Portrait Shoppe

Ivy got her 1 year pictures taken at the Portrait Shoppe a few weeks ago. We were very impressed with the photographer and the pictures that we purchased. They were quick and did some unique things. Check out their website at http://www.portraitshoppe.com/ to see what they have to offer your little one!!

Ivy loved sitting with all of the presents!

This is her more serious face with the fake cake :)

This is what I was most excited about. I know the quality of the picture isn't very good because it is a picture of pictures. You get to choose three pictures to be matted, framed, and personalized for a reasonable price. Not too bad!! Ivy loves looking at her pictures. She always touches the one where she is eating a cup cake. I think it makes her hungry :)

First Day with Miss Kendra

This morning was the first real day that Ivy has had a babysitter since the last day of school. Over the summer Nana is off work so any time I absolutely had to do something without Ivy by my side she stayed with Nana. I was worried about tears and not napping and quickly realized when I arrived at 3:45 that my child was as happy as a clam. She had quite the day with Miss Kendra, John Hunter, Will, and we can't forget the dogs or the fish! Ivy got to play outside, go on walks, and enjoy all the boy toys to the fullest all with the pink blankie in tow. Here are a couple pictures that Miss Kendra e-mailed me at work so I could catch a little glimpse of Ivy's day!

I love this picture of John Hunter and Ivy looking at the fish pond. Ivy is captivated by him and likes to watch everything he does. I heard JH may have a little crush as he has taken a liking to giving Ivy lots of hugs :) He's going to have to work pretty hard because I think she is just smitten with Mr. Eric (JH's Dad)!

Ivy posing by the window. Look at that wild hair!!!

SOOO Big

It seems like every day I notice another reason that Ivy is no longer a baby. She is soooo big! This morning I took this picture of her in her new big girl pajamas as she was walking to get her milk. The combo of the pj's (that I bought in the toddler section), walking, and milk in a sippy cup made me sort of sad. Our baby girl is growing up!!!

Guess that means it is time for another baby.... haha--- totally kidding (promise)!

Olympics 8-8-08

Super excited for the Olympics to start. I really don't like summer time TV so this is a breath of fresh air of something good to watch! Secretly I have been angry at NBC for counting down the days as I felt like it was a countdown to school starting... but now that the Olympics are here I am pumped!

* Yay for Dara Torres! Any woman over the age of 40, who has endured the trauma of pregnancy, and still looks like that is definitely my hero!

1 Year Check Up

Today was a big day! We went to Ivy's one year check up. I couldn't have even imagined this day when it seems like a moment ago we were at the doctor's office every day doing weight checks and pricking the bottom of her little foot. In a year she has grown so much.

IVY'S 1 YEAR STATS:

Height 29 1/2 inches (59%)

Weight 20 lbs. 5 oz. (34%)

When I went to file her 1 year guide in her folder I pulled out her 2 month appointment sheet. Then Ivy was 22 inches long and a mere 9 lbs. (We worked super hard to get there in those first two months!) It is hard to believe in 10 months she has grown like a weed! I am so excited about the adventures we will embark on in the next year~ :)

Ivy's Favorite's:

Words- bye bye, duck, meow (almost forgot that one!)

Sign Language- please (She does this even to do things like pull on the blinds!!)

Food- cheese and lima beans

Book- anything about animals (especially books with flaps and noises)

TV/Movie- Sesame Street (not Mr. Noodle-haha) and Baby Einstein

Toy- baby dolls (She likes to feed them and hug them.)

Faces- a big toothy smile or a scrunched up mean face

To Do- go for walks/wagon rides, play with friends, look out the window, go to the park and pool, read books, rock in the rocking chair

Fun with Friends... Long Night with Ivy

Last night we had Kayla and Nick, and Ashley, Drew, and Brayden over for pizza. We had a good time eating and talking. Us ladies (including Ivy) made the boys eat in the family room while we took over the kitchen. Brayden had a good time hanging out in his diaper and watching baseball with the boys. Ivy ate pizza, watermelon, and lima beans and showed her "please" sign language over and over again. After a while it became Brayden's fussy time (at the exact time that Ivy used to be fussy) so we took a walk with they wagon. By next spring Brayden will be able to ride with Ivy in the wagon. They will have so much fun! Kayla had fun playing with all the babies. Her and Nick are going to make amazing parents because they get lots of practice!! But right now, they are still enjoying their time as newlyweds (a little over a year :) ) and are ready to give the babies back to get a good night sleep. Speaking of good night sleep.... we did not get that at the Smorstad household!

Ivy loved being in Brayden's car seat! It made us realize how big she is :)

Nick letting Ivy play with his phone. Her favorite toy!!

Brayden hanging out in his diaper. He loved Ivy's glow bear and at times she wasn't so sure about sharing with Brayden. Soon I will be able to explain to her that Brayden has shared his toys, bed, and car seat with her!!! She better be nice!

TODAY THIS IS HOW GREG AND I FEEL!!

I wish I could say we were worn out from entertaining into the evening but it isn't that fabulous. Ivy slept her longest stretch from 8 until 9:40 last night. She has had a little cold (I think because she is getting more teeth) but last night it really interfered with her sleep. Every time we laid her down she began to gasp for air like she couldn't breath. After several attempts we ended up taking turns sleeping sitting up so that she too could be sat up. We are all tired today! Ivy has already taken one long nap and now she is down for the next one. She seems better today. I am hoping the Zyrtec will help and tonight we will get our normal zzz's!! Wish us luck and say a little prayer if you'd like! We would definitely appreciate it :)

Yesterday was so surreal for me. For the past two days I have been story telling.... 1 year ago right now.... It seems like yesterday and I am so thankful that I can remember that like it was just a moment ago. It is hard to believe that Ivy is already 1. Someone asked me does she look different, and no of course not. But now I no longer feel like she is a baby. She is little girl Ivy rather than baby Ivy. I am sure when she starts walking as her main means of transportation I will really feel like she grew up on me. As a mommy, each new phase brings new excitement and new joy. When she was a newborn I loved to cuddle then as she got older I was looking forward to smiles and sounds and laughs and then movement. Over the next year I am so excited to communicate with Ivy even more. I can't wait for her to narrate her thoughts out loud. I am sure age 1 will go by just as fast as the first 12 months did. Time flies when you're having a good time.... and with that said, I love being a mom! Here is a slide show capturing Ivy's first year month by month. ENJOY :)