July 4th

This holiday didn't really look that promising. It was always one of my favorite holidays as a kid because we were always together with close friends and family, but now that we are in Portland we don't really have any of that here. We did have plans to barbecue with some friends, but they ended up no feeling well, so the three of us stayed home and Myles made a great veggieburger dinner. But then it got dark.
There are always lots of fireworks around our house. Growing up in California means you don't really get to experience this because they are illegal, but here people are blowing up all kinds of stuff EVERYWHERE and it feels like you are in a war zone or something. Before Adelaide went to bed we lit off some sparklers, hoping to get a little bit of excitement out of her. She seemed to like them, but it was a bit disappointing because it was still light out so you couldn't even see them very well.
The best part though was once it got dark and Adelaide woke up. We wrapped her in her little blankie and took her out on the roof to watch the fireworks, and she LOVED it. She was so happy and excited to see them going off. She kept saying "works, works" and that was even her first word the next morning. What a special time that was, with her all snuggled up to us, having just woke up from her sleep and excited for this special event. It ended up being the best holiday I've had so far.

Adelaide at work - Henna shoot

I did a photoshoot for my friend Beth, who had a henna tattoo done on her very pregnant belly. I was a little bit nervous to take Adelaide with me on a job, but I knew I could make it work. She's been with me shooting at home, but this was the first time on location. She did great. The henna studio was so beautiful and had such great lighting that I had to shoot a few of my "assistant" as well. Can you believe how big and grown up she looks?!
And here are some of the belly shots ~

Baby Bean Shower

Our friends Tif and Corey are going to have a baby girl in a few weeks. We were invited to their baby shower barbecue which was a lot of fun. Adelaide was really excited to be dressed up and was very proud to be carrying the gift for them.

Look at her cute flower clip!I made that while she was taking her nap. Isn't it cute?

Pepe

Pepe is a Tijuana puppet. He wasn't made for small children, in fact he is pretty dangerous. His parts (hands, feet, GUN, hat) are held on with a little bit of string, or a really sharp nail, and his head is held on with a sharp piece of wire hanger. The problem is that Adelaide loves him more than anything it seems. She has always been obsessed with him. We had him high on a shelf for the first year of her life, where she probably stared at him and we had no way of knowing that she wanted to hold him. Once she could point, she would point to him and beg for him. We resisted for several more months, but now it's hard to keep him from her, she is in love with Pepe. He has lost his hand that holds the gun. It's back up on the shelf now. And his clothes are falling off and exposing his little wooden body and sharp wire ties. Adelaide doesn't care though. We hide him and she asks where he is. We tell her no and she begs and begs until we give in and let her have him. Someday I will take him apart and make him a soft body for her to snuggle, but for now, I present to you senior Pepe.

Some of my latest creations

Farmington Gardens

Our friends won a day at the farm and invited us as their guests. We got to plant some little plants to take home, and have lunch and root beer floats. It was a lot of fun, although nap time came quick and we almost had some grumpy girls. They had fun in the waggon and I was so happy it was finally sunny!

I left Adelaide's hat in the car and they let us borrow Fallons beautiful little pink hat for Punkie.

Notice her glove =)

Peas

Our garden is going crazy! Today Adelaide and I took a bunch of peas across the street to our neighbor. She was so sweet, she invited us in and gave us some pot stickers that she had just cooked. It was nice to spend time and see how nice they are, as we've lived across the street from them for several years now and have never really spoke. Her English is very limited so it made it quite hard, but I think I'm good at communicating with non English speakers, so it was okay =)

Solstice in the Park

Our friend Megan put together a little Solstice gathering in the park with some of our mama friends. It was pretty cold and rainy, but it was fun to celebrate the longest day of the year with some of our friends. I really don't think the kiddo's care how cold it is...really.

Here is our group - lot's of mama's and little boys.

This is Adelaide and her friend Felix, who shares her same birthday!

Around the neighborhood

This winter feels like it will never end. It's late June -and still raining and cold every day. Here are some pictures of us playing in the yard...and one of a turkey that we found living down the street! Other big news is that I stopped putting diapers on Adelaide for 3 days now...and so far only 3 accidents! If she has training pants on she will pee in them...but if she doesn't have anything other than pants then she holds it and goes in the potty! I can't believe it's been this easy, and know that I have it all to blame on cloth diapers and holding her over the toilet to poop since she was 3 months old. I can't imagine what I will do when I don't have to wash and fold diapers anymore! Does that mean that she's not a baby? =(

Granny and papa Jerry back for a visit!

Adelaide is so lucky to have amazing grandparents that come to see her a lot and spoil her! She always gets clothes and toys from her granny. She is one lucky little lady. We had a quick visit, but it was fun. We went to the zoo, and then Myles and I got to go on a date while we left Adelaide!!! I don't think she even noticed we were gone, she was having so much fun. It's my dream to have family live close so we can do things together ever now and then. It was so nice to get out and have some time to relax and be silly with Myles (Thanks to his mom - it was our anniversary present!). It seems silly that she is 19 months old and that was her first time without one of us here...but we don't want to leave her with anyone else, so that is how it goes. Here is Adelaide with her new dress on over her other clothes...and her baby carrier with elmo in there =) Granny is showing her pictures on her camera - check out her curles!!!

Adelaide with her Grandpa Jerry and Cali. She is such a big girl in these clothes!