"What is That?"

You're talking!!! At least we think you are :) About a week and a half ago you started pointing and saying "whadisthat" or "whoisdat" all the time. It is SOOOOOO cute. Everyone is so impressed with you. You are also saying DogDog (and patting your chest to do it in sign language) and Mama. I am so glad I made it into the first few of your first words.

Here are some other cute things you have started doing:

• You love finding your belly button "button" and will point to it on command.
  
• You also have been banging your head on stuff...until you hurt yourself. Then after you stop crying...you start banging it again.. Werido :)
• You give "kissies". Sometimes they are a little slobbery, but you are definitely going in for a kiss. Sometimes Aunt Jennifer tricks you and pretends to cry so you will give her a kiss.
• You got into your first cat fight with another little girl :) You and her were being pushed around (like a train) in a laundry basket. You took Ari's toy and she freaked. You guys started clawing at each other and screaming. I think you won :) It was at your friend Sam's first birthday. Everyone took pictures.
• You love when we play "This little piggy" and pull on your tutsies. Itsey Bitsey Spider is another favorite. You always laugh so cute.
• You LOVE books. Sometimes I find sitting alone in the living room reading a book.
• Bath time is still one of your favorite things to do. You love playing with your little squeaky toys and when mommy sings Rubber Ducky.

So lots going on this past month. We had Thanksgiving at the church in Bluffdale with our family and Aunt Beverly's . Your Uncle Ty, Aunt Nicole and Cambria came to visit from California. You loved having Cambria around although you two did fight over your dollies a little bit. The afternoon of Thanksgiving, you, Daddy and I drove down to Peekaboo photos to get some more pictures taken and to pick up some of the ones we'd already had done. They turned out SOOOOOO cute. Everyone keeps telling me I should have you model :)

We spent some another day with Cambria while she was here. We took you guys to a bouncy gym. You were a little scared of the big bouncy rooms and at first, just cried when we tried to put you down. I had to climb up some of the equipment with you in my arms and then slide down. You didn't love it. But then you warmed up to it and by the end of the day, you were jumping away. (Video below)

We then drove up to see your cousin Chad. You were a little afraid of him, but Daddy kept putting you on top of him. Mean Daddy :)

When we got home you and Cambria got to play together for a while. Everyone took lots of pictures. Thanks to Cambria...you really started walking a ton. You went from a few steps here and there to a full on walker. Such a big girl.

The week after Thanksgiving you took another plane ride. This time we were off to Vancouver to see your Crista. We had lots of fun. Crista had to work on Friday, so we explored the City. You were great in the car. Crista borrowed a playpen for you to sleep in, but I guess you were too excited to have us sleeping in your room. You ended up in Mommy & Daddy's bed each night :) Not very restful for me. You like to kick me in the back and pull my hair...but I still love snuggling you.

We stayed up there for two days and then hit the road. We drove down to Bremerton to see a Seahawks game and so Daddy could introduce you to his friends. He was so excited. We went to Daddy's best friend Matt's parents house. They just thought you were SOOO cute.

On Sunday, Daddy, Crista, Matt and I headed off to Seattle to watch the football game. Against my initial wishes...you stayed with Matt's parents. They were so nice to offer to watch you, but I HATE leaving you with strangers or being that far away from you. Everyone told me I was overreacting, and it turned out they were right. You didn't even miss me :) They said you were soooooo good. You took both of your naps on time and just walked around playing and patting your belly while you walk and sing (you love doing that). You especially warmed up to Tom, Matt's Dad. He was sad to see you go.

The last day of our trip, we too the ferry to Seattle. We got a hotel room and just hung out that night with pizza and the pool. You LOVE to swim and are so cute in your swimming suit.

I sure wish I was better at finding the time to update this blog. It is so important that you know how much joy you bring to my life everyday. You do so many cute things that I could fill a page in this journal daily.

It may be a while for your next entry though because this coming week we are moving. For the past 3 years your Dad and I have remodeled this cute house. This house is very special to us because it was our first home as a family, and the place we brought our precious baby home to.

We sold it and will be moving into a rental for a little while until we find you a new bigger house. It is exciting, sad and scary all at the same time. We love this house, but we know we need more room; so we are moving on. We will move on the 20th, and then you and I are heading to Bama's for Christmas. Daddy will drive down and join us on the 23rd. Then the three of us will drive home to our new temporary housing :)
Bye Bye Sweet House :(


Hang in there this coming couple of weeks. It will be crazy. I love you too much. Mama

(p.s...our camera broke in Seattle.. so no pics :( Boo. Hopefully getting a new one this week)

Halloween, Insta-Care and Shannon (Scary Couple Of Weeks)

Once again, lots to write about it this little update. We have been keeping pretty busy over the past few months.

