Erin's Life

Changing blogs!!

2008-07-06T18:44:00.000-07:00

Due to some recent unforseen events, I will now be doing all my blogging at my new blog: http://mbcannadykids.blogspot.com/

Random shots

2008-06-27T10:48:00.001-07:00

"Mommy, please let me out!"

walking in her favorite activity

I love the way she looks when she's asleep

Campout 2008

2008-06-24T10:44:00.001-07:00

On June 20, 2008, my group of high school friends and I had a big campout. We are all going to be scattering for grad school and such soon, and thought it might be the last chance we'll have to do something like this. Unfortunately, my friend Audrei, and Matt couldn't come, so we were missing two (which is the reason we have loosely planned to do this again in 2 years.

So we had me and Erin, Telima and Tyler and their two kids, Katy and Jayson, Marc and his wife Ingrid, and Jared in attendence. We went up to a camp ground in Provo Canyon and basically just hung out for 2 days. It was really fun! It was good to just spend time hanging out with my old friends (especially Telima). Recently all the visits we've had have been really rushed and short.

I really missed Matt and Audrei though. They both had really good reasons for not coming, but I really wish that they could have. *sigh*

Anyway, pictures!!

Jayson was missing his hat, so I put Erin's on him.

Erin walking around

The view from our campground

Me with the kids (and Jared in the background, starting dinner)Erin giving Jayson kisses and climbing on him

Erin actually crawling!

Our fire's very pitiful startings. Until they realized that I had brought newspaper.
The sunset view from the campground

Marc the fire man

Katy's very dirty face (she had been eating dirt)

Jared, Marc, Ingrid, and Tyler

A s'more for Audrei
Telima burning her Biochemistry book that she hated and couldn't sell back. They've back this thing around for almost 3 years now.
Playing SkipBo pairs. Marc and Telima won. (Telima and Tyler, and Marc and Ingrid wanted to sit next to each other rather than be pairs with each other).

The kewl group of caterpillars masquerading as a knot on the trunk of the tree. They migrated together, so it was a traveling knot.
This is how Erin took her nap

And the entire group, from left to right: Jared, me holding sleeping Erin, Ingrid, Marc, Telima holding Katy, Tyler holding Jayson

Talk about flexibility!!

2008-06-18T20:09:00.001-07:00

I put Erin in her pack&play this morning so she could take a nap and I could take a shower. She wasn't ready to sleep, but I took a shower anyway.

Well, this is what she looked like when came back out into the front room.

Birthday party #2

2008-06-18T19:58:00.000-07:00

After cousin Marcus was blessed, Aunt Adrienne had a barbeque, and threw a little party for Erin. Grandpa and Grandma Hill were there, along with Aunt Nyssa and Uncle Zac. Aunt Kim even dropped by (she was in Salt Lake, coincidentally), with Fred. It was a lot of fun to watch her open presents!

Opening the present from Aunt Kim (two books "Blueberries for Sal" and "Snow Day," and an adorable turtle hat.)

NOT liking the adorable hat!

Wind-up bath toys from Fred (which she LOVES, even though she doesn't look too enthusiastic here)

Tearing the paper off Aunt Adrienne's present (A cookie jar shape sorter)

Finding her lost purple duckie in the present from Grandma and Grandpa

The purse from Grandma and Grandpa (who also gave her 3 outfits)

The cake

Eating the cake

THANK YOU Aunt Adrienne!!

Birthday present from Mom and Dad

2008-06-18T19:37:00.000-07:00

Matt and I decided that since one of Erin's favorite activities is walking around while holding fingers, that we might as well get her a walker for her birthday. She LOVES it!

Erin's birthday

2008-06-10T20:33:00.001-07:00

For Erin's birthday, we had a bbq at a friend's house and she got her very own chocolate cake. She loved it!

We also got her a walker for her present, which she also loves...lol. Walking is her favorite thing.

Happy birthday Erin!!!

2008-06-07T08:36:00.000-07:00

I can't believe my baby is a year old!! Where has this year gone?? My friend Aubri has a digital SLR camera, and I asked her to take Erin's 1 year pics. Of course, Erin wasn't really cooperating, so we're going to try it again, BUT here's a few cute ones from Tuesday:
being grumpy
bear kisses!
Needing mommy to make her happy again.

Walking around

We have a tooth!!

