4th of July

We had a simple 4th of July. After brunch with friends and nap time, we headed over to Lois and Gerald's for a summer picnic and sleep-over. After dinner, Gerald brought out the fireworks.  Taryn slept.

careful with the sparklers

notice the classy t-shirt

Grandma and Amber watching mommy light fireworks

mommy lighting fireworks

 

Amber captivated by the fireworks

Amber and Grandma

Where's Amber?

Saturday morning breakfast

Every week I look forward to breakfast on Saturday morning.  Typically, I cook breakfast and make lots of coffee.  The best part, though very good, is not the food on the table....

Calla Lilies and Daisies

Sandi's favorite flower is the calla lily.

We need a pretty girl to show off the pretty flowers.

Taryn is 4 months!

June 23: 'Pose with the giant pink Elephant' day.  4 months old - let's Celebrate!

yeah, I'm cool

Bumbo!

 I've looked forward to the day when Taryn could join us for breakfast on the table.

Fathers Day

We had a quiet Fathers Day. After church we went home, took naps and played in the sprinkler.  Sandi made a wonderful dinner.

Daddy's little helper

Amber is keen to help me when I am working around the house. At the first sign of me getting out my tools, she is right there with her screwdriver and saw, ready to lend a hand.

She has never been hot on the idea of wearing the tool belt (perhaps the same aversion to helmets??).  But, we were playing with her tools this weekend and I asked if I could put on her tool belt.  She didn't object, so I clipped it on her.  We walked around the back yard looking for things she could do with her tools.

Tummy Time

Taryn is getting used to tummy time.  She doesn't mind it as much when resting on the boppy.  Amber likes to help by setting up her blanket and lie on the floor with her.

Daddy's car

Amber came out to my car to greet me when I arrived home yesterday.  She patted my knee and said 'Hi Daddy.  Can I get in your car?'  I got out and she climbed in the driver's seat.

The seat belt didn't fit her but she enjoyed sitting there, ignoring my pleas not to touch anything.  She decided the seat next to me was either Mommy's seat or Grandma's seat.  

  She made her way over to mommy's/grandma's seat and I sat back down in my seat.  She looked at me and said, "Let's go for a drive!"  Oh, I laughed.

What's Taryn doing in Monkey's swing?

Amber loves the swing.  She knows she can't go in it, but she likes to put Monkey in it.  Taryn needed it the other day so Mommy removed Monkey.  As soon as Taryn was settled in, Amber put Monkey back in his swing.

Sleeping Beauties

Amber and I went to the park one weekend and she fell asleep in her stroller.  I parked the stroller to let her nap.  When she stirred, I moved her until she fell asleep again.  I did that three times for an hour nap! 

Taryn didn't have the adventure that her sister did, but she is so cute I couldn't help myself.

Grandma's busy week

 Grandma came down to meet her new little granddaughter!  Grandma also came down to play with Amber.  Grandma also made meals, cleaned the kitchen, and basically made survival possible that first week.

 Both Amber and Taryn loved spending time with Grandma.

Who else lets a 2-1/2 year-old play with water on their lap?

We soooooo appreciate Grandma coming down for the week.

The Girls

Amber has been looking forward to baby sister for several months.  When she finally arrived, Amber greeted her with a mix of excitement, ambivalence, and a little trepidation.

Amber likes to watch her little sister nurse.  She often knocks on our door around 6:30 in the morning so she can be a part of it. 

It's all good until daddy holds Taryn, then it isn't so good anymore.  When I picked her up on Sunday morning, Amber got a little riled up and said that Mommy can hold Taryn but Daddy cannot.  Her grandpa got the same reaction when he picked up Taryn. 

All in all, Amber is doing quite well with the adjustment. 

Taryn Mackenzie

Taryn Mackenzie arrived to our family on Friday, February 23, 2018 at 9:21 PM.  At birth, she was 19", 7lbs-2oz.
She breezed through all her hospital exams and we were home the following night around 10:00 PM.
It took only a few days to regain her birth weight.

We love her and are so happy to finally meet our little girl.

Playing in the Snow

We had a cold week in February that brought just enough snow.  Amber got out in the back yard and played in it.

38-weeks

Sandi is at 38-weeks!  We are so thankful baby sister is content to stay inside mommy this long.  This has been a long, hard journey for Sandi.  Amber is excited (at least in theory) to have a baby sister.  She talks about helping change her diaper and putting on her socks.  We can't wait to meet our wee lass.

Have you seen the muffin man?

Amber loves sitting at the table.  Here, she is enjoying a yummy muffin mommy made for her. 

Amber's Parenting Advice

Sandi and Amber were talking about baby sister this morning.  Sandi asked Amber what she is going to do when baby sister starts crying.  The expected response is to say, 'It's OK, It's OK'.  Amber had another idea.  "Baby sister needs a sweet potato." 

To clarify, we asked, "Do you want to give baby sister a sweet potato after you say, 'it's ok?' 

"No, we need to give baby sister a sweet potato first.  She needs to sit in the high chair and eat a sweet potato."

big sister Amber rocking her monkey in baby sister's rocker