Playin

7th ave shops

some awesome junk from our last few ventures on 7th ave. and then.....I walked past Retro Ranch and I realized we hadn't even scratched the surface. Much more exploring to do in the upcoming weekends before it gets hotter than heck. And it's coming fast.

Phoenix zoo

The weather was gorgeous: windy and cool. We splurged on a giant bag of kettlecorn and had a super fun family date. Fred loved the animals...the goats best because he can touch them. Collin WANTS a pet goat now. My favorite is the elephant, always.

Totally 80s Valentines Dance

Introducing Sloan, Steff, Cyndi & Lloyd Dobbler.

Danced like maniacs, fell in love with my, like, soul mate, churn for ice cream and threw paratroopers off a building. Best night ever!!!!

Another, more successful try

Got up extra early
Plenty of time to get us all ready
Many prayers aloud and in my heart
Pleading for a heart to heal and comfort for us all. Peace.
Bye daddy, then lay back, close to me, all eyes shut, suck suck suck. I drifted off, only 10 minutes had passed.
It's time. Pack up, out the door, bites of muffin, on the road. The sidewalk. The road; there isn't sidewalk, explaining all the way.
Insuring
Promising
Preparing.
Through doors, early so I could play and show him it's fun. A few tears, but they stop because it IS fun and Candy, the babysitter, is nice. We play basketball. Happy!
Its time.
Hug, kiss, vain reassurance, then gone, left, out, behind, alone.
Class starts,

breathing
Deeply
In
Out
Familiar
Lay down
Balance
breathe
Struggle
Sweat

It's been too long
My mind is free
Everything weighing so heavily lifts from my soul, heart, brain, up my throat, stinging, almost crying.
Then calm. Peace. Hard work. Why did I leave you?
Good.
Done.
Back to my world. Hugs. Mine eager; his tearful.
United
Home
Suck suck suck. Eyes drifting. Breath slowing.

my guitar hero prodigy

Erin Rae married to Josh Getskow, Windmill Winery in Florence, Arizona!

One of my dearest and oldest friends, Erin, married her soul mate, Josh, in the beginning of February, at the Windmill Winery in Florence, AZ. Have you been there? It's the most gorgeous, fun, unique place I've been to for a wedding in Arizona! Big beautiful red barn, gorgeous vineyard, middle of nowhere, and the amazing weather we're having right now, not to mention all the beautiful handmade details made for an incredible night. I had SO much fun with Collin and Frederick. We got away for a few minutes and walked through the vineyard covered in twinkley lights. I also got to nurse Fred by a small fire and that was so sweet. I was beyond happy for Erin and Josh. The ceremony was so touching, centered on God and their commitment to one another. We ate, caught up with old friends, met new ones, roasted s'mores while wrapped in blankets at a huge romantic bonfire, and danced the night away. Frederick was in the spotlight the whole time. But Erin and Josh were the stars. They looked stunning. Erin was perfectly gorgeous from head to toe. Congratulations, you two!!! Now for a few photos to share the beauty of the night with you.

Click below for about a million photos...

Puking all night

The only thing worse than waking up and puking is your son puking every day for 4 days and then your husband joining him and puking every 2 hours all night. Poor poor Collin. :( To the doctors tomorrow we go. Fred picked a great night to sleep through the night: when we are up sick!!!

Downton Abby...I don't even know what to say.

Taught YW today and had a great time discussing the purpose of life. True to the faith: Mortal Life:
"You are now experiencing mortal life. Your spirit is united with your body, giving you opportunities to grow and develop in ways that were not possible in your premortal life. This part of your existence is a time of learning in which you can prove yourself, choose to come unto Christ, and prepare to be worthy of eternal life. It is also a time when you can help others find the truth and gain a testimony of the plan of salvation."

how the other side lives

Tonight I went to a church event and Collin watched Frederick for me so I could go and totally listen and enjoy. He played with him, bathed him, fed him, did the bed time routine and is currently in Fred's room with him trying to get him to sleep. I, on the other hand, had a good time, but thought of both of them often. I thought of Freddie and missed him as I saw other women with their small babes. I wondered what they were doing, if they were alright, and longed to be with them. I was grateful for Collin's enthusiasm and ability for taking care of him.

I guess we both kind of switched. Sometimes in my mind I think Collin is so lucky; he gets to go to work, meet people, accomplish things, have adult conversations. But in reality, I'm sure it's really tough for him to be away from us. I'm sure he enjoys his freedom but that he would give it up in a second to play at the park or children's museum or read books with us. And I always love it when Colgtlin gets a taste of being a stay at home parent-the constant rewarding smiles, learning new words, dancing around like a little maniac, as well as some of the loneliness and frustrating times I experience. I guess this is life and love. It's not perfect, but it's true. We both love frederick with all our hearts and we are both different and bring different things to our relationship and family. Partners.

I E I will always love you!!!

Love is a many splendored thing! Love lifts us up where we belong! All you need is love!!!

Happy happy Valentines day!! Growing up my mom always made a big deal on valentines: cards for everyone, decorating the table and house with hearts-galore, heart-shaped pancakes, meatloaf, potatoes, etc. In high school I didn't date much so Valentines day was a day for LOVED ones: dear friends and family. We would shower each other with pink tulips, chocolate, treats, cards, and glitter. (Or maybe not glitter but you get it. This is the girliest I ever was.) now that I'm married to the man of my dreams, I get to be super gushy romantic too. And I got Fred started early as he glued a million paper hearts on a card and let me trace his hand for Collin, and enjoyed a few suckers and sugars cookies himself. I love love! Happy Valentines Day, all!! 

 

 

 

and some oldies circa 2009...

Love, right now, is me changing a super stinky poop diaper even though I really don wanna.

Shots of Fred

This little man had a check up and a shot on Friday. He's now (at almost 17 months) 32 inches tall and 23.2 lbs!!! What a grown up little toddler. He tries and succeeds at copying everything we say and do. He loves mimicking animal sounds, small words, scolding the cats, and playing loudly with toys. He says, "wow," "hi," "mommy," "dada," "dottie," "kitty," "doggie," "ahma" (grandma?? I think!), "no!" "no way," "com'on!" "uh oh!" and waves, claps, kisses us on command! His somewhat slimy open-mouthed kisses on my cheek are the best thing ever. He LOVES being outside and running more than anything in the world! Currently I follow him all around our apartment complex and we always end up in the parking lot so that he can back up and sit on a curb. He loves it. It's just his perfect height. It's pretty obvious he loves to dance! He has serious rhythm!! Here is one of his favorite moves: 

Dance from Nikki smith on Vimeo.

He's really starting to love drawing, painting...creative things with his hands. I want to set up some art stuff on our porch so he can go at it. Ill post pictures from our recent trip to the children's museum soon! He spent the most time in the art studio, water coloring and painting a giant rocket ship! He loves books, and brings them to me to read, but after a few, he gets impatient and leaves.

I love these photos of him:

super silly fake smile face....ha....

love my babe.

Nutballs

Collinfred from Nikki smith on Vimeo.

The wonderful world of vacuuming from Nikki smith on Vimeo.

I love my family.

PS. Do you have VINE? I LOVE it.

I love my mom. I love doing crafts with her, running errands with her, and mostly talking to her. She is one of my best friends.

childrens museum, dyers!

The dyers moved down the STREET!!!