Mini Picasso

Amaya LOVES to color with crayons, but look what I caught her doing earlier today!

She had eaten the tips off of four crayons! Get ready for some colorful diapers!

The Joys of Life

A couple of weeks ago Amaya and I went to Bear Lake for the Abrams Family Reunion.

(Dallas was in Boise again)

I didn't take a ton of pictures but in the one above you can see the lake behind the house we stayed in.

Amaya passed out after a swim in the lake.

On Friday, Amaya turned

ONE!

How did this happen?!?!

I still can't believe my little girl went from this:

to this:

in what seemed like the blink of an eye! Doesn't she look so old in this picture? She was so proud that she could sit up on there all by herself!

Amaya and I drove to Boise so we could see Dallas for her birthday party!

Amaya gave Dallas a book she made all by herself that can been read if you click HERE!

(click on it, you know you want to read it)

Amaya took her present opening very seriously.  No diapers or clothes--all toys! Can you think of a better birthday than that?

Her very favorite present we saved for last--her first baby doll!

Amaya didn't waste any time giving her hugs and kisses and patting her back.  She's going to be such a good big sister!

I went into Amaya's room to check on her the other night and this is what I found:

Sound asleep, holding her doll's hand up to her mouth to kiss.  I love having a little girl, it is so fun!

We love you Amaya!

Amaya's birthday was a little bittersweet because we found out that a family we know, the Sullenger's, little girl past away that day.  (http://www.patrickandashley.blogspot.com/) A tragedy like this effects not only their family, but every family, because we all have a little girl that we love. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time.  Preslee's death reminded me of the day we brought Amaya home from the hospital.  We were about to load her into the car in front of EIRMC and a lady came up to us and asked if she could see our baby. She told us that her uncle had passed away at the hospital the day before Amaya was born, and seeing our little baby was a reminder to her of life and the goodness of God.  We are so thankful we have had the opportunity to raise this beautiful child for the last year, and we are very grateful that she is part of our forever family and that our little family is continuing to grow. Life is not without challenges, but our blessings more than make up for them.

 

12 things we love about our 12 month old:

1. Her curly red hair.

2. The joy and excitement she always has for everything in life.

3. Her contagious smile and adorable laugh.

4. Watching her learn and grow every day.

5. Her love of bananas, hotdogs, candy, and juice.

6. Amaya's hugs and kisses.

7. The fact that she is kind and friendly to every person she meets.

8. Her babbling baby talk (BA! Jubajuba mamama!)

9. The closeness we feel to Heavenly Father when she is around.

10. Her adventurous attitude.

11. Amaya's unconditional love for everyone.

12. Her beauty, inside and out.

Also, guess who's turning 25 tomorrow?

Party Over Here

Last week we went down to Utah to visit Dallas' parents and they took us to a fun petting zoo at Thanksgiving Point.

After trying on the cowboy hats to prepare, Amaya was ready to ride.

At first she was a little tentative, but pretty soon she was riding solo and racing.  Pretty impressive for a girl who can't even walk yet.

"Don't worry Grandpa, I've got this."

But alas, all good things must come to an end.  Poor Amaya has seasonal allergies and being outside and around all the animals made her so sick.  It was sad because I'm sure she would have had tons more fun if she was feeling better. (This is probably my favorite picture of the bunch)

Dallas feeding the chickens

This poor animal was so pregnant she looked like she was about ready to pop, sitting in the 98 degree Utah weather.  I knew exactly how she felt. :)

Amaya and Dad feeding the goat.  Originally she tried to eat the corn, but after awhile she figured it out.

Thanks Grandpa and Grandma Abrams for a fun trip!

Dallas leaves tonight for Boise and will be gone for his (Jul 20) and Amaya's birthdays (Jul 16), so we had a double birthday bash at our house on Friday.

We had lots of fun racing these little 50s until our neighbor called the cops on us!

Dallas' cupcakes

Amaya's

It didn't take Amaya long to figure out the cake eating . . .

I couldn't get her to smile because she was so focused on her cupcake. :)

Thanks everybody for a fun party!

Saturday we had a barbecue with some of our family and set off fireworks

(not our fireworks, although they were pretty impressive)

It was really cool to have the 4th of July on a Sunday this year, although I bawled through the opening and closing hymn in Sacrament meeting.  These lyrics seem a little more personal than they used to.

O beautiful for heroes proved

In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved

And mercy more than life!

. . .

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years

Thine alabaster cities gleam

Undimmed by human tears!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!

