Christmas in Utah

I'm a Colorado girl. But it was nice this year to have a little change and celebrate Christmas in Utah where my Grandma lives. It had been over ten years since my extended family had seen Jeff and they were starting to wonder if I had made him up! : )
Anyway, we sure did enjoy seeing everyone. We also went to Salt Lake City on Christmas Eve Day. We went to the Garden restaurant in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building that has the most amazing view of the temple. Also we saw the North and South visitors centers and the Beehive house and then finished up the day by walking around temple square and seeing the lights/nativities.
Another highlight was the day after Christmas, we (actually Jeff got very sick in the middle of the night and couldn't go. I sort of wondered if God planned the timing this way because Jeff was able to stay back at my Grandma's and watch Mary - otherwise I wouldn't have been able to go)went to Music and the Spoken Word - a live Broadcast recording of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and orchestra and The Bells on Temple Square. It was pretty freakin' amazing and the conference center was remarkable. The inside was decorated with Christmas decor and we also got to see many works of art (mostly Arnold Friberg) on the second floor of the conference center. I have to admit, I thought about the possibility of living in Utah someday just so I could partake in this excellence of art - and that is saying something. I love Colorado and am sort of prejudiced against Utah. But I'm sure I would bloom wherever I was planted and learn to love the place and people. But that is beside the point.
Mary was a joy of course. She loved her new toys. It didn't take her long to discover them under the tree. It was definitely a Christmas that I will remember. Thank you Jeff, for taking us!






Mary discovers her presents.


Happy Christmas baby!

"Feel Like I'm Made Out of Gingerbread. Uh huh . . .Uh huh."

Not much to report, just a little crazy here trying to get ready for Christmas. There's always time for a few pics though right? Here are some of Mary the last couple of weeks.

Hangin' out at Aunt Jennifer's





Mary loves her new mittens with a gingerbread man (hence the title of this post - which is a lyric of a song we sang growing up. Do most people know that song?)on each. She puts them on most mornings and just leaves them on for awhile.
Mary in a cute new outfit(below). Guess I should've gotten a size up in the pants. Funny though . . . had her in size up (12-18 months) yesterday (above pic)and those pants fit great. Today a different pair that was the same size was swimming on her. Oh well.

. . still loves peek a boo . . .
. . . loves the hat so much she wears it around the house sometimes.
Having some nice bonding time before Momma leaves for a Christmas concert last week.

In new giraffe pajamas . . . and reading . . .

Posing (squinting) for the camera . . .

Mary was talking with me here. Not exactly sure what she was saying. But I think it had to do with the piece of paper in her hand.
"Momma, please pick me up!"

Mary loves to pull out the books and read them.


Mary still sleeps up on her knees a lot of the time.

Merry Christmas everyone!

First Steps

A couple of weeks ago, it dawned on me that Mary was over 13 months old and wasn't walking yet. I wasn't too worried, but of course I was just a little as I think women are wired to worry.

Anyway, I read up on the different milestone websites and discovered that yes, this is totally fine and normal and that I shouldn't worry.

But I have found myself feeling like I have to explain to everyone that she isn't walking yet . . . especially when they ask how old she is. *sigh* I'm annoyed with myself for that. No one else is worried and I know how far along she is in other ways.

Let this be a life lesson to myself. Mary will develop just as she is supposed to and that will be fine.

Jeff and I were musing about it a few nights ago. We were discussing how she just wasn't really motivated to walk yet. Why would she be? She can crawl faster from point A to point B than walk. Jeff and I both had to laugh: this is a very familiar sort of trait that is quite reminiscent of her father. He will do things his own way and in his own time and you can't make him do it if he doesn't want to thank you very much!

So this morning I was talking to my SIL (sister-in-law) and while discussing all of this it dawned on me, "Oh. As soon as she starts walking she won't be my little baby anymore." And then I didn't want her to walk yet. And was completely happy to have her hang onto my legs as we walk from room to room. Awww. . . I love my sweet baby angel cutie pie angel heart!

