What happened to my baby?

It seems like only yesterday that I was in the hospital holding my little fragile baby. I brought her home and swaddled her in a warm snugly blanket. I protected her, didn't want anyone remotely sick or dirty to touch her. I never would have dreamed of putting her on the ground, not even the carpet with out a blanket down. I sanitized her binky every time it touched the ground. I was so careful about everything.

Now...she crawls through the street, garage, and flower beds. She plays in the mud with the neighbor boys. I'm grateful if she only sucks on rocks that are too big to swallow. I let the neighbor kids feed her gold fish crackers off the sidewalk. And by the end of the day she's covered in grass stains, popsicle juice, mud, and who know what else.

So I'll say again...what happened to my baby and how did things changes so quickly??

All I know is that she is one happy kid!

Reese enjoying the neighbors kiddy chair. We need to get her one of her own.

Reese thinks she's just one of the boys! She can really hold her own with the big kids.

Our little helper??

We thought maybe Reese was ready for some household responsibilities...all we asked was that she help us short the mail...

Our mistake! :)

Warning...for some...

this might be inappropriate, but I couldn't resist. I'm pretty sure, with the exception of my brothers and my dad, most everyone that reads my blog are women. So I'm sure you don't care that I'm displaying my bra for all to see.

Reese was helping me fold the laundry the other night. She decided she wanted to be like mommy. It's a little big baby girl...but one day!

I'm sure it will come more quickly than I'll be ready for.

Time with cousins!

Reese got to spend some time with her cousins this week. It's been a while since we've been out to Alpine, so Mycol's birthday was a perfect excuse.

Riley, Reese & Mycol - kissing cousins

Reese and the birthday Girl

My handsome nephew Logan. He hates having his picture taken, but he's so cute.

Mycol blowing out her birthday candles.

Mycol shared one of her birthday lolly pops with Reese.

Mycol's friends snuck into her house and decorated her room for her birthday.

A study in "little m"...

Is it possible that 11 years has gone by??

Happy birthday my little m!

I love you so much!!

This balloon saved my life...

or at least my sanity!

I had a 3 p.m. doctors apt. I had some errands to run so I ran my errands just before the appointment. Reese got this free balloon at the craft store. We arrived at the doctors at 2:45 p.m. We sat in the waiting room until 4:30 p.m. Then we sat in the exam room until 5:05 p.m. We didn't leave the doctors office until 5:50 p.m.

If it weren't for this balloon and the unbelievable amount of entertainment it provided for Reese; I would have lost my last nerve.

The good news...I finally have a doctor that's been able to diagnose some of the problems I've been having. I found out that I'm anemic, my thyroid isn't functioning properly, and nerve endings in my left food have died. All due to my complications from my pregnancy. Long story short...tomorrow I start a whole new regimen of medicine and hopefully I'll be feeling a lot better very soon!

Waiting for daddy...

Last night Reese and her daddy were playing, daddy had to use the restroom. Reese followed him to the restroom and patiently waited by the door until he returned. It was too funny. She talked to him through the door the whole time.

She loves playing with daddy!

Neighborhood fun...

Reese just wants so badly to be a big kid, like all her neighborhood friends.

Her friend and our neighbor Claire, let Reese try her "big girl" bike. Reese can't quite reach the peddles, but if she could...I would be in trouble.

Thanks Claire for sharing and for being such a good friend to Reese!

Reese and Claire. Claire is such a good friend to Reese. Claire also has a little sister, Lucy, that is just 4 months younger than Reese. Pretty soon, Lucy will be old enough to come out and play as well.

I couldn't help but include this cute picture of another neighborhood friend, Gavin. We had a little neighborhood ice cream party tonight and Gavin was lovin the ice cream. His ice cream goatee was just too cute!

(It's funny that all Reese wants to do is ride all the big kids bikes and the big kids all seem to want to ride her little baby bike. I still think my idea for a neighborhood toy swap every week would be awesome.)

What the ?????

Tonight we put Reese to bed a little early. Sundays are a hard day with no afternoon nap. She usually lays down and it out pretty fast. Some nights she talks to herself and plays for 5 or 10 minutes before she zonks. Tonight...after about 10 minutes I hear a desperate cry! I go upstairs and Reese has taken off her pajama bottoms and was attempting to take off her top but had gotten it stuck on her head. What the ???? I didn't even know she could take off her clothes. She's never done that before.

I redressed her rocked her for a minute and put her back down. She was out like a light.

I have no idea what that was about?? Crazy kid! I swear she does something new everyday. Can't wait for tomorrow! :)

The top 10 things I've learned from my dad...

1. A love for the outdoors
2. The desire to jump out of airplanes
3. A love of the water
4. The ability to face my fears and overcome them
5. Stubbornness
6. A good work ethic
7. Independence
8. Confidence
9. Spirituality

and most importantly...

10. The proper placement of the crystal light in the refrigerator!! :)

The one thing my dad never could teach me...How to gut a fish with out gagging. I still need you to do that for me dad!

Happy Father's Day!! Thanks for all you've done and still do for me.

Love, your original princess!

Happy first Daddy's Day!

I think when every girl finds the guy she wants to marry, there's a small part of her that thinks and wonders what kind of a dad they will be one day. I always thought Arnold would be a good dad, but I have to say I've been pleasantly surprised and happy to see exactly how wonderful of a daddy he really is. Right from the beginning, Arnold has loved his little girl. When Reese was born, he could hardly stand to be away from her. He is more patient with her, than I've ever seen him. He loves to play with her and cuddle with her. Reese absolutely loves her daddy! He more than exceeds all my expectations of the best father.

HAPPY FIRST FATHERS DAY ARNOLD!!!

...Reese and I love you so much!

We're trying to have a fun summer...

But summer is playing hide and seek with us. Yesterday we found it...today it was hiding again. Summer, why must you hide on Saturdays??

Despite the rainy chilly weather, we ventured to Salt Lake's Liberty park with our friends the Gardner's. Reese enjoyed some playground fun, her first paddle boats, and a picnic. Unfortunately we didn't get to run in the water like we'd hoped...unless you count running through the rain to the car.

We still had a good time though!

Reese loves going down the slide.

The swings are still a favorite!

The paddle boats were fun for a few minutes. Reese wasn't a fan of her life jacket...I don't blame her. Then our boat started leaking...so we headed back to the shore.

I was trying to show Reese how fun it was!

The Garnder's had fun on the boats too. Thanks for hanging with us in the rain!