Sewing 101

While in Utah my sister had a few baby related sewing projects she wanted to accomplish while on maternity leave. We shopped to pick out fabric and had the projects pretty well planned. As luck (or genetics) would have it, she didn't have as much time to WORK on said projects as we'd thought. That's where Rylee and I stepped in. I was working on the carseat canopy (you know the blanket thing that hooks to the carseat handle keeping people from sneezing on your precious newborn, or give said baby relatively undesturbed slumber as you run errands). Rylee was interested in what I was doing, so I plopped her up on my lap to help (it was basic straight-stitch sewing at this point).

We pulled out the camera and she was all smiles. We've got ourselves a future semestress and this Momma couldn't be more proud. I helped her help me guide the fabric, which basically consisted of keeping her hands away from the the needle (which may or may not have been her number 1 priority at the time). As she tugged and pulled on the fabric I was talking to her about the parts of the machine/sewing etc and said "you don't need to push or pull on the fabric Rylee, there are things called 'feed-dogs' that do that for you" After I finished talking she replied with an "OH" as if she were saying "now I get it Mom!" We couldn't help but laugh out loud.

I remember something very similar to this for myself. . . . . my own Mother was sewing something and I'm sure I was driving her crazy with the project. She stopped what she was doing and pulled out pattern pieces (it was a floral terry-cloth ish fabric) and we made two jackets (mini robes?) for my cabbage-patch dolls. Now, maybe Rylee won't remember her 'first sewing experience' but I remember mine. Thanks Mom, I still love it.

at the Wright's

The rest of the trip we spent at my parents house. We hadn't been there for 5 minutes and Michael was attacked by the boys, pretty soon they were picked up in one big heap. My parents neighbor was taking his horses and buggy in the parade the next week and needed practice riders, we were happy to oblige. "Look Momma, horsies!"

We also spent a day on the lake - this time up to Deer Creek. The water wasn't *quite* as cold as our previous swim - we had a blast chillin on the boat laughing at those who knee-boarded, tubed, and rode the water weenie. Rylee and I even went on a little tube ride.

The best was seeing the little kids go out together, when they fell off the water weenie, they clumped together like magnets, it was really cute. . . . . there was one of us that thought the boat was a bit of a bore:

Since one day in the water wasn't enough, we headed to the local pool a couple times too. I must say Lindon City has an awesome pool for kids. Everyone was a big fan of the lazy river, the slides and the large shallow area. Each of the cousins wanted a turn taking Rylee down the slide- we both loved it.

Our trip just happened to fall over Lindon Days. So Saturday we headed down the street to watch the parade and pick up candy. Pretty sure it was Rylee's first parade. We were able to walk to the end of the street to watch in the shade, its a 30 min parade and they hand out more candy than one child should intake - we shared. We took in another Lindon Days activity: the boutique/craft fair. 4 of the 5 sisters went from shop to shop and had a good laugh with one shop in particular. . . . . They didn't believe we were all sisters (then to top it off one claimed we were two sets of twins) - if they could guess which one of us was the oldest (or youngest) we'd buy one of the prints they were selling. They guessed wrong but since they quoted us such a great price, we couldn't pass up the bargain. :)

The cousins had a great time playing outside together. I loved being able to shop without Rylee.

This is the result of a (soon to be) 7yo helping Rylee get into the swing. It was even more funny watching the 8yo try to get her out - he wasn't quite tall enough for proper leaverage.

Thanks to everyone who made time to come hang out with us!! We love you all so much and wish we could see you more often!!

make it a two-fer

I basically had this trip planned from the moment I found out my sister was pregnant - only it was originally a "girls only" vacation. A few months ago we found out Michael's parents {entire family actually-including his sister & husband who currently reside in Japan} were going to be in Utah near the same time we decided to postpone my trip a bit and he'd join us. Making the vacation a two-for-one. YAY!!

We stayed in a condo in park city and partied away. We spent most of the time catching up, playing games, swimming, and hacking one another's facebook accounts. We even squoze in a few minutes to take family pictures. To top it off, Michael baked a birthday cake since the 3 female in-laws birthdays are within 23 days from one another.

This cousin was basically the only one Rylee allowed to touch her for the first 48 hours. There were A LOT of new faces for her to familiarize herself with, on both sides of our families.

She eventually warmed up. . . . .

sort of.

We even spent a day at Jordanelle Reservoir. The water was FREEZING! I think Rylee was the only one who didn't complain. I was quite the wimp myself, I guess I've gotten accustomed to swimming in warmer water than I bathe in. We had a couple wave-runners to play on and had a blast. It took all the will-power I've got to not throw Michael off - its no fair when you can't retaliate.

On our way out of town we stopped where Michael and some of his siblings rode the Alpine slide/coaster. I did say 'no' to some things this vacation because of my 'condition'. Let it be known, I wasn't happy about it. I settled for taking Rylee on the carousel. She loved it by the way: oohed, aahed and giggled the whole time.

We took the long way home and stopped by Grandma/Grandpa's for a few minutes on our way home as well. I loved going over the mountains, it was beautiful. We got out for a few minutes at the top and spotted a moose (I think?) with two babies. Oh how I miss the mountains!!

