8 months = TROUBLE

A whole new world has opened up to us with Amelia turning 8 months. All of a sudden she is on the move, and this means she is into everything!!! Let's just say we are spending our Saturday at Babies R' Us to get supplies to "baby proof" our house. She is now a confident crawler, stander, stair climber with no fears and nothing is getting in her way (she has bruises to prove it). What happened to the days when I could leave her in a room and not worry??

Other 8 month developments include:

• Favorite word is "dada". We are working on others (mama), but dadadadada is taking the lead. Of course Wade thinks it is all about him.
• She loves waving to everyone she sees.
  
• Gets into standing position on furniture and can walk while holding it (why we have bruises).
• CRAWLS everywhere.
  
• Feeds self (cheerios are her favorite, but we have also been working on small bites of soft meat, fruit and vegetables) . During dinner she is mainly eating what we are eating.
  
• There has been a couple times when she forgets what she is doing and will stand momentarily. Scary for mom and dad.
• Most of the time she knows her name(s): Amelia, Milli, Mills, MiMi
• Has discovered toys. I find that I have to restrain from buying more because she gets so excited to play.
  

Amelia on the go...

Leavenworth Oktoberfest Marathon

Registration Fee.....$90

Leaving Amelia and Tracker with Grandma and Grandpa
for the weekend.....$0 (but some heartache)
Night of participating in Oktoberfest festivities.....$150

Checking off the goal of running a full marathon within one year of having a baby.....PRICELESS

Thank you so much to Ruth and Daryl, my family, Rask and especially my number one fan, support system and trainer: Wade. Without you all I would have never made it past the first mile!

East meets West

Family pictures at the Eastern and Western Weddings. We just got back from one of those trips where you need a vacation, after your vacation. This past weekend we ventured to Tahoe for my cousin's wedding. It was Amelia's first time on a plane, in California and meeting many new friends and family. She was in her true form (ham) and did well with everything the trip had to offer. I also think we are starting to see some personality shine through this little girl. Two words: Party Animal!!! Yes, we are a little worried.

In my years I have been to a number of weddings. All beautiful and special in their own way, but Josh and Hirini's was an EVENT I will always remember. It was not only two weddings (Eastern Indian and Western/USA) but also a HUGE party!!!! There was food, more food, music and lots and lots of dancing. The weddings took place at a campsite/cabin called Shinneyboo Creek, so there was no neighbors to complain. I am going to let the pictures tell the rest of the story (I have so many it was hard top choose what ones to post) and hope I can give the weekend the spotlight it deserves!! Party Animal!!!!

The Whites (Fred and Helen) and the future Whites (Derek and Kaitlin).
This picture is very GQ.

Papa and his girl. Over the weekend she learned how to headbutt (dicci dicci),
wave hello and growl.

Party Girl waiting for the party to start!

The crowd enjoying one of the bands. Can you find Wade??

Taking a break from dancing for a photo.

Aunt ReBecca and Amelia just getting ready to party.

Great-grandma and her Squeaky/Baby Millie.
Josh and family walking into the Indian wedding (groom procession).Hirini and her family walking into the wedding.

Mimi and Papa in their Indian dress.

"I Do" the second time

Amelia skinny dipping in Lake Tahoe. It was very cold, but that didn't faze her!!
She is our water baby.

Uncle D cutting the rug (literally).
Flying home...a little sad to leave, very tired, but overall happy we had such a great trip.

Weekend with Rask.

This weekend, Rask came up to stay with me while Wade headed back to Russia (St. Petersburg). We had a great girls weekend and Amelia and Katie became BEST FRIENDS. Amelia LOVED her Rask. Friday night, Grandma and Grandpa watch Little Miss so Katie and I could join the Bellingham girls for a night out on the town. It was fun, but I soon realized I am not as young as I once was. By 10pm my bed was calling my name. Katie played dress-up with Amelia. Please notice she is wearing Sounder colors.

How many people and animals can you put into one bed??? Even the dogs enjoyed the slumber party!!

