Mena's Place

Guess What My Kid Can Do!?

2010-10-16T19:14:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to put a couple sweet photos of my daughter on here. I have been especially thankful for her lately. I am so happy she is in my life.

She loves nothing more than reading. Mena is the only 2 year old I know who will sit on the couch or floor for an hour straight reading book after book, paging slowly through each one. It's a beautiful thing. She also loves to draw and does a pretty good job for a toddler. Lately she is into drawing faces and ladybugs.

We had a visit this past week from Grandma Rus, Aunt Brenda and Aunt Amy. It was a wonderful time and Mena had such a great opportunity to get to know these special people in her life even better. Thank you to them for coming to San Diego to share a little piece of our lives with us by the sea.

LIFE AT TWO

2010-10-05T19:53:00.000-07:00

Mena has a good life. She has her own 4-wheeler, she lives next to a beach, and family members like to come visit her in Southern CA to spoil her. Eli's twin brother, Lee and his girlfriend,Kathy came to visit in September. Lee asked Kathy to marry him and she said yes! Another sister-in-law for me and another aunt for Mena. You can never have too many aunts.

We have been watching a lot of football (the American variety) lately. And hanging out inside a bit more than usual. The weather in San Diego has been less than perfect, which we complain about almost daily. So, I guess, things could be worse.

We are looking forward to this Saturday when Grandma Rus, Aunt Brenda, and Aunt Amy come to SD to visit us. Yay!!

Mena Turned 2 (last month)!!

2010-06-21T22:04:00.000-07:00

Mena is two. My tiny one weighs 31 pounds. We have been spending time with family who have visited, hanging out with friends at parties, and going to the beach. Life has been good to us.
She recently got a haircut, a real stylish haircut. But no photos yet. I will make you wait another 3 months for those. :) I'm terrible at this blogging thing, let's face it. Love to anyone who has the tenacity to keep checking Mena's Place.

MENA RIDES MAMA

2010-03-27T10:31:00.000-07:00

Mena has become a little girl. Baby no more. She has real hair, she runs, she speaks, she appreciates piggyback rides, she hops like a rabbit, and draws circles and her favorite Sesame Street character, Abby.

I think there are some things about Mena that might be like mama. She does not always want to play with other kids, preferring to do her own thing, mostly coloring and drawing. Maybe it's not that she doesn't want to play with other kids, maybe she doesn't know how. Maybe she needs a sibling. Whoa did I just say that?

She's stroking her cheek in one photo. This is a sign of tiredness. Eli and I think it's hilarious. Hope anyone who reads this is doing well. LOVE YOU ALL!

It's About Time, Rus!

2010-01-04T16:29:00.000-08:00

Hudson and Harper were born on Sept 2. That's me with them. (duh) My brother and his lovely wife are wonderful parents and love these babies more than anything. Feels familiar. I love them too. They're adorable and sweet babies. And twins. How fun!

Mena and her BFF Claire are, well, BFFs. They hang out a lot so it seemed appropriate to include Claire in a blog.

Mena and two of her cousins, Olivia and Ivy, had so much fun during our trip to Iowa for Thanksgiving. They're great babysitters too! Mama got lots of breaks during this vacation.

The last photo is Daddy and Mena doing their favorite thing together. Cruisin' in Ocean Beach, our picture perfect neighborhood where the sun almost always shines and the people are happy. We have a good life!

September Fun

2009-10-05T19:59:00.000-07:00

Nana came to visit and we did all kinds of crazy things! We went to the petting zoo at the San Diego Zoo. We cheered on the Hawkeyes, who are undefeated surely because of my new cheerleading outfit. And we went to the park and played on the slide and the swings and it was so much fun. Thank you, Nana, for coming all the way to California from Iowa just to hang out with a one year old! We all love you!

Mena Camps With Giant Trees!

2009-09-04T21:10:00.000-07:00

I am embarrassed how long it has taken me to get a posting up. Despicable. Vos, I owe you an apology. I have been slacking.

Mena wears hair adornment now! Eli is the master stylist around here. She screams while he diligently and painfully applies the hair tie. Vos, another thing...Mena has started the thing you talked about while in Iowa. Needless Neediness. That doesn't seem nice to say, but with Mena, it is true sometimes. She behaves different for me than for Eli. No one doubts this in our house. Am I a pushover? Just because I can't stop breastfeeding my toddler? Honestly, we are almost done with that. And I don't want to talk about it anymore. Makes me sad.

