happy vday.

saddleback sunday ya'll.

Hi All.
First off, just wanted to give myself a little pat on the back for still keeping up on my resolutions for this year. Ok. So its still January. But, I am proud none the less.

One of my resolutions was to get out and photograph more, which has totally been on the back-burner since I had Lo. Saddleback Sunday just so happens to be when my cowboy, lil' lady and I saddle-up the good old 4Runner and explore the great outdoors. 

Welcome, my friends, to Saddleback Sunday.

it begins.

I saw this and decided it was time for me to make some changes. I always push things off, waste time, blah blah blah. Since I had Lo I've been saying the words 'maybe tomorrow' all too often. Time to do something my future self will thank me for! I have a large list (I think the word Ryan used was 'ambitious') of resolutions and it's time to kick it into gear. Here is my thing--when I was working I always thought how much I could get done if I was at home all day. Now that I'm home all day, there is NO reason I can't get at least three basic things done everyday: Read scriptures, workout, and clean whatever is on the list for the day. Done. Besides that, I have organizing, projects, and art shows in mind.

So far, so good! Wish me luck! This won't be the last you hear from me!

goodbye 2012.

Wow. Lots has happened since my last post. A quick recap, shall we?

• Bought a house.
• Drove Ryan crazy with my constant decorating ideas.
• Lauren learned to crawl on Thanksgiving Day.
• She has grown particularly fond of Cheerios 
• until she decides she is done and feeds them all to Winston.
• Celebrated Christmas with family, teething, and the flu.
• (that is not why I'm holding a mug in our Christmas card)
• Had a festive New Years in Rexburg.
• By festive I mean the entire family falling asleep to the new Batman movie and waking up just in time to see the ball drop.
• Hope everyone had a great holiday season! 

instagram snippets.

• Love watching Lo grow and change everyday. Try to keep up with the house when she sleeps. Try to soak it all in when she wakes up.
• Ryan turned 30. Cried about it the whole day.
• My biker husband rode past orange traffic cones. Crashed his bike. Duh. Started acting funny. Took him to the Hospital. Checked out fine.
• Decided the Hospital waiting room is a fun place to hang out if you want some excitement. Between Malaria, broken bones, meltdowns, and a girl who passed out while checking in, I think I've found my new Gray's Anatomy.
• Ry found a 'sweet deal' on a new bike. 100 times nicer than his old one. 
• I think he planned the crash.
• Ryan asked me three times to go to the rodeo. 
• Went when he finally asked the fourth.
• Winst is getting more sun than me this summer.
• Began our house hunting adventure. Think we may have found the one.
• Made the same fourth cake as I did last year. Turned out much worse.
• Went to the parade and watched fireworks from our balcony. 
• Can't help but feel truly blessed.

wallpaper.

It seems a new trend is popping out for home decor-and thats wallpaper. I always thought wallpaper was sort of dated and messy, but these fun papers put a whole new meaning to 'accent wall'.
1. Perfect childhood space Origami Wallpaper. Dottir and Sonur. 2. Subtle art nouveau design. Barbara Hulanicki for Graham and Brown. 3. Too-lazy-to-paint wallpaper. Ferm Living. 4. Dramatic and bold. Phyllis Morris. 5. Chic and loud. Ferm Living. 6. Perfectly different in a perfectly different room. Katie Ridder via Design Sponge.

instagram snippets.

• Went out on our first date without the baby. Ate until we were full then went to another restaurant to stuff ourselves with dessert. Guess we don't get out much anymore.
• Lo took more of a liking to her car seat. As long as the car is moving. Fast.
• Had our monthly Buffalo Wild Wings outing with Ry's siblings. Watched Ry sweat over a mild set of wings while everyone laughed at him.
• Started 'Waffle Weekend'
• Felt what its like to have your baby poop all over your lap.
• Found a snake living under our front step. Made Ryan kill it with a shovel.
• Caught Ryan sleeping while watching Lo. Looks pretty safe, right?
• Lauren mastered the art of 'tummy time', discovered her eyebrows, and has made it clear that she hates being swaddled.
• She also loves when you say 'yo yo' and when you (try to) beatbox.
• Celebrated Ryan's first Father's Day. Most know what a big deal this is since in previous years he wouldn't even eat dessert on Father's Day until I 'bore' him a child. 
• Dessert was served this year.

summer projects.

