The New Year

New years isn't really my favorite holiday. I think because I hate crowds and everywhere you go on this holiday has them. Honestly I doubt Adam and I will stay up at all, Adam still has to get up early. We're lame I know. I still find New Years inspiring though. There is something about feeling like you can start new and fresh on things that you would like to accomplish. Sometimes I am awesome at keeping goals, and sometimes I'm not. I guess I'm human huh? So this year I am trying to be practical I guess. I don't want to overwhelm myself with a million goals, or the same old ones that I try every year. I figured I would try some different things. So I figured I'd write them out and maybe you guys can call me out on them if they aren't followed. Or give me suggestions throughout the year.

1- So I've become a little obsessive with getting my food storage under way. That is my main focus this year. I decided I needed help getting it organized and some good info on it. So on the right hand side of my blog under "sites/blogs I enjoy" I put some sites/blogs that I found helpful if any of you care to take a peek. The church has a really nice site dedicated to it as well. I found some that teach you how to rotate, some that give you new items each week/month, and some that teach you how to store. I'm stoked!

2- So being a stay at home mom has got me all motivated to make my home a better place.

A) Adam and I have always sucked at FHE, so I have a huge folder ready for ideas for certain topics for activities for kids. I want my kids to really enjoy learning about the gospel. So I'm finding ways to make it kid oriented. I'm up for suggestions on this on ideas anyone else might have. 

B) I'm loving being a mom, and always trying to better myself. From everything from teaching gabe developmental stuff, trying new recipes for my family, and just finding new activities and ways to spend my time with my child. So bettering myself as a mom is important to me this year as well. 

C) Working on being a positive person, so my home will be too. I kinda tend to be negative. :) Not my favorite trait about myself, but one I can change if I work on it. 

3- Taking advantage of my local library. Really random I know. I love to read, and don't have the money to buy new books like I used to. SO, even though my library isn't as stocked as I'd like. I a going to take advantage of what they have. I think when Gabe is older she'll think it's fun to go pick out a new book. 

So there you have it folks. As much as I'd like to lose weight, eat healthy, and get out of debt like I devote myself to every year, this year is different. I want change for my family, not so much myself. I'm excited for a new year of accomplishments. Good luck with deciding on your New Years resolutions and...

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM US!!!

A New Smile for Gabe

Get Ready folks, a new smile for Gabe is upon us. From here on out you will begin to see little white squares popping up randomly throughout her mouth. She has officially had her first tooth break through. One of her bottom front. Now I don't know how many of you will get a chance to see it, cause she hides it well. I had suspicions she might be teething, but I could never see her bottom gums. She hides it with her tongue. When I would try to feel around in her mouth she would shake her head no,  grab my hand out, while pushing my finger out with her tongue. Adam and I both tried doing in together, cause I was sure she was teething. Still no luck of viewing. Adam even tried holding her upside down to get her to laugh and so I could look, still the tongue in the way. We gave up trying to see. Yesterday though she let me put my finger in her mouth and it was really bumpy. I figured it'd be soon. So tonight I am not up writing this cause I had to tell everyone. I'm writing cause teething is not a fun sleeping experience for my child. (Or myself it looks like. HA.) I am excited for her to have a cute little smile with teeth, but the process will be tricky we are discovering. She has always been one to shove something in her mouth when she gets a hold of it. Recently she has to have something in there all the time. It has been her finger or thumb, which makes me nervous, cause I don't want that habit to continue past teething. So what can I give my child? Any suggestions? Binkies don't do it for her...... wish us luck. 

Gabe's first Christmas

Our first Christmas with our Gabrielle has come and gone. It was by far the best experience Adam and I have had in a while. Even though her favorite present was the wrapping paper and the ribbon, it was so fun. Centering our Christmas around our child was such a great joy, despite the fact that she had no idea what was going on. Having a kid around brought back the exciting anticipation we experienced as kids. It made the holiday season the best. We are so excited to teach her so much about Christmas in the years to come. 

