Tea parties, sharing secrets, giggles, trading clothes...

Dahlia's Family

2009-09-23T22:00:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that Mahala is three days shy of 6 months. She is sitting up now and wanting to crawl so bad. "E" for effort! She is till so smiley...as long as you're holding her. I think she'll be much happier when she is mobile. Like Dahlia, she is loving solid food. Her favorite, so far, is apple sauce, of course. I still seems unreal that I am a mother of two. Dahlia is saying more and more every day and she will repeat anything. Sometimes funny, sometimes not so much. At dinner, quite often, she will toast to the Razorbacks clinking our glasses together. When someone is leaving she will holler after them "See you laer allelaler! Cocidile! Soon baboon!" Hopefully within the next month she will be potty trained. Wish me luck! She loves her new room and her "big girl bed". It's her "pink". Right now, everything is hers. "My mommy! My sissy! Dahlia's snacks!" So until next time, here are a few pictures of Dahlia's family.

2009-06-18T13:19:00.001-07:00

April: ~We played outside a lot and just enjoyed being a family of four. We have been blessed with two very enjoyable girls. Mahala is sleeping through the night already and eating well. Her last Dr. Appointment she weighed 12 pounds 13 ounces and was 23 3/4 inches long. Sooooo BIG! She is such a happy baby; you just have to look at her and she'll smile. Dahlia is loving being a big sister. She want's to be with Mahala all the time and includes her in everything including putting Dahlia to bed. It's very sweet to see Dahlia loving her sissy so much.

2009-06-18T13:14:00.001-07:00

Welcome Mahala (sounds like Mikayla without the "k") Rose. She was born March 26, 2009 at 5:59pm. It was a very long day ending in an emergency C-section. I went through the whole night with contractions and by morning they stopped. So my Dr. came in and helped them start again by breaking my water and cranking the pitosin (spelling?). Then with the help of an epidural I was ready to push by 5:30. First push everything looked good. Second push Mahala's heart beat went from 140 beats to 40 and 15 minutes later she was born via C-section. It was very scary but we were both healthy and my recovery was very smooth. The day after she was born we had my friend Annie come in and take some pictures of the four of us. You can check out her website and blog at www.yourlifedocumented.com for more of her work.

2009-06-18T12:52:00.001-07:00

Sorry again for the long delay. As you can tell our lives have been very busy. Here is a quick rundown of almost everything.
October: ~We trick-or-treated with Auntie Anna and Auntie Amanda
November: ~We celebrated Thankssgiving with Grammy and Pops at their new house
December: ~Dahlia had her first trip to the ER.
~Record snowfall which made for great forts and snowmen
~We spent Christmas with Paul's family.
~My parents were able to make it to our house through the snow and
bad roads for the Selby family Christmas.
January ~We got ready for the baby coming in March
and ~Tea party at Nana's house
February:

September and October

2008-10-30T17:45:00.000-07:00

So far we have been to 2 pumpkin patches. Compared to the pumpkin patches we had in Arizona, these were 5 star quality. Dahlia's favorite part were the barns where she could look at and talk to the animals. She told them lots of stories =) She especially loved chasing the chicken.

Pumpkin patch #1

Pumpkin patch #2

August

2008-10-30T17:21:00.000-07:00

The big event in August was Dahlia's first birthday! It seems like just yesterday she was I was holding her little 6lb 13oz body for the first time. For her birth day we celebrated in the morning with a Dahlia dance-a-thon, Coldstone with raspberry sorbet with graham crackers on top and a doctors appointment in the afternoon, and cake and chicken toquitos at home in the evening. Later that week, we had a Luau. We had guests from Rwanda, Texas, Southern Oregon, and even Forest Grove =) If she had more words she would be asking for her next party already.

Dahlia playing with Dadda's CLEAN underwear

Dahlia playing with one of mommy's sirts

In August we told our family that Dahlia's going to be a big sister. We met our parents for dinner at Claim Jumper. Paul and I had painted plates with our stick figure family on it and added a big belly to my stick figure. When we got to Claim Jumper we asked them to serve our appetizers on them. It took a couple of the parents a while to figure it out (we won't name names) but once they did, oh man!!!! The next day we told everyone else with little tiles that we painted with the Lewis grandchildren in stick figures and added one to make 5. They will be keepsakes for everyone.

