Applesauce

So we added Applesauce to Keeley's rice and bananas i think she liked it. What do you think?

5 months

Five months old and sitting. We wanted to share the latest milestone with you to celebrate Keeley's 5 month birthday. Yay! Way to go Keeley! We are so happy you are a part of our lives it has gone so quick.

Something to Say

Keeley was trying to eat the door frame with little success but it didn't stop her from trying. She had a lot to say about it as well!

These Are a Few of My favorite Thing

So, I'll stop there adn not sing the rest but I'm are going to take quick break from the endless Keeley updates to share a few favorites of her Mother.

1.The Jen'tch Wrap

First, this is a new one to me but I have used it everyday since I got it. Its The Jentch Wrap! I have been an avid Bjorn user because the wraps looked like they would be difficult to use. But now that I have used them I have found they are very easy. It is easier on my back than the Bjorn also. If you don't have one try it! Check them out at www.thejentchwrap.blogspot.com . She just started selling them online because we were all requesting them. So with every good find there is someone to credit, for this I one I would like to credit Mary, Thanks!

2. Pandora

The second thing I couldn't live without is Pandora. If you know what it is then you will understand. But if not then you are missing out. Pandora is a website that creates personalized radio stations for you. It is also commercial free. And, the best part (drum roll) it is Free! For example I put in Jack Johnson and I have an entire station that is music that has similar musical qualities. If you don't like a song you give it a thumbs down and it will never play it again. I love it and use it daily. I need to thank Jenedy for this one. Ohh, by the way we also have a Mo Tab station. It works great for Sundays. Give it a shot you will be hooked. You can create an account at www.pandora.com.

Okay enjoy! And, dont worry we will be back to Keeley posts in the morning.

Please share any great finds you have that maybe I could use. Don't hold back there are no secrets here!

Daddy does Best

So I spend all day and many nights with Keeley. Just the usual responsibilities of a stay at home Mom with a husband that works 10-12 hour days. But Matt plays softball two nights a week (Monday and Wednesdays), Scouts is Tuesdays, and Thursday is his night to close up at the office, so he works extra late. So, Keeley clocks a lot of "Mom Time." You would think that because of that she would be partial to me. But. . .no! She loves daddy. When he walks in the door she lights up and wants little to do with me (which I'm okay with a break). She isn't a cuddler at all but with Dad she will be for a few minutes. I'm glad they have such a great relationship. I just wish that she liked him best to put her back to sleep in the middle of the night!

Trunk or Treat

On Saturday we had a Trunk or Treat with our ward. It was raining so we moved everything inside. Keeley was a Giraffe (inspired by Baby Einstein and supplied by Nana Conner, thanks Mom!) She was too cute, I'll have to dress her up on Friday and come up with something fun for us to do. Apparently you don't want to be in neighborhood on Halloween because it gets crazy with thousands of kids running a round.

Keeley's a Mover

No, she isn't crawling but follow this sequence and you will understand why I'm starting to worry.

This is how I set her to watch Baby Einstein

A few minutes later she had flipped herself off the boppy to get to her belly, and pulled herself across the carpet!
She even pulled her hood up all by herself so that I knew she was "Rolling Hard."
I love our little Keeley!

Evarts Come to Visit

Thursday night Nanny and Grampy Evarts drove 12 hours to see their first great grand baby. We were so excited that they were able to visit.

When Nanny first held Keeley she went right to sleep. She had the touch!
Keeley found that Grampy could make a clicking noise with his mouth and she was very interested in how that all worked.

Even Riddle made a friend.

We love you both and are so excited to see you in the spring again!

A Little Flashback

I have been going through photos trying to find which ones I want to hang in our new house. I haven't decided yet but I thought this one was worth posting. For whatever reason it never made it to the blog before I had Keeley. This picture is to help me to feel better about the last few pounds I still haven't lost since Keeley's birth.

Nine months pregnant. This was taken five day before I had Keeley and one day after may due date, YUCK!
This is what you look like with a 8 lb 10 oz baby that is 36% of your height.
Here are my feet at the same time. So swollen. The swollen feet/ankles/legs were more painful than giving birth its self.

Yes to Prop 8

Many of you I'm sure have heard about Proposition 8 that is taking place in California. Partially because we just moved from there and partially because I feel so strongly about it I have decided to take a moment to let you know about what Prop 8 really stands for and the consequences if it doesn't pass. Please bear with me.

In 2000 the voters of California passed by 61% into is constituion that “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”

This year that was overturned by the supreme court of California by 4 judges.

You may say " I don't have anything against gay people." Well neither do I. In fact I have many friends who are gay. They are wonderful people. But in here lies the problem. If Proposition 8 doesn't pass the following things will occur.

