Great Grandma and West

Great Grandma Virginia and West
October 19, 2008

She always enjoys spending time with her first great grand-baby!

A day at the Pumpkin Patch!

Autumn crisp and new...

Finally, an update! We've been quite the busy family since last I posted news. Allow me to catch you up on our lives post-July.

We had a nice, full, August with lots of celebrations for friends and family including birthdays, anniversaries, and a lovely wedding in Oregon for our dear friends, Alan and Amber. It was incredibly hot and there was little more walking-through-the-woods-in-heels-time than expected, but the garden ceremony was lovely and it was nice sharing the occasion with so many friends.

September was fairly uneventful aside from the start of my schooling at Everett Community College. I ventured outside my planning experience a bit to cater and design a lovely breakfast for 20 at the office of my dear friend, Sami. She's a lovely woman and I was so thankful for the opportunity to try something new in terms of planning and catering. The morning was a huge success, the food was wonderful and it was a proud day in my book. We also had the pleasure of watching Sami sing at the Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival and had so much fun, but West especially enjoyed dancing along, and he loves his Sami!

Christian is enjoying his time at Apple being in the Alderwood store. He is working hard to update his website and get side projects done when schedules permit. He's also enjoying having more time with West while I work on school work or other projects around the house. Christian is always working on some idea for a short film, or an animation project and is trying to focus so he can really see things come to life and finish one idea before beginning another. I'm beginning to think he's far too creative for his own good, but he never ceases to amaze me with all he is capable of!
West is growing so quickly, no big surprise there, and his vocabulary amazes me every day. He is constantly talking and singing, loving to read, dance (still!) and play hall-ball, our little rainy day hallway soccer game. He also loves looking at pictures of all our family and friends, playing in his room and doing puzzles. First word of the day, every day, is "puzzoes"! Recently, we have been sharing Christian's Lego man "Bruce" (an old FAO Schwartz set-piece) with West and they are the best of friends! Favorite things lately, aside from puzzles, are zippers, mommy's spaghetti, bouncing balls, looking at pictures, Superman, sharing books, stacking and demolishing soft-block towers, blowing kisses, splash...I mean bath, nights, and hours of snuggles.

School has been interesting so far. Most of the class work is done online but for a few tests which I take on campus. The biggest challenge for me to this point has been the business math class and just keeping myself in check with the assignments and all the reading in each class, plus optional exercises and posting to online discussion boards. So far, I am getting by but I know I need to step up my focus and really set aside more time so I don't feel so stressed on Sundays trying to get everything in.

West and I have been enjoying mommy-and-me group activities when time and budget allow us to attend, and we are looking forward to upcoming Halloween parties and a trip to Stocker Farms for Pumpkin selection! While his costume has not been settled yet, Christian and I will be attending our wonderful friend's (Scott) big Bash on Halloween night as Thor and Sif (Wife of Thor, Goddess of the Harvest). We have a lot of work to do on our costumes and finding work time is challenging, but we're looking forward the end result. Pictures will be posted once they are completed!

With Christmas right around the corner I've been planning lots of sewing and knitting projects since we'll be keeping buying to a minimum like so many others, this year! I've recently joined a knitting circle thanks to Lyra, a cherished friend. We meet once monthly, eat, knit, chat, eat more, knit more and enjoy time away from the everyday goings on. The group, recently named The Wicked Stitches (Love it!!) is so fun and I'm very thankful to be part of such a great circle of friends.

Lastly, I am so thrilled to announce my return the the stage...or at least the back-stage! A few weeks from now auditions will be taking place for Northwest Savoyards production of "Once upon a Mattress" for which I will be serving as AD (I think!) to Sami! This is such a wonderful thing and I could not be more pleased to be involved with theatre and where so much of my heart lies. The best part of all this is that we will be putting the on show at the Everett Historic Theatre where I have done so many other shows in the past. Simply opening the doors and breathing in, listening the the heartbeat of the building, is like being home.

Biggest baby ever!

Okay, maybe he's not the biggest baby ever but West is still off the charts! At his 18 month check-up today, we learned his weight is 31.2 lbs and his height is 36.25 inches. It's wild to think my son is that big and not even 2! The doctor was greeted by Westley announcing "Doctor!" as she came in, after we just told him the doctor would be there soon. It was pretty priceless and the happy welcome pleasantly surprised our pediatrician.
She said he looks great, is right on track in terms of development, eating right,
drinking lots of milk and water, and general health.
It does a mother good to hear these things!

