Afton's new kitty!

Six Long Years and California

I can't think of a better place than the beach to spend a wedding anniversary. Brett and I have been married six years! We have been through a lot and are fortunate to still hold hands once in a while - especially after the journey to Cali.
We left at night thinking Afton would nurse and sleep on the plane. The Salt Lake airport wasn't too bad but for some reason neither of us had eaten dinner and therefore were already grumpy. We boarded the plane and Afton was already acting tired. We knew Afton would most likely be into everything and saying hi to everyone as usual but for some crazy reason we thought our plan might work. I fed Afton during take off and she DID fall asleep until........ I moved my seat back (which was about ten minutes after she fell asleep). Well that woke up her so now she is awake and sooooo sleepy she can't keep her eyes open. But somehow she did. She was glassy eyed and fussy and Brett and I just kept looking at each other. We really wanted our first plane ride to go smooooothly! Anyway - she stayed awake the entire flight and once we landed in L.A. we couldn't wait to get off the plane. Oh Wait - we aren't going anywhere! The pilot said there was a "plethora" of problems and we would be unable to exit the plane for quite some time.
Well sometime ended up being almost 45 minutes later!
Once off the plane we grabbed our bags and headed to catch the shuttle to the rental car company. 10 minutes, 20 minutes 30 minutes and Afton is still awake in her stroller in the middle of LAX. If anyone has been there it is loud, stinky, and dirty. By now she looks completely stoned, her eyes glazed and her arms slumped over the front of the stroller. Aghhh
Talk about feeling helpless - all I wanted to do was scoop her up and deliver her from this madness.
So onto the rental car - not coming. We checked our reservations on the phone and they said they had us down and were picking us up. The only thing they forgot to mention was that they CLOSED at 11:00 and didn't care if our plane was delayed. So now we are jumping (in slow motion) onto some random shuttle and we end up at Budget Rent a Car. We walk in to a line - it's now around 1 am and wait our turn only to have the guy behind the desk tell us we have to CALL THEM to make a reservation. What the....
So we are standing in front of the Budget guy calling to make a reservation. We finally get it worked out and then they brought out the 'toy' car seat and I wanted to cry. You should have seen it. Nasty and little and awful.
So... plane fiasco over, rental car rented, baby who did finally sleep through the rental car mumbo jumbo is awake again and it's off to find food. McDonald's has never tasted so good.
Bellies full - off to Dana Point which I probably failed to mention is still an hour away. So we reached our final destination around 3 am. Only three hours off track. Needless to say by the time we arrived Brett and I weren't happy.
Happy Anniversary my #%$!
Moving on - we got over it and had a fun vacation and we even ventured out for a little dinner for two! We are grateful to have a new addition this year and we love every minute with her. I couldn't ask for a better husband and he is an AMAZING dad to little Afton!

Afton LOVES her cousins Tally and Holden!

Brett and Tally riding the waves in California!

Bear Lake

Afton doesn't like to wear her sunglasses so this was a rare moment caught on film. She is also very unhappy with her life jacket so this was also a rare moment (tear and struggle free) caught on camera. She did seem to enjoy the boat ride though, especially when I pulled out the cheerios.

Afton LOVES the water. She will splash and play all day long! Bear Lake water is freezing but here in the shallows it seems to be a bit warmer. She wanted to walk everywhere but finally decided to take a minute, sit down and relax with her dad.

Fun family moment - I know - I am not sure why I am posting a picture of me in my swimming suit but the overall picture is just so cute and so fitting of what we spend our days doing. Afton loves to walk. I am so glad this didn't start earlier because she would have been way too little. All day long she grabs my fingers and leads me around the house. She knows where she wants to go and will turn you and guide you until you hit the right destination. I will be glad when she can walk on her own just so I don't have to bend down all day! (not that I have that far to go)

Enjoying some yummy raspberries! Afton loves to eat. Her main staple is definitely cheerios but she also loves raspberries, broccoli, bread, turkey, avocados, yogurt, and well the list goes on and on. I am glad she eats so well. She is a healthy little kiddo!

Another fun dinner at Grandma Keetch's!
The kids LOVED riding around the backyard on the sled!
Afton held on tight the whole time - no matter who else was there.
Kids were getting on and off and Afton held her position!

Nine months

At nine months Afton -

* loves to hold more than one cheerio or toy in one hand at a time

* loves to click her tongue

* loves to clap and will clap when I say Yeah!

* loves to point at birds and airplanes

* is very aware of strangers and family she doesn't see often

* loves to turn the pages in a book when I am reading

* loves to read by herself

* loves drinking our of her sippy cup and a regular cup

* pulls herself to a standing position on the tub, couch, crib

* does a funny kissy mouth

* puts objects in and out of holes, openings, containers, etc.

* loves to eat pea pods, raspberries, broccoli, and grapes

* will inspect a single blade of grass by turning it around

and passing it from hand to hand

* changes expression in her voice using high and low sounds

* loves cruising in her walker

* wants to walk around holding mommy and daddy's fingers

* puts her fingers in her finger puppets

* has a large array of facial expressions

* puts rings on and off ring holder

Goin' in for the kill... I mean cauliflower!

Father's Day

Sleep

The last few weeks have been soooo long. Afton went from a cold to an ear infection to a double ear infection. She couldn't breathe and then she couldn't sleep and it just got worse from there.
During those first few days Afton's schedule became completely messed up. She was waking up four or five times a night (I don't blame her) and her naps were a mess.
Brett and I were exhausted and Afton was miserable.
Originally the doctor prescribed an oral antibiotic but we moved straight from that into the double ear infection so Afton had to have antibiotic shots. Poor snuggy buggy! The third day we went in for shots she started to cry just looking at the nurse. Luckily she doesn't ever cry for long. But you know that moment when they look to you for help and you're trying to avoid eye contact while you hold them down? AWFUL! I dread that moment.
Anyway, Afton's ears finally cleared but her sleeping habits were a wreck. It was like having a newborn all over again (and you all know how much I loved that).
Brett and I read a wonderful book called, 'Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems' and Afton has slept through the night every night since then. Her naps are also much easier than before. I think we are all struggling to get caught up on our sleep and at this rate we might just make it.

