Boo Hoo

Friday evening we hit the road to the Bay Area to attend a wedding.

About an hour from our destination, Linden started to look and act lethargic. She just sat in her car seat, slumped over and staring at the floor. She had just gotten up from a nap, so we thought that maybe she was just still a bit groggy.

When we arrived, we went back to take Linden out of her seat and noticed that she was REALLY HOT. Oh no.

The next few nights were really rough on all of us (mostly Linden) as her temperature ranged between 101 and 103 degrees. And she is still battling the illness today!

Yesterday we went to the Pediatrician and he diagnosed her with "Hand Foot and Mouth Disease". Not to be mistaken with "Foot and Mouth Disease" (that's for cows!). It's not as serious as it sounds... but still not fun.

Today she broke out w/a rash all over her body and face.

I'm tough... I'll make it through!

That rash is heartbreaking...

It's a negotiation process...

After much pleading on her father's part... and much teasing on Linden's part, she finally caved and gave Dad a modified version of his request. This does not bode well for the future...

Baby Yoga!

And we wonder why Otto is fat...

9 Months on 9/9/09!

That has to mean something right?

Yeah, like her 9 month check up...

Here are the beloved stats:

Height - 29.5 inches (97th percentile)
Weight - 19lbs 6oz (60th percentile)
Head Circumference - 18.25 inches (97th percentile)

By reading these numbers, you may be concerned with her proportions... Long and lean with a large noggin'. Walking may be a bit difficult... like trying to balance a bowling ball on the top of a yard stick! But we're not worried!

Mr. Met seems to be doing just fine! (see here)

Below are some pictures from a playdate w/ Logan. You may remember him from the Daddy Day Care Series (Part 1 and Part 2). Logan's mom, Jess, took these really great photos. Thanks Jess for the great pictures and for allowing us to go out and celebrate our anniversary!

Her father has been known to sport this serious look.

Looking into the eye of the lens... (possible narcissism brewing?)

Logan puttin' the moves on... again.

De Plane! De Plane!

L & L enjoying a nice bubble show.

This picture was just too much for me to handle...

9 years... and counting!

Kacy and I just celebrated 9 years of marriage on Thursday. I know it's cliché, but it really has gone by in a blink of an eye.

We have been SO blessed and do not for a second forget to recognize God's hand in our marriage.

9 years of adventure... the best years of our lives. But we also know that our best years are not behind us... so we look forward with anticipation and awe!

September 3, 2000

The Death Stare...

Linden using "Jedi mind tricks" on us...

We finally had to put away the...

infant car seat.

It's been at least a month over due, but like the typical parents we are, we had a hard time letting her grow into the next phase of her life.

Here she is modeling and getting fitted for her new car seat.

Next stop College... sigh.

Oregon continued...

More pictures from our quick trip to Oregon...

What do they say about Grandparents spoiling Grandkids??? Does this include soda?

We visited this beautiful Linden tree in Bear Creek Park.

Does she look scared and excited at the same time?

Dream big little girl...

The Grandparents were happy to come down to her level.

We visited the charming, quaint... can't quite find the words for it... SPAM festival. I'm glad they made the effort to update the year on the banner...

A year of loss...

This year has certainly been one of mixed emotion. The joys of raising a new little life... and the sadness of loss. Back in May, Kacy lost her Grandmother, Floyce Upham. And this past Wednesday we flew up to Oregon to attend the memorial of her other Grandmother, Alice Cochran.

Although it was an extremely sad loss for all of us... it was a celebration of a very full life. This was evident by the large attendance at her beautiful memorial service. You couldn't help but be moved by the extended time of sharing during the service. Young and old alike shared of her impact on their lives. One could not have met Alice without also feeling the touch of God's hand. She was a special lady, and we are all blessed to have known her. And after nearly 99 years of blessing and touching others, she was taken to be home.

We are so thankful that Linden got the opportunity to meet her Great Grandmother back in June.

Alice Cochran (1910-2009)

Jump up... Jump up... and get down!

Linden sure loves her jungle jumper!

Fiesta!

For those that don't know, Fiesta weekend in Santa Barbara is a HUGE DEAL. It starts the Wednesday before the 1st weekend of August and runs through Sunday afternoon. Thousands of people come from all over and converge on our downtown streets. By day it's a festive sea of people celebrating and enjoying the Latin atmosphere... by night, it can be a spectacle of drunkeness and beligerence. It's safe to say, we enjoy the daylight festivities!

