Tears and Smiles

 Grammie watched Astrid today while mommy took a break at the Y.  Astrid is still going through a weird phase where she cries if anyone but mommy or daddy hold her.  It seems sort of like separation anxiety but it also seems like that is to early.  We're going to investigate and we are going to encourage people to hold her....even if she cries!  Grammie has tons of patience and mommy is grateful for her.  

Oliver's friends have lots of patience too....Astrid woke up towards the end of the drive back from Del Mar and cried a bit.  It could have been them waking her up because they couldn't stop touching her feet, holding her hands, and taking pictures of her.  Who would have guessed that boys who are sophomores in high school are so sweet and into babies!

Dropping off the boys before Grammie's.

Grammie talking to Astrid when she woke up...

practicing with her.  Mommy sat quietly and

stayed out of the way.  Grammie got some smiles 

and stretches...

Then this!  We'll figure it out.  Maybe going

to Indiana for 10 days where so many people want to meet Astrid.

and Grammie & Aunt Jess will be around constantly 

will help.  

She was fine at a fancy grocery store in Del

Mar where we walked around to give the boys more

fishing time.  Astrid was stopped by almost every

shopper.  They all thought she was just so cute.  

They probably wouldn't think that if they held her, ha!

We walked a short trail to go find the boys.

We spotted them on the bridge.  

We also saw Astrid's first train.

And the fair.  It's not normal.  Hopefully next year

we'll be able to go like normal and that Daddy will

be able to race again!

Titus and Liam.  Oliver didn't want

to fish on the bridge because of the trains.

Mommy is grateful for that.

He gave Astrid some bait while we waited.

She took it.  She can't wait to learn how 

to fish from her brother.

Oliver is starting her young!

The boys enjoyed riding with Astrid.  I'm

sure she'll get used to the fishing poles.  Usually they

are not right over her head, but we had a full car today. 

Road Trip!

Day One:  We were in the car by 4:50 am to make the most of Astrid's sleep!  We made it to Summerland for breakfast at an old cafe we stopped at two years ago.  We had a lovely breakfast and mommy got her antique fix eating there!  Then off to Los Padres National Forest for some swimming hole time and a little hike, then a town called Los Olivios which was full of wine shops and people dressed fancy- we didn't fit in but enjoyed the garden shop, and then to Grandpa Greg's and Grandma K Lou's homes.  Mommy was too tired to take pictures at that point!  But we had an amazing dinner and mommy fell asleep on K Lou's couch next to Astrid because she couldn't keep up with the adult conversation.  Astrid was amazing but oh so tiring!  

Day Two:  The fun continues!  We went to the Oceano Dunes Off-Road park or as mommy calls it, Pismo Beach and camped!  Astrid did amazing!  We had fun sleeping in the truck tent with a view of the ocean, off roading in the dunes- nothing crazy and of course mommy sat with Astrid in the back, and enjoyed relaxing with our feet in the warm sand.  The weather was perfect!

Day Three:  We took a nice long walk on the beach together in the morning.  Then watched the view for a hot minute until a big party of young people and their big trailers blocked our ocean view.  It's alright we were getting ready to pack up anyway...it was fun watching 5 out of 6 of them get their trucks and trailers stuck in the sand.  The sand isn't easy to drive in!  Then we were off for some fun with Grandpa and Grandma.  Grandpa taught us how to glaze pottery he made and then fire it.  Mommy was sort of scared of the firing part, but it was super fun watching it all take place and of course daddy loves all of it!  So did Astrid...but we kept her at a distance!

Day Four:  We had a nice morning saying goodbye and then we slowly headed home.  We stopped at the Los Padres National Forest again to swim in a swimming hole we saw on the way up that was right beside the road.  Easy parking, easy for baby, easy for mommy to wade in.  Daddy jumped off the rock and showed off of course.  Mommy will make those into videos eventually and post them later.  It was a nice day... we got home late because we stopped at the old stagecoach on the way to Santa Barbara, an overlook of Santa Barbara and to eat at In-n-Out.  We had a really nice trip!  Next up is the river in a week!  Our little girl is getting her fair share of summer fun!

And finally, here are a bunch of pictures from K Lou... from all the days!! 

Astrid is going through a little stage where she cries when

other people hold her.  It happens with all her grandmas, 

grandpas, aunts....

Hopefully she outgrows it soon.  But look how cute

her face is when she started to calm down.  Just

so crazy cute!  

So are all these laughs!