Today was the much anticipated parade. We left here at ten (Tony had a usabilty for 8-9am this morning and I had to shower so that was as quicky as we got ready). We got there about a half hour early and it was packed! At least downtown where we wanted to be. We were lucky to find a small spot between two groups and I was glad Tony talked me into bringing only a nlabket (versus chairs and a stroller). The parade was an hour and a half! It started at 11am and didn’t get done until 12:30. We were in the sun the whole time and it was bordering on hot (big change for around here).  Even though we all put on sunscreen I was worried. Luckily no one is obviously burned.

After the parade we spent a half hour or so at the grand opening of the Democratic office (once known as the Obama office) even though niether of us are Dems anymore. Then we had to stop at Freddies for some last minute trip items (more SPF, shampoo, deoderant, snacks, etc.). Ali fell asleep in the three or so minutes it took to drive there. And stayed asleep while Tony took her out of the car,carried her throughout the whole store, AND put her back in. That is one thing this child has NEVER done. She was that exhausted. Besides the sun and excitement I blame it on all the parade food (there were Tillamook Cheese Factory samples, candy, otter pops, and even beef sticks!). After that (by now 2pm easily) we went through the Subway drive-thru for lunch. Then she woke up and struggled the 25-30 minutes home. Amazing how much longer the trip is when everyone and their mother is in town.

We hoped to get some time at the beach today but missed low tide by almost an hour. We got down around 4pm and spent an hour mostly lounging. Everyone is tired. Ali would have fallen asleep in her high chair a few minutes ago if I hadn’t actively kept her awake. Now to run around doing this, that, and the other.

Look, honest-to-God pigtails!!!

She loooooooves to suck on ice.

Keeping hydrated.

It’s so nice out…warm even! Alas there is wind, wind, and more wind. The kind that whips the sand up so it hurts when it hits you. So we were all ready for the beach (there was an awesome really low tide at 2pm) and had to turn back. Even the pool in the front of the house it not enjoyable. *sigh* I’ve been looking forward to this heatwave all week.

At least yesterday was nice. And we had the sense to get out and enjoy it versus banking on more nice days to come.

We went to the beach around 11:30am.

This was after swmming in the pools that come out when the tide is low.

In the afternoon we got the pool out and played in the driveway.

And even caught a CLEAR sunset!

Tomorrow morning there is a parade in Tillamook that we are going to. And then an office opening afterward that…maybe? Haven’t confirmed that in a couple days. After that we hope to enjoy some nice weather and then….concetrate on finally getting ready for Iowa! That has been my plan for a week now until I realized there really isn’t much I can do. Except stay as on top of laundry, dishes, and cleaning as I can. Most things need to wait until the day of or before. In our case we are flying out of PDX at 12:30am Monday. We’re planning to leave four hours early (8:30pm Sunday) so that leaves an entire "day of" during which a lot can be done. I just want to leave a house I’m happy to come home to. Besides being packed, rested, and otherwise prepared that is my number one goal.

One morning last week:

Where is this heat wave?!?! Grrr, it’s cloudy and cooooold right now.

After three one-a-nap-days Ali is now taking a very definite morning nap. Which means probably an afternoon one as well. I’m okay with that, trying to cut down to one has been difficult. Especially when it takes twenty minutes to get anywhere so she always falls asleep. Usually twice (there and back). And there goes nap time. I need a better break than that! And she needs more that 25 or so minutes of sleep a day. Yesterday that’s allshe had between 8am and 7pm. Though I must say it’s nice when she goes down so easy, so early.

Anyway.

Here’s the girl yesterday.

The sunset.

And my arm after having given blood.

It’s short. Sorry for the video overload as of late. Busy with Wii Fit and trying to get outside and keep the house picked up and doing usability tests (Tony). Thinking about prepping for Iowa. Also tonight Ali has woken up five or six times since 7pm when she went to bed.  So frustrating I could cry or throw something. Beyond that, I am so stoked about this heat wave that it supposedly coming our way!!!

WATCH THIS VIDEO!

I have been wondering forever how kids fall asleep while eating. Today Ali got up at 8am and didn’t really seem tired at 11am (she usually is awake three to four hours) or even noon. Finally, around one we decided to give her lunch, even though by then she was tired but it was that or have lunch whenever she awoke. And, for the love of God, I am desperate to get on a one-nap-a-day schedule. Today, for example I could definitely do:

Ali awakes at 8am. Sleeps from 1:15ish until almost 2pm. Wakes up but I put her back down, though it takes awhile and I wonder if it’s worth it. She sleep until after three!! Then, to bed at 8pm and has yet to wake up! Lately she’s been going two-three hours after first being put down which, sadly, is not usual. I hope it becomes as such.

This is Tony reading Ali this library book (123 by Elmo) that she’s loving right now. This is the lead up to yesterday’s big event, the long awaited standing alone which she randomly started on the grass at the farmer’s market and is continuing. If you watch you can see her getting so, so close the night before last. Also, about midway through the first video is a "no-no" head shake. Also a lot of shrieking as she’s very excited.

