December festivities

The month of December, thus far, has been full of excitement and it's not even over yet. 

Here is a tid bit of what we have been up to this month so far.

Haddie met Santa for the first time!

Emmett's sister, Andrea,  got married to a nice boy named Aaron on Saturday. It was freezing, snowing and beautiful! Our family has grown quiet a bit in the last few months!

Her brothers really do like Aaron...

And the babies were happy too.

After the wedding the honeymooners set off and the rest of the family spent the weekend at our place. We played lots of games and decorated Christmas cookies.

Now we leave for a 2 week break in WA for tons of family time. No work, no school. Whhaa?? That's crazy!! We can't even describe just how excited we are. We will also be celebrating our 

dun dun dunnnn....

one year anniversary!!

now THAT'S crazy!

Girls day: Christmas nails

It has slowly, but finally, become a tradition where my friends Larissa, Ashley and I get together and have a girls day once a week. Normally we play games, eat snacks and girl talk but today we all painted our nails for the upcoming holiday and it was so fun! Oh, we did girl talk and eat ice cream too, of course, who do you think we are!?

We also got Haddie involved. She loved it. Mini diva in the making? Oh boy.

Here is the final product. Cha Ching!

(please excuse the immodest couches)

I love these friends! Thanks for the ice cream Larisstopher!

Happy Holidays!

A tale

Once upon a time there was a cute family. They wanted to go to Salt Lake City with their new little one and another cute (almost) family, consisting of  Aaron and Andrea, to see the Christmas lights at Temple Square! They planned to leave at 5pm, which meant they would embark on this fine adventure at 7pm. Not unusual.. So they bundled up and set forth!

They all were rather hungry so they stopped at a popular burger joint, In n' Out. The almost family also made their way through treterous winds and chilly air across the parking lot to enjoy some Red Mango parfait. Minus the blue berries. Sad day.

After this pit stop they continued on their trek to see the lights. As they neared their destination the roads became icy and the sky brought down little flakes of white. Brrr. They still continued onward in hopes of a fun expedition.

Upon arrival, they found it very difficult to 1, see out the windows, and 2, find a parking spot. After driving circles upon circles they eventually found somewhere to park and it was only 3 or so blocks away. They made their way through blistering winds to the lights. 

It was a beautiful sight to see! Well, when they could keep their eyes open long enough without freezing their noses off their faces. They enjoyed the warmth of the north and south visitors centers which helped to dry cold and wet little toes. The baby was sound asleep through this entire journey. When the family made it to the south visitors center they decided to get the pictures they had wanted with the lights while inside because daring to stand in the cold much longer could result in illnesses. 

Despite the cold, the wetness and all the falling white flakes they had some fun and baby got lots of "cute" "adorable" "awww" comments. 

They made their way back through the blistering winds and block after block of snow covered sidewalks to the car safely. The ride home was not easy though. The ramp to the freeway was jammed with traffic, making it hard for the little car to make it up the hill with snow and ice covering the roads and tires. They saw accidents and cars on the side of the road but luckily they had a great driver by the name of Aaron who got them all home safely. Some even got a few naps in on the way.

It was quiet the adventure but it was fun none the less :)

Cousins

Haddie is fortunate enough to have a very close in age cousin and her name is Anne. They are only 9 days apart. They don't do a whole lot together yet but there is one thing they have down pat.

November/December

Where have I been you ask? Well...

1. I've been sick. Sick sick sick and I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. Hmph. That's why no bloggage has occurred in a while. But That's enough feeling sorry for myself because....

2. ....my poor daughter has not had the easy life the last couple days. She was not feeling too well for a while there. She was up about every hr to two hrs on Sat night leaving mom and dad throughly EX-HAUSTED.  But the next night she slept for what seemed like FOREVER long.

