Organic

Check out my friend Kaley's site....this stuff is amazing and amazing stories are behind it and many to come!...

click here: ----->Oh to be healthy....

Christmas - my favorite time of year

A little pregnant

Again. I like that word. Once more, anew. It won’t be exactly like the first time. There’s an extra layer to our life (Faye (smile)), a different dynamic in our home. It’s great and weird and scary all in one. And ultimately our family is growing and we feel so happy about that. 
(Also? It’s been incredibly difficult to keep this a secret...which is why I didn't keep it in! LOL). The reality is still sinking in around here. We're both excited, although I think we're a little disappointed that we hit the jackpot on the first try. After all, the real fun is in the trying right?! LOL 

How far along/when I’m due — I’m 5 weeks and due on June 12th. We haven't gone to the doctors yet but we will soon.  Having two kids under 2 – They will be 22 months apart. Yes, I’m a little scared. I feel a little guilty about “taking attention away” from Faye and I feel incredibly sad that it won't be just her and I anymore. She is so fun and great and a joy and I just am going to miss sitting with her having nothing to do but hang out with her. But I know that being a big sister will help shape her into the person she will be and that’s pretty cool. How I’m feeling — I feel great. but I am sad that I have to find a new doctor. Mine recently is doing emergency only...so at 30 weeks I would have to find a new doctor (I just loved my doctor) I hope my next is as great and Liberal LOL.

hanging out with the blanks and andersons

 Hanging out with the Munch's and getting our Halloween on 

Faye is our little monkey she seriously climbs up, over, under, jumps, rolling off anything kind of gal.  If she can't get up the she finds a way to do so by either moving something there to climp on or asking for my help. Anything that looks challenging or high or dangerous she wants to try 

so being the cautious and  very good mother I am I let her do it LOL. 

we have had some bad and not so bad falls

BUT she learns and is more cautious as the days go.

You know how people are always saying that kids grow up so fast, so enjoy them while they’re little, because before you know it they’ll be teenagers, and boy are you in for it then, and you just want them to be quite because all you’re focused on right now is enjoying the moment not trying to think to hard on the future and how they will be gone soon. Well, it’s true, people. They do grow up fast.

OK, so my baby girl is now 13months old. Maybe that doesn’t make me an expert, per se. All I know is I saw a couple of newborns this past week and, oh my goodness, were they tiny. My friends baby, looks like a fragile little baby bird, all pink skin and stick legs. I was afraid to hold her, and I just had one of these things myself a year ago! My girlfriend was asking me questions about sleeping and feeding and I couldn't believe how difficult it was to recollect something that happened such a short time ago. 

I know Faye was once that little – we have the stick legs documented on film – but when I look at the photos now, it doesn’t even look like my little girl. I thought she was cute then, never imagining the beaming, shrieking, talking baby she’d be in just a year of life. I got a little misty looking at those newborns (shocker). Then I saw their parents’ frazzled, dark-circled stares and thought, “I would love to be back at those days, I love my days now but I so miss those days as well for some weird strange reason.”

I finally feel like I’m getting the hang of this parenting thing though, I thought I felt that way though 11 months ago LOL but I can tell I feel much more relaxed and confident these days regarding know what Faye needs and how much of it. I know how to make Faye laugh, and how to get her to stop crying. I know exactly how to teach her things so that she understands it pretty instantly, when she needs self play and when she doesn't. I can tell when she is tired right away, she is much more predictable now. And when someone says “Mom,” I no longer look around for an older lady wearing sensible shoes. I’M Mom! and it's dang fun.

Not that I’m getting complacent. I’m just trying to keep up with her. And to enjoy every moment while she is still small. I try so hard to not get distracted with cleaning, the internet, or my phone while she is awake so that I can soak up all her experiences and it's just great. I have to get some more pictures up soon :) I will try hard tomorrow. 


