Here are Eliza's cute "Birthday" pictures though:
Wow a whole year... can you believe it?!?!?!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Summer is almost gone!
Where has this summer gone? I feel like I did so much but I don't have much to show for it! And the summer went so fast, and I now realize that I have been planning Eliza's 1st birthday since she was 5 months old. That sad thing is that you would think that I would be totally ready for it, since I've been planning for the last 7 months now... but I'm not.
Here are Eliza's cute "Birthday" pictures though:
Isn't she ADORABLE! She was quite cranky this day so I'm impressed that Eden got such good shots.
Wow a whole year... can you believe it?!?!?!
Here are Eliza's cute "Birthday" pictures though:
Wow a whole year... can you believe it?!?!?!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Great article... What is your personal finish line?
What you don't see, when we all march into church on Sunday morning, is the chaos of the morning that happened just 10 minutes earlier.
What you don't see, when you look at my four little boys in their suits, is that the 7-year-old is wearing Dad's socks because we couldn't find his. And they go all the way up to his knees.
What you don't see, when I pull out the lovely quiet book I made a few years back, is that below it, in my church bag, are five baggies of smashed raisins because I haven't cleaned out the bag for months.
When you enter my house, with its shining entryway, you don't see the three loads of laundry dumped on my bed. Or the dirty pots I stashed in the oven. And you will never see the interior of my minivan, not until I find the time to vacuum it out.
When you admire the hand-sewn pajamas I made for all the kids, we don't talk about the three nights I got no sleep to make those.
If you look on my blog, you will see pictures of homemade chicken noodle soup with homemade noodles. You won't see my confession to popping in a frozen pizza THREE times last week for dinner.
Or the night we ate Cheerios for dinner, dry, because we were out of milk. There is a zoom on my camera for a reason. There is a delete button for a reason.
I don't think we're all playing a part. We naturally want to put our best selves forward, so that is what other people see. They don't see what's going on behind the scenes. I like to think that good parenting is like a duck on the water. What you see is the gentle, almost effortless gliding, not the furious paddling that happens underneath.
I keep a mental list of about ten people I want to stalk by camera, from morning to night, to see how they do it all. Are they up at 4 a.m.? Can they survive on three hours of sleep? Do they have a housekeeper? Because I drop balls just as fast as I can grab them. My intentions are of pure gold, but they come out as tinkling brass, at best.
I started a blog last fall. I dragged my feet into it for many reasons. One of the main reasons I hesitated was I didn't want to be another contributor to the cyberspace guiltosphere out there. Especially where mothers are concerned, do we need one more reason to feel guilty?
Because from the looks of things, other families are happier, their houses are cleaner, their marriages are better, their clothes are more stylish and their craftiness is even more crafty. Their lives are perfectly lovely, while my kids are running around screaming in their diapers.
My worst fears were confirmed last week when I got an e-mail from a friend who asked, "How do you do it all? Your column, your blog, all the things you do with your children? You're amazing!"
I looked around at my house, at the six bins of winter clothes waiting to be transported to the garage, at the sewing projects stacked against the wall, at the state of the toothpaste crusted to the sink ... I let things go, a lot of things.
A spanking-clean house is not a high priority for me. I'm a big believer in mud and its importance in a child's life. The time I take to write is time away from scrubbing that bathroom sink. I would rather read with my kids than shop at the mall, so I am certainly not up-to-date on the latest styles. I've been listening to the same music for 20 years because I can't seem to keep up with the latest music scene. And I require a lot of sleep.
We all have priorities. For some, it is keeping a spotless house, and they are good at it. For others, it is writing, or exercising, or serving others. And yes, there are some who seem to do it all, the Benjamin Franklins of the world. I tell myself I don't have to be them. And also, Benjamin Franklin was not much of a family man. Even he let things go.
What we don't see, when we look at each other on Sunday, or on blogs, or in our shiny kitchens, is that we all have different talents and unique situations. I tell my kids all the time: Life is not a race. The only person you are competing against is yourself.
