Piggies and Playdates...

Let me start with this disclaimer...I realize how silly these pigtails are! For those of you who have seen K, you know that the entirety of her long hair is on the top of her head- basically the opposite of male pattern baldness. I will, however, take it over mullet baby head ANY TIME, ANY DAY!!!!

So really, the ability to put pigtails on her has been present since day one. However, now that the rest of her hair is getting longer, it looks a little more socially acceptable. Ideally, her hair would be a little longer on the sides and back, but basically I am in love with them!

I had to include this picture because of her facial expression. She had just toppled over...an extremely common occurrence in our home. Whenever she falls or bonks her head, she makes the following face and says, "oooohhhhh bonk!" No tears...just ooohhhhhh bonk! We love it!

Last week, Kerrigan had her first bona fide play date. Miss Teagyn (HELLO, how cute is her name????) is the daughter of one of my friends who I used to work with. She was due 6 weeks after K, but K came early and T came late- so they are actually 8 weeks apart.

You wouldn't be able to tell by looking at them though. Teagyn is SOOOO advanced in her jabbering and mobility. She is too cute, and they had so much fun. Thanks for having us over guys!

I wish I had been able to get more pictures of them, but most of them turned out blurry, which I didn't realize until I put them on the computer.

Kerrigan's New Favorite Verb

pil-fer (plfr)v. pil·fered, pil·fer·ing, pil·fers

v.tr.To steal (a small amount or item).

v.intr.

To steal or filch.

*AWESOME*

We are totally pumped about this new behavior...makes for an impeccably clean home, where items are NEVER taken from their spot and hidden in a new, less obvious place...ha!

A Very Merry Halloween to You! (and just a little late : )

Halloween was awesome this year. It was crazy busy and so much fun!!! In the morning we went and took pictures (I will post later), then a Trunk or Treat at the church, followed by the Halloween party of the year hosted by the one and only Josh and Colleen...if you haven't been to any of their parties, you should definitely remedy that situation! They go all out, an attribute I aspire to have one day. We are talking fog machine, strobe lights and of course, chocolate fountains o' terror (which is really just a chocolate fountain, but mix in Halloween and the lbs I gained from consuming its liquid deliciousness...it becomes the fountain o' terror!)

Costumes were a must have at this party. The Jensons sported reindeer antlers whilst the other Jensens embodied the spirit of pimp and pimpette. Josh and Colleen captured the very essence of Summer Lovin' in their Danny and Sandy costumes...and yes, she even performed a cheer...and I unfortunately did not take a picture of Mary and Jake- who for one night were able to become Lucy and Ricky Ricardo (I have had "LUCY, you got some 'splaining to do!" stuck in my head since). Every time my eyes caught sight of Megan and Braden's dramatic interpretation of a shotgun wedding, I giggled in delight...and then of course took a picture. Jared and I discovered that as Sarah Palin and Joe Sixpack, we make very irresponsible parents...which resulted in us keeping Kerrigan out until almost 1 am. Good thing we are our normal responsible selves the other 364 days of the year- maybe that is a stretch, lets say 350 days to be safe!


And what was Kerrigan, you ask. Well, she was a Walgamott. What is a Walgamott? I am so glad you asked : )
Back in the days when my marriage was still fairly new, my in laws were always talking about Walgamotts. I must not have been listening very closely, because every time I heard that word, I pictured a small, furry creature. Imagine my embarrassment when I voiced what my idea of what it was, only to discover it was actually my sister in law's maiden name. Many a teasings in my direction have occurred due to this mistake.
So when I found this costume at Children's Place for $.99 last year, I decided that the child in my womb was destined to be a Walgamott for Halloween. I think it is actually a bear, but aren't you glad you asked what a Walgamott is?!?!

Now onward to Thanksgiving...I LOVE FALL!!!!!

Idaho/Arizona Trip 2009

We were so lucky this month...we were able to go home for 15 DAYS!!! The joy we felt can be likened unto that of what one experiences when encountering an early Christmas present. Since it was 15 days full o' joy, laughter and jam packed with fun, I tried to condense it all into a few picture collages.

Kerrigan met her Stokes cousins for the first time (seriously, how sad is that-she is almost a year old and just barely meeting family). She absolutely LOVED every minute of it!

New toys were discovered. Four wheelers and entire rooms dedicated to TOYS...is this heaven? I submit it IS!!!!

We celebrated birthdays...please note Preston's screamingly awesome Buzz Lightyear suit- the wingspan and laser gun TOTALLY made me rethink my Christmas wish list.

