3 hours later...

Saturday, Bryant and I had the entire day off together.

This is something extremely rare. Not only is getting a day off together rare, but getting a Saturday off together is very far and few between. 

We started the day off right by sleeping in until almost 11! (thank you Savanaah!!!)

After that, we went to grab some lunch, and then met my parents up at IKEA. Bryant hates "window shopping" (seeing as we weren't planning on buying anything) but he knows that I love to look at furniture so he happily tagged along. (I know, it's weird but I really do. I always look through the IKEA magazine or website, and I love searching for furniture ideas on pinterest or walking through RC Willey and things like that.) (Also, remember when I won a living room set from RC Willey? Yeah, that was awesome!)

Anyways, it took us a grand total of 3 hours to get through all of IKEA. Mostly because we stopped at the little restaurant thing they have for dinner, and because Bryant and I decided to buy a table!

When we first got married, our apartment was set up different. We had our couch in what is now Savannah's room (which is more of a 3 walled space that's open to the kitchen, laundry and bathroom,) and we borrowed an old antique table from my parents and had that in the kitchen. But we found that the couch was just too big, even though it was a love seat, for that room. Our apartment was designed to have the kitchen and living room be one room, so we moved the couch and TV in the kitchen. But the table we had borrowed was too big to fit with the couch in the same room, so we moved that and the computer desk into the other room, where I mostly used the table for crafts.

Well, then Savannah came along and we needed a room for her. So we got rid of the big computer desk and my dad made us a smaller one to put in our bedroom. Then we gave the table back to my parents, so we were table-less. 

We usually don't make dinner for the 2 of us a lot because we are rarely home together, but when we did, we just had to just sit on the couch and use the footstool as a table. This drove me nuts. My dad bought us a little mini folding table to set drinks on and stuff, so that helped, but when you're trying to make a romantic meal, (and feel like you're 24 and NOT eating on the couch like you did in college) it was difficult. 

I especially hated that Bryant always turned on the TV. We had to each next to each other, rather than facing each other, and we had to share our meal time together with ESPN.

But as we were walking around IKEA, Bryant spotted a little tiny table. "Hey, this would work for our little kitchen!" he exclaimed. Just then, an employee came over and said "oh, and it can get bigger too!" and she proceeded to pull out two leaflets that slide out from under the top of the table! Genius! 

 (My new table and chairs! This is how it looks when it's extended.)

I guess that's why I like IKEA so much. All their stuff is designed for small European-style apartments or homes, which is exactly like how our little 500 square foot place is.

So, we were sold on the table. We also decided to buy two chairs to go with it! Then yesterday, I had Bryant put it all together and I decided to make lasagna and baguettes with olive oil, marinara sauce, cheese and diced tomatoes for dinner. When we sat down to eat at our new table, Bryant even turned off the TV. It was so nice! 

I can't wait for dinner tonight. On the menu: Parmesan breaded chicken with marinara sauce and cheese with salad (since I have left over cheese and marinara sauce from last night).

Yum!

10 Months!

Little miss Savannah turned 10 months old yesterday!

She is really starting to feel like a toddler, even though she is still just a baby.

She is starting to learn things and pick up new things really fast.

For instance, my parents taught her the actions to pat-a-cake and how to blow kisses in about 2 days.

Now she will be crawling around, then stop, turn to look at you, and start clapping her hands and "rolling" them, and she likes to wave and blow kisses at everyone!

(She never keeps her feet in her high chair)

She is getting really good at walking while hanging onto things like the coffee table. She also can get from a sitting position to a standing one by rocking on her bum and pushing her legs up. She's even tried to do it a couple of times without anything to hang onto, which usually leads to her falling back down after a split second, but she is always really proud of herself. 

(Her favorite toys are still the remote and my phone)

She climbs EVERYTHING. She likes to climb grandma and grandpa's stairs, she's climbed into the dishwasher while I was loading it, she even likes to stack up her toys in her play yard and climb up on them!

