Big Sista Hads

* Yep, that's drool all down his shirt. He is a drooly guy. This was shirt #1 out of 4 for the day.

Hadley is such a cute big sister, which isn't surprising because she had Makenna to learn from. It is such a tender experience seeing my children loving one another and taking care of each other. It is one of the rewards of being a parent- seeing them become compassionate people.


Hadley is always loving Camden. You know, the in-your-face, hands-on, three-year-old love. Camden loves her and laughs at her all the time. They spend a lot of time together being the two kids at home during the day. He doesn't always love her being in his face, but that's just part of the deal. 


Yesterday, Hadley said, "I don't want Camden to grow up. But I will still love him even when he grows up." I know she will. He's one lucky boy.

 Hadley strikes again...

Hadley got more creative and gave Camden "hair" and a hat this time. She just wants this baby to have some hair. See this post. 

In-your-face love, right here.

Stuffed animals

What are STUFFED ANIMALS good for? 

Reading in the "waiting room" until their appointment with Dr. Makenna or Dr. Hadley... 

Or being an audience...

Day O' the Irish

I heart St. Patrick's Day. I have some Irish roots (my maiden name used to be O'Timoney at one time before dropping the "O" and we look like the freckly, dark-haired Irish folk), so I have always enjoyed a day to celebrate that heritage, even if it was many generations ago. It's still a part of my story.


And so, I follow the my mom's green breakfast tradition. A lot of times we will do it for dinner, but since St. Patty's fell on a Saturday, we did it for breakfast. Actually, I should say that Travis made it for us. I got everyone bathed, ready, and greened-out while he whipped up green pancakes, green eggs, green o.j., bacon, and homemade syrup. I know, he's a keeper.


The funny part is that he recently signed up to be a volunteer fireman and right as it was time to eat, he got a call for a fire. He was so excited for his first fire, that he was out of here in 30 seconds flat. So, the kids and I enjoyed the meal prepared by our own, personal fire-fighter. :)

Grandma Becky gave us a fun St. Patrick's package so the girls had lots of fun green things to wear, including rub-on tattoos. (They were not such a fan of taking the tattoos off. For future reference, use clear packaging tape- it takes the tattoo right off. Poor Makenna's cheek before we discovered that little secret)

Makenna's Girly Party

Our sweet Makenna turned 7 years old, if you can believe it! Her birthday is a sentimental occasion to me because she was my first baby and it was on that day that I became a mother. Makenna is growing into such a wonderful little lady. We are so proud to be her parents. She is such a great big sister and helps around here so much. We're forever grateful that she was placed in our arms seven years ago.


It was her turn this year for a party and she decided on a {GiRly PaRtY}. I wanted it to feel girly while keeping it simple. Ha, ha, I'm not even sure I'm capable of simplicity. One day, I'll learn. But, it turned out great and definitely felt fun and girly. 


I decided to do the party on her actual birthday after school, since it was an early-out day. It sounded like a great idea until I realized that Travis would still be at work. (He, on the other hand, was more than okay with it.) Hmm. But after recruiting help with painting nails and watching Camden, it worked out great. It was c.r.a.z.y with twelve hyper girls, but it wouldn't be a party if it wasn't crazy, right?


For the party, the girls all wore their favorite dresses, made necklaces, got their fingernails and make-up done, danced, unwrapped presents, and had cupcakes. Makenna loved it and was so spoiled by her cute friends.

* I wonder what Camden is thinking about all this girly-ness? :)

 Making necklaces

 Nails and Make up

The dolled-up party girlies with their necklaces

(Yep, the two shorties in the front are mine)

 Freeze Dance

 The SPOILED Birthday Girl

 Make a wish...

SIX MONTHS!!!

Camden is six months old! We are half way through his first year already. I really can't believe it. Wasn't he just born? He has added so much joy to our lives in the past six months. He is such a happy baby. And it's no secret how much he's loved. 


Here are some things to remember about him at 6 months:

• LOVES to be sung to
• Is a big fan of oatmeal or rice cereal, but not any other foods at this point. We have tried bananas, apples, and peaches. His face cracks up us when he tries them.
• Has been sitting up for a few weeks and is content to play with his basket of toys
• His hair has gone so light, almost blonde. This is new for us.
• Not the best napper 
• Is a little chunk 
• Likes to grab onto anything he can get his hands on, including hair
• Has long, lush eye lashes
• Squeals like a pterodactyl when he is frustrated
• Is learning how to make new noises
• Thinks his sisters are funny
• Is so nasally. He sounds like the cutest little pig.
• Has to be playing where he can see everyone
• Has become so slobbery. He is constantly blowing bubbles, chewing on things, and chatting.
• Loves, loves, loves his binky
• Goes to sleep best while being snuggled close with and a soft blanket against his face
• Is a happy little dude

Yum! Yum!