2008-05-22T09:39:00.000-07:00

I've been checking her mouth every morning for a LONG while, since her teeth have been so close. I didn't expect anything this morning, since there wasn't really any fuss last night.

BUT there was a sharp little thing there! So, I pried her mouth open to make her let me see, and sure enough!!

Of course, she won't let me get a picture, but as soon as I can get one, I'll post it!

Oh, it's her bottom right front one.

Some fun pictures from this morning.

2008-05-21T20:39:00.001-07:00

And then she decided to attack Mommy.

Not eating her pasta

2008-05-21T19:44:00.000-07:00

So, she likes pasta when I feed it to her. And she likes to feed herself. So, I thought she'd like to feed herself pasta, right? Apparently not. I think she didn't like the texture of it. But she had fun making a mess! She even got sauce in her ear!

And here's a piece she threw on the floor. I found one later clear across the room!

Ducks!!

2008-05-15T17:16:00.000-07:00

Erin and I went to the Nature Park today and fed the ducks. She really enjoyed them, and they got pretty close!

Jenny Lake, May 2, 2008

2008-05-03T10:15:00.000-07:00

First, I have to say, that you shouldn't have a directionally disabled blonde woman, and a PREGNANT directionally disabled blonde woman (my friend) trying to get somewhere! My mapquest directions took me the way I DIDN'T want to go, so we got a big confused, and a bit lost, and ended up going TWO HOURS in the wrong direction before we figured it out (we were having a great conversation and hadn't realized how much time had passed and that we should have gotten there already). So we ended up taking a FOUR HOUR detour, and almost ran out of gas (I swear we made it to the gas station on fumes and a prayer!).

And this is what the babies did:

That's Erin on the right and Myla on the left. When they weren't sleeping they were stealing each other's toys and having a grand old time...for the most part.

So we FINALLY we made it to Jenny Lake...and it was FROZEN OVER. Yep. 3 feet of snow. I didn't make it down to the lakeside because the stairs down looked treacherous and with two babies we didn't want to risk it. Not only that but the wind coming over the snow-capped mountains and frozen lake was BITTER cold, and we soon had two shivering babies, so we didn't stay long.

But it was beautiful and I was so glad to be there even if for only moments.

And we had a great time getting lost! lol!!! It was actually a really great day. Gorgeous, fun day! I think Cora loved laughing at us.

Two years ago today

2008-05-02T01:00:00.000-07:00

I held my sweet baby Cora for the first and last time.

Happy birthday angel baby. We will always love you.

It was a gorgeous day.

2008-05-01T12:54:00.000-07:00

I woke up at 11:15am, completely astounded that I had slept so long and so well. I was so SURE that I would go into labor in the early hours of the morning. Which would have been good for my sister, since she had been telling Cora to be born on her birthday pretty much since she found out I was pregnant. But...I hadn't gone into labor. Very disappointed, I got up and took a shower after I called Adrienne and said "Happy birthday, I'm not at the hospital."

It was there that I realized it. Cora always went crazy with movement when the hot water hit my belly. And she didn't. Not a stretch or twitch. I bruised my belly poking at it to get her to move. And then I broke down sobbing, on all fours, water running over me. I finally convinced myself that I was probably just freaking out, and got out, and got dressed. I walked into my bedroom, and my husband had been up for a while, already showered, just letting me sleep. I told him I couldn't get Cora to move. He seemed slightly worried but agreed with me when I said that I was probably just freaking out. I think I was HOPING it was all in my head.

After trying EVERYTHING I could to get her to move (including a tall, cold glass of koolaid, which always got a reaction in mere minutes, but didn't this time), I called my Doctor's office. And they were on their lunch hour.

So we went up to campus to turn in the paperwork Matt needed to turn in. And I had no contractions, which was strange. I had been getting contractions just from moving for the past couple of days, and I was walking uphill and up stairs and nothing. The ladies in the office asked me when I was due, I said May 14. They said "any moment now!" and were so excited. I didn't tell them. It broke my heart, because I STILL hadn't felt her move. Each moment that went by...I knew. But I still hoped I was wrong.

I called the office again, and got ahold of a nurse. She listed off all the things I should to to get movement, and I was nearly screaming at her, telling her I could GET her to move. I'd tried everything. "Yes, I've tried that. Yes, I've tried that. Listen, I CANNOT GET HER TO MOVE." She told me to come in and they'd check me out.

