yes please to your no thank you

family portraits 2011

2012-01-19T21:22:00.004-05:00

I've been dying to post these ever since we took them, but I was waiting for our New Year's Cards to get to everyone first. The photos really captured this time in our lives with our little girl getting so big and our little boy on the way, not to mention my super hot husband's awesome winter beard. I'm so in love with them (and I can't believe how different we look compared to last year's family photos).

I'm really lucky to have such wonderful and talented sister-in-laws. Heather took the photos (in 28 degree weather, not counting wind chill!), Camila cut and colored my hair, and Claire did my makeup and styled my hair (I'm really into braid crowns right now). Apparently it takes a team of professionals to make me look decent!

I bought a Groupon for holiday cards at Minted.com months ago and planned on waiting to do a shoot until we were in Washington for Christmas so that my belly would be bigger and Heather could take the photos. Haven't you heard? New Year cards are the new Christmas cards.

Thanks again to Heather for sharing her talent with us, I know how it is! Thanks also to Camila and Claire for making me look good, you guys are so lucky you don't live close to me cuz I'd be constantly bugging you. And thank you, Ryan, for coming along to make Juniper laugh and smile for the camera, its the burden of being her favorite person, I guess!

CREDITS:

If you are in the Seattle-Puyallup area, Heather Mann Photography is your girl.

Camila Anderson is also in Washington, contact me if you are interested in being beautified beyond belief and I will put you in touch.

And If you are in the Provo area Claire Mann also does amazing hair and makeup (no jokes about the model on her website, please!).

love it (or hate it)

2012-01-16T23:00:00.001-05:00

Valentine's Day is one of those holidays I feel like most people either love or hate. This V-Day will mark the 8 year anniversary of mine and G's first kiss. So obviously, I love it. Also, I've always wanted to be like my mom when I grew up because she always marked the lesser holidays with decorations, special foods, and small gifts. She still shows up with little holiday themed gifts, they are just usually for Juniper now (which I love).

I had fun curating Juniper's Easter basket last year but now that shes getting bigger I feel like its time to start living up to my mom's legacy and start some lesser-holiday traditions. Also, the house always feels so bare after taking Christmas down that even G complains about it.

So I copied my super cute sister-in-law, Heather, and made a Valentine's Day wreath. I even copied these pictures from her blog because her door is a hundred times prettier than my rusted, beige metal security door. I'm a big fat copycat. So thanks Heather and Mom for being so awesome.

Heather's notes on how to make it, here.

Dear Baby Boy,

2012-01-10T01:20:00.004-05:00

   I'm 6 months pregnant and, although I'd like you to bake in there for exactly 14 more weeks, I really can't wait to meet you. Your dad and I are dying to see what you look like... will you be another of my look-alikes or will you take after your dad?! Its killing us. I also wish I knew what your name is. We aren't even close to choosing your name yet, maybe you could send us a sign? I'm still so thrilled that you are a boy and I'm so excited for all of the new boyish things that you're going to bring into our lives.
   Before now I had thought that baby kicks were pretty much all the same but I've been surprised at how much more active you are than your big sister was. You are in a completely different position than her, but it might also just be your personality starting to show through, and its impressive how hard and how long you will be kicking and punching and rolling around at one time. Your dad never misses an opportunity to cuddle up to me and feel all of your bouncing around. He also loves to get really close and tell you all sorts of wonderful things. I'm sure you're going to recognize his voice right away when you get here.
   Although things are a little different this time around and we aren't alone much together, sometimes (like right now, when your dad is out running and your sister is in bed) I can tell you are awake and I sit and talk to you and rub my belly. When its just the two of us I feel especially close to you. We already have a song I sing only to you (its about cowboys!) and I like to imagine you in there enjoying it. There is a special place in our family for you and a lot of love waiting for you when you get here. Please, take your time, grow big and strong and healthy. And keep kicking me all day and night, its more comforting to me than you'll ever know.

We love you.

yours,
Mom

auld lang syne

2012-01-08T23:05:00.002-05:00

The reality of G's current work schedule has sunk in for all 3 of us and its bummin' us out, big time. So heres one last photo from our trip to Washington, taken on New Year's Eve, to help ease the pain of being back to real life. I love the craziness of cousin photos and I love the sheer joy on Juniper's face. She was in a constant state of Cousin Heaven. We've spent the last several New Year's Eves in that house and we've got some great traditions going... a big, yummy dinner, an impressive fireworks show put on by the husbands, a few raucous games of Catch Phrase, and then toasting with sparkling apple cider and singing Auld Lang Syne (accompanied by Marcilyn on piano, cuz we're classy). A perfect start to 2012. Now if we could just become independently wealthy so G could quit his job...

rainy day pony ride

2012-01-04T15:51:00.009-05:00

We are back in SD recovering from a wonderful Christmas vacation in Washington. I was just going through the last of the photos I took that week and fell in love with these. On one of many rainy days, G's mom took Juniper for her own private pony ride at the stables just down the street from G's childhood home. Juniper was in heaven.

I don't know what the pony's real name was because we called him Lil' Sebastian the whole time. Parks and Rec, anyone?

Juniper has always been close with her daddy but this was the longest amount of time they'd spent together since last Christmas, and she took her obsession with him to a whole new level. It was amazing to watch.

Juniper Jean and her namesake, Marlena Jean. Our Junie's got some cowgirl in her blood and it shows.

Her other obsession all week was her Uncle Ryan. He was so sweet and patient as she constantly demanded his attention all week, and it was pretty funny to watch her run after him and bring him back every time he tried to leave the room. I didn't have the heart to tell her hes about to have his own little monkey.

G's parents sharing a kiss (not posed, mind you). They are the best. Thanks for taking our Juniper on her own special ride, Marlena, she can't wait to graduate to horses!

happy new year

2011-12-31T03:11:00.002-05:00

Prepare yourselves, this is adorable.

I kind of love those guys. If you aren't already watching Zooey's show New Girl, I highly recommend it.

I hope everyone rings in the new year just the way they want to! (I say that because I much prefer cuddling with my honey on the couch while toasting our sparkling apple cider to partying)

featured on jane reaction!

2011-12-29T00:10:00.001-05:00

I'm so flattered that talented graphic designer and friend Erin Jane asked me to write a guest post on her blog. She just had a baby (named Henry Fox, how amazing is that?) so I shared my favorite essential baby products with her and her readers. Jane lives in Hawaii and posts the coolest things, you should definitely follow her.

annual family talent show

2011-12-28T23:46:00.006-05:00

From last night's craziness...

G and I (accompanied on shakers by Merrick and Juniper) sang one of our favorite songs right now, "Up on a Mountain" by The Welcome Wagon.

piroshky & chocolatine

2011-12-27T23:28:00.006-05:00

Yesterday was our annual trip to Pike's Place Market in Seattle. One of my favorite things in the world is the way we eat our way through that place. It has such incredible food. I'm sure part of it is that a trip to Pike's Place includes a lot of walking in the cold on a rainy day, which works up quite an appetite, but it truly is great. Anyway, I took these on the monorail on our way from the Space Needle to the market and then couldn't be bothered to bend over and fish my camera out of the stroller the rest of the trip. It has to be something pretty good to get me to bend over this big belly of mine.

I love this little bunny.

christmas festivities 2011

2011-12-26T21:14:00.001-05:00

We are up in Washington enjoying Christmas with G's family. Its the first time Juniper has been with all of her cousins (she is the youngest of 10) and she is in heaven. She follows them everywhere, loves the attention and is constantly showing off for the grown-ups. We are enjoying every minute.

The Nativity, as read by Pop Pop.

Juniper as The Angel. She was surprisingly cool about her baby doll playing the roll of Baby Jesus.

G reading "The Night Before Christmas." A favorite tradition.

Christmas morning! Still dark and still a little groggy, we loved watching her go through her stocking for the first time.

A perfect Christmas day was followed by a perfect Christmas dinner at Camila's house with the whole family. Love, love, love.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T00:00:00.003-05:00

We hope your day is filled with lots of love, happiness, and good food!

teeny socks advent calendar

2011-12-22T21:22:00.001-05:00

Even though we've been married for half a decade, there are still little things we haven't yet added to our collection of Christmas paraphernalia. This year my mom gathered 25 little baby socks for me to make the cutest advent calendar ever. I didn't fill it this December since Juniper isn't allowed candy yet and G and I couldn't think of anything we like that comes individually wrapped. Its looked great hanging on our dining room wall all month, though! I plan on printing out Christmas themed scriptures next year and tucking them into each tiny sock to be read while we eat our treats. Directions (though somewhat unnecessary) right here.

christmas part one

2011-12-21T20:00:00.001-05:00

Since we can't be everywhere at once, earlier this week we had Christmas Part One with my mom, step-dad, and younger sister. We had a delicious meal and then opened some great presents. Juniper hasn't opened a present since her first birthday and it seems like she understands whats going on a lot more, its fun for us to watch. Here she is being really excited about some cute new shoes (the girl loves shoes)...

We love you guys!
Only 4 more sleeps till Christmas Part Two!

bananas foster french toast

2011-12-18T22:04:00.000-05:00

Our cousin and favorite person Darci came down this weekend and Juniper was instantly smitten. These are some Instagram photos we took at the zoo on Saturday after brunch at the Fig Tree Cafe (we never take Junie to restaurants anymore, I had almost forgotten how great eating breakfast out is).

We love you Darci!

citrus & amaretto granola

2011-12-17T22:01:00.006-05:00

A new tradition since moving back to San Diego several years ago has been for my mom and I to spend a couple days together in December baking and packaging Christmas treats. Every year we've done something different, from cranberry-apple jam to zucchini bread, but we had so many friends and family ask for our granola again this year that we thought we'de better make the people happy. We are quite proud since the recipe is all our own creation. I considered keeping it a secret but thats not how I roll. Just promise you won't ever make it at Christmastime for the same group of people we do. And promise to try it over Greek yogurt!

