Christmas Book

Now that I have a child, Christmas traditions mean a lot to me. I want Avery to have memories of certain traditions when she's older. I ordered a Christmas book for her and I love it. I am going to put it on here so when the book is lost or forgotten, I'll remember this point of view about Christ's birth.

Tonight You Are My Baby
Mary's Christmas Gift
by Jeanine Q. Norris

You are my beautiful gift from God above
And to you I give a mother's forever love.

In this moment I feel what all mothers know--
To hold you close and never want to let go.

Tomorrow you will be King,
But tonight you are my baby...

I marvel at the miracle on this wondrous night--
God's great plan with us, a carpenter and wife.

I was chosen to hold you so close and warm,
Right here with the animals snug in this barn.

I pray for strength as all mothers sometimes do
And try to understand what will be asked of you.

I look for answers in this crystal, chilly night
But only see the one star--which is so very bright.

This star will bring the others and I will start to share.
But tonight you are mine--to give my tender care.

Tomorrow you will be King,
But tonight you are my baby...

As I cradle you gently, the answer is quite clear.
Strength comes from you, my babe, in my arms right here.

For God blessed me with this quiet winter night,
As I am the first to see that you are the Light.

I kiss your tiny fingers and little perfect head,
Lay you in the manger that tonight will be your bed.

I swaddle you in cloth, safely nestle you in hay.
The sheep and cows are calm as I bow my head and pray.

The precious donkey that brought us safely here
Nuzzles you so softly, sensing God is near.

He has heard the angels blow their trumpets from above
To celebrate your birth and bathe you in their love.

Tomorrow you will be King,
But tonight you are my baby...

Peace and salvation you will bring to all mankind
When others see that you are God's glorious sign.

Among all the people there will be great joy
Upon hearing of you, my dear little boy.

Some will make the journey across the desert sand
To bring you gifts of gold they carry in their hands.

And others will bring music, a simple song to play.
But that is not tonight--it's to be another day.

Tomorrow you will be King,
But tonight you are my baby...

I smile into your loving eyes and give you one more kiss.
This quiet time with you, my son, is what I'm going to miss.

As I sing a precious lullaby, you close your eyes to sleep.
This night will be the memory that forever I will keep.

Tomorrow you will be King,
But tonight you are my baby...

My Reminders

The other night I was doing dishes after dinner. I came into the living room to find hand cream (thicker than lotion) spread on her face and in her hair.

Yesterday was Avery's first real hair cut. She did perfect. I think she liked sitting in the chair.

We never have ice cream in the house but we do have popsicles. Avery has learned the word ice cream though and so for 2 days this weekend, that's all she wanted. She constantly asked for it. She has also learned the word "snow". It amazes me to hear her say things. We saw a Ritz commercial on TV with snow falling and Avery pointed and shouted "snow!". How does she know what snow is?!

On Thanksgiving day she covered her eyes, counted to 10 and said "ready or not, here I come". That was a new one.

I'm so proud that she can count to 10 with ease and recognize most letters. She points them out everywhere and circles too.

She has moved on from her love of Peppa Pig to Caillou. She asks for Caillou ALL. THE. TIME. If I won't let her watch it, she say "Caillou???" in this really sad little voice. Like she's lost her very best friend.

I had to buy a lock for the fridge the other day but it doesn't stick so I need a new one. She won't stay out of it.

She's throwing more fits :(

When I was a kid I always wanted Christmas lights on our house but we never had them. I swore that when I had my own house I'd put up my own lights. Well, it's never happened. Until yesterday. Yesterday, David put Christmas lights up. Oh happy day! Surprisingly, Avery is not as impressed with lights as I am. She will be though!

I still can't get over how precious my little big girl is. Even as she's freaking out behind me because she can't get a youtube video to play on my Nook. Rough life, eh?

A Few October Pictures

Last Saturday was Avery's birthday party. We had good time and an alright turn out. A lot of people didn't show up. Oh well.

 

She loved her birthday hat and didn't want to take it off. She also really loved the icing on this cake!

