Nighty Night

"Yeah, Mom, I know I'm cute."

"Okay. Let me sleep! Don't ya know this is my tired pose!?"

Feeling Patriotic

Inauguration Day; Gus recites the Pledge of Allegiance, and Lucy splashes.

Musical Beds

Gus's big boy bed came today and we set it up in his room with all the new sheets and blankets. He is so excited to be a big kid in a big bed.

Miss Lucy, who is now 8 months old, is finally out of our room and in her very own room. She has a pretty pink crib and is feeling sort of okay about it. (A little crying at night, but doing surprisingly well). We are all sleeping better with the new arrangement and the whole family slept in till 8 am this morning (knocking on wood as I type this). I can't remember the last time that ever happened around here.

Besides that, not much else is new. Matt is building new shelves in the basement to store all of our stuff.

Lucy is cutting her 7th tooth so she is a bit fussy. Gotta run....

Ice Fishing

Matt and Gus went ice fishing yesterday out at Palmer Lake. Its just another great thing to do on a cold snowy night in Okanogan County. They came home a bit cold and wet, but Gus has been asking all day when he can go "Ice Road Fishing" again. Maybe it was the hot cocoa, or bonding with other men on 6 inches of ice, I dunno... the kid just has fishing in his blood.

Lucy and I were home in a very quiet house and not sure what to do with ourselves. We made do with bad reality tv and snacks.

After Bath, Dentist Re-cap

Lucy after her bath last night.

Yesterday, Gus went to the dentist. He did so well- then again, its in his blood (Grandma Connie is a Hygienist). He walked right in and wanted to see Dr. Chen right away. Waiting was the hardest part. Then he sat still for ex rays and an exam. His teeth look great and now he is asking to go back. Dr. Chen and Gus hit it off- they have a little guy Gus's age as well as a new baby girl. Anyways, it was a success and I was much more anxious about it than I needed to be.

Keeping Warm

Lucy says, "Thanks for the warm hat, Grandpa Tim!"

You can see her upper teeth in these photos, her new nickname is "toothy critter".

We got about 4 inches of new snow here today. It was a gorgeous New Years Day. Matt and I had friends over for a fancy crab and halibut dinner, and then we went to the Oroville fireworks display. I have a good vibe about 2009- I think there are lots of good things to come.

Scoot!

Gus has figured out his new scooter in no time and is whizzing around the house at all hours now. He even tried it out in the basement. Darn snow will keep him out of the driveway for a while. I discovered him polishing it with a damp cloth yesterday, so that tells me its his new fave.

Grandpa Dick got a fancy camera - and the photos he is taking on it are just great. I love this pic of my Lulu bean. I can't get enough of her cheeks.

More Xmas pics

Grandma Connie and Lulu

The tree, as seen from Gus's room.

A Wonderful Christmas

The new fishing game that Lucy gave Gus was a real hit.

Gus and Matt constructing the new HotWheels track.

"Hey Grandpa, all I want for Christmas is my two front (baby) teeth."

What a wonderful Christmas this was. Lucy is in the process of cutting tooth number 5 and 6, so there have been short naps and some crying at night, but other than that she enjoyed her first Christmas. Santa was so good to Gus - he received all sorts of great new toys, clothes, books, a scooter, and a big boy bed as well. Grandpa Dick and Grandma Connie came up Christmas Eve and made it home safely today. It was nice to start some new traditions and happy memories in our home. Now that we have had Christmas here, it feels even more like home to us now.

Lucy is 7 months old today!

er, pardon the "glamorous mom look" I have going on, but I love this pic of me and Lulu

What's new with Lucy? A new tooth- yes her quite large upper central cut through the other day. I'll try to get a good picture of it. Her smile is getting toothier by the minute.
She is rolling and scooting everywhere. crawling a bit backwards, I think she'll figure it out soon. Sleeping? Eh, not through the night yet. Still cutting teeth and nursing at night. She naps wonderfully, though. I am savoring her babyhood. They grow too fast, the old cliche is so true.

Who says boys don't nurture?

Gus decided it was nap time for his fleet of dinos. Here are Pinto Bean, Black Bean, and Max (his name choices for them) taking a nice little rest. Check out Gus's meticulous swaddling skills. nice work, bud.

Interview with Lucy and May

Turkey Day Family Pics

The cousins played very well together. I think I see a bit of Gus and cousin Erin in May's sweet grin.

Lucy had a ball hanging out in May's johnny jump up. (and peeking in on Gus's splashing in the tub).

Great-Granny Nette (Jeannette Ugaldea) made the trip from Winnemucca to see her great grand daughters for the first time. We can't wait to see her again in June. The kids adored her.

Lulu and MayMay had fun in side by side high-chairs.

What a wonderful holiday. We have so much to be thankful for. It's funny... when I think back to last Thanksgiving, Holli and I had no idea that we were both having girls. How lucky we are.

Chef's Special

Whatcha cookin?

Something good...

Here are some photos of Gus and Matt cooking up something special a while back- steak night. As you can see, Gus is the saucier and Matt is the head Chef. I think Lulu will make a good sous chef pretty soon. I guess that makes me the sommelier and front end manager.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! We all have so much to be thankful for. Hug your kids, folks, siblings, or whomever you are sharing this special meal with.

--Shay

6 month update

We are back from the doctor's office. I am so proud of my kids. Gus tagged along and he knew going into it that Lucy would be receiving some shots. What he didn't know (I didn't either) was that he would be getting a flu shot. He only cried for 1 minute and didn't even want a band-aid. Lucy barely cried through her 4 shots either. Whew, glad its over.

She is 16 pounds, 6 ounces. A petite little thing. And is now 25.5 inches long.

Happy, healthy, and on track- all is well.

Christmas Card Photo......... FAIL!

"You want us to do what, Mom?"

"Hug your sister, please."

"Could the two of you look any more somber?"

So I am trying desperately to capture the perfect picture of Gus and Lucy to send out on a photo Christmas Card. All I have so far is a newfound respect for people who photograph children for a living and cat herders.

......we are back to square one.....