Little Miracles: September 2011

Oh, wow it's been a long time since I've put anything on here. It's been a fun couple of months, now let's see if I can remember them!

Well, fresh in my mind is our recent trip to Canada. That's right, I finally got to go back to my home and native land! And Paisley finally got to meet her Grandpa and Uncle Nate. It was a great trip. We left on Saturday morning, and drove allllll day. Of course we couldn't go through Idaho without stopping for lunch at Big Judd's, where David successfully downed a pound of hamburger (and that's just the patty), a giant basket of fries, and a root beer. Yummmm.... :S

Paisley was an angel. She slept through most of the drive.

On Sunday, it just so happened that one of my best friends, Sarah, and her husband, were in Calgary, so we were able to get together with them. I don't think going to Canada would have been complete without that. Also, Philippe and Marisa arrived with little almost-one-year-old Eli, who is cuter than ever, and it was so good to finally spend some time with all three of them.

My grandma got to Calgary on Monday night, and she looks amazing!! I just kept thinking, I hope I look as good as her when I'm in my 80's! It was so good to finally spend some time with her, and especially for her to meet Paisley.

We went swimming and hiking with my dad. I only wish I had taken more pictures, but pictures or not I'll never forget how good it was to see Paisley playing with her grandpa.

Sigh. There's so much more to say about the trip, but it all boils down to how wonderful it was to be home, with family, all together. Mom's food & good talks, Dad's boistrous laugh, cards with Grandma, Boston Pizza, Canadian Rockies, RW&Co, walks with Ginger, bonding with brothers and sisters, and lots more. It was all long overdue.

On the way back we had a great adventure. We stopped in Helena for gas and Paisley's diaper change, and a weird burly-looking Montanan walked by cussing at us, and saying something about putting up with people like us. Could it have been the homemade breakfast burritos we were eating? Maybe the BYU symbol on our license plate? Maybe he has something against changing a baby's diaper in the back seat of a car? We'll never know. Anyhow, he followed us out of the parking lot after flipping us off, and then got off at the very next exit. Phew!

Well, about 50 miles down the road, we pass a state trooper in an Expedition. He pulled out of his sitting spot and followed us for about 20 miles before we came across some random firewood scattered out in the road. A log tumbled under our car, but we kept driving at our extra safe speed, as there was a cop still on our tail. A few miles later he pulled us over, along with two other cops that had pulled in behind him somewhere along the way.

So, there we were, being pulled over by not one, not two, but three state troopers! The officer explained that he had pulled us over to make sure the log we ran over hadn't caused any leaks, so David and I both got out to check under the car. Meanwhile, the three cops walked around the car, looking inside. They took turns asking us questions about where we were going, where we were coming from, lots of questions about the baby, etc. When we established that there was no leak, the officer asked for David's license and registration, just to make sure we weren't wanted. You can imagine we were pretty curious about why we had really been pulled over by the time the officer came back and told us we were free to go. Weirdest experience ever. We spent the next two hours throwing out different possible explanations. Did the guy at the gas station get a laugh in by reporting that we had stolen a baby? Maybe he told the cops that he recognized us from a wanted poster? Or maybe it really did take three state troopers and a bunch of repeated questions to make sure we didn't have a leak under the car...

Well, now we're back in good ol' Provo. David's back in school and he starts his new part-time job at Squire tomorrow. As for me, I'm at home with our baby that I swear gets cuter by the day, tutoring French twice a week, and taking care of the elderly lady upstairs.

As for the reason anyone reads this blog anyway, Paisley is making some important steps in her life:

She got her 6 month shots
Weighed in at 14 lbs, measuring 27.5 inches
She's eating peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans. Good thing she has nothing to compare them to yet!
We've established a great bedtime routine: I nurse her, read a story or two, sing her a song, and put her into bed. She'll just play quietly in her bed until she falls asleep! I love it.
She's been sleeping through the night! All it took was one night of letting her cry it out, and it seems to have broken her habit of eating in the middle of the night. Fingers crossed.
She's sitting up! She still needs a spotter, in case she makes a sudden move and topples over, but she's almost an independent sitter.
She props herself up on her arms, and when she wants something badly enough, she'll even get up on her knees. Unfortunately, she usually ends up scooting herself backwards, which doesn't make her very happy.
And now for pictures.

Oh yah, did I mention football season started? Here's dad teaching Paisley the important things in life