Poor me. Lucky Travis

Let's talk about teeth. They are so essential, but such a pain. I loathe the dentist, not him personally, just going. It has NEVER been a good thing for me. Between 3 1/2 years of braces, regular dentist visits, all of my many fillings and sealants, and three oral surgeries, I've got a very pricey smile. I'm thinking over $20,000 (including insurance contributions) has been spent on my mouth. (Thank you Mom and Dad!) 


The first time I went to the dentist at 4 years old, I had six cavities. Six! My teeth came in with cavities. I was never one of those lucky kids smiling on the No Cavity Club board. I will never belong to that elite club. I have more cavities than I can count. And I really do take care of my teeth. I use a Sonicare toothbrush, mouthwash, and floss regularly sometimes when I have time. (Okay, there's room for improvement there. But really, who can say they are awesome at flossing ever single day?) I don't know why because it seems like a lost cause. My dentist told me I'm just "decay prone". Awesome.  I hadn't been to the dentist for a few years for many reasons and, in part, due to my aversion towards the dentist. But I made myself go. The verdict: 10 cavities, 7 shots! I'm not kidding. Thank you dental insurance! My dentist says that I need to get on prescription fluoride toothpaste once I'm done nursing. And to add injury to insult, my mouth has a resistance to getting numb, so I usually end up getting 1-2 more shots than the average Joe. Lucky again.

What you see:

Super-Duper, as-much-as-a-new-car, expensive smile

(But I'm so grateful, especially since I have a big smile.)

What you don't see:

(these are not my teeth and my cavities are thankfully not this bad, but you get the idea)

Travis hadn't been to the dentist since before we met- 12+ years, so I scheduled an appointment for him like a good wife. He was nervous for it. So while I was getting drilled to the ground, he had his check up. So, as I was waiting for him with my mouth numb and drool running down my chin, out he comes with a big grin. I could have punched him. NO CAVITIES! Are you kidding me?!?! In the past 12 years, I have had 20+ cavities filled. And he was so proud and started telling me about how he was sure he was going to have a cavity and how impressed the dentist was. (Picture my face turning red.) I reminded me of school, like on a test when you got a 100% and your friend got an 70% and you studied together and you try not to act too happy and you say "better luck next time." I was the one with the lesser grade this time. And while I really was happy for him, I thought about  my "decay prone" sore teeth. And so I told him with half my mouth moving (you know, like a stroke victim) to stop gloating. I told him that he didn't do anything to earn having no cavities, it was just something he was blessed with. Just enjoy your membership in the No Cavities Club. And get me some tylenol and a milkshake, and stop talking. Grrr. Teeth suck.


And now to make matters worse, my jaw into my ear is killing me. This has happened once before and the endodontist said that my nerve might recover from the trauma of all the drilling and shots. And, they did... with time. So, hopefully that is the case this time. I'll live on ibuprofen until then. If I have to have a root canal due to having cavities filled, I'm going to cry. Literally. And maybe just go for dentures. You know they're in my future anyway at this rate.


So, poor me. And lucky Travis. Let's hope our kids get his teeth. And my much-better-seeing, not legally-blind eyes. What? No, I'm not gloating. :)

Ski Dates

Dates seem far, few, and between lately. That's just how it goes with a baby.

 So, we were excited to have my family watch the kids while we got to go cross-country skiing together... twice. It was great to just be together outside without any kids for a few hours. 

Cross-country skiing is so peaceful. I love the quiet hush of the snow and the cool air in my lungs. As corny as that sounds, it is so serene. 

It was the perfect date for us. Some chatting and laughing and some easy silence that seems to come with being with someone for ten years.  It's such a gift.

"I come to find a refuge in the easy silence that 

you make for me. It's okay when there's nothing 

more to say to me. And the peaceful quiet you create for me. The way you keep the world at bay." 

-Dixie Chicks "Easy Silence" One of my faves. 

Date #1 was quick but so refreshing. Lots of gliding and easy silence. Date #2 was much more adventurous, like the pre-kids days of skiing. We decided to head up a canyon. No one around, the warm sun shining down, the Sawtooth peaks, and each other... perfect.  

Going up the canyon was a good workout and coming down was so funny. If you've ever cross-country skiied, you know that when you go downhill, you just hold on. So, we put bets on who would be covered with more snow. Both of our bets were on me. We were right. Travis is crazy and just goes for it. I'm more cautious and will just fall instead of heading straight towards a tree. Call me crazy. ;) But we both had our fair share of falls and LOTS of laughing at each other. That's good for any relationship, right? 

Skiing without kids feels like our beginning days together. It was so fun to be together doing what we love.

But the best part? Getting to go get our three beautiful children who were so excited to see us- like we'd been gone forever.