Family Update

I have officially driven on the LIE (Long Island Expressway). Of course, it had to come because of a medical order not to drive for Don (don't worry, he's all good now), but I did it!  Ironically, this picture was taken by Don right before a big truck decided it wanted to be right where I was and started coming over into my lane.  As nerve wracking as it was for me, you can imagine how it was for Don in the passenger seat. 

Speaking of my dearest Don, we got Rebekah a new toy.
It holds Don's attention very well....  

In fact, where is Rebekah?

Well, where ever she is, she's probably teething on something.

Her crib for example:

She sure is growing.  She use to fit under this piano bench.  

(Don't worry, I put the camera down before she got really frustrated.)

She is good at exploring too.  In and out of the coffee table - all in a hard day's play.

She loves to read.  She's reaching for my British History section.  That's my girl....

And she is working on her block stacking. 

(Yeah, I know, I'm definitely a new mom when I take a picture of her organizing her blocks, 

but it was the first time she placed them all in a nice row!)  

She loves a good post lunch / pre-evening bottle play time outside. 

And to close, Rebekah will leave you with a song:

"And I - ee - I - ee - I will Always Love You...!"

Trip to the Beach

Mama's visiting teachers decided it was important for mama and me to get out of the house.  So, one Wednesday morning we went to West Meadow Beach!  Miss Terri came and picked us up.  They had a hard time getting my fancy car seat in the van.  It was fun to watch them.  Miss Terri's kids were great helpers.  Finally we were on our way.  It was past my nap time when we left and in spite of our desire to stay awake, Horsey and I fell asleep before we got there.  The rest of the group left the car VERY QUIETLY so I would not wake up.  Mama waited with me.   

Then I finally woke up!  I was hungry! Mama took me to join the rest of the group and we ate some pears and oatmeal.  Mmmm... pears and oatmeal.  But I was so excited I couldn't eat much.  It was a good thing too 'cause Miss Terri tried to get me to eat dirt.  Mama said no, but Miss Terri said it was bound to happen sooner or later and it might as well be sooner.

Miss Robyn took this picture right after the dirt incident.  Do I look like I want to eat dirt?  Really Miss Terri.  SIGH.... 

(This is also when mama realized how "un-intelligent" her phone is.  Miss Robyn's phone camera is SO much better than mama's!  Dad has been talking about getting "smart phones" and mama has been against it - not wanting to spend the extra money each month - but now, seeing how much better and more clear my adorable pictures COULD be, she is finding herself thinking about it.  But remember, it's not about her, it's all about me and my utter cuteness!)

See - compare the quality - I know it's a different picture but SERIOUSLY!

Here's some good ones of me and mama.  

Mama walked me down to the water.  I LOVE the water!  Splash splash splash!

Ah... got to love a good beach off season.  So much room!

Then it was time to go home.  Miss Terri's kids kept me entertained. 

They gave me this football to hold on the way!  It was so fun!

But soon I wanted out of my seat so mama tried to distract me by the old, "what does a cow say.... what does a pig say..." etc.  It wasn't really working until Miss Terri's kids all joined in with multitudes of "MOOOO's" and "OINK's."  It was AMAZING!  

All in all a great trip to the beach.  Thanks for asking mama to go!  You are awesome Miss Terri and Miss Robyn!

Dad's Work

One Saturday in September dad had to go to work.  I was very upset.  Saturday is MY day with THAT DAD!  So, dad took mama and me with him!  It was a long car ride, so I slept most of the way.  After we got there we went into a really big building with a security guard and everything!   Then we went up to dad's office.

Dad left for a while to check some things.  I wanted to look for him but this darn glass was in the way. (Mama says she hopes the glass was clean....)

Then that dad finally returned and we got to spend some one on one time together!  

YAY for THAT DAD!

11th month

10 Months Old

44 

45

(I know it's the same outfit. I use to be so much better at coordinating this.)

46

47

(Couldn't decide between the two 47 week pictures, so I put them both.)

Here's the highlights:

Two new teeth!  That makes 8 total.  

She is becoming more picky about what she eats.  She is not liking cereal any more.  If I had a dollar for every bowl she tried to kick, pull, push, flip out of my hand... I'm trying to find more new things to feed her.  Wish me luck.  She wants to eat what we are eating - for the most part (she didn't like the sweet and sour sauce on the rice).

She is beginning to play with purpose - she put a block on the window ledge, then picked up another and put it next to it and so forth and so on until she had a nice straight row.  Then she began to stack on top of the row.  She has started to organize the shape blocks by color.   She has even started to try and put things away - put toys back in my diaper bag or back in the container it came out of.  That's my girl! Mama's so proud!  

Her sleeping skills have made great headway.  But we as parents have learned a thing or two:
One binky in the crib at night is not as good as FOUR;
Rebekah's door should remain closed at night;
Front door opening will wake up baby; etc.
Oh, and we have also learned the difference in crying:

'cause she wants her binky: 

"wah, wah, moan, wah, WAH, wah, moan... sniff... 

(clink of the binky as she fumbles to put it in her mouth...) 

Zzzzz...." 

'cause something is wrong:

"WAAAAHHHHH!"(repeated several times and increases dramatically in volume 

until parent comes in and comforts, then it gradually decreases...).  

She is starting to take bigger more confident steps, but has not walked without having something to hold on to (coffee table, mama's pants, etc).  

