Colorado Getaway: Catharsis Week

Nanners and I packed our bags to visit our besties in Colorado.

Nanners excitedly packed anything she thought Lucy would enjoy playing with.

She would have packed her entire room if I had let her.

 We had a perfect week enjoying the pace of a two-kid household (and taking notes on my future), getting out in the 55 degree sunny weather, watching Lucy and Nanners play, play, play and then fight, fight, fight, and talking until my head and face hurt. 

Did I mention it was a week of catharsis?

It was one of those weeks where I was reminded how much I desperately need friends to help me know I'm heading in the right direction. It's so easy to plod along in life hoping you are, but the validation of a friend can be so perspective-altering. I know it was pure inspiration to visit before I have this baby because I feel filled with purpose and excitement for this new phase.

Plus we had a lovely time watching the season 3 opener of Downton:

Getting Pedicures:

And the girls enjoyed their own quality time watching Dora:

Making cookies (with Gluten, what a treat!):

Attempting a slumber party in matching pj's--not planned.

Slumber party finally ended around 10 when it was obvious sleeping was not going to happen!

Daily "crafts":

And perusing the Denver Aquarium:

I think everyone should stay for a few days at their friend's house.

It brought me such a better understanding of where Jen's advice comes from

and it gave me great ideas on how to shake up my own routine for the better.

They've promised a trip to Portland after the baby arrives.

Until then I will be explaining to Nanners why Lucy can't have a 

tea party with us each day.

Donning Her Christmas Best

Our Christmas dress photo shoot went much better this year.

With a little posing advice from the Pants we caught these gems.

She definitely knows how to put her own spin on things.

And she hasn't stopped posing since.

Easter

We had an idyllic Easter. It was sunny and warm and lovely. Seriously, it had me thanking Heavenly Father again and again for a perfect life. The Pants and I spoke in church so I was able to reflect on The Savior all week. Now that's how I'd like to spend every week leading up to Easter--well, without the stress of preparing a talk.

 



We planted a jelly bean garden and watered it on Saturday night. We've had a lot of conversations about things growing lately so when a friend told me this idea I thought it was perfect. Nanners was so excited that when she woke up Sunday morning her first words were, "Oh, growing so tall!" We made her wait for the sun to come out to help them grow (after her nap) before she could harvest the lollipops the jellybean seeds had brought. She was mostly confused, but it gradually started to sink in after we explained it a few times.

Mr. Easter Bunny set up a perfectly age-appropriate egg hunt too.

Nanners looks pretty content with her spoils.

It captures the mood of the day: contentment.

Moshi Moshi, Tokyo!

It's official, The Pants and I are going to Japan in February!

I'm so excited I can barely stand it.

photo from acid cow

Because we like to live life on the edge, we waited until the very last minute to get our passports.
So a quick weekend trip to Seattle and way too much money in expedited fees later...we are legit!
Nanners couldn't help but get excited too.

Moshi Moshi, Tokyo.
See you in February!

Christmas is coming...Purse Tutorial

I just finished a little purse for Nanners for Christmas.

I used this tutorial and it took maybe 1 1/2 hours, at the most.

If you would like the pattern just ask via email listed on the tutorial blog.

 You'll just need 3 different scraps of fabric, some batting and bias tape (if you don't want to make your own out of fabric). Seriously easy, seriously satisfying to finish.

I'm going to fill it with some fake chapstick, a bracelet

and some snacks. Too bad it's not big enough to throw a diaper and wipes into.

Isn't she getting old enough to carry her own stuff now?

I keep thinking about what Nanners' expression will be when she opens this.

It's going to be good.

Grilled Cheese Grill

Nanners and I paid a visit to the Grilled Cheese Grill last week.

Verdict: Awesome!

We ate our sandwiches on the double-decker bus which was

a total hit with all the kids. I told Nanners she should remember to

sit in the front of the bus (because that's where the smart kids sit, right?)

It was a lovely kid-friendly Portland experience that helped to cement my

deternination to keep on living the dream in the city as long as we possibly can.

October in Review

A slice of life: October 2011.

Nanners is changing so rapidly I can't even catch my breath.

She found some old pacifiers in a pile of her baby clothes. I can't think of a single time when she actually used them as a baby but she took a liking to them on her second encounter. She thought it was hilarious to to stick it in her mouth and fake cry.

Nana bought her a little pint-sized chair of her very own. She can't get enough of it (and every other chair). She loves to climb in, sit and fold her hands in her lap. It's quite proper unlike the slouching I usually do in chairs.

She also insists on having the shades open so she can sit in her chair and look at the street. She pretends that she sees people and dogs all the time. I love seeing her flex her imagination.

We had these little decorations on the stairs for Halloween. She loved running to them every morning and exclaiming, "OHHH, Mice!"

She loves faces. Kissing them, staring at them and hitting them.

And we're in the process of switching over to the sippy cup. Wish me luck!

And she has gotten into a good morning routine which includes running to the door with Daddy to kiss him goodbye. It usually goes on for about 5 kisses before she'll let him go. It's so cute, I don't know how The Pants leaves.

And now here we are in November. I'm so excited for holidays with this new

little person to share them with. She's definitely not a baby anymore.

Happy Halloween...Arghh!

Nanners' second Halloween was a success.

Her pirate princess outfit became even more authentic when she decided to headbutt a solid woodslab table last week. Most people assumed the black eye was makeup but a trip to our Doctor-friend and some super glue later meant no makeup necessary.