It was fun to be together with Michael's whole family for a few days - who knows when that'll happen again, but whenever it is, we look forward to it!

what I went for. . . .

In case you were wondering why I've been a little mia on the ol' blog its because I've been vacationing my behind off. We just got back from a nearly 2 1/2 week trip to Utah. The primary reason for my trip was to meet the cutest little boy on the planet - none other than my latest nephew, Bridger. Having to wait a full 13 days to hold this little guy was killing me!! He is just so sweet!!
There isn't much better than the smell of a newborn. I could have just squooze him all day, but with a big family I had to share.

I was really anxious to see how Rylee would react not only to me holding a baby, but a baby in general. Telling you she loves him in an understatement!!! {I'm a little relieved at that fact and it made me REALLY excited for our baby to arrive}

Her favorite thing was to help burp him: she'd hold out her hand and grunt annoyingly until he was within reach, pat his back a few times then giggle, so proud she helped. She really was facinated with him, she'd say hi and wave whenever she saw him. She'd give him hugs and kisses and even hold the bottle when we'd fed him. Even as I type she is smiling at his pictures, laughing, pointing and waving.

He really is the best baby!! I was there for a week before I even heard him cry and he eats/sleeps like a champ! It kills me that I can't see him more often but alas life goes on {I tried to take him home but his brother wouldn't allow it}. I'm so happy for my sister! {and pray our baby is just as good} everything else we did that trip was icing :)

birthday boots - a trend

So yesterday was my birthday- I had a great day. We went to the pool in the morning (where my friend brought cookies :) Then Michael came home early so we could go pick me out a pair of boots. Its becoming a birthday trend and I like it. We even tried a pair on Rylee though she won't get 'real' boots until she can stay in one size for at least a year - Target will have to do for now. It took me a while to decide, but I love them! Michael was kindof in a rush to get back to the house, which I thought was a little strange, but didn't think too much of it.

We started working on dinner and there was a knock at the door, the little sneek surprised me with guests over for dinner. It was pretty funny. We ate dinner and chatted, then it was time for the rest of the gifts.Here is the pile of presents: yes they are wrapped in towels, a swim suit, a showercap and bath pillow. We had a good laugh, apparently the presents were 'hidden' in the bathroom/closet and there was no way getting to the actual wrapping paper in time. OR he's thinking about the environment and didn't want to 'waste' paper. OR he was tired. maybe all of the above. :)

The gifts consisted of various entertainment items: a movie, cd, book, computer case, candy/treats. It doesn't get much better than that!
Someone can reach on top of the table:

"ooh, cupcakes after breakfast! Thanks for being born Mom, and having an abundance of sweets today"

Though I am currently questioning if she is in fact my daughter. My friend brought a delicious key lime pie for dessert and Rylee half spit-up/half threw-up her bite. unacceptable.

no work, all play

Its lovely having a husband who works for a company whose headquarters are in a state other than the one you currenlty live in. If we lived in Utah we wouldn't dare venture to a public place on Pioneer Day. Since Michael had Monday off we decided to take advantage of it NOT being a weekend and headed back to Garner State Park for the day. It was fabulous.

We left a little late in morning so Rylee would nap in the car earlier than she normally does. mission accomplished. We played in the water, had a picnic, played in the water again, and came home. We even stopped for dinner in a small town on the way home - our 1st choice unfortunatley is closed on Monday's. boo!

Rylee was in heaven and didn't even mind walking around exploring while we played a couple card games. I'm glad she is comfortable in the water but it wasn't even a couple weeks ago Michael commented maybe she's TOO comfortable and will try to do things she shouldn't. . . . . well she would have walked right off the ledge into the water had Michael not been there. My little fishy!!
and this is what happens when you forget to pack an extra swim diaper and decide to use a regular one: serious badonka-donk!! It was nightmare to clean up in case you were wondering . . . . we should have taken our chances that she wouldn't poop twice in 2 hours and gone diaperless - live and learn.

When we got back in the river after lunch we decided to head up stream to a part of the river we hadn't explored before. . . . a few minutes later I look up and see someone standing at the top of a tree, ready to jump, sure enough he did! It was so scary yet really cool to watch. We got a little closer and just watched people jump for at least a 30 minutes. Back flips and all. Michael said they were jumping from at least three stories, and the water isn't all that deep. It was fun to watch the crazies - lots of girls even did it too! I commented that if a certain brother-in-law were there he'd be tree-jumping with the rest of them. . . . .

We're going to try to camp there again in the fall when it cools down a bit. Seriously, Garner is our new favorite.

I might add, it was a little difficult getting motiviated to get any work done today. . . is it Friday yet?

Friday Favorite: BABIES!

My favorite thing today is babies. Namely brand spankin new babies. My sister is currently in labor as I type. . . . its all I can do to not head straight to the airport put a completely overpriced ticket on the credit card so I can be at the hospital in 4 hours. . . alas, I hope all goes well for her and her little family sans me. (this is Rylee only hours old)

My only other request is that her baby not grow an OUNCE until I can get there, (ok, maybe an once but that's it!!) I can't wait to find out if its a boy or girl, see its sweet face, smell that sweet baby's breath and smother those cheeks with Auntie kisses. . . . be patient my loves I'm comin soon enough!!!