Christmas 2013

This has been the best December that I can ever remember.  I'm sure it was this good or better when I was a kid, but my memory is too poor to recall.  The magic and excitement were always present this year.  Having Clara around, seeing Santa, reading a new Christmas book every night, singing Christmas songs multiple times a day, the holiday parties, Baby Jesus... it all amplified the Christmas Spirit and helped me see things from her sweet perspective.

We spent Christmas Eve Eve (not a typo) through Christmas Day with Anson's family.  It was my first White Christmas and I loved it!  I really liked being trapped in the cabin with carloads of kids and most of my inlaws, believe it or not.  (Really!)  Everything was simple, just the way I like it.  Unfortunately, my kids (and a few others) were sick the entire time.  Steven woke up multiple times the first night, refusing to nurse, and only agreeing to fall asleep if I was sitting upright with his head on my chest.  I was tired, but thanks to Clara, I can now run on very little sleep.  ;)  My sweet Clara is a trooper and didn't throw any fits or act like a brat, but she had puffy eyes and had to lay down every time her ibuprofen wore off.  It made me sad to see her like that, especially on Christmas, the day she has been so excited for all month!!  :(

Without further ado, here are the photos from the first part of Christmas:

^^First, we cut down the Christmas tree^^

^^Clara and I built a snowman.  She has been so obsessed with snowmans lately, that we even heard her singing Frost the Snowman in her sleep!^^

^^Clara insisted on being an angel in the live nativity.  She sang Joy to the World at the top of her lungs, even though she didn't know any of the words.^^

^^Christmas morning was wonderful.  The gift giving was short and simple, which encouraged a lot of excitement about what everyone was getting, and also provided lots of time to express gratitude.^^

Part of me wishes that Christmas could last all year, but deep down I know that waiting for each year makes it that much more special.  Still, I'm trying to leave my Christmas tree up as long as possible, even though it's dead!

Clara's First Birthday

Here are a few photos from Clara's birthday party:

One of my favorite things about Husband's family is the multitude of children.  They make every family function joyous, and this one was no exception.  Though Clara won't remember it, I won't forget all the smiles on her face and how determined she was to eat her entire smash cake, one slow, deliberate bite at a time.

Yesterday was one of those days where I looked around and said to myself, "I am a mom."  I am so excited for all of the birthdays, holidays, and gatherings I am sure to host as my family grows.

iPhone Vomit

A cute little niece with the best poker face you've ever seen.  She doesn't fall for funny faces or silly voices, unless you're mommy or daddy.  I do wonder, though, will my kids look like this little one?  Her parents are definitely the closest "combination" to Husband and I.

Not creepy.

The twins at Cracker Barrel.  Husband was a first-timer and he was not impressed by the fried livers.  He definitely lost some brownie points with the dudes.

Evidence of the rollie pollie invasion.  Around this time of year, the rollie pollies (Husband calls them pill bugs) make the long trek to our garden oasis.  Upon their arrival, they are greeted by the waft of air conditioning underneath the front door.  Well, they don't knock, they just barge right in and head straight for the bathroom.  Why the bathroom, you ask?  This I don't know, but it is apparent that they have chosen it as their rollie pollie cemetery.

My sweet weight-gain-chart.  Really, this needs to be tracked for the posterity.

I wasn't planning on sharing this, but really, how could I not? 

Self-explanatory.

Baby Love



and much more!

A big thank you to Becca for taking the lead on my baby shower and making sure that everything turned out perfectly, to Amy for delicious cupcakes that I am still snacking on, to the other sisters for delicious food and drinks, to my other mother for letting us use her beautiful home, and to all of my other family and friends that are already spoiling my baby rotten.

Thank you for making me (and the baby) feel so special.

Same Outfit All Weekend

For the sake of my marriage, I will not tell you about the latest bathroom riot between myself and “The Pooper.” It is filled with too many olfactory details, bodily functions, innocent wives trying to wash their faces, and husbands who demand that their families bow down and worship bowel movements.

Besides the minor bathroom blip on our Richter Scale of Happiness, the weekend was absolutely fantastic, especially the rain.

On Friday, I was distracted by a huge fire that I watched from my skyscraper, then I devoured some veggie rolls and panang curry with Husband, and then we attended the (free) ASU Symphony! It was my very first symphony and the music was stellar, except that Mercury’s song was not the coolest, which it should have been, since he is my favorite Greek god. Also, I swear that the first chair (I think that’s the technical term?) almost poked his neighbor in the eye with his violin bow (another technical term?) like 14 times. It was slightly distracting for someone as uncultured as myself. 

Saturday was busy for me. I woke up, cleaned, didn’t kick Husband out of the bathroom for showing up on the toilet while I was washing my face, had an eye appointment at Costco, dropped stuff off at Goodwill, visited family, and hung out with a chubby baby for the rest of the night.

I would like to add that:

Costco is the best place for an eye exam because it is affordable, efficient, quick, you don’t have to wait in a dumb waiting room or be shuffled around, you can buy your contacts at the same time, and then you can wander around eating free samples! If I could own an optometrist/warehouse/$1.50 polish sausage joint, it would definitely be Costco. Also, I got 3rd place out of 4 while playing Scrabble, which is pretty much my record and pretty much why I hate Scrabble.

On Sunday, I did a lot of church stuff, some family stuff, and some laying around stuff. More importantly, I found my church twin. She was wearing the same exact outfit as me, which is a huge compliment, especially since she is about 60 years my senior. Also ironic is the fact that she was up on the stand directly in front of me, so I spent all of Sacrament Meeting looking into my future. Talk about spiritual enlightenment!

The Girls

Didn't I tell you that the girls were taking over? 

All four ladies were together on Friday and it was oh-so-cute!

I have another SIL who is due in February! 

How crazy would it be to have another girl?

Girls are Taking Over

Baby Jane:

November 9, 2010

7:07 a.m.

7 pounds, 2 ounces

20 inches long

She is adorable!  I was so happy that I was able to meet her at the ripe, old age of 3 days.  You wouldn't believe how tiny and perfect she is.

Welcome to the family, little niece!

(Congrats, Becca and Caleb!)

Baby Jane...

... is on her way!!

My sister-in-law just started the labor process and I am so excited!!

One day, that will be me!