(She always flips her driving toy over and stands on it)

She LOVES to make you laugh and she loves to tease people. She still really loves people and will go to anyone (people keep telling me that babies have a shy and clingy period, but she still loves attention). I had to apologize to a lady at a restaurant the other day because she was going to sit down in her chair and her bum was right next to Savannah, who was sitting in a high chair. Savannah turned around and grabbed her bum and started laughing. Oops!

 (Pulling all the wipes out of the box)

I have a feeling another tooth is coming through. The last 2 nights she has slept through the night, but before that, there was 2 weeks where she would wake up screaming like she was in pain, and wouldn't go back to sleep for hours. I tried everything, baby orajel, teething tablets, cold washcloths to let her chew on... Finally, I decided to give her a half dose of baby tylenol and that seems to have done the trick because I was finally able to get some sleep!

(This video is from last night, Savannah was laying down like she was going to sleep. I didn't want her to sleep yet because it was 9:00 (If she goes to bed at 9, she wakes up at 11 and is up till 1. Plus, I was waiting for her pajamas to dry, so I told her she couldn't sleep yet, Then she started to "pretend" to fall asleep. I had to get the camera out because she was cracking herself up!)

I can't believe my baby girl will be a year old in 2 months! Where has the time gone?!?

Published!

So remember I mentioned that I was writing an article for V Magazine?

Well, that issue came out yesterday!

I had been in contact with a friend from when I was living in Provo who was asking for people to submit articles/artwork/poems/short stories and the like, and I had mentioned that my Dad is an artist. She then asked if I would be interested in writing a spotlight on him for their next issue. Who wouldn't pass up an opportunity to brag about their dad?

I'm pretty proud of my little article. Even though it's just in a small little university paper, I still feel accomplished. 

 

 

So, If you happen to go to UVU, pick up a copy in the newsstands, or you can read the article HERE.

They changed the layout of my article a bit, and I think it doesn't flow as well, but hey, what do I know, I'm not a journalism major...

Anyways, enjoy!

Oh how the tables are turned

I don't know why I'm writing this. Probably just because I thought it was so darn cute.

When Bryant and I first started talking about trying to have a baby, he was a little hesitant. We had originally planned on waiting at least 3 years before we wanted kids, but a little after our first year of marriage, I felt like It was something we should do. I don't know why, maybe it was because all of my friends were having babies, maybe it was something internal and maternal that was pushing me, but I felt that I needed and wanted to be a mom.

Bryant had his reasons to be hesitant:

-We were still in school

-We were both working and not in a financial position for me to stay home

-We weren't in a financial position period

-We live in a 1 bedroom studio apartment

-There was still a lot of things we wanted to do that would be easier to accomplish without a baby in tow

But I stood firm in what I wanted, and after many (I repeat, many...) discussions, we finally agreed.

Lets try to have a baby.

I mean, most people try for months right? It would be a while before we got pregnant right?

Wrong. We got pregnant super fast.

So nine months later, Savannah arrived! And we've been doing just fine. Being a Mom is so much more amazing and rewarding than I have ever dreamed! It's also about as tough as I thought it would be. 

Then I have started to notice, those friends of mine who were getting pregnant left and right about the same time we were, are already popping out 2nd babies.

What?!

People are having babies 14-18 months apart most of the time, and I look at them and think "there is no way I could have another baby by the time Savannah turns a 18 months old, I'd have to get pregnant right now and I couldn't handle that. Not with how active she is. Plus, I like being able to devote all of my attention to her, to spend some one-on-one time with her that she probably won't get much of ever again after another baby (I should know, I'm an oldest child...).

I thought Bryant was on the same page as me. I thought we were content with our little teeny family of three. Me, him, and baby. 

Until tonight.

We went out to dinner with some extended family and my cousin and his wife and kids were there and they just welcomed a new baby into the world 3 weeks ago. I got a chance to hold him for a bit and I sat there in amazement at how small he was. He was born a pound and 3 inches bigger than Savannah was and I can't picture her ever being that tiny! As I sat there with him quietly sleeping in my arms, then watching as my other cousins were passing Savannah around, who was happily pulling hair, giving kisses and squealing in delight I thought "No, I couldn't do this with two babies. I could do it with a toddler and a baby... maybe..." when suddenly, Bryant looked me in the eyes and quietly said "I want another baby".

pffff, ha, right! 

