fresh start

happy new year! (almost)

New year's (or new year's eve rather) has been one of my least favorite holidays.  But starting January 1 I do like the idea of a clean slate.  A new calendar to put events of the coming year, a clean house because the tree and all of the decor is put away, and a new state of mind that maybe some goals can be achieved or at least attempted.  You can group me in with the 80% plus people who don't stick with their resolutions after about 12 hours but it's still fun to have a crisp new notebook and jot some thoughts/hopes for the new year.  Some of mine I'll share...

try not to worry as much about Lucy (at least a little)

get back into decorating even though I'm still in my same house that hasn't sold

start learning about the birds in our yard

maybe cook dinner sometimes

be outside more (at least once spring arrives)

replace diet coke with water (at least a few times a day)

watch more movies with blake instead of bravo alone in my room

limit the drama and just enjoy!

Today I read an article about Lake Superior State University's annual List of Words to Be Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness.  I don't know why but most of the struck me so funny and I agree with a lot of them.  Some of the best:

maverick

staycation (this word depressed me the first time I heard it)

not so much

it's that time of year again

and the emoticon for heart <3

cheers to a new year!!

21 months!

Whoa baby girl!  Today almost came and went before I posted your "happy 21 months".  I guess with all of the excitement of the holidays your 30th of the month milestone almost passed by.  But tonight after you went night-night I was reading in bed and thinking of how you are growing up so fast lately.  How you seemed older tonight when you went to bed than when I first saw you this morning.  That's when it hit me "21 months!".

Baby girl we love you so much!  Earlier tonight we played in your new kitchen and you fed me an ice cream cone and fries from you food playset - just what I like!  You bustle around your toys like you mean business and every time I tried to put the little baking dish in the stove you took it out and put in your shoes.  Silly girl!  

Daddy's new trick with you is to ask you questions and have you give a number response "Lucy how old are you" "one!" you say.  "Lucy how many dogs do you have?" "two".  "How many Christmases is this for you, new years for you, etc.?" "two, two, two".  

This week with all of your new moving and toddling around you gave us a scare.  The other day after we put you down for your nap I came upstairs and heard you banging on your door!  You are getting so big you climbed out of your crib (or as you say, "jumping, jumping").  I freaked out and started to cry.  But once I knew you were okay and not hurt I wanted to cry because you are such a little girl now.  But that is what you are supposed to be and I'm so proud of how amazing you are - even if you are starting to make my heart race!  (Just try and climb out of it now that daddy lowered it).

As daddy always says to you: you're beautiful, you're smart, you're funny, you're pretty, you're intelligent, you're sweet....he could go on and on all night about his bug.  Love you pumpkin pie!

neither of you thought this was as funny as I did - sorry Luce & Wedge!

Our Christmas...

...was great!  We had such a nice morning but I can't believe how fast it comes and goes.  We woke the buggy up shortly after 8 and she was very excited to see that Santa had come.  Elmo was a hit as was the peanut butter Christmas trees in her stocking.  She got a baby doll with a stroller, cradle and car seat.  She liked the equipment but not so much on the baby.  After our morning at home we headed to my parents' house.  It's always so cozy Christmas morning at their house and luckily Santa made his way there too.  Lucy got a kitchen set, groceries, shopping cart, 5 million pieces of play food and tons of other things.  She wasn't that interested in all of the darling outfits but she did like her snowy hat and the most darling scarf ever!  Lucy kind of had a roller coaster of emotions that day.  I think it was a little overwhelming and I will admit that we're getting closer to the "two's"  I won't call them terrible just yet but just a little "moody".  We gave her space while we opened our gifts and then after some time alone with her kitchen she was ready for round two. 

