Summer's Second Birthday, Brought To You By the Letter S and the Number 2

I can't believe Summer is 2!! Where did the time go? We've been excited to plan her second birthday party to capture the excitement and joy of our little toddler. Lola flew in just in time for the party...and just before we got 5 inches of snow :)

We had to wake our sleeping princess (who was still asleep at 9a after staying up late to go to the airport) to get ready for her own party. When we finally arrived at the Kiddie Klub, she took off! Not only did she enjoy the indoor playground, lego table, kitchen, shopping carts and all the cool toys she could play w/her friends, but especially the sweet messy treats. "There's no better way to spend the day than to play!"

Where do you think you're going?!?!

"See-a-later mommy!"

We decided on a Sesame Street theme since she fell in love w/all the characters when we vacationed at Turks & Caicos. Here is my modified attempt at cupcakes- store bought, but home decorated :)

Yummy!! Cupcakes!!

Discovered the next morning that red frosting=pink poop in the diaper (hahaha) but that was no concern for this birthday girl!

Time to clean up, "I'm messy lola...wash the hands"

We made "Thank-You" bags for each of the kids w/their first initial on the front in bright colors, a tag w/painting done exclusively by Summer, big blue cookies for the guests, and soft socks and chapsticks for the ladies:

Summer LOVED all her presents and we LOVED watching her open 'em! What a spoiled baby :) Our family is blessed to have wonderful friends and family to celebrate these special occasions and make them so super FUN!!

Thanks to some of the ladies in my life who help SO much in keeping life balanced and sane when really truly it's not :) Don't know how I could pull off being a mom and resident w/o your help!

Giddy-up Cowgirl

After a couple months of non-stop crazy work hours, no sleep, and no time together... we were DRAINED and a trip to the good ol outdoors was just what we needed! Wyoming is about as good and as outdoors as we could ask for. It's amazing how being away from the chaos of the hospital can really clear your thoughts and give you peace of mind. It also made us NOT want to come back, but we did..... :)

Camping in the Big Horns Day 1:
Summer loved being "unleashed." This girl is really a Rigsby, that's for sure! The minute we set foot on the campground she knew what to do...which is why it didn't take her 2 seconds to get ashes on her face, dirt in her mouth, a shovel in her hand, and everyone chasing after her.

She loved watching everyone set-up camp, especially when dad and grandpa pitched the tent and chopped wood for the campfire at night.
It got SO cold in the evenings, but Summer didn't seem to mind. In fact, it took some coaxing to get her to bundle up like this. Layer by layer she'd take off her clothes until all she had left was a onesie and shoes (and a mom hovering over her w/a cozy blanket.)
Camping in the Big Horns Day 2:
A perfect morning to wake up with hot chocolate (or bottle of milk) in hand and gathering by the fire to be greeted by curious deer around our site.
Off she goes again! She loved being by the water. On the way to the lake, she sat in her baby seat synchronizing her "aaauuhhh-uuhh-uuhhh's" with the bumpy car-ride.


Camping in the Big Horns Day 3:
Well, it was time to pack-up, but not before Summer did some more exploring, rock climbing, flower picking, and pick-up truck hijacking (thanks Danny, it was a great playpen for the rugrat for about a minute) :)

Don't be fooled by these two...that's not really where they slept ;)



Peek-A-Boo!
And to end our camping trip, Paul's favorite photo-op spot and then...Taco Johns!
Back in Gillette....
Summer got to play w/her cousins again
Poor baby had some teeth coming in about that time, too
But somehow still got into her grandma's makeup drawer!
Don't look so serious, boys :)
Definitely couldn't leave w/out one last trip to TACO JOHNS!
Heading home-sweet-home
What a perfect getaway. Tasty home-cooked and camp-fire meals (thanks mom R!) coziness of being home, laughs to last until we meet again... all rolled into a quick 1-wk vacation.

Summer meets Santa, ho,ho,ho!

This Christmas was bittersweet. We were sad to be so far from all our family during the holidays, but excited to celebrate Summer's first Christmas. It was such a treat to experience it with her! We picked out a fresh tree and decorated it with colorful lights and ornaments. She met Santa and Mrs. Claus at their Christmas Cabin. She was a little reluctant at first, but warmed up to them pretty quick. In fact, she chanted "ho-ho-ho" from her babyseat the whole way home!


Next on the agenda were all the get-togethers with friends. Between Paul and I both being on call this month, we managed to make it to a few events. One of Summer's favorites was The Melting Pot with just the girls...and a couple bottles of....(colored water?!?!)

And of course, there's always time for mischief....

Summer loved opening her presents (especially when she wasn't supposed to.) Sometimes Paul and I would hear the sound of paper shredding behind the couch and, sure enough, we'd find our baby sitting there with a big smile on her face and a torn-off piece of wrapping paper in her hand. Thank goodness for tape!



We celebrated Christmas Day with our good friends Craig and Aubree. Summer just luvs their two li'l girls to pieces! Their family has been such a blessing to us here, especially in taking care of our Summer while we work our crazy hours. We can't thank them enough. Here is Aubree w/ her crew :)

Up-To-Date

I'm so behind on my blogging, hopefully this makes up for it.....

Sometimes Summer thinks she's found her thumb:

Most of the time she sleeps in a swaddle, but some days she just needs to CRASH on her daddy's lap (like a little buddha):

She loves her Bumbo chair! (it's the chair she's sitting in...MOM & DAD RIGSBY) =)

My Mini-Me:

I know she's a little young to have one of these, but her legs are super strong and she loves to be on her feet. Grandma & Grandpa Casanova took her to Babies R Us and put her in different jumperoos. When they put her in this one, she smiled really big and Grandpa said, "Oh look! She likes this one!" so in the shopping cart it went. Her legs don't touch the floor yet so we improvise by putting a platform underneath her feet and she is just happy as can be. Every time she jumps, the lights & music play:

Summer has "her spot" on the couch right between two big cushions:

She thinks she found her finger again:

Just recently she's started biting her bottom lip (in addition to pouting it):