Saturday, May 18th, we got to hang out as a family.  It was fun, even if it was rainy and chilly.  First we headed to West Jordan for my cousin Lindsay's baby shower.  At that point, she had 2 weeks, 6 days.  I told her by this time, I'd already had my baby lol.  Since I had Matt, we didn't stay too long, but I did get to see my aunt Mary Ann (Lindsay's mom) and her sister Anna, as well as my aunt Tricia, cousin Angie, and Angie's daughter Olivia.  After the shower, we headed to Thanksgiving Point for the UVU Auto Expo.

Since Matt works for UVU, we were able to get wristbands for free.  That was nice.  When we got to Electric Park, there were cars everywhere.  We did find parking in a parking lot, though, and not too far from a gate, so that was nice.

We pulled out the stroller and let Henlie sit in it without the car seat.  It was still fully reclined, and she kept trying to sit up.  The straps still don't hold her in over her shoulders, but since she can sit up now, I figured it was less of a big deal.  We sat it upright and put a blanket over her, and we were good to go.

We wandered around a bit, but I really needed to nurse Henlie. (She was fine as she had her oatmeal and a bottle before we left, but it was going on five hours since I'd nursed her....) We went to the pavilion and got burritos from South of the Border while I nursed Henlie.  Then, since it was cold, I made Matt get me a hot cocoa.  It was actually good cocoa too.  That's always a plus :)  We put Henlie's coat on her since it had gotten colder and wandered around some more.  I'm pretty sure we saw everything at least twice lol

This Mother's Day was my first as a mother.  Matt had a pipe band clinic that weekend as that was when they scheduled to have Bob Worrall come.  Matt really enjoyed the clinic, so that's good.  Earlier in the week, he asked if I wanted to go to dinner on Saturday.  I thought there was some function or group thing he was seeing if I wanted to attend, so I asked why.  He told me, "Because it's Mother's Day and you'll be mad because I'll be gone all day." lol Nice of him to remember it was Mother's Day :)

Come Saturday, though, nothing really sounded good.  Then Henlie didn't go to bed until 8:30pm.  We ordered cheese sticks and pizza from Fat Jacks. (Because their cheese sticks did sound good, and a coke.... but they have pepsi products.  It was okay though.  Mostly I think I wanted a soda as I haven't had one in awhile and this was a special occasion, after all.)  So we stayed up eating Fat Jacks and watching a whole disc of House (four episodes).

Sunday, Matt went off to band when Henlie and I went to church.  We made it in time for the prayer.  Go us for making it to church!  (It's hard to do.)  The bishopric spoke.  Of course, the primary sang.  It was funny, Leah tried to get her little boy Xander (a sunbeam) to go up, but he really didn't want to.  She was going to lift him over the railing to stick him in with the other kids, but he kicked and wasn't going to have it.  The congregation got a laugh out of it.  After sacrament, Sherry Wilkinson gave us a gift she'd gotten for Henlie.  It's a little tummy time playmat with a bolster pillow and a couple of toys.  She is so sweet to think of us.  (Apparently she has always been fond of me because I was one of her first young women :)  Perks to moving into your old ward from childhood, eh?)

The ward got us truffle candy bars.  This was super nice as I didn't have time for breakfast.  Also, when I got to primary, I found that Whitney's pseudo efforts to have the priesthood take care of primary so the women could attend Relief Society actually worked. :)  Chip (Connie's husband - she's the song lady) really did do the music.  Also, Brother Draper really sort of set it up to have the men help in primary.  Although, he didn't call Whitney until Saturday afternoon lol. 

We ended up having all of the kids go to class first and then had a combined sharing time for the elders to come in and sit with the kids.  So, we got an hour of hanging out.  That was nice.  When some of the ladies found out Chip was doing the music, they decided to stick around.  It was kind of fun to have all of the kids together.  We're a smaller primary, so it was fun to have so many people there.  Whitney did a fun matching game for sharing time, and then Chip did the music. 

That was the most active singing time ever!  We got our workout in, for sure!  Chip started off with Popcorn Popping, and had all of the guys come up to do the actions.  I don't know if it's breaking any rules or not, but I totally videoed it. 



Oh yeah, other bonus?  Henlie napped for the last bit of church.  I'd fed her during the last part of sacrament meeting, so I didn't really want to feed her again.  (I'm having supply issues with her eating real food and nursing too often - when I go to pump at work, I get nothing.)  She found my arm instead and sucked on that for quite awhile before falling asleed.  At least I called it right and she wasn't really hungry, just sleepy.  Needless to say, I have a hickey on my arm from her :)  I handed her off to Denise to grab my phone to video the song, and she stayed asleep.  Afterward, Denise handed her back, and she was still asleep.  She woke up just in time for me to put her in her car seat to go home.  Craziness. 