After my parents we went to my great aunt Beth's house.  And there is where we got our best Christmas gift - Lucy walked!!  When we first arrived there were just a few of us; normally it's a full house.   Well Lucy was standing by my chair and then without thinking just toddled over to the center of the room.  She sat down and all of us cheered and clapped!  Lucy immediately turned onto her tummy flat on the floor and was quiet as could be.  I don't know if she was embarrassed, scared or what but when I picked her up her bottom lip popped out and she started to cry a little.  My sweet little drama girl!  We were all so proud and I'm so happy Blake and I both, along with my parents and a few other witnesses were all in the room when it happened.  I always knew this day would come but we've waited quite awhile.  Since then she's taken a few steps now and then on her own and she's walking all over the house holding onto her new baby stroller.  She's going to be running within weeks I'm sure!!  I couldn't have asked for anything more exciting!

The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent at my Nani's house.  We had a yummy dinner and got to spend some relaxing fun time with family.  I tried to sing along with my cousins and sister to Mama Mia and we all had numerous laughing attacks!  Lucy loves to be with the cousins - they are so good to her.  

Our Christmas day is always so busy but I wouldn't have it any other way.  Luckily we were tucked in our warm house before the giant snow storm hit - thankful for a wonderful holiday with family.

"oh wow"

my mom got all of us "puffy's" so we had to have a puffy pose!

little miss working in the kitchen

happy new year!

I love...

...baby snow angels

...the snow "squint" (similar to her sun "squint")

...the Dean Martin version of "Baby It's Cold Outside" - I've never really listened to the lyrics until this season but it's a cute song "put some records on while I pour".  Steer clear from the Jessica Simpson/Nick Lachey version, oh and the Dolly Parton/Rod Stewart version (yes, it really exists)

...the Soup Kitchen's tomato soup, yum!

...presents wrapped, cards out and a lot of the "to-do" list crossed off

...cute play friends.  This is Lucy's little friend Brayden and he is ADORABLE - and yes, Lucy is VERY jealous of his gorgeous locks.  These two hung out last weekend at a holiday party and his parents Brady and Stacy and Blake and I were just there to chaperone!

...Santa freak outs!  The whole time in line Lucy was chanting "santa, santa" we asked what she was going to ask him for and she said "elmo, elmo".  Her full paparazzi was there for the event (gammy, poppa, brinton and aunt cake (caitlin)) with all of our cameras ready.  Well when I walked towards Santa she started squirming and saying "no" and what did the best mom ever do?  Plopped her right on his lap!  I think this is the age for Santa freak outs!

...knowing that my family is warm and healthy.  Something none of us should take for granted.

...knowing our San Diego/Sea World trip has been rescheduled!  The way I feel about this cold and snow already will make our getaway in February so much sweeter - let's just hope for no illness, injury etc.

...the smell of our Christmas tree and its gold lights, so cozy at night

...these cute cousins and buddies

Croz and Lucy have had these matching sweaters since spring and Lis and I decided it was time for a photo shoot (and pancakes!).  I must say these two are darling and they play very well together.  

Such a fun, fun afternoon.

...getting Christmas cards and updates/pictures in the mail.  It is so fun to see and hear what everyone is up to.

...our family get-togethers and traditions

...new traditions for the three of us

...this girl, again and again, this girl.  Here she is waiting for her first Trax ride.  Lucy and I met Blake down town to see the Christmas lights at the Salt Lake Temple.  She was so bundled and so cute but she kind of hates these new mittens I got her.

...that Blake understands and hugs me when I break into sobs after getting off of Trax because I feel sad for the homeless guy with holes in his shoes.  And of course on the packed train he was the only one who got up and moved and offered me his seat.  

...that a lot of people are genuinely good 

Blake has yet to capture the people in the picture and the cool scenery (pink & white) lights in the background :)

Blake and I have been together for like, 47 years or something and this was the first time we've ever been to see temple lights together, and we're not even scrooges or anything.

