Sound Asleep

I have so many pictures of Tori falling asleep in weird positions and places.  When I went to check on her tonight before I headed to bed this is how I found her:

That can't be comfortable!! LOL

Scarlett at 6 months

A half a year has gone by since our sweet Scarlett joined our family.  She has brought nothing but pure joy to our family.  (Well maybe a few sleepless nights too, but that's OK)  Scarlett is growing and changing so much every day.  She has her own personality and is so much fun. Here are some things we want to remember about Scarlett at six months:

• She doesn't have her 6 months appointment until next week, but when I weighed her at home she was 15 pounds on the dot.
• She is wearing 3-6 month clothes and some 6-9 month. 
• She's in size 2 diapers.
• She seems to have gotten a lot taller because all of her jammies suddenly didn't fit overnight!  She had to wear onsies for jammies for a few days until I could get to the store to get some new jammies that fit!
• She is now rolling all over the place.  I put her under her play mat and in a matter of minutes she has rolled across the room to whatever she had her eye on to play with.  This also poses some problems at bed time though.  I will lay her down and after a few minutes I hear her making all sorts of noises.  When I check on her she is happy as a clam playing on her tummy.  I roll her back to her back, and after a few times doing this she will finally fall asleep.
• She is still waking up a few times a night. 
• She starts out in her crib, but then after she wakes up I move her into the play pen in our room.
• She started doing this really loud squeal.  She will do it over and over until we look over at her and then she will burst into the hugest grin.
• She loves to be outside.  When I go running she grins and smiles the whole time as I push her in the stroller.
• She loves to grab onto whatever is in front of her.
• When I give her a bath she loves to suck on the washcloth.  I will start to wash her face and she will immediately grab the washcloth and start sucking away!
• She recently discovered her toes, and loves to play with them.  
• She has tried sweet potatoes, peas, bananas, oatmeal and rice cereal.  The rice cereal didn't agree with her, so we are just doing oatmeal now.  She loves sweet potatoes and bananas.  I started bananas and peas really close together and one of them isn't agreeing with her so I have stopped those and will introduce them one at a time to see what one is OK.  I have been making her baby food and am loving it
• She still has a little patch of hair on the top of her hair, that looks like a comb over if I don't put anything in it =) 
• This past month I have started calling Scarlett "Scarly" and "Scarly Scar"  It's funny the nicknames that just develop =)
• Scarlett is still a binky girl through and through =)

I did a little 6 month photo shoot with Scarlett.  I love how they turned out!

 Alexis was such a big help getting her to smile.  She is also such a big help with Scarlett.  Scarlett loves her so much and Alexis can always get her to calm down if she is crying.  She loves to get her to sleep and put her in her bed for her naps.  We're still working on the diaper changing =)

Here are some pictures I got of her sucking her washcloth one night in her bath.  Her facial expressions crack me up!

Here she is playing with her toes. I love it!

 She loves playing with cousin Jack since he has been here all Summer.  They will smile and smile at each other.  They both have grabbed each other's hair on occasion and the other day Scarlett stole Jack's binky and stuck it in her mouth.  We will be so sad when Katie, Forrest and him go back to Provo next week =(

This past month we also got to have all four of the baby cousins together again at the family reunion.  It will be fun to continue to get pictures of the all together as they grow older.

 I love this brown head band but I don't have her wear it too often because on more then one occasion I have had people make comments that when they first glanced at her they thought she just had a huge blob of hair in the front! haha

 Scarlett loves books.  Not to read, but to chew on =)

 She is still the source of a lot of entertainment for the kids.  Alexis decided to put her in the laundry basket one day and carry her around.  I know Scarlett doesn't look amused but she actually really liked it =)  The funny thing is, I have a picture of Alexis when she was about the same age in a basket full of laundry.

 This same day Alexis decided to do some other funny photos:

Poor Girl! 

