Back to December

Oh my. There's a lot to cover. But I am master of summarizing, so it won't be too bad. WARNING: there will be many pictures. Of my little sweetie!

Our Thanksgiving was nice. We went to Grandma and Grandpa Davis's, and had a great time.

Brooklyn's birthday was fun too. She turned 1! We had a Harry Potter themed party, and thanks to all the help we had from family and friends, it was a huge success! She loved opening presents, although she was more interested in paper and ribbon than what was actually inside. Typical kid.

She also enjoyed her cupcake! She was very dainty at first (she is a little ocd about messes), but after a little help, she got some chocolate on her face. :) It was fun to see her when everyone was looking at her! I thought she would cry, but she didn't. She just looked around and smiled at everyone. There goes my theory that she's shy. She loves being the center of attention!

This picture is from Wiggle Worms at the library. She loves to shake the maracas!

Christmas was really nice too (I didn't get any pictures of Christmas morning! I couldn't believe it. I will not make that mistake again!). Here are our stockings, filled to the brim with Santa's delights!

We spent our New Years in Las Vegas visiting my family. We went with Matt and Jen to a murder mystery party! It was a blast. We took a moment from our game playing adventures with them and Mom and Dad to acknowledge the new year. Brooklyn was an angel the whole time. She really warmed up to my parents and adores my dad. She was great on the road, too!

Buffalo Wild Wings in Utah. Best idea ever.

Brooklyn's most common face. When she sees dogs. She thinks they say, "Ooo! Ooo!" like a monkey.

Life with Brooklyn is fun. She is pretty happy most of the time, and she is learning so much! I can see how much she is growing and developing, and sometimes she surprises me. She understands a lot more than I think!

However, some days are like this.

She loves apples.

She loves to read! Books are her favorite toy.

And of course, she loves Bucket. Who doesn't?

She is her father's child.

Giving kisses to Bucket.

So my update was not nearly as long as I thought! Brooklyn is doing great :) She makes our life so special! And we're about halfway through the semester in school, which means Craig only has 1 1/2 left! Yippee!

Also, I have a new camera. I was complaining to Craig about how much I despise my camera, and he said, "Hey! I have this nice one in the closet that I've been keeping for like 6 years... why don't you see if it's a good one?" It is.

Talents

I find myself in a boat. A boat with many other people. It's called the "everyone has more talent than me" boat. The other night I was hanging my head in self pity at my lack of abilities, looking at others and seeing all the things they can do, that I can't. I'm not crafty. I don't know anything about photography. I don't have creative ideas to use with Brooklyn. I can't sew. I can't plan parties. I'm not a good writer, even though I love to write. I don't know anything about fashion. Sure, I can play the piano pretty well, I can sing, I am a massage therapist, a piano and voice teacher, a mother, wife, and student.. but that doesn't matter. It only matters what I can't do. When I told Craig how I felt, he laughed. I think he thought I was joking... but sadly enough I wasn't! I said all those things with a straight face, and the indignation of a 12-year-old who doesn't have a cel phone. After a long conversation with my sweet hubby (who was trying not to doze off while I soaked my pillow with tears - it was after midnight and he had to wake up at 4:50 am), I realized I was being ungrateful! After being forced to look at all the things I had, I was ashamed that I was upset for not being given more talents! Eek! Watch out for lightning.

The next day, I was talking to my sister Melanie (who is my twin - not literally, but pretty much we are exactly the same), and she brought up the point that the reason I don't have those "talents" is because I just haven't done them yet. I "can't" make crafty things to decorate my house because I just haven't tried! If I learned how - BAM! Talent. Once I pick out a project to learn on my sewing machine - BAM! Expert. The key is learning. I was lamenting my lack of natural abilities without realizing that most people have to work to learn a new talent. People don't come out the womb with a full set of knowledge about modpodge. I was being ridiculously silly for thinking this things would just come to me. I'm a big kid and I get to put some more wrinkles in my brain. Besides, who can stay depressed when they get to look at THIS face every day?!

I'm talking about the baby, not my dad. :) If Dad lived here, that would be different! I don't see his face every day.

