Baby K @ 5 Months!

Celebrate with me! I'm 5 months old!

Kennedy is just an amazing little girl. We're having so much fun! At 5 months, Kennedy:

• Wears 3-6 month onesies, and mostly 3 month clothes, with a few 6 month clothes
• Is long and lean. She's tall! Her thighs are the chunkiest, and thus, most irresistible little things ever.
• LOVES standing with a little help (like the picture above). Will do this all day if we let her. Jumps and bounces from standing position - her legs get quite the workout!
• Isn't thrilled by tummy time. She wants to be on the move, and without the ability to crawl, tummy time is SO frustrating!
• Loves when Mommy and Daddy sing. I've never gotten such a positive reaction to my singing voice!
• Sucks her fingers and her toes all the time. She's quite flexible in that her feet easily reach her mouth!
• Sleeps okay, but this has been the most trying month thus far. She wakes up a lot and seems in pain from teething. No teeth yet, but the cries are definitely painful.
• Stays in her crib 11-12 hours, even though she wakes up a ton. She easily goes back to sleep, and we are grateful for that.
• Gives kisses! It's my favorite thing. She reaches out for my face and literally grabs it with her pincer hands, pulls it in and plants a big, drooly, open-mouthed kiss on my face. We can exchange kisses for a solid half hour and stay entertained.
• Is starting to love tags on blankets and toys. Is super into textures and grasping/holding everything.
• Still loves her bouncer, jumperoo, and is starting to enjoy her cradle swing more. She will be outgrowing this soon, though!
• Coos and "talks" quite a bit, but nothing even slightly comprehendible yet. 
• Loves bath time - splashing, chewing her fish or rubber ducky and her washcloth
• Loves books. She even knew to start "reading" when Grandma opened a book for her - she started talking up a storm. She's still silent when I read, so I think she was showing Grandma how it's done.
• Is really just the happiest little girl! Which in turn makes us SO happy! We are so blessed!

3 Years Ago... Plus a Little Food for Thought

Three years ago was a glorious day. Not only did I get to execute the event of a lifetime (which was super cool in itself), but Jake and I got to commit ourselves to each other forever. And gosh, do I feel lucky. Not a day goes by that I doubt our decision to marry - even if some days are stressful, sleepless, and as of late, completely crazy! We are the perfect balance for each other through everything that comes our way. Of course, most recently, as parents.

Look at this face, those kind eyes!

I am so happy!

                                                             

Yes, I did love the event. I really enjoyed planning the wedding, seeing my ideas come to life!

We will continue to embark on this journey, and we are lucky to have found each other.

I also am taking a moment today to think about the upcoming vote for or against the amendment to the MN State Constitution, which if passed, would make it even harder for some very dear friends to do what many of us take for granted. There is absolutely NO GOOD REASON that people in loving, committed relationships should not be able to take those same vows to one another that we did. We're not talking about a political issue here; we're talking about a human issue. A real, human dignity issue. I grew up getting to envision my wedding and seeing it come to life. There are people today - even in the 21st century - who have not yet had this chance in their life. I'm really hoping this will change, and I really do have faith in the people of Minnesota.

If you are still deciding, I urge you to truly consider voting NO (not to limit the freedom to marry). Consider what little negative impact voting NO will have on your life. I promise you, the vote will have a much greater POSITIVE impact on the lives of many others than any parcel of negative you think you might experience. If you don't know yet where you stand, I want you to really put yourself in the shoes of others - of really wonderful human beings - and consider how important this stance for equality will be for them, for our kids and for our kids' friends. I certainly don't say it best, so here are a couple great reads: www.minnesotaforequality.com and http://www.owldolatrous.com/?p=288 (I realize the second isn't solely about marriage, but gets at the point of support for equality nonetheless.)

And, I am so happy to say: Happy Anniversary to my love!!

Celebrating 30

I have been totally MIA, I know. I have been soaking up every single day of life! It's been a blast of a summer, and of course totally different than all past summers, but I'm finally taking a moment to write and reflect. I recently read an article where 90-year-olds were interviewed, and if they had to do it all over again, the three biggest things they would change are: Take more risks, take more time to reflect, and do more that would live on when they are gone. I feel I have improvements to make in some of these areas. But for now, reflection.

Before I was even pregnant, as my friends started turning 30, we decided we would take a trip to celebrate this great milestone in life. Only a couple weeks after my 30th birthday, we took off for San Diego, and more specifically, a beach house rental in Encinitas, a small beach town in Southern California. It was glorious!

Six women celebrated being 30 together, lazed on the beach, reflected on our past decade and looked at the one ahead of us.

We spent a couple days at the beach, and also ventured to the San Diego Zoo for a full day trip. This zoo is crazy! Lots of ground to cover, lines for the "really cool" animals, and strollers lined up everywhere! Kennedy definitely would have been right at home with all of the other babies visiting the zoo. Maybe next time.

Here are a few of my favorite animal pics:

Wise old man!

These next two pictures show something that I found immensely cool. The cheetah and wolf pups are brought into an Animal Ambassador program, where they are paired with a domesticated dog that serves as a lifelong companion. It's almost like the dog is a mentor to the wild cheetah or wolf throughout life! They become best of friends, playmates, and look out for each other. They develop a deep bond and the dog helps the wild animal "take things in stride." I suppose I could say that Jake is like my dog buddy. :)

Oh, and this little dude hung upside down to drink water. So wily.

The last night in Encinitas, we had gourmet cupcakes to celebrate our milestone birthday. As we sat around, watched the Olympics, and spent some high quality time together, I reflected on how these women make my life a million times sweeter. I am blessed and lucky beyond my 30 years!