Thanksgiving goodness

It's here...the most wonderful time of the year. I love once Halloween rolls around it is time for some real celebration.

This Thanksgiving was just perfect in every way. There is just something so great about being together with family in a home that is warmed up by all the good food cooking in the oven and stove top.

The boys, including Bear, taking care of the turkey

We were fortunate to have my parents drive over for the weekend and Jer came down too. We just did a lot of hanging out, chatting, staring at Vivian of course, cooking and eating. It was perfect. I did lots of prep work the days before so the actual day was not too busy. One minor mess up was one I had gotten the turkey all put together I remembered I hadn't seen the bag of giblets. I thought it was strange as I had pulled out the neck (which was still frozen) but hadn't seen the giblets. I un stuffed all the herbs and veggies from inside the bird to take a second look. I kept feeling all around checking everywhere (or so I thought). So back in went all the herbs, veggies, apple, oranges, seasoning etc. I kept saying to Aaron I swear the giblets are somewhere and we decided that they must have been with the neck (remember it was frozen still so we didn't see all the parts). So in the oven the turkey went. A few hours later our Turkey looked amazing and ready to eat. As my dad and mom wanted to work on the gravy (I know they love the giblets to help make the gravy, that is why I looked so hard for them) and no giblets to be used. When we got the turkey out to carve sure enough there they were. In the neck hole. So I guess I didn't look everywhere. Thankfully they didn't do any damage no liver tasting turkey and not burnt plastic. But man it was a close call. You would have thought I hadn't cooked a turkey before.

We are extremely grateful for our little blessing in our lives, Vivian. She fits just perfectly into our life and we continue to feel like she has been her all along. Celebrating the holidays has been so awesome with her. I have been just eating up all the chances I get to let her nap on me while we listen to Christmas music, it feels so warm and cozy. I try to take advantage of nap times and have her nap peacefull in her room, however sometimes I just like to hold her and marvel over her while she rests peacefully in my arms. The holidays seems like the perfect time to spoil her even more and just snuggle right on up to her while she naps all cozy on us. I think having her nap in my arms Thanksgiving night during dessert was what Heaven will be like...just DIVINE.

This year I am most grateful for
Vivian
Aaron
Our families
Good friends
The gospel of Jesus Christ
Good health

Growing like a weed...a good weed that is

My mom is about to die because I am growing up too fast. Lately she has been doing lots of snuggling with me before naps or before bed and I catch her smelling my head, brushing my hair with her hand over and over and sighing in contentment. I think she is loving having me around this time of year. She can barely stand that pretty soon I will be 6 months old, that's A HALF A YEAR!!! She made my 6 month check up appointment this morning and I think I caught her tear up. At my 4 month check up I was in the 95% for weight and 75% for height. I am trying to get ahead of the game as I am sure I will shorten up pretty soon...have you seen my mom and dad?

Bella and I are pretty good friends these days. Of course Bear and I are friends too, but who isn't friends with Bear. Bella is a different story though, she is picky about who she loves...afterall she is a Bichon. She lets me pet her all the time and she even gives me kisses on my toes (not a surprise if you know how much she and Bear love toes). She is even patient with me when I start to pull her hair in my hands, which she doesn't do for other kids I am told. Don't worry I know I look like a boy sometimes. My mom and dad are still not too big on the bows in my head, but I am thinking as I get older and wear more "outfits" I will start wearing them.

This is how I wake up in the morning. If I am not up yet my mom or dad comes in and starts to wake me up and the first thing I do is smile and start to babble and laugh. My mom and dad are trying to figure out how they got so lucky with a baby that doesn't wake up crying ever, but I just say don't you worry I will make up for it with some other trial at some point. So I let them enjoy my 12 hour a night sleeps followed by happy wake ups so they can have energy to face the hard times ahead whatever I decide they will be...but I assure them they will come no doubt so get ready.

