Rhys Anne

2012-01-03T12:14:00.000-06:00

2011-11-16T12:00:00.003-06:00

The Itsty-Bitsy Spider went up the water spout...

2011-10-31T08:41:00.002-05:00

Our church had a "Candyland" party last night for kids Scouten's age and a little older. We've been talking about a "Halloween Party" all week - and needless to say she was excited. I had no idea what to expect, and at the last second talked Sean into dressing up too - I was already planning on it, as one of my co-workers brought in a spiderweb cape and I knew I needed to wear that!

As an adult, I thought "Candyland" was a blast. It was set up like the game, with game stations throughout the gameboard where kids could stop and play for prizes. At the end, a snowcone station, where you could pick your flavor. As the mama of a 2-year-old that doesn't breathe so well after a night in the cold, an indoor Halloween event was great!! Well done CC UMC!

My eyes beheld an eerie sight!!

2011-10-25T10:09:00.001-05:00

Singing in The Rain....I'm just a SINGING IN THE RAIN...

2011-08-17T10:26:00.003-05:00

Okay, maybe she's just splashing in the puddles while wearing new white shoes...I'd blame her Grandma Coash, if only I could stop laughing...

If you're happy and you know it - clap your hands

2011-07-15T10:00:00.002-05:00

Scouten can point out our local library - and we drive by it often. She usually says "Library!!" followed by "It's locked!" Wednesday night when we drove by, we knew it was unlocked, so we asked if she wanted to go in. As you can see by the following pic, she didn't even want to take a picture of her first trip, she just wanted to get to the BOOKS!

The children's section has a rug with abc's, numbers, and animals on it - she had a ball with that, then she found the beads.
After signing up for a library card and checking out three books, we headed home. She dug around in a toybox and found her gardening gloves, where she wanted us to "Water the garden."
When we said we could go water it, she proceeded to clap and jump around...
While gloves were required, pants were optional....

Here's our haul from Wednesday night...minus a few smaller tomatoes that didn't make it inside.

Tuppence a bag...

2011-06-27T09:34:00.001-05:00

Two out of the last three mornings, Scouten has gone to the zoo before 9 a.m. This morning when Grandma showed up, she of course told her that she wanted to go see the ducks. How could she deny her request, when this is what happens when she goes?

The huh-huh at 34 seconds makes me smile everytime...what an entertainer!!

and on this farm he had some ducks

2011-06-24T12:43:00.006-05:00

My two-year-old is faking a nap, so I thought I'd give you a little update on our day - that's not a typo, she really is faking a nap...
We had a big day planned for the birthday girl today, but her immune system obviously disagreed with our plans. She was diagnosed with bronchitis on Wednesday, she's had a couple days of steroids and good ole breathing treatments, but we decided to stay close to home, just in case. Yesterday was pretty rough.

Sean and I both took the day off, even though grandma Reva rolled her eyes when we told her. So this morning we asked Scouten what SHE wanted to do for her birthday, her reply?
"go look at ducks and.....drink grandma's coffee." So at 8:40 a.m. we left the house for the CC Zoo, if I told you she was excited, I might be understating it...

I think the following picture should be called "TWO monkeys looking at each other".

After the zoo we went to Short Stop for a pop, dropped daddy off to mow and went to "dancing class" as she is now calling it. Her Auntie CJ got her a tutu for her birthday, so she HAD to wear that...as Miss Jolie said, "EVERY girl needs a tutu."

When we pulled in the driveway after dance, her friends were at their grandma's house next door, so out came the bubbles. Daddy finished up mowing, and after a quick stop at the radio station, it was off to PIZZA!

Whew!! Now that she has stopped faking and started taking a nap, I think I'll join her...

move 'em out..rawhide!

2011-06-17T12:08:00.006-05:00

On Facebook this week, most people are posting pictures of their daddy's for father's day. There's no possible way I can post only ONE picture, (a) I have too many gems and (b) I have two very special daddies in my life. So I guess I'll have to post multiple pictures here, instead.

The day my husband became a father, he really didn't want to let Scouten go, at all, the entire day. I had a pretty urgent c-section, and we talked beforehand about how I would be just fine, and he needed to stick with the baby. After she was born, I saw that we didn't have to have that talk, he knew I was okay, and he was headed out the door. One of the nurses told me later that she couldn't believe how proud he was when he came walking down the hallway with his baby girl. So, before I start sobbing, I'll tell you this is what my parents' saw when they walked into the hospital room the morning Scouten was born.

I KNOW she's not eight hours old, and she's all snuggled up to her daddy! Speaking of daddy's, when I called my parents to let them know she had been born, and that we had named her my dad's mom's maiden name, his reply was,"You're going to have to repeat that, Rhy." I can't decide if he really didn't hear, or if he was in shock. He picked up the phone, so I'm going to go with"in shock."
From the very beginning, I'm pretty sure he thought she was a keeper...
I have a million pictures of Sean snuggling his girl, but this is one of my favorites, I like to think that they are both holding each other...
Grandpa even has his own lullaby that he sings to Scouten - now that's she's almost two and knows EVERYTHING, she knows the words to "Grandpa's lullaby" and sings it every time she gets in the swing.
I adore this shot, cause my SB's have never looked more alike...someone (sorry can't remember who) pointed out, "they even have the same hair."
For Scouten's first Halloween, grandpa showed up with a jack-o-lantern, and then they held hands, while talking about the jack-o-lantern. The second Halloween they used a jig-saw to cut out pumpkin faces, who knows what they will do next year, probably just run it through the lawnmower.

Sometimes I have to remind myself that SOME daddy's aren't THIS involved in their daughter's lives, some daddy's don't take her to her first dance class, or change her diaper, or push her on the swing six million times, or hold her while she thinks of some kind of trouble for both of them to get into...

This last shot I really can't talk about, I just have to look at it. I know this because it sits on my desk at work, and one of my co-workers asked me about it. I turned into a teary-blubbery-babbling mess. I'll just let it speak for itself.

Hi-ho the dairy-o the farmer in the dell

2011-06-14T06:46:00.002-05:00

Our little gardner, hard at work...

with the light of the glittering stars...

2011-06-12T11:05:00.007-05:00

Two years ago, my mother won tickets to the "Symphony on the Flint Hills." She took my dad and has been raving about it ever since. I did a little research and found that tickets are not easy to get. They are ususally sold out within a few hours - this year the window opened at 8am, and I'm pretty positive the tickets didn't last until noon. Thanks to the beauty of technology, we bought our tickets via Sean's phone while driving down the road to Oklahoma. I think my mom was kind of shocked we actually did get tickets!

Because it's in the middle of someone's pasture, they can accomadate quite a few people. One report I've read already says there were 7500 people, and I don't think they were too far off! I marveled throughout the whole event how many people were there.

This year the concert was in Volland - which is between Alma and Alta Vista. You can mapquest it if you'd like, it really does exist. The scenery getting there was pretty amazing.

We KNEW we were on the right track when we hit traffic in the middle of a semi-paved road and when we saw this. Those are tents, cars and people in the distance...

Once we made it through all the traffic, and got ourselves parked, we waited for my sister, who was about a mile behind us, but through some luck only parked about 8 cars away from us. It was a big pasture - I'm amazed we we even found each other. While we were waiting we people watched. Where else could you see a Wyoming cowboy and his family park next to a brand new Johnson County corvette?

