3 week round-up

Ahhh, I feel overwhelmed by guilt (I have not updated you all in FAR too long and sooo much has happened) and anxiousness (this is too exciting to tell you about in a parenthetical sentence). There is a wonderful smell coming from my oven a.k.a a nice Rhubarb pie and I can hardly wait to put a dollop of vanilla ice cream on the warm, gooey, tart pie. I just discovered Rhubarb pie thanks to Claire (Cameron's wonderful stepmom) and I think its my new favorite pie.

ANYWAYS! Gosh, I can't even remember what I wrote last and what has happened since. Let me think......something to do with hell, Science Fiction Museums, lobster tails, an additional tooth and some new moves. Sounds interesting, eh? OK, before you die of excitement let me explain.

First, my sister, Lydia and brother-in-law, Joel graced us with their presence for a while. It was so great to have them here. They are such kind, fun, and cool people. And Malone absolutely loved them. We tried to get out of the house quite a bit, because although our house is cool in aesthetic, it was not cool in temperature. We found ourselves in the middle of the Tacoma Heat Wave of 2008. It was crazy! We went to the Glass Museum in Tacoma and Experience Music Project and then something we never thought we would see....the Science Fiction Museum. We learned a lot and I think Lydia and Joel were in Science Fiction heaven.
Picture 2: Lyddie, Joel and Malolo at the Seattle harbor Picture 3: The Museum of Glass and Lydia's glorious head
Then the day after Lyddie and Joel left, Cameron's dad and stepmom came for a little visit on their way to Oregon. Malone loves her Grandma Claire and Grandpa Jay. We enjoyed just visiting with one another. By the way, they bought us a "little" gift, a not so little lobster tail. Its the biggest thing I've ever seen. Here's the pictures. We haven't fixed it yet. We're saving it for a very special occasion.
Picture 4: Malone with Grandma & GrandpaPicture 5: Malone and Granpa Jay enjoying a coffee breakPicture 6: The infamous lobster tail Picture 7: Look how big it is compared to my arm

Then, our friend Justin came for visit. Justin is one of our oldest friends and we enjoyed catching up with our dear friend. And now, my old roommate Eryn is here for a visit. I love Eryn and so does Malone. I think they are new best friends.

So there you go. You are semi-caught up on our happenings. Oh yes, and Cameron has gone back to work and started flying. He is loving this new phase of his job (actually getting to DO his job). I now call him my "international man of mystery".

Lastly, Malone is on the move!!! She crawls as fast as a cougar (does a cougar crawl?) and get this....the other morning, I went into her room and guess what she was doing?! She was STANDING in her crib waiting for me. Standing?????Umm...we are so not ready for that. Needless to say, it was not a fluke. She is currently pulling herself up by just about anything she can get ahold of. Which also means she is bonking her head quite often. I spend so much of my time keeping an eye on her now and moving her and lots of objects. She's growing up so fast. She's even reading now (even upside down!!! So smart!)

Here's some pics of her in her Alabama onesie. These pictures are dedicated to my family in Tuscaloosa and Brian and Brandi Steorts (we miss you guys!!)

What has happened?

Don't worry, I haven't slipped and broken both arms leaving me incapable of typing, I haven't fallen into the volcano that is nearby (known as Mt. Rainier) or been deported back to South Africa. I'm ok, really. Compared to the excuses mentioned above, my real excuse...ehm...reason sound pretty lame. But the truth is I just have been trying to keep up with the dishes never mind my blog. Sorry, Cameron wrote it into our wedding vows that clean dishes and clothes are a must. :)


Every time I think about everything I need to update you on, I get more and more overwhelmed. Not to worry, eventually I will tell you guys everything that's been going on...here's just a little bit to whet your appetite. Malone is crawling...yes, she is everywhere. But even more importantly (or more scary?), she is pulling herself up onto things and is standing and unfortunately, falling as well. That is also part of my time dilemma. I feel like all of a sudden I have to be with her constantly for fear that she will split open her lip, get her eye poked out by the coffee table's corner or pull the tv onto her (not likely if anyone has ever seen our bohemoth of a tv). I realize she has to learn and my fears are somewhat irrational but it just takes a little more time to keep an eye on her and hold her hands while she is wanting to walk everywhere.

Excuses, excuses, I know! Just know that the Schaefer clan loves you all dearly.

Leaving comments

Friends,

Anyone can leave comments on my blog now! You don't need to have a blogger id anymore! Yay! Hope to hear from all of you!

PS: Thanks to Catherine for the heads up. Miss you friend.

Funny

Today was a good day. We spent the day resting at home and enjoying some family time. After a morning of cleaning, relaxing, catching up on some obscure Olympic sports (have you seen Rhythmic Gymnastics...the team version...not going to lie, I was a little impressed with their hula hoop skills) and catching up with some blogs (more of that in a moment) and napping for Malone, we took a little trip to my favorite store, Target. We had to park kind of far away, guess it was a busy Target day. So we put Malone in her stroller and started walking. All of a sudden Cameron said, "Look at Malone." Guess what she was doing? In good 'ole beauty queen style she was smiling and waving at everybody in the parking lot. Isn't that the funniest thing you've ever heard of?! I thought so....

