I Love a Rainy Night

This afternoon I got to take a rare and priceless nap. While I was sleeping, Vera and Matthew played with her new toy and apparently watched the rain. Matthew was sure to capture the moment from all directions. I can just hear the words "yes daddy" as she gives the over the shoulder look.

Cousin Hug

All I can say is that Vera loves snuggling with her cousin Luke; they giggle every time they are around each other. I think she may be in charge in this relationship.

Pretty in Pink

When Matthew returned from his weekend at the river, he came back with presents. This sweet pink polka dot outfit was a gift from our friends Allison and baby Ellie. This does not do it justice; it was seriously adorable and brought out her blue eyes. Thank you so much for the dress, it is outfits like this that are changing my mind about the color pink. See you guys at the football games!

Vera is perfecting the stink eye. I think Matthew and I are going to be in for some trouble when she gets older; however, I can give a pretty mean stink eye too.

Wild Thing, I Think I Love You!

I have been saving this outfit for Vera's nine month photo, but Matthew officially kicked that idea to the curb. He wants to see her in "a frameable outfit", not something crazy like this. I can fully admit this is a little crazy, but it makes me smile. Vera is definitely my wild child, and I love spending time giggling and snuggling. A serious benefit of being a teacher, getting your summers off.

Vera did not want her picture taken. This may look like a smirk, but it was actually the start of a fit. I think she was trying to tell me that this outfit was embarrassing. Too bad sweet pea. Surely this will not be the craziest thing I put her in...just wait and see her Christmas outfit.

While Matthew's at the River...

Matthew has been gone this weekend on his annual trip to the Black River, and I got to stay home and spend some time with my sweetpea before school starts again. While he was away Vera and I had a good time; we went shopping, swimming, and had some serious snuggle time. Vera and I have been practicing pulling up, and this Friday she did it all on her own. Here she is just moments after her big girl maneuver. I was so proud of her, my clapping made her giggle and fall down, causing her to have to repeat the process. I can't wait to see what comes next.

Because I am Cheap...

I just can't do it anymore. I love my newborn, professional pictures of Vera, but man do they cost a ton! Besides, some of my favorite photos of Vera have been shots Matthew and I have taken. With that said, I found a great solution. There is a baby photography place attached to Babies-R-Us that lets you take pictures for $7, the only catch is that you only get one pose. Now I can handle that, and Matthew even said I could go every month. I mean how many pictures of one child can you actually frame at once? Here are the results of my cheapness. To the right we have Vera's 6 month photo; I think it looks like an official school picture. To the left we have her 8 month shot in her swimsuit from Guga. I fully realize the swimsuit is a little over the top with the background and all, but it made me laugh. It actually reminds me of all the Olan Mills pictures my mom had take of Heidi and I. Anywho, I totally recommend $7 photos.

Flower Power

Vera has had an array of adoreable swimsuits this summer, but this one may take the cake. Her is our sweet pink flower with her daddy, getting ready to swim.



Vera loves the water and would spend all evening splashing around if we let her. Here we are in our ladybug floaty, just having a good time.




An upclose shot of V. You can see all the water on her face from her splashing. She doesn't mind at all; in fact, she only gets upset when you make her sit back so she can't reach the water. A future swimmer?


Summertime and the living is easy.
Only a few weeks left and then school starts. V and I plan to make the most of our remaining summer days.

A Field of Sunshine

This past evening, I made Matthew go with Vera and I to the local sunflower farm. I discovered this place a few years ago when my nephew, Jackson, was little. I drove past the field the other day and it was so beautiful, I decided we needed some pictures. Here Matthew and Vera are just playing around in a field of sunshine.

Me and Vera knee high in sunflowers. If you look closely, you can see the big, fuzzy bumble bees hard at work. Matthew assured me that they do not sting.

Vera up at the stand just stopping to smell the sunflower.

Just sniffing the pretty, yellow flowers.

Just us girls by the old barn and sign. I am going to have to keep this place in mind years down the road for Vera's senior pictures.

The sunflower field version of Where's Waldo? Can you spot our sweet little girl?

Beautiful!

This is my personal favorite. Vera and her daddy in a field of sunshine.

Finally, a picture of Vera and her mommy. Seriously, these are hard to come by. It was a great evening, and you can't help but smile when you're in a place like this with family.

Guga's Final Days in GA

Guga had to go back to Indiana this week, but not until we had some serious pool time. Here's the family enjoying our last night at the pool.



Uncle Matthew held up Reece like super man. Reece had the best balance; he could stay up in the air as long as Matthew was able to hold him. He had no fear and would say "cheese"

when he was all the way up.





Guga and Vera floating in the pool. Vera loves her new swimsuit and cap from Guga.





Vera and I in our polka dot swimsuits.




Vera and Luke relaxing after a good swim.

Sitting up and having a good time.




We all headed to the water park one day and enjoyed floating down the lazy river, the water slide, which almost took out Aunt Judy, and just having a good time. As you can see, Matthew was relaxing and enjoying the water.


Cousins just having a good time. Maddy was so good with Vera and the boys; I wish she lived closer so we could all hang out more often.





Vera relaxing after the water park in her over the shoulder dress. It was a fabulous weekend with the family from Indiana and I cannot wait to see everyone again at Christmas.

God Bless America

We were still celebrating three days later on the actual fourth of July. Here Vera is in another red, white, and blue outfit. We love America and red polka dots! The family all came over for some swimming and dinner before they headed off to the fireworks. Matthew and I were so tired that we passed out on the couch and missed them. Vera was pooped too and fell asleep as soon as the family left and all the commotion died down.

The Fireworks Continue

Here's my little V in her Sunday July 4th outfit. The entire family went to church together and Matthew and I arrived early to save seats. Turned out we needed an entire row, see below.





Just laughing at the family.





Yes, Vera is still bald as a Q ball at eight months. I am dying to see what her hair will look like.


Here we all our in our row at church. Matthew snapped one before the service started. I'm feeding Vera, mom is attempting to talk with Jackson, Aunt Judy and Uncle Bill seem to be reading the bulletin, and Heidi is wrestling Reece. Ahh, family :)

4th of July Parade

Saturday before July 4th we headed over to Aunt Heidi and Uncle Dan's for a neighborhood parade. Matthew and I decorated Vera stroller to the tilt. Here she is in her patriotic best, complete with hat from Guga.


Here's V in her red, white, and blue stroller. This stroller is AMAZING! Aunt Katie and Uncle Jon got it for her, and it can do anything. Thank you SO much O'Brien's! I can't wait to meet you at Christmas.







Check out those blue eyes. She is playing with her American lei.








Waving the flag along the parade route.




God bless America. Land that V loves.




Guga snuggling Vera

Here is our attempt to take a picture with Guga and all her grandkids. As you can see, that was no easy task.

Vera and her best buddy, Luke just playing around.

Vera loved watching the fireworks. Here she is with her daddy. She actually followed the fireworks up into the sky and watched them explode.

The rare picture with mommy. Here we are waiting for the fireworks to begin. What a great way to kick off the holiday weekend.