turks & caicos

The three of us just returned from 9 days in paradise, also known as the Turks & Caicos Islands! These small islands are British territory, located in the Caribbean right next to Cuba. The water here is as turquoise as you can imagine, and calm and shallow which makes for great swimming...and an even better place to take kiddos (....Yep! We took the little babe!).

Here are some pics from our adventures, as well as a few family shots mixed in. We invited Jeff's mom and stepdad to come along with, which was SO fun (we each had rooms at the Alexandra resort). Lots of relaxing, laughing, swimming, snorkeling, and sipping back a few beers or rum punches. :) Our hotel was located on Grace Bay, just voted the best beach in the world....and we agreed! Fortunately we were also able to explore many other beaches too though, as well as the North and Middle Caicos islands which were far less populated (can we say off-roading jungle adventure? oh and did I just bring my baby along?!). The food....ah, the food...on Providenciales, the island we stayed on, did not disappoint...we had several memorable meals. But more on that later!

fresh fish...my fav

I am borderline obsessed with seafood....and a fresh fillet of fish is hard to resist, I must admit! The local grocery store I frequently visit suggested their Cod, because it was so fresh. When I asked for suggestions of how to prepare it (I always love new ideas), here is the recipe the fish guy gave me. Jeff and I tried it that night and it's to die for! So much flavor.

1 stick of butter, softened

1 shallot, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

zest of 1 lime

zest of 1 lemon

zest of 1 orange

Fresh/dry dill

Blend or mix it all together. Form into a log-shape in saran wrap, and freeze. Slice after it's frozen (I only used a little bit and then re-froze the rest). When you bake your fish, put a pat of the butter underneath the fillet before baking. Then after the fish is baked, throw another one on top to melt. YUMMERs!!!

nostrana

Almost a month ago now, Jeff and I got out for few hours for a date night...leaving our babe with her absolutely wonderful and sweet nanny, Natasha. We have a list of restaurants we haven't gotten out to yet, and Nostrana was on it even though I visited several years ago. Nostrana has been here for years (I went six years ago), and it's packed tight on weekends. Definitely make a reservation!

I have to say, the atmosphere was one of my favorite things about our evening. It's dimly lit, cozy, yet in a large warehouse space. A big pizza oven sits in the corner wall, and just gives off a warm vibe. We split a bottle of wine, a delightful cheese platter, each had delicious entrees, and shared an insanely yummy berry cobbler. I chose a seafood pasta, and Jeff went with the roasted chicken (not his favorite but I liked mine). Next time we will absolutely try pizza, which Nostrana is known for.

What a great date night spot, and what a special date night! So important to get away, as much as we adore and love our babe, and we were reminded to do it regularly in the future.

If you haven't been to Nostrana, grab your significant other and try it out!

jeff on notcot

We found out today that Jeff's portfolio was featured on a big design website, NOTCOT! On this site, an internal team combs the internet for post-worthy design items, which means I'm so proud of my hubby for being featured!

Check out his portfolio posting on NOTCOT here. So proud of you lovey!

jeff goes to africa

A few weeks ago Jeff was told he might have the opportunity to travel to Africa for a work project. AFRICA!!! So awesome. And yes, quite an opportunity! Weiden and Kennedy is doing a project with a non-profit organization called The Girl Effect, that was started by the Nike Foundation. He would travel to Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. This trip couldn't have come at a more "inconvenient" time...being that we just had a baby seven weeks earlier, and Jeff was going to be gone over two weeks. However, you all know our extreme passions for travel. I wanted to go just as much as Jeff did! We really struggled back and forth over whether he should go...Ella was still so little, only a few weeks old, and it was an overwhelming thought for me to be on my own for so long with a newborn baby. But in the end we both knew I would be okay and we both would've hated for him to miss out on such an incredible opportunity. That's one thing I am proud of in our relationship - we've always let each other do what we needed to do - and I hope we can continue to always be this way.