Anyway, Brooklyn doesn't judge me. She doesn't compare herself to me. You can only compare yourself to "old you". When I think of the things I've learned to do as of late, I feel a little sheepish for being dramatic. As I'm learning how to swim (competitively. I can doggie paddle:) ), I can see how far I've come from the first time I stepped into a pool some months ago. I don't have to look at the 11-12 year old swim team that swims faster and better than me! I just picture the "old me" in the lane next to me, and I wave as I lap her. :)

Basically what I'm trying to say is that the only thing standing in the way of you and what you "wish" you could do.. is YOU. Don't hold yourself back. I can't sit on the couch and will the sewing gods to send me a revelation. I need to get up off my butt, pick a project, and learn from experience! Slow and steady wins the race! (When I say this phrase, I think of The Simpsons, when they're all go-karting. Marge says, "Slow and steady wins the race!" as all the kids and Homer zoom past her... hahahaha makes me laugh every time!") So here's my list of the next few project I am going to perfect and turn into my talents:

• Making headbands/bows for Brooklyn
• Make the cute "weight loss" jars I saw on Pinterest
• Learn some photography!
• Modpodged picture frames
• Decor for holidays
• Toys for Brooklyn
• 1 sewing project
• Photo frame with a personal quote
• Big "DAVIS" sign for our wall
• Update my blog more frequently - try my hand at writing :)

So there we go! I am about to become much more talented than the "now me". Ha ha! Ha. Luckily not many people read my blog, so I will experiment with the least amount of judgment! Next post will be an update on Brooklyn's birthday, my birthday, Christmas and New Years! Yep, I'm that far behind. So if anyone is reading this, choose a new talent to cultivate! Add it to your list of things you're good at!

As Fiyero would say, "It's just life, so keep dancing through!" Ah. That reminds me. I want to learn to dance!

Birthdays

Yes, he's holding two slim jims.

Birthdays are my favorite. For some reason, when it's someone's birthday in my family, I have a great day. Nothing can get me down. Birthdays are like a drug to me. Haha in a good way! Anyway, today is Craiggy's birthday! And oh, the day I've had. I started out by writing him a lengthy letter which I left on the table for him when he got up. I got up early to go swimming and was the first to tell him happy birthday (this is important to me)! I had carved "I love you" with a heart into the bar of soap in our shower, and secretly got a little post-it in his lunchbox. Which is good, because apparently they forgot at work that it was his birthday, and didn't do the normal celebration. :( SO when I got home from swimming, it had snowed! It hasn't snowed practically all winter, and I was pretty excited. I was even more excited to jump out of my car and scrape his car off! I brushed off all the snow and wrote "I love you" again in the snow on the hood of the car. Oh, what fun! I went inside to see him playing with Brooklyn, who woke up before work for the first time in weeks. She must have known it was his birthday and wanted to see him (he has school Wed and Thurs nights, so he sees her Tuesdays, and then not until Friday night). We shared a lovely birthday hug and kiss, and we waved him on his way. We went all the way outside to wave as he drove away. What a guy.

In honor of my beloved's birthday, I want to share the 5 things I love most about him. I know a lot of grateful women out there think their husbands are the best, but for me, it's Craiggy.

1. His desire to be righteous. He is the guy who loves to be at every service project, church meeting, or anything of the sort. Like, he really loves to be there. Not because he's supposed to, but because he values the feeling of doing what's right over any other feeling. He has learned that you can't replace that peace with anything else, and I love him for it. I know I can count on him to do the right thing.
2. His sense of humor. Craig can find a way to put humor into anything. For those of you who know him, you may wonder what I mean, because he is quiet. He's quiet around others, not because he's shy but because he doesn't have anything to say. But when he does.. watch out. He makes me laugh every single day in the most random and unforeseen ways. He is the master of using inside jokes to his advantage (for example, I can NOT stay mad when he imitates the little ballerina girl from AFV), and isn't afraid to look silly if it makes me laugh. His expressions and outbursts are priceless.
3. He's willing to do anything to make me happy. It's hard to be at home all day with a 14-month old, and especially when he has school 2 nights in a row during the week. Life can be tough. But he always comes home with a smile (often a tired smile) for me, and sometimes he'll bring me home a special treat if I've had an especially rough day. Granted, I do occasionally have to hint strongly or say straight up if I want one, but he is always willing to do it. Whatever it is. No matter how he's feeling, he puts me and Brooklyn as his #1 priority, and I love that. We are always first for him.
4. His ever-lasting patience with Brooklyn and me. I have never seen him roll his eyes when I ask him to change a diaper, even in the middle of the night. He doesn't complain about giving her baths or feeding her when he's home. He never says, "I just want to relax!" even though I know he does. He treats that girl like a princess. He treats me like a princess, and heaven knows I don't act like one.
5. His hygiene. Yes, I realize that sounds weird. It's something I don't know if I'll ever fully appreciate, seeing that I've never lived with any other men. He is immaculate. He never leaves his stuff laying around (literally, never), showers every day, makes the bed (at least his side, if I'm still sleeping), does the dishes, picks up toys, and he constantly smells good. Just naturally. Again, I love it!