I sat in the waiting room for what seemed like forever. I don't even know how long it was. I chatted with the lady sitting next to me, who was waiting for her "big" ultrasound. She was so excited and happy, and I tried to be. How do you tell someone "yes, well, I'm here because I can't get my baby to move and I think something's terribly wrong." So I just chatted with her, turning off my brain.

They called me back. Dr. Barton used the doppler first and after a few minutes of not finding anything (and saying "I'd be a miracle worker if I found the heartbeat EVERY time with that thing.." trying not to worry me, although I could see the worry on his face), he turned on the ultrasound machine.

"There's her heart, and it's not beating."

I think I screamed. I don't remember, but I remember telling him that it was a cruel joke and he shouldn't be so mean to his patients. But he had tears in his eyes.

The rest of the day is a blur. Dr. Barton prescribed a sleep aid and I went to Walmart to get it filled, and the lady I had chatted with in the reception area was there. She saw my tears, and I saw that questioning look on her face, and I turned away and walked away as fast as I could. I didn't want to tell her. But my husband worked at Walmart, and we had to tell his manager that he wouldn't be in the next day. His manager gave him the rest of the week off with bereavement pay for the days he was scheduled. We went and told mine that I wouldn't be either. Tuesday had been my last scheduled day anyway.

And then we went home. Our bishop came and visited with us, which was comforting. Some friends brought us dinner. I laid on my couch and cried.

Horrible visions of what she would look like went through my head. I hated my belly, something I had loved so much before. Every time I bumped it or touched it, it reminded me of what I DIDN'T have anymore. I'm thankful for the sleep aid, because I didn't have dreams that night. I'm not sure I would have slept otherwise.

Flowers and angels for Cora

2008-04-30T11:03:00.000-07:00

Two years ago today was the last day of Cora's short life. It seems this anniversary is harder for me than her birthday is. So many "what ifs." So I wanted to post some pictures of how she is remembered.

From my mother's garden, her angel and rosebush:
And from my "garden":

Want to see Erin standing by herself?

2008-04-29T16:52:00.000-07:00

Then click here!

The video is mostly Marcus, you'll see it at the very end.

Springtime comes to Rexburg

2008-04-29T09:59:00.000-07:00

Hopefully it's warmed up for good!! We went to the park and then I took some "spring" pictures. She really didn't like the swing though! Too bad.

Vegas trip part 2

2008-04-29T07:42:00.001-07:00

Vegas trip part 1

2008-04-27T15:15:00.000-07:00

Erin and I went to Las Vegas for two weeks, for my brother's wedding. So here are a lot of pictures!!

Balloon friend

2008-04-09T19:46:00.000-07:00

10 months!

2008-04-07T10:53:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that Erin is 10 months old today. Where has the time gone? I have tried to enjoy Erin the way she is every day, and just remember those moments, but I took a size-comparison picture today and I realized that I really miss her itty-bitty-ness. She's getting so much more independent, and while I love it, I really miss her as a bitty baby. I guess that's a normal mother thing, right?

Anyway, here are the size pics. Newborn compared to 10 months:

Lookie lookie!

2008-04-02T13:10:00.000-07:00

Two years ago today

2008-04-02T09:56:00.000-07:00

On April 2, 2006, I looked like this.

This is the last picture I have of me pregnant with Cora. I have been feeling guilty lately that I hated being pregnant with her. That I did nothing but complain. That I didn't appreciate having her when I did.

But then I look at this picture and I realize that I WAS very happy. I was probably happier than I had ever been up to that point, in spite of being so extremely sick.

I love this picture.

She looks like an angel

2008-03-31T12:57:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'll be honest, Erin had a TERRIBLE night last night. I was hopeful that she would sleep through since that's what she did the night before. But no luck. She didn't just get up once like normal, either. She woke me up 4 times, and twice she wouldn't calm down until I gave her a bottle (growth spurt maybe?)

She woke up at 9:00 this morning SO cheerful. I wish I could wake up that happy after a night like that! I was EXHAUSTED and had a killer headache (like I always do when she keeps me up like that). Matt was still home, since his 9am class is no longer meeting, they're just finishing up their paper for the rest of the semester. So I put her in her bouncy and crashed on the couch. I meant to just lay there, but I actually fell asleep.

Matt woke me up with the camera, saying "look at these pictures of your daughter." They were SO CUTE. Apparently he really liked the lighting and since she was being cheerful she was adorable, and I just have to share them.
This one is cute because she's trying to find the person on the other side of the mirror. She'll be looking in the mirror and "feeling" the air behind it, and sometimes she'll peek around it trying to see if she can see the baby. It's so cute!

