Jen & Zach Get Married! (Part I)

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Wow, what a weekend! We all went to New Orleans, Louisiana to celebrate my oldest and "first" friend Jen Skidmore's wedding to a great guy- Zach Neeley. The Skidmores are like family- our parents met in Lamaze class pregnant with me and Jen and we have grown up together. Heff and I both said it was really the most incredible wedding we have ever been to. The Skidmore's sure know how to do things right and they thought of everything to make everyone feel right at home in New Orleans. We flew in Tuesday night- the parties started Wednesday and didn't stop until Saturday… I'll let the photos speak for themselves… in multiple posts since I took so many :) Congrats Jen and Zack and thanks for bringing us all together for a real New Orleans experience to celebrate your wedding!

We left SFO Tuesday night on a direct flight to NOLA. We arrived at 11:30pm and took a shuttle bus to the Hotel- pretty easy trip considering we had two lap babies and a 3 year old!

Wednesday morning we ventured out for lunch - we stayed in the French Quarter at the Hotel Monteleone and were in walking distance to almost everything. We had breakfast on the sidewalk and the girls lost their minds over the horses/mules pulling carts by every few minutes. I downed two Bloody Mary's - TG for not being pregnant in NOLA!

It was 80+ degree weather so we spent some time at the rooftop pool- Francie claims she "learned to swim"

and caught naps when we could - the girls were troopers and went along with our five day party schedule as best they could! Francie had a pull out couch but preferred to sleep right on top.

Getting ready for party #1 - a Crawfish Boil on Wednesday evening.

Ann and Jen had every detail done so beautifully- down to this artist's map of the city with all of the places we would visit for events and explanations of what to expect/wear for everything!

Isn't Janie getting big already?! ;) She was a little mad here getting dolled up for a party but for the most part she was GREAT the whole trip- she started sleeping at night! The past five nights she has slept all night, just waking up once or twice to nurse and going right back down which is a HUGE improvement :) (maybe I need to make Hurricane's and Jambalaya part of my day at home??) Keep it up kid.

Thanks to our little book I read we should wear bright colors to the Crawfish Broil so we happily obliged

Walking with the crowd to the Crawfish Broil - it was an authentic Nawlins event with delicious food and a great night to meet and reconnect with all the friends and family

Maisie had the funniest face every time she saw a "BA!" in the street

Arriving at the Oyster House and let the party begin...


My parents and Jerry got there Wednesday night too (Ann and Pat came in the next morning) which made it all the more fun to celebrate -

Look at the cute Crawfish kissing! The artist did all of these little drawings for the wedding- a really neat touch.








Father-of-the-Bride, Earl, giving a cute toast…

My first friend :) love you Jen!

The Bride and Groom excited for what's still to come!

Rehearsal Dinner up next...

Janie's First Wedding Shower

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Saturday Francie got to spend the day with Grandpa while Jannie, Emmy, Janie and I went up to SF for Em's wedding shower at The Rotunda @ Neiman's for an afternoon tea. We left two hours early to go up and shop but hit crazy broken-down-bus/construction traffic in the city and ended up right on time! We did a little shoe shopping on the way into the shower but just enjoyed a nice afternoon with Em, her mom, sister, friends and my Aunt Tere and her daughter's in law Erin and Sadie. The invitation said wear white and matched the room! Happy almost wedding Em :)

The Bride-to-be

my favorite fare

Erin and Jannie talking while Aunt Tere snuggles Janie

all the ladies in white

Janie and Mom

Opening presents

my brother James came at the end to say hello - and help carry the presents down four floors and through Union Square!

The hosts of the shower- bridesmaids for the big day

We took a group picture in the Rotunda (but I don't have the picture on my camera) and James carried Baby Janie- he stood about 10 feet from the edge of this railing the whole time, thanks Uncle James :)

Airplane!!!

