Our Seattle Family

Last weekend we got together with our friends for a BBQ. The four guys in the group are all in Pharmacy School together. Over the past three years the four couples have spent a lot of time together (and at least for my part) have really enjoyed it. It is like we have all been family for each other, since none of us have family nearby. Each couple has had their immediate family grow (all four girls have had one child while in Seattle)!

Nick and I have both enjoyed the company of these couples (rock band, anyone?!). The BBQ was probably the last time (for a long time) that all of us will be together, since everyone is going their separate ways for pharmacy rotations. These guys have been one of the bright spots of living in Seattle- for us, and we are grateful for their friendship.

Jason, Preston, Jeanne, Lorelei, Alex, Braden, Anna, Garrett, Lily, & Katie: you guys are the best pseudo-family we could have asked for!

Haircut Opinion

I need opinions, thoughts, regrets... when it comes to getting a haircut. As most girls know, cutting your hair can be a traumatic experience. It has taken me 4 years to get my hair to the length it is (my hair grows so slowly!). I have been really hesitant to part with it (no pun intended)- because it is a decision you can't easily alter once you have gone through with it. But now that my preparation time in the morning has been severely curtailed I have been re-thinking the whole haircut option. It takes a really long time to dry my hair; and it's time I don't have these days with new baby.

Nick won't give me an opinion one way or another (probably to keep himself safe :)

So, I am hoping that all of my girlfriends who have been through similar experiences will be willing to share.

I've attached a picture of the haircut I like most, and would consider getting.

I look forward to seeing what people think.

Olan Mills Photography Studio is Yucky!

A week ago I made an appointment to have Reagan's pictures taken (for birth announcements) at Olan Mills Photography Studio. The appointment was scheduled for Saturday (8/9/08), at their Everett, WA location. Not only did I get an email confirmation for the appointment, but I also got a phone call reminding me about it, and especially encouraging us to be on time.

We drove all of the way to Everett, and made it to the appointment 5 minutes early!

We then proceeded to wait in the waiting area for 15 minutes. I was slightly annoyed, but my annoyance quickly turned to serious agitation when the Olan Mills employee told me that she was running behind by an hour +!

I told her I had an appointment, and that I was having a newborn photographed. That made no difference. Argh! Nick and I left without getting Reagan's pictures done. (You had better believe I will be filing a complaint with Olan Mills Customer Service Dept.).

On the way back to our apartment Nick and I were debating about taking Reagan over to the JC Penny Photo Studio (since she was already dressed). We stopped at home to get her a bottle. Still undecided about whether to try to get Reagan's picture taken.

Lovely baby that Reagan is... she decided for us. When Nick took her out of her carseat she started to make her "poopy-face", and proceeded to blow-out (yet another) diaper, all over her pretty photo-outfit. No JC Penny photos for her.

Also, a sidenote... something about Nick must cause Reagan to have messy diapers. Because a few days after my previous posting (that talked about this subject) Nick had a very similar incident with Reagan- AGAIN. Nick's Mom and I could hardly help Nick out, because we were laughing so hard. :)

In the end- we just decided to take Reagan's pictures at home (per a suggestion from my resourceful friend; Lindsay). Posted are some of the good ones that we were able to capture. I am going to upload them to birth announcements and call it good. At least until it is time to do her 3 month pictures.

Outdoor Pictures

Here are a few pictures that we took outside yesterday. I thought people would probably rather see these than pictures related to the prior post. :) (not that we took any pictures of Reagan's "messes" anyway). Stuff like that isn't subject matter I want to capture on my camera. I practically died when I watched the John and Kate Plus 8 episode where Kate took pictures of the kids next to the potty chair that held their first bowel movement. Gross!

What being a new parent "feels" like! Literally.

The other night Nick hurried home from work to play with Reagan. Within minutes, Nick was able to "feel" what having a baby is all about. First, he was holding Reagan on his shoulder, and the next thing I know he is telling me to bring a burp-cloth over QUICK! I thought it was one of her usual "little spit-ups", so I wasn't doing a lot of hurrying to get over to him. I figured he was freaking out, because he wasn't used to it yet. But when I got to him I realized he had every right to be upset. Reagan had thrown-up nearly her entire bottle, all down the front of Nick's dress shirt!

We got both Reagan and Nick cleaned up, and Nick (brave soul that he is), was sitting on our bed holding Reagan. Then I heard him say "There's something on my arm!", followed by: "now there's something on Reagan's blanket, and something on our comforter!". Reagan had totally "blew-out" her diaper, all over Nick.

Nick isn't to the point that he will only hold Reagan at arms length... Yet. I guess that is what unconditional love is all about. Loving and cuddling your baby, even after she vomits and poops on you.

Grammie's Visit

I need to send a BIG thanks out to my Mom, for coming to stay and help me take care of Reagan for the past week. It definitely allowed me to get far more sleep than I would have if she had not been here.

Next up... Nick's Mom will be arriving and staying for a week, and then my sister, Heather, will be up the following week. I am one lucky girl to have so much help!