Anyway, we also sang Do As I'm Doing and Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes.  Seriously - so much moving!  Carson made the comment to Chip, "You're sweating!"  Chip replied, "It's because I'm so nervous being up here in front of you guys.  It has nothing to do with the fact I'm fat."  lol Oh Chip.  He's a funny man :)

After church, Henlie and I came home and hung out.  We tried out her new playmat.  My dad called and I talked to him and Gloria for a little bit.  Henlie and I went outside and played in the shade of a tree and just enjoyed the beautiful weather.  She eventually took another nap, and so did I.  Matt came home and I woke up, and we headed over to his mom's house to visit and return her knives.  (Matt decided to sharpen them for her since he can't afford to buy her a new set.)



Probably just the fact it was Mother's Day and I'm actually a mother now got me thinking about my mom a lot.  I don't really sit and think about her a whole lot anymore, except for maybe around Christmastime (her birthday and death are in December).  So my mom was on my mind a lot Sunday.  Then in sacrament, we either sang or it was referrenced (yeah, I can't remember - pregnancy apparently really does kill off brain cells...) the song Oh My Father.  That reminded me of my mom because we sang it at her funeral.  I wanted to take Henlie over to my mom's grave, but I didn't know when Matt would be home.  I didn't end up going over in the afternoon, so we left Carrie's house to head to Springville before it was too late (both in terms of sunlight and Henlie's bedtime.  She didn't get to bed on time, but it was okay.  She was down by 9pm.)  I think it was only the second time I've taken Matt to my mom's grave.  I don't really go ever because she's not there.  I don't really see a point to it.  Although, I think that may change a bit now that we have Henlie.  It will maybe give her a way to be in touch with her grandmother and give us occasions to talk about her.





We had an enjoyable time.  Mocha had to stay in the car at the cemetery, and she got herself up on the back dash.  It was amusing to me.  Henlie also managed to bring an ant home with her, which we found on her dress when we got out of the car at home.


For my first Mother's Day, it was a great day.  Matt didn't even complain when I asked him to change a couple of diapers.  We watched some more House after the baby fell asleep.  I love my little family and am so grateful I get to be a mother.  It's still kind of weird to think about - that little girl is mine.  I brought her into the world.  I get to raise her.  I'm a mom. Yet, it seems so natural.  I do love being a mom.  It's kind of funny to think for awhile in my life, I didn't want kids.  I obviously changed my mind, and then when we decided to have kids, it took 3 1/2 years for us to get pregnant.  I know it was on the Lord's timeline, and I apparently had some learning and growing to do beforehand.  Even though some days are hard, I wouldn't trade it.  Being a mom is the best and what I was meant to do and be.  It's amazing how my priorities in life have changed since having Henlie.  I love her and am so glad I get to call her mine.

Devan and Kayla were sealed in the Provo, Utah temple on Saturday, May 4, 2013. (Unfortunately for us, this sealing was taking place at 9:30am.  More unfortunately was Henlie waking up at 3:15am and not going back to bed until 4am :p)

We did manage to get up, ready, and out the door on time.  We had to leave even earlier in case we ran into traffic with the Provo marathon happening that day.  However, we avoided all marathon traffic and got to the temple with plenty of time to hang out.  We gave the baby to Michelle and Jennifer and went to the waiting room.  It's fun to see and visit with family.


The sealing was beautiful, as they all are :)  Weddings always bring back memories of our wedding.  For example, when they reminded everyone to turn off their cell phones, I remembered how we had a cell phone ring in our sealing lol.  The sealer told us he was going to talk to the couple, even though they wouldn't hear any of it.  I tried to remember anything our sealer told us five years ago.... he was right, I don't remember any of it :)

As Devan and Kayla knelt at the altar, I looked at Mom and tried to put myself in her shoes.  Here was her fourth little boy all grown up and being sealed to his bride, getting ready to start their own family.  She's watched this happen three other times.  Now four children are married and she's a grandma to two little girls and soon to be a little boy!
 

I just really like this picture of the dads looking confused :)

 

The girls

Camile, Charlie, Jennifer, Michelle, Kayla, Jackie, Henlie, Me

 

Then I thought about my little girl.  One day, I'll be where Carrie was sitting, watching my little girl get sealed to the man of her dreams and ready to start a new chapter in her life with her eternal companion by her side.  That's a crazy thought.  One day, my cute little six month old will be all grown up and getting married.  Some day after that, she'll be a mother.  And one day after that, she'll watch her baby get married.  It's crazy to think about this circle of life.  Obviously it happens, but I don't think most people take the time to step back and see it as this huge cycle they're a part of.  It's a tender thing to realize.

After the sealing, I collected the baby and changed her into her dress.  And then we waited outside, and waited, and Henlie nursed.  (That's right, I nursed outside the temple while talking with people and no cover! I was wearing a nursing shirt, though.  I love nursing shirts.  So much easier to stay modest when you don't have to lift the whole thing up :))  Eventually, it was time for pictures!