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Maisie got to go on a special adventure all by herself with Dad on Saturday when he flew to LA for the day for a business meeting (benefits of not yet being two- she's still a free lap baby) They left at 5:30am and Maisie came in to say bye to me in bed "Momma! Airplane! Daddy! Banana! Airplannnnne!" (= Mom! I'm going on an airplane with Dad and taking a banana with me!" :)

They left San Jose at 7:30am and got a window seat- Heff said she was losing her mind she was so excited. She behaved herself very well all day with Dad and they got home around 5:30 Saturday night. What a lucky lady! (and Heff thinks he is pretty lucky too- Friday night we were watching her being silly at dinner and he said "I get to spend the WHOLE day with her tomorrow?!")

You are Crazy Maisie and we love you for it!

Mornings with Emmy

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Emmy has been coming some mornings to help with the big girls while Janie and I are still figuring out this "sleep" thing. (She is doing a little better, but still prefers to sleep all morning and not so much at night) Emmy is awesome and the girls love her. She makes them eggs, gets them dressed in cute outfits and plays at home or takes them to the park. I'm pretty jealous some mornings and want to join them on their fun! But then I remember how much I need sleep/to clean/return emails/work and I just enjoy the peace and quiet :) Thanks Emmy!

Wednesday we walked to St Nicks to say a prayer and light a candle for Kaky- it was her birthday

Emmy's Amazing Boat entry- this is a good story :)

so the neighbor kids (3 siblings) were at the park with their "manny" (male nanny obvi ;) and the kids started talking about sending a boat down the creek from our houses to race to Shoup. Well Emmy challenged them to it and they set a race day. That day, Emmy suggested making a boat in the morning but the girls weren't that into it so they skipped it figuring the neighbors forgot too.

Well they get to the park and here come all three kids running down the hill with a super-duper homemade boat, even stenciled USA on the side! So Emmy says "oh yeah hold on, ours is right here" and whips up an impromptu boat. "Francie eat these Apple chips QUICK!" for the plastic bag, combined with a little caution tape on the ground- left over from the creek storm surge, a pinecone and a stick for balance… Viola! And guess which boat "took those corners" and won?

yup- the big winner!

puzzle time at home- happy kids

This is a typical Francie face after a full morning running around with Emmy
"What? No I'm not even a little bit tired Mom." yeah right.

and why is it my pictures look like this (no one looking, bad angle, lame lighting) :

and Emmy can do this with the same subjects! (oh yeah, it's because she has way more talent and kids LOVE her so they look at her for photos)

no stopping them… thanks for all the fun lately Em!

Dinner in Santa Cruz

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Tuesday night we went over the hill to Aptos to celebrate Uncle Rich's birthday on March 8 and to toast Kaky who would have turned 60 on March 9. We went to Cafe Cruz and had a great table outside under the heat lamps. Jannie brought the Mardi Gras beads since it was also Fat Tuesday! It was nice to be together with our family to remember it has been two years (march 11) since Kaky died. We sure miss her.

A Sidecar again! It's been awhile ;)

Mimi, Janie and Jannie

Jannie and her three granddaughters

Emmy and RB

ice cream sundae birthday candles

yummers

Drewby and Johnners getting some baby love

Happy Birthday Rich!

A fun night to celebrate the Beldings

Looking Back...

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Anne just sent me this picture of my "last days of being pregnant" from one night we walked downtown with the kids for dinner. There was the prettiest sunset that night so she took a picture of me and my belly as we were walking. It's so weird to NOT be pregnant anymore but since Janie is all curled up on my chest right now as I work on my laptop, I don't have heartburn anymore and I have a few more choices in clothing- I'll take this side of pregnancy :)

Janie slept much better last night! She seems to have an three night pattern or a BAD night (last night), an okay night and a really good night. Last night she slept from 11pm-5am in the bassinet, nursed and slept from 5-9am curled up next to me. I tried this crazy co-sleeper bolster pillow thing in out bed since she sleeps way better next to me - but go figure after Jannie, Emmy and I spent 30 minutes trying to figure it out and rig it up on the bed- Janie sleeps well in the bassinet almost all night! My husband is very patient.

