Haircuts all around

Daniel woke up this morning and immediately signed "outside," his new word for the week. Out he went to play with the dogs. He was covered in mud when he was finally done and into the bath he went. Of course with his wet hair, we couldn't resist being ultra productive and giving him a long-needed haircut. Hope you enjoy the results of our team effort!

I must say, we got better as we went along at distracting him and enticing him to be still. Let's hear it for C&C!

Drink anybody?

Daniel loves playing with the doggies! He's learning to take good care of them and make sure they have enough water to keep them hydrated during this incredibly hot summer.
I'm sure he'd be happy to share with all of you--any requests? His specialties are mud and dirty feet water. :)

I feel pretty...

Merideth Calderwood is a miracle worker; I always feel INCREDIBLE when I leave her place. She gave me a great haircut today that will look good up in my standard pony tail or down! Nice compromise between long and short hair, no?!?

Advantages of Friends

Daniel has a friend, Caleb, over today. It is really cute to see them running around the house together. One will walk by me holding a toy and the other one following after. Then, after exploring around the corner, they will re-emerge with the second holding two toys, including the one the first was holding, and the other is toddling.
Caleb just got the pudding boxes out of our pantry, and Daniel came in behind him to sign "cookie, please." I went and got them both milk and cookies--no playdate is complete with out them, right! Anyway, Caleb chomps into his oreo immediately, while Daniel opens the oreo and begins to eat the cream filling. After a few moments, they both come to me again and Caleb is holding his cookie and Daniel's is no where to be found. I ask Daniel where his cookie is, imagining that it will be ground into the carpet somewhere. However, I notice, that Caleb is now eating a perfectly cream-less oreo half! Daniel had given him his other half once he finished the cream. Caleb, of course, was a very happy recipient, and I had no cookie crumbs to clean up!
What a great outcome for all of us!

Poked, Kicked, Poked again and Attacked

It must not be my day! After tossing and turning all night, I woke up to drink my bottle of sugar for my glucose test today and my 28 week appointment (even though I am 29 weeks :). I took Daniel to a neighbor's house to play (thanks, Janelle) and took my turn at each mandatory stoplight to make it to the doctor.
I waited in the Lab waiting room, and made it in just in time to give my 3 vials of blood (poke #1) and headed to pee in a cup. With all of the routine stuff out of the way, the nurse rolled in the sonogram machine and we got to see baby. She is still a she, and is doing very well. About 5 weeks ago, she was measuring at the 57th percentile--just right at average; however, she is now measuring at the 90th percentile. My doctor said that she is now on Daniel's growth trajectory, and is on track to be a big baby. Her head is average, her belly is way above average and her femur is LONG. It looks like we'll have a tall girl on our hands! Reassuringly, the doctor told me that the good news is I have a "tried pelvis" and we know I can push out a big baby! :)
Just as the nurse was starting the sonogram, baby, who is in the head down position, kicked me really hard and hit on the back side of my belly button (which is already stretched out.)
After reassuring her that we were watching her, I got a Rhogam shot (poke #2) and headed out.
After picking up Daniel, we headed to the car to strap him in and my left foot was on fire. I looked down to see that I had stepped in an anthill. I sat Daniel Dan in the seat and threw off my shoe to begin my massacre of the insects. I ended up with a red ankle--have I not had enough today already?!? It reminds me of "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day!" Learning from his experiences, I'm off to take a nap!

I am grateful that baby girl is healthy and growing well. She's already 3 lbs 10 oz.

Monkeying Around

I wanted to share the cutest monkey cake that Candace made me for my 32nd birthday (August 1). It was a great day, complete with a German Pancake breakfast made by Clinton, after which we all went to paint ceramics (see pictures). I painted a watermelon bowl, Candace painted a really cool "mother load mug," and Clinton painted a light switch for the kids bathroom. We finished in time to get a picnic lunch from Whole Foods, and headed downtown to Zilker Park for an outdoor production of The Music Man with some ward members. It was a great day!
Here's to being 32!

Snuggling with Daddy

I love to see my guys together...aren't they cute?!? Here's a picture I snapped with my iPhone--just couldn't resist their smiles. Hope you enjoy!

Daniel is learning to drive...

So, we got this Big Rig Sandbox and backyard pool off of craigslist. I tied it to the top of my Rover to get it home, which was quite humorous. But, we succeeded.
Daniel has enjoyed the pool and is learning to climb all through it. It's fun to watch him explore, especially with the dogs in the back yard. He LOVES going back in the yard to play with his two new favorites--his truck and his puppies! Now, all we need to get is some sand!