After your birthday, you had three more opportunities to dress up in our Chicken Costume. First on Oct 24th for Daddy's Uncle Kelly's birthday party; then on Halloween Morning for your second Official photo shoot and then again that night at your friend Sammy's house for trick-or-treating.


We had lots of fun taking you around with the kids to trick-or-treat. You didn't really know what was going on, but you liked watching the kids dressed up in their costumes. Daddy and I dressed up in our farmer costumes to take you around, and I got terrible blisters on my feet. It was all worth it though...you got a big ghost bag full of candy :)

That night we stayed over at Melissa & Stathi's house since they live so far away. When we woke up in the morning, you were coughing like crazy. We were pretty worried because there have been so many cases of the swine flu going around. So Daddy and I hurried to get ready and we headed to Insta-Care. It was your first trip to a place like that.

It was torture. You had to get poked and prodded all over and you didn't like it. They wanted to get an X-ray of your chest. I had to put in you into a machine that was really tight on your chest. You had to be standing up and I had to hold your arms in the air. You were crying and screaming, boogies rolling down your face. I hated every second of it. But we had to make sure you were OK. We made it through...but it was not fun. They ended up giving you a steroid to help your coughing and sent us on our way. The called the next day to say no phenomena and it wasn't the swine flu...just a bit of the regular flu. You were better within a couple day. Thank goodness!!!

The next couple of days we did lots of cleaning to get ready for our company arriving on Friday. We picked Shannon up at about 10:30 on Friday night. She thought you were even cuter than before (of course).

We just went home and hung out that night, so we could get up early the next morning to hit the town. Shannon and I took you to Liberty Park to play with you on the swings. It was lots of fun until Mommy tried to help you walk back up the slide and I pushed you on your face...Fat Lip #2...not good. You loved the swings though and watching the other little kids. We took tons of pics of you as you will see below.

That afternoon, we headed up to Park City. Daddy had borrowed his Uncle Dennis' condo for the weekend. It was a great time, lots of eating, hot tubing and hiking. You were a trooper. I always feel bad when I take you out of your element..but you adjust great. You slept in mommy & daddy's room in your playpen.

On the way back from PC, we decided to take Shanon to Antelope Island. She really wanted to see some buffalo...and did we ever. They were everywhere. We had a picnic (you had your first Chicken Nuggets & Fries), went for a hike, and took pictures of tons of buffaloes.

The next few days Shannon and I took you on lots of adventures. We went downtown to the temple, on top of the conference center, sugar house park, the gateway, and a ton of different grocery and drug stores Shannon had on her "list". All in all, it was good good and busy week. I always feel bad when I have you off your schedule and out of the house so much, but you are a great partner and friend. I love showing you off and had lots of chances this past week.

Shannon left on Friday and you and I spent the weekend cuddling and watching TV. We did go on a run or two (have to get back on the diet) but generally took it pretty easy.

The last couple of nights, you have had a terrible time sleeping. For some reason, you just cry when we put you down at night.. or wake up after you've been down for a while. Sunday night was the worst. I put you down at 10 and you cried until almost 11:30. I couldn't take it anymore, I hate tough love. So I got you out of your bed and I took you to the living room where I pushed two couches together to make us our own big crib. You and I cuddled and watched TV for about 30 mins until you fell asleep. I love watching you sleep...it turned out to be one of the best nights of my life. I just watched you forever...your face is so beautiful!. At one point in the night you woke up and started crying. I realized there was a pillow between us and you couldn't see my face. I moved the pillow..we made eye contact and you stopped crying and went back to sleep. I love how I know that you love me too. You are my best friend. Thanks for putting up with a hectic couple of weeks. You will have many more like that in your life with me. You will find that mommy tries to pack in too much all the time. Hopefully you will love me for it :)

Love you forever. Mama

Now You Are One

Well, we did it. Together we all made it through the first year of your sweet life. What a joy it has been.

We had an amazing party. Everyone turned out and you got tons of toys and clothes. It was a costume party and we dressed up as a family. You were a chicken and mommy & daddy were farmers.