In grown-up land, I have decided this will be the year I actually start school and attempt getting an Associates degree in Business. My application has been accepted, I've selected my classes and have chosen some options for orientation and advising dates/times. If all goes smoothly with financial aid I will be attending Everett Community College for 2-3 classes per semester over 2 years. My schooling will unfortunately be funded by student loans, but the payoff when I can finally start my own Event Coordination business will more than make up for it. I will be taking my classes at night since I will be getting a weekend job once our crazy busy August is over and complete, people are married, birthdays and
anniversaries are celebrated and we can all get some rest.
The prospect of going to school so soon is very exciting so here's hoping everything works out!
On to the next...
August, here we come!

(If anyone is absolutely dying to get me a birthday gift,
Home Depot gift cards are just the right size! Seriously! )

Feeling at home

At last, we've nearly finished unpacking and settling in to our new home in Everett. It's really beginning to feel like home. After we get a few more small pieces of storage furniture, we'll be good to go and I can finally have easy access to my cookbooks!

Westley is really enjoying the space and having to spend less time in baby jail. He's been paroled, so to speak. Christian is enjoying being in his new store and West and I have been enjoying each other a great deal since I've been home with him more. He's constantly running, slipping and sliding on the wood floors, having a great time on walks to the produce stand and exploring the playground at Wiggums Hollow park just down the street.

(A little bath time fun with Daddy there for the soaking!)


(West's favorite morning activity is dancing with Ellen!)

Though most of what he says is gibberish to us, West's vocabulary has expanded quite a bit with new words like bread, Cotton (the name of his favorite bear), butt, turtle, doggy, duck, book, water, hat, nose, eyes and the list goes on. He's also learned to blow kisses and it is the absolute sweetest thing ever! Next week we will have his 18 month check-up. It's hard to believe he's only been here for 18 months since there are many, many days when I look at him and think he has to be at least 2 years old! It's been such a bizarre, incredible, adventurous time in our lives and while it has been extremely difficult at times, I can't remember much of what of life was like before West arrived. His laugh is infectious, his smile so handsome, and he is such an inquisitive, thoughtful child. Lately, now that he knows what a camera is for and how to say "pitcha" (picture), he's really been into modeling. He comes over, touches the camera, says "pitcha" and stands back a bit with a big grin on his face. My little Zoolander.....

While July has been fairly mellow with a nice Independence Day celebration at our good friend's Ranch (Stevie's home, The Pines) and a couple of minor illnesses (West had the croup, an awful thing for a mommy to try to make better), and a lot of unpacking and cleaning our new home, we are looking forward to a busy August full of outdoor activities and a little travel. With 2 out-of-town Weddings, My Birthday day of fun at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma, a visit from Aunt Kaijsa, and lots of other birthdays and anniversaries the time is sure to go quickly. This coming weekend West will have his first visit to the Woodland Park Zoo as we all go with a group of friends and 2 Japanese Exchange Students they are hosting.

We are looking forward to more beautiful weather, lots of wedding fun, time with friends and family, grilling and chilling (after we acquire a grill, that is...), and enjoying life as best we can. We hope all of you are happy, healthy, and enjoying your summer days!

Just below you will see West
and my lovely Cousin Rose
enjoying a story.

Just above, say
"Howdy" to Westley the Watermelon Farmer!

Movin' on up...North

We've had a busy couple of months around here. After recovering from vacation and getting back into a somewhat normal routine, we decided it was time to focus on our search for a new home. As much as we love the West Seattle area for the summer fun, beautiful beaches, and great eateries, it's just not practical for us anymore. Also, as most of you have heard, our neighbors and the landlord company for our current building are seriously in need of some etiquette lessons and common sense education.

When we were thinking about where to begin our search, we decided on the city of Everett, about 30 minutes north of Seattle. Everett has a lot of small town feel and neighborhood niceties even with it's growing economy and lively entertainment/event participation, and we have always liked the area. Not to mention we knew we could find something just right within our budget and get more for our renters dollar,
and it's quite central to most of our friends and family.

Well, success has finally come! We found a lovely duplex managed and owned by a wonderful couple and it's in a good location. The 2 bedroom home has great amenities such as ample storage space, laminate flooring throughout most rooms, washer/dryer, lots of big windows with nice new blinds, a pretty little front yard, and the owner has agreed to paint the living area for us so we aren't stuck with white walls. Instead, the color will be a soft shade of green called Monet Moonrise. A great big park is right down the block from the new place, as well as a corner convenience store and fantastic local produce market. We are really looking forward to getting moved in at months end with the help of our amazing friends and families, and exploring our new neighborhood!

Once our move is complete, Christian will be transferring to the Alderwood Mall Apple store in Lynnwood, WA (just south of Everett) and will be there in his current capacity as a Creative. As for me, I will be leaving Williams Sonoma after nearly 11 years. I'll be looking for a job with evening hours so we can have family time and some full days off together.

