End of an Era

Well, Elizabeth now has two teeth.  I can't believe it, I didn't think that they would be here so soon.  Honestly, I was hoping they would wait a long time to show up, but they had other plans.

Brian and I were talking about it earlier, and we both had the same though...this is an end of an era.  No more of Elizabeth's adorable gummy grins, no more playing games like 'Who's got Daddy's nose' or 'Who's got Mommy's chin' without teethmarks or a bit of pain, among other things that will change with Elizabeth's teeth.  I just have to remember...as some things go, new things will come.  {And her two little teeth are pretty cute!}

Glimpse of Motherhood {Bedtime Snuggling}

Tonight I was given such a sweet gift...I got to snuggle with my little girl.

Brian was out at a Presidency meeting, so I got some one on one time with Elizabeth as I put her to bed.  At bedtime I usually will sing to her as we rock in the glider to get her relaxed for sleep.  As I rocked her tonight and saw the gentle smile she had on her face while I sang, I was overwhelmed with the love that I have for this little girl.  It's amazing how such a small little girl can be such a enormous blessing to me!  The saying "Great things come in small packages" is so true!

I finally knew that I needed to put her into her crib while she was so relaxed and happy, but it was hard for me to let her go {as it always is}.  I just wanted to snuggle with her forever, and continue to feel the peace and love that I was feeling with her in my arms, right then.

Sweet Surprise!

This afternoon I got a knock at the door.  I was thinking to myself "Who could it be, UPS?"  I quickly put Elizabeth down with a toy and rushed down the stairs.  As I opened the door I got a big surprise...not only was it my sweet Brian, but he was holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers!

As you can see, I am not the only one that was excited to see the flowers!

My Six month old Ballerina

My little girl is six months!!!  I cannot believe that the time is going by so fast!  It seems as though it was just recently that I went to the hospital to have her, and yet it also seems as though she has always been apart of my life!  Elizabeth Adelaide is the joy and sunshine in my life.  It is amazing what one little girl can do for me, but she has changed me in many ways!  From the moment we decided to have a baby I have been motivated like never before.  I have been trying to live my life more fully and without regrets.  Of course I'm not perfect, but I get up and do things that I wouldn't have found the motivations to do before.  I am learning lots of new things, and expanding my talents {especially in the crafty area}.  I love who I am becoming!  I am a MOM!

In this half of a year, Elizabeth has been learning so much!  This last month she has really taken off with her mobility, she will no longer just sit in one place.  It's fun to watch her develop so much.  This is a list of some of the things Elizabeth had been doing recently...

~She can not roll over from back to tummy
~We now put her into the big bath since she is getting a bit big for the kitchen sink
~Her first tooth popped through a few days ago and was quickly followed by her second yesterday
~She can completely roll over, and does so constantly
~At first she rolled just one way, but now she can go any way she wants
~She's just getting a lot more mobile
~Another tongue thing...clicks her tongue all the time
~She had really discovered her voice...babbling, singing, and what not
~The army crawl is coming along
~Elizabeth has really discovered the joy of splashing in the tub
~Last night she said dada nana, it is so fun to hear her talk


Elizabeth's size

Clothing~3-6 months and starting to wear 6-9 months
Diapers~Size 3
Length and Weight will have to wait.


Here are a few snapshots I took of Elizabeth today...

The silly girl had gotten out of her blanket and turned a complete 90 degree angle, when she should have been sleeping.  At least she was having fun!

To celebrate Elizabeth turning six months old I wanted to do something special for her.  So I made her a tutu set to go with the adorable ballet shoes that we bought soon after I got pregnant.  I made the fluffy tutu with a matching bracelet and hair flower.  I love how they turned out!

Here's my little Ballerina...

Valentine's

This year we haven't just celebrated Valentine's on one day...but for about an entire week or so.  We don't believe in just showing our love for each other on one single day of the year.

So this is the highlights of the week...

Elizabeth took Brian and I out to dinner to one of our favorite places to eat, Noodles and Company, on the Friday before Valentine's.

On Saturday my old roommate from Provo, Nichole, drove up to babysit Elizabeth so that Brian and I could go out.  I had put her down for a nap before we left and she was okay with Nichole after she woke up until she realized that Brian and I weren't home.  Brian and I just came back with our food and enjoyed catching up with Nichole.