Here is a list of who attended and what you received:
Shannon, Dylie & Duncan Anderson - Bracelets, blocks and stacking rings
Maya, Ella, Zoe, Brenna & Bill Clark - Hoodie, Pants & Shirt
Sam, Alex and Melissa Floor - Sweetest Sweater
Kathi, Charlie, Heather and Lauren Bernstein - Stacking cups & baby books
Darrell Peterson & Eric - Over the top Lion Walker (it was Darrell's birthday too)
Gary, Christina & Evan Merrill - Love to Play Puppy & Winter hat
DaShell & Matt - Cabbage Patch Doll
Rachel Gross - Disney videos, a couple cute winter hats
Aunt JJ (Jen) - Musical Baby Stroller/Walker ( YOU LOVE THIS!!!)
John & Lori Stockinger - Marshmallow Dora Chair
Kim, Jake, Aubrey & Gavin DeBartolome - Darling white fluffy winter boots & Pink Peacoat
Mom & Dad - Cozy Coupe Car, Boots, Shoes, Yo Gabba Gabba dolls, Corelle Baby, Talking Purse
Jessica & Steve Adams - couldn't make the party, but brought you the cutest dress EVER.

We had lots of little kids at the party, and you loved playing with everyone. You hadn't had a long nap that day, so we were afraid you would be fussy...but you were perfect. The kids played pin the stem on the pumpkin and then had a costume contest. Everyone got a prize, but Gavin won the best costume trophy.


We served Pampa's homemade chili in bread bowls, mummy shaped pigs in a blanket, artichoke dip, candy and chips. Everyone had a really great time (at least they said they did :)



You LOVE all of your new toys. You spend hours getting in and out of your car on your own, and then walking around with your lion walker and baby stroller. Your cabbage patch and your other dolly are really special to you. You really treat them like your babies. It is crazy. You put them in the stroller, walk them around, and keep checking on them. Sometimes I find you sitting and hugging them and sucking on their heads. I think you are trying to kiss them.

You got your first fat lip the day after your birthday. You were trying to climb in and our of the car on your own and somehow tipped it over. You were fine though and the swelling was gone by that night.

Two days after your birthday, Oct 22nd, you gave us a wonderful surprise....You Can Walk!!! Not all around the house, but back and forth between me and daddy. It was so exciting. I had you out in front of me, and I let go of you standing. You just all of the sudden took about 5 steps toward me. Jen & I screamed for Daddy to come see. Jen grabbed the video camera, and you just kept walking back and forth between me and daddy. It was soooo great. I had to leave and go to my trainer to work out but called about everyone I knew on the way. I am so proud. You are growing up so fast.

There are many more stories about the past exciting week.. but all I have in me for now. It has been a long day :) You are napping right now and I should be working. So back to work.

I love you my sweet baby. Mama

P.S. - you had a Dr. Appt for your 1 year visit. 23 lbs 1 oz and 30 inches long. You are in the 90th percentile for height. I doubt that will keep up :) And today is Grandpa Bill's Birthday.

Last Day As My Little Infant

Boo hoo....you are growing way too fast. Tomorrow you will be one, and I don't know how I can handle it. It has been the BEST year of my life. It is unimaginable how much things have changed and how much happier I am to be alive :) Thank you for choosing me as your mommy and giving me a chance to know you.

We have had a really really busy month. This is my excuse for not writing in your blog for so long. I am going to try and recap some of our adventures.

First let me start by saying you now have 3 teeth; and you really like to use them. You like to bite mommy's finger, and really enjoy chomping your goldfishies between your top tooth and bottom two. So cute. You also had your first bloody nose. I had to take pictures becuase it was so sad. You are just trying to walk everywhere, but when you let go of the coffee table...down you went.



Here is a quick recap:
Oct 3rd, BBQ at Bill and Brenna's. Zoe, Gavin, Maya and Ella loved playing with you.
Oct 4th, We went to Samantha's baptism. You were a hit with all my work friends. You kept us entertained through the LONG service :)
Oct 5th, Mommy started training with her trainer...so hard!!!
Oct 6th, Aunt Jennifer and Hamlet came to stay with us. You have a Nanny!!! Yippee
Oct 9th, We left for Calgary to visit Annie & Chad for Canadian Thanksgiving
Oct 18th, the first of your birthday parties at Grandma and Grandpa Mangrum's.

So Calgary...travel was a nightmare. We got to the airport on Friday, and were told our flight was delayed and that we were re-booked from United to Delta direct. At first I was excited because that meant no stop over and only 2 hours of travel. We were going to go home for a few hours to see Daddy before leaving. I tried to check in a Delta while you circled the airport with Jen. Very long story short...It took 3 hours, a major baby fit, full on tears from Mommy in front of a ton of people at the airport.. and we finally got on that flight. They weren't going to let us because the two airlines were fighting about how the tickets were issued. CRAZY.