I miss your little kicks and jabs in my belly but I'm glad you're here in the world Baby MaryJane!

More Red Bluff Baptism Weekend

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I love this picture of Oliver! The Big Man of the weekend looking so dapper in his sweater vest with his mom and making a hilarious I'm Not Happy face

Making cookies with Aunt Kat, she asked France if they were ready to go in the oven yet and Francie said "No they need more tasting"

and these amazing Dora PJ's were a result of a little trip to WalMart after the baptism- we had to run an errand and the store we needed to go into wasn't open yet- Maisie and Janie had fallen asleep in the car so I asked Heff if Francie and I could 'run into WalMart' for 5 minutes. We were on a mad hunt for Diego PJ's (nobody makes them- but WalMart was the most likely place to find them!) but we emerged after about 20 minutes with 2 pairs of 100% polyester-sure-to-be-thread-bare-after-10-washings PJ's. Francie insisted on wearing hers all day.

Janie on my lap - nothing better!

And Oma brought out Sherman for some rides. I wish I had close up pictures of Maisie but you can sort of see the ridiculous amount of excitement on her face on the back of a horse. She might be our animal lover - where those genes came from I'm not sure- but at least she doesn't hesitate to respond "Bang Bang!" when we ask her what Daddy does to the elk.

Pure excitement

These pictures make me happy- not that you need to turn into a horse-girl Sharkie but you are so happy up there!

Buzz and Woody PJ's (from the boys section) Francie picked out for her sister. She was almost as excited about these as she was to "WIDE BA!" (ride a horse translated)

Little Maisie Moo with Oma making the rounds on Sherman

Clara and Aunt Kat

Heff having to talk Maisie into taking off her helmet for Clara's turn

Clara Marie's first time to ride a horse! She was a little apprehensive but Francie and Maisie talked her into it :)

Ready for a few steps forward?!

I mean- I can't believe I paid $6.00 each for these pajamas

Awww cute Uncle Ducky and Aunt Kat

I love this sign in their house they got as a wedding gift

Cousins running around rough-shot

Francie got the last turn - "the looooongest last turn" she told me

It's tiring to be baptized!

The rest of the day we relaxed inside, visited, drank, ate and played Words with Friends with each other on our iPhones/pads in the same room.

Susan (Donald's mom) and I tried to take some baby-in-a-basket pictures of Janie but she wasn't really having it. She's looking at me like "Seriously Mom?"

Nope- still mad even with clothes on.

All that posing and screaming wore Sleeping Beauty out (Maisie put the tiara on her)

Spring is coming in Red Bluff! I didn't take enough pictures of the chaos and fun inside- great dinners and lots of hanging out with cousins- I love weekends in Red Bluff!

Oliver's Baptism

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We were in Red Bluff this weekend for Oliver's Baptism and for Janie to meet her Opa. Brian and I were honored to be chosen by Kat and Donald to be Oliver's godparents- we're up for the challenge keeping that REALLY cute little guy inline and Catholic! We are also god-parents to little Thomas and Heff is a godfather to Garrison and I have my sweet godson James- so besides our awesome god-daughters Madeline and Claire Elise- we've got daughters and God-SONS to look out for :) It was a relaxing weekend in Red Bluff and Opa got to meet his 10th grandchild.

Heff and his girls going into church

Daddy Donald and his Mini-Me

I mean- it's like a 5 month old version of Uncle Ducky right?!

Kat and her baby boy- and her cute Grandma Heffernan purse as a diaper bag! Oliver is wearing the Heffernan family christening gown- had to get him baptized before lent or he would never fit in this after- he is a big guy!!

