Another boot...

You may remember this post from 2010 when Kay had just turned one. Apparently I like to wear boots for broken bones when I have a baby to carry around...

I fell down some stairs during vacation and I get to wear this for 4-6 weeks for a broken big toe. Just like Kay, Marissa thinks the Velcro is a lot of fun just like Kay did at a similar age.

VBS...

Kay had her first experience with vacation bible school.  She went from 6-8 pm after school/daycare.  She had a BLAST.  She is so excited for next year already.

My favorite moments...

Marissa has been dealing with an issue with her digestion.  We are back on reflux meds and they do not seem to be helping too much.  The doctor wants her to do a dairy/soy free diet for the next week and if it does not help we will go to a specialist.  We have had a lot of long nights and days of a sad, upset, hurting baby.  Plus, she had her first double ear infection during all of this.  The best part is we still get the most wonderful snuggles.  She is SO wiggly that snuggles are getting harder and harder to come by.  When she is having an upset tummy episode we get to have moments like this...I wish I could take her pain away.  Because I can't I will just enjoy every snuggle I can.  These are the moments that make motherhood the most amazing experience ever.

Getting caught up...

Here goes a dump from our cell phones over the past month...

Our self portrait!

Who knew free glasses from the eye dr. could be so much fun!

Snuggle bug...

 Cars...Our family has had some bad luck with cars.  We sure did not miss them while in HK!  It started with two car accidents totaling both of our cars (not our fault) right before we moved.  We sold Craig's car and kept mine while we were away.  We returned, bought Craig and new car (a stick shift- YIKES!  I am learning) and my van gave us nothing but trouble (this is even after replacing transmission etc. while we were away).  We finally gave up and decided to get a car that was made in the current year (a new to us 2013 and the newest car I have ever owned).  Our luck continued when a recall that was done before we purchased was bad.  I should get my new car back today and I am hoping we can go for awhile without any car troubles!  I can't say she is the prettiest car, but you can't miss me!  We were again limited on what cars we could buy by both being six feet or taller and needing carseats to fit.  We still have to name her.  I am thinking something along the lines of living room tank.  She drives like a tank and is more comfortable than our living room.

The girls LOVE that they can take a bath together now.

Marissa crawled right up to Craig while he was playing for a front row seat.  Then, she started clapping for him.  Best fan club ever!

Ahhh...how we miss that pose.

All dressed up and ready to go.

Kay requested "taco, rice, and beans" for her birthday.  They even sang to her!

Kay's artwork.

Sister fun in the swings...

Kay LOVES her outfits from Aunt Pat!

Yummy!  The fridge...

I have officially put away the jumper.  Marissa would rather "be on the move" now.  Growing up too fast!

More gifts from Craig's co-workers in China.  They are so thoughtful!

Trash day/Anniversary

Me:  "Kay, do you know why today is special?"
Kay: "Why Mommy?"
Me: "8 years ago, I wore a pretty white dress and daddy and I got married"
Kay: "Mommy, do you know why else today is special?"
Me: "Why?"
Kay: "Because today is trash day"

Marissa is 8 months old!

Marissa is 8 months old today.  In the past two weeks she has gone from mastering sitting up on her own to crawling from room to room. She is still slow, but she can definitely get where she wants now.  Today I even caught her using a basket to pull up on her knees.  She is eating lots of foods now.  She still prefers purees and spits out anything with any chunks.  We are working on getting her to chew.  She is down to nursing just a few times a day and finally doing great with the sippy cup.  She is off her reflux medicine and seems to be doing ok without it.  She is very curious and giggles all the time.  Yesterday we went to the pool and she happily splashed in the pool for an hour.  She loved it!  Marissa sleeps from about 7 pm (sometimes a little earlier) to anywhere between 4 and 6 am.  She does not need to eat at night any more but wakes up starving and can't quite make it all the way.  I often catch her and Kay giggling away in the other room.  She really likes riding in the Ergo when we run errands.  She likes to look around and see what is happening.  I can't believe she is getting so big so fast!

Early July...

Pictures from the past month...

Kay and Craig making their rocket, the girls in their 4th of July outfits, Marissa enjoying her food, Marissa thrilled that her sister made her wear a hat, and Craig practicing his hair styling skills...