Meanwhile, you and Jennifer are sitting at the park and wait, and the car died because Jen left the air conditioning on while waiting. NIGHTMARE.

You were not a good girl on the plane. Worst ride yet. It's not like you were bad, just restless and I totally understand why. Either way, everyone on the plane loved you. People are always waving at you and you smile big time back at them.

Calgary was FREEZING. I guess they were having a weird cold spell. It was 8 degrees F. one day. But we had a great time anyway. You loved Georgia, Mika, Annie & Chad. We went to the Calgary Zoo and Banff. We took a gondola ride and went in the hot springs. You loved the the hot springs. There was one other baby in there, and he had the same birthday as you.

You sure loved those doggies. You were feeding them like crazy. Annie and I picked you up an Ikea highchair, and your favorite thing to do was drop your food and watch the doggies pick it up. Or you woudl just let them lick your food, and then you woudl eat it. Sick

You had your first Canadian Thanksgiving. Chad cooked a delicious meal and Annie, some homemade pies. You had your first pumpkin pie with whip cream. You loved the whip cream so much, that Annie just sprayed some on your tray the next day. You went in face first to eat it.




The trip home was just as eventful as the way there. In fact, the exact same thing happend to us. This time United told us to stay another night at Annie's and then they would have us no Delta direct in the morning. It was all messed up when we got there. Long story short, the United rep ended up running us all the way to our gate. But we made it and you were an angel. You slept the whole way home. Daddy was sooooo happy to see you. He sure misses you when you are gone.

This is a really long entry. I will leave it at that because I know I will want to write more about your birthday tomorrow.

Love you forever and always. Mama.

You Need A Nanny

So it is going on 3 weeks now without a Nanny. I really thought it would be so easy since you sleep about 4 hours during the day. Well it turns out you only sleep 4 hours when we have a Nanny.

You are really active, crawling all over the place. I think you are safely playing in the family room, and then when I go to find you, you are in the dog dish, or eating the soot out of an old candle(picture below).

Today was my scariest moment yet though. I was working, and you were drinking a bottle of gatorade in the other room (another story). I suddenly remembered that I left the dishwasher open and that you might get a knife out of the cutlery rack. I ran for the kitchen, and who was right by the open dishwasher..that's right..my little mover. You were just drinking you bottle and looking in. So I quickly closed the door and thanking my lucky stars, went back to the office to grab a phone call.

I was probably in there 10 mins when I heard a weird clanging noise. I ran back out to the kitchen and my worse fears were realized....there you were, still drinking your bottle, but with a huge steak knife in your other hand. I freaked. I slowly took the knife from you and just stood there in shock imagining all of the things that could have happened in that 10 mins. I have no idea how you got the knife...but I sure am glad I heard that clanging. I had to call Grandma Julie, Emily & Suzie. They needed to know what a terrible mother I was. Dodged a bullet that time.

OK...so quick recap of the past 2 weeks.

We went to San Francisco to see a Seahawks/49ers football game. You were a great traveler as usual. We went with John & Lori (who fell more in love with you that weekend) and met your Godmother Crista. She bought you the cutest real jersey. You were adorable. We did lots of swimming in the hotel pool, lots of eating out, and you rode the cable cars. You were fascinated with the guys working the controls and everyone on the cable cars were flirting with you. I love taking you out in public :)

We got home from the trip on Monday, and then you started throwing up on Wednesday. You were REALLY sick, throwing up most of the day. Grandma came over to help so I could work. You threw up on her twice. My poor baby. I had to put you on a pedialite and gaterade diet...which you loved.

But after two days of not throwing up, I put you back no food..and then here it game again..more barf :)

Yesterday you seemed OK, so we went for a hike with DaShell and Matt up to Timanogas Cave. What a steep hike. You did great. We went out to lunch and you ate tons of stuff. Later that night night DaShell and I went to see Bryan Adams (s0 good) and you stayed with Daddy to watch football with the guys. When I got home at 10, you were in your diaper, drinking a bottle and being rocked by Matt. You started crying as soon as you saw me and then the boys told me you threw up again. My poor baby.

I didn't want you to sleep alone that night, so I put your playpen in the living room and I slept on the couch. You came up and slept with me on the couch around 4am. I don't mind at all. I know I will miss this time with you as a baby..so I cherish every moment.

You seem to be feeling better today.. thank goodness. I love you too much. Here are some pics from our trip.