I continue to be the happiest baby you have every met. I have had a few grumpy days recently as I have been battling a sniffle of sorts and will give you a hard time if you feed me and then jostle me around (my reflux does not like it that much.) I had a way cool x ray last week where you could see how bad my reflux is. The Docs continue to be impressed I am so healthy and gaining so well with how bad it is. No food aversions here, I love me some food...mom's milk that is, however a little birdie told me that I may be starting food food this week!!! My mom and dad are very thankful every day for my health.

Mom and I listen to Christmas music EVERYDAY. I laugh when she sings to me.

I love a game of Peek A Boo. It always makes me giggle when mom reappears.

I don't last too long on my tummy anymore, once you put me down I roll right on over and I think it is pretty funny and cool. Right when I get on my back I look up at mom and dad to make sure they were watching my cool trick!!!

While I have been a patient baby I am starting to get a little impatient with wanting to sit up and be upright. I have realized that sitting up is much more comfortable on my tummy, but I am not strong enough yet to do it all on my own. When my mommy took me to the beach the other day I wanted nothing to do with laying down I just wanted to be sitting up checking out the surfers and waves.

He loves her she loves him

So we did it, we made it through the 7 year itch and have made it to our 8 year wedding anniversary (on the 15th). It is pretty amazing when I think back to all that we have done, accomplished and gone through in 8 years of being married. As I was putting together all the photos we got taken at Vivian's birth and her newborn shots I couldn't help but cry with gratitude. I couldn't have married a better man. He is without a doubt my rock and my best friend. He is so tender and sweet and is the best dad. There has not been a night (ok just 1 actually when he had shingles) where he did not help out and do just as much for Vivian as I did. In the first month when she would wake a couple times a night to feed he was up with me and Viv, watching over us and helping. Every night after I feed her before bed Aaron comes in and burps her and holds her upright...I will go in and see what is taking so long and often find him just sleeping with his baby girl. Sometimes I feel like it could turn into a fight over who gets to put Viv to bed. He does it all with her which is so awesome to know when I am gone he can handle everything. I am so thankful for our equal partnership, I think it is what makes our marriage so strong.

I am so in love with my Aaron and for all that we stand for together and work towards together and mostly grateful for the family we have together.

Photo from our Honeymoon

Walking on the Mesa Temple grounds on our beautiful day

Reception in Walnut Creek (nice tans after our honeymoon!)

Here we are now the whole family (taken shortly after Vivian's birth)

Look at what a sweetheart he is, feeding me ice chips as we were waiting for baby girl

This one is a favorite as it is in between contractions and is showing how much Aaron is just praying and putting all his faith in me to get our Vivian here safely...no pressure!!!

Checking out our lil one for the first time

While we went to San Francisco a couple weeks ago to celebrate I was thinking what I would get Aaron as a gift this year. Is a gift really needed when we just welcomed the best gift you could ever receive? It's not like she was the cheapest gift in the world to get so I figure we are probably covered on gifts for awhile!!! (yes aaron I mean it if you are reading this)

1st Halloween

It's true people I had my first Halloween. Hard to believe that this time last year my mom and dad just found out about my upcoming arrival (remember the pic of my mom with her hippie butterfly on her face with the positive test?). Mom felt so much pressure to have the family dress up since it was the first time with a kiddo and after many ideas and thoughts she decided we should be a western/farmerish family with me as the cow. Funny though cause really I should have been the farmer and my mom the cow if you think about it. Nonetheless we were cute as can be and my uncle Jer Jer even came down to be with us for the party.

Back at it

You know it's good when I am waking at 5:30 a.m. to get there. Yup I am talking about crossfit. I fell in live right before I got pregnant and now that the babe is here and set on her routine I am back at it once again and it feels great.

There is something so fun about throwing bars over my head, jumping on boxes, running (ok that is not my favorite), rowing, swinging kettle bells, etc. Who said this stuff is only for guys?

If you haven't tried it yet get up and go. I promise there is a crossfit gym near you, no matter where you live.

