Crawl

I feel like every single post is about June. 


This one is necessary though... I want to remember this stage as much as I can.

The above photo is a rare look at June's calmer side. Most of the photos I have of her in the recent months are blurry because she won't hold still. She's entered a hilarious (and tiring) phase. She's learned to crawl, and there's no stopping her.


Here's what else she's up to:
- Pushing tiny cars, the walker, tiny grocery carts, strollers, chairs, basically anything that slides across a smooth surface. She seems so desperate to walk now, so she'll do anything to try. I truly believe that she's "walked" several MILES just this past week.
- Her love for dogs is OBVIOUS. When she sees them, she points and barks (which sound more like an adorable squeak). The best is when she impersonates Chubbs by rolling around in his bed.
- Dancing... If it's the Yo Gabba Gabba theme song, The Black Keys, Wilco, basically anything else with a strong beat.
- She chatters on two occasions: when she's talking to William on the phone, and when she's desperately trying to get me to give her food.
- If she could, she would climb up and down the stairs all day long. Thanks again for the gates, mom.
- She's an expert at fake-laughing.


The thing of which I'm most delighted about is that she'll fold her arms when it's time to pray. I've been studying a few talks that explain the importance of teaching your children  the gospel. The "Church of June" takes place in the hallway and foyer and requires constant snacking. I KNOW this is just a phase, but seeing her fold her arms reassures me that spending 2 1/2 hours in the hallway might be paying off.

Change of plans

Last weekend, I was supposed to go to the beach. We had been planning it for months. Then with just a few days left, we decided that I should just stay home.


It was a difficult transition, going from beach-bound to staying at home. William said that on Saturday, I could do whatever my heart desired.


But all my heart desired was the beach and grilling.  


So first we went to the Tempe Beach Park. June experienced her first splash pad. It was bliss for about ten minutes. But we concluded that with all the children running around her and constantly getting squirted with water, it was a little over-stimulating for June. We'll keep practicing.


Arizona BBQ Festival was next. We sampled some of the finest BBQ I've ever eaten. June enjoyed a baked potato and oreos.

Then we came home and let our tummies rest. At 11:30pm, we grilled pizzas.

Missing the real beach wasn't so bad anymore.

(That last photo is of June riding Grandma's Cadillac Escalade Power Wheel with her cousin Emerson. It's there to look awesome and, as a bonus, completes my Instagram photo square.)

P.S. Yes, this is my third post in a short while where most of the photos I'm posting are from my Instagram...I'll try to be better.

Backyard with June

I love Instagram on my phone, but it's difficult to capture June's laughing and dancing in those tiny square photos.





Thank you 8mm app.

Keep Swinging

Lately, it seems my energy level has dropped. I don't know if it's the heat or the overwhelming lists of tasks I've written. 

I'm amazed with how much energy June has sometimes... and then I remember she takes naps, sometimes twice a day.

I think I'll try that.

Your Mother should know

Being a mom means:

1. Being tough (June has a better tough face than I do).

2. Picking up after June again and again and again and again.

3. Preventing her from eating bubbles in the tub. (And showing her what her name looks like.)

4. Primping

5. Lots of swinging, parks, toys, books, etc.

6. Getting much-needed soda and an afternoon snack, even if it means sharing (the donut, not the soda). 

7. Spending too much time in the toy section when running errands (in this case, the Disney Store)

8. Taking short naps (on days when I have tons to do). 

9. Unwashed hair (please don't go out of style too soon, top bun). 

10. Mom shirts (I love that shirt, but I feel like a mega-mom in it.)

11. Folding clothes again and again and again and again.

12. Lots of snack breaks (see #6).

Oh it's worth it.

Happy Mother's Day to everyone!

And Happy Mega-Mother's Day to my two favorite moms: my own, and William's. You're the best.

Isn't my mom a Betty?

Happy (early) Mother's Day to my GORGEOUS mom:

I mean, seriously. Is there anyone more chic? 

Mom, I want all your clothes (then AND now). 

I love you, Mom!

Plans

I usually get tuckered out around 3pm on a daily basis. I've been working on a list of things I can do when I get tired in the afternoon. A lot of it involves going outside... I need to re-think my options since it's about to hit 100+ degree weather. June is the most hyper at this time too, so I really need to get creative.


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Listening to: The Shins on Pandora Radio because I still haven't bought their new album. What I've heard from it sounds really good.
Watching: waaaay too many cooking shows, especially the competitive type.
Excited: for Mother's Day. I need a day.
Searching: for the perfect camera bag. I need one that doubles as a purse, because I'm tired of carrying so many bags. And I'd prefer if it didn't actually look like a camera bag.
Anxiously: learning Pixelmator. It's hard. Really really hard. I just spent 2 1/2 hours learning and experimenting with only 6 functions. And there's plenty more. I should really take a class.

Pinata Time.

We had a good May 5th this year. We spent the evening at Debbie's and this is basically what happened:

- Amazing Mexican Food

- Homemade Churro's

- Fried Twinkies

- Super Moon

- Pinata

I named the above Pinata, "Fuerte". Making Pinatas is becoming my new favorite hobby. And it's an interesting one: spending hours cutting, folding, and glueing, only to have your masterpiece beaten until candy bursts into the air. It's truly a blessing. 

Here were my favorite images of Fuerte's final moments:

We let the children go first... Gracie was a champ.

Robs was unaware that William
wasn't aiming for the Pinata.

The first incision was across the chest.

Debbie was afraid of Fuerte, even though
it should be the other way around.

Fuerte surrendered during the fist fight portion.

He wasn't done yet.

My favorite thing is watching grown
adults dive into candy piles.
Lindsey, you made my night.

A Festivus

Here's a story:

Before I even met William, I saw this video of him and his brothers:

I knew two things about William Bradford: (1) He likes apples. (2) The man can lip-synch. 

So when I met him for the first time ever, I said, "Hey I enjoyed your video." 

To which he replied, "Ummm.... yeah thanks." and then he completely changed the subject. I thought I had said something wrong. (He later told me that he didn't know how to respond.)

It was a really awkward first impression... it's a good thing he was cute and played the drums, otherwise I would have just walked away.

I learned real quickly that the Bradfords love making awkward videos. Thank goodness we have friends who do the same...

My lovely/talented friend Andrea has a very funny/creative husband named Camaron. He's putting on an Awkward Film Festival. Everyone should participate... The BradfordCollective have a great film up their sleeve for this event.

Hurry! It's on June 15th. And if you haven't already, watch the '80s Video Dating Montage' on the film festival page... It's incredible.


P.S. The guy in the above video with the mickey mouse hands is moving back to AZ. June is thrilled to have another uncle live nearby.