Lots of Laughs

I have mentioned before that Liv LOVES our dog, Jessie. If she is in a bad mood all we have to do is bring the dog in or take her outside to see Jessie and it makes her so happy. In this video I am feeding Jessie treats. Something about the jumping and chomping (and mom's silly noises) makes her laugh. I love how at about 38 seconds she has to take a few deep breaths. She must be thinking, "All this entertainment sure is tiring.'' This video is just a few hours after her 6 month well child visit where she also had a bunch of shots. I didn't even cry this time... Liv was so proud of me. At 6 1/2 months old, Liv was 18.08 lbs (78%) and 26.77 inches long (74%). Her noggin is 17.4 inches (87%).

Christmas Present Spoiler Alert

So, for the last year and a half I have been telling Brett how excited I am because I don't have to think about what to buy our parents for Christmas... I just have to pick out a nice frame.

I am glad we got a good shot of Liv's kiss sandwich. 

And those big, blue eyes....

Mom is clawing baby in this picture... Don't ask me why. Probably too much on my mind: sit up straight, eyes open, smile pretty, suck in, chin down and out.

Don't Liv's ears just scream "NIBBLE ON ME"!?

Here is one of just a few smiles we got that day...

Family Pictures

We had our family pictures taken by Stephanie with Giovannalou. You can also check out her blog. We liked the way these few preview shots turned out and we can't wait to see the rest of them. The whole experience of having pictures taken is so nerve-racking: getting off work early, planning what to wear, worrying about a bad hair day, cooperation of the weather, driving to Utah county...Brett and I have a major aversion to that place. We ran into a snow storm and she almost talked us into canceling but I persisted and I am glad I did. I really didn't want to have to go through it all again. We were in the middle of a random field and it was so cold! It was a little difficult to get a smile out of Liv. She is so funny....

Liv's First Halloween

We had a fun Halloween weekend. To point out the obvious, Liv was a flower. She was really good to not rip the flower off her head but after a couple of hours she was done with the costume. It rained a little on Saturday so we didn't have a lot of trick-or-treaters come by the house. We put Liv to bed at 7:30 so we turned out the lights and snuggled on the couch with a big bowl of candy. Here is a picture of two of my favorite things: Liv and big bowls of candy.

Brett dropped her off at my work on Friday and we did a little trick-or-treating (more like show-and-tell). Of course, Brett and I ate all of the candy we collected. Someday she will wonder why all of her Halloween candy is disappearing and blame mom and dad. Is it okay to make up stories of candy-thieving trolls?

I hope she is not a sugar freak like me. I am not sure where I acquired my addiction to sugar. I blame the overwhelming availability of amazing candy in my hometown... places like Riddle's, Christensen's, Sprouse Reitz, Ideal Dairy, LK Pharmacy and the Richfield city pool. I have earned a regular paycheck since I was eight. I worked at my dad's auto parts store cleaning and sometimes making deliveries (on foot). I would eagerly anticipate payday (which I still get excited about) and I would cash all of my funds at Valley Central Bank and blow my entire check on candy. Occasionally, I would buy useful stuff like Barbies, purses, jewelry, school supplies and random stuff from Hallmark. Most or all of these stores were between my dad's store and home so I would walk or ride my bike and load up on candy.

I have a love for most candy with the exception of circus peanuts (sooo gross!!). I wasn't really into chocolate as a kid, mostly just the sugary, junky stuff like laffy taffy, slap sticks, tootsie rolls, licorice, cinnamon bears... I could make a list a mile long. Let's just say my picture was never on the "No Cavities Wall" at the dentist's office. I have a mouth full of silver to prove it. I am looking at my list of things to do and Call the dentist is at the top of my list.

Back to Her Cuteness... Liv loved this frog outfit from Grandma TT. It is so snuggly and warm... she wore it all day on Saturday.

We only have a couple of years to choose what Liv will be and then it's entirely up to her. I think it's so much fun when parents get excited about dressing up with their kids. Brett and I need to stop being lame and start thinking about good costumes. We can't wait for next year!

Little Miss Smarty Pants

Liv figured out how to clap and wave over the last couple of days which, according to the Internet, is more of a nine to ten month old milestone. Brett and I finally figured out how to download videos from our camera which was a major milestone for us as well. Here are a couple of videos to celebrate!

She started clapping last night with Grandpa Carl. Coincidentally, the Utes were playing on television (and winning). The waving started when we would pass by the mirror in our hall. She always loves to see her reflection.... Hope she always feels that way.



Six Months

You continue to be the best baby! Your dad and I wonder how we got so lucky. You are happy, easy-going, and so much fun to be around. If only we could guarantee that all our babies would be just like you...

This picture shows your cute, little dimple above the left corner of your mouth

Here are a few of your developments over the last couple of months:

You love to hear yourself talk and you are learning to make funny noises with your little voice. You will squeal or cough repeatedly just to hear the sound it makes. We were grocery shopping and the lady in line behind us was giving me strange looks because you were coughing over and over again. The other morning I was nursing you and you kept wanted to give me raspberries… funny kid!

