Sofia's first wedding

She was a guest, it wasn't actually her wedding.

Our friends Sara and Brad were tying the knot at Bridal Veil lake in the gorge. The day was an unseasonably hot (102 in Portland) June day, but the site had a little elevation and lots of shade.


Sofia's view. She was quiet the whole time.
The happy couple.
Sofia put on her finest summer dress for the occasion.
Her little ballet slipper shoes.

Her shoes were a big hit. Several people have pictures of the shoes. Thanks to the neighbor, Colleen for these very cute additions to her wardrobe.

Sofia was very well behaved. She spent the first part of the night in her seat in the stroller, and after dinner, being carried by Mom and passed among friends, most of whom were meeting her for the first time. Toward the end of our night, she was getting a little fussy because she was HUNGRY. She also didn't sleep during the entire event, and hadn't slept most of the afternoon. (She's catching up today by sleeping through her meals again!) If she hadn't been hungry, she would still have been content.

It was so good to see so many friends whom we don't see very often. Unfortunately, we had to leave before the real party started. At least we were there for the tables being pushed together at dinner, the bourbon being passed around, and Steve was witness to the catering cart down the hill shenanigans-the aftermath of which is captured here:




Knowing this crowd, I'm sure the drunken frivolity carried on until the site kicked them out.
We had to miss all that, but several conversations lead us to believe we will soon be joined by more friends having babies, and fewer of these escapades in our future. I hope that doesn't mean we're grown-ups now.

Can it be true?

Seven weeks. Hard to believe. It seems so quick, despite the fact that some days seem to be a whole week long.
We have kind of hit our stride, as people said we would around 6 weeks. I was definitely skeptical, and the thought of Steve being out of town was vaguely terrifying. It turned out to be the best thing for us. Sofia and I got into a routine of sorts, and it felt good to be able to handle raising the baby and sort of managing the house solo. It also got me jump started back into the routine of walking the dog twice a day-which is very nice and good for me. (Especially after trying on some clothes from pre-pregnancy. yikes-not recommended to anyone 7 weeks after giving birth)
But, just when we got a sort of routine, and getting something resembling sleep, Sofia changed the rules of the game. So, starting tomorrow instead of staying in bed until the 9:30 feeding, we'll be up after the 6:30 feeding. Unless she wants to sleep instead of fidget, in which case we'll go back to bed.

But, as proof this won't last forever, she's started being able to hold her head up for long periods of time!




(the view from Daddy's angle)

And, she's starting to outgrow the cloth diapers that my mom made. Including this gem. She embroidered a Patriots logo on the outside, but Steve was wary of a diaper that could contain poop being combined with a Patriots logo.






So, she embroidered this on the inside




Today, we were able to say Sofia pissed on the Colts.

Family-part 3

This visit brought us Aunt Sharon, Uncle Denis and cousin Sam. It was great to have another fairly recent new Mom to get advice from and share notes with.
However, the challenges of trying to coordinate the schedules of an 18 month old and almost 6 week old who eats most of the day made it difficult to find times together. We finally mostly figured something out the last day.
Highlights included: 2 dinners at children friendly and down the street Laurelwood, a nice walk to the playground at Normandale followed by a dinner on the deck, a visit to the Children's Museum (for Sam while Sofia ate), and a walk through the very in bloom rose garden at Washington Park.
It's amazing what a difference 18 months is at this age. It will be interesting to see how that difference isn't that much as they get older. We can't wait to see them again-hopefully at Thanksgiving!

Sam meeting Sofia. When he first met her, he gently laid his head down on her.
Sharon reliving those not so distant past feeding days.
Sofia sacked out. Sharon is quite comforting.
Sofia clearly impressed by the roses at the Rose Garden.

Baby's First Snow-in June!

It's been a cool, wet spring, which I am thankful for honestly. Trying to get through the day in sweltering, sticky heat would not be much fun.
However, this is a little much.
I had to be in Sun River in Central Oregon for a 2 day work retreat, so I hauled the clan with me so I could go. Granted, central Oregon is high desert, but this was June 10! I woke up for the 6:30 a.m feeding, looked outside to see snow flurries. Cool! It kept up for a while even. Not sticking, but pretty to look at. I figured Sofia would be much older before her first snow. Surprise!

