Seeyou Simi!

ROADTRIP!!!

Kevin had both Saturday and Sunday off last weekend, which is very rare. So on a whim he called Kevin Rossi in Simi to see what he and Erica were up to. Firefighter Kevin happened to have the weekend off too. Both Kevin's had their eye on the baseball game in LA on Saturday night: our Mariners vs. their Angels. It seemed like kismet!

So we packed up our stuff and pursued our spontaneous plan to Simi to see Erica and Kevin. It's rare that we get to live by the seat of our pants anymore, so this was like feeling "young" again. And as always, it was a blast! We are so glad we got to hang out with Erica & Kevin for the weekend.

On Saturday the guys put in the new flooring for Erica & Kevin's living room. While they did that, Erica and I took Isaac out and had our own fun at the mall.

Before....

After...
Good job, guys!


Erica had fun with Isaac and so did Dodger!

He doesn't look so sure in this picture, but Isaac really got a kick out of Dodger. He would laugh and squeal with delight as Dodger pranced around him.

Saturday night we went to the Angels vs. Mariner game and started out high in the upper deck, as usual...

Bird's eye view; lofty and detached, but taking it all in.
...but toward the eighth inning a lot of Angels fans were clearing out because of the score. So being the rebels that they are, the Kevins snuck down to the lower seats.

And of course we were right behind them!

Now, I can appreciate a ball game from this perspective! But it gets better! Toward the very end we got even closer! We watched the nailbiter ending from just behind the dugout. To top it off the Mariners won by one point in the last inning! Kevin was thrilled, to put it mildly.

Sunday was the reluctant ending to our fun in Simi, but before skipping town we caught lunch with one of Erica's sisters Margaret and her daughter Evie after church. It was a treat because we don't get to hang out with her very much when we come to town. Margaret and I go way back too; we actually graduated from high school together.

Thanks for the fun weekend, Erica & Kevin! We loved visiting you, as always!

Tyler & Jer

Looking for some sunny warmth and some golf, Kevin's friends Tyler and Jer came down from Washington for a short visit. They lived it up playing as much golf as possible with Kevin, and they had a great time.

Don't I Get a Grace Period?

Nope. Guess not. Isaac is workin’ us, and he knows it. Every day seems to bring a new level to the test… What will they do when I scream? When I cry really loud like THIS? When I arch my back and kick my legs in a fit? When I look at Mommy with understanding in my eyes and do the opposite of what she says?



Yep, we’ve reached that part in the story, I gather. Isaac has developed a love for turning over during diaper changes. So we’ve adopted a new tactic of gently turning him back, looking him in the eye, and saying with a stern tone, “On your back, please.” It works pretty well, and we’re sure he understands what it means by now.



So last night I went to change Isaac’s poopie diaper, and sure enough he started his favorite antics. Well, my goal was to keep the poop contained, as always. I waited until I felt I had Isaac calm and still before I undid his diaper. There it was, open, poop exposed. I was holding his feet with my left hand when started to turn over. Mid-change! With POOP!




I quickly grabbed him with my right hand said, “Isaac Allan Self, you better stay on your back!” And this is what he did… Isaac paused on his back for a moment, long enough to look me right in the eye with what I perceived to be understanding. Then he smiled… and whipped himself over to his side, taking his legs with him... And raking my hand through the poo. No you didn’t!!!



Needless to say, I believe Isaac is fully aware of his free will and is starting to practice it in clear ways, which leaves me wondering…. Wasn’t I supposed to get a year-long grace period? Do they really start this early?

8 Months!

...and growing way too fast! April 6th came and went, but it did not escape our notice that our little boy turned 8 months.

It is so much fun hanging out with Isaac. He is always making us laugh and smile, whether it's with his fierce hugs and slobbery kisses or his contagious laugh and funny squeals. Genuine and true JOY just emanates from him, and you can't help but catch it! It's so amazing.

Isaac is slowly figuring out how to crawl little by little. He has been lunging for a couple of weeks and is now spending more and more time up on hands and knees. So far Isaac can shuffle himself backward and in circles, all with a huge grin of pride in his newfound abilities.

Since he isn't totally mobile yet, Isaac really gets a kick out of jump jump jumping in his entertainer to work out his energy. He is always moving and squirming, so this is a great outlet for him. And since he is getting stronger from it, he is experimenting with "dancing" when we help him stand. Right now it's sort of an Elvis rendition with his jerky, knee poppin' moves. Too cute!

We have expanded his dietary horizons quite a bit, and he loves his food! The more he eats, the more he wants! Nobody mess with Isaac and his food....

For all his sweetness, food is one thing that riles Isaac up in a flash. Looks like he may have inherited his mother's impatience, much to my chagrin. If we lag between his bites, he lets us know to speed it up! It's funny when he growls like a lion, but not when he decides to test the power of a tantrum. And his tantrums are expanding to other areas too, like if we take something from him that he shouldn't be playing with. It's for his own good, but he really knows how to protest! He sure is determined when he wants something, and not easily distracted when he is focused on what he wants! Why does he always want what he can't have? In reflection, human nature, perhaps?

Who knew we'd have to start "disciplining" at such a tender age? When he threw his first fit, I just stared at him in shock, wondering where my sweet little boy went... But since then Kevin and I have done well as a team to squelch those fits when they arise in an attempt to train him for proper behavior. Right now it just entails a stern tone that gets Isaac's attention and quiets him down. Seems to be working... so far!

Little stinker....

Happy Easter!

It's a day for celebration!!! Christ is Alive!

"The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, he has risen, just as he said.'"

Matthew 28:5-6

"'Death has been swallowed up in victory.'

'Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?'

...Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

1 Corinthians 15:54b-58

Cutie Patootie

A little fun in the shade... I couldn't resist!

expressing his thoughts very loudly

there once was a sandal....

that became a little snack

always so bright-eyed with wonder and excitement!

one of my favorite expressions

Happy Birthday Kevin!

This year's birthday was pretty low key ... another year older... Kevin turned 31!

We got some friends together for a birthday lunch at the Farm Grill, and it was a beautful day. Lots of fun and scrumptious food!

Autumn & me

Jake, Kevin & Tom

Krista & Jaimie

Bob & Brian

Just after my mom left, Kevin's dad Bob and brother Brian came into town for a week-long visit. It was a really fun birthday present for Kevin. They had a great time enjoying our sunny weather, and it was so nice to have them here.

The Self Guys

Isaac with Grandpa Bob

This was Bob's first time to the Grand Canyon... and he thought he'd be content to see it from the sky as they flew back and forth from WA. Once he saw it for himself, he was glad we insisted that he see it.

Even though his knees were quaking, they got Bob to stand out here for the spectacular view (don't worry, that's not really the very edge, just looks like it!).

A beautiful day

Kevin was so happy to have some quality time with his dad.

They guys also went down to Tucson to the Pima Air Museum and saw the airplane graveyard. Bob was in the navy for a number of years, so this was a real treat for him.