And finally, she definitely knows what she wants.  If only I could understand her.  My amazing sister-in-law teaches signs to her babies.  I have been trying to do the same, however, despite my ability to confidently teach 90 middle school choir students at once, I find that one 10 month old is more than I can handle.  But I'm certainly having fun while I try.

I love to see her personality coming through.  And believe me, it is.

Oh, and a shout out to my amazing husband.  He always saves the day when I feel I'm gonna loose it.  What a sweet man I married!  And he's nice to look at too!  

444 Months Old

Birthday post.  I figured since I finished the 4 bags of M & M's my dearest Don got me for my birthday, it was way past time to blog about it.  (In my defense, Don helped a little with the M & M's....)

I woke up birthday morning to this

4 bags of M & M's, a Twix bar, Lindor truffles, a sleep mask (to help sleep off the sugar high...?) and a new toy for Rebekah.  (The toy lasted just over 2 hours before Rebekah proved too much for it.)

Kayla texted that Don should make me dinner.  I texted back "but I want to live..." :D  Don did bring home dinner from my favorite Thai restaurant.  I was going to take a picture of it but it looked so good I forgot and just ate it.  It was a lovely salad with a peanut dressing and mango with sticky rice for dessert.  Don doesn't like Thai food so he went there just for me.  What a nice surprise!

Then Saturday morning Don, Rebekah, and I went out to look for some birthday plants.  

Here's the small one

Here's the bigger one (the two toned green one in the back)

I'm working hard to keep them alive, but those of you who know me well also know my less than green thumb.

My mother bought Rebekah a coat for my birthday.  It's nice and warm.  It says 18 months, so it should last at least until next week.  Kidding, of course, but she is growing fast.

I also got two really nice cards from mom Walker (she said she liked them both so she got both of them for me...) and she gave me some cash which I haven't decided what I should spend it on.  Clothing?  Much needed shoes?  A new frying pan?  So many choices....

All in all, a good birthday!

Daniel Stirland Olympics

In honor of my amazing brother Daniel, who I look to greatly, may I present:  

The Daniel Stirland Olympics!  

Many years ago we were sitting outside in the back yard of his house.  I guess he felt like the kids had too much energy for so late in the night, so he played on their genetically handed down competitive nature:  Lets see how fast you can run around the house!  I bet you can't do it in under a minute!  Wow, that was fast!  Let's see if you can beat that score!  I bet you can't run to the swing set, climb up the slide, go across the bars, jump on the trampoline... etc, all while Daniel (and the rest of us) sat and relaxed in the shade.  And, yes, the kids ever so willingly complied, because, well, let's face it - they are related to Daniel.

This time we got an older, updated version in honor of the olympics!

The arm wrestle:  

Love Sam's face!  Grr!  And Abby's strain as she contends with her brother.  Also notice Shelly's face - a mix of laughing and can't believe they are falling for it...  then notice the utter pride on Daniel's... All in all a very expressive picture.

Jumping Jacks

Push Ups 

Nice form guys!

(Sam checking out the competition) 

Sit Ups

Then Sam showed off his upper body strength

While Abby showed off her gymnastic abilities

I don't know about them, but I was exhausted just watching!

Utah - The End

First, a few pictures mama forgot:  

First, Cousin Abby is amazing at the Hula hoop!  She showed me how, but I still wasn't standing too well.  This was all I could do.  

But wait until Christmas Abby!  I'll be back for another try!

Then, the going to church picture

Before we left, I let grandma Stirland feed me.  She did a pretty good job.  She kept smacking her lips and making all these weird yummy noise though.  

Maybe by Christmas she'll have grown out of that.

I also met mama's good friend Misty!  She was a missionary companion of mama's in Louisiana.  They only served together for one month, but had way too much fun!  

Those are her kids.  Gunnar is close to my age.  

I also met mama's Aunt Diane.  

Mama said it was very important to meet her 

because she's a my grandpa Stirland's big sister.  

I had a good chat with her - told her about everything she's missed in the last 9 months.  

Right before we left, uncle Jo decided we needed a 4 generation picture.  

It's a little blurry, but it was early.

Here's us at the airport going through security.  

LONG line, but I did quite well if I do say so myself.

It's funny that the Utah airport was mama's hardest time.  She thought they would be MORE child friendly then JFK or even Indiana (Really mama, who can be more friendly than those Hoosiers? SHEESH!), but the Utah airport was the least friendly and least helpful.  But don't worry, Utah.  Mama still loves you!

Here's us on the plane getting ready for the long flight.

Now, those of you that read faithfully know the trip from Indiana to Utah was made even more wonderful by the neat lady who helped mama take good care of me.  She sang with mama and helped her make bottles.  This trip we were not so lucky.  I will sum up by saying we sat by this mean man who glared at mama every time I made a sound or moved.  Mama spend most of the time in the back where we met a very nice flight attendant who gave me a cup to play with.  On the way off the plane the mean man pushed his way out into the isle and wouldn't even let mama get the diaper bag.  I started to kick his back.  Mama must not have noticed because she didn't even try and stop me.  

On the way off the plane a very nice man helped mama with her diaper bag while she got me in the stroller.  Then it was just a little ride and we met THAT DAD!  I missed him!  Then a long drive home.  But as soon as mama and dad put me in the living room I recognized everything.  I had so much fun exploring the apartment and greeting my toys again!  It was good to be back home with dad and mama.