Utah Trip

Picture overload.  We went to Utah during the summer and it was just what we needed.  I hadn't seen most of my family in a year and I have missed them.  We lucked out and were able to join our families for the fourth of July week.  We went hiking up to Timp Cave which I've always wanted to do but have never  made it for one reason or another.  I packed Rae and Paul pack all the water and food.  It was quite the hike.  I think the only reason Audrey made it without too much complaint was because she was with her cousins.  She was all smiles!  Even though there were moments that I had to take breaks it was so fun to be with everyone and to see the cave. It was amazing and I'm so glad we went. 

Paul's family reunion just happened to be when we planned to be there so we spent a lot of time catching up with cousins, aunts and uncles, and Paul's Grandpa.  It was so good to see everyone.  I can't believe how everyone's families have grown.  Audrey aspired to be the queen of Skull King because she is at our house but Grandpa proved her otherwise.  I don't know how he does it but he wins almost every round.  Uncle Spencer kindly played Audrey in chess, I don't know what has made her so intrigued in the game of chess but she always wants to play it...maybe it's the game pieces.  Spencer was so nice to gently correct her when she tried to make some moves that were against the rules, she's only recently learned how to play and sometimes she's really inventive with her idea of how the game works.  Later Uncle Karl took up the baton and played several rounds with her, he might be her favorite now.  :)  

On the fourth Karalee rented a blow up slide and we all had an amazing time.  The food was so good.  The company was the best and adult sliding time surpassed my expectations by miles.  I was laughing so hard and I couldn't stop.  The kids never stopped sliding...you'd think they would get tired but they hardly stopped for food.  The three babies finally met each other.  I had to get pictures.  Sadly a lot of my pictures are missing.  We had a little issue with the computer and accidental unloading of the recycling bin.  Long story short, I'm grateful I have what I have.  

There were a few other things I want to remember.  I attempted to crochet for the first time.  Kimberly tried...bless her soul!  I think I'm going to need another lesson.  I decided we were going to have our pictures taken while in Utah so both Kimberly and Michelle took time out to help me shop.  They are the best humans.  Paul and I had to go to a reception of one of our friends one of the evenings while we were there and my parents so kindly took care of Audrey.  My Dad played chess with her and then they watched a movie.  I'm so glad she got that time to spend with them.  It means so much to me when my girls get one on one time with their grandparents. They grandparents influence, their wisdom, and just having time with them in general I know will be invaluable to them as they grow into young adults.  

8-9 Months and Father's Day

 Someday I'll be caught up on Rae's life.  This chunky little munchkin is the center of our world.  Paul often says that she probably is the most loved and receives the most attention of all the babies in the world.  I think she prefers it that way.  Audrey won't let me miss a first, if I'm away for any amount of time she yells out....YOU'RE MISSING IT!!! 
The new things....She spurs me like a cowboy when she wants something, wants to go somewhere, or is excited about something.  If she's excited about something it's usually accompanied by a little bit of a bounce.  She claps when we say yay.  She's especially proud of herself when she can make noise with her hands when she claps.  She's start to wave hi which is the cutest and is accompanied by her desperate attempts to say hi which comes out: "aye".  She say Mama and Da da but doesn't really know what they mean. 
She's really scooching now.  At first she would face plant it into the rug as she moved.  It was almost like she thought it was helpful but it was doing the opposite. By the end of her 9th month she wasn't using her head anymore and started moving much faster.  Thankfully she hasn't realized the cupboard doors open and things can be scattered.  However, her favorite thing to do while I'm walking around with her is to swipe things off the counters onto the floor.  It's not so bad unless it's baby food or water and then we end up with a mess.  I don't even know how she does it....Miss Houdini. I've mostly learned my lesson to hold her up a little higher but every once and a while she still gets me. 
She blows spit bubbles like it's her job which is fine except for when she's supposed to be quiet.   
In her ninth month I finally put my foot down and now she is sleeping through the night...except for when she's teething which seems to be happening a lot lately.  We're working on tooth number 3.  Luckily, even with teething she usually only wakes up once.  It's been a huge change and has given me the rest I needed moving back into the school year.  On the other hand she still barely naps.  I moved her down to two naps and she was still only sleeping 20 minutes at a time so I put her back on 3 naps and now she's getting anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes a nap and she's sleeps three times which makes her less cranky.  I've come to the conclusion that this one is just not a napper, even though it pains me to say that. 
She's started what my friend calls the tetradactyl scream.  It would be horrible except for that she's cute so it's not that bad.  I told Audrey that she was the one who taught her and instead of being ashamed I think she was proud that she'd taught her sister something. 

