Is it still Spring?

I took these pictures of Sienna in April sometime... yes, I am that behind. But, I absolutely love how they came out and how they captured the season. Russell's family's property has a hill on which was a patch of purple wildflowers. And this hill has absolutely breathtaking views. I just love Paso Robles in the spring- the smells, the bright wildflowers, the green (we have had LOTS of rain this year) and the first leaves and grape buds in the surrounding vineyards... I love it all besides my awful seasonal allergies that have reached a new severity this year... and the thought that harvest is approaching...

Where am I?

I am way behind on blogging yet again! I have so many posts I would love to write covering the last month- our anniversary getaway, mother's day, etc. But it will have to wait.

This weekend is the second of four straight weekends that we are out of town. I am tired just thinking about it. Last weekend we had a quick weekend trip to Orange County to see some of my family and for Russell's cousin Jake's wedding, which was fabulous! (another post I hope to write in the next year or so...) Tomorrow morning we are flying up to Coeur D'alene, Idaho via Spokane for our good friend's wedding... which will be our second trip sans the munchkin. Should be lots of fun. And even though we get back Sunday evening, I am taking Monday off to recover and spend every moment with my Sienna. Next weekend for Memorial Day we are camping at the lake with some family and friends- Sienna's second camping trip. And the following weekend is my half marathon in San Diego! Whew... I am so busy I keep forgetting about that one! Finding time to run has gotten difficult!

This has been a miserable week for Sienna! Our weekend trip was great, but she had a runny nose starting Saturday. It never got too bad. On Tuesday she had a mild fever most of the day (no other symptoms) and by that night it had reached 102-103 (I have 2 damn thermometers that are NEVER consistent, drives me bonkers). The oncall doctor gave me updated doses of ibuprofen and acetaminophen to alternate to help reduce the fever. I mentioned her double ear infections just 2 1/2 weeks ago, so she told me we should bring her in within the next couple days. So when I called the dr yesterday they of course were completely booked, with only one dr in the office for 2 days, nothing open until Friday (and we leave early in the morning).

So I took her to Urgent Care yesterday, they checked her out, and she has double ear infections again! Thank goodness we caught it early this time (could just be lingering from the last ones). Now, she is on a new antiobiotic for a longer duration... Oh and the wait at Target Pharmacy was 2 1/2 freaking hours! Anyway, she had a pretty rough night but seems to be feeling better today, and should be back to her old self soon. I just am so relieved that I took her yesterday so it didn't get worse over the weekend when we are 1100 miles away. (Ok saying that still made me nervous about being away). She will be in the best hands with Russell's parents, we are so lucky for that!

Maybe I will get a bit more caught up with blogs next week, and share some of the 15,000 pictures over the last month...

Four years in the making

Last Thursday was our 4th wedding anniversary! After having an AMAZING weekend getaway (another post) we wanted to celebrate the actual day low key. So after work we met at a flooring store (can't wait for the hardwoods!), exchanged gifts (Pretty pearl earrings to match my very special wedding necklace, and Russell got a nice new saute pan). Then we played with Sienna outside, did her bedtime routine, and then picked up sushi and sake to eat at home, and caught up on Top Chef. What a perfect night!

Remembering our wedding day is one of my favorite things to do. Just such happy memories! And one of the most special things about our wedding was the location- at Russell's family's ranch, where he grew up. The ceremony was in his grandma's incredibly beautiful side yard, and the party, I mean reception, was a few feet away. And we shared the day with 300+ of our closest family and friends :)

A couple weeks ago we were out at Russell's parents house and I wanted to get some springtime photos of Sienna since it is absolutely gorgeous at the ranch this time of year (why I wanted a spring wedding!) So our first stop for pictures was his grandma's and the wedding site. I enjoyed taking pictures of our baby in such a symbolic area...

Here I am pre-wedding in front of the beautiful yard where the ceremony was held:

Here's Sienna on the other side of that railing, looking out into Great Gma's beautiful flowers...

Here I am walking down the "aisle" with my dad (I loved that it wasn't through the center of the guests)

Here is Sienna walking the same path with her Daddy. Which makes me think, how perfect would it be for Sienna to get married here someday in the way distant future? No pressure at all Sienna!

We said our vows and had our first married kiss under a beautiful gazebo that Russell's Grandpa built...

Here is Sienna standing in that same spot...

And here she is playing on the grass where our closest family watched:

Sick Baby = Sad Mama

So I have like 12 posts to catch up on over the last couple weeks, but right now I just want to say (I am sure every parent agrees):

Having a sick kid is the WORST thing ever!!

Last Tuesday Sienna started to have a runny nose, it was clear and she was in a good mood, I didn't think too much of it because she was also cutting 2 bottom molars. (Which by the way caused NO where near the discomfort and fussiness as the top molars, thank goodness).

By Thursday, she was more congested and just not her usual self. Thursday night she woke up a couple times and Friday morning she was pretty miserable with a cough and congestion. Luckily Russell's mom was able to watch her for a couple hours, so I could at least make an appearance at work and catch up on things. The rest of the day was spent cuddling on the couch, watching her baby macdonald video and jack's big music show about a hundred times. She had a mild fever and was just tired but it was hard for her to sleep. I debated trying to take her in to her dr, but figured since it was already late in the morning on a Friday it would be hard to get it...

Saturday she seemed to be much better, happy and playful... We kept her at home all day... Sunday morning Russell left at like 4 or something crazy to go fishing all day. Sienna had already woken up a couple of times, and at 5 I brought her to bed, and she was burning up with a fever, not happy, but fell asleep in my arms for a couple hours. She seemed a little better after that, not much of a fever, but I know I needed to take her somewhere to get checked. Being Sunday I took her to Urgent Care, which only took an hour start to finish (was expecting worse). And she has a double ear infection! I feel so horrible! I know it's very common, we are lucky that this is only her first one, but it feels awful to know she was in so much pain. So we got antibiotics and tylenol with codeine to help with the cough and ear pain (and sleep!) When we finally got home from the pharmacy, she took a nice long nap. She hadn't eaten much all day, didn't really want to, but then she ate a decent late lunch. She seemed fine playing, but then threw up all her food about a half hour later. So first ear infection(s) and first time throwing up in one day, with just her mama at home...

Since then, she has improved grately. She slept pretty well yesterday night, just waking up a couple times coughing. She had a good day at Lolly's and has had a better appetite. So she must be on the mend, which I am very relieved.

Side note- Russell was SUPER SICK all day Sunday while deep sea fishing. He has never ever gotten seasick, gone out on similar fishing trips several times, and was in the Navy! so this was a huge shock for him. Poor guy was throwing up or trying not to move laying in a tiny cubby hole pretty much the whole trip (6 am- 4 pm).

Here are some pictures of Sienna this sunny,warm afternoon, she was feeling much better!

My pretty girl!

She loves her picnic table

Laughing at Mama

Frustrated that she can't stand inside her play tunnel:
Her curls are starting to kill me!