pics

Cory's cousin Wesley, Holly, and Crystara

In Dallas

Corey's Aunt and Uncle

Me w/ brother Craig and nephew Craig Lee in NM

This is common

Lindy&Velma w/ Crystara sucking her thumb for the first time

Day 8 - Albuquerque (Mothers Day)

My first mothers day, as a mother! Crystara celebrated by not crying when she woke up and Corey was very sweet. He went to Whole Foods and did a great job shopping. My Aunt Liz gifted us a gift card! We prepared a big salad for Mothers Day lunch next door at my cousin Ronny's and Sarah, they have a two year old named Logan. Gramma watched make our salad. It had a mixture of greens, shredded beets and carrot, cucumber, pepitas, cranberries, and miso ginger dressing. Gramma didn't like the looks of it and wasn't sure if people would like it. Turns out most the women ate it and even Gramma tried some. We had a great time at the get together. I spent most my time talking with the women in the faman getting to know a side of the family that is large and was hard to familiarize myself with in the past. Crystara slept a majority of the time. She seems to do extremely well outdoors. When fussy I usually walk outside with her and she loves it. She's a traveler and a naturist! We had a big meal that was pretty healthy! Sarah makes the best potato bread that I am going to get the recipe for and make at home. It was a beautiful mother's day. We hung out side for hours. Me and Corey spent some time with the kids by the play set and talked with them. One girl, Mckayla, wants to be a paleontologist and shared with us a good amount of information about dinosaurs, geography, and Pangaea. She said that they are still finding fossils of underwater creatures up in the Sandia mountains of Albuquerque. Pretty interesting stuff. She is ten years old and so smart. As everyone started to leave and evening was getting closer I gave little Crystara a bath. Sarah had everything we needed. Baby girl loves the bath, the few I have given her. According to Jennifer's( my brother Craig's fiance) astrology reading of Crystara, it is good to keep water around her. I am thinking of having a running fountain at our house. A a morning walk by Percy Priest Lake as much as possible! Oh and trips to gramma Pita's house by the beach in Stuart, Fl. Well, I'm loving the month of May so far.. And I am enjoying being a mama as well. This little bundle of love and gushness is the best ever. Thanks Crystara! I can't wait for all you special people to meet her, she is amazing. With love


Here is Crystara with her great Gramma~

Day 2 to Malibu

We had a fun first day on the road. Crystara slept a majority of the car ride. We stopped in Big Sur and had a bite at the Big Sur Burrito Bar and played by the beauti*full flowing river. There was live jazz music playing and babies everywhere. Me and Corey are really starting to feel like parents! When we are in public everyone notices/comments about Crystara. It's sweet, but takes time getting used to. I feel like we are always being watched! I can understand, it is hard enough for me to take my eyes off the little angel.
**In this first picture here I would like to point out that I am wearing Ms. Julia Lingmann's aquamarine fleece. For those of you who do not know Julia, she was an amazing 92 year old woman that I had the opportunity to hang out with for the last 7 months of her life. She moved on from this life, this body on April 17th 2010. One month and two days after Crystara was born. It was such a unique experience spending 7 months with Julia while I was pregnant and now a new mother. I am so thankful for the life I am living and those who are with me:)**
After a long day of driving into the night we landed in Thousand Oaks, California. Just north of L.A. We stayed with Mark Lundegren. Mark lived in our apartment in Santa Cruz right before us. He is an intelligent and energetic guy, into sustainable architecture, evolution, psychology, writing, and hiking. He opened up his home to us for two nights~~~Thank You Mark!! You can check out his blog here: www.humananatura.com


May 3rd~ We spent today at the beach in Malibu. Crystara got some sun...she's is not quite resembling a strawberry, but I would say watermelon is a little more accurate. I need to figure out something for her when we are out in the sun and heat. It is hard for me to put her into long sleeves and pants in such hot weather to protect her skin. And I am not too keen on sunscreen. I will be looking for her a hat with a bill in the days to come...and maybe an umbrella. All I know is her baby skin is too sensitive to be receiving so much sunshine. For now her umbrella car seat and aloe vera will do the job.
The dolphins came to visit us while we were at the beach. It's the 2nd time we have seen them with Crystara, our little Piscean. She likes dolphins~ When she was born, I was wearing dolphin teeth and in our apartment we had a tapestry with dolphins that I would always catch her staring at. Dolphin Love!
Also at the beach, me and Corey found some swings. It felt great on the gigantic swings, flying above the water and back again. The warm air surrounding my body just afloatin*
We ended the day with the most delicious grilled eggplant sandwiches, chocolate peanut butter Coco Bliss, good conversation with our friend Mark, and a long nights sleep snuggled up with our baby girl. <3> To be continued....