What we forget to see, when admiring others, is our own personal finish line.
You can find the article here.
What you don't see, when you look at my four little boys in their suits, is that the 7-year-old is wearing Dad's socks because we couldn't find his. And they go all the way up to his knees.
What you don't see, when I pull out the lovely quiet book I made a few years back, is that below it, in my church bag, are five baggies of smashed raisins because I haven't cleaned out the bag for months.
When you enter my house, with its shining entryway, you don't see the three loads of laundry dumped on my bed. Or the dirty pots I stashed in the oven. And you will never see the interior of my minivan, not until I find the time to vacuum it out.
When you admire the hand-sewn pajamas I made for all the kids, we don't talk about the three nights I got no sleep to make those.
If you look on my blog, you will see pictures of homemade chicken noodle soup with homemade noodles. You won't see my confession to popping in a frozen pizza THREE times last week for dinner.
Or the night we ate Cheerios for dinner, dry, because we were out of milk. There is a zoom on my camera for a reason. There is a delete button for a reason.
I don't think we're all playing a part. We naturally want to put our best selves forward, so that is what other people see. They don't see what's going on behind the scenes. I like to think that good parenting is like a duck on the water. What you see is the gentle, almost effortless gliding, not the furious paddling that happens underneath.
I keep a mental list of about ten people I want to stalk by camera, from morning to night, to see how they do it all. Are they up at 4 a.m.? Can they survive on three hours of sleep? Do they have a housekeeper? Because I drop balls just as fast as I can grab them. My intentions are of pure gold, but they come out as tinkling brass, at best.
I started a blog last fall. I dragged my feet into it for many reasons. One of the main reasons I hesitated was I didn't want to be another contributor to the cyberspace guiltosphere out there. Especially where mothers are concerned, do we need one more reason to feel guilty?
Because from the looks of things, other families are happier, their houses are cleaner, their marriages are better, their clothes are more stylish and their craftiness is even more crafty. Their lives are perfectly lovely, while my kids are running around screaming in their diapers.
My worst fears were confirmed last week when I got an e-mail from a friend who asked, "How do you do it all? Your column, your blog, all the things you do with your children? You're amazing!"
I looked around at my house, at the six bins of winter clothes waiting to be transported to the garage, at the sewing projects stacked against the wall, at the state of the toothpaste crusted to the sink ... I let things go, a lot of things.
A spanking-clean house is not a high priority for me. I'm a big believer in mud and its importance in a child's life. The time I take to write is time away from scrubbing that bathroom sink. I would rather read with my kids than shop at the mall, so I am certainly not up-to-date on the latest styles. I've been listening to the same music for 20 years because I can't seem to keep up with the latest music scene. And I require a lot of sleep.
We all have priorities. For some, it is keeping a spotless house, and they are good at it. For others, it is writing, or exercising, or serving others. And yes, there are some who seem to do it all, the Benjamin Franklins of the world. I tell myself I don't have to be them. And also, Benjamin Franklin was not much of a family man. Even he let things go.
What we don't see, when we look at each other on Sunday, or on blogs, or in our shiny kitchens, is that we all have different talents and unique situations. I tell my kids all the time: Life is not a race. The only person you are competing against is yourself.
What we forget to see, when admiring others, is our own personal finish line.
You can find the article here.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
May 2010 Recap & Eliza at 8 Months
Since I am a little behind I am going to do monthly recaps.... here it goes!
Eliza is quite a messy little girl when it comes to eating. At the beginning of May she was still sitting in her bumbo seat and would try to reach anything even kind of close to her and pull it to her mouth! She still LOVES technology and is now into textures. She will rub her fingers up and down anything! One of her favorite things is the texture of our bathroom door. I was able to capture some of her exploring one morning when I was getting ready. She has moved into #2 foods and she definitely is enjoying them. The berry mixtures are by far her favorite! She is also pushing herself backwards all over the place. She can't quite figure out her knees yet but she is close to crawling.
