New

We got new cabinets in our kitchen and bathroom! They make the rooms feel so much brighter. If anyone had seen our old ones, they were a dark, ugly brown. Yay for new things!

Its Happened

I remember months ago at my baby shower I was given advice by every attendee. Someone in the group told me to not feel bad when my baby rolls off the bed or falls off the couch. Secretly I was thinking, "Oh, I'm going to be so careful. That'll NEVER happen."

I ate my words this morning when I left Logan on the couch for one second while I was putting my cereal bowl away. I come back in the living room just as my baby flips off the couch and twists his neck when landing on the floor. He cries immediately and I start freaking out, thinking about his little neck. I go through the vital signs: he's breathing, he's moving, he's alert. Ok, not paralyzed. I massage his neck and hold him close. He only cries for a minute then wants a book to read. Soon he's his happy self.

I am definately trying not to feel bad but gosh, I HATE it when my baby cries and its my fault. It's the worst feeling ever. I know that especially since Logan is mobile, he'll be getting a few bumps and bruises.

I think I'll hold him a little closer today.

And not leave him alone on the couch for a long time.

9 Months

Here's another update on my little babe. I say this every month, but honestly where does the time go? Logan is growing by the day. Everytime I pick him up he feels heavier. I'm about done hauling him around in his car seat. Logan is a clever little guy. Sneaky. He likes to open cupboards and pulls things off shelves (hence the tupperware in the picture above). He knows how to be quiet when he's getting into something he shouldn't. I usually go check on him when I don't hear anything. He is a tease and loves to laugh.

Weight: 19 lbs 2 oz (30%)

Length: 28 3/4 inches (75%)

Head Circumference: 18 1/4 inches (75%)

Other notes:

Got his 3rd tooth (top left) about a week ago

Is starting to like "real" food like bread, Cheerios, pieces of fruit

Loves other children

Doesn't quite get the word NO, but we're working on that

He's cruising around the furniture (he'll be walking before we know it)

Loves Baby Einstein movies and stops to watch as soon as he hears the music and sees the caterpillar

Is shy at first around strangers but is fine in literally 15 seconds

Does a funny head tilt as if observing you at a different angle

Loves my hair (unfortunately)

Oh, and has an orange nose because of his love for sweet potatoes, squash, and peaches.

He also LOVES Grandma. This is my favorite picture of the moment.

Happy 9 months Logan!

27

I think I've gotten over the shock, dread, anxiety of turning 27. Shock that I'm in my late thirties, dread of being 27 and my hubby still being 25, and the anxiety of thinking, "what have I done with my life?" I keep getting told, "Oh, 27 is so YOUNG!" I appreciate everyone that said that to me. And I DO feel like I've accomplished many things, so I'm not going to go cliff jumping or climb Mt. Everest or anything like that. I'm too young to have a mid-life crisis. Haha.

I think of the line in a birthday primary song that says "one year older and wiser too". I like to believe I'm learning and more wise than I was a year ago. I suppose I'm more wise when it comes to being a parent. Last year I really had no idea what to expect and how I was going to manage raising a kid. Luckily Logan is happy and healthy, so I'm happy. Oh, and my hubby is happy too. That's also important.



I had a great birthday. I am blessed with wonderful family and friends who go out of their way to make me feel special. I was spoiled with birthday dinners, presents, cake, pampering, etc. Who could ask for anything more?

What do I hope for the year ahead? Well, I hope for lots of days of sunshine so I can better appreciate nature and the beauty that's just outside my door. I hope to look in the mirror and think, "hmmm, I look pretty darn good today." Better yet, "I look smokin' in this swimming suit." I hope to cross off more projects on my to-do list. I hope to slow down so I can appreciate what I have and what I'm doing. I hope to remember the little things each day that make me happy.

I want to say on my next birthday, "Wow, that was a good year."

What's Your Resolution?

I have been debating about posting my resolutions because they are personal and well, they will kinda show my flaws. I admire those who are so honest on their blogs and willing to share their triumphs as well as their failures. So hear this now . . . I am NOT perfect. There are many things I want to be better at. I don't expect to be perfect by the end of the year, but I hope to be better than when I started. Our goals are:



Goal #1: ORGANIZE


"Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God." (D&C 88:119)


This scripture states many of the goals we as a family want to achieve. I want a home where the spirit can dwell. Watching Logan grow has got me thinking, "What can I teach my child?" I know he's young, but I want to establish good habits as a family so our children will grow up knowing their Heavenly Father and Savior. So we'll be working on REGULAR family prayer, scripture study, FHE, temple attendance, fulfilling our callings, being kind and thoughtful to each other, and teaching by the spirit.




Goal #2: SAVE MONEY!!!