My lucky daughter got to meet all of her living great-grandparents...we like to think the reason Kerrigan took so long to come down to earth was she was having way to much fun hanging out with other 3 up in heaven.

We spent ALOT of time driving. We wanted to make sure to see all the great grandparents, scattered Idahoan friends (including the 6-10am lovely voice personality of 102.something country station's ...Aubri Elzinga.) and then drove to Arizona. K was a trooper, though I am sure it would have gone even better if she hadn't had to crane her neck around to see us (1 more month and 1 more lb until it is front facing car seat all the way!).

The drives were long, but thankfully beautiful...as was Jared's excited "I am on my way to God's country, a pure slice of heaven on earth, Salmon Idaho" face!

We weren't in AZ for as long as we would have liked- but we made good use of our time. We had a picnic in the woods, ate Popsicles, hung out with the Moffitts and of course partook of Del Taco tacos (were you aware that Del Scorcho sauce has been replaced by Del Inferno sauce...a smart move on their part, incredibly tough sounding. Only the bravest of the brave are able to partake of DEL INFERNO!!!!).

Jared got to go golfing a few times...I, however, was not invited- therefore there is no photographic proof of these occurrences. Also not pictorially documented is the fact that a Janalie was spotted on this trip- we even got her to hang out with us old folk for awhile.

Oh, the bottom right picture...proof that I indeed was on the trip : )

The following pictures have no connection other than the fact that they all make my heart warm and fuzzy with fond memories...they are the ones that simply put a smile on my face (especially, but not limited to, my dad stuffing fried chicken in his face...priceless!)

Let's Talk!

So Lesley made a comment that I thought would make an interesting discussion. The hype surrounding the flu and H1N1 shots is HUGE.

Yesterday I decided to go ahead and get Kerrigan's flu shot. We will probably all be getting the H1N1 and flu, mainly because Jared works so close to where the biggest breakout was last year.

However, since it is so new, we aren't 100% decided.

What are your thoughts/concerns/decisions? Let's discuss!

I am not thinking this will make or break peoples' decision, I just thought it would be interesting to see what you think and why...possibly answer others' questions.

Let me know...

The Power of Kiwi

WOW, it has been a LOOOOOOONG time since I have posted...I believe the longest stretch since I started this blog.

I guess being on vacation for a couple weeks+ trying to unpack and recover from said vacation= huge blogging absence.I will be posting pictures later, I have alot to do before K wakes up from her nap.

Story of the day:

I take Kerrigan in for her 9 month appointment (I know, only a month and 1/2 late, right). She is in the 75th percentile for height but slipped down to the 25th for weight (apparently I need to compensate for decreasing milk supply a bit better...oops).

It was a fairly rough visit, she had to get some blood work done via finger prick (which I HATE, to me that is the worst part of donating blood, right?) and a few shots.

However, the Dr. was really impressed with her jabbering "vocabulary", if you will. She said most kids K's age don't use all the syllables she does. Kerrigan heard this compliment and proceeded to talk the ENTIRE visit, I kid you not!

The best part though, happened in the lobby beforehand.

I want you to think of the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding (a classic in my book). Picture the Aunt that says, "Dey did a bi...bi...a bibopsy on de luump of my neck and dey fond a spinal cord and teeth. Yes, itwas my tween". (Attempted to type it with her accent : ) Got the image???

While in the waiting room, we ran into 2 old women with an infant (which I am NOT joking, his name was Nicholas-remember, this is my nephew Nick, his brother Nick, and his other brother Nick...). They reminded me so much of the aunt as they gushed over Kerrigan's blue eyes, blond hair, hair flower, etc.

Then one leans VERY close, so our noses are uncomfortably close, and whispers, "She have get da flu shot, no?"

I stifled laughter, both confused and amused, and said, "No, not yet, we are still deciding."

She leans closer, which to my previous knowledge was not even humanly possible, and YELLS, "NO, NO FLU SHOTS FOR DE BABIES!!!!!"

Ummmm, ok????

She continues (back in a whisper, while looking all conspirator-like at the receptionist), " I have a Doctor, he is in Cali-fon-a...he email me and say, no, no to da flu shot! All dis babies need is da vitamin C. You gif dis baby kiwi, lots of kiwi and she no get da flu. You mash the kiwi, give it to her, she NEVER sick!"

The conversation continued until they called Kerrigan back to see the doctor. I was absolutely DYING!!!

And obviously, we all know the healing power of Windex. How was I completely unaware of the preventative powers of KIWI?

Picures found here and here

Love It!

Saw this video in Relief Society...SO POWERFUL! Enjoy!