Now it's already been almost two weeks and Jeff will be getting home on Monday. I've spent the past twelve days in Seattle with my family, and what a wonderful time it's been. Such a treat to have so much time with them. My parents and Alison got great bonding time with Ella, which helped me a lot, and I too had a great time with my babe...also seeing friends, shopping, and relaxing with my fam. We had lovely weather almost the entire time and my parents spoiled me.

I will certainly post more details and pictures of Jeff's trip, but in the meantime here is a collage of photos Jeff took while at a wildlife refuge (?) in Kenya. While there he saw a ton of amazing animals...even lions eating zebras (sad!!!).

More details to come!! :) xoxo

Saying goodbye to Ella at the airport :(

seattle for labor day

We spent the long Labor Day weekend in Seattle - and wow did we choose a good weekend for sunny weather! It was the warmest I've seen it up there in a long time. Saturday night my Uncle Tom and Aunt Janice hosted a family BBQ for all of the relatives (my side), which was also fun because Ella got to meet everyone. We're just a bit bitter and not even going to mention the Duck game, which was taking place at the same time....Jeff watched most of it, and I caught glimpses of some, but it was a sad sight! Hopefully the Ducks do better this season than they did in their first game!

Here are a few pics from the weekend...

Auntie Alison with El and Chloe

Cheering on the Ducks

Oh what a view!

Ella and her Great-Grandma Dorothy

black butte

A couple weekends ago we took our annual summer trip to Black Butte with Jeff's family. Always look forward to this every year, and only wish we could've stayed for longer. The sun was shining and it was HOT! Here are some pics of the relaxing weekend - loved getting to share Ella with her grandparents and extended family! She was passed around like a little hot potato...I'm sure she just loved all the attention. ;)

Ella with her great-Grandma

Ella with her Grandma Susie

Afternoon snuggle time with Grandpa Terry

getaway to the beach

The week before Jeff had to go back to work, we decided we needed to get out of town. We had a lot of visitors, which is amazing to have so many wonderful friends and family, but we found ourselves really needing some time just our family. We took off to Cannon Beach for a couple of days, with Chloe too of course, and soaked up some great sunshine and really were able to relax. The weather couldn't have been more perfect! We really enjoyed ourselves....opened a bottle of wine we'd been saving for months....and even had a lovely little date at a yummy Caribbean food restaurant, Tini Tiki Hut (meanwhile our sleeping angel didn't make a peep the whole time from her carseat below - lucky us).

Morning walk with our coffee

beach tradition - beers outside at the Warren House Pub

the past two weeks (and ella's first two!)

The past two weeks have been two of the most amazing and awesome times of my life. Full of new challenges and definitely frustrations…but also full of new memories and lots of fun. Jeff had the past 19 days off which was such a treat for the three of us to be together on "vacation" (for the most part it really did feel like one). The first week home from the hospital we were lucky enough to have my mom here for an entire week…she took such amazing care of us, and everything around the house, so that we could focus on our little babe.

I expected to feel exhausted…and overwhelmed…don't get me wrong, there were those moments, especially after the delivery…and the first couple nights home from the hospital. But for the most part, I felt surprisingly rested. I guess everyone's experiences are different - and maybe it's because Ella is a good sleeper. I have found myself even more smitten with my husband than I was before, and just totally in awe of the fact that he is mine - he is an incredible daddy, a helper and a true servant like you wouldn't believe, and I have just so enjoyed our time together these past few weeks. I keep thinking to myself how blessed I am to have these two people in my life.