Finally we made it through all the entrace tents, took a beautiful hayrack ride across to the actual site, and found all kinds of tents to explore and things to do. Some were already finished up, because we didn't make it to the site until 6ish and the concert started at 6:45. This beautiful site was near the donors tent. My sister tried to explain to the event staff guarding the tent, that we had bought tickets and were therefore "donors." That reasoning didn't work, so we went to explore the other tents where they had offered 20 minute lectures, an instrument petting zoo, and storytelling.

Oh! And there were wagon rides...

I am still marveling at how many people were there. I just can't explain it. Some people looked right at home in there overalls or cowboy hats, and others in there fancy dresses with heeled boots, looked completely lost.

There were some photographers set up to just take pictures of the sunset and nothing else, so I thought I might as well get in a shot. It really was beautiful to listen to the orchestra play while the sun was setting.

But the site that really took my breath away was at the end, when the Fort Riley Mounted colorguard rode over the hill and through the crowd. They literally rode between the orchestra and the crowd. There was a horse that didn't appreciate the loudness of the music, but did do what his rider told him to do.

All in all, it was a great night of experiences, music, scenery, and fun! I can't wait to go next year.

Gotta Dance!!

2011-06-04T00:24:00.001-05:00

Aint it a glorious day? Right as a morning in May.

2011-05-23T19:57:00.004-05:00

A few months ago, Mom, Scouten and I were in this ridiculous baby store. By ridiculous, I mean the display window had a round crib in it, complete with chandelier. Luckily the clothes only went up to 2t and Scouten was wearing 3t's already! Anyway, the store also had a chalkboard in the back that was set up for kids to play with, instead of breaking all the uber-expensive toys. Scouten thought it was AWESOME. Yesterday, Grandma and Grandpa Coash showed up with a 4ft x 4ft square...

Scouten didn't hesitate or look twice...she was asking for the chalk before Grandpa even got the level out...
I think this one is called animal silhouettes in the grass...or maybe that's just what it looks like to me...she says her abc's while she's drawing, so maybe it's a great story and I just don't get it.
Scouten wasn't the only one to have fun with the chalkboard. Grandpa got in the act as well. That's a picture of Scouten he's drawing...I don't know about the curly hair, but I sure didn't ask either...

We have been heaved blessed...

2011-05-17T11:08:00.002-05:00

My daughter turned two this week. Yet, her actual birthday isn't for another month. Make sense? If you are a mama of a two-year-old, or have had one, I suspect it does.

First a little background - My dad could buy himself just about any kind of hat he wants, but the Pioneer dealer in town gives them away FREE, so of course, he wears pretty much exclusively Pioneer hats. He has an "everday" one and a "fancy" one. He wouldn't use those terms, but you get my drift.

Scouten, her dad, grandparents, and I were driving around my hometown Saturday. Scouten is looking out the window and says, "Grandpa's hat." At first we all looked at each other like, "Is she talking in her sleep?" Then I looked out the window and realized we were driving by the Pioneer bins - sure enough the brand decals are the same as "Grandpa's hat."

Yesterday she was downtown with my mom. She sat down on a curb and refused to move. REFUSED.R-E-F-U-S-E-D. I still have no idea how my mother wrestled 32 pounds into the van, but somehow she got her off the curb. If she didn't get her stubborn genetics from her grandma(s) and grandpas) I think she might still be sitting on that curb. Someone (I won't name names) said Scouten was just waiting for the parade and her grandma should have danced or marched by, even without the marching dance, I would have loved to see that exchange of wills.

One of the many things we work on is naming body parts - she has most of them down. This week she has been talking about her shoulders, elbows, wrists, and KNEES. And I realized not only is she getting taller, she is also losing some of that baby chubby (tear-tear) and you can see her actual knees. My husband and I actually had a "discussion" in Walmart on whether or not she was losing weight. FYI: bathroom scales are not in with towels and bathmats - they are in the section with faucets and bathroom cabinets. And she really hasn't lost or gained...

four chickens just back from the shore...

2011-05-08T20:19:00.003-05:00

She gave her wings to leave the nest...

2011-05-08T11:06:00.005-05:00

Scouten caught herself a stomach bug on Thursday, she so sweetly shared it with her Grandma C, who I hope is in bed right now. So the three of us, close as we are, will not get to be together this mother's day. It makes me pretty blue, but I also know we will celebrate when we go to my sister's later in the month to celebrate my niece's high school graduation.

We are trying to make the best of the day, starting with the Mother's day flowers we have been working on for Scouten's grandma's! Scouten designed the pot to put the flowers in...

Mama and Daddy added a care label.

Then we planted some cute flowers

Here's our finished product:

Here's a couple other things that have made me smile this mother's day. My reason for celebration and a gift from my girl and my sweet husband...and yes I totally picked it out, he isn't a mind reader!

And something that did NOT make me smile...

You wanna play, so I wore dress up clothes...

2011-05-05T16:14:00.004-05:00

The rotarians in our town just built a playground in a matter of five days. Scouten contributed by drinking milk. You read both of those sentences correctly.

The Rotarians started the fundraising for the project a year ago, went to the schools and asked kids for their input and even had the project all designed, then got an amazing amount of volunteer labor rounded up and built the playground. In less than five days. The organizational skills involved blow my mind!

During the build, they called the radio station looking for gallon milk jugs for their miscellaneous parts and pieces. Luckily Sean hadn't taken out the recycling and we had (I hate to admit this) 8 gallon jugs to contribute!

We went to check it out a couple days after it was finished, and the 2 to 5 year old section was PERFECT for Scouten. We didn't have to help her with much, mainly we just watched, she could crawl and slide and work the music equipment all on her own. Yes, the playground has musical instruments for them to play. All in all I think Safari run is a HUGE success!!

And if you think the title of this blog post ruined my New Year's Resolution of all lyrical blog post titles, then you haven't watched enough Sesame Street!

The same in rain and sun

2011-02-23T20:08:00.002-06:00

It's not everyday that you get invited to a 99th birthday party! Last Saturday, mom and I were in the right place, as we got an invite, along with Scouten. I'm not going to confuse you with the particulars of the relation and so-forth. We are just going to say that Grandma Dorothy turned 99, Scouten was thrilled to bring her balloons, and we were all excited to go!

First off, we got to see the birthday girl!

One of Dorothy's friend's asked if we were from Wyoming. I thought she had us confused with someone else, but then she said, "with boots like that, she has to be from somewhere near there." I wondered what she would think if she knew they were a Christmas present from an Okie...

The cake was AMAZING - and I'm not just saying that because it had that fluffy whipcream frosting (which didn't hurt). It looked like a traditional cake on top - but underneath it was individual cupcakes. That's right, it looked good, and no one had to have the "cutting the cake" duty.

The cake table was gorgeous as well!

I wish I could have taken video of Scouten drinking the punch. As mom said, "It was like electricity was going through her body." Needless to say, I don't think she's a punch fan, not yet anyway. However the ice in the cups was crushed, and she munched on ice pretty much the entire time, and part of the way home.

Now for the best part - besides the birthday girl that is - THE PICTURES! Dorothy had pictures from the past out on a table. I tried to take pictures of the pictures (yes, you read that right), some of them turned out great, others, not so much. Here goes:

Dorothy said this was the orignal homestead - one mile from Palmer - I didn't get if it was a mile east or west - it could even be a mile south - all I can remember is "one mile and Palmer." I'll have to ask...Her grandpa is holding her in this one.

Dorothy's parents on their 50th Wedding Anniversary - this is in 1945.

Dorothy on her own wedding day (sorry - I don't have a date).

Dorothy's Junior Class - this picture has brought up some debate in my house. I understood Dorothy was the girl in the top row on the very left, but I don't think that looks ANYTHING like her wedding picture. We also are having trouble deciding which two "Little Rascals" are on the bottom row left.

