Anniversary Weekend

Troy and I celebrated our two year anniversary this past weekend! It was on the 21st the day of the alleged rapture. I'm sure glad there was no rapture. That probably would have put a damper on our weekend!

On Saturday our anniversary (aka the rapture) Troy and I woke up in the morning and got massages while our awesome neighbor Kristin watched Izzie. It was the most awkward massage of my life. My massage therapist kept using her elbow to get the knots out of my back so her face was really close to my head and she kept swallowing really loudly. I couldn't relax.

In the afternoon our little family had the opportunity to go up to the Bountiful Temple and be sealed. It was a really nice ceremony. Except Izzie screamed and I mean screamed the entire time. You could hear her as they brought her down the hall. I couldn't even hear what the sealer was saying over her screams. She was so tired and super hungry. She was supposed to eat while I was getting ready so I gave a bottle to the temple workers at the youth center but she wouldn't take it from them. So she arrived to the sealing tired, hungry and really really mad. It makes for a fun memory though!

And now for the mushy gushy ooey gooey part you can skip... I love my husband. Seriously he is incredible. He is the hardest worker I have ever known. He goes to school full time and works full time. And then we he gets home he still takes the baby to give me a break. I love walking in to our room and he's holding izzie on his lap and reading to her from one of his school books. He's way too good to me. He gave me a much too generous anniversary present and I didn't get him anything because I thought we had discussed not exchanging gifts. I sat there crying because I didn't get him anything and he reassured me it was ok and that I deserved this present. He puts up with me, he supports me, he teaches me, he loves me, he is my everything. I seriously don't know what I would do without him. He is the only person who has made me feel safe in my entire life. I love knowing I can count on him for anything and everything.

I love you Troy. I'm so glad that you are mine forever and ever.

Belly Button Piercees Beware

I got my belly button pierced when I was 18. I know, I know! gasp! shock! awe! Don't judge me. At the time, the boy I was dating broke my heart. I was a big mess. Just ask my dear friend Mallory she was there to comfort me the day it happened. Somehow in my mind the only way to mend my broken heart was by putting a hole in my body. Literally the moment after I stopped crying myself in to dehydration and pulled myself together the best I could, I got the bright idea to pierce my navel. So I went and did it. A little impulsive? Yes. I'm just glad it wasn't a tattoo.

Being completely honest I loved my piercing. Loved. I left it in until I got pregnant and it started looking weird. In case you didn't know... scar tissue doesn't do well when it's stretched beyond it's brink. So now I'm left with this gross saggy skin at the top of my belly button. Super attractive, I know. Don't worry I'm not going to post a picture. Good thing my husband loves me. Stretch marks are so gross. As if being pregnant, getting fat, adjusting to motherhood, and raising a child weren't hard enough. I look like I've been mauled by a tiger. No more bikini's for this mama.

This really wasn't going to turn in to a stretch mark tangent. I'm not really sure why I'm even telling you any of this. I guess so I can see the humor in motherhoodness (yeah I just made that up). I guess my gross belly button is pay back for my piercing sin. So if you're a girl, want to have kids someday and are considering getting your navel pierced(you're probably not) or if you know someone who is... come on over I'll show you my belly button and change your mind!

4 month stats

We went to see Dr. Reese yesterday and baby Isabel is doing well! He was impressed with all of her new skills. He asked if she had rolled over by herself yet and I had to say no. However maybe an hour after we got home from the doctor she started rolling over by herself! Also, you should have seen the look on his face when he asked how many hours she's been sleeping at night and I said "10." He looked absolutely stunned and then said "Are you serious?" I said yes! And then he replied with "What a little blessing she is!" And I very much agree. I would be crazy mom without my sleep. I don't know how you amazing mom's out there do it with babies who have issues sleeping. I would seriously be nut-so! Her 10 hours of sleep at night don't seem to be hurting her weight gain in the slightest. She's a big girl!

16.9lbs, 95%
25.5 in, 88%
head size 98%

She did really well with her shots. She hardly cried at all. Until we got home. She acted fine for a couple of hours and then she got really sad and cried for a good hour. I think her legs were really sore and despite being given infant Tylenol was running a low fever. She was running another low fever this morning but it went down after being given Tylenol. Poor baby. Darn immunizations.

We also discussed starting solid foods! I'm really excited! I don't think she's quite ready for them yet though. I definitely think it will be soon but not yet. Maybe I just want her to stay my little baby a little bit longer??

