Plein Air - post by Jared

Plein Air is a fancy word for painting on location. Plein Air is probably one of my favorite things to do. It test your ability to focus to the max. When you have mesquitos, bees and all sorts of bugs flying all over you it is really hard to concentrate. The lighting changes significantly in just 30 mins, so you have try to figure out which parts will change the fastest and paint those first. Its just plain difficult, and that is what makes it so rewarding. Robby Wilson and I went painting up right hand canyon (just past the C) . We had a lot of fun, we made it off the mountain just before a large storm came rolling in. We heard the thunder rolling in the distance as we finished up. I hope Robby and I can go again.

So here it is.

Three Months

One month old ---- Two months old ---- Three months old

I know everyone says this, but seriously WHERE DID TIME GO? Did you notice which way her head is facing in the latest picture? She has been a trooper with all the stretches she has to do. She is also rolling over and almost laughing. Its funny how different she is from Kendi. Everyone told us that your kids will be different, but sometimes I feel like I've never had a baby before. Aydri has gotten to be a pill when it comes to nursing. The doctor tells us she is just lazy about it. If I don't feed her within seconds of her acting hungry she blows a gasket and won't eat. Sometimes I have to wait an hour for her to get hungry enough to give in and nurse. Its strange. Other than that and trying to figure out her nap routine (which is mostly my fault) she has been tons of fun.

Here is a picture of her and cousin Sydney. I think Aydri is ten weeks and Sydney is 2 weeks old here.
This was fun! What do you do with a bridesmaid dress that you haven't wore since the wedding?

You make a princess dress for your favorite three year old.
I had a hard time cutting into the dress, but it was even harder to see it sit in my closet for eight years. Kendi absolutely loves it. While I was sewing it, she kept asking me if it was going to cover her feet. Apparently, it's not a princess dress unless it covers your feet. And it has to twirl really big.

The 4th

We had lots of fun this year on the 4th. Its more fun when you have kids old enough to enjoy everything.

Here are all seven grand-daughters on the Barnes' side. Watching the parade.

This picture shows what kind of mood Kendi was in most of the day.

This is how Aydri enjoyed the parade.
We also had dutch oven at my parents house and then went to see Up with the Barnes'. It was Kendi first movie at the theater. You know how is gets a little long at the end? Kendi turned to me and asked if we could watch something else.

July

At the beginning of the month Aydri discovered her tongue. We discovered that she has a really long tongue. We called her "Lizard" for a few days because she would stick out her tongue constantly.

We've been having some strange rainstorms this months. These pictures were taken before monsoon season started. Kendi is always having fun. She is a very outgoing girl. The rain was actually really warm for a while.

Jared likes to have fun too. I was sitting in the garage holding the baby.

Latest Painting by Jared

Occasionally, someone comes to Jared wanting a painting done of someone who has died. All too often it is of a child. One year ago today, this little boy was run over and killed by a car. It is a hard thing for Jared to paint these pictures because of all the emotions. Sadness because of the loss of the child, gladness in knowing the plan of salvation and that the family will be reunited someday.
You know how the apostles talk about when a new temple is announced, the bells of hell ring out. That is how this painting has been. So many things have gone wrong, but we believe that it will be a powerful painting to somebody. We are glad Jared was able to finish it, strangely on the one year anniversary of the day the child died.

Torticollis & Plagiocephaly

We are feeling a lot better today. We saw a therapist for Aydri's condition and found out a lot of things. Torticollis is caused by not having enough room in utero. People who saw me when pregnant are going to be flabbergasted by that. Aydri's Plagiocephaly is caused by her Torticollis. Both of her conditions are mild and will go away with treatment. It is especially good that we caught it so early. We've been giving Aydri a lot of tummy time since we found out and the therapist was surprised at how strong she was.

We have to do two different stretches with her four times each for four session during the day. I have already noticed an improvement. Aydri can even relax during the stretches. Aydri had a tendency to turn her head to the right, but tilt her head to the left. That's why it looks like the stretches are going opposite directions.

The Plagiocephaly (flat spot) is on the right side. We have been told not to let her lay on that side at all so that she won't have to wear a helmet. The therapist recommended a head bed. Mid-line is the best position for her head. When I saw how expensive the head beds were I decided to make one instead. It cost us nothing because I was able to use scraps. I also made her a boppy to sit in from scraps from the nursing cover I made. HOLY MOLY, I must like to sew.

The pillow works great and she likes it too.