My SKIRT IS FINISHED!

A year ago I got this idea that I would make myself a skirt...I got really cute fabric and told myself that I didn't need a pattern.  How hard can it be??  Well apparently it is hard! Very hard.  I know where my "skirt" as a shirt.  So this time I used a pattern and it was still challenging, but fun.  I enjoyed making it and can't wait for my next project.

Playin around

Now that Finn can sit up by himself he loves to play.  He can reach and pull toys to himself.  It is so nice that he can do this and that I can get some stuff done. :)  A few days ago Finn and I went out to play in the little courtyard in front of our place.  They have grass and a little concrete spot.  We went on a walk first and then we colored with chalk.  I doodled a bit and then I showed Finn how to color.  He thought is was pretty fun.  He scribbled for 2 secs and then the chalk went right into his mouth! YUCK!  I pulled it out and then showed him how to color again.  2 seconds later....chalk...mouth...AGAIN! haha No more chalk.  It was a big deal.  He is in that phase now that if you take anything away from him he screams before you can give him something he can play with.  I calmed him down after several mins and put him in the grass.  He loves the feel of the grass on his toes.  He will get a big fist (or tiny fist really) full of grass and tug and tug.  What I don't understand is all the leaves and pine needles on the grass he didn't put any of it in his mouth...strange!  Today  my friend and her little girl, Hailee and Carly, went down to the river for a walk and picnic.  It was so much fun.  We walked to the beach and plopped down on the sand.  Finn even likes the the sand between his toes. He rubbed his fingers in it and then eventually he figured out he could EAT it.  Yep he did.  I let this go, because we are at the beach and naturally there is sand everywhere.  haha  We went down to the water to wash up.  I stuck his toes in and he splashed around and stuck his feet in the mud.  We had so much fun.  I think we are going back tomorrow.  Hopefully we can go when Cole doesn't work so he can get in on some of the action.  Here are some pictures of our adventures!

                                                                               

                                                                             

My baby boy is growing up so fast!

It is Aug 7, 2011.  4 months ago Cole and I were in the delivery room to meet our little guppy.  Just thinking about that moment and seeing how much he has grown and learned is amazing! The transformation we go through to have our bodies and to live this mortal life is just so crazy! Finn is sitting up completely on his own.  He reaches for things and so badly wants to figure out how to go from sitting up to being on his belly. We are feeding him real food occasionally, but he still loves his mama's milk best.  My friend, here in Carlsbad, just had her baby 4 days ago and seeing how small and squishy and awkward he is makes me sad. I don't even remember how tiny Finn used to be.  Cole and I look at old pictures all the time and  reminisce of those new moments of being parents.  Now 5 months in, I don't feel like a pro, but we have worked our way into a schedule and I feel very comfortable with my new role as Finns' mother.  Finn makes it pretty easy.  He has been sleeping through the night for a month now (9hrs)!!  He still takes a few naps throughout the day and when he is up he can play and laugh and smile.  I love to just watch him try to reach his toys and the faces he makes.  He has a social personality.  The other day for Labor Day we were invited to hang out with Bishop Jenkins and his family.  It was really fun.  Cole and I have a hard time getting to know people, but we still had fun.  Finn and I went swimming for a bit.  The water was pretty cold.  I thought it would have been to cold for the little guy, but he loved it.  He loves the water.

We tested the temperature with his toes first and he did great.  So we slowly went a little lower and still he just wanted to get in and splash around.  I got in and we put him in the floatie and away we went.  He was actually pushing himself around! Not even 6mos and MY FINN can swim!! We were so proud and excited.  I saw on a team since I was 9.  That was my thing.  I was good at it too.  So maybe Finn will have that talent also.  It is fun seeing things in my son that came from me.  Being around Bisels' all I hear all day is how much he looks like them.  Which is not a bad thing.  My husband is a very good looking man! It is just nice to see me in him too.  I apologize for the end of this video.  My hubby is silly, but the beginning is awesome.  So just watch for a bit where Finn is swimming and then move on.
There were tons of kids at the party.  They had a slide
and a diving board.  Cole said to me he can't wait for Finn to be able to do that kind of stuff.  All I thought was that it will be happening very soon.  He is going to get himself into all sorts of trouble.  The little girls there swarmed him. :) Little girls are so cute.  I remember how I felt when I was little and there was a baby around.  Girls just have that maternal instinct always.  I love that.  After about 15 mins I got us out.  Finn probably could have stayed in longer, but I was getting cold so I knew he had to be.  After we ate Bishop came and picked him up and walked off to explore the party.  Finn is getting to where he knows who I am and who his mama is not. haha Sometimes he gets really sad when he doesn't see me or I am not holding him, but not that day.  Bishop held him for about 30 mins and he was happy as can be.  When Bishop gave him back it was because HIS  arm was falling asleep! ha Finn knows who the good people are, I guess.   Cole is the Assistant Missionary Leader.  Cole and I laughed about that.  We said I wonder if he is Assistant-to-The Mission Leader or Assistant Mission Leader....hahaha  The Leader is the Bishop's son-in-law.  We really like Johnny and Megan.  We love everyone in our ward here.  Everyone has been so great.  Whenever we need anything there is always someone to be right there and help.  I hope we can stay here for a while.  It will be nice to have Finn grow up and get to know these great people.  They met us when I was pregnant and now they get to watch our little family grow.   They have playgroup here every Wednesday and once  Finn can crawl we are going to be all over it!  I feel at
home here.  Yes it is true Carlsbad, NM isn't the greenest place on the Earth.  It doesn't have any mountains, but the people make up for it.  It is a pretty small town, but it stills has the convenience of a bigger city.  I am excited to have Finn grow up here.  It might be harder to show Finn what the right choices are, but it will make all of our testimonies stronger.  The people here have all come from different places and we all banned together.  We all have great faith that we are here for a reason.  I feel truly blessed to have a husband that holds the Priesthood and to have a 5 month old son that loves me so so much.  I know we are here for a reason and I intend to stay here until we are prompted to move somewhere else.