Hangin' out.

One of the reasons we bought our new home was the beautiful view from the deck. You can see the whole valley below and the mountains up the canyon--it is a spectacular view. We love to eat as many meals as we can out on the deck, despite the lack in "cool" deck furniture. We currently have a set of 4 plastic chairs and plastic table set with 2 additional plastic Adirondack chairs and lastly a pink plastic chair for Presley. The theme is PLASTIC . . . but it doesn't spoil the view!

Even Roxy likes to be on the deck (although she has always been a bit afraid of wood floors and especially decks and bridges). It is a great vantage point for her to see all the neighborhood dogs and bark at them as they pass by.

I have found a new food for Roxy. We are going to feed her a grain-free, gluten-free, organic, dehydrated raw food from a company called the Honest Kitchen. After reading as much as I could I have come to the conclusion that Roxy may be intolerant of grains and glutens. I am excited to start her new diet and hope that in 6 months her blood work shows improvement.

Fashionista.

For the past 5 days in a row, when I go downstairs to get Presley up for the day, she has been sporting a new pajama fashion. I didn't think kids started wanting to dress themselves or pick out clothes until they were a little older--I guess she is just starting a little early!

We are calling it the "shirt over head with exposed belly". I am not sure if she does this in the evening after I put her to bed or if she does it in the morning when she first wakes up before I get to her. It is pretty cute!

I have also been busy making additional hair clips--these turned out even better than the first set! I am sad to see the top-of-the-head ponytail go but this works too and I am getting used to the new style.

Thank you honey . . .

I owe Chris a big 'thank you'. I got two projects finished and one of them was no small task. The speakers got painted and it couldn't have gone smoother--easy to pop out the screens, easy to paint them, easy to paint the frames, and easy to put them all together again. The washer and dryer pedestals were a totally different story. Chris worked for 2 1/2 hours to get this project of mine wrapped up. The hardest part turned out to be re-installing the dryer vent hose--the hook-up was built in such a way that without duct tape, a screw, and a lot of time on your back wedged in a corner, it was nearly impossible to do. But my hubby did it!

I promise I will be doing laundry all the time now. The added height is so good that even looking at the laundry room makes my back feel better. I would certainly be living in a house of unfinished projects if Chris didn't bail me out--thank you and I will give you a break for a while (maybe).

Teeth.

We have had a wild couple of weeks in the 'teeth' department. All last week Presley had a low fever, whined, and was generally miserable because of the 4 molars that were working their way out. Finally this week (just yesterday) she stared acting more like the 'old' Presley. We are back to smiles, regular naps, and the happy girl we are all used to! I can't believe it is such a traumatic event in a child's life--thank goodness it is not something we carry around in our memories of childhood.

Roxy had an interesting week of teeth too. She went in last week for her bi-annual check up and vaccinations and we decided it was time to get her teeth cleaned (everything else was in tip-top shape). Chris brought her in to the vet on Wednesday and they started the necessary blood work to ensure all was well and that Roxy could tolerate the anesthesia. Later that morning we got a call from the vet requesting permission for additional tests (Roxy's ALT levels were high and she needed a bile acid test to recheck). We picked Roxy up for the evening (I don't think we could ever leave her overnight) with her catheter still in place and hoped for good news in the morning.

Thursday morning came without good news. Roxy's tests definitely showed some sort of liver disease. We are devastated. You would never guess there is a problem--she eats well, is active, happy, her digestion seems good. We are going to start Roxy on a daily antioxidant, milk thistle, and SAMe supplement while we find a new food that will help support her liver function better. The only good news is that with extra fluids and a different anesthesia the vet proceeded to clean Roxy's teeth--they are a gleaming white and there is no more doggy breath. I have vowed to remember to bush her teeth daily (which she is actually a good sport about).

PS--I have started resizing my pictures. I still haven't figured out what to do about the font spacing issues.

Demolition Derby!

As if we weren't lucky enough with the water skiing invite this morning, this evening some friends came across an extra set of tickets to the Kamas Demolition Derby and invited us along! 3 years ago (with the same friends) we went to our first derby and had a great time so we didn't think twice about heading out for the evening, even with the busy day we had already had. If you have never been to the derby you will have to check one out--there is nothing like it.

Demolition derby is a motor-sport usually presented at county fairs and festivals. They originated in the United States of America, and quickly spread to other western nations.