The last one is pretty faded - but my goodness it's AT LEAST 95 years old...I'm thinking more like 97. Either way, Dorothy as a child.

If you are the same in rain and sun and would like to see the entire set of pictures, just click here.

We all had a wonderful time, Scouten even licked the plate before she left!

How I adore words

2011-02-19T16:27:00.003-06:00

I suppose it was inevitable.

My baby is putting multiple words together. In the past 24-hours I have heard:

"shut the door!"

"Thank you Mommy!"

"dogs outside"

"Max sit down"

"Help, open this"

Up next, commercials on KCLY! Hopefully that will be at least a COUPLE months away!

to Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama...

2011-02-12T18:44:00.002-06:00

Aruba, Jamaica, Ohhh I wanna take ya...

2011-02-12T18:43:00.001-06:00

It's a Beautfful Morning!

2011-01-25T07:12:00.001-06:00

How do you get ready in the morning? Here's Scouten getting ready for a fun day of playing with Grandma Coash!

Now I know my A B C's, next time, wont you sing with me?

2011-01-22T09:48:00.003-06:00

Scouten is working on her abc's! We have the numbers down to 10 - sometimes she counts like her mom, 5, 6, 9, 10. But most of the time she gets it correct. When she says her letters, most of the time, they sound like a question...Aaaaa? Bbbbbb? This has confused me, until taking this video, it's cause we are always asking her questions, "What comes after H?"

Here's an example...

Yes! that is the silverware basket from the dishwasher - I'm just glad it's not full of dirty silverware!

Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

2011-01-17T11:00:00.004-06:00

I have probably listened to this speech 20 times - and it still gives me goosebumps!

I can only dream to write or think up quotes like, "Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children."

And the children say, he could laugh and play, just the same and you and me

2011-01-13T13:19:00.002-06:00

By special request, here are the snowman jammies in all their glory! I'd like to show you pics of the toy cat with the pink sunglasses on, but they never made it to the cat's nose!!

Pocket Full of Posies...

2011-01-12T12:41:00.002-06:00

My attention span is about 35 seconds...45 if it really interests me...so it should be no surprise that Scouten has the same problem. Here's a classic weeknight - Ruby and Max while singing the latest song she has learned at Grandma Linda's house...

We are climbing Jacob's ladder...

2011-01-09T09:30:00.003-06:00

Sean and I were engaged for 16 months, dated 6 months before that, and were married just over six years before we found out we were having Scouten. For those of you who are mathematically challenged (myself included - I had Sean add it up) that means I was around my mother-in law for NINE years and EIGHT months before Scouten learned to walk. What's my point? It took my mother-in-law THAT long to utter the following sentence "Oh Sean was a climber, he was into EVERYTHING." Little did I know how profound and true that statement would ring true with our daughter...

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine!

2011-01-06T08:35:00.003-06:00

One of the things I believe deep down in my soul is, "people who take pictures while other people are eating should be shot." The only real exception I can think of is when said eaters are under 4-years-old or the person is in an "eating contest." Unfortunately, Scouten thinks that the cut-off is much younger then 4-years-old.

2011-01-05T13:55:00.003-06:00

Today I went home for lunch and there was a surprise waiting in the mailbox! Jammies for Scouten and a letter from my sister! Yeah!! The jammies kind of surprised me because I've been thinking about how most of Scouten's are either fleece footie or left over from summer. We don't have any in-betweens - until now!

Over the holidays, when it was even slightly warm, Scouten and Grandpa would go on a walk together around the yard, or sometimes down the street. My parents had a blow-up snowman in the front yard, so Scouty would repeat "no-man, no-man" while putting on her coat, cause she KNEW grandpa was taking her to see the snowman. Yes, you guessed it - the jammies in question are "no-man" jammies!

Once we got them out of the package, she wanted the green ones on right NOW! She even took off her Abby shirt to put them on -that is a HUGE feat in itself. She looked at herself in the mirror to see how cool she looked and then decided to poop through her diaper and into the new jammies. Of course, we had to get out the new red ones, cause she wanted those no-man jammies ON. Yep, it only took about 15 minutes to get both pairs dirty - she truly is her mother's child...

'Cause the free wind is blowing through your hair...

2011-01-04T20:11:00.007-06:00

Do you have any "New Year's Resolutions"? I know it's commonplace to make resolutions - and then promptly forget them, but THIS year I am making resolutions that I will want to keep! My husband and I had this conversation at the dinner table tonight, I'm sure he wanted to ask me what day it was - and remind me that we are already four days into the new year. However, he kept his mouth shut, but it did take a lot of eye rolling. So here goes nothing...

1) Drive Highway One in a convertible. Maybe it's from listening to the Eagles, because I love the song 'California Dreamin' or because "Ventura Highway" makes me want to put the hammer down! It could be that my former boss went back to Cali over the summer, I don't know - all I do know is that I started the research today - and pics like this make me want to go EVEN more...

stolen directly from the Pashnit.com website

2 - Excercise like it's a prescription - which it kind of is. I have a new doctor that I adore - not because she's easygoing or anything like that. Because everytime I go see her, I learn something new. Ask me about bread or chips at the beginning of a meal, and I can explain to you why you will probably purchase the $8 dessert. I have a friend of a friend who sees the same doctor - and she told me how much she has "slacked" lately and how badly she needs to get "back on the wagon." I am right there with her. I suggested to Sean that we run a 10k in July and he laughed at me. I have said for YEARS that I would train and swim in the Sunflower Games - Sean and I even went to watch the swimming events one year - I took pictures - looking at this makes my heart beat FAST and they are just doing warm-ups!

3 - Blog more and be honest about what is going on in my life - I am working on that one already! I have no excuses for slacking off, I have a daughter that I adore, a husband that I want to spend time with, and family that I like to go see. Blogging has taken a back seat! I also want all my post titles to be song lyrics!

4 - Take MORE pictures! This summer Scouten and I made a trip to Morganville by ourselves. While I was waiting for Joanie's Junk to open, we went for a little drive in a direction I don't usually travel. We saw two vultures sitting on a big round bale - I kick myself for not having my camera! I have three cameras and no excuses for why I am not taking more pictures?

5 - Be a better friend - I have a couple friends in my life who I love dearly, but me not knowing how to handle the changes they have made in their lives has created some distance between us. I need to work on those relationships - not making amends per se, but on listening and being there for my friends as they have done for me many times!

There you have it - what are YOUR resolutions?

Imagine all the people, living for today...

2011-01-03T18:30:00.002-06:00

Some of the things Scouten can put together, quite simply, blows my mind. When you point out a star in a book or even on her ceiling, she usually says, "up above the World so high." Last week, we were talking about bells at her Grandma Baker's house, and she said, "ding-dong." She learns something new everyday, and I love to watch her brain, "tick".

Tonight was no exception - I will admit I have not got all the Christmas presents put away. Part of our loot was a couple of pans -only tonight the frying pan was a bucking bronco!

ONE Chocolate Chip Cookie =

2011-01-02T12:36:00.001-06:00

Happy 2011!

2011-01-02T10:28:00.002-06:00

I know it's been forever since we last talked, but I will not make any excuses. In the last six months, I have changed jobs, changed daycare providers, and ran after a toddler. I know that doesn't sound like much, but one day after my mother had been here watching Scouten while I was at work, she summed it up with this quote, "Oh Rhy! After today, I see why you don't get anything done."

I will try to post somewhat regularly - and I have added a link to my flickr page and my youtube page. No matter what Scouten is up to, there are usually new pics or video...someday I will sit down and write down how much she amazes me!!

