I had to post this

This is a video of Mallory staring @ Aunt Anita while she is playing. Her face cracks me up


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Blessing and family

Last Sunday Josh and I went to Illinois for Mallory's blessing. My father did the service and it was wonderful. We went out to my grandparents farm and had lunch and cake after.

Aunt Carol is holding Mallory. Mallory is in a dead stare at Aunt Anita who is play some type of harp. Mallory was so amazed at the sounds coming out of the instrument.

Aunt Anita holding Mallory for the 1st time.

Grandma Anne, mom and Mallory. Grandma Anne gets her hand on Mallory any chance she gets. She loves babies

Mom had some of her girlfriends over for breakfast Saturday morning. Sue got to feed, burp and put Mallory to sleep.

Mom is holding Mallory and Georgianne is tickling her feet. Mallory loves being thrown in the air.

This is Mallory in a car we borrowed from Georgianne. Her feet didn't even touch the ground but she had a blast in it for about 15 minutes.


I know you really can't see her but this is Mallory talking in the car...it cracks me up

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pumpkin carving and toes

Last week Nana and Aunt B came over for pumpkin carving. We had a great time. I don't think Aunt B ever finished hers...but we had fun.

Mallory found her toes















Mal trying to give Aunt B a kiss:)















I was at Target w/ my girlfriend Elizabeth and found these in the dollar isle. I just had to get them:















I think she makes a cuter angel. But we switch the headbands out depending on the tantrum:)















Me, Josh and Aunt B carving.
















There is more to come. We went to Illinois this past weekend for Mallory's blessing. She did wonderful during the blessing. Our trip was great coming and going. She slept the whole way home on Sunday night. I was afraid that she would keep sleeping when we got home and then wake up at 2 a.m. ready to go for the day...but she didn't, she actually slept another 6 hours. She was wore out. The time change didn't effect her too much. Before the change she was going to bed around 9 and getting up around 7, but now she goes down around 8 and gets up at 6. I'm fine with that as long as it's not 4 a.m. The next blog will probably be just pictures. Mallory and I are attending a Halloween costume party at the breastfeeding group today so I'm sure I'll have lots of cute pictures from that. Happy HALLOWEEN everyone:)

Pumpkin Patch & Grandparents

Mallory is ready for winter in her bunny hat:)















Grandma and grandpa Bidney came in town last weekend. Grandma bought Mallory a bunch of new winter clothes. She has a nice winter bunting to wear and a cute hat. The hat still has the mittens attached to it (that's why it looks funny)




















4 generations picture: Dad, me, grandpa Spencer and Mallory















Miss Addison Owen finally arrived. She is so cute and very, very healthy...she looks just like her daddy.















We went to the pumpkin patch about 3 weeks ago w/ Nana and Aunt B. We had a great time. Mallory had a blast looking at all the pumpkin crazed kids. She didn't fuss once. It was a super nice day so I put her in her bonnet...so she wouldn't get sun burned.















Me, Josh and Mal on our way out to the pumpkin patch.















The GREAT PUMPKIN!!!















Mallory and Josh hanging out watching the Cardinals cream the Tigers.
















Two weekends ago Josh and I went to visit Sue @ Adam and Vadsana's. Here's a look at all the kids running around...YES they did out number the adults.

Changing so fast

Mallory posing for the camera. She weighed 13 lbs 4 oz yesterday; she gained 9 oz in one week...GOOD JOB Mallory. Her weight gain was kind of iffy for a while (she lost some weight then only gained 1 lb) The funny thing is that there is an 8 week old in the breastfeeding class that weighs more then her:) But she is healthy and happy so I'm not too concerned about it. She might be short like her nana and grandma.















Mallory's friend (aka boyfriend) Ethan at the breastfeeding group. Ethan loves the ladies and he has plenty to choose from!!!















I took this picture yesterday. It's hard to get her to smile for the camera because she wants to grab it and chew on it. Some days I think we are officially in the teething stage but then the next day she is fine. Tuesday she had a runny nose and was running a slight temp and everything she could get her hands on she was chewing and drooling on. She still chews on everything and her cloths are soaked by the end of the day from all of her drool. I have felt around for any teeth getting ready to poke out but haven't felt anything yet.














Josh's friend Andrew came over w/ his boys Haden (on the left) and Ben (on the right). Ben just turned a year in August so he and Mallory aren't that far apart. Ben was so fascinated w/ Mallory's exersaucer. Mallory loves to be around other children...it really entertains her how the move around and play with stuff. Before long she'll be joining them.















The two love birds were staring in each others eyes.
















Last Friday Da, Lucy, Mallory and I went up to the square to watch the Liberty homecoming parade. It wasn't much of a parade since they stopped 1/2 way around the square and got off the floats. The weather was beautiful but by the time we were done it was getting pretty warm. Da has a new wrap to put Lucy in...so she isn't pregnant again...It's just Lucy in there















During the parade Mallory fell asleep face-out in the carrier. I carefully turned her around and she slept for a good 1/2 hour after in the carrier I turned her around.














