Whoa?!?!?!

Yesterday I was out shopping with Auntie Teresa and this is the pic/text I received from Brent. That's right, Little Miss Keely figured out how to stand up in her crib! Can I just say how SCARY this is to me. Every thought about how she's going to fall out ran through me, yikes!!! I guess that's why she did it for Daddy. She was pretty proud of herself to say the least.  Standing up, what's next walking?!?! Wasn't she just born, stop the madness of the ever growing/changing baby.

Red Hatter

Mee-Maw and Keely getting ready for Red Hat Dinner.

Meet the youngest member of the Red Hat Society! Last weekend when Brent and I went out of town Keely stayed with her Mee-Maw and Paw-Paw. Mee-Maw had dinner with the Red Hatter's and brought Keely along. She had so much fun looking at all those lady's in their crazy hats!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

How it all started.

Keely ready to go.

A few hours later.

To answer your question: Yes, it does get cold enough in New Mexico for snow. Yesterday was a fun day of flurries that built up to several inches of snow. We even got some down in Los Lunas. Looks like there is hope for a white Christmas this year.

We're Outta Here!

This weekend Brent and I get to have a weekend getaway. The first since Keely's arrival. We are going to Ruidoso for the weekend. Hoping to do some snowboarding (wish me luck, I haven't been in 2 years), going out for a dinner date, and just some needed R & R. Keely gets to go to Mee-Maw & Paw-paw's and play with her buddy "Boots". Which I know she'll love.  Here's hoping everyone has a great weekend!

New Tricks Everyday!

Sometimes I just can't handle how much my little girl is growing. She'll be heading off to college before I know it. Well, to go along with her new game of crawling today Keely figured out how to sit up by herself. What a big girl!

So Precious...

So Keely's Aunt Cheryl, Uncle Dam and Cousins got this little bunny for her when she was born. She just started to take interest in it and lights up whenever the bunny says a prayer. I tried to capture on video but she got a little distracted. It's still pretty cute. 

CRAWLING?!?!?!

That's right people, we're crawling now. Today we went and got Holiday pictures taken and ran around town doing some errands. I guess after being confined into her car seat most of the day and sitting for pictures this girl was ready to move. We got home and I laid out our pictures on the floor to look at what we got. As I had the pictures laid out Brent put Keely on the floor to stretch her legs, she then proceeded to move about 3 feet immediately. Out of nowhere it clicked and this girl was moving. We got some of her toys out to practice this new trick. Game on now people. There's no going back. I've already moved her countless times from the Christmas tree and the cord to the laptop. Boy are we in for it now, help!!!

Our Sleeping Beauty

One of my favorite baby moments is watching Keely sleep. She looks so peaceful and so precious. It's so hard not to kiss her like crazy during those moments but I've learned to resist the temptation. Here are a few of the precious moments I was able to capture without waking the little sleeping beauty, lucky me.

Feeling Under the Weather :(

Poor Keely's got a frog in her throat! She's in need of some chicken soup and cuddling. I think this is a job Mom can handle! 

Santa Came Early This Year!

And he brought the BEST present ever! Look what we found under our tree, it's a little Keely :) We put up our tree and decorations last weekend. It was so much fun since we haven't had our things for 2 years. You forget what you have after that much time. Keely had a lot of fun watching us put the tree up and putting on the decorations. She even helped. Now we just have to find a stocking that we like for her.

Look what Santa brought to our house :)

Helping Mom decorate the tree.

Don't ask.

Playing some Christmas tunes.

Oh boy, this is what we're in for!

6 Month Check-Up

Yesterday Keely had her 6 month check up along with the dreaded booster shots.  I'm happy to report that she is doing great and is exactly where she should be. Here are the stats:

-16 lbs 5 oz

-25 1/4 in

-Head circumference 41 cm

Needless to say she is continuing to grow strong and healthy. She is a constant Rollie Pollie moving all over the room. She gets up on all fours and even up on her toes, crawling is just around the corner. The past couple of days I've found her trying to sit herself up from the laying down position, absolutely amazing! Brent and I are so proud of our baby girl and continuously feel the joy of watching her grow. She's become more and more interactive and developing her own willful personality. She loves playing games like hide and seek and being picked on by her Daddy. At the Doc she did get 4 shots and is a bit sore today, but she was a trooper getting them and even got a little toy from the nurse for being so brave. The next appointment will be the 9 month check up in March so we get a little break from the Doc for a while. 

Eve Ate the Apple...

And she did it again.

