When it's Cool Outside...

...we can venture out of our houses. Yesterday morning was so lovely, we decided to go to the playground near our house. We had Anaya swing and go down a slide for the first time. She was so cute. Well, she didn't seem to be that excited about it, but I still thought she was cute in the act.
Anaya's first time at the playground.

I just wanna eat those perfect chubby legs.

She looks so dignified in this shot waving to the camera.

Practicing sitting in her superseat.

Anaya rolled over from her back this morning! She's been so close for awhile, but she finally succeeded today. She's been practicing her sitting (which she could care less about) in her "superseat" my friend Carey got her. We feed her in it and she enjoys playing for awhile in it. It's good practice for sitting which I am determined for her to learn so she can stop killing my back. Her favorite foods so far are bananas, applesauce and sweet potatoes. Needless to say, she doesn't care too much for peas. She'll eat them though. I hope she has her father's palette 'cuz mine consists of cotton candy, seafood and pasta. I probably didn't eat my peas either when I was her age. She is now 6 months old and still topping the percentile charts! Yes!

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.

In Her Easter Bonnet...

Our first Easter with our babe went swimmingly. We went to the park with Reed's family and had a great time.

"Do I look alright?"

...with Serena

"Yes! Got one."

"Whoopsy!"

"Thanks cousin Shannita"

"What am I supposed to do with these?"

Easter Girls

Happy Easter family

All tuckered out.

Great Grandma Dorothy

Her new toy for Easter. Thanks Cousins Donna and Tom!!

Look Who's Talking...

Practicing her B's...

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!