our next chapter starts now

Well, it's happened.  We are officially moving.  This  last month has been quite a rollercoaster but finally it's slowed down.  Now it's time to hop off one ride and get on with the next.  We have been packing like crazy the last few days so we can be out tomorrow night.  It's bitter-sweet.  There are so many things I will miss about this home and our neighborhood, but I am excited for the next chapter of our lives.  So, on to packing (and crying)...just wanted to give a little update.

oh bailey

I figured since I posted pictures of Emmy the other day, now it's Bailey's turn. 

I can't believe how smiley this little girl is...and how chunky she is too!  I am loving this super warm weather so I can put her in tanks and show off all her cute rolls! 

She is such a great sleeper!  Since she was about 2 months she's been sleeping about 11-12 hours each night without waking.  She takes good naps too.  I know she's got enough sleep when I can hear her talking in her bed.  She's happy when she has a good nap.  Lately, she's been a tummy sleeper too.  It worries me a bit, but I check her frequently.  

Bailey is such good baby. She rarely cries, so I know something is really wrong when she does cry. Although, lately she's cried a bit more than usual and it's when I walk out a room or she's been in one place for too long. 

She is just so darn happy!  Sometimes all is takes is for you to look at her or even just say her name and her WHOLE body tenses up because she's smiling so big!

Bailey seems to be growing and changing by the minute these days!  I am so blessed to have such beautiful and fun little girls and although it's hard somedays, I am especially thankful that I am able to be home with them every day!

"emmy wash car"

 I'll be the first to admit it.  I'm not the best at keeping my vehicle clean.  I do pretty good with the inside, but the outside is a different story.  I figure the rain is a good free car wash now and then.  Well, once or twice a summer I get out the buckets, rags and soap and give it a good scrub.  Of course Emmy loves to "help."

She loves anything outside...and playing with the hose.  I put her swimsuit on her the other day and we washed and washed.  When I took this picture of her it looked familiar to me....

...I looked through my photos from last year and found this one of Emmy helping me last summer.

Yup, one year later and she can still fit into the same swimsuit.  She hasn't gained but maybe a pound over the last year.  She has grown a bit more hair and added some heighth though.  And look at the first picture, now she sits on the seat while "driving" and she even put her seat belt on!  She sure is learning from what we do.

summer days

The house I grew up in has a big hill out back.  It was perfect for sledding in the winter and putting out the slip 'n slide in the summer!  I remember it wasn't uncommon in the summer for the hill to have a big long dry spot in the grass from where the slide was enjoyed! 

Brian's parents have a fun hill at their place and decided to try out a slip 'n slide on it!  It was a lot of fun....for EVERYONE!

GO JEAN GO!!!

After a few times down with a buddy, Emmy got brave and wanted to go by herself!  After her first solo run she said, "emmy more!"

Our family run! 

Then we all cooled off with a patriotic treat...fitting since it was the 24th of July :)

Next time I'll be sure to bring my suit so I can enjoy the fun more!  Sounds like a longer, wider slip 'n slide is in the works.  FUN!  That means races!

expired

I got a notice in the mail about a month ago...the government was so kind to remind me that another 5 years had gone by and it was time for me to renew my license. UGH.

So, for the last month I've been gathering all the required documentation and finally, my sweet dad came up to watch the girls so I could go smile for the camera, read a line of letters and tell them "yes, I can see the blinking lights."

I heard it was a nightmare to renew these days so I made sure I was prepared(in fact, turns out I was a bit over prepared. Better safe than sorry right). I filled out the application online before hand. I left the "weight" line blank till the very end. I wasn't sure how many pounds I wanted to subtract without it being totally obvious I was fibbing. I settled on 3.

 

I would be lying if I said I didn't really care about the photo. For a few days now I've been pondering what to wear. I figured this picture is going to be staring at me each time I open my wallet for the NEXT 5 YEARS, I wanted to at least look like I cared about my appearance. I didn't want to over do it though. I decided against rhinestones and too much jewelry. I went with black. I figured it would look nice with the blue background. Now, how much make up? I didn't want my lipstick color to scream "look at me, I got all dolled up" but I wanted a little color - a nice pink gloss? Now, what about the smile???? Yes, I practiced. This morning I practiced and practiced. I'd smile, then look in the mirror to see if I got the look I wanted. When I finally got "the smile" I held it and memorized how it "felt" to smile that way so when they told me to look at the camera, I'd be ready.

Well, after about 1 hour and 15 minutes after walking in the DMV, I left with a nice piece of paper that will serve as my license till the lovely official piece of plastic arrives in the mail.  As for the picture...wish I could have kept my last photo.  I don't think any of my "preparations" helped me a bit.  For the next 5 years I will have to look at an older, larger me (good thing I didn't subtract any more pounds...they all show in my face).  Maybe I can just "misplace" this one? 

"roasting"

Not only have we been roasting because of the summer heat, we did some roasting at my parents recently too!  It was Emmy's first hot dog roast!  We had good weather and good food! 

Of course we had s'mores too! 

I hope we can get together and do more of these roasts this summer!  I think a hot dog over the fire, some potato chips and a few s'mores is the absolute PERFECT summer meal!   

tummy time

Bailey is pretty much a "pro" now when it comes to rolling from her back to her tummy! Now she just needs to figure out how to roll from tummy-to-back!  Emmy did the same thing...mastered the back to tummy roll but would then get "stuck!"  She'd put her arms back towards her legs and lift her head real high like she was some sort of fish.  Bailey does exactly that!  Now, Bailey's naps are shorter because she rolls on to her tummy and panics and it wakes her up.  Can't wait till she figures out how to keep the rollin' goin'!

Arms back, head up...ready for take off!  Maybe I should try this sometime!  I'm sure it's a great ab and lower back workout!

Emmy is such a proud sister!  Bailey laughs the hardest and smiles the biggest at Emmy these days!



brian's day

Brian was at scout camp on his actual birthday so we did our celebrating a few days late.  No big deal though!  We had a yummy meal with family, ate cake, opened presents and just enjoyed the summer day!

Happy birthday Brian!  We love you more than anything!