Practice

 "Don't mind me, I'm just learning how to be a big sister"

 "I'm going to be SUCH a good helper for mommy"

"I'm sure baby won't mind if I take a sip.  Sisters love to share, right?"

Pool Time

So much to blog about, so little time.  A while ago we got to go to my sister's in-laws for a little pool party.  Kaylee took a while to warm up to the pool, which surprised me because she loves water.  But mostly I think she was just trying to figure out a way to get the pool and NOT have to be by mom.  She hated being in her floaty so I just had to hold on to her and she did not appreciate that.  She kept asking to be put down in the middle of the pool.  And I'm pretty sure if I hadn't kept a good watch on her, she would have walked off the edge right into the deep end.  We finally compromised and found a way for her to play on the stairs by herself without me holding onto her for dear life and she had a blast.  She's really brave about putting her face in the water and thinks it's hilarious

 

 

  Afterwards, we had an impromptu barbeque and firework show with the whole fam, except Holly of course. (thanks again Mom for letting us crash in on you!)  Kaylee wasn't too sure about the noise coming from the fireworks but she kept signing 'lights' and asking for more so I guess she liked them!

 

(This is her signing 'lights')

Surprising News

Pretty much since the second I found out I was pregnant, I got it into my head that we were having a boy.  I don't even know why I thought that, it's not like I feel "intuition" or anything like that.  I just said we were going to have a boy and so I planned on it.  I even started a list of boy names that I liked.  But much to my surprise we found out on Thursday that we are having another girl!  I was completely shocked and didn't even know what to say at first.  I thought I would be disappointed but I was not at all, just completely happy and at peace.  I knew right away that she is definitely meant for our family and we are so happy to have her.  And the more I think about it the more excited I am that Kaylee will have a little sister to play with. Kaylee made it even more special by pointing to the ultrasound and saying "sister" for the first time.  She will be an awesome big sister, I'm sure.  I'm pretty scared to have a boy so it's probably good that I'll get some more practice first before we have a son :)  Unfortunately, Richard and I made a bet again and this time I lost so I'll have to come up with a clever date to repay him.  In the meantime, we'll enjoy celebrating that we are going to have two beautiful little girls in our family before the end of the year!

Splash Pad

One of the best things about summer?  Finding fun things to do for free!  Last Friday we headed to Highland to be with my sisters and their kids at the Splash Pad.  Kaylee was hesitant about the water actually shooting up out of the ground at first and I don't think she ever got super close to those.  However, she probably would've walked through the little river, playing with the rocks for hours and hours.   

  Kaylee's cousins were so awesome about taking her around, keeping her safe, and especially making her laugh.

We might have stayed a tiny bit too long because she came out shivering from the cold water...but she loved every minute of it!  We'll definitely have to head back there before we move (in less than a month!!)

Helper

Kaylee is the best helper.  If she thinks she is "helping" us, she is much more willing to do things.  I hope she always has that good attitude of helping others!  Some of her favorites are helping to push the cart at the grocery store:

pushing the stroller instead of riding in it:

and helping me do laundry:

She also loves to get involved with whatever we are doing.  Last week Richard and his brother were working on our bikes and Kaylee stayed in the backyard for almost three hours (which is unheard of!), fascinated with everything they were doing. 

Holiday Festivities

My plan for the holiday was to enjoy my Saturday sleeping in, but Richard somehow convinced me it would be fun to wake up SUPER early and head to the Balloon Festival. 

 

We thought Kaylee would love the balloons and she did...as long as they were already in the air.  Whenever she heard the loud roar of the fire, she would immediately grab onto one of us, turn her head the other way, and whimper.  There isn't a ton to do once the balloons are in the air so we hurried over to stand in a long line to get free breakfast at Macey's.  That night we went outside to watch the Stadium of Fire fireworks from our backyard.  It was so nice to have a great view and not have to fight any crowds to do it!  Sunday after church we headed to a cabin in Fairview to spend the 4th with Richard's family.  Kaylee is teething, had an ear infection, and was in an unfamiliar place and so all of those combined to make Sunday night the worst night of Kaylee's life, which meant Richard and I were both exhausted for the 4th.  But we did have fun playing games, barbecuing, going on little walks, and spending a little time away from Provo.