A small update with Faye is that she is just so teachable ugh I heart her. She now folds her arms for prayers and scriptures...when we read she can point out dozens of words she knows. For example if I say "where is the tree" or where is Jesus" or "where is the flower" or "where is the baby" she can can point to them on the book. She knows the difference between when you ask her where her ear vs. daddy's ear (nose, mouth, hair, feet...list goes on) She is just my crazy little monkey too she climbs up up and over everything. You'd think she'd give us a run for our money at church but she is such a blessing we are so lucky to have our little toddler in our lives we do not know what we would do without her. It's the simple things and even though I am pretty crazy about hanging out with her I am still crazy about her getting her two naps I know the time will come when we will be down to 1 nap and then no naps and how fun it will be to just go out and experience the world with her learning one thing at a time watching her beam because she understand and desires to be with me and her daddy but I am in no rush. Life can slow down :) Life is good, Life is just that good.

like mother like daughter

guess who loves 

 

just as much as her mom :) 

Our darling Faye has officially turned 1

our little monkey is 1 now :) actually for 12 days now she's been ONE! :) It really is amazing how it happens in the blink of an eye. I'll try and make this short and sweet (might be hard for me LOL) because seriously not much has changed regarding her enjoyments and she is and has always been just the happiest baby ever and we are just so lucky to have her...she is so stinken easy and happy that sometimes I have to pinch myself. She is the light of our lives.

This pick was taken before her 1year doctor appointment which 

was dreadful because she hasn't ever cried for more than a few seconds

until this appointment. it was awful :(

she is finally 21 lbs! yippie! (50%)

she is 31 inches (96%) holy shnikies is right! gee thanks dad :)

birthday girl at her birthday party

cupcake time :) she liked it but once she was done she was done :)

our present to Faye :) a rag quilt made by her mom and dad

"mom enough of the pictures"

hanging out with dad at the Y

 walken around at the Y play area :)

 our niece Livvy having fun on the big slide at the Y :)

so as of Faye's birthday she is able to say 9 words :) 

1. mama
2. dada
3. nana
4. papa
5. ball
6. nite nite
7. bye
8. baba
9. daddy

so faye will pretty much copy anything I do these days which is fun. She can sign "more" and waive hi and bye bye. I've never blogged this but ever since I can remember she has loved dogs. she doesn't get scared of them at all which is so cute and comforting. She finally will wear shoes which is exciting and one of her obsessions are trees LOL. She probably knows around 60 words or more now. Meaning if I ask her..."where is your monkey?" she'll go and get her little toy monkey. or if I say come here or sit down she'll do it. She climbs up her crib, being in or out of it...but hasn't mastered the actual art of getting out or in it on her own. She finally has enough hair to put a little pebbles type pony tail :) She'll eat whatever I am eating these days but still loves baby food and yogurt. These days though green beans (the kind I eat) are hit or miss depending on her mood. I officially stopped BF'g a few days after her bday :( sad sad times BUT she is doing great she gets 4 bottles a day and naps are a breeze (main concern you know b/c that was part of our routine and she does just fine going down alone...few!). She loves to climb and walk all over park playgrounds...which is scary for me sometimes but she is very gutsy but very cautious. she climbs in and out of the cabinets...has recently learned how to open her bedroom door (it's a pull down handle not a knob) she definitely. knows heights given some bad falls in her life time LOL. But playgrounds have definitely become a lot more fun because now we can venture from the swing set to the play area. And because she is so small all the kids love her and want to play with her and so that is fun too. She is napping twice a day still and bed time is still around 530/6pm. pretty much toy wise all is the same but loves everything new like her rocking horse or toy truck...she has mastered getting off and on and in and out on her own. She still only prefers raffi and BST..regarding TV watching and oh she gives hugs now LOL when asked. So cute oh my gosh. She has 8 teeth and her bottoms are swollen so I am sure some more bottom teeth will be gracing us with their presents very soon. She loves taking hats off and on people and herself and same with sun glasses. Jordan taught her to know where hair, noes, and ears are...that was crazy never would have thought possible but totally is. She thinks it so fun when you ask her to give you hi five, she gets all bashful and excited and then gives you hi five :). She has become super super bashful with strangers she snuggles all in me and around me thinking if she can't see them they can't see her and then she just smiles and hides again. so cute. lol. one of her favorite games for the past 3 or 4 months now is playing peekaboo. SO CUTE lol. well I could go on and on about my little girl and all her updates because as I am sure you all know who have kids time just flys ya know. They learn so fast and you just can't keep up with them for anything. 

Goals working on for months 12/13...potty training and feeding herself with a spoon!

and yet to happen is tantrums, doesn't say no yet, or screaming of irritation...I hope that she waits to do these things a little longer and just continues to want to share LOL. Just would be easier to explain and teach when she is older is all right?

