Shamu

On monday we headed down to Sea World to meet up with some friends. We all met under the Shamu tank and got to see one of the whales swimming around. No matter how many times I see these critters it still blows me away. Olive just stares and points and then runs around like a crazy person. I have a full blown walker now and if I would try and hold her she would have a meltdown. Oh ya we've entered the age of tantrums too which are super fun. She just wants to go go go. She let me put her in the stroller while we walked through the park but once we stopped it was walking time. The last time we went to Sea World I was able to carry her in my ergo through the aquariums but now she wants to climb on everything. Crazy how fast things have changed. I've never been so exhausted in my life chasing her around. Lets hope this leads to some serious weight loss for me.
We attempted the Shamu show but it was around noon and the sun was beating down so we basically walked in and out. None of the kids are old enough to really care that much about the shows yet. Instead we found a nice shaddy area and ate lunch. It was actually the best part of the day cause we were out of the sun and we got to sit for bit. Olive mostly ran around not eating her food but wanting to try all the others kids food. I discovered she can eat whole edamame, loves cheese and crackers, and goldfish. I've been kinda lacking in the snack department for her cause I hate all those salty shit snacks but yesterday I broke down and bought a ton of the more natural versions of some of the snacks that she likes. Not the best choice but on the go it's much easier than trying to cut up fruit.
The day was fun and we got to see most of the aquariums. I think the shark one was her favorite and mine too. It's basically a tunnel and sharks surround you. It's pretty cool stuff. Around 3 she was getting super cranky and had meltdown after meltdown so we decided it was time to go. I don't think I was out of the Sea World parking lot before she was passed out. Good times!

beach bum

It was straight to the beach today to beat the heat. It was a wonderful choice as the weather was perfect. The water was even warm enough for a quick swim. Olive played, we slept, played some more, visited Uncle Ross, and played and played. My little beach bum.

Looks identical to my baby photos.

Just helping Ross keep the beaches safe.

heathen parenting 101

Hello heatwave! It's been so hot in southern California the last few days and I'm pretty sure Saturday hit the triple digits. We went to Lily's first birthday party which was super fun but hot as shit! Olive spent most of the party playing in the drink buckets which were filled with ice. Smart baby! Although I'm pretty sure everyone thought we were heathen parents for letting her get all dirty and wet but she was having so much fun and staying cool. I think every single person at the party asked me if her feet were burning cause she didn't have shoes on. The first thing I did before I put her down was feel the ground which was totally cool and really what child needs shoes on at a house party?? Yep we totally got the heathen parent award for the day!  Besides sweating our asses off the party was super fun and the birthday girl was adorable! Her ladybug themed party and outfit to match was pretty much the cutest.

matching with Jared.

Jan made all the cakepops. I'm pretty much cakepop obsessed.

Ladybug tattoo.

Hugs from Jan.

Letting out her super girly scream.

After the party we went back to my parents house and we all passed out in the living room with the a/c blasted. The heat totally knocked us on our asses. After naps we went out for sushi dinner before heading back to the oc. Olive is in a bit of a weird stage to go out to dinner so it's always a bit tricky. She has no interest in sitting for a long time and would rather run around and explore so dinners are always quick and messy. I'm pretty sure she is going through a growth spurt cause she seriously chowed down. She ate an entire packet of plums food which is pretty normal but then she sucked down a huge bowl of tofu and half an avocado along with various snacks I had in my bag. I've never actually seen her eat that much but today she did the same thing. Anyways she entertained herself at dinner by shoveling the food in her face then smashing her hands down on the table and letting out a scream. Then occasionally she would pick up a handful of food and smear it all over her head. It was pretty hysterical but probably just a few more examples of us being the heathen parents.

clapping at herself.

slamming down hands on food.

rubbing food in hair. thank goodness for Grandmas that don't mind cleaning off babies.

