Lanterns.

I have always wanted to decorate with paper lanterns. Last night we went to a beautiful wedding decorated with paper lanterns strung throughout the trees and large, clear bulb lights running on the bridges and fences of an old mountain orchard.

It was so pretty I volunteered to help clean up after the affair so that I could borrow the lights for a small party of our own that we hosted tonight.

New job.

Chris usually works from home--traveling on the weekends throughout the year for Gold Medal Squared. Well, now I will join the ranks of most stay at home moms. Chris starts a new 'job' on Friday. He will be driving down to Provo daily to be the volunteer coaching assistant for the BYU Women's Volleyball team.

No more quick runs to the store while the girls are napping. No more days off (for me) while Chris stays home with the girls. It is going to be an adjustment--for all of us, one we are happy to make for Chris to pursue coaching.

Presley is excited to learn how to "jump higher" from the girls on the team.

10 years.

We still have a couple weeks until the big 10 year anniversary, but I had to do something. When we got married I got blue and cream stoneware--I couldn't stand them any longer!


Out they went--plates, bowls, mugs--perhaps someone needs them?? Not wanting to invest too much in new white plates, I got the Pottery Barn Caterer's Box sets. Nice price, nice plates. Too bad they don't have a Caterer's set of bowls.

Our little bug.

After a few days of adding in pre-digested proteins (amino acids), Stella will be getting baby meat added to her diet. Nights have been hit and miss with the screaming/pain since we started adding in the proteins--we will see how things continue . . . .

This all feels like some big experiment to find out what she can tolerate. I hope it leads to some kind of answer and solution.

Princess Camp.

With Chris out of town (hiking with the scouts on a 50 miler) for a WEEK, I decided that I would need some help with the girls. I was so glad to hear the neighbor girls were signed up for "Princess Camp" at Presley's new preschool that I called the morning of the first class to beg for a spot for Presley. No begging required and it was a great "test run" for Presley and the whole idea of school.

Here is what I was able to capture with the camera before I accidentally put it into 'count down timer' mode and missed nearly all the performance (dancing to a Little Mermaid song).




After a week of missing afternoon naps, playing with friends, making princess crafts, and dancing--Presley was exhausted but so happy. She is still carrying around her magic wand! She was perfectly fine being left alone in a new environment and I learned that I am so happy I signed her up for morning preschool this fall--Presley can simply NOT go without too many naps.

Doctor.

This morning an appointment opened up at the gastroenterologist! After paying our 28 day late health insurance (we were in the process of switching but Stella was denied, it is another long story) I took Stella in to see the doctor and find out what could possibly be wrong with her.

I have spent countless hours online looking into so many problems and worrying about what could possibly be making Stella's tummy so upset. I am happy to say that after visiting with the doctor (who listened a lot and was truly a wonderful doctor), we have a course of action and 3 steps to follow to figure this thing out.


First things first, Stella is going to stop the Prevacid--it was showing no real benefit and is probably limiting her digestion. Next, I am adding a pre-digested protein (called Eo28, sounds yummy huh?) to her diet and after a few days we should know if her tummy can tolerate this addition. If so the next step would be to add in meat proteins and go on from there.

If this doesn't work the doctor will put Stella on a prescription enzyme to aid in digestion, then lastly a scope and biopsies of her esophagus and stomach to diagnose what could possibly be some scary things. I am hoping it doesn't come to that.

I will keep everyone posted!

Pictures, again.

Today was the first cloudy day we have had since June--still warm but perfect for taking pictures. Stella rarely decides to look at the camera, so here is the best of what I shot.








We are still working on her food issues . . . back on Prevacid. We tried adding in milk with no luck--the end of August for the doctor can't come fast enough.

Climber.

Stella, practicing what she loves best--CLIMBING!




Stairs, chairs, boxes, rocks, the dishwasher--she does it all--soon she will be getting up onto the couch.

Summer.

We are all about the water activities this summer (every summer, really). This week it was a fountain at Trolley Square, the Gateway fountain, and 2 days at Seven Peaks--yes, I am crazy.






Poor Stella, no fountains for her and her teeth have just been killing her. All four one-year-molars coming in at once!

With everything going on I live for afternoon nap time, a quiet house, and a good book (I am currently reading The Friday Night Knitting Club).

Don't miss it!

Be sure to scroll down to see all the fun we had on our summer trip!

We had such a fun time visiting Krista and Matt in North Carolina--visiting new places and meeting new friends! With all our side trips and long drives we were happy to make use of Kim's country club pool (and tab at the snack bar, thanks!). The flights home were rough--Presley slept on my mom's lap and Stella cried (screamed actually).

We are happy to be home and to be getting back into our 'normal' life's routine. Thanks to everyone for all the help with the girls! And Krista you are hired to come on all of our family vacations to photograph and document everything--I will be happy to do the same for you . . . is it a deal??