challenging, rewarding, and different all the time. There is always something new to learn, whether factual or spiritual. Seeing the trials others are going through gives me an opportunity to be more compassionate and keeps things in perspective. Most of all I work with an amazing group of people who mentor me, support me, make me laugh, and just make life more interesting. I'm sure I've saved a fortune on therapy by now! Things are a little different now with Zoe. I'm grateful to be able to only work part time, and after 6 weeks I think I'm finally starting to balance it all a little better. It's been 7 years now and I'm so thankful that I had the perserverence (and lets be honest-greed) to finish nursing school even though I HATED almost every second of it.

Happiness Day 3

2009-06-08T22:19:00.001-07:00

My "Day" 3 of happiness is exercise. I'm serious, totally no sarcasm here. As Floyd would say, don't hate. Working out is such a high - nothing beats that post workout feeling. Sadly I haven't done too much of it lately. It's hard to get to the gym with a baby in tow, and doing a DVD workout is just not the same. Have you seen it on an infomercial? I probably have it. I'm such a sucker for that kind of thing, much to Floyd's chagrin. Those sleepless nights always seem to cost me money. But I digress. As we are adjusting to our new lives, routines, etc. I've been able to make it to a class here and there and it's been great. I was a little depressed at first when I had to face head on how out of shape I am. Nothing is more humbling than being in yoga class and not being able to get into a pose - not because of lack of flexibility/skill, but because your rolls of fat won't let you bend any further! Looking on the bright side, I have nowhere to go but up right? Maybe by the end of the year I can post a picture like this of myself...I'm sure the fudge brownie sundae I had last night did not hinder my progress in any way whatsoever. It was a much needed girls night out though - thanks Celina!

Happiness Day 2

2009-06-08T21:22:00.000-07:00

Ok, I know, I should be on day 5 or something like that. I knew I wouldn't be able to keep up. U have since decided that the whole 'consecutive days' stipulation is overrated and totally optional. So on to Day 2. I love, LovE, LOVE fresh vegatables. I can't think of anything better than homemade salsa or roasted vegatable straight from the garden. I've never had my own garden (someday I'll have a yard!), but we did occasionally when I was growing up. Once (I'm sure it was by inspiration) I had a visiting teacher who grew heirloom tomatoes and all different varieties of squash and she would bring a full basket every time she came over. It was devastating when she moved....Anyway I'm extremely happy, and hopeful, about the family garden my mom and step-dad started, planted as a group effort by my siblings and their families. Personally I did not do much to help as I had to supervise Zoe sunbathing, but Floyd contributed in our behalf. I didn't get a picture of the finished project, but hopefully I'll be posting pictures of beautiful bell peppers and tomatoes soon. It makes me happy just anticipating!

8 Days of Happiness

2009-06-03T22:32:00.000-07:00

I was tagged a while ago, but am just now getting around to posting so we'll see how this goes. For 8 consecutive days (yeah right!) I'm supposed to post things that make me happy. So for Day 1 here is a Floyd/Zoe moment. It's not the clearest picture, and it needs a little censoring (the bath was filling), but I like it. Floyd is such a good dad to her, she adores him, and that makes me happy.

Happy 4 Month Birthday ZoZo!

2009-05-20T20:44:00.000-07:00

The Beginning

2009-05-19T18:39:00.000-07:00

I'm finally getting around to organizing Zoe's pictures and thought I'd share some from her first week of life.

Rueschmann Encounter

2009-05-16T16:10:00.001-07:00

I know - I'm a little behind on my pictures and updates. Life is a constant adjustment and sometimes I keep up better than others. Lately it's been one of those 'other' times for me! The poor girl is 4 months old next week and I still haven't finished her nursery. Anyway, this past month Zoe got to meet her great-Grandpa and Grandma Rueschmann all the way from North Carolina.

At first things were a little rocky.....She was a little, should we say...reluctant?But she eventually warmed up to all the love.

We love you Grandpa & Grandma!

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho

2009-05-04T21:41:00.000-07:00

...it's back to work I go. Last week was my last week as a stay-at-home mom. It was so strange to leave, but so natural to walk on the unit. I haven't worked for 6 months and so much has changed since then. My life is soooo different, and there are new people, new policies, new everything at work. The night started off ok, until I realized I forgot to bring my calculator. No big deal, I could just borrow one, but it made me feel unprepared and a little flustered. Then things took a turn for the worse when I realized I had come to work unarmed (translation: no Red Bull). Thankfully the mild anxiety I was experiencing proved to be an effective substitute for the caffeine, though I don't think I can count on that working again. Overall it was nice to be back and I'm looking forward to getting back in the saddle so to speak. And just in case you're wondering, Floyd and Zoe did fine without me. And to my credit I only texted Floyd twice the entire 13 hrs - and it was not easy!

