My seven month old

Some of the names Eliza is known by these days:
Small Tiny
Tiny Dancer
Small One
Liza

We've had quite a big month starting solids and loving baths...Rolling over and Sitting up...starting to teethe...hopefully that's what it is that keeps this runny nose returning...and of course, more worries from the docs about her small size.

She weighed in at 12lbs 11oz, which is a pound bigger than last month. Her doc said to keep it up whatever it was I was doing...I'll tell you why she's gaining weight so much, she's up every 2 hours in the night! It has been a hard 2 months. She has some residual fluid in her left ear that is causing her A LOT of discomfort, but because it's not infected, BYU won't recommend her to see an ENT for another month. I am at the end of my line here people. Thankfully, a blessed bro-in-law is an admin of an ENT group and got me some drops  that are supposed to help clear it up. of course if it doesn't and it's the end of April, then chances are she will get tubes. At this point I really just want her sleeping again so we both aren't so miserable.

On a very positive note, she has adapted to solids quite well. We've tried all the #1 foods (almost) and of course she favors the bananas, apples, and pears to the squash, peas and carrots. However, she does eat them very well. We are starting 2 a dayers, and I am learning not to get her dressed until AFTER she eats breakfast. These baby foods are hard on her clothes!

I can't believe how sudden it is that she went from not rolling over or sitting up to doing both so well. It was like in a matter of days too. We are practicing getting up on our hands and knees and also rolling from back to stomach. I'm pretty sure it will be awhile before that happens. She is very square and has to work extra hard to turn her legs to the side. I blame the fact that she's the size of a 3 month old...


Another fun adventure this month was visiting our new little cousins/nieces. My sister and sister in law had their babies the same week. Little Elyse and Little Isla. We are so excited to have so many girl cousins the same age. If only we can keep up this same pattern...

Baby Isla Garlock

Baby Elyse Angus

Isla lives close by so we saw her in the hospital, but little Elyse lives in Idaho so we took a little weekend trip to Driggs to see her. I took some adorable baby pics, so without further ado, here are some pics of the babes and our vacay. (ok, mostly of my baby...but who's counting?)

I was going to include these in a separate post, but why not include them here in this massive post?

 There, all done I think with our update. I really can't believe Eliza is getting so big. We have a fun next couple of weeks...vacations and moving and graduation. Wish us luck!

A new one

We had a really fun weekend driving up to Driggs, ID to meet my family for a ski trip in the Tetons and to see our new baby niece, Elyse Katherine Angus. Born March 15. 7lbs 12 oz and 20" long. She's a cutie and definitely takes after her dad. I of course had to practice my photo-taking skills with a newborn shoot.
Here's a preview...

(I'm a sucker for those vintage shots...but don't worry, there are definitely more where these came from!)

The announcement

Here's how the final announcement turned out:

 And here were some of the faves...

help

I recently (as in this weekend) did my first senior photo shoot for a gal in our ward. I would love your help pointing out which ones are your favorite (pick no more than 5) for us to use for the graduation announcement.

Follow the link here to see my album and comment in the comment section.

Thanks!!!

Photoshop Love

Check me out after having baby Liza

6 months and counting

half a year...have I really been a mom for a half a year? This month has been quite an adventure:

• first bout with constipation
• first cold
• rolling over
• finding toes
• baths in the big bath
• more hair loss
• moving up to 3-6mo clothes
• continuing to sleep through the night
• wary of strangers
• first solids--ya she hates that--

Things we're working on:

• rolling over from back to stomach
• sitting up alone
• eating solids

Now for some awesome stories:

• We took Eliza to the instacare on Saturday (after celebrating aunty Elyse's baby shower) for her cold. We wanted to make sure she didn't have an ear infection. We went all the way to the Orem instacare (don't ask why) and when we were filling out our info we realized we didn't bring an insurance card. No, we are not rookies at this, it was because we were used to having Ty's work insurance and I did have THOSE cards in my wallet, it was the BYU ones I didn't have because you never have to show an ID card at BYU if you have their insurance. so of course we didn't have it. Then we tried calling every family member and the house several times to get someone to give us our ID number and it took over 20 mins to get someone to answer! talk about annoying. Well, we were able to get it and got her in and she was fine. no infection.

