Sarah: 6 Months

Happy 6 Months, Baby Girl!

Our little Sarah has reached her half birthday! Here is what is going on with her this month:

• She has some serious thunder thighs. Weight: 19 lbs 12 oz (95th percentile) Length 26" (75th percentile)  Head 17" (50th percentile).  Don't you just want to squeeze her?
• She has started solid foods, but isn't terribly interested unless she gets to put it in her mouth herself.
• Her little personality is coming out as she gets more independent and curious all the time. She wants to touch and grab everything, especially faces. We have all suffered a few scratches at her hands.
• She can roll both ways and is pretty good at squirming around on the floor, but she hasn't figured out how to scoot yet. She thinks watching mommy or daddy chew or drink is hilarious. If only she were as interested in her food.
• She chews on everything. 
• She loves to blow bubbles. It is how we know she is happy.
• Sleeping is not her favorite. That makes mommy sad.
• She loves to stand up and has mastered bouncing in the jumperoo.
• If we allowed her to live outside, she would be perfectly content with that. She is napping next to me on the lanai as we speak.

A Mother's Day Full of Blessings

My heart is full of gratitude this mother's day.  It is the first time that I get to celebrate this day while holding my beautiful baby in my arms. What a wonderful feeling! At the same time, I feel for those who suffer today. I know it is a difficult day for many wonderful women. Two years ago, we suffered the first of our two miscarriages just 3 weeks before Mother's Day. That Sunday, Kelson had to work, so I went to church by myself. I sat in the back and just wanted to leave so I could go home and cry by myself. Watching all of the mothers with their children was just too hard. As I walked out after Sacrament meeting, probably not looking particularly happy, an elderly man whom I did not know and don't remember ever seeing again after that stopped me, patted me on the shoulder, and said, "Don't worry, next year you will have one too." I still have no idea who he was or why he would say such a thing to me. However, I felt a comforting spirit fill me as he spoke and knew that his words were truly meant to comfort me. When we learned that we were expecting again the next fall, I thought it was really neat when I realized that our baby would be born right around Mother's Day. Unfortunately, that baby wasn't meant to join our family at this time either. However, by the time Mother's Day came around again, I was 13 weeks pregnant and finally to the point that I felt confident that I would soon be a mother. I felt very blessed last mother's day. Sarah may have still been on the inside, but I was her mother. That kind gentleman's words came true. For all of those who struggle on Mother's Day, my heart goes out to you.  I pray that you may find the blessings and the comfort that you seek.

I am so grateful for my mother.  I only hope that I can be as good a mother for my daughter as mine was for me. She is my best friend and a wonderful example of what it means to be Christlike. Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Kelson spoiled me all day this Mother's Day. My first gift, from Sarah, was that she only woke up once during the night on Saturday night, and it was only for about 10 minutes. She also took a 2 1/2 hour morning nap.  Thanks, Sarah!

Kelson made me a delicious Mothers Day brunch, consisting waffles stuffed with fresh pineapple and strawberries.  It was delicious!

 The young women in our ward made boxes of cookies and flower bouquets and sold them to the dads for Mothers Day as their camp fundraiser. They did a great job.

Rather than a normal card, Kelson etched a love note into the lid of one of my dishes. I love that boy!

A while ago, I mentioned that I would really like a pink hibiscus bush. I was pleasantly surprised when I walked out our front door to find this, along with two other colors, planted in front of our house. Kelson drove all over town on Saturday looking for the color I wanted.

My mothers day blessings kept coming at church, when the men surprised all of the women by planning a celebration for us during the last hour of church. They sang us a song, and then they had a whole buffet of desserts just for us. They made some amazingly delicious things. It was awesome!

After church, Sarah gave me another gift by going down for the night in just 10 minutes so that I could enjoy dinner with Kelson and the missionaries. I was feeling great about life as I settled down after dinner to relax and write this blog post. Just then, Sarah woke up. I spent the next hour and a half trying to get her down for the night. All together, I nursed, rocked, bounced, snuggled, soothed, and cajoled Sarah to sleep 17 times last night. It was a long night. However, I wouldn't trade it for the world. I am her mother, and when she is having a rough time she wants nothing more than to snuggle with me (even if Daddy is the favorite most other times.) My Mothers Day post may be a day late, but that's okay.  I was busy being a mom.  I love you, Sarah!

Easter 2014

We had fun getting ready for Easter this year. We bought an egg dying kit 2 years ago, and for various reasons didn't have a chance to dye eggs the last 2 Easters. We were excited to finally use it this year.  Our eggs were sparkly and marbled. 

