Friday Afternoon Club...

We had a fun day w/ Daddy... we went to work w/ him to pick up his tools, but it ended up taking quite a bit longer than expected! EA did great though, we just played in the finished house on the brand new carpet + waited for Shawn to be done! It was nice just hanging w/ Shawn b/c we hadn't seen him for so long (he's been working doubles)! Then we went to the FAC @ Beaver Run + won 2 more passes to Water World in Denver... we have 4 passes now that we've won! We'll be hitting the slides one these weekends!!!!

'Nanny Day'...

Today is my 'nanny day' w/ Henry... we had a playdate w/ my friend Meghan, who has a 15mo son, Carter, + nannies a 17mo little girl, Fiona! Henry is 19mos, so the ages are perfect! Thankfully, EA is getting to the point where she enjoys watching + playing w/ big kids...

I thought Shawn would like this pic... she was loving Carter's nerf football!

Rolling back to front (new) to get the football! We are going to have a little 'shaker + mover' on our hands pretty soon!
Here they all are... being so sweet together! (lft to rt) Fiona, Carter, Henry + Elsie Anne!
Henry was helping Elsie Anne w/ the pop-up toy!
After a fun-filled morning w/ our friends, EA + I went to our favorite place, TARGET! This was her first time riding in the buggy w/out her seat!!! Yes, it is a little gross... I need to get one of those covers, but she had a ball! She really thought she was a big girl... and she sure looked like one!

Last week I signed on for 2 more 'Nanny Days' starting in September!! EA will be 6mo + I will be nannying a 3mo old! Her name, ironically, is Ashton (just like my niece) + she has an older sister, Avery, that I kept for 3mo while I was preggo! The family is fantastic + I'm glad to be helping them again! I will have Ashton on Tues + Wed from 7:30am-5:30pm... yes, it is a very long day, but I get to keep her @ my house! It's going to be challenging @ first, but I know it will be rewarding! I am hoping to start a 'Nanny Blog' if its okay w/ both families, so if you're interested, you'll have to check it out as well! I look forward to working a little more + helping out w/ the bills! I don't think I could have a better job... I get to stay @ home w/ my own child + play w/ another cutie... + get PAID!!

Lots to Do...

We had such a busy + fun extended weekend... EA had quite a few 'FIRST TIMEs', which kept us on our toes + we had lots of family time... The weekend started on Saturday w/ Morgan's wedding shower, then straight over to Shelby's 4th birthday party, where Shawn met us from his long day of work! Sunday morning EA + I went straight to Granby to play w/ Memere + Big Daddy, + Shawn came later that evening. EA got to play in her exersaucer for the FIRST TIME, and rolled back to front for the FIRST TIME! That evening, when Shawn arrived, we fed EA rice cereal for the FIRST TIME! She loved it... every single bite! On Monday Shawn + Big Daddy had to work so the 'ladies' had time together. We played on the deck, took a walk, took naps + just enjoyed ourselves! On Tuesday, we did pretty much the same thing, but ended up in Breckenridge, where Mom + Dad stayed w/ us! On Wednesday, once again, the boys worked + us ladies played! We had dinner @ Eric's, where Shawn was working, so my parents could say bye. Then home for some last hugs + kisses + off they went! It's never enough time w/ family, even though Mom was here for a month... it just flew by!:( I can't lie, I'm very homesick + sad to see my parents leave!

Enjoy our slideshow... there's a lot, so sit + take a minute to watch!

First 'Double' since EA

Henry, Elsie Anne + I went to the Dillon Park, which is right on Lake Dillon. The views are spectacular + the weather was amazing! Henry loved watching all the sail boats + a few motor boats cruise around the lake! He was saying 'boat, water, lake' over + over! EA played in the shade of her stroller, while we followed Henry all over the park. There is a 'big kids' area + then a smaller version, which fit Henry just right! He's such a sturdy climber + loves going down the slide... WEEEE!

This was also one of his favs... I don't know what to call it, but as you see, he sits on it + I spin it 'round + 'round! Seems like he'd get too dizzy, but he wanted 'more'!
We played @ Dillon Park for almost 2hrs... until all of us were exhausted! On the way back to Henry's house, both kiddos fell asleep in the car... so sweet! EA is definitely starting to recognize + play w/ her buddy. It is too cute when she reeeaches out to touch his arm or face. Henry just stares @ her, being so gentle + lets her grab @ whatever part of him she can reach! Its such a blessing that she can grow up w/ wonderful little friends!

