Dan Wilson

Dan Wilson is my favorite Mariner. He was their main catcher, but retired 2 years ago. Well, on Sunday he was at the Aquasox game, signing autographs and the like. When we walked into the stadium, he hadn't made it to his station yet. And I walked right next to him. Could have touched him. But didn't.

We were among the first in line to get autographs. He signed my Dan Wilson t-shirt, Kate's baseball, and the Dan Wilson Bobblehead they were giving away at the game that day. The Aquasox employee who was there for crowd management, Sharpie provider, and picture taker wanted us to have Dan autograph Kate. Fortunately Kate's dad was the voice of reason on that one, because I was all for it!

And here's one of the reasons why I think he's just great. He spent extra time signing autographs, because there were still people in line when his time was 'up'. And then he watched the game from some everyday-joe seats. One section over and 3 rows up from our seats.

2 month self portrait

This self-portrait was taken on Kate's two-month birthday. I've found it to be easier to have her lying down while I take the picture, rather than trying to hold her and the camera.

Next time, though, I'll have her on the floor. For this one, we were on the couch. Meaning, she was on the couch, and I was precariously balanced on the edge.

Here's the full look of the cute onesie she was wearing. (Thanks, Auntie Suzi!)

2 month check up

Kate had her 2 month check up today.

Here are the stats:
12 pounds, 10 ounces (89th percentile)
24.5 inches (98th percentile)
39.7 cm head circumference (75th percentile)

All is well. The only fluid that got on the doc was some spit up!

And THEN, we went for the immunizations. 3 shots and one oral med. Doug held her . . . it was rough for both! Now we are going through the trauma of painful injection sights. We had tickets for the M's game tonight, but Kate and I are staying home. Doug is taking his mom instead.

Picture updates on another day. No need to see more pictures of Kate either 1) sleeping or 2) crying.

You cry, I laugh

When Kate is really crying, if you blow a puff of air on her face, she stops crying for just an instant. Puckers up her lips and lifts her chin. I think it is so funny. It doesn't seem to upset her any more than she already is. But it doesn't create a long term solution, either. Still very funny, though.

Toe Jam

Kate met two more of her cousins this week. Syndey and Zach have been just great with her. Each wanting to have time to play with her and hold her.

It was while Syd was holding Kate, and I was sitting next to them, that I got my first real view of Kate's toes when they weren't clenched.

And it was clear that I've been a neglectful mother, having never cleaned this part of her body. There were many nasty crusty pieces lodged in the crooks of her toes. Imagine a lot of dried up boogers. Just being clenched by her long toes.

No worries, though. It cleaned up easily, and I now will always remember to check the grips of Kate's toes. See, they are clean now!

J.J. Fan club

Kate has become an official member of the J.J. Putz fan club. For those of you not in the know, he's the closing pitcher for the Mariners. The team was giving out commemorative "Soul Patches" at one of the games. Can you see the resemblance? (Under Kate's hand is the Mariner logo.)

Songs that get stuck in your head

They certainly look cute! Sorry for getting the song stuck in your head for the day.

This entire adorable moment has been brought too you by Group Health Cooperate, Jill's insurance. Got the bill in the mail yesterday. It cost nearly $8,000 to bring this baby into the world at the hospital. We only have to pay $200. Go HMO insurance!

Oregon Trip

Kate and I made the drive down to Oregon yesterday without much trauma. A little fussy at the start, she settled down by Olympia. We stopped once for a diaper change and feeding, then went to Hillsboro. Kate really wanted to meet her Uncle Lucas, and spend more time chillin' with her cousin Owen.

A note about Kate's outfit. With the way it snaps, I call it a French outfit. And there's a duck on the front. So we have "Le Duck" which makes the sound "Le Quack". And to think I can figure all that out without having taken a single French class!
After dinner, went headed down to Salem. Kate got the chance to catch up with Grandpa Oshel, whom she hadn't seen since her arrival stay at the hospital.
What I like best about this picture is that it seems Kate no longer has a head. But I assure you it's just the angle of the photo!

Smiles!

It only took four tries. Thank goodness for the miracle of digital cameras!

No more no neck

Well, we decided to upgrade our baby swing. It just didn't seem right to have Kate doing face plants into the tray, or to have us propping her up with a lot of blankets.

So, off to the crazy land of Babies R Us we went yesterday. What? Going into that beheamoth on a weekend? Yes. We were that nutz-oid.

We brought along Kate, and had her sit in various swings. People wanted to buy the swing she was in, if she came along with it.

Narrowed it down to two choices. Each had their benefits. One of the plusses of the one we got: "Minimal assembly", versus "Assembly required".

Got home, and turned on "The Deadliest Catch" marathon and Doug began the assembly process. Among the quotes heard:

"Deadliest Catch harrowing? THIS is harrowing"

"I almost lost a foot" (when a piece fell on his foot)

"Minimal assembly? They are liars. The Fischer Price people with their assembly required were more honest".

All said and done, the new swing is now put together. The mobile has what I am calling "Spotted Owls." After all, I am an Oregon gal!

No neck Kate

Sometimes the only way we can get Kate to fall asleep during the daytime is to put her in the swing. However, and unfortunate side-effect is that her neck completely disappears! (Sorry I couldn't figure out how to rotate the 2nd video.)

Finally, "Don't wake me, I'll wake you" & "My Heart Belongs to Daddy".