Thanks to Pinterest, I have established an entire list of to-do's that seems really overwhelming (haven't we all). Babysteps, my friends. Here is my summer project list. What fun things do you hope to create?
1.Paint my outdoor table like this Design Sponge inspiration 2.Create a fun doormat using this similar technique 3.Shoot more film and get inspired here 4.Display this saying in a fun way for Lo's room. Maybe like this. Or this 5.Finish my branding and packaging in a way that says 'thank you' while still being classic, cohesive, and simple

instagram snippets.

• Ryan graduated with his Masters
• Had a fantastic first Mother's Day full of waffles, tulips, gifts and a family barbeque
• Enjoyed summer day walks and smore nights
• Spent the weekend with my family enjoying spicy salads, good deals, Logan's new twins
• Lauren melted our hearts with her new smiles and coo's
• Kept catching Winston checking on Lo when she napped
• He also leaves the room when she cries too loud
• Surprised to find the only picture Lo likes in her book is the scary garbage bag face
• Burned our eyes out trying to see the solar eclipse
• Lauren greeted her family on her blessing day-wearing the same dress I was blessed in

no more nighttime mom.

I like my sleep. My husband can tell you that when I fall asleep on the sofa after we watch a movie, there is NO way he's getting me up to go to bed unless he actually carries me. When I'm asleep I like to keep it that way...which is funny because I have a 6 week old baby. Well I don't get up in the night anymore, my friends. Let me introduce you to the wonderful Babywise. Lauren went 8 hours between feedings last night and mommy is ready to take on the day. 

don't worry.

(Lauren at 1 week old)

During the past three weeks I've learned a few lessons about being a new mom. At first, ok and maybe still, I was a little stressed when things wouldn't go perfectly as planned. 
Then I realized...don't worry.

• Don't worry. You will sleep through the night again. Eventually.
• Don't worry. OxiClean will take care of it.
• Don't worry. When changing a diaper, don't think what its costing.
• Don't worry. If getting up in the middle of the night is the worst thing in your life, you're pretty blessed. Especially if its to spend time with bean.
• Don't worry. If she wakes up early, just enjoy the extra time together.
• Don't worry. If you need some you time, take it. Even if its wasting time.
• Don't worry. Sometimes you might go crazy being stuck in the house. For now, just enjoy the down time with the new addition and embrace the fact that you can get away with sitting in your pjs all day.
• Don't worry. I won't have to sleep with a towel up my shirt forever. (The leaking will eventually stop, right?)
• Don't worry. Even if she has a poop blowout right after you just changed her diaper. And changed her into her pjs. And gave her a bath.
• Simply stated. Life is too short. Don't worry. (Besides..how cute is she?!)

introducing.

It all happened April 2nd. Right as the clock brought in April 2nd to be exact. 
Here is Lauren's (condensed) birth story...
12am- Contractions woke me up. Told Ryan they were starting and his eyes didn't leave the clock until they were 3 minutes apart.
2am- Ryan yelling at me to get in the car. I still wasn't convinced this was happening.
2:30am- Checked into the hospital.
4am- Working through contractions, but was barely dilated.
5am- Got the epidural.
5:05am- Completely relaxed. Took a nap.
8am- Dilated to an 8.
9am- Dilated to a 9. Was told I would have her within the hour.
10am- Told I needed to wait for the Doctor. Took a nap.
11am- Still waiting for Doctor. Broke my water.
11:30am- Started pushing while waiting for Doctor.
11:40am- Told to stop pushing so hard.
11:45am- Told to stop pushing all together.
12:15pm- Doctor arrives. Began pushing again.
12:21pm- Lauren was born.


Let me just say that giving birth was nothing that I had expected. Most of all, I couldn't have prepared myself for the first moment I saw Lauren. I never knew what it meant to have a full heart, but in that moment my heart couldn't have been fuller, my life more meaningful and complete. 
Ryan and I are so blessed to have her...our new little lo lo bean.

sitting. hoping. waiting. wishing.

