Laowai

We’ve been enjoying The Tour of California this week. They had a brutal day today with rainy cold weather and a really long stage. Even with the miserable conditions California is beautiful! I hope we can take Bea to the tour and act like crazy biking fans next year.

BRIAN’S MUG

Wow, I can’t believe I’ve posted everyday for 30 days. And it’s a good thing it’s the last day of my little project because tomorrow morning I’m off to Midland. Stay tuned for photos of two little cousins celebrating their birthdays together.

First we had a haircut:

Then I made a cake (a few tears might have gotten into the batter):

Then we went to the children’s museum:

Then we opened presents:

Then we ate cake:

We had a first birthday to remember. Bring on year number two!

HEADING HOME

Once again I’m not particularly happy with the photo I’ve taken. This 30 Day Photo Project has become a burden just in the last few days. It’s mostly because I’m longing to go outside and take photos of water, leaves, dogs in the park, old houses, Bea surrounded by green grass, etc., etc., etc. I feel bad for wishing away this great winter we’re having but I’m not able to go out and enjoy the snow with Bea when it’s so cold.

So I just snapped this photo on our drive back home tonight hoping it would look artistic. We were in the city having dinner with Brian’s co-workers and celebrating their good year. We left Bea with a babysitter for the second time. It’s strange being the mom and hiring a babysitter. But, so far so good, we like her and it feels good to go out and have some alone time with Brian.

Tomorrow is Bea’s birthday so we should have some messy cake eating photos. Can you believe she is a year old? One year ago I was being sent home from the hospital for the second time. Then I stayed on the couch and had contractions off and on all night. She was born around 10:00 a.m. the next morning. If I think too hard I’ll get all weepy. Instead I’ll go to bed – I have to make a birthday cake in the morning.

PART OF MY PYREX COLLECTION

READY FOR A BIRTHDAY

MY LITTLE CLING-ON

GOOFING AROUND BEFORE BEDTIME

Oops – I didn’t get a chance to post a photo yesterday. I also didn’t get around to taking any good photos.

Another thing I haven’t gotten to for way to long is thanking a few people for reading my blog and leaving comments.

To Aunt Sandy: Thanks for the invitation to visit you. We think about it often because we’ve always had a great time when we stay with you. So, we hope to be able to introduce Bea to her Aunt Sandy and Uncle Pat very soon.

To Christine: As always, your comments brighten my day. Hope you had fun reading Tyler’s Valentine’s Day cards. There’s something for me to look forward to with Bea.

To Jennifer: In response to your question “Do you secretly wish you lived on a dairy farm with pretty black and white cows and rolling pastures?” Yes, that would be nice – wanna come visit me? Bea and I are so looking forward to the big birthday party next weekend – can’t wait to see you!

To everyone else: Thanks for reading. Blogging sometimes seems trivial and selfish but it makes me feel closer to family when I can share Bea (and other silly things) with you all.

BANK BUILDING MOSAIC