July

2008-10-30T16:44:00.001-07:00

July started off with a bang! It seems like the summer season is the busiest season out of the year (at least for us) and we don't even have kids in school yet. Here are a few things we did...

~ 4th of July

~ Dahlia started walking!

~ Yearly Meeting

~ A lot of park trips

~ Dahlia discovered she loved the taste of dirt (yummmmm)

~ We found out that Dahlia's going to be a big sister!

Buying food for Youth Yearly meeting.

Pigtails!

My how time flies!

2008-06-25T18:09:00.000-07:00

from this...

...to this in a few short months!

Sorry to those regulars who check this every day even though my faithfullness to update isn't consistant. Life has been a bit nuts. In the midst of it all I tried to take pictures of as many mile stones as possible. Here's just a few.

Drive-In

2008-06-25T17:59:00.000-07:00

This was my first time at the drive-in. We saw Kung Fu Panda. What part I saw was very funny. Since I was born, I have been a very light sleeper, so for me to fall asleep in daddy's arms at the drive-in with lots of noise, is just short of a miracle. I didn't even budge when they put me in my car seat and snored all the way home. Granted it was midnight, nontheless, I still fell asleep.

Auntie Amanda's graduation

2008-06-25T17:56:00.000-07:00

After graduation Auntie Amanda went to Twin Rocks to work for the summer. In August she will come to live with us (yeah) and go to PCC (woo hoo) for a year while she establishes her residency. Sorry there are not a lot of photo's. Mommy was in the nursery with me during the actual graduation, so she didn't get any pictures. But here are a few pictures of her party.

Rearranging the the cans

2008-06-25T17:37:00.000-07:00

good-bye Daf

2008-06-25T17:15:00.000-07:00

Mommy and daddy made the really really hard decsion to give Dafney back to the rescue. After she peed on our floor for the 14th time and snapped at me, enough was enough. We all miss her a lot. Daddy keeps asking mommy when they can get another dog (at least once a week) and I crawl over to her "chair" and say "dog, dog". Mommy misses her company. She doesn't miss vacuuming every other day and finding slobber balls in my mouth, however. Naturally, daddy doesn't miss the poop scooping. We miss you Daf.

A day at the zoo

2008-06-25T17:04:00.000-07:00

We took advantage of the sun shine in April and went to the zoo for "Nana whatever day". We saw bears, birds, giraff, and of course the hippo. Nana brought a picnic lunch and Anna, Arik, Joel, and Shauna joined us. After spending the day with all the animals in the sun, I was ready for a nap and slept all the way home.

coffee break

2008-06-25T17:00:00.000-07:00

Mommy and I met Nana and Papa at Starbucks for a coffee break/return the nebulizer. It was fun playing with them. They always get me giggling. I was sooooo sad when we had to leave, I cried all the way home.

Toys, Toys, and more Toys!

2008-06-25T13:57:00.000-07:00

In these pictures I played with my toys standing up for about 5 minutes or so and then my legs got tired so I sat down on what ever was behind me. This time it was my train. I love having the freedom to be able to stand if I want or sit if I get too tired. I have so many toys I will usually play for about an hour all by my self and then another 1/2 hour with mommy or daddy. I love it when daddy comes home from work because we've made it a tradition to sit on the floor with and play until dinner. As soon as he comes through the door, I bolt for my toys and he meets me over there.

Spring Break with Pops

2008-06-21T18:25:00.000-07:00

Mommy and I got to go to Newport with Pops for Spring Break. Each day we did something different. We went to a lighthouse one day, the beach another day, and Mo's the last day. We stayed in a condo that was just a few yards from the beach. The view was gorgious, but boy was it windy. Accept for me waking up every 30 minutes at night, it was a pretty fun vacation.

