Four Months Old, Fun at the Fair!

Sienna is now four months (and four days) old!! It really is incredible how much she changes and grows, I can't say that enough these days! She now wears size 2 diapers, and wears mostly 3-6 months. However, she is now wearing 6 months, and 6-9 months in some stuff like footie jammies and some onesies due to her length! According to our measurements, she is 16 pounds and 27 1/2 inches long! We have a doctors appointment in a couple weeks so stay tuned for official numbers.

Here she is on Lolly's produce scale for the weigh-in, she was thrilled!


She also has grown vocally. Some sounds that come out of her are pretty darn cute and hilarious! Our favorites are the underwater gurgle, rolling rrrrrr, high pitch screech of excitement, and the deep belly laugh! She is quite the talker and loves being engaged in a "conversation" with anyone!

This last week especially she has really started to show affection which completely melts my heart. She is my little cuddle bug! And she reaches out to us now, when Daddy is holding her she will reach her arms and body out to me. When we hold her, she will look at us intently and reach our face and grab, you can tell she is trying to be gentle and lovey (keyword trying). Usually its your nose, cheek or lips she gets a hold of.

And she continues to become stronger physically and better at moving around. We can't leave her for long, she will roll over and over until she is in the middle of the room (or wedged up against the couch). She also can sit up for a few seconds if she leans on her arms out in front as support. And she "explores" her crib nightly! Bedtime has been much easier, I think me going back to work threw her off a bit, but we are back in the routine and she usually puts herself to sleep pretty easily.

Other news- She has continued eating rice cereal once a day in the evening and seems to like it most days. She LOVES the pool, kicks her legs, and tries to go face first into the water (and it barely phases her). She is also more of a fan of her jumperoo these days, her feet reach the floor much better and she kinda has the bouncing thing down. She is just all around a joy, I can't get enough of her!!!



Last Friday we went to the Mid State Fair. We had a fun time! The weather was perfect (its usually WAY to hot) and it was the right time to go- early evening, before it gets too crowded for the concerts. We walked around, ate corndogs, watched the 4H dog show and got our pictures taken in a photo booth. Most animals weren't there yet. Sienna enjoyed strolling around, napping, and watching the dogs.

One year ago today...

Was the day we found out I was pregnant! Wow, how much can happen and change in one year's time! It was a Monday and I had decided at work to buy a test on my way home. All day I was wondering "could this really be?" I was so anxious to just get home and find out. My sister assured me that yes, we are fertile, and I just had the feeling that I was indeed pregnant. I rushed home, took the test (in a hurry, we were meeting our realtor to look at a house). Almost immediately it showed two lines! We were going to be parents! I can't describe that feeling! Russell and I looked at each other, hugged each other so tight, what an incredible moment to share with my love. Then we were out the door. My thoughts were racing, already planning out the next steps. We saw the house, really liked it, decided that night it was meant to be, and put in an offer the very next morning, and the next day it was accepted. What a week! I will never forget the feeling of seeing that plastic stick indicate our lives will be forever changed as we began the rewarding and love-filled journey of parenthood.

Sienna's first camping trip and first food!

We did it! Had a great time at Lake San Antonio this weekend!! This is an annual event for Uncle Tommy's birthday. It's always a fun time with lots of family, yummy food, beer, and usually most of the day is spent in the lake (floaties, jetskis, boats). This year was a huge turnout, about 50 people!

We got there Saturday around noon and it was already HOT! Most people were down at the lake so we walked down, didn't stay too long because of the heat. It was well over 100 degrees, so Sienna and I spent most of the day in the air conditioned trailer! The campsite was complete with a pool! It was very nice once it cooled down, lots of fun with all the family and a big BBQ of course. Sienna had fun with everyone and meeting some new people. We all slept in our tent, Russell and I on our camping pads, Sienna in her pack 'n play. Next year will be even more fun with a bigger Sienna running around!