Cindy and Brit's
Citrus & Amaretto Granola

10 cups rolled oats
2 cups pecan pieces
3 cups sliced almonds
1 1/2 cups shredded coconut
2 cups (4 sticks) butter
1 1/2 cups honey
zest of 2 oranges
1 cup of Amaretto
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 cups dried cranberries

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Toss the oats, nuts, and coconut together in a large bowl. In a saucepan, bring the butter, Amaretto, honey, zest, cinnamon and nutmeg to a boil. Pour over oats and stir until mixture is thoroughly coated. Spread evenly onto 3 greased, aluminum lined (or Silpat lined) sheet pans.
Bake for approximately 30 minutes, stirring mixture and rotating pans every 10 minutes.
Cool on parchment paper, then stir in dried cranberries.

*Terrible quality iPhone photos taken in my mom's fancy kitchen during our rainy day granola adventures. Every year it gets more and more challenging to get our high-quantity baking done with Juniper underfoot... Next year we'll have 2 little monkeys around so I'm definitely getting a sitter! And yes, I still make my mom write all my labels because my hand writing looks like a 10 year old's...

as close as shes getting to Santa this year

2011-12-14T22:50:00.001-05:00

But if you see her around, ask her what Santa says. Its kills me every time.

christmas at sea world

2011-12-11T23:15:00.002-05:00

Juniper and I had passes to Sea World this past year (thanks, Mom!) and have enjoyed going about once a month with friends or family. Its only a few miles from our house and its a great way to pass a few hours. Its been especially fun to see how much more she has gotten into it as she has grown older. Since G hasn't been since he was a kid we spent the day there with him and some friends from his work. I hadn't ever brought my camera with me so I took advantage of the free hands and took some photos of what we like to do at Sea World.

Junie with her friends, Ellie and Emma. I got asked twice if they were triplets!

At the dolphin show where our friend Jacob performs as a diver. Definitely our favorite show at Sea World. He gave us discount tickets so Jamie and I could bring our husbands. Thanks Jacob!

I thought it was pretty funny when I tricked G into showing Juniper the star fish. The water in the tide pool is freezing and she never wants to leave so his hands were completely numb for a long time afterwards. And thats why I never take her by the tide pools, I told him. =)

That photo on the right is my favorite. I mean, look at her little hand on his neck! I was telling G that things like Sea World are always really fun to do with her because she looks at everything with such wonder and excitement, and the only thing better than it is watching her do it with him. Everything is better with the daddy.

I even felt like she knew it was special that he was with us this time. She kept running around me to get to him so that she could make him hold her or sit by her while she looked at everything.

G and his beard.

They bring in snow every December (I have really fond memories of it from my childhood) and we had a lot of fun playing around in it with her. And I only got hit by 2 snowballs (stupid kids). Here I am showing off my mad crouching skills.

Our friends and their ridiculously cute twins.

She lasted a good 4 hours before her eyes started glazing over...

It was a beautifully cool, sunny day and the perfect way to end our year of Sea World visits. So glad you could come with us, Jamie and Oscar!

tiny goats & cotton seed sledding

2011-12-08T21:45:00.001-05:00

I have the greatest group of mom friends here. We hang out multiple times a week, usually staying in our neighborhood at the park, beach, library, Sea World or the zoo... but we ventured out into East County yesterday to a dairy farm and it was totally worth it. The kids got to do all kinds of farm-y stuff and it was pretty cold, so we all felt appropriately festive.

Before we would even got to the bottom Juniper would start frantically signing "more" and saying "mo! mo!" I must have gone up and down that thing a dozen times... although it was a lot less challenging than bending my body in half and walking through the maze with her.

me & baby boy at 20 weeks

2011-12-06T01:31:00.005-05:00

Half way point!

Everyone told me I'd have a hard time remembering how far along I am with my second, but that hasn't been true. I may not be pouring through pregnancy books and taking hundreds of photos of my bump, but G and I still love talking and dreaming about our little man every day. And although its a little torturous because we aren't making any progress, we like to lay in bed at night and pour through baby names. I feel kicks and hiccups and tickles all day long and they never stop making me smile. I love telling Juniper about her baby brother and although she doesn't understand what I'm saying, she loves pulling up my shirt and patting and kissing my newly plump tummy (probably because I love doing it to hers). We look forward to meeting our little fella but really, really hope it won't be for another 20 weeks!

UPDATE: After reading those comments I looked up my 20 week belly photo with Juniper to compare and I'm pretty sure they look they same!

oh christmas tree

2011-12-05T22:00:00.001-05:00

There are some great traditions G and I have adopted from my youth (like Sunday Nachos!) and one of my favorites is picking out and decorating a freshly cut Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. That way we get to squeeze every day out of it before it has to come down on January 1st, you know? So we made our annual trip to our neighbor's tree lot and picked out a great one. We always get the special treatment by Doug, and Juniper loves running through the mini forest. Theres nothing quite like being greeted by that fresh tree smell every when we come home and its looking beautiful despite Junie's constant redecorating. And in case you were wondering, the ornament death toll to date is 5.

whats for dinner

2011-12-05T21:00:00.000-05:00

Turkey Apple Bacon Grilled Cheese Sandwiches! Duh!

I haven't exactly been "cooking" "every" night these days. You might even say I've been in a bit of a cooking funk. Poor G. But I've had some cravings lately that led me to some really yummy dinners, and I'm learning that maybe thats the key. Anyway, I made these sandwiches for dinner tonight and they were so delicious and easy that I'm definitely adding them to the rotation. (Note: If you're pregnant like me, just heat the turkey to the point of steaming and you don't have to worry about that nasty ol' listeriosis that normally keeps us from enjoying deli meat. I also like to buy the freshly sliced kind from the deli at the supermarket to doubly ensure a listeriosis-free sandwich.)

turkey day

2011-12-04T23:00:00.006-05:00

I kind of hate it when people call it Turkey Day. Since we moved to San Diego several years ago its become a tradition to spend Thanksgiving day at my grandparents' house in Orange County. This year my grandma was sick so my mom took over the bulk of the cooking (which luckily she did before Junie got there because she doesn't really let my poor mom ever put her down). Everything was delicious and it was of course great to see everyone. My mom and I even plotted out our first ever Black Friday shopping trip, which was hugely successful and so much fun. I hope all of our loved ones's Thanksgivings were wonderful too!

I forgot my camera again so its a good thing I have a phone...

5 years!

2011-12-03T23:33:00.002-05:00

G and I had our 5 year anniversary a few weeks ago so we went up to Santa Monica to stay in a fancy hotel (thank you Groupon!) for a night. It was the first time I was away from Juniper overnight and although the goodbye was a little teary (on my end, not hers), we had the most fun, romantic weekend ever. Also, Junie and my mom are pretty much obsessed with each other so we knew she was having a great time. Thanks Momma Bear!

The view from our room... the Santa Monica pier and the good old Pacific Ocean.

We walked the 3rd Street Promenade and did some Christmas shopping, ate at a few really good restaurants (my favorite was Whist, a restaurant in The Viceroy hotel designed by one of my favorites, Kelly Wearstler), slept in and even caught a nap. Shout out to G for driving both ways in the rain while I slept. Oh, and shout out to G for 5 wonderful years of marriage!! Sorry I didn't take better photos!

good work, boobies

2011-11-22T22:30:00.002-05:00

I think my sweet Juniper has weaned herself. G is working late and I'm feeling quite weepy and nostalgic about the whole breastfeeding journey we've been on and I have to get all of these thoughts down somewhere. The photos were taken by my cute hubby in the NICU the day Juniper turned 1 week old.

If you know our story then you know Juniper was born very early and quite by surprise. The hours and days that followed were the hardest of mine and G's lives. It seems impossible to describe the pain that I felt having my baby taken from me so suddenly and then only getting to see her through an incubator, attached to wires and a breathing apparatus and looking so frail. I would often wake in the night, on another floor of the hospital, and gasp from the sheer terror of knowing I hadn't felt her kicking, and then realize she wasn't in my belly anymore and yet she wasn't in my room either. I have a friend who had a preemie 2 weeks ago and I couldn't keep back the tears as we talked about the trauma of having a baby in the NICU and everything that goes with it. It has been almost 18 months since Juniper's birth and I still remember it with all of the intense emotions that I felt back then.

Of course it wasn't all fear and sadness those 2 weeks in the NICU. There was also so much joy and gratitude that she made it here safely and also much faith and hope that she would grow healthy and strong. There is a specific blessing that was granted us in those days that I've said hundreds of prayers of gratitude for over the past year and a half. Breastfeeding. Although I had been pumping (so much pumping!) since minutes after her delivery, she wasn't allowed to take any in for a while, and then just through tubes that went through her nose and into her tiny stomach. I got to hold my baby girl for the first time 2 days after her birth. When babies are born very prematurely they don't have the ability to suck and swallow and breath at the same time, often they don't have the strength to attempt it, and often they can't even be held to attempt it in their wire and monitor-laden state of weakness. So she was 4 days old before we were allowed to try nursing, and, with a lactation consultant, nurses, my husband and my mother all standing by, she miraculously latched on for a moment during our first session. We were so proud that she showed a talent and desire for breastfeeding so early that I was determined to turn us into pros as soon as possible. Then came days of continued attempts, more pumping, meetings with lactation consultants, and lots and lots of more pumping. We were blessed to be able to rent a room at the hospital so that we could be with her for as many feedings as possible. Often G and I would just hold her while she received my breast milk through tubes or a bottle because we were only allowed to attempt nursing once every few feedings, and only if she hadn't had any issues in the previous hours.

And then one night at a 2 am feeding I found myself alone with her in a dark, mostly empty NICU. I had shown a nurse the identification on my wrist and been allowed to sit in a rocking chair while she undressed Juniper and placed her on my bare chest for skin to skin contact and another nursing attempt. And we got to work again. I would make a "boob sandwich" shape and nuzzle her mouth with my nipple. I would squeeze some breast milk out and let her taste it. She would try to latch on and get sleepy and stop trying. I would try all the tricks again. And then... after what must have been at least 30 minutes... she latched. All on her own. And I could hear her gulping. I could see her gulping. I could FEEL her gulping. And she didn't stop. Suddenly so awake, she looked up at me with big, wide eyes and nursed. No one was helping us and no one was there to see what an incredible miracle was taking place. I cried. I told Juniper how proud I was of her. I knew we could do it, and way sooner than everyone told us we would. I whispered a prayer of gratitude out loud so my daughter could hear it. She kept looking up at me like she knew how great she was. She nursed like a champion and then fell into a deep sleep with my breast still in her mouth. I held her quietly hoping the nurses would forget we were there and let me hold her for the rest of my life. They didn't. I even remember standing in the elevator in my slippers and husband's bathrobe and beaming at what had just happened. I woke G up and, sobbing, gave him every detail. Maybe because it was the first normal thing I had done since becoming a mother. Maybe because it was the first time I really knew everything was going to be okay.