We have a darn tootin good baby on our hands. She is such a trooper! She smiles all the time, she hardly ever fusses when she is awake and she usually gives us at least 4 hr sleeping stretches each night. So it was weird when she was waking up so often. Once we figured out the problem we did all we could to help. Finally, last night after going to the dr, we got the worst out of the way. It was hard on me, so hard in fact I cried. On top of what she was already going through she had to get her shots. I will never forget the sad face she made when they stuck her with those needles. She was so happy for the nurses and her Dr at first. She was lying on the table smiling and cooing as usual. I tried to keep her focus and once they stuck her her little eyes got HUGE, watered up and looked at me like she needed my help right then and there and as fast as possible!! WORST. FEELING. EVER  in my tummy. The tears rolled down her face before she could even get a scream out. Then the screaming went on for 5 mins so I fed her and she was just fine again. TROOPER. She slept for 6 hrs before waking up at 4 this morning with a slight fever. We gave her baby tylenol and she was out again until 8:30. She has felt much better today. Still a little fussy though.

We plan on meeting Santa in the next week! I'm beyond excited to take Haddie. We went last year to get a picture with him and the rotten elves cut the line off right after the person in front of me. I was so bummed. But not this year! Haddie WILL get a picture with Santa and those, hopefully, not-so-rotten-elves.

We have lots of events coming up this month. My ever so lovely sister in law, Andrea, is getting married to an ever so charming young man, Aaron, on the 15th. We are excited. I think Emmett is battling the big brother role of feeling protective and excited. It's kind of cute :)
We are also super stoked about spending our holidays/ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY in Washington State! Last year when we were there for our wedding reception I hardly got to see or do anything. So this year Emmett is taking me all over for sight seeing at it's finest! Counting down the days!

Proud mom moment

My little gal pal rolled over for the first time today!! Ya, she is just six weeks old. It was perfect timing too because it was during her Aunt Andrea's bridal shower. So she Put on a little show for all the  ladies there. PROUD MOM MOMENT.

Love my little lady.

It's snow fun

I miss california today.

The inevitable happened yesterday. The first snow of the season came storming through town. Lamesauce. Now I'll admit, I was one of many that were laughed at and made part of a cliche by those who have lived in snowy places before. When I first moved to Utah I could NOT WAIT for it to snow. I wanted it soo bad. And boy when the first snow hit Provo back in 2010 I was one happy california girl! I ran outside and ran around, and around, and around and...well you get it. I made snow angels, snowmen, I threw snowballs (which I hear is illegal to do here but I have yet to find out for sure). It was beautiful!

Now a days things are a little different. The very next year I had made up my mind that LIVING in the snow was much different than driving to it and playing or snowboarding in it. Yep. This happened after one early morning of leaving for work, coming outside and my car was completely buried. I had to dress nice for work so of course I was in a skirt and heels. It was early, I had no shovel and the only tool I did have to unbury my car was an ice scraper. Not super sufficient but it was all I had. I started with my windows and worked down to the tires.

I must have looked utterly re-donc-ulous. 

Finally a friend of mine came out and helped but still only with an ice scraper. He asked a neighbor for a shovel and then after a while I was out. Yep. After this incident I decided I hated living in the snow. It's better to just look at.

I miss California today and this is why..

Our back yard before ^^ and after..

^Our car. I'll admit, it could have been worse.

^Our front yard. Ok, it's kind of pretty..to look at..

^Our street. So not fun to drive on.

^Again our car

I miss California today, because digging out your car early in the morning in the 30 degree weather is not fun. Driving like a grandma while people whiz past you is scary and waiting 20 mins for your car to warm up to stick your baby in the back seat just plain sucks.

BUT...yay for hot chocolate days, a sweet husband to unbury your car and a snuggly baby!

Our 1st Halloween

Is it wrong to dress your infant child up for Halloween and use her to get yourself candy? I mean, she can't eat it anyways so it would just sit around and go bad. Right? Right. So this is what I did. She was our sweet little strawberry! SO cute! Her costume was a bit big (but so is everything else she wears) so we tried layering her up. It kinda worked. 

We decided to put her in a basket to carry her around. She slept the ENTIRE time we were out trick or treating. When we would go up to the doors people would have to do a double take at her and then ask us if she was real or not. She most definitely was real and adorable. She got lots of compliments. 