Saturday involved watching soccer and college football and eating like we were in college again: Pita Pit for lunch and Pipeline for dinner. Saturday night, Sarah also joined us (shhh its The Secret!) for great conversation over some wine. Sunday we headed south so I could run (thank you Katie for biking next to me) and my parents could see Amelia. On my way home I got to meet Georgie Ray. She was beautiful and I am really wishing I had a picture to post!! Anna and Mike, you did good!!!!

Amelia learned a new trick. She is now pulling herself up into a standing position. I think it is time to start thinking about baby proofing.
Amelia has been fighting a bug for the past couple of weeks. While at the doctor 's I saw these children's masks. I grabbed a couple for when the Swine Flu really hits. She didn't seem to mind it!

Cougar Football Saturday!

Over the weekend, Amelia got her first taste of Cougar football. Wade and I took her down to Seattle for the "Battle in Seattle" against Hawaii. Amelia was a little under the weather, but she hammed it up and was a real trooper for the day of tailgating. We decided that we would take it hour by hour and leave if she wasn't feeling well. However, it was the Cougs who weren't "feeling" well and Wade couldn't take it anymore so we left during first quarter. In Wade's words "they were playing like a high school team!"

For the game Amelia wore her pink WSU jersey. It was a hand me down, but fits perfect for football season. It lasted until we walked into the stadium when she pooped over it and Wade! Once in the game she loved the sounds and people watching (just like her mom).

Tailgating takes a lot out of you. Just taking a bottle break and a nap.

Multi-tasking at its best! Cougar Babies! Amelia and Jake meet for the first time.

Amelia came on a little strong at first, but they seemed to like each other

more as time went by.

Sandpipers

For my side of the family, our year starts and ends on Labor Day. For over 30+ years, my parents (and us kids and our families) have been going just north of Ocean Shores to a "resort" called Sandpipers. It is units you can rent right on the beach. It marks the end of summer and I look forward to it every year. Especially this year because it was Amelia's first.

We didn't get there until late Friday night due to work, but we lucked out and had good weather on Saturday. Sunday we had on and off rain, but it cleared up that night for a fire on the beach. Overall the weekend was relaxing, but Amelia did have her first "stomach" issue. I don't know if she ate something bad or caught a bug from daycare, but Saturday night she puked everywhere, many times (first on my dad and then me later continuing until the next morning). It was no fun to have a sick baby, but she was a trooper and never cried. It just wore her out and she slept hard!! I am hoping that she is much better this week because school starts tomorrow for me and I would hate not being able to be home with her if she is sick. Mae Mae and Amelia hanging on the beach. A couple handfuls of sand made it to the mouth. Hopefully that isn't what made Amelia sick! On Sunday there is a parade and activities at the town of Pacific Beach. Here are the girls searching through cedar shaving for money. It was pretty funny to watch. Shelby came out with a couple dollars. Leave it to Wade to find a time to workout! Amelia and her Papa. It was so cute that they were cuddling in bed together that night before she puked ALL over him! Mimi and Papa celebrating Amelia's first Sandpipers!! We are all excited for next year when she will be running all over the place. Our little beach babe!

Hi ho, hi ho...

...It's off to work I go.

So far this week has been the hardest one since Amelia was born. After almost seven WONDERFUL months of maternity leave, I now must return to the classroom. My days of facebook, blog stalking/posting and my stay-at-home-mom routine are done. I am so thankful for the extended leave that I was able to go on (not sure if it made this transition harder for me) and I know going back to work is the best thing for our family. However, I will cherish the time I had at home and the future times I have with her even more.

On Monday, Amelia started at the YMCA full time in their infant room. Each drop-off and pick-up is me holding back tears. I guess I am lucky that my school is moving into a new building and I am very busy while at work and can hold my emotions. Lets keep your fingers crossed that this year is a smooth one.

What have I learned these past couple of days? So far I am finding there isn't enough time in the day for everything that needs to be done (I know understand why my mom has always been a night owl) and I feel like my head could start rolling at any minute. Advice from fellow working moms is much appreciated.