Back to the basics

Life has become quite busy. I could make a list of everything that has me up at night, but instead, I'm going to show you what I've done this morning. I've decided to focus my eyes towards this beautiful little person living with me.
Sometimes I forget to simplify-- to do nothing but adore the snot out of this chubby little face. When I do this, I remember what's important. Shelby, thanks for the much needed paradigm shift you regularly give your mom.

Livvy

This is what happens when you let me babysit, Liz.

Halloween

What'dya think? Would you give us a record deal? I promise Shelby makes some wicked sweet music when Trav strums her tummy. Our concerts will sell out for sure. :)


The best part is-- I had to work that night. You better believe I was the only nurse on the floor wearing neon pink with blue hair. I had to promise a few old ladies it was only for Halloween...for some reason they had a hard time trusting me messing with their IV's.

Laundry

So we've been adjusting to normal life....does that justify the fact that we had a laundry pile big enough to hide 6 small children? Well, needless to say, I was folding for a long while yesterday. Shelby decided she wanted to do the same. She crawled into her room, pulled out all her jammies, and started folding them.

Thanks for the help, sweetie.

Check out her facial expression...she's a real life housewife.

She's wondering how much of her to-do list she can conquer before she picks up the kids at 3:00.

And did anyone see the amazing sunset last night??

Cruise

It's taken me a while to start reflecting on the trip-- Shelby needed a couple days to forgive us for leaving her. But she's back to being her crazy little self (thank heavens for babies' short memories). But the trip was fun. Taking trips with siblings is a blast! Although it was decided that having all the sibs there would've been better. Someday, eh?

For now, back to real life and diapers. But I have to admit, I have never been more excited to change a diaper in my life! This trip made us realize that Shelby is a big part of us now. Well Shelbs, next time you can come. (Of course, you might be 14-- but it's something to look forward to).


Our ship had a flow rider on it. Trav was up there workin' his skills whenever it was open.

And how did the twins do? Fabulous!
Although they weren't a big fan of the food.
They weren't eating 4 lobster tails each the way Nate and Trav were.
Yep. Gross.

Happy six years, Trav.


*

Bye bye, our little Guido.

We're off.

I should be excited, right? Well I think I am...It's just that when I rocked Shelby to sleep tonight, I couldn't keep from crying. Shelby stared at me as though she wondered how a mommy can cry like a baby. Am I ridiculous? Nah-- (well I might be, for other reasons). No I think I'm justified in loving her so much...if you know her, you know why.

Shelby, don't change this week. And don't forget Mommy and Daddy. We love you-




P.S. for those babysitting her, let her watch these videos if she gets fussy. She loves videos...especially those she stars in. She likes herself almost as much as we do.


Her first attempt at becoming a civilized human being:



Her first attempt to climb stairs:




Her first realization that the weirdest things in life often produce the greatest entertainment:




Isn't she great? Admit it--you'd cry too.




*

Missy

I got to hang out with my in-laws this weekend. Missy was coming up to pick up her husband who has been stationed in Texas. We took the opportunity while she was here, of course, to shoot some pics of her CUTE belly! She is due in a few weeks.


While we waited for his plane to get in, we ran a few errands to pass the time. It was easy to see that Missy was incredibly anxious, clutching her cell phone to catch any word from him.

Yeah. I definitely teared up. :)
I'm surrounded by some pretty amazing people.

The rest of the pics....