Strawberry, Strawberry

Tis the season for strawberries and we want to thank Aunt Kathie for sending all these adorable clothes. The shoes are especially cute and just a wee big which is good because Una will be able to wear them longer. 

Miss Una is growing up fast. Yesterday, we did some tummy time, and she was able to lift her head all the way up and look around! It's a little thing that makes such a big impression on momma and nana sally, who is here visiting for the week. Una also had her first real meltdown in public...at the grocery store. She really didn't want to be in the stroller any more...and who could blame her with our oregon heat wave. It's hot here, well, hot for oregon.  Una's third accomplishment is story time. Just this past week she started paying attention and looking at the pictures when you read to her. How cool is that? She especially liked "Are You My Mother?" and kept looking for the little baby bird and would laugh. I wonder if she's going to want to bury her nose in books and become obsessed with the smell of paper like her momma. 

In a few weeks, we will be traveling back east to see family, and Una will have a chance to show off all her new skills. And some day she'll have a sweet bike. What are you going to do today, Una Belle? Anything i feel like, GOSH!

Break a Leg Daddy!

Thinking of you and missing you lots, but wishing you the very best in the Big Apple!

And Now For a Public Service Announcement

A Happy 3 Months

I can hardly believe three months have passed by since Miss Una Belle arrived. On the other hand, she has become such a joy in our lives, that we can barely remember what life was like before April 8th. With every day that passes, Una becomes more and more her own little person, and she is such a happy girl. i can't even begin to tell you how lucky we feel and how much love we have for her. Parenthood sure isn't easy. You have to give up a lot of things, mainly sleep, but there isn't any thing in the whole world that is more important...and her smiles make it all worth it.

Fort Worden

On July 4th, we visited Fort Worden in Port Townsend. As you can see, this was a paradise of inspiration for Ted who loves rusty metal relics. They have such an incredible beauty...one that is often overlooked as only neglect. It makes a nice metaphor, as we stumble through this world, to keep our eyes open for the unappreciated beauty that is all around us. For those of you who are unaware, this is the cornerstone of Ted's works of art in glass.  You can check out Ted's art work here:

www.bullseyeglass.com

Happy 4th of July!

Tara, Ted and Una in Port Townsend at Elevated Ice Cream...which had super amazing ice cream and italian ice. Thanks for the photo Renne!

Hiking in Tryon Creek in Portland.

Hiking in Forest Park with Serra, Kenan and Isaak.

Renne in her dad's garden.

Mr. Brock and his rocks.

Ted, Tara, Jerry, Nancy, Una, and Aunt Marian.

Ted had off this past week, so we were able to spend some time here at home, and we also took our first big road trip with Una for the July 4th holiday. We went up to Sequim, WA, which is on the Olympic peninsula, to visit my Great Aunt Marian, who not only is my Grandma Gretta's sister, but is truly great as in fantastic, wonderful, and lovely beyond words. We stayed with her thursday through sunday and she sure did take care of us by making us feel right at home and preparing many wonderful meals. She took us to see the John Wayne Marina and we also went to see her son Jerry and his wife Nancy who have a lovely place about 20 mins. from Aunt Marian. It was awfully hot in Sequim, and Jerry's place was a pleasant break from the heat...so nice to sit on their deck under the fir trees and visit while watching the small army of humming birds fight for pole position around the bird feeders.

Renne and Alan also live in Sequim, so we were able to spend some time with them as well. They treated us to a yummy meal after we did the Sequim first friday art walk, an event Renne spearheaded. For dessert we went to Renne's parents house who served up a delicious cherry cake and gave us a tour of their amazing garden...with lots and lots of rocks. Rocks for the Brocks. The next day, we toured Port Townsend with Renne. It was a lovely sunny day, much cooler, and we had some kick ass ice cream. Port Townsend is an adorable Victorian town and it was so much fun to explore it with Renne, who knows her way around.

What a fun trip...and Una did amazingly well, especially after getting her first round of immunizations and blood work the day before!

The Crib

Well, we finally got the "low rider," as my dad likes to call it, put together, and here is Una taking her very first slumber in her new digs. We'd like to send out a big thank you to ivy who graciously offered to help me with the making of the crib skirt. She spent a fun couple of days with us, and pretty much made the crib skirt herself. She also taught me how to make a fitted sheet (they are surprisingly easy). Thank you, Ivy Spring! And thanks again to everyone who contributed toward the purchase of our beautiful crib. We dig it.

Now we just need to get Una a dresser....