July!

 For the 4th of July we went to the kids parade by Pam's work in Cupertino, then the pool at Blackberry farm, then I took Makena to watch fireworks while Pam stayed home with Hadley.

I've been trying to get as much time with just Makena and I as possible. We have tough moments and really need chances to have fun and reconnect. I really miss our lovely groove we had when it was just us. I love being with both of my girls. But my time with just Makena is always special. A vegan restaurant opened up near us and we got $100 in gift cards for being at the grand opening! After a particularly hard day we went for an impromptu dinner together.

Makena usually wakes up early and either goes into the living room to cuddle with Pam, or climbs into bed with Hadley and I. I try to snuggle with her but I don't want to move too much and wake the baby, or she is nursing so I can't move. So I sadly tell a sad Makena that I can cuddle a few more minutes but then she can go get snuggles from Mama. It breaks my heart a little each time. I love that she has Pam, and I know Pam loves the morning snuggles too, but I miss those moments.

Twice a week in July we went to the library for their summer kid events. We would often bring lunch and stay for a few hours. Hadley would even take a nap in my arms or while I wore her in the Ergo, then wake up and play. I love being out and about with my kids. Our city has so much to offer, I loved growing up here and I'm so glad we live here now! I also feel so happy to be a stay at home mom, I can't imagine missing out on all these days together.

I had some credits that I redeemed to buy passes to the Children's Creativity Museum in SF, and we had SO MUCH FUN! What a great museum. It was a fun family day. Makena made a little claymation movie (about Rapunzel buying a lantern), and she and Pam sang a karaoke duet of Love Is An Open Door, from Frozen of course. It was adorable. Makena was nervous and very quietly singing, and she would catch my eye watching her and smile like she was about to cry, but she held it together!

We hosted a little Teddy Bear Tea Party at Makena's preschool over summer, and it was really cute.

I did a usability study and was paid in Amazon giftcards, and I ordered this pool. Makena had such a great time with it! I had imagined me and the girls playing in there all summer but the water was freeeeezing. Hadley and I didn't like it. Makena had a few different friends come over and it was fun seeing her have something awesome that the other kids enjoyed. I feel like it's often other kids with cooler toys. But maybe that's just me.

Hadley did lots of standing practice! She would do this neat trick of standing up from sitting, without using her hands. Such balance!

I love taking these photos of her in the same clothes Makena wore! I think they look very similar, in face shape, mouth, and nose. But their eyes are definitely different. I can't wait to see what Hadley looks like as she gets older! I wonder if her hair and eyes will get darker. I was really hoping for a kid who looked more like me this time, but I'll settle for extremely gorgeous children. ;)

I noticed a white spot near the corner of Hadley's lip, and wondered if it was thrush. I looked in her mouth but nothing seemed abnormal. The next day the spot was gone, but then the day after that I saw a glimpse of a white spot on the roof of her mouth. I felt intuitively that it was thrush, and then a friend noticed her diaper rash seemed like a yeast rash. I took her in to see a doctor. I was not looking forward to it, because I don't like to take the kids in unless there is a reason to, and it was a new doctor so I didn't want the whole vaccine lecture. But I was pleasantly surprised!

Hadley's appointment was awesome. She has a very mild case of thrush in her mouth, and a yeast diaper rash. We have a prescription to clear it all up. The doctor was shocked it was so mild considering I first noticed it on Wednesday night. She said Hadley must have a strong immune system. Then later she asked if we wanted any vaccines today, I said no and she asked if she is vaccinated at all. I said no, bracing for lecture, but instead she exclaimed, literally, "Well! No wonder her immune system is so strong!" We talked about her home birth and she said, "I love hearing about babies born at home, and you are breastfeeding and not doing vaccines! She is such a healthy baby!" I wanted to hug her. She was this tiny old middle eastern lady and I get the feeling she loved me from the moment I walked in wearing my baby. Also she mentioned that the doctor we saw last time went on maternity leave and named her daughter Makena. Hmm, I wonder if my Makena was the inspiration?

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We had a fun visit with friends. Seeing my high school friends as parents is such a cool thing. At 16 years old I had no idea what my future would look like. I assumed I would be married and have children, and I figured I'd still be in touch with some of my friends, but the reality is really awesome. I have super great friends!

Makena's half-birthday! I can't believe she is 4 and a half. She is getting closer to 5!! FIVE! Everyone says age 4 is hard, and there have been rough patches, but mostly she is such a pure delight. I love spending time with her, she says the funniest things and is so sweet and loving. She's smart and thoughtful and I seriously love her.

She loves to write all of our names. And she writes them in our favorite colors. (She's decided that Hadley's favorite it pink.)

At the park she wanted to take a video of me and Hadley on the swing. I got this photo from the video. It's nice to be in a picture for once!

Last summer Makena and I went in the pool a lot. I love that we have a pool! But it's been really hard for me to take both kids by myself. It just doesn't feel safe to me so I decided we could only go when Pam is home.

Hadley loves the water, and so does Makena!