Its hard for me to imagine that taking a preemie home isn't way more terrifying that taking home a first baby under normal circumstances. They made us watch a video on infant CPR, made us sign something that says we will take her to her pediatrician the following day, and then they literally unhooked my child from the heart and breathing monitors that had been sustaining her life for 2 weeks, handed us a 4 lb baby, and said good luck. They didn't even help us fit her into the preemie attachment we had to get for her car seat. We got home and for days just took turns holding her to make sure she was breathing. And I nursed the heck out of her. Day and night for days and then weeks and then months. And by six months she was 50% for weight and height and bigger than her full-term friends. And somewhere in there, in those first few weeks of nursing, she made me a mom. Everything that had been lost during the emergency c-section and her early arrival were gained back and then some. The moment that we all dream of as women... pushing a baby out, having her put on your chest, the euphoria and the instant love and the "happiest day of my life" feeling, none of that came for us in the terrifying, drug-induced haze that was her emergency c-section. Breastfeeding bonded us like nothing else could have. It nourished her body and my spirit so much more than I could have possibly imagined. I'm so grateful.

For months now I have been breastfeeding Juniper for only a few minutes every night as part of her bedtime routine. It is a time for her and I to cuddle, for her to stick her chubby little hands under my shirt or touch my face, for me to sing her lullabies, and for us to say goodnight to each other. I was planning on weaning her after Christmas so that she would have a good 4 months to get out of the habit before baby brother arrived. For the third night in a row, after our routine where I ask if shes ready for nursies, she does the baby sign for nursing, and then climbs into our rocking chair with me, she just looked at it and smiled. I asked again if she wanted nursies and she pointed at it and started jibber-jabbering away. I sat and watched her baby-talking in my arms for a while and as tears started rolling down my face, she sat up, put her head on my shoulder, and started patting my back.

I may not have relished and appreciated every single waking minute of my life as a mother (I'm human), but I have absolutely appreciated every single day that I've nursed my sweet Juniper. I had an excruciating case of mastitis when she was 5 months old and as I was crying through the pain of nursing, I still tried my hardest to say prayers of gratitude for the success we had been having and to say prayers that it wouldn't mean the end of breastfeeding for us. I only say that because I know that a lot of women aren't as lucky, and I would never judge any mother for weaning at any time. I just know that for us, it was what we needed and it was what was granted us.

As I'm writing this my baby boy is kicking in my belly, reminding me not to be sad that my first born is growing up, but instead to continue letting my whole body and spirit be grateful and joyous for the blessings we've been given, especially the breastfeeding ones.

(NOTE: I debated posting these photos here because of their intimate nature, but there were so many reasons to do it... and also, none of our dads read this blog.)

(ANOTHER NOTE: We recently ran out of body parts to ask Juniper to identify and so I asked her where her boobies were and she pointed at my chest. G was still laughing the 3rd or 4th time she did that and so now she is pretty certain her boobies are right over here on her mom's chest.)

only 44 more sleeps till Christmas!

2011-11-11T22:14:00.000-05:00

G and I stopped by a cute little toy store today to see what might catch Juniper's eye to get ideas for Christmas (she was mostly into the musical instruments and the baby dolls, which I saw coming a mile away). I did find The Cutest Board Book Of All Time though, a counting primer based on Pride & Prejudice. I was dying over it, I mean "4 marriage proposals?!" Come on. And thus was Juniper's first Christmas gift purchased.

the grandpa

2011-11-03T22:03:00.004-04:00

My dad is a pilot and has been scheduled for a few overnights here the past several months so we've gotten to see him more regularly than usual (Utah isn't as close as it was when we were childless). I don't know if its because we look a lot like him or if he has this effect on all toddlers, but from the first time she saw him (after months of not having seen him) Juniper took to him immediately. She is in that phase of stranger awareness where she will only go to a select few she knows really well and it killed us that she didn't hesitate to go to him. I guess the girl knows an awesome grandpa when she sees one.

I always snap a photo during one of their bonding sessions because it totally melts my heart.

My dad always calls me from a layover before he gets here to tell me what hes craving and then we go out for some good mexican or fish'n'chips or something like that. He is one of those guys who is always happy and nice to be around and I've found that just like they say it should, growing up and becoming a parent has taught me a whole new appreciation for him. G and I love him a lot (and June, too, obviously), and we wish he had an overnight here every week!

P.S. Kim, we ALWAYS wish you were here, too!!

Halloween, pt 2

2011-11-02T19:38:00.003-04:00

We went trick or treating with some friends in a nearby neighborhood and it was kind of dreamy. Juniper might not have performed as well as at last week's trunk or treat at the church, but she was pretty into it. It was La Jolla and all the houses were decorated and there were so many families out with amazing costumes, it felt like a movie set.

It got dark and the big kids came out right about the same time the little ones started asking to be carried by the daddies. We came home and warmed up while watching "Its the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," and perfected our secret candy eating skills so Junie wouldn't see us and want some.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween, pt 1

2011-11-01T22:00:00.004-04:00

I would like to dedicate these photos to my sister-in-law, Heather, who recently found out she is pregnant with her fourth boy. Heather, you are literally my hero and I love you.

My mom came over for lunch on Halloween and when Juniper came out of her bedroom in glow-in-the-dark skeleton pjs and the fairy wings my mom bought her for her future dress-up box, I almost died from the girly cuteness. Juniper's hysterical smile also brought to you by Grandma.

I wish we lived near each other, Heather. I have a favorite aunt named Vikki who had 5 boys and we've always been really close. It made me feel pretty cool to be her honorary daughter. But I'm banking on your next pregnancy being twin girls. =) And also, YAY FOR OUR BABY BOYS THAT ARE DUE THE SAME WEEK!

sunday walk

2011-10-29T22:46:00.000-04:00

We had a really nice weekend with G's little brother, Ryan, last week. I'm afraid it wasn't the most exciting trip hes ever taken but we really loved seeing him, especially June. He proved himself a very willing playmate and she was super into him. On Sunday afternoon we took a walk on the beach before dinner. It was chilly and felt like autumn, I loved it.

trunk or treat?

2011-10-27T21:35:00.005-04:00

Our ward Halloween party at the church was pretty fun even though we were missing the daddy big time. We dressed up the kid last year but this was the first year she wasn't just a lump in a costume, which now that I think about it, makes this Halloween a big first for us as parents.

My mom showed up with the duck costume a couple months ago and Juniper loved it so much I abandoned all my plans for creative, homemade, matching family costumes. For weeks shes been taking me into her room, pointing up at the costume, and doing the baby sign for "help." She must have worn it a dozen times around the house already. I thought all little kids were supposed to hate stuff like this but she can't get enough of it. The best part? The booty actually waddles back and forth when she walks.

A few of us were there early to help set up so I snapped a few photos of June and her friends while they ran around the courtyard. Here is J's best friend Alice dressed as a mime.

Ryder as a pirate and Cameron as a race car driver (apparently he threw a big tantrum when his mom tried to dress him in two other costumes she had bought so he ended up in his pjs)! Handsome boys.

Dylan as Rambo and Timmy the giraffe. Dylan went as Nacho Libre last year and it was the best costume I've ever seen. His mom felt a lot of pressure to top it and I have to say she succeeded. Everyone was dying over him and he won best costume second year in a row. I'm so excited we're having a boy.

Did you want to see another picture of Juniper's curly hair? Good, here you go.

June and Alice dancing to the spooky music.

The highlight was definitely watching Juniper's first trick or treating experience. She held her jack o'lantern in the crook of her left elbow like a purse and held my hand with her free one. When I would say "trick or treat!" she would hold out her pudgy little hand to get a piece of candy and then plop in into her bucket, take my hand, and lead me to the next car. She never thought twice about what deliciousness might be hiding beneath the plastic candy wrappers, she only had eyes for the next car. It was so cute I thought I might die that G was missing it and that it was too dark to film. Good thing we have plans to visit his office and go out for real on Halloween. That costume is already starting to look worn and its not even the big H yet.

its a boy!

2011-10-24T22:00:00.012-04:00

I'm pregnant again and we couldn't be more thrilled! It happened right when we were hoping it to and yet it still totally surprised us. I was only 4 weeks along and wouldn't have thought to take a pregnancy test yet but, funny enough, it was Juniper who made me suspicious. I was nursing her before bed one night and she pulled off, made a face, and touched her tongue. She did it a few times and it reminded me I had read once that pregnancy hormones will change the taste of breast milk enough that nursing babies will often wean themselves. I took a test the next morning and Juniper was right!

Here is G finding out we are going to have another little monkey running around. This was my fourth time surprising him with these news and it was just as great as the first. He has the world's all time best reactions.

Here is a profile of our little fella at 12 1/2 weeks, it was the 3rd time we got to hear his heartbeat and it was the day we found out hes a dood. We had gotten to know everyone at the office especially well throughout my pregnancy with June because of the close monitoring they did of her (the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck 3 times). Its so fun to bring her to our appointments now because they have been with us through a miscarriage and a premature birth and seem so sincerely excited to see Juniper growing up and us preparing for a second baby. Anyway, she was with us that day and it was heavenly to find out (and so early!) that hes a boy, with both my hubby and my baby girl by my side.

Thats the umbilical cord you see there, not his boy parts.

My first efforts at remembering to document things for my non-first borns. I'm surprised you can't tell I was totally crying the whole time.

Its a boy! from Brit Mann on Vimeo.

I was so excited that June and I went straight from the appointment to Baby Gap where we picked out her little brother's first clothes (below). When I say "we picked out" I mean that I tried desperately to keep her entertained with snacks and toys while I rummaged through the sale rack like a crazy lady. She managed to knock over a display with the stroller, spill a pack of raisins, and have 2 tantrums before we left. I didn't let it dampen my enthusiasm! I mean, look at these outfits.