11 months

I never know how to start these things. There is always so much to say but I never quite know how to spit it all out and then I get sidetracked talking about who the hell knows what but I'll do my best to sum up 11 months.....

I guess the first thing is walking. She mostly walks but occasionally crawls in order to get somewhere super fast. It's more of a bear crawl as her knees don't touch the ground. Every day the crawling gets less and less. I find that she prefers to walk when she has something in her hand which is pretty much all the time. She is constantly doing something, such a busy little girl. She isn't super into playing with her toys these days. I try to pull things out but she is obsessed with her books. I'm not kidding, we will sit for hours and she will just hand me books to read. Sometimes she lets me read through the entire book and then she hands it back and I read it again and again. Other times she hates the book we are reading and makes this horrible ick noise and knocks it away. She has started to get VERY opinionated! So ya lots of book reading. She also likes to eat her books. Other favorite toys include the remote control, my iphone, dvd's, measuring cups, and my old camera. I'm sure she will get back into her toys again but for now she wants everything that isn't a toy. She loves playing in the backyard and we spend a lot of time going out there. She loves her swing and when she wants on it she will let me know. She points and makes noises and then when I lift her up she squeals. She is learning how to communicate in funny little ways that I understand. Since she can't talk and if she doesn't know the sign it's like a funny game trying to figure out what she is trying to tell me.

When she isn't handing me books she is torturing Sierra. She knows how to throw the toy for her now and when she takes too long Sierra grabs it out of her hand and she screams from excitement. She gets the biggest kick out of feeding her. The poor dog is obese now. She will take a few bites of whatever she is eating and then offer some to Sierra. I've tried to stop her but it's pointless. She is eating, the dog is eating, we're all happy. The slobber exchange is just lovely but what are you gonna do? The only problem is Olive has started throwing things at her. Not all the time but here and there it happens. She will take her sippy cup, walk straight up to her and throw it down at her. It's pure evil. Should I be worried? I always tell her not to do that but she totally doesn't get it.

When she isn't trying to knock Sierra out she is sweet. She gives kisses to her books, toys, and to us. She will put her head down and come in for a quick snuggle too. She is also very gentle when she touches Sierra now. She has finally learned how to pat gently. She just needs to stop the throwing things.

Sleep has been good but I never get too comfortable as I know it can and will change. I think we're on almost 2 weeks of sleeping through the night. Well from 6:45-5 but still working on not waking up at 5. She mostly goes back to sleep till 6 but not all the time. Working on that. Just happy she isn't eating 2x a night like she was a few weeks ago. She naps 2x a day. Her first nap is around 8:30 or 9 and her second nap is around 1 or 2. I know so boring but if I have more babies I want to remember all this info cause I never will. Naps are hit and miss. Some days they are 30 min and other days they are an hour.

She is funny. I know that sounds stupid, I mean how can a baby be funny but she really is. She plays this game with Blake when she is eating where she pretends to give him the cup then pulls it away. She laughs so hard and I feel like it's her version of goofing around. She makes funny faces and blows raspberries on my leg and laughs at herself. She stands on her head and looks between her legs. A million other things but she is definitely going to be a goofball.

She loves sharing. Not just with Sierra but she gets the biggest kick out of handing me something. When I say a big thank you, you can tell she is satisfied with herself. She thinks it's hysterical when she hands me food and I pretend to eat it and make a "nom nom" sound. I love that babies enjoy silly little things like this.

I think her favorite thing is the beach. She is happy when she can play by the water or roll around in the sand. She has yet to shove sand in her mouth or do a face plant so I feel very happy about that. She loves wandering down by the water and pointing to the birds and talking to all the people. When she isn't near the water she is playing in the sand, laying on her belly just hanging out. I'm a little sad summer will be over soon because she is having so much fun. Next summer will be a little less relaxing, chasing her all around while she tries to swim to Catalina and chase the birds. 

I love my happy wild child!

Pick it up and throw it down. Over and over.