Crawling

We're crawling now!

I'm not sure why it came out sideways.

Rafting

Once a year Marty takes his employees and spouses of the employees on a trip. Last year he took them on a jet boat and this year he took them rafting. There were 9 of us total going on this rafting trip. We started off the morning at 6:45 getting Elizabeth ready for the babysitter and us ready for rafting. We met out near Steamboat for our ride with the guides to raft down the Umpqua. The water was really cold, but thankfully it was going to be in the 90's so then the water wouldn't seem so cold. We rafted about 6 miles before we stopped off for lunch and then hopped back into the boat for the next 7 miles. We ended up getting hung up on this rock and had to scramble for what they call the "hi-side." Essentially the right side of the boat went up the rock while the left side got pulled into the water. All 6, plus the guide, were climbing on this rock, on the right side of the boat to lift the left side out of the water. When we got that to happen and were all in the boat, we look and saw that we lost Marty. So Marty in now floating in the cold water while we are all in the boat. We couldn't catch up to him in enough time, so Marty had to float the next set of rapids on his back. I'm just glad that they made us wear life vests. We got Marty back into the boat, and he was fine, but all banged and scrapped up. He got a nice scratch on his left arm and a couple of nice bruises on his right elbow and shoulder. The rest of the trip went well and it was fun... I could have lived without Marty falling out of the boat.

Shrimp class

Over the last 2 weeks I've taken Elizabeth to swim class at the Y. She is in the shrimp group for kids 6 months to 3 years. I think it has been a great experience for her...and for me. Since she is in the beginners class, parents are required to be in the pool with their kids and practicing the skills with them. Most of the kids in the class are closer to the 3 year age, so they are a bit more advanced, but I think Elizabeth is moving along quite well. We are able to dunk her in the water, which is impressive. I count 1,2,3 as a signal and then dunk her. After 1, she closes her eyes and then opens them. I count 2 and she does the same thing. At 3 we dunk under and closes her eyes and holds her breath. She is also holding onto the wall of the pool and moving her body along the edge...by herself. I always stay right there in case she does happen to slip. I have to also use a toy as some motivation to get her to move. She can also sit on the side of the pool and fall in. I can't say jump, because that's not quite what it is. It's very cute. We practice time on our backs, but she doesn't like that very well and tries to roll over...which will face plant her into the water. I've been having a lot of fun watching her practice and try new things. One thing we try in blowing bubbles in the water. She puts her face in...with her mouth open and I think she is putting water in her mouth just to spit it back out, or swallow it.

8 months

Elizabeth is 8 months today! Boy it has flown by...yes...I know...there is still more to come. She is doing quite well these days. Moving around more and more. Just today she got from our living room into the office to see Marty. We have a hard time changing her these days too. She is one wiggly little girl. We have to distract her with a toy for us to change her pants or else she tries to turn over and sit up. If she is determined, she will cry and scream and make you feel bad for not letting her sit up. We only get a minute or so before she realizes that we are tricking her with a toy, so we have to move fast.

It's been a while since I've posted anything, because last week we got our carpet cleaned. Marty won a drawing at a Health Fair that he attended. I was really excited about getting our carpets cleaned and then realized what kind of work had to be put into it for this to happen. We had to have all our furniture moved and out of the way before they came. So...for those who haven't seen our home, here is a picture of it.

We also went camping with Elizabeth for the first time this weekend. We went to Loon Lake with some friends of ours Stephanie and Jason. Loon Lake is 15 miles outside of Reedsport, which is on the coast. Besides all the noise from the other campers, it was actually pleasant. Marty and Jason went and got some crabbing pots and went crabbing. They caught 4 crabs...not a lot, but we don't think crabbing season really hits until next month. Maybe they will have to try again then.

Standing

So...we are not ready for this. Elizabeth is trying her hardest to stand up. I have caught her several times making an effort and she usually makes it to her knees, or one leg straight and the other one tucked under her. I think Marty and I are going to have to lower the crib, just so if she does make it, she will be safe. Nap time is our hardest time, because she has learned to sit up. Instead of laying down and falling asleep, she sit up and wants to play with her toys. I have to go in her room several times to lay her back down before she finally caves and decides to fall asleep.

Sitting

Friday we learned that Elizabeth can get herself from a laying down position to a sitting position. To make things even more interesting, I put Elizabeth down for her morning nap this morning and Marty says he is going to get her because she is not sleeping. So he yells at me..."how did you put her in here...come look at her now. I walk in the room and she is standing with her hands on the top bar. Marty really put her like that to get a reaction out of me...and yes...he got one. I'm not ready for that yet.

Anyway, she is moving around, but not crawling yet. I think she is having a hard time with moving the arms and legs at the same time. She get very stiff when she pulls herself onto her knees. Elizabeth is getting onto her knees and pushing herself backward into a sitting position. It's quite impressive.

Marty and I have hired a babysitter for this weekend so we can go on a date! We think we are going for dinner and a movie, but we will see. It's pretty exciting since it seems like a long time since we have had a babysitter for Elizabeth. Our world does revolve around her right now.

Looking at books

I thought this was a very cute picture. Kathy got this book for Elizabeth for while we were in Puerto Vallarta. It is one of those soft books that makes noise and she LOVES it. Elizabeth can turn the pages back and forth. She really likes to grab the bunny.

We're Back!

I know you all missed us while we were gone, but now we're back and a bit sad to go back to our responsibilities. Puerto Vallarta was wonderful. You really couldn't imagine anything different...right.

Our trip actually started off with a bit of stress. We got to the Eugene airport at 4:30 (that's when the airport opens) and found out that our flight was cancelled due to fog. Only in Oregon. It seems like we have this problem a lot when we fly. Anyway, they has us re-booked to fly out the following day, which was Sunday, but Marty didn't let that happen and we flew out the same morning. We did have to fly to Seattle then LA, with long layovers, but we got to Puerto Vallarta by dinner time.

I was very happy with our hotel and also knowing that it was off-season for tourists there, so there were not tons of people milling around. We were able to book our excursions with ease and without tons of people on them. It was very humid there and overcast, so no...no tan for me.

Marty and I were able to enjoy our luxurious vacation, because we had Marty's family there too. They helped our immensely with Elizabeth and we left her with the grandparents so we could have some play time. I'm sure they didn't mind having Elizabeth at all. Rachel and Daniel I know really enjoyed their time with her. They don't get to see her quite as often.

I got to go scuba diving for the first time outside of being in a class and really enjoyed it. I was scared a bit to dive a little deeper than I was used to, but a little at a time and I think it will be fine. Plus, Marty was there to help me. We also went on an "Outdoor Adventure" which included: mule rides, zip lines, repelling, free falls, and so forth. Quite the adventure for all of us. There was some tequila factories, haggling, snorkeling, and fishing. Marty will have to fill you all in on that, because I did not do any fishing.

We also found out on this trip that Elizabeth loves birds. There were lots of birds and she would like to watch them fly around. It was very funny.

On our way back we had some more problems with the airline, because the flight we had from Phoenix to Eugene didn't exist. They booked us on a flight where we had a layover for the night in Phoenix and so Marty booked us a late flight out of Phoenix so we could visit a bit longer and see some friends while we were in town.

It was a blast and we had a great time.