Christmas 2010

2011-01-02T10:11:00.001-06:00

Denial

2010-06-13T09:40:00.002-05:00

I've had a few people ask me (the grandma's have asked several times) what we are going to do for Scouten's first birthday. It's an emotionally charged question for me. I'm just not ready for her to be one, after all, yesterday I was waiting for her arrival...or maybe it just seems like yesterday. Anyway, that emotion, coupled with the following video have prompted my brain to stay in the "denial stage."

What are we doing for Scouten's first birthday? I have no idea...that's MONTHS away...

I blame her father's genetics

2010-06-04T10:23:00.003-05:00

This morning I was cleaning the kitchen. For those of you who know me, that's pretty profound! Little girl was on the floor, playing with the magnets on the refrigerator and pushing around the high chair. Just the usual morning routine. For some odd reason, I decided the dog's bowls needed cleaning. I cleaned the water bowl first, after a good scrub, I just filled it about a third of the way full. Then I started on the food dishes. I was reaching for the paper towels to dry the food bowls when I saw this out of the corner of my eye...

Being the ultra-concerned mother that I am, I went as fast as I could to get the camera.
Three seconds later, I caught this,
Note the smooshed dog food on the bottom of the bucket, must have missed that part. I figured after all that, there couldn't be that much left in the bucket, so I wasn't overly concerned when she decided to try this smooth move...
Looking at the water running down her chin, I guess I may have been wrong. I guess a third of a gallon of water will go further then I thought!

By the way Sean, to quote my favorite boss, "I didn't say this was your FAULT, I said I was going to BLAME you!"

10 months old & playing in mama's old clothes

2010-04-25T20:24:00.000-05:00

if we can teach her to wash her hands...

2010-04-08T07:27:00.000-05:00

...I think she might be a brain surgeon!

Easter 2010

2010-04-05T17:10:00.002-05:00

Nine Months

2010-03-24T02:41:00.000-05:00

Screwed!!

2010-03-23T16:10:00.002-05:00

Rock Chalk!!

2010-03-13T08:09:00.003-06:00

I can NOT believe it's going to be a Sunflower Showdown (take 3) for the Big 12 tournament championship. How amazing for both Kansas teams! I'm pretty sure you know who we will cheer for at the Baker house, but just in case you were wondering...

Suzy Q

2010-03-05T11:15:00.004-06:00

Spaghetti Squash has to be the one thing Scouten has loved the most since we have started solid foods. She literally kicked her feet and screamed for the second bite...and the third...and the seventh, etc.
I mentioned this to my friend who is in the solid-experimental stage with her A-DOR-able son, and she had a million questions...So I will attempt to answer them!

First, we have a spaghetti squash...looks just like this when you get it home from Ray's Applemarket (or whatever store you bought it at - they are plentiful and pretty darn cheap).
First you wash it under the sink...
Then you place it in whatever cooking dish it will fit in
Place it in your pre-heated 375 degree oven
After an hour (or a little over) it will look just a little toasty - like this!
I start cutting at the opposite end of the stem, basically because it doesn't matter what knife I use, I just can't seem to make it through the stem and I have to cut around it...it's not THAT big of deal.

When you hack that beautiful squash open, it should look like the inside of your jack-o-lantern, or if your daddy didn't make jack-o-lanterns with you, it should look like guts with seeds...
Grab a fork or a spoon and scoop the seeds out, don't go too deep or you'll get the good stuff
When you're done with the seeds, it should look like this...
Get a bowl (or your baby food processor cup) and start scraping the squash with a fork, it should look like you are pulling out pieces of spaghetti
When you get finished, it will look like a banana peel only much thinner
This squash filled my baby food processor cup and another container for tomorrow...
I added a couple tablespoons of water, and pureed and when I was finished...it looked just as baby food should...gross! But tasted oh soo yummy!
Just ask my biggest baby-food critique...who completely approved!

2010-02-25T21:04:00.004-06:00

Whew! What a busy girl's night! Scouten and I were BUSY! I have been wanting to try this recipe for banana breadsticks. Since she has one tooth in and another on the way, I decided I should probably get started!

First I baked the bread, it's basically banana nut bread, minus the nuts, of course! Plus I added a little more banana, cause it's for Scouty, and I am not going to skimp! When the bread was out of the oven, I cut a slice for Sean, buttered it up and he thought I had made him a treat! Whoops! The rest of it I cut up into thin slices, then each slice into three...
Then I popped it back into the oven for an hour at 150 (that's what the directions say). It wasn't as dried out as I would have liked it, so I left it in for another 45 minutes, because at that temperature, what is it really going to do?
The first one to comment on my use of parchment paper or the looks of my stove, is more then welcome to come on over and clean both!
While that was baking, Scouten and I had supper. Needless to say, she had peas. And she decided to play in the two teaspoons of leftovers. Yes, two teaspoons of peas, an eight month old, a bowl, a spoon and a high chair look like this...after about two minutes...
She also decided that she want to play "Indian" and used the bowl for a drum...I have tried to tell her that her grandfather believes that only men should sit at the drum, but she still wanted to try...
Yes, there was a bath involved after supper. Sorry that I did not get any "bathing beauty" pics, but I kind of had my hands full of soapy sweet baby! After bath, a walk around the house, some time in the jumpy and two rounds of the duck song, the banana biscuits were cool enough to eat!
Here's the first taste...and...
they are obviously a success! Anything she doesn't like is immediately fed to the dogs, and this pic was taken a good five minutes later!

I am not the only one who was worn out by the night, Scouten fell asleep in her highchair at 8:57 after singing to herself for a good three minutes, not much earlier then usual, but no rocking and no bottle! She was exhausted!!

serious thought...

2010-02-23T15:16:00.003-06:00

My life is not perfect. I have never pretended that it is. The past two months of my life have been filled with sickness, sadness, drama, wonder, and love. They have also made me sit down and have a serious talk with myself. I am sick of sickness, sadness and drama. There is nothing I can do about the first two, sometimes they just happen. I can just take care of my own health, which after Scouten's birth, I have seriously slacked on. I don't know why mother's feel so guilty about being away from their children - when they are taking care of themselves. I schedule doctors appointments, workouts (there have been a few), and pedicures (serious ME time) around her, when I should realize that time I am taking for myself may guarantee that I am with her more in the long run. Then again, the cement truck may hit me tomorrow, there are no guarantees.

Speaking of health, lack of guarantees, and drama, I have decided that I am going to go on a new-fangled diet - one of my own making. Oh yeah, that's right! I'm going on a drama-diet. I am sick of other people's drama making my blood pressure rise. I am just not going to participate, instead I am going to try to be a positive person and spend as much time with the people that inspire me, love me, and entertain me. My husband and daughter are the two who most definately fit those criteria.

I have also been thinking about the kind of woman that I want Scouten to grow up to be. I want her to be nurtured, strong, opinionated, and able to express her emotions - whether they be love, loss, or wonder. I also want her to be healthy. I was a little embarassed at first, but I make all her food - I am no longer embarassed, she's MY DAUGHTER, I want her to be healthy!

Not only do I want great things for my precious girl, I would also like her to learn these great things from her two biggest fans - her mother and father.

saturday morning entertainment

2010-02-20T08:31:00.000-06:00

Supermodel

2010-02-18T04:12:00.003-06:00

Who knew?