We started this year with off with our Christmas Eve traditions. We had our turkey candlelit dinner, which turned out great with our homemade rolls and twice baked potatoes. Gabe enjoy chewing on the Green Bean we gave her. (I didn't cook it enough and it was still crunchy) Following dinner we read the story of Christ's birth in Luke by our warm fireplace. As soon as Adam started reading Gabe started talking and talking. She was trying so hard to get Adam's attention. She wanted to have a conversation with him. We like to think she was excited about the story. It was so funny. So we might not have gotten as much out of it this year, (partly because I was holding her and couldn't hear half of it) but we think it's an important thing to do none the less. We usually watch the Nativity movie, but since Adam gets up early we waited till the next day. We like that our Christmas Eve's focus is around Christ and not so much Santa coming.

 

Adam carving the turkey

Our candlelit meal

Gabe trying to shove it in sideways

So Christmas morning our daughter woke up unnaturally early and wouldn't go back to sleep. We thought because she is still little we should enjoy sleeping in, it didn't happen. HA. It's like she knew. It was raining when Adam did his paper, but turned into snow when it was time to get up. So we woke up Daddy and opened some presents. Gabe of course needed a little help with the paper, but once we showed her how to rip it, she went to town. After the present was open, she still wanted the paper. Too cute. We had to take the paper away to get her interested in her gifts. We opened our stockings following that. GRETA stood by her stocking the whole time, cause she knew what was waiting for her. She snuck in on Santa when it was being filled, so there was no stopping her excitement. Plus I think she remembered last year, and she loves Christmas too.

 

Watching the snow fall outside

The wrapper was on, but after a while I noticed the red smeared.

 That was her Christmas treat for a minute.

Her new jacket from Nanna and Poppa

Opening Grandpa and Grandma's present. 

She really liked any wrapping paper that was blue for some reason. 

Good choice guys!

Thanks to everyone who spoiled us this Christmas, it was an amazing year. The rest of the day we ate goodies, played in the snow, watched movies, and played games that night with some friends. Gabe got to get her own sled ride through the snow once it calmed down. We stayed out there only a few minutes. Her heavy coat is still too big so she looked like the younger brother on the Christmas story. She couldn't put her arms down. Greta couldn't get enough of the snow, so Adam was out in it a little longer. We know we didn't get half as much as some of you, but it was nice to have a white Christmas. We hope everyone's holidays were as good as ours!

Adam shoveling the walks and throwing the snow in Greta

Christmas Tag

CHRISTMAS SURVEY

                       

 I thought this was cute, so I figured I'd do it with a few days left till Christmas(thanks Emily)

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? On Christmas we only do wrapped, the whole rest of the year I'm too lazy to wrap so gift bags it is.

2. Real tree or artificial? We have an artificial we bought really cheap when we first got married, which we like. (Personally I would like a bigger one, but we're too attached to our small one.) We want to start the tradition of chopping down our own once we have a few kids that are old enough to enjoy it. 

3. When do you put up the tree? As soon as December hits. Usually on the first Monday for family night.

4. When do you take the tree down? When December is over. I love setting up, and hate taking down- but I do take down once the month is over. 

5. Do you like eggnog? Heck no, it's sick. Good thing Adam doesn't either, that way it's not even in the house.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I have no idea. Probably a book or a barbie I'm sure.

7. Hardest person to buy for? That would be Adam. He never gives you any hints as to what he would like. I have to take notes all year long. He loves surprises and hates knowing what he's getting. The only thing he ever tells me is socks. LAME. How are socks exciting?

8. Easiest person to buy for? My daughter. It's fun.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes I do. someday if I ever have the money, I want the willow tree one. Or a collection of all different ones.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Yeah we send out mass texts on Christmas or phone calls. We're kinda lame. Some years I do cards, but I slacked this year. 

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I have no idea. Must have not been that bad if I can't remember.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Christmas vacation for sure. I like the Grinch (jim carrey version) too. Adam loves ELF.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? When we have the money. We usually try to the beginning of December. 

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Nope, not that I remember

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Christmas Eve dinner with my family. 

16. Lights on the tree? Yes Adam is partial to colored ones.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Silent Night and the Carol of the Bells. 

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We enjoy Christmas at home with each other and having our own traditions. It's the one holiday we're not into traveling. 

