I just can't get enough

My baby is adorable. I've said it. It's out there. Totally my opinion, but she really is the cutest baby. I love her and love seeing her little opinion, personality, and excitement come out more and more every day.

I send a lot of snap chats to my family. Brooklyn and I have decided it's way more fun to take selfies. She loves looking at herself. Usually she will do a huge smile and giggle.

 B loves to help with her bottle of juice. 

One day I let her do it all by herself and I couldn't believe how big she looked.

 We had a little more time before work one morning and instead of smiling for the camera she just wanted to stare and snuggle.

 4 month doctor visit

12.65 oz

24.02 inches

She is growing healthy and strong! No concerns for this little one.

She did great with her shots and only cried for a minute.

 Mark's cousin Aleece was sealed to her husband Kray and their little boy Max in the Salt Lake Temple. We were so thrilled to be able to be party of their special day.

 She kept making the funniest faces!

 B is all about the TOYS! She wants them ALL. Not 1, or 2, or 3 but usually at least 4. This is in her car seat, floor, at church, at dinner, etc. She likes a variety. Plus she throws them clear across the room most days so at least this way we don't have to get us constantly to get her a new one.

 We have been working hard on naps in the crib. Sunday she slept for 2 hours in her crib! She hadn't slept all day, so she was extra tired. I'm pretty sure that is the only reason why she lasted so long. She sleeps all cozy with her blankets and I watch her like a hawk the whole time on the monitor to make sure she is still breathing. Eventually we will get down to one tiny blanket and all night....HOPEFULLY!

 I don't let B go near the snakes. They have never touched her and she hasn't touched them. Too many germs for this finger eating little girl. On Sunday Mark got out Lorenzo to show her though. She just stared at him the whole time. Lorenzo could have cared less. He just wanted to ball up and hide.

 All ready to go to the teacher party!

 Memorial Day! We finally had warm weather and B decided to dress to impress.

Lately on the weekends B has decided she doesn't like to nap because she would rather hang out with us. Usually she is still really happy, but sometimes I have things I need to get done. She was exhausted on Monday and we had a family party later. Usually if Mark lays on the floor next to her when she is tired she will roll towards him and snuggle him until she falls asleep. Most of the time it takes just a few minutes. I wish she would do this for me, but I think it's a Daddy/Daughter thing.

I love trying new things with Brooklyn. Eventually I'm hoping to get a smile out of her on the swings. She is either too busy eating the straps or unsure of the wind in her face to smile.

THANK YOU!

Going back to work wasn't easy. I had been dreading leaving Brooklyn at a daycare or in a random place. I have been so blessed to have such amazing family and friends. For 11 weeks I have had people love my baby unconditionally and even when it wasn't the easiest. They have sacrificed their time to help me out. I have never felt so loved. I know that she has gotten so much love and attention from each one of them. I'm incredibly lucky to know all of these people. 

Here are a few cute pictures from the last couple of weeks:

Snuggling kitty at Grandma's house

 Playing with her favorite big sister Lyla

 Hanging out at the Grant's house

 Napping at the Taylor's house

 I owe some major favors to about 20 people and I'm glad to pay them all back with anything they need. Thank you all for loving my sweet B!

Every Day is an Adventure

Mark and I feel so blessed to have such a sweet baby! She just turned 4 months old and I'm not sure how we got here. I feel like it is going by so fast. She is growing every day and I love watching her learn so much. I think I might just have the smartest baby ever. She is opinionated in some ways and so go with the flow in others. She is a good mix of Mark and I. I'm grateful we are on a schedule and I'm learning to be a little more flexible with it. We have a great time every day though!

My class threw me a baby shower before Brooklyn was born. I have loved putting her in all of the outfits they picked out for her. This one is from Braxton.

 Tummy time has been a little bit of a struggle. We were behind the game because of her hip brace. She would scream the second you flipped her over. Now she is getting more use to it and every once in awhile will give you a smile.

 I would LOVE to sleep like this 3 times during the day and for 10 hours at night!

 My walking buddy! Always takes her ball with her.