In other news, we took part in the annual Multi-Family Memorial weekend yard sale at the home of dear friends Davi and Asa. We had excellent luck this year with some great weather, making a little money and best of all, we enjoyed quality time with friends. It's always so fun to catch up and see the kids playing together, how they're growing up so fast.

We've been trying to enjoy the little bit of summer weather we've had by going to the beach, taking walks and just being outdoors when it's not pouring rain, and we have time off together. It's a hard thing to come by, as everyone knows, and we certainly cherish every moment of it.

In Westley's world, he is walking everywhere, even running when he decides the occasion calls for it! He's talking more, dancing constantly, and smiling almost all the time.

Lately, he's very into trying new things, which is great since he's often been put off by certain things most little ones enjoy. When we went to the beach he actually sat in the sand and rocks playing after lots of patience and easing him into the experience. We're also trying to get him over his dislike of grass so we can take advantage of our new neighborhood park when the weather permits.

He's eating just about anything, loves sandwiches just like his daddy and Italian food like mom, and most importantly always enjoys his fruits and veggies! He's great at playing catch and loves to roll his favorite bouncy ball to and fro, he can show you where his belly, head, nose and eyes are, and will gladly show you where your belly, head, eyes and nose are, and he's still oozing sweetness and charm, always in public, and most of the time at home.

Walkabout

We just returned home from a week in Seaside, OR. It was nice, the weather was really 50/50. The first few days it went from fog to rain to sun and back again in the span of mere moments. The latter part of the trip was full of sunshine, blue skies and lots of ice cream breaks!

The best parts of the week were (1) when West started walking all over the place! He was really enjoying his week of freedom from baby jail, and is great on his feet. He has a wonderful ability to fall with grace and he only had one hard fall. Unfortunately that fall was in the crosswalk and he got a wee scrape and bump along the eye brow. After some cuddles and kisses he was up and going again and kept on throughout the trip. And (2) when West went in a swimming pool for the first time. He took to the water like a fish and was really enjoying himself after getting used to it. Christian is hoping West will take after him and be a strong swimmer. He's already got a great dolphin kick!

While in the area we enjoyed the beach, family game night, the Seaside Aquarium, a great bonfire complete with wienie roasting and s'mores, we came home with enough saltwater taffy to feed an army, and best of all we got a break from our noisy, yucky apartment.

I was deeply saddened to leave since I had my own room and bathroom for an entire week. West slept in his new Kidco Peapod Plus travel bed and it made a great barricade and fort during the day. The travel bed wouldn't fit in the room with the big bed and the rooms we're too far apart to have West all alone in one and us in another so Christian, being a kind and generous husband, granted me my own space for the week minus snoring and alarms and everything! It was glorious...

The trip was a welcome change from the everyday, and West really had a great time being the center of the universe with a bigger audience, but it's good to be home, sort of.

Time to walk!

Were you a preemie? Do you have any relatives who had
premature babies or were born prematurely themselves?
There's a good chance the March of Dimes played a small
part in healing and saving those you love!

Please consider donating to the March of Dimes for the walk we're doing tomorrow. My page will stay up for a while after the walk, but any pre-walk donations can still be made today (5/03/08).Please take a look at my personal page and think about donating any possible amount!
Just imagine if everyone you know donated 5$, just 5 little dollars...how quickly it all adds up!
The more we donate, the more people will receive help. Here's a breakdown of the benefits of raising the most money possible. You could help give someone a brand new car seat, provide diapers or prenatal vitamins to new and expectant parents, and most of all with any amount you choose to contribute, you will be helping to ensure that premature and newborn babies are getting the best possible start in life.

$500 - One year supply of prenatal vitamins for two women
$1000 - One month supply of diapers
$3000 - Car seat
$5000 - Newborn clothing for ten families
$10000 - Car seat, one month supply of diapers/clothing
$20000 - Crib, car seat, one month supply diapers/clothing

www.marchforbabies.org/mcknittles

!!!!!THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!

Coming home...

It is my great pleasure to announce the homecoming of
Mr. Scott B. Randall!
After living in Los Angeles and pursuing a career in the entertainment industry as a make-up artist, Scott made the decision to return to where most of his family and friends, and more importantly, his heart, reside.


Scott has been an incredible friend to me for more than 12 years and I am so thankful to have him in my life, and to have him home so all of us who know him best can share the light, and especially the laughter, he brings to every day.
Welcome home, Scotty!

And now for your viewing pleasure, a couple of little video clips I took with the digital camera.
They are a little dark but the sentiment is definitely there...