I love...my two besties, more than anything.

busy day

Yesterday was Lucy's visit back to the Neonatal Follow up Clinic.  Every time these come around I get so panicked about going and every time I leave so uplifted, happy, relieved and grateful for the service.  Luckily this visit Blake was able to attend; it's so much better to have both of us there to listen and at this point to help entertain Lucy.  It's a very long day.  Yesterday we were there just over four hours and Lucy was seen by: pediatrician, neurologist, speech, physical therapist, nutritionist and psychologist.  Not to brag (but I kind of think I deserve to) but all the way around Lucy got stellar reports.  Yes she's small - we just need to get over it.  She's healthy, eating and growing.  Her speech is above average which we already knew but she tested at 24 months.  The psychologist warned us that we have a very intelligent little girl that does not like to be bored and needs to be challenged.  My big concern is that Lucy isn't walking but all of the doctors (including PT) concluded that Lucy will walk when she wants.  She's fully capable but extremely cautious.  Her gross motor has always been delayed so they expect walking to be delayed.  And all doctors said we should want that to be delayed if anything because every other area she is ahead.  

I love this clinic.  I think it is such a wonderful program for parents of preemies.  The doctors are such specialists in their fields and they work so well with the parents.  The one doctor who I always love to see is the pediatrician.  He is one of the most amazing men I've ever met.  He is so impressed with Lucy and has told us how remarkable she is and how amazed he is with her.  He looked back over her NICU report and again was surprised to remember how she didn't have any issues.  He just beams when working with her and he has such a soft, respectful approach.  He speaks to Lucy quietly but using adult words and I swear she understands him.  Something about him and the words he was saying about Lucy brought tears to both of our eyes - it's really hard to explain.

We don't go back for about a year - the clinic visits are spaced further apart as the kids get older.  Again, I'm sure I sound like a bragging mom but when you get to hear such amazing reports about your child (which most we already knew) you kind of have to share!  

Later that evening we got to celebrate my mom's birthday.  All of us went to Bombay House for dinner and we were all too busy sampling pretty much everything on the menu that I didn't get any pictures.  We went back to my parents' house after dinner for presents and cake.  I tried to get Lucy to pose by her pink tree in her room but she was too busy to sit still.

or maybe she was in a trap with uncle Coleman!

Coleman is Lucy's climbing pal and maybe this would be an easy way to carry her up the mountain.

On a quest...

Any good quest starts with some chicken curry!  So before we set out to find "the" tree we went to Mi La Cai.  And yes, Blake has recruited a fan, the two of them could eat this every day.

Our snuggle snow bunny!  She already had gone with her gammy and papa to pick their tree so she knew what to expect.  She had so much fun playing with the snow and looking at countless trees until we found the one...

perfect!

happy holidays!!

(the final tree pic will be posted soon - we had light/star drama...)

Las Vegas Oasis

Well I cried almost all of the way to the airport after we dropped Lucy off at her gammy and poppa's but once we finally got on the plane and were on our way I was okay.  

It's not really that cool to take pictures of us and Las Vegas (without our buggy) so I don't really have any to share.  We did have an AMAZING time though!  This was our first solo getaway since before I was pregnant and I was afraid I'd be sad the whole trip but we were fine (it helped our situation that every time we talked to Lucy she answered the phone saying "bye".  Thanks Luce).  We stayed at the Mirage, gambled and didn't win but I guess I was due for a losing streak, ate an absurdly over-priced mediocre dinner, saw three celebs (Ron Jeremy (porn star who everyone knows from mainstream media, VHI, etc. but apparently everyone thinks I'm creepy for knowing who he is) and Russell Brand (I don't know why myself or anyone even knows who he is but "Forgetting Sara Marshall" is really funny) and Giovanni Ribisi (blake spotted him, I really don't know his film credits). Anyway...

The main purpose of this getaway was to see Oasis.  They played at the Palms and the show was so, so great.  Oasis was at the beginning of our relationship.  When we first started dating we were really into them when no one else was and Wonderwall became our song.   Blake even had part of the song engraved inside my engagement ring.  He's still mildly obsessed with them and I really like them but am not too into their new stuff.  We were afraid the concert would be full of Vegas posers but ALL of the die hard fans came out for this show.  Blake's youngest brother Kyle was there in GA floor and his older brother Brad sat with us in some pretty supremo seats.  The energy of the show was amazing.  The venue is really intimate and the sound was good.  I'm kind of in love with them again.