She was the perfect trick-or-treater.

All of our coaching paid off.

She said "tickoteat" and "tae too" (thank you) and "Happy Hallow-lolo".

If only I could figure out how to dissuade

her from her love of candy now.

It has become a major battle!

"Helping"

I took the advice of a friend and decided to include Nanners in

our daily household chores. It's been an interesting process trying to include her.

She definitely loves them much more than I do!

She helps with dishes by finding all the knives in the sink.

At least she has the sense that she's not supposed to play with them.

She just holds them and calls for me to take them.

Here she is helping Daddy make Family Home Evening treats.

Daddy makes them, Nanners eats them off the pan.

And while Mr. Pants was at the BYU v. OSU game we decided to

make some pumpkin cookies to doorbell-ditch our neighbors.

Making cookies proved most dangerous.

As the Kitchenaide was running, Nanners dropped a measuring cup right on in.

It hit the blade, hurled out of the bowl, hit me square in the forehead and then splattered on the floor.

My first reaction was to get really mad and rethink this whole "helping" plan, then I just had

to stop and realize how fantastic it would have looked if it had been filmed.

I have had to remind myself that including her in these things doesn't actually make the tasks easier, rather more fun and meaningful. I'm learning...and hopefully she is too.

She also mistaked the Crisco for the tub of lotion I let her dip her fingers in each morning.

I turned around and caught her rubbing it all over her face.

At any rate these pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting were delish!

And I felt such a rush delivering these to our neighbors--

ringing the doorbell and running home as fast as I could.

It's a good thing I've been training.

Pumpkin Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

adapted from this recipe from House of Hepworth

Combine:

1/2 c. vegetable shortening

1 1/2 c. Sugar

Add:

2 eggs

Mix in:

15 oz. can of Pumpkin filling

Add:

1 tsp. Vanilla

2 1/2 c. Flour

Add:

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1 tsp. Nutmeg

1 tsp. Baking Powder

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1/2 tsp. salt

Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.

Make Cream Cheese Frosting

Combine:

1 (8 oz) package Cream Cheese

1/4 c. Butter, softened to almost melted

Add:

1/2 tsp. Vanilla

1 1/4 c. Powdered Sugar

Frost cooled cookies and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Makes 2 dozen cookies.

Refrigerate leftover frosting.

Constant Motion

I was going through pictures and found this one of Nanners from at least six months ago.

It just strikes me how calm the house is compared to Nanners.

She has been going since the day she was born (and well before) and has never stopped.

Case in point. This is how she "winds down" before bed:

She puts a towel/blanket/napkin on her head and walks straight into things.

Or she spins with her arms out to her sides until she's so dizzy she can't stand.

That's when we know it's time to read a story, say prayer and get that baby into bed!

And she's off...

Nanners took her first steps just over two weeks ago (at 15 months old) and never looked back.

With literal baby steps under her belt, our trip to Utah provided

the momentum she needed to become a walking machine.

Truly, she looks like a little robot when she walks.

More on the trip to Utah soon.

Taking pictures just got a little harder.



Summer looks like...{Part 1}

As I sit writing this post it's pouring outside. I'm dressed in my church outfit of boots with socks, a long sleeve dress and a sweater because it feels like fall outside.

These pictures have me reminiscing about our lovely 3 weeks of summer.

Don't cry though, the weathermen and women assure us it will be nice this week.

Make that 4 weeks of summer.

Our summer has included:

Pool time.

One of the things I've been enjoying about being a parent is the triumphant return of the pool. It seems that after high school I just forgot how absolutely awesome lazy days by and in the pool are. Luckily Nanners' swim classes (called "angelfish" class) are reminding me. I was convinced she hated them for the first few classes because of her chattering teeth and her total lack of eye contact with me but I think she's coming around to it. She now powers through the chill of the water and even smiles a few times throughout the class. She's also started kicking her legs and trying to blow bubbles in the water (which actually just entails drinking the water). Our fridge now proudly displays her certicate from swim class that "recognizes Nanners for great accomplishments in swimming."

Playing in fountains.

I think Portland is the land of 100 fountains. There are so many fun little places for Nanners to enjoy the water even though she can't swim or walk yet. We've gotten to explore a few. The picture below signifies a total mom moment for me. The "I'm having a moment" kind of mom moment. When we lived in the Pearl we used to sit and eat ice cream and watch all the cute little kids play in this fountain. We did that up until I was six months pregnant with Nanners. And now I get to watch my husband and my own darling girl enjoy it. She loves to splash and play and shiver in the fountain. She shivers no matter how warm the water is--I think it's just the anticipation.

Playing at the park by Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Hanging out at the Zoo.

It's so fun to have a zoo membership because we have no pressure to get to everything. We always know we'll be back to see the rest. We've serioulsy gone at least 10 times. Nanners is not that intersted in the zoo mostly because she's still a little young to spot the animals. When they're right in front of her she seems more interested and even a little spooked. She loves the fish though--the most boring animal in the whole dang zoo!

Crawling around the Park.

We go to the park or play in our courtyard every day. Nanners gets pretty mad if she doesn't get to roam and explore the great outdoors each day. The minute she hears the door open she starts to point outside and cry. It's hard to find a park Nanners doesn't like, but even harder to find one without barkchips to eat. She's become a daredevil on the slide lately. She gets giddy and squeals at the top and says "go" as soon as I start counting to 3.  

Stay tuned for the rest of what summer looks like to us.

 It should be riveting.

Too many photos and good times, too little time to record it all!