Baby Bear's Porridge

3 months post baby and we have found our pocket, our gravy, our BABY BEAR'S PORRIDGE. We are feeling good about things these days. So much happened so fast with be stopping work, Aar getting new job, leaving LA, saying goodbye to dear friends, making new friends, new ward new place, oh and throw in there a BABY!!! It was a lot to take in and 3 months later we are in our groove and it feels great. I am cooking, cleaning, studying, serving in the church, playing, going out on my own, taking Viv with me, traveling etc.

Oh and sleeping....I keep telling myself to knock on wood because all in all Vivian is pretty amazing. I mean no doubt we would love her all the same no matter what but the fact that by 3 months she was and is sleeping 12 hours at night makes her even more of a dream.

I don't know how we got so lucky. We keep waiting for a sickness, teething, or just something to happen to rock our boat. But in the meantime we will enjoy our sleep and rest. I am sure this will all change tonight now that I am feeling it is set, but it is ok because honestly I actually miss Vivian while she sleeps that long. I have even been known to walk into her room during the night just to see her or kiss her or hold her in her sleep. I will cherish those times I spend with my babe in the night when they happen...I loved them when she was first born and will continue to love them in the future.

We are so happy to be in this pocket right now...we are just taking it all in. I think I may squeeze Vivian so hard sometimes...I have to be careful. I love her so much and she is 100% chunk. Already has almost DOUBLED her birthweight and she is not even 4 months yet!!!

I am pretty certain that a baby who is putting on weight is a healthy happy baby. Babies brains need fat to develop, their bodies need nourishment to thrive and grow. I gotta say every time I look at her chunkiness I give myself an AIR HIGH FIVE as it is all momma here giving her her LBS.



She does have reflux which we hear can me super miserable for many which results in babies screaming non stop and no sleep. Thankfully I got right on it as soon as I knew something was up. She always spit up a ton since day 1 and at 2 months all of a sudden my baby who did not cry let out the craziest scream you have ever heard. She turned bright red and just screamed, not a cry. I picked her up and within seconds she spit up the most nasty acid like stuff ever. So I waited a couple days thinking maybe it was a fluke. But it would still happen everyday at least 1x. Always happened during a nap. Of course friends would say "oh let her cry it out", "it's just her sleep cycle, you don't want to rescue her too soon." Blah Blah Blah crap. I know my baby and I knew it was something. So I called the dr and sure enough it was reflux. She had been silently refluxing for the first 2 months then all of a sudden something changed and she started to experience pain. So the doc got her on meds ASAP with the instructions to keep her upright for 30 minutes after eating. So we did just that and things got better. She was still sleeping all night but during the day it would bother her. So off dairy I went, which then turned into off wheat, soy, eggs, caffeine, chocolate plus no dairy. He switched her meds and voila!!! We are working on trying to taper her med down so we will see how it goes in the next few weeks.

She still gets uneasy when she has a burp or needs to spit up and can't get it out by herself but the scream is no longer thankfully and she is not in pain. Just some grunts.

I am so happy I trusted my instincts and that I did not fall into the trap of sticking a binky in her mouth to shut her up or letting her just cry it out. I knew something was up. I love the fact that I know my baby better than anyone or any book out there. I take pride in being good at what I do and while I do know that there will be moments when I feel like I am not doing a good job or when by kids are doing naughty things I may doubt my efforts I am enjoying that for right now I am feeling confident in my abilities to care for the lil babe that she is now. . . . . (to be continued right? my next post could just easily be the complete opposite, and I promise you when I am feeling not so great I will let you know too, cause who likes someone who feels they have it under control all the time?)

I do think what has helped us get into the pocket we are in right now is me trusting my instincts and doing what is right for us and for our baby. A mother is blessed with intuition and I am certain intuition will always beat out any theory or opinion!!!

Practicing sitting up with dad

First time to Disneyland!!!

Oh and did you hear I have 2 new cousins...that's right 2!!!
I look like I am about to stomp on them but I assure I love them and will be super nice to them. I am pretty sure we are going to be the new 3 musketeers!!! Think if mom holds me back a year we could even all go to school together and beat up all the other kids together. OK we wouldn't beat them up but we sure would be a force to be reckoned with.

