New Discoveries

Poor Peyton is getting very little coverage today because her big sister is doing something new every time we turn around. Here are some of her new discoveries:

Pockets. Libby loves her pockets. The problem is that she tends to put her hands in them and then she runs. Some things must be learned the hard way I guess.

Doors. The other day Peyton was asleep so I brought Libby into the bathroom with me so I could get a quick shower. Usually she likes to brush her teeth or play with things on the counter or in the drawers. Not so anymore. She turned around, opened the door and walked out as if she's always been able to open doors.

Here she is getting pretty with lip gloss supplied by our good friend Becky Bones (Bebo).

Sharing the love (and beautiness) with Bebo.

Peyton smiles after a little snuggle time on our bed.

Libby has rediscovered the bouncy seat. It's the perfect spot to watch t.v.

Big news! Libby pooped on the potty today. We are not potty training necessarily, but she was grunting and turning red so I asked her if she wanted to sit on the potty. She didn't protest and produced something even daddy could be proud of. I edited the picture a little so I wouldn't totally gross anyone out. After we celebrated with a piece of chocolate we took the potty seat outside to show Shane what she'd done. He looked in the bowl and said, "looks like someone has eaten corn." I guess we'll have to work on his enthusiasm.

When we came back inside I had Libby sit in her chair so I could get a picture. She wasn't thrilled. I think she was afraid I was going to put her back on the potty. A bigger challenge in all of this might be Grunny. Notice in this picture he is licking his chops? I think we'll have to work hard to remember to always close the lid!

We had a play date tonight with our Birth to Three group. Five of seven families were there and Libby had a great time eating snacks, playing in the yard, and splashing at the water table. Here she is with her friends: Garret, Ara, Emma, Libby and Michael.


Playing in the water with Michael...

Breakfast in Bed

This is a short post, but I had to do it because I havn't been so spoiled in a while. I was up with Peyton about 7:30 this morning, but fell asleep right after I fed her. I fell asleep hard. You know that kind of sleep where when you wake up your shoulder hurts because you've been in the same position for a too long? The kind of sleep where the things you hear on the t.v. actually become part of your dream? That's how I was sleeping. Well, I slept that way until Shane woke me up at 10:35 with breakfast in bed. Shane had both girls in the kitchen. Peyton was swinging happily and Libby was eating her breakfast. I stayed in bed, ate my breakfast and watched a little of the Olympics. What a way to wake up. I'm hoping for pancakes tomorrow.....

Miss Behavin'

Our Libby is starting to assert herself more and more. Particularly when she's tired and isn't getting what she wants. I spent some time with my friend Mo (who I grew up with) and her son Will this week. We were talking about reinforcing good behavior rather than calling a lot of attention to the bad behaviors. This means we have to stop making a big deal about Libby putting her feet on the table (see photo), which has become her favorite naughty behavior. Last night I made a huge deal about how Jayden was leaving his feet on the floor at dinner, and soon Libby was too. Though Jayden then showed a mouthful of food, so that's probably next. Libby loves to mimick Everything her cousins do. She hardly notices the rest of us when they're around.

We headed over the mountain this week to see some friends and family and also to get out of Shane's way while he was building the shed in our backyard. It used to be an 8x8. Now it's a 10x16. We needed the storage for my classroom materials which we desperately need to move out of the garage. So, Shane built like a madman, and we had some fun.

Peyton poses in her sleep.

Tearing apart the old shed, and building the floor for the new one.

Libby's new fascination....Mardi Gras beads.

I got to see Jayden's last baseball game of the season. He got a hit (one of three) right when we got there, and he also had some great plays in the outfield. Jamison loved baseball this summer too, but we didn't make it to a game. They're both going to play football this fall.

Running around on the course after lunch at the golf club.

Swinging with Jayden in Grammy Jane's swing.

Picking raspberries. Grammy Jane only allowed a limit of 20 so there would be plenty for all of us.

My friend Mo (Carrie) and her son Will (15 months)

Feeding Will some berries. He quickly got used to the idea.

Show your teeth Willie D!

Lovin' the swing.

Working on the manners. We went to my dad and Margie's house for dinner on Friday night. We had pizza and then watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics.

Like I said, Libby loves to do what her cousins do. Sometimes you can even watch her study their moves right before jumping in herself. Here they are watching the Olympics (in between wrestling matches).

The kids did so much running around Libby got a blister on her ankle and was so sweaty! We took her shirt off to cool her down.

This morning we went to Jim and Julane's for banana pancakes. They've become my favorite after Jamison got me hooked on them. While we ate pancakes Peyton chilled out in the bean bag chair.

A well rested baby is a HAPPY baby!

The Lil' Acre

We got home today from a weekend with our friends Jen and Ryan, and Dusty and Chrysti at the Lil' Acre. The Acre is Jen and Ryan's property on the Nestucca river. It has electricity, a sandbox for the kids, a swing set, a great swimming hole, a fire pit and plenty of room to ride a four wheeler. I think the kids were on the four wheeler for at least six hours on Saturday. We did interrupt their four wheelin' fun for a trip into Tillamook to get ice cream at the cheese factory, and then a trip to Pacific Bay Seafoods to get oysters. Shane had been to The Acre last May with Jen and Ryan and their kids Olivia and Blake, but this was my (and the girls) first trip. We hope we'll be invited to go again, though Shane may have jeapardized our invite by putting dirty diapers in the fire......sheeeesh.

Friday night by the fire, Ryan, Blake, Jen, Peyton and Shane.

Libby isn't quite sure about a caterpillar that Olivia and Blake caught.

Peyton slept in the bathtub.

Peyton snoozin' by the fire.

Olivia smiles for the camera.

Shane puts air in the tire, but had to change it today before we left.

Four kids on a four wheeler.....count 'em.... Blake, Kelly, Olivia and Jason. Kelly was the driver most of the time. She made me look like a granny.

We put Libby down for a nap, but instead she had some fun pulling diapers (hers and Peyton's) off of the shelf next to her. I wish I could've seen her in action!

Great spot for ice cream.

Blake catches some rays while watching the swimmers.

A great spot with great friends

Up the creek without a paddle....literally. Notice the handle in Jason's hand? No paddle on the end of it.....:) Grunny got it off of the bottom for them.

Libby tried out the tire swing.

Jason shows her how it's done.

Startin' the day with blueberries.

The morning's catch....crawdads.

a HUGE camp breakfast....the works!

Blake and I take a spin on the quad.

All worn out.

Under the Weather

Poor Libby grumped through her morning with a really runny nose. She rubbed her nose, then her eyes, put her hands in her hair and by lunchtime she was one giant crusty booger. She took and nap and when she woke up we gave her some Tylenol. She was a totally different kid. It's amazing what a little Tylenol can do. The hardest part about her being sick is that she doesn't understand why I don't want her mauling her sister. Let's hope tomorrow we don't wake up with two runny noses. Or worse....four.

This was a super sweet moment with both my girls. Libby loves to be involved when it includes being rocked.

Peyton is soooo super smiley!

Shane wrestled with Libby on the living room floor last night and they ended the event with a little light reading. Shane asked Libby "Where are the penguins? Where is the balloon?" etc. and she wowed us with her knowledge. I'm always amazed at what she knows. Yesterday she was Peyton's size. Or so it seems.


Shane's selling a fish finder on Craig's list. I'll give you two guesses as to who took the picture....

We finally sent out Peyton's baby announcement! I was thinking Peyton's took a lot longer to get done than Libby's, but then I found Libby's annoucement on my computer. We sent it out as a Happy New Year card and she was born in November. So, not bad. At this rate their baby books should be complete by the time they're 21 and 22.