We started off the festivities on Thursday evening at the zoo. The party is called "Dignatarios". Although we're no dignitaries, we enjoyed the delicious food, music and WILD ANIMALS (both of the human and jungle varieties).

We got to the zoo party early enough to enjoy the delicacies offered by many local eateries. Our favorite was the crab cakes. Mmmm...

We then snuck off to enjoy the wildlife. Although we miss our crooked neck friend (RIP), the giraffes were beautiful with the ocean backdrop.

Our "unofficial" official pose.

Friday we headed down to De la Guerra Plaza (La Placita) to enjoy some fish tacos.

Linden simply enjoys walking downtown.

Actually, she enjoys being held while her dad walks downtown.

Viva la Fiesta!

Lovin' mom's new desk!

Piggy GIVEAWAY!

Just wanted to make sure you're all "in the know"... Piggy is doing a freebie giveaway on the blog right now. It's super easy to enter. And if you enter... well... you could WIN! :) Check it out.

Friends

Ever since Linden arrived as part of our family, our first child (the hairier, darker, creature living in our house) has been a little stand-offish. Don't get me wrong, he tolerates Linden, even protects her around strangers, but all-in-all he's kept his distance, and seemed to accept his demoted status in the family ("get off Linden's blanket, Otto", "stop running around, Linden is sleeping", "get off the couch, I need to feed Linden", etc, etc. - poor guy).

Well, in the last week I've noticed some changes. For one, we usually get up, have breakfast, and then Linden gets some time on the floor to play. The last few mornings, Otto has run up, sniffed her head and proceeded to give her a couple of licks (which always takes L by surprise - she makes the funniest face.) Secondly, I've caught him snuggled up against her while she's playing. Here are a few pics of the two exploring their new friendship - which mostly consists of Linden tugging, patting, pulling, grabbing, and poking Otto, and he patiently takes it.

Here are the playmates holding hands...

Makes a Mommy proud to see her kidlets getting along! :)

Splish Splash!

Linden got to swim in a pool for the first time today... and she absolutely LOVED IT!

Dad was so excited that he bought her an "inflatable whale" to float around the pool.

We didn't catch it on camera, but she was screaming and splashing... much to Kacy's delight.

Our happy little swimmer...

Walking on the steps...

More Concert in the Park Fun...

Yes, this really is one of our favorite activities in the summer, and here a few more pics of the fun! Linden is a really social baby so far, and she's usually happy going from person to person during our picnic!

Here's Linden showing she is her Mother's Daughter, and chomping down on a snickerdoole right under Ange's nose! Never underestimate a woman with a sweet tooth!

And here's the little lady with Marissa, flashing a big old grin (and showing some of that scrumptious belly). If you look close you can see her two bottom teeth. And don't worry, just as we were getting used to having two teeth, her top two just broke in this week. We're working on her "rabbit" impression and will post pics soon.

Fun weekend w/ visitors

The Yardley's had a fun weekend w/ a few visitors. Leo and Marko drove across the U.S. from Washington D.C. and made a stop to see us in Santa Barbara.

We love having visitors, as it forces us to be tourists in our own town!

We started out the weekend our favorite way. Breakfast burritos at Alice Keck Park (aka Turtle Park)

Later we enjoyed our new guilty pleasure... Yogurtland! Marko didn't realize you weren't supposed to eat the spoon...

Santa Claus Lane Beach. Linden doing her push-up regimen.

Thankfully Linden was holding up the umbrella.

The tower atop the Courthouse

A short hike to Knapp's Castle (in 95 degree heat!)

Sunday night, Leo and sous chef Marko cooked a delicious traditional Brazilian dish for all of us... Mmmmm!

Enjoying dinner on the patio. Brian with cough syrup?

We were sad to see them go. Although short, it was a good weekend!!

You can track their road trip on Leo's blog. Happy trails guys!

Happy Strollin'!

We were strollin' around downtown today... and Linden really got a kick out of it.

Here's a glimpse of her mood... please excuse her father's childish behavior.

Concert in the Park...

One of our favorite activities during the summer are the Concerts in the Park at Chase Palm Park. Although the music is secondary...

We have a standing "date" with friends and show up when we can on Thursday nights. Tonight was Linden's first concert!

Family Shot. Linden was yelling at the photographer... probably something about lighting and composition...

Linden took a break from her toy to look at Dad.

One of her favorite activities... gnawing on a plastic water bottle.

Kacy and L trying to pose...

L subsequently grabbing her sunglasses.

The best toys are always trash!