Sicko

2008-06-21T17:47:00.000-07:00

In March I came down with Pnemonia. My chest and back were rattling, so the doctor told mommy to put this tube in my face and blow this nasty medcine at me. The medicine makes me hyper so mommy put me in the highchair to keep me in one spot for the 15 minutes it would take. I liked this game for the first 5 minutes, but after that I was ready to be done, and I let her know. At night I would sleep in my very own fort so I could breath. A couple of nights mommy just held me in the recliner all night because it was too hard for me to breath laying down in my fort. I am all better now, but now the Dr. is treating me for asthma. I only have to play the breathing game when I'm weezing, which is getting less and less each week.

How embarrassing!

2008-03-24T19:03:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the long break between February and March.

Happy Resurection Day!

2008-03-24T18:58:00.000-07:00

For Easter we went Nana and Papa's house along with about 10 other people. We (meaning mommy and then I got the next day) ate ham, turkey, twice baked potatoes, deviled eggs, fruit salad, and a peeps cake that looked like a sunflower. After everyone stuffed themselves, we went on an Easter egg hunt, played games, and played with the doggies. It was a very full day ending around 11:00pm!

Great-Grandma Rachel

2008-03-24T18:41:00.000-07:00

Waking with Grammy

Playing with Ella Rose

Pops got the rare privelage of rocking me to sleep!

Sandra too! I was a little tired.

Unfortunately, Great-Grandma Rachel passed away 2 weeks ago today at the age of 82. She had had a stroke that should have killed her instantly, but lived three days afterward. She was able to have most of her family by her side and all six daughters. It was a blessing to be able to say good-bye. The only time I got to meet her was at the end, I told her that I loved her the best I knew how and would see her again someday. There were some long days in the hospital but I was a "perfect angel" (so they say). Everyone took turns rocking me, walking me, and playing with me. I even got to meet a lot of family I didn't even know existed (and have probably forgotten by now).

Take me out to the ball game...

2008-03-24T18:37:00.000-07:00

Full moon

2008-03-24T18:35:00.000-07:00

Don't you just want to pinch them?

Spoiled but not rotten

2008-03-24T18:34:00.001-07:00

Things I like to do...

2008-03-24T18:20:00.000-07:00

There are so many things I like to do, these are only a few. I love to play with Dafney. Although, I love her soooooo much, she doesn't quite return the love yet. Maybe when I'm bigger and do more than just pull her hair slobber all over her. Another thing I love to do is play video games with daddy. It's our bonding time! Believe it or not, I made that pile of mess myself. Mommy was making deviled eggs in the kitchen and didn't want any help, for some reason. So she put me in front of the toy baskets and I helped my self. I sat there for an hour and half playing. I had hardly noticed that mommy had come to play with me or that I had made a mess in pants as well!

A trip to Texas!

2008-03-24T18:03:00.000-07:00

In February we (mommy and I) got to go see Uncle Scott, Auntie Brandie, Natalie, Lily, Sophie (their dog), and Sarah (their exchange student from Korea). We didn't do much, but it was a great vacation. We got to go to the park, The Salt Lick (the best BBQ I've ever had), Downtown Austin, and JC Penny's to get our picture taken. Uncle Scott and Auntie Brandie have the best yard and the weather was perfect so we played outside a lot too. My Aunt Lucretia and Uncle Terry got to see me too. They drove a whole 45 minutes so they could be the first on that side of the family to see me. Oh! and take mommy and I out to lunch at Red Robin where I met (and flirted with) 2 really cute boys! Sadly, our trip had to end, but we'll be back!

2008-03-24T14:59:00.000-07:00

The beach was so much fun! It was like one big sand box. I was a good girl and didn't put the sand in my mouth, so amazing! Grammy flew down to stay one night with me, mommy, daddy. Then she took me home so mommy and daddy could have a night of their own. Thanks Grammy!

Splish! Splash!

2008-03-05T19:11:00.000-08:00

I could be entertained for hours in the bathtub! The first time I splashed the water with my hands I soaked my face. When the water had been wiped away I looked around to see who had done that to me. But it was so fun, I did it again and again and again and again... Have I mentioned I really like taking baths!