You will sleep in the funniest positions. You love to sleep on your side just like mom and dad. Unfortunately, diapers aren’t made for side-sleepers so we often have to do a complete wardrobe change at 4am which is not your favorite thing to do.

Some things that make you giggle: Mom and dad’s dancing and singing, peek-a-boo, belly tickles, raspberries on your belly, nibbling on your thighs. Jessie (our dog) can make you laugh almost as much as mom and dad. We are loving this wonderful weather because you really enjoy being outside, taking stroller rides and playing with the dog. You also love little kids. It is so funny how you will marvel and laugh at small children but you still don’t warm up to adults easily.

You are starting to give kisses.... which we do a lot of at the Johnson house. You will give your stuffed animals giant hugs and kisses. You have a little toy mirror and you will bring it up to your mouth and give it kisses.

Daddy can send you into a trance by softly rubbing your chin… it is so funny to watch you zone out. You also love to lie on your side and have your back scratched.

You have really taken an interest in our food and want whatever we are eating so we think you are ready for solids. We tried brown rice cereal for the first time. It was hard to tell if you liked it or hated it since most of it ended up on your face and bib. We have given you some mashed-up peach and you love it so we have been adding a little to your rice cereal and you will take a few big bites. So much for starting with vegetables. You got your hands on a piece of black licorice, played with it for a minute and then stuck it in your mouth. You loved the taste and threw your first tantrum when we took it away from you.

You can spin around on your belly really well. You are attempting to crawl but, at this point, you use your head to propel you rather than your legs. Sometimes we allure you forward with a new toy or interesting object but we try not to work you too hard since we have been told to enjoy the immobility of an infant.

We think we can see your first bottom tooth starting to pop out. We haven't noticed it bothering you yet but we have the teething gel ready to go.

You especially love your daddy!

What we are up to....

We have had a busy fall and I don't see it slowing down any time soon. It's crazy to think that the holidays are right around the corner. I am really looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. All I could think about at this time last year was that we would have a little addition to our family. And it's every bit as exciting as I imagined. Brett and I can't wait to continue and start new family traditions with Liv. I am really excited for Halloween. We bought her the cutest little costume... lots of cute pics to come.

I have been doing some canning...mostly just salsa, strawberry jam and peaches. I don't know what it is about this time of year but I always get a strong urge to cook. Brett loves it. We have been working on stocking up the pantry ever since this lady gave a presentation at my work. I signed up for the weekly shopping lists and have been saving tons of money. I am not usually a big fan of Wal Mart but since they will price match all the local stores' deals, I only have to go to one store to get all the deals. I know... I am a total nerd. I told my neighbor about it and she said, "I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but you are the most Mormon non-Mormon I have ever met."

Yummy peaches from the Murray Farmer's Market

Our garden was pretty pathetic this year. I blame it on a certain infant and the weather being slow to warm up. It snowed into the last week in May. We had some great tomatoes, basil, squash and peppers. Our cherry tomatoes re-seeded from last year which was pretty cool. We had a new garden design this year but Brett wants to completely revamp the garden for next year. 

Brett is funny... he has a really inventive mind which is good in the sense that he has a lot of great ideas. He can see things in an entirely different perspective. On the other hand, he will spend a lot of time and money planning and carrying out a project. In the middle of the project or once the project is complete, he will come up with a better plan or idea... One that involves even more time and money. I am the type of person that will take a long time to decide on something. I will weigh all the pros and cons to make the best, most cost-effective decision. Once my mind is made up, I am done and I don't like to have to do "things" twice. In the past, I would let his ideas overwhelm me but I have learned to just listen to his ideas and not be critical while in my head I am thinking, "Are you nuts? You just painted your motorcycle and now you want it a completely different color?!" Or, "No way are we adding a third level to our house so that we can optimize our view of the mountains." Or, "You must be ridiculous to think that we are going to tear apart the front yard so that we can add another window in the basement!" Love him... he is always making me laugh.

OK... back to the garden. Here is our one pumpkin we harvested. I haven't decided if we will carve it or not.

I have a lot of fall clean-up projects to do in the yard and garden. Last night I was out in the yard at 8 pm after Liv went to bed.... it was nice and chilly. That is the only time I can find time to get the yard in order. I couldn't see what I was doing since it was so dark. Would wearing a head-lamp be ultra dorky? We have been wanting to plant some trees since last Spring. Brett did a great job transplanting this Maple tree from our parkway to our front island.... let's hope it lives! Not a great picture... I know. Brett is a great photographer and he is constantly giving me pointers. But I was trying to take them quickly since I feel a little weird taking pictures of my yard. Oh... and I had to snap a shot while the neighbor had his BYU flag down... I guess four losses in a row will do that to fair-weather fans. The flag is back up now (after one win) but I am sure it will come back down after they lose miserably to TCU. Really?!

These are the new parkway trees (another terrible shot). They are London Plane trees or Sycamores. We hope they will be big and gorgeous and provide a lot of shade from the hot afternoon sun... of course, that's about 50 years away. One of my neighbors caught me snapping some shots and asked me if I was taking pictures so I could remember how spindly they were. Funny. I do appreciate sarcasm more than fair-weather fans, though.

