She Laughs

Well, maybe fake laughing, or copying her Dad but these days she can't stop. It's like she found her voice and she just can't get enough (in a sing-songy voice). Good thing because we can't get enough of that little laugh of hers.

And (drum roll please...) pictures from our new and improved camera....

I'll be the first to admit that I am definitely not 'the bomb' at taking pictures, but at least I have something to work with now.

Happy New Years to all.

The face of an angel

I'm terrified that Westyn is going to have a kissing phobia when she is older due to the fact that I can't stop kissing that face of hers.

On another note, my auny Peggy took some pictures of us in November for some gifts and a few of them turned out great and made it into some frames for the parents. But this one inparticular was a favorite of Troy & I but since we had our coats on we are just using it as a table framer for our house.

I really like this one but my bra strap is showing - my god it was cold this day, I think about 22 degrees. Westyn's poor nose was so red and cold, we were afraid she was getting frost bite.

Christmas 2009 was one for the books

Christmas Eve this year reminded me of when I was younger and I couldn't sleep anticipating Santa's arrival. But instead of being anxious of Santa's arrival I was anticipating Westyn waking up so that I could go into her room and see her beautiful sleepy face (she looks just like her Daddy when she wakes up), wish her a Merry Christmas, and bring her downstairs to show her what Santa had brought for her. It was quite surreal sharing Christmas with her and making memories with our little family. Christmas morning was a zoo but so much fun. She was going non-stop from the moment she woke up until bedtime.

After the 4 of us (the 4th is Kenai) did our little gig, we heading over to my parents house still in our pj's and had too much breakfast and opened more presents with all the cousins; Jaxon, Campbell & Westyn and of course Brandon & Crystal. Christmas Eve is the big party in my family as we all get very dressed up and celebrate with a huge party at my aunts house with way too much wine and great food.

That night we had Jan & her Mom (MIL & Troy's Grandma) over for Christmas dinner but since Westyn was going nonstop all day this is what happened. She didn't even make it to the last round of presents.

The best news is that we got a new camera for Christmas from Jan, Tim & Chris so I have been going crazy filming Westyn and taking some pretty cute pictures. Once I learn how to upload the pictures to my computer I will post some pictures of a much better quality. I have been so pissed at our camera for ages that I am excited that my pictures moving forward will actually be descent. I may even be able to catch Westyn's face without movement; the 'old' camera would take 10 seconds to take the shot. Out with the old, in with the new..right?

Christmas Eve

Westyn was WAY more interested in eating the wrapping paper and playing with the boxes that the toys came in

See what I mean - crummy camera. I think every shot in the past 9 months have been like this.

Very Quick Boring Update

Literally have not had time to take a breath in the last week and its only going to get worse this week. Actually let me back up here, 'worse' is not the right word leading up to the holidays, I think crazy is a bit better. I'm not being negative, I LOVE the holidays - but things do get a bit hectic when you have a 9 month old demanding ALL of your time and will cry the moment you put her down.. and trying to juggle work, Christmas shopping, baking, family time, passing out gifts to my clients, etc. You working Moms out their feel my pain; and btw, for all my friends who didn't get Christmas cards from us this year, don't feel like I left you out....I left everyone out - didn't get done.

So most importantly Westyn turned 9 months on Friday and was a trooper at her appt, our pediatrician told us she was an absolute joy (she probably tells all of her patients that). She was being particularly funny that morning though - kissing and licking the mirror while laughing at herself. She's right on track at 21 lbs, 11 oz, and a little over 29 inches long. New carseat here we come.

A few weekends ago, we had Larry (FIL) and his wife Debbie here for a visit and as always they spoiled us with great food & (gallons of) wine and spoiled Westyn with some wonderful Christmas gifts.

Friday night Troy and I had a date night at.. drum roll please.......TARGET!!! WOOHOO.

Saturday we went to Jan's (MIL) house for a small Christmas gathering with Troy's side.

Yesterday we ventured to Mason Lake (near Belfair) for another family Christmas with my Dad's side; this was no small jaunt but well worth it as I was able to see my cousins and meet Merritt's fiancee. I think there were about 30 of us there including loads of small kids, Westyn had a blast.