Here I am at 14 weeks, officially in my second trimester (phew!). I was like, "Quick, G! I got dressed today! Take a photo!" I need to rustle up my belly photos from baby girl and see how they compare. I feel the same size, just a lot, lot more sick.

It feels like a dream. Mostly because having a little girl and a little boy 2 years apart is just so perfect. I literally couldn't have planned it any better if I had tried. But also because being pregnant and really sick with a 1 1/2 year old running around is completely different. Different (and hard) and wonderful.

In case you are wondering, we do not have a name picked out. Not even close. Even though Juniper was decided in the doctor's office the day we found out she was a girl, all signs are pointing to us being in the hospital the day of the birth and still duking it out. Also, after a few days of not being completely sure, I officially felt a first kick yesterday. Amazing.

And already in love.

juniper turned 1! (four months ago)

2011-10-19T22:38:00.001-04:00

I know a post is way overdue when people stop asking me when I'm going to put it up. Also, a post is overdue if 4 months have passed. Oh well.

June's birthday was amazing. I planned for weeks and with a lot of help from G, my parents, and my talented friends, it was such a fun party. My parents offered their home so that we could escape the "June Gloom" here at the beach and enjoy an early summer day out in East San Diego where the sun is always shining.

We blew up about a hundred yellow balloons and had white and yellow peonies all around the house. We made party favors from child-sized yellow goggles and a picture I took of June wearing them. The kids seemed to think they were pretty cool.

My mom and step-dad with the birthday girl. She was always off playing so I didn't get nearly enough photos of her from the day.

Terrie and her specialty, pavlovas. Yum!

I did a trade with my friend Autumn for a photo shoot and she made some amazing food for the party. This is the cake she made for Juniper to dive into, it was lemon with blueberry compote and cream cheese frosting. It was delicious and I had a big slice every night for a week. She also made them into cupcakes for everyone else.

Fraser makes incredible hamburgers (they have all kinds of good things in them) and I had the idea of making them into sliders. I don't want to brag but it was the best idea ever. Totally gourmet.

So many friends, so much love.

Autumn also made this incredible fig jam and gruyere crustini thing. I know I've been talking a lot about the food, but we take it very seriously.

Thats Gretchen and Zoe. I was Zoe's nanny a hundred years ago and I love that I still get to see them both. Look at that silly baby.

All the crazy little people. Believe it or not, this was the best of all the group photos.

I was a little disappointed with Juniper's performance with the cake. She barely touched it so we tried again the next day, and again the next day. Nothing. She decided to squeeze some lemon on the wound and a couple weeks later at someone else's party she ravaged a slice of cake I had. Whatever.

Watching a baby eat the cake is the best part of a first birthday party. The crowd was really supportive and pretended not to be disappointed.

I promised G the rest of our babies' parties would be on a much smaller scale. I just couldn't help but make a big deal about this one. It used to be just the 2 of us but now we're 3, and it makes me pretty happy.

This is Autumn and her boys (including the one that was still in her belly way back then).

She got a lot of really wonderful and thoughtful presents. I even got teary a couple of times. This is Ela, our present-passer-outer. I was admiring a book cousin Denise made and Ela told me "Brit, we're not reading books right now, we're opening presents." It was hilarious.

Best. Day. Ever.

the pumpkin patch

2011-10-06T22:05:00.001-04:00

We made our second annual trip to our neighbor Doug's pumpkin patch last Saturday in between sessions of General Conference. So different from last year's trip with a four-month-old!

Want to know a secret? I made G and Juniper wear those clothes because I wanted to look fall-ish but it was about 78 degrees out and we were totally hot. G might have been a little pissed. I love how daddies never seem to care whether a baby's skirt is pulled down so she doesn't look naked. =)

Terrie, Andrew and Alice met up with us too. Watching those girls run around together is such a fun new thing.

My cute little sister and mom came out with us, too. I like that I can usually lure them out with promises of cute holiday tradition-type fun.

Afterwards we walked around the end-of-summer PB street fair and got some treats. Good times.

babies at birch aquarium

2011-09-30T23:36:00.001-04:00

I'm so behind on blog posts I don't know where to start. The thing I'm terrible at when I have a couple of busy photography months is taking photos of our own lives and then finding time to post them in between editing work for clients. I decided to snap out of it today and take my real camera (sorry Instagram) to the Birch Aquarium with some friends.

We have passes to Sea World so its not like the girls never seen a fish before. Maybe since we've been practicing "What does a fish say?" so much at home she saw them in a whole new light.

This is sweet Alice who I've posted photos of before. She was also born 6 weeks early about 6 weeks before June and happens to have one of the coolest moms I know, so shes been Juniper's first and best friend since the beginning.

Alice runs to me to be picked up every time we see her. It melts my heart and I like to pretend she isn't like that with everyone.

Heidi was my plus-one at the zoo a couple weeks ago so she invited us to the aquarium on her pass. I hadn't been here since I was a kid and we really liked it. Heidi is such a fun mom, she inspires me to sing more to my baby.

And this is handsome Ryder. Officially the chubbiest baby I've ever met in real life and such a fun baby. We go to music class together and even though hes a few months younger, he taught June how to be cool there.

Whatcha got there, June?

Of course they found stools to use as walkers and thought that was so much cooler than the sharks.

Terrie and Alice. I wonder how many hours we've spent playing together this past year? Definitely dozens, perhaps hundreds. Sorry June photojacked you.

Our friend Leslie is really great, too.

I think I took enough photos. Thanks again for the fun day, Heidi!

happy grant day!

2011-08-26T18:11:00.000-04:00

Its my favorite day again... the one where we get to celebrate my favorite person in the world. With his 14 hour work days we've barely seen each other these past few weeks so I'm extra excited to take him out for a special date night tonight. I can't wait. Happy Birthday G-love!

turkey baby

2011-08-23T23:58:00.003-04:00

This little turkey kept me up all night last night. Being cute is an amazing survival technique, isn't it?

the best day of my life

2011-08-12T01:00:00.000-04:00

Just kidding. But honestly, it was heaven. One of my best friends and favorite people, Lauren, turned *ahem* 30 *ahem* and her step-dad wanted to spoil her something fierce. Thats where I come in! I booked us and another friend of hers a day at the Rancho Bernardo Inn Spa. Now I would like to make an announcement: if you ever want to give me a gift, ever, for any amount... just do a little clicky clicky on the link above and send on over a gift certificate. I will be eternally grateful. Because this place is HEAVEN.

It flew by but the Grant did the math and pointed out we were there for 7 hours. What? How? Anyway, thank you Lauren for having a milestone birthday, parents who like me, and for sharing my enthusiasm for experiencing the best thing on planet earth. Happy B Day!

/jo͝oˈlī/

2011-08-07T23:02:00.000-04:00

This is our life from the past few weeks. If you follow me on Instagram (or are our parents and get a daily email from me) you've already seen these, my apologies.

Post nap silliness.

Post swim lesson giddiness.

My big brother and my mom and some beach babies.

Katherine, you were totally right, she takes to men much quicker than women. I'm sorry. =)

Nursing with baby doll. June is 14 months and still nursing once at night and once in the morning. It may be called "extended nursing" but we don't care, it still feels right for us.

Swimming at the Krage's during Ben and Kasie's wedding weekend. June and G figured out she could ride on his back. Cutest thing ever.

We heart Cubby.

We have a favorite spot to watch the sunset. I'll miss it when the days get shorter and we can't make it there on the weekdays anymore.

Ruel came for a few days for his annual Comi-Con visit. We always have so much fun and it didn't take him much time to win June's heart. In July we had visitors every weekend so when Roo left the house felt a little quiet.

My family.

My love.

Sleepy girl at Five Guys.

Beach day with Roo-bot.

This is my Bachelorette viewing group: cousins Veda, Kate, and Denise. Since last season's Bachelor they've been coming over every Monday night, eating dessert and dissecting what I consider to be the most entertaining and most borderline unacceptable reality TV show. I just really, really love having fabulous single girls want to hang out with me even though I shush them sometimes when we get to laughing too loud cuz I'm afraid I'm gonna have to go put the baby back to sleep and miss something. I also think reality tv is kind of like what they say about drinking... its a lot more fun and a lot less pitiful when you do it with a crowd.

Thank you, G, for giving me a daughter with your curly hair. I've been secretly hoping for one ever since I first decided to marry you.

So much walking! I wish I could say so much pigtails, too, but alas, I've been restricted to torturing her with them only once a week.

A care package from London! Thank you, Anita!

Where's June?

Oh, there she is.

its midnight

2011-08-05T23:47:00.002-04:00

I miss blogging. I miss Grant, too. And sometimes, at night when Junes been asleep for a while, I miss her, too.

I took these yesterday as I was packing up my gear for a shoot and Juniper was waking up from her nap. She is so excited about walking that if she finds any shoes in the house she will carry them around with her (unless they are Daddy's shoes cuz those are crazy heavy) until I put them on her chubby little feet.

I call this style of book display "The Jason." Shout out to my brother-in-law, Jason.

I took this one this morning as I was unpacking my photo bag from yesterday's shoot. Usually she wears both a top and a bottom at the same time, but its not a strict rule.

So much blogging to do... if only to relive Juniper's first birthday and the unbelievable spa day I had last week...

memorial day

2011-07-23T23:45:00.002-04:00

Disclaimer: The tardiness of this post does not in any way reflect on my enthusiasm for the event itself.

G's cousin got married in LA over memorial day weekend and we had such a nice time with all of the family. We don't get to see G's siblings or parents very often so it really was a special time.

On Friday night we picked up Camila and her little boy Finn at their friends' house on the way up to LA and stayed in a hotel with Marcilyn, Ryan and Claire. Slumber party!

The hotel had lots of character but was in a super sketchy neighborhood. I thought I knew LA better but I guess you never quite know what youre getting when you book through a discount travel site. Don't worry, G will always protect us.

We had a yummy breakfast with the siblings and then to the wedding at the LA temple. I think this was the first one I had to miss cuz I was taking care of a baby. Lame and awesome at the same time.

