Late Notice

This morning I saw an email and voicemail message from my modeling agency, both of which had been sent to me last night!! My booking agent, Andrew, was trying to get a hold of me to see if I could go to a casting for a Men's Warehouse commercial today at 11 AM. By the time I finally got Andrew on the phone, it was a little after 10. I asked him if it was too late for me to go and fortunately, it wasn't. After making some calls and working out a few of the details, I was all set to audition at 2:50 this afternoon!

After a quick shower, I scrambled to put together an outfit. The commercial is for bridal/formal ware and it was requested that I wear a pretty dress and heels. I finally decided on a blue, v-neck dress that I had worn to a few weddings and then moved on to applying my make-up. I hadn't worn make-up since my last casting (by the way, I got "released" from the hold I was on for the Premera commercial...) and the fact that I was sweating from trying to move so quickly, didn't help my efforts! After changing, feeding and rocking Zoey, and then getting her dressed, all that was left was to wait for Michael to get home.

Once Michael arrived at 1:45, we all hopped in the car and headed downtown. The stars must have been aligned, because we found a parking spot a block away from the ACT Theater, where the casting was being held, and I had just enough time to check myself out in the mirror and take one final deep breath before walking through the door. 

The audition was very quick and I left with a good feeling about it. They had us go in in pairs, and the guy I was with was a bit of a dud! At first, I was worried, but then I realized that he probably helped make me look good! ;) I had also met the casting director before, so I felt at ease as he asked me questions and took a few pictures.

I've got my fingers, and toes, crossed that I book this commercial! I have been waiting to do a commercial since I started modeling (about 12 years ago!), so it really would be a dream come true! 

Ready to wind down after a whirlwind morning/afternoon!

Bedroom Furniture

I am beyond excited to have our new bedroom furniture set up!! It has actually be in place for a few days now, but this is the first day our room has been somewhat neat enough for me to take some pictures. We got a new head and foot board, two nightstands, and a second white dresser to match our other one. We first shopped the Old Cannery Memorial Day Sale and then went back for the 4th of July sale.

Our bed is now higher up, so it looks like we'll eventually need a longer comforter.

I love having actual nightstands...with drawers!!

Our room is still a work in progress, but the new furniture is a HUGE step in the right direction. In the future, we'll have some family photos on the wall and maybe even some new paint (although this color actually matches everything quite nicely :)

So, last night I vowed that we weren't going to leave the house today, seeing as how Zoey spent so much time in her car seat over the weekend. Well, Kiwi had to go back to the vet, so that plan flew out the window. Luckily, it was a quick trip. A stronger dose of antibiotics and we were on our way.

Happy girl

She was very sweet and chatty when the vet came over to say hello :)

On The Road Again

This morning, we enjoyed a nice breakfast of pancakes and fresh strawberries with Michael's aunts, uncles and grandma. Once we were packed up, we made a quick stop at another aunt's house before starting our journey home. 

Zoey had mixed feelings about it all...

"Lubofest is OVER??"

 "Ooooh, there's another one next year!"

"I have to sit in this car seat for HOURS??"

 "Ooooh, we're gonna make plenty of stops!"

"Where's Twinkle?? We forgot Twinkle!! We have to go back!!"

"Ooooh, she's right there in the seat next to me!"

"My face feels stuck! Is it going to stay like this??"

 "Phew! I can still smile my pretty smile!"

Love my sill girl! :)

Lubofest

Last night, or this morning rather, we arrived at Michael's uncle's house in Meridian, Idaho at about 2:30 AM! After Zoey fell asleep, we drove the rest of the way without any stops, but we also lost an hour with the time difference. Fortunately, the reunion was being held at his uncle's house, so all we had to do was wake up this morning and we were right there, in the center of the action! :)

Before all of the festivities started (songs, skits, a BBQ and karaoke), we hung out on the deck, in the shade. It was a very hot 97 degrees today!

Trying to keep cool

Michael's adorable cousin, Natasha!

She loved talking to Zoey and showing her different toys :)

Every year at Lubofest, members of the family put on skits that they've worked to perfect in the weeks prior. Some participants take their roles more seriously than others, but it's always a great show. This year, the theme was Fairy Tales, and Zoey and I were eager to see what spin the family was going to put on various stories.

Taking our seat under the shade of an umbrella :)

Stealing the spotlight in her cute outfit!

After a rousing rendition of "The Three Little Pigs", it was time for Zoey (and me) to take a break from the heat. Us Seattle girls aren't used to such extreme temperatures! 

