Moving is not fun. At. All. Anyone who enjoys moving is either crazy or very organized. Moving with a baby is almost impossible.
Her expression says it all...
But, with a little bit of will power and a lot of help (thank you auntie Erika and Uncle Ken!) we managed to pack up our entire life and move over 400 miles to Boise Idaho!
Our new little apartment is absolutely perfect. We have a nice little kitchen nook with big windows, a back porch and plenty of nearby family. Sofia even says that the apartment is so nice it makes our furniture look more expensive! Which is pretty sweet considering it all came from D.I....
One of the best features is that we are so close to all of our family, and even have some fam here in Boise. We plan on spending a lot of time with Bryce's brother and his family as well as my sis and hers. They even stayed the week with us (talk about crowded!) and turns out Savannah LOVES Alisha. I don't know if it's because she reminds her of me or if Alisha is just weird looking but baby girl thinks she's hilarious and nearly splits her face smiling at her. I think we found a babysitter....
Since we are on the subject of Miss Savannah...
She is now 6 months, almost 15 lbs, and eating big girl food like nobody's business. I can't believe how fast the time has gone. Seems like it was just yesterday when I was bringing her home from the hospital. Boy has she grown since then. Our little preemie has become a food and milk junkie and has really put on the pounds, even surpassing her cousin Laila in the weight department. It's okay though...I like her chubby little cheeks and kissing her fat little belly. There's just something about baby chub that makes you want to sqweel in delight and eat them.
Can Someone please explain to me when this ^ happened??
While my baby sure has developed into a robust little girl...there are some things that haven't changed. For instance...she still manages to spit up down my bra, spit up on the floor, spit up all over her clothes, and pretty much spit up wherever there ISN'T a burp cloth. Sigh...
Miss Vannah has decided that she wants REAL food. We actually have to be careful cause she'll keep eating and eating and eating...and then spits it all up later of course! So far she has had avocado, green beans, sweet potatoes, peaches, bananas, and oatmeal. She loves them all, especially the fruit and sweet potatoes. Seems our girl takes after her daddy and has got a sweet tooth. We've also been making baby food at home. So much cheaper and healthier!
While we've reached that milestone, baby girl still isn't sitting up on her own. Like rolling, she can do it, just has no interest unless she's sitting on mommy's lap. Oh well...I firmly believe that babies work on their own time. They do when they are ready to do. And no amount of pouting, bribing, or clapping will make it otherwise!
Being a mother is all that I ever expected and more. The first three months I would probably have laughed at that statement and then pounded my head on the floor but these little gifts from God are so precious! It is overwhelming and humbling that Savannah has complete trust in me, and a pure love. She is perfect in every way, so innocent and so understanding to my mistakes. After a long day, it's all worth it when she snuggles into my neck or takes my hand or gives me a slobbery kiss. The love you feel for your child is so unexplainable because it is a perfect love. Maybe not as perfect as God's love, but as close to it as we can get. And if I feel that way... how great Heavenly Father's love for us must be!
She is my life and makes our family whole. Tonight we just hung out, the two of us. She sang to the couch and I gave her kisses and we watched Prince of Egypt. That's better than any party.
I make mistakes sometimes, and I get impatient. I know I will continue to make mistakes when it comes to parenting. But I'm so grateful God has chosen me to be Savannah's mother. And whenever I'm down, I can simply look into her eyes and see God's love shining out of them.
Are you a new parent? Are you an old parent? Are you having trouble figuring out how to grow your baby? Well step aside parental fear, jump back baby jitters! We have all the information here for you in 10 easy steps. Follow these guidelines and you will never again have problems growing a youngster!
10 Steps to Grow a Baby
1. Always speak in nonsense and with high pitched tones. If you sound ridiculous, you're doing it right
2. Expose baby to sunlight and fresh air each day.
3. Water daily
4. Give baby to dad multiple times in the day...and go take a bubble bath.
5. Naked time is recommended
6. Babies like cameras and flourish in both looks and self
confidence when being photographed
constantly, so always have that camera ready
7. Fertilize frequently. There are many fertilizers to choose from. The natural fertilizer is preferable but babies will thrive on synthetic fertilizer as well.
