Meet the Nannies

Ever since I went back to work, people have been asking me, "Who's taking care of M?" J and I were very fortunate to find two wonderful young women to not only take care of M, but love and nurture her as well. We refer to them as "the girls", probably a title they are not too fond of, but we mean it in the most loving way.

T is our Monday/Wednesday nanny. She's currently a junior at the local university studying Child Development. She has hopes of one day running her own daycare center. We consider T our "city" nanny as she was raised in southern California. There were more kids in T's junior high than in the town in which I (N) grew up in, population 1500. We are hoping T teaches M what it takes to survive in the big city. (tee-hee)

T loves being on the ranch and taking M for walks. She keeps telling M how lucky she is to be growing up on a ranch. And even though T may have not been raised in the country, she is adjusting to country life quite nicely. She's tolerated the dogs, even when they brought back an unrecognizable deceased animal to the porch. And for those of you who know her or who may meet her, be sure to ask her about how she thought we lived in a barn. It'll give you a good chuckle.

H is our Tuesday/Thursday/Friday nanny. She is currently a freshman at the local junior college. She's taking classes to get into the nursing program, but has also talked about becoming a pediatrician. H is our "country" nanny. When she replied to our nanny ad she mentioned that she had raised sheep in 4-H. Well, for those of you who know me (N), that was all I needed to hear. Having been in 4-H myself for 9 years, my mom a 4-H leader for more than 35 years, along with two aunts who were 4-H leaders and Grandma M who probably got it all started, I knew the responsibilities one learns in the program. And especially a market or breeding animal program!


H also enjoys taking M for walks. She's been known to let Katy in and spend some time with M as well. And we're not sure how it happened, but it seems like M saves her dirtiest diapers for H. There are several days when I come home to see M in a different outfit because she had a "blow out". Lucky H.

While I would obviously prefer to stay home with M, T and H make it easier to go to work. They are giving M the love and care she deserves. They read to her, sing to her, dance with her, and play with her. M smiles when they walk in the door and she it still smiling when I get home from work. To me, that is a sign of a great nanny! Now if we can just keep both of them around until M goes to school!

It's All About the Thumb

M is 4 months old today and life is all about the thumb. She usually sucks her left thumb, but there are occasions when she's sucking both at the same time. Who knew that sucking a thumb could be so darn cute!

She spent her first Thanksgiving with family - Uncle T, Aunt B, cousins P, J, H, B, and B's girlfriend, A. Grandpa T was there, too. It was a day full of kisses and hugs! We all ate too much, but what is Thanksgiving without a stuffed belly?

I hope you enjoy the video. As you can hear, M is very excited to see Santa in Wyoming when we go home to visit. She's been a very good girl so I've assured her that she will not get coal in her stocking. I can't say the same about her dad - ha ha ha! Just kidding. J is the best dad in the world. We're both lucky to have him.

Happy Holidays.

Chilly Day

I'm only posting this because I thought the hat was adorable! M and I were outside today to watch dad help some friends skin a buck deer. Probably should have put some of those pics on here, but I have to say M is a lot cuter than any deer! Hee-hee.

Rolling Over!

Okay, I thought yesterday was exciting because M rolled from her back to her stomach and I actually witnessed it. But today was even better. She rolled from her back to her stomach and to her back again! And I caught it on video! Wahoo!!

First Halloween

Okay, I have to tell you - we didn't even go trick-or-treating and still had a GREAT Halloween. We were a little late on carving the pumpkin, didn't get to it until tonight. But we got to it in time to have it in the pictures! J did a great job with it as you can see!

M was a trooper throughout the evening. As you can see, she made an adorable kitty. What the pictures don't show is the cutest little tail!

We hope your Halloween was as happy as ours!

Beautiful Day for a Walk

What a beautiful day today was for a walk! We took full advantage of the gorgeous day. It was the first time M "rode" in the Baby Bjorn facing out as she is getting very good with her head control now. Usually on our walks she falls asleep within 5 minutes of the house. But today she stayed awake during the entire walk! She was busy watching the dogs chase one another, seeing birds fly around, and just listening to all the sounds of fine, country living! Daddy was inside fighting what we hope to be a 24-hour flu bug when we went outside to take this picture. I put the camera on the fender of a loader and did my best to get a good shot of the two of us. I'm surprised you can't see one of the dogs in the picture as they kept jumping up on us both. You'll notice she's missing a sock. Compliments of one of the dogs; Katie, I think. :)

Bath Time

Bath time was a blast tonight. Our little sweetheart loves her baths, but mommy really got into it tonight and dressed her in this little Pooh Bear bathrobe and slippers. We HAD to share this picture.

3 Months Old

We've been taking pictures of M on her monthly "birthdays". Attached is the latest picture as she was 3 months old on October 24.

Halloween is just around the corner and we'll be dressing her up in her very own kitty cat suit, compliments of "Auntie" MCD. :) I have no doubt you will see pictures of that as well.

Welcome to our blog!

Wow, what a great way to share pictures and keep friends and family updated.