G's parents and the rest of us. This is only half of the greatness that makes up my immediate in-law family.

The happy couple, Freddie and Holly.

Pretty sure G is wearing the tie from Ryan's wedding. Or from ours... I can't tell them apart. =)

The luncheon after the wedding was so pretty and so delicious. I would like the Nelson girls to please plan (and execute) all of my parties. Here is June with cousin Finn.

June and cousins Finn and Jak.

Oh... hello there...

Get over here!

Cousin love! So great. They went at it for awhile and it gathered quite a crowd. G was not impressed. I really like that I overheard some family talking today about these kisses this long after it happened.

June had been sick with what we thought was a cold for a couple days before the trip but in the interest of being the kind of parents that aren't lame (and after getting the okay from the doctor), we went anyway. She got worse at the luncheon so we missed the reception to head up to Santa Barbara where we were planning on spending the rest of the holiday weekend with the family.

This photo is purely for my enjoyment.

Breakfast with the family. The thing I love so much about going out to brunch is that is usually means its going to be a great day, not one with any work or school, thats for sure.

Asleep on the Nana. Love.

Sometimes (all the time) we hang out at the beach.

Memorial Day was spent on the beach, too, this time in our swimsuits though. Poor June slept a lot on people and cuddled G and I the rest of the time (sure is a bad cold we thought...). Later that day we went to the SB Mission for the chalk festival. It was followed by dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant and fro yo.

She looks so sick and lethargic to me in this photo...

I kept thinking about how this time last year we were in Santa Barbara for a maternity shoot and were about to welcome our baby much earlier than we thought. Crazy. Anyway, poor baby girl was still pretty bad when we got home and so when I took her back in to the doctor we found out she had a bad sinus infection. We felt so guilty that we had dragged her all over creation all weekend but after a round of antibiotics and lots of rest, she got better fast. So overall, a really great weekend.

History of Rap Part 2

2011-07-21T23:30:00.001-04:00

Sometimes she keeps me up all night until I think I'm going to die, and sometimes she falls asleep nursing while holding on to her doll.

Maybe it was because I watched it at 2am, having not been to bed yet because June was teething (or something, who really knows) and I was possibly delirious... but I thought it was great.

History of Rap Part 2 with Justin Timberlake - Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

Right after that we played a game of "Where's Daddy?!" that took her 5 minutes to find the daddy asleep in our bed. She was literally sitting on top of him on the bed but it took him waking up and moving for her to realize he was home. Their joint surprise at seeing each other had me in tears, I was laughing so hard.

muggle fun

2011-07-17T23:00:00.004-04:00

If there are two things I love, its Harry Potter and my sister-in-law Marcilyn (not in that order). Back during the college days in Utah, G used to go keep her company while she stood in line for the next Harry Potter book and we always saw the movies together on opening night. So it was only right that she was here with us to celebrate the last movie in the series. I had an HP marathon the week prior and we watched all of the "making of" specials together while she was here. I feel like I'm going through HP withdrawals now...

On the big night we went to dinner at the pub my step-dad used to own, the Shakespeare, for some proper British food. We also stocked up on sweets from the neighboring British shoppe and I may or may not have eaten an entire package of fruit pastilles during the movie. Our cousins Kate and Denise met us for dinner at the pub because they are awesome. My mom also met us and then took the Junebug so that we could enjoy the movie (she even slept over since we got home so late). Best mom ever.

Don't worry! Denise made us all Harry Potter glasses and gave us lighting bolt scars. So great.

The movie was amazing. I can't wait to see it again. Also, these girls are amazing. I can't wait to do something like this again!

We did other fun things, too. A shopping day, breakfast on the beach (below), a beach day in La Jolla complete with swimming in the ocean, and dinner at our favorite sushi restaurant.

We wish she could have stayed longer but we love that she drove all the way down from Utah to see a movie with us. Thanks for coming, Marce, we love you!

independance day

2011-07-10T00:56:00.000-04:00

This day last year we were hiding out in the baby cave with our 3 week old preemie. Since last summer wasn't very summer-ish, I'm determined to live this one to the max! We got up early on the fourth to go to the flag ceremony and pancake breakfast at the church. Every church activity is that much more fun because we've got a really great group of friends in our ward.

Its a good thing I have an iphone with Instagram on it because otherwise who knows when I'd ever take a photo.

After June's morning nap we headed over to our friends' beach house for a bbq. I felt so lucky to be spending my fourth on a beautiful beach with my little family and some good friends. It also felt great to get in the water for the first time in a really, really long time.

After a little recharging at home we walked over to the bay and met the Jewetts for fireworks and Mexican food. There were at least 7 different shows we could see from where we were. My favorite part was watching June point at the fireworks and tell us about it in her baby talk. It was a perfect (real) first Fourth of July for our baby girl.

darling its better down where its wetter

2011-06-27T14:06:00.003-04:00

Before I was had a baby of my own I imagined myself someday doing lots of things with my children... baby signing, ballet classes, music lessons, soccer team, etc. So I guess a little dream of mine has been fulfilled because Juniper has started swimming lessons. And its the cutest thing in the world.

The swim school we go to has been around for like 40 years or something like that and they use a very gentle, non-fear based technique that Juniper has responded really well too. She is already holding her breath on command and going under water without drinking anything in. The best part is that they can make kids "pool safe" by 18 months old, and since my parents have a pool we wanted to start her early.

I would have her enrolled in a whole bunch of enriching activities already but we're being responsible and budgeting for them one at a time. My mom came to watch her first lesson and G came this morning. It was so fun to watch her catch sight of him on the side of the pool and beam with pride at her little accomplishments.

It doesn't look like much but everything the instructor does with her is very deliberate. The other two kids in the class are older than June and they are swimming like little fish, its so cool. And did you hear what he said at the end? "She recovers so perfectly." So proud.

happy dada's day

2011-06-19T02:34:00.002-04:00

I just read through last year's father's day post, written from the NICU when June was a week old, and I'm at a loss of words. Where would I even begin to express how grateful I am for the wonderful father Grant has been this past year? I'm not sure. I do know that there are a million things he does as a dad that I think are amazing. One of the things at the top of that list is the way he sings and plays guitar for our sweet Juniper.

Grant, I adore you. Thank you for being my baby daddy.

And Happy Father's Day to our dads and grandpas. We are so grateful for you!

secret ingredient: love

2011-06-17T21:39:00.004-04:00

When G and I were in college we got really into making good food. After years of putting lots of time and money into meals and desserts that were served to roommates at the coffee table in the living room of The Co-ed House, I swore I would always appreciate the dining room I'd someday have.

Its not much (and we can only have 2 people over at a time), but its ours.

The table was bought by my mom and dad shortly after they were married and my mom hung on to it for me. It desperately needs to be refinished and I swear I'm going to get to it soon. I love a modern chair with a farmhouse table. I'm pretty proud of the fact that I earned the money for them by selling some things we weren't using anymore (G didn't think we needed new chairs so I took it as a challenge not to spend any money on them).

One of the reasons I love our little dining room is that it houses some of my favorite family photos. Our place is so small we don't have room for bookshelves so I don't have nearly as many photos up as I'd like to. We trade square footage for proximity to the beach, which I'm comfortable with for now.

The highchair is just an inexpensive one from Ikea but I like that its wooden and red. G drapes a hand towel on the back to make it cushier for the babe. I love how I picked it because its cool looking and easy to clean, and G's only concern was that it didn't look very comfy.

This is a blown-up Holga print my brother took at a nearby beach years ago. Its nice to have film prints around so we don't forget our roots amidst all the Instagram apps and digital slrs.

This face = "Time's up, Mom."

Dear Juniper,

2011-06-12T23:05:00.154-04:00

You turned 1 today. All week long I've been a little weepy and nostalgic because the year has gone by so unbelievably fast. Your dad and I find it completely amazing that our little 4 lb preemie has grown into such a big, beautiful (and chubby) girl, and our days are filled with text messages and phone calls and "quick! come in here and see what shes doing!" because we don't want to miss a moment of it.

Your newly acquired mobility (we call it turbo crawling because everyone comments on the impressive speed) has brought a sense of independence that you seem to enjoy but that also seems to be in a constant battle with your need to be close to me. You've been practicing your walking more and more (with the help of whatever walker, chair, or dog you can find), and the proud look you give us when you're doing it is the most wonderful thing in the world. Sometimes when you are crawling you get really excited to get somewhere and tuck your chin down and, making a sweet panting noise, crawl as fast as you can. The way your hands point in and your arms bend out you look like the cutest little bulldog I've ever seen.

A couple of back-to-back sicknesses and some rough teething in the past couple months have lessened the passion you had for solid food and so you've been nursing a lot. I was going to ween you at 1, but its obvious you aren't ready. Actually, one of the things that has surprised me most about motherhood is how much you and I enjoy nursing. It comforts you like nothing else will, sometimes it almost seems like a reset button when you're having a hard time, and you have all of these cute little rituals that I will miss so much someday. You always grab a foot at the beginning of each nursing session and play with it for a little while. Then you grab whatever part of my shirt you can get and hold it to your face. I've tried draping small security blankets on me to try and trick you into thinking its my shirt so that you can take it to bed, but you always grab them and throw them onto the floor. That means I've been trying unsuccessfully for a year now to help you get attached to a pacifier, security blanket, or stuffed animal that will help sooth you when you aren't being held by me. As your dad always says, she only wants nursies. There is this other thing you always do where you put one leg on each side of one of my legs, so that your tummy is pressed up against mine, and we can feel each other breathe. Its perfect. I must have said dozens of prayers of gratitude that nursing has worked out so well for us.

Talking!! You said your first word last month: "Mama," and I'm still smiling about it. You only say it with meaning when you are upset I'm not holding you, but I still love it. You've really started calling for "Dada" when he leaves and hes hoping you'll say it when hes around sometime soon so he can hear it for himself. We have suspicions you are going to be a talkative one because of all the babbling and singing you do all day. By the way, when you get bigger your grandparents are going to tell you all kinds of stories about me constantly talking when I was a kid... don't believe a word they say.