Sequoia trees make me crazy. They are HUGE. They can live to be 2200 years old. Redwoods can live to be 3000 years old. WhAt?! General Sherman is the largest tree (both tallest and widest) on the planet. He is a 1200 year old Sequoia. I forget exactly but if it isn't 1200 years, it's more. Crazy, I tell ya. One of the most amazing vacations of my life.

Our campsite was next to an emerald green, clear, crisp but not cold river that had smoothly worn rock waterslides made by Mother Nature. Pools to swim in, some people snorkled, some jumped off cliffs and bridges into the water. I settled for swimming, somersaulting, and sailing down the rock slide. No jumpy for me. Mena did it though. Tough baby. She float.

One Year Later

2009-07-10T21:08:00.000-07:00

Mena had two weeks of swimming lessons. Learning the basics. Floating on her back, which no child seemingly likes. Kicking her legs, moving her arms, dunking her underwater. She really loves the water and I am relieved. The old ladies in the background truly fell in love with her. They have their arthritis pain exercises in the morning during class and they ooh and aah over her, proclaiming how "she is the star of the show!" I'm just glad she doesn't scream the entire time. Some of the children do.

Of course, Mena turned one. I just loved the princess-ish hat she wore (Thank you, Claire Bear!) Mena loves hats. I make her wear a hat outside all the time, and she has learned to enjoy them. Grandma got her a Dora the Explorer painter's cap which she puts on herself, often backwards or sideways...real coool like. I love all her hats. The checker pink baseball cap. The wide brim polka dot hat. The solid pink baseball cap. The strawberry hat. We've had so much fun with all the new toys and books. Thank you, one year later, everyone, for loving my baby and supporting me and Eli in our adventure in parenthood. It's been the best year of my entire life.

At Grandma Rus's house

2009-06-18T21:38:00.000-07:00

Oh, there's no place like grandma's porch. Eli got about 256 photos and videos of Mena on my mother's porch alone, but, forgive me for saying, they are precious. Some of her best work. The birds were singing. Mama was planting impatiens for grandma. Daddy was playing cameraman.
Ever since Mena turned one, she has seemed more like a little girl and less like a baby. I know children should grow up. But I cannot pretend "time flying" doesn't bother me. I try to live in the present moment and savor it. Maybe this is why I miss past times with her when she was 6 weeks old. I loved her newness and tininess. Don't misunderstand me. I love Mena at one. I think she is becoming goofy and more independent. I appreciate being entertained by merely her presence. And she is getting smarter. And that's good for all of us:)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MENA!!

2009-06-04T20:48:00.000-07:00

Mena turned one while we were in Iowa. She got three cakes altogether. A monkey cake, a ladybug cake and a little round one that she could have demolished but she is far too pristine to do such a messy thing. Mama had to "force" a little cake into her mouth. We had a great time in Iowa with our family and friends. Mena had plenty of attention from her cousins on the Rus side. She is suffering from withdrawal since we have been back in SD. She has been a little needy, always wanting me to hold her or her holding onto my leg. I don't mind too much, but mama doesn't want dolor del brazo! Nana Linda set up a sweet little pool for Mena on the porch and she loved it. I'm so relieved that she likes the water. To all Mena's cousins, uncles, aunts, grandmas and grandpas: Thank you for making Mena's first birthday so incredibly special and for loving her with all your hearts. We love you with all our hearts too!

A Video of Mena Walking to Justin

2009-05-08T22:05:00.000-07:00

Justin captured some really sweet videos of Gi in action. Here is just one of them. (Make sure you have your speakers turned on.) Like the T-shirt? Thank you, Uncle Justin.

Mena Walks!

2009-05-06T21:30:00.000-07:00

Mena took her first steps a couple weeks ago. Now it's no big deal. Well, that's a little bit of a lie. I still get a thrill watching her walk like big stuff. She keeps her pudgy hands in the air, I think for balance, and walks kind of daintily. Mena says, "Thank you again, Aunt Wendy, for my favorite shoes."