Look what I did, Ma!

2008-03-31T12:26:00.000-07:00

So, on Saturday evening (March 29), Matt and I were watching a movie. I was sitting on the floor, keeping Erin company, but not *really* paying attention, since I was cutting stuff out with my new Cricut (I had rented a cartridge and I needed to return it that evening, so I was cutting a bunch of stuff). She was quiet for a moment, so I look up and was completely surprised!

We tried to get her to do it again to get it on video, but no such luck. Here's a video of what DID happen though!

Eh, who needs to crawl??

2008-03-26T11:50:00.000-07:00

This is how Erin's getting around these days!

Easter Baskets, Eggs, and Pretty Easter Dresses

2008-03-24T17:02:00.000-07:00

Easter Sunday

2008-03-24T16:46:00.000-07:00

Easter Sunday this year was very interesting for me. I spent a long time in the morning contemplating what Easter means to me and what I would like to teach Erin. I thought about the Passover and its types of Christ, and what we can learn from the experiences of the Children of Israel.

I then thought about the last week of the Savior's life, as he was betrayed by a beloved friend, and found guilty of crimes He was innocent of, tortured, beaten, ridiculed, and finally put to death at the demand of those who should have loved him most. I thought about what His sacrifice means to me personally. I thought about all those things that I have done in my life that I wished I hadn't, the hurt and pain and grief caused by my actions, the actions of others, and by mere circumstance, and how through it all I was able to find strength in the knowledge that there was one Person who has been there, who has experienced it all, and who has made it possible to wash it all away.

I am so grateful that He has done what He has for me.

I'd like to share the lyrics to my favorite hymn, just because they're so beautiful and they mean so much to me.

O Savior, thou who wearest a crown of piercing thorn,
the pain thou meekly bearest, weighed down 'mid shame and scorn.
The soldiers mock and flail thee, for drink they gave thee gall;
Upon the cross they nail thee, to die, O King of All.

No creature is so lowly, no sinner so depraved,
but feels they presence holy and through thy love is saved.
Though craven friends betray thee, they feel thy love's embrace.
The very foes who slay thee have access to they grace.

Thy sacrifice transcended the mortal law's demand;
thy mercy is extended to every time and land.
No more can Satan harm us, though long the fight may be,
nor fear of death alarm us. We live, O Lord, through thee.

What praises can we offer to thank thee, Lord most high?
In our place thou didst suffer; in our place thou didst die,
by Heaven's plan appointed to ransom us, our King.
O Jesus, the anointed, to thee our love we bring!

Easter Bunnies and Spring Flowers

2008-03-24T15:45:00.001-07:00

A wee bitty Irish lass

2008-03-19T07:42:00.000-07:00

It comes full circle...

2008-03-19T07:26:00.000-07:00

My mother made this dress for me when I was a baby. It's still a bit big on her, but I had to put in her in it one Sunday, just because it's so cute on her.

Visit from Cousin Marcus

2008-03-08T12:29:00.001-08:00

Since Sabin was out of town, Adrienne decided that she and Marcus would come up to visit! We had so much fun!

Dancing Queen

2008-03-08T12:27:00.000-08:00

She's SO CLOSE

2008-03-04T21:15:00.000-08:00

Trying to crawl

Got the juice!

One cool cat

2008-03-01T11:23:00.000-08:00

Here's just a few random pictures

Mirror, mirror

2008-02-29T14:32:00.000-08:00

Fraggle Rock

2008-02-29T14:18:00.001-08:00

Trying so hard!

2008-02-25T08:08:00.001-08:00

Look at what my NOT CRAWLING baby is trying to do!

Pretty eyes

2008-02-21T08:25:00.000-08:00

So, my online forum is doing a "pretty peepers" photo contest, so I decided to share some of the pics I took. I submitted the first one.

Feeding herself!

2008-02-19T13:14:00.001-08:00

Erin has finally figured out not only how to pick her banana puffs up, but how to get them IN HER MOUTH. It's great!

Valentine's day...late...

2008-02-17T22:36:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day this year was very good. I took some pictures for a photo contest for my mommy forum, and had a lot of fun with it. Erin came in second, but even I almost voted for the picture that won, so I wasn't at all surprised that it did. This first one is the one I entered. The rest are just from the same "photo shoot."