We really really want to buy a home by Spring of 2011. With a baby and me at home, money has been a little tight, so we are really going to try to stay in our budget and save some $$$ for a down payment. That means going out less often, budget grocery and especially personal spending, and for me to get a part-time job. Just something on the side so we don't have to get a sitter and we can earn a few more bucks. So, if you're willing to have a cheap night in playing games or hanging out, give us a call!




Goal #3: BE HEALTHY

Kind of vague, but I'm sick of saying "lose weight". Being healthy reaches beyond just losing weight. Being the main cook in the house, I hope to create nutritious (and delicious) meals every night. Check out my cooking blog and let me know if you have any good recipes. Benj and I are going to hit the gym at least 3 times a week, and we're cutting our sugar waaaaayyy back. As in throwing out the Christmas treats and only occasionally having dessert instead of almost every day. My hope is to run a half marathon in September and maybe I'll get Benj to do it with me. :)


There you have it. I'd love to hear feedback if you have any tips regarding: teaching children, saving money, healthy snacks and meals, and any other ideas!

Good luck on your resolutions too!

Christmas 2009

Christmas was so much more fun this year with a baby. I know he doesn't know what's going on, but its been a while since I was so excited for Logan to open presents. To be honest, last week is still kind of a blur to me because it was so busy, but I'll see what I can remember.

Christmas Eve was spent at our brother-in-law's parents house (get that?). There is always great food and great company. Logan slept for 2 hours while Benj and I got to eat and relax. That was a great early Christmas present. :) We played the candy bar game and I, once again, scored some major goods. If anyone wants some candy, come to my house.

When we got home, we noticed the elves left us each a present. We quickly changed into our pajamas. Who knew the elves shopped at Victoria's Secret?

This photo was our 4th attempt at self-timer.

We did our own little family thing in the morning and opened lots of fun gifts. Santa spoiled us once again.

Logan was so excited for Christmas!

We headed over to Benj's side for breakfast and more presents. The cousins got a Wii. Cameron kept saying, "Am I dreaming? I can't believe we have a Wii!" It was so cute. Colton (the younger of the two) liked to push the buttons, although he wasn't really playing. Heehee.

My two boys enjoying Christmas at the cousins. We went over in our pajamas, even though everyone else was showered and beautiful. Am I the only one who wants to stay in my pajamas all day?

Logan and Colton helped open presents.

Colton got a lovely space gun that made lots and lots of noise. We tried to hide it once and tell him it needed new batteries, but he was too smart.

We gave Marcy a family calendar. She was so cute and excited about it.

Logan trying out his little bike. Parental supervision required since he tends to slip off.

I don't have any pictures (yet) but later Christmas day we went to Benj's grandparents for the most amazing dinner ever. Grandma Mel is so fancy and the best cook.

The day after Christmas my family came down from Idaho and we went to my Aunt's house for a Christmas party. Again no pictures - I've got to get better! It was so much fun.

We visited a little at our house afterwards. Here's Logan with Grandma and Grandpa Croft.

Andy, Sam and his wife Jenni

Almost Here

I can't believe Christmas is 3 days away. I had good intentions to finish all of my projects before this week, but I took on too much. I just hope I can get everything finished. I'll make this post short and sweet. Here are some more activities we've been doing.

December 15th - Wear our Christmas attire. Ok, not going into details on this one ;)

December 16th - Listen to Forgotten Carols. This is a must. I have the piano music too. All I need is a piano!

December 17th - Watch Christmas Vacation. This was Benj's request. It's his very favorite Christmas movie.

December 18th - Make gingerbread houses. We did this with our friends Chris and Ashley. No pictures during the actual making, mostly because Logan was fussy and ready for bed. Benj ended up decorating most of the house. I got a kick out of the snowman and gingerbread man's eyes.

December 19th - Make a snowman. Didn't have good snow for this. Maybe today since we're supposed to get a few inches!

December 20th - Make sugar cookies. We originally wanted to make them since we've never used our Christmas cookie cutters, but our sweet friends brought some over. So we'll change this activity to EAT sugar cookies. :)

December 21st - Look at lights. If you live in the Bountiful area, you must go up to the temple. First, they have a Nativity scene on the grounds, and if you go drive on the street around the temple (Temple View Drive), you'll see the whole Christmas story. Each house has a scripture passage and beautiful painting of Christ's birth.

We also went to Thanksgiving Point and rode a horse-drawn wagon around the lights. It was fun but COLD! We went with Grandma Bradshaw, and Benj's sister and family.

December 22nd - Today we're having a candlelight dinner. This is a tradition of my family's, and we're doing our own since we're not going to Idaho Falls this year. I don't know what's on the menu exactly, besides shrimp and sparkling apple cider. Cheers!

December 23rd - We'll plan on doing a puzzle. :)

December 24th - Go to the Christmas Eve party and play the candy bar game (photo from last year).

Hope your family has some fun traditions too!

Merry Christmas!