39 (almost 40) weeks pregnant.

Nursery ready. Books read. Outfits sewn. Everything washed. Labor studied. Schedules made. Bags packed. Swing tested. Car seat installed. Nerves are high. 


Anytime now, baby. We are set.

home stretch.

29 Weeks Pregnant

Its official. I'm on my final stretch of pregnancy! We can't wait to meet this little girl. The past three months have flown by....

November

• Was a bridesmaid in my cousin's wedding. Thats right. Prego bridesmaid yo.
• Embarrassingly balled my eyes out the entire evening. Hormones.
• Flew to the Oregon coast. Went on walks. Ate good food. Read some books. Went over baby names. Had a great weekend with the husband, just the two of us, before the baby comes.
• Spent Thanksgiving with Ry's family. Went bowling. Beat everyone. Blame it on my new lack of balance.

December

• Went to the Adobe Christmas party. Thought we met the real Mr T. It wasn't him. Spent the whole night winning tickets for drawings. Played game after game. Didn't win anything. 
• Wrap dog treats for my brother and parent's dogs. Come home one day to find that Winston found the packages. Ate all the treats. All 20 huge sticks.
• Crave cereal like crazy. Went through 2 boxes in 2 days.
• Went home for Christmas. 
• Made Banana Cream Pie for Christmas Eve. Brother says "Its good but something is weird with the crust." Thats because I forgot to cook it.
• Went bowling. Talked a big talk. 6 year old niece beat me.
• Made Orange Rolls for Christmas Morning. Ryan's family recipe. Turned out perfectly. 
• Name cleared from the Banana Pie.
• Opened a body pillow. Changed my pregnant life.
• Cried openly in the store when they were out of something I needed. Ryan just hugged me. Hormones.
• Randomly shout at work when baby kicks me in the ribs. The office is used to it now.

January

• Took Glucose test. Tasted horrible. No diabetes. Feeling good.
• Loving icecream. Baby loves it too.
• Decide to repaint a dresser for the baby's room. Wore a mask while I did it in the driveway. Got some weird looks. Decide to put the handles in myself. Drill holes in the drawers. Took me hours. Husband tells me the drill was set to drill backwards. Not that surprised.
• Have New Beginnings for the Young Women. Can't be more proud of these ladies.
• Reach trimester 3 of pregnancy. 
• Baby moves constantly. Keeps me company when I can't sleep.
• Tell Ryan he should talk to her. Instead he sings "There's a hole in my bucket..."
• Baby is still nameless. What did I tell ya?

thankful.

Thanksgiving Day - 22 Weeks pregnant

I'm grateful for this time of year when I can step back and really count my blessings. I am so thankful for everything Ryan and I have been blessed with--it seems like our life has been really perfect and we couldn't be happier. Starting a family has been a little overwhelming at times, but I'm so thankful for our new little addition. With Winston and Ryan, I could use another girl around here.

Oregon.

Last month my sister in law was nice enough to let Ryan and I stay at her family's beach house on the Oregon coast. It was the perfect getaway filled with books by the fire, baby name lists, boutique shopping, spicy mexican food (baby did NOT like), morning waffles, pub dinners, and walks under umbrellas. Just the two of us...one last fling before the baby comes. Here are a few memories from my phone. 

its a girl.

Ryan and I went in for our ultrasound last week and found out we're having a baby girl. It was amazing to see her and feel her moving at the same time. Its interesting going in, not knowing what you're having or what to expect, hoping everything is growing and developing the way it should. Seeing her brought me peace and made this whole experience so much more real.

You're halfway done, baby girl! We can't wait to meet you...

simply pregnant.

The past few months have flown by. Sickness tapered off in September. I started really enjoying my pregnancy, getting more energy by the day. I feel like I've blinked and all of a sudden it's November, 5 months pregnant, my new little baby growing bigger and bigger all the time. I can't help but love my little baby bump and am amazed by every wiggle I feel from our new addition.

recap (and big news).

