Lights out.

While I was "catching up" I forgot to mention that Presley is very into turning off the lights. She can finally reach the switches in our house but only to turn them off--to push them up and on is still too much of a stretch for her.


She also loves turning off the lights whenever we leave a room--particularly the bathroom and especially public restrooms. This is pretty funny if you are not the one sitting in a dark stall.


We have also been trying new hairdo's. Presley played with these piggy tails all day long!


I told her a few days ago that she looked like a rock star in those pink glasses--Bono came to mind. Now she runs around the house and looks in mirrors saying "I so look like Bono". This afternoon Chris showed Presley a picture of Bono in pink glasses and she laughed--she did look like a rock star!

Concert.

Chris isn't one for concerts--mostly he has issues with some of the venues here in Utah. But for our anniversary Chris bought tickets for us to see two concerts at Deer Valley. There is a small, but beautiful outdoor stage with reserved seats and grass seats. Stella loved the music and Presley had fun with aunt Millie and uncle Gregg (thanks).

Playing Tuesday night was a Spanish band from northern Spain/southern France--the Gipsy Kings. A band Chris was introduced to in the late eighties while he was living in Spain. I have used their music while I clean the house for years--love it!

We have another concert this Saturday--Dwight Yoakam (twangy country, but so much fun). Interesting note: the Deer Valley summer concert series is 100% underwritten. So, ALL of the proceeds go to the local arts--pretty neat, huh?

Catch-up again.

Stella

• Sleeping through the night--most nights.
• Cooing and almost laughing.
• Absolutely loves Presley--she constantly watches her, listens intently to her voice, and will always smile at her.
• Still hates being on her tummy.
• Nick name Presley gave her "Stella Bella Bella Bella".
• Has rubbed a bald spot on the back of her head!
• Has the chubbiest upper thighs.

Presley

• Tells us she is "Caitlyn" or a couple of other names (I am not remembering right now).
• Convinced there is a baby in her tummy.
• Started playing better with other kids (not just grown ups).
• Has a great imagination when playing by herself.
• Loves to "sleep over" at other people's houses.
• Still does not get out of her bed until we go downstairs and get her up (I am so lucky)!
• Has picked up a few Spanish words/phrases and actually uses them correctly.
• Loves to sing in the shower.

Two's.

We have been trying to keep very busy lately--it helps with Presley and her terrible twos. Presley is alternately the sweetest person and the most tearful, upset person right now. I hope it will pass and I hope we are handling the right way (meaning she is learning the correct way to act or handle life's situations).


My favorite part of the week is on Sunday after nursery when I go to pick Presley up. She runs toward me with a huge smile and hugs my legs so tight--I can really tell she missed me and is happy to see me. This week she learned that when someone says they are sorry you should say "I forgive you".

Yesterday afternoon, after a long day of ups and downs, Presley had a pretty cute moment:

Presley: "I'm sorry mom for crying. I'm happy now."

Mom: "Thank you honey. You can get off the mat and play now. I love it when you are happy."

Presley: "I forgive you mom. Thanks."

I should have forgiven her but I got a kick out of her forgiving me--maybe she was forgiving me for putting her on the mat until she was done crying. It was pretty cute and I tried hard not to laugh.

Improvements.

So, I continue to have that "nesting" urge you get during pregnancy . . . and that means I have been cleaning out closets and cupboards daily. Along with all the cleaning has come a few minor home improvements. Yes, Chris has been recruited and is slowly working on his list of things to do.

First, a couple of new fans. These have become a necessity with the hot weather and no air conditioning--we could have really used them about a month ago, but at least they are here and installed now. What a difference in the evening with the open windows!


Our first set of pendants had nasty habit of burning through $12 bulbs at a 3 month rate. So here are the new ones--pretty similar to the old but with a patterned glass and bronze hardware.

This is a picture of a picture (an OLD picture) so it is not great, but I love it! This is a picture of Chris and his little brother Paul when they were kids (there is a 5 year age difference so I am guessing Chris is about 8 and Paul is about 3). I can't get over Chris's teeth! I hung it in the office and I still have a few others to put up.

More improvements to come . . . new bedding in our bedroom and a LONG awaited full length mirror arrives on Friday--I haven't had a full length mirror since we moved up here! Pictures to come.

9 Years.

Look at all that has happened . . . time has flown by!


Left to right from the top. Presley's birth, Sundance, Baby Stella, Cadiz Spain, Wedding, Hiking in the Uintas, Pebble Beach, Backyard, Roxy dog. What an amazing 9 years! Too bad we didn't have a digital camera for some of our other highlights--Costa Rica, Puerto Rico. We hope to make it to Whistler, BC for our 10 year and Chris's 40th birthday next year. Though I would love Tahiti!

On the mountain.

A quick errand to Park City left us with an hour to kill so we headed to Deer Valley for a lift ride up the mountain. Presley is a pro at the lifts and is so excited to start skiing this winter--we have a teacher lined up for her, Wendy, and we need to start looking for all the gear. Good thing Sundance is free if you are under 5--I am sure we will be spending lots of time there this winter.

This is us on the mountain--or as P said, "We aren't on the mountain. We are on the chair and the lift towers are on the mountain.", so literal. Stella slept all the way up and most of the way down in her sling.

It was the perfect morning outing! Cool air, mountain breezes, and lots of sunshine!

Just because.

I can't resist Costco flowers! They last the longest (I have never had a bunch last less than a week--usually days longer), have the best price ($14 for 2 dozen), and are always beautiful.


These roses caught my eye yesterday and remind me of both spring and late summer with their range of colors. I would love to have fresh flowers in my home everyday--maybe if my thumb ever turns green.

Space.

I have been needing my space, and I finally realized that in order to reclaim "my space" I would need to move Stella to her own room. The nursery was ready for months before she was even born (just a few minor changes were made from when the nursery was Presley's) but until now Stella has been the 4th person sleeping in our room (four if you count Roxy).

Stella was even more ready for the change than I was. Since the move to her own room she has slept a solid 8.5 hours a night! Not a peep and no need for a 4 am feeding! She is growing up too quickly already.


Look how small and dainty she looks in crib. Presley calls her a caterpillar when she is all swaddled up like that. My favorite part of the nursery still has to be the mobile--hand painted butterflies.


I haven't had two better nights of sleep since I can't remember when! Especially since the neighbors across the canyon put in a waterfall (I love the noise it makes). I will miss having a newborn so close but I suppose there is no way to keep them little forever.

Anticipation.

I love the summer, but I also love the FALL (I could do with a short winter, do you think that will ever happen??). Halloween has always been fun for me--maybe it is because my birthday is the week before or perhaps it is the change in weather (cool nights with warm days). Here is a peak at what the girls will be this year! I was a lady bug one year as a kid--I need to find and scan in a picture of that . . .

LADY BUGS! I know I am over-doing it with matching costumes but I am thinking this will be the only year I do this. Would I really be going overboard if I made Roxy a lady bug costume??? Probably, but she does have a cute bee costume. (Lady bug costumes/photos from Babystyle, they make the best ones)