Monday, January 26, 2015

To tell you the truth...

These photos were taken last month. I got them back from my sister last week and just haven't had the time to post 'til now! 

Confessions:
1. Gwen was super grumpy and cold and tired during this photo session.
2. I have been practicing Attachment Parenting without even realizing it.
3. I buy chocolate croissants every time I see them at Safeway.
4. Gwen will not keep a pacifier in her mouth and I can't decide if it's a curse or blessing.
5. I think 50% of my wardrobe is from Target.
6. I feel bad that the majority of Gwen's photos are taken with my iPhone instead of my DSLR.
7. But then I feel super grateful for the iPhone camera, otherwise I wouldn't have so many pictures of her.
8. I miss Las Cruces, New Mexico. Mostly you people there.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

My Favorite Little Family

I took these portraits of Holly's family in New Mexico a few days before Christmas and haven't had time to post them until now! Looking back at all these photos makes me miss these friends so much. I'm looking forward to their visit in March. :) 
What cuties.

p.s. Thanks for the advice on my last post about purchasing a blog template on Etsy! I'll be sure sure sure to look into that. 

Thursday, January 15, 2015

2015 "To Do" List

I hadn't planned on making any resolutions for 2015. I never keep them, so I didn't want to set myself up for failure again. But as I was reading a few blog posts about resolutions I couldn't help but to do some thinking of my own about what I need to change in my life to be happier. I decided to make a low key list of goals for this year.

1. Be the best mom I can be. (Duh, right?)
This will involve being more patient and selfless. I need to remember to step back and take a deep breath when things don't go as planned, which happens like, every day when you're a parent. When I do this and just surrender to the universe, I'm able to help my fussy baby with more ease and we're both happier this way.

2. Read the scriptures daily.
It's a commandment! I need to repent of my serious lack of scripture study. I have been keeping up with my reading by following this Instagram account: @bofm365.  They post the verses to read for each day in order to have read the entire Book of Mormon by the end of the year. I kinda love it, especially because of the questions they post for each scripture block and the comments that people leave. It's like being in a good Sunday school class with a lot of participation. So if you find yourself on Instagram every day anyway, go ahead and join me in this challenge! It's so much easier for me to make good decisions when I'm reading God's words daily.

3. Drink more water.
It's good for me! And there are a lot of benefits to drinking more water. I want to commit to only one soft drink a week.


4. Go on regular walks.
It's good for me! And Gwen seems to like being outdoors, so why not? I've never regretted taking a walk even if it seemed like the last thing I wanted to do at the time.

5. Update/redesign this blog.
Holy heck, I'm in serious need of a blog makeover. I haven't changed the look of this blog for...3 years?? The problem is that I don't know how. I'm willing to pay someone to redesign this space. I'm embarrassed by how out of date everything is. Do you know of a good blog graphic designer? Send them my way.

6. Make more of an effort to make friends.
Ok, I think this might be the hardest. I've met plenty of nice people at church and there are probably a lot of potential friends right under my nose. I guess I just haven't made more of an effort or had very many opportunities to really get to know enough people. Also, how hard is it to make friends once you have a baby, am I right? I mean, in some ways it's easier (relate with other moms), and in some ways it's harder (I can't just go out whenever I please / is it just me, or is it less easy to make friends with kidless people once you're a parent?). I just need to keep trying and going to activities.

Now all of these seem realistic and do-able, eh? 

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Four Months and Four Years

Happy 4 months of life to Gwen, and happy 4 years of marriage to Ryan and I! We do not have plans to go out, seeing as we have a baby that got shots today and might become a cranky monster later on. I'm hoping to order some takeout. Maybe we can go out this weekend if a babysitter pops out of nowhere? Any takers? ;) 
Gwen is such a tiny baby. She's in the 8% for weight! Sheesh. I promise I'm feeding her. She is starting to be more interested in toys and grabbing things and kicking her legs. We're able to leave her on her play mat for up to 20 minutes, maybe longer. Thank goodness. Her sleeping schedule is more predictable than before, which is also awesome. I love when she smiles for me, especially right after she wakes up.