Not My Little Sister Anymore...

My sister, Natalie, graduated from Highschool last Tuesday. I can't believe she is already done and ready for the big world. I am really proud of her. I got teary-eyed as she walked across the stage to get her diploma. She has worked hard for this and she deserves it. She was very involved in school, got good grades, had lots of friends and really applied herself. She has turned into quite a mature, sophisticated lady. I remember graduating from highschool when she was only 7 years old, and now it was her turn. Way to go Natalie!!

A graduate hopeful...atta girl!

She is the love of my life.

Mother's Day #1!!!

I finally get a Mother's Day for ME!!! I'm so excited. Reed made me a drawing of a precious picture of Anaya and me. I can't wait to frame it and put it up. He is so talented. I also got 2 snickers bars...that's right...2, and cookie dough bites. Then Anaya interrupted me upstairs whilst making up my face for church to present me with this...

Also, we went as a family to Texas Roadhouse for some good ol' fashioned country cookin' the Friday before. Mmmm-mmmm.

A pretty good 1st Mother's Day indeed. Thanks Babe!

Happy Mother's day to you Mom and to you Jeani. You both are such good support systems for our family. Thanks for all you do. We love you both!!

Why do I always have to have a title?

Anaya's new towelie. We call it Towelie.
Anaya Jumper...or hanger

Natalie in her awesome play. Very professional.

Way to go Sis!!! I was so proud I almost cried. I really admire you. Love you.

Natalie's boyfriend

1. We have been to see my sister in her play. She did an awesome job. I am so proud of her and all her accomplishments the past 4 years.

2. Anaya rolled over for the first time yesterday evening. I was afraid she might be too big and that was why she wasn't doing it yet.

3. Reed's mom and nieces got in a car accident on Tuesday, but they are fine and back to their regularly scheduled programming.

4. I found out I will be teaching an academic class next year. Yes! I need a change. I have been teaching life skills (MDSSI-multiply disabled and severe sensory impairment) kiddos for 10 years.

5. Reed took his qualifying engineering exam. He feels good about it but won't know the results for 12 weeks. Crap.

6. Anaya weighs over 16 lbs. Hee hee.

7. Reed has his truck running finally. Yay...more gas money.

This is a video of Anaya in her jumper for the first time. It was mine when I was a little tike. It's sideways. Sorry. Just tilt your head. Kay, thanks.

Photo Shoot!

Friends of ours from church were angels enough to take pictures of our new little family...for FREE! I am so grateful fo this awesome act of kindness. The pictures turned out professional and beautiful. I have been showing them off to everyone who stops by. Yes, my baby is naked in most of them, and she peed and pooped on me in the process, but all newborn pictures are naked ones and the result is inevitable defecation. Right? I love these pictures and cannot wait till we are not destitute to have them blown up and strewn across our walls!

Photo shoot aside, Reed has been gone for a week on another one of his field jobs. I have been totally alone for an entire week. I have had much appreciated help here and there, but have had sole responsibility of a newborn for 6 days. I wanted to prove to myself that I could successfully do it alone and did so the first night. That was all I could handle. Thanks to my mother-in-law and friend Sandra for keeping me company the next 3 nights. I felt so vulnerable being alone in this big house with a 2 month-old. I did go shopping one rainy day though to break the monotony and just to get out of the house and take up time. That made me feel better. Even if the "greeter" lady basically told me my baby was fat. "Does she get her big cheeks from Mom or Dad?" What!?! See ya later lady. I would tell her not to quit her day job if that probably was not in fact her day job. Reed comes home today though providing the equipment they are using does not run out of batteries again. Argh! It was nice though to spend a whole week admiring my baby and all her special qualities. She is so amazing!

Well, enjoy these pictures. I sure do!

Updates...

Since my last post about Christmas, we have been very busy visiting family and enjoying the outdoors. I have decided to let go of my fear of germs and winter weather...partially. I still do not fancy the idea of sitting in a building with 200+ kids aged 2 to 12 who are sneezing and/or coughing and/or harboring some infectious disease that is undetectable from an innocent bystander (aka...church). However, I let down my guard (since it's now summer-time) and have allowed Anaya to immerge out into the open. We have walked around the park by our house, strolled down Sabino Canyon, attended my cousin Elizabeth's wedding reception in Gilbert, and even gone shopping. I know..that place has germs too, but they are not sitting right next to you in the form of small children.
Anaya is well and growing everyday. Literally. Is that normal? I swear she's like a small person. It's hard to remember she's still a newborn. She has also begun smiling a lot...so cute I could just eat her up. We are having such a great time with her.

At Sabino Canyon with Daddy...

At the park by our house. Anaya is clearly having a blast...

Much more interested now that the walk is finished...

Ain't she gorgeous?...

Elizabeth's (Lizzie's) reception. Looks so natural Lizzie, but wait a few more years...

Posing with Aunt Natalie...

Anaya meets Great Grandma for the first time. Oh my gosh, I'm gonna cry. Four generation picture to come...

Cute videos just for fun...

Disclaimer: May be boring for non-family members. So watch at your own risk.