Happy Father's Day To My Wonderful Husband!

we became her mom and dad on 7/31/10 :)

I know I am a little late BUT I have to take a moment and recognize my amazing husband on this Father's Day! He is an incredible daddy and I love sharing my life with him. I know our little one can't talk and express her feelings for daddy this year in words so I wanted to write something to my darling husband from our little girl.

Faye on Fathers day :)

 hanging with dad on Easter :)

My Daddy

I hold tightly onto your finger and I can tell that you are the one who holds everything together. You are our strength and our rock! You are fun but mommy says you can be strict, that is the perfect combination for a wonderful daddy. I know I can count on you no matter what. You will never turn your back on me and you will be my friend forever. I love when you take me for walks, when you do silly things that make me smile and when you play with toys with me. I love it when you swing me around or put me in the air. Summer is here and I can't wait to spend lots of time with you and now that I am running and walking around it's going to be that much for fun being adventurous with you! I can't wait until you take me to the zoo and the park and the aquarium! A daddy has many worries and responsibilities but daddy, you handle them with such strength and no one would ever know that you worry about a thing. You take care of us in such a great way. You are wonderful in everything you do. You are my hero, my friend, my daddy. Thank you and HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!   I love you daddy!

night night time with daddy on Fathers day

this was Faye's gift to Jordan :) to hang on his wall at work along with her foot prints molded for him in green for his desk :)

We love you honey! Thank you for being such an incredible strength in our family and for being a wonderful daddy and husband!

Love this quote I found

she is 100% a daddy's girl and I love it!

I HEART BEING A MOM

Well our little ham has been in our lives now for 10 months :) and what a great and fun and loving 10 months it has been! Faye has changed a lot but stayed consistent. She naps twice a day now (and they are finally up to 1.5 to 2.5 hrs each!, still goes to bed between 530 and 6pm each night (but just so everyone knows I did attempt for 5 weeks to put her down later like 7ish BUT she still woke up at the same time every morning SO I am fine with that and prefer it because I get my evenings and I am def. a morning person :) so we're all happier now and I feel way more confident when I have to explain things to people who look at me oddly (smile), BF's about 4/5 times a day (so so so glad she doesn't reject it yet because I am so not ready to stop :), snacks 3/5 times a day depending on her needs. At her 9th month check up she weighed 17.7lbs and was 28in long :) She loves all kinds of food and the only thing she ever rejected was chicken and now she loves it so as of today she has yet to reject or hate any food, must take after her mom and dad :) She has only had water to drink so far, haven't made the leap to juice just yet...I am not ready :)

The adult types foods she'll eat now that aren't pureed:

• cucumbers
• peaches
• strawberry's
• tomatoes
• blueberries
• watermelon
• toast
• pickles
• grapes (she can now eat them pealed! so no more baby eater!)
• banana's of course but now she can eat straight from the banana I no longer have to mash it or break it into small pieces!

her new favorite toys:

• walker
• teddy bears
• two of her ducks
• freddy frog
• dvd cases
• balls
• my phone and elmo phone
• #1 fave so far...floss! publix which was my least fave has become faye's fave to pull :)

her favorite things to do:

• swing
• vacuum
• swim
• sometimes taking baths but sometimes she wants out after 15min (must take after me lol)
• go for walks or run
• watch "Baby Signing Time" or Raffi
• eat
• swing
• leaves
• hang out with people she knows and other babies
• talking as in cooing and 'gaga-ing'
• being spun in circles
• examining ANYTHING big or small but I am lucky she doesn't try to eat things that aren't toys. Not sure how she learned that but hopefully that won't change. I think her favorite thing to examine are leaves because she can break them in to small and smaller pieces.

new accomplishments

• well our little girl is a walking a walking a walking..She totally loves it. She finally discovered a few weeks ago how the sit-to-stand walker works and so she has fun with that for a little while. It's weird that it came after walking but it's oober cute to watch her use it to get places.
• she has said "dada" 4 times. 3 of the 4 times happened about 4 weeks ago on a Thursday night and then she said it one more time a week ago Saturday...so not a fluke; it was clear as day because her baby talk is really baby talk there are no types of ma's or letters being used just plain cooing but we're working on it still :) and I am in NO RUSH :)
• She cannot sign but I sign with her all the time, since she was about 4 months or so, give or take. Anyways she knows the words: cereal, milk, outside, cracker, water, book, duck, ball, banana, more, and bear...we're working on sleep and bath. but again this is me signing and her responding not signing.