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Yep-Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixon, Commit, Cupid, Donner, Blizten (Sp?)- AND RUDOLF of COURSE! I can name them, not sure that I can spell them.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A star that also was cheap when we first got married. I think it's ugly, but Adam loves it. It has special meaning to us too, so We'll probably have the ugly thing forever. The funny thing is if someone else called it ugly, I'd probably be defensive. HA.

21. Open the presents? Um yeah? Only on Christmas day. We're not into that Christmas eve opening thing.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Wanting to spoil everyone, and not having the money to do it. Also fighting Christmas traffic in snow. 

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Every Christmas as a family we pick out a new ornament for the tree. I love to look back at the past years and remember why we bought the one we did. 

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? We do more of a Christmas Eve dinner, then snack all day on Christmas on goodies.  We try and mix it up each year. This year we are actually having turkey. Adam likes twice baked potatoes. 

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? To watch Gabe's reaction to the wrapping paper, cause really that's all she'll care about. To have Adam at home, which I get so I'm good. 

26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Whoever wants to before Christmas. I thought it was cute. 

Turning 7 months....

Our Gabrielle's personality is shining through and it's so fun. Always constant smiles from her, and she is so easy going. I think our next one might be tricky, cause we got lucky with Gabe. She is trying so hard to be mobile without having to be on her tummy. She will roll onto her side and scoot and stretch, and then roll onto her other side. It's kinda like a wide army crawl. Or she just rolls around the floor to get somewhere. She gets excited when she reaches the object she worked so hard to get. She is sleeping through the night so much better. It makes our household a lot more happy. She examines everything fully when given something. She loves to have you sing, clap, and snap at her. She talks a lot more too, but only when she thinks you aren't paying attention. When you try to get her to talk, she just smiles at you like you're silly.  She always wants to play and turn everything into a game. She loves to ride on her Daddy's shoulders and pull his hair. She is getting to be more of a cuddler when she is tired. We love it, and we love her and the fun little person she is turning into. 

New things Gabe likes to do at seven months: (some are repeats sorry)

-Sleeps on her tummy, even though she hates being on it awake

-Breathes in and out of her nose really fast when she thinks something is funny or gets really excited

-Talks a lot more-Mainly saying Nah, Neh, NahhDa, and squawks at the top of her lungs. She still mumbles a lot too. Adam and I try to get her to say DaDa and Mama, but she seriously just laughs at us like we're crazy. I've heard her say them both on accident.

- Enjoys baths now that we got here the big duck, but still doesn't love them. (it quakes too)

-Hates to have her diaper or clothes changed, she acts like she is being tortured. 

- Tries to be mobile without having to be on her tummy, so she rolls around a lot, and does a mock army crawl. It's really wide from one of her sides to the other. 

-She loves to rock back and forth while sitting, and shake her head no to music. 

-When she is falling asleep she likes to practice laughing. You can hear her saying, "HA" .."HA" followed by a huge grin on her face like she has accomplished something great.

-She never stops smiling. Everything is a game to her too. She loves peek-a-boo. 

-She has learned to pull her hair, especially when she is upset. 

-Her tummy is still sensitive to foods, but is getting better. She is liking fruit and juice a lot more. Her favorite is still water.

This is her side stretch/scoot to try to get Daddy's phone. 

Her Christmas dress this year. No bow, but still adorable. 

Her new favorite spot to play is in front of the mirror. 

Safe and Sound

My attempt to get a picture of her first plane ride

We are home safe and sound. It was a whirlwind trip, as always, but we had a blast. WE SURVIVED THE PLANE RIDES. Phew. The way there I worked my butt off to keep her entertained, cause she was so very tired. I was annoyed at how non helpful and rude people can be, but oh well. My flight was empty and I had a row to myself. I discovered my daughter loves apple juice, and it saved me. She fell asleep as we were landing of course. 

We began by visiting the Flukes, and we shopped, played, and went out to eat. My favorite was just sitting around visiting. Gabe loved playing with her Aunts and cuddling Nana and Poppa. We loved being able to go to the ward party to hear Laurel and Dad sing. They both have the most beautiful voices, and I love to hear them sing together. 

