Swim Lessons!

This is how both Mommy and Larkin felt about swim lessons the first week. We were so excited to start our lessons last week and then were SO disappointed once we got there. Unfortunately our swim teacher did not understand that she was actually supposed to TEACH us anything. We went to three of our four lessons last week and the instructor did not even talk to anyone. No instructions, guidance, hellos, or anything. However....

This is how we felt about swim lessons this week! We had a new instructor and he was GREAT!!!! We learned how to blow bubbles, float on our tummies and backs, kick, and jump off the side. We also learned some CPR and some other great tips. This week was much better and Mommy was MUCH happier!

Larkin did have lots of fun hanging out with her two favorite fellas for the past two weeks, Brody and Liam. Brody's mom works with Mommy and Liam goes to the same daycare.

Larkin and her swim buddies posing for a picture

And they are walking

And they are off. Notice how they all decide to go in separate directions, us Mommies think they planned this escape!

Getting ready to make a splash!

After all that hard work at the pool Larkin was ready for a nap. Too bad she couldn't make it through a meal first!



I Can Do It All By Myself!

Larkin is getting quite the personality. She wants to do more and more things by herself. Right now she is trying to master how to use a spoon to feed herself. She is definitely still "mastering" this. Until that actually happens we are going to buy stock in stain remover. I am pretty sure we can keep them in business by ourselves!

What We Do All Day

These days Larkin is a pro at walking and even getting back up on her own. She keeps us busy chasing her all over the house.

Mommy's little helper. This is Larkin's attempt at putting away laundry.

It is reading time. Right now we are a fan of Sesame Street books from like 30 years ago.

Larkin and Her Daddy Pre- Father's Day

Larkin and Daddy before his big roadtrip

Obviously she already has him by the collar!

Father's Day Getaway

This year Shaun had a little getaway over Father's Day weekend. His good friend Doug is getting married next month and so Shaun and about ten other guys headed to San Diego for a little bachelor party weekend. Of course I sent the camera with him so that he could capture everyone at their best, and yet it came back with NO pictures on it. He did attempt to show me a picture or two caught on his cell phone that were supposedly a baseball game (they saw the San Diego Padres play) and then some NFL players they hung out with one evening out on the town. Those pictures were pretty much a blur so I am just taking his word on what Chargers they really were. Overall he came back in once piece and had a great time with his buddies!!!! This was the only picture I could come up with for that weekend.

It Is Summer Time!

Well summer vacation is here and we are loving every minute of it! Thought I would finally take a moment to fill you in on our last month. School was out right before Memorial Day and Larkin and I have been hanging out ever since. Unfortunately, Shaun is working on a lovely job in Vegas and pretty much is gone every weekend until I go back to work. How is that for timing! You would think working in Vegas would sound like a lot of fun, but pretty much he works non-stop and a lot of times it is in the middle of the night since they are working on a hospital that is full of patients. He has gotten lucky enough to enjoy a suite or two at his hotel/casino since he is there pretty much every week, but the only gambling he seems to be doing is a little poker on the cell phone. At least you can't lose money that way! Meanwhile here is what we have been up to....

PJs....
We like to spend most of the morning in our pjs these days! Actually we keep busy playing, running errands, going to story time at the library, and practicing our walking. Larkin is doing a great job WALKING these days. Next week we start swimming lessons so that should be fun.


Aren't I Cute!
Larkin sporting a new hair-do. We thought she looked a bit like Boo from Monster's Inc. especially when she chases the cats around the house saying "Kitty".



One Year Portraits
We finally made it to have some one year portraits taken. We caught a smile or two, but she can be tricky! Here are a few of our favorites.

This was how our portrait session started! Larkin likes to look at the back of cameras so she can see the pics (thanks Lisa for teaching her that one) and was not happy about having to sit in front of one.

Going to the Doctor

You would think the world had ended. Last week I had to take Larkin to get some blood drawn. Guess they do this for all one year olds to test for anemia and things like that. Well I asked Heather about this since Noah, who is the same age as Larkin, had already gotten this done and she said no worries. Her doctor only poked Noah in the foot and took a few drops of blood. So that was what I was expecting. I need her doctor! Instead...... I take her to the lab and they proceed to have me sit in a regular blood-drawing chair and tell me to hold her down. They go on to take blood just like they do for adults. So of course by now she is screaming. They tighten the wrap around her arm, find a vein, and then tell me they are going to take 2 full size vials of blood. Of course she misses the vein the first few times and then it takes FOREVER. I was NOT happy and if I had known this I would have made Shaun take her. It is definitely his turn next time. At least everything came back normal, but here is her unhappy face and bandage. You might recognize it.

Cell phones: not sure if I should talk on them or eat them!

Larkin has gotten very good at saying hi and waving. Unfortunately she doesn't understand why she hears Daddy through the phone but can't see him waving!

Grandma came for a visit at the end of May!

We had lots of fun together playing, climbing, and even helping make some new curtains. I think we wore Grandma out with all of our stair climbing!!!!!

How many people does it take to give Larkin a bath??????

Larkin and Hailey are the best of friends. Why shouldn't they be when Larkin feeds her non-stop. Her motto is one for my mouth one for the doggy. Our dog will never be hungry again! Here she is working on petting the doggy "nicely". We haven't mastered this yet.

A play date with Brody

Larkin and Brody, who are just a few months apart spent the day hanging out while his mommy went to a training. They had lots of fun!

A race up the stairs

Lunch time!

Aunt Jackie and Uncle Gary come visit!

Aunt Jackie and Uncle Gary came to visit the weekend after Larkin's birthday. We had a wonderful time catching up, playing, and checking out some other parts of Phoenix. Can't wait to see them again soon!!!!!

Larkin sharing her baby that she got from Aunt Jackie.

Larkin and Uncle Gary having a little coffee break. I think Uncle Gary is more of a morning person than Larkin!

A little side trip to Krispy Kreme in honor of Uncle Mark. Unfortunately they must think that no one wants a doughnut at 3 in the afternoon because it was closed. So sad!