Happy to be inside!

Zoey likes being outside, but you could tell that the heat was getting to her. 

She lit back up once we went inside!

Miss Zoey was a social butterfly all day today and barely slept at all. After she ate, I'd rock her until she fell asleep, but once I tried to put her down, she'd jerk awake! Then I'd bring her back outside for a while and she would just look around happily and watch everyone as they celebrated being with family.

I actually got her down and she slept for a whole 5 minutes! Lol

We ended the night with some, very embarrassing, family karaoke. After teaming up with Michael's cousin Danny on a duet of Destiny's Child's "Bills, Bills, Bills", it was time to call it a night. Another successful Lubofest has come to an end and rumor has it, next year's theme with be "Western/Cowboy"! Yee-haw ;)

A LONG Journey

The goal this morning was to get all five of us packed up (can't forget about the pups), give Zoey a bath and be ready to hit the road when Michael got home at 12:30. We were leaving for Idaho to attend the Lubovich family reunion, Lubofest! 

After Zoey's bath, I took a moment to try some new hairstyles on her. I get so stressed when we have to pack up and go somewhere, so fun breaks like this are much needed!

Combed to the front!

The "Don King"; or maybe the "DJ Pauly D" (if you don't know who he is, Google him! :)

Combed to the back!

We call this one "The Zoe Zoe"! 

Pretty and sleek, just like mama likes it :)

Once Michael got home, it was time to load up the car. I was not excited about the 8+ hour journey we were about to embark on, but I knew it would be worth it once we got to our destination. I mentally prepared myself for the multiple stops we were going to have to make for Zoey and put a smile on my face as I buckled her into her car seat. 

I looked down and saw that she was getting started on her book without me!

Smarty Pants ;)

After dropping the puppies off at my mom's house, we were off! It was a nice quiet ride as Zoey slept, and eventually it wasn't hard to tell when we needed to break for a feeding...

She was moving her mouth as if she was eating, haha

After she ate, we did our best to give her some tummy time.

(I didn't realize Mike was getting me in the picture! Grr)

In preparation for the trip, I did some reading about taking babies on road trips. I found that it's not advised to have them in the car seat for long periods of time (Duh!) and that you should get them out as often as possible (every few hours, or sooner if they're showing signs of discomfort). They said that although the car seat is well designed to support baby's body, it can also be tough on baby's developing spine after too long.

So, our stops added quite a bit of time to our trip, but it was worth it. Towards the end (at about 9 PM), after a feeding, Zoey fell asleep for the night and we powered through the rest of the drive.

After one of our stops...

Snoozin' away with Twinkle :)

Can't wait for Lubofest tomorrow! :)

Water Park

Today, Zoey and I had plans to meet up with her aunt Christy and cousins Jacob and Ryan, at Kandle Park in Tacoma. I explained to Zoey that we were going to a water park and even though she was too young to swim, she would have a great time watching her cousin play!

"A water park, you say?"

"Well let's get going! What are we waiting for?!"

(I swear, this little girl wants to crawl so badly! I, on the other hand, am not yet ready for her to do so! Good thing I still have a little time to prepare.)

Once we finally arrived at the park (after first showing up to the wrong park! Oops!), we met Christy and the boys in line and were threw the gate in no time! We quickly found some chairs and scooted under the shade of a big umbrella. I whipped out Zoey's sun hat and settled in for some good "mommy talk" with my sister-in-law (I love having someone to talk to who is my age and also a mom...the conversation topics are nearly endless :)

Checkin' out the scene! Haha

Such a cool place. There was a big wave pool and a smaller play area for younger kids.

Christy and I discussed what movies we've seen recently, which actors rank highest on our "hotness" scales, the astonishing rate at which infant nails grow (it's insanely fast, btw!), the upcoming Lubovich family reunion, and, a new mom's most favorite topic (NOT!)...Body after Baby! It was also a lot of fun watching her son Jacob trot happily in and out of the water, taking quick breaks to come say "hello" and take a bite of graham cracker :)

Zoey even got to get her feet wet. 

Pretty soon she's going to be waddling around in a cute pair of water socks!

I can't wait to come back to this park, and others like it, when Zoey can get in the water and splash around. She already likes bath time and being outside, so she should enjoy putting the two together!

The 60's Are Calling...

