Que Sera Sera

We have officially reached that stage...the into-everything-gotta-watch-her-every-move stage. Last week, we went to a birthday party for Elle Theis. Willa and I were playing on a blanket on the lawn, watching the older kids blow bubbles. I looked over at Willa and noticed she had something in her mouth. Remembering that she had already finished off the last of the Cheerios, I did a finger sweep and pulled out a leggy, black insect. I know it's hard to tell by the looks of her lanky stature, but she gets plenty to eat.

And she has toys galore. Our dollars (and gift cards) were very well spent on a plethora of tacky infant necessities, like the Rainforest play gym, Johnny Jump-up, monkey-themed activity walker, and an array of educational, music-making toys, rattles, board books, and balls. Our best purchase, though, was the Fisher Price Rainforest Jumperoo, a noisy, flashy, primary-colored monstrosity that currently adorns our living room. Every morning the clever invention secures me a cup of coffee and a half-hour segment of Good Morning America.

Still, nothing can excite Willa like the cabinet doors and drawers throughout the house. I can't put her down for a minute without finding her next to one, grabbing hold by the glass knob, pulling herself into standing position, then grunting for someone to acknowledge her feat. I am aware of the dangers. So all day, I follow her around, swooping her up and redirecting her attention.

I need to start establishing some boundaries, which means telling her "no!" But honestly, how am I supposed to do that when she is so sweetly tickled with herself for such accomplishments? More and more these days, I find myself faced with parenting choices I am not ready to make. And the fact that I have had ample preparation for this role proves it's difficulty. Of course there are obvious "wrong" answers; the challenge is in weeding through all of the conflicting "right" ones and finding my own. Just look at how controversial basic issues such as sleeping, feeding, and vaccinating have become.

I guess this is where I take a deep breath, channel my God-given maternal instinct and trust myself. All we, as parents, can really do is try our best. And from there, whatever will be will be.

Electra

This evening, we went to the ranch to have tacos with my Dad and Paula. I'm pretty sure my dad used the tacos as bait so that we would bring Willa out for a visit. He can't get enough of her. Just look at the expression on his face.
Paula took Willa inside the barn to see the horses. Here, Willa meets her very own horse, Electra, for the first time. They were both a little cautious and shy...
...but warmed up to each other in no time. Paula even helped Willa mount Electra for a quick snapshot and a taste of what is to come. This was a proud moment for Paula.
Electra sniffed Willa, and Willa patted her nose. The girls were fast friends.
Willa helped Paula feed Electra some hay. The reason she looks so pensive must be because she is wondering why I am always telling her that sort of thing is "yucky." (Grass. dirt, bugs.) Electra seemed to enjoy it very much.

Fall 2008 Print Ads

My good friend, Seana, just finished up a couple of new ads for the B&B and shop. I think they turned out really well. It helps that I happen to know a beautiful blonde, and that she graciously agreed to model for me once again. Thanks, Helen! The dress she wears is from a new Scandinavian clothing line I recently picked up, called Odd Molly. The collection is so pretty and detailed. And I just love the folksy, handmade look.

Look What I Found

While driving around town yesterday, scouting garage doors for the our new garage/carport/storage shed addition, I was pleasantly surprised when I came across this gem of a new home at the end of an uncharted cul-de-sac. Most new construction around here fails to impress me. It seems like everybody is building the same typical hill-country rustic limestone replica. Nothing against the style, it's just not me. And I'm only saying that it's refreshing to see someone build outside of the norm, like this wood frame jewel with board and batten siding and warm cedar shingles. Sean and I plan to build a new home in the next couple of years, as our brood expands. And this one inspires me. But notice, I have no garage door photos to post...How much fun would that be?

What a Girl Wants

Anyone who has ever peeked inside Willa's closet knows that the girl is a tad obsessed with shoes. But who can blame her for wanting to play up those wee pink peds? These are a few from her current wish list. And by the way, the last pair is obviously preposterous, but so amusing...don't you think?

Veja Pink and White Sneakers $48

Tyler Ramsey Hand Painted Tiny Tom's $49

Sue London Gold Infant Slippers $102

Gucio Booties $58

Saltwater Sandals in Tan $30

Chinese Folk Art Baby Shoes $15

Heelarious Baby Stilettos $35

German Hairless

Nope, that's not a new breed of dog...just Willa Bea...in the dog bed. So before you go thinking what a terrible mother I am for shamelessly using my dog bed as a photo prop and subjecting my precious baby to such unsanitary surroundings, you must know that I had nothing to do with it. Yes, I'll admit to times when that plush Ikea dog bed seemed like the perfect mobile baby corral. Back before she was crawling, Willa suffered from colic, lacked any sort of a schedule, and took short and sporadic naps. Therefore, I found it very difficult to get into the shower unless someone was over and could watch her for a bit. I know it's silly, but I couldn't bear the thought that she might need me while I was out of earshot. Moving the dog bed into the bathroom and putting Willa inside it seemed like a brilliant solution. Except for one detail...it was the dog's bed. So I never went through with it.

But now that she is getting around quite well, crawling about from room to room, she has discovered it on her own. This morning I put her down by her basket of toys and proceeded to check my emails. When I turned back to check on her, she had claimed Beecher's bed and tennis ball and was gleaming with pride. It reminded me of when I was a little girl, living on "the farm" and had both a pet goat, "Goatie," that ran with our dogs, and a pet duck, "Georgette," that naturally assumed she was one of the cats.

The good news is that I have come a long way. Just a few short months ago, the mere thought that my pure little bundle of perfection might be given a nibble of non-organic peas or, God forbid, sugar would have sent me over the edge. And here I am today, hardly phased by the dog hair.

Still, she' s probably been spending too much time with the dogs. Maybe we ought to schedule a human play-date?

My New Gadget

Sean and I will celebrate our 9th Wedding Anniversary on September 11th. We don't usually do gifts, but having Willa around has brought about the need for us to capture and document our colorful life. So Sean bought me a fancy new camera and we played around with it a bit yesterday evening. These are a few of my favorite shots.