Emmett and I decided to go as exhausted new parents. Needless to say we didn't have to do much "dressing up" for that. 

After walking around a street or two, our friends, Larissa and her husband, Josh, Emmett and I were tired. We decided to go grab Papa Murpheys pizza, some hot chocolate, our candy and a head back to our place for a movie and stuffing of our faces. Success.

What a fun first Halloween as a little family.

Haddie and Daddy at their finest

Don't judge the RIDICULOUS commentary

Family trip to the pumpkin patch

I have been making a big deal about going to the pumpkin patch since before Haddie was even born. There is just something about going to one and picking out your very own special pumpkin. I had an even larger urge to go since this year would be little Haddie's first time ever!

I had it all picture perfect in my head...Daddy, Mommy and baby meandering through rows and rows of brightly orange colored squashes, taking fun pictures, Haddie wearing her adorable costume, drinking hot chocolate and jumping on hay stacks just enjoying each other's company and picking out our ideal pumpkins. A small, medium and large of course for Haddie, Mom and Dad.

Well, this is how our trip really went. It was planned to go this evening for the free hay rides and hot chocolate. Well we were hanging out with some friends when we decided we would just go earlier to avoid colder weather. So Haddie was not dressed up in her halloween outfit like I had planned, she had no beanie and I didn't bring the sling to carry her in. We could deal. -We thought we could deal- We get to the pumpkin patch and Hadster decides to wake up after being pulled from her cozy little cocoon. Can't blame her. She then starts crying but I get her to calm down. It was fairly warm and really sunny so that was nice. We start browsing and she starts crying again. So we "meander" rather quickly after that. The trip was cut a bit short, we didn't get many pictures like I had hoped, none with Emmett either, free hot chocolate and hay rides were only mondays and we dropped the one thing that was helping Haddie get back to sleep, her binky, in the dirt. Crying gets louder, we move faster.

It wasn't what I had pictured for our family's first pumpkin patch trip but it was still just as perfect in it's own special way. We each got a pumpkin, we got a couple pics, we went and bought our own hot chocolate mix and we got a fourth pumpkin to carve out and put Haddie in for a large cuteness factor later :) I can not wait to get a pic of her in a pumpkin!

 

She was actually sleeping through this picture.

One unhappy little pumpkin squasher. But look how small she looks next to them!

Okay. Listen. The sun was super bright in my face.

Emmett carried all four pumpkins in from the car. At once!

Oh, and our hot chocolate mix :)

I will be sure to get some pictures of Haddie in her costume and in her pumpkin ;)

My Wish

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slowAnd each road leads you where you want to goAnd if you're faced with the choice and you have to chooseI hope you choose the one that means the most to you

And if one door opens to another door closedI hope you keep on walkin' ‘til you find the windowIf it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smileBut more than anything, more than anything

My wish for youIs that this life becomes all that you want it toYour dreams stay big, your worries stay smallYou never need to carry more than you can hold

And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' toI hope you know somebody loves youAnd wants the same things tooYeah, this is my wish

I hope you never look back but you never forgetAll the ones who love you and the place you leftI hope you always forgive and you never regretAnd you help somebody every chance you get

Oh, you'd find God's grace in every mistakeAnd always give more than you takeBut more than anything, yeah more than anything

My wish for youIs that this life becomes all that you want it toYour dreams stay big, your worries stay smallYou never need to carry more than you can hold

And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' toI hope you know somebody loves youAnd wants the same things tooYeah, this is my wish, yeah yeah

My wish for youIs that this life becomes all that you want it toYour dreams stay big, your worries stay smallYou never need to carry more than you can hold

And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' toI hope you know somebody loves youAnd wants the same things tooYeah, this is my wish...
for you, Miss Haddie, our little ray of sunshine

Adjusting to a life with a newborn

It hasn't been easy. Well ok it's been pretty easier considering. My mom and Grandma got into town the night I went into labor. Lucky right? They have been such a blessing and a huge help to Emmett and I. Heck, they even spent their whole last night here tending to Haddie so Emmett and I could get one good night of sleep in before we were on our own. We were burning out pretty fast there for a couple days. I really think they didn't mind doing this because my mom wanted to squeeze in as much time as possible with baby before she left the next morning. We had every meal made for us, dishes were always clean and put away, naps were had, diapers were changed..they made it pretty easy on us. GRATEFUL. 

