Mother to Child

Look...

your little fist

fits mine

like the pit

in a plum.

On day

And one size

these two hands will

clasp comanionably.

Help me, child.

Forgive me

when I fail you.

I'm your mother,

true...

But in the end

merely an older equal

doing her faltering best

for a dear

small friend.

By Carol Lynn Pearson

Forest Fun!

This weekend we ventured into the woods with our friends the Gardner's for a little forest fun and sleeping under the stars...well in a tent under the stars. This was Reese's first camping trip...I can almost hear the gasps of disgust from my family. I realize it's nothing less than a crime that Reese is almost a year and she hasn't been camping yet. No worries, she was a natural! She loved the freedom of the outdoors; the unlimited amount of rocks, sticks, dirt and water to play in or with.

My biggest worry was whether or not Reese would sleep in the tent and if so, would it last through the night. She did great. I however, was up all night worried about how cold she was or wasn't. So, while mom didn't sleep a wink, baby did great. I'm still recovering. The older I get, the more I appreciate the comforts of my own bed. And after this camping trip...I have an incredible amount of appreciation for my parents and all the camping trips they took us on. It's a lot of work packing up half the house to venture into the woods. It's so worth it though. Kids love camping and Arnold and I are determined to give our kids those wonderful memories! But I wouldn't be apposed to investing in a pop-up trailer or fifth wheel one day! :)

Daddy showing Reese how cold the water is!

Dave & Tyler Gardner, venturing in the water.

Reese loved playing in the water. We couldn't believe she loved it so much. The water was sooo cold!

If I would have let go of her had, she would have kept on going...that is until she fell in and then I think the fun would have ended really fast.

Chillin by the fire.

Tyler Gardner, roasting marshmallows.

Reese's first marshmallow.

Arnold, dutch oven cooking.

Hanging out under the picnic table...the simple pleasures.

The Gardners! Thanks for camping with us. We had a great time.

Reese had so much fun that she zonked out in the car before we even drove out of the campsite.

The newest little Nordfelt!

More pictures of my cute little niece Kendi!


Big brother Crew with his beautiful little sister.

Practice!

Today I practiced the cupcakes and cake I'm making for Reese's first birthday party! I thought they turned out pretty cool. I learned a couple lessons, or things I'll do different for the "real" thing...but how fun are these?! Now imagine them with yummy buttercream frosting and rainbow sprinkles. I love planning party's!! No wonder I do it for a living. I only wish I had the budget for Reese's party that I have for some of my client parties.

Happy Birthday Hudson!

Reese attended her first ever "friend" birthday party tonight. Our cute neighbor Hudson turned 5! He was so nice to invite Reese to his party. She had such a great time, and several firsts.

She played her first birthday game, winning a pick from the candy bowl. Reese picked a Reese's Peanunt Butter Cup; her first ever Reese's. She loved it!

Entire Reese's in mouth!

Playing games with all the kids.

Helping Hudson open his presents.

Really she just wanted all the discarded wrapping. It's much more interesting to Reese than the presents themselves. Makes me re-think what to get her for her upcoming birthday....hummm

The speed of light...

Maybe I should have gotten Reese a Superman shirt instead of Wonder Woman, because these days she moves like the speed of light. Well...fast enough that it's getting harder and harder to take her picture. I tried all day yesterday to get her to sit still long enough to capture her cool new shirt...with special meaning for those who've known me long enough. But Reese holds still for no one these days. I seem to be reminded on a daily basis that my baby has been replaced by a toddler. A smart, stubborn, determined, and beautiful little toddler.

Yesterday we spend some time up at BYU campus with Arnold's family. After a week of cabin fever, Reese was a moving target.

Reese loved the piano and would have spent hours playing, had we let her.

But someone came along that could "really" play and Reese wanted to be his best friend. She didn't want to leave the poor guy alone.

A few random shot of Reese playing with her toys. She really knows how to concentrate and make a mess. After seeing pictures of my new little niece yesterday, I know for sure my baby is no longer...well ....a baby.

Welcome to the world little Kendi!

My new little niece Kennedi Taylor Nordfelt (Kendi for short) joined the world last night at 11:20 p.m. She and mom are doing great. She is so beautiful! I can't wait to hold her. Just looking at pictures is making me a little baby hungry.

She was 7 lbs. 3 oz. Well over 3 lbs. smaller than her brother was. She also has a full head of thick brown hair. Her brother had very little hair and what he did have was white blond. Crazy how different each baby can be.

Congrats to Brady and Erika!!! We love you guys and are so happy for you. We'll see you in a few weeks.

Could it really be the last...

time I give a Reese update, where she's under a year old?? Time really has flown by. I can't believe that we've almost circled the sun with Reese in our lives. Arnold and I love her so much, we can hardly stand it! Happy 11 months to our little Monkey Bean!

Things Reese can do at 11 months:

walk - and get into everything

talk - mommy, daddy, juice, baba (means, bottle, binky, bath time, and balloon)

sing - along to her Sesame Street songs

give - kisses, when she's in the mood

help - mommy cook and do the laundry, she a good little sorter...kind of

play - with any and all kids who will let her. She loves other small people

jump - in her crib, on the couch, and on mommy & daddy's bed

clap - for herself and anyone who will clap along

wave - goodbye and hello, even at complete strangers

love - blanky, monkey, dolly, balloons, outside, friends, swinging...and of course her mommy & daddy

Idaho Getaway Part 2 - Jenny's Lake

I'm going to have to apologize up-front for the plethora of photos. There were just too many cute one's, and since I print out my blog each year as our family scrapbook... I just had to include them all.

While we were in Idaho, we went on a little day trip to the Tetons. Wyoming...another favorite place to go.

It turned out to be a little cooler than we expected in the Tetons. We had to buy a sweatshirt at the gift shop for Reese. The smallest size they had was a 4T. She looked too cute though. She was a happy little hiker!

Reese and Daddy ready to hike in her carrier. Our happy little clapper.

Daddy, Reese, Grandma & Grandpa Nordfelt

Our happy little family.

Grandma & Reese taking a little stroll.

Reese, Grandma & Grandpa Nordfelt - "Jenny's Lake Aug. 2009"

Reese loves swinging with Grandma & Grandpa

And it's time to go home. We would have liked to stay a little longer, but it's back to reality. Thanks Grandma & Grandpa Nordfelt for a fun weekend getaway in Idaho...and a little Wyoming.

And now it's time for a little more Sesame Street!