Snapshots of our week

So I'm thinking of starting up a new weekend post/photo dump with randoms that happen throughout the week, nothing fancy, just extras that I don't get to blog about throughout the week normally. I find myself with a ton of pictures left at the end of the week, photos from a day spent out back, at the park, cute snuggles with daddy, or even sometimes mommy if I'm lucky. We'll see how this goes, I'm not sure I can keep up a weekend post every weekend...but i'll sure try :)

Now I fully understand the term "sleeping like a baby", She's so cute.

Having fun hanging out side with daddy

and a couple attempts at family photos that didn't turn out so well...

Happy Weekend!

Wordful Wednesday. 4 month photos

Today I finally took a few minutes to get some of Stella's 4 month photos done in her rocking chair, yay! I'm happy when I'm able to get these done within a week of her monthly birthday lol, which was just barely the case this time, she hasnt changed a ton in the 8 days she's been 4 months though, so i'm not too worried. I love taking these pictures, it's been so fun to see how she's growing and changing. She can now sit up in the chair on her own, I dont have to prop her up in the corner or hold onto her while I shoot to make sure she doesnt flop forward or to the side. This shoot she finally took interest in the chair! She just stared at the polka dots and really seemed to be examining them! I only got a couple smiles today, she was very excited about Abby's bringing her toy to her, which is probably one of her most favorite activities now, she loves that Abby retrieves! You should see how excited she gets when Abby is swimming! legs go crazy and huge smiles and shrieks! 

Happy girl watching her puppy

So serious, this is the look she gave me in most of the pictures

totally diggin' the polka dots

This week Stella had her first sorta giggle! It was just a little one, and of course Brent is out of town, so I haven't tried to get another one out of her, I want him to be here. I tried to video it, but whenever my phone or the Flip come out she's mesmerized, its pretty funny how into the cameras she is, future toys i'll have to keep on the high shelf I guess. I'll try my hardest to capture it next time, hopefully with Brent getting the giggles :)

Linking up with parenting BY dummies and seven clown circus for Wordful Wednesday.

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Night Walks to the canal

With the temperature in the low to mid 90's outside now, walks have become more important to us than ever. We usually have to wait until the late evening to head out, and Stella is always draped with a gauzy blanket until out of the sun, otherwise it's a blinding 5 minute walk to the canal for her. But once were down there it's wonderful. Abby loves to swim, it runs in the family I guess, and she's an awesome jumper, with some pretty impressive splashes and retrieves. We have so much fun on our short walks, I really hope one day soon we'll be able to resume the entire 'loop', which is just over 2 miles down the hill, and around the canal back up the hill to our house. I did the loop often during my pregnancy, and walked it every day the week before Stella's arrival, trying to help things get moving. I love the walk, but there is zero shade, no trees, all sun, so it's tough to be out that long in the direct heat, especially for Stella. I think we'll stick to our short evening trips for now. 

mommy checking in on Stell

They were having a 'moment', I love when she looks at him like that.

Just a girl and her dog. This is bound to be one strong companionship between these two, it's love already.

Abby waiting patiently to be allowed into the canal, we make her sit until were close enough to see the water, then she goes charging in, she loves it. 

I love the lighting in this picture, how you can see the sunbeams, I never get this lucky with lighting :)

And now for an awesome sequence of Abby jumping into the water, it's rare that I actually get the launch off the side and the entrance into the water, this is pretty neat (I think) :)

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Our Little Water Baby

We spent last Saturday up at Arrowrock Reservoir with our good friends Jayson and Lindzee on their jet boat, It was Stella's second boat trip with them this month! We have such a great time with them, and loved spending the super hot day (it was 93!) out on the water. Stella got her first taste of 'swimming' in the lake, you'll see that below, I actually rode the tube (which I am super afraid to do, but Jayson is a great driver and understands my fears, thankfully!) and only freaked out once... I thought they were going to do circles, and started screaming and waving for them to stop... turns out they were just trying to get me outside the wake to ride the smooth water... oops :). We swam, Brent fished, and we all had a great time out on the water. Stella LOVES the boat, seriously, I think she maybe fussed once or twice, it was a great day. We've got a little water baby on our hands, maybe it's time to start saving for our own piece of fun on the water. 

First catch of the day! and one of two... it was a sad day fishing... especially because Brent was the only one who remembered their licence... fail. 

Stella says "always wear sunscreen, your lifevest and a UPF 50 hat while on the water!"

and make sure your daddy holds onto you tight over the big bumps

She was chattin' away, loving the boat

and her safety schpeal is done, thanks Stella for the tips!

'aunt' Lindzee driving the boat 

and 'uncle' Jayson relaxin'

Look how cute her tankini is!!! Hard to see really, but she enjoyed it :)

Daddy riding the tube!

And what boating trip isnt complete without a good 'ol nap!? she slept for over an hour while we were docked at our beach, naps are important! 

So, this is how mommy introduced Stella to the water, just toes at first, and gradually going up to her knees... The water was 73 degrees and so warm, how could she not enjoy it!?!

And this is how daddy introduces her, dunks her naked bottom in up to her belly off the side of the boat, lol. She had pooped and we rinsed her off and let her cool down before getting her dressed again. 

She wasnt really happy about being swished around sans pants, lol. 

And now for the epic first wipe out of the day, Brent going feet over head off the tube, and I got almost all of it... enjoy :)

"Picnik Show"

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3 Months and Growing!!!

Stella,

Today you are 3 months old!! You are growing so fast, and have changed so much in the past 13 weeks! You are such a happy girl now, smiling constantly at mommy and daddy, and even people you meet for the first time if you're in the mood. You squeal with pleasure when you see big smiles or when someone pay you special face to face attention. You are such a chatterbox!!! We sit and talk for hours throughout the day, and if we are distracted, you screech and let us know you were not done with our conversation. I have to admit, you make mommy laugh constantly throughout the day, with your many noises and faces you make, you're one hilarious baby girl. You've taken quite the leap on many levels over the last few weeks. You now wiggle and squirm your way all over the place, using your super strong legs to push yourself up and around on the carpet, daddy and I have to watch you carefully to make sure you don't scoot your way into the couch, or make it too far across the room. You also roll back and forth, from your back to sides easily, and once or twice to your tummy, we're thinking you'll be rolling around the room in no time. We are trying to get you to sleep on your own, for more than a couple hours at a time. Last night you actually slept in your travel crib next to our bed, for 4 hours!!! Mommy was so happy!! Hopefully you'll be going almost through the night very soon, with just one feeding in the middle, that would be perfect! Your body is also now absorbing almost all of the food you get from mommy, which means you have taken to only pooping once every 7 or 8 days... which at first scared mommy and daddy a lot, but now we kinda get it's normal, and you're thing, and you're still growing and doing just great, so were not too worried. You love your bath time, and baby massage every evening. You love to snuggle, love your naked time, and love the mirror. We cannot believe how much you've grown and changed so far, and how fast you're developing mentally and changing physically! We are so excited to see what this 3 month of life brings with you, and what changes you'll make over the coming days and weeks. 

We both love you so very much baby girl, 

Love, 

Mommy and Daddy

Spending your 3 month birthday on Jayson and Lindsay's boat on the Owhyee Reservoir 

You LOVED the boat!!! And your life jacket, thankfully!! You took several naps, usually lulled to sleep by the jetboat engine and the bumps on the water.

Chillin' with daddy on the boat, you were so freakin' adorable in your little life jacket!!!  Daddy forgot to get a picture of mommy with you, but that's ok, we'll get one soon hopefully.