Number Three

Due June 11, 2012

Playing Catch Up

So, I scrolled through my pictures for the past six months to remind myself what we've been up to, and I'm surprised how much the girls, Iris in particular, have changed. I guess she's still young enough that six months makes a big difference. So, in rough chronological order, here is our spring/summer:

a picnic with Grandma and Annie, had to be moved indoors because of poor weather

the girls being best frenemies, per the usual

playing "Pretty Pretty Princess"

I think this was the longest Riley's hair has ever been...

... and then the chop (don't know what's up in this picture, I just wanted to illustrate the hair cut)

a trip to the aquarium with our Cueva friends

bowling with Grandpa Craig

AND, big news, I went on a cruise to Mexico, on this boat...

...with these people (my mom, my friend Alyssa, and her mom- no kids!)

We did some mule riding...

...some zip lining...

...some repelling...

...some smiling....

...and basically had an amazing time.

After I got home, I did the Race for the Cure again.

Riley had her end-of-school play (that's her behind the mask- Eric made it, of course)

This is what happens when our friend Katie comes to play

Liz, Eric and I went to see Josh Ritter at Red Butte Gardens, which was amazing and incredible, as always

the girls took part in our wards Children's Parade

Riley still sleeps with her eyes slightly open, which always freaks me out when I check on her in the middle of the night

Eric and I went on a two day rafting trip with my fam, down the Colorado River. Quite wonderful.

Riley had her first day of first grade, and this is the only picture I got (bad Mom). She's doing fantastic and really liking it so far.

I took her out of school the other day so we could go to the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival together. I went often as a kid, and I really appreciate and love those memories. I want her to have some of the same. We had a great time together. Here she is with her favorite storyteller.

In news that wasn't captured in photos, Iris is in a big-girl bed and, thanks to Eric, is also potty trained- hurrah! My job moved me to a full time supervisor position, so I've been gone a lot, and since Eric is able to be home with the girls, he just took that over. It was wonderful.

My work is taking us on a cruise at the end of this month- hurrah! I'd never been on a cruise, and this will be my second in six months. I'm getting to be quite the jet-setter.

Eric and I got released as Sunday School teachers for the 12-14 year olds, where we've been for a few years, and I got moved to the Young Women, as a Beehive advisor. I love it! The girls are at such a good age, and we've got a really great group, so it's been fun.

Iris turned three, and I don't have a single picture of her birthday. The poor second child gets slighted, once again. At least she's too young to realize it. I'll do a whole post about her soon, when I get ambitious.

It just didn't happen for me.

I was going to blog today. I really was. I had it all planned out. But now I can't find the cord to my camera, and what's a six-month-old post without some catch up pictures? Lame, that's what it is. So I'll find it and get back to you.

It's Spring!

We're still here, alive and well. We always seem to be very busy, but if you asked me what with, I'm not sure if I could tell you. We ended up surviving Riley's birthday party, and are now trying to deal with having a six-year-old. It seems that this new attitude has been present ever since her birthday, and I just don't know what to do about it. It makes me panicked for the teenage years, I can tell you that.




Iris is as much of a wrecking crew as ever, and keeps us in a near-constant state of disarray. I hope you can see how far the toilet paper stretches in this picture.


The other day, the day after St. Patrick's Day, I changed her diaper to find emerald green poop. I said, "Iris, your poop is green for St. Patrick's Day!" and she said, "It's a miracle!" Don't know where she got that one.

And then she crashes and burns each night. I love to peep in at her, and watch her being still. It's so rare.

In other Bartlett news, I got a job. This is the first time I've worked out of the home since before Iris was born, so even though it's only part time, it's a big change for me. Luckily, Eric's school schedule is really light this semester, so he's able to be home with the girls, which is amazing. We didn't want to do the day care thing. I'm working in customer service, which can be kind of draining, but I'm glad to be able to contribute financially again.