We finished the trip with some Christmas shopping and Sephora shopping for me, In N Out and just laughing with each other at the oddest sights and situations.  We missed our baby girl so much (and so much more than she missed us) but it was fun to be together and just hang out for the weekend.  Gammy and poppa took Lucy to Zoo Lights and to pick out their Christmas tree and I'm afraid if she had been awake when we picked her up late last night she wouldn't have come home with us.  

Blake is REALLY into ratings and rankings and after this show he said it was his #1 favorite concert thus far.  I'm so glad I got to share it with you...

Here's a snippet of a song for you blake someone posted from Saturday.

Matt Costa and Ryan Adams opened the show.  I had heard some of Matt Costa's stuff before because he plays with Jack Johnson but I didn't know him too well.  I am really surprised he is touring with Oasis because it's an odd pairing but good for me because I really liked his set and this song has been in my head ever since we got home...(my new musician crush!)

click me 

breakfast in bed

For Christmas Blake and I decided to give each other a little weekend getaway to Vegas.  We fly out this weekend and we are going to see the band Oasis in concert (yay!).  It all sounds great and I'm sure it will be but I have been struggling this week knowing that I'm leaving my Lucy.  She's staying at gammy's and poppa's and I know they will have such a great weekend together.  It's just the fact that I'll be away from her that makes me sad.  I'm sure once we get there I'll be fine but I haven't been the most enthused traveller-to-be.  I'm sure when we drop her off she'll be pushing us out the door knowing the fun is about to begin but until then I've had to get in my Lucy time.

I brought Lucy into our room this morning and delivered her a tray of breakfast in bed.  She kept saying "oh wow" and that wasn't because I had made some gourmet meal.  She just knew this wasn't our routine and was intrigued.  We ate our toast, snuggled, read some stories and then turned on cartoons.  It's just so nice to have some lounge time with my baby girl.  I hope I don't call and pester her too much while we're away for 48 hours! 

Countdown to Christmas

We don't have snow (and that's just fine with me) but it really is the countdown to Christmas.  We haven't bought our tree yet but we did do some decorating and have been listening to Christmas music this week so we're easing into the season.  At Gammy's house, Lucy got her own pink tree (pics to come soon) to keep in her room there.  And this week Lucy's Nana came over and brought her a tree to decorate along with a fun snow globe and Christmas book.  This is sure to be a fun Christmas season with our bug!

decorating with nana

so happy for early gifts!

Her Guy!

Lucy has quite a variety of toys.  Some we like better than others (because some are quieter than others) and some have had a lot of good use.  Almost too much use.  I think all of us around here are very anxious to see what new toys Santa will bring so we can retire some of the ones we've had our fill of.  One of those toys that won't be going anywhere soon is Lucy's "guy".  Yes, with her cute dolls, interesting puzzles and soft snuggly plush she's a little obsessed with her guy.  This creepy toy came in a Happy Meal over the summer.  I guess he's supposed to be the wizard from the Wizard of Oz (if that show isn't creepy enough) from the Madame Alexander fast food toy collection.  Lucy has carried this guy around for a long time and she LOVES him.  No, like seriously loves him.  When she sees him she exclaims "ohhhh, guuuuy!" and always kisses him on that creepster mouth.  I'm not about to take away anything she loves that much - even when I feel like he's watching me from across the room.  But let's hope something Santa brings will end this obsession.

Lucy and her guy first thing in the morning - she talks to him some mornings the entire ride to gammy's

giving snuggles to her guy

20 months!

"Oh wow" (Lucy's favorite phrase)!  I don't know if I'm ready to say twenty months old - but I guess I don't have much of a choice.  I really can't believe how fast time flies.  These months are going quicker and quicker and I'm sure December will go just as fast as November did with holidays, outings and activities.  

