Ahoy mate!

We had another sunny afternoon yesterday. It was the perfect amount of heat to get wet.  So we filled up the boat with water and converted it to a swimming pool.  The boat was a score from our neighbors, whose grandkids had simply outgrown it.  McKinley and Piper had a blast playing together.

This is the face I get when I ask her to smile.  At least she humors me by looking at the camera.

New

Here's what's new with our girls...
McKinley scored a pair of green crocs from Target.  They are the perfect shoe for her right now, as little miss independent can slip them on herself.  I also purchased her a pretty, yellow skirt that resembles a tutu courtesy of Target clearance. Piper cut her first teeth two days ago and also ate some banana for breakfast for the first time.  She has a small yeast infection on her neck, and her pediatrician recommended some over-the-counter anti fungal cream to clear it up.  Who knew you could get a yeast infection on your neck? I finally finished re-purposing their sling bookcase, and I love how it turned out.  And in the backyard, we have some newly-blooming lavender rhododendrons.  What's new with you?

McKinley is very excited to be wearing her new Crocs and skirt.

Hi pretty girl!

Such amazing core strength.

Piper loves to make the motorboat noise with her lips.

Momma and her girls.

Ta-da...the finished bookcase. 

McKinley demonstrates how to put the books in the burlap pocket sling.

Piper models Momma's new hair flair from PicadillyRose.

And here are the lavender rhodees on the patio.

Summer is here?

After a week of cold weather and rain, we finally saw the sun. And after being cooped up inside because of the cold weather and rain, we finally took the girls' wagon on its maiden voyage.

Thank you Gramma & Grampa for our ATW wagon. We love it!

Bye bye park.

 In front of our beautiful, hot pink rhododendron. 

six mos.

We took Piper to the pediatrician for her six month well-check today. It was a little bittersweet as Dr. Rollin, who is also McKinley's pediatrician, will be moving to Eastern Oregon at the end of the summer. So, when the time comes for Piper's next doctor visit, we will be seeing a new pediatrician.  Piper really slowed down her growing as her percentile ranks in height and weight dropped extensively from last month.  She weighed 15 lbs, 11 ounces, which placed her in the 38th percentile and measured 26 1/2 inches long, which placed her in the 62nd percentile. We had many questions regarding solid foods, as we just gave Piper her first rice cereal yesterday. Apparently a lot has changed since McKinley started eating solid foods.  Dr. Rollin encouraged us to try a wide variety of fruits and vegetables and meats right away, not waiting the original 3-5 days to introduce something new. She also suggested I feed her solid foods first and then nurse, instead of the other way around. Lastly, she said we could start feeding her yogurt and eggs around 9 months.  Overall, she was pleased with Piper's development and amazed that she sleeps through the night.
We are truly thankful that the work we put in early on has definitely paid off, as her daytime and nighttime routine are pretty consistent day after day. We recently moved up her last feeding to 8:30pm, so most nights I'm in bed by 9pm. Hallelujah! She gets 6 milk feedings a day, about every 3 hours, with the first feeding around 6:30am.  She takes 4 naps, still swaddled and sucking on a pacifier, and we no longer use the exercise ball, as she soothes herself to sleep.  Hallelujah again! She's pretty content sitting on the floor playing with whatever's in reach, especially if sissy is close by. She loves the exersaucer and chewing on wooden blocks. She is pretty attached to me but still gives her Dadda plenty of smiles. Though, she reserves most of her smiles for big sis. She is a joy to be around as her personality is slowly blooming.

More fun with Nana & Boppy

We enjoyed the sunshine with Nana and Boppy before they went back home, spending most of our time on the patio.  We even took the girls for a dip in their hotel pool.  It was Piper's first time in a swimsuit, and she looked adorable. 

Thank you Nana & Boppy for my new outdoor toys.

Boppy helps McKinley fill her new watering can.

Piper is all smiles sitting on the patio.

Nana dries Piper after her bath.

Dadda bounces Piper to sleep for her last nap before her last feeding of the day. 

Pool party!

Too cute!

A Mother's Day treat

We are blessed to have Nana & Boppy visiting with us this mother's day.  Nana is my mother-in-law's mother and a master pianist.  Yesterday, they agreed to watch the girls while I squeezed in my Crossfit workout.  When I came home Nana was holding Piper.  I stretched out my arms to grab her, and instead of leaping into them, she turned her back to me and buried her head into Nana's chest.  She has taken to Nana quite easily, and her face lights up whenever she smiles or talks to her.  This is very surprising considering what a serious girl she is.  McKinley has enjoyed singing and playing 'Jesus Loves Me' with Nana on the piano.

Snuggles with Nana.

Turkey lasagna for dinner.

Tickling the ivory with Nana.

Momma and her beautiful girls before church.

Thank you Nana & Boppy for our summer dresses.

Soaking up the sun after church.