2010-02-10T15:52:00.002-06:00

I never thought I'd be one of "those moms." The kind that breastfeed their child then make all their babyfood, because you really never know what it in the jar. Turns out, I'm TOTALLY one of those moms. I even took a class...stop giggling. She has had a couple of baby foods, but that's just because I couldn't find them fresh and I read the label and did a little research before buying. I just see the numbers continue to climb when I stand on the scale, and I don't really want Scouten to learn any of my eating habits - well maybe when I gave up processed sugar for six months - but other then that, I want her to have her own habits.

Today, I made baby casserole - I know exactly what is in it, and how it was prepared, and there were NO jars involved...When I was finished, I looked at it and thought there was no way she would ever eat it. It looked great cooking and smelled great, but when it was pureed it looked AWFUL. Turns out I know nothing about baby cuisine, because.....

She licked the bowl clean...and it wasn't a little bowl either...

She did take a FEW pauses to try to figure out why her mama had the camera...

But it didn't slow her down too terribly much...

When she was done, she decided to share with her girls, and threw the bowl down for the dogs to inspect her work...

Then she started on cleaning up the spoon...Damn! She already has learned her mother's eating habits...

Christmas 2009

2010-02-06T22:32:00.002-06:00

Christmas this year was a completely different experience. Part of the reason was of course, Scouten. Another big part was we did not have church on Christmas Eve...it was the first time that anyone could remember the weather being bad enough to cancel services. And our church was definitely not the only one. My mom always has her entire side of the family over, and that didn't happen either. Only a few people could make the trip. It was just weird...and as my Aunt Bren put it, "It's the first time in X years I haven't spent Christmas Eve in Clyde, and I'm not handling it well."

This is the middle of main street about 8 am on Christmas morning...it makes me shiver to just look at this picture...the wind was HOWLING and we were in a room with windows that faced north....brrrrrrrrrr
We went to Clyde on the night of the 23rd, after the baptism and Sean and I were both unbelievably tired. My sisters said we should just leave her in their care and go to bed. I was too tired to argue. Then on the night of the 24th, one sister whined around because she hadn't had her turn to get up with Scouten, so we left her in her aunts' care a second night. I love my daughter - but that was a great Christmas present! Christmas morning I watched my sister help Scouten jump up and down on grandma's couch, and I wondered if leaving her in her aunts' care was a good idea after all...
The aunts weren't the ONLY ones that spoiled her...here's Uncle Mike, but he's not in his Christmas pajamas...you can all thank me later for that...
This was also the year of the hats...who KNOWS where my sister found these, but they were a hit!
It was also the year of the Jayhawk snuggies...Please note mom that I cropped this picture so it shows Nori and not the state of your house...not that anyone besides you cares...with 17 people and five dogs it's not going to be spotless!
Just in case Scouten wasn't spoiled enough, we also had Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa Baker's. She was literally surrounded by presents..
I don't know what was more fun, being able to run around with Abby and Becca or opening presents...
The pink fleece blanket was a complete hit!
As was the picture of the Baker girls for Grandma and Grandpa...

Scouten's Baptism

2010-02-03T15:53:00.002-06:00

Someone told me to get busy, cause it's February...so I guess I better listen...here should be the first of many posts in a short time. Let's go WAY WAY WAY back to December 23rd. Our precious little girl was baptized. We were so fortunate to have some of our family members there! It made it that more special and will be a great memory for Scouten someday.

The church made Scouten a "prayer quilt." When Pastor Larry held it up and told about it, it took everything I had to keep it together. The congregation had tied the quilt and said a prayer for Scouten. The back has a label that says her name and "You are a child of God" plus the date of her baptism. A very special memento to say the least.

This is my favorite picture of the night - which reminds me...I can't take a BIT of credit for the pictures...that's all Alicia Beaver...she did an AWESOME job...
She also took one of everyone there (with the exception of herself), which we made into thank you postcards..

Snow!

2009-12-10T07:44:00.002-06:00

Yesterday we had nowhere to be, Sean was working from home and the boss didn't want to see me (like most days, I'm sure). Anyway the wind was slightly blowing from the west...

(yes that IS the screen over the window, I'm not going outside)

Nowhere to go, but yet here is my insane husband shoveling the walk at 7:45 AM...just in case we need to go somewhere!

The next thing I know, there are two of them!

Personally, I think he should have been doing something productive, like helping his wife make peanut butter fudge or taking down the screens and putting the glass on the window. . .

I hope your thanksgiving was THIS good...

2009-11-28T22:07:00.003-06:00

My thanksgiving was a pretty relaxed affair at my parents' house...but there was a wild Indian there...so that made things a LITTLE exciting...

My smart little indian...

2009-11-17T23:15:00.001-06:00

I sing because I'm happy....I sing because I am free

2009-11-11T20:07:00.003-06:00

I can forward the email about Michelle Obama's staff, or I can choose to research it to see if it is true or false.

I can talk with my husband about when to baptize Scouten, cause we can baptize her when and where we choose.

I can write this blog post or write anything I feel the need to write.

I can choose to go to a Veteran's Day Parade or memorial.

I could own a gun.

I don't have to give up my notes on any court trial, even if they are subpoenaed (and I've been there).

I can make plans for the weekend, because I have the choice to go somewhere or stay home.

I can rock Scouten Baker to sleep in peace and quiet, read her a book or listen to a lullaby.

I can listen to Lauryn Hill and Tanya Blount sing one of my favorite songs.

Why do I have all these choices? Because of those who have served my country, who have
made sacrifices, who have asked their families to make sacrifices and
"who more than self their country loved."

Not your average Friday night....

2009-11-08T09:25:00.005-06:00

My father-in-law was honored by his tribe on Friday. It was an amazing experience to say the least. Not only did I learn that Scouten could sleep through anything, I also learned more about my husband's heritage. Like I said, AMAZING experience....

Here's my father-in-law dancing with Abby, who wasn't sure what to do, but knew she was having fun. Scouten slept through the drumming and singing, I still have no idea how. I realize the drumming and singing is rhythmic, which put her to sleep, but it was LOUD and it sure didn't bother her one bit.

This little boy had obviously been dancing since he could walk, he has better rhythm then I do!

This gentleman was the head gourd dancer, and full-blooded Lakota and Sioux. Sean and I pretty much stared at him the whole night, talking about how cool he was.

Since I don't know what the word "stranger" means, I learned more about the dresses. A woman with a buckskin dress covered in the "jingles" explained to me that these dresses are prayer dresses. Native Americans consider tobacco to be sacred, so they make offerings and pray every day for a year, and then the dress has 366 jingles on it (365 for each day of the year and an extra one for the wearer), made from tobacco can lids. Her dress - keep in mind it was buckskin - weighed 60 pounds. Of course I asked the internet more about it when I got home, and there are several versions of why Native Americans make the dresses.

Happy Halloween!!!!

2009-10-31T17:52:00.004-05:00

Boo!!!!

Trick or Treat?

2009-10-29T15:05:00.002-05:00

Scouten woke up about 1:20 this morning and wanted to play. Her mama was tired and did not want to play. Then Scouten showed mama a new trick...

Rice Cereal!

2009-10-18T10:33:00.003-05:00

Before...
First bite...not so sure...
Thinking the spoon may look pretty good..even if it IS orange and green...

Yep! I like the spoon best...

Scouten, Papa and a frog...

2009-10-13T19:08:00.004-05:00

My mom doesn't think that we even look at Scouten when she's gone...no one feeds her, plays with her, talks to her, changes her diaper, or picks her up...I have no idea how we have so many pictures of her smiling, why she talks when she's awake, how she doesn't have diaper rash, OR how she's doubled her birth weight. I know mom's not serious, but just in case she's worried, here's Scouten, her papa, and a frog...yes! a frog...

loves three hour naps in the middle of the day...

