Playing the Field

When opportunity knocks Fiona enjoys sharpening her dating skills. We need to work on biting and sharing drool, but she's making the most of her dimples and listening skills. Here she's working it... "Your two year old molars are awesome. I dig your pull-ups. Tell me more about yourself Tristen" Shortly after this scene Tristen emerged proudly from the bathroom and announced he had made his first poopy in the potty. Clearly trying to impress Fiona. And come on, what girl wouldn't be tickled pink?

Later, she blindsided Tristen by hooking up with Luke. Five weeks younger but a tall, strapping young man, Fiona got a little touchy-feely.

Push me mama...

Not to worry germ-a-phobes, I wiped off the swing before I put my little chew bunny into it. So, this was the second time Fiona's been in a real swing. The first park visit was last weekend after a walk around the Folsom Zoo (I love this place- it's all rescue animals and well done). As she won't tolerate a stroller, Fi was a little cranky after me carrying her around from lions, to foxes, to bears, to the "only in Folsom" ferral cat and hybrid dog-wolf exhibits, so swinging wasn't so thrilling. Today, like Saturday, she started off tired and a bit nervous. We took a lawn break and after some chicken watching and observing how the big kids swing, we tried again. Bingo. This go round, the hat came off, legs kicked, and if I took a rest or snapped too many photos, fervent little glances said, "well, push me mama....again....again...."

Who's a big 6 months old!?

"That'd be me!"

Happy 1/2 birthday! A little after 6:30 pm and miss Fiona is already zonked. To celebrate we packed it all in today, starting with our usual jog across the river, catching up with neighbors at Starbucks, mini trip to the market, a noon play date & lunch at Claire's house/mommy group #2, a big girl high chair dinner at 430pm, then some chicken watching and swinging in the old town park. She kept her eyes open just long enough to say hi when daddy called from India (yep, he's back...). At last I straighten, clean, fold, and blog because, tomorrow, by 645am, we start the second half of our journey toward year one!

Pre-party

When Fiona was still an expanding bump my mom often hit the post holiday clearance racks so we would be smartly outfitted for 2007. Back then everything looked so huge--I thought, in seven months my bump would never fill out that big, fluffy duck. Low and behold, when I pulled it out last week I worried it would be too snug. We had to do a test run, plus it's just too cute and too cozy to wear only one day a year.

Going, going, gone...

Manning her post...

Fiona takes one job very seriously. At 0700 hours, after she gets a bottle and fresh diaper, she steps into central command unit, base camp. A lot of important decisions are made and orders carried out as she works her way around the circle.

Away from base, she doesn't neglect her duties, taking command of her mobile unit (pictured here on a mission in Target).

Coming Attractions...

I've spent much of Sunday morning, juggling a rambunctious baby on one knee while navigating around the computer trying to figure out the best way to post some short videos to our blog. I'm not thrilled with the quality or process but for now, here's Fiona, starring in her first short motion picture, It's Saucer Time. Just click on the link(s) under Great Clips to the left to view. Coming Soon: Happy Mexican Independence Day; Belly Frustration...
I'll continue working on shorter flicks, better resolution, and ease of uploading.

Who's the fairest of them all?...

Fiona, just checking to make sure I hadn't dressed her in white after Labor Day.

It's a relief to feel fall in the air. Mornings are cooler and I don't have to race to get a "wog" in before it's 100 degrees. Fussy Fiona always settles down with a change of scenery, particularly outdoors. She loves to join me while I water plants (yes, me, watering plants), sit on the front steps, or just hang out on the patio at Starbucks. If I'm lucky I can get in a grande drink and a few sections of the paper before the squirming grows out of control. She's soooo active--basically there are two modes: asleep or active awake. We still carry her around in the Bjorn sling a lot or she can entertain herself in the saucer for 10-20 minute intervals a few times in the morning and mid afternoon. It's amazing how much cleaning, washing, internet surfing, and Swifting I can whirl through in such a short time. Bewitching hours still run between 5 and 7 pm and we do what we can to feed & exhaust her before finally tucking her away for the night.