American Fork Canyon Cookout

Afton loves chillin in her stroller - she likes to kick back and put her feet up! What girl doesn't?

To daddy's delight, Afton is already displaying some creative finger holds. Just wait until she hits the rock!

Daddy and little buggy Afton!

Our beautiful fire which we used to warm our Cafe Rio burritos. We were really roughing it!

Tracy Aviary

Afton was fascinated with the birds! She was a little cautious but mommy stayed close by!

This was a cage full of birds. We thought about going in but decided to let Afton enjoy from the safety of her daddy's arms!

This was the gosling that bit Afton on the toe. Scared her a little!

A huge peacock was behind Brett on the fence. Afton loved to watch it and listen to the loud sounds it made.

Why oh why?

Why is it that the smoke detector only beeps uncontrollably in the middle of the night?
Is it not capable of beeping during the day? Why couldn't it beep when the sun is shining and
everyone is happy, fed, and awake? And why does it continue to beep even after you've changed the batteries. These are the questions Brett and I had at 3 this morning. Afton slept through the first 30 minutes and just as Brett had the situation under control it beeped again and Afton was up. So now Brett is off to bed and I am awake with Afton. Did I mention this was going to be the night Afton slept until morning? She has had an ear infection and hasn't been sleeping well. I was so excited for a good night sleep. Ugh!
Anyway, at about 4 Brett was sound asleep in the extra room and I brought a somewhat sleepy baby into bed with me. I was finally able to tickle her face and make shushing sounds until she was asleep. Whew - my turn.
For some silly reason I thought Afton might sleep in a little bit. I know, I am CRAZY to think that because of course she was wide awake at 7 and I was ready to cry!
So, the moral to this story is make sure you change your batteries regularly or disable your stinkin' smoke detectors!
I am sooo looking forward to climbing into bed tonight!

Why Fight it?

Why fight it?
By 'it' I mean everything.

Here are the top 10 things Afton loves to fight:

Snuggling
Wearing her hat (this is new)
Having her face wiped off
Wearing socks
Facing toward you
Tummy time (although she will intentionally roll onto her belly now)
Napping
Carrots
Losing anything she is holding
Medicine

Ok – frustration vented, here are the top
ten things Afton loves:

Being with mommy
Nursing
Sleeping all night in her crib
Daddy's silly dancing
Making noise (with her mouth or an object)
Reading books
Eating rice cereal
Going for walks
Touring the yard with dad
Watching the birds

I LOVE these moments - when you capture an emotion so strong you can feel it!
Every time I see this picture I clench my teeth. She's so cute I just want to squish her!

Afton is now 7 months old but I wanted to post my six month page. I decided a while ago that I loved digital scrapbooking but since then I have completed quite a few pages the old fashioned way. I have really enjoyed making these pages and the end result. So... I am still torn but for now I am sticking to the non-digital approach.

Anyway - Afton is growing so fast. She has reached many milestones and continues to amaze me! I love these pictures and wanted to remember her at this fun age. (Brett hates the headband but I was able to sneak a few pictures with it on. :)

Staring contest!

I am so glad my parents live nearby. I am also glad they are excited and willing to be involved in Afton's life. They love to visit and call. They always invite me over and buy fun new toys for Afton to play with. They do all the wonderful things grandparents do! I don't know what I would do without their support, help and advice!

And Afton... well, she absolutely LOVES them!

Family photos!

"It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like, "What about lunch?""

Winnie the Pooh

Darn Girl Scouts

FINALLY -
They are gone. I actually felt some relief as I swallowed the last bite of the last cookie. They are no longer lingering around waiting for me to find them after everything I eat.
A piece of toast... and a cookie, an apple...and a cookie, dinner...and a cookie. OH MY GOSH!
Pre-pregnancy they would have rotted before getting eaten.
I blame the gestational diabetes, oh and the nursing. Sometimes I am ravenous and having been deprived of sugar I seem to have developed a problem. Great! Now I not only have gravity and age working against me but sugar cravings as well!

Miss You

Is it possible to miss someone even when you are with them?

Today I met a friend at the park and Afton fell asleep. She slept through us sitting on a blanket, soaking up the sun, going for a walk and the drive home.

All the way home I kept thinking - I miss her.
I miss her little smile, her wiggly body, and the way she
loves to look at everything. Silly, I know!

When I got home and got over the guilt of having had her in her car seat for so long I was so glad to see she was awake. She was smiling and rested. Her little hands were waving around and I couldn't get her out of her car seat fast enough.

It's a funny feeling - missing someone who is right beside you.

For the last few months I have been torn between digital scrapbooking vs hands-on. (I know - me scrapbooking at all is funny) I am not terribly creative and get extremely frustrated working on simple projects. Anyway, I started a scrapbook/journal using paper, glue, scissors, etc. and I was excited about my work until... I gave in and decided to try my hand at digital.
Ok - I LOVE digital scrapbooking.
Somehow it seems sooooo much easier, less time consuming and the finished product always seems to look better. The only problem is the printing. I have found a few places that will print a 12 by 12 but they are usually around $3.50. Yikes! Is that worth it? My other options are to print them smaller and mount them on a 12 by 12 so they will still fit into my existing scrapbook. I don't know, but I will continue to go digital for now and use my hands-on creativity for other projects. Any thoughts or tips would be great!