Really, I could go on, but I'll spare you. I love Craig so so so much, and I hope I succeed in showing him. Tonight he has class and won't be home until at least 10 pm, but I have my massage table all set up and ready for him when he gets home! I wish I could give him more, because I know he deserves it, but he always tells me what he wants most is for me to be happy. So that's what I'm working on - cause you know that when Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!

Happy birthday to my sweet Craiggy! You are my hero.

Walk as I'm walking...

Brooklyn is walking! I never thought this day would come... It's the cutest thing. She's still wobbly, but her confidence grows every day. She loves to walk around the house holding my hand, or by herself pushing a giant box or her walking toy. She usually can take about 4-5 steps before either stopping or falling down. She looks so big! I have yet to get a picture or video of it. She is quite mischievous. The other day I was doing the dishes and when I looked around, she was nowhere! I checked her room, my room - all her normal spots. When I got back to the kitchen, there she was. Eating dog food. Yep. It's her favorite. If I ever forget to put it up when she's awake, she beelines for it every time! And she is fast! Of course, as soon as I say her name she goes even faster, trying to get there before I get her. She does that with most things she knows she isn't supposed to do. Clever girl.

I always find her in the most random places. When I can't find her, I just call her name, and eventually I see some sign of where she is hiding. She likes to play behind the couch.

Here's her most common face. She does it all day.

Halloween was so fun! We had a ward party that we went to, with Craig as a farmer, me as his cow, and Brooklyn as his pumpkin! She was so fun, although she wouldn't take candy from anyone. She's only shy when either Craig or I am holding her. Otherwise she is the most talkative, fun-loving kid around. She seems to love everyone.

We also had a murder mystery party we went to, and that was really fun! Props to our friend Melissa who throws a killer party! She is super creative and had the most fun food and decorations. It was awesome!

Then we had Trick or Treating at Craig's work, and Brooklyn had a great time. She just sat there and played with this twizzler the whole time. Craig ended up taking all the candy back to work anyway since Brooklyn doesn't eat candy and I didn't want it at the house tempting me!

Here is her box. She loves to push it all around the house.

She loves to play piano with me. :)

This is her 11 month picture. She has been so sick, with a fever and cold (notice the drool on her chin), but she's 11 months nonetheless!

This is her tongue-twisty trick. She does it when she's concentrating.

Everything is going great! We are enjoying the cool weather, and looking forward to her birthday next month and Christmas! Happy Thanksgiving!

10 months just flew by...

And my baby is 10 months already! She is growing so fast! We've been having lots of fun watching her learn new things and see how much she is changing. My heart just melts when I walk in and see her squeal and smile till her eyes disappear (much like mine) and hold out her arms to me. My little sweetie! We are getting all ready for Halloween, and excited to get dressed up and paint the town! Ok not really, but we're excited to dress Brooklyn up. :)

She's all ready for Halloween!

She can stand up all by herself now. She does it best when she doesn't realize she's doing it at all!

Aaaaand there's the Craig face. If you look at Craig's baby pictures, he makes this funny face all the time. This is the closest picture I have to it. Someday I'll get a picture right at the perfect moment and document how much they are alike! haha although this one is when she's crying, which is rarely the case.

I got her hair in pigtails! Not an easy task - Moms everywhere, I applaud you for having the patience and catlike reflexes that accompany the ability to do a baby girl's hair.

She has 6 teeth! The four top ones and two bottom ones. No more little vampire!

We are halfway through the fall semester of school, and that means Craig only has 2 1/2 more semesters until he is Master Craig!! I'm so excited for him, and see what life is like when he isn't in school. I can't quite comprehend it, but I bet it will be wonderful! And I'm thinking about changing my career path and becoming a sign interpreter. Like sign language. Not like, "I think that sign means stop!" :) I guess we'll see!