One day earlier this month my mom and I went to the mall to have a make up makeover done. We were both wanting to update our eye make up and it was hard to decide which makeup counter we wanted to go to. We ended up picking Bobby Brown because neither of us had ever tried it and it looked like their eye shadows were sold in bundles. The lady at the counter said that we would have to purchase a couple of items to have the makeup done, but she assured us that we would want MORE than a FEW. Of course we rolled our eyes and the makeover began. To our surprise we both looked like changed women and LOVED our new make up. I stuck to my guns and only purchased two things but my mom got a few more. They have this amazing lip gloss that I only put on 3 times a day and my lips are getting less chapped! Hooray... finally a solution!
I also had 3 new beehives coming into YWs that we got to make "Welcome to the Hive" signs for. And we also had our 3rd annual car wash fundraiser. The girls had a lot of fun and we made some good money for girls camp. Also, late in the month I was actually released as the 2nd Counselor over the Beehives and I was called to be the 1st Counselor over the Mia Maids. I am definitely excited but a little sad because I felt like I was just getting this organized and going with the Beehives. I will miss being their leader but am glad that I still get to be in YWs.
Eliza, Ellie and I have also started taking walks on the "nice" days. It is so fun to get out and see the neighborhood, and it's also very relaxing. Now if this weather would just shape up maybe I could make it more of a routine.
This past weekend my college roommate, Ashlee, got married in the SLC temple. My mom, Eliza and I flew to SLC and were able to stay with my sister & brother-in-law in American Fork. My in laws were also able to come up from St. George to visit with us. It was such a fun few days filled with wedding goodness, catching up with old friends, shopping, eating, and visiting! Man I love vacations! Ashlee made a gorgeous bride and I am so excited for her new adventure!
I also wanted to do a little justification as to why I was a blogging SLACKER for the past few months.
#1. I have a baby
#2. I work part time (20 hrs and mostly from home which equates to 40 hours between managing a baby and trying to accomplish work.)
#3. YW leader
#4. Starting a business with my friend Ronnie. Our company name is Pocketful of Posies Designs and we make boutique style goodies for little girls. We specialize in bows, headbands, bow holders, nursing covers, tutus, diaper wipe cases and burp cloths (I'm sure there is more...) We are going to do a few craft shows this fall and are starting an Etsy business. I will let you know more details when they are finalized.
So I know the only person I am hurting by NOT blogging is myself (and my posterity of course) but I think those are 4 pretty good reasons! ha ha.
Eliza is quite a messy little girl when it comes to eating. At the beginning of May she was still sitting in her bumbo seat and would try to reach anything even kind of close to her and pull it to her mouth! She still LOVES technology and is now into textures. She will rub her fingers up and down anything! One of her favorite things is the texture of our bathroom door. I was able to capture some of her exploring one morning when I was getting ready. She has moved into #2 foods and she definitely is enjoying them. The berry mixtures are by far her favorite! She is also pushing herself backwards all over the place. She can't quite figure out her knees yet but she is close to crawling.
One day earlier this month my mom and I went to the mall to have a make up makeover done. We were both wanting to update our eye make up and it was hard to decide which makeup counter we wanted to go to. We ended up picking Bobby Brown because neither of us had ever tried it and it looked like their eye shadows were sold in bundles. The lady at the counter said that we would have to purchase a couple of items to have the makeup done, but she assured us that we would want MORE than a FEW. Of course we rolled our eyes and the makeover began. To our surprise we both looked like changed women and LOVED our new make up. I stuck to my guns and only purchased two things but my mom got a few more. They have this amazing lip gloss that I only put on 3 times a day and my lips are getting less chapped! Hooray... finally a solution!
I also had 3 new beehives coming into YWs that we got to make "Welcome to the Hive" signs for. And we also had our 3rd annual car wash fundraiser. The girls had a lot of fun and we made some good money for girls camp. Also, late in the month I was actually released as the 2nd Counselor over the Beehives and I was called to be the 1st Counselor over the Mia Maids. I am definitely excited but a little sad because I felt like I was just getting this organized and going with the Beehives. I will miss being their leader but am glad that I still get to be in YWs.