The first few days of Ella's life were spent in the hospital, as you read about in the post below. The first days back at home were low-key, with a few outings here and there - errands, lunch out, etc. Recovery was uncomfortable and annoying, but I have to admit I was surprised at how quickly I felt better - around day six I was feeling a lot like my normal self again. Jeff, my mom, and I were able to get out and do lots these past couple weeks, which is always what I pictured because I've never been one to do well sitting at home. One afternoon Jeff and I met his parents out at Bergstrom winery for wine tasting and a picnic lunch. Last week him and I spent a couple days at Cannon Beach, with Ella and Chloe too of course - went for walks, had beer at our favorite pub, went to a nice dinner, and took long walks along the beach. I spent an afternoon with my mom and Maggie getting mani/pedis, and Jeff got away golfing a couple of times (and to watch LA Galaxy vs. the Timbers). We BBQ'ed here one night with our moms and Jeff's two brothers Andy and Phil. We had nightly happy hour on the back deck together…when it was warm enough…silly weather. My mom and Jeff had a little outing to get coffee and pick out a new Mac laptop for my mom - quite the bonding experience they both said, haha. Went for walks to Peet's coffee. Did some yard work and built steps on our deck. Did some shopping. Ate a yummy dinner at one of our favs, Piazza Italia, downtown. Visited the Beaverton farmers market one Saturday morning. Went to a couple of our first pediatrician appointments (Ella - 28% for weight, 92% for height…string bean? :) Got Ella's newborn pictures taken. And…last but not least, Jeff made it to his best friend Gregg's wedding in Eugene, where he was the best man. Whew! Sounds like a whirlwind…and it kind of was…but there was lots of relaxing and snuggling with our baby girl going on too.

Just wanted to share some of the moments from the past couple weeks. I hope I can remember these times forever!

Hours after Ella was born - and the cute little hat my sister made for her :)

No mistaking this baby is a girly girl!

Her many expressions are priceless

Our favorite spot - out on the back deck

Smiling in her sleep

Focusing SO hard on that book!

Getting in lots of snuggle time with Daddy before he goes back to work

These two love to nap!

Another great face!

Afternoon wine tasting at Bergstrom

Lookin' so teeny tiny in that car seat

Snuggle time

The sibs starting to get acquainted

I love these sweet faces

Chloe is maybe starting to realize that Ella's not going anywhere...

little miss ella kennedy

Welcome to the world, baby girl! Last Thursday, July 21 at 11:18 pm, Ella Kennedy Meakins made her arrival into our little family. She is absolutely perfect - it's crazy how much we loved her from the very beginning. The delivery went better than I could've ever hoped it would!

Tuesday, July 19

At our doctor's appointment on Monday, we learned that my blood pressure was a bit high. I went back the next day to have it checked again. Later Tuesday afternoon, my doctor called to tell us she had decided to induce my labor the next day, Wednesday night, before my blood pressure rose any higher. So...the rest of Tuesday and all day Wednesday, we readied ourselves and tied up any loose ends before we checked in to the hospital later that night.

Wednesday, July 20

Wednesday at 7:00 was our appointed check-in time, so it was somewhat of a surprise when we got a call at 6:15 telling us the hospital didn't have enough nurses, and that we should just wait for a call saying it was okay to come in. My wonderful friend Maggie, who is a postpartum nurse at St. Vincent's Hospital in Portland - and just one of the most sweet, encouraging people that I know - had been ready and waiting for days because we planned for her to be there for the entire labor and delivery experience. I was so comforted knowing she would be there - someone who Jeff and I love and trust, and also who has loads of experience with labor, delivery, and postpartum care.

So, the three of us went and had dinner at Pizzicato as we waited for the hospital to call. We got the word around 8 p.m. that I needed to check in later that night at 11 p.m. It was a relief knowing it wouldn't be postponed for too much longer! I was ready to get the show on the road...which is somewhat of an understatement!

At 11 p.m. I was greeted by my first nurse - Amber - and got all situated in my room, my IV placed, and swallowed a Misoprostol pill which was supposed to get labor started. Maggie, Jeff, and I were up until around 1:30 when we finally caught a few zzz's...my nurse gave me a sleeping pill so I could rest, which I needed especially because some minor contractions were starting up....

