Milo's Blessing Day - September 14, 2008

Milo was blessed by his wonderful dad while he was wearing the same blessing outfit that Preston wore when he was a baby.
Milo says "Mom enough pictures already! I am starving!"
Milo was such a good boy! He pooped first thing in the morning and I knew it was going to be a great day! He was an angel during the blessing and let everyone hold him while he slept through almost everything. It was only after I had not fed him for over 4 1/2 hrs that he got a little sad. Poor boy!

Milo's Blessing Day - September 14, 2008

The Men - Uncle Foote, Dad, Milo, Grandpa Hickman, and Uncle Dan the Man Grandpa Hickman and Milo bonding
Aunt Ann - champion burper and maybe Milo's biggest fan
Beautiful Aunt Natalee

Family Pictures

(9-14-08) Milo's blessing day was beautiful and really busy. We got a few attempts at family pictures even though the little kids didn't want to cooperate.

Talia risking her life once again...

(9-11-08)Talia figured how to get on the bar in the kitchen the other day. She is really quite skilled! I was cleaning the bathroom one day and all of the sudden I hear the toaster and then the answering machine. Sure enough Talia had figured out how to get up all by herself ! Only the top of the fridge is safe for now. Preston tried to capture it on film but I think she was more worried about her pacifier ("fire") falling on the ground.

Talia

(9-4-08) I was in my bedroom taking care of Milo when I hear from down the hall...

"Maaa!"
So I said "Yeah?"
"Maaaa!"
"Do you need help?"
"Yah"

So like a good mother I put Milo down to see what Talia needed and I found her like this...and I told her to stay put while I ran down stairs to get the camera. I am pretty sure that she couldn't go anywhere. I am not sure how exactly she got into this position but I have seen her climb up and walk across the window.

(9-8-08) Talia is 18 months old! Hurray for nursery! Especially since I am the Young Women president and Preston is in the bishopric.

It is amazing to me how Talia figures out how to get into things especially if it involves climbing. She usually does her most dangerous exploring while I am occupied. I remember telling Preston, not too long ago that I was grateful that our TV was up high so Talia couldn't push the buttons. Oh how I was wrong. My sweet daughter got the swivel chair (which is extremely safe for a child all on its own) out of the office - all by herself, and climbed on it - all by herself, and pulled the drawer out - all by herself, and climbed in it - all by herself. She did all of this to push a button and not only did she turn the TV on and off multiple times she climbed up next to the TV and stood up to reach the DVD player. Just when I think I know her abilities and have things under control she pulls a new trick out of the hat. OH and she got down all by herself a few times actually before I took the chair away only to face the wrath of a toddler. :) I will never say being a mom is boring! It is the most entertaining and crazy job there is! I love it!

Milo is 1 month old!

(9-7-08) So I know I just posted his 4 week pictures and that was just a couple of days ago but he looked so cute in his button-up shirt!

Talia's Nursing Basket

I made Talia a basket full of special things so that when I have to feed Milo or change him she has a few things to keep her occupied. I only use it a couple of times a day but it is great for those moments when she is feeling a little needy.

Here is what I did...

I used a gold christmas basket, black spray paint, puff balls & ribbon to decorate, and some pink fabric cardboard & batting to pad the bottom (all of these things I had on hand)
What little girl could resist a basket so fun and cute!?
Then I filled it with a few fun things just for Talia. A small dolly to love (with two homemade blankets), a microphone for singing, a drawing toy, water color pictures and water pen(roseart Aquapix), sippy cup, and some snacks. (I make sure the water and snacks are ready to go each night so if I need the basket first thing in the morning it is ready for me. In the future I will add to or change the toys as Talia's interests change to keep it exciting to her. Other ideas for toys to include in the basket are books, easy puzzles, cars, small bag of building toys etc. Really anything that your child is interested in would be perfect and it is important that the child can use the toys without much assistance.)
So all I spent was a little over $13.00 and some time with a glue gun for a lot of sanity and some fun for my sweet little girl.

to sleep or to eat???

I think she LOVES her goldfish crackers! This is how I found Talia when I came back from my appointment with Milo. I couldn't get her to go down for nap before I left for the life of me! Shrek must have some ability I don't because a few minutes after I left she fell asleep and stayed that way for an hour and a half. What a funny girl!

