I can push up picture session!!!

We recently went to visit Laura again for Chloe's push up pictures. She never fails to amaze us! Check out these awesome pictures of Chloe! I had the HARDEST time choosing which ones we'd buy!

http://www.thesmilehouseblog.com/?p=1649

More updates soon...I know I've been slow recently!

Big weekend

This past weekend was a big busy one for the Crack Team.


Saturday morning was Chloe's dedication. My parents came into town for the service and my Mom even made her dress and brought the necklace I wore for my baptism which also has the ring she had as a baby...so lots of special meaning. At the dedication, there are prayer leaders that have chosen to pray for your child during the dedication process. We were sooooo happy and blessed to have Kirby and Meredith Holmes as our prayer couple. Their daughter Hannah was our flower girl and we admire them greatly as friends, parents, and leaders at our church. I nearly cried when I found out they were our prayer people! They had researched the Greek meaning of Chloe's name and found it to me verdant and green...meaning a plentiful harvest. They took that and prayed that Chloe's life would produce much fruit and multiplication. They read a bible verse and prayed over us. It was really special.















Saturday afternoon Chloe got to swim with her Papa for the first time. He swam her all over the pool in her little starfish float. She LOVED that.

Sunday Chris and I set up Chloe's splash pad in our back yard for the first time. At first we had the bumbo seat sitting in there but it was too high up. So then Chris just held her sitting. Finally we decided to lay her down with her head propped on the edge. She LOVED that. For awhile she kicked, splashed, and had a blast. Then she just sunbathed in her bikini! I wish I had a splash pad!



















Later, we finally got a highchair for Ms. Chloe. We set it up and gave Chloe her first taste of real food...sweet potatoes. We had the camera and flip ready to catch the funny faces but actually she just opened up and tasted the food. She seemed to really like it. So, stayed tuned for more adventures with real food! Enjoy a few pictures from the weekend and click for larger view!

5 months, really, not kidding...

I know I say this EVERY month but really? 5 months? Already? YIKESSSS!!! Time for another baby because what we have here is a big girl! (Ok...just kidding on the next baby thing. Moms, Sisters, and friends don't get too excited. I want my old body back before I take on another one!)

Here is the next round of bear pictures! Chloe is oh soooo sweet. She's talking up a storm, reaching out for me, rolling over as often as possible, sleeping on her tummy, kissing my cheek with an open mouth (wet but sweet), and she's all about eating the breast milk slushie....video soon.

We're back....

We're back from our trip West to Seattle/Tacoma/Easton and it was AWESOME! The weather was soooo fabulous we almost choked when we stepped off the plane to humid Austin. Here's a quick recap and LOTS of pictures:



Thursday, 4:00am - Wake up Chloe to head to the airport. Chloe cries her "I'm annoyed with you" cry of which I am thankful. We're doing something right if our child thinks 4am is as ridiculous as we do.

Thursday, 6:00am - Flight takes off, we've made it through the airport, bag check and security with our extra carry on (Chloe).

Thursday, no idea what time because we were hopping time zones - We hit turbulence. Chris and I are fighting a puke fest while Chloe thinks she's been granted a free ride on a roller-coaster and is laughing with joy. Glad she doesn't take after us here....

Thursday, first lay over - We're starving for lunch, we've been up since 3:45a Central time after all. People in Salt Lake however are eating breakfast. We hit a pub sure they'll have something other than breakfast...forgetting of course that our extra carry on is a minor. Drat. Luckily they let us squeeze into a tiny table outside their front door. We scarf some food and hit the next flight.

Thursday, 2p Central, Noon in Seattle - We land. YES! We made it through our first flight with our baby girl. She did great...we managed. But managing is about all the two of us did prior to having her anyway soooo we were thrilled.

We checked into our hotel and then headed to Tacoma to Dan and Devon's open house. They have this ADORABLE house that was built like 1912 or around there. They've done a ton of work and it is really beautiful. They have no A/C which is foreign to these Texans but I loved that the front and back door could be wide open with out their life savings blowing into the humid abyss. They have a fabulous garden in the backyard with produce to envy as well as two healthy plum trees. Of course everything was green, soft, and alive. Makes our scorched yard seem even more pitiful. We LOVED getting to see where they live and their cute little neighborhood.

Friday morning we got up and breakfast and then headed to the Pike's Place Fish Market.












I had heard so much about it that I had to see it for myself. Chloe loved all the people and colors. I LOVED the flying fish and the beautiful flowers. Chris found a great little place for us to eat seafood and we had an amazing lunch. I had Puget Sound soup and Chris had Salmon. We both ate our entire serving. Sooooo yummy! After a quick stop at H&M (I can never pass one up!) we headed to the mountains.












Friday night was the rehearsal dinner. It was so fun to get to see Chris's friends, some we hadn't seen since our wedding. Of course "the dudes" as the wedding photographer called them gave another toast. At each of their weddings they've done a show stopping toast and Dan's rehearsal dinner was so exception. They did great and were awarded lots of laughs from people who didn't even know what they were getting into with that gang! It was fun to see them in action together.