And, by the way, I love my daughter's red hair. Technically, it's strawberry blonde and I feel I must say it because every one in my family thinks I hate red hair and it's not true. I hate some red hair, certainly not all. haha...

SUMMER IS HERE!

2009-04-17T18:38:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter to ALL Our Friends! We had a picnic at the lovely Mission Bay park in San Diego, California. (in case you forgot where we live:) Life has been wonderful to us. Mena is such a gift. She enjoyed hanging out with Mama and Daddy on a big blanket in the sun. Her boyfriend is in the background. He liked Mena. If you didn't notice, Mena is still a little chubby. If she'd just kick her breast addiction. Deep down, maybe not even so deep down, mama doesn't want her to kick it. My precious baby. When is a baby no longer a baby? Any thoughts on this? Is there a certain age that a child magically becomes a toddler and is a baby no more? Are there boxes one might purchase in which one can place a child and keep them tiny? Please let me know.

MOBILE BABY IS DANGEROUS BABY

2009-03-25T20:47:00.000-07:00

Mena loves books. I was a moment ago reading past blogs of my dear friend and she stated how much her Sienna loves books. My child as well. Do all babies love books so much? Eli and I have read to her since she was born, as the books say one should. Mena loves reading them by herself too. I put the books in the basket. She pulls them out one at a time, paging carefully through each one, then tosses it aside. I return the books to the basket, and she does it again. This provides several quiet moments of entertainment. At least it has so far. Crawling has given her an advantage. This little fart is quick! Tonight she tried to escape me...but mama is quicker--haha. Remember the plastic wind-up baby-in-a-diaper toy who crawls around waddling her little butt: This is Mena crawling. I think it is adorable. Life is harder, yes, but still adorable. The photo of me and Mena has nothing to do with any of this. I just wanted to include a photo of mama havin' a good time with Mena.

THANK YOU GRANDMA AND NANA!

2009-03-22T09:39:00.000-07:00

Got some new outfits to show off. Thank you Grandma and Nana! I prefer to be naked, but as long as they make me wear clothes, I might as well look good!

DIRT DON'T HURT!

2009-03-17T17:44:00.000-07:00

This is for you, Rachel!! Life with Mena is more fun than ever. She is a certified crawler. She is on the move and life is no longer easy for mama. Mama worries about dirt. Yes, dirt. I am learning to be more laidback about filth on the floor but I suffer from time to time when I see black stuff and a couple long hairs hanging from her hand. I wash her hands like a big kid, but one can do this only so many times a day without running the risk of making her OCD like her mama. I think I'm doing OK. We let her get a little dirty and remember that some germs will only make her immune system stronger. I love microbiology. Maybe that's my problem.

MY LEGS ARE MADE OF MUSCLE!

2009-02-18T14:33:00.000-08:00

Mena is like a puppy who loves to look out the window. She stands oohing and aahing of the wonders outside. I can't believe that she can stand up by herself, and I will not be surprised if she is walking at 10 months old. She's always using her legs in some way, whether standing on them or kicking them while seated in her stroller or high chair. Eli and I laugh when she is kicking and squealing away. So easily humored, the little one. Rachel, my BFF, was right--They only get more fun as they grow. Something new almost every day. Today she pulled herself up to a standing position and then let go of me! Mena is Big Stuff!

TAKE MY PICTURE AGAIN, DADA!

2009-02-07T16:52:00.000-08:00

Remind anyone of a cheesy JCPenney's circa-1980s professional photo? Mena likes to stand by our wacky mobile dishwasher, and Eli got a bunch of photos with her reflection in it. Soooo beautiful, so classy. We don't need to spend a lot of money on professional photos when we have the mobile dishwasher.

SHE'S BIG STUFF!!

2009-02-06T21:24:00.000-08:00

Mena's favorite thing right now is standing. Occasionally, she will do it alone for about 10 seconds. Eli helps her walk holding her hands. We said we wouldn't rush the walking thing but daddy can't help himself. Like a lot of babies, Mena may never crawl. Oh, she must be somehow scooting herself about, because I leave her for five minutes and come back and she is playing with the DVD player. She has always had strong legs. Remember my legs as a child, Uncle Jeffrey? Look out future sister or brother! What am I saying?!

