Happy Valentine's Day!

This is our Valentine for Daddy. I set up my backdrop and camera this week. I don't have a remote for my new camera, so I had to set it on the timer. I had Paige push the button, then come running over and sit on my lap. It was a little crazy. I have done this for three years in a row now so I couldn't stop this year. Greg loved it.



We used this picture to make Valentine's for Grandmas and mailed them off. Preston glued hearts all over the picture frames. I love my cute family. I think Preston has told me he loves me a hundred times today!

The Baby Room

The baby room is finally done! We have lived here over a year and this is the first thing we have actually changed about this house.

I liked the brown walls for Paige because it looked cute with her pink bedding. Now that I have a baby coming, I want something brighter. I know I will be spending A LOT of time in this room.




We had some big helpers. Preston barely painted the corner and he was done.



When we took the tape off the wall, we thought the brown stripe was actually kind of cute. I wanted the chair rail anyway.



This is the bedding we used for Preston. As tempted as I was to buy something new, I couldn't see the point in spending money that I didn't have to. Preston's room was painted blue and green, so we made sure to do something different.


I love the final look. We are still waiting on the blinds that have the blackout feature and will also block the heat that comes through that window.



This was my big project. I needed to cover the french doors. I found some cream color blackout panels at the store and used them as a template. I cut the blue fabric and sewed it to the purchased panels. It ended up being a lot easier than I expected. The cream color shows toward the living room and the blue in the baby room. It blocks a ton of light compared to the flimsy fabric that was hanging there before. Hopefully, it will help the baby sleep better.

I need to make a valence now for the window, then it will be totally done. It has been a fun project. Only 5 1/2 weeks to go!!!

The Dentist...Again

Today was Paige's dental appointment. Since she is so young, she had to be put under anesthesia. They distracted her with toys, then gave her a little shot to get started. They warned me about her reaction, but it was still a little freaky. She cried a little, then kind of went still and glossy-eyed. The took her to the back and I had to wait about an hour until they were done. When they brought me back to be with her, she was still out. It took a good hour for her to start really coming around. Once we got home, I had to keep her on the ground so she wouldn't try to walk. She has thrown up everything I've given her. It has been about 7 hours now, so she should have the majority of the effects wearing off. When Daddy called, she talked to him and it was the most I'd heard out of her all morning. She is getting her little personality back now. We cuddled on the couch and took a nap together. Preston has had fun playing with his friend Koleson all morning.

She now has caps on her front teeth and some fillings in the back. I feel like the worst parent from a hygiene perspective. We've spent a ton in the last two months on dental work for both kids. Needless to say, we have been MUCH more diligent about brushing, flossing, and not giving treats.

Sunny St. George

We spent the weekend in St. George with Greg's Great Grandparents, the Springers. We headed out Friday afternoon and made it down in good time. The kids struggled getting to bed, but we enjoyed staying up and visiting. In the morning, we planned to go swimming. We were getting ready for breakfast when the door opened and Bob and Vicki came walking in with Karli. We were so shocked. We couldn't believe they drove 7 hours from Phoenix just to spend one day with us. We hadn't seen them in over a year. Preston and Paige were excited and played with Karli all day long. They hardly fought and had fun playing in Grandma's dirt and stacking rocks.

We lounged around in the morning. I spent time with Grandpa Springer going through pictures and scanning them into our laptop. I am working on a history book about each of Greg's grandparents since we are fortunate enough to have them all so close. I have really enjoyed learning about each of their lives and know my kids will love these books when they are done.


We ended up going swimming at the hotel Bob and Vicki were staying at. The kids were so much fun in the pool. We have to get them out more. Paige learned to make big arm circles while floating on her back and actually moved across the pool. Greg threw her up in the air and she went SO high. She didn't even get scared. Preston paddled around in his life jacket without holding onto us. He has come along way. I even donned my swimsuit. It was 60 degrees outside and the pool was heated so it felt great to have a small taste of Summer. It definitely didn't feel like January.
Paige kissing the baby.
Hanging out with Daddy on the lovely green grass that never needs to be mowed.

I took my tripod so we were able to get a picture with all of us in it. We visited and relaxed Sunday morning. When it was almost time to go, we got a call that Bob's parents just got into town and wanted to come see us.

We spent some time with them so the kids had their grandparents and both sets of great grandparents all together. Soon it was time to go. When Bob and Vicki got in the car, the kids got in with them and wanted to go to Arizona. It was so hard to say goodbye after such a short visit. It is weird to think that our little family as we know it is about to change so much. This was our last trip with our family of four.

Dang Facebook

I feel like such a slacker. Where have I been? Lurking in the lives of my friends on Facebook. Thanks Jen for pushing me to get on. That thing is so addicting at first. I've enjoyed getting in touch with some old friends though.



I hooked up with a bunch of girls from my college sorority, Theta. We all went out for dinner the week after Christmas. It is amazing how different our lives have all been just 10 years out of sorority. Three of us were pregnant. A couple already had four kids. It was so fun catching up on their lives. I was so close to these girls during a time when I really needed a support group. My best memories are not of highschool, but of my days with my sorority girls in college.



Chelsea was one of my best friends in sorority. It turns out she lives about five minutes from me. I am so excited to be in touch with her again. I remember the late nights going country dancing together at The Bay. There were always a bunch of the sorority and fraternity people from the U. We had so many great times.

Happy Anniversary!

Greg and I celebrated our ninth anniversary on Saturday. At the time we got married, it was great to get out of school for Christmas break and be married three days later. What were we thinking? It is tough trying to celebrate so close to Christmas. On the other hand, it is a beautiful time of year that is already full of nostalgia. All I wanted was a nice dinner date. We went to the Garden restaurant.

After dinner I wanted to experiment taking night shots with my camera. I've never had a chance to do this. Now that I have a nice tripod and a little knowledge, I thought I'd give it a try. It was so fun. We walked all over temple square taking pictures and remembering the day we were married. Luckily our wedding day wasn't as cold! Not that it was exactly warm.

I believe in the Mimi Fairy

Could it really be that easy? The mimi fairy came on Monday night and the pacifiers are gone. We may have overdone it a little on the presents left by the fairy, but I wanted to make a BIG deal about it. We have been talking about it for a few weeks. Monday night, we put them all in a basket. Paige couldn't resist when she saw so many together and grabbed one. She wouldn't let go. I kept telling her the fairy couldn't come unless ALL the mimi's were in the basket. Finally, reluctantly, she put it in the basket and we went off to bed. Luckily, she was dead tired and fell asleep quickly. I expected to be up with her in the night in a panic, but it never happened.

She loved the gifts from the fairy, but didn't quite put it together. Later she asked where her mimi's were and I explained that the fairy took them. Nap time- no questions. That night she got right into bed and didn't even mention them. Now she plays with her ball that she says the fairy mimi gave her. Seriously, I thought this would be such a war. Here we have been fighting to enforce the "only in your bed" rule and taking them away has been so much easier.

WOO HOO!!!