But isn't it ironic that as soon as I had that revelation, tonight she took her first steps unassisted? We've been practicing every night - the three of us - for just a few tries from Daddy to Momma. Then tonight she took a few steps toward me on her own and then later - during Family Home Evening - completely uncoaxed from either of us - she took some steps from where I was over toward the piano bench - parent free.

So here she goes. She's taken her first steps. I'm sure it will be a few weeks more before she is really cruising. But in the meantime, I'm going to enjoy every second.

A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

I love beauty in all forms. I'm always on the lookout for it. In fact, I like to think of myself as a connoisseur of beauty. Gee, I hope that doesn't come across as arrogant or something else negative.

I read a book once about a woman who sang and it was important to her not to pull ugly faces while she sang. I have to agree with her - although she was criticized for feeling that way. And I know I better be careful since I can't really see myself when I sing.

But to me, it takes away from the performance if someone is making unattractive faces when they sing. And I don't think I'm the only one who feels this way.

But I am totally digressing. The point is that I love and appreciate beauty. I think it is one of the most wonderful gifts from God on this earth.

How does this relate to my life? Well, I'll tell you.

Last week, I was entertaining the idea of not putting up a Christmas tree this year. I just felt overwhelmed with everything I need to do. I told my MIL my feelings and she said she had had many times when she felt the same way - but that I would regret it if I didn't and I should just put up my small tree.

So I skipped my dance class Saturday morning - it didn't really work out with my schedule that day anyway - and spent several hours putting up the big tree.
I'm soooooooooooo glad I did! I love my tree. It's so pretty! It brings such joy to look at it. And Mary of course loves it and everytime we pass by it she signs "tree" and squeals with delight.

I don't think the pictures do it justice, but here are a couple anyway.



Mary found her first favorite ornament: a cute little yorkie.

Scripture for the Day

"Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"
Amos 3: 3

Mary's Nursery - A Dream Come True

Well, Mary is now 13 months old and we have finally put the finishing touches on her nursery.

I've had lots of dreams in my life - some big and some small - some more meaningful than others. I've had lots of my dreams come true. And some dreams haven't materialized no matter how hard I've tried to make them. That is how life goes I guess. Sometimes you dream dreams that you don't really ever think will happen. I used to want to be Miss America, but of course, that never happened. I used to think it would be neat to win Prom royalty - and that did happen - though I really never thought it would.

One thing that I think many women dream about is their wedding and in addition to that I have always hoped I could have a beautiful nursery. I didn't really know if I'd ever be able to have one. There are many more important things in life than a beautiful nursery and I knew and know that sometimes you just have to spend money on more important things.

But . . . I am happy and grateful that I did get to have a beautiful nursery for my Mary - at least I think it is beautiful. I mean, I'm sure it won't win any interior decorating awards, but it is beautiful to me. It is a happy place to be.

I have to give most of the credit to my in-laws - particularly my MIL, Ellen. She helped me pick out items and material when I was frozen in "Indecision Central". She sewed all the fabric because I didn't like the cartoony styles at the stores. I feel kind of bad that I even asked because I know she spent a lot of time doing it. But I also love how it all turned out - so I'm glad I did. But I promise I won't ask again Ellen!

So . . .here's to dreams coming true whether they be big or small! I'm a dreamer. That is the one thing that I know about myself for sure.



Here is what her outside door has on it. "Mary" sign was made by the nurses in the ICU. I loved it. "Beware: Wyld Babis" is a sign Jeff made for Mary early on. : )

Mary's room is bright and sunny. I love her octagonal window. I also love this recliner rocking chair. It is so comfortable. Both Jeff and I slept in it on occasion. See that cute Mary peeking out? She has recently discovered new spots in her room.

This floral fabric on the bumper pads was the inspiration fabric. There are several other fabrics in the room that coordinate with it(the lamp, skirt on the bear, other side of bumper is a toile which you can't see well here.