2008-03-05T19:05:00.000-08:00

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for this food that is going to fill my belly, and help me not be a cranky girl, and help me grow sooooo BIG! AMEN

Frosty the Dahlia

2008-03-05T18:54:00.001-08:00

And they say it never snows in Oregon. At least in the valley. Our house isn't even on Mt. Hood and we were able to make a snow man. Mommy put her scarf on and hat on it and then "borrowed" some of the neighbors bark for the eyes, nose, mouth, and buttons.

Hawaii Part 2

2008-01-15T23:06:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures of things we did while on the Pride of Aloha. We mostly got to stay in our room except for when we ate and the few times we got off the boat to play. I couldn't make up my mind whether to sleep or stay awake, which made me pretty cranky (or so they say ;). On top of not being able to sleep, we found out I get motion sick, so being on the boat was sickning to say the least. Oh! and I was teething! However, as you can see, we did have a little bit of fun. It's Hawaii! How could you not?!

Hawaii part 1

2008-01-15T21:13:00.000-08:00

These pictures are from the three days we were in Honolulu before boarding the Pride of Aloha. The first day we got up at 5:00am for a 6:30 pick up for Pearl Harbor. This day was very educational. We went on a tour of Honolulu/Wakiki after visting Pearl Harbor. The next most of the family went to the Polonisian Cultural Center for the day. We met up with them later in the day so I could nap. We went to the Luau and then sat outside in the rain duing the presentation of the islands because it was too loud for me. The next day we mommy went swimming with the dolphins while daddy took care of me and packed our suitcases (again) to board our cruise that day. After we got on the boat, we all took naps. These three days were packed but very fun too. They set the pace for the next 10 days! Mommy and daddy weren't quite prepared for the surprises a baby brings to a vacation. They knew it wouldn't be the same, but they didn't know it would be so exhausting.

Rollin' Over

2008-01-15T20:06:00.000-08:00

They say I'm very advanced for my age. I just do what's fun! I started rolling over both front to back and back to front the day before I was 4 months old. I rolled back to front first. But I don't like being on my tummy, so I learned to roll front to back very quickly.

Christmas Eve

2008-01-15T19:39:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve was a lot of fun. We went to my great-grandparents and had dinner danced with the juke box, played checkers, and then opened presents. I got my very first pair of Christmas PJ's. Aren't they so cute?

The good stuff!

2008-01-15T17:08:00.000-08:00

When the Doctor said I would like food, that was an understatement. I LOVE SOLID FOOD! My diet now constists of baby rice cereal, peas, squash, yams, bananas, and carrots. Grammy keeps trying to expand my palate with things like cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes and I don't object. I really like lemons and limes. You couldn't tell by my face, but I can't get enough!

2007-12-11T09:50:00.000-08:00

Does this remind you of anyone Nana? For those of you who have not seen Nana's baby book, there is a picture of her sleeping with her legs hanging out of the crib. I guess it runs in the family =)

My first snow!

2007-12-11T08:32:00.000-08:00

So it snowed at my house and my mom thought it would be fun to play in it. We obviously don't think alike!

Waiting for Papa Santa

2007-12-11T08:26:00.000-08:00

The day after Thanksgiving we went to Bridgeport Village to watch Santa fly in from the North Pole. We tried to stay warm by cuddling up and taking pictures. It was still freezing! As you can tell, I am not amused.

Ready for Christmas!

2007-12-11T08:21:00.000-08:00

A day at the park

2007-11-16T18:33:00.000-08:00

Even though it was pouring down rain, we were true Oregonians and went to the park anyway. I slept in the stroller while mommy, Auntie Beth, and Jasmine played in the rain. And they say babies don't have any common sense!

Trick-or-Treat?

2007-11-16T18:30:00.000-08:00

I got to go trick-or-treating this year. I dressed up as a pink poodle and mommy and daddy dressed up as soccer parents. We only went to a few houses because it was so cold, but we got a whole bucket full of candy. Mommy and daddy (mostly mommy) had it all gone by the end of the week!

Telling Stories

2007-11-16T17:36:00.000-08:00

The Walmart Shuffle!

2007-10-22T00:39:00.000-07:00

Joe Cool!