Gabe watching the snow falling with Poppa

Then we were off to my side where we had tons of fun with all the cousins. Gabe was so entertained by all the kids running around. The kids were so helpful keeping her entertained so I could get stuff done. We loved seeing everyone at the Christmas party and were so glad we could be there to be a part of it. The last day there Gabe began this new squawk trying to talk to the cousins. She has continued it since and onto the plane where other people didn't find it as cute I'm sure. This time she fell asleep at take off. I got way lucky. I did have to wait longer in the airport cause my plane was delayed due to the weather. Did I mention I hate snow. Gabe was tricky, but I guess it turned out okay cause she slept the whole flight. We both were so excited to see Adam waiting for us when we arrived. We missed him and wish he could have come with. I loved the trip, although next time I'll bring Adam. It was nice seeing family around the holidays. 

Grandpa gave Gabe her first snow ball to see what she would do. She liked it so much, she wouldn't put it down. 

Here's a picture of what Adam did at home without us. He got to cuddle Greta by the warm fire. So we are jealous we missed it, but I'm sure plenty more are to come.

Off to Utah

I'm off to Utah tomorrow to visit all the family. I am excited to see everyone and Gabe has been doing decent sleep wise. (knock on wood) So that's promising. Thanks to everyone who volunteered to stay up with her, let's hope we don't have to. We asked if she wanted to visit her Grandparents, Aunties, Uncles, and cousins, she just smiled away. So she can't wait to see all of you. Wish me luck on the plane ride usually during her nap time. Do babies fall asleep easy on planes? I'm crossing my fingers I'll sit by some little kid who she'll find entertaining. I have a million back up plans. I know it's only a little over an hour, but I HATE flying, so she might be the one keeping me calm. :) I have two bags, a diaper bag, and a stroller. Plus my child of course. Too much junk to bring. I've never flown during the holidays either, so I'm hoping since it's a random thursday, and coming back a random tuesday it won't be as bad. We'll see. Plus southwest changed their boarding routine, so does anyone know if they still let women with kids on first despite the new assigned number?..... just thought i'd ask. 

Yipping Yapping Dogs

So for those of you who haven't heard from me, my daughter is so off her schedule right now, it's not even funny. I've spent numerous nights up for three to four hours at a time while she screams at me. No temp, no sickness, no teeth, no tummy aches, just so tired she can't help it. My goal was to get her back on before my Utah trip in three days, but I make no guarantees people. So tonight as soon as I lay down, yes we were already to bed at 8:30 (adam gets up so early and I haven't slept for days). I finally fall asleep and low and behold the neighbor's dog who is right by Gabe's window comes out a yappin at probably nothing. Now let me make one thing straight, I like dogs, even little ones. HOWEVER, tonight no love is going to Emmy next door. Why? Well you can guess it woke my sound asleep daughter. Now onto another battle I really feel would have been prevented had Emmy not had to go to the bathroom. I shouldn't even be mad, cause it wasn't even late, and our neighbors are really nice. That's what happens when you are sleep deprived I guess. You find yourself cussing the neighbors. Phew, I do feel better now.  Tonight I'm so grateful for a dog who thinks barking is silly, unless she wants to play. Here's to Greta and another sleepless night!

O Christmas Tree

 

Can I just say that I am so excited this year for the Holidays. My daughter has a lot to do with that. I am so excited to show her everything, and see how she reacts to certain things. I love when she picks something up and just examines it. We have recently been setting up our Christmas decor, and it's been so fun. When I was setting up the branches on the tree, she was fascinated by how they felt. She of course wanted to eat the ornament that we picked out for her. At least she likes it right? She just stares at the lights and twinkling/glittering things. I think next year when she can comprehend a lot more will be great, but this year is so exciting being her first. We decorated the tree tonight and it was a lot of fun. We had our Christmas Disney music playing in the background to set the mood. Kids make everything so much more exciting. Here are some fun pics of our setting up, and some fun new holiday decor we've got. Hurray for this time of the year! I'll get pics of our house lights as soon as Adam gets time to put them up. 

This is us decorating the tree. Gabe just grabbed at everything. Here is some of our Christmas decor. We love our little village, we add a new piece each year. Greta has some new holiday bling. The bells drive Adam crazy, but I love them. The bear on the moon is the ornament we picked out for Gabe. She's such an easy going child, and so cuddly, it reminded us of her. She of course wanted to eat it. The bottom pic was her fascination with our tree. Such fun!