Cruisin' and Snoozin'

My sweet little Avaree is now three months old! Please stop growing up! My sweet little Avaree is putting up a fight when I put her to bed. Before actually falling asleep, she cruises in her crib and I often find her on the opposite side from where I laid her down. I went in to wake her up from her nap one day and saw this:

I looked at a four week old baby on Sunday and could not believe that my sweet little girl was that tiny at one point. Why does time have to go by so quickly when you want it to slow down? My sister gave a talk in church on Sunday that was so moving. We need to be involved in what matters most. Time will move forward and we will look back at our grown children and wonder, "What just happened?" Although, sometimes I feel like I try so hard to live in each and every moment that I get nothing done throughout the day and I go to bed with dishes in the sink and toys spread throughout the house. But atleast I got to see Avaree reach out and grab a toy for the first time and dance with Bella while she sings, "I like to move it, move it."

I know one of these days, my house will be perfectly organized and categorized, with hundreds of books in their proper place and dirt and dust swept away daily. But those will be the days when there are no longer little children crawling around and toys strewn across the house. I am going to live in the moment and worry about the dirty bathroom tomorrow, or the next day.

Monthly Stats

Avaree Elizabeth

2 months

10 lbs 13 oz

22.5 in

Well every month I am going to be bragging about my baby. I know it's annoying, but I'm holding myself back from doing it every day. This little girl is the happiest baby ever! She smiles most of the day. I say most because she does have a fussy time before she goes to bed. When she is fussy, she can be easily soothed by talking to her. She will open her eyes and try to cry, but a little giggle comes out instead. She is currently sleeping 8 hours at night. WHAT?! You read that right.... she goes to bed at 9:30 and wakes up around 6:30. She has been doing this for about 5 weeks. What is even better is that she wakes up most of the time happy and cooing in her crib! I go in to get her and she is sucking her thumb! She is a thumb-sucker! ah! I'm still not sure if this is a good thing, but she hates pacifiers. She still sleeps most of the day, but when she is awake, she likes to watch her sister play. Isabella will put things on her lap while she is in her swing and Avaree just sits there and laughs. She loves when I read books to her. She loves getting her diaper changed. She can roll over from her belly to her back. She is independent. She prefers putting herself to sleep. Sometimes I try to rock her and she starts crying, only to stop as soon as I lay her in her crib. She sleeps on her belly... OH NO! Doctors say that is a no-no, but hers said if she likes it to go for it! She is a firecracker; when she cries, she REALLY cries. Especially in the car. Thank goodness she doesn't cry too often. Most importantly, she loves her family. When her daddy gets home from work, she smiles ear to ear. I can already see her and Isabella playing in their tent, giggling. Oh, I just love them!

A Blessing

Last Sunday was a special day. Avaree Elizabeth was put in her first "white dress." As always, we were cutting it close with time. We arrived at church and I ran to the mother's room to put on her dress. My mom was in the room with me handing me wipes and a diaper. I had to move quickly, for sacrament meeting was about to begin. Even though I was rushing on the outside, I was taking in every moment on the inside. Looking at her sweet little rolls on the inside of her legs. Touching her soft, curled up toes. Letting her grasp my index finger for just a second. And kissing her little button nose and tiny, pink lips. This day is a special day for us. She is receiving a blessing from her father, who holds the priesthood of God. This marks the journey for her through life. With every challenge and bump in the road, the Lord will be with her.

As I had my moment in the mother's room, I saw the future. I saw my sweet little girl, putting on her white clothes and being laid in the waters of baptism. And for a moment, I saw her in the temple of the Lord, so beautiful. I saw my mom in there with me, helping me place her veil on and slipping on her shoes. Trying to touch up her makeup through the cloudiness of my tears. And giving her a kiss before she walks into the sealing room with her future husband.

What a blessing it is for me to have the gospel in my life and even more, to have a husband that worthily holds the priesthood. It is a blessing.