Sorry to Emmett because that just won't be the case anymore. I can already imagine what my house will look like given a matter of days hours.

Though it was great having the 4 generations together for the last week I do think it's time to start handling business on our own now. - Don't worry mom, and to my mother in law, I will show Haddie pictures of you always and tell her who you are so she will always remember her grandmas when she gets to see you again :)
Yes, I'm a little scared, a little lonely and the quietness of the house, when baby is sleeping, is a tad, well, erie. It'll take some adjustment but I know we will be just fine. We got blessed with a terrific child. Nights aren't always easy but she has given us a couple of those nights where we get lots of sleeping hours in at a time. YAY. During the day she is full of smiles, eats like a CHAMP and sure knows how to imitate a squeak toy. She keeps us on our toes and definitely entertained.
Did I mention she eats like a champ? She sure does. In the hospital she lost 8% of her body weight (10% and drs start to REALLY worry.) She wouldn't eat much or go to the bathroom. This is why we had to stay 2 days instead of the 1. But as soon as we got her home she cranked up the appetite and gained all her weight back plus some. She was a petite 5lbs when we left, then at the dr she was over 6lbs  and now I'm sure she is over 7lbs. You can see it in her little Budah cheeks :) So cute.

We are all doing great to say the least. I'm thrilled about our new adventures that await us. I couldn't have picked a better husband/baby daddy. He is up with every cry heard, takes shifts with me, cares for us both, deals with my emotional roller coaster and yet still manages to go to school and work.

Blessed beyond words.

Here is a little video that melts my heart. Emmett didn't know I was taking it at first. 

See? BLESSED.

Nesting Maybe?

Where did this energy come from!? Maybe THIS is nesting. I slept in 2 hrs later than I normally do and woke up in a great mood. Even though my Husby had to go to campus and I knew I wouldn't see him all day. But I have been able to get so much done!

Baby girl's clothes are all finally washed and I only have the last load to put away, I did more laundry, I  cleaned the kitchen, dusted, vacuumed, I even fixed our bar stools that were getting wobbly. I find myself wanting to hang pictures we still have yet to put up since moving back into our house, take on projects that I have thought about but didn't touch for months and.....mmm what should I bake? I REALLY want to bake!

My family comes into town next week, my due date is 11 days away..

I can hardly contain my excitement! 

I'm going to be a MOTHER soon!

Days like this

"Is it normal?"

 This seems like a question I have asked myself, and others all too often in the last 9 months. "Is it normal for ____ to happen?" "Is it normal to ____?" Lately It's been the same start to my questions with a slightly different ending..

"Is it normal for my energy levels to be high one day and low the next?" 

It can take hours to fall asleep one night, I hardly sleep, get up early and then I'm out and about all day and just fine. The nights I actually get more sleep I find myself needing naps throughout the day and I can barely muster up the energy to make myself some food. 

Today, is one of THOSE days.

I feel like I'm sitting in clutter, laundry needs to be put away, I should probably vacuum..etc. 

I have the WANT to clean just not the UMPH to clean. At least I got the dishes done last night. That is until we had dinner and now there are dishes from that. Is this part of "nesting"? Because I was under the impression I'd be high in energy for days at a time scrubbing floors and re folding laundry. So not the case. But I know this is really only the beginning to days like this. I'm just looking forward to the day I have a baby here and she will be my good excuse for my house looking and feeling the way it does. Le sigh. 

Okaaay, venting done.

Precious gifts

Sooo...I'm an aunt...again! My brother and sister in law had their precious baby girl, Anne Christine Fletcher. She is completely adorable and I'm so excited that she is here. I'm even more excited that my little lady will be here soon and they will be cute, loving, best friends/cousins. PERFECT!