While I was getting ready today, I set Zoey up on the Boppy and handed her Twinkle, her giraffe. Yes, I said "handed"! I still can't get over the fact that I can hand her things now. She can't take possession of everything just yet, but things like her teether and Twinkle, are some of her favorite items to take from me. 

She's got a good hold on it; going in for the kill!

I can't tell if this is a hug, or if she's afraid Twinkle is going to somehow get away? :)

Her face is getting close to the danger zone! Good thing Twinkle can't let out stinky toots like she can! 

(Yes, Zoey, I just ratted you out! Love, Mom ;)

Today I had an appointment with a new dermatologist and I have only one thing to say..."The 60's are calling and they want their furniture back!" Okay, maybe this stuff is from the 70's? I'm not really sure, seeing as how I wasn't alive then, but I do know that the office could use a little updating!

Between this chair and the wood EVERYWHERE, I was a little anxious to see what the doctor was going to look like.

Even the garbage can was made out of wood!

Before my appointment officially started, the doctor swooped (okay, more like teetered) in and grabbed a scoop of what I believe was liquid nitrogen. He spilled drops of it all over and I jumped each time it sizzled as it hit the carpet!

Poor Zoey, she looks concerned.

"Mommy, who is this crazy old man and why is the carpet steaming??"

Although on in years, the doctor was really nice and seemed to be very knowledgeable. I think if I ever go back to see him though, I'll bring him a pocket protector! The pocket on his white doctor's coat was covered in blue lines and scribbles! Poor guy, he is either unaware that he's drawing all over himself or, he just doesn't care! Another reason why I love my elders! Hahaha 

My Ergobaby Carrier came today! Can't wait to try it out!!

My Girl

After Zoey's feeding this morning, I kept her in bed with me and we both went back to sleep for a little while. When we woke up for the second time, I was greeted by this cute face!

This is one of her favorite positions: one wrist close to her mouth (so she can suck on it at any time) and a hand playing with her hair (here, she had just pulled it forward to her forehead).

Today was full of running errands and doing chores around the house. After making some phone calls and doing laundry, Zoey and I headed out to the Supermall in Auburn. We were on the hunt for some nice crib bedding and, not surprisingly, we ended up with that, plus some. Now that I look at the bedding though, I'm really not in love with it so it's going back! I can't believe how long it is taking me to find something that I like. I already have sheets for her crib, so she can sleep in it, but her room still doesn't feel complete without a full set...

It seemed like, before I knew it, it was time to get back in bed. I've been working on making sure I have Zoey in her jammies before her last feeding. On the nights that I forget and she falls asleep, it is really difficult to get her changed without waking her. Tonight was a success and I had to snap a few pictures of my happy girl waiting to eat (she doesn't look very sleepy, does she?) :)

Pretty jammies. 

Thanks Aunt Angie!

"Cheese!"

Waiting patiently

Thai Curry Chicken

I'm trying to get as many books in front of Zoey's face as possible. I think she is starting to get used to seeing them and she seems to get the most excited about "Baby Play Day". She smacks the pages of this book more than any other so far :)

Can you find her pink teether?

Not sure how she managed to get it there?! Haha

Happy to be in the "Big Girl Chair", aka Mommy's rocking chair

Looks like she's dancing!

All smiles

I gave her her giraffe "lovey" for the first time today. It's a small blanket attached to the head and arms of a giraffe stuffed animal. She grabbed it right away and started inspecting it. Right after I took her picture with it, she dove in and tried to bite it (what else is new!). 

We'll see if this becomes her "go to" comfort item.

I can just see her dragging it around with her everywhere she goes :)

So, last night, Michael asked if I could find a Thai Curry recipe and try it for dinner tonight. I Googled "Thai Curry Chicken" and went with the first recipe that popped up (they say that Google searches are based on popularity, so the first result is often a safe bet). The recipe had  a lot of positive reviews and seemed easy enough. 

After a quick run to Safeway for some ginger, shallots and cilantro, it was time to get cookin'! 

Prepping my ingredients: red potatoes, diced shallots, grated ginger and minced garlic.

(Not pictured: chicken and tomatoes)

Rarely do our dinners require so many tasty additions.

Bubble, bubble...

By this point, the whole house smelled so good!

The only casualty was my jeans, after a potato tried to jump ship and splashed 

me as it hit the stove.

What can ya do?

So delicious!

When all was said and done, the only observation was that it could have used a little more coconut milk, to add that bit of sweetness that is present in most Thai curries. I will definitely be putting this recipe in the dinner rotation, for those nights when I have time to make a slightly more time consuming dish :)