I could go on forever about every lovable little thing you do... like how you stick your tongue out when you're being silly or flirtatious, or like how you spontaneously give big wet kisses to whatever person or toy you have a sudden burst of affection for, or like how your eyes glaze over and you stick out your bottom lip to one side when you're tired... but its 1 am now and your dad just woke up and reminded me that my teething baby could wake up any minute and decide not to go back to sleep, so I'd better turn in.

I love that my baby girl is 1 now, and I love you more and more every single day. I didn't think that was possible, but there you go. So Happy Birthday sweet Juniper. Here's to many, many, many more wonderful years.

(Note: I always feel a little silly posting things like this, but my blog is our family journal. Besides, I won't ever know if you skim over it!)

2011-06-04T23:00:00.002-04:00

We're sick. Again. A bad sinus infection took Juniper down with a fever for 6 days and its getting better now but the allergic reaction she seems to be having to amoxicillin may be getting worse. I'm exhausted. June's collection of ailments made us miss out on a trip to New Mexico for our niece's baptism (you guys better not be having any fun without us) but the sting was softened a little by getting to see cousin Henry today. If you wonder exactly what my big brother Stefan and I looked like when we were little, see above photo.

Here she is opening the first birthday present of her life. Not so sick now, huh Juniper?

P.S. Jen, I'm thinking a make-up trip to come see you may be in order?

P.P.S. My point-and-shoot got sand in it and broke so get used to camera phone photos for a while from me.

2011-05-25T15:13:00.000-04:00

Water Ballet from Brit Mann on Vimeo.

doing her share to set us apart from the apes

2011-05-24T22:05:00.000-04:00

I was putting June down to sleep in her crib last night after a long, hard day, and I got the best pay off ever. She had been crying a little in protest and out of no where she sat up, put her arms out to me, and very clearly said "Mama!" Shes been saying mama, dada and dog without any real indication she knows what they mean but last night it was undeniable. I would perhaps second guess it but, as luck would have it, G was standing in the doorway and witnessed the whole thing. And as if just to make sure we knew she understood what she is saying, she gave us an encore performance this morning. I can't stop smiling about it! The best part is that when we think about the percentage of time that G is present during June's waking hours, the chances are slim that he would be there for her first word, and yet... perfection! Good work sweet Juniper.

The Blessing

2011-05-17T20:19:00.003-04:00

I have decided since Juniper's first birthday is coming up that I would do a few posts I never got around to. This one is only about 8 months late.

On a warm autumn day last September, Grant and some very special men gave our sweet little girl her baby blessing. I snapped these photos right before we left for church that morning promising myself I would do a proper shoot in the blessing gown later, and (confession time) it never happened.

The gorgeous hand-smocked gown was made by a favorite aunt on my mom's side. It has been worn by all of the girl cousins born in the last 15 years and is now being worn by the great-granddaughters in the family. I wanted June to have something to keep from her blessing day so my sweet sister-in-law, Ashton, made the lovely rose headband.

This is the group in front of our church building, following the blessing. Look at all those people who love our little girl.

These are the men who participated in the blessing... both of our fathers, my maternal grandfather, 2 of my brothers, some of our cousins and uncles, and a couple of good friends. G gave a beautiful blessing which I'm so grateful we were able to record (in it you can hear Juniper cooing, its so cute!).

Afterwards we had a luncheon at Fanuel Street Park. Its the same beach on the bay we had our first family photos taken last Christmas. This park is just a few blocks from our house so it has sort of become our backyard.

It was one of those days everyone who lives here couldn't stop talking about how glad they are that they live here. It was a perfect day to lounge outdoors and have a picnic.

We had a yummy spread, if I do say so myself. Thanks again to my mom and Ashton for all of your help.

Four generations of Webster women.

One of my besties, Lauren and her hubby and kids. Tasha and Juniper are working on becoming BFFs.

June was just working on her first smiles so it was especially fun to watch my dad and step-mom (who traveled all the way from Portland) coaxing them out of her for the first time.

My nephew Henry being entertained by my sister.

Our good friends, Autumn, Dan, Gideon and Owen.

G's Momma.

G's little sister, Jen and her baby Calvin. She flew all the way from Albuquerque for the blessing because she is awesome.

G and his cousins. I love the proud auntie look on Darci's face. She drove all the way down from Santa Barbara and we love her for it.

My mom's side. My big brother Stefan and his wife Ashton drove out from Phoenix. So great.

My dad's side.

I was such a mess of emotion all day. I felt like after years of heartache over miscarriages and a scary start for Juniper in the NICU, one of things I had always dreamed of, my first baby's blessing, had finally come. It was such an outpouring of love and support that it was even more beautiful than I had imagined it would be. It was a perfect day.

Junebug and my big brother, Eric. Another confession: I somehow never got anyone to take a photo of G and the baby and I that day. Fail!

curls and keys

2011-05-15T00:17:00.000-04:00

I love seeing whats going to grab her attention next. Lately, its been keys. She crawled around the house for 30 mins with my car keys the other day and we were missing the mailbox keys for 3 days until she found them again. Today she wouldn't let go of Daddy's house keys while I nursed her, or when I put her down for a nap, and 45 minutes later when she woke up and put her little arms out to be picked up, she was still clutching them.

F is for Fort

2011-05-14T22:40:00.000-04:00

I thought it couldn't get any cuter, and then I woke up to this...

11 months

2011-05-12T12:33:00.000-04:00

This past month has been a haze of illness. Juniper's trip to the ER was followed by weeks of colds, teething, and I suspect a little ear infection. I've also been sick going on four weeks with what I just learned has turned into Bronchitis. Boooooo! I suppose we're paying our dues for the lack of sickness we've enjoyed since June was born.

Despite our physical maladies, I did have a lovely Mother's Day. I got breakfast in bed, which is my absolute favorite (I don't care if its a cliche) because every day of my life I wake up starving. The Sunbeams class I teach at church (usually consisting of around six 3 year olds!) was taught by the young men so that I could go to the grown up classes, and it was such a treat! After my marathon nap with Junebug we had a delicious dinner at my parents' house which my mom and I topped off with a soak in the jacuzzi. Pretty great. I feel like I've been gushing a lot lately about my love for my moms and my love of being a mom so I'm going to spare you. This time.

Get ready for the cuteness bomb I'm about to drop. This swim suit was made by my grandmother for my mom when she was a baby. My grandma saved it so that I could wear it when I was a baby, and then my mom saved it for Juniper. We snapped some photos of her in it a couple days ago for a book my mom is making and although Junebug's runny nose, uncontrollable drool, and readiness for a nap threatened to hijack the photos, we got a couple keepers.

Too bad I don't have any cute heirlooms for my baby and no grandmas that love her. =) I hope all the moms and future moms had a great Mother's Day.

my birthday in instagram photos

2011-05-04T23:35:00.002-04:00

I turned 28 yesterday and it was absolutely the best birthday ever. G made it so perfect... I even woke up to a gorgeous bouquet of tulips and presents waiting to be opened.

After a quiet morning we went to lunch with Grandma. June's latest thing is reclining back and putting her legs up whenever shes in a highchair. She kills me.

We had a beach day planned since the forecast said 85. Juniper got to crawl around in the surf and I got to hang out with my mom and my girls from church. It was, of course, dreamy.

Later in the afternoon my mom (I LOVE YOU MOM!) had Junebug while I got a birthday manicure and pedicure. I haven't done that since way before the baby came and I finally get what all the fuss is about... getting a foot massage while flipping through People magazine isn't a big deal but when you're a mom and there are no babies around ITS AMAZING.

That night G planned a nice dinner with some friends at a great Thai restaurant and it was the perfect end to a perfect day. G, you really outdid yourself this year. Thank you for spoiling me so thoroughly! And thanks to the Momma Bear for helping him do it.

I'm honestly a little sad its over. =) Good thing Mother's Day is later this week...

first easter

2011-05-02T23:04:00.001-04:00

Easter taught me a new parenting lesson. If I want a day to go a certain way, I either need to plan and prepare for it or just let it go. So although we didn't make it to any egg hunts and these pictures were taken 5 days after Easter, we did enjoy a really wonderful meal with the Krages. G and I made some strawberry rhubarb pies that I can't wait to recreate.

I have really fond memories of the baskets I got growing up. Among other things, June's included a new swimsuit, Eric Carle flashcards, and a pink baseball (courtesy of Daddy). The personalized basket is, of course, courtesy of my mom.

I don't think she noticed she was getting her basket 4 days after Easter.

The dress was made for me by my mom when I was Junebug's age. Its smocked and embroidered with little Jemima Puddle-Ducks, it has little ribbons tying it in the back... and just seeing it on my own baby makes my heart melt. I know I'm constantly saying "made by my mom" on this blog but she won't stop making (or in this case, saving from when I was a baby) amazing things for my baby.

So I guess Easter wasn't a total failure. In fact, it was pretty great.

who could resist those booties?

2011-05-01T23:31:00.003-04:00

We're back... pretty much. I'll just be catching up for a little while. How about the handmade love in this photo though? The dress was sewn by my sweet sweet mom and the booties were knitted by the thoughtful and talented Julie Olsen. On another note, did anyone else get teary-eyed during Obama's speech announcing the death of Bin Laden? I'm feeling pleasantly patriotic tonight.

Is getting angry about it one of the stages of being sick?

2011-04-28T15:30:00.000-04:00

I just found a couple of photos that weren't lost in the great computer crash of 2011. And if you make a comment about why all of my photos weren't backed up, it will be deleted. Very, very deleted.

My family came for a visit a few weeks ago and I took hundreds of great photos. I'm hoping to recover them (her first Disneyland trip!) but meanwhile heres one of my brother Eric and Juniper. So much love.

2011-04-27T02:47:00.004-04:00

My computer crashed 9 days ago. I don't want to talk about it. Normally the issue would be solved by now and I'd be happily blogging away, but I was on my death bed with whatever crazy plague-like sickness Juniper had a couple weeks ago. Now G is sick. And June just caught a cold. The silver lining is, unquestionably, all of the royal wedding specials on tv. Wills and Kate and the whole royal family have been keeping me company late into the night as I rock my stuffed-up baby girl. I had no idea I could be so into the royal wedding. So into it, in fact, Ive been on the verge of buying this adorable mug all week. G tells me it's a line I shouldn't cross.

