Carkeek Park 3/29/08

We are frequently surprised by a new find in Seattle.  We've lived here for over 2 years now, and we are still finding new great places to explore.  For our family hike this weekend we headed out for a 10 minute drive to Carkeek Park, a beautiful foresty trail system that abuts the beach.  Sadly, dogs are not allowed on this beach, so we stuck to the trails.  We enjoyed a 2 mile walk up to a bluff that overlooks the Puget Sound.  It was a great way to get some exercise.  Abby loved it.  We think this will be a great place to take visitors for a close by nature hike, just outside the city.  It's so much fun to keep finding wonderful places like this.

We had a wonderful weekend.  On Friday, we interviewed a nanny named Jerri at our house with myself, Brian and Abby.  She got to meet the dogs, and we had a very nice visit.  We think she's "the one" we want to hire to take care of Abby once I go back to work.  Saturday morning we went to the delicious Hi-Life for breakfast with Jill, Tim and Tatum.  We saw Sarah, Ben, and Achilles (from our centering group) there as well.  It was a fun time.  On Sunday, we had a visit from Kristi, Michael, and Tyler Nyquist.  Those boys are so sweet and fun, and they LOVE to see our dogs.  What a great time we had!  Later on Sunday we went to a party at Julez & Penny's house along with most of the centering group.  It is amazing to see how much all these babies have grown in such a short time.  To see our friends as comfortable parents and visit together was really fun.  We had a potluck dinner with some great food.  Julez and Penny have a beautiful home with some pretty amazing renovations in the kitchen and master bathroom.  

Now we start a new busy week.  Only 3 more weeks left on my maternity leave.  While I will struggle as all new moms do with the return to work, I am looking forward to seeing everyone there and getting back into gastroenterology.  I am feeling better about Abby being with a nanny we can trust during the day (as well as with her friend Tatum), and I know I will be so, so excited to see her in the evening.

Lake Quinault 3/22/08

We went on our first family hike to Lake Quinault.  We loaded the Jeep up with Abby, the dogs, stroller, cameras, water, and snacks and headed out for the 2 1/2 hour drive.  Lake Quinault is at the south end of the Olympic National Forest.  We hiked for about 3 hours through this old growth forest, traversing deep gouges in the trail left after a severe winter storm 2 years ago.  This was interesting with the stroller, but it handled beautifully.  The dogs were able to run freely through the trail, bushes, waterfalls, bogs, mud, etc and had a total blast!  We all loved the fresh air and exercise.  

We also saw the largest spruce tree in the world - quite amazing.  Abby slept for most of the trip, but when awake, she loved to gaze around at all the new sites.

Abby Cadabby, the magical princess

I'm so sorry it's been so long since I've posted!  What a busy few weeks it has been.  We had my sisters in town along with my nephew, Luke.  We had a blast.  It was very special to have a "just sisters" weekend, and they loved meeting their new niece.  Luke was a wonderful house guest and absolutely fell in love with our dogs, especially Bilbo.  He calls him "Bo" and does the sign for "love" when he says his name.  How sweet.

My dad arrived last Thursday and is able to stay for 10 days.  It's been great having him here.  Abby was very cooperative and slept through 2 dinners out at restaurants, which was great.  Mostly, my dad has been working, meeting with lots of different people, but he's had little breaks in between where he gets to pop in and visit and is here in the evenings.  He sang the "Becky song" to Abby yesterday, and she grinned from ear to ear the entire time!  It was sweet - I got it on video (definitely one I'll cherish).

Abby has been growing!  She's not even 2 months old and is fitting into 3 month clothes.  She weighs over 13 pounds already.  Incredible how fast she is chunking up.  You should see the rolls on her little legs.  Socially, she's turning out to be quite the sweetheart.  She's very smiley and loves to listen to people talk and sing to her.  She's also mellow, laid back, and patient.  My favorite time is when she first wakes up in the morning.  She's snugly wrapped up in her little burrito swaddler, beaming up at me, smiling and cooing, barely containing her excitement.  She loves baths (as you can see from the recent pictures), and she is still a fantastic sleeper (letting us get at least 6-7 hours a night).  

We are very happy in this new life of ours.  We've really had a great time with all of our visitors since Abby was born.  It means so much to us to have our family and close friends up here to meet Abby, see where we live, and be a part of our lives.  My good friend Kasey Dillon is here visiting from New Hampshire this weekend.  We plan to catch up, do girl stuff like shopping and pedicures, and just be together for a few short days.  

By the way, according to my sister, Amy, there is a new Sesame Street character named Abby Cadabby.  She is a pink and purple magical fairy princess.  She is so cute.  Abby Cadabby is now one of my nick names for Abby, along with my Sweet Baby Girl, Pookadoo, the Pooper, and Smolt (Brian made that one up - it's a baby salmon).  Do I see the perfect Halloween costume in my daughter's future or what (baby salmon vs Abby Cadabby - what's your vote)?!  

More pictures to come soon!

-Diana