Um...someone please remind me.

To STOP making our monthly Costco run in my tiny car rollerskate.  When I'm moving all the items from the cart to the car it's like playing life-sized Tetris.  And the wrong shaped pieces keep dropping.  Seriously, I had to open the 40-count package of paper towels to fit each individually-wrapped roll in whatever space was left after forcing in the diapers (remember the size of the diapers?!?) and other necessities (Diet Coke).  Needless to say, I worked up a sweat just cramming it all in; I had no energy left to heave the boxes up to the apartment.  Honey, if you are reading this at work, I have a fun project for you when you get home!  Some might call that cruel, but I call it exercise.

Pic 1: My cute feet have bugs on them.

 

Pic 2: Look at me napping in my crib!  So far so good with this sleep training business.

A conversation with my Daddy.

Video: A conversation with my Daddy.  He's a silly guy.



Pic of the day: I just love these built-in toys!

Happy Three Months Camryn!

Pic 1: Three month pose.

Pic 2: Outtake pic, though more appropriate considering her new "talents".

Pic 3: Comparison two month pic.

Pic 4: Comparison one month pic.

Real sleep two nights in a row!

That's right, two nights in a row.  Refreshing.  I'm going to credit Baby Wise for our new sleep training methods.  Basically, she follows the routine of eat, play, sleep, repeat every three hours (until a full night of sleep at night).  It seems simple enough and common sense, but a schedule is nice.  We still haven't attempted to put her down while she is still awake in attempt to train her how to put herself to sleep, but we plan on starting that tomorrow.  Wish us luck, the crying pains mama!

Pic of the day: Sleepy eyes in the Bjorn.  God bless the inventor of the Bjorn, my hands-free savior.

Hide your small objects and toxic chemicals.

We have reached the everything-goes-in-the-mouth stage.  Instantly.  As soon as the fingers learned how to grasp, the magnet that is the mouth drew them upwards.  It's cute.  Well at least it will be cute until she can crawl/walk/rollerblade and find her own objects to eat. 

Pic 1: Nom nom nom nom nom Peacock.

Pic 2: Nom nom nom nom nom burp cloth.

 

My new toy.

I got a new toy.  It is called a Winkel.  It's light enough that even I can grasp it and shake it to hear the rattle.  My coordination gets better every day!

Pic 1: What is this thing mom?

Pic 2: I kinda like this!

A visit from Great Grandma and Grandpa McFeely

And by great I mean GREAT!  We had a wonderful afternoon relaxing together.  Camryn loved showing off her toothless grin.

Pic of the day: I get my red hair from my Great Grandma Bonnie.

 
Another pic from last night: My friend Lainnie and I love holding hands.

Last day of sun for awhile.

Well at least according to the Weather Man.  Today was a gorgeous 70 degrees so we took advantage by going on a long two hour walk.  Have to get it while we can here in the Northwest. 

Pic of the day: Peace.

And we're home (finally).

Whew!  Well that was quite an adventure.  We are back from our whirlwind Seattle trip.  Though we had fun, I think it was a bit too much stimulation for little Camryn.  She slept the entire drive down, which ended up to be about a four hour nap.  Poor kid was confused from the beginning.  First, we had a wonderful visit with Megan and her six-week-old Molly Rae.  It is incredible to see how much an infant changes from six weeks to twelve weeks.  We enjoyed a nice sunshining walk around Greenlake (though both children were holding a competition to see who could wait louder) and then drove to Shorline for the baby shower.  It was great to see my coworkers again, but by this point, Camryn was exhausted.  All the people, hot room and constant attention resulted in one angry baby.  She fussed screamed the. entire. time.  We finally made it to Kevin's old workplace, the Bellevue Hilton, around nine at night and we were both ready to crash.  This morning we woke up and met my dear friend Marysunshine for breakfast.  It was nice to converse and plan a future trip to Pullman for some Cougar football (Cougar football...is that an oxymoron these days?).  We are finally home and Mommy is completely beat and ready for a nap but of course, Ryn is ready to party now.  Here are several pics from our trip. 

Pic 1: Camryn and Molly Rae.  What a difference six weeks makes in size and demeanor!

Pic 2: It's nice having Daddy work in the hotel business!  I get an entire bed all to myself.

Pic 3: Our favorite Army Officer, Shine.  We sure do miss her.

Let's talk gas.

Do all babies "break wind" as loud as Camryn?  I have no idea but it sure gives mama a laugh when I can hear it over the monitor at five in the morning.  Even in my sleep deprived state (because we are still having sleep issues) I can't help giggling.  I know it, I'm stuck in the third grade.

