Grateful

It was cold when I woke up this morning. The kind of cold that makes you want to stay in bed. I was in a funk. My to do list was glaring at me, and I was missing my sister. So I laid there thinking about all the reasons my life was hard.

Then Jules woke up. I sighed, and went to get her out of bed. I changed her diaper, apologizing for my cold hands, and then snuggled us both back in my bed to nurse her. As she ate, I wondered how people in truly cold climates kept their babies warm. And then I thought about all the people who couldn't keep their babies warm. Who weren't sitting in houses with heaters and blankets and pantries full of food, but woke up this morning much colder than I was, and worried about what they were going to feed their babies.

The gratitude hit me like a tidal wave. I have SO much. I never worry about where my next meal is coming from. And even though I wince when our electric bill comes, I still keep the temperature in my house comfortable. I have clean diapers, plenty of food, and lots of clean blankets to keep Jules clean, dry, fed, and warm at all times.

Gratitude is a cliche in November. I sometimes feel like it is being thrown at me from every direction. Facebook posts, church talks, grocery store signs all remind me that I should be grateful for what I have. And since I hate being told what to do, my inclination is to run the other way, to list everything that it seems everyone but me has.

I wish I could say my moment of gratitude snapped me out of my funk. It didn't. I still glared at the dirty kitchen floor (seriously, can't it learn to mop itself??) and mentally whined when I had to go grocery shopping. But it was a good reminder that I am truly, unfairly, inconceivably blessed. And I am grateful.

Halloween

Halloween was really fun this year! We dressed up as The Flinstones. The costumes were Steve's idea. I wanted to do something more witty and less character-y, but I couldn't think of anything. Plus, we make really good Flinstones! 

I made all of our costumes, and I was really happy with how they turned out! I'm sure anyone with real sewing skills wouldn't be impressed, but since I don't have any I was proud of myself! I even made Jules's bone headband from salt dough.

We also carved pumpkins! As always, Steve's were amazing. Amanda's turned out really well. Mine was ok. In my defense, I rushed through it so I could get back to sewing black triangles onto Steve's costume. 

 

We also let Jules finger paint her pumpkin. It took her a while to figure it out, but once she did, she has a blast! 

We went to the ward's trunk or treat on Halloween night. There were a ton of people there, so we started to run out of candy pretty quickly. So we closed our trunk and walked around to see everyone's costumes and say hi. A few people wanted to give Jules candy, she had fun playing with the wrappers, and we had fun eating them when she was done! Oh, and one funny story. Someone gave Jules a pack of chewy life savers. She loved chewing on the wrapper and it was dripping in baby drool. I noticed that it was gone, and then I realized I must have put it in someone's bag!! So to the trick or treater with the moist life savers, I'm really sorry.  The candy inside should be ok!

I'm already excited for next year! I don't know how many more years Jules will let me dress her up in what I want, or how long she'll think its cool to have family themed costumes, so I'm going to take advantage as long as I can! 

Eight Months

I can't believe Jules is already eight months old! Where does the time go??

Jules is more fun every day! She is all smiles and laughs. She has also slept through the night for the last three nights! Here's hoping that's a permanent thing! 

She still doesn't have any teeth, but she has been acting like she is teething for a while. Maybe one of these days she'll pop one through! 

She says mama and dada, along with lots of other babbles. Sometimes I swear she knows what it means! She has started clapping, and she can usually clap at the right time when we sing If You're Happy and You Know It. 

Happy eight months Jules!

Seven Months

Well, it's been three weeks since Jules's seven month birthday. Not only do I keep forgetting to post, but I also forgot to take a picture. Sorry Jules. Luckily Jalenna took one. It's no glamor shot, but it will do!

As a side note, these shorts crack me up. They have actual pockets in them. What see they expecting a baby to need pockets for?? Loose change? Chapstick?

We were once again out of town for her month birthday. We were in Phoenix enjoying some sister time. It was so fun to see Jules with Cayden and Courtney. Court is just a little mama, she loved playing peekaboo and helping me feed and change Jules. 

Jules has started eating lots of different foods, so far she has had avocado, sweet potatoes, green beans, carrots, peas, applesauce, peaches, pears, bananas, oatmeal and blueberries. It took a few tries for her to like bananas, but everything else she has loved. 

She is getting to be more fun every day. I am 100% sure that she is the smartest, cutest baby that has ever lived. And I'm only a little biased. 

Six months

Jules is already half a year old!! It's crazy how time flies. 

This month was a busy one! She started solid food, and figured out she can get places by rolling. She also went to her first football game! 

I was afraid the stadium would be too loud for her, but she didn't seem to mind. She loved watching all the action, especially the huge screen. 

She's still a huge daddies girl. When Steve and I are sitting next to each other, she practically jumps out of my arms to get to him! 

At her six month check up today the doctor said she wished all the babies were as calm and happy as Jules is! She is such a good baby, we really hit the jackpot!!

To celebrate her six month birthday I gave her a pedicure. I know, I'm a bad hippie. She actually held still pretty well, and I'll be soaking her feet in the tub tonight to get all the extra polish off her skin. 

Happy birthday baby girl, I hope you had as much fun as I did!

 

A Bad Day

It's always rough for a few days after I see my family. I'm super homesick and lonely and wanting to be back with them. So I was expecting yesterday to be a little rough. It ended up being more than a little!!

First my eye was swollen. 

I thought maybe it was an allergy to something in New Mexico, but it kept getting worse! I couldn't wear my contacts, and wearing glasses always makes me feel a little bit off. So I was muddling through my day, trying my best to be productive and I kicked Jules's bouncy chair. It hurt!! I thought I was just being dramatic, so I tried to stop thinking about it and hoped it would stop hurting. Apparently I should have been more dramatic and put some ice on it because in a few hours is was swelling and purple!

 

Poor pinky toe. 

Then to add insult to injury, I got a stain on my pants. I don't even know where it came from.

I guess some days are just like that. 

The good thing about bad days is that they eventually end, and they make you appreciate the good days that much more!

Eating!

Jules finally got to eat yesterday! 

I was going to wait a few more weeks, but I had an avocado hanging around, and she had seemed a little extra hungry, so we went for it!

I was expecting her to get excited or make funny faces or something! But she acted like she had been eating her whole life. 

She even grabbed the spoon a couple of times to feed herself. 

I was a little disappointed I didn't get any good faces, but maybe she's going to be a non picky eater just like her mom and dad! 

She did enjoy getting messy and wiping avocado all over her face and the bumbo.