Last Saturday Josh and I went to the mall to get our wedding rings and I had her in the carrier (she loves that thing). We stopped to eat and the next thing I know she is starting to lay her head back...she fell asleep. It was too funny.

Daddy feeding Mallory. She is starting to get the hang of cereal. I have been trying to feed her cereal at least once a day. Maybe in a week or two we will introduce some vegetables (my favorite...NOT!!!)















Mallory enjoying her fingers and cereal at the same time:


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Cereal, exersaucers and rolling

Nana got Mal an exersaucer...she loves it. It has taken her a while to get used to having so many chewing options in front of her. She gets a little overwhelmed sometimes but for the most part loves it


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Mallory playing in her exersaucer.

So Josh and I were in the kitchen getting dinner ready and we noticed that Mallory was very quite. So we looked in the family room and she looked like this.

We couldn't figure out why she looked like this until we looked down:

I think we laughed for 5 minutes until we got her straightened out. She was just hanging out, not complaining at all.

Well things have been a little rough lately. Mallory is really changing a lot and it's hard for us to keep up w/ her. When I picked her up from the sitter on Tuesday, Barb told me that she ate 8 ounces of formula at one time. She had been eating 4 ounces. It was a good thing I picked her up early because Barb wouldn't have had enough formula. Now the (kind of) bad thing about that is I'm still only producing 4 ounces...so it's going to take my body a while to get up to 6-8 ounces and until then Mallory will be eating every 1-2 hours. Luckily she is still sleeping through the night...BUT she has been getting up about 3:30 to eat again because she is starving.

We started feeding her cereal on Monday. She isn't too sure about it. She pushes more of it out then in. I'm going to keep trying it and start mixing it with breastmilk instead of formula...maybe she'll like it more.

She has been extremely fussy lately. Part of that is due to my milk shortage but the other part is because she is immobile and it's making her so frustrated. She is just now rolling over and loves to sit up. So anytime she isn't doing those two things she is pretty fussy. I also have had to start swaddling her to get her to sleep...sometimes I feel like we are going backwards. But for the most part when she is happy, she is HAPPY!!! I have started to put her in the carrier and do stuff around the house so that she is entertained and I can get stuff done. It does help that we have the exersaucer but she will only stay in that about 15 minutes. I know it's just a transition stage and I'll be sad when she is mobile (because she'll be into everything). But right now I would rather have her mobile and happy then immobile and fussy. Ah the joys of parenthood.

Wedding plans are coming along slowly. I still have 30 lbs to loose before the wedding so send me your weight loss vibes so I can get the extra weight:) That is our life in a nutshell (for now).

Mallory rolling over. She has only done it a couple of times since this video but is starting to do it more often. Before I know it she'll be sitting up and crawling

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Mallory's 1st taste of cereal. She isn't too sure about it and spits most of it out but we try and give her some at least once a day.















She looks thrilled doesn't she??















Daddy snoozing w/ Mallory. I came home from running errands and I found both of them like this. TOO CUTE!!!

Cold weather and BBQs

Mallory enjoying her massage. I give one to her after every bath (about every 2 days). She loves to get her legs massaged but isn't too keen about having her arms away from her body.















Mallory in her big girl sweats. I think they are too cute...even though they go up to her nipples.





















Michael holding Avery and Mallory. Avery has grown so much...she is already eating food and drinking juices















Avery, Michael and Mallory. Michael had a thing for Mallory...Josh was ready to take his hands off her:)
















Well, I meant to post this about a week and a half ago but time has flown by and so many things have happened. We went to Michael, Candi and Avery's for a BBQ. We had a great time. We left in time to go to the Fall Festival in Liberty. We walked around for about an hour or so. We kept running into people Josh knew and hadn't seen the baby yet. It was quite cold by the time we left the festival so we had Mallory all bundled up.

Last Monday (9/25) Mallory had her 4 month checkup and SHOTS!!! She is doing great. I was kind of worried because the week before she had lost 3 ounces and didn't want her weight to drop even more. But she had gained 7 ounces in less then a week...so she weighed 12lbs and 8oz at the dr appointment. Here are her stats:

4 Months:
Height 23 1/2 inches: 25th percentile
Weight: 12lbs 8oz: 25th percentile
Head Circumference: 15 5/8: 10th percentile

Dr. Lively was a little worried w/ her head size and asked me if I had a small head or Josh...I know Josh doesn't..and I don't think I do. But I do know Barb's head is a little small and probably my moms too. He said that since she is so alert and active then he isn't all that concerned. So we'll just see

Like I said before lots of milestones have been passed this past week...so I'll update you when I get the pictures loaded.