Friday night and Saturday we were staying in a bed and breakfast called the Knotthole. It is tucked into the mountain and was AHHHH-MAZING! The views were unreal and the decorations in their home were really neat. We were in the Bear room so there were bear decorations placed throughout our room. They really paid attention to every detail. Each room had some homemade shortbread that was FABULOUS. We also had our restrooms stocked with spa quality toiletries. The soap smelled sooooo yummy. Breakfast Saturday and Sunday morning was delicious. AND...it was so great to share the home with Grandma Sally, Kevin, Kevin's Mom, and Tom's Mom. The bed was so comfortable and the whole place soooo relaxing that it was perfect for between wedding activities.













Saturday we basically relaxed around the house, caught up, and had some yummy hamburgers from a local dive. Then in the evening we headed to the Mountain River Lodge for a beautiful outdoor wedding. The flowers were great, the music even better (though we' re partial!) and it was a really sweet ceremony. Dan and Devon are destined for years of happiness. Devon was a beautiful bride! The reception followed with great food, more chances to catch up with Chris's friends, and of course dancing, toasting, and wedding fun. It was a beautiful wedding. I love Devon's style! Sunday we made the long trip home and are super glad to be back! Today Chloe and I are just adjusting....and are about to take a little nap :). Enjoy the pictures, click for a larger view.

Drama - who?!

It should come as no surprise to anyone that around here I (k) am pegged as the "dramatic one." I also think that when someone has so much of a certain feature it makes the others around them appear to have less of that feature. Chris and now even Chloe seem to get off the drama hook. When I try to tell others a story of their drama it's often brushed off....but finally, I have proof! This is one of my new favorite pictures of Chris and Chloe:












Also, I LOVE that Chloe is soooo interested in her feet these days. Check out this sweet one:












Finally, we got a SSSWWWEEETT surprise in our mail box yesterday! Thank you, thank you Aunt Robyn for your most recent AWESOME creation. It is PERFECT for baby yoga today! Chloe and Mommy LOVE Aunt Robyn and her creative gifts!















Have a great weekend! I know we will...60 degree weather here we come...with our snow jackets.

Happy 80th Birthday Mimi!!!

Two weekends ago, as mentioned in a previous post, we headed to Houston for Chloe's first trip away from home. It was my Grandma's 80th birthday celebration. We had family coming in from NY and Georgia as well as family friends from all over Houston. It was quite a fun weekend with lots going on. My Aunt Sheri really knows how to throw a party! With all the new faces, I laughed when my Brudder and Kari called ahead and said they had no expectation of getting a chance to hold Chloe since there would be so many people meeting her for the first time. At first, I thought they were crazy to make such a claim but later was thankful for their understanding as Chloe did meet LOTS of new family and friends. She did great with all the new people, constant activity, and a break from her schedule. Even though we came home EXHAUSTED, we were so thankful that we had made the trip. I'll include pictures from the birthday Luau below. (Thanks Grandma Sally for the perfect Luau outfit for Chloe!).

All too soon, we're headed out again! This weekend we are headed to Seattle for Dan and Devon's wedding. We're so excited to celebrate them and again for Chloe to meet lots of new friends. We also plan on having Thursday in Seattle for just our family on our FIRST ever family trip. Originally it was going to be a family trip with another sweet family that has a little girl...but a combination of things lead to some changes in those plans so now we'll have just our family on Thursday. I will totally be "that" mom on the plane with a baby! But, overall, we can't wait for a fun weekend.

It's a good day

Actually, I'm not above admitting that it's a GGRREEAAATTT day for a reason so silly and unimportant but still great for this fashion girl's heart.

Each Sunday for the past few months, we get up, get ready for church, and I try to pull on a pair of pre-pregnancy jeans. Each Sunday, it's the same result, they don't fit. I get mad. I pull on the maternity jeans. I pout or cry. I head into Chloe's room to dress her hoping that if she looks precious than it won't matter to me that I'm still in the jeans that once held her too. Each Sunday we repeat this routine. Each Sunday...until today!! Today, we got up, we got ready, and I pulled on my jeans...not just any jeans....my Chip and Pepper Skinny Jeans I bought in NYC in March of LAST year. Soon after we were pregnant and ever since I've been hoping my body had not so drastically changed that I'd never wear them again. So, as silly and unimportant as this milestone is, it's a great day. My chip and peppers are back in rotation and my maternity jeans can lovingly be put away until the next baby comes along.

In news that actually does matter: Chloe is TALKING up a storm! She's also rolling over, sucking her toes, and did I mention talking? I wonder where she gets this chatty nature? With all this talking, Crack Team has stood true to one of the qualities that we're known for...COMPETITIVENESS. So, what better way to welcome Chloe's chattering than a little competition that involves a little cash? The bet is on! Chris is trying to get Chloe to say "Mama" first and I'm trying to get her to say "Dada." Anyone who wants to help her say Dada...I'll owe you one! In the meantime, here is a precious video of Chris's best efforts:



and one more of the sweet chatterings of our precious Chloe-girl: