Christmas in CA

We made the trip to California for Christmas this year. Rigel did great on the plane but would not sit still. Luckily we had an empty seat between us for him. Rigel was excited to see Granny, Poppy, Auntie Shel, Parker and Hunter.

Rigel chased cats, ripped into presents and Granny and Poppy taught him to say Trojans (for USC) Dena and I got to take two nights away for a babymoon at our friends who live in Santa Monica. We got to order what we wanted to eat and sleep in! Thank you Jed's for letting us crash at your place.
Merry Christmas

I gave in...

Today was a marker in Rigel's growing up. He got his first haircut. I waited as long as I could. I really like the long haired look on babies and his curls and all make him just precious. It had been getting in his eyes so much and became more of a challenge not knowing which way to comb it out of his face. Our friend Elyse did the honors. Rigel took it like a champ. He just let her whack away at his tender locks which I saved for his baby book. I stood hovering to be sure not too much was taken off and that none from the back was cut! My boy is growing up.

Christmas Photo Shoot- take 1

Here are some we took at the Renaissance Hotel and their beautiful tree! Rigel was pretty squirmy so I'd like a better one that would be framable to mark his age at this point.

Where's Rigel?

Mountain Men

Hikin' 'round the property with my Pa! We got to go up to Grumps' property north of Fort Collins and traipse around there with the doggies in tow! We also cut 2 Christmas trees. One for my uncle Denis and the other was for our house but it's just too big for me not to pull it down on my head... 'cause I don't know any better.

The Bump Watch

28 weeks and more to come!

Wedding in the Springs

We went to Colorado Springs to Boyd's God brothers wedding. Good luck Esten and Julie! Rigel was pretty good but he wanted to hang out at the naughty bench and got really mad when it was time to get out of the old Model T.

Rigel kept ringing the bell that was to have the the new couple kiss... they got to kiss a lot because of him.

24 weeks/ 6 months

Our little girl is 6 months in her warm belly home. A little late on this one as I'm actually 25 weeks now, but we did the pumpkin comparison and I'm happy the pumpkin looks bigger than my bump!

Halloween

My boy came through for me! I had wanted this "costume" since last year because I just think it's so adorable. He wouldn't wear it all the way up to the moment we were going to a party... and then he sported his costume for at least an hour before ripping it off his head. He wore it for his 30 minutes for trick or treating last night and again today for about 45 minutes while we went to the Pearl Street munchkin masquerade... way to make your mommy proud!!!

Snow Day!

Here is the big storm that they told us about. Rigel likes to eat snow.

Picts

Goings on...

We have been without internet for the last 2 1/2 weeks since we moved into our new little rental house in Lafayette. We love being close to shops and restaurants and 2 other friends with kids Rigel's age.

What's new you might ask? The biggest things are that Rigel is walking!!!!!! We have been to the pumpkin patch to see cows and tractors. Rigel got his first real "boo boo" with a band aid and everything! Our friend Josh had his 3rd birthday with a jumpy castle and even though he was the smallest in there, Rigel did some jumping! I made him this adorable Frankenstein hat for his Halloween costume... that he won't wear, so he's probably going to be a military pilot instead.

The other big news is that we have a girl name!!!! She will be named Ohana which means "family" in Hawaiian. I'm excited for a girl nursery and have been planning it for months! We will post house pictures when we get all unpacked.

For Moriah and Granny

We wear our blue ribbons to support the bravest baby girl we know!

We are happy Moriah is stable in Stanford. We will miss visiting you in December.

You are an inspirational family!

Since Rigel has is Apple shirt on, this is also for his Granny (my mom) who works for them and bought this shirt many years ago. Kisses to Granny!

The Bump Watch

It is so true you take less photos with your second baby including of my baby bump. Here is week 16 (green shirt) and week 20 (blue shirt). Not huge differences so far.

It's a... GIRL!!!!

We had our 20 week ultra sound yesterday. We had the tech seal the news in an envelope and went to have dinner with our good friends the Dolenc's. Her mom does one of those "tests" where you hold a pencil on a string over my wrist to determine what gender ALL your children will be. First was a boy- Rigel. Then it said another boy, then a girl. I went over to get my envelope and it revealed our baby is a GIRL!!!! What a blessing!!!!!! It almost makes off of our trials from this past year seem worth it, almost. It has renewed my excitement in this pregnancy since I have been so tired chasing Rigel around all the time. I'm excited for frilly clothes and a girl nursery! God is GOOD!!!!! In the pictures you can see her hand and the second is the 4 chambers of her heart... what a miracle!

Hats

I guess it took 16 months for him to finally like them and now he wants to wear hats all of the time! They don't always match and let's be clear the one with the white stuff on his face happened on daddy's watch... sunscreen!

First Zoo Trip

What do 4 moms and S-E-V-E-N boys under the age of 3 have in common? We went to the Zoo yesterday. It was Rigel's first time. Almost a reward for sleeping 11.5 hours the night before without him knowing it! He really liked the monkeys, penguins swimming and elephants. He made the noises for the monkey and elephant... what sound does a penguin make? The hippo photo is for daddy!

The Long Road Trip

Yes it's been a while, again, since we posted. we have been on a 3 week road trip. We started off driving to Lost Canyon Young Life Camp to visit "the other Smileys". They were wonderful hosts to us and our nephew Hunter who promptly asked his mom "can I come here next year?" From there we headed to Cali to see family. Rigel hadn't seen his Granny and Poppy in many months. They were delighted to see his "booty scooty", hear him babble and say some words, get hugs and watch him play with his tractors!

While in CA we took the opportunity to see some friends. We headed to Santa Monica beach to see the newest, radest baby Max Alan Jed! We made our way to the beach where Rigel loved playing in the waves... and yes, eating the sand- yuck!

Before heading back to my parents end of town we made a quick, but inspiring visit to Children's hospital LA to visit the Nelsons and Miss Moriah! So here is this young family fighting the fight of their baby girl's life and they ask us if we need anything! Wow! You can see us on her blog- Moments with Moriah from our page.

Then the Big Bear weekend came. It's a yearly family trip of sorts. Time of relaxing and catching up with each other and watching he family grow as we welcome new babies like Adain who was just 7 weeks old.

We made another trip to Corona Del Mar beach near Newport for some family fun time and my love of the ocean. Rigel ate even more sand there- more yuck!

We were so impressed with how Rigel handled the 2900 miles spent in the car! Boyd and I made it through with the help of digital audio books- we made it through the first 2 books of the twilight series and even started the third book to our surprise.

Enjoy the photos!