So that's it. Sorry for being incredibly vague but Westyn is napping and I have a million things to do.

Happy Holidays to all!!!

Keri keri Quite Contrary

Happy 30th Birthday to a funny, intelligent, beautiful, witty, wonderful human being/Mom/best friend.
Thanks for being you!

And of course Happy birthday to my A.MAZ.ING. Mom.

Santa's Ghetto Workshop

This Santa may look nice and jolly and fat & happy, but let me tell you he was none of those except maybe fat (but I think it may have been a fake belly). We experienced the most ghetto set-up at Redmond Town Center this weekend with the rudest 'elves' that looked like they were picked up on skid row. Troy and I vowed NOT to go back there but to make the trek to Seattle like we used to do - how can the Nordstrom Santa be mean and rude when he IS the Nordstrom Santa.... and plus I'm sure he is paid a heck of a lot more than our ghetto Santa.

Happy Birthday to a wonderful person

Detty Dett.

Have a spectacular "30th" birthday today! I hope today marks the beginning of an incredible year where all your dreams come true. Thank you for coming into my life those 12 years ago and forever and ever changing it. You have touched many people in your own spunky caring way and we are all grateful that you are you and there is a Dett

What am I thankful for?

Living my life each day with these two

Happy Birthday Westyn....

....and to celebrate your 8 months of life, Mommy and Daddy bought you a new Tahoe! Woohoo! One favor though, do you mind if we drive it for the next 16 years?

Happy Baby

When you have a happy baby you know you're doing something right.

As a new parent, and I'm sure all you other new parents agree, you feel somewhat insecure on a daily basis. Am I feeding them enough? Are they getting the right nutrients? Are they too hot/cold? Do they have enough toys, are they fun toys? Am I reading to them as much as I should? The list goes on and on. You'd think that once your child is eight months old you would have some things down, but I am constantly learning about how to be a better more patient parent. I try not to say "NO" as much and say things like "danger" (thanks Katie), or "please don't put that cord in your mouth because it may electrocute you". Instead of using one word phrases with her I always try to use full sentences and have conversations with her so that one day she will hopefully be that kid that loves to talk. As parents we are the most important teachers in their lives and she will never have a teacher more important than Troy and I. Such a HUGE responsibility but so well worth it.

Westyn these days....

1. She is only content when she is able to crawl around and pull herself up on EVERYTHING.

2. She loves to climb the stairs

3. Bathtime is now a zoo and she crawls all around the bath and splashes like I've never seen any baby make a mess.

4. Her and my niece (her cousin) Campbell LOVE to hold hands, and sort of talk in their own language.

5. Her top two teeth are coming through the gums and she is beginning to look like a vampire...but a cute vampire... like Renesmee .

I'm sure there are a million things I am missing but she just woke from a nap and I'm sure chewing on the crib rail, so have a great weekend.

trying to grab more toys even though there are about 20 scattered across the family room

Halloween Surprise

This is how Troy and I found Westyn Saturday morning...

Happy Halloween Mommy & Daddy!

Oh and by the way I figured out how to stand up in my crib.

So needless to say Troy moved the crib matress to the last notch last night before we put her to bed.

Each day is a new surprise with this little girl - she is the hammiest of all hams. But so so fun. Dinner time is especially crazy as she puts on a show each time we put her in her highchair. Whether it be screaming at the top of her lungs or making the funniest 'mouth-fart' noises and spitting all over herself. She gets us laughing which is exactly what she hopes to do.

She has also learned how to pull herself up on anything and everything and has started climbing the stairs. She gets into drawers now and pulls out all of Kenai's toys from his basket... AND enjoys taking a quick chew on his bulley stick (bull penis/bone) when I'm not looking. Nice.

All in all she is growing up SO fast and we are enjoying every moment of it. We are experiencing her little personality each day and are blown away by our little girl.

Bath time

As I've mentioned in prior posts, Westyn LOVES her baths. If she is fussy or whiny, the moment Troy says it's bath-time she starts smiling and jumping all around. My bath experience is minimal as Troy decided from the get go that he was in charge of baths, which I think is so cute. Last night she was just too cute to pass up a photo-op, especially with her little plumbers' crack.