I don’t know even where to begin anymore, so I’m trying to look back through pictures to guide my way. These first ones are from the day we left Portland, last Friday. It was pretty warm, whenthe sun was out but there were spotty clouds so…well, isn’t that the NW? Anyway, we almost always leave in the morning but this time were waiting around in the hopes that Trista would be able to join us. Trista has never driven down here before so my mom has always said that she has to drive first with someone to get the experience. Unfortunately matching schedules has never actually happened.

On this particaular occasion, Trista had graduated the night before. Followed by an all-night grad party (hosted by the school) until 5am. Then Trista had to work at 8am! She was supposed to work until 4pm but actually got off at three. And thought she could just follow us, no problem. Oh Trista, we love you, but you’re such an invincible teenager. We ended up hanging around (and letting Ali "swim" outside in an old baby tub) until my mom got home from her last final (she had one ever day that week I think). Then we all went out to Teryaki. "We" being Tony, Ali, and I; my mom and dad; and Trista. Alyssa had flown off to Nashville early, early, that morning to visit a friend and Jordan was….at the church? I don’t know, Jordan mvoed out so he is now hard to keep track of.

Then Trista drove and I rode with her and Ali rode with Tony. True to her word Trista had no problems, but I think my engaging conversation may have had something to do with that.

Saturday morning we had a big picnic to support Obama in Tillamook. We were there from 1-4 (though Tony went earlier to set up) and it was gorgeous. No rain, sunny, and so, so, sooooooo windy. So that was lame but I guess to be expected at the coast. *sigh* A quick sidenote: I am quickly learning that the typical summer weather I so covet and long for is generally not to be expected on the coast. I’m not sure I’ll be able to learn to live with that fact. We shall see. Right now I’m just holding out for a week in Iowa for a dose (however small) of summer.

Afterward Trista and I went grocery/Father’s Day shopping at Fred Meyer. There was an amzing sale on Young Men’s clothes so that’s what Tony got. And Weezer’s Red Album. Is that awful that I bought him clothes? I mean, it’s so wifey… And yet, it’s what I felt like he needed and wouldn’t by for himself. And it’s what I would want?

Father’s Day was good. Trista went home in the afternoon. Made it herself without a hitch (her words). Here’s a picture of Ali and Tony and a pair of his new shorts:

Ummmm, the rest of the week in kind of blurring together. Weare borrowing Jordan’s Wii and Wii Fit and have been both playing that every night. It’s a lot of fun and a really good work out. I mostly like the yoga and strength training. I’m trying to eat really good foods for the next two weeks (well, this week and the next - until Iowa) and do the Wii Fit and see what happens. So each night after Ali goes to bed we do that. Which means are DVR is filling up, but that’s okay. We also have kind of an ant problem in the kitchen so I’ve been making a point to clean it each night (as opposed to in the morning) which usually leads to further straightening and maybe even some laundry. That’s made waking up in the morning a lot more pleasant!

The weather has been pretty good, but cloudy in the mornings. So the burn off always feels like a gift and we don’t hesitate to get out while we can. Here are some pics from the past few days:

We keep trying to sneak out to see a sunset by there are always clouds.

Set up the baby pool yesterday, though it wasn’t real warm she didn’t much care. Climbing in and out was the funnest part!

She speaks! Actually, I think she’s probably been "talking" for a while now. I mean, she began babbling "mum mum mum mum" when she wanted to nurse at, like, three months. So I think I’ve been writing a lot of early words off as babble. Three of her earliest and favorite babbles: Mummum, Dadadadada, and Nigh-nigh.

But, the past week or two things have really progressed. And, if you’re a regular reader, you know this is true in oh so many areas. Is this the way it always goes?!?! It started with a "No"ish sound that sometimes went with the head shake. There’s also some sort of "B" sound she makes that almost always means nursing. I think it’s "Baba" but I forget. The cincher was a "Yesh" is response to questions. Sometimes we can get an "Elm" in reference to you-know-what. And then, two nights ago, out of the blue….

BWAP!

It means block (though since she got so much praise for saying it, it’s now being applied elsewhere. Anyway, see the whole thing transpire for yourself:

While at my parents Ali learned no-no. Of course she’s been hearing it for quite awhile. And lately she’s been shaking her head, but it was usually when she was happy. And then, she figured it out. In this context:

"Ali do you wanna go see Grandpa?" *fervent head shaking*

Or, if my dad was holding her (which, yes, he was able to do a couple of times) "Wanna go see Grandma?" *again with the head shaking*

It was so hilarious. Now, when she comes across something she knows she’s not supposed to touch she stops and shakes her head. Usually looking for the praise that comes at her acknowledge of it as a "no-no." Usually she moves toward it and then stops for a reminder head shake a couple times before it’s too much and she gives in. But it’s a start.

It’s so amazing to witness her little brain growing in so many way EVERY SINGLE DAY.

Stay tuned for an update on the, now, very present talking.

Oh oh OH!!! I know I never talk about signing very much and that’s because we don’t really work on it a whole lot. But, also while at my parents last week Ali finally started signing "more." Alyssa gets a lot of credit because she was working with her and it somehow seemed to click (hmmm, I’m pretty sure I was the queen of refusing to learn from my parents…maybe it’s genetic?)and then during Trista’s graduation wwe were giving her pretzels and she just started doing it. Since it’s been hit and miss but I think that’s kind of how these things go.