Faye is such a huge blessing and we are so lucky, she has a sweet and cuddly spirit who I feel will truly be a huge blessing in those she comes into contact with. She makes us want to have 6 more kids because she is just so easy, fun, and happy! I pretty much have let her go anywhere and do anything since she was able to roll or crawl and for the past few months stepping into walking. I try to not limit her in her exploring and so I don't really use gates that much and haven't baby proofed much at all. I don't know I guess after hanging out with faye a lot I just find I really don't want to not let her do anything and germs shouldn't hold her back (for the most part) because a lot of things we touch are just as dirty as a leaf or anything that may be on the floor. So that being said I think I really love the Montessori schooling idea. I think I have only told her no to biting my shoulder and when she trys to investigate her dirty diapers. lol. She has gagged while eating some foods which freaks me out but I am getting better at being calm...she got something stuck in her throat think 2 times so far which was scary scary but part of being a mom and baby I think and I am getting better at catching it before it happens and she is learning more and more how to chew the food so really she is gagging less and less every day. I am sure she is feeling way more happy about that.

She will got to strangers but not her uncle Andrew for some reason...not sure why lol but it's kinda cute LOL.

These were taken on Easter but are the newest I have uploaded :) I'll try and add the newer ones later.

Sorry to write so much I just feel as though I haven't blogged in a while and I feel behind in that. But luckily that is all I am behind in :) oh well I am behind in grocery shopping but what's new about that LOL. Well I am going to run I got my family to hang out with!!! sounds great saying that :) I love the summer :)

I want this so bad!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67104473/pride-and-prejudice-book-locket?ref=sr_gallery_8&ga_search_query=pride+and+prejudice+stamps&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

but not $40 bad :)

WHAT MAKES A 9 MONTH OLD STAY IN ONE PLACE FOR MORE THAN 10MIN?

THIS

 +

END RESULT : 30 MIN AND 30 WIPES LATER (Kirkland does not work (b/c they do not tare))

= 

so these days loosing 30 wipes to Faye's amusement is well worth it :)

what would I love to have for mothers day?

Now that I have officially added swimming and biking to my workout routine in hopes to complete some TRI's (maybe even an ummmm probably not but maybe some day) this year I would love to have this :) It is not asking to much I think (wink wink nudge nudge) If I do not receive this soon it is on my long term budget would like to have's. But I would be really really grateful to receive this this year. I will even be willing to cash in all my weekly allowances, that I have never spent since I have been married ( I am crazy I know) because I am to scared to spend it on something that is not practical so I've just been putting it right in savings. What is scary is that I am not sure that all I have saved could buy this which is why it would make for a perfect 1st mothers day gift. Thank you :) LOL

on a side note NIKE came out with this

But it is only a runner :( but it is a lot cheaper...(smile)

ok now that that is settled FAYE turns 9 months on Saturday YAY!

I HOPE I WIN!!!

Jen at Whole Food Kids, 11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven, 365 Days of TV-Free Toddler Time, Mega-Family Blogs, and life in mexico {and other places} a picture a day, is giving away a Zoku 7-Minute Pop Maker!

And just in case you don't know any awesome Popsicle recipes, she's throwing in THIS book, too!

This entire package is worth over $60! To enter, go HERE.

Significant In Every Way

So it's been a while since I've blogged about anything but Faye and I think today I need to share with you just how happy I am to be a part of the Young Women organization. I feel that the LDS young women ROCK! We had our auxillary meeting last week and it was great. I felt so much hope and strength that night and it has really driven me to try a 1000 times harder than I was. It matters, it matters big time that we are there for our youth. That being said being in the presidancy has also helped my faith grow when it comes to motherhood..I know that through helping the young women and young people in general and through understanding their power, through the use of their own agency - that this can lead to some extraordinary parenting lessons of my own. Since I have been in YW's I have learned and believe that choice and accountability is truly one of the most powerful principles that I think will most always draw our girls back to the foundational teachings and lifestyles of being great daughter of Heavenly Father. I know that our girls are as apt to making wrong choices as any other, but understanding why poor choices lead to negative results is the connection that brings them back to consciously making better decisions. I am greatful to the teachings the Church has made of morality, choice, accountability, and consequence - for this is the strong foundation, that our girls operate from.


