Barn Buddy

My phone is being silly and not taking photos, but I wanted to write about a memorable time I had with you yesterday.

I took you to the barn with me in the afternoon to do stalls and to give a new lesson horse that we have on care lease a little exercise.

While Im doing stalls, you were mostly hanging out at the paddock gate behind our barn, and the horses in there came to the gate and were sniffing your hand, which you thought was so funny.

I walked out there once, and you had one hand in your jean picket with your pinky still out of the pocket and I thought I might die with a cuteness overload.

You are such a little WOMAN. I see greatness in you and feel honored to watch you grow.

Then we got done stalls and we got out this little mare her owners call "Biscuit" but I want to change her barn name.

You helped me lead her in, brush her then started telling me "saddle" and laughed with joy when I put it on her.

I rode her for a little bit first while you waited patiently (adorably sitting/leaning on the mounting block) and then I pulled you up with me and we set off on the trails. You have a strong "cluck" so we do a lot of trotting :)

But we mostly walked. I was tossing out names at you for the horse and you kept saying "no. no."

When you see other horses running you laugh and say, "mama, horsies twotting (trotting)"

Back at the barn, you were hesitant to get off, but you did this time without crying.

Finally, a name hit me because of her color and markings, she looks like the mare on Black Beauty. "Ginger".

I said it out loud, you repeated it which reminded me of a video of me and tRachel as kids calling our cocker spaniel, Ginger. And it has stuck! You called her Ginger the rest of the night.

Thanks for helping me pick a name and for being such an enjoyable barn buddy.

Love,
Mom

Recent Pictures

Now that mommy got a lens for her nice camera and not taking photos with my phone, I'm not posting as often!  Here are some photos I've taken of you over the last couple months:

You love running around naked!!!

I love how happy you are and how much you are growing on a daily basis.  I love my baby Launa!!  How quickly you'll be a little girl.  It's sad but exciting!  I'll always treasure your baby days and I look forward to all the years of adventure ahead. 

First Hair Cut

So, you kind of had a mullet thing going on in the back.  So, our friend Stephanie and myself decided it was time for you to get a haircut!  She gave you a sassy Type 3 hair cut and I just can't get over how amazing you look!!!  You weren't a big fan of actually getting your hair cut, but you love the results! 

You look amazing.  There are so many "moments" I want to capture where your hair looks perfect, but you are SO QUICK!  It's hard to catch you sitting still at all :)

Love you baby girl!

Our New Favorite Person

Is, Hillary!!! 

We tried it out once and it went great... so on days Starlynn goes to preschool, she's going to pick you up on her way to her barn and you can "help" feed horses and clean stalls!

No tears leaving mommy at all, and you were SO happy when you came back.  Your happy countenance and the way you waved at me when you got home warmed my heart.  Hillary is doing this for free, but it's worth all the money in the world to me to have you be so happy and get to do things you love. 

It made a pretty big difference in our day!  I think you're just like me.  Spend an hour or two with people once in a while then HORSES, HORSES, HORSES.  And dogs and cats and anything else that is not human.  Lol.  Love you Launa Lu.

Just Like Mommy

We decided that Launa has to grow up on a farm or ranch.  She is just like me.  But, my mom and I were speculating as to why, as a child, I didn't throw tantrums like this one.  The answer is: because I could always go outside!!  The first part of my childhood was in AZ and 80% of my memories are from playing OUTSIDE.  Then, when we moved to WA, we always, always (until now) lived on a property with horses right there with us.  And, as you might have guessed, I was ALWAYS there.  An hour or two with humans once in a while and then barn, barn, barn, horses, horses, horses. 

Launa is consistently trying to get me out the door.  And all she wants to do is "ride Bob Casady" (ride Bob and Casady). 

These photos capture her delight that we were OUTSIDE!!!! and GOING TO THE BARN!  and then RIDING!!!! 

She can be quite the challenge on days we don't do anything.  I thought I was a go-getter.  I am looking forward to the spring, when it's a little warmer, Harmony is a little older, etc.  I suspect we won't see much of the inside of our house come summer. Which, because Launa and I are so alike, that suits me just fine! 

And, we gotta make our dreams come true of having our own farm!

Launa: I got you girl.  I understand!

Let's get this show on the road already!

Chasing Ellie Mae down the street

I know I shouldn't!

But I'm gonna anyway!

She was happy to be on the horse, but was growing impatient with my picture taking.  She kept squealing at me.

I didn't get the smiles I wanted until we got the horse to move!!!

I love this little girl SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much!

Talking

Not even 2 yet and you just said to Harmony, "Come give me hug. Lay down on me." I might have been one of the only ones that could understand it, but you said it.

It's like, "ome gimme ugg. Way dow ah me."

Lol. You say pretty much anything and everything. Love you so much talkative one!

Leslie

Train Shows with Daddy

Daddy has been taking his train and running it on the Tacoma Train Club (which he joined) Layout on this little model train tour they are going on.

You've been going with him the last few weekends.

Yesterday, you didn't really want to leave me. You were gone ALL day yesterday. Daddy can help you get to sleep there for your naps by setting you up with a sleeping bag underneath the train layout. Then you have fun watching the choo choos and walking around with daddy.

Today, you're going back with daddy. I expected you to fuss today when daddy told you to give me hugs and kisses and cry when you left like you did yesterday.

But...

Daddy said, "Lets go beautiful!"

And you said, "I tuming." (coming)

Then he scooped you up and told you to give me hugs and kisses, which you did not want. You had business to do.

Then daddy starts walking to the car with you and you flash back the happiest, cutest, most memorable smile at me I've ever seen. You are the choo choo girl. Daddy's little buddy. He loves taking you and says you're really well behaved and a big helper.

You like to be busy doing things all the time (like mommy).

It brings me joy to see you so happy! I'll never forget watching your cute smile over daddy's shoulder all the way to the car.

Leslie

Early Morning Christmas Tree

Launa:

There is a special thing we get to do--just the two of us.

Growing up, I used to stay up after everyone or get up earlier and spend time sitting on the couch, by the light of the Christmas tree only and just marvel at its beauty and all it's meaning and the feelings it brings.

Since you get up before everyone, this is now something you and I do together. I love how relaxed you are sitting in my lap with my arms around you looking at the tree.

You've gotten so used to this, when we come upstairs and the tree isn't on yet, you say "oh no!"

And then when I turn it on you say "Wwwwooooowwww!"

Then we sit and cuddle, and I tell you about the tree and what it represents.

After a while, you're ready to go play. And like all kids, you have a fascination with the ornaments, but are pretty gentle with them! Kinda... :-)

I love you Launa bug! Thanks for making Christmas that much more special.

Love,
Mom

Barn Helper/Baby Sitter

On Daddy's Watch

Daddy must bore the snot out of you. Hahaha. You have fallen asleep on his watch the last few days!!