Milo is 4 weeks old!

(9-4-08) At 4 weeks Milo is still as sweet as ever and even more cuddly than before. He weighs in at 9lbs 1/2oz. I think his hairline changed last week because his head is growing so fast. He is also too big for the newborn clothes I have (unlike Talia who had just outgrown preemie clothes). His belly is getting really big and he is just too darn cute for his own good.

Talia the Terrible

(8-31-08) How do I get anything done with two babies, you ask...Well I let my first born risk her life on a regular basis. She was very entertained by pulling the thumb tacks off of one door, walking across and putting them in the other door. And believe it or not, she got up there all by herself!Crazy kid!

Colorado Springs Balloon Classic

(8-30-08) I woke up early with Talia and heard on the news that it was the Balloon Classic this weekend so after checking some details I got Preston up and after about a half hour we were out of the house. Spur of the moment things really aren't with two kids. :) We were late enough that we got to chase some of them down and watch them land. It was really fun!
I got to chase Talia quite a bit and she loved the open parking lot to RUN in! She also loved the big balloons!
And where was Milo the whole time...waiting patiently in the car. What a good baby!
We made it back at the end of the day to catch a little of the balloon glow. It was beautiful! Preston and I almost felt like we were on a date.

A bycicle built for two

(8-30-08) Preston got his exercise for the day when we found that Camille left her bike at her parents house. He not only gave Talia a few rides but both of Talia's cousins got a turn too.

My little MONSTER!!!

(8-30-08)I have to admit Talia has gotten quite a few screams out of me but not in this costume. She is just too darn cute!

Talia's Haircut

This is actually not the first time I have cut Talia's hair but rather the 4th. You would think I would be getting a little better at it. She hates to have her hair fixed or cut so after chasing her around the living room with scissors (I am such a good mom) I decided that it was now or never and went for it. I was pleased with her bangs - they are a little on the short side but I am glad that it will be a little longer than 2 weeks before she will need a trim. But she threw her head back when I was trimming the back of her hair and it created a layered look and I ended up with a much shorter cut than I intended to do. Oh well...I guess we learn. I just didn't want my daughter to be teased for having a mullet or looking like an orphan.

The Three Musketeers

Well, we survived our 1st solo night since Milo was born. Last week Preston went to Albuquerque overnight and last night was our 2nd night alone. It was nice to have a couple of short trips for me to get used to handling things alone. From now on I won't be so lucky but I think I am ready to go solo for the long trips now. Here we are just hanging out while daddy is away. It is kind of fun in the morning when Talia comes to snuggle (and hopefully sleep for another hour or two) and I have Milo on one side of me and Talia on the other and I become a Mommy sandwich. I feel happiest and safest when my kids are close to me. We sure miss Daddy when he is gone!

River Float

Thanks to Camille and Foote for bringing their water camera to take all these pictures, and for bringing their two girls. It wouldn't have been the same fun adventure without them.

I kept my foot under Gavin's tube for most of the trip. Just to make sure no more willow trees roughed him up.

The weather was perfect we should have gone earlier in the day but the fading sunlight made for some really neat pictures.

I finally had to give my shirt over to Gavin. I had kept it really dry until I had to resuce Foote's tube floating down the river. Still the added layer help him keep warm.

River Float

Lazily floating down the river....All of us got soaked from tipping over although the water was warm with the sun going down it was a little cool for the kids.
Gavin got attack by a willow tree knocking him off his tube still despite the cold he had fun!

Milo is 3 Weeks Old!!!

8-28-08 My handsome little Milo is 3 weeks old today! He is still super sweet and loves to sleep. It is nice to be feeling almost back to normal so that I can keep up with my kids! One thing everyone noticed right after Milo was born was his long toes! I thought I had better document them but I am not sure this picture does them justice. They remind me of my brother Deren's toes and (correct me if I am wrong) he used to climb palm trees with his big toes spread around the trunk. I always thought it was so funny!

Tubing the Arkansas

On Friday (8-22-08) Preston took Gavin along with Camille, Foote and their two girls, tubing down the Arkansas. Despite getting a little cold I think they all had fun. Unfortunately these are the best pictures Preston got but Foot took some great shots. More pictures to come!!! :)