June 2005 Archives

Just after dinner we drove over to the fairgrounds to catch the last full night of the fair. We missed AC/DShe between sets but managed to get some funnel cake and frozen strawberry lemonade and see quite a few things. The fog had already rolled back in so it was kind of a chilly summer evening.

Sophie seemed very entranced by all the sights and smells, the multi-colored flashing lights especially seemed to grab her attention. We toured the pig and cow barns, a small side stable that had lots of baby animals and a petting zoo with baby goats, a colt and a young zebra (whatever those are called). We watched the ponies walk around in a circle for a bit too, then Sophie fell asleep.

The wind started to pick up a little more after the sun finally set so we left just after her bedtime. It was a rare treat to see John twice in one weekend, thanks again for coming up! Someday we'll get to see that band perform...

Sophie has been trying to sit up unsupported for some time now but, until today, she couldn't resist the urge to throw herself backward. Today, while entertained by a box, she sat up unsopported for a good 5 minutes. This may not sound like a big deal to some of you, but to us, it means that our little girl is growing up.

Friday our globe-trotting friend Dieter stopped by on his way to Frankfurt, for what was essentially an extended 24-hour layover in San Francisco. It was a short visit but very fun, and we managed to pack in a lot of good food, good conversation and even a little Napoleon Dynamite.

We picked Sophie up early from daycare to spend some time with Uncle Chris, and she demonstrated her Bumper Jumper with newfound enthusiasm for almost an hour. She didn't want to eat before we left, but as we drove across town to meet Brandie & John at the restaurant she wanted her bottle so Chris obligingly turned around in the front seat and fed her til I managed to pull over and let him jump in the back seat with her. He was a real pro, thanks again Uncle Chris!

Dinner was excellent, and after coffee and dessert we headed back to the house to put Sophie to bed and sample the new bottle of Scotch Chris had brought. It too was great - thanks also for the New Zealand teddy bear, Chris & Joanna!

Go All Blacks!

And welcome Ryan James!

According to the proud uncle: "Ryan James Shields showed-up a little early (how un-Shields like) yesterday morning, around 7:30am. Jack declared his new roomy 'cool' - though, not as cool as if he was named Rosie. All is well with the Alaskan clan."

Sunday we went over to Denny's for Father's Day, and went out to brunch with RD, Tess, Mandee and Denny. Afterwards we hit Old Navy to get some extra pajamas for Sophie, and then hung out at Denny's while Sophie napped. We were pretty pooped from not sleeping well, but it was a nice visit with the fam (plus it was nice to meet Jack!)

That night we tried to get ice cream and watch a movie in Kelly & Ben's excellent bonus room, but after being a social dynamo all weekend Sophie finally reached a melt-down point. She threw a good long fit, and had another rough night of waking up every hour or so.

Monday we got Starbucks and Krispy Kremes (conveniently located next to each other!), did some shopping and relaxed at Kelly & Ben's again until it was time to go to the airport. Sophie caught a big nap right before we went through security, and was a blur of activity on the plane. She especially liked throwing her head over backwards to look at people upside down, and trying to grab the hair of the man seated in front of me. Again, she made it almost til bedtime before melting down - in the car on the way home from the airport.

Thanks Kelly & Ben for having us, and Happy Father's Day!

Saturday morning we relaxed in Kelly & Ben's awesome new house, ran some errands and then went to the reception. It was a lot of fun and in a great setting, with a slideshow of Jenn & Kelly's wedding photos playing in the theater. The food and company were also excellent. It was great to see Dean & Kathy again and we even managed to talk with the bride & groom a bit - a rarity at wedding receptions, for sure!

Sophie got to watch some kids swim in the pool and run around in the gymnasium, which she seemed very interested in. They were also interested in meeting her, and crowded around the stroller when we came in.

After the reception Cathy offered to babysit while we went out with Ben & Kelly, but we were too tired to accept. It turned out to be a good call, as Sophie had a rough time sleeping and woke up a lot.

Thanks to Jenn & Kelly for hosting such a nice reception, and congratulations again!

And welcome Kane! It sounds like he had quite a harrowing experience coming into the world, we're glad everyone's healthy and happy.

According to Mike he was 7.12 lbs, 20.5 inches long. Way to go, guys!

Friday afternoon we left work early, picked Sophie up from daycare and headed to the airport for our first family flight experience. Jenn & Kelly were having their wedding reception in Boise on Saturday, and we weren't about to miss it!