2009-10-13T16:45:00.000-05:00

Happy Piotique!

2009-09-26T09:01:00.002-05:00

More pics to come...

2009-09-23T17:53:00.000-05:00

listen for the huh-huh at 0:59

Saturday Morning....

2009-09-19T09:56:00.003-05:00

I wake up...happy as usual...

mama and daddy get me dressed and ready to go to the donut shop...can't wait to have a peanut butter twist

fall asleep on the way to the donut shop - it IS a whole eight blocks away

While I sleep, mama talks about how long my eyelashes are...

we come home and daddy reads me a book..

now mama and daddy will sit around and try to decide what to do the rest of the day...

2009-09-17T14:37:00.002-05:00

Vaccinations...

2009-09-15T21:44:00.002-05:00

Today was a trying day for my little family...well at least for myself and my husband. Scouten had to have her first vaccinations. I know that she will not remember it. I also know that three pricks of a needle are NOTHING compared to what those needle pricks are preventing. It still didn't make me cringe any less or feel any better. The worse part was that she was in such a good mood today. So good of mood that I actually considered calling in sick to work, just to see her smile all day long.

As you can see, not only was she in a great mood, she has also learned that she has a tongue. And she is constantly sticking it out and trying to figure out how exactly to make it work. I also have a suspicion that she is starting to think about her hands and arms. She has a cardinal on her little play gym that she has been smacking around this week. There are also two sets of plastic play keys on her swing that seem to jingle non-stop. Especially the left set...if she IS left-handed, I'm okay with that, but I am going to blame her Aunt Nori...not only because she is left-handed, but because she fed Scouten her first bottle...with her left hand.

2009-09-01T14:27:00.000-05:00

I can't decide if she is learning her alphabet or freaking out because the quilt is so bright...

...well she just asked me, "Mama what is a newt?" So she must be learning to read...

Bumbo Faces

2009-08-29T17:26:00.002-05:00

Even more elusive to capture then the "Real Blake Ross smile", is the "Scouten Smile". I think I have seen it at least 25 times, but I never seem to capture a picture of it. Probably cause I'm usually doing something goofy or talking silly in order to get her to smile!

Today, we got out the Bumbo seat that her Jilly bought her to see if she could sit up in it. The instructions say that she should be able to hold up her head. She's getting pretty good at holding up her head, but can't do it all the time. Considering she had two grown adults watching her, I assumed it was okay. And after all, I'm her mother! :)

Here's I captured while she was trying to figure out what in the heck her parents were up to.

Trying to get the hang of this...

Head up and relaxing

looking at her daddy and trying to figure out why he is talking like that...

Starting to move her hands around...and then...

Oh yes! I caught the elusive "Scouten Smile."

Vineyard Blessing and Dinner

2009-08-23T20:46:00.006-05:00

Sometimes I wonder what my mother will get me into next. You that do not know her, may think I'm exaggerating. But I can give you a "for instance." I can't remember what year, but when I was living in Topeka, and I am getting ready to walk out the door to go home for Christmas My mother calls me up and says, "I know you are getting ready to come home, but I need a birdbath-warmer. Don't come home without one."

Another example, "There's going to be a blessing of the grapes and a dinner at the Smoky Hill Vineyard, it's this Saturday, what time should we pick you up?"

I will be the first to admit, and Sean will probably be the last to admit, that we went along to the Vineyard, which is one of the last places either of us belong. I thought for sure they would reject us at the door because Sean was wearing jeans, or because mom and I were not wearing dresses, or because we were trying to bring in a two-month old baby, but they didn't. Instead we attended the blessing, I took bunches of pictures, and no one said a thing. Except the guy I stood next to during the blessing, and he was just giving me a history lesson about the ceremony.

Okay, okay, so it wasn't all wine and roses. There was one lady that had enough nerve to do this.

She obviously didn't notice that heathen snapping pictures! The part of the blessing I liked, besides the golden robes, was where the priest talked about how wine was a good thing, in moderation. I think the "moderation" part was added because there was a tasting. Mom and I went in first and checked it out. We both agreed that the Cherry Port was the best kind we tried - but we only tried two kinds. We relayed this information to Sean and my father, who spent considerably more time in the tasting room. They returned to our table with a bottle of Red Raspberry. After my first taste, it was obvious they had done more research, cause the raspberry was excellent. Then again, my favorite wine is Boone's Strawberry Hill, so you understand my discerning palette. Then we had dinner overlooking the vineyard (seriously, I can't believe I just wrote that last sentence, who the hell am I?).
After dinner, I begged a famed photographer to take a family picture. I knew she was enjoying her time off, and probably didn't want to do it. She even made the comment, "I don't know HOW to work these little cameras." But I'm glad I asked anyway.

I have no idea what Sean and mom are smirking about, I think they may have finished off the bottle, or because they were shocked I just begged someone to take a family picture, I'm not quite sure. On the way out, mom decided Scouten NEEDED her picture taken on a wine barrel. I told her that I would be happy to, but Grandma had to be in the picture too. Once again, I think the wine kicked in, because she agreed! That wine sure IS a blessing...

If you would like to see more pictures from this fun-filled fiasco, you can click here. Sorry there are no pictures of my father's birdbath warmer, I don't think he's ever used it.

Saturday Night Entertainment...

2009-08-15T19:36:00.004-05:00

The Scouten-Tell-Overture...

NO! I cannot figure out how to get her right-side up...if anyone has any ideas, I'm up for suggestions!

no wonder she eats so much

2009-08-11T10:51:00.001-05:00

Big Girl Bathtime!

2009-07-29T21:10:00.002-05:00

Scouten's first big girl bath in the kitchen sink.

I'm not so sure about all this mama..

Ohh a fluffy towel...now this part I LIKE!!

Funny Faces!

2009-07-21T12:15:00.003-05:00

While I am feeding Scouten, if my mother is here, we read from the book "What to Expect - The First Year." It's been a lifesaver in many ways! It told my husband not to stick anything in her ear smaller then his elbow! He's always sticking a bobby-pin in his ear, and I'm afraid he'll be doing it to her if I don't watch him!

The book also told us that Scouten won't smile "socially" until she's at least 4 weeks old, and maybe not until she's 8 weeks old. I can be patient and wait for that first non-pooping smile...especially when she makes funny faces and doesn't even realize it. Here are a few examples, taken from my phone while I am trying not to crack up!

Because it's Aunt Nori's anniversary...

2009-07-10T10:41:00.004-05:00

which makes me think of swimming lessons...and that two people can love each other for 27 years and still like each other...

Good Morning!

2009-07-01T13:04:00.002-05:00

Sean was telling Scouten "Good Morning" this morning, and I think I fell in love with both of them all over again...We also met some cousins already this week! I could KICK myself for not taking a picture of the Okie cousins with Scouten. They came to visit for a WHOLE DAY! It was awesome, but did I take a picture? NOOOO that would have been way too smart!!

Hi Grandma!!

2009-06-28T17:55:00.000-05:00

Thumb Sucker!!

2009-06-28T13:09:00.003-05:00

Sean and I are pretty much over the moon. We went from a family of two, to a family of three this week. Scouten Charlotte blessed us with her presence on Wednesday at 2:41am. She sure had her own timing, her own placement, and we are once again, overjoyed to have her!I know Sean has been updating you with pictures over the past few days while I recover from the c-section (not something I would reccomend, but if it equals healthy baby, that's what's important). But I wanted to add my own pictures, including these two, because it shows you that she IS a thumb sucker, not just in the womb.
More details (and billions of pictures) to follow as her mama recovers!