My babe just needs to decide it's time and get out of my bellleehh!! I'm 38 weeks today, have a dr appt and STILL showing labor signs but nothing is coming from it yet.

I know of 3 babies born in the past 3 days. Ugh! Not "Ugh!" as in how disappointing or terrible. More like "Ugh!" my patience is totally being tested to the FULLEST degree. I asked for this. Well, I asked for patience in life and God always does deliver what you ask in HIS time and in HIS own very special way.

Welp, here is a little tid bit of my cute new niece.

There's still a growing and cramped gal in my tummy

This week has been fun...or something like that. I've started going to the doctors office once a week now instead of every two weeks. I thought that would help me be a little more patient but boy was I wrong! The weeks d..r....a......g onnnnn now. We went on Wed, 37 weeks means full term and this baby won't be stopped if she decides to come now! My body is OFFICIALLY over pregnancy and just plain tired.

I literally can't get to sleep at night for hours and toss and turn when I finally do. I can't eat without my tum tum cramping and I'm just plain sore. Who knew pregnancy brain could get worse too? Pffff. Well, it does. Ok, ok, I sound like a major complainer. This pregnancy really was a walk in the park compared to others I have heard about. I'm just anxious to meet this small gal and feel we have waited long enough!

We ended up calling our dr yesterday due to some um....wetness dripping down my leg when waking up in the morning and they said it could be my water, even though it wasn't very much and I didn't have any contractions that followed. They told us we should get checked in case it was amniotic fluid because we could run the risk of infection if it was. NO THANKYOUUU mam I do not want to add something like that onto my list in these last few weeks. So we went. Everything looked just dandy, it wasn't fluid, or fluid we should worry about but turns out I was having slight contractions. GOOD NEWS! They didn't hurt! But I know they will soon enough. Also good  news, I'm a whopping 80% effaced (thinned out) and just over a cm dilated (opened up). Nurse said I had a "favored cervix". TMI? Sorry. OH THE EXCITEMENT THOUGH!!!

Found this on someone's blog and I hope they don't mind I took it. Thought it was cute and fun! 

total weight gain: 21 pounds. Sha bing! Im impressed with myself. My mom gained 60 with me!

maternity clothes: I have 3 maternity shirts I wear occasionally and one skirt that has that elasticky thing on it. Over all I say I've done pretty well in the getting massive dept. Or you could say I'm too cheap to buy "maternity" clothing..

stretch marks: i went up until a few weeks ago with none. Can't say no anymore. Boo.

sleep: Exhausted during the day. Sometimes I can get a cat nap in but I try not to because it makes sleeping at night even harder.

best moment this week: Hearing that my due date may not be reached :) Also, my baby shower is tomorrow!

missing anything: Husby cuddle time. It's not very easy anymore to cuddle up when you are so hot and have to toss and turn all the time.

movement: yes...but just a little because there is almost no room for the poor gal.

food cravings: Sweets! Super unusual for me too..I love eating cherry tomatoes and choc chips together though haha

anything making you queasy or sick?: Nope, I had that easy this pregnancy. The only thing that made me sick was my pre natal vitamins so I was put on Flinstones vitamins way back in my first couple months and been fine since.

are you showing?: HA! Is that a serious question?

gender: a sweet baby GIRL!

labor signs: Craaaamps, I'm dilated and almost all the way effaced and a few other details I won't bother to go into details with. You can thank me later.

belly button in or out: Still in! Husby and I took bets on when it would pop because it looks like it wants to...but its exceeded our expectations. 

wedding rings on or off: Off. The ring fits, but it's just not comfortable right now.

happy or moody most of the time: Happy. But I'm kind of bipolar, my mood can change real quick! I cry (happy tears) over..mmm, well, just about everything now. I cried when a guy fell off his mo ped the other night and we were across the intersection at a stop light and we couldn't help him. But others were able to run to his side. I felt so terrible! And I teared up for a girl at my obgyn office when she had to take that terrible glucose drink and threw up in the sitting room. I was so embarrassed for her. No one should ever have to consume THAT much sugar in that little amount of time. I felt for her. I also cry when I hear ppl sing really well. Embarrassing but my husband gets a kick out of it.

looking forward to: to not being pregnant! amen!