I want to make my own baby food. Troy and I have been trying to find ways to pinch our pennies lately. I think making food will help since we eat fruits, veggies and rice anyway it's one less thing to buy. Plus, I feel it's a healthier option. We'll see how it goes though! Do any of you mama's out there make your own baby food? I know there are a lot of doo-dads out there to make your own stuff. I've read mixed reviews and I don't want to spend a lot of money on something that isn't worth it. Your thoughts would be much appreciated!

Isabel: 4 months

Dear Izzie,

You my little ray of sunshine are getting so big! I say that every month but you are no exception to the rule that babies grow. And grow you do! I'm guessing you're about 16lbs now. We'll find out for sure on Monday when you go in for your 4 month check up. Which I'll have you know I am dreading!

You've been giggling a little more and smiling more if that's even possible. You're always so happy unless we head to Grandma and Grandpa Jackson's. If that's the case you make the sweetest pouty face at both of them. You're really good at knowing when you have an exceptionally cute outfit on. Whenever I put you in something adorable you like to quickly put an end to my oohing and aahing of your cuteness and poop all over it. You've also become quite the multi-tasker. When you nurse you like to try to suck your thumb at the same time. You love sucking your thumb and all of your fingers too. You try to shove your whole fist in your mouth until gag yourself. You've discovered that you can yell. You love yelling at everyone. It's gleeful yelling so we adore it. You love dogs. You squeal with delight when you see them and follow them with your eyes every where they go. You're much more interactive now and enjoy playing with a few toys. This usually consists of you grabbing them, smiling and devouring. We think you're so great. We love you!

Love,
Mom

some clever motivational title

I googled "no motivation" today and clicked on images. This is what I got.
I feel its very fitting. I'm actually really enjoying exercising 3-4 times per week. This whole 10k thing though... 6.2 miles? ugh.

I get so bored running! (to answer your question yes I have an awesome workout mix. It includes Ke$ha and Pitbull to name a few). I blame the weather. This weather has been super bi-polar so I've been doing all of my runs on the treadmill. I haven't ran in a week. I've tried switching it up with eliptical action, pilates and zumba! Zumba is fun but I am pretty sure I look like a retarded string bean. There was a 50 year old woman who could shake her groove thing better than I could. Kirsti my Zumba partner is moving to California next week. I am now currently taking applications for another Zumba partner if you're interested.

On a completely unrelated note, I switched my default photo viewer to Picasa and I am now totally regretting this decision. I don't know how to switch it back, so if you know, let me know!

Also, if you've seen my 10k motivation please return it promptly. Or maybe you could just find a T-rex to chase me on the day of the run? Either really.

Mama's Day

It was my very first official Mother's Day yesterday. Before I go on and talk about my Mother's Day I just wanted to say that I have the greatest mom! I also have the greatest mother-in-law! They have both taught me so much and have been great examples of how to be a good mom. Thanks moms!

I spent the day singing in church for the Mother's Day program and cuddling my baby. My dear sweet husband and daughter got me a beautiful necklace with their initials on it. I LOVE IT.

I can't believe how much my life changed the moment this little girl arrived in my life. I don't even know how to explain to you in words how different my life has become, unless you are also a parent. Being a mom is the hardest job I've ever had. It's 24/7, rain or shine, in sickness or health. Those first two weeks I wasn't sure I'd survive. I never knew I could be so tired. I'm so glad I chose to breastfeed but I struggled, it hurt. Breastfeeding made the sleep deprivation worse because you don't get a break. I didn't get to sleep for more than 3 hours at a time for weeks. I cried all of the time. I couldn't have made it through without my husband, my family and lots of prayer.

I get puked on multiple times every day. I go out in public with puke on my clothes constantly. I get pooped on pretty regularly as well. Troy and I don't get to decide how late we stay out somewhere or sometimes if we get to go out at all. Our whole world revolves around this tiny person. Her wants, her needs come first. I know that a lot of this sounds awful. There have been days that I've been depressed as I've tried to adjust to my new life. All of the hard stuff has been so worth it. I love when I get up in the morning to get my daughter from her crib and her face lights up when she sees me. I love that I'm the one who comforts her most. I love her laugh. I love everything about her.

Being a parent has taught me humility. I can't do this alone. I am imperfect. There are days I don't feel well or lack patience. I pray and find the patience I need or someone comes to my rescue. It has taught me to find joy in simple things. A laugh, a smile, a silly noise. It has also taught me how to serve.

I'm so grateful for the opportunity that I have been given to be a mother. This little girl has turned my world upside down and it has made me all the better.

Thanks for making me a mom izzie.