We sure love our little Scarlett =)

Scarlett at 5 months

I can hardly believe that 5 months have passed since we welcomed Scarlett into our family. She is such a precious addition and we are falling more and more in love with her every day. She is developing her own cute personality. She has definitely found her voice! She is constantly making noises and is quite loud at times! For the past 3 weeks at church I have spent the majority of the time in the hall with her because she is so loud!  I thought I had a few more months before my church experiences moved to the hall, but oh well!

On the day she turned 5 months I decided she was ready to move to her crib. This is always a hard transition for me, because I love having my babies an arms length away.  But it was a necessary transition so we did it. She loves her crib, and actually sleeps really well in it. Once she learns to put her binky in by herself I am sure I won;t have to make quite as may trips in there a night =)  Here she is checking out her crib for the first time:

The past few weeks especially we have seen her personality explode. She continues to be very pleasant for the most part, and has such a sweet disposition.  But if she is mad about something or doesn't like something she will let you know!  She has gotten quite good at arching her back when I am trying to put her in her car seat.  Its actually kind of funny.  She also is already trying to wiggle her way out of the bumbo seat. I captured this picture the other day of her trying to get out.  She stayed in this position for a while!

She has been so close to rolling from her back to her tummy for quite some time, but always seemed to get her arm stuck.  Two weeks ago she finally did it!  I have only seen her do it twice, but she has to be rolling around when I am not looking.  She somehow manged to wiggle her way off her play mat the other day.  This is how I found her when I came back in the room after she had been playing under her play mat.

This past month Scarlet has gotten so much better at grabbing onto things.  She will try and grab whatever is in reach, whether it be, our hair, earrings, necklace, cup, glasses,  wrapper etc.  It is so fun to watch her discover the world around her

Another first this month was two pony tails! I am loving all of her hair!

She just has a big patch of hair right in the middle.  It's perfect for pony tails, but if I don;t put any in we like to joke that it looks like she has a comb over =)

We started Scarlett on some rice cereal a few days before she turned 5 months.  I was trying to hold off until she was 6 months, but over the past few weeks she has been acting hungrier between feedings and wanting to eat every 2 hours so I figured she was ready.  And boy was she!  She had no trouble at all catching on, and has been gobbling it down ever since.  I am going to stick with the rice cereal for a while and then start introducing veggies and eventually fruit.  I am determined for her to be a good eater.  I tended to jump to fruits really fast with my other kids, and I always have had a hard time getting them to eat vegetables.  We will see if the 4th times a charm! =) 

Here are some pictures of her first time eating the rice cereal.

Another exciting first this month was swimming! We took Scarlett swimming twice.  Once to Pirates Cove, and once to Jeremy and Tisha's pool.  When I got her in her swimming suit when we got there she was so excited!  It was like she knew she was about to do something new and fun.  I love this picture I got of her right before I took her in. 

Once she was in the water she wasn't too sure of it anymore.  She didn't cry but she didn't smile at all either. We stayed in for about 20 minutes and then she was content to chill with mommy.

Pirates Cove was pretty much the same story. I kept her in a little longer, but after about a half hour she was so done.  It was so hot that day.  We went on the 4th of July so it was totally packed with people, and so even though we got there right when it opened, all of the shady spots were taken and so we were right out in the sun the whole time.  It was pretty hot and miserable but I managed to keep her mostly out of the sun, in her car seat. Here she is drying off right after we got out of the water.

Scarlett still loves her baths.  She is always so happy and content and loves to splash.  Recently she has started grabbing hold of the faucet.  She hangs on for dear life!

She will try and grab anything we put in front of her.

We didn't have an actual weigh in at the doctor's office, but after weighing myself and then holding her and weighing myself again, she weighs approximately  14.3 pounds.  She is growing so much!  I think she had a major growth spurt this past month.  She has to have grown a few inches longer to, because suddenly none of the jammies with footies fit her anymore!  She is currently wearing size 3-6 months and 6-9 months.

Scarlett is still very much a binky girl.  She loves her binky, and it soothes her and calms her down almost immediately.

