Family photo shoot

Sunday morning went a little something like this.. I get Ivy dressed in her adorable orange and pink dress that I've been so anxious for her to fit into. Sam comes in the room and says "Oh she looks so cute!! Maybe I should wear my orange tie to match her!" Then a few minutes later, as I'm taking a couple pics of Ivy on my iphone, Sam walks in with his suit and tie on. Looking down at my own outfit, I realize the dress I'm wearing totally clashes with both of them. It's a red orangish color. I mention it to Sam and say I'm going to go change bc we clearly look ridiculous together haha. He then says, "you should wear something bright pink to match us!!" Now those of you who know me know that I'm not a very cheesy person. And I would say that a matching family at church on Sunday would equate to exactly that. Cheesy. However, I couldn't get over the fact that both of us happen to own something that matches Ivy's dress almost exactly and how cute Sam was being about the whole thing. ;) SOO I put on my pink shirt and white skirt and Sam said he was gonna call his bro Steve and ask him if he could take a few photos of us that evening after family dinner down in Pearland...

I think it's funny how when you try to plan something like this, it almost never works out. but if it's spontaneous and random, you always get more than you bargained for. We LOVE how they all turned out. Thanks so much Steve for the amazing job!! We had a lot of fun!

Finally!! Checking Harry Potter off the list!

I just have to post about this because I feel so accomplished! Last week I finished the last book in the Harry Potter series. I had never read them before and had set a goal for myself last fall to finally get around to reading them. I finally did finish every single one! For some reason it took me a little longer than 7 books would normally take me to finish. I think that mainly had to do with the fact that in the last couple months of pregnancy my attention span was non-existant (something to do with hormones maybe). and during the first few weeks of baby, my time/energy was pretty non-existant. haha!

I finished just in time for the last movie to come out and we did find time to go see it last week. We just took Ivy with us to a matinee and she slept like a champ. I LOVED the movie. Best out of all 8 movies I think. Best graphics, best directing by far.. When discussing the books, the 7th really isn't my favorite because it took me the longest to read and I felt it really dragged at some parts.. I think for my favorite, it's a toss up between the 5th and 6th books. I loved how fun and intriguing the 5th one was but I loved how dark and involved the 6th one was. Anyways, SO glad I'm finally done. I feel so free, haha.. mostly just because I promised myself I couldn't start a different book until I was done with the whole set. It was worth it. If you haven't read them yet, they are a must. Truly. I think there is something there for every type of reader to enjoy.

NOW.... onto other readings. I have a few on my list already that I am SO excited about. First up is The Help. Anyone have must-reads you would recommend that you've read lately?

Long lost pics from Sam's phone

This may or may not have occurred during sacrament meeting....

oh heck.

...shooting Jeff's Desert Eagle. Watch closely. You may want to watch it twice just for kicks ;)

Swimming and Gringo's!

Last Monday when Kristin was in town, us sisters met up with her friend Jennifer to go swimming at her neighborhood pool. I wasn't sure if I was gonna get Ivy in water/sun or just let her hang out in her carseat but she woke up to eat and afterwards I figured, what the hey! Why not just stick her feet in the water a little.. It was so fun to finally see her in the swimsuit we got for her and to see her reaction to the water.. one of these days we will actually take her swimming but on this particular day, it was super sunny and the water was still a little chilly. Sam and I will have to pick an evening soon to do it, when the water has been heated up all day from the sun... Anyways, it was still fun and Ivy looked as adorable as ever. Now I just wish I would've gotten a couple pics with my sisters but oh well.. She's more fun to look at haha...

She got sick of the hat so we just chilled in the shade for a lil while afterwards. This girl loves being outside!

Later on in the week we went to Gringo's with Sam's brothers. This was Ivy's first trip to our favorite restaurant so we had to document the occasion. She didn't eat any of the food but I'm sure some day it will become her favorite too, hehe:

Playtime with Ivy

Just a few pics I snapped a couple days last week during playtime.. I give you- the many faces of Ivy Lu:

I know it's blurry but had to post the one pic of a smile I got lol:

I'm pretty sure I have a similar pic of this same face from when she was just a couple days old.. She is a frequent scowler, hehe:

 Not too sure about this bumbo thing..

That's a little better..

She loves her dolly. :)

2 months

Hooray! We have survived another month! I feel like life with Ivy been far more fun and enjoyable than during the first month. I wouldn't say being a mother is getting any easier, but maybe just that I'm getting used to it a lot more these days. I think the fact that we can see how much she becomes more responsive and stronger everyday helps a lot. It is so fun to watch her grow. I seriously love it. 

I don't have any of her exact stats although we suspect she is at least over 10 lbs.. We go to the doc this week for her checkup so we'll just have to wait and see! There are plenty more pics for me to post in the next couple days that I'm sure I will comment on so I won't bore you with much more writing. Pics are always more fun to see anyways..  Especially having my sister Kristin in town lately to snap some shots of Ivy with her awesome camera skills! :) These were from about a week or so ago at my parents house. She is one cute little button. I love how much more responsive she is lately. She loves to be awake- just looking around, wiggling, and listening to us talk..

Trying to get some smiles...

Passed out on Aunt Kelli :)

Happy 4th!!

Here are just a few snapshots of our holiday with family. Hope everyone had a fun 4th!

Homemade strawberry ice cream and chocolate cupcakes. true to the red and blue.

Snuggle bug was out for the count. She must love her Aunt Mary Kay. :)