I managed to post this from my phone. I miss Computer.

10 months

2011-04-13T15:05:00.001-04:00

Unfortunately Juniper's 10 month photo is of her wearing a baby-size hospital gown after a night at the ER. A temperature of 104, trouble breathing, shaking and vomiting were what brought us in and serious problems within our health care system are what kept us there for over 7 hours. Luckily by the time we left they were able to rule out the more scary possibilities and they seem to think she has caught a bad virus.

And so it seems our first child's first trip to the ER has a happy ending. I'll tell you what though, it was one of the scariest and saddest moments of my life as a parent. Positioning her forward so she doesn't aspirate as she violently vomits in her car seat while G speeds down the 8 freeway, or holding my shaking, sobbing baby girl as the nurses insert a catheter... I know I'm really sleep-deprived but I'm still feeling emotional just thinking about the whole ordeal.

I keep thinking about all of the blessings I've been given these past 24 hours, will you bear with me while I count them?

1. My brother Eric, an EMT and a firefighter, was visiting us and when she first started throwing up I yelled for him and he rushed in and showed me what to do. When he agreed it was time to take her to the hospital he insisted on coming with us (and staying with us). Besides sitting in a freezing hospital from 1am to 8am, he was really good at asking questions and bugging nurses for us. I'm grateful for my big brother, for his generosity of spirit and for his love for our baby.

2. My husband is so attentive and caring with our baby, especially when she is sick. He is an incredible advocate and a tender touch whenever one or the other is needed. He works hard and provides us with great health insurance so that when something like this happens we don't have to second guess getting care. He is wonderful and I'm grateful to be his wife.

3. The ER at Children's Hospital was busy, to put it lightly, and I saw multiple single moms there. Some all alone with their child, some with several other kids there. I kept thinking about how not only did they not have someone to come with them, they didn't have someone to watch their other kids. I sat there with my two men on either side of me and felt so blessed.

4. I'm grateful for the little smiles Juniper mustered up throughout it all because she is my sunshine. I'm grateful she responded well to the medications and has gotten lots of rest today. I'm grateful that she is such a great nurser so that she didn't get too dehydrated and so that I was able to comfort her. And more than words can express, I'm grateful that my baby is healthy.

Thanks for bearing with me. That may have sounded melodramatic to you seasoned parents out there, but for us newbies it was a harrowing experience. I have to admit though, that miniature hospital gown is adorable.

daddy toy box

2011-04-10T23:00:00.003-04:00

Last fall we watched General Conference with a sleeping 3 month old baby, like this. This spring's session with a 9 month old was very, very different. Here is one of Grant's attempts at entertaining her for a few minutes so we could listen.

Please ignore the state of my house... its a mess cuz we're having some pipes repaired.

my new favorites

2011-04-05T22:50:00.002-04:00

I was just looking through some older photos and found these. It was over a month ago and I had gotten out my camera to mark the last time I was able to squeeze her fattness into the adorable jeans her aunt Ashton gave her (the top is from her too, normally its not soaked like that but this was right before those bottom two teeth came through). She was just starting to figure out crawling and I love the faces she was making and the positions she was getting into. These are my new favorite photos.

the week in review

2011-04-02T23:00:00.003-04:00

Some weeks are better than others. This was one of the good ones. My brother's little boy, Henry, was in town so my mom and I took the kids to Sea World for the day.

Its hard to tell in the photo but Juniper had a total "Evan Almighty" moment and when I put her up to the glass all the fish swam up to her. They just stared at each other for a while, it was cute.

Cousins playing. Its always fun...

... Until someone pokes an eye out. I think its fitting she got her first black eye from the offspring of the guy who beat up on me for so many years. Love you, Stefan.

My momma and her grandbabies. Adorable.

His walk kills me...

I Heart Henry from Brit Mann on Vimeo.

The next day it was 76 degrees and my friends called a beach day. We finished our chores early and lounged by the sea for a few hours with our friends, clothing optional.

The Bug snatched a clementine out of my hand and helped herself to her first taste of citrus. Don't be fooled by the expression, she loved it so much she was singing a little while she gnawed on it.

Another first: The first time I took a sandy, sweaty, black-eyed baby wearing only a dirty onesie to the grocery store. It was Trader Joe's though so I'm thinking we just fit in with the other hippie babies.

The next day we had a lunch date with Lauren and her girls. It was way overdue so I had to go through with it even though I felt a little guilty for getting to hang out on the beach again.

Ela and her rock pile, and her assistant Tasha. June is only 6 months younger than Tasha so we're pretty excited for when they are older and BFFs.

I love Lauren. Lauren is hilarious.

I hope no one is doing that thing where they look at someone's life on their blog and hate them because it looks like they've got it so easy. I mean, I'm not saying I don't have it easy, its just I don't want you to think less of me for having spent a week like I'm some sort of independently wealthy heiress of something.

the magic hour

2011-04-01T00:06:00.002-04:00

G works longer and later hours than the average husband but every once in a while he gets home a little earlier than usual, and now that the sun is setting later again we get to steal a little walk to the water together sometimes. It can make a Wednesday night feel like a lazy Sunday for a little while which is sort of magical. It makes all 4 of us really happy.

by the seashore

2011-03-30T23:15:00.001-04:00

I've never pretended that I'm not a little crazy. Its just that I don't think its crazy to worry about tsunamis. The recent tragedy in Japan has furthered my paranoia a little. Sometimes I lay in bed at night as I'm falling asleep thinking about our tsunami escape route, our emergency supplies, whether we should go upstairs to our neighbors place or try to make it to Mount Soledad, etc.

I just hope you never think back on this post because you just heard we got hit by a tsunami.

All jokes aside, my uncle Chris sent me this link the day after the Japanese tsunami hit and I thought it was incredible. I had a really abstract idea about what tsunamis were like until I watched this. Also, did you know that it was 30 feet high in some areas? I do not live 30 feet above sea level. Not even close.

Click here to watch.

heart

2011-03-28T22:30:00.003-04:00

My friend Jackie and I were leaving Gap on Saturday and found this cute scene waiting for us... a couple of handsome husbands and a bunch of super cute little girls. It made my heart swell and burst.

And then last night, after Sunday dinner, my mom gave June a bath in her kitchen sink. Swell and burst. Even though she is only the second grandchild I feel like this is some sort of rite of passage. I find such comfort in watching my mom care for my baby, do you know what I mean? She just plays with and cuddles and adores Juniper for hours, never shying away from her fussing or a poopy diaper. And then she usually sends me home with leftovers. I thought I loved and appreciated my mom as much as I possibly could before I had a baby of my own but she really took it to a whole new level since Juniper came. I love you, mom.

I would worry about our readers growing tired of these videos, but I know my little sister Hannah watches them over and over, so I can't resist posting more. This one's for you, Hannah.

Splashing June from Brit Mann on Vimeo.

Shoutout to my Canon Powershot Digital Elph. The only reason we have so many great videos and photos of The Junebug is because of the tiny camera I keep in my purse at all times. What is it you always say, Stefan? I think its "The best camera is the one you have on you." So true.

drip drip drop little april showers

2011-03-26T16:33:00.000-04:00

I've said it before, but it warrants repeating that the girls in my ward at church are some of the coolest girls around. We throw baby showers (or sprinkles, you know, just smaller scale showers) for everyone who has a baby and they are always so fun. I was in charge of Megan's shower and decided to make it sort of a girls' night out and go to Extraordinary Desserts in Little Italy. Yum!

It is always so hard to choose one single dessert- which is why its so great going with a bunch of other people so that we can pass everything around!

I made Megan a party hat to wear that matched the favors I made. The favors were a mix CD of pretty music for babies. I was so excited at how cute they turned out. Lovely AND functional. =)

Jackie, Megan, and Wendy...

Megan and her yumminess. Can you believe those desserts?

Alyssa, Susan, and me. I think I won the prize for best dessert ordered! It was a carmelized apple and cranberry bread pudding and I wish I was eating it right now.

Terrie, Sissy, and Heidi...

Wendy and Stacy...

Melissa and Shaelyn...

Brittney J. and Julie...

Megan opening gifts... she got some really great things.

We had a great turn out and it was such a fun night. Congratulations to Megan and her little fella! We can't wait to meet him!

More photos of the party favors I was so proud of...

And because I keep getting more and more behind on blogging, here are a few photos from a shower I helped Jackie with a couple weeks ago. It was for our friend Rebecca and it was a sit down, 4 course meal. We all pitched in but Jackie really outdid herself this time!

raspberry girl

2011-03-25T23:06:00.011-04:00

This video was taken during the height of a maddening little habit Juniper recently adopted. It has since become less severe and I'd like to think I beat it out of her but we all know thats not true. We did, however, enforce a no-laughing-at-it policy, which I think has helped. Kids, right?

Juniper's Raspberries from Brit Mann on Vimeo.

houston, pt 2

2011-03-24T12:49:00.001-04:00

You know we had to do the rodeo while I was there! It has to be noted that I have a love/hate relationship with the rodeo. It reels me in with it's fun quaintness and then I see what the animals sometimes go through and it fills me with pity and guilt. Well, I hadn't been to one since my Provo days and when I realized Emily had never been we decided we needed to go. It was great.

Here is Claire ready to leave the house...

Jake wasn't sure WHAT to think!

Look at that cute momma. Isn't it so fun growing old with your friends? I remember when I was 12 and she poked my new boobies at a young women's activity. You had to be there, it was pretty funny. Actually... she poked my new nursing boobies at the rodeo too! Everything comes full circle, I guess.

Just a couple of cowgirls.

She didn't take her hat off once all day.

You guys!! I have been dreaming of having babies with curly hair ever since G and I started dating (his hair is wavy and gets curly in humidity) and was SO excited to watch how the Houston humidity made June's hair go BOING. It was the first confirmation that she has his hair and it made me so happy. It was the only cute thing about how hot it is there!

Hey Emily, I know you have 3 kids but do you wanna hold mine, too?

Oh. My. Gosh. Do you know what Mutton Bustin is?! These kids (some as young as 5) get thrown on some sheep and try to hold on as long as they can. It is by far the cutest thing I will never let my kids do!

We were all riveted.

