Lily Chronicles

Lots of changes are happening to our Lily-bean.  She is three months old, and has started transitioning out of the 0-3 month size.  Some stuff is to small, and some fits perfectly, while the 3-6 month stuff is still a scootch too big.  Lily is still sleeping through the night (hooray!), but has dialed down on the length and frequency of her naps (boo!).  She is eating a ton, and we have introduced rice cereal a couple times; it was well received.

According to the doctor, Lily is approximately 13 pounds and is a month ahead in her social interaction and development.  She can sit up if we're holding her waist and prefers standing as long as she can with us holding her hands.  I have felt the strength in her legs when she's kicked me in the face.  I'm enrolling her in kickboxing, ASAP.

Lily has a great fear of being bored and is constantly searching for entertainment and interaction.  She is more focused on the world around her and loves to be the center of attention.  It's pretty entertaining.  Unless I have something to do.  And then it gets annoying.  But overall, we love having her around, and have decided we're keeping her.

Bamboozled by the baby

Driving along in the car this afternoon, Lily started fussing from the backseat.  I fixed a bottle and leaned over to put it in her mouth to calm her down a little.  She quieted down right away and so we pulled off the freeway so I could hop in the backseat and feed her.  As soon as I got back there and stuck the bottle back in her mouth, she started smiling and playing.  She wasn't hungry.  The little stinker just wanted some company and someone to pay attention to her.  I was hoodwinked by a three-month old.  Well played, Lily.  Well played.  

Hanging at the homestead

We spent the past week in Eureka for Klima-ween (aka Halloween--I kid you not, the people in my parents ward call it Klima-ween.  Even newly transferred missionaries heard about it and came by to check out the decor.) and played tourist to some of my favorite places in the area.  And took lots of pictures.  Enjoy!

We got there on Mom's birthday.  She had fun with her favorite visitor. 

The traditional candy pumpkins on Mom's chocolate cake.  

The high school has a fundraiser where they show a silent movie and the orchestra plays the score. It was fantastic.

I had my Turkey Lurkey! (Turkey, cranberry sauce, and cornbread dressing on sourdough. Divine.)

Kevin happily got mud on Jeep going four-wheeling in Prairie Creek State Park.

One of my favorite places is Fern Canyon.  It is beyond gorgeous and I LOVED going back. I can't wait until we can go back in the summer when you can get further in the canyon.

Lily was a champ and did not fuss during the hike at all.  She enjoyed her trip through the woods.

Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox at Trees of Mystery.

One of four Golden Bears at Klamath Bridge.  I love these guys.

And there were some elk, just chillin' off the side of the road.

The new Klima-ween mascot.

More elk.  In someone's front yard.

The Halloween ballerina.

Halloween decor around the house.  It was a light decorating year for Dad.

We make our own Halloween chocolates.  Because my parents are Martha Stewart that way.

The traditional flaming pumpkin.

The mysteriously appearing spoon

There is a spoon sitting in our silverware drawer.  It is not a part of our silverware set.  It is not an item that either Kevin or I brought to the marriage.  Neither of us picked it up anywhere, and we don't know where it came from.  It just appeared in the drawer one day.  So if you recognize this spoon, and know where it belongs, let me know.  I'd like to return it to its proper home.  I'm sure somebody, somewhere, is missing it.

Peek-a-boo...

I see you!

Baby Shower

I hosted a baby shower for a friend the other day.  She is having a little boy, and it was a fun time.  I decided to have a pumpkin theme, given the season.  I was pretty proud of my ideas.  We had a hot chocolate bar, with pumpkin-shaped Peeps as the marshmallows, and pumpkin patch-themed cupcakes.  And I found this amazing recipe for pumpkin fluff.  It's basically Cool-whip, canned pumpkin, and pumpkin pie spice (mix together and chill), served with Nilla Wafers.  DELICIOUS!  I love parties; attending and hosting.  It's always fun to get people together and spend time socializing.  

In the Army

My youngest brother, Ben, has joined the Army.  He has been talking about it and planning for it for a while now.  Last week he had the last physical, signed his contract, and was sworn in.  He reports for duty on January 28, 2013 (three days before his birthday), to Fort Benning, Georgia.  I'm proud of him; proud of him for desiring to serve his country and for working towards the goal and making it.  He didn't give up and did what he needed to do in order to obtain his desired ends.  But I worry about him, too.  I worry about him getting sent to a dangerous place and getting killed.  I worry about him getting taken advantage of because he has a kind heart and believes the best of people.  But he's in the military.  And I'm going support him 100%.  Go, Benny!

Ben (6 months)

Ben (2012)