We got home + played a bit together on the floor. She went down for her nap so peacefully... Henry had tired her out again! She took a 2hr nap, which she hasn't done in a long time! I also rested for about an hour, which recharged my battery a bit! I had to wake EA up @ 4:30pm to get her ready for our next job!

We got to babysit Claire + Grady (who are Henry's best friends)! They were so sweet + gentle as well! They both kept bringing toys over to EA for her to play w/. Grady kept saying 'baby' + doing the funniest little grin. The two of them play so incredibly well together! Here, Claire decided she was 'Queen', I was 'Princess', + Grady was 'Prince'! So we all had crowns + tiaras on! It was definitely a sight to see...Poor Grady, he had to wear the one w/ pink feathers on it, hahaha! He sure didn't mind @ all... he'll do whatever his sweet sister tells him to.
The rest of the evening was full of reading books, playing hide+seek, watching a 'Tigger' show on Disney, pancakes for dinner (Claire's request), + sleepy children! I was happy when Elsie Anne decided to take a nap @ 7:45pm! It made it sooo much easier to put both big kids down @ 8:15 + 8:30pm. They were both pooped + went down easily. EA woke up @ 8:45pm + we got to play for an hour together before she was done for the night! I even got to sleep for an hour before the parents got home. What a perfect evening!

So, for my first 'double shift' since EA was born... I think it was a success! I thought I was going to be drained + exhausted, but it really went off w/out a hitch + couldn't have gone any better! All because of the sweet kids I babysit for!!! :)

Big Daddy Lovin'

Big Daddy finally got to our house @ 4pm, but Elsie Anne was snoozing (pictured in the bloomer post). So Big Daddy decided to take a little snooze himself! When I brought EA down stairs, her sweet little voice woke him up. Just him saying "Hey Girl" ,in his charming southern accent, made her grin ear to ear! What a warm welcome!

There's nothing Big Daddy won't do for his little sweet heart. EA had him so captivated w/ her sweet personality + funny tricks!
Memere wanted to join in the fun... We love having grand parents here!
@ Eric's EA stole the show, as she always does! All the waitresses were stopping by just to get a smile, and we got to sit right by the kitchen where Daddy could see us! (Shawn has taken a few shifts a week @ his old job, while business is slow)

Funny story, so I have to share... I had left EA's only paci @ home, so when she started getting fussy + tired, we were taking turns walking around. When Big Daddy took her from me, he spotted another couple w/a very young baby + went right over to thier table. He asked, "you wouldn't happen to have an extra paci, would you?" Mom + I were turned around watching + wondering what he was doing. The couple both looked over @ us + laughed (like we had sent him over to ask). They said they didn't have one... and Big Daddy went on his way. Its just too cute that he decided he'd cure the problem... I don't think I'd ever ask anyone that, hahaha!

'E' Bloomers...

As I said yesterday, I wanted to try Elsie Anne's bloomers out! They look so big when you hold them up, but once on, they are pretty darn cute!! These are from my friend, Katherine Boland... they are green + white seersucker, w/ a big pink 'E' on the butt...

Cheese Momma... take the picture already!!!

We'll try Aunt Laura's that she made EA tomorrow! They look a bit bigger, but they'll probably be just as cute...

Oh, by the way... Elsie Anne has been napping + sleeping @ night w/out her swaddler for a week now!! I thought it was going to be hard to ween her from it, but it wasn't too bad!!

4(+half) Month Check-Up...

Today we went in for Elsie Anne's 4 month check up, but we were 2 wks late, oops! So, its official... she is a 'String Bean'!! She weighs 12.4lbs, which is in the 10th percentile + is almost 25in long, which is in the 75th percentile! I can't believe she has grown almost an inch per month! Dr. Winfield said, "she is a thriving, healthy, perfect little baby." EA showed off all of her milestones + loved Dr. W's attention! We got the 'go ahead' to start rice cereal, followed by fruits + veges! EA "will still get all of her nutrition from breast milk b/c the food will just be for practice @ this point!" I'm sure there will be some funny pics of her first eating experience!! At the end of the appt, EA had to get 3 shots... we both shed a few tears, but w/ in minutes were all better! That shriek is the WORST sound to a mother's ears :(

We ended our day w/ an evening walk in town w/ Meghan + Carter! We peeked in @ Daddy while he was working @ Eric's! He loves his boost of happiness when he sees his girls. I didn't have my camera w/ me today, so no pics... But tomorrow my DAD will be here! EA can't wait to get to spend some time w/ Big Daddy!