Matt gave me a new pair of Mt. St. Helen's emerald earrings to replace my other set that lost an emerald. They were the earrings that I got after losing Cora. Her birthstone is emerald, and the Mt. St. Helen's emeralds are made from compressing the volcanic ash. They're naturally evergreen--the color of the trees that once lived on the slopes of the mountain. To me they represent something beautiful that was lost, which only fits Cora too well. It was SUCH a good gift, to get another pair.

Erin also got a gift from an online friend in the mail that day. It says "loved by an angel." It seemed, to me, like the day was centered around Cora. It was a really good day.

8 months!

2008-02-08T12:42:00.001-08:00

Erin turned 8 months yesterday. I have no idea where all the time went. I can't believe she's 2/3 of a year old! So, being me, I took some pictures.

Videos for Aunt Kim

2008-02-08T12:37:00.000-08:00

Watching the fishies. She really likes them.

"Talking" to me

The requested "clapping" video. Sorry it's so dark. The lighting in our apartment sucks.

More dancing

2008-01-28T21:40:00.000-08:00

Okay, so this dancing thing really cracks me up! She's "head-banging" all the time. In this video it's to the music of the Mario Golf demo Matt was playing.

Dancing!

2008-01-28T12:24:00.000-08:00

She really is so cute. She's constantly making me laugh.

Cracks me up!

2008-01-25T22:09:00.000-08:00

This is Erin's new "thing." It's sort of a cross between panting and snorting while wrinkling up her nose. SO FREAKING CUTE!

Playing in the snow

2008-01-21T22:10:00.000-08:00

A couple fun videos

2008-01-21T22:08:00.000-08:00

Christmas Part II

2008-01-11T21:54:00.000-08:00

Trip to Michigan for Christmas part 1

2008-01-05T20:45:00.000-08:00

We went to the Natural History Museum at Thanksgiving Point the day we drove to Utah the day before flying to Michigan. Erin had a lot of fun. Then we went to my friend Telima's to visit her and her new baby. Please forgive the pictures, our old memory card tried to eat them and they got corrupted.

Bounce Bounce Baby!

2007-12-12T01:03:00.001-08:00

This is Erin playing in her toy that Grandma Hill bought her for Christmas. She loves it!

6 months and Christmasy pictures

2007-12-09T22:17:00.000-08:00

I can't believe she's 6 months (and 2 days) old! Where has this year gone? Especially the last two months...funny that time would go faster when I stopped working! So I took some pictures with our 2 presents (from my parents) and the garland. We didn't put up a tree, and aren't going to, since we'll be spending Christmas in Michigan with his parents.

I'm also adding some professional pictures. These were a lot of fun to take!

And Adrienne made this for me. It's for the forum I'm on, sort of an identifying graphic, but I just love it so I had to show it off.

Something to think about...

2007-12-04T16:55:00.000-08:00

I came across this video, and I think it has a great message about the real meaning of Christmas. It's not LDS, but it has a beautiful message and it's very well done.

And here's the lyrics:
It's About the Cross

It's not just about the manger
Where the baby lay
It's not all about the angels
Who sang for him that day

It's not just about the shepherds
Or the bright and shining star
It's not all about the wise men
Who traveled from afar

It's about the cross
It's about my sin
It's about how Jesus came to be born once
So that we could be born again

It's about the stone
That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life someday

It's about the cross
It's about the cross

It's not just about the presents
Underneath the tree
It's not all about the feeling
That the season brings to me

It's not just about coming home
To be with those you love
It's not all about the beauty
In the snow I'm dreaming of

It's about the cross
It's about my sin
It's about how Jesus came to be born once
So that we could be born again

It's about the stone
That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life someday

It's about the cross
It's about the cross

The beginning of the story is wonderful and great
But it's the ending that can save you and that's why we celebrate

It's about the cross
It's about my sin
It's about how Jesus came to be born once
So that we could be born again

It's about God's love
Nailed to a tree
It's about every drop of blood that flowed from Him
when it should have been me

It's about the stone
That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life someday
So that you and I could have real life someday

It's about the cross
It's about the cross

A couple I had forgotten about.

2007-12-02T22:00:00.001-08:00

Erin has started putting her hands behind her head like this. It's sort of a "yeah, I'm just hanging out!" sort of thing.

She loves her daddy so much!