8 year celebration

Aaron and I love to celebrate things, ok maybe I love to celebrate things and Aaron has since adopted my way of things. We love any excuse to celebrate, our wedding anniversary is no different. We have tried to celebrate by going to San Francisco. It is I think one of my most favorite family traditions. Last year we went to Hawaii, so I guess I am open for new places, however there is something about going to San Fran that is just the best. I think I am going to have to insist that we continue this tradition!!! We hit up all our favorite places and revisit memories, make new ones and even go to new places. This year was the best because it was just like old times except for this time we had Vivian.

We drove there, left at 4 am Thursday. Vivian was amazing and didn't wake up until 8 (just like clockwork that little one I tell you what). So we fed her and let her stretch her legs a bit at an amazingly classy rest stop (ok that is an overstatement, is there such thing as a classy rest stop? This one was even offering massages, I will let your imagination finish the rest it offered.) We then stopped in Lafayette on the way in to hit up Bo's BBQ. Aaron's most favorite. It did not disappoint at all. We even got a special visit from Bo himself and he gave Aaron one of his nicest cigars to celebrate our little Viv (don't worry it was soon after thrown away without Bo knowing, couldn't really say no to Bo.)




We then got back on the road and made it to SF just in time to miss a 4.1 earthquake...we were in the car at the time so we didn't even feel it, probably driving down Lombard street at that moment. We got unpacked and then made our way to the Ferry Building. The best place ever. Even when it is not the farmers market it is the best. There are little shops of FOOD...ALL FOOD. So amazing.




That night we turned in early to get ready for our big weekend.

Friday we got up and headed to IKE'S to pick up our sandwiches...one word AMAZING!!! Then kept on our way to head down to Half Moon Bay. We went to Farmer John's Pumpkin Patch and it was super cute. A real farm with the real man himself there.






We then drove to Maverick's to check out the spot where all the great big wave surfers have been. I hit the jackpot that day cause on our way to Maverick's I got mixed up in the side streets and ran a stop sign. We got pulled over. Don't you worry I couldn't find my license and our registration was up in September. I was such a mess rummaging through all of our stuff trying to find our info that I think the police officer felt bad so he let us off. Not one ticket. The stop sign ticket alone was $400!!! Then on top of that the driving without a license (left on table in the apartment). Yikes that would have been a hefty price tag to deal with that ticket.

So off to Maverick's we went and walked on the beach. I of course looked for treasure and found some great shells for Vivian. Another tradition is I always collect a couple shells from every beach we go to. I have a pretty awesome collection!!!




We then headed back through Pacifica (the coolest town on the coast EVER) and hit up Golden Gate Park. We strolled around the park while Viv took another not so shabby of a view nap then we went to the Academy of Sciences. Yup we are big kiddos at heart and loved every minute of it. We had been before but couldn't pass up going again and of course had to start Vivian young at her education.





This is what Viv had to say at the end of the day. Aaron and I were just talking on the bed and next thing we know Viv is passed out. So we let her take a cat nap for 15 minutes before we bathed and put to sleep. Stinkin cute right?



Saturday started off with a morning at the Farmer's Market at the Ferry Building. The most amazing Farmer's Market ever. Ok so I love SLC market and always compare every FM to that one, but this one is even better I dare say. It is HUGE. Goes all around the Ferry Building, behind it and it is right on the water. There were tons of U fans everywhere and I made a point to yell "GO UTES" to everyone I saw wearing U gear.




It was then off to the U game for us. Aar had to head down early to pick up our new tickets (yup left ours at home so stub hub credited back the money to us and we got even better tickets at more than half the price, will use STUB HUB again in the future after this incident for sure). Vivian and I headed off to the game walking along the piers all the way to ATT park (Where the Giants play). We met up with dad and got ready to cheer for our Utes. They were sad that day, awful in fact and we were sad that Viv saw them playing so poorly. But we had a great time and it was fun being at the park with Viv!!!