2007-10-22T00:11:00.000-07:00

I'm just pretending it's warm outside, because really, it's freezing! Nana got me these stylin' shades. I think that they're a big hit. Thanks Nana!

My first of many trips to Idaho

2007-10-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

We never stopped going! After getting to bed at 1:00 on Saturday morning we got up and traveled 200 miles (round trip) to go see Gramps and Auntie Amanda's Volleyball tournament. Then the next day we had a baby shower and took naps. Tuesday and Thrusday we traveled to Timbucktoo and Themiddleofnowhere to watch Gramps and Anuntie Amanda Volleyball, which they won both of because my Gramps is the best coach ever and my Auntie Amanda is the best co-captain ever! The rest of the week was filled with coffee and lunch dates and shopping. I'm a very popular girl you know. Friday was a very sad day. As you can see from my picture I am very upset about leaving. The plane ride was very fun. I ate and slept the whole way. I think I was the most comfortable person on the whole plane sprawled out accross mommy's lap.

Turn up the volume for this one...

2007-10-21T23:48:00.001-07:00

Here are some of my close ups. What do you think, do I have a career?

Women's Retreat at Twin Rocks

2007-10-21T22:33:00.000-07:00

Women's retreat was a blast! Our cabin was the most fun. We sewed buttons on each other's clothes, sewed sheets together and then the pillows to the sheets. We even sewed someone's underpants shut =) There was only one rough spot when I got constipated for the first time. Let me tell you, that doesn't feel very good. Thankfully, Gwen knew what to do! Now I'm all better and everything works great! The highlight of the weekend was turning 2 months old. I'm such a big girl now.

You're getting veeery sleepy...

2007-09-26T14:04:00.000-07:00

If I'm not hungry or have a full diaper and mommy needs to get something done then I get to sit in this really cool seat that moves back and foreth. I love to watch the little white things (I think they're called bears) above me; it makes me very sleepy.

2007-09-26T13:56:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, mommy, daddy, Uncle Bryan, and I went out to eat after church. I ate lunch while mommy ate lunch, but I thought I needed more. But at my last doctors appointment, she told mommy not to feed me as much because I keep giving back what I ate. So help kick my cravings, Uncle Bryan gave me my binkey and some lovin' and the world didn't seem like it was going to end any more. Gotta love the Uncle!

2007-09-26T13:50:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of me and my cousin Emily. We went to Auntie Anna's fundraising auction for Mexico and Emily wanted to really hold me. She would follow me around the room and hold out her arms until who ever was holding me would share.

You are my Sunshine...

2007-09-26T13:39:00.000-07:00

Once a week mommy and I go to visit Great-Grandma Winona and Great-Grandpa Jim at their new studio apartment at Chehalem Springs in Newberg. We usually have lunch with them first and then go back to their apartment to cuddle, sing, and nap on Great-Grandma.

A day at the Zoo!

2007-09-26T13:38:00.001-07:00

A bit of a size difference!

2007-09-26T13:30:00.001-07:00

Soooeee!

2007-09-26T13:23:00.000-07:00

Look Who's talkin'

2007-09-24T14:43:00.000-07:00

Sooo BIG!

2007-09-17T23:30:00.000-07:00

I went to the doctor last Friday and weighed in at 9 pounds 5 ounces, and 22 1/2 inches long. Have I mentioned I really like to eat? I am growing so big, I have leg and arm rolls and a bigger double chin. Mommy never thought this would happen, but I have grown out of some of my newborn clothes and am in 0-3 months now. Such a big girl.

Meetin' the Greats!

2007-09-17T22:45:00.000-07:00

Both great-grandpa Jim and I have been looking forward to this meeting for 6 weeks now! I could hardly sleep the night before knowing I got to meet him the next day. I love it when he sings "You are my Sunshine" to me!

Great-grandma Winona has also been looking forward to this meeting. The first time I met great-grandma Winona, she just wanted to hold and cuddle me. In fact she had to tell great-grandpa Jim to share. He didn't want to, but in the end, she won.