I call this picture "Stay Puft Marshmallow Erin"

This was the funniest thing. She was laying in her pack&play, with her feet in the air, holding her toes, not moving or making a sound. Just holding her toes. It cracked me up. I asked her "Erin, have you got your toes?" and she started laughing.

Thanksgiving pictures (finally)

2007-12-02T18:50:00.000-08:00

I had to steal these from Adrienne, because I didn't take any pictures that whole trip! We just got a new video camera, so we were using that the whole time. I'll post some of those, once I figure out how to get them off the camera and onto my computer (well, it'll take another hard drive too) .

Some cuteness

2007-11-28T12:42:00.000-08:00

My online mommy forum has a "mascot," a stuffed animal that we take turns with and then send it on to the next person. He is a stuffed frog named Leapers. Well, this week is Erin's week. Here are some cute ones so far:

My favorite Christmas story

2007-11-13T15:59:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine reminded me that posting that story here like that was violation of the federal copywrite law. I TOTALLY didn't even think about it at the time. Since I believe in "obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law, I will go ahead and delete it.

Oops.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I would like to thank my Heavenly Father for the 8 1/2 months I got to be Cora's mother. I'm SO indebted to my Savior, for being born so that He could die and live again, so that we might live and have our families with us.

The view from my window

2007-11-10T21:38:00.001-08:00

I wish the dumb light pole wasn't in the way. Why is it that it seems so much further away in a picture?

Novembering

2007-11-10T11:47:00.001-08:00

Our friends, Ben and Adrienne, wanted to have a Halloween party, but Adrienne had to work that evening. So they decided to make up a new holiday. Novembering is the Friday after Halloween (except that Adrienne got really sick, so we had to postpone it a week). It's a party that is an excuse to wear your costume again, eat food, eat cheap leftover Halloween candy, and carve squash (NOT pumpkin...but we didn't actually get around to squash carving). So we had our Novembering last night. We decided to actually take a picture of the 3 of us together so here they are!

A friend of mine has decided to post one thing she's grateful for every day of November on her blog. She recently lost her baby, and it struck me as familiar. Cora Rei means "heart full of gratitude." When we found out we'd lost her, that night that I was still pregnant before being induced, I promised myself that every time I thought about her, I'd think about something I'm grateful for.

During this season of gratitude I'd like to just express how grateful I am for my eternal family. You can look out our front room window and see the new Rexburg temple on the hill. It's beautiful at night when it's all lit up, and I am so grateful for what the temple means in my life. I'm grateful for a Heavenly Father who loves us each so much that He provided a way for us to have those we love with us for eternity. I can't wait for the day when I get to have ALL my children with me, instead of always feeling like something is missing.

Pictures in the park

2007-11-08T12:26:00.000-08:00

Erin and I go on walks with 3 ladies in our ward every Tuesday and Thursday at 11am. Well, today all three of them canceled. So I decided we would go out to the park anyway. We had fun taking a bunch of pictures. Next time we do this though, I'll have to make sure that the camera batteries are charged!

5 months!!

2007-11-07T21:06:00.000-08:00

It's been a long day. Today Erin officially turned 5 months old, and I have spent all day cleaning out the storage closet, which is now Erin's bedroom. I set up the crib, and reorganized everything (and found several things that I had been looking for since moving in!).

I just put her to bed, and guess what...she didn't cry. She seemed to take right to the crib (which has got to be more comfortable than that cramped bassinet!)

I'm a little sad that she won't be so close to me anymore. My teeny weeny baby has gotten so big! I suppose it's true what they say: they grow so fast!

Halloween Night

2007-11-06T21:12:00.000-08:00

We didn't have a very eventful Halloween night. There's a large ballroom in our building on our floor, and since nobody was using it, we decided to have a friend bring over his projector and we watched a movie on the wall, and ate food, and had fun. Aunt Nyssa brought over her cat ears, and so of course Erin ended up with them. I finally got the pictures, so here they are!

Good morning Erin, it's Tuesday

2007-11-06T09:00:00.000-08:00

So, a June-baby forum that I'm on is doing a "yearbook" photo contest. This week is "prettiest eyes," so I decided to have fun with the camera this morning. I got several great pictures. The one with the flash wasn't so great, but it shows the color well, so I in cluded it.