And for the second funniest thing ever, as I was catching up on my blog reader I saw this:

http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2008/08/this-calls-for-celebration.html

Seriously, check out this link. I laughed really hard!

Folks, I'll update you soon on our recent activities with lots of family visitors.

PS: I'm toying with the idea of starting another blog. This one will be less about our personal updates and more about being a new mom, cooking and being an Air Force wife...any thoughts? Cameron thinks I should name it "thefirstlady.com". Seriously, any other ideas? I would love to hear if you think its a stupid idea, if you like the name, or any other ideas you have. Don't worry, I'll still keep the personal blog.

Definitely, I think

People, I have good news. Malone definitely has sprouted her first tooth, I think. Its still a little hard to see, but you can feel it, on the off chance that she lets you stick your finger in her mouth. She's been having a few hard days lately and now I know why. I can't wait for it (her tooth) to get bigger and for her to have the cute little toothy smile. Although, before Cameron and I had children we figured the probability of them having hereditary bad teeth. I was lucky enough to have been blessed with semi-straight teeth, but others in my family, who shall not be named, was not. Not to mention Cameron, who's orthodontist can enjoy a lavish retirements thanks to the work he did on Cameron's pearly whites. We decided she has a 75% chance of having bad teeth. But we will love her anyways, we'll just be a bit poorer for it....oh wait, actually the United States Air Force will be a bit poorer for it. Thank you, tax payers of America!

Picture 1: She's showing you her pearly whites.

Picture 2: Evidence that everything goes into her mouth right now. She looks like we caught her.

In anyways, life has returned to a semi-normal state. Although, we are in the midst of a month and a half chock full of visitors! And we like it that way! My sister, Lydia and my brother-in-law, Joel arrived today for a little visit. We will be visiting art museums, music and science-fiction museums and just enjoy all that the area has to offer. Then Cameron's dad and step-mom will be coming the day after Lydia and Joel leave. Then our friend, Justin. Then, our friend Eryn. Can life get any better?!! We are so excited for all the visitors. A life with friends is a rich life.

PS: She was playing with this chew toy and it became her hat. HAHA.

Minor Parenting Victory, grass and noggins

I love Malone. I love how silly she is. I love her little smile. I love when she gets the hiccups like she has right now. I love hearing her trying to tell me a story. I love it when she holds my face with both her hands and smiles. Agghhh, it warms my little heart just to think about it. And now I love that she is sleeping in her own crib and through the night. With this new and recent adjustment I feel like so much more has changed in her than just her sleeping location. I feel like she's more grown up. Like she's one step closer to going to leaving the house and going to college (I don't even want to think about Kindergarten at this point).

Is every step of her growth and development going to be this bittersweet?

In other news, I have to tell you what a rock star husband I have. He spent all last weekend (with the help of some friends and one really nice neighbor) preparing our backyard for topsoil, laying the topsoil, fertilizing, and laying sod in our backyard. He worked so hard. I was impressively impressed with his yard work skills. I, on the other hand, felt like a total loser who just sat on the steps and watched. Granted, I was put in charge of Malone (much harder according to Cameron although I think he was trying to be nice). Still I felt like this was totally something I should've been helping with, out there sweating, getting sand under my nails and mud on my face. Anyways, the grass is laid. Now we just have to put up a fence and finish our patio. Here's some pictures of the "sod party", our nice green grass and our sad little patio.

In even more other news, Malone has adopted a Yoga Crawl as her means of transportation. Let it be known that I think she's the inventor of the Yoga Crawl. As you can see in the following video, she does not crawl on her hands and knees like most babies. Instead she gets on her hands and her feet with her bum in the air, very similar to a yoga pose whose name I cannot remember and then she goes into the yoga pose, "downward dog" although Malone is less graceful and instead just jumps forward onto her face. Nonetheless, she is on the move.

And for our last story of the evening, I took Malolo to the doctor on Tuesday for her six month check-up. And did we have a heck of a time. The doctor came in and started checking her out and at first she was a bit cranky (darn appointments right in the middle of nap time) but then all of a sudden she started laughing hysterically at the doctor. I think it was a bit of a nervous laugh but funny nonetheless. In fact, so funny that I was laughing hysterically as well all the while the doctor looked at us like we were coo- koo. Despite the jokes, Malone is healthy and strong with a bit of a big noggin (65th percentile for her head circumference). Apparently, she's smart too! Isn't that what a big head means?

Sorry, one more addition. We went to something called Seafair on Saturday. Long story made short, ever watch "The Deadliest Catch" on Discovery Channel? For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, its a tv show that chronicles the adventures of crab boats fishing in the REALLY cold, crazy waters near Alaska. Anyways, we got to go aboard "The Northwestern" (one of the boats) and meet the Captain and the crew. It was pretty awesome. We got to go aboard because one of Cameron's pilot training classmates did a fly over for the fair and got us VIP passes. Fun, huh?

Well, I better go before Malone has my hair for dinner...ouch!!

