Happy Valentine's Day!

Happiest of Valentine's Days to everyone!

Shyla received a Valentine. From a boy.

See, here it is. I'm so proud.

Proof that it was from a boy: Ethan.

Not nearly as exciting was the Valentine's presents she got from me and Stevie: a giant green frog and a board book, Baby Cakes.

Shyla has decided that she pretty much doesn't need us to feed her anymore. She can now hold her own bottle. As Stevie says, "now if we could just teach her how to make one."

And our little girl looking festive in her Valentine's Red.

Most couple celebrate Valentine's Day by going to romantic dinners or movies. Not us. Previous Valentine's Days have been celebrated at McDonald's (not that there is a single thing wrong with that) or not celebrated at all which, too, is fine. Today we celebrated by running in a Couple's Relay Race down at the U of A. It was a lot of fun. I started the relay and ran the two miles (including up and down the ramps at the football stadium) with the rose as our baton. At the exchange point couples were instructed that they had to participate in a PDA which is funny if you know Stevie. He was, unsurprisingly, a good sport and gave me a smooch as I passed off the rose and he went off on the same route I had just completed. We didn't finish first. But we didn't finish last either. And we got donuts on the way home, which is a win in my book any day of the week.

We hope your V-Day was just as fun!

At the Park!

Before leaving Phoenix, we spent some time at a park near our hotel called Encanto Park. We just wanted to hang-out and let Shyla crawl around before putting her in her carseat for 2.5 hours.

It was a beautiful day and Shyla enjoys being outside and watching people.

Love this picture!

Stevie, Shyla, and Carlos having fun at the park!

Mommy and Shyla on the slide!

And Shyla swinging on the swing! This was her first time and I think she really enjoyed it.

Being out of town is nice because it forces you to do work around the house or return emails, but rather to just spend time together. That's what we did and we had a great time doing it.

Our Weekend in Phoenix

We spent Friday night and Saturday afternoon in Phoenix and had a really great time!

Shyla loves mirrors and this one, at the hotel, was nice because it was her height.

She also loves the package of wipes...and being naked. She's in a phase now in which she immediately rolls over and around while we are trying to change her diaper or clothes. I think this picture is after I completed the diaper change and needed a rest before attempting the clothes.

Shy had a great night with Abbie (who I, of course, forgot to take a picture with).

Ahhh yes. The reason why we went to Phoenix in the first place: George Strait. He, Reba, and LeAnn put on an outstanding show that I LOVED and Stevie, bless his heart, actually seemed to enjoy as well. There is hope for him.

Sippy-Cup and Tupperware

Last week we gave Shyla a sippy-cup of water for the first time. She mostly gummed on it, but she looks like a pro.

Smiles all around!

Shyla also discovered the joys of tupperware!

And, thus, I discovered that I can get about 20 minutes of work done in the kitchen if I give her a few bowls to play with.

Happy Weekend Everyone!

A Blog-Update!

There's not much exciting or new going on around here. But we are enjoying our time and taking lots of pictures; trying to document every minute!

Shyla, who is now crawling army-style around the house, has decided that it's a lot of fun to play under the coffee table. Yet another thing that used to be Pancake's domain...taken over.

Shyla is now becoming a much better eater of real food. She especially loves carrots at the moment. So far she is taking after her daddy and not liking anything green though!

Post-bath and getting ready for baby-massage with "oceans of lotions." We have worked to establish a night-time routine so she is bathing every night.

Thankfully she loves her bath!

Last weekend we celebrated "Christmas" with my aunt Sherry, cousin Megan, her boyfriend Anthony, Don, and Dolly. The picture above is Anthony and Megan.

Shyla showing off a really funny hat (that really belongs to a teddy bear that aunt Sherry gave Lilly) and new shoes from aunt Sherry!

This picture shows Zac about to smack Shyla in the head with a maraca.

Shyla looking cute in jeans!

Ahhhh, this picture simply makes my heart happy. I hope it does the same for you:)

In other news: Ragnar is 27 days away. This whole French Toast Mafia thing sounded like a great idea last year. Now I think I'd rather just eat french toast.

Jason...feeling more comfortable!

We got to have lunch last week with Jason and Rupa! Last time Jason held Shyla, she wasn't as animated and he wasn't as comfortable. Those of you loyal followers out there may remember the pic of him squeezing her and looking terrified. Now he looks like a natural!

Jenny Jump-Up

John and Sharon gave Shyla this "Jenny Jump-Up" and we just got around to installing it and letting her play in it.

She really seemed to like it!
She was more into spinning around than jumping up, but she had fun!

I think she also liked having Mommy and Daddy around her yelling "wheeeeee!"

"Wheeeeee!"

And quite possibly my most favorite picture ever!