We will be having our very first family pictures taken in a couple of weeks. I am crossing my fingers they turn out. You will know if they don't because I won't be posting them. And what would this post be without an adorable picture of baby Liv! I just love that milky, white complexion... she nearly glows in the dark.



And this is the view from the third level that Brett added on to the house to optimize the view...hahaha.

More pics of Liv

I can't believe that Liv is already 5 months old! Her little personality comes out more and more each day. She is a really happy baby (unless mom and dad aren't in sight). She loves to play with her toys but prefers random objects like spoons, Tupperware, cups, and junk mail. She is not even mobile and is into everything within her grasp. She sits up really well and rolls over. She has learned to comfort herself by sucking her thumb (uh oh!). She hasn't quite figured out how to close her hand when she sucks her thumb so she pokes herself in the eye.

This picture was taken about a month ago. Her hair has started growing quickly so it's a bit longer now. All of our pics are taken when she is in her pajamas so I need to catch some shots when she is all dolled up.

This is one of the first pics I was able to catch of her sitting up. Moments after, she fell backwards... oops! We have since learned to make a soft landing zone for her noggin. I think she looks like Brett in this picture.

She started splashing like crazy one night. First, with her right hand and then with her left hand. She loved it and didn't want to stop even though she was getting water in her eyes and mouth.

Hanging out with Grandpa Joel and Grandma Judie

Learning to like tummy time

I love this little face!

She refuses to sit back in her seat so she sits up and hangs on to the sides.

She LOVES to listen to music and singing. Anyone that will sing 'Popcorn Popping' is an instant friend. She will smile wide and get this look that says, "They know my favorite song!!" She likes it when mom and dad dance but she acts like she is embarrassed for us. This is a picture of her watching a video with little kids singing.

Reading time is her favorite!

Here are some pics of the fire that started in the hills above our house. These were taken about 9pm on Sunday, September 19th from our front porch. The last two pics were taken from our garage. At midnight, the emergency response team knocked on our door and told us to plan on evacuating within the hour. We packed the car and we were just about to wake the baby but we decided to just wait it out unless we were forced to leave. The smoke wasn't all that bad since it was blowing north. Most of the neighbors were already packed up and gone. The fire burned all night and by morning the hill closest to our house (in the first pic) was completely burned and still smoldering. It came within several feet of the houses up the street. Liv slept through the whole ordeal! Love my good, little sleeper! Now, with the recent rain, our house smells like a wet ashtray.

Four Months

                            

Liv turned 4 months old on Sunday. Brett and I are constantly amazed by her. We never thought she would have so much personality this young. I guess we expected her to be less interactive and more difficult but she is such a little sweetheart. We took Liv in for her 4 month appointment on Monday. She is 14.44 lbs. (69%) and 22.5 inches long (83%). She had her 4 month immunizations. Even before Liv was born, I knew I would have a difficult time with the nurses sticking my baby with needles. Brett does a great job of consoling her while I am in the corner of the Dr’s office crying.

For Liv:

You are quite chatty and love to carry on incoherent conversations with mom and dad. Right before you close your eyes at bedtime you will usually sing and make sweet little noises until you fall asleep. Sometimes it makes me laugh and I wake you up.

When mom and dad are trying to put you to sleep, you have to be walked around and held facing out. You refuse to lean your head back and will do this tired head bob before finally nodding off.

You are becoming quite ambidextrous. You will grab at anything and then stick whatever it is straight into your mouth.

You are really close to rolling over and sitting up all by yourself. You must have abs of steel because, no matter where you are sitting, you don't like to relax and lay your head back.

If there is one comment about you that we hear the most it is about your big, beautiful, blue eyes.

You love to look in the mirror while we brush your hair. You have a cute patch of long hair on the crown of your head. One of the hairs in 2-3 inches long while all your other hair is super short (about ¼ inch).

You have your dad’s level of patience. Or, should I say, lack of patience.

You need a little time to warm up to new people or people you haven’t seen in a while. You have anxiety and cry when anyone besides mom or dad tries to hold you or even look at you. The pediatrician said you are either socially advanced for your age or a drama queen. I guess we will see.

You love to have books read to you and will sit and listen intently while we read a bunch of books. You also love to look at flash cards and watch your “Baby can read” DVD.

As the day is winding down, we sit out on the back deck because you love to be outside. You have really taken an interest in Jessie, our dog. You will do this cute, little jump and flail your arms when she runs to greet you.

Your favorite toy is your stuffed dog named Bingo.

Dad and I took you jogging in your jogging stroller for the first time on Sunday, the day you turned 4 months old. You loved it! You fell asleep about 5 minutes into our jog. Jessie has a bad hip so we took her home after 2 miles. Since you were still asleep, dad and I jogged another 1 ½ miles.

Mom and dad love that you are a great sleeper at night. You have been sleeping in your crib for over a month and you will usually wake up just once in a twelve hour stretch to nurse and then go right back to sleep.

You are happiest when you first wake up in the morning and we can get you to laugh a lot right before bedtime… usually because you are over-tired from short naps all throughout the day.

You are not a crier .... thank goodness!

You have a great big smile and smile all the time. Brett says it reminds him of his Dad’s smile.