Oh, and she's the sweetest baby ever, Exhibit A:
She is SO gosh darn cute. I love having a little girl!! Everyone is doing well, Randal is off his IV meds and is at his first day back working at the winery as I type. I *LOVE* the big pic of Annika, getting kisseed by her ever-lovin' Daddy- those two are so incredibly sweet together, it's palpable how special they are to each other. They boys are enjoying the warmer weather, although I've got my first patchwork sunburn from playing at the pool with Amber & Gabby yesterday (sorry, no pics of mommy's first bathing suit excursion- I don't care HOW skinny you think I am.... just go riiiight on thinking.) The Health & Harmony Fair is this weekend, you can bet on pictures from that, though! Baby's First HippieFest- you KNOW that one has a spot in the baby book... as soon as I get one. And, you know, a camera. At least my phone is there to capture the moment, even if it's not fully encompassed in all of its asthetic glory.
In other news, we have found a new house and will be moving at the end of the month! Although I paticularly detest moving in general, (I JUST got everything settled at THIS house!) the new house has twice the living space with the 2nd floor and twice the yard space as well with (white picket) fenced front & back yards. It also has four bedrooms- the first time either Randal or I will have lived in a house with adequate bedrooms for each person, something that we both feel really good about. I think it will smooth things out especially in Tobin's world, who will benefit from having his very own space to be responsible for and close the door to when he feels the need.
This also means I get to decorate my very first little GIRL'S room! I'm a bit perplexed, having never done such a thing, but I'm pretty sure it involves lots of fairies, MeMa's (my maternal great grandmother) rocking chair and little tiny things that make people go, "Awwww..." Not too much pink, though. I'm thinking light greens and Mother Goose things- I really like vintage toys and plaques and things, especially for nurseries. We don't have a crib yet but we do have the cradle that their Grandpa Ray made, which was used by their cousin Dominic and Aiden and now Annika, too. Hooray for a place for my ceramic fairies I've accumulated over the years! (actually, Miss GabbyDoodle aquired quite a few of them, but still...)
The master bedroom has dual shower heads, his & hers closets and sinks as well as a 6' soaking tub. HECK YES. The carpet is old and blue, which is much more suited to little children than the white (oh, the horror) that we have now. Our current landlady is thinking of selling the house anyhow, so it seems to work out for the best on everyone's ends. It's closer to the freeway and to KJ for Randal and also closer to Kira's & Amber's houses, which is nice for me. :) To top it off, it's on a court for the boys to ride their bikes in and the rent is $100 less! *ahh*
Things are going well, despite all of the crazy little things that pop up here and there... but that's what life is, you know? The boat is constantly rocking... sometimes it's soothing and rhythmic enough to rock us to sleep, sometimes a storm comes out of nowhere and all we can do is find something to grab onto to keep our feet somewhere near the ground. I hate to take a meatphor and run, but Randal is such a wonderful anchor- I love how all of us in our little family fulfill our individual roles, even the kids and the cats. Our day to day life is so joyful and full of love, I am thankful everyday for them and our extended family, who keep us floating when it gets really crazy. You guys are all such blessings in your own ways- thank you for being a part of this crazy voyage! ...okay, enough sea-baring likenesses. Ahoy!