While rules vary from event to event, the typical demolition derby event consists of ten or more drivers competing by deliberately ramming their vehicles into one another. The last driver whose vehicle is still operational is awarded the victory.

The derby is the kind of place where kettle corn, hot dogs, candy bars, and diet coke make for a pretty good dinner. At the first derby we attended we even witnessed a streaker running across the dirt in nothing but work boots. Definitely something to check out if you ever have the opportunity!

On the water!

My baby loves the water and so do I . . . we are working on daddy. Chris gets sea-sick on carnival rides, snorkeling, and even surfing and he seems to sink rather than float or swim when he is in the water but he does great on the lake--and he loves to go out on a boat! This morning we were invited to go boating with a friend and we had a wonderful time. The weather was picture perfect, the water was smooth and pretty uncrowded, and the company made it even better.

Presley was a little unsure at first and definitely fought the life jacket but in the end, kicking her feet in the water and feeling the wind in her face, she had a good time.

This was the first time since the "jet ski incident" with my sister and her then boyfriend (now husband) that we have been out on the lake--almost 4 years, maybe. I know we will both be feeling it in the morning (the sore muscles have already started to set in) but I am happy to say we got back in the saddle without too much trouble. I even got up (and stayed up) on a wakeboard--I am usually a skier in the water.

Daddy's home!

We all love when daddy comes home--Roxy has some one's face to kiss (I don't let her do it as much as Chris does), I have a bit of relief from being the mom 24 hours a day, and Presley gets to spend time with dad. One of the things I love about Chris is that he can play the guitar. Some nights after I have gone to bed I can hear him up in the office strumming away until I drift off to sleep. Presley loves it too and quite often wants to join in and play along. There is just something about sitting around together as a family playing, singing (well, not me so much on this part), and enjoying music.

Chris was playing Presley a few Lyle Lovett songs (one of my many favorites) and she couldn't get enough! Maybe someday she will be able to play for us . . .

Me crafty?

Well, one of the other blogs I read directed me to the cutest shop that specializes in hair things for little girls (bows, headbands, etc.). I thought about ordering (and I still might) but for now I tried to see what I could come up with on my own. With a quick trip to Sally Beauty for clips and a stop at Roberts, the local craft store, I was armed and ready to see what I could come up with. Presley's hair is just getting a little too long on top to still put it up into a top-of-the-head ponytail--not a bad alternative . . . maybe I will go to a fabric store next to see if I can find velvet ribbon and some different buttons to adorn the clips.

These clips are similar to some that I made for Presley when she was a newborn (again copied from a clip that a good friend gave me at the baby shower). I guess being the mom of a little girl will bring out the crafty side in a person!

Professional.

I am not a good photographer. When I was 11 I had a pink Kodak camera that took 110 film--that was about the last time I was good at taking photos. All through high school and college you will not find many photos of my experiences (or for most of my married life either). Then came digital cameras, my solution right?!? Wrong. Chris got me a great little camera that fits into my purse and I still couldn't remember to take pictures (and when I did they weren't that memorable). This little blog is about the only thing motivating me to remember to take candid pictures of my darling daughter and document her little life as she learns and grows. Too bad they are a bit grainy and not always in focus.

Maybe with my sister Krista, the professional photographer, living just down the street with mom and dad (while she and Matt wait for their house in NC to be finished) I will finally be able to learn a few tips and tricks in the art of taking a nice photo. In the meantime I will stick to what I know--if anyone needs any questions answered about biology, zoology, genetics, or the environment, please let me know.

Pictures Krista took at "Waffle Night" (weekly family dinner). Do you like lemons? How about this for a new hair do?

More candids from Krista. Presley is still interested in her belly button and I do not think she could have eaten another raspberry at our family's 4th of July breakfast (I would not be exaggerating if I said she ate 100 of them).

And last, but not least, pictures from the extended family bbq and water fight. We could not keep Presley out of the pool. Eventually we put her down the slides (in the background) and she loved those too. Water baby.

Thank you Krista for being a professional, remembering to always have a camera with you, and for taking so many pictures (yes, even the embarrassing, mouth open, taking a big bite pictures).

Ride 'em Cowgirl!

