Something old and something new

Her birthday breakfast of oatmeal... her favorite

Why did I never put it together that my dad and Alice have close birthdays? I don't know how I missed that. Little Alice turned 1 on the 17th and my dad turned 60 on the 19th. Two of my favorite people. We celebrated up at the cabin since it was a long President's Day weekend. Kim/Abe and their family came up on Sunday for dinner and cake. I always love getting together with my family.

The day before we got up to the cabin my parents went through my grandma's house with all my dad's siblings. They hauled many memories home with them and we so enjoyed going through it all together as a family. My grandma kept a handful of old diaper pins, the big kind that held together cloth diapers. I am sure she would hold those in her hands and remember her seven babies. All the years of caring for them, holding them, and guiding them into adult hood. They grew up and she was left with old diaper pins and sweet memories.  These precious moments I have with my babies will be the joy of my life.

The party pics

My dad is a tender man. He works endlessly for his family, not just for our temporal well being but our spiritual as well. He tries hard to be an example of righteous and faithful duty. He goes above and beyond in every calling. I notice. I take note. I strive to be like that. My favorite memory of my dad is one I think of daily. It is the early morning hours, the sun is not yet up and won't be for many hours. I walk down stairs for breakfast before I get ready for seminary. My dad is sitting at the kitchen table with a medical journal, his scriptures or possibly a talk from the latest General Conference, and the floor heater going full blast. There he sat every morning, talking to me while I ate cereal. Building a relationship without his teenage daughter even knowing it. Smart man. I asked him a couple weeks ago to compile his favorite talks. I have loved reading them in the morning after I go to the gym. I sit at my kitchen table, read, and eat oatmeal. I am just getting ready for when my teenage daughter walks downstairs and grabs a bowl of cereal. 

Alice 12 months

She is a year and I want to cry and shout with joy. This year flew by, most likely because she was so,
so easy. She is a delight and always brings a smile to my face. About a month ago she started walking and it melts my heart to see her wobble around. I will say that I am paying the price for "babying" her these past months. She knows I will give in to just about any of her irrational demands. Like putting her hands in her food and rubbing it everywhere. I change her clothes after most meals. I even started nursing her again because she put up such a fuss. She completely stopped taking any form of bottle and went days without liquid. It freaked me out and I gave in. Darn girl will still not take a sippy cup or bottle or normal cup. She does not want anything to do with them. Oh well:) She is only a baby once and am going to enjoy it.

Cute things she is doing
1. She points to things she wants. It is usually food, she is always hungry.  When she wants to nurse she goes up stairs and points to the rocking chair. Adorable but this is trouble for sure.
2. Cuddles her baby doll when I rock her to sleep and insists on taking it to bed
3. Loves my dad and says "papa" when she see him.
4. Wants to play with whatever Scarlett is playing with. This is not such a cute thing

5. When I rock her to sleep she occasionally lifts her head up and puts her cheek to my lips wanting me to kiss her.

6. Is still so snuggly and adores me. I love it!

7. She has a crooked little smile that melts my heart

8. When I sit on the ground she walks over and always sits on my lap. 

Picture overload. I had a great time experimenting and shooting this pics.

My mom helped keep the kids entertained, hats on, and noses wipped. My girls adore her! Scarlett just said the lunch blessing and said "thank you for noma's house and all her toys"

Valentines Day 2013

It was the best Valentines Day I can remember. It was perfect. With Nick having a bunch of papers/tests this week for school we did not plan on going out to dinner or getting a sitter. To much unpredictability with his schedule. So we decided to keep it simple and stay home. Lucky for me he finished earlier than expected and was able come home in time to celebrate, homemade pizza by candlelight. The kids went down and we had the night to watch movies and relax. Nick usually studies at night so anytime we get to spend together is always a treat!

Scarlett helped me decorate the table. She put heart stickers all over it and helped make that card for Nick. 

I let Scarlett pick a balloon out at the store on Monday and it has gone everywhere with us. She is sweet and lets Alice hold it, but only for a minute. Nothing is more cute than a baby and a balloon:)

one in pink and one in red. they are just too cute!

Comparison

My sweet Alice turns one on Sunday. She is such a doll! Here is a little comparison between Alice and I.

I think we look a like:)

My week

Lots of playing with toys. By the end of the day I have toys spread all over my house. Putting them away with three stories is a hassle. Ugh. But on the up side I get to watch this adorable baby of mine carry a her own baby around all day. She clutches it to her and hauls it everywhere and occasionally pats it back, just like I do her. She even takes it to bed, it melts my heart!

 I nursed my sweet Alice for the last time yesterday. I cried all morning. But it was time, she is one in 2 weeks and having a little more freedom has it's perks. We both will miss those quiet moments together. Cuddling up with a bottle is just not the same:( I figure I have spent close to 600 hours nursing this girl, that's 25 days of just sitting in my rocking chair. I would not change a second of it. I sacrificed much to nurse her and that made me love and appreciate those tender moments even more. They were the best 600+ hours of my year!