But then he said "no, I'm being serious. I really want to start trying to have another baby."

Bryant had briefly mentioned this earlier in the day to his brother and I completely thought he was saying it to be funny. But now I realized he was serious.

"But why in the world would you want another one right now? It was hard for me to convince you to have Savannah. Besides, we are still in school, we both work, we live in my parent's one-bedroom studio basement apartment!" I said in bewilderment

"Those are the same reasons I didn't want to have a baby before, but none of that matters, we could do it. I want to have another one as soon as we can." He said.

What happened? First, I was the one who wanted to have a baby and he didn't, and now, he's the one who wants a baby and I don't.

Bryant, you are so cute and sweet. But I think we should at least get Savannah potty-trained, me done with school (I would not go to school with two little babies. I just couldn't make it work, besides, I'm so close.) and lets get into a bigger place. Even if it's just a 2 bedroom apartment.

I think we will wait...

Small accomplishments

Today I feel like I accomplished a lot.

At least, a lot more than I have been in the last 10 months.

Today I:

Got ready for school

Tossed dinner in the crockpot

Went to a lecture on the Russian civil rights movement

Took myself out to breakfast at Ernies

Came home and got Savannah ready for the day (dressed, fed, etc...)

Cleaned my kitchen

Cleaned my dishwasher, then ran a load of dishes

Mopped my whole apartment... twice (it was that gross)

Took a math test online (while holding a baby that wanted my undivided attention, and who smeared half-eaten wheat biscuits all over my face)

Did 2 loads of laundry

Cleaned up a diaper blow-out (add another load of laundry...)

Finished making dinner just as Bryant walked in the door from work

Watched and episode from one of my favorite new shows with my little family while eating roast and potatos

Finished an article for V Magazine (more on that next week!)

Sent the hubby off to get me some ice-cream, and then sent the baby off with my brother for 20 minutes to sit down and write a blog-post.

 

And tonight, I plan on climbing into bed and reading some more of 'The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets Nest'. It's just starting to get really good...

Today wasn't busy by most busy-day standards. I am positive that there are many other moms out there who are far more busy and juggle way more every day. But with a baby girl who had been learning to climb everything, like the stairs, and who has also wanted all of my attention All. The. Time. lately, this was a busy, and productive day.

I feel good about it.

 

9 Months!

Savannah turned 9 months old on Christmas day! I have officially had her for as long as I carried her (Its so weird that it's been over 1 1/2 years since I first became pregnant!) 

It feels as if she has changed so much in the last month. Not only physically, but she has really developed her personality and her mobility has increased. It doesn't feel like she's my little baby anymore, she seems like my almost-toddler! 

We had her 9 month check up a few days after Christmas and just like always, the doctor is really impressed with her health and development. I was worried because she really hasn't gained that much weight since her last appointment, but he said her blood test indicated that she is getting a perfect balance of nutrition, all of the food she is eating goes to her growth. She's still tall and skinny (like her mama used to be...) 

She is 27 3/4 in. long (56th percentile)
She weighs 17lbs 11oz (28th percentile)
and her head is 45.1cm around (82nd percentile, although, her head surprisingly looks very proportional to her body.)

I really like her pediatrician. He is never critical of my questions, he is supportive of my decisions and he is so sweet with Savannah. I even love that he calls her Little Savannah Jane, rather than just Savannah. It's cute. If you ever need a good recommendation for a pediatrician, give me a call.

She's gotten her second tooth. I was working on Christmas Eve and I had left her with my parents to babysit and when I went on my lunch break, I checked my phone and saw a text message from my mom that said "Savannah has her 2nd tooth! It's on the bottom next to the first one!". It's fun to see her getting teeth, but I feel bad when she's in pain. It is cute that she keeps playing with her teeth with her tongue though. 

