McCall

McCall, Idaho.  That's where we just spent our weekend and even though Shawn and I had to cut it a day short, it was still nothing less than spectacular!  We went hottubbing in the cold rain, 4-wheeling in the mud, played pool and other games, ate the most delicious food, and stayed up way too late!  Shawn, sadly, had to work so we only were able to stay one night (not 2).  My Dad rented a cabin that slept 21 people!  So while I say "Cabin," you're probably thinking of some rustic hollowed out lodge.  No.  This was a ginormous house with a volley ball court in the back, windows and land that overlooked snowy, beautiful mountains, marble counter-tops, big TV's (with satellite- much to the football-loving men's delight) and lots of spacious, beautiful bedrooms and bathrooms.  It was gorgeous!  I haven't seen such high ceilings in a house, ever, I don't think.  I am SO glad we were able to go!  The men played hours and hours of ping-pong (us ladies heard lots and lots of yelling, laughing and shouting during their heated "tournaments") and the women were able to chat all day.  It was perfection.  Very well behaved kids and very happy adults.  Plus, Lucy followed "Weewa" (that's Olivia in Lucy-talk) around all day Saturday and happily took orders from the "boss."  She thought her big cousin Olivia was the coolest kid on the block!

I'm glad my Mom turned 50 so that we could participate in her big celebration!  She, on the other hand, isn't too happy about her new age.  But who looks better than she does turning the big 5-0?  NO ONE.  Mom, you're the most beautiful 50 year old young woman I know.

Happy Birthday Mama!  We love you as big as the beach.

Sad note- I left my camera's memory card in my computer!  So while I was smart and brought my camera, I was dumb and left the memory at home :(  I  took some cell phone pictures and hired Tiff to document the weekend for me, so it still worked out.  But I would have liked to have my own camera- that thing is my security blanket, I swear.  I'm obsessed- as you ALL know by now :)  Anyway, here are the pictures I was able to get!

                                Piper's first time eating Spaghetti.  Hey, Mikey, SHE LOVES IT!

While I wasn't there for this precious moment, I still wanted to add this picture that Coley sent to me.  It had me tear up just looking at it.  I love that my grandparents on BOTH sides represent true love.  It's what I want to look like when I am in my 70's.  This is the epitome of happiness.  Look how Pops is looking at her!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NINNY!

May the Force Be With You

Not many men would wear a Darth Vader mask during their daughter's night-time bed routine, but Shawn did.  It's a big, hot, uncomfortable mask and, coupled with a 15 minute bedtime routine that includes prayer and teeth brushing, I can imagine his discomfort. When I saw him wearing the mask while putting Lucy to bed tonight (as she was squealing with delight) I laughed and asked "why the heck are you wearing that?" He simply looked my way (I wasn't sure if he made eye contact or not, seeing as his whole face was covered), shrugged and said "cause she asked me to."
I think he gets "Dad of the Year Award."
I wish I had taken a picture.
Love you, Shawn.

Cloud 9

Another month gone….Piper Everly is 9 months old today.  This age always makes me a little sad because from this day forward she will have officially lived in the outside world for longer than she lived inside of me.  I was a little sad about it on Lucy’s 9 month old day too.  I over-think things and I’m much too sentimental.  But it’s the little things like that that tug at my heart strings.  Maybe other moms “get it”, I don’t know.  But she’s only 3 months away from turning 1 and that’s just plain crazy!

This is what she’s up to these days:

She is developing a little temper.  Yep.  My sweet, perfect, angelic baby has learned how to throw a major temper tantrum when she doesn’t get her way.  It makes us laugh because at the snap of a finger she can go right back to being happy, and another flick of the wrist she is screaming her head off at you.  Talk about draaaaaama queen!  I gotta say though- along with a new temper comes more laughing when she’s excited and much more interaction with people.  She loves people.  She loves attention.  She will gladly give it to you if you just look at her.  And add major kisses and hugs.  She willingly gives those out too!

She’s STILL not crawling.  I think she’s just too heavy to move herself.  She rocks on all 4’s and can scoot herself backwards and in circles quickly.  But when it comes to propelling herself forward, I think there’s just too much chunk to heave forward.  She is CHUNKY.  And solid.  And round.  And delicious!  I am in love with her curves, as I’ve said before.  Can’t wait to see what the doctor says about her weight at her appointment Friday.  Yikes!

She’s majorly teething and is miserable.  Aye, aye, aye.  When is science going to come up with an easier way for baby’s teeth to arrive?!

She is still obsessed with her sister and laughs at her all day, even when Lucy doesn't notice that Piper is laughing at her. 

Some days I squeeze her into her 9-12 month clothing- but they have to run big.  I’m pretty sure that as soon as we are in our new house I’m not even going to bother unpacking that size clothing for her.  I’ll just start fresh with the 12-18 month old size. 

Oh Piper… my sweet lots-to-love baby.  I adore you!

Onto Lucy.  She is a dancer!  She is so cute and in love with music.  She’ll watch Dancing with the Stars and try to mimic their exact moves. It’s actually impressive how close she gets (she’s incredibly smart, but more on that later).  And it’s so super cute! She sings all day.  I hear her making up songs all day long and sometimes I can make out words that she uses in her songs and I wonder what the rest of the tune is about…(Popper and potty have been in the same sentence before {Popper is Lucy’s way of saying “Piper”}).

As I said- Lucy is SMART.  She remembers EVERYTHING and soaks everything up like a sponge.  I mean- EVERYTHING.  If I do something, she does something.  And if in 2 weeks I do it again, she will remember every single detail about it and make sure everything is done in the right order.  Sometimes we will go somewhere and she’s throwing a fit and I can’t understand why, and then I realize that “oh, last time we went to Fred Meyer she sat on the left side of the cart, so this time she wants to sit there as well.”  Yeah.  She remembers.  She knows what Vicks Vapo rub is for (your chest and feet- think about how fun THAT was to scrub out of an expensive satin dry-clean-only bedspread), she knows what mascara is for (think: pirate eyes), she knows how to turn on the bathroom scale by flipping a switch with her toes (because I use my toes),  she knows how to use scissors (her poor dress!), she knows how to pour nail polish remover onto cotton balls (yes- my room smelled lovely that day), she knows how to navigate her way through anyone’s iphone or ipad (including the app store), and she is just so perceptive of everything we do; I get myself in trouble when I don’t know she’s watching me do something and I realize (too late) that she tried to copy me.   I love that she’s smart.  But I hate it some days too!  She’s the kind of kid who you can practically HEAR the wheels in her head turning all day.  I just hope she uses her knowledge for good someday!

Now onto me- I started substituting this week and loved it right away.  I went to a Charter school and the kids were great- for the most part.  The 8^th graders were little stinkers but the 7^th graders were angels.  When my kids are in school, I seriously want to sub full time.  It was so much fun!  Until then, I can only do it sparingly because babysitters are hard to come by.  And my girls were little Devils for Ninny and Shawn yesterday (they tag-teamed the responsibility).  Too bad for me….

Coley and I had a cousin photo shoot today for my Nana Smidt.  She requested that we take pictures of the "new babies" for her Christmas card and this was all we could come up with.  They decided not to do much smiling today.  Nana- I will email you our favorites :)

 

                        Had to sneak in a couple of the big kids playing together....what cuties!

I feel the need to point out Piper's rolls.  HAHAHAHA!  She's showing them off!

LANA CAME TO VISIT!  It was way too short, but a hug from her was much needed and way overdue!  This isn't relevant to today's post but it is definitely worth mentioning!

Well, that’s it for the day J

Until next time….