Tuesday, February 19, 2008

A Little Perspective


Looking at wedding photos yesterday while I was working on my blog entry, I got seriously depressed. What has happened to me?!?!? The picture above is me in my glory days- 4 months after we were married and I was at my all time low weight- 118 lbs. Ah, to be that thin again... Long gone are the days when I didn't have massive red stretch marks all over my belly, thighs, and who even wants to know where else. Gone are the days when I had the freedom to exercise like a maniac for 3 hours a day burning 2500 calories (yes, I was that psycho but it felt good). Heck, gone are the days I have even a relaxing few minutes to enjoy taking a shower. I'm packing around a good 15 extra pounds these days and only yesterday fit into a pair of non maternity jeans. For some reason I've got serious hormonal imbalances and my face is covered in hideous, painful zits. It's finally starting to get a little better but c'mon, I'm 24 years old already. I'm ready to move past the acne.

As I was wallowing in self pity, I realized that these unpleasant changes and sacrifices I've made were for a great cause. What have I gained in all this? I have two beautiful, precious, and perfect daughters to show for it. They are everything to me. I may not be in shape and thin anymore (I'm definitely going to try to get there again) but for now, my time is focused on my sweet babies. They really do bring so much joy into my life. Being a young mom with young kids is so hard but so rewarding. Some day I'll have time again to do some of the things I once did before I became a mom.

Monday, February 18, 2008

I'm in Love...

with my sweet hubby and two precious daughters! This entry is in honor of Valentine's Day. A little late, I know but my V-day was not so wonderful. Reagan woke up that morning burning up with a fever. She was miserable most of the day and as a result, so was I. I vowed that day that I wasn't going to have any more kids. Kids get sick...A LOT and I just don't deal well when my babies aren't feeling well. It just breaks my heart to see her miserable and not be able to instantly make it better. I'm sure it will be a lot easier when she's older and can actually communicate what she needs.

Erik and I met just over 4 years ago on January 7th, 2004. For those of you who know me, I'm a freak when it comes to dates. Any date my brain deems important is stored permanently and recalled very easily. For some reason my brain thought it was important to remember random birthdays of kids in my elementary school classes, etc. Erik thought I actually tried to memorize dates ( I guess he thought maybe I didn't have anything else to do?) but I don't. It's just a freakish talent (maybe not?) that I have. Anyways, we got engaged on May 15th and were married on August 14th, 2004 in the Dallas temple. Here are 10 things I love about Erik:
1. He has worked so hard the past 3 years in medical school to do well, despite some difficult setbacks
2. He loves to joke around and make me laugh
3. He totally accepts me for who I am and still loves me
4. He is always encouraging and positive with me (so wonderful!)
5. He appreciates all that I do at home and with the girls
6. He raves about my cooking all of the time (which I secretly love to hear, even though I tell him it's not anything special)
7. He's an amazing father to our girls- he is so good at playing with Reagan (some day Sarah too)
8. He has put up with me and my whining during my 2 long, VERY LONG pregnancies :)
9. He has an amazing testimony
10. He's very thoughtful and generous
Thank you so much for all you do--I love you!!


Here are 10 things I love about my Reagan:

1. She's sensitive- so many times she gets upset and sad if she sees mommy crying

2. She's incredibly driven. I love that she has an agenda every day. She keeps herself busy doing the most adorable little tasks. I love to watch her organize things in her own little way.

3. She loves to help me out. Lately she's been helping me unload the dishwasher and put away groceries.

4. She's such a sweetheart. She often gives me hugs and while she's hugging me, she'll pat and/or rub my back.

5. She's so dang smart! She knows all but 5-6 letters of the alphabet. I found out that she knew her letters when she spelled the word "two" to me without me even asking her to. She talks a lot for a 20 month old and is so eager to learn. She knows a lot of her colors and shapes as well. I'm so proud of her :)

6. I love it when she says "I love you momma"

7. She is so curious about the world and incredibly observant. It's so wonderful to see the world through a child's eyes. They think everything is amazing. She loves the moon (used to be obsessed with it) and gets incredibly giddy when she sees it or airplanes.

8. She always makes me laugh...especially now that she's more verbal.

9. She's very driven and motivated. I think this will help her to be very successful in life.

10. She loves to dance and climb and jump...she's so full of energy and life and it makes me happy (unless she's getting into too much trouble or hurting herself, which happens frequently)

I love you Reagan!



10 things I love about Sarah:

1. Her sweet smile...oh how I melt when her face lights up. She smiles at everything. She's such a happy baby!
2. She's so peaceful and calm. It has created a nice balance in our home. Reagan is anything but calm most of the time! It's nice to have a little of both worlds :)
3. She's made the transition to 2 kids a piece of cake (well, not quite) but I couldn't have asked or dreamed that it could be any easier
4. She's been sleeping 10 hours a night since she was 4 weeks old. All you moms of new babies, please don't send me hate mail. I promise I paid my dues with Reagan as she screamed her head off for the first 3 1/2 months of her life and never slept.
5. She's easy to please. She rarely cries unless she's hungry, tired, or lonely. Not even all the time then.
6. She's a great eater.
7. She's sweet
8. She's easy!
9. She sleeps all through the night and then some :)
10. She has brought so much happiness to our family.

I can't wait to get to know her better as her personality emerges as she gets older. I love you Sarah!!

I feel so blessed to have Erik and my 2 girls in my life.