5 months

My sweet, smart and funny little girl, you make me smile, even if you are a terrible sleeper. This month was filled with many fun milestones. Even though you won't remember, you got to see snow for the first time. Turns out you are a good little traveler, too. You did well on your first airplane ride, even if it was a short flight. Your bottom two teeth came in, one just after you turned 4 months and the other at 4 1/2 months. You started to sit up unassisted for a few seconds at 4 1/2 months but now, at about 5 1/2 months, are able to sit up completely on your own. You are starting to get into a crawl position although you haven't figured out how to crawl just yet. You love to be the center of attention and voice your disapproval when we leave you alone in your room to play. You are able to work to get a toy that is out of reach and object when a toy is taken away. You like when I play peek-a-boo with you. You love to study your tiny little hands and are mesmerized by the world around you. At your last pediatrician appointment, the doctor said you were very 'purposeful.' I think this word describes you perfectly.

Creating new memories

We recently spent an entire week at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah. It was amazing! We ate well, and by that I mean, we ate whatever we wanted and didn't care, skied for 4 days, went sledding and created tons of fun memories with our family. We stayed in a beautiful condo that was right across from the ski lifts. Mark's parents went with us and were amazing in helping us out with the kids while went skiing and also cooking a lot of the meals. The trip would not have been possible without their help!
For me, one of the most memorable parts of our trip was seeing Preston and Ethan's little faces light up the day we took them skiing. It was even more fun when they actually realized that skiing involved more than just going outside and playing in the snow. Ethan was quite the little daredevil and wanted to "go fast down the hill." It took Preston a little longer to get comfortable on his skis but once he figured it out, he had a blast.
Our trip brought back many memories of Karissa, too. In 2008, Mark and I, Karissa and my parents visited Park City for a week. We took Karissa tubing on our vacation and decided we'd take the boys during our most recent trip. It had been six years ago since we played in the snow and went tubing at Gorgoza Park in Park City with Karissa. We had such great memories but it was bittersweet as it was the last winter of her life. We tubed down the very same slopes with our boys as Kaelynn and grandma and grandpa watched. Creating new memories with my family, although bittersweet at times, has helped me in my healing process. I am defintely grateful for that!

~Tubing with Karissa at Gorgoza Park~

~Our first morning in Park City~

~Our first attempt at making a snowman~

~Grandpa Ashley grillin' up some grub as
the boys played in the snow~

~Our second attempt at building a snowman~

~Our snowman Mr. Frozen~

~All bundled up for a walk in the snow~

~Preston taking a break from skiing~

~Shopping and lunch in downtown Park City before tubing at Gorgoza Park~

Why I love having a girl: reason #329

I love having a girl and am so thankful that God blessed me with Kaelynn. Not only is she such a sweetheart but she has definitely brought more healing in my life. Aside from that, I love having a girl for that fact that I get to dress her up in frilly dresses and put headbands with huge flowers in her hair. So fun!! I really do have an obsession for all things girly. Thank heaven for little girls!

~Kaelynn in one of her Easter dresses. Yes,
I had 2 Easter dresses for her!~

~My collection of headbands and I've got more!~

Happy Birthday!!

You are and will always be the one who first made me a momma. You are loved by so many and missed by so many. Despite all that you went through, you were such a happy little girl. We were so blessed to have you, even if it was for a short time. Today you would be 9 years old. Happy Birthday my sweet angel!