Birthday-FAIL

my birthday present to myself. My old ones were missing large chunks of rubber on the bottom. Not great for body mechanics.

Got those shiny suckers that will obviously make me much faster. Excited to take them out for an inaugural run on my birthday. When the baby didn't wake up until 10:00 that morning, it should have been a sign. It was beautiful and supposed to get warm, so I was itching to go. Once she was up, Furry S, Little S, and I were out the door by 10:15.

When Furry S was being such a pain as we started out, that also should have been a sign. But, she couldn't go in the backyard and was defending our house all weekend from the roofers, so of course she had some extra energy. About 10 minutes in, we have to cross a VERY busy intersection. Even though we have a walk light, you still have to hurry because it's a short light and people are trying to turn. When the crazy lady was crossing the intersection the other way, that also should have been a sign. But Furry S pays good attention when I have treats. Usually. But this time, baby jogger in one hand, leash wrapped around the other, trying to feed treats and thinking about crazy lady we were walking by was too much. Furry S pulls towards crazy lady as I'm pulling the other way, tightening leash too hard around fingers. Hear a noise, keep getting my pack across the street. Think noise is bad and related to fingers. Get to other side, put finger in cold water of drinking fountain, see it's swelling, quickly pull off wedding ring, contemplate next move.

Decide if it's broken, it's not going to get any more broken, and if it's not broken I'll be really bummed I went home, so continue on an abbreviated version of my planned birthday run. As I run, decide I have too many things planned today, and it's too beautiful to waste in urgent care. Maybe tonight I'll go. Head out to an amazing sale of baby clothes, get a bag of cute winter clothes (17 items) for only $31!!

Then to an end of summer BBQ at Pete's house. Since I missed his birthday camping trip, bring some chocolate whiskey cake (delicious and easy). Enjoy friends, beer and yummy grilled goodness.

(Bridget and Jacki, marvelling how big Little S is getting)

By the time that's over, the baby is fed, it's pretty much bedtime. So, decide I'll just call the doctor in the morning and not deal with urgent care.

Of course, I wait almost 3 hours to hear from the doctor's office that there is no way they can fit me in and to go to urgent care! Long story (2 hours of fun filled waiting) short, yep, it's broken!

Note the nice diagonal crack on the lower part of ring finger, running diagonally across the whole bone. AWESOME.

So, my second birthday present to myself was this half cast, half wrap thing that I don't have any photos of yet. No idea how long it's supposed to stay on, I heard a month? And, I'll get a crash course in our new insurance plan that starts tomorrow as I figure out how to see an orthopedist in a week or two as instructed. At least I'm right handed...

I guess I won't quickly forget this birthday.

The big trip East

After finally getting out of the house, and FINALLY finding parking in the long term lot, we actually breezed through security and had lots of time before our plane left. Steve got little S to sleep in the ergo until time to board. We learned that even though it seems like it would be safer to be wearing the baby, it's forbidden to have them strapped to you during take-off and landing.

The flights to Charlotte, NC and then Boston were fairly unremarkable. She didn't really nap or eat much because she wanted to see everything!So by the last leg of our journey she got pretty inconsolable towards the end. Steve managed to spare the rest of the plane by putting her in the ergo and bouncing her to sleep. It was a long day-11 hours of traveling until we were in a house again.

We started the visit with a great brunch with her Aunt, Uncle, Cousin, Grandma & Grandpa and great Grandpa!

Cousin S was VERY pleased to see his baby cousin again

After brunch we packed up again to head to New Hampshire. We got there just in time for the rehearsal dinner and then back down to Meredith to our very adorable little inn.

The next morning was a beautiful day for a wedding. There was a regatta on Lake Winnipesaukee across from our inn

No time to stop and watch. After a delicious late breakfast, we headed back up to Wonalancet for the wedding.

Sofia was completely fascinated by the fiddler before the wedding

The bride looked beautiful in a perfect setting

The reception was so kid-friendly. There was a 3 week old and kids thru teenagers.

(This isn't the best photo of me, but in the background is Erica Hill, anchor for CNN who is a cousin of the bride. She's swinging her adorable 2 year old, but don't tell TMZ, ok?)

 

 

 

We weren't quite prepared for how cold it would be (there were freeze warnings overnight) so we had to make do with as many clothes for the baby as we had, even though they didn't match. We also wrapped her in a blanket and people were holding her the whole time. She didn't complain, although if she knew how silly she looked to keep warm, she might not have been happy with us.

(Mom will be spending the weekend at garage sales stocking up on warm weather clothes for her)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve kept her warm by the campfire, which she also loved.  Can't wait until winter here to fire ours up and entertain her (it's an enclosed gas fireplace, don't worry)

 

 

 

 

 

The next morning we drove South and visited Great-Grandma Korpi. Little S is named after Grammie's mother, and we have no idea if these two will ever meet again. She might not have known who we were, but she lit up to see the baby.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We capped off our visit by watching a certain East Coast football team not emerge victorious at the end of game. But at least we had good food to eat. That night, we discovered Little S was sick, so I'll spare you the details of the grueling 14+ hours traveling home.

It was a nice visit and a gorgeous time of year to visit. We wish we would have had more time to spend with all of our relatives, but it wasn't in the cards this trip.

Wiggle worm

Changing diapers has gotten considerably more difficult since she perfected this maneuver

Back to belly in less than 3 seconds.

Not to mention her other various wigglings. Always having something in her hands, standing (held by the hands) and wiggling, sitting in her chair and squirming, writhing her way over every square inch of her crib.

