4 Months and Growing!!

Stella Jean,

Today is July 12th, which means you are officially a 4 month old! You have had a TON of first this past month monkey! You now love to stand up! Which gets pretty tiresome for your daddy and mommy, so we broke down and bought you a Baby Einstein activity jumper, you love it! We don't let you spend too much time in it just yet, I only really put you in it when I need to shower, do laundry, dishes, or anything else that requires both hands and possible bending... Otherwise you're still quite content being wrapped up to mommy, or held. You have become quite the little chatter, talking almost ALL day long, nonstop... currently your daddy is holding you, and you have half your hand shoved into your mouth, but, your still talking, it's pretty awesome. You even seem to talk back sometimes when we talk to you, it's pretty funny when I ask you a question, and you actually seem to answer! I know you have no idea what i'm asking, but your sounds are starting to mimic ours enough to make it sound like your talking, we love it.

Baby girl you've become quite the little sleeper also, another thing mommy is extremely grateful for. Some nights you'll let us put you down in your co-sleeper next to me, some nights I give up after 11pm and bring you to bed with me, either way, you'll sleep well wherever you are, better when you're next to me. You also love to follow me around the bed, which really scared me at first, now I think subconsciously I know you're there, so I wake up with my arms around you, and you curled up against me. It's such a wonderful feeling waking up with you, and to see your huge smiles first thing every morning melts my heart. I cant imagine not waking up to those smiles, they set the mood for my entire day.

Other new things you've become pretty great at this month?

Traveling. We drove to Seattle again, and then to Portland for a friends wedding. You did fantastic in the truck every time! and you loved staying in your first Hotel, The Benson, in downtown Portland. Thankfully Auntie drove up to hang out with you during the wedding, or mommy would have missed the entire evening, you were quite chatty and sometimes fussy. (Thanks Auntie!!)

Boating. You went on your very first boat ride this month! and your second just last weekend. You love the boat! and love being on the water. We are so thankful that you enjoy your life jacket, the waves and bumps (go figure huh), the sound of the motor, and all the other things that make a day on the water fun.

Wiggling. You are a mover. Have been since the first time we saw you on the monitor in the doctors office, you were wiggling away, and I'm not sure you've ever stopped. You can move yourself in a full circle in just a few minutes. You roll from side to side constantly. You've even rolled from back to tummy a few times! You can scooch now also, pushing yourself along the floor on your back, The other day you even moved yourself a little bit forward while on your belly, you lifted your leg up to your side and pushed, and off you went, a couple of inches albeit, but you still moved your body forward! I couldn't believe it, so I took a quick video, which i'll be sure to post soon.

I'm sure there are a ton of this i'm forgetting, but it's getting late, and you and daddy are fast asleep. I really should join you both, so for now, I'll leave you with an I love you Stella girl. You are my world, your daddy's light, and the joy of our family. Keep on growing like a weed, keep on making us smile every minute of ever day, and keep on being our perfect baby girl.

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

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) :)

Don't forget to check out our awesome first giveaway! 

and show some love, click through for a vote :)

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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Vacation Time! and my first GIVEAWAY!

Checkin' out Grandpa Thomas

And showin' him how well she can stand

An Awesome puppy cupcake stand at the Auburn market

Pammy with a bunch of pretty glass flowers

And at a booth of fun signs and bird houses

4 generations here. My Grandma Rea, My mom, Me and Stella (who wasnt quite happy about getting more pictures taken)

Stella with her Great-Grandma Grisham

So... When I was about 6 months pregnant with Stella, I found this adorable crochet book for animals and asked my grandma if she would be willing to make Stella the animals in the book. She thought they were great, and now Stella has a huge stash of crochet animals made with love for her by her great-grandma, something we hope to keep forever and she can pass down to her kids one day. Grandma loved these animals so much, that she kept making them, and now has this huge stash of her own! She makes several animals a day, She's incredibly talented and these are easy-peasy for her. She has found another book, with more animals, and also creates animals from pictures, she's that good! So, keep scrolling down for my first ever giveaway, featuring my grandma's animals! 

Stella hangin' with Great Grandma and Auntie.

My beautiful mama

relaxin' with daddy

Playing out in the yard with daddy and grandpa

Hi friends!

Abby Waiting for a toy to be thrown

Stella, Momma and Grandma

Happy girl!! Stella loved visiting with her great grandparents!

We think Stella has a lot of my grandpa's looks in her, I see it in the nose, and face kinda... 

This is her new thing, feeling faces, she loves grabbing chins and mouths and noses

Great-Grandpa checkin out his newest great grand baby

I'm pretty sure were all laughing because Abby had just licked Stella's face, it's always pretty hilarious :)

SO... Now for our first giveaway info!!! As you've seen me post many times, particularly here, and in some pictures here ,  These little stuffed animals are awesome! Stella loves her's, she'll stare at them for every, and is now holding them, chewing on them, and knocking them over. They are so fun!! My grandma is thinking of starting her own Etsy shop to sell these fun and baby safe animals, so I thought I'd do a little feedback to see if there would be interest in them, and what better place to ask for feedback than on my blog?! So, she has graciously agreed to make either 2 small custom animals, or one larger custom sock monkey! What a great first giveaway!! 

*These animals are machine washable, and filled with regular cotton batting. She uses hard eyes on the animals and sock monkeys for kids 4 years old and older, babies to 4 years get good 'ol crocheted eyes, so no choking hazards for little ones. 

Here are the 4 ways you can enter:

1. Leave a comment telling me about your child's favorite animal, and colors (2 max), and why they would love one of Grandma's Animals.

2. Follow A Snapshot of Our Life publicly on google friend connect (leave a comment letting me know you already follow or are a new follower)

3. 'Like' A Snapshot of Our Life in Facebook (leave a comment letting me know you 'like' us)

4. Let your friends know about our giveaway by posting a link to this giveaway on your own blog, or link up to our Facebook with this giveaway, be sure to let me know when you do. 

This Giveaway will close on July 18th, 10 days from now. 1 winner will be chosen and will get to choose their favorite animals to be made in their choice of colors. It will take a week or two to receive the animals, since they are being custom made for you. 

Stella napping with all her buddies, including her jumbo sock monkey "ms. pinky" :)

Don't forget to show some love and head on over to vote for us on Top Baby Blogs! The love is much appreciated! :)

Happy Fathers Day!

I want to wish all of the daddy's out there a wonderful and blessed fathers day!

And to my own husband, and new father, happy first fathers day hun! You have been amazing so far with Stella, I could not have asked for a better partner in life, and a better father to her and our future children. Watching you love her, and cuddle her, and make her smile over these past 3 1/2 months makes me so happy. I appreciate all that you do for us, and all that you are as a husband and father. Stella and I love you. 

And a very special happy fathers day to my dad. Thank you for all that you do for us. For being an awesome grandpa to Stella, and for loving Brent, Stell and I. You have always been an incredible dad to Pammy and I, and I love you so much for it! 

And to Brent's dad, Jim. Thank you for being so loving to Stella as well. And for raising Brent to be the loving and amazing father he is now. He gives all of his credit to you and Beth, you truly raised a remarkable man. 

Happy Fathers Day!