3 Years and Counting

Today is mine and Justin's third wedding anniversary. Feels like forever really, but that's a good thing.

What I've learned after 3 years of marriage.

1. It really doesn't matter which direction the silverware goes in the dishwasher. Our dishwasher isn't going to get them clean.
2. To someday buy or not to buy a mini-van may be our longest-running argument.
3. He said I never told him. Oh, I told him. I know I told him. I remember what he was doing, the shirt he was wearing, and what he said in reply when I told him. He doesn't remember. That's as good as not telling him.
4. Threats do work. "If you bring home an Xbox, I'll bring home a dog. And it will be a house dog."
5. Compromise also works. "Okay, you can get an Xbox if I can pick the games. And they will be lame."
6. It is what you say. And how you say it.
7. Justin can be eating cereal in his pajamas 20 minutes before church starts and still be ready before me.

Now please enjoy this trip down memory lane.

My parents were living in Alaska when Justin and I started dating. I emailed my mom this picture to tell her about him.

This is for Justin. He likes, nay, LOVES, this picture.

Just being helpful.

This is right after Justin proposed at Bridal Veil Falls. That's a pinata on the bench.

The bite Justin fed me was all frosting. It was so hard to swallow and I love frosting.

Leaving our reception. We drove around for awhile just for the attention. And because Justin loves motorcycles.

This is on our honeymoon in Las Vegas. But the real reason I post this is to point out those steaks. We still talk about how good they were.

Yay for marriage!

Squash, Beans, Slides and Swings

Sarah tried squash for the first time. She loved it.

Green beans...not so much.

And here's some park pictures. The swings are her favorite (what else can she do?). I took her down the slide even though according to the signs everywhere on the playground, I'm too old. And according to the small hole I had to go through to get on the slide, I'm also too big. But where there's a will, there's a way.

We were going so fast, we're just a blur.

Stay tuned for next week's adventure: Carrots!

The Many Faces of Sarah

Sarah just learned how to stick out her tongue which makes it the cool, new thing to do. Even her attempts make for some awesome faces.

Taking a break.....

Back to work....

Sitting-Up-ish and Other Fun Poses

We're making progress on the sitting-up thing. I think. And that's water on her shirt. She's not that slobbery.

What Happened to Our Photogenicness? Photogeneticism? Photogenetics? Photogeneticocity?

"Hey Justin, let's take picture of ourselves like we used to, when it was just us."

"Okay."

"Uh, next time don't lean forward. We look like an eclipse."

"Oh. Okay."

"Stop messing it up. Smile."

"So demanding."

"Now we're just getting squinty. Let's go to church."

The Swing and 6 Months Old

Sarah tried out a big swing by herself last week. If this is what her infant swing was like, maybe she would have stayed in it for longer than 2 seconds.

And she is now 6 months old. She slept through most of her check-up yesterday. The shots were a rude awakening. She is just 13 lbs 2 oz. That puts her in the 3rd percentile. I hope she doesn't try to pick any fights because the odds are not in her favor.

Sweet Little Lady

Here's Sarah with her very own Easter basket. Well the basket is hers; Justin and I ate the candy. Okay, it was mostly me.

I'm working on getting Sarah to sit up. See the progress we're making?

And some cute jumping shots. Note the drool on the chin.

And note the too cute grin and silly hat.

My Two Little Goof Balls

Sarah discussing linear algebra with her dad. Please judge me, not her, on her outfit.

This picture is a little blurry but I love their smiles.

And Sarah with puppy dog eyes in case you've ever wondered what that looks like.

Officially a Gerber Baby

After weeks of begging me with her eyes and reaching for my spoon or fork, Sarah finally got to eat real food. Confession: I used to eat rice cereal or "baby rice" all growing up and probably will again now that I own a box. Put enough sugar in it and it's delicious. The runny, sugarless kind I made for Sarah doesn't look appetizing. Anyway... here are some pictures and footage of the event.

Buzzing Sarah - The Movie

Here's my first attempt at video editing since graduation. I knew that degree in broadcasting would come in handy someday.