8. Encourage funny face making. This exercises the facial muscles and promotes a sense of humor
9. Place infant in cage for rest periods. Babies like cages
10. And last but not least....chubby cheeks are good for kissing. Apply generously
When Bryce and I started dating, I was impressed by his willingness to help his mom around the house. He almost always did the dishes and helped vacuum, dust, and take care of the yard. As a woman on a man hunt, this was a very good quality to see. Ever since I started speculating on my ideal man, I realized that if I were to get along with a husband, he would HAVE to help me with the household chores.
...and he would have to do it without being asked and without complaining.
WHAT!! How can that be?? You mean...the woman isn't solely responsible for the care of the home?
Oh yes ladies, I am 100% absolutely serious.
I have found that a belief that has existed since the Stone Age still pervades many homes today, and not just among the LDS folk. This belief is that it is the man's job to work, and the woman's job to stay at home, care for the children, keep the house clean, and have dinner on the table when hubby comes home...wearing lingerie and high heels the whole time. For all of the progression that women have made, why do we still cling to this ridiculous assumption?
Well I'm making a statement. THIS IS NOT OKAY.
While I stand by the Proclamation to the Family, and believe that it is the duty of a wife and mother to nurture and care for her children, I also believe that we women WORK just as hard as the men. We "bring home the bacon" in a less literal way. While dear hubby is slaving away doing the hard labor, we aren't just sitting at home dancing in our underwear and pooping out butterflies. It is tough sitting at home all day with the little ones. I only have one and I'm lucky if I can even make it into the shower before Bryce gets home. At the end of the day, I'm just as exhausted as he is, and you know what, I deserve to sit on the couch for a few minutes!
Lucky for me, I have a very understanding husband, and he doesn't get upset when we eat cereal for dinner because I just haven't had the chance to cook anything. He also helps with the dishes, and while I keep the house as clean as I can on my own, we often take 10 minutes in the evening and CLEAN TOGETHER. That's right, we both clean. When you get married, you become a helpmeet to one another. You both work during the day, and when dad comes home, you both should continue to work together. The children are BOTH of your children, the house belongs to BOTH of you. Therefore, the responsibility belongs to both of you.
I recognize that the men work hard. I'm so so so thankful that my husband is willing, and happy, to get up every morning at four or five to go to work. When I walk into the kitchen to make a bottle in those early hours, he's sitting at the table with a smile on his face. We wouldn't be able to survive without him!
At the end of the day, we both do what we're best at. He would hate sitting at home all day with the baby and I would hate driving around in the heat with no A.C. all day. We like our roles, and I cherish the time spent with my beautiful Savannah, but we both participate in her care and in the care of the house when he gets home.
He helps to bathe her, to put her to bed. He helps with dinner (occasionally...when it's something simple like spagetti haha). He rubs my feet after she's gone to bed and expresses appreciation for my efforts with the baby and the house. Of course, there are still times when I have to make him get up and help me out, but I certainly don't mind asking!
When I was first married, I was taking a class at BYU called Marriage and Family Relations. My professor told us that one of the largest issues between husband and wife was the delegation of household responsibilities. Interesting, don't you think? Out of all the things that we fight about as couples (finances, parenting styles, time with the family) the number one thing that causes problems is trying to decide who will do the dishes after dinner.
I find this so sad.
Husbands, step up! Your wife is exhausted. She's contemplated ripping her hair out about a dozen times today. She has had children clinging to her constantly. Not only does she have to entertain them, but she also has to consider your needs and meet those as well. Give her a break. Offer, yes OFFER, to pick up the living room...or even better, just do it! Grab the kids and read them a book so that she can fix dinner. Help her fix dinner! Clean off the table...do some laundry...make the bed! These little things can make a huge difference in your wife's life. She will notice and she will love you for it. And even more importantly...your kids will learn from it.
Ladies, don't be afraid to ask! Sometimes your husband doesn't realize how hard you've been working all day. It's okay to ask him to help you out. None of us can do it on our own, I know I can't. There's nothing wrong with admitting that you need help. You're not expected to be superwoman, so don't feel inadequate if the wet laundry is still in the washer or the floor is dirty or you smell like B.O. because baby isn't willing to let you even step into the bathroom. And thank your husband for helping out after working all day. He deserves some appreciation as well.
