Lucia at 11 Months

Dear Lucia,

Happy 11 months baby girl!

The speed at which you get around these days seems to mirror the quickness with which the days pass, and I can't believe you are nearly one year old.  This month you focused much energy on pulling yourself up on everything in sight, as well as balancing in a standing position for a few happy moments.  Your eyes light up whenever you accomplish this new feat, and we can't get enough of seeing your sweet face so full of joy.

You love to eat, and this month your favorite food has been popsicles. Your brother loves to make these frozen delights and loves even more to share them with you (this one was a blueberry, cantaloupe, spinach and Greek yogurt pop). You are rather independent, and lately you have insisted on feeding yourself everything so we have shifted your meals to nothing but tasty finger foods.  

You also tried your first sips of coconut water straight from the source at a farmer's market and loved it.  

We spent some lovely days at the beach this month where you happily explored all of the wonders of this sandy playground.

With the rising temperatures (most within the 10 degree window of comfort that is San Diego), we spent more days enjoying the pool.You loved splashing about just as much as practicing your new skill of standing up.

You continue to develop new sounds and ways of communicating (many apparently can only be created at the highest of decibels), and I love how such a small being can be so mighty.  Thanks for another wonderful month.  We love you!

Our Staycation in Solana

At the end of June we found ourselves burning the candle at both ends.  With Andy's work requiring a great deal of attention as the company geared up for a launch at Starbucks (translation: insane work hours and stress), and Lucia still waking up several times a night, we all felt rather maxed out and in need of some down time to regroup.  Although Andy couldn't take time off of work, we decided a staycation in Solana Beach (just 15 minutes from our house) would provide just what we needed...cool salty mornings, miles of sand, endless waves, coffee shops, and just a change of pace for a little while.

So off to the beach we went in search of rest, relaxation and renewal.

Packing up the kids and our life always seems daunting, but once we arrived at our adorable rental house just off of Cedros Avenue, I could feel the weight lifting from my shoulders.  We spent nearly a week there where we...

...soaked in long morning walks (after stopping at our favorite coffee shop) along the deserted beach.

 ...welcomed silliness and photo shoots.  

...went to a concert at Fletcher's cove where great tunes, good vibes and a killer ocean view melded together for one beautiful evening.

...stepped up to the counter at Pizza Port for some beer and pizza.

 ...explored cool caves, rock features and lifeguard towers.

 ...walked up, down and all around Solana in dirty feet.

 ...enjoyed delicious dinners and wine on our patio.

...read some new books while practicing our new skill of standing up.  

 ...experienced the Solana beach farmers market just a few blocks from our place.  Fresh berries, fish tacos, coconuts, and cupcakes...mmmmmm

 ...played in the sand every day.

...soaked in some precious moments just being together.