Kind of pathetic. I haven't written for 4 months. Sorry all. How about a little recap? 

Trust me. You'll want to know some of this stuff.

June

• Felt sick to my stomach. Went to the doctor. Had my appendix out that night.
• Two of my images hung in the Best In Show Exhibit at Alpine Art SLC. Recovering from surgery. Didn't get to see them.
• Ryan started working full time at Adobe. He loves it. I love their building and their cafeteria food. Come try it.
• Saw Real Salt Lake team play for Ryan's birthday. Went golfing for Ryan's birthday. Ate Terra Mia for Ryan's birthday. Spent a complete birthday together since we've been married.

July

• Went home for the 4th of July. Made a sweet flag cake with my brother. Lit fireworks. Winston tried to eat the fireworks. Made smores in my parents fire-pit. Got smoked out.
• Went to Girls Camp. Loved it. Tried to teach them how to light a fire. Wasn't a good teacher. Girls gave me 'SuperWoman Award'. Went on a hike. Got stuck in a thunderstorm. Spent the next hour in my sleeping bag trying to get warm. 
• Decided our sleeping pad for camping was stupid. Bought a new one.
• Drug Ryan to Harry Potter the night before it came out. Snuck in a pizza. Loved it.
• Went to a Bee's game with Logan and Amy. Ate a hot dog. Ate icecream. Started raining. Thought about getting hot chocolate.
• Spoke in church. When I wrote it I tested a joke on Ryan. He told me it wasn't a joke.
• Went to a co-workers baby shower. Want a baby. Been trying for a while...

August

• First day of the month. Feeling really sick. Friend at work gets a pregnancy test for me and makes me take it in the bathroom. Find out I'm pregnant. (WOOT!) Tell Ryan by putting the test in an envelope on his car. Watch him open the envelope from a distance. Feel like I want to cry but I can only smile.
• Keep feeling sick. Throw up. Throw up again. Throw up again.
• Sister and mom come to visit. Buy maternity clothes with mom. Take sister and kids to water park. Liam keeps falling in the water and stealing people's tubes. Makes me laugh. Go to the zoo. Ride the mary-go-round. Go to my brothers. Whole family gets into a scary video game. Spend hours playing it. Try to distract kids from watching it.
• Crave Olive Garden Salad and Breadsticks. Ate it twice in a week.
• Crave Denny's. Ryan warns me nobody feels good after eating Denny's. Throw up as soon as I get home.
• Go to the Doctor. Get an ultrasound. Get to see baby and hear the heartbeat. Ry gets teary. I get teary. Cry as soon as I get in the car.
• Tell Ryan what size fruit the baby is. He says its weird they compare it to food.
• Throw up in the bathroom at work. 
• Ryan finishes his first Triathlon. Was worried his sister would beat him. She got close.
• Show Ryan a picture of an actual baby our size in the womb. He gets creeped out. 
• Tell Ryan a few baby names. He hates them all. Tells me a few names. I hate them too. 
• Baby will have no name.
• Ryan does a presentation. Impresses his boss. Gets hired at Adobe for the school year.
• Have a tickle in my throat. Makes me throw up.
• Feel really dizzy. Co-worker tells me I'm acting like I'm high. Almost pass out. Boss has to check my blood-pressure. Feel really awesome.
• Only take one sick day.

This month

• Start to feel better. Get more energy. Get an appetite. 
• Ryan starts school. Shows me something he learned in Excel. Don't understand it. Smile.
• Tell Ryan I'm showing. He tells me I'm not yet. I am though.
• Grow a new obsession with Cliff bars.
• Get tickets to the Dew Tour. See Sean White skateboard. Think he is awesome.
• Hear the heartbeat again. Amazes me every time.
• Dr. changes my due date to April 1st. 
• Went to Noodles 3 times this week. Can't stop craving chicken noodle soup.
• Love being pregnant.

best in show.

I just found out that two of my images have made it into the Best In Show Exhibit at Alpine Art in Salt Lake City! The opening reception will be part of the Gallery Stroll on June 17th! Come check it out. Portions of artwork sold will be donated to No More Homeless Pets, so its for a great cause too.