Attack of the Hat

I put Sarah's beloved pink hat on her yesterday and had a little photoshoot. Who knew oversized sunwear would make her look so sophisticated.

I looked down for just a second to scroll through the many photos I had just taken, and when I looked up, I saw this.

5 Months Old

Sarah is 5 months old today. She was pretty excited when I told her.

But she was confused and sad that there would be no cake and candles. (I don't get it either.)

And didn't believe me that she couldn't eat any even if there were.

Highchairs, Hair Flowers, Swings and Fingers

Since Sarah doesn't like to be excluded from the action, we decided to bring her up to our level and bust out her highchair. She's still a little small for it. Do they make booster seats for highchairs? But she loves being up high and playing with her toys.

This video cracks me up. She was trying so hard to be mad but couldn't stop sucking on her turtle's head.

And for various reasons, Justin and I haven't joined the trend of big flowers on baby heads. Thus, this may be the only time you'll see one on her. I have to say she looks adorable and she got a big kick out of looking at herself in the mirror with this on.

And here we are on the swings. Boy am I grateful for spring.

And Sarah will still suck on anything but a binky. Oh well.

The Many Adventures of Sarah the Pooh

One of the best things about being a parent is that you get to relive the best parts of your childhood. Example Staying up until 11 pm watching Winnie the Pooh by yourself: lame. Staying up with your not-so-tired 4-month-old watching Winnie the Pooh: Good parenting and good fun.

And of course, Tigger is her favorite. She jumps on my lap right along with him.

Attached Parenting

While waiting at the doc's office earlier this week, I read an article about Attached Parenting (parenting style where you hold your baby all that you can and see to their needs before they cry, etc). After reading this, I realized, I am one; not because I decided to be but because I have a baby that apparently read an article on Attached Babying in the premortal realm. Sarah is, to put it simply, a high maintenance baby. So much so, there are times that I look at her crying, fussy face and say, "get used to being an only child." She's not a difficult baby, just not "chill" like I had naively dreamt of. She's not complicated either- "Hold me and I'm happy. And if you're not holding me, be where I can see you or hear you, although your minutes are numbered."

Early on I learned to split up my daily activities in 3 categories, Things I can do while holding Sarah (who needs 2 hands to make dinner/brush teeth/put on socks?), Things I can do while feeding (such as write on blog) and Things I can do while Sarah is sleeping (the shortest list because she's also a short napper).

But things are better now. I had been told by my sister and mother that something magical happens around 4 months old--babies just mellow out. Although some evenings around 3 months I didn't believe them, they were right--Sarah is pretty chill these days.

But have I helped her mellow out or has she trained me to be "attached"? On any given day I can be seen doing at least one of the following. (Compared to a month ago where I could be seeing doing one of these things ALL DAY LONG.)

1) Making dinner while singing "Old McDonald" so many times we've left the farm searching for animals. What does a kangaroo say?

2) Singing "Pokey Bear" while fastening her carseat buckles, getting her dressed or any other activity that eats into her play time. For some reason life is less scary if you're hearing a song about a bear that likes to be slow.

3) Watching TV in closed caption while Leona Lewis is blasting through our surround sound. For some reason, loud music is calming to her. So better than the CC on because I can't hear over Sarah's screams.

Think that sounds crazy? The craziest thing is that even on the worst days, I don't want her to change. She's just this wiggly ball of energy and curiosity that I don't want to hold back. Sarah is Sarah and I love her for it. Am I praying that my next baby will be a little more chill? Yes.

I Wear My Life On My Sleeve

I told Justin yesterday that instead of asking how my day was, he can just look at my shirt and get a pretty good idea.

My new attitude about snot/slobber/spit-up on my clothes: If I'm not getting my picture taken or going on an interview, I don't care.

4 Months Old

Sarah turned 4 months last Friday and today was her check-up. She is now 11 lbs, 14 oz and 24 inches long. She's just a little squirt which is a blessing since she still likes to be carried around most of the day. The doc says she's perfect. I concur.