Well I have now been working on this post for 3 days now, so I better get this posted before it's time to do a six month post! =)

It's safe to say we love this girl =)

Star Birthday

Today was Alexis's "Star" Birthday.  For anyone unfamiliar with that term (like I was)  It is the birthday in which the age you turn is the same number as your birth date. Today on June 11th, Alexis turned 11.

Where to begin!  This birthday had me feeling nostalgic. 11 years ago I couldn't possibly know how much joy one baby girl could bring to my life.  I became a mom on June 11, 2001.  We sure do love our Lexi bug.  She brings us so much happiness.  She has such a joyful disposition and I am constantly having people tell me how they love how she is always so happy and that she has the best smile.

I decided to interview Alexis as she turns 11.  I would have loved to start this tradition when she was younger, but they didn't have pinterest back then to give me the idea! haha  Better late then never though!

What is your favorite food-  Crab

What is your favorite dessert- Chocolate and Peanut Butter Ice Cream

Who is your favorite singer- Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, and One Direction (She couldn't pick just one)

What is your favorite song(s)- "I want I want", "Our Song", and "Hit the Lights"

Who is your best friend- Katie MacKinnon

What is your favorite color?- Green

What is your favorite thing to do?- Hand out with friends, go swimming, acting, gymnastics, (Again, She couldn't pick just one=)

What is your favorite thing to do with your family? Watch a movie all together

What do you want to be when you grown up?- Neonatal Nurse

What is your favorite subject in school- Art

What is your favorite flower- Rose

What is your favorite T.V. Show- Wizards of Waverly Place and Good Luck Charlie

What is your favorite fruit- Pineapple

What is your favorite outfit- The outfit I got today for my birthday

Favorite Holiday- Easter

Favorite Game- Draw Something

Favorite Drink- Shirly Temple

Favorite Book- Vampire Diaries

Favorite Toy- Ipod

What makes you happy- My Family

If you could meet someone famous who would it be? Selena Gomez

What are you looking forward to most about turning 11- Getting to take the babysitting red cross class.

Do we really have an 11 year old?  How can that even possibly be true?!  Its safe to say that we have definitely entered the "tween" stage. We sure do love this girl!

Happy Birthday Alexis!!

A Fast but FUN Weekend

So it pretty much kills me living so far away from the sweet new babies that were all just born into our family.  When my mom and dad offered to let me tag along to Utah this past weekend I jumped at the opportunity.  Scarlett, Tori and I woke up early Saturday morning to travel with mom, dad and Michael over to Utah for baby Jack's blessing.

We had a such a wonderful time and it flew by in the blink of an eye. 

Saturday afternoon, we arrived in Bountiful to the Maudsley's house where my girls and I would be staying for the night.  We jumped right into taking pictures and having fun.  

Lyla was cracking me up with her silly expressions.  She is such a happy fun loving little girl.  I about died when I saw the faces she was pulling for Scarlett:

Mom and Dad never get tired of holding and entertaining the grand kids.  It's a good thing because the kiddos adore them =)

I caught this cute moment as I walked past Lyla's room.  Tori was reading Lyla some books.  Notice Lyla snuggled up in Tori's "Winnie the Pooh blanket"?  Lyla loved Tori's blanket and Tori was so sweet to share her most prized possession for a while =)

There were lots of fun baby toys to keep Scarlett entertained.  She loved Phoebe's play mat.

She loved playing under there with Phoebe even more!  Sweet Phoebe layed there peacefully as Scarlett wiggled and squirmed and grabbed onto her =)

Despite me looking bedraggled from a day of traveling, this is a pretty cute picture =)

Love my baby girl!  She was  trooper this trip.  She was definitely out of her element and that messed with her schedule a little bit, but that's OK =) 

A few weeks after my miscarriage I traveled to Utah for a much needed visit with my sisters and bro. Cindy and AJ were trying to add to their family at the time, and one afternoon as we were talking about the struggles we were both facing, Cindy said,  I just have a feeling that we will be pregnant at the same time.  Lo and behold, 2 weeks after they found out their little miracle was on the way, we found out we were expecting too! 

