Who knew oatmeal could be so fun?

I was feeling a little adventurous yesterday.

So instead of covering up Maddi with a bib, carefully spooning her baby cereal into her mouth and catching every dribble with a washcloth (like I usually do)--

I stripped her down, set the bowl of mush on her tray, and handed her the spoon.

To my surprise, she knew exactly what to do with it. The spoon went right into her mouth (sometimes backwards) each time she grabbed it. Won't be long before she's doing it all on her own! We're so proud!

The clean up wasn't too bad, either.

things that make me so happy:

micah. oh, how he makes me happy.
my gorgeous baby girl
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
living close to family
Marjorie Hinckley
polka dots
hgtv
gilmore girls
organizing, organizing, organizing
byu
italy. someday.
caffe molise
vintage clothes, vintage photos, vintage everything.
a clean kitchen
being a stay-at-home mom
birthday week
baking
vocal point
boutiques and consignment shops
art history
lunch-dates with my mom
dishwashers
C.S. Lewis

addendum no. 2

I also just realized that I never posted our family pictures, taken by my sister-in-law Michelle in May (yes, I am so behind).

I can never say enough good about Michelle's photography- she is naturally gifted and has generously offered to take pictures for us time and time again. In fact, over the last three years she has been there to capture the most important moments of my life :

engagement

BRIDALS wedding

BABY SHOWER
Madison's blessing family photos

We walked to a nearby park to get these pictures, and I absolutely love how they turned out! Thanks, Michelle!!!

See the rest here.

addendum

I just realized (because I am so very behind on my blogging) that I forgot to post Maddi's six-month photos. How silly of me, because they turned out BEAUTIFULLY.

These were taken by a friend, Victoria Harris (victoriabainesharris.com), a photographer I would recommend to anyone and everyone. She is extremely talented and I just love her style!

View the entire album here.

They grow up so fast!

Madison has outgrown all of her onesies and is now (finally!) wearing a size that corresponds with her age. But before I could get to the 6-month stack in the baby-clothes box, I had to pull out all the 0-3 month clothes.
and the newborn clothes.
and the preemie clothes.
and then I realized just how much my baby has grown.

I hear parents say this all the time.
But I really, honestly, truly do not remember my baby ever being this small.

Not only is Madison wearing bigger clothes, but she is growing up in every way. She is very mobile (not quite crawling, but she sure can steamroller across a room!), sitting up like a pro, eating solids, sleeping 10-12 hours a night, removing and- thank goodness- replacing her own binkie, babbling nonstop (the favorite this week is "na na na na"), and (this just in!) signing "milk" when she gets a bottle.

She brings so much joy into our lives every day, and I am trying to cherish every single one of those little joyful moments. Because they really do go by so fast.

just because

Sometimes Micah brings home flowers.

When I ask him why, he just says, "because it's Wednesday."

Lesson Learned

You know that moment right after you pull up to the drive-through window at Wendy's, the moment when you have your window down and the debit card all ready to go, waiting for the glass to slide open so you can pay and get your food...

...

that moment sometimes takes forever.

...

and some of us get a little impatient.

...

and in an attempt to make the time pass more quickly we tap the debit card on the edge of the car window.


You know that crack between the weather stripping on the car door, the one that appears when the window's rolled all the way down?

It's about the same width as a debit card.

p.s.

Turns out all you have to do to get the AC working is

1. Locate the on switch.
2. Turn it on.

Gnocchi

Most nights, when I make dinner, I open a couple cans and chop a few things. Maybe preheat the oven (on a good day).

But last night, Micah made dinner.

He mixed up a batch of Italian gnocchi (a soft, thick pasta dough made of potato and egg), shaped the noodles by hand, cooked it and then topped it off with a chorizo (fancy European sausage) red pepper sauce that had simmered for three hours.


It was FANTASTIC.

Grazie, mi amore!