Eric and I had our four year anniversary last week, and were able to spend a night away, which was so needed! In some ways, four years has seemed like a snap, but then I have a hard time remembering when I wasn't married to Eric. We've had some pretty amazing times these past four years, as well as some really challenging ones, but I wouldn't want to share any of it with anyone else! Cheesy as it sounds, I feel like Eric is the other half to my whole. I'll stop now before I make anyone uncomfortable....

Happy 6th Birthday, Riley!

I can hardly believe our little Riley turned six this week. I have a six-year-old. Wow. It's such a cliche, but she's growing up too fast! We've been so blessed to have her in our lives, and are excited (and kind of nervous) for what the next six years will bring.

We had a dinner with our families to celebrate (spaghetti with sauce straight from the jar- her favorite meal) with cake and ice cream after. As always, she was spoiled by the fam, and got some wonderful presents. The highlight, at least for me, was when she opened one of the gifts from Eric and I, the soundtrack to The Sound of Music, her new favorite movie. It's also one of my favorites, and we've been listening to nothing but, ever since. Eric is really happy about it.





This girl is a blast to have around. She makes us laugh (and sometimes want to cry) each day. She's got a mind of her own, and seemingly boundless energy. She's having a blast in Kindergarten, is reading and writing so well, and has made lots of new friends. She's our little social butterfly, and will talk your ear off if you let her. She and Iris have a typical sibling relationship- besties one minute, bitter enemies the next, and they seem to enjoy both sides.

I asked her some questions on her birthday:

• favorite food: crab, and spaghetti (What six-year-old likes crab?)
• favorite color: purple
• favorite movie: The Sound of Music (yes!)
• what do you want to be when you grow up: a space person
• favorite toy: scooter and doll house
• favorite book: Fancy Nancy, the Bearenstein Bears, and the Magic School Bus
• favorite thing to do: hug my mommy (I love those sappy moods she gets in!)
• favorite song: "Sixteen Going On Seventeen"
• favorite part of school: recess
  
• best friend: my sister, Iris

We love you, Riley!

(Send a prayer my way that I get through the friend party tomorrow!)

Me: "Your daddy is so great. I love him. Do you know that?"
Riley: "Of course I do. I know that everyone loves him. Except Satan, because Daddy is so good. Satan must have a really hard time with Daddy."

I melted.

It's Been A Looong January

Wow, I am so happy that January is over. It seemed to drag on for an extra long time, but we stayed busy and (mostly) productive.

A trip to the Bean Museum with the Bartlett fam

I had part of an ingrown toenail removed-again- and this time had some "residual side effects" to the stuff they numbed me with, which is a nice way of saying that a good portion of my left big toe is now completely numb. Although, how it can be numb and still hurt at the same time is beyond me.

Liz and Lad took us ice fishing a few weeks ago, which was very fun.

In self defense, I want to point out that I'm wearing at least four coats, plus about three shirts, and a scarf. It's bulky.

Riley was a complete champion, and such a trooper. She had a blast and ran around like the cold didn't have any effect. Iris, on the other hand, has no coping skills, and had a rough time.

A very fun time was had by all.

I took the girls to the circus the other day with some friends. It was seriously amazing!

Lastly, we went to a "kidney party" yesterday. One of my cousins is donating a kidney to our aunt, which is so incredible, and the fam put together a party for them. The donor's sister, another cousin, recently started her own cake making business, and she's fantastic! I have no idea how, but she made a kidney cake. And it was delicious.

You can't see all the amazing detail in this picture, but she has more on Facebook. (facebook.com/snowcakes1)

I want to put in a shameless plug for her here, and not just because she's my cousin. I really think her stuff is fabulous. So, for all your dessert needs, call Holly Krukowski, 801-750-7222, or email her at snow.cakes@yahoo.com. At the very least, look at her stuff on Facebook- she's awesome!


Here's to a short February! Hope yours is great!