Today Camryn and I are off to Seattle for our first road trip.  We are very sad to leave Daddy back in Portland, but we will be back home tomorrow afternoon.  It is incredible how much one has to pack for an infant!  My trips back and forth to load the car will be somewhat reminiscent of my last Costco excursion.  But we are excited because we are going to visit my best childhood friend Megan and her six-week-old daughter Molly Rae.  We promise lots of cute pics!  Also, we are going to a baby shower tonight for a girl I used to work with at Children's Hospital.  They all can't wait to see little Ryn.  It's just incredible that four short months ago, they threw me a baby shower!  We will finish the night with a sleepover at Daddy's old hotel in Bellevue.

Okay, we are off!  Wish us luck.

Pic of the day: Pretty in pink, waiting to hit the road!

Baby girl wanted to say something to you all.

Trying out my new sun hats.

Grandma bought Ryn some cute hats to wear to Nana's house next month and at the pool this summer.  We thought we would try them out today. 

Pic 1: Not so sure about this one Mom...

Pic 2: Red is definitely my color! 

Vist from Grandma and Grandpa Schjei

This weekend Grandma and Grandpa Schjei came for a visit.  They were amazed at how much Ryn has changed over the last month.  She has transformed from a baby blob (but a really cute blob) to a cooing, smiling, giggling, snuggly little girl.  Here are a few pics from today.

Pic 1: Do I make an adorable Easter Bunny?

Pic 2: Grandma and Grandpa with Ryn.

Pic 3: I can hold it all by myself!  Well...kind of.

Just a lazy Friday.

Another gorgeous day here today.  How fitting since it is officially the first day of Spring.  We took a long walk outside and then Ryn spent a half hour splashing around in the tub.  I swear, she is trying to swim laps in that plastic whale.  I can't wait to take her to the community pool! 

Pic of the day: Sweet baby girl.

Pic: Hello world!

Gorgeous Day!

We had a fabulous start to our day today, enjoying a long walk with our friends Jodi and baby Lainnie (eight months).  It was chilly in the shade though!

P.S. We slept much better last night.

Pic of the day: Snoozing on the walk.

Who are you and what did you do with my child?

My child that understands the need for sleep.  Where did this wake-up-every-two-hours-sometimes-every-hour-all-night-long-for-three-days-straight business come from?  Did one of your friends like Sophie, Monkey or Bun Bun tell you it would be a hilarious joke to play on Mommy?  Mom's not laughing silly girl, though your cuteness makes the insomnia worth it.

Maybe it's a growth spurt?  The only explanation Kevin and I can come up with.  We upped her bottle by an entire ounce (that's 20%!) last night and it was even worse than the night before so yes, maybe "Mini Chunk" (as we affectionately call her) is working on a third chin.  I'm hoping it's a growth spurt and this too shall pass, surely to arise again someday.

Pic of the day: Sleep is overrated Mom!

This is what happens when Daddy dresses me.

But I'm still cute.

Pic of the day: No caption needed.

Caffeine was invented for days like today.

God bless you Howard Schultz. 

Pic of the day:  Even little Ryn needs a pick-me-up sometimes.

Video: Splashing Around!

Trip to the Portland Market

Today we enjoyed a fun afternoon at the Portland Saturday Market with Auntie Liz.  Camryn even wore the adorable outfit that Liz gave her.  Cam slept the entire time...guess we will just have to go back another day!

Pic of the day: Cam "enjoying" the market.

And another pic: Mommy and sleepyhead Cam when we returned from the market.

Huskies win it!

The Huskies won the Pac-10 tournament today and Daddy is happy!  And even though I'm a Coug, if Dad is happy, well then so am I.  Let's dance!

Pic of the day: Goooo Dawgs!!

If I wasn't already happily hitched, I think I'd marry Spanx.

Yes Spanx, those sexy little numbers that shape up your post-pregnancy booty and eliminate that oh-so-fashionable accessory known as Muffin Top.  I might not be back to normal size, but I can sure fake it!  All women should invest in a pair.

So I squeezed into my Spanx this morning (and consequently fit into a pair of my pre-pregnancy jeans!) and headed off to meet my friend Jodi and her adorable seven month-old daughter (and Cam's new BFF) Lainnie at the mall.  Just another escape from the rain.  We viewed the walking as exercise (hopefully with enough walking, I won't have to rely on my fashionable industrious Spanx much longer).  Jodi and her husband Doug are long lost friends from the good old Wazzu days and I can't express enough how wonderful it is to have a genuine girlfriend again.  It is especially fun because she is also a new mother, and just like us, they moved to Portland only weeks ago.  We have so much to chat about, vent about, and brag about together.  We are already planning so many fun play dates such as swimming at the community pool, zoo trips, story time at the library, and of course, more shopping trips. 