 

Tonight we're going to take Avery trick or treating for the first time! I hope she'll have fun. Poor girl probably won't get to eat much of her candy. Guess I'll have to :)

Birthday Preparations

Avery and I got to go see baby Isaac a week or so ago. He is a little jaundice in this picture but he is all better now :)

 

He was 5 lbs 4 oz when he was born. It was like holding a baby doll. Avery was HUGE compared to him! I can't even imagine having a baby that small. I'm so proud of his mama for having a homebirth! What a champ! She was even at labor at her baby shower and had him that night!

 

Avery, Bonnie and I went to Pumpkinville and had a fun time.

 

Avery's birthday party is tomorrow. Hopefully it's not too cold. It should be 59 I think but I doubt it'll reach that by party time so it'll be cooler I'm sure.

It won't be anything fancy but I know Avery will have fun at the park and that's all that matters. I think when she's older and actually remembers her parties, I'll do more. I'm already thinking about having her birthday at a pumpkin patch next year :)

I've got a lot to do tonight!!!

2 Years Old

It seems that most people find the first birthday to be the exciting one. A lot of families go all out for the first birthday party. I'm finding that two is much harder for me to come to terms with.

My baby's not a baby anymore.

When she turned one, she was still so small. So baby-like. Now she's turning into a little girl.

Lately she's been a little nuts. Last night making dinner was insane. She kept dragging the dining table chair into the kitchen and getting into the cabinets. Grabbing Slap Ya Mama (which was open) while I had raw chicken all over my hands. She scattered my bread crumbs, ate my shredded cheese, snuck suckers, grabbed a lighter and kept swiping her alphabet magnets onto the floor and I can't remember what else.

She runs every time I want to change her diaper or her clothes. She shakes her finger at me. She squawks at me.

She's ornery but she's so so very sweet.

She gives hugs and kisses...sometimes unsolicited :)

I love her random, tender moments where she pats your arm or back. When she pats the seat next to her so you'll sit by her.

Sometimes she's say "Mom, lsdjflsfjlsdjf?" Hahaha I can't usually understand the second part of the question. She'll say it so serious though, like she's really thinking about something.

She can recognize some letters and some colors.

She loves cheese, pickles, fruit snacks and tea. She loves Peppa Pig and Elmo the most. She loves to sing and dance.

She sleeps through the night now :)

She's a people person. She's never met a stranger. When we go to Toddler Time at the library and all the other kids are sitting in a circle on their mom's laps; Avery is standing in the middle of the circle dancing and jumping around all by herself. She loves it.

She still sucks her thumb.

David and I feel so blessed that she is ours. She's so perfect for us.

RIP Uncle Gareth

Today was a bittersweet day, I guess. I spent Friday night in the hospital with my family because my Uncle Gareth was extremely sick. We knew it was not looking good and I got the call at 4:45 this morning that it was looking even worse and that there were 2 options of what was going to happen and neither was good. Later that morning, they unhooked him from all machines and during a family prayer he slipped away. Death is always sad (especially when you don't know where that person is spending eternity) but I'm glad he's not suffering anymore.

This makes two deaths in one month's time. Ugh.

It was a lovely rainy day though. We had friends come over this evening. It was a good time. I'm not going to say we're getting "old" BUT I realized tonight that we've reached a different stage in our lives. Not that I was in denial or anything but we were laughing about the fact that here we are on a Saturday night hanging out (with our kids) and after we eat dinner, what do we do? We play scrabble and drink coffe. When did this happen? Oh well, we had a good time :)

 

David with Caleb, Avery, Elijah, Sarah and Elizabeth

October 11, 2012

Last Saturday we went to a birthday party for our friend's Elijah and Caleb. It was freezing that day. The kids didn't care though. Avery got a new fishing pole so she could fish at the pond at the party. The party was bittersweet. It was hard not to think about it being their first birthday without their mama. Today marks one month since our friend went to be with the Lord. I don't understand why she was taken so young and I guess I never will. Brandy's family is in my prayers today.

 

 

Ready to go fishin'!

Avery swinging with Elizabeth.

Avery and Elizabeth

Avery and her daddy.

This is an older picture from when I went to the spray park with Brandy.

I think this is a sweet picture of David.