Lucy had a successful Thanksgiving by entertaining us and making us all laugh.  Over this long weekend Blake and I have been teaching her French words for fun.  She can say bonjour as clear as anything and we're working on some others.  Blake doesn't know French but he likes to pretend to and I hear him throughout the house bellowing "bonjour Lucy".  It's quite cute.  Lucy can say pretty much most letters of the alphabet (repeating them after us) and can count to two.  She's really starting to use her hands and arms when she speaks and is really worked up about something.  I listen intently and try to figure her out.  One day I expect her to just start speaking in full sentences to get me to understand!

Lucy loves being a girl and loves being around her girls.  Lucky for her we have lots in our family.  She loves going to my mom's shop on Thursdays when I pick her up at noon.  She gets to visit with my aunt Kim and aunt Beth and whatever customer happens to be there.  She loves to sit on the counter and jabber while she checks out the products.  The other night we had girls' night with my sister and Ferguson cousins to eat pizza and watch Troop Beverly Hills (a classic). Well Lucy had to be right there with us, putting on a show, dancing and shaking her bum for all!  She was so full of energy and focused on entertaining she slept in the next morning she was so worn out!

And yesterday Lucy went shopping with my mom (gammy), Caitlin and me.  She loves to be with the girls and loves stores.  But before this little princess would sit quietly and smile to everyone.  Now she wants to climb out of shopping carts, squiggle out of seat belts and screech if I don't meet her commands.  But all of this is expected at twenty months so I'm glad to know she's on track!

Baby girl, we love you so much.  You make our days so fun and exciting.  We love your funny laugh and cute smile.  You are so smart and it is so neat to watch you learn.  Thank you for being such a sweet girl.  We love you Luce, happy twenty months.

winter time means - Uggs and little Uggs!

Thanks!

We just returned home from a wonderful thanksgiving gathering at my parents' house.  Aside from Lucy wanting to entertain instead of eat, it was a very nice evening.  I am so thankful for my life.  I am thankful for my wonderful family I love so much, my funny husband, the snuggle pups and my Lucy.  

In the current state of the world I appreciate so much more the things I sometime take for granted, jobs, our home, dependable cars and money to buy groceries.  I am thankful that my family is warm and comfortable.  I know that I need to work harder on finding out what I can do to help others who are less fortunate.

I'm thankful for my health and for being able to walk and not be in pain.  I'm thankful that medical technology is making such advances to help people and I only hope that more advances will soon be made.  

I'm thankful for the friends and loved ones in my life.

And so, so, so much more.

And so is she - but after sweet rolls while watching the Macy's parade, entertaining during our dinner, playing all through gammy's house, unwrapping "thanksgiving" gifts, dancing to the rolling stones, no nap and a piece of pumpkin pie - she's out!

Viva la Coldplay

Blake and I saw Coldplay last night and they were SO good!  I'm not as big of fan as Blake is but now maybe so.  The show was a lot of fun and I've always thought the lead singer Chris Martin was attractive but after watching his dance moves and super stage presence he's now officially a a new crush.  Gwyneth is very lucky.  

Our super-pricey seats were near the back of the arena but the sound was good and the band moved around last night for us to see them pretty well.  At one point during the show the band left the stage to reappear running up the stairs next to our section!  They were literally 5 feet away from us and about ten rows above our seats they did a two song acoustic set - that was one of the highlights.  I read the review in the Trib this afternoon online and it's awful; enough for me to want to register and make a comment to the writer.  He must not have seen the same show as us or maybe Blake and I are easily impressed.  