I don't think it was ever God's intention that when daddy comes home from work he simply plops down on the couch, turns on the t.v. and ignores the messy living room. Nor did He ever expect the wives and mothers to do all the work. Let's step out of the Stone Age people.
"Marriage requires a full partnership where wives and husbands work side by side to meet the needs of the family." - Quentin L. Cook
I'm sitting here in my pj's, curled up on the couch with a sleeping baby in the other room and I can't get my mind off of the wonderful/crazy/hectic day that we've had.
My beautiful friend Lydia Nelson and her man Dallas Hadley were married for all time and eternity today in the Bountiful Temple. I was lucky enough to get invited! Even though I was late (thanks to my GPS taking me to Mattress Firm instead of the temple) I made it just in time to watch this wonderful event. Even thinking about it now, I can't help but tear up. Sitting there, watching them, seeing the happiness on their faces and the unconditional love, I was brought back to December of 2011 when Bryce and I were in their place, and I was married to the most amazing man who would bless me with a perfect daughter and make me happier than I've ever been!
Man...wedding make me so embarrassingly emotional.
There is something so special about the temple! I haven't been since before Savannah was born and it was such a blessing to just sit inside the sealing room. I felt God's presence as those two people were sealed, and I felt his love. It is an amazing place.
"When you come to the temple you will love your family with a deeper love than you have ever felt before. The temple is about families." Richard H. Winkel
Oh how true! It is a place of beauty and love! Being there, I felt so much I could barely contain it! I could stay in the temple forever, whispering quietly, and be happy.
I encourage all to make a greater effort to attend the temple! And if you are not LDS, to visit a temple! Just walk around, admire it's beauty. You can even go to an open house of a temple and see inside.
The reason that we build temples today is because it has been a commandment from back as far as Old Testament times. For example, the Lord told the Israelites to build a portable tabernacle that would be their temple while they traveled in the wilderness.
"After the rejection and deaths of Jesus's Apostles, there were no more temples on the earth for many centuries. When the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored in the early 1800's, the Lord again commanded His people to build temples."
Today there are 140 operating temples!
Anyway... after the wedding we went to a luncheon, and of course Savannah screeched through a good part of it. And I'm talking high pitched screams, of the like I've never heard before. Boy that girl is getting some attitude.
PS Thank you to Irene Lolofie, who generously agreed to watch my little munchkin so that I could go to the sealing. I think I had a harder time leaving her than she had of me leaving! It was nice being able to spend time with both Irene and Camille, two of Bryce's cousins. They are awesome girls and absolutely crack me up!
Well, speaking of family, it's time for me to spend time with mine!
Congratulations Lydia and Dallas! I hope you are so happy that it makes everyone else sick!
I've been reading so much lately about modesty, on facebook, on blogs, pretty much every where you look someone is talking about this major issue that has suddenly come into the public's eye. This is mostly due to a video called the Evolution of the Swimsuit. Check it out if you haven't yet.
So far, I've seen a few different views on modesty and this video:
Wear what you want, when you want. Women are not responsible for men's thoughts and shouldn't dress a certain way just so that they can control themselves better.
The way women dress plays a central role on the purity of men's thoughts when they are around women and therefore, we should be as modest as possible to help them control themselves.
Telling women that they should cover up for men is telling those men that it is okay to objectify women based on their clothing.
Here is MY view.
Anyone who tries to say that what we wear as women has no effect on men needs to check themselves into a mental facility, because let's face it, it does! And let's also face the fact that we dress immodestly because we WANT that attention. We want every guy to turn his head when we walk past, to desire us. Say what you will but as a culture we have developed this idea that to be valued, we must be desired. Yes, that is a view that we are working on, and hopefully someday will overcome. But for now, I don't care who you are, you want to be wanted, whether it's by every boy or by one special boy.
Example?
What do you put on the night of your honeymoon? There is nothing more gratifying than slipping on a sexy little piece of nothing and making your husband go gaga, am I right? It feels GREAT to be sexy. There's a certain sense of power you get from that knowledge, power over men. You know you can get your husband to do anything for you when you're walking around the house with just an apron on...and there's nothing wrong with that (when it's your spouse you are doing it for).