Johnny Jump Up

My mom sent us a Johnny Jump Up for Mallory. This is what she likes to do so far:




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It's too funny. She is a little too small for it right now...but I still put her in it daily so she can get used to it. When I lean her back (so her face isn't smashed against the front) she dose bounce some...but she mostly likes to chew on it. It won't be too long and she'll be just right for it. Unfortunately we don't have any door frames downstairs so Josh is going to get some hooks and screw them into studs. That way she can jumping around and we don't have to worry about her hitting a door frame...ouch:)





















































Mallory and I went to the Community of Christ church today here in Liberty...Josh was hunting. The church is beautiful and the congregation is very warm and friendly. I was surprised how many young families. It was very refreshing. I did talk to the pastor about the wedding. He is going to get back to me about the date. So cross your fingers.

Too Funny

Da, Lucy, Mallory and I went to pick up my wedding dress today and on the way home this is what we experienced.


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Eventually Lucy stopped crying but Mallory kept going until we got home (about 20 min). It was like Mallory's cry was serenading Lucy to sleep. Lucy didn't make a peep the rest of the way home.

Lucy and Mallory BFF.

















Lucy was getting ready to do her famous tomahawk chop to Mallory
















This is the 1st time Nacho has really gotten close to Mallory. He even let her pet him. I think he has been pretty desperate for some loving...it's been about 4 months since he has gotten a good rub down...poor kitty (bad parents)
















Daddy feeding Mallory. I thought this picture was so cute because she is playing with his beard...usually she is painfully pulling on it.
















Beautiful baby blues. I just love this picture. She is finally starting to get the thumb sucking down. She was totally content like this for about 20 minutes.




















This is my favorite picture of Mallory and Josh.















She gets so much bigger every day and does something even cuter then the day before. This is such a fun age and we have waited a long 4 months for this...but every late night and early morning has been totally worth it. Josh and I couldn't ask for anything more perfect.

High Chairs and Baby Showers

Mallory and I at my friend Jennifer's baby shower. Her baby Addison is due in October...although she might come a little bit earlier then that. Mallory and I had a grand time...we are so excited to see baby Addie
















Last weekend Josh and I put together Mallory's high chair. Here she is trying to chew off her fingers. It's pretty funny because sometimes she sticks them so far in there that she gags herself...we have to physically remove them so she doesn't keep doing it. She has gotten her thumb a couple of times and it is just too cute.
















Here she is playing w/ one of her favorite toys...Mr. Blue Bear. I think she likes it because she can actually pick it up because it's so lite.




















This is a pumpkin my grandmother gave us. It has Mallory's name carved in it...except she forgot one 'L' but who cares it's still adorable.















Come here my pretty pumpkin. he he he!!!















Not much new is going on. I wanted to post some more adorable pictures of Mallory. She has been drooling A LOT...especially if she is chewing on something i.e. her hand, a toy, her bib. Its quite entertaining to see how fascinated she gets when she notices her hand and it moves...but then 10 seconds later she doesn't even realize that she was look at her own hand and moves on to a toy or something else to chew on. I don't think she is teething because she hasn't had a fever or been extremely fussy...but I guess we'll find out of she is. I know 4 months seems early to have teeth but mom told me that my brother Drew (I think) was teething at 4 months. I just hope it doesn't interfere with breastfeeding...time will tell.

She has been so happy lately and coos a lot. She is totally a morning person (after her 1st nap of course). She usually gets up between 6 and 7:30, eats (its more like a snack) then takes another 3-4 hour nap...then she is the happiest baby in the world. In the early, early morning she just wants to eat and go back to sleep. After her nap I can stand over her on the changing pad for an hour and we'll babble back and forth. I love this stage but in a way it makes me sad because I know that she is getting big and those little milestones will be coming fast. I just want her to stay a baby forever.

Josh and I have been struggling financially lately. I went around last week and applied for part-time jobs. I haven't heard anything yet. Hopefully I can work just in the evenings so that we don't have to have a sitter for more then one day. If I had to work during the day I know most of my paycheck would be going towards day care...its so frustrating, to be paying someone to be away from my child. I really enjoy being a stay-at-home mom and Josh and I are going to try to keep it that way. So keep us in your prayers.

The wedding plans are moving along. I think we almost have all the vendors/places booked...although we are having a hard time finding a church. I called the Community of Christ church in Liberty but no one has called me back. I am also looking at a Lutheran church just outside of Liberty. I told Josh our best bet (as far as money) would be to use a Community of Christ since I am a member and Independence has a plethora of Community of Christ churches. I tell ya what...it is very hard to keep the very small budget we have. I believe we will probably end up going over...But hopefully not too much.

Oh yes...one more thing. Mallory officially weighed 12 lbs at the breastfeeding class last week. Her 4 mo checkup is at the end of September...dreaded shots!!! I'm sure she will be past t he 13 lbs. mark by then;) She's growing like a weed. She is still in some 0-3 month clothing but is fast approaching 3-6 month clothing. It's been quite cool in Liberty lately (which I love...fall is one of my favorite seasons) so I have been putting her in long sleeves, pants and cute little socks. Before long she'll have to start wearing a jacket. "it's the most wonderful time of the year".

I know you all want to know the pumpkin trick. Grandma said that when the pumpkin is little (she grows them on the farm) just take a key or something that will scratch the surface and write the name in it...when it gets bigger then it will look like the picture above. Good luck!!!