Mama

(San Antonio River Walk in August)

My Mom left yesterday. She's been staying with us since I had Nora 6 1/2 weeks ago. It's bittersweet. Although it's nice to just be the 3 of us in our house for the first time, I miss her. I think her being here really kept me out of a slump I might have gotten into. It's easy to get depressed after a baby but having her here was such a help.

This picture was taken an hour after Nora was born. I called my Mom the minute my water broke and she sped here from Las Vegas in 5 hours. That's my mom. She's so supportive.

It's amazing to me that I'm a mother now. And I bet it's even more crazy to my mom who is a grandma 3 (almost 4) times over. Seeing her baby girl have her own baby was probably a bit surreal. We're all growing up now.

I think some people could say maybe I didn't have the best childhood. I was moved around a lot and taken in and out of different marriages. But I don't hold any of those things against my Mom. If anything, it's taught me to adapt to different situations and all life has to throw at me. Life is rarely stable, and you're always getting curveballs. She's taught me to take those curveballs and learn and grow from them. And no matter what she was always there for me.

She is a lover of life. There was numerous occasions where we would be sitting around the house on a Sunday, and she would pipe up and say "This is just the perfect day. I get to sit around the house while the snow is falling, working on a quilt. It doesn't get much better than this." She doesn't fail to notice the small things, and she's grateful for them.

Darin asked me if there was anything in particular I wanted him to say in Nora's blessing. I told him I wanted her to have a good temperment. I want her to be kind and accepting of those around her. This was something my Mom taught me growing up that I cherish now. Don't judge people. And I've tried to apply that to my life as I've grown up. I hope that Nora will always be kind to those around her. I hope that she will get to know people before she places an opinion on them. And I hope that she can be positive.

Mom, thank you so much for all your help. Doing the dishes in the morning, taking Nora when we both needed a break, just being here to support me. I'm extremely lucky to have you as my mom, even if you do get a little rambunctious at times. Pookie Bear misses you already and can't wait for you to come back.

I love you.

Wonderful Sunday

We blessed Nora yesterday. She was so beautiful. She looked like a little doll. This is officially my new favorite family picture.

The blessing was beautiful. Darin did such a great job. We couldn't believe our Naughty Nora didn't make a peep through the whole thing. We thought she would for sure be the screaming baby but she was so good. I think she likes church.

We jammed 59 people into our house afterward. It was a mad house. But the food was SO delicious. I salivate just thinking about Heidi's peanut butter bars. Heidi, please send me the recipe. I want to make them. Tonight. Scratch that. I want to make them right now.

 Nora is so lucky she has so many family members and friends that love her.

I love her. And I love Darin for holding the priesthood. It's such a comfort knowing that we have that power in our home. I'm so happy Nora gets to be raised in the gospel and with a Daddy that honors his Priesthood.

Ring out the old...

We had a blast at our disco themed family New Year's Eve party. My mom and I spent the morning at the DI looking for our costumes and I found some real gems. Let's just say I'm happy we aren't in the 70's anymore.

The pants do not do anything wonderful for my backside. I was going for the whole Jackie Burkhart look and think I pulled it off pretty well. So well, that I won the best female overall award. My life is complete.

Savannah's pants were pretty groovy.

The kids were absolutely adorable.

We busted some pretty wicked dance moves.

And my lamo husband won the Responsible Adult award because he wouldn't dress up.

And because I can't resist posting another picture of my totally rad flower child.

Hope everyone had a safe and fun New Year's Eve.

My new years resolution was to not make any, because I always end up breaking them anyway. What's yours?

Ho Ho Ho

Christmas was so great this year. It's so fun having a new baby in the house and made me think a lot more about the birth of Jesus Christ. We enjoyed spending time with our family. Normally my Mom's side of the family celebrates Christmas Eve at my Grandma's house. But as our family grows and grows it's gotten REALLY crowded. Half the time we're sitting on each other's laps, or so it seems. This year we decided to try something new. We held our Christmas Eve party at the clubhouse in our neighborhood and it was. a. blast! We spent the morning making cookies and preparing for the party.

When everyone got to the clubhouse the kids went sledding.

This is one of my favorite pictures of my niece. She's so beautiful. Brown eyes and killer lashes. She's going to be a heartbreaker.

People played games.

And just hung out.

We made candy choo choo trains.

And unlinke the post about Darins family Christmas party, this one has presents. And LOTS of them. It's almost a little bit ridiculous how many there are. But it's so fun seeing the look on the little kids faces as they open their gifts and play with them.

One of my crafty mama's creations.

And then when all was said and done, we cleaned up, went home and prepared for the arrival of Santa with my Niece who was staying the night at our house.

And came he did.

Santa was good to us this year.

Again, don't judge me. I SWEAR I'm not a bad garment wearer. Really, I don't selectively wear them when I feel like it. But I'm still getting used to the whole nursing thing and haven't had a chance to pick up the nursing garments yet.

My favorite gift that Darin got me. Matching necklaces for Nora and I, with our birthstones and a note talking about what our birthstones mean. I'll wear Nora's till she's big enough to take care of it herself. He always thinks of the sweetest things.

His favorite gift, a new golf driver. He swung it around all morning.

I also got studio lighting and am excited to use it in my photography adventures this year.

Then we packed all our gear up and headed to the millions of houses we needed to visit. Nothing like getting used to a new baby. It's like you're going on vacation every time you leave the house.

First stop, Darin's parents house.

Mollee with the tinkerbell blanket I made her. I love that she loves it.

Dad with the fishing blanket I made him.

Highlight of the morning:

Mollee opened her new Cars bike and exclaimed that it was a "boy kind". Sorry Mollee, that's what happens when you have a little brother on the way.

Next stop, visiting with my Dad. I only took a picture of him opening the quilt I made.

Then we hit up two grandparents houses.

 And finally made our way home to relax for the rest of the night.

I love that these cheeks are starting to get more chunky.

Nothing like kissing squishy cheeks.

Couldn't resist......

I really need to get on and post about Christmas and New Year but can't bring myself to do it. But I can't resist posting this picture of Nora from our 70's theme family New Year's Eve party. I hope everyone's New Year's Eve was as groovy as ours!