I LIKE WINTER!!

2009-01-09T21:35:00.000-08:00

Mena spent a little time in the cold during the month of December. Eli and I bought this hat convinced it was the most adorable thing we'd ever seen. Our baby, SHE'S CUTE!
Mena has a smile that is worth a million dollars. Of course, she's not smiling here :) I love to tell people that since Mena, "It's been Christmas every day." I really mean it. She is very sweet, very loving, very happy. Our families witnessed Mena's good nature while we were in Iowa. I write this with a bit of melancholy in my heart. Everyone loves my Mena so genuinely and I am saddened when I think of the time my family misses with her. My mother and sisters gave me a "lecture" while I was at my mom and dad's house. It wasn't really a lecture, more of a plea, a plea to move back to Iowa. I struggle inside about this. I love where we live. I love San Diego. I love Ocean Beach. I feel at home here and enjoy seeing the sun almost every day and taking a walk along the water and swimming with the sun shining on my head. (that's why I'm blonde!) Yet, my family is missing. If only we had never left San Francisco, Dad. Dang it.

MENA LOVES GRANDMA LINDAS!!

2009-01-03T12:49:00.000-08:00

That's right, both of Mena's grandmas are named Linda. Both of my grandmas were Johannas, also, of course, Mena's middle name. Christmas was very special this year. Mama and Mena spent almost 3 weeks in Iowa. Daddy had to leave a week early to work at the hospital. We missed him a lot. Mama promised to take many pictures for daddy. And I did! Check out Picasa--new photos!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!

2008-12-07T16:29:00.000-08:00

Thank you, Grandma Rus, for providing my Santa outfit. I was a hit at the Ocean Beach Christmas Parade! Everyone loved me and stopped to ooh and aah over me. Never have I gotten so much attention! I suppose in about 3 days I will though--because I'm going to Iowa again!! I am so excited to see my relatives and friends in the lovely Midwest. Mama is worried about how I will behave on the plane. I am not as content to just "be" like I once was. I want to move! And Daddy won't be much help. He works three nights in a row and has to get on the plane just a couple of hours after he gets out of work Wednesday morning. He'll be in a coma! Ooh, mama, better take your Xanax!

Hey, hey, now, little girl...first of all, what do you know about Xanax? Mama will be just fine. I'll be chilllll. We look forward to seeing everyone in a few days!!

A Sedentary Lifestyle

2008-11-28T21:18:00.000-08:00

Hey, Rachel, the one on the bottom is Mena's "Where's my beer?" photo! She gets those rolls from Eli. Definitely Eli.
The photo on the top demonstrates my child's love for me. Mena loves Mama! This is only because Mama loves Mena! That's what I like to say. I remember wondering out loud to my mom if my baby would like me. I can be really stupid sometimes. All the joy of being a mother completely eluded me. Of course she loves me. Well, maybe only for my boobs, but she still loves me best.

Mena Is 6 Months Old!

2008-11-26T18:23:00.000-08:00

My baby is a half of a year old. What happened just now? Am I not pregnant? OK, time is fleeting. Mama is going to dance with her girl every day. I am going to learn to sing some songs other than "Yellow Submarine" to my child. I am going to puree sweet potatoes mixed with breastmilk. mmm...Carrots, you're next. Life is good. Keep it simple, people!

Mena Goes To Maine

2008-11-05T16:07:00.000-08:00

Time goes too fast. I can't believe three weeks has passed since I last posted a blog. Our little family went to Maine during my birthday weekend. I'm not afraid of my age, just a little surprised. Like everyone over 30, I don't feel any older but maybe a little wiser. My favorite patients to visit are the elderly. They have the wisdom. I listen to them. I try to remember the things they tell me, about marriage, raising children, work, relationships, family.

We had a great time in New England. I spent my birthday in Boston. What a great city! I spent a bit of time there about 14 years ago, but don't remember it being so lovely. Great architecture, beautiful old churches, expansive grassy parks, and people walking around everywhere. Our dear friends and their precious son, who is pictured here, were so good to us. They rearranged their schedules to have each day to spend with us. A portion of the trip we stayed with their parents, all of whom are very special and interesting and smart and quirky :)

Before we ever planned the trip, Jennifer, the friend with whom we stayed, pondered how fun it would be to play with Mena in the autumn leaves. That's just what we did. Mena fell over into a pile of them and squealed in delight. She is sitting up now. I encourage her to use her abs. They're still more like a keg than a six-pack.

