My Girls

I decided I needed some 6 month pictures of Alaina, so I made her a new dress and just took a few. I just love this girl. Of course Kaiya wanted to get in on the action so I got a few of her too.

Valentine's Day in the Shurtleff Home

We have had so much fun with Valentine's day this year. First my friend Jenni had on her blog this awesome idea. Target had 1 dollar mailboxes. So we got one and decorated it. Then everyday in February Kaiya has received a letter in her mailbox. Both of her grandparents had sent her some, along with some cousins and an aunt and uncle. Mom and Dad also did a few. She has had so much fun asking us everyday if the mail man had come yet.



Brett has to work tonight so he and I went out last night. Brett gave me a GORGEOUS boutique of roses and Kaiya got her own rose that she has kept in her room since she got it. If she had it her way she would carry it around with her everywhere. Brett and I then got a baby sitter and had a Night out! It was awesome. I ran extra that morning (70min) so that I could afford the extra calories for dinner at on the boarder :D. Then we went and saw The Vow.




This morning Kaiya got red heart shaped pancakes before she was off to school for a Valentine party. I thought about adding red dye to Alaina's milk but decided against it. I made Brett sausage omelette, homemade hashbrowns and a red pancake. Then we went and bought us some weights as our valentine gift to ourselves :D. After school we picked up Kaiya and her friend Stella came over. The girls each got to decorate their own Heat Shaped cookie. While Mommy decorated a bunch to take to Daddy's work later tonight. We have had such a fun Valentines day! It's so fun to be able to show the people you love how much they mean to you. But shouldn't we do that everyday?

Advice from Kaiya

So I was just talking to Brett and how I was frustrated with not losing weight lately while I have been pushing so hard and dieting. I finally just said well I just hope this works. Well Kaiya turned and said "Mom, don't say hope it works, say it Will work. That's what you need to say". I love that at 3 she is so wise :D

6 Months

Well Alaina had her 6 month Check up. She weighed 13.8 pounds and was 24 inches long. They said her Height was in the 3rd percentile and her weight in the 10th. Looks like we are going to have another little girl. I love it, helps me to feel like they are babies just a little bit longer. I hate when they have to get shots though. Alaina did really good. But she had this cry like her feelings were really hurt. The poor nurse even got all teary eyed looking at her. Luckly she recovered quickly and took a good long nap when we got home.

Catching Up

Oh I feel like such an awful Mom. I feel like life took off there for awhile and left me in the dust always playing catch up. I feel awful that I haven't shared much about my sweet little Alaina and the joy that she has brought to our life. Where to even begin....

Well Alaina is 6 months now, wow that went fast. She has just the sweetest personality. She is such a HAPPY baby. If she isn't laughing, she is usually quiet. Except when she starts to get really tired, then she just babbles. We have started Alaina on solid foods, and man does she love them. It's so different from the constant fight I am use to to get Kaiya to eat. Alaina has been sleeping through the night now since about two months. Although she hasn't quiet gotten the memo that this family is not one of early risers.

Now for a quick update on Kaiya. OH MY GOODNESS!! this girl just keeps me on my feet. She is actually a really good girl. She just loves to reason with you for everything. The other night I put her to bed at 8am. She didn't go to sleep until after midnight. She had every excuse in the book for why she just couldn't sleep. Too much on her mind, she needed to watch 3 shows because she is 3. You name it. Man I love this girl! Kaiya does Joy school, a home preschool that me and some Mom's rotate teaching.

As for me I finally graduated from something. I got two associates, one in general education and the other in Pre Psychology. I am still sewing but other wise taking a break and trying to just be Mom, I love it. I have also started really focusing on my Health. After shedding all of the baby weight from Alaina I decided it was time to start working on the rest. Currently I am down 33 pounds from my pre Alaina weight and I have 41 to go to reach my goal. Along the way I have learned to LOVE to run. I try and get out about 3 times a week running any where from 3.4 to 5 miles. I have also found ways to eat healthy and enjoy it too. I am feel so much more energized and good about myself and I love it!

Brett has been working hard to help out our family. He is such an Awesome Father and Husband! He has applied to a few different Nursing Programs and we should be hearing back soon. School won't start until Next fall. We are actually getting ready to pack up all of our stuff put it in storage and head out on an adventure. We are going to Utah for 3 weeks to visit. then stay with Brett's parents for 2 before we head to Nashville TN for the summer. Brett is going to be selling Pest Control while me and the girls explore a new city, hang out at a pool and Miss Daddy a lot. Hopefully this will bring a lot of oppertunities to our family.

Well that is a quick update on life. I am going to try hard to be better and posting. I want my girls to have a record of our life and our little family.

Here are a few pictures..

Family Time


Kaiya and I



Alaina Loves her food