Our trip! (Part One)

Our trip was a success! The girls were amazingly well behaved, slept well and really enjoyed their cousins, aunts and uncles and great-grandparents. I am so grateful to my mom for all her help! I would not have been able to do it without her!! We left early Tuesday morning... Got a cute shot of Bailey before we woke her up. She was excited about flying on the "err-plane."
This is Bailey on the flight. (Special thanks to Grandpa Shepard for the DVD player.) She LOVED being "high in the sky."

This was what she did the majority of the flight.

Spending some time at the Scovill's. Bailey had a great time with her cousins there. It was so good to visit with everyone.

This is Bai and her best bud Tae. They were inseparable.

Cute kiddos.

I am off to run a few more errands... I have been busy ever since I got home. I want to thank Grandma and Grandpa Scovill for the bed and good food and good times! We love you guys and can't wait to see you in August!!

Coming soon: Our trip to see Grandpa Coombs and our overnighter in Vegas.

Going Away...

For the first time, the girls and I are going on vacation sans Daddy. I will readily admit that I am terrified. We are flying into Vegas and then driving to Hurricane to see our Grandpa and Grandma Coombs, and then driving to Santaquin to see Grandma and Grandpa Scovill. I am ridiculously excited to see everyone, and terrified for all the driving. The ONLY reason I am going through with it, is because my AWESOME Mama Joe is coming!!! You guys know me... I am not even close to brave enough to do it on my own! So here we come, Vegas! Morgan is excited. It is her first time traveling!

Bailey is pumped too.


We are leaving tomorrow and will be back on the 23rd. We're so excited to see everyone!! We'll be there soon!

It wasn't even quiet....

I don't know if you guys remember the event shown below... Bailey was left to her own devices for a few moments and emptied 1/3 of her toy box onto our bed... I thought it was hilarious at the time and giggled to myself, wondering what it would be like when Bailey and Morgan got older and could play together.... Well, I found out sooner then expected.....

Morgan is pleased... can you tell?

There is never a dull moment here at the Shepard house. I love these girls!!!

Lately...

It has been really hectic and busy around here the past few weeks... We've got a lot of news and updates, so bear with me. I will just hit the highlights as I go... Not a favorite pic of me, but I HAD to show off her bow!

Closer shot. (Thanks again Randi for helping with those.) They're not as big as her head anymore!! Well....

Morgan has stared to roll over! She has been doing it for a week or two... and she's only 4 months old!

This is usually what I find when I come into my room.

Morgan ADORES Bailey.

We had our awesome Uncle Marcus over for dinner. She loves him! And they look a lot alike!!
Dang Shepard genes.... Scovill side had no chance...

Awesome cousin Blake! (Bailey was telling him to look at the camera and smile.)

I love these little girls. They are really starting to enjoy each other.

Bailey ate some cottage cheese.... I think she liked it....

And the grand finale! Morgan smiled on camera!! Her smile melts me!

We also went to the doctor on the 20th and she is still huge!

She weighs 18.5 lbs, she is 25 inches long and her head in 17 1/4 inches.

She is off the charts in weight, 95th in height and 95th in head... Still our big girl.

Dr. Y also told us a little more about the mark on her face. It is called a hemangioma. It is a benign blood vessel tumor and should go away by her second birthday... I think she is beautiful no matter what, but I'm hoping it will go away!!

That's our news as of late. We'll keep ya posted....

In Memory

I have been avoiding this for some time now... The pain is still fresh and the memories full. Even as I sit here writing this, it is surreal. I lost my best friend and sister (in-law) on Thursday April 30, 2009. I am having a hard time knowing what to do without her here. I guess I am writing this so everyone who didn't know her- can have a glimpse of the woman she was...

Jodi was Bailey's bud. She was loved and adored by Bai. She was kind, giving, compassionate and beautiful! She was my partner in crime and teammate. Since we're both married to Shepard boys- we would call each other and giggle about the silly/obnoxious things they did, that we still don't quite understand... She gave her time, her energy, her life to serving others. She was always smiling and laughing. When Jodi walked into the house--the party started. Her family was her priority. She loved Marcus... they were the perfect match. She loved Ashley and Blake as her own. I am so grateful to know that I will see her again. I am so grateful that I know where she is, that she is safe, that she is happy and has found peace. I am so grateful that I had time with her. I hope she knows how much I love her and miss her. Marcus asked me to write her obituary- (thanks again for trusting me with that, Marcus) so to see it and more pics, go to http://www.mem.com/.













I love you Jodi! I miss you...Thank you for being my friend and loving my baby girl. We are both better people having known you...

Endemic Baby Powder 2009

Contrary to (what is likely to become) popular belief, I am not a negligent parent. I am (for the most part) acutely aware of the whereabouts of my children and their activities. I will admit that I am sometimes busily tending to one child-- but what you are about to see simply shows my inability to be omnipresent... and Bailey's incredible aptitude for disaster. As I was busily cleaning up the kitchen, my first born decided to play with baby powder. This is what I found.... She was alone for 2 minutes... No lie!

This is the doorway to my bedroom....

My bathroom. Or what was left of it after "Endemic Baby Powder 2009"


Side of my bed... All over my pillows...

Her chair.



She looks frightened. I think it was my insane laughter...


My T.V. (Oh yeah, we rock it old school with our Nintendo!!)

My chair in the bathroom.

Bai started to help "clean up." She used water... Neat chemistry project. One that I wouldn't recommend using indoors...

Close up of her face....

Bathroom. Just a shot so you can take it all in... Take a few moments.... The panic will subside...

My bedside table.

But don't worry my friends, it only took about an hour and half to clean it up... And I have learned many lessons.

1- When Bailey is quiet- she is either sleeping or demolishing... Check to see which one, pronto!

2- Don't vacuum baby powder- you will get shocked.

3- Baby powder leaves a very pleasant scent when "sprinkled" on your floors....

I think I need a vacation...

Lucky Girls....

I was recently going through some of my favorite pictures and realized (not for the first time, mind you) how lucky the girls and I are. We've got both sets of grandparents just miles away, they love us AND they visit often! I just wanted to write a quick thank you to my awesome mom and dad and mom and dad- in -law. We wouldn't enjoy the weeks near as much without our grandmas and grandpas! Bailey absolutely adores both grandma's and asks if they are going to come play everyday. Bailey jumping with Grandma Shepard. Grandma gave Bailey that trampoline and spoils her rotten every chance she gets. Bailey loves spending time with her! (Don't know if grandma will like that I used this picture... Sorry...I think you look great in it...)

Kisses for Morgan. We love our Grandpa Shepard! He is the best one to snuggle with!

This is one of my favorite pictures!!! My mom is Bailey's best friend. Grandma is in Boston right now, and Bailey keeps asking when grandma is going to "get in the plane and fly home." Bailey prefers grandma over everyone else... Mom, I am so grateful to have you so close by. You have always been one of my best friends in the world- so having you be my daughters best friend is pure joy. I know why she loves you. You are amazing. We miss you and can't wait to see you!!!

Words can't express the love a little girl has for her daddy. I'm so blessed to have my dad in both mine and my girls lives. We love our grandpa Scovill to pieces! Thanks for always being there for us, dad. You are the world's best grandpa!!

I can't adequately express how blessed I am and grateful I feel to have these four people in my life and the lives of my girls... It is overwhelming at times. I hope they all know how much I love them... And the best part is, they love us back...