Mena Has A Crush On Aunt Amy!!

2008-10-21T20:39:00.000-07:00

Are we surprised that a round, soft baby girl might quickly take to my loving sister and her dear husband. This past weekend our little family was blessed to have the presence of Aunt Amy and Uncle John in San Diego. We spent most of our days at the lovely Marriott Coronado. Oh my goodness, I recommend it. Beautiful view of the San Diego Bay and downtown and the Coronado Bridge. Huge navy ships pass by through the bay and it's really breathtaking. Reminded me of my visit to Panama, watching ships pass through the Canal. (Miss you, Vos.)

Do you love this swimming suit? Great gift from a great friend at my baby shower. The stripper baby suity. Mena likes the pool. Her hands are even more tasty when wet. We put her in her big yellow floaty toy from Olivia and Ivy and she immediately began gnawing on it. Which means, she loves it!! She is just so cute I can hardly bear it. Child wakes up "talking" to herself and squealing. What a world!?
We had a wonderful time with Amy and John, so I hereby dedicate this posting to them. They treated us and shared a few of their marital secrets. They've been together for 19 years. I need all the help I can get when it comes to marriage and parenting. Thanks, Amy. ?Como es Juan?

Ridiculously Serendipitous

2008-10-08T21:11:00.000-07:00

Mena has been practicing lots of tummy time. Her upper body strength is poor. (LOL)--haha.
Tonight I placed her on her tummy to sleep. Usually she likes her side and ends up on her back. I have been checking on her about every 15 minutes, observing the rising and falling of that tiny barrel chest :) Then I walk out of the room, looking up to the sky and say, "Thank you, God." Having a child has made me more reliant on God: Need faith in order to not go crazy with worry. I'm a person who worries about what could happen. Total waste of energy, I'm told. One thing I have noticed about myself since having Mena is that I can just chill and enjoy the present moment. Don't get me wrong. I still have some hyperactivity issues, but one has little choice with a newborn (oh, yeah, now infant :) The sun comes up then the day goes and it's nighttime again. And I did some laundry and ate lunch while dancing with Mena to the Beatles. But my ability to simply be with Mena at home, take an occasional short walk with her to the water, nurse her then burp her, and love her up (squeeze her stuffings, as Aunt Brenda would like to do), well...I find it wonderfully satisfying. There is joy in my heart as I gaze into her little round, Gerber face. How clueless I was before I knew this kind of love. Everyone told me I would love her but this is ridiculous!

2008-10-05T11:34:00.000-07:00

My baby wants to eat her hands. Mena has become obsessive in her oral fixation. Dr. Upton, the handsome pediatrian, reassures mama that this is completely normal. Sometimes she bites mama while she is eating, and that, if you know what I mean, is not good. Not sure how to fix that. This morning I teased her that I might put her on a fast. There is no need to go to an annoying gym and lift weights with Mena around :) Off the charts, she is!

I brought Mena to my workplace yesterday. A woman I work with said she looks like she could be a year old! I told her not to say such things: Mena is still a baby! Just a Dutch baby.

She was a gem with my co-workers. All smiles and sweetness. Mena makes a good impression with that grin.

Anything Boys Can Do, Girls Can Do Better!

2008-09-30T19:56:00.000-07:00

Mama is feeling the love tonight! My Mena is asleep in her crib. All week she has been doing really well. (The top photo is proof for all who doubted I could demonstrate tough love.) She barely cries since the first night we let her cry herself to sleep for an hour. That is painful for a mama. Eli and I think she might be "cutting teeth" because she has been rubbing her cheek and ear a lot lately, and she has been slightly more fussy the last couple of days. But despite all that, she sleepies in her crib like a precious baby tonight and never made a peep. She was smiling when I kissed her goodnight. Ooh, I love this baby girl! Mena has her 4 month doctor appointment tomorrow morning. She is due for some vaccinations. Again, maybe more painful for Mama than Mena--we'll see. The bottom photo shows Mena's favorite exercise: Standing. Of course, she is receiving a little assistance. You know, I think she has been using those solid little legs to stand since she was a couple weeks old. Is that possible? My Mena is going to be strong. (Her name means 'strength' in Dutch!) I tell you what, anything a boy can do, a girl can do better!

