Birthday

Last Friday was my birthday. It was so much fun! Shaun took the whole day off and we went and played. My parents came down to watch Cecilia. I was a little nervous because it was the longest I've left her during the day. But she had a great time with grandpa and grandma Hadley and they spoiled her with lots of strawberries from their garden. They watched her while Shaun and I went horseback riding. It was the perfect day for it. Everything is still green and the weather was the perfect temp with just a few clouds in the sky. We went riding in a beautiful place through meadows with wildflowers and stands of trees while crisscrossing a stream. It felt so good to be out in nature. Plus it is a great thing to do here in Utah. After our ride we came home, changed clothes, kissed Cecilia, and ran off again. Shaun took me to Flemming's for dinner. It was so yummy, but definitely a special occasion place. Then to a movie to end the day. My parents put Cecilia to bed and she went down easily they say. I was really happy to hear that because besides me, only Shaun has put her down before and he has only done it a couple of times. It is a good feeling to know someone else can take care of her and I don't have to be close to run home and feed her or put her to bed. It was a great primer to leaving her overnight sometime soon.

It was the perfect day, besides the bug that crawled down my shirt and bit me. Although the other cars on the freeway may have enjoyed it because they got quite a show when I screamed and stripped right there driving down I-80. Luckily Shaun had a spare shirt in the car so it wasn't a show all the way home :) YEAH for Birthdays!

So close

Sunday's are a time when both Shaun and I are here and focused on Cecilia. She is usually in a good mood after church and we have a little bit of time to play before dinner and bed. Lately we have been working on her pulling herself up from a siting to standing position, or "cruising" along the couch which works her coordination of putting her weight from one foot to the other. She has done so well and became a pro after one or two sessions. Also last week she let go of one hand and will hold onto just one finger to walk. Even that isn't the death grip it used to be. So Sunday we decided to try to get her to walk between us. We have tried it before and she just sits down and cries, but we thought she might be ready for it this time. She took right to it and smiled huge and giggled the whole time. We had to hop on skype and show the grandparents, who were thrilled to see it. She isn't walking on her own yet, but I honestly think it isn't far away. Just needs a little more confidence, and to figure out how to get up there on her own better. Sorry for the poor placement of the video camera, it is more difficult with a tripod to get the right angle. But you get the idea.

Farr's Ice Cream stop

Katie and I took a trip down memory lane this weekend with a trip to Aesel Farr and Sons ice cream parlor in downtown Ogden. We both went there on special occaisons when we were growing up; me while on our annual summer vacation to Utah, often in my Grandpa Ritchie's big green monster of a truck. Katie would go after youth activities to the Ogden Temple. It had been at least 10 years since either of us had been to Farrs. We were on the way to the farm from a full day of family activities (mostly mine) including a memorial service for my late Grandpa Ritchie and a graduation swim party for a cousin on my mom's side. At roughly the same time, we both saw a distant Farr's Ice Cream sign and we knew we had to go. I don't think they've changed the green paint in here for at least 30 years! Apparently, we were too enamored with our sugar cones to snap a pic of the actual ice cream!

End of an Era

Tomorrow Cecilia will be 14 months old. Whew! Today marks a landmark, we stopped nursing. Done, no more, the end. On one hand it is a little sad, the end of an era. On the other, it is really exciting! I can leave her for a whole day and not have to be close to run home. Woman's weekend this fall? No problem! Plus I don't have to worry about how much I'm eating or drinking. I get more done in the day because I'm not stuck in a chair for 20-40 minutes 4 times a day. That is a lot of time if you think about it!

The whole weaning process took much less time than I thought. I think Cecilia could tell it was time and I was certainly ready for it. I had a goal of August. But it was only about a month from start to finish. Let's just hope she continues to go down easily for naps as that was the last feeding to be dropped and I really worried she wouldn't take one without falling asleep before putting her in the crib. But today she went down just fine. Keep your fingers crossed it continues :)

I can't keep up

Cecilia is changing so fast I can't keep the blog updated! Everyday or every other day she makes strides towards walking. Shaun keeps working with her to get her to crawl because we know it is important. He takes her downstairs to the cushy carpet and works with her. But poor thing still doesn't have enough strength to pull her knees together to be able to get up on them and crawl. She can move forward though. She pulls with her arms and drags her body. It makes me so sad to see it, but she can get around. Here is a video of it.



I also got a video of her scooting on her bum. Shaun says she looks like a spider, which is a good description for it. But again, she can get around.