She likes giraffes

2007-11-05T18:14:00.001-08:00

This is the giraffe that Grandpa Cannady brought from Michigan:

2007-11-05T14:33:00.000-08:00

Right now, I'm holding a very asleep baby in my lap, pondering what I did to be so lucky to have her. Do all parents feel like this? One of my neighbors and I randomly ended up at the laundromat at the same time, and she has a baby boy (Zach) who is almost 3 months younger than Erin, and so we were comparing babies.

I love Chelsea, I do, and Zach is a sweetie, but Erin is so much cuter.

I know all mothers think that their babies are the cutest, but I was at Walmart today and I had 3 random strangers all stop to tell me just how cute she is. I'm not sure what I did to be that lucky. And she really is just so sweet, even though she's a monster right now. She's not as fussy as some babies normally are, and she's teething.

I hope I'm the mother that Heavenly Father wants for her.

Yummy green beans!

2007-11-04T22:30:00.000-08:00

So, she decided she didn't like peas all that much. But she LOVES green beans. She was very excited about eating them tonight. Can you tell? She ended up getting them in her ears and on her eyelid!

Cora's 18-month angelversary

2007-11-02T11:47:00.000-07:00

Random thoughts

2007-11-01T12:48:00.000-07:00

I found out yesterday that a girl in my old ward lost her baby at 38 weeks, due to a cord accident. It was such a blow to me. I don't know why, maybe because I KNOW her, and it mirrors Cora so much.

Most days I don't think about how much I miss Cora. But tomorrow is Cora's 18 month angelversary, and so this now has made yesterday and today fairly emotionally difficult.

It's amazing how I even got myself caught up in the thought that Erin's arrival should make me "better." I always told people that one child doesn't replace another and so they shouldn't expect me to be better just because I have another baby. How hypocritical of me to think that I should be "better" now.

Erin is the light of my life, but everything she does makes me wonder what Cora would have been like. Would she still have her red curly hair, or would it have fallen out like Adrienne's did? Would it be long enough for piggies yet? She would be walking, but would she be talking? What would her favorite color be? What would she think of her baby sister?

So many thoughts, and none of them can really be answered. Not in this life.

I miss my sweet angel baby.

Ward Halloween Party

2007-10-30T10:11:00.000-07:00

Our ward Halloween party was Friday, October 26. We had a lot of fun. I tried to post these pictures earlier, but it wouldn't let me upload them! When I get pictures of Halloween night from Nyssa's camera, I'll post those too.

Anyway, here you go:

Cake walk

A girl in our ward, holding Erin for me while I was cake walking. She told me later that Erin is "her favorite one."

"No, we named the monkey Jack"

2007-10-19T09:20:00.000-07:00

We tried peas the other night. She loved them!

And, she found her feet!

A friend sent Erin this adorable hat abd bib. Matt says we now need to find more hats with ears on them.

Sweet moment with her Giraffe Friend

2007-10-08T21:08:00.000-07:00

Look at what I can do!!

2007-10-08T13:58:00.000-07:00

October 4, 2007

Rice cereal!!

2007-10-05T10:23:00.001-07:00

So, we tried rice cereal last night. She didn't really like it all that well, but it was a fun experience. We'll be waiting a few days to try it again though, I think!

Finding a new friend...and her thumb

2007-10-05T09:56:00.001-07:00

Since it's October...

2007-10-01T22:01:00.000-07:00

Just cuteness

2007-10-01T20:29:00.000-07:00

It was really cold Saturday, so they turned on the heater. It was rather warm on Sunday morning, so I took off Erin's jammies.

Meeting some more relatives

2007-10-01T20:14:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, Sept. 29, Grandma and Grandpa Hill, Uncle Zac, Aunt Adrienne, Uncle Sabin, and Cousin Marcus decided to show up for an impromptu visit. Grandma, Grandpa, and Zac had gone to Orem, Utah to visit Adrienne, Sabin and Marcus, and decided that since Rexburg was just 4 more hours away, then they might as well get the two babies together. It was fun.

For Grandma(s)

2007-09-27T08:51:00.001-07:00

Pretty dresses!! (and shoes)

2007-09-24T15:24:00.000-07:00

She is trying to sit up in the ones in the purple dress. She hasn't quite gotten the whole "balance" thing yet though. But she sure does try! She's up to 15 lbs, but I haven't measured her lately, so I'm not sure in length (but last time I measured her [a couple weeks ago] she was up to 24")

Random sampler

2007-09-12T14:53:00.001-07:00

Rolling over!!

2007-09-03T09:58:00.001-07:00

First camping trip!!