Just a quick break while P is asleep and in between the chores I am attempting to tackle. Presley is finally discovering some of the toys she received for Christmas and her birthday. Today, the dinosaur rocker from Sandra and Great Grandpa--she was having soooooooo much fun!

All geared up and ready to ride with the 'Arizona' cowgirl hat (a gift from grandma and grandpa's recent RV visit to the Grand Canyon) and her purple, fuzzy bunny (birthday gift from aunt Krista). "What does a dinosaur say???". Yes, she is still in her PJ's.

Growing up.

Yesterday Presley had her 15 month check up (after a long morning of swimming at Seven Peaks). It turns out that she still has a very large head and is very tall. Presley weighs 21 pounds 12 ounces and is 32 inches tall. She also had her last round of shots until she goes to kindergarten--thank goodness, those tears are unbearable! Here are some of the new skills she has learned:

• Open the doors in our house, which means she can get into any room
• Says 'me' in the right context (when pointing to pictures or "me up")
• Repeats almost any word we say, for example "Yamaha", but only once and probably never again
• Walks about 97% of the time
• Had her toes painted for the first time (ok not a skill but pretty cute and pink of course)
• Loves to spend most of her time at the pool under water
• Getting good at saying people's names (no ma ma or mommy yet)

This morning we all took a 4 mile hike in the mountains above the our home. It was beautiful and some-what cool. I think Roxy had the most fun sniffing out the deer and chasing squirrels! Presley enjoyed the bumpy, off-road ride in the stroller while Chris and I pointed out trees and butterflies. We are lucky to live in such a spectacular place.

Itch.

I am not sure if anybody else gets this itch. The itch to change things up, decorate, or simply add beautiful things to your home. I get it more often than not, and today I scratched that itch a bit (but I am sure it will be back, soon).

I completed a small painting project I had been wanting to do for quite some time--I had the samples and the tools but it took me forever to pick the shade I was going to go with. I went with a color called FLAX (from Restoration Hardware) but instead of a flat finish I had a paint store match the color and put it in a suede finish.

It didn't take too long and thank goodness I finished earlier today before it got unbearably hot. I am sure Chris will be surprised when he gets home on Monday--at least he wasn't here to endure the project. I still need to get those speakers painted though . . . maybe next weekend.

In the leafy tree tops.

I can't tell you what I enjoy more than spending time outdoors, especially in the summer. Here in the mountains there is usually a light breeze to break up the heat and I can't tell you the last time there was a cloud in the sky. Chris left early this morning for Boston so Presley, Roxy, and I are on our own for a few days. This morning we spent time exploring the backyard and soaking in the summer bliss (because before you know it we will be sitting inside bundled by the fire or flying down the mountain on skis).

Even Roxy found something to play with--the neighbor's motion detecting frog. It "ribbits" anytime you get near. Before long it got too hot and we were back inside for lunch and an afternoon nap.

Busy summer days.

Well, today was a fun day for Presley--time with all 4 of her grandparents and her great grandma! While Chris was off to the Home Depot for TV supplies (I am the proud new owner of a 20", LCD television in my kitchen) and out on a bike ride Presley and I visited Grandma and Grandpa (my parents, who conveniently live within walking distance). Presley enjoyed her time at grandma and grandpa's by walking all over the backyard and eating strawberries--with a fork! Chris would be so proud!

Later this afternoon Chris' parents--Grandpa and Mor mor (Swedish for 'mother's mother' which is what Chris called his grandma) dropped by for a visit and brought with them Grandma Jo (Chris' dad's mom, she is 92 and Presley is her only great grandchild). We spent time at the pool showing off all of Presley's daring moves--which include hanging on to the side by herself and then letting go, jumping off the side, blowing bubbles, and swimming underwater. Presley was also excited to open up a present that Mor mor brought her. A lavender top with matching pants and a sparkle butterfly. Thank you!

Tomorrow will be a busy 4th of July with 3 different family functions--hopefully we all make it through! A a bit of good news, the carpet repair guys came today and replaced the pad as well as tacked everything back down. All we have to do now is get the carpets cleaned and get the plumber back from vacation to investigate the problem further.

Auntie Tara!

Well, it has finally happened . . . I am going to be an    A U N T ! Congratulations are in order to Becka and Eric--my little sister and her husband are expecting their first child in early February 2008. This new addition will be Presley's 1st and only cousin (on both sides of the family) and we are all looking forward to the blessed event!