... Especially Claire and Jake.

I think the noise and the heat were starting to get to my California baby. Look at that bottom lip.

I love how Emily always takes my camera from me to take some photos with me in them. Even if I was nursing. Please don't scowl that I'm not using a cover. Juniper decided a couple months ago that she hates being covered up while shes trying to nurse so I've had to perfect my technique to preserve my modesty. It just gets a little tricky when we go on vacation and are out in public so much. I'm pretty sure I only flashed a couple people on this trip, though. =)

Plum tuckered out, as they say.

We went straight from the rodeo to the airport and my glassy-eyed baby was so tired she got giddy. Our plane was delayed a couple hours (bring it on) but she never shed a tear. Good work team.

It was such a fun day, thank you Emily for everything!! Up next, Houston pt 3: the photo shoot.

houston, pt 1

2011-03-23T14:44:00.003-04:00

Juniper and I just got back from a great trip to Texas to see one of my best friends and favorite people in the world, Emily. It was our first trip without the daddy and it went pretty well (although his absence was definitely felt!). Please excuse the varying quality of photos, they are from an assortment of phone, point-and-shoot, and SLR cameras.

We traveled stand-by on buddy passes (thanks Dad and Kim!) and although we got bumped and spent an entire day traveling, she held up really well and it was totally worth it. Here is a series of photos illustrating the ups and downs of traveling with a 9 month old.

We were greeted at Emily's house by an enthusiastic Claire and a welcoming pile of treats. Nothing better.

Jake and I cruisin in the back seat of the pickup truck. Sorry for outting you, Em. Its cool cuz you live in Texas.

Juniper and Evelyn powering up for the next grueling activity (I kid). I call this one Fat Baby, Skinny Baby.

Claire and the first of our food adventures, kolaches from The Kolache Factory. Yum!

Jake, The Last Airbender.

Baby Evie. A sweet 5 weeks old and oh so cuddly. In your face, Kendyll and Lauren!

I heart Emily.

Ladies and gentlemen, Juniper's Belly.

The Waffle House, a Southern institution according my tour guide, Emily. I ate grits! No comment. =)

So many babies, so little time to kiss them.

Jake and June were so cute together. I'm sad I never got a picture of them playing Peekaboo Barn together because that was ADORABLE.

My favorite of our food endeavors, Lupe Tortilla. It wouldn't be a girls' trip if we didn't treat ourselves to fancy drinks.

I had to include both of these pics of Claire, because she is awesome.

Why wouldn't they wear our hooter hiders like capes and run around yelling "Hero!" all night?!

What else did you do besides eat, you ask? Talk. Nonstop. It was fantastic. Up next, Houston, pt 2: The Rodeo!

confessions of a new mom

2011-03-04T15:57:00.004-05:00

There aren't many things in my life that are just the way they should be. My family and friends are perfect, thats not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about pictures that need to be hung, my dog that needs a bath and a new collar, dinners that need to be made (every day!!), photos that need to be edited for clients, lessons that need to be prepared for church... the list literally never ends. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.

I realized this morning, as I was thoughtfully choosing what June would wear today, that I love her closet. Like, I love her closet more than a friend. Every adorable item is folded perfectly and categorized accurately, just waiting patiently for me every time I need something. Sometimes I slide open the closet door and swear the contents inside give me a collective smile. Its efficient, easy to maintain, it makes it a breeze for G or my mom to find things, and most importantly, its nice to look at. Its perfect. And sadly, its the one thing in my life thats like that.

My name is Brit, my life is a mess, and I'm in love with my daughter's closet.

Juniper wearing clothes my mom brought back from a trip to Italy when she was still in my belly.

Bowie about to run away because she knows The Bug is poised to attack.

So much love.

2011-02-22T03:05:00.000-05:00

Have a good day at work, Daddy. We miss you already.

2011-02-19T23:30:00.000-05:00

Thank you for sharing this, Charla. I just woke G up because I was laughing so hard.

lucky number seven

2011-02-14T20:28:00.001-05:00

(photo by Sarah of Modern Kids Photography)

Valentine's Day is extra special in our house because it marks the anniversary of our first kiss. Its so fun to think about how seven years ago today we were college students in Provo, Utah, leaving Josh Fritz's Valentine's Day dance party about to have our last first kiss. Its been a wild, wonderful ride and I'm glad I'm on it. G, thank you for being the love of my life and for still giving me butterflies sometimes. =)

Right now Junebug and I are anxiously awaiting the cousins' arrival and for G to get home from work because I'm getting taken out for a romantic meal and June gets to hangout with her favorite girls in the world. Happy Valentine's Day!!

my funny valentine

2011-02-14T20:10:00.001-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day from Juniper! I took these yesterday while she was wearing the dress my mom and her best friend (I call her Aunt Julie) made her. I love how Scandinavian it looks. They make and sell embroidered pillowcase dresses in my mom's Etsy shop and its a good thing cuz they are crazy cute. Mom, why can't I find the link?!

This is June today wearing an outfit from her Aunt Darci. Two things we really love: hearts on butts and Aunt Darci.

i'm such a hypocrite

2011-02-11T23:00:00.002-05:00

My mom just found this note I wrote to her on the back of a church program when I was around 12. Perfect. Love that you saved it, Mom.

calendar girl

2011-02-09T13:00:00.001-05:00

This cute calendar is making me smile every time I walk by it in my kitchen. I won it in a giveaway from the lovely and talented Erin of Jane Reaction. The girl is a hopelessly stylish graphic designer AND she lives in Hawaii. You're going to want to follow her blog. Her Etsy shop, Chief and Crown is pretty great, too.

(photo by Erin... or her hubby Conor, I'm not sure =) )

breakfast on the beach

2011-02-05T19:42:00.002-05:00

The Bug woke us up early this morning so we grabbed the banana bread G made last night, stopped at Starbucks for some hot chocolate, and had our breakfast on the beach. It may be all we really do today so I'm glad we did it.

This is Junebug's favorite thing in the world (besides boobies) Sophie the Giraffe. We love her because June won't take a pacifier and this is the closest thing to it. We even use a pacifier clip to keep her close on our outings. Sophie's the best.

Grant may or may not be chasing seagulls with Juniper in this photo. I like the juxtaposition with the guys on the left... its like what G used to be, and what G is now. Man I love that guy.

addendum

2011-02-03T22:03:00.003-05:00

I forgot my mom had scanned this photo of Grant for me a while back. Cute, right? First of all, check out that crooked smile. Love that its on the opposite side! Second, June totally has the same strawberry blond hair which is why I'm convinced shes going to have dark brown (and curly, hopefully!!) hair just like him. My hair was white until I was a teenager so I'm sure she won't be as blond as me. Third, how about the hand thats helping Grant sit up in this photo?! Fourth, if you can name the actor who I think Grant looks like in this photo you win a prize. The prize is knowing I think you are awesome. Hint: Its not Johnny Knoxville (the actor Grant used to get mistaken for constantly when we were in LA).

UPDATE: My big brother Stefan's the winner!! G thinks somehow I told my mom about the Dominic Monaghan thing and then she told my brother but I know its just because him and I are so on the same wavelength.

2011-02-02T23:00:00.006-05:00

For everyone who thinks she looks exactly like me... I point to exhibit A: the same crooked smile seen in her daddy's baby pictures.

junebug meets the pacific

2011-01-25T18:40:00.003-05:00

We had a couple of hours to spare on Saturday so we headed back to the beach. It occurred to us that even though shes been to the beach probably fifty times in her short life, Juniper had never been in the ocean. Grant did the honors.

I thought she would hate it because the water was so cold but instead she just got really focused and intense. Pretty cute. And please don't call CPS, she was only in it for a couple of minutes.

Sometimes G misses Juniper doing something for the first time because hes at work so when he is the one introducing her to something new it makes me especially happy. There is just something so amazing about showing her new things. I love the look in her eyes and I love thinking about her experiencing new sensations and getting smarter.

This was the first time she noticed me since she had been out there, and it was immediately followed by her new favorite trick: lunging at me and trying to help herself to some nursing. They grow up so fast, right?

And this is what it would look like if Grant and Junebug went toward the light. Which, by the way, they better not do, ever.

2011-01-23T23:00:00.000-05:00

She showed those carrots who is boss.

cuzzies

2011-01-22T23:25:00.000-05:00

I call them mine but really they are Grant's cousins. But really they are mine.

These photos were all taken over the last couple of weeks. This one is from Denise's (left) birthday. Sometimes they pretend to fight over who holds her, its awesome. We get to see Cubby (middle) a lot because even though she lives in LA she works part time in San Diego.

Darci came down from Santa Barbara last weekend and it was Heaven. Juniper didn't get put down once. Its like that whenever any of the girl cuzzies are around.

This ones pretty fuzzy cuz Kate was rocking The Bug but I love it so much.

On our sunset watching cliff with Darci.

After stake conference at a potluck at the beach. Just look at those faces.

Beach day a couple days ago. Is anyone else paranoid about their baby getting a sunburn? I know its going to happen eventually but I'm going to feel so guilty nonetheless.

Cousin Veda is the best. And thats June's cousin Jak... well they are like 3rd cousins but we don't differentiate.

Shes sitting up like a pro these days.

Cousin Kayley with her sweeties Lainey and Jak.

We are pretty much the luckiest girls around. More and more of Grant's extended family are moving to Southern California and June and I are reaping the benefits, big time.

i want to deserve this

2011-01-19T23:00:00.000-05:00

Can I say something at the risk of sounding like I'm bragging? G came home from work at his usual time tonight even though hes been really busy and probably could have stayed much longer. I think he could tell I needed him. He entertained the baby for an hour, fixed himself some leftovers for dinner, cleaned the entire sick kitchen, baked banana bread, and then cuddled me while we watched Parenthood and Modern Family. I mean, come on, he BAKED BANANA BREAD. All while taking his usual work calls. Now hes in bed so he can get up early to catch up on work. I'm not bragging, I'm just really grateful.

maillot de bain

2011-01-14T15:00:00.002-05:00

Its another sunny, warm day here so my friends and I are having our first beach day of 2011. I'm just wishing I'd asked for a new swimsuit for Christmas. Why does J.Crew always have to have such cute suits?