On Monday I met with my old friend Lindsay and got to meet her Lily for the first time. The last time we saw each other was when I came for my baby shower and she was pregnant too. Avery is always bigger than the other kids we meet that are her age but her and Lily are the same size! The were so cute together and had so much fun. They would just make each other crack up. It was super cute!

 

 

Well, I have to say that I hope Oklahoma gets some snow this year. I'm kinda bummed to miss out on snow. Utah has some long winters but I love love love looking out the window to falling snow with the snow capped mountains in the background.

There's not much going on here really. I'm in shock that my Avery is going to be 2 in a few weeks!!! Oh my gosh!!! I love that kid!

Differences

Since being back in Oklahoma, there are some things I've noticed. One is the traffic lanes. They are skinny. When I would drive in the outer lane near a curb, I felt like I was going to run into it. I felt like all of the cars were so close to me. I almost felt claustrophobic! Neighborhood streets are also much wider than here.

I've also noticed that there are some big ol' bugs here. I went to the store the other day and the entire sidewalk was covered in dead crickets. Disgusting! I see grasshoppers everywhere. Giant spiders everywhere. Locust shells everywhere. I have missed hearing the locusts at night.

I've also noticed that there are a lot of redneck looking people here. When I got here I thought "man, there are not a lot of pretty people in Oklahoma!" But I love the heart of the people in Oklahoma.

There's also the heat and humidity...

...and lack of mountains and clear water.

I like seeing red dirt.

I like being somewhere where I have a history. I like driving down streets and having memories of places.

I like being here with my baby.

Avery rubs her butt and pulls her diaper down, resulting in peed on sheets.

She's glad to help!

She'd live on watermelon alone if she could.

Speaking of baby...I don't have one anymore! I can't believe how big my girl is getting and I certainly can't believe she'll be TWO next month! It's been a fabulous two years :)

Friends

Here are Avery's friends from Salt Lake. Marcus, Alex and Drew. How is it that our time in Salt Lake already seemed like another life?

Can't Decide...

I haven't decided whether or not this should be the end of the blog. I started it before we moved and part of me finds it fitting to end it now. Then another part of me doesn't want to so, for now it will stay.

I have pictures I want to post but since I'm using the hotspot on my phone, I can't get them to upload. I'll have to wait until I have internet.

We have been in our house for a week and 2 days now. It has been soooo AWESOME! I can't even put into words how good it feels to be back in my own house. We were blessed with great landlords in Idaho and Utah but there's nothing like being in your own home. We ESPECIALLY appreciate it since our last living situation involved other people in the house. It's so awesome to not have anyone below us. It's awesome to have access to my own back yard and sit on my own back porch...while walking out the back door to get to it rather than walking around the whole house. I don't know why old houses don't have doors to the backyard!

I do miss seeing beautiful mountains but seeing how much fun Avery has had with her grandparents and cousins has trumped that. After 3 years of not being around family, it's kind of weird to be around them. We went to my cousin's 16th birthday party last weekend and as soon as we showed up, my cousin Blake barrelled out of the house toward Avery and scooped her up. It was kind of strange to be around people who were my people. Hahaha! I've gotten used to being around friends and their families.

This past week my cousin was here rebuilding our back patio. It was pretty cool to have him around. There's just something about being around people who are yours...

Then one day my aunt and uncle came over and brought their youngest daughter and their grandson. He just turned one and it was cute to see Avery share her toys with him. It's been fun to see her around cousins.

And boy has she been loving grandma and grandpa! I'm glad they finally get to share in her awesomeness :) She's pretty lucky to have the grandparents she has :) I only wish her other grandma and grandpa were here to see her.

2 days!

Well we are supposed to leave Sunday morning and I'm not sure if it's going to happen. David, of course, gets the rush jobs at work and has worked late the last 2 nights. He didn't get home until around 11:30 last night. I'm thankful for the money but it's putting a damper on getting things done around here. We can stay as long as we need but geez, I'm getting anxious! I'm tired of looking at boxes :o)

We were supposed to have dinner at our friends, the Arriola's, last night. It ended up being Avery and me who went over. Zac stayed at work with David so it was just Jocee, her girls, Avery and me. We took the guys dinner though. On the way home Avery barfed in her carseat. That was pretty gross. She's fine. I'm thinking she may have just gagged herself.