(Please note that this is not a real apple)

Auntie Shonda's Baby

Auntie Shonda got a new baby; meet Romo everyone! Friday we went over to her house and Keely got to meet Romo. It was a memorable meeting to say the least. Keely has been around a few dogs now and LOVES them. I did discover she DOES NOT like cats though. Funny story, we were at Sarah's house and they have one cat. He started to walk into the room and she broke down in tears. I couldn't help but laugh, it was too cute. So she appears to be a dog lover like Mom and Dad. Dad is trying to convince me we "need" a dog for her. I'm not so sure about that just yet, but eventually.

First meeting.

Secret dog and baby language, apparently it was hilarious.

Awe....sweet kisses...

Happy 1/2 Birthday Keely!

Yesterday Keely turned 6 months old! What a milestone, we are half way to one year old. Next thing we know she'll be turning 18. Believe me I'm in no rush, just starting to really grasp what everyone meant when they said that the time goes by fast. It still seems like she was born just the other day. Since Keely turned 6 months she received her first bowl of cereal. Brent got to enjoy feeding her as I took the pictures. She did really well eating from the spoon (even wanted to help Dad out). She couldn't get enough as a matter of fact. We had a good time watching her and wanted to share some of the experience...enjoy!

Wearing more than I'm eating.

Give me more!

Here Dad, let me help you out.

Atten-Hut!

Attention all Military Recruiters, this girl will be ready for basic training Summer 2026. 

That backside is a little high.

Almost got it.

Looking good.

Perfect Form! Now give me 20.

Daddy figured since Mommy can't do push ups he'd get Keely started now. Go, Keely, Go!

Where Mom Comes From

So lately I've had a theory about how the word "mom" came about. Have you ever listened closely to a baby crying and that "mmmmmuuum" sound comes out. My theory was back in cave man times babies made this lovely sound (while crying) and the female would of course meet her child's needs and thus she was dubbed "mum". This word eventually evolved and is now mom. So that's how we became mom, all because a baby cried. To further my theory the word "dad" is more of a fun sound brought about usually while laughing. So "dad" gets the fun, laughing name and we moms get the cry, how does that work? Obviously there is no research behind this theory; just me and my mom thoughts :) 

Ideas for Christmas

Many family members have asked, "What should we get Keely for Christmas?" This is a question Brent and I have been discussing lately. What do you get a 6 month old doesn't really need anything else? At this point in her life she won't remember what she received her first Christmas. Really, buying anything at this point would be more because we want her to have it not that she would want it. So we've concluded that the best gifts would be to deposit a chunk of change in her account and wrap empty boxes. Seriously, that's what she LOVES these days. So if any of you are unsure what Keely would like for Christmas, remember wrapping paper and boxes go a long way. Watch and learn :)

(We like to call this phase "Chomping"; chomp, chomp Keely)

Dinner Time

Keely has been joining us for dinner each night. She sits in her Bumbo and joins in on dinner discussion. She also tries to show us that she's ready to eat.  Her new favorite dinner time toy...the placemat. Gotta love it! Stay tuned for pictures with the rice cereal and solids (yikes) that's due to start next week. Wish us luck!

No Dad, this is how you do it.

What's sad is that in about 20 years she really will be the one showing us what to do on the latest techno gadgets that will be around. But for now, Daddy is prepping this future computer nerd.

I love my....

Trail mix box! Of all the toys that we have for these kids what they love the most is a good ole fashion box to play with. Keely went to town with this box for hours today.

Shhh...I'm gonna get him!

If I'm really, really quiet maybe he won't hear me and I can scare him!

Here's the story. I laid Keely down on her back next to the couch to talk and hang out with Daddy. I come back 5 minutes later and she had not only flipped over (nothing new) but then scooted backwards and then turned and continued to scoot behind the couch. I can only imagine what we're in for!

Mommy's Little Helper

We're getting this girl started on chores early. She's a great help at folding laundry, making the bed, and doing dishes. Just don't mind the drool on your shirt, sheets, and plate :)

Too Stinkin Cute

Look at this precious girl! I was going through the bag of clothes that Paul and Trish gave us and found the purple bow. I just couldn't resist, she looks so cute. This just means I need to go out and get more. I know, I'm turning into one of those moms.  Girls are just way to much fun, you just gotta dress them up. That's why they make all those clothes, right?

Help me Mom!