Eliza, Ellie and I have also started taking walks on the "nice" days. It is so fun to get out and see the neighborhood, and it's also very relaxing. Now if this weather would just shape up maybe I could make it more of a routine.
This past weekend my college roommate, Ashlee, got married in the SLC temple. My mom, Eliza and I flew to SLC and were able to stay with my sister & brother-in-law in American Fork. My in laws were also able to come up from St. George to visit with us. It was such a fun few days filled with wedding goodness, catching up with old friends, shopping, eating, and visiting! Man I love vacations! Ashlee made a gorgeous bride and I am so excited for her new adventure!
(If you think I look a little tired it's because I am but also because I didn't have my makeup on yet :)
I also wanted to do a little justification as to why I was a blogging SLACKER for the past few months.
#1. I have a baby
#2. I work part time (20 hrs and mostly from home which equates to 40 hours between managing a baby and trying to accomplish work.)
#3. YW leader
#4. Starting a business with my friend Ronnie. Our company name is Pocketful of Posies Designs and we make boutique style goodies for little girls. We specialize in bows, headbands, bow holders, nursing covers, tutus, diaper wipe cases and burp cloths (I'm sure there is more...) We are going to do a few craft shows this fall and are starting an Etsy business. I will let you know more details when they are finalized.
So I know the only person I am hurting by NOT blogging is myself (and my posterity of course) but I think those are 4 pretty good reasons! ha ha.
Monday, April 26, 2010
April 2010 Recap & Eliza at 7 Months
Many things went on during the month of April. At the beginning of the month my brother, Casey, came home from Baghdad. Casey was home for Thanksgiving but we hadn't seen him since then. We all gathered at the airport to await his arrival, even the news was there. My dad had this awesome banner made (for free!) and Casey love it! Of course while Casey was home we had to eat a Pizza Plus, which is always delicious and go to Swensens for some yummy ice cream.
April also means EASTER! Eliza had a fantastic first Easter. We went over to my parent's house early Sunday morning and tried not to peek and see where all of the Easter eggs were hidden. Yes, the Easter Bunny still hides eggs for us adults! This year the competition was harsh. Last year Matt got all the eggs (like 50 of them) and the rest of us were blown out of the water by it. Hunts are suppossed to be FAIR! Well this year my sister and I fought till the death to get the most eggs. Kelsey got first, then myself, then Casey and Matt finished it up! Eliza and Savannah loved their Easter baskets and their new swim suits and towels (a tradition my Grandma Baglin started!). Later in the day we went to my Grandma Hawley's house to eat a delicious dinner and celebrate together. The girls were adorable in their matchy matchy Easter dresses!
Our ward also had their annual Elders Quorum Basketball Tournament. Matt's team got 2nd last year but wasn't as fortunate this year. I got some great pics of Matt & our friend David showing off their "exhausted" look! It was also our friend Ella's first birthday. She had a Hawaiian luau party and we loved dressing Eliza in a grass skirt, her Hawaiian shirt and a pretty Hawaiian hibiscus flower in her hair. Jenny (Ella's mom) did an AWESOME job and even had this cute slide show of Ella's first year which of course brought tears to my eyes. It is so crazy how fast they grow! I also helped throw a shower for my friend Susan who is having TWINS at the beginning of June. We had such a fun time and played "Nursery Rhyme Pictionary" and I made a diaper cake. It was also my Grandpa Baglin's 80th birthday so we had an great celebration at Louisiana Jazz Kitchen. I helped my grandpa's girlfriend set up for the big party and my mom ordered an awesome cake that was molded to look just like his flat bottom boat and ummm was it good! We also celebrated Kelsey's last softball games and Savannah's ability to crawl up and down the porch step.
