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.

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. 

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? 

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. 

Happies

Hey blog world!! I've been neglecting you because I've been busy with friends and family the past two weeks in New Mexico. We had so much fun! Here are some happy things that happened during our stay- 

So my best friend Holly and her little family moved far away from New Mexico shortly after we moved to Arizona. I'm so glad that we were all back in town for the holidays! Our daughters finally met! Neither of them will remember it, but we have photographic proof, so. Note the photo of Ruby hugging Gwen. She initiated that hug all on her own. See?? Friends. 

Gwen and baby Ceci met! All my mom friends live far away from me. *sigh* I'll have to come up with more excuses to travel back home to see these cuties again. 

More friends :) 

Annual cookie decorating. // Ryan decorated this awesome skeleton reindeer. // Gwen "unwrapping" her first gift. // Aunt Audrey with one sassy baby. 

My mother-in-law crocheted this beanie! One of my favorite gifts. // Gwen in her Christmas pajamas. // She got a lot of books. // Cookies for breakfast.  

Christmas din-din. // The annual New Year's Eve white elephant gift exchange. // She won a lot of cake mix. And that amazing sweat suit thing. // Pretty Aunt Melanie. 

Gwen met a lot of dogs! Note the photo of my father-in-law sleeping with his dogs. The big one to his right is a new addition to their family. She's a rescued dog and is super sweet. 

Everyone learned to knit! My sis-in-law offered to teach. Knitting is definitely something that I never thought I'd learn to do, but I'm so glad that did! // We went on our first date since Gwen was born! We were actually able to go on two dates. :) We saw Into the Woods. So good and sad. But good. // You know what else was very good? This raspberry cake. Holy heck. // This photo of Ryan and his family is amazing (he's at the far right). I think they took it at some amusement park? It was printed on metal, so that's neat. 

Baby snuggles. We relaxed a lot despite having more plans/activities than usual. // Grandpa Houpt. // Another sleeping pic, 'cause why not? // Gwen wearing Ceci's hand-me-downs. Thanks again, Anne!

A few more Happies that are not pictured above-
- We ate at my favorite Mexican food restaurants. Yes! Chile rellenos and burritos and enchiladas!
- Ryan and I had a contest trying to name the most Christmas songs. There are like 1,000, ok?
- I had two family photo shoots in the desert. They're so pretty and I can't wait to share them with you.
- The little Christmas program at church. My sister-in-law sang and brought everyone to tears. The song was through the eyes of Mary and shed new light on this woman that I've known about my whole life. I'm sure it's because I'm a new mom. I may just write a separate post about it.