Lately Keely has become quite mobile. Although she is not crawling yet, we know we're not too far away. I imagine by Christmas she will figure out how to go forward. Since she figured out how to roll over she can now maneuver her way around the floor a bit more. She tries with all her might to move forward (looking like she's swimming in the air, it's hilarious to watch) but this results in scooting backwards which really frustrates this little girl. One thing is for sure, she does not lack passion and does not give up easily (traits she's inherited from her father). I'm finding that I can no longer walk out of the room assured she will be where I left her. Now I find her stuck in the oddest places, but she never fails to let me know when she needs help. As exciting as this next phase we're about to enter is, it also places me with NMS-Nervous Mom Syndrome. I'm looking at the house and as much as I baby-proof this place I know that things are bound to happen. She is growing more curious and wants to explore everything around her. I love watching her curiosity and know that her curiosity is what's really going to have me on my toes chasing her around the house. All part of the fun of being a new parent and stepping into the next phase, but in the meantime I'll keep the scooting for now. 

Mexican Hat Dance...or something like that.

Oh the silly things we begin to do when we become parents. You no longer care about humility and find yourself hitting pitches you never knew existed. My latest embarrassment is singing and dancing for Keely. I guess all that matters is that she sure does enjoy it! This is a little dedication to our new home in Nuevo Mexico, Viva Nuevo Mexico!

Happy Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM OUR LITTLE DUCKLING!!!!



What a good sport our little girl is. She is all ready for the trick-o-treater's to come by tonight. We're not going to be taking her out this year, no candy yet for this toothless mouth. Still, I didn't think there would be harm in dressing up. Once again, Happy Halloween Everyone!

Mirror, Mirror

Mirror, Mirror on the bathroom wall, who's the funniest girl of them all! I know I have said this over and over but this girl really cracks me up. I won't be able to count the number of wrinkles I will have from laughing at her. Who needs a T.V. when you have this for entertainment! (P.S. Please don't mind the high pitch squeals of mom).

Triplets?!?!?!

Got ya! No we are NOT having triplets, but if we did this is what it would look like. The Sloan's came over on Sunday for a BBQ and Keely got to have her buddies over. Needless to say we had a ball as always. It is so much fun getting these kiddos together we laugh constantly. It's going to be so much fun to watch these guys grow together throughout the years. Too cute, right?

Keely Marie meets Keely Ann

Many have asked us where we got the name Keely from. Well, meet "Big Keely". This is my cousin Keely from St. Louis. I have always thought her name was so pretty and when we had our little girl I knew that's what I wanted her name to be. Now we have "Big Keely" and "Little Keely".  So there you go, that's where Keely got her name. 

Hangin Out with Mom & Dad

Daddy being a horse, go Daddy go! Amazing how well she stayed on there huh, ;)

Playing pat-a-cake with Mom (I know not the best pic of me, but isn't the look on her face priceless.

Look what I can do!

Keely can now roll over! She started a few days after we moved into the house. Now she is our little rollie pollie.


Not only is this girl a little rollie pollie, she is having so much fun laughing at her mamma.

4 Month Check-Up

So yesterday we went to the doctor for Keely's 4 Month appointment. What a difference from the two month. Are you ready..(drum roll please)...15lbs 7 1/4 oz! This girl is now in the 90th percentile for weight. So any worries about getting enough milk from nursing were rest assured. This girl is a healthy eater! She is now 24 1/2 in. and head circumference 39. cm. Overall the Doctor was very happy with our beautiful little girl. She is doing great, hitting all the milestones and looks healthy which is the most important. Her right eye still has a blocked tear duct, but the doc said that this is still normal and they don't worry or do anything until about 12 months old. So just continue to wipe with warm water and massage. He also said I'm still ok to not rush into the solid food. So I'll probably wait a bit longer before we dive into that adventure. Anyway, happy to report healthy baby! 

Monday Night Football

We know who this little girl's team is going to be. Daddy is already prepping her for Sunday afternoons. She's so excited she can hardly contain herself.  Go, Giants, Go!

Feels like Fall

Our happy, fall beauty!
Sitting up like a big girl...
So today was the first day it actually felt like fall. The smell of the crisp air reminds me of all the wonderful events that are just around the corner. We are feeling more and more cozy in our new home. Keely has done so good adjusting (once again) into the home and having her room. She's been so patient with us as we've moved in. She is discovering more and more noises that she can make and continuously entertains Brent and I. Does she not just look so adorable in her fall dress?

Big Improvements

Keely finally has her own room!
Look, I found my kitchen.
The upstairs loft, box free!

The unpacking is coming along and we have some MAJOR improvements around the house. Of course we still have things to do here and there but we're pretty much moved in (finally). This weekend we are going to do some shopping to start putting the finishing touches to the house. Bring on the shopping!!!

What a difference!

Keely on Father's Day.
Keely today! Look how that belly fills out that shirt. It's incredible how much changes in just a few months. At this age every moment truely does count.