1. Children in public schools will be taught that both traditional marriage and same-sex marriage are okay. In fact on Oct. 11 a group of students were taken to a same sex marriage for a field trip.
The Ca. Education code already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. Therefore, if the definition of marriage is changed, children will be taught that marriage is a relation between any two adults. There will be serious clashes between the secular school system and the right of parents to teach their children their own values and beliefs.
2. Churches will be sued if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings that are open to the public.
3. Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government agencies to give up their long-held right to place children only in homes with both a mother and father. Catholic Charities in Boston has already closed its doors because of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Mass.
4. Religions that sponsor private schools and which provide housing for married students will be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if it runs counter to church doctrine, or lose tax exemptions and benefits.
5. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages will be sued for hate speech and could be fined by the government. It has already happened in Canada, one of six countries that have legalized gay marriage.
6. It will cost money. A change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits. Even if courts eventually find in favor of a defender of traditional marriage ( think of the money--your money, your church contributions--that will have to be spent on legal fees.)
(these 6 notes our courtesy of Jill Hymas)

Even if Proposition 8 doesn't pass same sex couples will still be able to have unions. Which means that they will be able to receive the medical benefits which was an issue they faced before. They will be able to act on medical request for their partner and to recieve the benifit from taxes. Under California law, “domestic partners shall have the same rights, protections, and benefits” as married spouses. Proposition 8 won't take that away from them. IT just won't allow the rights of the majority to be infringed upon. I know many of you won't be able to vote in the November election in favor of Prop 8. But if you could spread the news maybe someone else will know which way to vote in just a few short weeks if they live in California. This is more important in my opinion that which president gets into office. Neither McCain or Obama support the idea of same sex marriages. You can find out more information and get the logo seen above at http://www.protectmarriage.com/

Keela Monster

You may have heard us call Keeley, Keela Monter or Keela Monsty. We call her that for a few reasons. One, she never stopped crying the first 2.5 months. So, Nana Conner came up with it on a visit when she was cry without end one day when she was just a few weeks old. It just kinda stuck after that. We have been trying since her birth to get a good pouty lip shoot. So here it is. An entire series of our little Keela Monster, who occasionally returns for a short visit.

How it started. . .



Check out that lip. I love it!

Asheville

We ventured to Asheville to take our first stab at Camping with a baby. We left Thursday evening and spent the first night in a hotel because of our late arrival. Saturday morning we hit up downtown Asheville. Keeley playing with the flowers in downtown.

I couldn't pick just one.

Then headed to Chimney Rock. Matt and Keeley in front of the Chimney Rock.

The Three of us on top of Chimney rock

Then we took a short hike with Riddle to a waterfall. In front of the falls colors at the waterfall.

Then we headed back down to find our campsite which was located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was incredibly beautiful.
We passed this church on the way and Matt wanted to get a few pics.
Thanks to google we got lost. The directions took us to an entirely different location so fortunately my brother lives in front of a computer. He is a student at University of Idaho studying landscape architecture so he spends countless hours in a lab. HE finally got us pointed in the right direction and they rain started to fall. By the time we got to the camp site it was dark, foggy and very wet. The three of us in front of the fire, but what looks like smoke is actually fog!

Keeley did great even with the rain pounding on the tent all night and the frigid weather, she only woke up once. Keeley and Mom still in the tent in the morning. Don't we look nice!

It was me who threw in the towel when I thought about all of our soaking gear and trying to clean bottles with all the mud. So we packed up in the morning and made our last stop at the arboretum which was having a bonsai expo.

All in all it was a great trip. The fall color were beautiful and we are hoping to make it back sometime in the spring. Maybe without any rain I'll last for a few nights.

A New Favorite

Look at me I'm jumping!

Conference Weekend

For general conference this last weekend we headed to D.C to stay with Mark, Gail and Simon. We had a great time. We visited the National Arboretum. Matt got to see his all time favorite bonsai. Keeley slept through every session of conference. I'm not sure how we got so lucky. But, we felt pretty blessed to listen the the prophet and apostles while Keeley took long naps.

Keeley and Grandpa. She was a good sport but finally threw in the towel after seeing hundreds of bonsais.

Keeley and Grammie

Keeley and Simon, I think they have the same look on their faces, "like really your going to make us take another picture."

You really have to hold to Simon or he might just disappear.

Keeley showing off her pea coat. Ohh, how we love new clothes!

First Feeding

Keeley had her first bite of real food, if you count rice cereal, yesterday. She was really funny. She didn't want to wait for me to get another bite up to her mouth so she would fuss. She opened her mouth when the spoon got close and used her tongue but then she would spit it back out. She did eat most of it but as you can see it also ended up all over. I'm hoping that if she will fill up on rice cereal a few times a day it will slow down our Nutramigen bill.

4 month Check Up

So we made it 4 months, hooray! Keeley is wonderful these days. So we visited the doctors and here are her new stats- 25.5 inches and 13 lbs 7.5 oz. So she is still growing but the great news is that her weight is catching up to her height. The little red circles indicate where she is now. At least her height is on the charts this month.

As for formula, I'm afraid we will always be on it. Doctor didn't suggest we take her off of it until 6 months. Then we will go to regular formula. So much for using all the breast milk I have stored in the freezer. Maybe I can sell it Baskin Robins for their Breast Milk Ice Cream. jk If you haven't heard that story google it. Below is a picture of Keeley before our run this morning she was pretty cute all bundled up.