Just like old times

Today my mom watched the baby all morning and into the afternoon. We went to the Newport Beach temple for a 7:00am session and returned home for a brief respite. Later, we went to the movies to see Transformers. Finally, Chris took me out to lunch at one of our favorite restaurants when we lived here-- El Pollo Inka (Perivian Food).

It was so nice to be on such a long date. In fact, it was just like old times. But we still totally missed Hallie and couldn't wait to see her again.

When Grayson met Hallie

Laura babysat Hal for us last Saturday so that we could go to the temple. Hallie got to meet the Fischer's new kitty, Grayson. Hallie started off scared but gradually became so exuberant she ended up scaring the cat!

Here are some more pictures my professional photographer Laura took. Okay so she is not really a professional-- she is a pediatric Nurse Practioner. But she has the skills to be professional.

This will change your life

This video was taken by my dad. He and Mom watched Hallie while Chris and I went on a date. Apparently the baby started to giggle when Mom moved her head and her hair bounced back and forth. Mom repeated the movement and it sent Hallie into a fit of laughter. Dad thought it wouldn't last long so he didn't run for the camera, but when she was still lauging several minutes later he started taping.

Hallie loves when Grandma shakes her head around. When I tried to do it she just gave me a blank stare and looked back at my Mom for real entertainment. Sometimes she looks at Grandma and bounces her own head up and down to induce Grandma to do it again.

I didn't know this video existed until the following day when my dad asked me to look at a file on his computer. When it pulled up I laughed so hard I was crying. It still cracks me up everytime.

Glad for Granddads

One of the joys of parenthood is relishing how other people find as much happiness in your children as you do. Case in point-- her grandpas. Grandpa Skaggs and "Hallie Cat" are inseperable. He has a special song for her. When I carry her around the house she looks around each room for him (beaming with anticipation). When she finally spots him she claps her hands together (which really is more of a fingertip clap than a palm clap). While I work during the weekdays he will take care of her for up to an hour-- watering the garden with her, watching nature programs with her on his lap, and cooking while she bounces alongside in her jumper toy.


There is no denying that Grandpa Wynn and Hallie have a special connection. They spend much of their time outside enjoying simple pleasures like leaves. Grandpa worried that she might be hesitant to let her hold him. However, not only is she peaceful but happy. They could probably spend hours together on walks or playing with Hallie's toys.

I am so happy that my parents let us stay. It is so neat that Hallie can get to know all her family and friends in California better. Other people that she knows and remembers are my brother Dan, her great-grandma Skaggs, my Mom (my how she loves her jewelry), and her "Auntie" Laura (my best friend from high school).

Mommy-Daughter Moments

NOTE: The internet connection is so strong tonight that I can post pictures without problem. Therefore, I am taking advantage of it to barrage you with all the updates possible.





Although I love Hal's face in the first picture, the second picture is particularly special to me because it reminds me of how she shows affection-- since she hasn't learned how to kiss yet she rubs her face next to mine. Can you see how she loves me in that picture? I can-- and I can't get enough of it.

The last picture posted shows Hallie with her tongue out a little. She woke up Saturday and discovered she has a tongue. Now she loves to stuff it out of her mouth (knocking her bottom lip in the process). She seems to perform it in repetitions of four or five and repeat at least a dozen times per day.

Water Baby

Here is beauty captured in a few snapshots...




This is one of the first times Hallie experimented with water outside of the bath tub.

I will cherish these pictures forever. They represent such a precious time in her life. I can't help but write a letter to our sweet daughter:

Dear Hallie,

I am so proud of you. You have such a zest for life. You wake up happy and go to sleep content. You aren't afraid to show emotion; it bursts from you through your squeals and your flapping arms like an eager eagle on first flight. When we sang hymns in church on Sunday you had to join in. You looked up at your daddy, pulled your pacifier out of your mouth, and began to mouth your own words. While I held you on my lap, I could feel your little body buzz as sound reverberated out your tummy onto my arm. You are so close to crawling. We practiced this evening and I squealed just like you when I saw you push "two scoots" toward Grandma's dangling necklace. You bring Daddy and I so much joy, Hallie. We love you and we know you love us. Thank you for joining our family. Thank you for honoring us with your sweet spirit. We can't wait to watch you grow more.

Love, Mommy

Thanks for indulging me by reading my letter to my sweet baby. I am sure you all understand my gushing.

You all deserve more pictures...

More pics from our Saturday at the Aquarium...



I will simply add that we love our life and we love our baby. She is happy nearly all the time.

Aquarium of the Pacific

We are having such a fun time here in California. Hallie is flourishing. She knows how to clap her hands and can stand holding on to the couch or coffee table without any assistance (for about 5-10 seconds). She usually eats 3-4 tubs of baby food per sitting and is rapidly gaining weight. Her hair seems to grow half an inch everyday. Hallie loves having extra people around-- I have learned what a social baby she is. She is beside herself when there are more than two people present; there is so much to do that she doesn't know what to do.

We love the fresh options of things to do. Yesterday we went to the Aquarium of the Pacific. We were happy someone had provided us with free tickets because the crowds were almost too overwhelming to enjoy anything. I can't believe we are in July already!