Crib skirt.


Here is her dresser with a removeable diaper changing top. Crib also converts to toddler bed and double bed later. I made the pics up on the wall.

Here is close up:

One of the things Ellen and I both fell in love with was this beautiful Moses basket with dotted swiss fabric. I plan on moving that and the rocker into the next nursery too. I also love the pillows and the lamb stuffed animal.
And here on her nightstand: A lamp from Jeff's nursery, a very handy clock, and sound machine (a necessity in my view).

Closet: Dollhouse bookcase was given to me from Renell Parker and her girls. Cute eh?

This decorative hanger? is kinda fun! Given to me by Cathryn and Emma Grover. Fun to hang Mary's cute clothes on!


So anyway, like I said, it isn't perfect I'm sure. The wall above crib and the wall to the left of the window are blank (any suggestions for that?). But we love it and are so grateful for it.

Thanksgiving

We had a real nice Thanksgiving at my folk's house. Here are some pics . . .



With Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Scott (I think Mary looks a lot like my baby pictures in this photo)


And here is a cutie cute photo of Mary with her cousin, H last week. Aren't they a cute kitty and giraffe?

Signing is really coming along

Wow. This past month, Mary's signing vocabulary has really grown. It makes me so happy and proud! I am glad she has a few more tools to communicate.
So anyway, she knows the following signs:
more
eat
dog
potty
daddy
baby signing time
milk

And she is really working on:
all done
banana
drink
bird
cat

Last week, the most amazing thing happened. Previously, I would say something like "more?" and she'd sign more. Or I'd say, "Mary shall we go downstairs and eat breakfast?" and she'd sign eat. But last week after lunch one day, I put her in her baby zone. I try not to use the baby zone too much. But often when I do I will put on her baby signing time video so I can clean or cook for awhile. But this time I didn't because I only had to do a little cleaning. So I put her in the baby zone and went about my business. Then I look up at her and she is bouncing and smiling. It took me a second to realize, but she was signing "baby signing time". She wanted to watch her baby signing time video and was telling me so! It was very cool. And it was completely unprompted. (BTW, I knew she could sign this because before I would ask her, "do you want to watch baby signing time?" and she'd imitate the signs at the start of the video. She has asked now for the video 2 more times since. I'm so happy that there is another way that she can tell me what she wants.

Here is a video. Just a note: the signs for "baby signing time" are rocking a baby, then moving your hands in a circle around each other and then touching your wrist. When Mary does it, it doesn't look that perfect. She tries to do the circle, but it looks more like she's brushing her hands. Enjoy!

Squirrel Teeth

Last time Grandpa Charles came to visit he said to Mary, "Oh look at those little squirrel teeth!". It was kind of a cute, higher pitched tone. It was sweet and funny at the same time.


So I thought I'd share Mary's squirrel teeth. I love how on the bottom there are spaces on either side of her center teeth. My doctor thought maybe teeth would grow inbetween those spaces, but I guess we'll see. Ellen, were Jeff's teeth like that? If they are spaces, I'm told that is a good thing. Better to have space than crowding (like my teeth).

Morning Rituals

It is so fun to be Mary's Momma.
Every morning - when I go to get her out of her crib, we have several things we usually do. First she has her bottle, and then a diaper change/potty. We also almost always do a few other things too... look out her octagonal window, play with the clock and noise machine and play with and try on Momma's glasses.


Yes these are slightly embarrassing - they are my old old glasses that I got back in the 8th grade I think. I do actually have another pair of glasses to wear when I don't wear my contacts, but these 80's glasses are nice and big in terms of line of vision. My other glasses, you can pretty much only look one direction if you want it to be in focus, you can't look up or to the side much. Also these old things are sturdy even if they are broken (one side the plastic has broken and if Mary grabs them, the left lens falls right out. But hey! That lens is great to put in the mouth too and you can just put it right back when you need to. : )

Mary Had A Little Lamb

. . . or rather IS a little lamb.