2007-09-01T07:17:00.000-07:00

If you want to see all the pictures, click here

For Adrienne, plus some extras

2007-08-21T14:11:00.000-07:00

Baby bath robe...

2007-08-16T16:23:00.000-07:00

I think the idea of a baby bathrobe is silly, but it was given to me, so I might as well use it, right? And it was cute on Erin, as everything always is.

A little update.

2007-08-08T13:02:00.001-07:00

As of yesterday, Erin is two months old. We went to the doctor to get shots (poor baby). She's 10lbs10oz and 22 1/2 inches.

And this morning we were having tummy time. She really doesn't like it, so I haven't been doing it that often, so she isn't so great about holding up her head while she's on her tummy. She fine when you're holding her on your shoulder or in a sitting up position, but on her tummy she's not so great at it. So I put her on her tummy, and she raised herself up onto her elbows! It was great. So I was sitting there, being all proud of her, while she was angry because she was on her tummy. Then she ROLLED OVER! And of course I didn't have my camera close by.

I don't know if she did it on purpose because it kind of surprised her, but I'm going to be having more tummy time more often to see if she will do it again.

Anyway, here's a couple of pictures from tummy time a couple of evenings ago:

This one is from today, AFTER she rolled over and I was trying to get her to do it again. But she was angry because she was hungry and wouldn't do anything but sit there with her face to the floor and cry.

Beautiful sleeping baby....

2007-08-08T12:51:00.000-07:00

Videos!!

2007-07-31T23:11:00.000-07:00

Hopefully this works!

Cute Baby Noises

Princess Farty Pants

Many apologies!

2007-07-29T13:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I'm lame and I haven't posted pictures in forever. Very sorry. So, I'm making up for it now! I'm still trying tp get a picture of her smile...the first two are the closest I've gotten. And I'm trying to figure out how to post video.

Family pictures

2007-07-16T10:27:00.000-07:00

These were taken last Monday by a good friend on her digital SLR camera.

Erin: a photographical study

2007-07-11T10:15:00.001-07:00

Blessing Dress

2007-07-06T11:47:00.001-07:00

We forgot our camera, so we didn't take any pictures on our camera outside the church. Grandpa Hill did though, and so did our friends Telima and Tyler. Hopefully we can get copies from them.

Anyway, here's a few pictures of Erin her her blessing dress!

More relatives!

2007-07-06T11:13:00.000-07:00

She was relaxed around Grandpa Cannady immediately!

Grandpa Hill was so very excited to meet her! He's been waiting for a grandbaby for a very long time!

Aunt Nyssa was excited too. She's going to move in with us, so Erin's going to get to know her very well.

And cousin Mikkena! This was exciting. Now Mikkena has a cousin on our side! She's not alone anymore.

I *did* get a pictures of Uncle Jared and Aunt Amber, but my camera was stupid and corrupted the pictures. So I'm really hoping that either Aunt Nyssa or Grandpa Hill got pictures of them too!

This is Erin wearing the bib that Aunt Adrienne gave her. She's so sad Aunt Adrienne couldn't come!

And this is 5 generations. I had to take a picture for posterity. In the picture are (listed by maiden names): Erin Rielle Cannady, her mother Brittanie Renee Hill, her grandmother Janice Lynn Beesley, her great-grandmother Lois Ann Ricks, and her great-great-grandmother Lydia Ann Morris

Sleeping!

2007-06-29T10:51:00.000-07:00

Meeting grandma!!

2007-06-27T11:03:00.000-07:00

So, Mom brought up this outfit that was one that I wore (maybe twice, as I was MUCH fatter than Erin!).

She looks so happy to be holding her grandbaby!

Being pretty

2007-06-24T22:21:00.000-07:00

This dress was a gift from a friend. And the blanket is the one that Audrei made for Cora while on her mission. So Erin now gets to use her sister's blanket.

Your mommy loves you

2007-06-23T19:52:00.001-07:00

She loves her tongue!

2007-06-22T15:10:00.001-07:00

What a difference 5 months can make...

2007-06-21T09:20:00.000-07:00

So, this is a picture of Erin next to the our friends' son Matthias. He's 5 months old. Of course, he's also a really big baby. But I still think the difference is amazing!!

Erin: 13 days Matthias: 5 months, 1 week, 2 days

Just a bunch more pictures...

2007-06-20T17:37:00.001-07:00

The title says it all!