It was wonderful to be able to attend church as a family and remember the many people who have sacrificed so much for us.  We are so blessed to live in our country where we can worship our Heavenly Father and raise our families in peace.

 

Today is the 4th of July softball tournament that Dallas plays in every year. Last year I was HUGELY pregnant and roasting in the hot sun and, what do you know? I'm pregnant again this year! What a fun tradition. :) Amaya and I snuck home for her to take an afternoon nap, but we're heading back out later to catch the final games.  So far they've won both of their softball games! Way to go!

Dallas hit a great triple this morning, but it's taking FOREVER for videos to load, so I'll have to put it up here later.

We hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July weekend!

Lately

What have we been up to lately?

Welcoming Dallas home

Eating sweet potatoes

Going to softball games

Getting earrings.

Kissing our reflection in the dishwasher. Do you think Amaya has enough self esteem?

Drinking chocolate milk at the parade. (and no, Amaya isn't 1 yet, so this is an ILLEGAL act)

Have you ever seen a grumpier pair of babies? It was cold outside, and this is the best picture I could get of Amaya with her cousin.  They're two weeks apart. How many similarities can you see between Maylee and Amaya here? I counted seven.

1.pink jackets 2. Christmas socks from Grandma Abrams 3. pink bows 4. big lips 5. blue eyes 6. matching scowls 7.chunky cheeks

This picture sort of reminded me of this painting:

In other news . . .

• 
  
  In case you didn't hear, we're back in Idaho. We decided to cut our summer short so we can spend more time as a family before Dallas leaves for Iraq in September. 
• 
  
  And, we're moving into our new townhouse right now! We aren't the official owners until this fall when we close, but we'll be renting it in the meantime. I'll post some pictures when we're all moved in.
• 
  
  Amaya is sporting what Dallas calls her "bling". We pierced Amaya's ears on Monday, and she was such a trooper! It's amazing what a sucker can do for your pain tolerance.
• 
  
  I'm officially in my third trimester! Only 12 more weeks until my due date, but I'm praying she will come early. Dallas leaves for Boise the latter part of August, and I'm due September 2. Dr. Leavitt will induce me on August 26 if everything looks good, but Dallas will only be able to come home for two days once he's at training, so I'm hoping she will make her appearance shortly after the 37 week mark so that he will definately be here for the birth and recovery and everything.

IDAHO

Last Monday Dallas headed off to Boise for yet another training and Wednesday Amaya and I headed home to spend time with some family while he was gone. After a horrendous flight home (it was cancelled at 11:00 at night, we were stuck overnight in Houston) we finally made it home.  Amaya was a trooper on the plane. I didn't take any pictures on the plane ride because I didn't bring my camera.  I had a brand new birthday present waiting for me in Idaho! A camera from my wonderful husband! Since Dallas is taking his camera in the fall when he leaves, we were in the market for a second camera.

Amaya when she woke up from the monstrous nap she took when we finally got home.  You can see the mesh imprint from the portacrib on her forehead.

Going for a four wheeler ride with Grandpa Clark

Grandma Clark

Look at how the wheels on the wagon are buckling under her! What a little chunk!

The highlight of the trip for me was getting to go see our new baby niece that was born right after we left for Texas.  Tyson and Meagan FINALLY got a little girl and she is so beautiful! She made me so anxious for our little girl to get here!

We also got some really happy news from a certain family member, but I'll wait to share until they have!

I totally spaced taking any pictures when we were with the Abrams, so I'll have to take some and post them before Dal and I fly back Saturday.

Yup I'm officially not a teenager anymore :) I told Dallas I'm going to get him a T-shirt that says, "I support teen pregnancy".

Sunday was my birthday and Jackie (Dallas' mom) baked me a cake and put Dallas and Tony (Dal's dad) on speakerphone so everyone could sing to me.  It was so thoughtful and sweet of her! I forgot to take a picture until after we'd eaten some of it but it was yummy! Last night all the girls on the Abrams side all went to dinner and a movie for my birthday which was lots of fun (again, no pics).  I'm glad I have such a great family to take care of me when my husband is gone!

Yesterday I went into my Dr. appointment and we were able to get a sneak peak at our little baby girl via 3D ultrasound! (You have to use your imagination a little bit) How cool is that? I sent Dallas a picture message of the ultrasound pic and he said that it looks like she's going to be a cutie just like Amaya.  We are so blessed to have such a healthy family.

Little side note: Dallas and I have officially known each other 2 years.  Crazy! We had a bunch of two year milestone/anniversaries that have passed while Dallas was gone:

May 22: The day we met

May 24: Our first date

May 27: Our first kiss