Tori was a great little helper on the trip.  She is getting really good at holding Scarlett.  Look how great she is supporting her head!

Tori and Lyla had all sorts of fun together.  Here they are making bracelets!

All ready to take a bath together! 

We put the babies to bed and Cindy and I headed out for a quick shopping trip. We went to Plato's Closet, one of my favorite store.  It was right around the corner from their house and had a much better selection then ours here in Colorado.  I was able to find several things I loved but settled on a cute new skirt for church .

AJ was so nice to watch the kiddos.  These two cuties didn't go to sleep, but they sure had fun playing together!

The next morning we got up bright and early to make it down to Provo in time for Jack's baby blessing.  I was so excited to finally meet Jack, and as soon as Katie and Forrest walked into church I snatched him away to give him some long overdue cuddles.  Forrest gave a wonderful, heartfelt blessing.  Jack's a lucky little guy to have such wonderful parents =)

Look at that hair!  I love it =)

This is what happens when I give my camera to Michael to take some pictures for me =) hahaha

After the blessing, Katie and Forrest were so nice to host a yummy lunch of North Carolina barbecue sandwiches for us.  It was delicious!

Scarlett loved laying under Jack's play mat too! He was so nice to share =)  

Here's a normal one of Michael!  It was so fun to travel with him.  He was so nice to give me the comfy middle seat in the van, and he was so sweet to Tori the whole way.  He told her if he got squished he would just put his legs on Tori like Katie used to always do on long car rides, lol.  He never did, and actually ended up letting Tori put her legs on him! Michael is such a great uncle and all the kids simply adore him =)

We were so excited to see the Ford cousins while we were there.  Tori had a great time playing with them!  Hopefully they will be moving to Colorado soon =)  I love how Kacianna is snuggled next to Tori.  Kaci is so soft spoken but so sweet. Her and Tori are a lot alike.  I am sure they will always have a special relationship.  

Mason and Carter were wishing that Levi had come, but they loved playing with Tori.  I love how close all of the cousins are no matter how much time passes in between visits.

I wonder what these two were thinking as they stared at each other =)

FINALLY! The photo op we had been waiting what felt like forever for.  

Poor little Jack wasn't too happy about it,  I love how it looks like Scarlett is trying to console him.

From left to right, oldest to youngest here are:

Makynzie Noel, Phoebe Anne, Scarlett Faith, and Jack Forrest.

I have a feeling they are all going yo be great buddies and mischief makers together =)

I love how Kynsie is playing with her toes, Phoebe is chilling peacefully as Scarlett tugs on her dress, Scarlett is trying to steal Jack's binky and Jack is just trying to hold it together for the picture.

We tried a different pose.  It didn't work to well.  I can only imagine what they must be thinking. They are not amused!

My sweet baby was so tired. She had such a heard time having a nap that day.

It was so fun being pregnant at the same time as my sisters.  Now if only we all lived close to each other so these sweet babies could grow up together!

After we were satisfied with the pictures we got, the Maudsleys had to head back up to Salt Lake =(  I hate saying goodbye.  These visits never last long enough, and far too much time passes in between them.

The rest of us just hung out the rest of the afternoon.  Kynsie was having some tummy time, so we put Jack and Scarlett down there with her.  Scarlett never has lasted so long on tummy time!  She had so much fun being down there with her cousins =)

The next morning before we left for home, Katie made us a yummy breakfast.  While I was helping her Tori got some cuddle time in with Jack and Scarlett

Kristalyn came over with her kids for breakfast, so we could see them one last time before we left.

The kids all had fun playing and watching cartoons. I love how Kynsie is peaking out from under the blanket.

And that wrapped up out fast bun FUN trip to Utah! It was so much fun to be there and I can't wait for our family reunion this summer.