I bet you never knew

I've been thinking a lot about marriage the last couple of days. I'm not sure why. Perhaps it was because Cameron and I got to go on our first date since Malone's birth this week (many hugs and kisses to Christelly who babysat Malone). Perhaps I am discovering some new joys and challenges of marriage. Perhaps this has just been a week full of learning moments, good ones, but learning nonetheless. So I came up with a plan that would give you a bit of insight into our lives.

We would interview one another. It could be disasterous, completely boring or explosive. But it will be enlightening either way.

First I would interview Cameron....Its my blog so I get to go first, plus, its my idea. Hmmm...what secrets have I always wanted to know?????

M: Describe your childhood.
C: Happy, all- American, lots of sports, good friends and great family trips.

M: When did you first realize that you loved me?
C: Uhhh.... I can't tell you a certain point, not like a lightbulb turning on or anything. It just grew over time.
M: But when did you realize that you loved me enough to marry me? You're not giving me what I'm looking for.
C: Probably when I introduced you to my family and friends for the first time. I forget when that was.
M: Thanksgiving in Laramie 2004.

M: What memory or instance describes our relationship to you?
C: Playing rock, paper, scissors in the Frankfurt airport.
M: Really??!! Why?
C: Fun, relaxed and well-traveled.

M: Describe me, your wonderful, beautiful, loving, incredible wife.
C: Kind, funny, thoughtful, wise, natural mom, beautiful, wonderful cook, good conservationist.

M: What is your greatest hope for our family?
C: I don't know about my greatest hope but whenever I think of the end result I always have a mental picture of all my children and their children sitting around a giant dining room table at Thanksgiving, eating wonderful food, drinking good wine, loving the fact that we love the Lord and each other.

M: What is the top 3 fun things you want to do in life?
C: Go to the Kentucky Derby, Super Bowl, African hunting safari.

M: If you could redo one instance or moment in your life, what would it be?
C: Not being so cynical my first two years at the Academy (Air Force Academy). Just cause I feel like I missed out on some good experiences by chalking them up as "Academy Stuff".

M: What is the hardest part of being married to me? Careful, remember I am responsible for the food you intake.
C: Just learning to not be selfish and think about someone else before you think about yourself.

M: Would you rather have a huge hairy mole on your lip (where everyone could see it and stare at it) or a very painful sore on your back (where noone could see it, but it is very painful)?
C: On the back. Physical pain is way easier to deal with than social pain.

M: What is something that the readers of this blog would be shocked to discover about me?
C: Your goofiness. You're just a lot more silly in private than you are in public.

M: What has been your favorite part of becoming a father?
C: Having her smile at me.

M: What has been the most challenging aspect of becoming a father?
C: The constancy of it.

M: What is something that you wish people knew about you (obviously that most don't)?
C: I'm a terrible dancer.
M: You are not. You're a better dancer than me. Perhaps that says more about my dancing abilities than yours.
C: I think people know everything about me.

M: Well, alright.


I know Cameron hates these kinds of questions, but I always think its really interesting and by officially interviewing him for my blog, he has to answer. I'm a sneaky little thing aren't I? You're surprised I didn't ask him all questions about me, aren't you? Don't worry I didn't want to bore you too much. I keep my readership in mind. Next--- Cameron interviewing me. Put on your seatbelts, folks, this is going to be a crazy ride!

C: What was the hardest of moving to America?
M: Umm....just being far away from my family.

C: What was your favorite memory from theMill?
M: The first fall retreat, just everything about it. I just remember feeling so lucky that I got to do what I got to do.

C: Did you feel like you were a bit young to be getting married?
M: No, I was just worried that we were being naive and that reality would catch up with us one day. And so I tried to stir up fights with you in order to make sure that you knew what you were getting into.

C: What's the hardest part of living with me?
M: Sometimes you're really clean about stuff I'm not clean about and other times you're not clean about stuff I'm clean about.

C: What do you foresee as our biggest potential marital problem and how do you plan on helping prevent it?
M: You being gone all the time and me feeling like I'm not a part of your life. I think I'll try to prevent this by first, voicing those feelings when they are happening. Second, me having a good attitude about things and keeping them in perspective. And third, trying to have some of my own social activities so that you're not my only social outlet.

C: Where would you like to go on our 20th wedding anniversary?
M: Back to the same places we went on our honeymoon - Paris, Greece and Italy. But, this time fly first-class.

C: What's your favorite part of the day with Malone? Why?
M: I like it right when she wakes up from a nap and she's super happy and googly and I can play with her.

C: How many more kids do you want?
M: Maybe two or three more.

C: What is your idea of the perfect family vacation?
M: To the beach where we can relax, but also play with the kids in the water and build sand castles...and I can teach them how to boogie board and just play in general.

C: What skill do you think is most critical to being a good wife and mother?
M: Wisdom and being wise enough to follow the wisdom you know

C: If I run for President what issue would you take ownership of and seek to change?
M: (Lot's of laughs and a sarcastic answer about milk production) I don't know, health care seems like to big of an issue, education is too cliche...maybe working on getting America more physically healthy.

There you have it folks. Hope you have learned something, had a little laugh and maybe even shed a tear. Thanks for help with this, Babe. You're great!