 Since we have church from 3:00-6:00 PM right now, Easter dinner had to be moved to lunch time. We had some great friends over to celebrate with us, and we had chicken cordon bleu.  It was delicious!

 We followed up dinner with some almond joy brownies.  Yum!

  I was so excited to make Sarah her first Easter dress.  Sewing for her is so fun! I think it turned out really cute. Of course it helps to have an adorable model. We waited until just as we were about to walk out the door to get her dressed, and she actually kept her nice, white dress clean for church. Easter miracles!

We had a beautiful Easter service at church. I got to sing and play my flute with the choir. Music is a wonderful way to bring the Spirit, especially on holidays.

 After we got home from church, got the baby to bed, and ate leftovers for dinner, we finally had time to hunt for our Easter baskets. Kelson was pretty excited about the water gun the Easter bunny brought him.  

 My basket had an absurd amount of dark chocolate in it along with a new egg dying kit (which hopefully won't hang around our house quite so long this time), and some surprises for Sarah. She really loves her chick and her maraca. She didn't get to enjoy them until the next day because it was after her bedtime when we hunted Easter baskets.

I am so grateful to be able to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord with my eternal family. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that he died and then rose again on the third day because he loves me.  Because he lives, we will live again as well, and I can be with the ones I love most forever. Happy Easter!

Sarah's First Bites

We hit a major milestone recently as Sarah has tried her first foods. She started about a month ago with foods she could chew on but not necessarily eat.  Her first food: celery sticks.

 Definitely a hit.  She loves chomping on celery.  One day, she was fussy at nap time, so I gave her a celery stick to chew on. She gnawed on it until she fell fast asleep. So cute!

Her next adventure was apple slices.  Those are even better to suck on than celery!  Yum!

 Since celery and apples were such good teething toys, I figured a carrot stick was a good idea for our next attempt.  She grabbed it and eagerly stuck it in her mouth, and then instantly made this face:

 She tried it at least 10 more times, apparently hoping it would get better.  It never did.  Carrots are not on Sarah's good list so far.

 I was chopping up granny smith apples one day and decided to giver her one, figuring that she would hate the sourness. Surprisingly, she loved it.  Apparently a sour apple is much tastier than a carrot.

Finally, it was time to try some food that she could actually swallow. We played it safe and started with baby cereal.  No problems eating here!  She swallowed it right down. 

 Next, we tried applesauce mixed with her cereal. Messy, but delicious!

Since then, we have also added prunes and oatmeal. She isn't so sure about the prunes.  Mostly she wants whatever we are eating or drinking. Letting her try new things is so much fun!

Sailor Girl

Mom found this adorable sailor dress for Sarah.  She is following in Daddy's footsteps!

 We have the sweetest girl!

Sarah: 5 Months

 I can't believe our baby is 5 months old already! She is such a beautiful, happy girl.  People keep telling me she is the cutest baby ever, and I don't even try to argue with them. It is true. She is adorable.

 Here is what is going on with our little princess at 5 months:

• I don't have an exact height or weight measurement, but she is definitely a chunk. Her cheeks just keep growing!
• She has sprouted at least an inch of blonde hair that sticks straight up from the top of her head and is starting to curl at the ends.
• This was a very bad sleep month, but she can finally sleep swaddle-free.  She is also usually taking at least 1 good nap a day.  Hallelujah!
• Daddy put her to bed for the first time by himself. There was some screaming involved, but when I got home they were both sound asleep in the rocking chair.
• She is a champion eye patcher. 
• Chomping on celery is a favorite pastime.
• She can roll both ways and is quite frustrated that she can't figure out how to get anywhere once she is on her tummy.
• Her favorite toy is her taggie bunny, and it goes to bed with her every night.  Thanks, Nicole Richter!
• Some of her other favorite things are singing songs, being outside, tickles, and playing with daddy.

Daddy's Girl

Sarah has turned into a total daddy's girl. She saves up her best smiles for when Daddy gets home from work.  I know she is truly grumpy if even Kelson can't get a smile out of her.  It is pretty much adorable.

All ready for church and looking precious.

Playing on the floor with Daddy is pretty much the best.

This Sunday was opening day for baseball, so Sarah and Kelson wore their matching Padres gear.   Her team spirit must have given the Padres good luck-they won! Her daddy is already turning her into a baseball fan.

One Sunday, I left Kelson with a grumpy Sarah.  I came back a few minutes later to see this happy girl.  Kelson is a wonderful Daddy!