Last night Sienna had her first feeding of solid food! We figured she was ready since she her appetite has been growing and its been harder to keep up! I mixed rice cereal with breast milk, got her in her highchair with a bib and she was very excited! She did really well! Of course made a bit of a mess, but I think she managed to swallow a decent amount. We fed her some more today when I got home from work, and she was so happy to get in the chair and seemed to eat quite a bit! we will keep feeding the rice cereal once a day. And then I will start a new venture- making baby food!

TGIF!!!

Now feeling back in the swing of things with work, I remember how fabulous fridays feel! Getting up wasn't as hard (well I did still snooze a couple times) and saying goodbye to Sienna wasn't as hard knowing I get the next 2 days with her! The time I am NOT at work is that much more meaningful now! Its been hard adjusting and trying to fit everything in a few very short hours at night, but I am doing ok. Russell has a good day routine with her: feedings, naps, lots of playtime. And she was a daddy's girl from the beginning!! Pumping is fine at work, not the highlight of my day, but I am more than willing to keep it up as long as I can. Having my ipod and magazines helps, I do need to get out of that lab at some point! So yes, I survived my 2nd week and it was much easier than the first.

Speaking of work, I am gearing up for harvest! Not really looking forward to working 7 days a week for a couple months straight (how hard will that be with the little one!), but that's my job! So I have ads for seasonal help out this weekend, and with the job market being so crappy I don't think I will have a hard time hiring some decent people.

Sienna is a mover! She rolls all over her crib now, prefers being on her stomach to look around. When she is on a blanket on the ground, she moves all over and is fast! Russell will glance down and she will be completely in a different spot. Its pretty crazy! I will try to get video soon. She also now reaches out and grabs toys, much more coordinated. And loves blowing raspberries, so cute and a bit messy! Stay tuned... I think we are going to try her first solid food soon- rice cereal. I think she is ready... its been harder to keep up with her appetite.

On another note, its been HOT this week, like super insanely hot. My car said 110 when I left work yesterday, luckily it was "only" 96 at our house. But today it said 112 when I left and was 108 at home. Geez!! Thank goodness for AC! The funny thing is at work its so cold I wear jeans and a sweatshirt all day.

So tomorrow we are going on Sienna's first camping trip! Its a yearly family thing, figured we can try one night. It will be out at the lake, and its always crazy hot out there, so I know it will be scorching! I think Sienna will be in Lolly's air-conditioned 5th wheel for a good chunk of the day. I guess Pop bought a big family sized blow up pool (the lake is yucky this year). It should be interesting sleeping in a tent with a baby, but I think it will be fun and family is always a good time!

Some pictures from the week:

Wed when I got home from work, Daddy and Sienna were making dinner!


On our walk with the dogs.


Sienna and I spent a nice evening sitting on the back patio.


Sienna loves her monkey rug!

Griffin

Today would have been Griffin's 11th Birthday. I have felt so many emotions today. I am so sad he is not here, upset that Sienna won't have him as a cousin, grateful to have known him and have so many memories, and proud of his incredible yet short life. I miss you Griffin: your smile, laugh, wisdom, humor, spirit, zest for life. Sienna will always know her cousin Griffey.

It was even harder today (the 5th time celebrating his birthday without him) because I am now a mom. I feel so much for my sister and her loss. Now I understand the love a mother has for her child, and can't imagine the pain she has endured and continues to live with. She is so amazing, her strength and courage (wonder where griffin got it!) I will be a better mom because of her.

Today we celebrated Griffin by eating chicken strips and mac n cheese for dinner with red mt dew and skittles for dessert (griffey favs). We sent red balloons up to heaven and watched his movie. We told Sienna all about her cousin, our hero.

Living for the weekend

I made it through my first week back at work. It was really tough, but I already feel the routine and am getting back into the work mode. Sienna did pretty good too I am sure it will take her some time to adjust also. Thank goodness she has the best babysitter in the world! Bedtime has been a bit harder and she has had some fussier times. I keep thinking we could blame it on pre-teething? (its easy to say it may be that). Lately when she is hungry, she is HUNGRY and when she is tired, she is TIRED and she lets you know! But she definitely has the chewing/chomping/drooling thing down.