Scouten and Grandparents

2009-06-24T19:57:00.000-05:00

More Scouten

2009-06-24T19:52:00.000-05:00

Scouten Charlotte Baker

2009-06-24T19:46:00.001-05:00

2009-06-22T23:38:00.002-05:00

Dear Lord,

I realize the child I am about to deliver is a gift from Your hands. I realize that You know him/her and have counted the hairs on his/her head. I thank You for entrusting me with this precious gift. Even words of prayer can not explain my gratitude or my awe of this soon-to-be miracle.

Please help to calm not only my nerves, but the nerves of those who love us most - my husband, my family, and my friends. I know we can both feel their love and support surrounding us, let them know those feelings, while I may not always be able to express them, are a two-way street. May we continue to support, love, and communicate those feelings between one another.

Watch over my doctor, nurses and other medical staff. Help to make their decisions the ones that are best. Let all involved remember they are human beings who must make difficult choices for themselves and the patients that they care for.

Bless my growing family, as I know that all things are possible through You,
Amen.

speaking of food...

2009-06-20T18:17:00.003-05:00

The Kansas Sampler Festival has announced the EIGHT wonders of Kansas Cusine. I am so disapointed in myself. I've only been to five....I know, I know, maybe someday I will make it to all eight...

1-Bobo's - Home of the best chocolate shakes and cheeseburgers with velveeta.

2-Brookville Hotel - They believe in family sized portions, and fried chicken, what more could you want?

3-Cozy Inn Hamburgers - As long as you don't go in, life is grand with hamburgers and onions...

4-Guy & Mae's - Where one of my college roomates grew up! I know the ribs are legendary, but I don't remember having them...but I kind of remember drinking a beer or two...

5-Hays House-go for the pie...

I am also very disapointed that The Chapeau or Porubsky's didn't make the eight wonders. Where else on earth can you get a pizza-taco (makes me hungry just typing it) and a red beer? And someone in charge has obviously never had the pickles...

started humming a song from 1962...

2009-06-15T10:28:00.002-05:00

As far back as I can remember, I have always loved thunderstorms. I partially blame this on my parents. When storms would come up when I was little, we would either pop some popcorn and get in the car to go watch or we would sit on the porch and watch the storm move in.
This morning I woke up to thunder and rain...the best alarm clock ever...the only problem is that my body thinks thunder and rain equals another nap! That didn't bother me too much, but then I remember the one thing I don't like about rain and storms first thing in the morning....

Thank God my mother hasn't learned how to comment on blog postings...HI MOM! :)

2009-06-13T22:14:00.005-05:00

My mom, sister and I bought fabric for a baby quilt quite a while ago. It was a WILD panel, some wilder zebra stripes, and alphabet fabric. I looked at some other animal fabric, and my sis pretty much threw a fit in the middle of that fabric store. Thank goodness they knew us...and it turns out the fit was due to the fact she had already bought it to make Baby Baker a quilt...it's not MY fault we both have good taste! Anyway, since we are having a baby in ten days, today I went to my mom's to make the top or at least get started on it. She told me that if I would have just let her know sooner, she could have started on the quilt. Then she proceeded to laugh and laugh, cause she's known since November...yeah that's right...November.

I think it turned out wild, but fabulous! Now all it needs is quilted and the fabric for the back. Thankfully my sister already took care of that, or God only knows when I would have picked it out...maybe when Baby Baker went to kindergarten....or maybe a college graduation present. Either way, the back my sis picked out matches perfectly with the quilt, here it is with my current baby posing just for you (and maybe the cheese in my hand).

My mother see/read this and have a fit, but she can go right ahead, cause she knows whose baby was in this crib first...DON'T YOU MOTHER?

Haybale insanity...

2009-06-08T08:39:00.007-05:00

My mom is a master gardener. She will be quick to explain to you, that doesn't mean she knows EVERYTHING about gardening, it just means that she's willing to learn more. Since she has joined the program, she goes to numerous farmers markets, attends all kinds of master gardener meetings, and takes Sean and I on some pretty cool gardening field trips.

One of the things she has learned about is haybale gardening. I know that sounds insane, but other people have done it, and EVEN been successful! Supposedly it's good for people that don't like to weed, bend over a lot, or have a lot of space to garden in (I qualify for ALL those! Yeah!). After some preparation, Sb and I decided to plant yesterday...Here's the haybales, that have been all prepared and have a thin layer of manure, followed by a layer of soil added.

I ALMOST forgot to add, my husband added drip-irrigation for each plant to the mix. Seriously, a drip irrigation system...which just reminds me what a engineering-structural-logical-minded person that I really married. He planted two tomatoes, a cucumber, and a green pepper. Might I add, each with their own drip irrigation.

The green pepper likes it sooo much, it's already producing...either that or we bought it so late in the season that it already had a pepper on it, I can't remember which..hmmmmmm....please also note the flip-flop in the above picture...SB wearing flip-flops is a RARE occasion..he had to buy some in Mexico, because I refused to walk on the beach with a guy in boots...

Our finished product! I guess we will see what happens...if we don't have tomatoes or green peppers to make chimi-changas and salsa about mid-July, we will just go find our local master gardener...I'm SURE she will have some!

The addiction begins...

2009-06-03T14:18:00.005-05:00

Digital Scrapbooking...

2009-06-03T10:52:00.003-05:00

The last thing I need right now is a new addiction...However, I would really like to learn more about digital scrapbooking. I know I could "Google it", but I wondered what your favorite sites are, what you use, and what has and has not worked for you. Let me know...it's something I like to learn about in the next 19 days...not that I'm counting down or anything like that.

Here's a couple pages I created this morning...keep in mind this was pretty quick...and you can click to look at the details...I haven't gotten Miss Caitlyn's graduation pics up, so I figured this way you could see the pictures, and I could play with the scrapbooking...and they say pregnancy shrinks your brain! I've surely spelled something wrong or done something incredibly stupid after typing that sentence!!

You know you're eight months pregnant when...

2009-05-17T13:26:00.003-05:00

1 - You drop everything

2 - You start having dreams that involve fire engines and your baby being an Okie.

3 - You eat 3 oz of ice cream on the way home from the grocery store (not remarkable, and my husband was driving), and you spill it on the seat, down the front of your shirt, and on the seat belt, BEFORE you are half-way finished.

4 - You have to trust your friend when she says your pedicure looks good, cause you sure can't see it.

5 - A full meal = a popped belly-button

6 - You've cried to your husband, because you swear you can't remember what it's like NOT to be pregnant.

7 - Your mother swears at you because YOU are making HER look stupid when you don't let her carry the bags from Wal-mart (still haven't figured that one out).

8 - You actually WANT to drive down railroad tracks in your car.

9 - Your amazing friend brings you over cookies with her yummy frosting, cause she knows you will be throwing yourself a pity-party, and figures you might as well have good food.

10 - You can't wait to see your child (although the thought of how it's going to get out scares you to death), and be someone's mama.

graduation...

2009-05-12T08:57:00.002-05:00

It seems to work out in my family, that there are either three graduations or none. I know that's pretty weird considering I only have six nieces and nephews, someday I'll do the math and figure it out, but NOT on a dreary day like this!!

Last Sunday, mom, dad, Sean and I made the trek to Winfield to Southwestern college to see the first of this year's graduations. My niece Courtney, got her degree in Psychology. I think sooner or later she will figure her family out, but it might take a little more schooling. When we got there, this was the scene that greeted us!