Yesterday Jeff got the day off! It was nice to have him home and for lunch we went to one of our favorites, Cafe de France (in Aspen Grove). Tara - our favorite waitress came by and greeted Mary by name and said she had been wondering about us - it had been awhile since we'd been in. Nice huh?
Anyway, it was a perfect day to break out Mary's new lamb outfit. How could I resist getting it? It is even cuter in person. But I promise you that I won't buy all things lamb like I seem to with giraffes. : )
I like lambs. I think I'd rather own a lamb than a dog. I once did a show with a couple of kids who had a baby goat. It was really cute and sweet.
I know. I'm being random. I'll stop now.

"Dizzy Baby"

In college, one of my fondest memories was being in the "Theatre Under the Stars" production of COLE - a musical review of Cole Porter music. There were only four men and four women and so many great memories. I developed a life long love for the music of Cole Porter. But anyway . . . one of the numbers was titled "Dizzy Baby" in which I danced and two guys sang to me. Here is a photo of the very number in action taken from a newspaper clipping from the Collegian (our college newspaper).


I've made a concerted effort not to project myself and my dreams onto Mary. When Jeff and I saw her in the ultrasound I bit my tongue so I wouldn't say, "she's just dancing all around!" But in fact, Jeff was the one who - when telling his parents about the ultrasound used the term dancing (or dancer or something similar).

Last week though, it was pretty hard to NOT imagine Mary following in her Momma's footsteps and becoming a "dizzy baby" in her own right. (I found myself humming the tune.)
Check her out up on her tippy toes bouncing around (she was actually on the very tips of her toes, but I couldn't catch it with my camera).


and playing the piano.


And the lyrics of the song . . . well they seem quite appropriate for a mother trying to keep up with her daughter.
"Dizzy Baby,
Dizzy Baby,
Won't you please slow down?
Can't you find one moment to relax?
Look behind - I'm falling in your tracks
You're so busy
Being dizzy,
I get dizzy too -
Still, it may be
Because you're dizzy baby
I love you."

Our latest photo shoot

A few weeks ago, we had a Sullins family photo shoot. We had originally planned to do it as an anniversary gift for Charles and Ellen last year. But we wanted to wait until none of us were pregnant and until the babies were just a bit older.
I'm happy with the shoot and I am thrilled that Jeff and Mary and me will also have our own family picture to hang in our home.

Go to caydenphotography.com (for some reason I'm never able to figure out how to add a link here. sorry. You'll just have to remember it), click on "Full Site" (the photo on the far right) and then select "clients" along the bottom right hand side of the sideshow. From there, enter the password "sullins" into the box. The slide show will automatically start playing.

Enjoy!

Can you guess?

I bet you can . . . what Mary will be for Halloween this year.


That's right. A giraffe. I wasn't planning originally to have her dress up this year. But when I saw the adorable "Wild Things" line at GAP this year - and that they had a giraffe - and knowing I could let Mary wear this outfit even after Halloween - how could I resist? I really want to get a picture with a bunch of babies in the different outfits. They had a pig (I know my friend Christina's little baby girl is going to dress in that), a cow, cheetah, bunny, zebra, and maybe another. ANYWAY . . .

Jeff's work had their Halloween party yesterday and so it was good I had gotten her a costume.


She looked too cute.

Birthday Girl!

Saturday we had a little party for Mary's first birthday. Here are some pics!
(Please excuse my husband as he starts to yawn ; )).

Lots of family and friends and babies came!
With Grandma Bonnie


Christina and Little Charli (Charlotte)


Miss Annabel and "The Lady Mary" as she calls her


Lots of friends and family- we don't have pics of everyone : (


Lots of GREAT gifts!

Oh! And cupcakes too!


Thanks so much everyone!!!!
Love,
Annie, Jeff, and Mary
P.S. I'll see if it is possible to post the slideshow we made.