I have come to recognize that this blog no longer has much of a following, which is totally okay - not that it ever did, so a 2 week hiatus didn't really phase much of anyone (except myself). But I'm back! Deciding to post once a month is more reasonable now (on the 12th perhaps).
The week before vacation consisted of a few visits down to feed the horses before work and staying around the house before work mostly. Sierra has now associated the clicking noise I make with my tongue with the horses as their official name, she even makes the noise when she sees them now.
On Friday night my friend Liz and Crystal came to town. We were all going to head up to the bachelorette party I had been planning together! Saturday morning Crystal had her bridal henna done at my house while I prepped all of the final items for the party and the wedding trip. Gus headed out early with Sierra to go to the rental house in Tahoe City with his mom, sis, and Jer Bear.
The condo I reserved for the party was perfect, it was right on the water and all 7 of us ladies had a great time spending time together over the weekend. We rented kayaks and paddle boards, did yoga, made meals, played card games and enjoyed each others company.
Gus and I used this time to jump start weaning Sierra, since I wouldn't be with her for the weekend. Apparently the whole weekend was great with Sierra seemingly unfazed. When I saw her again on Monday my heart melted and we were inseparable from that point out... a little too inseparable. Lucky for us, Crystal's brother and sister-in-law were there with their two kids, who Sierra took to right away so it gave us both time to help with the set up for the wedding.
I also breast fed her that night. She also woke up after only 4 hours of sleep. She was up for most of the evening. We associated it with separation anxiety, but we really had no idea.
Sierra slept during the Christian ceremony of wedding number 1, which actually worked out quite well for us actually watching it. Although she was the flower girl, the ceremony location changed and so she really had no role to perform anymore anyhow. The Sikh Indian ceremony was very nice as well, and Sierra was actually able to watch a good deal of it before we had to move her out of the room.
After we left on Wednesday morning from the wedding, we headed to the rental house in Tahoe City for the rest of our vacation week. We enjoyed our time hanging out with family there, and we even were able to spend some time with Liz and Andrew before they flew back to the east coast.
It was hard not to stare at the amazing houses in the area as we went for a walk in the neighborhood.
Sierra and I were cracking up on the walk, she couldn't stop playing with my hair while she was in the carrier.
The view from the top of the hill was pretty epic.
Who liked the bubbles more??
The adults or...
the baby?
Sierra put on quite the show for Andrew and Liz when they got there. We had never seen such a performance from her before!
The rental gave us access to the private beach.
Sierra has her own sense of independence.
Beautiful trees.
Lovely manzinitas.
Gorgeous lake view.
Sierra and I got out on a hike while Gus mountain biked (we did get to ride together once).
Halfway through I had to let her out of the pack to explore her surroundings.
Which she is always willing to do.
It's always hard coming off a vacation, but this is what we were looking forward to all summer long. It really served us all well. Spending time with close friends and family, and being in an amazing area that we love to recreate in. Sierra was happy to see our daycare provider and her 4 year old again this week, which made us both happy to see (even though it's hard to let her go). Also a big transition, weaning is officially a success. With all of the work Gus did putting her to sleep and down for naps the past week, I was able to do it on both Monday and tonight without resistance from her. It is strange giving up our quite time, but I also know in my heart that it is time. It's the acceptance that your baby is no longer a baby anymore.