• At the doctor today the doc was over an hour behind (there went my plans to have her home in time for her nap) and then she wanted some x-rays. Eliza was beyond her max, but we made it home and she got some food and sleep and is feeling much better. Here are her stats:

11 lbs 13 oz and 24.25"

• If you are wondering if that is not normal, they you would be correct. Eliza fell below her curve of about the 1st %. I know doctors are concered about "normalcy" and the whole percentile thing, but Eliza is happy and I feed her when she's hungry (and I try to feed her more too). Of course the doc suggested I supplement with formula like they suggested last time, but I'm telling you, she won't have it. The doc also had me check my breast milk for fat content. whawhat? So I pumped and let it separate and what do you know, CREAM. I don't think the problem is in my milk. I have a HAPPY baby. I think it is that my baby is a SLOW grower and she is doing just fine. We have started to introduce some solids--namely rice--and she doesn't like it. haha. We will start on some peas and carrots and squash in the next couple of weeks and see how she does. I know it takes awhile for them to get used to and like solid foods.

• The doc also ordered some x-rays for her hips since they were a little asymmetrical. We'll see what she says when she gets them back.

• We found an apartment. let me repeat WE FOUND AN APARTMENT. For those who didn't know we were looking...Ty graduates in April and we need to be closer to downtown for when he starts his job May 17th. We spent the past couple weekends scouring all the apt complexes we could in a day and found one that had exactly what we were looking for:
• 24hr fitness
• pool and spa
• covered parking and garages
• quiet and safe
• good deal $$$
• first floor walk-in
• east facing (if possible)
• right by the interstate
• 2 bed/2 bath

Sometimes I lay at night thinking of where our furniture is going to go in our new apt. (this is what happens when you live at someone else's house for 3 years:))

• I finished my photoshop class and LOVED IT! I'm thinking of holding a class for any who are interested in knowing a few things--let me know if you'd like that

• We booked our flights to Florida for family vacay/graduation in May. Thankfully we can get all moved in before we go. I can't wait to take Eliza swimming!

And of course, last, but not least, those 6month photos you all love to look at:)

A little post script on those leg warmies...I started them before Christmas I think? Ya, I finished them last night. Aren't they just in time for the cold weather:) haha. I had to get a pic of them though.

Isn't she cute?

My little model

Valentine's Day 2011

Does anyone else still have a hard time writing 2011? I keep writing 2010...

Anyway, on to the subject of this post, Valentine's Day! I read on a friend's blog that for her, Vday was always a family affair rather than a lovers and I like that idea. Not that I don't like being showered with attention from Hubby; it's just that I like the thought of my kids growing up celebrating love on Valentines day and loving it instead of dreading it if they don't have a supposed beau...

I did get some great attention though:) Tyler of course spared no expense, which those of you who know him may wonder if he's even capable of doing this...to which I reply, YES. We went to dinner, I got a cute necklace and flowers, (both my favorites)

and of course chocolate and an infamous Tyler Poem. (I would include an example of his genius this year, but I fear you may start gagging from love overdose haha). I made Tyler a pillow....
I saw this cute pillow on etsy and wanted it...but then I saw the price tag

$99!!! Can you even believe that? So I of course made my own.

I think it turned out great.
Love you babe!

I'm so Happy

Eliza is getting a cousin soon...my sister Erin is just weeks away from bringing a little Angus into the world and I CAN'T WAIT! We had a shower this weekend for her and I had fun playing with the photos....(see previous post about taking a photoshop class:))

Table Settings:

Food Shots

Eliza...of course

The happy preggo and me

The Gals

Thanks everyone for your hard work and for the beautiful gifts. I know Erin is so thankful. Eliza can't wait for a cousin her age!

So Big!!

I can't believe my baby's 5 months!! She's weighing in at about 11 1/2lbs and is almost out of her 3month clothes. We have accomplished so much this month--can't believe she is growing so fast--We are sleeping through the night now (sometimes even 10hrs plus!...ok, only once that happened so far) and napping is soo much better. We even moved bedtime up to 8pm. No binky still, but we've learned how to put ourself to sleep (after a couple sad nights of mommy ignorning baby's cries), found our tongue and play with our ears and headbands:) Tummy time is much more enjoyable and bath time is still the bomb! We've tried sucking on apples and carrots and ice and love it! Also, a little bit of water from a straw is fun too.We keep our toes painted matching colors and love watching HGTV and NCIS. We've started working out with a friend every other day down at the BYU indoor track and it's fun to see all the other determined mommies with their strollers getting some exercise. With the cold weather what else could we do? We still turn out about 100 pictures per week...haha and go support Daddy playing basketball 3 times a week. With so much sleeping going on, mom has time to sew and plan some baby showers and get ready to sand/stain a dining room table. (WIP)
Mom and Dad have been to see some movies and are currently in the "where are we going to live when Dad graduates" process. It's great. Anyone live in Salt Lake County have any apartment suggestions?
Well, since baby is sleeping, better get some laundry done...