A happy baby on a horse

Earlier this summer, Grandma Cathy, JD and I took Adeline for her first carousel ride here in Helena. Boy did she love it! The fun music, the pretty horses, the motions up and down and around, the lights, the ice cream...well only the adults had ice cream. She'll have to wait a couple more months for that treat.

A dad and his daughter

Learning how to walk

~ Grandpa Jim takes Addie for a walk ~

Two teeth

Two teeth.

Two new shiny white teeth.
Two sharp, bite mom teeth.
Two new ways to eat a banana teeth.
Two sharp book eating teeth.
Two teeth.

Mama drama

Mama drama...part 3: Yesterday we were in Missoula at my parent's Harvest Party (photos to follow later this week) having a great time. We were having so much fun in fact that I kinda forgot to check Addie's diaper. I'm holding her on my hip watching the older kids play with their homemade slime when I feel this warm sensation on my side...Addie peed so much it leaked out of her already-wet diaper soaking both her and me. We retreat to the house to change her outfit and mine. As I walk back outside I hand off Addie to JD and they head to the fire pit. I was standing near the back deck when out of nowhere the lower half of me is instantly soaked! My dad turned on the hose for the kids to rinse off. But what he didn't realize was his sprinkler was still on and his daughter was standing right next to it. So I retreat to the house again to change my outfit again. It's funny that I actually had two extra sets of clothes with me on this DAY TRIP to Missoula. JD usually gives me a hard time for over-packing. But this time I was very thankful at my over-prepared, over-packing, plan-for-everything self.

It's Fall and we love it

Grandma Cheryl shakes some leaves off a tree while out for a walk with Adeline. She loved it when the leaves fell into her stroller. Of course she tried to put them in her mouth...mmm crunchy snack.

Flashback photo

Our good friend Matt took this photograph of the three of us back in March. She has grown and changed so much since then!

Coffee table fort

Grandpa John shot this video this morning of Adeline playing underneath their coffee table. Too too too cute.

These boots were made for walking

Flashback photo ... taken during our Memorial Day vacation in Yellowstone back in May. Pictured here is Aunt Stephanie's boyfriend Rick letting Adeline try on his hiking boots at our hotel in Cooke City. That expression is priceless!

Nine months....

To think nine months ago I gave birth to this beautiful baby girl. And nine months before that I began carrying her in my womb. What a journey JD and I have gone through these last 18 months. And don't even get me started on the journey my body has gone through these last 18 months. I'm proud to say however I'm on track to loosing my pregnancy weight. In the spirit of full disclosure, I gained 48 pounds while pregnant with Adeline. Ugh. It's hard to read that number let alone think about it. Since December 28 -- 9 months -- I have lost 33 pounds. A big chunk of that came off right away but it's been hard shedding the other pounds. That's why I joined Weight Watchers with my mom and friend Sarah (who is also on track to loosing her pregnancy weight!) It's been great having supportive friends and family and I applaud all you other new moms out there on the journey of fitting into those pre-baby clothes. Oh how I miss you my perfectly worn Gap jeans that are two sizes too small. So here's to skipping the potato chips, going on that evening walk and loosing those last 15 pounds.

Down by the river

These shots were taken earlier this month when we were driving through Yellowstone National Park after visiting family in Wyoming. JD and I found a quiet spot down by the river to nurse baby, have a break from the car and enjoy the sunshine.

Grrrr

Adeline enjoying some long afternoon shadows in the front yard.

Showin' off

Earlier this week I took Adeline to the 'Books and Babies' program at our local library. Moms and babies ages newborn to two get together to sing, read and play. During the end the babies get to play with a giant pile of toys. As I sat there with Addie in my lap watching babies close to her age crawl on their hands and knees I thought to myself...I wonder when Addie will begin this stage in her development. Yes she can crawl but it's propelled mainly by her arms — dragging her tummy — using her toes for momentum. Then out of no where Addie climbs out of my lap and crawls with her hands and knees TUMMY OFF THE FLOOR to reach a bright red ball a few feet away. I was shocked. The funny part...this was three days ago and she has yet to crawl hands and knees in front of her father and I at home. I guess all it took was peer pressure.

First Tooth

It's official. Adeline has her first tooth!
Bring on the candy apples and beef jerky.

Hello Earl, I'm Addie

...excuse me park ranger...but that baby is sitting on an elk....

No for real it's just a stuffed elk in Aunt Tephie's rental condo in Dubois, Wyoming. There are seriously like 30 mounted animals in her rental. Including but not limited to this elk — who is named Earl — a buffalo and an alligator!

p.s. doesn't her hair look red in this photo?!