Lacey laughing her head off

I had to share this video, it is too funny - I have been watching it over and over!

We went over for dinner with some people in our ward yesterday, and their two little boys immediately started trying to entertain Lacey.  She was acting kind of agitated at first (probably because she's not used to other kids), but then she started laughing SO hard! It was so unexpected - she has never laughed that hard in her life! Literally!

We love this little girl!

The Crown on Your Head

I had a special moment with Lacey this afternoon. 

I was reading her some stories to help her wind down for nap time, and I decided to read one of my favorite books to her - "The Crown on Your Head" by Nancy Tillman. 

It is such a good book! It has the most beautiful words - "On the day that we met and I put you to bed, I noticed a crown on the top of your head...I always knew just what your crown meant, it said that you were magnificent.  That means you are grand from your toes to your chin!"  The book is all about the value that you have simply because of who you are. 

I read it to Lacey almost every day, but for some reason, today, the words just sunk in. Today, I read to her, feeling like I was saying the words from my heart, and as I did so, I had this powerful feeling that Lacey is such a special person, and that she has infinite worth.  I just know it's true! Words just can't describe the feeling I have. This little person is so...amazing. 

Love

I don't know if it is like this for every parent, but for me, I have gradually loved Lacey more and more.  I loved her so much when she was first born, but I wasn't sure if I felt it in the way that so many parents talk about, where they would do anything for their child, and just feel this automatic, intense love with "every fiber" of their being.  I almost feel guilty about that, except that I know that oftentimes, love is learned - its a choice!  I know that love deepens and grows when you serve or make sacrifices for that person.  That kind of love becomes very strong.

I have been feeling this "deepening of love" for Lacey as I have started to embrace my role as a full-time mom more lately.  For awhile, I felt a little sad that I had ended a chapter in my life - the chapter where I had the freedom to do anything I wanted whenever I wanted, I had career goals and enjoyed my job, had a social life, etc.  It is a huge adjustment (just like everyone says) to be a mom, and you give up a lot of your old life, and your old self.  BUT. As I have started to let go of that old life, and accepted the fact that things will never be the same, I have had a paradigm shift.

I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I'll be honest. For awhile, I felt that it was unfair that I had to stay home all day, doing menial chores and talking with a baby all day, and frankly, I felt a little resentful.  I told Richard that I felt a little jealous of him, because he "gets" to leave every day, and do work that earns money and is appreciated and validated.  (Mind you, Richard is amazing at showing appreciation and validation for my work).  While I was telling him this, I realized how completely  selfish and ungrateful I sounded - I immediately wished I hadn't said that.  I am SO grateful that Richard can work, and has a great job that provides for our family's needs without me having to go to work! Because of that, I am able to spend time bonding with Lacey all day long! I know there are so many moms out there who would LOVE to be in my position.  I don't want to take this blessing for granted.  It truly is a blessing.

As I have kept this in mind, and really made an effort to enjoy this time with Lacey, knowing that I am doing what Heavenly Father wants me to do, I have been able to truly feel the joy of motherhood.  I love spending time with Lacey and getting to know her sweet, funny little personality. My love for Lacey is growing exponentially.  

Our Latest Goings-on

Well, a TON of stuff has happened since my last post, and, while I'd like to think that I'm going to go back and be able to detail all the major events, I know that probably won't happen and I'll just get overwhelmed by the thought of all that writing and remembering.  SO, instead, I'm gonna do the classic "list of the major high points" of the past 6 months.

- Richard had lots of job interviews each month of his last semester of college, he got a good number of job offers, and ultimately decided to take a marketing position at a company called Precoa in Portland, Oregon (which just so happens to be where my parents/family live).

Richard and I got Cafe Rio to celebrate him officially accepting his job at Precoa!

- I had Lacey (her birth story is in progress, but I'm a little overwhelmed with all the details I want to remember, so it may be a while...)

- My 5k event (which I planned for the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program at the UCHD), the "Cold Turkey Fun Run" happened the week Lacey was born - it represented months of planning and effort, and I have to say, I was very proud of and happy with how it turned out! My co-workers completely took over for me in making it all come together, and we had a great turnout! Here is a link to an article about it. My sweet family did the run - very validating for me!

- We had our families and Max and Rebecca (who are like family!) come out to Lacey's baby blessing just one week after her birth (amazing./wonderful and overwhelming at the same time!)

- I quit my health educator job (in tobacco prevention and control) at the Utah County Health Department

- Richard graduated in December (and is walking this month)!!!!!!

- We went to Pennsylvania for Christmas with Richard's family, which I was originally stressed about with a new baby and being right in the middle of us packing to move, but turned out to be really nice and just what we needed.

 Our crazy packing/post baby mess

- We got back from Pennsylvania, and less than 24 hours later, we were driving away from Lacey's first home with bittersweet emotions and a packed-up Uhaul truck (thanks to everyone who helped - we couldn't have done it without the help from our amazing family and friends).  We were sad to leave our apartment (which we had lived in the longest out of all our other apartments - a year and a half), but also SO glad to be out of it - it was also the tiniest apartment we'd lived in out of all of our dwellings (not including Uganda). 

- We moved in with my parents in order to save up some money and look for/buy a house.  We have loved being with my family, and are going to be sad in a lot of ways, when it's time to move out.

- Richard started his job in January, and loves it and his co-workers - it is an awesome company! He is enjoying the environment and starting to get into some projects he really enjoys.

 - I have been adjusting to/loving life as a stay-at-home mommy. It has been wonderful and exhausting to be able to be with Lacey all day every day. We are currently working on her sleep habits/schedule... any recommendations for good books to read on getting baby to stay asleep for longer than 2 hours at a time through the night?

- We found an awesome townhouse in Tigard that we immediately fell in love with - it is pretty much everything we wanted (the location isn't my favorite, but other than that, it's perfect), and we are so excited to have our own place! And to have SPACE! and places to put EVERYTHING! This is a big deal.  We are supposed to close on our house this week or next, and are SO excited!!! Pictures to come!