Look at that little crack... and her tails of hair, should I try a ponytail?? I thought for a moment last night I saw some curls but I think I was making it up.

This little girl sure does melt my heart

Westyn is becoming a little girl more and more every day. She is so so crazy but I love it! She has such a little personality and is such a happy baby. Sunday was her 7 month "birthday", and daily I can see changes in her with how she plays with toys or her looks that she gives me or how she is becoming so aware of her surroundings.... This whole motherhood gig is amazing and I wouldn't give it up for the world.

HELP Mommies!!!

This may be a very strange post to many of you but I really need some suggestions for my poor boobies. Westyn has her two front bottom teeth and she has been biting me lately while nursing. While it is impossible to bite down while sucking as their tongue covers their bottom teeth, she will every now and then stop, pull her tounge away and BITE ME! This is posing quite a problem for her and I as I'm very committed to nursing for the first year.

Any suggestions would be great!

Jubilee Farms

Yesterday afternoon Troy and I took Westyn to Jubilee Farm to pick some pumpkins and grab my bother & sil's share of fruit and veggies for the week (they were to busy so they offered it to us). Jubilee Farm is a wonderful place out in Carnation where they grow nothing but organic fruits and vegetables and have the option of buying your produce on a seasonal/weekly basis through their family share program. We had gone before when they were out of town in July but that was nothing compared to a Fall Saturday afternoon. After we grabbed our share of the carrots, mixed greens, leeks, kale, heirloom tomatoes, the list goes on and on, we jumped on the hay ride with all the other millions of young family's and went to the pumpkin patch and picked our pumpkins. We usually go to Remlinger Farms but after trying out Jubilee we are hooked. I HIGHLY recommend checking it out as it may have been the best Saturday we have ever had.

To make the night even better, the Vergheses came over for dinner and a bit of play time with Calum & Westyn. I'm sure going to miss them when they leave, especially that beautiful little guy of theirs.

Ohh - one more thing, Westyn is crawling.. CRAZY FUN!

Here are a few pictures from this past week...

She loves her sippy cup

Katie's birthday lunch at Barking Frog (thank you Jerame!)

Happy Birthday to my Troy!!

Happy 33rd Birthday to the best Daddy, husband and best friend in the world!

The stars were aligned when you came into this world. I'm so proud of the person you are and the roles that you take on - you take very good care of us. We are all very lucky that you are you.
We love you very much and hope you have a wonderful Birthday

Ashley, Westyn & Kenai

Our "6" month baby

Yesterday, Westyn turned 6 months old!!! I can't believe it and let me tell you, she has grown up over night. We celebrated by doing what else... going out to El T's and putting her in the high chair for the first time with the floppy seat http://www.floppyseat.com/ (which I highly recommend). She did great and really enjoyed sitting in her own chair and having dinner with us. She played with her toys the whole time but kept throwing them on the floor which I think may have been on purpose.

When I say she has grown up overnight I truly mean it......


*She is thisclose to crawling

*She loves to stand up and dance around, her feet are always moving.

*She sleeps through the night, going to bed at 7:30 and waking between 5-6am

*Loves baby food - we have given her cereal, carrots, beans, peas, sweet potatoes, pears, prunes, apples, bananas and will soon move on to level 2 foods.

*She is becoming very aware of my breasts and is always clawing at them when she wants to either eat or just wants to cuddle. She gets so excited she starts to snort - so funny. Not sure whats going to happen in months to come when she gets stronger.

*She has 1 tooth coming through and it's just popping out of the gums now - her toothy smile is the best.

*She is very aware of little people, either babies or toddlers. Yesterday Misty and Henry came over and Henry and Westyn were actually playing together; makes for some great entertainment. She loves her cousin Campbell and gets so excited when she see her.

*In the last day or so she has started to laugh out loud - she was a tough one for a while as Troy and I tried everything to get her to laugh. She was tickling Henry's feet yesterday and starting laughing, it was pretty cute.

*Lastly, she now completely recognizes people and will actually reach for them. She does this with my Mom and Troy and I.

I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things but I will post more on Monday after her 6-month Dr. appointment.

My Brother Brandon with my niece and nephew (his kids) Campbell and Jaxon & Westyn