That being said, we don't always dress immodestly just for the guys. Sometimes, it's out of convenience. It's a hot day and man those little shorts and strapless top are sure looking good right now. Perhaps you're exercising and wearing just a sports bra and some shorts. Let me tell you, guys check out girls who are running dressed like this. Does it mean that those women are purposely trying to turn on every guy who drives by? No. But do we have a responsibility to dress appropriately? Absolutely.
This is coming from the perspective of a Christian and a Latter-day Saint, so you all might not agree with me.
I BELIEVE IN MODESTY. I will teach my daughter modesty. I will dress modestly, ALWAYS. Why? It isn't because of men, and it sure as hell isn't because I don't have a sense of self worth and appreciation for my body. It's simply because God has asked it. We are made in God's image and have been blessed with these bodies that have so many abilities and so much potential. I'm not going to disrespect God by letting my boobs hang out just because I've got'em. I respect myself too much to parade myself around. I also simply feel uncomfortable when dressed immodestly. Do I sometimes want to wear a little bikini, or a short dress, or a low cut shirt?
Yes I do, but when I look honestly at the reasons why it really truly is because I think I'd look sexy or attractive, and sure, I WANT to turn heads. Who doesn't? C'mon women, don't kid yourself. Don't hide behind "what men think isn't my problem."
What if men walked around with their pants down and their penis hanging out with just the tip of it covered??
Would you be comfortable? Would you agree if they said, "well, just don't look" or "I'm proud of my body and should be able to show it."? Would you be able to have a conversation with them without thinking about that partially clad penis flapping out in the open? How is that any different from wearing an itsy bitsy bikini? Wear what you like, I don't care! But don't sit here and tell me it isn't because you want guys to notice, even if it's just your husband's eyes you want to attract.
The basic fact is: MEN WILL BE AFFECTED BY WHAT YOU WEAR. period. end of story. it's how it is. it's a basic biological response ladies, get over it. I, personally, don't want to be the reason some guy is super uncomfortable in my presence. I don't want to be hanging out with some married friends with my breasts pushed up to their maximum capacity and voluptuously protruding from my skimpy top. Guess what, another husband other than mine would notice. Would that make him a perv? NO! He's noticing what is put up for display. How is that fair to him, or to his wife?
And don't start saying, "she doesn't support the empowerment of women...she doesn't support women's rights....blah blah blah." because I do. I also believe that MEN have rights as well. I believe in HUMAN rights. If you feel like the only way to empower yourself is to dress immodestly, like you're sticking it to the man or something, then that's just sad.
Is it really that big of a deal to wear a higher neck line? Or to wear your shorts just a little bit longer? I don't think so. I have big boobs, and sometimes, they can be really noticeable. When I was prego and right after I had my baby, they were ginormous. Seriously...the first thing anyone said to me was, "Holy crap your boobs are huge!" There's only so much I can do, but I do what I can. And that doesn't mean I'm dressing like a nun either. It's perfectly possible to dress in style and modestly as well...even though at this point I'm pretty much wearing pajama pants all day! My husband has even told me that it is so much easier to talk to a girl who is dressed modestly because your thoughts are on the conversation, and learning about that person, not on her cleavage. Men think about sex ALL THE TIME. If you are married, you know that. Who's husband isn't constantly trying to feel you up?? So it's pretty understandable that if you are showing your boobs, he's going to be thinking about touching them and having sex. That's not degrading men, and it's not making them out to be weak. It's biology people. So don't freak out if you dress scantily and get some male attention, because in his eyes, that's what you want...why else would you tantalize him this way?
If you don't want that attention...then don't dress like that. Easy. Simple.
I just hate hearing, "wear whatever you want as long as you're proud of your body." or "if what you wear gives men inappropriate thoughts then they are sexist and objectifying you."
Your clothes can and do define you, like it or not. We express ourselves through what we wear. If you are going to dress immodestly, don't make it okay by saying that you are doing it just because you are proud of your body, or as they say on Fired Up, "You can piss on my face, just don't tell me it's raining."own up to it.