We ended the night by walking home along the piers once again that were all lit up and enjoyed the view of the Bay Bridge at night. While we walked Aaron and I held hands and pushed the stroller while we discussed how fortunate we are and how happy we are to have Viv in our lives and how much we love our family!!! It was a great moment for sure.

Sunday 5 am we headed home back to our doggies who were in great care with our friends the Hunt's and the Raver's.

It was the perfect weekend and having Aaron all to ourselves all weekend was amazing. It made me so excited for future vacations as a family.

10 fingers ... the simple Joys

Thought it would be good to start the week off right by listing 10 simple joys in my life in honor of Vivian's hands finding each other last week. A simple, yet AMAZING, thing for a baby to discover. She often will fall asleep holding her hands or rubbing them together. It is so stinkin sweet!!!

10 Simple Joys in no particular order

1. Coconut Milk products
In my quest to be off dairy, soy, nuts, wheat, eggs, caffeine and chocolate I am DYING for food. Coconut milk is helping it not be so hard. Don't be fooled it is TOUGH, have you ever noticed how much soy is in all that we eat? Anyway coconut milk and coconut milk ice cream is amazing and starts my day off right with an awesome coconut milk and fruit smoothie and ends my day right with a few spoonfuls of ice cream. It is no secret how much I LOVE good food and this diet restriction for my lil one is killing me!!!

2. Having the blessing and opportunity to be home with Vivian
While not what I would totally classify as "simple" it is a joy that I can't stop being happy about. If I were working my maternity leave would be over and I would be returning to work and leaving my lil one. While I can't wait to get back to work at the right time I am so extremely happy to have the opportunity to be home with her everyday. It is a tough job of course that is demanding and tiring some days, but is AMAZING in everyway. I know my girl as good as one can know anything and it is so gratifying to know that I can be with her and that Aaron has been blessed with a job that can take care of our family without stressing me to get back to work and bring home some bacon.

3. Hearing Vivian breathe
I love when I can hear her heavy breathing in her sleep. It is so sweet and assures me she is off in dreamland peacefully.

4. Getting ready ready.
Like a shave, hair done, make up and all!!! Feels so great...a bubble bath is not too bad either.

5. Pull through parking spot
This one never gets old and we love when we get one. We always think of gpa Steenblik as he liked pull through parking spots too.

6. People ooing and awing at Vivian
This one I am betting will never get old. I love it!!! Our neighbor at least once a day totally oos at her when we are outside and is so cute. All the girls in Young Women's love her too. They come up to her and smile at her and just get so excited to see her and of course say how cute she is, which they aren't lying.

7. Instagram
New favorite obsession. I like way more than facebook and blogging. I really am a visual person so it is perfect for me and I love to see the adventures of others!!! Not on it? Get on it NOW. Then of course tell me so I can follow you.

8. Serving in our church
Not that this would surprise anyone but really I love serving in the church. I love being a part of ward, integrated and all. I love working with others and being busy. I have always found serving in the church is so great. While it can easily feel sometimes like an obligation I have found when we look at it as an opportunity and a joy our attitude changes dramatically. It is so great to be back in Young Women's, while of course I wouldn't say no to any calling, YW is my most favorite. I also feel that when we serve in the church our connections to our ward family increase and it really becomes a genuine family of people who you care for and who in return care for you.

9. Netflix
I love jumping in bed when Vivian is asleep and turning on our computer and getting our show (FNL right now) cued and cuddling and watching it together. I am now understanding why people get into shows when they have a baby...if baby goes to bed around 8 then that leaves a few hours in the evening to play at home.

10. Foggy mornings and nights
I love when the marine fog rolls in. It is so cozy and comfy. It makes me so happy. I love taking Viv on a walk when it is foggy. We snuggle our bodies so close in the Ergo Baby (that could be a post of itself, don't have it get it, it will change your world with a kiddo) and just stroll to the beach, along the beach or harbor and it is the best!