The only down part of the show is that Blake told me at dinner to not bring in my camera because they probably wouldn't let me in.  So I left it and missed some great photo ops of the show (and of the up close set they played by us).  There were nine million cameras in that place so next time I'll know to bring it along anyway.  Instead I have to post these lame mini stock photos.  Oh well, it was a fun night!   

piggy-wiggy lucy-goosey

Today at work I told my friend Lacey that I put Lucy's hair in piggies today and that it looked so cute.  Lacey wondered how long Lucy's hair was getting so I thought I'd post some pics of her locks today.  They're a little longer than the sprouts we did in the summer but Blake still thinks they look goofy.  I think they are beautiful and lovely!  Her hair is almost long enough in the back to put in a pony tail but I'm afraid it would look like a mullet in a pony tail because the sides are still short.  She has some pretty decent curls in the back and I can tell it's getting a little thicker.  It's so fun to have a little girl!

Lucy's new trick is putting on her shoes and socks.  At first I thought she was just playing around and would get bored with trying but she kept at it and now she can put on her own socks!  She's such a big girl - she can do it fast too.  But the second they're on she wants to take them off and put them back on (I promise, she does have toys).  Shoes are a little harder because bug's feet are growing and so most of her shoes are getting a little snug.  Now if she could just put that much determination into her walking skills...

Lucy's PT said she's fully capable of walking but that she's too smart for her own good (her words, not mine) she said she knows the consequence of falling and is trying to prevent it.  She also said Lucy knows everyone will help her and take her around without having to do the work herself.  I'm not 100% sold on laziness but I do know she's not quite sure to be on her own out of fear.  I'm sure she'll come around to it soon; in the meantime isn't she so cute!

Oh and we don't have to worry about her communication skills - her verbal scores from EI came back and she's at the 24 month level - yay for jabber mouths!

BLAST from my past!

Last night was a trip down memory lane.  Memories of: 12 years old and being so in love with Donnie from New Kids on the Block; of Bop magazine and clip outs of the New Kids all over my closet doors; giant pins with the New Kids faces; the first time I saw them in concert with my friend Nikki and crying because we loved them so much; Nikki and I doing voluntary "reports" on the state of Massachusetts (their home state), we'd have charts of the state bird, capital, populations, etc.; and memories of a time when everything seemed like the biggest deal in the world and every lyric to their songs meant SO MUCH to a 12 year old...

Well thank goodness I grew up!  But last night was still one of the best concerts I've been to, really.  When I heard of the reunion tour it sounded fun for a minute but then I doubted they'd come to Salt Lake.  When they announced they were I was intrigued until I saw the tickets were around $70.  I thought I'd bag it at that price but my friend Nikki said we owed it to the New Kids.  Nikki and I have been friends since 2nd grade - we've been through so much together including our infatuation of New Kids.  Well, when tickets weren't selling and the price dropped to $20. I figured I couldn't pass that up.  So we got our tickets and started counting down.  Well a few days ago my sister called laughing uncontrollably saying she got an email that all of the tickets to New Kids were now FREE!  She thought I was ridiculous for going in the first place but she was THREE when they were my everything (and hello Caitlin, but I'm sure you'd pay $100. for lame-o N'Sync).  Since the concert became free and she thought it was funny Caitlin signed up for the free tickets and of course her FREE tickets were the best seats ever and a major upgrade from our $20. tickets - so bonus for me!

The show was amazing!  Kind of cheesy of course and some wonderful people watching but still the New Kids, or NKOTB have such smooth dance moves and their voices sounded really good.  For having to give away free tickets most of the E Center was full and my ears didn't stop ringing until this morning because the screams were so loud.  And I'll admit, I still don't have much of a voice this morning.  

Anyway, it was such a fun night.  Fun to reminisce with one of my closest friends, fun to dance with my sister to songs she's never heard (but she did have a good time) and fun to just not worry about anything for a night and get lost in the craziness of being 12 years old again.  

highlight of the night, Hangin' Tough as an encore and EVERYONE did the arm motions!

thanks for the memories Nik!

still love ya Donnie - even in white pants

yama hama - thanks Jordan

the newly converted fans - Cait & Leslie 

lucky for Caitlin she has a really cool sister

You Got It (the Right Stuff)!!