Gettin Ready for TEXAS

Nothin like searching for a new place to live AND packing for a 10 day trip while 32 weeks pregnant (I promise that's all the negative-nancy in this post). The last few days have been nice because I've been so occupied with getting ready for our trip that I've had less time to be bummed about the fact that I'm really looking for a place to live AGAIN. I'm very excited to go to Texas! We are going to spend the first 5 days in Texarkana with Gentry's family and the 2nd 5 days in Dallas with my family. I love Texas. We always have such good vacations when we're there, so I'm very excited. It's going to be cold, that's for sure, so I've had some interesting time trying to pack for an 18month old because all her clothes are for Southern California weather. Dressing her here for the cold means leggings and a long sleeve shirt :) And as of now, she can still get away with wearing her flip-flops when we go out. Raya still has a HUGE issue with socks and shoes. When we put her in her car seat she immediately starts kicking her legs to let us know the socks and shoes need to go before we are finished buckling her in. So this should make our trip to the cold a little interesting. I usually leave her barefooted from the house to the car and don't put her shoes and socks on until we are somewhere that she's going to be walking. I got some slippers in hopes that I can put those on her for our trips to the car and in and out of where ever we are going. She also doesn't really do hats, so that'll be fun. I did get her a super cute peacoat for the cold for $14! Old Navy had all their outerwear half off, so it was a great deal.

Gettin Ready for TEXAS!

This will be our last trip as "Party of 3." I'm a little bit sad about that. Not at all because I'm sad about the new one coming, I'm very excited for him! But one, I'm not a huge fan of change, and two, life with 3 (and travel with 3) is pretty easy and fun. So its very bitter-sweet. I know I've talked about it in previous posts, but as the time gets closer for baby boy to get here, I get a little uneasy about having a 3rd party added to my daily life with Raya. Uh, I sound like I'm not ready for him. That's not it at all. And I'm sure there's other parents out there that went from 1 to 2 with the same kind of feelings :) I just so enjoy my days with my BFF and I don't know what to expect....Pretty sure its the same kind of anxiety I had my senior year of high school knowing I was about to go to college and I had no idea what to expect, so I was very uneasy. Luckily I LOVED college, so I'm sure this will be like that x100!

And my favorite picture of the week! Why, because she took it of herself!!!! I saw her grab my camera and hold it up and say cheese, but didn't think at all that she'd actually get her face. I have no idea where she learned how to hold the camera away from her face at a flattering angel, say cheese and snap a head shot ;) But my kid can officially take her own Facebook Profile pictures! Its a proud moment as a parent, and a milestone I will be recording in her baby book. 

By Land or By Sea

Took Raya to the park yesterday. She was quite excited to be there. Sometimes taking her to the park is easier than letting her wander the backyard because, no matter what I do or say, she LOVES putting all the rocks in her mouth. Seriously, I've tried everything. And of course now its a game because she knows as soon as she pops a rock in her mouth I'm coming after her. She loves being chased, so there's the game. Wonderful.

She has a mouth full of teeth!!! 14 teeth at 14 months

I think she looks like a little girl here. Not so much like a baby anymore. Sweet picture :)

The parks by me are on the beach and so far if she's at the park she's not really interested in the beach part. But this park trip quickly turned into a beach trip. Of course I didn't bring a bathing suit...or a towel...or a change of clothes because I didn't plan on having a wet baby, but we made due.

Long Beach Pride Weekend

My favorite thing about this weekend was the photo shoot we were so lucky to be a part of. Adam Bouska, the very talented photographer, and the NOH8 Campaign had an open shoot from 3-5 the day before the parade. I so randomly heard about it, and figured it would be packed with people, so I thought it was a slim chance we'd get to do it. I decided to show up about 2:15 and with Gentry and Raya in tow we got in line. Well, I got in line and Gentry let Raya walk around the hotel. The line went surprisingly fast. Meeting Adam was great. He is so very sweet and took time to talk with each "model." I had already brainstormed what I wanted Raya and I to do. I got a little worried he didn't get a good shot cause Raya was super interested in everything but the camera, but 4 weeks later we got the final product and I WAS SO HAPPY!!!

Here are some of my favorite celebrity shots

Jane Lynch from GLEE!!!

Kardashian Sisters

Jay Manuel

Russell Simmons

You can visit the NOH8 campaign at http://www.noh8campaign.com/

The next day Raya, my Mom and I went to the parade. It was great! Everyone that passed Raya gave her beads or blew her kisses. It was so very sweet! AND a couple of the Ladies from the show RuPaul's Drag Races were in the parade. At the last minute I decided I wanted to get a picture with Raya and the girls. We literally chased their car about 2 blocks (because I didn't decide until After they passed us that I wanted a picture) We caught up with them and I handed Ongina the baby. They were all very sweet! And I just happen to hand Raya over as they started a radio interview, so Raya just hung out with them until they were ready to move on.