One year engagement anniversary!

Happy engagement anniversary to us! A year, and a few hours ago, my sweet husby asked me to be his one and only for all of eternity. This was after waking me up super early on a Saturday morning and making me hike in the cold to a beautiful waterfall. I got over that real fast :)  He had all our close friends and family there participating and making it the most memorable experience I could have asked for! Our lives have changed drastically since this day but only for the better. I love him so much and I'm soo incredibly grateful for such a kind, hardworking, understanding and love-able husband and soon to be baby daddy!

Thanks again to everyone who helped and for all the creativity and thought put into this. You all helped make it so special! And not to mention, one of THE BEST ENGAGEMENT STORIES EVER!

Eviction Notice is UP!

Time to put up that eviction notice. We may have less than 30 days before baby is due but I feel like I'll try to be a nice land lady and give the sweet babe a little cushion for when she can leave. Though, the sooner the better.

I'm 1 whole cm dilated and quiet possibly even more anxious for this kid than I was before. If that is even possible.. I think I will pack our bags some time this week just in case. We already have our car seat installed and ready to go. I know that there is a chance I could stay at 1 cm for weeks and nothing will happen but hey, a month before the due date and the doc is saying, "You're making wonderful progress!" cant be a bad thing!

Boy if this appointment didn't have such good news, I may not have had all the "umph" to take more frequent and longer walks, or get more things done. Before, doing these things just made me feel like I was prepping for Christmas at Easter time. But it's getting so close now!!

Baby Practice

I've had some great baby practice this last week and a half.

I got the opportunity to watch our friend's baby girl, Olivia.

Here's what I learned and was refreshed on:

1. Headbands are pretty cute.

  I used to think that now a days every baby girl had to wear one or she would be mistaken for a little man. But I've really come to really like them. Therefore, my baby girl will probably wear them.

2. Rockers are AWESOME.

Plop baby (gently of course) in there and make funny faces-entertained for hours! Well at least, a fair share of minutes.

3. You really are on diaper dooty (duty) All. The. Time. 

Everyone has said you go through diapers faster than you think. True story. Very true.

4. Binkies are better cold.

It's hot these days, let's face it. Pop a bink in the freezer a minute or two and shabam! Instant refreshment.

5. Some days are just easier than others.

Giggles and naps one day, crying for hours the next. Either way, how could you not love the littles?

6. Babies like to be held and rocked.

Only when doing this you have to be standing. At least for me this last week. As soon as they fall asleep and you think it's ok to sit or put them down-it's not. But it's going to happen anyways! Haha

7. Burp cloths are a must.

Spit up is inevitable. At least it's better than poo on you. But that also is going to happen eventually.

8. Swaddle = life savor!

If only I knew how to do it correctly and perfect it. One day. But for now, the simple burrito roll works just fine.

9. Feeding time is favorite time.
Of course next to nap time. They don't eat a lot at a time, but frequently. Plus it's super adorable when they are still making the little sucking motion even after you have taken away the bottle and they are sleeping haha. Ahhhh love.

10. What do I do with myself now?
Even after this short time I've come to find that once the baby is not around, I find myself with more time on my hands and I'm not sure how to use it. I know I'll appreciate this one day. In the meantime, I have no excuse for the funny and weird faces I probably still make. 
Ps, the whole making faces at babies and weird sounds is TOTALLY NORM. It just happens, when in the presence of cuteness such as a small tike, the faces are just going to happen. 

Maternity Pictures Cont.

My good friend Natalie Larsen offered to take some pictures of Emmett and I (and baby) this past weekend so we accepted. I was excited because Emmett took great ones for me a couple weeks ago but I wanted some WITH him. Here are just a few of my favorites.