Oh What A Night

OK, so I know I just wrote yesterday, but I had to put something in about last night.

I was just getting ready to leave with you on a run. Daddy wasn't home from work yet, and was headed to our friends to work on their deck. So I figured you and I would go for a run, then to BabiesRUs for a little shopping (I can't stop buying for you!!).

Anyway, it was about 6:00 and raining lightly outside. I was just getting on my shoes for our run and Daddy called. "Who hates me" is really all he asked when I answered the phone...I knew something bad had happened. Daddy had taken our little blue SAAB through a big puddle. I guess that knocked one of the belts off the car and it wouldn't run. He was on the side of the road on the freeway between Park City and Salt Lake. He was freakin to put in mildly.

Very long story short...I quickly put you in the car with a bottle and headed off to save Daddy. One small problem..I forgot a diaper...food..or anything because I figured we would just get him and get home. Not what happened at all. We had to wait for a tow truck on the side of the freeway for at least an hour and 1/2. That was after an hour of trying to decide what to do. You had a SUPER wet diaper, and I just couldn't let you sit in it anymore. So I took it off and you were bare bummed playing in the truck on the side of the road. After a while, playing in the truck got boring, so I had to stand out in the pouring rain on the side of the freeway because you liked to watch the cars going by and having the rain on your face. You are so cute.

We finally got home at about 9:30. I gave you some ham and string cheese as a treat for being such a good girl. You rode all teh way home in just your jeans and a onesie. You sat on yoru raincoat in your car seat and just peed away :) You were soaked.

What a trooper. As much as I want to forget that night happened...I am sure we will look back on it and laugh. Love you. (oh yes, and special thanks to Suzie for halting bedtime to call a bunch of tow trucks for us...my American Sister...so sweet)

My Wonderful Traveler

Its has been over a week since I have added to your blog. I really need to get better at doing it. You have had a busy couple of weeks. You haven't slept in your crib on a Saturday night in over three weeks. Aug 28-30th - you were in Bear Lake; Sept 5-7, John & Lori's Cabin in Duschene, and then this past weekend, Park City for Mommy's birthday.

Before starting on the trip review, just a quick note about your party with Harlowe. We took you over to Liz & Casey's house for Casey's birthday. We LOVE to take photos of you with your friend Harlowe. Here is one of my favorites.

On to John & Lori's Cabin. You were such a hit. They love having you come stay at their cabin. You had a nap outside on the deck, and played your first piano. Lori kept all of her toys from when she was a little girl, and you loved playing with them all. The Disney princesses and mini piano were your favorites. You took your first bubble bath (which happened to be the first one anyone took at their cabin). You also had your first spaghetti dinner..which you loved. What a mess!! You were army crawling all over the place and got tons of splinters from the deck. You didn't complain once. You loved playing with all of the doggies, and Chancea just wanted to lick you all over. You were a good girl on both 2 hour drives to and from the cabin. You ate lots of cookies and watched your Baby Einstein videos.

You are also mommy's new running partner. We went running Tuesday - Friday of this past week. Mommy is training for her 5K on Saturday. Daddy has been working evenings on a friends deck, so you and I ran over to their house to visit him Tuesday and Wednesday. You don't make a peep the whole time we are running. You just look all around and then usually fall fast asleep. I love that you are such a great partner. I am motivated to be healthy in shape to teach you how happy that can make your life.

Your Aunt Kimberly came to babysit you Thursday & Friday this week. It turns out that work and a very active baby don't mix. This week you ate a rock, paper clip and then I found you licking the base of the toilet. Sick.


Ok...this is getting long. So this week you are really getting more mobile. You have crawled upright more than once..but just for a minute and then you drop back down to your belly. You can now get yourself up to a sitting position from laying down, and you pull yourself up to standing on everything: the french doors, your crib, the couch. You really think you are an independent little lady. The other night, you crawled across the living room, and went down the stairs head first to the family room. You didn't even get hurt. I just stood by the spot you.

Finally, you and Daddy gave me the best birthday surprise ever. After my run Saturday morning, Daddy had me pack everything for a night out of town. We drove up to Park City where he had borrowed his Uncle Dennis' condo for the night. It was so much fun. Lots of my friends came and we went out to dinner, then back to the condo to hot tub. You were really fun for everyone to play with, and then you went to bed right on time so mommy could play :) You got up nice and early the next day and then we went out and hot tubed with you. It was on low and you loved it. You were dancing and singing away.

I better wrap this entry up. I will include a few of my favorite pics from this past week. I love you tooooo much!!.. Mommy.