Thursday, July 21

Around 5 a.m. things began picking up a little more, after I was given a second dose of Misoprostol, as well as a small dose of Fentanol, to ease some of the discomfort. I think the words "I feel high as a kite" may have been used, but I felt much better and was able to sleep a little more. :) I was sad to see my wonderful nurse Amber go around 7 a.m. when there was a shift change, and she was replaced with a different nurse who…just wasn't as good as Amber (I honestly just think we were a bad match). Maggie encouraged me to ask for a new nurse - afterall, we would be spending the next twelve hours together, and possibly she would be there for the delivery. So Jeff marched on down the hall and took care of things for me (what a great hubby he is :) and I was assigned a new nurse, Mary, who I just adored. The on-call doctor, Dr. Stewart, came in around 8:00 a.m. to check me and at that point I was around 3 cm dilated. Around 9:30, Dr. Olmstead (my OB) finally came in and attempted to break my water, but wasn't successful, so she started a very low dose of Pitocin, which also induces labor. I was a bit hesitant because I have heard such horror stories about the itensity of inductions using pitocin, but the dose was so small, all was under control. By late morning, I was having even stronger contractions, and was dilated to 4 cm. Moderately uncomfortable, and the anesthesiologist was going to be unavailable between 12-1:30. I chatted with Mary, and we decided it was time to get the epidural. This was the part I had been dreading for months. Have you seen the size of that needle?

…But…I couldn't believe, it was no big whoop!! After another dose of pain meds, we were all laughing and joking and talking about Hawaii as the giant needle went straight into my back…I couldn't hardly feel a thing, and couldn't believe I had worried about this for so long when it didn't hurt more than a pin poke. After the epidural was done, my legs began to feel numb and I was able to sleep for a few more hours. Dr. Olmstead stopped back in shortly after the epidural, and saw that my water had actually started to break on its own. All was looking good. By 3:30 p.m. I was dilated to around 6 cm.

By mid afternoon, I started to regain feeling in my right leg…and also started feeling sharp pains from the stronger contractions, but only on my right side. This happens sometimes with epidurals I was told. So for the next several hours, the anesthesiologist kept popping back in and giving me stronger doses of the medication, which would help temporarily, but the sharp pains eventually returned. As annoying as these pains were, they still were nothing compared to what some women go through who receive no epidural…I felt like kind of a pansy, but my mentality through this whole thing was pretty much…if I don't have to feel anything why should I? Oh boy, I'm not going to even pretend to be tough. Maggie and Jeff were so great the entire time…constantly refilling my plethora of different beverages, and doing many other things to keep me relaxed which I honestly don't remember. :)

By 8:00 p.m. I was almost fully dilated, at 8-9 cm. Instead of re-administering the whole epidural, which they were planning to do if things didn't improve, the anesthesiologist was able to adjust the tubing in my back and this corrected the problems with my numbness being uneven. From here on out, I was feeling great! Not a wink of pain. Dr. Lisa Gorenson, the on-call doctor and one who would be delivering our baby, came in and introduced herself. She was so calm, encouraging, and wonderful! Around this time the nurses realized I was running a slight fever, most likely from my water breaking so much earlier that day. They gave me a round of antibiotics in my IV to eliminate any infection. I was then able to rest for the next hour and a half…and all was calm in the delivery room!

At 10:30 p.m. the doc came in, checked me out, and said "oh wow, I can see her head! I think we're ready to push!" I pushed for about 30 minutes, and little miss Ella Kennedy Meakins was born at 11:18 p.m. on the night of Thursday, July 21st, 2011 - exactly 42 minutes before her due date. She was 20.75" long and weighed 7 lb. 8 oz. which we just couldn't stop chuckling about because BOTH Jeff and I weighed 7 lb. 8 oz. at birth!

What a perfect and gorgeous little baby girl. I know all parents say that about their babies. She just couldn't be any cuter in our eyes. I know this little one will change our lives forever.

1 day before my due date! Ready to pop!

Just checked in to the hospital

The white board in my room...no hiding the fact that I am a pansy :)

First minutes of life

Such a proud daddy

Seconds after Ella was born

So happy...and so relieved!

Our wonderful night shift nurse, Mary Ann, who helped the night of the delivery

Wonderful and amazing Maggie, who never left my side!

Chloe meeting Ella for the first time

So sleeeeepy!