A Weekend in Estes

This weekend I had a wedding to shoot in Estes Park. The best part about it was that my family was also invited, so I got to steal little moments with them throughout the day. Plus, we were staying in Estes Park. I mean, it was gorgeous.    

The bride is a childhood friend of my husband's.  During the few years he lived in California, she lived next door, and the three of them (my husband's brother included) played together all the time.  She is so fun!  She is a dancer, a theology major and has possibly the coolest tattoos I've ever seen. 

Deacon Doctor Grampa was also there (he witnessed the vows - really, this wedding was all in the family), so Anni partied it up with him.  Since we've moved a little further away from them, it was great to have an extra reason to see them.  Have I mentioned I have the best in-laws ever?  They are amazing.

The morning after, we were bleary eyed and a little more than groggy after our dear, sweet little one was awake from 2 - 4 am.  We are out of practice with the middle of the night wakings, so it was rough.  Luckily, we had breakfast at the Stanley Hotel (yep, where The Shining was authored and tv version filmed as well as portions of Dumb and Dumber, I am told, I didn't watch the whole thing) to look forward to.  So.  Beautiful.

Sweetness abounds in our life, and I'm loving it!

but, I am really, very tired.

100th Post: Short and Sweet

 I've kind of held out on posting, I mean, I should do something epic for my 100th post, right?  Well, it's epic, alright... just short and sweet at the same time.  I know it seems like something small to many people, but Nugget walking is a closing of a chapter of worry for her.  We are so proud of her!

That's it, nothing fancy, just pure, unadulterated joy at my sweet one's triumph.

She's Walking!

Wohoo!  Look who has it all figuredout!  In true Anni style, she had to perfect her next skill before revealing it... and she's off!  She took her first step about three days ago, took three steps the next day (right when mommy needed some happiness after she got put back on weight check at her 15 month appt) and seems to be adding a step or so each time.  We are so excited for her new mobility!  She is so proud of herself: every time she walks and we all cheer for her, she grins and giggles.  I love milestones :).

And, as a side-note, Miss Anni was officially 21.1 lbs and 30.5 inches long... so not a whole lot of growth, hence the weight-check. 

But that's not the important thing.  The important thing is that she's walking!  

Miss Nugget at 15 months

Sweet little Anni has reached the ripe age of 15 months! Of course, I can't actually give you any stats, because she again managed to postpone a doctor's visit with illness. Do you see a pattern? Because the last time she was sick was... exactly 3 months ago... on her birthday.

Anyway, onto the exciting things... she is growing and changing so fast! I feel like moments are just slipping by. Luckily, she's super snuggly lately, and during one of our many rocking sessions throughout the day, I just breathe that sweet, spunky little girl in and pin that exact moment to my memory.

 

She finally started standing!  This actually happened a couple of weeks ago, but it is still a fresh and exciting feat.  She can even, on occasion, stand up by herself.  I can't even begin to tell you how proud we are.  I'm pretty sure we called our entire family the day it happened.

She has definitely picked up on the lovin'.  She spent several days crawling around making kissing noises and if you were lucky and caught her at the right moment, she would lay one on you.  Best.  feeling.  ever.  Most often; however, her dolls are the ones that get the kisses, hugs, and rocking.  She had mostly ignored her collection of dolls for a while, which really, was fine... she can play with whatever she wants (within reason).  Then one day, she started picking them up, rocking them, and giving them kisses.  Both hilarious and heart melting-ly (I know, so not a word) adorable.  She has also started to pat Daniel and I on the back when we pick her up and she wants to hold extra tight.  It's funny... but that little pat from that little girl can definitely lift my spirits.  

She's such a character.  I love watching her learn and grow, even as I yearn to hold her back and keep her as my baby forever.  It's so fun seeing her express her likes and dislikes.  She currently loves anything that involves music - especially something with a strong beat.  When the metronome plays or the washing machine is running with a beat, she does this quirky little swaying dance to it.  You can see a little bit of it around second 6.
 

Really, she just likes to move.  When she's in a good mood, she loves mommy and daddy to walk her around (which, I am extremely proud to say... she can do holding just one hand!).  She also likes "jumping" on the bed and then throwing herself into the pillows.  She also likes to crawl on and off things... especially mommy's lap.

She has also figured out the whole "dressing up" game... which cracks me up!  I really didn't expect that for awhile, but one day one of my shirts was sitting on the the floor and she spent a good 10 minutes trying to put it on.  Nearly everything she tries to put on ends up being worn like a scarf... which works well since I have amassed a rather large collection of scarves which are now being mostly utilized by the little munchkin.

Nugget now "lounges."  It didn't work quite as well in the above picture as it usually does for her, but she generally just throws her whole body forward or back and lies there for a few moments before continuing on with her baby ways.

One of my favorite new Anni-isms is that she talks... a lot!  She will sit and tell us entire stories.  I'm excited for when I can understand what in the world she's saying.  She does say a few words clearly... each of which could have their own blog explanation.  I'll try to keep it short.  Momma, Dadda (which occasionally is "baba"... I assume because I refer to him as papa sometimes), cheese (also said with a big grin... so not my child in that), please, hi!, poop and Jesus (only referring to an icon we have of the Holy Family, I love that He's a child in the image - she loves other children). 

There's so much more, but I think I'll leave it at that.  It is such a marvel how all these tiny little quirks and accomplishments, any of which another child is doing, but none in this exact unique combination, make up our sweet little girl.  She's my big girl... but, at least for now, she's still my little one.

Pardon the er... curtains.  She has some really adorable ones coming, but until then, we have the ones my sister made for her old window (the purple ones in back) that are too short, and my most favorite quilt over top to keep the light out.  I can't wait to share her finished room... it's so close!

Super Simple Summertime Pie

Recently, I made a big Friday night meal for our family.  Fridays are a big deal... Daddy's home for the weekend!  We don't eat meat on Fridays, so I was making a pasta dish with all kinds of yummy garden veggies on top and some bread.  I wanted a dessert... but something that followed that summery feel... hence this pie was born.  It is incredibly easy and incredibly tasty.  You ready?  Okay.

So, the crust you can really make any way you want.  I just used a frozen one, baked it until golden brown and was done.  After letting it cool, I spread just a couple of spoonfuls of whipped cream in the bottom and put down a layer of strawberries.

Next, I whipped up some lemon pudding (seriously, use the lemon kind... it's so good with the fruit!) and mixed in about half a tub of whipped cream (I know, I was really exact, here).  Then I poured it all in and let the whole thing sit in the fridge for a few hours.
 

Shortly before dinner, I decorated the top with some delicious organic blackberries and a few more sliced strawberries.  Gorgeous!  If there isn't enough sugar in there for you already... you can dollop some of the remaining whipped cream on top ;-).

Oh, and should you have a little one... definitely feed her blackberries while you work.  You won't regret it ;-).