New Year's Eve

For our New Year's Eve celebration we decided to get Maggie into her crib. This crib was a labor of love from her dad. It took a long time to get done, but it was worth the wait, it's awesome! I don't know what she is more excited about, having room to roll around and play, or having a great big thing to chew on.

Piano

The Grandparents' Neff gave the girl this fabulous piano for Christmas this year. This was her first day on it. Warning, the movie is 1 minute and 1 seconds long, but it's cute, so that's the justification.

Another first

Today we took the girl to try out swings for the first time. She was quite the fan.

Lookie, Lookie!

Well, I'd like to think this came from Santa because I've been such a good girl this year. However, it really came from my brother in-law's renters who didn't want it anymore. Yay!! I waffled about it for a while, have no idea why, because as soon as it was here I got super excited! It'll be cold to play it in the basement, but I really don't care. Although there were a few books left in the bench, anyone who feels like sending me some music, I'd gladly take it!


Sam's input on what I wrote - "Or you can offer to trade, you give them the New Kids on the Block Hanging Tough book that was in the piano bench and they can give you something else."

(I think Sam was a little disappointed when I had no idea what the music was - all I know is that my sister and her friend used to play a New Kids on the Block board game.)

Gift Exchange Offering

Every year there is an Omelet Brunch and gift exchange here in the Valley. Last year was the first year I wasn't working during it, so I went. It was really fun. At said party my mother in-law is pretty well famous for including in her gift one of her delicious pecan logs. So, I'm trying to start being known for including handmade ornaments in my gift. Last year I took 4 sweaters and this year...

Ew.

***WARNING!!***

This post is full of gross, gross, bodily things! If you have a tender stomach, you probably don't want to read this post!

***BEWARE!!***

We had a first today. At the lovely age of 7 months, 2 weeks old, the little darling finally pooped in the bath. Of course, it had to be a time when I was home alone and couldn't call Sam to come and help or anything like that.

So what exactly is the "right" thing to do in this situation?

This is what I chose. I got the spongy baby thing she was sitting on out from under her, big streak down that, and put that in the sink. Then, holding her up since she's rather slippery without the sponge, I think to myself, "Now what? Do I pull her out and drain the tub? Do I just let her finish? Do I try and get the big pieces out with my hand, or just leave them?"

Of course, she couldn't be done with just one push, so I let her be. There was one big floaty, I decided to leave it there. Until the next massive one came. Then, steeling my stomach I did the lovely hand scoop and got them to the toilet. While at the toilet I had to do some gagging and choking of my own, but at least I kept that down.

Having changed this girl's diaper for the last 7 1/2 months, I knew she could poop a lot, but this seemed excessive! I also remember thinking, "Wow, so glad she only ate beans, squash, and barley cereal last night...what if she was eating corn too?!"

Of course, I took the toys away and out of the water, which made her want to "catch" the stuff that was floating around her...LOVELY! She couldn't because if you touched it it disintegrated, but still, she tried.

When I finally felt like she was done I stood her up and drained the tub, washing it out as best I could with her standing in it. Then, praying that she wouldn't slip I left her sitting while it filled and went to the sink to try and clean up her sponge. With that scraped off and scrubbed out I was able to put her back on it and let her have another minute to play before we washed her up and pulled her out.

Wow, being a mom is great.

More Thrift Excitement

Well, Sam had to do some things in town today, so I decided to go along and check out the thrift store again. This is what I got. At the end of the trip these pieces averaged out to be $0.42 each...not too bad.

Let there be Lights!

For FHE last night we joined the ranks of Christmas families around the US. We actually put up outside Christmas lights. Each year we'll add more, but for a first try, and only $9 worth of clearance sale lights last year, this is a pretty good start. Sorry the picture is so grainy, that's what happens with so little light.

New dress

This was the major buy of Black Friday this year. The fabric needed for this dress cost me a total of $0.30. I should have made it a bit bigger, especially in the arms, but oh well. She still makes it pretty cute!

Teeth!

Today Baby cut 2 teeth! If you zoom in on the top pic you can actually see her two little nubs. Wow she is growing up fast!

Happy Halloween!

This happy pepper wants to wish everyone a Happy Halloween (a day late)!

Photos

Sleepy girl on Sunday.... Sundays are so tough!

'Cuz two spoons are just better than one

Thrift Store Bonus!

Who knew that Elko had such good thrift stores?! These were my finds from last week.

$5 - Bedding set with bumpers and quilt

$2.05 (7 rolls of crochet thread)

$3.50

$8 for all

Gotta Love it!

Wow, I love these people!

Late night funnies

So, baby slept on the way home from town last night... no big deal. Except, for the first time in her life, after we got home she didn't want to go to bed. Bummer. However, she is pretty funny when both Mom and Dad are exhausted. This happened just before midnight...she is practicing her new talents, although they are much wetter at night for some reason.

I so wish this last one was in focus! It looks like a cartoon smiley face.

Track Star

We made this video back in Aug. but I couldn't get it to load and then I forgot about it until this morning.

So here it is. Baby went through a phase where when you lifted her up she looked like a track star...we may have exploited that...

Another New Trick

This baby is learning new things every day! Before this point she would sit for 2-3 seconds on her own, but she can now keep her balance pretty well.

Click here to view these pictures larger

Picture 4 needs the caption - "Look, Mom! No hands!"

Even with bedhead this baby is adorable!

Something new

So, we tried something new tonight...

(warning, this is a 3+ min long video)

Stressed out

So this is what the baby looks like when she is stressed out...

A Project

Today I wanted to do something crafty...

So I did some web searching and found some interesting ideas...

This is what I came up with when I compiled them in my little think tank...

I think I am an official fan of shirring! Look for new dresses... probably before Sunday.
Oh, and sorry about the red eye, I didn't want to fix it tonight.

new CEO

We are now under new management.

Trip

We got to go to Utah for a few days because there was a wedding reception, a doctor check-up, and a mother to bring home. These are a few of the best pictures from the weekend.

Ew

Can anyone identify these lovely lovelies that are around my home?

Happy Birthday to me

This year for my birthday I got to spend some time in Kathy's garden picking beans, and then I got to bottle them. I'm pretty happy, this is the first time I've done this totally solo. Over the week I got 28 pints, whew!

skillz

This kiddos got skillz!

Aunt Cassie

Apparently Aunt Cassie's peek-a-boo is way funnier then Mom's.

Waking up

This is quite possibly the best part of the day...

A new dress

If Maggie could talk I'm pretty sure this would be her commentary.

"Really? Okay, is this enough of a 'happy look' for you?"

"Um, this neck is a little tight"

"I'm starting to fall apart here, a little help please?"

"Oh, that looks interesting...."
"I'm begging you, please put the camera down."

"I asked you nicely, now I have to do something to make you put it down."

"Oops, did I do that?"

"Oh, you're done?! Well, I guess I can smile for you now."

This is the dress when it isn't being christened by spit-up

A bow to match

New skills

Well, it's official, you can write us off as being 100% wrapped around this little girl's finger...

she has now learned...

Puppy Dog Eyes...

Unhappy Family Pictures

We tried to take some family pictures after a cowboy wedding we went to on Saturday. The baby had had enough and just wanted to eat and go to sleep. So, she didn't want to put on a cute face for the picture, but I think the pictures were pretty funny, so here they are.

Aw, she's so happy!