Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Praise for my Husband...


My husband truly amazes me sometimes. Last night we left Cassie at home to manage the bedtime routine with Sawyer and went to The Mill in Iowa City for Steve to perform during the Open Mic. I always get so nervous for him when he performs and this time was no different. Especially since I had heard him do very little practicing. I laughed at him when he arrived home from work at the same time I did (early for him) and he practically ran into the house to start practicing. It was an interesting challenge with Sawyer and Leila both desperately wanting to participate. I love hearing Steve sing and play the guitar and it always takes me back to when we first met and I began admiring him.

Steve was surprised to have friends and family gather to hear him play. He even had a couple of old friends and teammates drive over from Des Moines. Here he is with Joe, Logan and JP.

You never know who will show up if you post something on facebook.

A couple of songs were pretty rough but he pulled it off and was so charming. I beamed as he played. Now I can hear him upstairs working on the dishes. More welcomed sounds... Life is good.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Giving Thanks...

For sweet aunties...

Sawyer's First Haircut..

Steve has recognized for a long time that Sawyer needed a haircut. This, over the past couple of weeks he had become more obvious to me as well. Still, it was not easy to take the steps necessary to actually get the job done. I worried about Sawyer losing his adorable curls and growing up too quick. I didn't know what I would say to the stylist. I didn't know how I would react or what I would do if she messed up the pure locks on my baby's head. To spare myself of the grief I put it off. Finally, on black Friday as we headed home from a relaxing Thanksgiving at the Smith house, we made the stop. I think the deciding factor for me was Steve's comment after a brush had been run through Sawyer's hair... "Oh my gosh, it's Neil Diamond." Really, there was a striking resemblance. Guess who is getting a hair cut... It was time...

He was such a champ. He sat in the chair by himself like a big boy and did what he was told. "Look at that green fish." Meanwhile I snapped pictures and video. Maybe I will get one of the videos on here... but don't hold your breath. Hmmm... do you think it was about time for a haircut?
Mom, are you sure this is a good idea?

Take a look at the spiffy new "do!"

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Steve's Snake Show

Cassie, Mom and I made a trip to Des Moines to surprise Steve at his reptile show. He was surprised to see us for sure since I had been telling him for weeks that I was not going. Sawyer jumped a few times as Cassie showed him around the place. I think a little healthy fear is a good thing! :)

Friday, October 30, 2009

Pumpkins and the Pig Lung



It has been an eventful week in the Smith house. Steve, Sawyer and I went and picked out two huge pumkins that Steve is feeling very ambitious about. I am glad he is, I am not sure this is a project I would be very patient with. In addition, Sawyer has contracted H1N1 at daycare and on Sunday began spiking scary high fevers. :( It was a long week folks. Sawyer is really a sweetie pie, even when he is feeling so miserable. A perk for me is that he has been extra snuggly. This is also a challenge and my house is a manifestation of all that is dirty and cluttered right now. It is not easy to do anything with a 1 1/2 year old stuck to your side.

I was sad that Sawyer missed his Halloween party at daycare but went and picked up his handmade sheriff shirt to try on anyway. He is feeling better so he should get a chance to sport it on Halloween too. Isn't this photo priceless?! Thanks Grammy for the most adorable halloween costume!


Sawyer also accomplished a very impressive feat by climbing into his high chair unsupervised and unassisted... ahem, Steve! Look how proud he was when mommy got home and caught him!


Finally, look at these finished pumpkins.
They are so cool! Mommy kept saying so and so did Sawyer. He was very impressed and just stared at the lit up pumpkins for the longest time. Way to go Steve, this is why you are Sawyer's hero.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Sawyer is 1 and a half years old!

We are lucky our boy is a good eater. It seems that he will try just about anything. He even enjoys his daddy's chili. We have found that if there is something he is not immediately interested in trying if we find something for him to dip it in he will give it a chance. He loves to say, "Dip dip dip!"

Sawyer has started to really enjoy brushing those teeth. When I ask him if it is time to brush his teeth he starts running toward the bathroom saying teeth while pointing into his mouth. It is so sweet!


I just couldn't help myself, I had to take a picture documenting Sawyer's sleep habits. When it is time to go to sleep at night he lays down with his lion stuffed under one arm and his doggy under the other. If he doesn't like the way I cover him with his blanket he sits up and hands the blanket to me so I can try again. :) This is what he looks like the next morning with his buddies still in place.


Sawyer is loving to make us laugh. Today he was using his mouth to suck a little orange cup to his lips like a beak. He would laugh and I would laugh, we were both just rolling. Also just for giggles I love encouraging him to jump. Boy does he work hard to almost get up off of the ground. Sooooo sweet!

Friday, October 9, 2009

17 Months Late Late Late Late Late!

Sawyer is more and more adventurous all of the time. He is willing to try anything that he sees anyone else try first. If mommy is cooking, Sawyer is cooking too. If Leila goes for a run on the couch, Sawyer is right behind her and giggling like crazy. It is such a sweet time, watching him try everything out and starting to talk more and more. If only we could understand him!
Sink bubbles are a fine substitute for outside bubbles when it is time to make supper.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Monday, August 10, 2009

The family goes to Missouri

We were fortunate to find a beautiful place to stay in Missouri. Tricia hunted down this house on VRBO.com (Vacation Rentals by Owner). It seems like this is the way to go if you are planning to stay anywhere long enough where you would want to A: prepare your own meals and B: fit lots of people without paying an arm and a leg. The house had room for all of us to sleep and a great kitchen for us to prepare and eat meals.


Evidence of Steve making his specialty...pancakes. He was disappointed in how they turned out but they were delicious.


Sawyer, mimicking his idol, Leila.



Sunday, July 26, 2009

First Golf Outing

Our little man never ceases to amaze us. One thing we have never had trouble finding is a good babysitter. We were stunned when we discovered a weekend where there were no family babysitters around to take care of our little guy so we could play in a golf tournament. Most people would think we were crazy to consider bringing him along. But, bring him along we did... Even I thought there would be no way he would last through 18 holes of golf and still have a smile on his face. I will offer some words of advice though. Do not even consider taking a toddler golfing without at least 4 different kinds of snacks and many cold beverages. Snacks fix everything.


Friday, July 24, 2009

Parent Tot Swimming Lessons

I am so glad I signed Sawyer up for the Parent Tot swim class offered through the rec center. Steve and I switched off swimming with him each week day for the two weeks it was offered. About half of the time it was too cold to swim outside so we got to try out the indoor pool too. Sawyer is turning out to be quite the fish!

Ready! Set! Goooooooo!

Back float...not Sawyer's favorite pool activity!