 
Henlie got her first sunburn.  Fortunately, she wasn't badly burned.  She was a little pink on Sunday, but then it was gone.  It really was a nice day, though.  After pictures, we went to Golden Corral for the luncheon.  I was amazed by myself - I didn't get any meat...or pizza lol.  Nothing was looking terribly tasty until I found some red potatoes and squash and zucchini.  Somehow, that looked tasty (this is not all that normal for me lol), and we went from there.  (They were tasty, btw.)  I do enjoy Golden Corral :)


After the luncheon, we headed home for a few hours.  I was able to get Henlie's six month pictures taken and rest for awhile.  Then it was off to Salem for the reception.  Henlie was asleep for a good portion of it, until Charlie woke her up :)  Good thing Henlie had Grandma.  I didn't have to pay much attention to her at all lol  Yay for more visiting with friends and family, too!  At the end of the night, Camile even got pizza for us to have dinner.  Good times.  (I'm glad Camile is so thoughtful about these kinds of things.  She's always thinking of details that wouldn't ever cross my mind.)  Matt was a little sad Camile wasn't around when we got married because we didn't get any of our reception food lol


All in all, it was a beautiful day.  We're so excited that Kayla is officially a part of our family now and wish her and Devan the best!

Half a year already! Where does the time go?!?

This month, we started putting away the 0-3 month clothes. Her 3-6 month clothes are still a little big, though.

Baby girl still doesn't roll from her back to her tummy.  She can get to her side, and once I saw her legs all the way over, but her arm prevents her from making it all the way.  She's still less than excited about being on her tummy. She hasn't figured out how to get up on her knees to crawl, but she does kick with her legs.  I've helped her scoot by placing my hand behind her feet for her to push off of.


On the other hand, she thinks standing is the bee's knees. (*side note* Bee's knees is apparently slang for "business" - as in, I'm the business... I presume this is used like "bomb," etcetera.  Sorry, I typed that and thought, what the heck? Where did that come from? So now you know!)  Right, standing.  She loves standing.  Much more preferrable to tummy time.  She grins if you help her stand.  It's pretty darn cute.


She is really getting the hang of toys.  It's nice that sometimes she is content to hang out by herself playing with some of her toys.  It makes my life a little easier, especially on days she doesn't nap. :p

As for sleeping through the night, she was waking once between 1am and 5am.  That was less than exciting, but at least it was typically only once per night.  Mostly I just wonder if she was sick.  Although, she got a bit of a runny nose for awhile, and went back to sleeping through the night.  And napping.  I don't get it.  Point is, she's still a really good sleeper, even those nights she doesn't make it through the night.


We started solids this month.  She is getting the hang of it.  She still has the tongue thrust reflex, but she is hating her oatmeal a little less and actually eating a little more of it.  Most of the time, we have to have a bottle to start, in between, and after our oatmeal, though.  I'm hoping this month she'll get a better handle on the whole swallowing thing, and then we'll venture into new foods!  You know, I knew from book smarts that this would change her bowel movements, but oh my, I wasn't prepared for the stickiness! And the quantity!  I guess that is what happens when it now takes a day or two to pass a poopy.  Good thing she can pass gas anyway.  For her, not for me.  She's my little stink bug.... Yeah, it's a good thing she's cute :)


So she has the typical baby bald spot on the back of her head from resting against it the majority of the time.  However, with her being more active (and more able to move herself), she is starting to get some hair back there again.  It is still super fine and light, so it is hard to tell, but there is more there than there was at the beginning of the month!


Grabbing - she's gotten to the point she wants to grab at everything.  Toys, necklaces, hair (not that she actually reaches for the hair most of the time, but she will grab it!), my food....  She has grabbed at my food when I'm holding it and her at the same time.  She has also started reaching for my plate if she is in my lap while I'm eating.  Oh the joys.  Just when I really start to get the hang of holding her and doing everything one-handed with my non-dominant hand - I now have to constantly move her hands away from things. 


Not just hands, either.  She loves her feet!  And kicking.  Trying to get a picture of her now (say, to document a cute outfit) is pretty hard.  The second she is free, her feet are up!  She's a huge fan of grabbing her toes.  Sometimes, they even make it in her mouth.  I wish I were so flexible :)


I feel like I should apologize for the length of this post.  I've started doing these posts throughout the month so as to not forget things - and well, they kind of grow more this way.  Oh well, I know you were all dying to know every little detail, right? :)

Thursday, April 25th, Camile and Charlie came to play with us at the pool.  Charlie and Camile went swimming, I took a soak in the hot tub, and Henlie hung out in her rocking chair poolside.  We had a good time.  Afterward, Camile went to pick up some Little Caesars for lunch (we still had some money on a gift card from one of my baby showers) and I watched the two little ones.  Having Charlie there for 30 minutes made me realize just how not child-proof our home is :)

Anyway, while Camile was gone, we were playing with the puppy in the hallway.  Charlie and Mocha were interacting so cute (Charlie had Mocha's gecko and sometimes Mocha would try to take it back :)) that I started videoing.  I've excerpted the cutest and most tender moment in the video below.

Charlie got Henlie to laugh! and so easily!  It made me pause to think just how well they can still communicate, how close they still are to the veil that they can share an understanding like this.  Definitely one of those moments I'm glad I was taking the time out to experience with them :) Love them both!

(And happy birthday to Camile! I'm so glad we got together to play yesterday!)