Thank goodness for the weekend!

I held Sienna as much as I could! My friend Cathy visited from San Francisco this weekend. She was my very first friend in college (10 yrs ago, scary!) It was so cute to see them interact. Cathy talked to her, sung silly songs and entertained her lots.



We had a very nice day Saturday- went to the lavender festival in downtown Paso then drove down to Avila Beach. We walked down the pier and had lunch. It was a gorgeous day, and a much nicer cooler temp down at the coast! And we saw seals! That night was the big UFC night so we had a few people over including Lolly, Pop, Uncle Joey, Travis and Daniel. Cathy and I had some wine and went through old photos, reliving the fun, little responsibility filled days in San Diego. Sunday morning we took Cathy to the ranch to show her around- the garden, wedding spot, view from the hill, etc. It was a great weekend!



I also now remember the feeling of a Sunday- when I try to get laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning, etc done for the upcoming week, while also trying to get in some relax time (and not dread too much that it is almost already Monday). Now I want to do all of that and not miss a second with my Sienna! So she is officially my new shopping buddy (before it was easier to leave her home with daddy). But now she can face out in the baby bjorn carrier and she seemed to love walking around my favorite store Target, then the grocery store.



Sienna is all about her Ozzy! She loves to grab him, stare at and watch him. He loves her too!



She wants to crawl! This weekend she started inching along with an army-crawl. Her arms just aren't as strong or coordinated as her legs, she gets those going!

Back to work

So I survived my first day back to work. This is a day I have been dreading for quite some time now! (so much that I took vacation days last week to postpone my return until after the holiday weekend!) I couldn't sleep last night, felt like the night before the first day of school. I guess I can't complain too much, I did have 17 weeks off, and Sienna is lucky enough to stay at home with her Daddy. But still, it was tough!

Russell is actually going back to school next month! They have expanded the GI Bill to pay more (housing, books, tuition, etc.) and with the way the job market looks, we better take advantage! This is after having a heartbreaking fall through on a job the recruiter told him "you for sure will get the offer tomorrow" leading to weeks of not knowing what is going on, then figuring out the company decided not to hire anyone due to budget concerns. So frustrating! But everything happens for a reason, Sienna has had her Daddy home with her since the beginning, and we wouldn't trade that for anything! Russell who never ever wanted to be in a classroom again, will be working on a degree in welding technologies. His classes will be mostly at night which works out super well! So glad that it is falling into place...

So Russell had his math placement tests today and needed the car (the one able to transport a baby) so they droppped me off at work this morning. That way I had a few more moments with my baby and could take her on the rounds at work. I took her by when she was 2 weeks old, so everyone was of course amazed at how much she has grown. She was all smiles and giggles and enjoyed seeing new faces and talking blabber. Then it was reality as they left...

The day was about as good as you can expect. Everyone was happy to have me back, the lab has functioned fine without me, the whole "working" vibe came back a bit and I began to remember what and how to do what I am supposed to. Pumping at work was fine, that was my biggest concern about returning, but I am determined to keep it up, and now see that it might not be too bad. At least I am forced to take some breaks!

And I always have looked forward to the end of the work day, and loved the feeling when it finally comes, multiply that by a million when you have a baby waiting for you! And I remember the feeling of a monday and the countdown till friday.... but now the weekend will really be meaningful as family time!! (how many more days?

4th of July!

Being a parent, holidays are even more meaningful and fun! Having Sienna now, I realize even more how important it is to make memories, spend time with family and keep and develop traditions. And I also think a lot about the future holidays as Sienna grows and our family grows.

4th of July is one of those holidays! What a fun holiday for kids and families! The Molina tradition is a big family BBQ by the pool, doesn't get better than that! Aunt Sara and Uncle Mark come up for the weekend to join us, it was awesome to see them again after only one week!

