While he was gone...

Evan was out of town for the past week for work, so it was a girls week! The girls and I stayed in all week playing and while they napped I kept myself busy by painting and crafting. Since the girls go to bed at 7 and 7:30, I needed a big project to do at night so I didn't watch TV all night. I decided to tackle a few huge projects! My parents gave us their old crib, so I decided to paint the oak bright white. I also added a few accent walls- our entire hallway, in my craft room, and a large monogrammed "H" in Harper's room. 

It was a busy week filled with projects, but I think I needed them so I wouldn't miss Evan as much and it helped the time pass. 

I forgot to take a before picture of the hallway, but first I taped the strips off every 16 inches. I then taped three arrows an inch thick and 8 inches long. 

I was nervous to do such a bold pattern in the front room, but once it was painted and the tape removed I fell in love. Slowly our house is getting decorated. 

The crib was a huge undertaking and took most of the week, but I think it turned out great. I used our paint sprayer since there are so many angles. I used three coats of the white and two polyurethane. 

It took three days of paint/dry time. Harper finally has a crib after 4 months- now to figure out how to assemble it!

I painted a wall in Harper's room a while ago (see above picture). Her room still looked kind of plain to me- now that I think of it, her room only had a rocking chair and pack and play. So I added a big monogrammed H to one of the walls. Once the crib is together I will hang a few pictures and her room should be done. 

My craft room wall was simple. I randomly painted gold dots along the wall. They are heavier towards the top and lighten towards the floor. This room is still a disaster, but hopefully I can get it together soon. 

I had a few random projects that I also worked on- sewing the girls bedding, shadow boxes with their blessing dresses and working on baby books. Like I said- I was trying to stay busy!

Protection

I try my hardest to protect my little girls. As friendly as Lucy can be, I guard her from strangers. Harper has never been "passed" around relief society. I wash my hands often and request those around us to wash too. I can be momzilla when random people at the store want to talk or touch the girls. 

But, and a big but, I will never be able to 100% shield them from the world. As much as we teach them to do what is right, others are showing them what is wrong. I thing I am a little numb to different things and am not as sensitive to things that I should be. I don't shield my eyes like I would the girls when a half naked person is on TV and foul language on the radio doesn't bother me when the kids aren't in the car. 

I've been thinking a lot about protection as the girls and I have been stuck in the house with nasty colds for the past week and a half. I keep a (mostly) clean house, sanitize regularly, and take vitamins but I couldn't stop an outside source from getting us sick. Lucy and Harper go to the gym daycare every morning. I can't stop another parent from bringing their sick child to the gym. 

I've had time to think about what I can so as a parent. I can teach them the gospel. I can teach them to be kind and loving. But I think mostly I can set a better example and not let others damper my spirit. 

I pray for them to grow up strong in the church. I pray for them to be examples to their friends. I pray for them to be strong and walk away when faced with temptations. 

We are on the up and up with our health. Harper has slept probably 20 of the last 24 hours and Lucy has started eating again- it's funny how they each have their own way to fight this. Fevers are starting to break and toys are finally being played with again. 

I just want to freeze time

I know babies turn to toddlers and toddlers to kids but that doesn't stop me from wanting to freeze time for a bit. I am the first to admit that parts of the new born stage are not my favorite- not sleeping, constant crying, not sleeping! BUT I love the cuddles, all the firsts, newborn baby smell, the sweet looks that I know mean "thank you" and "I love you" and "I need you". 

I want to freeze Harper right where she is. She is napping on her own, sleeps pretty well at night and is so sweet. I know it gets better, but why does she want to be so big? Lucy is the kindest sister and is there to encourage her to do "big girl" things and play with big girl toys. My sweet newborn is no longer a newborn (maybe in size!) and is now a full on baby. 

 

New Years Party

Most years Evan has some siblings that have traveled for Christmas still lingering around for New Years, so his sister in Logan hosts a New Years party. This year was an off year for Pack Christmas so not too many siblings were in town. So the party wasn't going to happen this year. Since we didn't see his side of the family, we so graciously created a party in Logan so we could see everyone! His parents, a sister that lives in Idaho and another sister that lives in Logan all got together. It was fun to party until the late hours of 10 pm until the girls crashed and we headed home. I don't know why I didn't take any pictures, but here are two; Harper and I riding around in the tryke and the New Years ballon toss. We also went swimming (they have an indoors pool) and played basketball and for square- also indoors. 

Harper's Blessing

Since the majority of my siblings were home for Christmas, we thought it would be the best time to bless Harper. Evan gave the sweetest blessing and you could really feel the spirit. I love that we are able to share such a special experience with my family, and that we were able to have everyone together.  It was a spur of the moment decision to have her blessing in California, so we didn't even have a blessing dress. Going through my mom's hop chest we founda dress  that was made by my aunt Jean. My mom wore that dress for her baptism when she was a baby (she was baptized Lutheran), so it was special that she could wear a dress worn by my mom and made by my aunt who she's named after.

Christmas 2013

This Christmas season was full of lots of activities. We started out the season hiking our usual spot to find the perfect tree to cut down. This has turned into one of my favorite traditions. We might not always have the fullest/straightest/prettiest trees, but I love them. Evan and I both agree that this years tree is the best so far. We bundled up the girls, gathered a few friends and hit the snow. It was so much fun to tromp around and be outdoors. 

Our second family tradition is to go see the lights at Temple Square. Lucy loves anything to do with lights so this was probably her favorite. It was a bitter cold Sunday night. The temple was so beautiful in the foreground of all the lights. I am always in awe seeing how much work goes into lighting up all the trees. 

Christmas this year was in California. I loved that I packed all sandals and Evan wore shorts! The weather was perfect to spend some time outdoors. We kept ourselves busy by going to the beach and the SD Wild Animal Park. My sister had an open house for her wedding that took place a few months ago as well. 

Christmas morning my family always has a big breakfast then we do gifts. We spent most of the day relaxing and playing with everyone. All my siblings but one and his family were home this year so it was a lot of fun to all be in the same house. Lucy understood this year how to open presents so she opened everyone's while we were eating!

Life with two

It's been 4 weeks since Harper was born. So much has changed. Each days gets a little better and Lucy and I are still adjusting. The first week my mom was in town to help, which was. Huge blessing and so much fun to have my mom to hang out with. The second week I think was the hardest. I was still recovering and really stressed/ nervous to have two babies by myself during the day. Work was really busy for Evan so he had to put in a few extra hours each night at the office. 

Week three was a little better; other than Lucy threw her first tantrum. Like, on the floor kicking and screaming. She pounded her fists and kicked the wall for a good half hour. She still cries for no reason sometimes but nothing like that day. 

Week four I feel like I am getting the hang of things. It did help that Evan was off work for four days over thanksgiving weekend. Lucy is back on her schedule and Harper is sleeping better not being held. I can usually get them to nap at least one nap together a day which gives me time to fold laundry or do dishes. 

I love seeing Lucy with Harper. I know she loves her little sister. I think I say be gentle or be soft all day long; Lu just wants to hold her or poke at her all day. Lucy has started walking (while holding on to things) so Harper gets rides in her rock and play a lot!