Family Camp

2007-09-12T23:23:00.000-07:00

Family camp was a lot of fun! I got to sleep, eat, poop, and eat some more. Mommy and Daddy had fun playing volleyball, catching up with old friends, and spending quality time with family. The best part was being there for the first time as family. Mommy and daddy haven't been to family camp for many moons and were very excited to be there again.

I hit a big mile stone at family camp...I turned 4 weeks on Saturday. I can't believe it's already been a whole month. Time flys when you have the best parents ever!

There were so many people that loved me at family camp, and they all wanted to hold me; I kind of got confused after a while who was who. I'm starting be more awake during the day, so a lot of people got to enjoy my beautiful eyes and wonderful personality.

"Oh yea! I know you, you're my Nana! Look how big my cheeks are getting. Aren't you so proud of me? I even have a real double chin!"

Flirting already!

2007-09-12T23:04:00.000-07:00

This is my friend Espen. We like to play at our daddy's basketball games on Tuesday nights! I'm sure some day our parents will try to embarrass us with this picture and many more.

A new purple hat!

2007-08-27T17:00:00.000-07:00

When we went to Uncle Glen's birthday party it was a warm August day. A couple hours later, it felt like October and mommy forgot my hat. So, she got creative and used a pair of my pants as a hat to block the wind and cold. They fit better on my head then they do on my waist. Infact they were almost too little for my head! YIKES!

ZZZZZZ...

2007-08-27T16:57:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it takes a while for me to fall asleep at night. So mommy rocks me and walks with me, and rocks me, and walks with me...

My 1st purple hippo band-aid

2007-08-27T16:50:00.000-07:00

I'm already taking after my mommy. At 7 days old I took my first unplanned trip to see Dr. Booth. A couple of days earlier, Grammy saw what she thought was my first mole. Just to be sure she tried to wash it off. It didn't come off so she left it alone. A couple of days later we were out to lunch and mommy was looking at my neck and saw legs and a shinny back on my "mole". One phone call to Dr. Booth and a pair of scissors later they pulled a burrowed tic out of my neck. Boy was he mad! I did great, it didn't even phase me =) Dafney wasn't as lucky as me. Daddy found 18 live ones one her and countless dead ones. You would think we lived on a farm in the midwest!

Pretty in Pink

2007-08-27T16:48:00.000-07:00

All dressed up for my first Sunday at Church. Auntie Beth did a good job picking out my new Sunday dress.

Visitors!

2007-08-27T16:40:00.000-07:00

My cousin Jasmine loves me so much. She never wants to share me with her mom, or anyone else for that matter!

Visiting with my Antie France and Uncle Fo! They came all the way from Montana just to hold and cuddle me. They're the best ever!!!

Visiting with Auntie Darbi and Uncle Phil. Uncle Phil only got to hold me after I had pooped. Girl's are not very fair when it comes to sharing =)

2007-08-27T16:28:00.000-07:00

Taking a nap with dad. We've both had an exhausting couple of weeks. I love to cuddle!

2007-08-13T14:44:00.000-07:00

My first bath at home!

It was a little bit chilly!

But now I'm squeaky clean and toasty warm!

2007-08-13T14:13:00.000-07:00

Getting ready to go home in my new dress!

Daddy putting me in the car seat!

...and I'm still sleeping!

2007-08-09T23:10:00.000-07:00

I love this whole sleeping thing!

One of my favorite places to be, in my mommy's arms!

2007-08-09T23:05:00.001-07:00

My parents love me soooooo much! I'm so lucky =)

Daddy dressing me after a BIG poop!

Now that I'm dressed and wide-eyed, I need someone to hold me, and cuddle me, and oodle over me! I think that there are a few people here at the hospital that might be willing to do that!

"Hmmmm, I think I like my cousin Natatlie holding me!"

Sleeping Beauty!

2007-08-09T22:57:00.000-07:00

"Hey everyone, just to let you know, I'm born now and being a very good girl for mom and dad!"

I am a really good sleeper. I am already sleeping 6 hours through the night. I feed at 10:00pm and then not again until 4:00 am. I figured my mom and dad need the sleep and so do I.

When I'm awake I LOVE to look around at everything. This new place I'm in is sure interesting.

Look how BIG my feet are! I have fingers to match.