A face only a baby daughter could love...

muggimg for the camera

A Major Breakthrough

Well, it is a very good day at the Spangler house.

Some of you know that Addie has been sleep challenged since day one. Though she finally began sleeping through the night, putting her down for naps and for bed was really difficult still. She would not go to sleep- just cry and scream- unless she was rocked and swaddled. It was exhausting and frustrating and we had tried many times to break her of it.
Well, today was the day we had set to try again. We planned to use a program called "Sleepy Time"- oh it sounds cheesy until you are desperate- then it could be called anything and you wouldn't care. Anyway, we were all set for battle- we had a plan and we had been praying about this a lot!
The first nap of the morning came and it was time to put Addie down without rocking her, without swaddling her, and prepare for an hour of screaming. I was dreading it!
I did what the plan suggested- used a long routine to help her settle down, gave her a lovey to cuddle with, and out of the room I went. She started crying. Five minutes and still crying (no biggie- we're used to this!). But at minute eight, something strange happened. Instead of getting madder and screaming harder like usual, she got quieter and then quit. Nothing! Silence! Could it be?! I thought she was winding up for a big protest, but another minute of quiet went by. I thought she was playing, but then another minute of quiet. Yes folks, she fell asleep. On her own. Perhaps you don't realize just how amazing that is to us- it is BIG.
At her second nap of the day, it happened again. She fell asleep in six minutes. It was amazing. It was fantastic. It was great.
So if you'd like to see some happy parents, come to our house. We will be glowing for quite awhile.

103 Degrees And I'm At the Pool

Whew! It was HOT on Saturday! We went to the pool with the Kropf family and snapped this picture of Addie in her swimsuit. I got her the sunglasses that morning at a yard sale. Sure, they're a little boyish, but they keep the sun out of her eyes.
We decided to spare you the pictures of Addie's parents in their swimsuits, but we will include a shot of the sunburn I got from forgetting to put sunblock on my back.

Look Up

 

Now That's Happy

Does this face say "HAPPY" or what? 

Standing is Fun

Lately, Addie's two favorite things are standing (with mom or the ottoman) and being near Timmy the cat. Both make her shriek with happiness.

Addie loves to practice pulling herself to sitting (with my fingers) and then pulling up to standing. Her stomach muscles are getting really strong.

Lately when Timmy walks in the room, Addie starts laughing and squealing. It is so cute! 

The Tags Are the Best Part

Sure, my toys are great, but my favorite part of them is always the tag.

Greg says we should market a round stuffed ball with tags all over it- kids would love it- we'd make a million bucks!
 

Sticking Your Tongue Out is Rude

But it sure is fun! I like to stick it out and mom plays with it. 

Parade Highlights- Pt.5

Some more highlights from the Santa Clarita Fourth of July parade.

Vets- of course- always worth some hearty applause.
A great antique fire truck.

Antique cars with flags- always a hit.
And of course, what's a parade without Miss Santa Clarita? We couldn't stop there- we had to have her princesses in the car behind, then Teen Miss Santa Clarita, then her princesses, then Junior Miss Santa Clarita, then HER princesses, then Mrs. Santa Clarita. Interesting enough, Mrs. SC didn't have princesses. Insert joke here. 

Parade Highlights- Pt.4

The only thing more entertaining than a black bus that looks like a train...

is a non-sober guy hanging out the back yelling with a pronounced slur "Happy Fourth of July!"

This hoopty-ride reminded us of my dad's electric blue low-rider truck that was once owned by Sir-mix-a-lot. I like big TRUCKS and I cannot lie...
Dad- you should take your truck in a parade! Everyone would love it!

Parade Highlights- Pt.3

I don't remember now what this float was for, I just remember Greg telling me that the guys in the back were probably retired ZZ Top.

The corvette club of Santa Clarita.
The Volkswagon club of Santa Clarita.

The Scion club of Santa Clarita.


We wanted to know where the fuel-efficient mid-size sedan club of Santa Clarita was. I think they were in a different parade somewhere else. 

Parade Favorites- Pt.2

The oddest and funniest of all the "floats" (if you can call them that), was the "Mushuggah Nuns". Evidently there is going to be a play at the local theater with this name. We didn't really care- we just liked seeing women dressed as nuns with swimming intertubes around their bellies dancing and going nuts. It was pretty hilarious and strange.


another old red truck with flags (of course)
What's a fourth of July parade without some snappy looking servicemen?
This is how we reward service to our country? Make the poor guys wear full dress uniforms and march for miles carrying flags? Shouldn't they get to ride in an air-conditioned convertible while flag-burners march and carry something heavy in front of them? 

Parade Highlights- Pt. 1

A few of our parade favorites:

the classic old red truck with flags
horse-drawn stagecoach with old men in cowboy hats
parade of fire trucks including the big boy they use in the worst fires
a subtle advertisement for using bio-fuel 

Picnic Time

For our 4th of July dinner, our party joined with the apartment complex potluck. Lots of fun!
We were joined by Amy Haddock, Dhon & Lori Wellons, & Lisa LaGeorge. Of course, our fabulous neighbors, the Kropfs, were there too, along with most of our other neighbors.

We feasted on Greg's BBQ ribs, corn on the cob, pasta salad, grilled zuchinni & grilled bananas (thanks Lisa!), and of course chips and soda.


 

Games on the Fourth

We had a great time with some friends over to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Addie helps Amy Haddock play WhoKnu. (or not be able to play)


Dhon Wellons and Amy Haddock play Guesstures. Let the record show that the women stomped the men in this game.