Unfortunately, it didn't stay that calm for long...it was 58 degrees and the wind was blowing straight out of the north, which equals FREEZING!! You can see it in Courtney's hair and gown as she walks right into the wind...
The grand march into the stadium. I was sooo proud when I saw those feet, she realized she had to walk across the muddy field and actually wore flats! So much better then the sky-high heels she wore at her high-school graduation! :)

I'm pretty sure this is the moment she realized she was a college grad and doesn't have a clue what she is doing...welcome to life Courtney, your aunt is 31 and still has no clue what she wants to do! Your grandma is slightly older then that and is trying all kinds of new stuff everyday, don't worry about it!!

Well it's all over...and here are two of the three graduates from this year...Caitlyn and Kasey are up next week...stay tuned!

Okay, so the church is brick...

2009-04-30T10:45:00.002-05:00

I heard this song this morning, and it made me pretty "weepy" (as my mother would say). That's code for, "this song is so good it made me cry!" The chorus especially chokes me up...

I said I'm from the front pew of a wooden white church
The courthouse clock it still don't work
Where a man's word means everything
Where moms and dads were high school flings
Gave their children grandmothers maiden name
Yes it may not sound like much
But its where I'm from

Christmas in April

2009-04-29T15:46:00.003-05:00

I am JUST NOW uploading pictures from Christmas, New Year's, December Birthday's, Easter, etc. I don't know how many pictures that equals, but it's more then a couple hundred. Here are a few of my favorites from Christmas...hopefully sometime in the next couple weeks I'll get to New Year's...and maybe even Easter...or the Arnold's trip my mom, sister, husband and I just took!

I know this one is shaky...but I was cold!

Someday I'll get a picture of Blake's REAL smile...I seem to always capture this FAKE one...

Who KNOWS what was said, but they both must have thought it was funny...probably involved farting...

Almost looks like a model...but I think the snoopy shirt gives him away...

Love the concentration in both their faces, I'm pretty sure Caitlyn (in the plaid) was trying to put the batteries in her new desk...and Courtney was concentrating ons something sugary!

Happy Easter...

2009-04-12T08:46:00.002-05:00

...from one of my favorite bunny's!

No Fooling...

2009-04-02T09:02:00.003-05:00

It's April 2nd, so you know this isn't an April Fool's Joke...they cancelled school today, cause of this...I brought the school car home last night, it's somewhere under there...
Not only am I not looking forward to digging it out, I'm also wondering if my girls will ever go outside again, they are really confused by all this...

All joking aside, I'm kind of worried about my power lines, it's 33 degrees outside, so the snow is very wet...great for snowballs...not so great when it coats the lines that bring you power...and internet!

Nosy...

2009-03-27T11:48:00.003-05:00

I'm sure everyone thinks the reason we have gates in our living room is so we can keep the girls off the couch...I'll fess up, the real reason is so we don't have to replace any more blinds.

Wichita Garden Show

2009-03-25T20:11:00.002-05:00

This year for my aunt's birthday, my mother, sister, and aunts went to Omaha to what we have all heard called, "THE Garden Show." I was so jealous, I can't even explain it...When I called my mother to ask her how it went, she howled (yes, literally), "The PLANTS WERE FAKE!" Although they got to shop in some good places, the garden show itself was kind of a flop. So, we went to our semi-traditional show, which is in Wichita. Every time we go, I never can believe all the trees, fountains, waterfalls, and other garden paraphernalia that they build INSIDE the Century II...I know you are thinking, how awesome can it really be?

Lately I have been thinking about "nature vs. nurture", in other words, what parts of me (and Sean) are in our genetics, and what parts are the results of being around our families. Mostly because I'm worried our child will have none of his patience and all of my (lack of) math skills. I think we will both be okay in the "playing in the dirt" part, because we both love to do that! I'm starting to think in my case it's a combination of genetics and attitude. Especially during the garden show when my sis, mom and I went to a lecture on new plants and veggies. When we saw the green houses of the woman giving the lecture, I'm pretty sure there were three squeals of delight. Although it's quite a few miles away, we've already planned our trip to Arnold's.

Since there are 15 greenhouses (including the show-greenhouse that is the size of a football field, with a retractable roof), I've been busy working on my list of things I have to have. I'm thinking that this summer will be busy, so I have been thinking mostly about container gardening. Between that and mowing, I'm not sure much else will get done. Here is one of the things on my list...an herb garden in a container!

We are going April 18th, and I'm counting down the days!!

Mommy Blogger

2009-03-24T14:16:00.001-05:00

I have nothing against mommy-bloggers. Actually, they are some of my favorite blogs to read. I have just told myself (or lied to myself) that this blog will not be all about Shaker. While I realize a majority will be, I have a life as well...or at least for another 90ish days I have a life. Anyway, I have been approached by two readers about getting my boota in gear, and I will be doing that...soon....I promise...just as soon as I get the baby's room cleaned out and get finished rubbing my belly.

red sky at night...

2009-02-05T14:42:00.005-06:00

My mother always quotes that "red sky at night, sailor's delight" or something similar to that. For someone who loves sailboats so much, I have no idea what that means. I do know what it means when I beg SB to pull over cause the sky is red, and he grumbles. It means, "why on Earth did I marry this camera-crazed psycho." Which after these two pictures, I really think he can take a long walk....with my waterproof camera...off a short pier.

Did I mention that my husband is leaving for Georgia on Monday, and I'm just a liiiitttllleee jealous.

Onery Thumb Sucker

2009-01-27T10:22:00.005-06:00

Today was our "middle-of-the-road" sonogram. I wasn't suprised that the technician said our child was onery. I would have been more suprised if she had said the opposite. Shaker was moving and grooving today and didn't want to have his/her picture taken. Nope, we didn't find out. Nor to we plan to (sorry Becca & Jilly). He/she kept turning his/her head and putting his/her butt in the air.
There was one surprise...our child is already a thumb sucker.

Personally, I was just excited to see he/she had arms/legs and fingers/toes. The fact that he/she knew that and could suck his/her thumb was just an added bonus! I'm also thinking we have a swimmer on our hands, he/she kicked his/her feet pretty much the whole time. No wonder the technician told us we have an onery little thumb sucker on our hands!

Shaker...

2009-01-08T18:57:00.002-06:00

Okay, Okay, my baby's name is NOT Shaker...nor will it be in June, but my friends have named him/her that, and it's stuck!! I'm glad we've cleared that up.

SB and I signed up for birthing classes this week, and suddenly I have come to the realization that I will have to go through labor and give birth to a child. Seriously! I will have to push another human being out of my own body. Even when my mother gave me the "you know what goes in will have to eventually come out" speech, it didn't quite hit me this hard!

I have also started getting random comments and advice from people - friends and strangers - I'll give you some of the examples:
-One friend brought me a book called "While waiting"
-My mom's super advice - of what goes in and must come out
-Another friend said "I guess I just didn't realize how much blood was involved. I knew there
would be blood...but not THAT much.
-The baby industry thinks the second you get pregnant, your brain falls out your ear. You
don't really need ALL that baby stuff, just stick to the basics.

I am wondering what your advice is...what do you wish someone would have told you sooner about babies, birth, labor, and all the other fun stuff when expanding your family?

Why Michelle probably shouldn't leave early for work...

2008-12-09T11:17:00.002-06:00

...especially when co-workers are armed with ornaments.

Photo Session

2008-11-20T18:16:00.006-06:00

Although I know a ton of totally talented photographers, none of them took these pics. Then again the photographer IS the head of her department at Wesley Medical and a Professor at KU Medical Center....maybe I got my money's worth...hmmm.....

If you look closely, there are arm and leg buds!! :)