Hallie's first beach trip

Last Thursday night we took Hallie to the beach for the very first time. Her blonde hair and ocean blue eyes made her look like she belonged there. I am having difficulty posting pictures so I will add more later. Hopefully this photo can suffice for now.

Atlantis Park

Julie was kind enough to take all the pictures and send them to me already. Atlantis Park was wonderful-- the weather was ideal, we had our own corner of the park, and the girls seemed to really enjoy themselves. Julie and I can't believe we have been friends since we were five-years-old and now we have daughters only two months apart. The funny thing about Atlantis Park was that everything was the same as when I was a child except it was much, much smaller. The famous dragon slide used to seem 300 ft. long and steep. However, it was no more than 20 ft. from start to finish. Hallie particularly liked the blue whale slide. (Again, as a child the slide seemed like it was the size of a real whale-- today it was no more than twelve feet high). When we approached the big blue slide she started to giggle and kick her feet. Another favorite was the swings. She loves to bounce her feet up and down as they dangle freely below her.

We love the park!

As evidenced by the abundance of photos, we certainly love the park! We went to Heritage Park in Cerritos on Monday with Julie and Brooklyn. It is an amazing place complete with an island and a recreation of Colonial Boston! Julie and I picked up lunch and ate while our little girls waited patiently until baby food time. After we walked around the island we took the girls around the perimeter of the park in their strollers. Today we are heading to Atlantis Park in Garden Grove. I am so excited to go; this is where we went with my Mom when we were kids. Hopefully I will have some new pics posted "post haste."

Memorial Day

Memorial Day was celebrated with a picnic joined by Chris' mom and best friend from childhood, Shane. We had sandwiches and chips. Hallie was delightful to watch as she played on the park equipment. In the evening, Chris' mom watched the baby for us while we went with Shane to see Pirates of the Carribean: At World's End. When I watched the previous installment of Pirates I was pregnant with Hallie and I recall her kicking me throughout the course of the movie. It was fun to reflect on that as I watched the movie tonight. Although I loved going to the theater, I can't believe how much I missed my little baby (she was asleep when we came home). Looking at these pictures makes me wonder how I ever had Memorial Day (or any holiday) without her.

Nightlife baby

My brother, Mark, sent these pictures of Hallie taken last week when he treated us to Chili's. She acted like she was so cool. She even had her own ice water in a "sippy-cup" with straw. Although we brought her toys, her favorite thing to do was annihilate the mini-menu.

Territory Days

One of my favorite aspects about Colorado Springs is the rich history of the Pikes Peak region. Between Old Colorado City and the restored section of Victorian homes downtown, tangible signs of the late 1800s are frequent. Territory Days is an annual celebration that celebrates the history of Colorado Springs. Chris and I took Hallie to the festivities on Friday. Parking was difficult but we enjoyed it nevertheless because it required us to walk past streets filled with houses built at the turn-of-the-century. We decided next time we attend something this crowded we need to use the "baby backpack" instead of the stroller. There was endless amounts of fried foods but we opted to leave and eat the Giuseppe's salad bar instead. Here are pictures of Hallie with each parent as we were leaving the fair. Our timing was perfect-- it started to rain just as we pulled away.

Hallie and Brooklyn

Luke and Ashley came to visit last night. We were so excited to see them and particularly their darling baby Brooklyn Nicole. Ashley and I grew up together. They found out they were expecting their first baby one week after we did. We went through almost our entire pregnancies together until I moved right before having Hallie. Now our two girls are one month and one week apart (Hallie being the oldest). It was delightful to watch the girls interact. They constantly wanted to touch each other's faces and arms. Hallie repeatedly stole Brooklyn's pacifier. Brooklyn was undaunted and happily stole it back.

They are about the same height. Brooklyn has more adorable baby "chub" and Hallie has longer legs. Hallie seems to be more verbal while Brooklyn is bursting with energy and eagerly crawling from place to place. Hallie was more content to hold her feet and repeat "Mo-ma, Ma-mo, Ma-ma."

Tubby time

Here are some cute photos from Hallie's tub time yesterday. She loves taking a bath. In fact, I can't recall a time when she has ever cried while in the tub.

You can't hide cute

Mark came bearing pictures last night. We are always so happy to have pictures of our niece Amanda. She will be two this August. Amanda will always be special to us because she was the first baby of the new generation of the family. Plus, she has a dynamite personality! Here are our favorites of Amanda Leigh with her Daddy, "Gampa," and a duck.

The great toe smash-down

Yesterday, as I was doing laundry, I set our ironing board on its side next to the washing machine. As I wrapped the iron cord I inadvertantly sent the two foot plank of solid wood directly onto my toe. I didn't even know it fell until I felt the immense pain. As the picture shows, the bruising and bleeding compliment my pedicure. Thankfully I can bend it. As of now, it only hurts when touched which is major improvement from the breathtaking ache of yesterday.

Brotherly love

My older brother Mark is in Denver this week for a business trip. Last night, he took our family to dinner at Chili's and then hung out with us until the wee hours of the morning. Although Chris and I love Colorado, we really miss Mark and Karen (as well as other family and friends). It was especially fun when we were at school in Idaho because Mark and Karen were a three hour drive; sometimes we saw them once a month. They are expecting their second baby, Joseph, this October. We are so excited for them.