You dress like this
because it's fashionable, sexy, and simply makes your body look good. Just looking at this picture, what do you get? Your first thought is, wow, this girl is gorgeous and HOT. I want to be like her. You don't think, wow, she really has a lot of self-respect and a love for God. She may have these things, but that's not the first thing you think of.
Needless to say, when we dress modestly we also want to look beautiful. Yes, you'll have to sacrifice some things, you'll have to look a little different from everyone else at the beach, but in the end, everyone's comfortable.
When Bryce and I were first dating, we went swimming one night at a hotel. I didn't have a bathing suit with me so my sis loaned me one of her bikinis. I was kind of excited honestly. I hadn't worn a bikini for years and years. I put it on in the hotel changing room...and could barely get myself to walk out the door. I felt SO uncomfortable. I knew I looked good...as was apparent by the admiring gaze of my boyfriend...and I knew that I liked this feeling. But at the same time, it felt so wrong. I didn't want to stand out of the water because I felt so revealed. And I felt like a hypocrite! I haven't worn one since.
What you wear is your choice, it's a personal choice and no one should be judged by their clothing. But does that mean that I don't appreciate my body or feel pride for it because I choose to wear a one-piece bathing suit? I have just as much pride as any one of you and THAT IS why I choose to dress modestly. I don't have to flaunt it to feel value in it. My body is sacred to me, and I know it's sacred to God. I will treat it like a temple. I will dress my child modestly. It even makes me uncomfortable to put her in a spagetti strap outfit because I want her to always value modesty and to live up to our beliefs. I don't want her to feel like a hypocrite like I once did.
In other cultures, women wear almost nothing and it's no big deal. This is their culture. It also doesn't mean they don't have self-respect. It's simply tradition.
I'm not going to wear anything I wouldn't wear in front of God. If he came down right now and stood in front of you, would you be comfortable in what you're wearing? That there, my friends, is the real question...and what should be the real concern.
Oh boy! These four months have flown by, and looking back, I miss that tiny little babe! But now a new chapter begins, and this baby isn't so tiny anymore!
Today was Savannah's 4 month appointment. We weighed her, measured her, and all that other good stuff. I wasn't too surprised when the scale said 12 lbs. My sore arms are a testament to her weight gain. For a premature baby this little one knows how to impress. She jumped from the 5th percentile to the 10th! All this weight probably has something to do with the fact that she eats like a starving shark. And when she's hungry, she's HUNGRY. She wants it NOW and any waiting results in angry screams directed towards me. What can I say...she takes after her daddy.
A few new things were learned today.
1. Savannah has a second birth mark on the back of her head. Hopefully she gets hair soon because people are always asking me "What in the heck is on her head....it's going to go away right??" Um...apparently not. She's also got a little birth mark on her ankle...but that one's a lot less noticeable.
2. Savannah CAN roll over...she's just not interested in doing it for ME. Dr. Johnson asks, does she roll over yet. My response, "Nope, not by herself. She's not really interested." So we lay her on her tummy and guess what. Yep...she rolls right over and almost falls off the table. Thanks baby, do it for the doctor, but not for mommy. Oh well, the Dr. was happy.
3. Savannah does not like new people. This one I already knew but it showed again when the nurse got up and personal. As soon as she got Little Miss's attention and started talking to her, all hell broke loose. I made sure the nurse knew it wasn't just her...she doesn't like a lot of people haha
4. Baby girl has eczema. Ouchy! We were given a special cream because it's also inflamed. We'll also start putting coconut oil on those itchy spots.
Then we got to enjoy the shots. Personally, I'm terrified of shots. I didn't even get the flu vaccine while I was pregnant because they freak me out so bad. So it was awful watching them stick those freaking long needles in my baby girl. And boy did she cry! But then they gave her the liquid medication and she calmed down and fell asleep in about five minutes once we got out to the car.
And, this is very exciting, we get to start on solids! This I'm pretty sure she's going to love! Any suggestions on good recipes for baby? I'm planning on making her baby food instead of buying it. Healthier and cheaper!
Lastly but not least, I want to thank my darling daughter for pooping on my pants. She insists on eating while she poops and so was cuddled right up to her mommy. Of course, nothing got on her, but somehow some poo managed to slip out right onto my blue capris. The joys of parenting!