Pretty in Pink!!

Little Miss playing in her 'too cute for words' skirt that her Aunt Laura made her! She made 2 others that EA will have to grow into!!

We met up w/ Mom + her friends in Breckenridge so that they could do some shopping! I just love how she rests her feet on the bar in front of her. She loves being a big girl now + sitting face forward in her stroller!

Shopping w/ Memere + Mary! EA is definitely getting spoiled w/ all the love the ladies are giving her! That's okay though, that's what little princess' are for! :)
Mommy + EA @ 'Modis' for a delicious dinner! We sat on the deck + enjoyed the views of Peak 9 w/ the sun setting behind it! All the servers adored EA's outfit! It got a little chilly on the deck, so I put EA's leg warmers, socks + shrug on her. When we got home Daddy got such a kick out of her outfit... she looks like she just got home from dance class, haha!! Too stinkin' cute... Thanks Aunt Laura for her precious skirts! We're going to try her bloomers next!

Fun w/ the Ladies!!

This weekend we went to Granby (again) to visit w/ Mom's friends! Leslie, Mary + Nisha are here for a week + then will go to Colorado Springs for a few days! On Saturday we had a great time @ the US Mountain Bike Nationals which was literally in our back yard! SolVista is the ski 'mountain' in our Granby neighborhood + that's where this event was held! It was action packed + such a beautiful day to be outside! On Sunday we went to the Buffalo BBQ festival + then for a hike to Adams Falls. It rained on us during the hike, but then cleared just in time for the ladies to shop around. Shawn, EA + I enjoyed the lake area @ a shady spot over-looking all the excitement! Once back home, Mary cooked delicious 'Alice Springs Chicken' just like @ Outback... my favorite! We dressed EA in her new pajamas Mary had purchased in Grand Lake! They are precious! Enjoy the weekend slide show...

Friday Fun...

We started our day @ the River Walk Park in Breckenridge w/ the Stais'! We played in the sand + on the slide, then walked to the Dredge + fed the fish. Its always fun to spend time w/ my sweet girls I used to nanny! They are EA's Breck cousins!

Later, we went to the "Friday Afternoon Club" @ Breck Golf Course w/ Daddy + a bunch of friends! It was a beautiful evening to hang on the deck! EA won 2 tickets to Water World in the raffle, so we will be doing all the slides later in the summer!!!

Walter Byron Park w/ Henry!

Today I had Henry (the little boy I nanny) for the first time in a few weeks! We missed him while he was on vacation! Since Mom is in Breck w/ us + Shawn had a half day of work, we all decided to go to the park! Its a beautiful area... nice big playground, paths along the river + bridges across the water! What little person wouldn't love this place!!! Here we are @ the river... EA loves watching the water rush by + the noise is tranquilizing! Shawn + Henry liked throwing rocks in the water!

Just having a ball watching her big friend, Henry!

Memere loving her Elsie Anne time!

They're going to be the best of buds...
Henry + I having a little snack!
Henry looking for the fish + throwing rocks in the stream!
Getting some lovin' from my girl...
All of us looking @ the river rushing by...
The boys... two peas in a pod! Shawn loves his princess, but we'll definitely have to try for a boy next time! He loves hanging w/ Henry... they're into all of the same stuff... rocks, mud, balls... 30 yrs doesn't change too much, haha!
Swing, Swing, Swing on a Summer Day, Hey, Hey!

the last few days...

put your curser on the slides + you'll see the captions!

Ready to Eat!!

Elsie Anne wanted my cereal sooo bad this morning, so when I finished, she got to play! She was knawing on the bowl + then the spoon... notice her 'death grip' on the spoon! I think she is really wanting to eat, but I'm waiting until her 4mo check up to start rice cereal! I'm sure it's fine, I just want the okay from the doctor. I've got the 'first time mommy' syndrome.

Mom + I enjoyed a beautiful day in Breck w/ a walk + relaxation on our little patio! We also went to the baseball fields + threw the baseball w/ Daddy!

We Will Miss You...

Bye Bye BumBum...

@ Home...

Elsie Anne doesn't know what to think about sitting on Daddy's head?! Elsie Anne is wearing her ballerina jammies BumBum got her... some day she'll be wearing those 'point shoes' on stage!!! the feet look like ballet slippers... too cute!!! Thanks BumBum for spoiling your Gr.Grand-daughter!