Well, better finish up. David's getting the truck tonight. I've got errands to run and boxes to pack!

3 Days!

Happy Birthday Dad!!!!!!



We had to take one last picture of where Avery was born before we left!

Bye Cache Valley!

Last night my wonderful neighbor/friends had a little going away get together for me. It was so sweet. They gave me some gifts and talked about how they're going to miss Avery and her sweet personality.

We get our truck tomorrow! Eek! Today I went and got the oil changed and tires rotated on my car. I bought Avery a DVD player because if we don't have one it will be a horrible trip!

It's about nap time so we better get ready for that--and I can get some stuff done!

Busy Week Ahead

Avery loves her some watermelon!

This was her second piece.

We have such a busy week ahead!

Cheese!

Avery loves to walk around the railing on our porch. In the 2nd and 3rd picture she was saying "cheese!"

This is Marcus. Avery's first friend :o)

His mom told me that he is starting to get sad that we are moving and giving Avery moving away gifts make him feel better. So tonight he gave Avery a new helmet! She is OBSESSED with the other kids helmets. He also gave her a new bell for her bike because he broke her other one. Apparently there is another gift that is solar powered coming in the mail on Tuesday.

They weren't cooperating with getting their picture taken :o)

I'm sad Avery has to move away from her friend. Shoot, I'm sad to move away from mine!

Apples!

I really like Golden Delicous apples. I usually cut them up in slices for Avery but decided maybe she'd be more interested in it if I gave it to her whole. It was funny. She'd open her mouth, bring the apple to it and then sigh like she just didn't know how to get that big ol' apple in her mouth.

Yesterday we went and made Avery a new bracelet but the guy made it too small so it barely fits around her wrist. That bums me out. We had a good time though. We toured one of Brigham Young's farm houses that used to be over in Sugar House Park. I love looking at old houses. It's fun to see how they lived a long time ago.

Avery drinks the milk out of her cereal bowl in the morning. I don't know where she learned it but it's cute.

I'm super excited that David is off for the next 4 days. I'll miss Pioneer Day! We've got to get some more boxes and tubs but we're making progress! I can't wait to get home. I know once I'm home I'll miss it out here :)

I think I'll miss Hyrum the most as far as where I lived physically. For some reason, I really liked living in Hyrum. I'll miss Salt Lake the most though because it's where I finally, after 3 years, met friends. It's hard to make friends out here when you're a stay at home mom and not LDS. Can't wait to get back to the Bible Belt!!!

Week and a half!

Today I woke up in shock that we're leaving next week. David has a 4 day weekend so we will be busy!

Tomorrow I think we're going to This is The Place! with our neighbor so we can make Avery a new bracelet. She loved the last one we made there. She would hold out her arm to everyone she saw so they could see it. When David's Aunt Louise came we went to the duck pond and Avery fell in and got her bracelet wet so I won't let her wear it on account of duck feces and all.

Marcus next door tells everyone that we're moving back to Oklahoma in less than 2 weeks but it's ok because he looooves to skype!

I need to make a run to the Christian bookstore today. I bought my neighbor a Bible but I want to get her a different one. Like me, she feels displaced in this LDS culture. She's very hungry to learn about the Bible. I've gotten to share many things with her and it's been so awesome! So I bought her a Bible that's easier to read than the King James Version.

Avery had her last day of speech therapy yesterday. In Oklahoma, we will have to start the whole evaluation process over. I will be so happy when this little girl starts speaking! She is saying more and more words so that is good. If there was a trophy for matching games, Avery would win! She does awesome at puzzles and the therapist started doing a new matching game with her where she has this card that has 6 squares with pictures on them. She gives Avery the actual object (plane, car, etc) and Avery will set it on the right picture. It makes me happy to see her do it :)

Well, we got out of bed at 8:30--a whole 2 hours later than normal so we're behind schedule! Ok, there is no schedule in our world but we've got to get going!

A Few Pictures

The other day when I went to the family history library, David stayed with Avery and she fell asleep. Which meant I got to stay up with her later :)

A view from David's hike yesterday.

Avery got her Thunder shirt that Grandpa sent her :)

Such a big girl!

Avery still doesn't pedal the trike but she is getting pretty darn fast on it.