 (Dinner with her Grandma Stokes)

She's also starting to get a bit more hair. Most people probably can't tell, but I can. It looks like it will be dark, like her dads. Its weird because whenever I pictured my future kids, I always pictured them blond. I don't know why, probably because almost all of the kids on my side of the family are blond. But I am SO excited that her hair may be dark. It's going to look beautiful! We still can't tell what her eyes will be. They look like they are going to be brown, but there is some green in there too. I'm thinking they will be hazel, like her parents!

Like I said, her mobility has really increased this last month. She is no longer happy to just sit around, she has to be moving, or for her, preferably standing. She's a little mountain goat when it comes to climbing. If you are holding her, she is climbing up your chest and arms to look behind you, if she's in her play yard, shes gathering all of her toys in the corner and climbing up on them. Yesterday, She was trying to climb into her toy box. This kid just goes, and goes, and goes. 

Her personality is really shining through too. She loves to tease and play and make people laugh. She loves to pull faces and the more someone laughs at her, the more extreme and silly they get. She thinks she is so funny and loves all of the attention. She also likes to tease people. She will smack you in the face if you are asleep, pull your hair when you're not looking, and crawl away screaming and laughing if you chase her. She's also figured out the "drop things on the floor or out of my crib and watch my parents pick it up repeatedly" game. At least I'm getting some exercise out of it...

She also "dances" on occasion. Especially if there is a commercial or if Elmo is on. She sits and bounces. Too cute! 

With her fun personality, she is also getting an attitude. She is good at letting you know when she's mad and has learned the art of the "fake cry" to get what she wants. She's also learned what "no" means, but doesn't always listen. Usually, she will start chewing on my phone, or pulling books off the shelf or something she knows she shouldn't then look at me with a smile on her face and shake her head "no-no", It's cute, and at least she has the general idea. We'll get there...

A Holly Jolly Christmas!

Christmas this year was extra special because I got to watch my own daughter enjoy it!

This year, Bryant and I had to work on Christmas Eve (like every year, but this year I didn't have to close, which was so nice!). After work, we picked Savannah up from my parents who were babysitting her and headed up to visit Bryan't Aunt and Uncle and their family.

(Eating a candy cane on Christmas Eve)

We ate sandwiches, played hide and seek with the kids and visited for a while, and had a good laugh when Bryant's cousins and their wives/girlfriends/fiance's sang Christmas carols on the porch.

After our visit, we headed back to my parent's house for dinner.

 (Stacked enchiladas with cottage cheese and a fried egg on top. This is Bryant's plate, I don't eat eggs...)

My Mom made my favorite dinner: enchiladas! We then opened our yearly Christmas Eve pajamas. We showed Savannah how to rip the wrapping paper open and once she got the hang of it, she LOVED it, and tried to open all of the other presents.

 (Playing with the wrapping paper)

The next morning, my sister woke everyone up at 6:30, and we headed to the living room to open presents. Savannah wasn't as interested in the presents as she was the night before because she normally sleeps until 8:30 or 9:30 and was up a little too early for her liking. She did enjoy playing with the wrapping paper on the floor, but mostly just wanted to cuddle with her grandma.

 

(Savannah got a new high chair! Finally!)

(My gift from Bryant. I saw this before my birthday and Bryant went back to the store repeatedly to get it for me but it was always gone. He finally found it! I LOVE it!)

 

(My handsome hubby rockin' the sweater I got him!)

(He'll do anything to make his daughter laugh!)

Savannah got pretty spoiled and got TWO different Elmos! Both from both sets of Grandparents. She was in Elmo heaven!

After presents, we got dressed and headed to church, then came home for biscuits and gravy for breakfast. After breakfast, everyone, including Savy, took a 3 hour nap! We all got up just in time to get ready and head over to my grandparents house for dinner.

(Playing with he duck she got from my aunt Lynae!

