Happy Girl

I need to get back into the blogging mode. I've been so busy trying to get organized and settled in here that I haven't taken any pictures for over a week. And that's not good cuz my baby's getting so big! She is turning into a little girl with so much personality. I am loving this stage, and I've heard it only continues to get better. Have I mentioned how much I love being a mom? The girl loves her bed. It rocks. It's like she's just waiting for me to put her to bed all the time. And when she's awake, she's so smiley and happy and wanting to move all over the place (although she hasn't quite figured that out yet). I could go on forever about the little peanut, but I'll spare you. As for me, I think I'm finally ready to start having fun. So to all my friends in the area, let's hang out! I miss my Utah friends a ton. XOXO. But guess what? Tomorrow I get to go to lunch with my old roomies! Can't wait.

Moved

Made it to California. 

Moving is HARD WORK, let me tell you, and I don't want to do it again any time soon.

Still have to move in, so expect me to be MIA for a couple more days.

Sad to have left our home and friends.

Excited to start this new chapter in our lives.

Hey Auntie Jessie...

Happy 21st Birthday!!!

Can't wait to celebrate next weekend with you.

P.S.- Check out my new trick
Love you sis. Hope you had a lovely day.

Look Who Came to Visit

Auntie Sarah brought Maddie's best buddie Briggs over to hang out yesterday. They were so cute.

They loved holding hands.

We took Briggs swimming for the first time. I think we were hoping for the babies to giggle and splash with excitement- instead they both just relaxed and seemed to enjoy it. They're probably just alittle too young for that.

Thanks for coming over to play Briggsie and Sarah. We love you!

Too Fast

How has it already been four months? It's unbelievable how fast they grow. I love her more every day, and every day she gets more fun, but it could make a mommy sad! (It doesn't help that my baby's the size of your average 6 month old :)

Bzzzz

Last night we went to the Bee's game with the Barruses and the Chases. The weather was perfect and the kids were lovin it. (So were we!) We're sure gonna miss our friends in Utah. Too bad we have to leave right when everybody starts to come out from hibernation!

The men with their kiddos

The girls with the kiddos

Had to add this one of my pretty little Maddie girl. She's been having some rough nights the last little while...waking up every couple of hours which starts to drive her mom and dad crazy! I hope it's just from the shots and is TEMPORARY! Do I let her cry it out when she wakes up in the middle of the night? HELP!

Stats

Maddie had her 4 month check up today. She is one healthy, TALL girl :)!

Height: 27 inches (99%)

Weight: 16 pounds 14 ounces (92%)

This is what she's doing right now. She was so tough when she got her shots, but when we got home she crashed!

We got back from our weekend trip to California for my friend Shelly's wedding. It was absolutely UH-MAY-ZING! It was at Pelican Hill in Newport beach, and everything was stunning, most of all the bride! We've been enjoying our last few weeks here in Utah. It's been nice having JD around so much since Maddie was born, but we're looking forward to this job. He's ready to work hard. Pretty sure it's gonna be a huge adjustment cuz we've been spoiled to have daddy here all the time. We're so sad to leave our friends and neighbors and home! But it's time to start packing!

Four Years

Happy Anniversary Love.

We're getting so old, but I still feel like this!

P.S.

So I just had the best giggle session with my serious little girl. We were spinning around, dancing to music and she was loving it. I won't mention that she's now screaming bloody murder! She's so cute.

Tetons and Yellowstone

We decided to go on a little vacation for our 4 year anniversary. We wanted to take advantage of cool stuff around Utah before we move to California, so we went to Jackson Hole. First we went to Rexburg and stayed with Mike and Jess in their cute townhome. Then we stayed in a really nice lodge in Teton Village. Mike and Jess babysat Maddie for us while we went out to dinner and sat in the spa on the roof of the hotel. The next day we went on a hike to find Hidden Falls. We actually never found them. They really were hidden. But we did see a moose!

JD did great carrying Maddie, and she was content the whole time. She did crash after a couple hours.

We took her swimming for the first time. She loved it!

We saw tons of wild life. I really wanted to see a bear, and as we were driving out of the park, we saw a huge grizzly bear right off the road.

Before heading back, we stopped in Jackson and had some delicious BBQ.

What a fun way to celebrate the best 4 years ever!

Reflections of a Mother

What a joyful Mother's Day it was for me. Not only was I showered with love and affection by my husband and daughter, sent flowers at work (yes, I started working one night a week again), given lovely gold sandals, and fed my favorite- breakfast for dinner, but all day I secretly reveled in my own motherhood. I've been thinking about last year's Mother's Day, and all of the grief I was going through at that time because I wanted to be a mother so bad. When I think about the patience and gratitude that I gained from my experiences, I know that it was pain with a purpose. Like labor pains. Having to wait, wish, and pray for my miracle has truly made it all the more sweeter for me. I love being a mother so much. There's nothing better in the whole world.

I love the feeling of my baby's body relaxing against mine. I love the way she stares up at me after she's nursed. I love kissing her irresistable cheeks and squeezing her chubby thighs. It's so fun to watch her grow and learn new things every day. I can't wait to dress her up all cute for the day and take her places. She's my little buddy. I love our conversations- her little words melt my heart. I love that she is so serious, but I love her smiles so much more. I love that she is healthy and strong, and determined to get what she wants. I love that she always clings to my shirt, making it hard for me to put her down. I love that she's making me a better person. Most of all, I love that she's mine and that I get her forever.

Happy Birthday Grammy!!!

Hope you have a happy day. We love you!

We're Back

Well, after spending almost a month in California, we finally came back to our life and home. We had so much fun with family and friends while we were there, but I was ready to come home by the end. We went down for a few different reasons, one being that JD had a job interview. He ended up getting offered the job, and we feel really good about taking it. Although it's a great opportunity and we are beyond excited, I feel bittersweet about it. I have grown to love my life in Utah. I'm going to miss our little condo, our community, our ward, my job, and mostly our friends. We'll have to move in with my parents for a few months while JD trains, and then we'll most likely go somewhere in northern or southern California. It's such a blessing that we'll be able to save money while living with my parents, but it'll be hard going from having our own space to living in someone else's. Good thing my parents are awesome! Here are a few more pictures from our trip.

The reason we stayed so long was because all of JD's relatives on his mom's side were coming into town for Grandma Lugene's birthday. It was so worth it! We had a blast seeing everyone.She loves to stand up.

There were so many great grand babies there.

We tried to get a picture of all the babies. I had to wake Maddison up for it and she wasn't happy.
I want to hang out with all my friends a ton before I go. And I know we'll come back to visit lots!