It is totally mind-blowing how fast Camryn is changing these days.  In fact, right now she is sitting in her little pink "massage" chair (that lucky little diva) and chatting away with me.  Every once in awhile she will stop babbling long enough to give me that huge toothless smile that I'd gladly give up my Spanx for.

Pic of the day: Camryn enjoying the shopping trip with a relaxing mid-morning snooze.

And another pic of the day:  I love you guys!

Oh... and P.S.  She just rolled over for the first time!  I tried desperately to get her to do it again so I could record it and share with you all (I'm already such a soccer mom!) but she got shy. 

Getting ready for bed.

Another pic.  Just because.

Pic of the night: My new trick (self soothing).  Note my pal Sophie under my arm.  She squeaks and it's hilarious! 

Costco - A whole new adventure with a crying baby in tow.

Make that screaming.  And typical Portland rain.  Make that a downpour.  And the ONE cart in the whole lineup with the fluttering front wheel (you know, the one that makes a horrendous metallic sound as you maneuver the aisles), and my shopping list forgotten in the car, and the box of diapers too large to fit in my pint-sized hatchback (don't worry I crammed it in, Cam will have yet another day of dry pants), and an upstairs apartment which requires six trips to unload our purchases (whose idea was it to buy the flat of Diet Coke and two gallons of wild mixed rice anyways?), and a baby still wailing, and OMG my elderly neighbor Thelma is feeding the crows right. outside. my. door.  I think I'll qualify this as my workout of the day. 

Don't worry, we are inside our cozy place now, happily downing some milk (well I'm not) and enjoying our Costco conquests.  We will live to survive another day. 

Pic of the day: See, mom wasn't kidding about how big this box of diapers is!

Attempting a video.

Hello.  Today I am attempting to upload a video to this site.  Not sure if it will work.  Nothing extraordinary in the video, just a day in the life of little Camryn.  Let's see...



It worked!  Now I'll find some fun things to record.

Pic of the day: Who is that baby in the mirror? 

We are officially on the interwebz!

Hello world (and by world I mean our closest friends and family), here we are!  The Schjeis.  Kevin, Kat and Camryn.  I am new at this blogging business but I finally put Cam down for a nap and am using these few moments to write.  Probably should be folding that third load of laundry, scrubbing the toilets or thinking about what I will prepare for dinner, but this laptop is as addicting as Diet Coke.  I hope to update this regularly so you can all keep up with what our little family is doing.

So what's new...well besides the obvious recent relocation to Portland and birth of our beautiful daughter Camryn Ilene on December 29, 2009 of course.  Kevin is settling into his new job as the General Manager of the Lake Oswego Crown Plaza hotel (or "CP" as we like to call it).  He has had to expand his horizons a bit and is enjoying learning how to compile a restaurant menu, organize a huge Easter brunch event all while keeping rooms full and guests happy.  Anyone have any suggestions for how to redecorate the foyer?  He's thinking about a water theme. 

I am learning the ups and downs and in-betweens of motherhood.  Cam is 10 weeks old today.  Everyone says, "It will fly by" and already it has.  Upon giving her a bath yesterday in her little Fisher Price whale tub in the sink, I realized it was time to move her tub into the "big girl bathroom" because her kicking and splashing was drowning the kitchen!  She sure loves her baths!  I'm currently trying to find a part time job also.  It will be sad to leave her in daycare two days a week but I miss the hustle, camaraderie and problem-solving of work as an RN.  Not a lot of job opportunities in PDX (yes, even as a nurse!) so I'll keep you updated on that.

Camryn had her two-month doctor's appointment last week.  She officially weighs 12 lbs, 5 oz. and is 23 inches long.  So far she is tall like both of her parents (height and weight are in the 75th percentile) but she has a little tiny peanut head in the 25th percentile.  She is showing interest in learning how to laugh and is smiling like crazy.  It melts my heart when I enter her room first thing in the morning and she grins at me.  Or maybe she's just laughing at the ridiculous nursing pillow aka "life preserver" as my husband has renamed it.

Well, my adorable little bug just let loose with the LOUDEST fart I have ever heard, seriously, I had to check and see if a man had broken into the apartment, so I must go attend to her diaper before it becomes a full-blown mess (pun intended).

Love you all!  Here is the "pic of the day" as we have all grown to anticipate!  This is a little easier forum to view it, and now you get a descriptive caption to go with.  If you want to save the pictures, simply right click on the photo to save to your computer.

Pic of the day: Diaper changing time!  Cam's favorite.  We are really hoping she grows out of this naked-loving phase by the time she hits junior high.