ROCK STARS

So of course you are totally impressed with my Gummow family pictures, but I am sure you are wondering what we were doing when we weren't taking lovely snapshots in the freezing cold. We invited all of my family over for dinner. I was trying to think of a dinner that could wow Heidi, but I realized that all of my good recipes are her recipes, so I made her lasagna recipe.

So the whole crew was there...even Tyler! Tyler blessed us with an impromptu guitar concert. He sounded great as usual, but I was a little distracted by the goatee. So apparently his roommates are paying him $50.00 to grow a goatee and a ponytail. YUCK! Ashley and I offered him $75.00 if he didn't do it, but he declined. Obviously he secretly wants to look like a dirty struggling artist.

Along with the lasagna, I made mini chocolate chip cookies, which gave Catcher and Cy some extra needed sugar. They used the fuel to rock star slide along my hardwood floors. I am such a sucker for letting them act like wild animals in my house.

As usual our time went by too fast, and this time we don't have a plan for our next visit so I am left feeling unsettled. Good thing I have that adorable baby to distract me!

CRAIG, HEIDI, CY, & CATCHER

Yesterday we took the highly anticipated Gummow family pictures. I had scouted out the location at Fort Douglas last weekend when I was helping Whimsy Floral with a wedding. I swore I had been up there before, but I was surprised how lovely the area is. It reminds me of some of my favorite spots in Virginia.

Unfortunately it was unseasonably super cold! I was surprised by how difficult it is to take family shots when you have a child who is annoyed that he has to be outside in freezing temperatures. We managed to get a few treasures where someone is not making a face, and I thought the colors were quite lovely. Here are some of my favorites:

THE YEAR OF 30

So it is finally here...the year we all turn 30! Each year, my friends from High School still try and get together for every one's birthdays. Krisi is always the first to seem old, and I trail not too far behind. The birthday girl always gets to pick out what restaurant she would like, and Krisi chose Settebello. It's that pizza place next to Red Rock that everyone keeps telling you that you have to try. It was delicious, and not as busy on a Thursday night as I would have thought...so I too add my endorsement.

Every time I get out the camera at these functions everyone wants to complain that they don't want to pose for pictures. Now that I have a blog it is even worse, I almost got a death threat from Stacy if these pictures ended up on the blog. (Oops!) Of course in the end everyone is so glad I took pictures, especially Krisi.

67 DEGREES AND SUNNY

I'm in the middle of a really good book. I read the book in High School, and Heidi recently gave me a new copy as a gift. I rarely read, but when I do I become obsessed. Today it was a perfect day to be outside with my book. I couldn't get over how beautiful it was, and thought that I must insist on a photo shoot with Ava, Ashley, and my mom.

Now that Stella and Ava are older their 6 week age difference is not as noticeable. They are pretty similar in size and both stand up with ease. Still, Ava has a few more tricks up her sleeve...but Stella is catching up. One new development in the two of them is that they will acknowledge each other. They finally notice the other baby, and even were grabbing each other's hands today at the park.

I suppose it is time to admit that it is fall. Fall is beautiful, yes, but it means that cold winter is about to arrive. So I am not the biggest fan. However, I guess one good thing about fall is that you seem to appreciate a beautiful day more than usual.

Note: Ashley took half of the pictures on this post, and I felt she should be properly credited.

LOOKING UP

Like most babies, Stella has not been a fan of the ever important "tummy time." Since she loves to practice standing up, her neck is getting much stronger. Today I put her on her tummy, and to my surprise she could keep her head up really well...and she seemed to do it all with a smile! What a freakin' doll baby!

FIRST SHOES

Of course these are not the first pair of shoes I have bought my baby. They are however the first shoes that fit my baby. Mom and I put a little outfit together for the shoes and since we weren't going anywhere I had to take some pictures to commemorate the occasion.

If you do not know how I feel about shoes, then perhaps you do not know me as well as you thought. There was a time when my closet was on its way to looking like Sarah Jessica Parker's. I had all the important expensive designers: Christian Louboutin, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Kate Spade, Christian Lacroix, Marc Jacobs, and Prada to name a few. It is fair to say that my priorities are shifting, but it is still hard to turn down a Mary Jane shoe in baby size. Stella is well outfitted for the next year or so. Stella and shoes....two of my favorite things together at last!

SLEEPING LIKE A BABY

Everyone has seemed rather shocked at how late Muffin sleeps in. What I had forgotten to mention was that we were putting her to bed really late, usually midnight. I figured that since she was sleeping in so late we could cut out her last bottle and put her down early. The first night she woke up several times in the night and eventually got up at 8:30. I thought we were on a more normal baby path, but this was the scene in Stella's crib this morning at 11:00 am:

After rustling around in her room hanging up clothes and realizing that I had bought Stella two pairs of the same Gap jeans, she finally stirred.....gave me a big grin...then cried for her bottle.

LOUNGE LIFESYLE

Each morning after Stella's morning bottle I sit her in the corner of the couch and grab myself some cereal. She tends to wiggle and inch her way down into a hunched position and I have to keep propping her up again. This morning though, she sort of leaned forward and looked like she was making a model/lounge pose. It was too cute, and just like EVERYTHING else she does....I had to get a picture!

FATHER OF INVENTION

Yesterday morning Brent had to have an unpleasant procedure done which left him sort of out of it the entire day. Yet, since he was home I took the opportunity to run some errands. I found myself out later than I thought and I called home to Brent to tell him he needed to feed Stella. I got a half mumble back and then hung up trusting that Brent would not let his child starve. When I got home I rushed in the house to find this scene:

I told him that the set up looked like more work than just feeding her the bottle, but he insisted that this was the easier route. Stella seemed oblivious to the difference.

MAKING THINGS MOVE

Yesterday Stella held her own bottle all by herself for at least 7 seconds! I don't think anyone would believe me, but my dad was there and he can vouch for us. Each day, my baby's motor skills become more evolved. I am not surprised by her talent, I always assumed she would be naturally gifted.

She shows off most of her mad skills when playing with her toys. Stella is becoming very skilled at grabbing them, making them move, and also getting them close to her mouth. In fact, at times she becomes kind of annoyed that she can't get them totally to herself. I have taken a million pictures of her playing with them in hopes that a photo could capture the perseverance of my child, but I fail constantly. Although this picture doesn't capture Stella's skills, I thought it was a happy accident and had to share.