Her Name Is Gi, Don't Wear It Out!

2008-09-22T22:47:00.000-07:00

This is My Hannah, with My Mena! Grandma Rus has been having a rough time commenting on the blog and she is going to recruit Hannah to help her learn. In return for the favor, I decided to dedicate a posting to my smart, obviously beautiful, stylish niece. Mena's middle name is from Hannah's full name: Johanna. It also happens to have been both of my grandmothers' names.
Some say Mena looks a little bit like Hannah did as a baby. Well done, Gi. (My silly nickname for my daughter. I'll explain later.) You are going to be smokin'. Of course, looks aren't everything. If there is one trait Hannah possesses that I would be stoked to see Mena have, it would be her zest for reading. Child has been reading three books a weeks since she was 7. There is nothing more attractive than intelligence.

Mena's A BiG GirL!!

2008-09-20T13:37:00.000-07:00

A little update on some of Mena's new big girl activities. As you can see in the photo on the left, she has a new jumper, thanks to Claire Bear's nice Mommy and daddy. And, yes, she fell asleep in it one time. Mama doesn't keep her in there too long; she is still a little small for it. But don't worry Elijah, she still hangs out in her bouncer. I'm not sure how old she will be when she doesn't fit in it anymore. I'll keep you updated! Second big girl activity: She found her hands! Not just a thumb or finger, and sometimes not just one hand! I've witnessed this child with both hands shoved in her mouth gnawing away. Mena even gags herself sometimes and then gets all upset. Yesterday, she got a fist stuck in there, and I'm not so sure she could have gotten it out by herself. Daddy saved her :) Third big girl activity: Mena is sleeping in her crib! Mama and daddy have been "letting her cry" at night (when it's not time to eat or burp). She has been doing quite well. In fact, she is taking a nap in there right now and it is 2 pm! Grandma, we haven't wasted your good money yet! I guess it's true, sometimes you have to let the baby cry. The first evening we did, even Mama cried a little.

Who Will Take Care Of Me, Mama!?

2008-09-19T21:03:00.000-07:00

I returned to work part-time last week. Eli and I have been interviewing babysitters. Today I realized what a big deal it is to have a stranger take care of one's child, even if for only a day or two a week. We have found some very nice young women from Point Loma Nazarene University. This is the college I wish my niece, Hannah, would go to! Sorry Mama :) And, sorry, Brenda. You can't blame me for trying! Dorms with ocean views, Christian values, dedicated professors and high student expectations! I precepted many PLNU nursing students in the ICU and they were always the most professional and hardworking students. Yes, yes, I can hear my mama saying, "but if you lived in Iowa, I would babysit and you wouldn't need a stranger!" I understand that my choice to live in CA has affected my family, especially now that I have given them a granddaughter, niece and cousin. I don't know what else to say because my words, photos, even this blog, don't satisfy the need to squish up baby Mena. I struggle somewhat with this. I am trying to keep my friends and family who are far away connected to this baby (and me and Eli), but I know it's not the same as holding her and loving her up. Our next meeting will be super-sweet. Please pray for me as I choose a babysitter! I want someone who loves babies and who will love Mena. This isn't like hiring someone to paint your house or fix your dishwasher. Never gonna find anyone like Grandma though...

Mena Is A Quarter Of A Year Old!

2008-09-04T16:43:00.000-07:00

On August 29, Mena turned 3 months old! I can't believe it, you can't believe it, we can't believe it. Proves to all of us older folks how fast time goes. Mena has virtually doubled her weight, is much taller, and has more hair (seemingly strawberry blonde; red, if you will). She has learned a few tricks too. Still incontinent, but they say that's normal. She spits all over herself when she becomes impatient. There is spit all over her face in this photo but it's hard to see. She is able to bounce herself in her bouncer by kicking her Nate Kaeding legs. (Iowa Hawkeye turned San Diego Charger kicker.) Mena loves to gnaw on her hands. She can fit almost her whole fist in there! One of these days, she's going to figure out those delicious fingers are always available to her. She likes it when I lift her up by her hands from a lying position to a sitting position. She smiles every time. She got her first cold this week. Snotty sneezing and snorty sleeping for the last two days. I still call her "Gi" but she has more to say than just "n-gi" now. Mmm...I love to hear her try to talk. Morning seems to still be her happy time. When Daddy comes home from work, usually around 8 in the morning, they have their special time, and Mena loves it. Mena loves Daddy. Is anyone surprised? Mama loves Mena too. No surprise. She's easy to love.