We got to the airport without a hassle, and checked our one suitcase. We were both anxious about under- (not having the right stuff in a critical moment) and over- (having so many bags that we can't manage the squirming infant) packing, and had pared things down to what seemed just right: we still had the stroller, car seat, pump, diaper bag, soft cooler and blanket to deal with in the airport and on the plane.

We took off around Sophie's usual bedtime and the white noise lulled her to sleep pretty quickly. She ate from her bottle as we took off and had her pacifier in for the landing, which seemed to work well for the ear-pressure adjustment. She slept through the car rental and all the way to Kelly & Ben's, then kept right on sleeping after we put her in the Pack'N'Play.

Nothing to say really, we just love this pic.

Each day I wake up hoping to strike the perfect balance between being a mom, a wife, a game producer and a friend. Each night I fall asleep feeling as if I haven't spent enough time with my baby, I didn't have time to do all I wanted at work, I've blown my husbands feelings off because I just don't have time for them, and I kick myself for forgetting yet another friends birthday/important doctors appointment/child�s' birthday. While this type of day happens more often than I'd like, there are days where I feel as if I have excelled in one of these areas.

To be honest, I never thought I would want to continue working after having a baby. I always dreamed of being a stay at home mom, taking my baby to the park and making dinners for my hard working husband. There is something very satisfying to me about providing on the home front level. Making nice meals, educating your child and cleaning the house all make you feel as if you have created a safe, solid foundation for your family.

I went back to work full time just to try it out and found that I really enjoy having another area in my life to focus and make accomplishments. However, lately, I have been feeling like I am stretching myself too thin. I haven't been working the 7 day weeks that my coworkers have, but I wouldn't want to. I don't want to sacrifice the time I have with Sophia to be at work, but I don't want to be left out at work because I don't do what the rest of the team does.

Maybe all I can do is keep trying every day to be the best I can in all my roles without killing myself with guilt. I just want to be the wonderful mom I thought I'd be but I didn't plan on juggling all of these other things. Those were just supposed to work them selves out by the time I was "grown up". :)

Just after we posted about our swaddling and sleeping through the night concerns, Sophie changed again seemingly overnight (surprise!) She still wakes herself up coughing (see Pink Eye: Part Deux!), but now she manages to go back to sleep without help and doesn't even need the swaddle anymore. Phew!

Her bedtime is still between 8:30-9:30, but lately she's been sleeping through until 5 or sometimes even 7:30 on the days we're really, really lucky. For the record, I don't think we'll ever win the lottery either..?

The biggest news though is in the food department, as Sophie's now been introduced to both sweet potatoes and carrots (tomorrow: peas!), and eats one or both twice a day. She's quite a pro at eating, and makes short work of her meals.

Teething is also now definitely underway, we recently had to buy some Oragel to help with her sore gums (and shrieks of pain, poor kiddo!) It still doesn't stop her from being a generally happy kid though, as evidenced by the picture above - thanks again Jimmy for sending her the toy!

To celebrate Sophie's six-month birthday we dusted off our rusting entertaining abilities and hosted our first barbecue of the summer down at the neighborhood picnic space. We've never used it for anything other than walking the dog or ourselves before, but after yesterday we're planning to make it a habit.

It's a great setting right by the river, with a view of the mountains and lots of space for the families and dogs to run around. Sophie's not old enough to use the playset, but someday we'll take advantage of that too.

Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate Sophie's six-month birthday and tried out spiedies for the first time!

Lately we've been taking evening walks around the neighborhood that tire Sophie out enough to get her to bed without a crying fit. A late trip to the grocery store prevented us from going out last night, so we made up for it this morning with a nice walk in the park.

Eula really enjoys the extra time outside as well, and has been doing better and better around strangers outside. Newcomers to the house are still met with suspicion, but it takes her much less time to warm up to new people.

Yesterday Sophie's other eye started weeping at daycare, and by morning had crusted over with early pink eye warnings. Luckily we still had drops leftover from last week's round, so we started up the treatment again and caught it earlier this time.

We're obviously all hoping this'll be the end of it, fortunately neither Brandie nor I have managed to pick it up. We're washing her eyes as well as both her and our hands before applying the drops, which we did last time too, so as far as we know we're covering ourselves against repeat infections. It may still be circulating the daycare though.

Sophie's congestion and cough also continues, but that could be related to teething according to the folks at the daycare.