in the meantime

what have the wheelers been doing this past week?

mostly, just taking it one day at a time.

inked

how does something like this happen?

seriously?!

best blanket

a lot of toddlers summer's age have special blankets or stuffed animals that they tote around the house.

but summer doesn't have time to pick out a "favorite" blanket. instead, she indiscriminately loves all blankets (she is, after all, the poster baby for free love).

and she must carry them all around the house.

linus: you ain't got nothin on our summer girl.

visions in white

my girls.

...trailing clouds of glory...

afton in her mother's dress:

gettin jiggy wit it

mall rat

follow this (familiar?) scenario with me, if you will:

so it’s just me and the two girls off to the mall to run a few errands. daunting, perhaps, but i’m convinced of my abilities – the trip is going to be 40 minutes, tops.

surprisingly, things go well. we quickly run our errands, and summer even gets a balloon from nordstrom shoes. we’re on our way out the door: afton is sleeping soundly, and summer is happily prancing along. i feel a sigh of relief and a measure of confidence.

then

it

happens.

summer spots a table and chairs at which she wants to sit. i tell her not today, it’s time to go home, and all hell breaks loose.

can you see me?

i’ve got afton strapped to my front in a baby carrier, my diaper bag slung over one shoulder, and two or three shopping bags in my other hand. summer is on the floor, screaming her head off, kicking her feet, and spinning in circles. it takes mustering up all my motherly feelings (which are at this point, way, way deep down inside) to keep from doing one of the two things that first come to mind: 1) burst in to tears and throw myself on the ground right along with her or 2) just keep walking out the door; i’m sure someone nice will be along soon who can tend to her needs.

instead, after several minutes of unsuccessful coaxing (did i mention that by this time afton is awake and crying, too?), i’m forced to pick summer up *as well,* and carry her kicking and screaming to the car.

and then i burst in to tears.

thus, i'm reminded of why i do most of my shopping via the internet.

thank you, al gore.

sunday nap

for grandma and grandpa wheeler

the wheeler girls: kellyn, summer, and afton

little miss sunshine

yes, that would be my baby lu.

who is now officially afton noelle after her
baby blessing in salt lake on september 6th.

the festivities.
(and summer with her "ice spoon"
a.k.a. the spoon she uses to eat ice out of the drink coolers).

cousin kellyn and aunt michele.

ever the center of attention, summer loves
frolicking amidst all her new friends.

down the drain

september 11, 2009

dear diary:

today i stuck my finger down the (tiny holes) drain.

i almost had to leave it there.

love,

bandaged baby summer

free bird

baby afton lets me know what she really thinks.

i looked out the window

and what did i see?

so i'm doing the morning dishes when all of a sudden,
my blinds start to raise and this good sir steps inside my house.

"good morning," he says. "good morning," i reply.
and we both resume our business.

yikes. it's a good thing i got dressed this morning.

summer wanders over to say hello.