Dad telling Sofia it's snowing.
Sofia taking it in. See the snow on Steve's shirt.
A snowflake on her cheek and eyelash.

one month

somehow, we made it this far!

family at one month
sleeping angel

bath time-never much fun

her karate outfit, complete with fist of death

Family Pt 2.

This visit brought us Steve's Dad and Stepmom; Grandma and Grandpa Korpi to Sofia (Grammie and Grampie)
Despite the cool, cloudy weather, Ellie helped out in the gardens. My plants are alive and aren't being overtaken by weeds thanks to her!

Grandpa
Grandma

Grammie and Grampie would REALLY like to pluck her out of the swing to hold her!!!! It's hard to let an adorable sleeping baby lie there!

Party girl

Two parties, 1 week. This gal's social calendar is full!
Memorial Day BBQ despite barely 60 degrees and rainy. Then, a Saturday afternoon porch margarita party-despite not having margarita weather.


Jim, Sofia and a beer!
Party dress.

Sofia in sling, Dad and Jim

Sofia and Dad in Jim and Lisa's garden.

A day in the life of Mom

Baby in her wrap

In the crib. In the 5 minutes before she freaks out and will be picked up back out of the crib!

Sofia in the sunlight.

That's all the cute pics. for this post. The rest is a vent/glimpse in the not-so-glamorous life I lead right now.

Maternity leave always seemed like such an exciting thing. 3 months of being with the new baby,

going places, having people ooh and ahhh... I had heard from enough other friends to not be silly enough to think I would finally catch up on "all those projects" or anything, but still, long walks, giggling baby, perfect! The reality is this.

6:30 a.m. Not that our day starts here. That would imply it ended somewhere. It doesn't. It's a round the clock party up in here!
Haul my bones out of bed. Grab the bottle to warm up her supplement. Feed on one side, not bad. Burp and change sides. No go. Try every wake up trick in the book. 1.5 hours later she's eaten something, but not much. Now, I have to try to get her to take her bottle for her supplemental feeding. No go. This kid can sleep. And, she's decided she doesn't like the taste of her food either. After convincing myself she actually is trying to starve herself to death because there is something gravely wrong that we don't know about yet, I give up and lay down for 20 minutes with her before the:

9:30 feeding. Repeat above scenario only with her eating a little more and shaving 1/2 hour off so I get an almost 1 hour nap. woo-hoo!

12:30 p.m. She's awake, eats well! to make up for her breakfast anorexia. Decide I should eat too. Which cuts in to nap time, but a bowl of cereal is pretty quick. Wash all her bottles (like every feeding) and maybe get a 1 to 1.5 hour nap.

3:30 repeat above. Make some quick dinner (confession, I love you Kraft Mac and Cheese) and finish up by:

6:30 feeding. After this one, brush teeth and go to bed, Pt. 1. Steve will entertain her for the hour before I have to get up again for the:

9:30 feeding. At this one, Steve puts in a video for us to watch. Thank you Blockbuster.com. We are finally getting our monies worth on our subscription! Another (max) 1 hour nap. Thanks to Steve entertaining her.

12:30 a.m. Hunger strike again. And, Mom falls asleep waiting for baby to wake up. So now, it's 1:30 a.m. and she's barely eaten. Have Steve give her the supplemental bottle. Once again, she reacts like it's pure poison we're trying to cram down her throat. Give up around 2:30. Final diaper change and while she's on the changing table-BAM!! Who knew poop could projectile 4-5 feet?? We get that cleaned up so Mom can sleep for 45 minutes (or as much sleep as one can get with a baby nibbling next to you).

3:30 a.m. My favorite. Really. Because it's the shortest. Go pump, then feed her that. She generally doesn't even fight that bottle. By about 4:15 a.m., Mom and Baby are back asleep for the longest time all day-2+ hours!!!!!

6:30 a.m. Repeat. All day. Every day. Still jealous about maternity leave?