I am in love with this age

Not my own age (27 today!!), because I will forever be 22 in my made up world. Either that or 85. I want to be wise or be carefree. Perhaps I will be both one day! Anyway, I am in love with Rosie's age--ten months!!

She has finally decided to take real naps, she dances to pretty much any beat. She really likes Regina and Nickle Creek. She stands up all the time and crawls like crazy. She is almost always happy. Someone in the ward even asked me if she ever cries. And of course she does! But it's usually only because I took her out of the bath too soon or she is trying to fall asleep.

She likes to be outside, eating rocks and dirt and helping with the gardening. She also likes swinging, especially with Christian. She loves reading books and doing patty cake. She also has a magic finger and will cast spells on people! "Abracadabra!" She loves her stuffed pig, that I have named Patty. We will see if it sticks.

Still no teeth, but she will try any food I put in front of her. Her favorite is probably my fresh wheat bread. She loves helping me in the kitchen and finds excitement in anything baked. Yes, yes, she is my child!!

We are becoming the very best of friends.

103 degrees. Fighting her first fever! She was a champ!

Guatemala should hire her for a model. Thanks for the dress, Kimber!!

piggy gets dressed up

Mark it with a "b"

and throw it in the oven for Rosie and me!

weeding with Daddy

10 months old on the dot! 

Better Late Than Never

Oops. Rosie is now, much more than 5 months. But here's a post about it anyway!

     

The fifth month was huge for Rosie. She's happier than ever and we are having lots of fun. She is still pretty teeny-tiny according to the charts (third percentile), but I'm pretty sure her personality makes up for it. She loves looking at herself in the mirror, or in this case, Photo Booth.

Her most favorite thing in the world is "real" food. Her heart races every time she sees any food--or anything she thinks is food. So far she's tried sweet potatoes (yams), spaghetti squash, carrots, apples, pears, rice cereal and oatmeal. Oh, and I think a little bit of strawberry sorbetto. Her favorite song is "Five Little Ducks." Sometimes it's the only way to keep her happy in the car. 

Here's a picture I took a few days before her 5 month mark.

After being super busy at work, Christian was able to take some time off, and finally use some of his paternity time! We had so much fun with him home, and Rosie even let us sleep in! How considerate! I could snuggle with her all morning long (and sometimes I do just that). I am so lucky I get to spend my days with her. 

Of course Rosie had her first Christmas during her 5th month. 

We hung our stockings!

And Santa came!

The framed print is something I (i mean Santa) made for her. At a Mabey/Smith family baby shower, I had everyone tell me what trait of theirs they would pass on to Rosie. There were some awesome responses like "a love of colors and flowers," "longevity," "resilience," "curly hair," and "a love of watching University of Utah football."  I always want to remember these things...and remember to tell Rosie about them...so I made a little print out of all the responses. 

some day her hair will be able to hold a clip (and maybe curly, if Aunt Kathy passes that on...).

of course her favorite part was the wrapping paper 

No mistletoe needed!

1 week already!

Thanks to Heather for her amazing photography skills!!

It's all a blur! But I am beginning to forget the labor pains already. Here are a few (I'll admit, somewhat cliche) things I've found to be true after one week of mommy-hood:

I am so blessed to have so much support from friends and family.
Christian is the absolute best daddy in the entire world--I totally scored, people.
I never knew how fast 9 months would go.
I never knew how stinking hard labor is.
I totally forgot what it's like to hug my husband without a big belly.
It feels SO good to sleep on my back....that is when I get any sleep.
Hearing her cry is really really hard.
Watching her sleep is fun and boring sometimes.
Crying when she cries isn't a good idea.
Knowing she is alive and growing means I did a good job!
Breast-feeding is such a cool thing...totally weird, but cool.

I can't imagine life without her--what in the world was that like?

I never knew I could love anyone so much.

Christmas Recap

* * Christmas Morning at the Mabeys * *

My dad set up his toy train. Choo! Choo!

My mom went all out with wrapping this year. Isn't it cute?

Thomas (Elder Mabey) sent us all presents. My mom got a Michigan cook book. There are some doozies in there.

More from Thomas' phone call. All the women are trying to understand the geography of Michigan and all the places he's served in so far. I'm not even going to try, since I still don't know the geography of Utah very well--I wouldn't want to confuse myself.

* *Christmas Morning at the Littles * *

C1 loves to make Sarah smile. Isn't that a cool plane?? Roger and Laurie handmade their gifts this year. Such a cool idea, huh?

Heather really outdid herself on this one--she followed suit and handmade this flag!

Roger and Laurie opening a gift from the kids! A Beach bag full of fun things to do on our family trip to the beach this summer.

* * Christmas Eve with the Smiths * *

the Nativity. Oh, the Nativty. It's just not Christmas without it.

C1 and his fan club. I'm serious. They go CRAZY over him.

My Grandma let me be in charge of the appetizers. But she still made her cellery and cheese sticks. I love Grandmas--especially mine.

The party never ends here.

I always tease these two because they do some similar things...I had to get a picture of their simultaneous santa hat.

Homecoming 2002

a football game
a friendly face
a familiar ache
a heart to take

a grassy ground
a happy sound
a white cap found
a dream unwound

a bit of sass
a flirty trap
a smile to last
a future and past

a little white truck
a hope untucked
with fate and luck
in love I'm stuck

more hearts and hands

C1 knows I am going to try to win his heart with food. But I know that the real way to win his heart is through something University of Utah related...so I compromised with this cookie...

These bran muffins were inspired by my mom--heart healthy and festive! Oh, and delicious! Mom, don't you think this muffin has incredible crumb? I posted that picture just for you.

I went to an incredible "galentine" party on Friday night and left C1 home all alone...he was supposed to be catching up on homework. It turns out he was busy doing other things. I came home to this:

and this (really, is there anything better than clean kitchen?):

Isn't this birdie print so delightful? It will really brighten up my office, I'm sure of it!

I was definitely feeling the love, so naturally I had to share the love. I spent my Sunday morning painting these for some of my favorite people in my life. I'm really loving watercolor these days.