Oma and Opa with Maisie Moo

Proud parents

Daddy and his middle child baby girl (who is sitting next to me looking at these pics and whining "I 'ant DADDY!" he's just at work but Maisie misses her dad :)

Godparents and little ones

Cathleen held Janie for the ceremony- and Maisie lost it when her mom and dad left her in the pew so Uncle Mark distracted her walking around in the back- thanks guys!

Silly Maisie and Clara Marie - who are cute little buddies now

Francie the big helper

Me and the girls (wow I look tired! Janie actually slept great both nights in Red Bluff but is back on her night-owl schedule at home- I slept in a few half hour increments from 11pm-6am last night!! Then she is knocked out from 6-11am… I mean that's good sleeping in Janie but not really the big picture :)

The Heffernan clan there to celebrate

Mr and Mrs Doverspike came down from Oregon too- Oliver Donald with his parents and both sets of grandparents

Three across headed back to Oma and Opa's- more Red Bluff and "horsey" pics next!

Congrats Doverspikes!

Baby Love… In Stripes

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Just some Janie loving pictures of the girls playing down in the guest room from last week… and if it isn't obvious Emmy took them all! She's way better at this taking-pictures-and-editing thing than I am :) and I am only getting this post up because also thanks to Emmy's Adventures at the Park I have all three girls sleeping soundly for the afternoon again- quite a feat.

Janie's First Bath

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March 1 Janie had her first official bath- 10 days old might be a little late blooming on the first bath thing but newborns smell so good and stay pretty clean don't they!? and maybe the third child thing contributed to that- a little less novelty and more utility involved in giving a baby their first bath. But the girls loved helping and the sink in their bathroom (we put in hoping there would be a new baby to bathe in it at some point!) was perfect with a little foam frog under her. The bath ended promptly when Francie poured a cup of water from the spout on Janie and I didn't realize until she screamed bloody murder it was ice cold water! Sorry Janie. Other than that she loved her first bath (AND the subsequent ones since then :)

Big helpers… being silly

She really was happy for most of the bath- despite her mad-mad-Janie face in these pictures… she was probably trying to tell me to put down my camera and protect her from the icy cold waterfall coming her way

All clean! but probably thinking "I'm glad they got me out of there…"

Thanks for helping Jannie! I don't think you've missed a first bath yet :)

Fun Pics and Emmy

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I got a cool new camera for the diaper bag and to document all the progress we are finally making in the Bumble construction. The camera is called the Olympus PEN - it's a small, retro looking camera but has interchangeable lenses, better than point-and-shoot technology/speed, and shoots video too. I love it so far and it saves my big camera and lenses from getting knocked around daily. Plus it has all these cool "art modes" on it like pinhole camera and film grain.

And Emmy has been coming two mornings a week to let Heff go to work while I sleep in with Janie (thank goodness!) or just clean up around the house or do some work. She and the girls frequent Shoup Park and Emmy is soo patient letting them take scooters or trikes at a snail's pace on their walk. They have made lots of new friends on the playground and it sure wears the girls out for a good nap after lunch at home. Thanks Emmy!!!

"Edebody loves Cousin Emmy" :)

And Emmy loves her girls

and we all love having you around Janie!

>

TTFN ;)

Saturday Out and About

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Last Saturday we ventured out in the cold for a morning of vaulting and a visit with some friends. There was a bunch of hype that it might SNOW here in the Bay Area- even at sea level. I kept checking outside when I was up with Janie but no snow. It did snow in the hills a little bit but didn't live up to all the talk. The creek is running pretty crazy after all the rain though!

<

But Saturday morning the temperatures were still COLD so we bundled up for Francie's vaulting class (brought back memories of myself in layers and layers of spandex for cold vaulting days :) It was the first time we'd all piled in the car together as a family of five!

Maisie says "WHAT are we doing out here in this cold when I don't even get to ride the horse??"

Francie's turn



Daddy and Janie

I love these pictures- Francie's coach Lisa told her to wave to Mom!