Will Mena Have Red Hair?!

2008-08-24T13:41:00.000-07:00

During my pregnancy I joked about having a red-haired child. I mused that I might dye it another color. I blamed Eli for even the possibility. My thoughts on this have radically changed. In May, while pregnant, I met a baby boy named Jack. He is pictured here amongst some shasta daisies posing for his awesome mommy and daddy. I have dubbed him, "cutest baby in the world," "blueberry cream muffin," and the like. Interestingly enough, Jack has red hair, and, like my Mena, is so squishably adorable that red is the only color that fits! I would not change a thing about my Mena. I love her luscious locks. If she had been born like I was, I would need to buy her a wig.

Totally Transcendental, Dude!

2008-08-23T21:34:00.000-07:00

I never knew for sure if I would be a mom. I always wanted to be a boy. You know, I hate to admit it, but it's true...I have always wanted to be a boy. I suppose it is as simple as the tomboy in me. I like to be outside playing. There are games that I like, despite what my dear husband says. He always gives me crap about never wanting to play games. Mostly, it's true. As difficult as it is for me to say, I throw a disc farther and harder than he does. hahaha. It's funny cuz' it's true, eh, Strait? The moral of this story is just what someone told me before I had Mena. Maybe even before I became pregnant. "Having a baby is good for the soul." I think Kathy Cardoza said it. She is a wise woman. The mother and grandmother of many girls. Many great girls. (Wife of a great guy too.) For the first time in my life, I understand why God made me a girl: So I might give birth to a baby girl that is capable of changing my life in a direction I could not have forseen. Serendipititous, to say the least. Miraculous, to say the most. And I must say that during my entire pregnancy until now, I perceive the whole thing as a miracle. Sperm, egg...many of you have heard me exclaim the physiological obvious. I can't help it! It is brilliant, and that's where I find God. My Mena is a miracle. I had a feeling!

Mena Loves Her Family

2008-08-23T13:39:00.000-07:00

Here are merely a few of my favorite family photos. Uncle Jeffrey was the first one on the scene after Mena's birth. She was 3 hours old. He has special privileges. Aunt Kali has a gift for putting Mena to sleep, typically in what we call the "treefrog" fashion. Of course, Mena loves her Grandpa Mike, and the first thing Uncle Tony said when he saw Mena was, "She looks like Mike!" The blue eyes maybe :) Don't worry if you didn't make the cut in this posting. I have hundreds more!

Mama Gets Emotional

2008-08-23T10:59:00.001-07:00

I loved the whole birth experience. Not a day passes that I don't reminisce about that crazy, painful trip to the hospital. Simultaneously the most terrifying and wonderful experience of my life (how many times have I said that?). This photo is one of many that brings tears to my eyes. Tears of joy but a little bit of sadness. Why must time go so fast? What happened to my tiny Mena? I do my best to enjoy every single day, and I think I am doing a good job. Being able to work part-time is awesome. Having Eli to stay with her is even awesomer. (My blog, my made-up words.) I know, I know, she is still small. She's chubby, but still relatively small. Chubby means healthy and I am thankful to God for that.

Welcome to Mena's Place

2008-08-22T16:29:00.000-07:00

I have promised my friends and family that somehow I would ensure that they will know Mena, despite the miles between us. I took my best friend Rachel's lead and decided to start a blog featuring my daughter, Mena Johanna Strait. I will do my best to keep it updated and interesting and maybe even funny, if I can pull it off. Also, I should mention that the first day of my blogging begins on a very special day--my sister Amy's 40th birthday! My wish is that our loved ones will read, view and comment in the blog, so we are communicating in some way. I love my girl so much and want to share her with all of you. Enjoy!