Week 8 was great!

Week 8 began with my wonderful baby being a little bit less fussy at nights. I had cut milk and wheat out of my diet which was no fun, but I think it was helping him. At this point, he is starting to burp on his own and he's a champion farter, so I think the gas is working itself out of his system. I'm still limiting my dairy and wheat, but allowing myself to have a little bit of it.

On Thursday morning we left for Catalina. We spend every Fourth of July over there and this one was no different. Brian's brother and partner did not join us, but his sister (Vicki) and her fiance (Nate) came with my little niece (Tessa). We spent Friday - Sunday with them and it was wonderful.

Unfortunately, Saturday we received some news that Brian's grandmother was not well and was going to the hospital. Sunday morning she passed away, so she didn't suffer at all. She was 87 years old and had been talking as though she might have known it was coming. We are happy that she can join her husband of 64 years and her only son, Rick, in heaven. We think she had wanted to go 2 years ago but her body wouldn't cooperate.

On Monday I met with my advisor about withdrawing from the Clinical program. I think she was under the impression that I was going to drop out of school entirely, so when I mentioned withdrawing only from Clinical she was entirely supportive. I am SO happy and relieved. She wants me to take 2 more classes, one of which is an internet course, and then I'll be done. I'm glad that I'll be able to concentrate on research and stay home with my baby.

Brian and I are both craving a vacation and have been discussing Vegas or Scottsdale when the weather cools down a little bit. I have Kim, Katie and Zoe coming to stay with us the first full weekend in August, then we go to Coronado with my mother-in-law and her hubby, then we go to Seattle for a wedding. I think we'll aim to take our vacation in late September or early October.

Brian is super busy now. His brother is out of town, one of the people he works with the most is out of town and he has to deal with his Grandmother's estate. Consequently I'm trying to be the best wifey I know how to be. I cooked a nice dinner last night and will do so again tonight. He likes that I'm cooking. I'm also trying to get back into exercising. This morning I worked out and I plan to do so again tomorrow. In fact, I've decided that I'm not allowed to go to Peet's Coffee (my fave) unless I've worked out that day. This is strong motivation!

Brian is being a fantastic husband, as usual. I've been saying that I need a massage (I'm SUPER sore). I always follow that up with "but I don't want to leave Hunter." Brian made plans for me to get an 80 minute massage on Saturday, but he and Hunter are going to drive there with me and walk around until I'm done. This way I get my massage, but I only have to be away from Hunter for a short amount of time. I'm VERY happy with this!

Ok, here are some pictures ( a lot of pictures). I'll do my best to explain them all.

Hunter is doing the Trojan "V" for victory. Notice the USC beanie.
Vicki and Tessa enjoying the Fourth of July parade
At breakfast. Hunter is asleep because he was in the Baby Bjorn, his favorite place.

The fam: Me, Hunter, Brian, Nate, Vicki and Tessa
Cousins!
"I'm going to fix your hair"
Look at our environmentally friendly diapers! They're cloth on the outside and 100% biodegradable liners. These are the best diapers around - and we match!

Daddy and Hunter taking a nap
Me and Tessa. She is 8 months old and crawling!! It's amazing!
Hunter relaxing in his rocker

My old advisor, Joe, holding Hunter. He is such an incredible guy!

This is one of my favorite places to sit with Hunter.
Enjoying the boat ride. he fell asleep shortly after this and slept through the entire thing
Sleeping on the boat.
Fourth of July baby!
Mommy and her lovebug

At breakfast
Part of the parade - Go Trojans!
The marching band. USC owns part of the island and does some research on the island. Therefore they come over every year for Fourth of July. It's a very USC island.
Hunter's first time facing out in the Bjorn. He didn't love it because he likes being snuggled up to Mommy.
And he's out.

In my Mommy and Me class, which I take on Tuesday nights, there are 6 parents and 7 kids. Mindy and Gana are holding up Jasmine and Finn's feet. Gana has quickly become one of my closest friends in South Bay and I'm SO happy to get to hang out with her.
This is Gana and Finn. He was born April 5, so he's about 4 weeks older than Hunter.
Tessa "holding" Hunter
Hunter "crawling"? Nah, just pushing his body off the floor! He's SO strong.
This is how he was in utero for most of the time. He'd push his little butt into my stomach and I'd push back. So freaking adorable! Look how big he is too!


Sorry I was late this week! I'll post again on Monday.