Uncle Mikey and Uncle Danny come to visit

My two youngest brothers Mikey and Danny came down to visit us for a week. They like to come visit us every summer if they are able to and spend some time with Zane and I doing fun stuff. When we lived in FL they came and stayed with us and they did everything from wake boarding, to camping, to museums, etc. This time around I knew it would be a bit different since Cally is around but they were great with her and we were still able to do everything that we wanted to do. We spent the week swimming, going to La Jolla cove to snorkel, checking out the Phrogs at Camp Pendleton, out to many dinners, dirt bike riding, the beach, shopping and going to the San Diego Zoo. Both guys were great Uncles to Cally always entertaining her and making her smile. Danny even changed a diaper!! We had a blast together! Thanks for coming down guys!!

A Weekend of Love

After a fun night at Kathy and Dustin's wedding, we got all dolled up again the following day for our second wedding in one weekend. This time we headed to Simi Valley to watch Tim, Zane's friend and fellow pilot, get married. Another beautiful ceremony which included the traditional Marine sword arch and a super fun reception. We danced the night away, had delicious food, and visited with wonderful friends. What a fun weekend!

Congratulations Dustin and Kathy Nabhan

Our good friend Dustin, whom Zane and I have both known since high school finally tied the knot and we were lucky enough to be a part of his special day. The ceremony and reception were held in Dana Point in a beautiful venue overlooking the marina and ocean. We got to see many old friends from home and spend a wonderful night catching up and reminiscing. I even found a "babysitter" at the wedding and got to dance and hang out without a baby on my hip. Eric's mom, Kathy, fell in love with Cally and jumped at the opportunity to watch her while Zane and I mingled. Thanks Kathy! Here's some pictures of our fun night:

Zane and Dustin (the groom)

Kathy and Dustin saying their I do's

Ross, Dustin, Zane and Cally

Zane and Eric

Kathy and Cally

Greg, Zane, Cally, Ross, & Cliff

4 Months Old

Cally had her 4 month checkup and shots and is doing great. She is 27 1/2 inches long and weighs 18 lbs 8 oz!!! She's in the top 95% percentile in both height and weight.

She continues to play in her saucer and gym and loves every minute of it. She now reaches for the toys in front of her and they definitely keep her entertained. I have now had to strap her in her swing and bouncer because she arches her back and makes her way out of them. Once in a while I can get her to laugh and hearing her chuckle is the cutest thing ever!! She continues to explore her voice and talk to me or anyone who will listen. But the biggest discovery she has made for herself are her toes...at any opportune time she will stick her toes in her mouth and suck away. It's really funny to watch. As for now, she is definitely a mommy's girl. She knows my voice, and follows me with her eyes until I'm out of her sight. When I come near she greets me with the biggest smile ever and it melts my heart. I love that she loves me so much!

I still can't believe that she's already 4 months old! I always knew that time flies when you're having fun but it seems like only yesterday she was a little tiny baby. She has changed so much and everyday with her is a new adventure.

Cally at the doctor's office

Cally going for a jeep ride

Ready to go

Her new discovery-her toes

Cally's first (and only...I hope) piercings

I always knew that when I had a daughter I would pierce her ears as a baby. One, because I didn't have my ears pierced as a baby and as a child I always wanted them, and two because I didn't want people thinking she was a boy if she wasn't covered in pink clothing.

They say that you can pierce a baby's ears after their first set of shots at two months old but that whole month came and went and I still could not get myself to put her through "unnecessary" pain. I would debate doing it every day and finally, with the encouragement of my friends, got the courage to go and get them done.

So to the piercing pagoda we went and after picking pretty little diamond studs, Cally and I sat together in the chair as I waited for the worst while she sat there not knowing what was coming. They marked her ears, pulled out the gun and pulled the "trigger." While Cally cried we turned her head to get the second ear done and seconds later we were out of the chair and walking around. Much to my surprise, and relief, she only cried for maybe 30 seconds.

She looks so unbelievably adorable and I'm so glad I got them done! She is doing great and doesn't even know that they're there; they don't bother her at all. Although a bit painful at the time I know she'll thank me eventually.

Family time at the park

Now that it's summer time, it is unbelievable hot so I don't take the dogs out during the day while Zane is working. But knowing how much they like going outside I usually wait until the evening when it has cooled down a bit and take the whole clan down to the park so they can get some running around in while Zane, Cally, and I relax on the grass and catch up on what we did for the day. Layla usually spends her time sniffing around for rabbits while Stafford and Trinity roll around in the cool grass.

Layla and Cally

Trin

Stafford and I

Daddy time

If there's one thing that Cally likes to do it's sitting in the garage and watching daddy work. There's something about being around loud noises and weird sounds that really entertains her. So while Zane gets some work done, Cally has some fun, and I get a nice break. It's a win-win-win.