 2 seconds before this she was asleep. She wakes up so happy every morning. I get mad when Mark gets her up because I miss the cutest smiles.

 Every weekend we try to come up with a family friendly activity. Sometimes this is a challenge with a 4 month old and being a schedule. We decided to take her swimming at the rec center. Her swim diaper didn't fit (size 3-4) so I put her in a diaper, swim diaper, cover, and then her suit. Plus I had to tie her suit straps. It was pretty funny.

 She was a little unsure. I think more than anything she was trying to take in everything. She is so curious and loved watching everyone around her. I think she will be a water baby for sure. The drive across the street put her right to sleep so it must have been a good little workout for her!

 My nephew Ki got baptized and a former student got married so we spent our Saturday dressed our best!

 Brookly and Holly... 1 week apart and best buddies. Sometimes Brooklyn will try to hold her hand and it makes us all smile.

 Mark decided to sell his car. With me going part time next year and us wanting to finish our basement, he decided it was a good idea. I'm so lucky to be married to a good man who will do anything for his family.

 I've had major anxiety about moving B from her rocker into her crib. I've started trying to put her in her crib for naps, but she always wakes up after 5 minutes. Everyone that babysits her has great luck with it. This day she lasted 30 minutes!!! Hopefully we can keep working on it and she will last all night for me!

 Our family adventure this weekend was going for a drive up the canyon and walking around Storm Mountain. Of course we had to get Lonestar tacos afterwards too!

 On Sundays B and I try to let Mark sleep in. We sometimes get a little silly and have too much fun sending grandma pictures and videos.

 I love those big blue eyes and long eyelashes

 B thinks she is super funny and likes to take her pacifier out and twirl it around in her fingers. This day she fell asleep on our walk holding it right next to her lips.

 Snuggle buddies

 We love both our Grandpas!

 We have a thumb sucker! 

I've caught her a couple of times now. It is pretty cute, but hopefully won't be a hard habit to break...

 Happy 4 months baby girl!

Saying this girl loves her Daddy is an understatement!

 

 For Mother's Day we made both Grandmas cards. Brooklyn colored them herself.

Mama

Since I was little I can only think of 2 things that I've ever truly wanted...

1. To be a teacher

2. To be a mom

I've been a teacher now for 11 years. Pretty amazing when I stop and think about it. I actually ran into two of my favorite students from my first year of teaching tonight. I can't believe they are grown ups and doing wonderful things. I've been blessed to know and love so many amazing children and their families.

Being single for so many years was hard sometimes. I had many wonderful adventures, but in the back of my head I always wanted to be a mama. I loved my nieces and nephews like they were my own and am so grateful for the love that they gave back. At the end of the day though, I still wanted to be a mom to my own baby.  After marrying Mark I knew that someday that dream would come true. Last Mother's Day we had been trying, but with no success. I remember Camden telling me that someday I'll be a mom, and that I was his out of town mom. Melt my heart, sweet boy! Little did I know that a few weeks later we would find out that I indeed would be a mom very soon. 

I became a Mom on January 16, 2016. Sweet Brooklyn is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. There are times when I look at her and can't believe she is mine. I get teary eyed as I hold her tight or watch her play. I'm proud as she learns new tricks and grows healthy and strong. I proudly show her off to anyone and everyone. I post more pictures than most probably care to see. I love my baby. I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father has trusted me with this sweet baby. It amazes me every day that I was able to carry her for 9 months and now take care of all her needs. I'm the helicopter parent already that worries over every burp, poop, and cry, but I can't help it because I just love her so much. Being a Mom has changed me. I think about the future and the important things in life on a daily basis. I try to be better in every way so that my daughter has someone she can turn to and look up to as she grows up. I always wanted to be a mama, but I never knew how much I needed to be a mama. She is my whole world and I'm so unbelievably grateful to call her mine. I don't just love being a mama, I love being HER mama. 

I look forward to more and more Mother's Days and time spent loving my baby girl. Thank you B for making my dreams come true and being the best baby girl and my best friend. 

Love you