Miss Smiley

Growing Like a Weed

Little Katie is getting so big. She smiles all the time now if you talk to her. She is starting to sleep more at night (thank goodness) and stay awake a little longer during the day after she eats. Were having even more fun with her now that she's interacting more.

Thankful Thursday

The most exciting thign to be thankful for today is that I fit into one of my prepregnancy shirts (it's one of my bigger shirts, but hey, it's a start). I still haven't lost enough pounds to be back at my original weight, but I'm slowly making progress. Walking is my exercise of choice, but that is a little difficult this time of year with the snow and having a little baby with me 24-7. In addition to not being able to walk, I've had to wait for the go-ahead from the doctor to exercise and also come up with a new exercise plan. So today was my first official workout. I found a bounce back after baby work out video at DI sometime ago, and I tried it out today. It's only twenty minutes long and includes stretches so I think I can stick with it. It felt good to work out.

Other things I am thnakful for:

• Christmas treats


• Justin doesn't have homework


• beautiful snow


• safety (no car accidents so far despite snowy roads)


• my family


• my health

Christmas Wreaths

I love Christmas goodies. We've been making one kind of Christmas treat each week since Thanksgiving. It's so fun to make the treats we grew up with . The line up this year includes fudge with toffee bits, sugar cookies, wreaths, gingerbread men, and spritz.

I always intend to give them to people, but I must admit that most of them end up in my own tummy. I ate the first batch of cookies that were intended for our home teacher, and I almost ate the second batch that went to them, but I exercised some great self control and left the kitchen. I also have to keep an eye on Katie...she's always trying to sneak treats when I'm not looking.

Smiles

Lately Katie has really started smiling, especially in the mornings. we love it. I just finished fall semester today so im smiling too. :)

Find Joy in the Journey Now

Katie turned one month old yesterday. It seems like she's been with us forever, and at the same time, it feels like the time has flown by. We love this little girl. She brings us so much joy. we get the biggest kicks out of her little looks and gestures. I feel so blessed to have such a sweet little baby. I love snuggling her the best. My favorite moments with her are the moments when she is falling asleep, but is fighting to stay awake, staring at me through her big droopy eyes.

At first the sleepless nights were so hard for me. I found myself looking forward or maybe it was more like longing to being able to sleep at least four or five hours at time at night. Then about a week ago I was talking to the advisor I had when I worked for the Student Honor Office on campus. He was telling me about how his wife had a hard time adjusting to their first child, but then he told me that she had said that with each of her children (I think they have five), her favorite time with them was in the first six months because she got so much time with them...up all day and night feeding, changing, and rocking them. She said once they got mobile and started sleeping through the night, she didn't get as much time with them.

What Bro. Lehman told me about his wife reminded me of Pres. Monson's talk when he said "Find joy in the journey now." So now when I catch myself wishing for the nights I can sleep a little longer at a time, or when I find myself getting overwhelmed because I can't put Katie down long enough to get my house somewhat clean, I think "I only have these few months to cuddle her before she crawls away from me," and then I settle down for a nice, long snuggly nap with her on the couch.

Day family disco

Well...enjoy!

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