I am not that interesting.....

2009-04-30T18:01:00.000-07:00

Hello all,
Wow a blog? This is Floyd. Ashley is the talented writer. I am just the guy who feeds Zoe and does bath time with her. Zoe loves her Mommy and cries with Daddy. How typical? I am just a bystander in this stage of raising a child. I admire my wifes' abilities. She is warm, caring and very very very good at the "mommy" stuff. I love her even more for that. Zoe loves watching the Lakers with me. She just watches the faces and tries to follow them off the TV screen. Pretty funny!! Yes, Zoe is growing very fast. I miss her little face and little hands. But I also can't wait until she can walk. I want to take her outside and teach her all about dirt and grass and bugs and the cool stuff. It will be so fun to hear her little voice saying: "What's that Dad?". Yes it may get old at sometimes but I will not miss the chance to teach her. Please feel free to offer up any other ideas us dads should know. Thanks, Floyd (dad, husband)

Fancy Nancy

2009-04-27T11:59:00.000-07:00

I love childrens' books and am so excited to now have an excuse to collect them. Naturally one of my favorite baby shower gifts was the book 'Fancy Nancy'. It's about a little girl who likes to be fancy and is just very cute. As soon as I read it, I knew a themed photo shoot would be in the future. My sister told me I don't have enough pictures on my blog, so this post is a little overdone just for her. Plus I think some of the pictures came out pretty cute, including the outakes.

Zoe wasn't happy with the wardrobe people at first...

But after some reassurance that the tutu looked 'fabulous' on her,

and she realized how great it tasted, she warmed up to the idea.

I think this expression says something to the effect of,
"Mom, get a clue already. I don't even sit up or read yet!"

"Sometimes I just like to kick up my heels and dance!" -Zoe

Thanks for the book Sister B.!

Practice vs. Principles

2009-04-23T20:04:00.000-07:00

I will admit, I have in the past been somewhat judgemental of certain parenting methods. On witnessing a method that didn't meet my approval, I would think to myself, "I'll never be one of Those parents." (I can see you there, rolling your eyes, your amused smile at my naivety). I've always thought it was crazy all the tactics some parents use to get their babies to sleep, from the swing to the top of the dryer to driving around the block at 2am. You're the parent right? The baby sleeps in the crib and you decide when nap time starts and ends. None of this other nonsense for me and my baby. As you can see, I'd been indoctrinated by all my antepartum reading. Fast forward to the present. Zoe has now officially declared war on sleep, and fights it with a passion on all fronts. So after the third failed attempt at her morning nap, I suddenly had the urge to go shopping - at a mall 45 minutes away. 'Unfortunately' there was traffic and it took an extra 10 minutes to get there. Coincidentally (conveniently) I got an important phone call as soon as I arrived, and quickly determined I could focus better by repeatedly circling the parking lot. An hour and 15 minutes later, I had a happy daughter. In the end I don't see it as compromising my ideals, but more like flexibility in my plans for the day..... I'm sure you would agree.

*BTW, I have since repented for my judgemental ways. I started the first day I brought Zoe home from the hospital and feel a renewed sense on contrition on an almost daily basis.

Zoe, digging her heels in, ready for battle. She fought valiantly, as always, but alas succumbed to the gentle bouncing of the Mountaineer. New struts? No thank you!

Spreading the Sunshine

2009-04-21T18:35:00.000-07:00

Look who was all smiles this morning....what a difference a good nap makes, and a functioning a/c (Yay!).

P.S. Thanks everyone for commenting on my blog - I feel a little more validated in the blogging world now.

3 Months!?!

2009-04-20T23:03:00.000-07:00

I tried to prepare myself, but it all seems to be happening so fast... Zoe is 3 months old today! She decided to celebrate by boycotting all of her naps and refusing to take more than 2 ounces at a time. To cap off the celebration, she is now proceeding to cry herself to sleep. In her behalf, I should also mention that it was mid 90 degree weather and our a/c went out. Unfortunately there is no baby equivalent of an ice cold Diet Coke to make her feel better. So though it has been a rough day, the past three months have been a lot of fun. We love you Zoe!

The First

2009-04-16T14:47:00.001-07:00

So...my first post...a lot of pressure! I'm hoping to figure out this blogging thing without to much effort. So far, so good. Here is the most recent picture of us, otherwise that's it for now. Maybe next time I'll even think of something clever to post, but don't get your hopes up.

*In looking for a family picture to post, I realized Zoe is screaming in every one I have...a foreshadowing of things to come? New goal, take a family picture where we are all happy.