travis's project

When Trav said he wanted to build a climbing wall in the studio, I was a little hesitant. I know the climbing holds are extremely pricey, and I couldn't see how we would be able to afford enough for a whole wall.

Trav had a plan, though. He called up a local shop that creates climbing holds. He asked if they would be willing to trade - he could create some molds and they would pay him in product.

The manager was thrilled to have an artist helping. He asked Trav to carve the foam shapes for an ABC mold set. Trav delivered a few at a time so they could start the process. Once the first few molds were created, he got an email raving about what a great job he did.

So here he is, creating the last of the pieces (with moral support from Kapria):

It was a lot of hours of carving, but every time Trav climbs he gets to enjoy the benefits of it. It's pretty awesome. (Once we're sent the complete ABC set, I'll post some photos.)

tweet tweet

Nicole is so incredibly talented. I love the things she makes. This one is no exception:

She named them Henry and Tula. And now I must have one. Good thing we have a baby to enjoy it. But I fear I would have had to get one whether we had a baby or not.

happy nine months, mila!

Ninth month (april 11 - may 11)
 

Milestones:

• Has her own room. We put her in the office, still sleeping in the playpen.
• Sleeps through the night. Now that she's in her own room, if she wakes up in the middle of the night, she cries for a little bit then goes back to sleep.
• Drinks from a sippy cup and drinks with a straw. Whatever cup Kapria's using is the cup Mila wants.
• Likes any food she tries, including oatmeal, cottage cheese, hard-boiled eggs (a favorite), strawberries, bananas (another favorite), oranges, broccoli (fave), and bagels.
• Scoots in circles on her bum.
• Shakes her head "yes" and "no."
• Signs "all done."
• Waves goodbye.
• Claps.
• Plays with toys, including the music tables, balls, and baby dolls.
• Likes to sit on Mom's lap and chill.

Growing Growing Growing

date: 5.12.2010
age: 9 months

length: 25 1/2 inches (grew 1/4 inch since 7 mo)

weight: 15 lbs 3 oz (gained 1 lb 5 oz)

head circ: 42.4 cm (grew .4 cm)

by myself

This is why I couldn't believe she was scared to climb a real rock. She loves climbing. She wants to do it all by herself and won't allow us to help her at all. And she does it! She climbs to the top of the wall at home all the time. Way to go, little girl! You make us so proud!

babies

Mila loves her baby dolls. If she finds one, she has to look for the other. She thinks she can only be happy holding both babies.

Heartfull: Seeing my baby carrying her baby dolls.

it's the dress

Kapria got dressed in her "Cinderella" dress.
Then she walked out of her room.
She stood in front of me and held out her hand.
"Shall we dance?" she asked.
Me:
Me: Where did she learn that?
"Mom, let's dance!" she repeated.
Me: "I'd love to!"

oh what do you do in the summer time...

Kara stopped by one sweltering afternoon

to see if we wanted to come over and play.

Of course!

We packed up and headed down the street to play in the sprinklers. The girls had so much fun together. Age-wise, Madison (1 year 9 mo) is right in the middle of Mila (9 mo) and Kapria (2 yr 8 mo). It worked out well because Maddie adores babies, Kapria likes taking care of younger kids, and everyone likes playing outside. And, Kara and I even got to chat for awhile together -
win/win all around!

girls week: day one

Monday, June 7

Trav left for the High Adventure trip with the scouts. It was just us girls for a whole week. We decided to go to the duck pond park. It was windy and cool.

We watched the baby ducks following their moms across the pond. One mom had eight babies. Another mom had five. Another had one. The moms with eight and five were mad at each other and the five-baby mom chased a few of the eight babies away. Quack, quack, snip. She was kind of grouchy.

We liked the mom with one baby the best. She sat near us but not too near and let her baby wade in the shallow part of the rocks and watched the other moms fight. Non-confrontational, I think. Enjoying her one baby. I was sad for her. What happened to the others? Were there others?

We said goodbye and I walked with my babies to the playground. I'm pretty sure that no matter how confrontational or quiet or overly tired or overwhelmed with counting those mamas feel, they love all their baby ducks - be it one or five or eight. Or two.

I sure love mine.

we love cousins

Yesterday I was showing Kapria the birthday invitation I put together for Weston and Tave’s party. It’s a ninja turtle theme.
She said, “I want one like that!”
I said, “When your birthday comes, we can make any kind of invitation you want. And guess what – we’ll be in California for your birthday! So Nonny Kare and Grampa Dan can come.”
“And Weston and Tave?”
“No, they won’t be able to come. They’ll be in Utah.”
“No!” she yelled, then she started crying.

This move will be hard for all of us.  Good, but hard.

And on that note, we’re so glad Nicole, Jeff, West, and Tave are headed home this week! We can’t wait to hang out as much as possible for the next 7 weeks.

you do that, mom

Sunday, June 6.
Sacrament Meeting

I had thought all day that maybe I should bear my testimony, but I couldn’t decide. Then my friend got up and talked about how she feels the nerves when she’s supposed to bear her testimony. I thought, “I feel the same way when I’m supposed to! Am I feeling that? Kind of, but…it’s almost the end of the meeting. I don’t really need to get up.”

As soon as my friend sat down, Kapria looked at me and said, “Should you do that?” I said, “What?” She said, “Go up there. Should you do that?” I said, “I don’t know. Should I?” She said, “Yes! You do that, Mom.”

Well, there was my answer. I had to be told twice what I already knew before going to church.
So, we went up together and I bore my testimony. I'd like to share it with you too:

I know that Heavenly Father watches over us and guides our lives. I know that as we pray – and we pray for specifics – he answers us specifically. We have been praying for some pretty specific things lately in regards to this move and Travis going to school, and one by one God has been answering those prayers. Not always exactly how we expected, but he IS listening and answering. I know that as we follow his will in our lives, we are happier and more at peace. I am so comforted by the knowledge that he will always guide us. I don’t have to be scared, because he will make sure my life is the best it can be. I need ony have faith and trust in him.

I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and that President Monson is our prophet today. If we follow their teachings, and the teachings of the apostles through conference talks and Ensign articles, we will be happiest. I know our Savior loves us and helps us. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I felt the Spirit tell me those things were true. I have seen so much the hand of God in our lives lately, and I’m grateful to him for guiding us.

Later that day we grabbed Trav's camera and took the girls to a cool spot for some photos. The photo opp didn't go very well. But Kapria decided the tripod was her microphone. The rest of the night she kept doing this:

She said, "I'm bearing my testimony!"
I love hearing what she has to say.

visiting peyton

We had a girls' night at Aimee and Peyton's house. Kapria and Peyton played so well together. They ran around the house chasing each other and laughing. And Peyton was so sweet with Mila. I loved hearing her laugh. It is one of the cutest laughs I've heard. I still can't figure out how to get a video to work on blogger anymore, so I can't post it. But you'll have to hear it sometime!

I was so glad to talk with Aimee for awhile. We used to see each other every day, but since we became moms and work more at home, we don't get to see each other nearly as often. Thanks for the fun night, Aimee! I miss you!

taking after her mom

Everything lined up.

Everything in its place.

Kapria's handiwork always make me smile.

keep 'em coming

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us. If all goes well in the next couple days, we will have sold our home! I'll post more details later, but please keep those prayers coming. The Lord is listening and answering.