Thank you for babies!

November 29, 2013 (4 months)

Last weekend Sierra went with her auntie to a jewelry party and Gus and I went mountain biking together... for the first time in 14 months!! It felt great being out there again on the trail with my husband. We really want to make it out weekly together. It is really important to keep that aspect of our relationship going; getting out together in nature and being active. The beginning of the week blew by quick in anticipation for Thanksgiving. Pop Pop Mickey babysat for us during the beginning of the week, and enjoyed spending more time with Sierra. On Wednesday we headed to Grammy Annie's and Grandpa Jer-Bear's with Lyn. We all caravanned down early...ish in the morning, and stopped at Great Grandma Maribeth's.

Unfortunately Sierra developed her first "serious" cold, which progressed the whole day until the evening when we decided she needed to be seen by a doctor. Gus and I headed down to the children's hospital. We spent quite a few hours there, and were given the diagnosis of bronchiolitis. It's not that serious in adults, but in infants it can be more serious. It's a viral infection which swells the sacs in the lungs. It made me realize all of the items we forgot at the house and now how to properly pack for an extended trip.

Thanksgiving was a perfect day, with great weather and an intimate family feel. Great Grandma came up, we all prepped for the big meal throughout the morning before we had our brunch. We had a family croquet game that was very intense for all the players involved. After the nail biting finish, we finished up the prep for the big dinner. All of the food was outstanding, and we all were extremely satisfied about everything.

The holiday has been great for all of us. Gus and I were able to bike more together and the baby spent a lot of quality time with family. It really has been my favorite Thanksgiving.

A wonderful age

November 22, 2013 (4 months +)

Our little girl is older, as expected. It's amazing to watch her grow. Pushing up now with her arms. Simple, yet huge accomplishments in our minds. She smiles so much at Gus and I now; it makes us just want to eat her up. It her new favorite thing that we do! Also she attempts to talk with us throughout the day. Bath time is always enjoyable because of how much she likes the bath toys and likes to swim. She enjoys everything under the sun. I don't know what she doesn't like. Her "Pop Pop"is here and she has been able to hang with him while Gus and I are at work. We are all so happy that we can be together for Thanksgiving this year.

4 months and Growing

November 16, 2013 (4 months and a few days)

It took a whole family this week to make sure Sierra had someone to watch her. Our sitter has been in and out of the hospital with tonsillitis and complications with it; so with the help of Lyn and Anne we have been able to make it work. Sierra was happy to get to hang out with her aunt one day and Grammy one day, and they were happy to spend time with her too! Gus, the baby, and I are all still sick so each of us having a sick day this week served 2 purposes. Gus and I talk about the time warp you get into when you spend a full day with Sierra. At the end of the day you ask yourself, "What did I actually do today?" It doesn't really matter much as long as the baby is happy. The 4 month doctor's appointment went well. The doctor said she thinks Sierra is declaring herself as a long lean baby, and she is doing great with all of the typical developmental milestones.

Last weekend Gus and I prepared meals for the whole week all day on Saturday, and had our friend Jill and her baby Marion over for lunch on Sunday. It was fun catching up and watching the babies interact again.

Sierra still loves her exersaucer and listening to Dad play the guitar. We rented "Baby Mozart" (a video for babies) from the library and she totally loves it... so bizarre how much she keyed into it! Her eyes are still blue, but specs of green and brown are showing up around her pupils now. Her sleep regression is still going strong, but we think that will get better once her cold is gone all the way.

Nana, will you buy me a pony?

November 8, 2013 (17 weeks)

Yes, time continues to fly by without much warning. Sierra continues to grow and learn. Her "cranky" time of the day seems to be getting less cranky. Gus and her have been having great bonding time in the afternoons. I have been sick since Sunday; now Sierra has caught what I have and is sick with her first cold. At night I hear her coughing and sniffling on the monitor, which then turns into crying... so I haven't been sleeping much lately (since it takes me much longer to return to sleep than it does for her). Even with her waking up throughout the night and having a cold she is in pretty good spirits.

My mom really enjoyed being here and seeing her grandbaby. As it turned out we mostly stayed at home, cooked food, played with Sierra and watched movies. On Sunday we did go into Davis to meet Lyn and get frozen yogurt. Across the street the Davis Craft Fair was taking place, so we stopped in and Grandma bought Sierra a hand made doll and pony. She really enjoys chewing on both of them. It was hard to say goodbye on Monday, but we know she'll visit again soon... and hopefully set up Skype on her computer too!

Weekend with Nana

November 1, 2013 (16 weeks)

Last weekend Gus brought me to El Dorado County for "the first annual momma appreciation day." We visited Mount Aukum, Hilweg, and Stonehouse wineries. We saw a part of California that neither one of us had ever really seen before. There were so many vineyards there and it was such beautiful country side. After that we headed to the volleyball game at Sac State, to watch the girls win.

The rest of the week was low-key until my mom came to town on Halloween! Unfortunately, Sierra didn't get dressed up because of the warm temperatures that day, and by the time I got home from work she was already asleep!

My mom was is so happy to see Sierra! She loves spending time with her. We walked all around Davis and my mom loved pushing her around in the Bob. Sierra's newest entertainment has been her exersaucer.