Kate and Owen meet

Yesterday, Marla and Mom drove up so that these two cousins could finally meet each other. It was a great visit!

Rose Garden

Here are a few pictures of roses that have blossomed in the past week. We planted our rose garden in February, and I'm quite happy with the results of our entirely amature experience. (And if anyone has rose gardening helpful hints, I'll take them! At this point all I know is, well, nothing!)

Poo rocket

Yesterday, while changing Kate's diaper, we had a rocket of poo. I heard it coming, and even caught a lot of it in the diaper, but I was a little too late. See the laundry basket that is closest to the door? Yep. Poo made it all the way to that basket. She's got some skills, I tell ya!

Sneak Attack

Kate sure can be sneaky. Most recently, during the middle of the night diaper changing. Old diaper off - check. New diaper going on . . . wait a minute! How did the changing pad get wet? And your onesie, too? A total wardrobe change? Really?

The thing is, I didn't even see her pee. Things just got wet. And this has happened to me more than once. And she's fast at it, too.

What can I say. She has skills!

M's, round two

Yesterday we all ventured to our 2nd Mariner game. We parked in our usual wonderful spot. Decided to change Kate's diaper at the car before going to the stadium.

Fortunately, Doug put down the plastic protector. Once the diaper was off, Kate decided it was time for a little #1 action. With the angle of the car, most of it actually rolled off the protector into a puddle on the ground. But some did manage to hit Doug's pants. I just laughed. Tee hee.

Unrelated, the picture below shows it's never to soon to have your first self-portrait (even if mommy still needs a shower).

First M's Game

Yesterday, Kate went to her first Mariner game. She slept pretty much the whole time, except for when she was chowing down on a bottle. So I consider the adventure a success. We'll be going to another game tomorrow, so hopefully it will go smoothly, also.

Doug reading a book to Kate about baseball and the Mariners.



Two not-so-hot family portraits (maybe better next time!)

Two cutie pictures of Kate at the game.

Past the birth weight

Kate has finally regained the weight she lost at birth! All this craziness with breast feeding is working. Today she weighed in at 8 pounds, 15 ounces.

Getting caught up

Well, I'll be doing some posting out of order. Life is a bit crazy with the newborn. Kate, while very adorable, has been a bit relucant to learn the art of breastfeeding. Stressful for mom and baby. I think we had a breakthrough today, but I need a few more successful feedings before I stop holding my breath. (Watch out, my face might turn quite purple!)




So, to tide you over, here are a few pictures. I've turned the date-stamp feature from my camera on, so you can see how old she is in each picture.

Well, except for this first one. It's from June 5, for her 1st trip to the pediatrician.

Kate and Doug, taking a nap. I didn't think we'd be pacifier people so soon, but after one night of Kate only being settled by sucking on my pinky finger, that changed. On the other hand, she really hasn't used it much in the last day. Perhaps because of the feeding breakthrough?

Where's Kate?

Girl cousins Abigail and Kate, just hangin out!

Welcome, Kate

Okay. I'm a little behind in recording the recent events. But I'm on a computer ration at the moment. Should actually be taking a nap, but wanted to begin the blog-update process.

Last Sunday (June 1), Doug and I were most fortunate to welcome our baby daughter into the world. Her name is Kathryn Hope, but she answers to Kate. (I forgot to put this in the orginal post, hence the italics) It was a bit of a drama, ending in a c-section. That's a story I'll post at another time.

The stats: 8 pounds, 14 ounces. 21 inches long. Very healthy, cute, and adorable. The first few pictures are from the hospital, and the last two are from Day 5.

Not This Year

Well, it looks like I won't be singing the National Anthem for the Everett Aquasox this year.

The auditions were at the Everett Mall, center court. Three judges. You needed a score of 24 (so an average of 8 per judge) to be guaranteed a spot. Scores of 18-23 got you on the will-call list. I got a 22.

Here's the story. I was just sitting there, listening to the other people audition. Feeling ready to go. Not worried about forgetting words. Pretty relaxed. But the moment I got on stage, nerves/ adrenaline got the best of me. My voice (well, heck, my whole body) started shaking. Fortunately, I could still hit all the notes, but I sounded noticeably nervous.

Who knew that the nerves would strike on this occasion? I do solo stuff at church all the time. Though I suppose I was quite nervous the first time I did that, too.

There's always next year!

Prenancy Pictures

Here are some pictures of what I look like - ready to pop at any moment.

The ones through the Kiddie Kandids (Babies-R-Us) link are not a promotional thing for you to buy anything. They just gave me the link, and I thought it was a good free way to share them with you. ;)

http://mystudio.kiddiekandids.com/viewshare.asp?c=5440390983FFHRFMT

Jingle Jukebox

My brain is a repository of completely useless stuff. Of recent note, songs and jingles.

Yesterday after washing my hands, I remembered a public service announcement that was played on the Oregon airwaves when I was in high school:

"Wash your hands after going to the bathroom. Wash your hands after chaning baby, too. 'Cause you don't want to catch hepetitis, and you don't want hepetitis to catch you. Who? YOU!"

I wash my hands all the time. Why, oh why, did that jingle pop into my head then?

And then, this morning, as I was awake but not out of bed, the very last part of an 80's sitcom theme song was selected from the jukebox of randomness. "Because 8 is enough, to fill our lives with . . . . loooooove."

So random!