On Valentine's Day I had to get a snapshot of the two loves in my life.  I love this picture of them!  I am so grateful to have such a wonderful man as my husband, and a beautiful, happy, and healthy little girl.  They are the sunshine in my life!

While Brian and I were out last night we passed some beautiful flowers, and had to get one for Elizabeth.  Here she is with her first flower.

On Monday Elizabeth and I kept the love going by doing a heart attack for Brian.  I cut out a bunch of hearts and Elizabeth helped with all the scraps.  It was fun surprising Brian.

On Tuesday Elizabeth woke up to her own heart attack from Brian and I.  She also surprised us with her first tooth popping through.  But she still gave us lots of sweet smiles!

On the Thurday while Elizabeth and I were out and about, we picked out some bright flowers for Brian to brighten his day.  I had Elizabeth help me and she's the one that chose these yellow ones, she has great tastes.  She just kept reaching for them, so I knew we had to get them.  Luckily most of them survived her loves!  Oh, and she had her second tooth come through also.

What a week it has been!  We have each enjoyed showing our love for each other.  I am so grateful that our home is so full of love!

It's laundry day, right?

Brian has some subtle ways of communicating to me at times. Picture this one...I walk into the bathroom and find that there is only one towel hanging where there is usually two. Any guess what this could mean? This means, "It has been too long since the colors have been washed and I can't stand the thought of using this towel another day." He didn't even mention anything to me this morning before he left for school, just silently plopped the towel into the hamper. He is so good that if I did not get to it today (surprisingly they have just finished drying), he doesn't get after me for not having done it. He would just find something else to use in the morning after he showers...my towel, the hand towel, search for our extra towels, etc (this I know from experience since I am not always so good to get the laundry done the day that I should). Brian is so good to put up with me, he would make a much better homemaker. He loves to cook, is a great cleaner, great at maintaining our home, and remembers when things need to be done. I remember when it gets to the point that it's do or die, or company is coming over.

Schedule change

So, Elizabeth is in need of a change of nap time scheduling. She has been doing a lot of short naps throughout the day, so we need to cut those out, and make her long ones longer. Easier said then done!

Today was the first official day of the new schedule. I worked really hard at making Elizabeth stay happy when she was usually used to being back in her bed for a nap. She was such a trooper though, and we had some fun together (interspersed with some tears). I could tell that when I had her go longer she slept much more deeply, and woke up ready to play some more. She only took two naps today that were both about three hours long.

It was going great until she got hungry and over tired at Institute and we got her into bed too late. Tomorrow may be a challenge. Well, one day at a time. Celebrate the victories when they come, even if they are small, because you never know when another one will come. {There's my philosophy of the day}

Broken Toes!?!

Well...it's only one toe, but I seriously thought that it was at least two. It hurts so much. I only found out it was just one after I took my sock off this morning and saw that only one toe was red, swollen, and turning black and blue (I should paint my toenail yellow and my toe would be all the primary colors). It is the middle toe on my right foot, and it has made walking interesting and painful. I have been hobbling around the apartment all day long. Now, how in the world did I break my toe, and the middle one??? Actually that is a good question. I thought that I remembered, but Brian remembers it another way. I must have tried to block the memory. Brian and I do agree that I did stub it on something. Now, what it was...who knows. Elizabeth's swing, the desk chair, a table...not sure. But here's what my toe looks like...

 

Notice the bluish/purple ring that goes completely around my middle toe.  Yeah...that's why it hurts!

Project Elizabeth {Glider}

After Brian and I went to the Childbirth class, Brian felt that we needed to get a glider or rocking chair got me.  We decided to check out a thrift store on our way home, and found a glider in good condition for cheap.  The cushions were disgusting and thrown out before going inside, and I wanted it white.

When Brian's parents came into town for a visit, we put them to work.  Mike had a lot of great ideas, and helped Brian expand his tool bag {much to Brian's joy}.  Francine also had some good ideas about how to make the cushions for the glider.

Brian and Mike sanding the glider.

 

 Brian did a great job painting it all white for me.

  

Brian and I worked together to make a pattern for the cushions, and then make it.  I love the bright color, and how nicely it fits into the nursery.

  

 I also love snuggling and rocking my little Elizabeth in it now!

  

 Elizabeth enjoys it too!