Once she's up and running, she ain't gonna stop. Momma's gonna need a lot of running shoes to keep up with this one. And I couldn't be happier.

Baby Firsts

With a new addition to your life, there are many exciting "firsts".  Most are exciting only to the parents, others are major developmental markers.

These are neither.

Baby's first airplane flight

 

Which was accompanied by baby's first cold for the 6 hour flight from Philly to Portland. And no sleep would be had by her. I apologize to everyone seated around us.

There are lots of photos and our East Coast travelogue that will be shared in future posts. I just wanted to warn all relatives East of the Mississippi to get your webcams and Skype accounts because I don't want to get on a plane with her again until she's at least 12. Or maybe 27.

Summertime fun

Now that summer's finally here...in September. 90 degree days and no clouds in sight. That's just how we roll out here. Summer is July-September, and September usually has the most fabulous weather, yet cool nights so the house can cool down. You should all be insanely jealous, but don't tell anyone, we like to keep it our little Oregon secret. Or maybe it's a reward for 9 months of winter-an absolutely sublime summer.

It was too hot to cook, so fire up the grill! Jim and Lisa joined us, and now that the birch tree has mostly stopped dropping it's little seed things everywhere, we could enjoy a fabulous night on the deck.

 

Memo

To: Little S

From: Mom

Date: September 13, 2008

Subject: Notes for your department

1. Sleep

While I appreciate that it was a Saturday, I'd like to remind you that 5:00 a.m. is not within the agreed upon hours for being awake-any day of the week. Especially since bedtime was at 9:00 p.m. The resulting 8 hours of sleep is significantly less than the 10 1/2 - 11 hours you should be getting as outlined in the baby handbook, section 7, paragraph 3. Management agrees to help by not keeping you out at parties until 8:30 p.m. no matter how cute you're being.

2. Crib

We noted how excellently you put yourself to sleep in the crib this morning for a short nap. A note has been put in your file. I'm sure those skills will come in handy in the future.

3. The Park

Two areas of note from this morning's jog through the park.

-The football players you were so interested in are much too old for you. They were at least seven! or maybe even eight! As you should remember from previous meetings, Big S has detailed that you should not expect to date prior to having attained the age of 33 years.

-The little girls playing soccer that sounded so exciting? You'll note that your department head has clearly indicated she is not a good match for the role of soccer mom. We urge you to consider all of your activity options on the list of Approved Activities. We do value activity here at the Lorpi household though, so while we have seen your concerns, we don't think you have anything to worry about.

Your butt looks adorable, just like the rest of you!

Love-

Mom

Four Months

And every day is even more amazing than the last.

Little S is starting to laugh, including one yesterday that was the laugh of a little girl, not a baby!. It was an amazing glimpse into the future.

She's started rolling a little. From her belly to her back fairly well and twice she's ended up on her belly after being placed on her back. But, of course she isn't willing to actually so her skills for the camera yet.

And, she was prepared for the start of the NFL season by showing her team pride in her Patriots diaper and with her Patriots teddy bear

 

 

She missed the game in favor of a hike with Mom and our friend T and three dogs

It's her second hike in a week!

In other four month highlights:

Little S and furry S are fast becoming friends

 

Babies are tasty!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Destruct-o baby stage has already started. I guess I didn't need that schedule after all

 

And, her 4 month birthday picture

Random Thursday Thoughts

Warning-no baby content and some possibly political comments. Read at your own risk.

 

The dog is finally remembering how to be my running partner. And learning to artfully dodge the stroller.

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Quick-name someone who likes to run, didn't look pregnant for most of her pregnancy and has a kid about 4 months old.....

Ding! Ding! Ding!!! If you said me or Sarah Palin, you would be correct. The similarities end there though.

 

While we're on the topic of Palin's-Poor Bristol. As a 17 year old, you already hate your parents. As a pregnant 17 year old, you generally are embarrassed about it being pregnant. Of course with Mommy-dearest, you couldn't "have it taken care of". And now, you can't exactly hide out and wear big clothes and hope no one notices. Because as a pregnant 17 year old, about the only thing worse than the whole school knowing you're pregnant would be, I don't know,  the WHOLE WORLD knowing you're pregnant. And, I can imagine the conversation wherein the poor guy was told he WOULD be marrying the young lady in question, and I'm guessing it involved a firm grip on some short & curly's.

And, her baby brother is either named after a part of a gun, a famous horse, or an advanced math class. (Trig. Maybe she can name her kid Calc)

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Here's where I'm famous in my own mind. A mention on Black Hockey Jesus' blog.

 

I now return you to your regularly scheduled blog about babies, sunshine and rainbows.

First Hike

A very cool (temperature-wise) Labor Day seemed like the perfect day for a family hike. Just to Forest Park, but it was still exciting to be out again.

Because the most important thing on a hike is how you look in the woods, choosing the appropriate outdoor wear was key.

What, you've never worn pink from head to toe to go on a hike?  Your outdoor gear doesn't say "100 % Princess" and your hat doesn't have little hearts on it? You must be embarrassed to go in to the woods.

 

 

The views were what we take for granted that hopefully we'll learn to appreciate through new eyes as they take in her world. 

 

It technically was more of a "carry" than a "hike" for some members of the group.

 

Which later became a "nap" more than a "hike". (About the time Mom realized that somehow the hills had gotten steeper since she last hiked them while pregnant)

 

 

Little S filled her brain with new sights, sounds, and smells

 

 

 

Hi Mom!

 

 

 

 

 

And she got a close view of the trees from Daddy's shoulder.

 

So many hikes await the Princess S and we are so excited to share the outdoors world with her.