Father's Day,   

This is past due! Paul is a rock star Dad.  He's the one that holds everything together over here.  He sits and plays with Audrey every night after work, even if she wants to play Uno for the 19th time.  He is always fixing random broken things for her.  He happily humors her when she wants to say goodbye in the morning for the third time before he goes to work...even if her hugs are a little long winded. :)  He's always writing her notes on the mirror of her bathroom to make her feel extra special.  He reads books with her and rides bikes and scooters with her.  He endures the teeny bopper movies on the weekends and helps her take care of our dog even though he hates the dog. He makes endless shakes for breakfast because she loves them.  He gives her blessings for school and when she is sick and when she just wants one.  He teaches her spiritual truths and hardly ever forgets a "Come Follow Me" lesson.  That's not the half of it but your getting the idea.  
He wakes up to take care of the baby when I sleep through her cries....it's happened.  He's always happy to hold her and shower her with love and kisses. Raelyn always smiles biggest when she says good night to her Dad at the end of the day.  She's a Mommy's girl right now but there is nothing her Daddy won't do for her and she knows it.
I tell Audrey often...especially when she's spouting off that life isn't fair that she should think of her Dad.  He goes to work each and everyday and works so hard.  I know he's always mentally and physically exhausted when he gets home because he not only works his tail off but he also has chronic pain from the what we now know to be Lyme Disease.  I tell Audrey that he could use that as an excuse to do nothing and I wouldn't blame him, but he doesn't.  He literally is giving to our family in his every waking moment.  Paul, I just want to say...if I don't say it enough that I see you!  I see all you do for me and our girls and I'm so so grateful for you.  I love you tons!  I'm kind of obsessed with you!  Thanks for being you and for picking me!

A Hot Summer Day

Raelyn is 7 months!  We decided to set up the water table this afternoon.  Mom and Rae sat under the beach umbrella while I played in the water.  Rae doesn't like the water very much right now.  I must admit it was so hot it felt like we were at the beach.  With the beach umbrella and water is looked like we were at the beach too. 

I got out my beach toys and played for hours.  From time to time Poppy attempted to drink water from the water table.  

After a while I had an idea.  I filled a pitcher with water and dumped it over my head.  I was soaked!  I did it again and again.  I was having so much fun!  

It got a little too hot for the baby so Mom stripped Rae down and then offered her a drink.  Rae didn't want to drink out of her water bottle.  She wanted to drink out of Mom's! 

Dad even made us chocolate shakes and we drank them under the beach umbrella.  

After a few hours everybody went inside.  I played for a bit longer but a water table is no fun without a friend so I went inside.  

It was a really good day!

Love, 

Audrey

 

Rae 6 and 7 Months

The months are flying past and everyday is a joy.  Some days are overwhelming.  The exhaustion can creep up on me and overwhelm my emotions.  Sometimes I feel so slow at accomplishing anything.  It shows when Paul starts doing dishes and laundry regularly.  Then I know I've fallen off the wagon.  I'm grateful he's there to pick up the pieces when I start falling apart.  

This age until 3 years is my favorite so I'm trying to soak up every ounce of her little fingers and toes, her sweet singing voice, and her excited scream.  I love the way she says ahh when she lays her head on my shoulder because I have said it to her so many times that now she's started to say it on her own.   

She's still obsessed with hair and pulls it whenever she gets the chance.  She is still very good at letting me know when she was hungry and still uses the same open mouth and wide eyes to let me know.  She's a busy baby that never stops moving.  She started rolling but hates being on her stomach for too long.  She still struggles with rolling back onto her back.  She'd rather cry and wait for the many people hoping to hold her than try to turn back over.  My Mom tells me I should stop holding her so much but I can't seem to stop.  I want to hold her all day and soak up her every move and every smile.  It's a wonder I feel this way because most night she sleeps on my chest because it's the only way I get any sleep.  

 She eats solids now.  Her favorites are applesauce, pears, and pancakes.  She doesn't fall to far from Audrey's favorites so we have 2 happy girls. 

Rae has started to hate the water.  In Houston I attempted to bath her in a real bath tub and something about the vastness of the tub and a bath seat scared her.  I tried to put her toes in the pool and she would cry every time.  Obviously we still bath her but it's now accompanied but crying the entire time.  Hopefully continuing to bath her despite her protests will get her used to being in the water again.  

She's still the best jumper and we finally got her a jumper.  Now she can wear out herself without wearing out my arms.  She has learned how to sit and is pretty stable until someone or something distracts her and then she falls backwards. Her stability gets better and better everyday.  I'm loving a baby that sits well on my hip, but she still loves to be packed around in a front pack while I'm cleaning.  

Anytime her sister walks by she gets the biggest smiles.  Raelyn knows that Audrey is willing to give her all of her attention and will do anything to get her a smile.  

I'm living my best life.  A tired life but my best life.