Ready for exercises

Mom trying to keep Janie warm in her bear suit - I wish I had one like it!

And after Vaulting we went by the Hutchinson's to wish Wyatt a Happy Birthday and warm up in their cozy house. Wyatt and Isaac have the best toys- ALL BOY stuff the girls love :)

Nice going Maisie - I think this one's a little small to ride in

What a cute family :) Chad, Lindsey, Isaac and Wyatt and they are expecting a PINK bundle this summer!

and then we went right back home to put on warm cozy clothes and keep a fire going all day- we ordered Sushi (the new place by us delivers!) and didn't leave the house all night.

Family Dinner

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Sunday night we had dinner at Jannie and Grampa's with the Arnerich family so they could all meet Janie. It was Oscar's Night but we didn't watch much- Heff and I don't watch movies (I DVR plenty of bad TV but I don't really have the patience for movies) so we are clueless for Academy Awards. But we had fun watching our girls run off and play with the big cousins and dotting on Janie.

The kids table with Aunt Kim- Maisie was set up with the adults and when she realized "GaGa" was at the big kids table she moved her highchair (tried- I helped finally) and place setting into the other room. She thinks she's pretty big now!

Crazy girls showing off for their big cousins (well my cousins which makes them second cousins once removed or something?? Jannie correct me…)

Janie napped by the window while we ate

Thanks for a fun night Jannie and Grampa! and thanks for coming over from the East Bay UJ and Kim- in 2 weeks they will only have to drive from Aptos- they are making a big move back to Santa Cruz County, we are so happy for you guys!

Aquarium with Dad

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Monday Heff had the girls up bright and early to head down to Monterey for a day at the aquarium- they were there when it opened and loved seeing everything under the sea. Heff had booked a hotel right next to the aquarium for a sleepover so they went back for a swim and naps early afternoon- swim happened, naps didn't! Then back to the aquarium, dinner at Bubba Gumps and then bedtime. Somehow a binky missed the packing process so bedtime proved to be a challenge- Maisie was also asking for her monkey music maker and pillow and told Heff "No Okay. HOME." but they survived! They came home Tuesday morning happy campers and I was thankful for the day and night to spend with Janie and sleep (as much as she would let me- not her favorite activity when the sun goes down but we're working on it :)

Francie pretending she's a seal or something with flippers. (a hair band missed the trip too!)

Seahorse exhibit (Heff claims Francie erased a bunch of the good pics- I'm just happy to get something back on the camera after an adventure with dad!)

Francie "teaching Maisie things" I'm sure

hiding in the "fort" to see the fish

Francie and a penguin

Maisie's cheese face!

Silly girls eating lunch at the aquarium cafe

My favorite part of the aquarium- tide pools… waiting…

for the huge overheard wave! The girls like it too :)

and the most talked about exhibit "MOM! We touched BATRAYS!!"

A light up touristy plastic glass for Shirley Temples at Bubba Gumps. Heff said the girls lost their minds when they came out with these.

Worn out and snuggled up in bed.

Enjoying It While It Lasts

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Janie is 10 days old and it's my first day home by myself with all three girls! Heff took Francie and Maisie on a special adventure to the Monterey Bay Aquarium yesterday and they stayed overnight in a hotel to swim and give mom a night with just Janie- I'll have to upload their pictures to blog next. This was the one Heff texted me when they got there at 10am yesterday… this was our third time to the aquarium but the girls were younger before and just soaked it all up this time. Francie was only slightly disappointed they didn't have her three favorite animals- Humpback, Orca and Sperm Whales :)

so today he is back in the office for a bit and we are surviving at home- lucky for me he tired them out and ALL THREE girls are sleeping soundly right now. I should be sleeping too since I was up every hour last night with Janie or the darn dog (ate a diaper- needed water or to go out three times. Gross) I better go do something productive- I hear Maisie's monkey music thing on- this quiet won't last long!!