We all had a really wonderful Christmas this year. Hopefully next Christmas, we can finally spend it with Bryant's family (he's spent Christmas with them once since he was 19 I think! Thats one time in 7 years!) But it all depends if I'm still working at the bookstore.

 (Our little Christmas tree. I really really wanted a big, live tree, but we just didn't have the room. In fact, that tree is sitting on a coffee table to make more space. I was ok with our little teeny tree though after I realized that I don't even have enough ornaments to decorate a big tree...)

(Savannah's first Christmas Ornament! We got it for her on our trip to Disneyland in October, which I still need to write about... Also, my grandma gave her a vintage Disneyland ornament for Christmas! Maybe we will have to start a whole collection for her!)

Our Christmas was fun, peaceful and full of family and love. 

Hope yours was too!

The best year yet

We had a lot of fun on our new years eve this year. Both my Mom and my sister had surgery this week, and my brothers were off at a party, so Bryant and I decided to give my family some peace and quiet and went with his parents, who have been in town all week, up to his aunt and uncles home. His grandma and aunt and uncle and a few cousins were there as well.

(My brother-in-law Tyler, my mother-in-law Robyn and Bryant's Grandma McFarlane)

We spent most the night playing garbage (A Stokes version of phase 10... with a lot more competition involved...) answering trivia questions, playing pool and snacking on food. At midnight, we all counted down while watching the ball drop in New York on the TV. We all got a good laugh when we got down to "3...2...1.." and the TV shut off. Apparently, their TV is timed to automatically shut off at midnight haha! But don't worry, we still kissed and cheered and ran outside to watch the fireworks!

 (Bryant getting after everyone for cheating to make him lose at garbage.)

Savannah stayed awake until 1am! She had tons of fun chasing after Bryant's cousin's baby for hours on end. (We really have to break Savannah of her of her hair-pulling habit though...) And really loved all of the attention she was getting from everyone.

2011 was definitely a year to remember! It will always be my dear little Savannah Jane's birth year. It has been a tough one. A really tough one. I've given up my time, cut back on working, cut back on school, friends have fallen away, and my freedom has been restricted. But I can, with all honesty say, that I wouldn't give back this year, or being a Mom for any of that back. I loved every second of this year. All the tears, the worries and stress can't even make a dent in the joy I have had watching my baby grow and learn and explore. She's so perfectly happy, so perfectly healthy, so perfectly perfect that sometimes, after I kiss those chubby cheeks and she kisses my nose, I can't help but stand back and feel like crying with happiness. How did I end up with such a perfect life?

(Savy was in her jammies by 11, but there was too much going on to sleep!)

My resolutions for this year:

-Find our own place. At this point, I don't care if it's an apartment, condo, town house, or house. I just need more space, even if it's only a little bit bigger. If I don't have to have my couch and TV in my kitchen and Savannah has her own room, I'll be satisfied.

-Really crack down on school this year. It needs to get done ASAP

-Cook more often, get adventurous with recipes and trying new ones, and eating healthier.

-Lose the rest of this baby weight. I lost 20lbs in the few weeks that followed Savannahs birth and then never lost any more. I'm not going to be mistaken for pregnant by another person again (unless I really am pregnant, but that won't be for a long while...)

-Spend more time taking Savannah to experience new things. I've got lots of park trips, picnics, vacations, museums and fun planned for her this summer

-Get my apartment organized. De-junk and de-clutter. Clutter causes me stress, and I plan to throw all that stress out!

-Make a new friend. Hopefully a new friend with a baby too. I'm a little desperate for friends since most of mine don't have kids and don't really want to go hang out with a baby in tow. I need a friend that I can ask for parenting advice, hang out at the park with and laugh about the crazy things our kids do without them looking at me like I'm crazy, or give me the whole "well, we would invite you out to dinner with us, but I'm sure Savannah has to go to bed before we are done..." I need a good, dependable friend. Plain and simple.

-Be a better mom. I'm not going to worry so much about the messes Savannah makes, I'm going to enjoy making them with her.

 (Midnight kiss!)

Happy New Year everyone! Lets make 2012 the best yet!