Recently...

Everyday I marvel at how preciously unique Phoebe is. It's fascinating to see what excites Phoebe, what scares her, what calms her, what causes her anxiety, what she likes and dislikes, and so forth. She is at such a point in her development that I can actually have conversations with her, in a way. She knows what I am saying, so as long as I pose simple questions to her, she can give me yes or no answers by shaking her head yes or no. She can point at things she wants. Just this morning I walked into Phoebe's room to get her and I asked her where her sippy cup was, and she pointed across the room to where it was sitting on top of a night stand. Yesterday she pointed at her diaper to tell Sarah that she had a poopy diaper. I enjoy hearing all the new words she is learning to say. I am Dada. Sarah is Baba, except when Phoebe is sad or when she REALLY wants something, in which case she will say Mama. She can sort of say her own name - Beebe. She learned to say "bible" the other day. She also signs on a regular basis, saying "please" and "more" whenever she would like something or would like more of something. Ahh, I could go on and on about my sweet daughter. :)

Something to Consider Before Voting

I really want our blog to be a place where we solely update you on personal matters, and to keep other matters out of it. However, I believe this video is an important one to watch in light of the upcoming election. I promise I won't post one for another 4 years...at least.

Bubble

I forgot to post this several weeks ago when Phoebe started saying "bubble." She LOVES bubbles. And the way she says it is so adorable. Anyway, here ya go.

www.yearbookyourself.com

I just learned of this new site that is a lot of fun. You can put your face into yearbook photos from 1950 through 2000. Here are just a couple of my favorites.

Canada

I realized I never did blog about our vacation in Canada right before moving out here to LA. We had a wonderful time just relaxing with my family in God’s beautiful nature. For the first week it was just Phoebe, my parents and myself. Then for the last few days my siblings, Anna, Rachel and John, and their friends came up.

Little Indian Phoebe

All natural tub-time!

Ready for bed

Fun in the sun at Bonnechere Bay

Kelsey attempting a back flip off the floating dock

Sistas!

This rainbow was incredible!

Hehe

TJ and John enjoying some smokes

Fun times!

So sad

Phoebe took a pretty hard fall the other day at the park. She was running and fell smack on her face. She doesn’t normally cry too much when she hurts herself but she cried all the way home. I didn’t realize how hard she went down until the next day when she woke up with a swollen blue-ish nose! Poor thing! She’s a trooper.

Rainbow Factory and the beach...

On Friday, Sarah, Phoebe and I went down to San Clemente to visit the Rainbow Factory so that I could get a new pair of rainbow sandals (late birthday present from Sarah). For those of you who are not aware of Rainbow Sandals, you must instantly acquaint yourself with them, for they make the most durable, comfortable sandals your feet will ever set foot in. Anywho, after going to the Rainbow Factory (this is where all the sandals are made and then distributed around the country), we went to the beach. It was fun.

The New Thing Phoebe Insists On Doing...

Phoebe is insisting more and more on using utensils for eating her food. The other day she took my fork out of my hand to use it with her food. Anyway, it's hard to believe our precious little girl is now eating with a fork!

Uncle Silas

Silas only lives a couple miles away, so it's been great to have him come over to our apartment and hangout. Phoebe has enjoyed hanging out with him too.

New Shoes

Phoebe got new shoes! Lace-up ones at that. Now that she has been walking everywhere for over a month, (i have almost forgotten that she used to crawl) we have entered the shoe-tying stage of life.

Strawberry Shortcake Plate

This plate is one that i had a little kid. I loooved Strawberry Shortcake as a child and saved my money to buy this plate. Now Phoebe can eat off it!

Salmon Creek Beach, CA

Today we went to Salmon Creek Beach, which is along the coast of Sonoma County here in California. Phoebe had a blast. She enjoyed walking around and playing in the sand. It was a great day for her to hang out with her Grampa and Gramma, aunts and uncles.

In & Out Burger

One of the greatest part of living on the west coast is In & Out Burger, arguably the best fast food burger restaurant in the world. I almost always order a double-double animal style with fries and a neapolitan milkshake.

Before

After

Disc Golf at La Mirada Park

Yesterday Amos and I went disc golfing with one of my good friends and former roommate Nate Labate.