Sienna went in the pool with Daddy and Lolly and just loved it, kicking and playing around. I don't think she wanted to get out, but we could tell she was getting cold! We had tons of great food (poppers, BBQ'd oysters, ribs, sausage, tri-tip, sallie's salsa, dips, grilled garlic and onions, etc. etc.) I made red and blue jello shots and we played games. Sienna had fun seeing everyone, being passed around and cruising around in her stroller. Shasta and Ozzy had fun swimming to cool off, running around, and begging for food. We also had fireworks (safe and sane ones at least) and Sienna was all about them! She didn't nap much all day, you could tell she didn't want to miss anything! When we got home, Sara and I walked to the end of our street to see the fireworks at Barney Schwartz Park. What a fun day!!

Road Trip Part Two

So we left the desert Friday around noon and headed out west. We were in Huntington Beach about 2 hours later. We stopped by Aunt Sara's work to get the keys to her place and to visit. She works for Affliction, a clothing company that also promotes MMA fights. Russell was excited to check out the place, being such a huge MMA fan. He is jealous of Sara's stories of meeting all the big fighters. She gave us a tour where we saw a fighting ring and gym, where fighters will come in sometimes. We figure the next time we are there, Sienna and Daddy can play in the ring! Sara also showed off her niece to coworkers, everyone said she was super cute and were shocked she is only 3 months old (size and alertness).

We hung out at Sara and Mark's place for the rest of the afternoon and evening. I forgot to mention in Road Trip Part One that Sienna slept in her pack and play, and did so well! Being her first trip somewhere and first nights sleeping somewhere not at home in her crib, we weren't sure what to expect. All nights she went to bed her normal time and slept through the night as usual!

Saturday morning Russell and Mark were planning to go fishing, but the boat wasn't ready so instead they had brother bonding over video games! We all cheered Aunt Mo on as she finished her second half marathon in Seattle. It was so exciting to have live coverage of the finish line online. She was about 30 min faster than her first marathon and she raised tons of money for cancer research in memory of Griffin! What a huge accomplishment, I am so proud of her and inspired by her. She is already training for the next one!

Us girls went shopping at Target and Bed Bath and Beyond, then had Starbucks. Aunt Sara bought Sienna this crazy "loopapalooza" toy, a bunch of loops of different textures and materials with some stuffed bugs thrown in. She loves it, any way that she grabs it, she has something to chew on. I bought her a stuffed giraffe blanket lovey which Sara named Jazz. Since she has started grabbing and grasping, she really likes fabrics and blankets, figured this was perfect. It was later than we had expected so we didn't make it to the beach, next time! We relaxed at Sara's for a bit and took some pics with her nice camera, have to get them from her!





Then we went to Main St Huntington to Sushi on Fire for dinner. Oh how I LOVE sushi! And this was some YUMMY sushi! We also had some sake (how can you not?) WE ordered one large one and throughout the rest of our meal they brought us 3 more on the house! Sienna sat in her carseat and did pretty good, it wasa really loud restaurant and I am sure she was tired (we tried to make it really early) so she had a few "moments". After dinner Sara and I read her "Move Over Rover" and gave her a bottle, which she wanted to hold herself! It was a fun night!

Sunday morning we left Huntington and headed up to Redondo Beach to meet Auntie Marcey for breakfast. It was a short visit, but so nice to see her! She couldn't believe how much Sienna had grown and changed in just a month! Since the small restaurant didn't have a bathroom, I changed a very messy diaper in her stroller in the parking lot! Times like those are the real mom moments!

Then we headed up to my grandparents house (Mumsie and Grandad). We sat in AWFUL traffic for an hour, remembering how much we hate LA! We had a wonderful visit and lunch with Mumsie, Great Grandad, Uncle Brian and Aunt Leslie. They all couldn't believe how big she was! Sienna kept us all entertained talking and rolling around on a blanket. Oh she now can roll over in both directions!! It was so nice to see and have Sienna meet more family, Sienna is a lucky girl!



The rest of the drive home (about 3 1/2 hrs) was fine. We just wanted to be home! Sienna slept a lot, and played a bit. She was sure happy when we got home and she was in her crib! And the next morning, she was thrilled to see her play gym and other familiar toys. What a great trip! Full of memories and family! (and quite a few kodak moments).