I was also quite sick during April and had to go to the ER at 3:00 am. I ended up having a bad sinus infection and so much head pressure that I just stayed in bed for almost a week. I owe a big thank you to all my friends and family that helped out with Eliza (and taking care of me) during that week! At the end of my sick week, Eliza and I drove to Yuba City, CA for my college roommate's bridal shower. The pressure of going over the mountain was NOT music to my ears but we had a blast and I was very glad I could go.
Eliza can now sit up very well and loves playing with her toys and with Ellie. Eliza and Ellie play tug-of-war all the time and Eliza has decided that since Ellie can eat rawhide bones so can she. Eliza eats 1st foods pretty well but likes to make raspberries, which means that I am usually covered in food by the time lunch is over. Eliza is a little unsure of other kids right now and has started to have separation anxiety. Every time you turn your back and walk away from her she cries. I have to even sing or talk in the shower just so she doesn't bawl the entire time. She is still smiley and sleeps through the night. We have started more of a routine which is nice because I get a 2 hour break in the middle of the day now while she sleeps. I love that she can sit up and play with her toys by herself though, it's so nice to get things done around the house.
April also means EASTER! Eliza had a fantastic first Easter. We went over to my parent's house early Sunday morning and tried not to peek and see where all of the Easter eggs were hidden. Yes, the Easter Bunny still hides eggs for us adults! This year the competition was harsh. Last year Matt got all the eggs (like 50 of them) and the rest of us were blown out of the water by it. Hunts are suppossed to be FAIR! Well this year my sister and I fought till the death to get the most eggs. Kelsey got first, then myself, then Casey and Matt finished it up! Eliza and Savannah loved their Easter baskets and their new swim suits and towels (a tradition my Grandma Baglin started!). Later in the day we went to my Grandma Hawley's house to eat a delicious dinner and celebrate together. The girls were adorable in their matchy matchy Easter dresses!
Our ward also had their annual Elders Quorum Basketball Tournament. Matt's team got 2nd last year but wasn't as fortunate this year. I got some great pics of Matt & our friend David showing off their "exhausted" look! It was also our friend Ella's first birthday. She had a Hawaiian luau party and we loved dressing Eliza in a grass skirt, her Hawaiian shirt and a pretty Hawaiian hibiscus flower in her hair. Jenny (Ella's mom) did an AWESOME job and even had this cute slide show of Ella's first year which of course brought tears to my eyes. It is so crazy how fast they grow! I also helped throw a shower for my friend Susan who is having TWINS at the beginning of June. We had such a fun time and played "Nursery Rhyme Pictionary" and I made a diaper cake. It was also my Grandpa Baglin's 80th birthday so we had an great celebration at Louisiana Jazz Kitchen. I helped my grandpa's girlfriend set up for the big party and my mom ordered an awesome cake that was molded to look just like his flat bottom boat and ummm was it good! We also celebrated Kelsey's last softball games and Savannah's ability to crawl up and down the porch step.
I was also quite sick during April and had to go to the ER at 3:00 am. I ended up having a bad sinus infection and so much head pressure that I just stayed in bed for almost a week. I owe a big thank you to all my friends and family that helped out with Eliza (and taking care of me) during that week! At the end of my sick week, Eliza and I drove to Yuba City, CA for my college roommate's bridal shower. The pressure of going over the mountain was NOT music to my ears but we had a blast and I was very glad I could go.
Eliza can now sit up very well and loves playing with her toys and with Ellie. Eliza and Ellie play tug-of-war all the time and Eliza has decided that since Ellie can eat rawhide bones so can she. Eliza eats 1st foods pretty well but likes to make raspberries, which means that I am usually covered in food by the time lunch is over. Eliza is a little unsure of other kids right now and has started to have separation anxiety. Every time you turn your back and walk away from her she cries. I have to even sing or talk in the shower just so she doesn't bawl the entire time. She is still smiley and sleeps through the night. We have started more of a routine which is nice because I get a 2 hour break in the middle of the day now while she sleeps. I love that she can sit up and play with her toys by herself though, it's so nice to get things done around the house.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
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