Time Flies!

My blog has been feeling very neglected lately-- we've been having a great summer with the highlight DEFINITELY being getting into our new house (THANK YOU MOM!) Any pictures I've attempted to take of the house does not do it justice so I'm not posting any. WE LOVE IT so much--more than words can express-- and are so grateful to have the opportunity to be settled in a more long term place. It instantly felt like Home and that is a blessing beyond belief.

Bauer and I have spent a lot of time at the Black Butte pool, at the new Sisters Park that rocks, talking walks in our neighborhood, shooting hoops in the backyard and trying new recipes. Andrew does some of those things with us when he has a minute, but he is staying really busy at work (yeay!) and with the Young Men. We are soooo grateful for his hard work and are so proud of the success he's having.

It's no secret that I stink at taking pictures. But I have managed to snap a few as of late:

Our first pet (caught in the backyard and given a VERY realistic habitat in this tupperware if you ask me...) Bauer LOVED it and affectionately named him Froggy. We didn't want to really keep it so we left the lid off and luckily, i mean sadly, Froggy was gone in the morning. Bauer said "Froggy bye bye" for about 2 days and I threw away that tupperware bowl ASAP.

Cookie making mornings with mom! So fun-- he always wants to help me pour. He holds the salt and as soon as he sees even one little granule come out he lets go, raises his hands up high and exclaims, I DID IT!! I love my little helper!

I'm going to regret putting this awful picture up of me-- i said it was a morning baking session- but he is just too darn cute!

Branch BBQ: Super fun, great people and awesome brisket.

Did I mention that i'm H.U.G.E. haha. Notice, the only picture that has me in it is one that was NOT taken with my camera. And a side-view, not OK. also my pose, hand in the back pocket and the other on my belly? really Haley?

haha. I actually had an ultrasound a couple weeks back because I was measuring like 3 weeks ahead of my due date. Baby looks WONDERFUL! It was great to be reassured considering I was having Bauer right about now last time around. So far so good- and I can't tell you how happy we are. The baby still has no name, but we're soooo excited for this next adventure, even though I have moments of freak out like, "how would i do this with two!?" or "what if i needed to nurse right now..." We'll figure it out right? Andrew keeps telling me that much crazier couples have more than one child and do just fine, so we can too. I think that's suppose to me reassuring... haha. With my pregnancy hormones, i'm just grateful he still thinks there's crazier people than me in the world! Our countdown in less than a month now and I'm seeing the dr. every week so before we know it, we'll be a family of four!!

Summer Catch Up

We think the summer sun has forgotten about us Oregon people this year...but we've still managed to catch some fun! (plus, i'm 30 weeks pregnant so to be honest, I'm not complaining about the cool weather!)

Bauer sporting his big boys bed. He loves it and I love not having to bend over the crib anymore. a win-win.

Bauer's favorite night time activity with daddy = wrestling in any form!

Our delightful Forth of July day at Black Butte- playing at the pool, mom and dad reading on the deck while bauer took a nap, picnic lunch and perfect weather.

My mom's side of the family had a fun family reunion in Bear Lake-- Bauer and my brother's youngest, Zaya, loved hanging out and sharing cheetos on our bike ride through the town.

the whole Silliman gang (minus Andrew who stayed home to work...;( )

Mom, Mandy and I on our way out of Bear Lake-- such a gorgeous view.

We stopped at the Logan temple on our way out of town for this VERY flattering picture. This temple is special since this is where Mom and Dad, Mandy and Gregg were sealed after they joined the church.

Than my amazing parents took Bauer back to Portland with them so I could go to Girls Camp with my Young Women. I didn't take any pictures at Girls Camp but it was a blast. Bauer meanwhile was having the time of his life with Grammy and Papa-- I was so grateful that I didn't have to worry about him at all while I was up and had no cell service. Bauer couldn't care less about me when Grammy and Papa are around-- and I love that he has a special connection with them. This picture cracked me up-- those visors are actually poking him in the eyes instead of blocking the sun. He is such a blast.

My pregnancy is going really well-- I'm getting so excited for the spirit a newborn brings into a home, there's nothing like it. I think Bauer will do awesome with it, even though it will be a big change for all of us. Don't ask us his name, because we have absolutely no clue yet. Luckily we still have 10 weeks we come up with some ideas we agree on.

I'm always nervous about my pregnancies but I'm really confident in my doctor and comforted by the Spirit-- I pray that this little boy will continue to be able to grow properly and come to us healthy and happy.

in other news: We'll be moving next Friday and I can't wait!! I'll be so excited to be in our new place, and be excited when all the boxes are packed and unpacked...

a falling out...

Bauer fell, jumped or propelled himself from his crib today. I didn't see it, he was suppose to be taking a nap and his pre-nap talk/play in his crib routine he always does apparently turned a little too aggressive. haha. Maybe it's time to utilize that toddler bed function of his crib...

Happy 2nd Birthday B-Diz!!

Some pictures from his birthday weekend-- We didn't take pictures of it, but we also took him to the movie house to see Cars2. He loved it, especially when the whole theater sang happy birthday to him, one of the many sweet moments that come from living in a small town! We had a fun filled weekend, loved just celebrating and reflecting on a wonderful 2 years with this little rascal!

Finishing off the night with a nice big bowl of brownies and ice cream-- it's ohhh so good!

Riding in style on his new radio flyer trike. Thanks Gma and Gpa Ellis!

daddy helping teach him how to dominate the new t-ball set, thank grammy and papa

One of our proudest parent moments-- he made a basket by himself and now seems to really have found the touch!

terrorizing the ducks at the park by feeding them wood chips-- oh i love this boy.

My sweetest Bauer,

As I sit here writing this, I truly cannot believe my little angel is 2 years old. I've been really emotional today, thinking about your birth and the little miracle that you really are. It seems like just yesterday that I was 19 years old, just starting to date Andrew when my mom came in to my room-- telling me the news from the doctor and holding me while we cried, unsure of what my future would hold for my dream of motherhood. I am so grateful that you were able to overcome your first couple months of challenges. I'm humbled that my Heavenly Father entrusted me to raise you and love you. I'm in awe at your personality that is just bursting from you. You are learning new things everyday, "cantering" all around, exploring the world with your hands, feet and mouth, and being all boy all the time. Thank you for your kisses and cuddles. Thank you for your dancing that never gets old and for entertaining everyone all the time. Thank you that cheesy smile and for getting sooo excited when I actually understand what you're saying. Thank you for saying "peeese" and folding your arms for family prayer. Thank you for being you, for being soo easy to love, and for teaching me even a small part of what Heavenly Father's love is all about. You are the greatest joy of my life.

Happy Birthday Little Man.

love, mama