The Baltzly Bed & Breakfast

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Chavalah's first "big girl" food!!!!

Chavalah is getting SOOO big! We got past our "6 month" mark to start eating solids, although I know you don't HAVE to wait until they are 6 months. Anyway, I just can't get over how fast these little ones grow and get big and start doing things that are not so "infant" anymore!! :( I have to admit, this has been, probably the most difficult transition for me as I really am NOT sure of my future with any more kids/babies. I just DON'T know. God may bless us with one more, or none more or a few more, I really don't have a clue! I know if I were "able" to have children, I'd have liked to have TRIED for one more, but that's not an option, so with each baby I get, I just hold tight and devour all the time of "baby" I can!

All that to say..................my baby girl is GROWING UP! And she's LOVING this next stage of growing up! You should've seen her. She plunged forward practically BEGGING for the next bite. She didn't have a "sour" type facial expression as you typically see when they are trying a new "texture." It was as though she had eaten it all her life. She did have some trouble with the "tongue" and trying to figure out what to do with that texture of a bite in her mouth. She'll get the hang of it, I know! So, below are just a few of the pictures we took of Chavie taking her first few bites of cereal!

Here's what I'm talking about with the whole "tongue" thing, trying to figure out swallowing texture. What a fun adventure.

Friday, February 13, 2009

We have had the funnest time with our new Hummingbird feeder! Awhile back, Laine had been asking for a hummingbird feeder and I thought, "why not!?" I wasn't sure how well we'd attract them, but to my PLEASANT SURPRISE, we have TONS! They entertain us pretty much all day! They are the most fascinating bird! So neat. I actually make our own "nectar" and I just made my third batch of it. They are sucking it dry nearly weekly! It's so much fun. They will fly right next to you and eat even if you're standing right there! Benjamin took the cool pictures!

Cookies! Cookies for AWANA!

AWANA hike was this past Sunday! The kids have SO MUCH FUN and work up a hearty appetite for after the hike. I volunteered to bring the "dessert" or cookies for the fun night! I think they went over well! Who doesn't love sugar cut out cookies and buttercream frosting!?

FRIENDS! Can't live without them!!!

Last Friday, we had the honor of having some of our good friends over for the evening. We had SO MUCH FUN! We are SO THANKFUL for these friends. It's actually kind of odd, but we have so many similarities and we just have hit it off almost from the first time we met. I met Johnna a few years ago through a local mom's club. I wasn't participating much, but had attended a "Mom's Night Out" event where we initially met. Johnna then did the persuing of me again, and continued to try and get me to become more involved with this group. This was all during our first year here in Arizona, and when Loren passed away, etc, and at the time I wasn't at all interested in "getting involved." I shut down usually around the anniversary months of our babies, but dear Johnna kept on, keeping on! I finally invited her to "brunch" at our house so our kids could get together and play, and we could visit and get to know one another! The rest is HISTORY! She is so dear.

The similarities: Her name is Johnna, mine Joanna. She has a daughter Dalaynie and they often call her "Layne" and we have Laine, of course. They were born just a few days apart in September. She is from Minnesota, and I'm from Iowa, so MANY things in common.

Anyways, so we had them over for a cook out. We had so much fun!!! The kids PLAYED AND PLAYED AND PLAYED, while we visited and laughed and sat by the fire.

Here we are, Johnna & Joanna & Chavalah! Friend for absolute EVER!

This is their son, Nick! He's ADORABLE! He calls me "Nia." I love it!

Enjoying the fire!

Laine & Laynie on the scooters!

"Monkey see..........Monkey do!!!"

100th Day!!!!

Laine stylin' his necklace he made at school with what started out to be 100 Fruit Loops. No, there are not 100 on there anymore, and if you are counting, there are 63 left! :)

Guess what I found the boys doing!? :) I thought it was so precious. Laine was so giving!

Laine had his 100th day of school last week! They had so much fun! It was a big day for everyone at the school. Laine was thrilled, and mommy was thrilled when he came home! Kind a neat thing they do. Today they pretty much had a "play" day and did fun things.

Superbowl 2009!!!!!

Me and my new nephew, Oscar!

Ben, Aubrey, Jack & Dad all watching the first half. Definitely not as exciting as the second!

Oma always thinks of her grandkids. No matter how interesting the "adult" activity might be at any of our family gatherings, she's always thinking of her grandkids! Thank you Oma! We love you SOOOOO MUCH!

:) The Baltzlys (minus Chavalah) :) Chilling out watching the game!

Towards the end of the game! All the kids were getting REALLY sleepy!

We spent this years VERY EXCITING, yet disappointing Super Bowl over at Ben & Aubrey's house! THANK YOU Ben & Aubrey! We had a blast. Just wish our home team would've won the Super Bowl! They lost, although, I'll say, they had an incredible "come back" second half! Shew!!!!!!!!!! And many thought we couldn't do it! :)