Independent Woman

After getting dressed this morning, I walked into the kitchen and found Isabella standing on her stool in front of the counter and indulging in some plain ol' sugar. She turned around with that look that I have been seeing quite often recently and gave me a smile. As I walked her to the bathroom I asker her, "Did that taste good?" She instantly replied, "MMM HMMMM!!" I cleaned her hands, mouth, and shirt and as she turned off the light to walk away she said, "Thank you mommy, that was tasty, thank you!!!!" You're welcome Isabella for forgetting to put the sugar away. I can assure you that that will never happen again!

Flyin' Old School

I had a moment that mattered most the other day. Terry got Isabella her first bike. He has been wanting to get her one for a while now. She woke up from her nap and found it in the front doorway.

After much excitement, consisting of jumping up and down, climbing on the bike, and asking daddy to push her around, she said, "It's just like the missionaries! YAY!" You see, we have had the missionaries over our house at least once a week due to Terry's new calling in church. They usually travel to our house with their bikes. That little statement of hers meant more to me than she will ever know. I think of this quote: "Diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us to the Savior of the world." Dieter F. Uchtdorf. Having those missionaries in our home has been such a blessing to our family. What a wonderful spirit they have. If you would like to have that same feeling, have them over your house. I promise you won't regret it. Go here.

Isabella has been giving me those "aha" moments a lot lately. She has been reaffirming me that I am actually teaching her things and she is learning. As a mother, those moments mean so much to me because I feel like I am actually accomplishing something. As a mother, it is hard to feel accomplished. There is never a moment where you can say, "I'm finished and look what I have done!" Even when my children grow up, I will never be finished being a mother. But, in those special moments, you realize that you are actually doing something that is rewarding. I am happy to know that it will actually pay off in the end. That will be when eternity begins...

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.

I've got a feeling

Usually when I hear the phrase, "I've got a feeling," I'm busting a move to the Black Eyed Peas. Yesterday, I was saying it over and over in my head after I found Isabella in my bed, playing a game on my kindle, with blue eye shadow covering her body.

(The blue doesn't really show up in the picture)

I've got a feeling, this is just the beginning.

I've got a feeling she's going to be getting into a lot more trouble.

I've got a feeling this is the start of her michevious ways.


I woke up yesterday morning extremely tired for some reason. I sat down to nurse Avaree while Isabella played in the living room. Seconds later I dozed off. I woke up with Avaree asleep in my arms and Bella nowhere in sight. I calmly walked to Avaree's room and laid her down before searching frantically for Bella. I walked in my room and found her laying on my bed with her legs crossed, playing a game on my kindle and completely covered in something blue. I asked her very nicely (trying not to laugh) What is that? Where did you get it? She pointed to the bathroom... "right there." I looked in the bathroom and found this:

This is her attempt at destroying the evidence. In moments like this, I honestly can't stop laughing, but I'm sure my mood might change after several offenses. That morning, Terry caught her climbing the counter to grab a banana for herself. She has also been found multiple times coloring her body. So, to keep my optimism, I will sing on, "I gotta feeling, woooohoooo, that tonight's gonna be a good night!!" because, ultimately, the messes can be cleaned up and the markers can be wiped off.

I'm a Rough and Tough...

...and nothing's gonna knock this girl down... Yes, these were the words I was repeating last night after the second and third time up with my 2 year old in the middle of the night. It's been rough trying to change little Bella's sleeping habits. She has always been a good sleeper; since 3 months old she was sleeping through the night. The problem is getting her to sleep. Let's just say we followed more of the attachment style parenting, letting her sleep with us and then transitioning her to her crib. When she got her big girl bed, it was easier for us because we could lay with her and then quietly ease out of her arms once she falls asleep.  Since Avaree came along, we have been trying to change her habits, but it seems almost impossible.

Have you heard the new No Doubt song? They are my all time favorite band. When I heard they were back together and making a new album, I was THRILLED! When I hear their music my blood heats up, I get the chills, I sweat, and I just feeling like singing (more like screaming) and dancing. The first single has come out and I can't get it out of my head. Especially last night, when I was repeating, "Get get get, in (bed), and settle down!!!" to Isabella. But, after that stressful night, I am up and running, trying to get ahead with my laundry and tidying up the house. Just like Gwen says, "I'm a rough and tough, and nothing's gonna knock this girl down!" The motto for any mother!!!

Little Avaree sucking her thumb!! ahhh!

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.