I recently read something really nice someone wrote "LDS girls, Do LDS Things, In LDS Ways... and this is exactly what makes an LDS girl, different from their peers. In a world, where most girls have no direction and no real reason for being "good" - LDS girls actually DO!"

Life is rocking my face offffffff! :)

3 years of marriage and 8 and month old little girl...spring is here and I am definitley happy about it

Two huge things happened this month!
Three years ago Jordan and I were married (March 7). It's amazing to me how much has changed since then--one new little person being the biggest of those changes (!). Being married to a great man is wonderful. Jordan's self-sacrifice, protection, provision, and leadership are such great blessings to our family!
AND
Our little girl is 8 months today...my days are filled with nursing, snuggling, cleaning up messes, playing with toys, going to parks, reading books, fixing snacks, lunches, and dinners, dancing, singing, talking to an 8 month old, and more love than I could have dreamed of.

Getting ready to get the dog :)

Hi mom!

After reading John 10:10 recently "I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly"  I am filled with much peace as I remember cradling Faye in my arms 8 months ago her spirit and peace touched our souls unlike anything we had ever felt and the all around reverence she has brought into our home is refreshing :) I love Heavenly Father for that and for sending them to me.


Faye still loves everything I have ever blogged about...so there is no change in that but there are new things that she enjoys. She just loves the world and to explore it (crawling and standing and is just about walking! certainly helps that) she's analyzes EVERYTHING and EVERYONE for minutes upon minutes. She falls and gets right back up and goes again...she rarely ever cries when she busts, she is my little nerves of steal. She has had a few crying falls but she has to learn and I just make sure she knows she is ok and loved.

She loves to sit and read with me and her most favorite thing to do is to turn the pages. With me or without me she will just sit and turn those pages for as long as her time gives her. This is how I kept her occupied on the plane actually, that and bathroom mirror, and a banana :)


Since she was 7 months she has been eating 3 meals a day, BF'g wise I still feed her the same as I always have 6-8 time a day, AND is eating 2 or 3 snacks a day in between all that! she is my little lover of food and her nickname is "little birdy"...picked by my lovely mother in law :) She was given this name because whenever she eats she opens her mouth SO FLIPPEN wide that it's like a little baby bird and I am NOT KIDDING HERE she eats without breathing she eats so fast your head seriously spins LOL no one can believe it. She has loved everything she has ever eaten other than chicken and turkey...which in my opinion is because it's so thick it would make me gag too...plus it smells like tuna. She eats oranges, bananas, and grapes with me :) but the oranges and grapes she does use the munchin baby food eater...but she lovesssssssssssssssssss it. She drinks lots of water now as well...YUM

Here she is skyping with her dad from NJ :)

 pucker up little one LOL

Her bed time has now moved earlier to between 5:30 and 6 and still sleeps until 6-7 in the morning. Her choice NOT MINE...some people question me and it's kind of frustrating but I can't help it if I put her down and she doesn't wake up...I do not wake sleeping babies if there is no need..and I work around her schedule not her around mine so that being said yes she sometimes is asleep by 5:30pm :) Her new thing when she sleeps is she puts all her stuff animals and blankets around her and often times her head ends up on top of one of them as if it's a pillow. LOL.

nap time here in NJ...she is laying on top of elmo with her bear, frog, dog, and of course her blanket all up in her business haha

She loves the ABC song in sign language, wheels on the bus, 6 little ducks, 5 little ducks, peek a boo(I guess because all these songs are animated)....whistling...really to be honest she is just a plane old lover of every song and anything that has to do with dancing and music. Her biggest tickle spots these days is under chin and making her laugh is easy when we say the rhyme "this little piggy." she really enjoys examining paper as well and making them crunch. I am a lover of free toys...so you go FaYe.

Her newest thing though when we are doing our soothing time is that before she loved to be held close but now she wants that and as well as to be cheek to cheek. I hope it will always be that way. She is giving kisses now to not just people but to stuffed animals as well...SO CUTEEEEEE.

She is our little 4 toothed happy laughing angel, everyone thinks she is just the happiest little baby they have ever seen and we just love it.

she loves her grandmother it was so awesome to see them bond

she really really loved her and preferred her the whole time we were there. LOL

 and she loved Kelly but Kelly was scared of her...weird LOL

Skyping with Dad :)



I have a few more pictures but things to do and I wanted to get this posted :)