Evolution of Ives

I haven't written much about Ivy recently?  I haven't written about much of anything recently?  Let's get some Ivy G updates:

• Right now Ivy's favorite things are dogs (her paternity is now confirmed), eating fruit leather from the wrapper (ripped off pieces will now be ignored), trying to walk, getting on forbidden things like my bed and the couch, the red tunnel at the park, the neighborhood kids, and drinking water from a real cup.
• Ivy still goes to bed at 7 but usually plays with her binkies for an hour before falling asleep. I feel kind of bad putting her down so early (and yet I do not), but honestly she's way happier in there than she would be with us at that time of day. Her prolonged contentment before falling asleep is nothing short of a phenomenon.
• The neighborhood kids have taken a strange liking to Ivy. When we got outside we hear the screams and they come running to see her. They also knock on our door frequently to visit. Ivy now knows she's quite popular and it's to the point that any time we walk outside, Ivy just waves her hand like a pageant queen.
• Ivy's getting good at sign language and will happily sign "more" as we pass the cottage cheese aisle at the grocery store.
• Ivy has a clear preference for me (a gift and a curse) which we often use to our advantage. If she's tantrum-ing with me, we just hand her to Scott and then once she gets madder, I take her back and she's completely cured.
• Ivy continues to be unimpressed by the make-her-smile antics of strangers and will give no reaction whatsoever.
• Ivy's first (questionable but confirmed) word is "Ball."
• Ivy's favorite foods are cheese, avocado, and dried fruit.  She still tries most things but is also skilled at clearing her high chair tray and spitting things out.
• Ivy's favorite body part to identify is her belly button.  Her second favorite is her mouth, but if you say, "Ivy, where's your mouth?" she'll grab your finger and bite you with it.
• If you give Ivy both of your thumbs, you'll be stuck playing patty-cake indefinitely.

My Jam

The last few weeks I've felt like I'm finally somewhat back into my jam around here.  For various reasons, this has been a long time coming (maybe a year?), and I'm grateful to feel a little more stability and/or sanity. At long last I finally have the time and energy to devote to not only the basics of life but also all the fun things that I've always enjoyed doing as well.  What brought me to this point, you may ask?  Well I have many theories as to why my life has been significantly awesomer lately:

• I'm not moving or considering moving, and I only own one house.
• I'm re-watching Downton Abbey during my workouts (let's not even try to downplay this one, it's a major life-booster).
• I have several saintly babysitters.
• Scott and I went on a real date, which allowed me to sit in the front seat of his car.
• I have a full box of protein bars in my pantry.
• I have enough time, motivation, and appetite to make new things for dinner.
• I'm reading books again.
• I've planned a few gatherings at my house and we've been able to see tons of friends that we haven't seen in years.
• I bought new pillows.
• We started a tradition of getting donuts for breakfast on Pioneer Day (This was maybe the first time we've ever purchased donuts so this was a big deal.)
• We're making plans for our backyard and basement.
• I don't have any newborns living under my roof.
• I finally jumped on the Dear Evan Hansen bandwagon and it will sustain me "for forever".

Monterey, CA

On Saturday we returned from a very exhausting but fun beach vacation in Monterey (and San Francisco and Sacramento).  Thanks to our expert travel agent (my dad) and an expert money-manager (my Grandma) for taking us on this adventure.

Some highlights and photos!

• Eating pizza in our dark hotel room after Ivy went to bed.
• Listening to the San Francisco street musician make up songs on the fly about the Fourth of July.
• Seeing Ivy in her hilarious beach hat and swimsuit.
• Listening to our traditional vacation CD (this time was Coldplay's A Rush of Blood to the Head).
• Seeing Ivy pretend to call people on the phone with random objects (credit cards, remotes, my camera lens cap, a pack of pills...)
• Seeing Sean write down our dinner orders for Papa Chevo's in the beach guest book and then trying to cover it up by turning it into a restaurant review.
• Watching Ivy obsess over every bird.
• Eating Chinese takeout with a baby spoon one night because we had no utensils.
• Playing with Ivy in our bed every morning at 5:30 AM.
• Feeding Ivy her mini avocados every day.
• Driving through strawberry fields.
• Playing Mormon Bridge.
• Busting Bekah for her $140 seafood meal.