This leads me to a story about a "first". I was in bed this morning and Shaun was playing with her, well he was supposed to be playing with her. All of a sudden the door to the bedroom flew open and this little girl came scooting in all by herself. Daddy didn't even know she was there. It was the first time she has come in our bedroom and woke me up all by herself. I'm sure it will happen so many more times :) The second first that happened today was after my shower. Cecilia started out in the bathroom with me and when I got out I had to go find her somewhere in the house. That was pretty fun. I'll probably hate it someday, but the first is exciting.

Two more "firsts" and I'll quit for the day. The third "first" of the day was Cecilia pushed, all by herself, a toy walking. I got another video of it.



Look at her, you'd think she has been doing this for weeks, not the first time! Shaun couldn't believe his eyes when I showed him the video. I was shocked too. I set her on her feet, she grabbed on, and off she went! She pushed that thing all around the house, several times. Oh and I got her to walk with holding only one of my fingers last weekend too. She doesn't like it, but she will do it. She can also stand by herself for about 10 seconds (also fusses the whole time). Like I said she is just developing faster than I can track! The last week and a half she has just... well I'm at a loss for words... just learned!

Last thing, she finally, after months of work, signed "more". To be honest I'm not very good at remembering to sign it to her all the time. When she wants more of something she points and grunts and I get the point and give it to her. She would have learned it much earlier if I could remember to sign "more" and then give it to her. But we got there eventually. I am much better at signing "all done" and she just puts her arms out for me to pick her up. She knows what I'm saying, just won't say it back. Oh well, she has learned enough for two weeks I'd say.

Family Pictures

We finally got more professional pictures taken of Cecilia. It has been too long. We have been shopping photographers for a while, but there are too many to choose from and I was overwhelmed. Recently I took Cecilia to work and my coworkers were bragging about their new niece. They showed me some newborn pictures taken of her which were so creative and amazing that I knew I found my photographer. I went home and booked a session. She took some of us as a family, but mostly of Cecilia. She does a 1 year old trash the cake session, which I was so excited about. I wasn't happy with any of the pictures I took at Cecilia's birthday party because the lighting was terrible. I know I'm obsessed about getting the perfect cake shot, but we really needed new pictures of her anyway.

I did get a few great cake shots to choose from and so many others. She really is a great photographer! Here is a link to her blog with C as the star. Below are a few others which we really love that didn't make it on her blog, too many amazing pictures! If you live in Utah you should think about using her for your next pro pix session.

Staycation

Sometimes you just need to get away. Now that we have a baby with her own schedule, which seems to be messed up if I breathe wrong, getting away seems to be more work than relaxing. So my new favorite thing is a staycation. You've heard of them, they got really popular when the economy crapped out. You vacation in your own town and do something you wouldn't normally do that is enjoyable for everyone.

Park City here we come. It is perfect, half an hour and you are there. No missed naps or late bedtime. This time of year they have some great deals. Last November (also in the off season for PC) We went to Stein Eriksen lodge with Shaun's parents. I felt more relaxed by the end of the weekend than I ever have after entertaining, or any vacation for that matter. Stein has everything that makes for a perfect vacation, a fully stocked kitchen where we can make some amazing meals (and if you know Shaun and I, cooking is very relaxing and enjoyable). It also has a large, dark, quiet bathroom that we can put Cecilia to sleep in and not worry about making too much noise. And it has another full bathroom off the main room so it isn't missed. The place has several fireplaces that they will come light a real wood burning fire in. Who doesn't relax watching fire? There is just something about it. The setting couldn't be prettier, up in the mountains with the yummy smelling Spruce Pine tree and daffodils that are just blooming. Of course the people are nice, this time when we stayed they brought over some yummy scones and jam just to say thanks for staying with us again.

So when I needed a vacation this weekend Stein Eriksen was the first place I thought of. They even had the same deal as last time, free dinner or Sunday brunch. This Sunday brunch is amazing so I couldn't wait to book it. Yesterday we drove up in time to go swimming before Cecilia went to bed. Which she loves to do and generally makes her sleep better. Then Shaun made this amazing chicken dinner. We tried to invite some friends to enjoy it, but that didn't work out so we selfishly scarfed it down.

Today we stuffed ourselves at the brunch and ran home for church fully rested and ready for the week. Well almost fully rested, Cecilia woke up twice last night crying. We are working on breaking her from the brace that she is growing out of and doesn't need anymore. Surprisingly she has a hard time sleeping without it. It is all the freedom, just moves all over the crib and can't just settle down. Hopefully tonight will be better... If not I may need to go on another staycation :)