Happy Monday and don't forget to recognize your joys!!!

FHE ideas

What do you like to do for Family Home Evening?

After listening to Uchtdorf's talk from RS broadcast last week I started to think about all the simple and easy things we can do as a family for our Family Home Evening activities.

Aaron and I usually are all for keeping things low key and we like to remember the whole purpose of FHE...to be with your family and to strengthen your love for each other and the gospel. I feel like sometimes Aaron and I can be anti social, not really anti social, but more into hanging as a family than with others. We love being together after he has been gone all day/week at work. In any given week we are known to go on at least 5 strolls together whether it be at the beach, the harbor, on trails, etc. We find a lot of joy in being together outside with our family. However am up for new ideas of activities to do for our FHE.

This last week we met up with a few couples and just hung out at the beach for sunset for our FHE and it was perfect. I always enjoy a good time with people who share similar values and beliefs as I do. I feel like it strengthens my testimony even more.

I am thinking cooking may be a new thing I consider FHE as Aaron and I both love to be in the kitchen and we have fun when we are doing it. As Viv gets older we can all do it together and make a special yummy treat.

Hmmmmm any other ideas. What do you like to do for FHE?

Need a pick me up?

Do you just love the light in my eyes? My mom and dad can't get enough of me. Can you?

I am babbling and smiling a ton these days and my mom and dad don't do much other than just stare at me and snuggle with me. If you ever need a pick me up in your day just check out my mug and I promise it will brighten your day.

Missoni Madness and FNL

Are you as in love with the line for target as I am? I am obsessed and just love staring at it all the items, even all the out of stock stuff. It is just so pretty looking and funky. Just my style.

I am in love and at the same time so sad that I couldn't get my hands on more.

I ordered a tankini online that they still had and am going to be checking out stores in my area for more but man all I can say is dangit!!! So bummed.

I can't believe it was sold out in just a few hours. Had I been thinking clearly and not in my Friday Night Lights daze I would have gone early and stood in line for when the store opened.

That brings me to my next thought FNL!!! Loving it. Aaron and I are totally into it and are stoked to have another series to watch and love together. Kind of an issue though as we end up staying up late watching it not knowing when Vivian will sound the alarm next to eat. Thankfully she is pretty consistently sleeping from 8pm or so until 5am or later (knock on some wood for me), but we still take things day by day and have no expectations of her so I still feel like we are being risky staying up so late. But it's fun how excited we get when she goes to sleep, we get ready for bed and run into the bedroom, load up the netflix and just watch watch watch until one of us finally calls it quits.

Vivian's Special Day

How has time gone by so fast that we were the people blessing our baby at church this past Sunday? This time last year we were getting ready for our first round of infertility treatments and while we felt super hopeful I was the saddest I can ever remember. Now 1 year later we have a 2 month old. Overwhelmed with gratitude to say the least.

We chose to do the blessing in LA in the Westwood 2 ward. We always thought that's where she would be blessed and that ward honestly has been the most amazing ward we have ever been and couldn't imagine doing it anywhere else. There were so many who came to support us and see Vivian be blessed, friends from the 1 and 2 wards along with friends we made in LA, OC and our families. It was perfect!!!

Aaron gave her such a sweet blessing and focused on what I thought was so important, the attributes that she will need to succeed in life, in the gospel and as a woman. In the circle was Aaron, Bill, Gerrit, Nate, Jake, Matt, Jeremy, Tony, JayBird, Millard, Taylor and Mason.

Vivian was a dream all day. We woke her up at 6 so we could feed and drive to LA in time to get ready and settled. Aaron held her the entire time as I wanted him to already have her comfy and I felt like it was a special day for him and I just wanted him to have all the bonding and sweet time with her on that day. She slept the entire meeting in his arms and it was so sweet to see him just stare at her the whole time.

After the blessing we were able to visit with friends and the YW in the ward. Such a treat. Then we drove back home to relax a bit before family came over for dinner.