nursery

 

Miss Amelia turned 18 months this last Sunday, and it was perfect for her very first day in nursery. Jeremy and I dropped her off together, and we were prepared to let her cry it out if needed. The nursery leaders pulled out the toys, and Amelia zipped away and never looked back. We watched outside the doorway for a few minutes and then went to our separate meetings. I peeked in after my primary class, before sharing time, and my heart just throbbed watching her sit in one of those kiddy chairs (they made her look tiny). Amelia looked right at me, and I totally ducked because I didn't want her to start crying. Jeremy told me he checked on her a couple of times as well. Guess she has us wrapped around her finger. When I went to pick her up, the nursery leaders told me that she didn't fuss once, that she was the best first-timer they've had in a while! My heart swelled with pride! (and also with wonder of what happened to my little mama's girl?) Can't believe our babe is all grown up! We will see what next week brings!

 

PS. I totally bribed her with some gummy vitamins so she would hold still for these pictures... HA! Nice faces, Amelia!

eighteen whole months

can't believe we have an eighteen month old. time flies. and I'm getting old.

my millie baby is 20.3 pounds (3%) and 31.4 inches tall (46%) and can do all sorts of tricky things.
she can point to her: eyes, ears, nose, tongue, head, hair, (belly) button, bum, shoulders, knees, and toes.
she signs: more, please, all done, and sometimes thank you (followed by blowing a kiss).
she can point to different animals and objects (sun, moon, clouds, etc) in a book.
she loves to read, her favorite book from the library is "where is my baby?"
she loves to dance
she throws tantrums in public places like there's no tomorrow.
she copies us: puts a q-tip to her ears, or grabs her own yogurt/closes the fridge/places it on the table, throws away garbage.
she loves opening/closing the garage door.
she loves to run/kick/play/talk/kiss.
she loves to give hugs with a running start (I love it, when her whole weight almost pushes me over).
her favorite words are: "uh oh!" "mommy" "daddy" and "no no no!" (we have been working on saying "uh oh" instead...)
she sleeps 12-14 hours at night, and naps once a day for about 2-4 hours.
she has been waking up in the morning and from naps more and more dry...
she has 13 teeth, 8 front, 4 molars, and 1 little incisor.
she's a good little eater and will always eat to, "only __ bites left!" (even if the number is 6); her favorites are clementines (craved those all the time when I was pregnant), grapes, grains, and strawberries, but she always finishes her meals without bribes now-a-days. Also taking 2 gummy vitamins a day, just for good measure!
she wears 12 months clothing, though I haven't put her 9 months away yet; and size 3 diapers.
she really understands us when we ask questions or make requests (can you help clean up please? can you throw this away for me? do you want to call daddy?)

seriously, every stage is my favorite stage, and this one is no exception.
even if I'm chasing her all day long, even if she says "no no no!" to me more than I'd like.
I just adore her, from the bottom of my heart.
I've said it before: my baby makes me want to have 2 million babies.

being mrs. bodtcher

You know my husband? I like him a lot.
The longer we are together, the more grateful I am to be his.

I look up to him for his kindness and constant willingness to help others.
When I cry and all my crazy emotions flood out logic, he is my anchor of hope.
He is reason, he is my soothing sea, he is my gentle giant, he is my home.
I am so happy to be his wife.
When I complain, he is grateful; when I am proud, he is humble; when I stumble, he picks me up.
He believes in me and guides me.
He tells me I am "pretty, even when I look like a truck."

I just.
I just love him so.

terrible case of monday, kind of

 

We kind of had a terrible case of Monday yesterday. I went to get Amelia from her nap, and she started jumping up and down in her crib as soon as I walked in, as always. It's the sweetest thing ever, because I'm so excited to see her too. The next series of events happened so quick: one second she was jumping, squealing with joy, the next she had slammed her face into her crib and was screeeeeeeeeaming and bawling. Oh, the moment I heard her face hit felt like it lasted 2 years, I may swore in my head repeatedly. It felt like it took forever for me to get her to stop crying and to get her nose to stop bleeding. We called Dad, because that always makes us feel better and was happy he would be home in an hour.

 

Next thing I know, Amelia had dumped the entire bag of popcorn out. Ah, it's these moments in motherhood when you feel like... well, you know. I asked Amelia to please not eat any popcorn and to help me put the pieces back into the bag. I was actually pleasantly surprised when she listened! I was so proud that I ended up giving her a piece, which she approved of indicated by her "mmmmm!" I'm lucky that I have such a good little helper.

 

 

Jeremy came home and we put up our tree for family home evening. Ah! Amelia was such a good helper at that too! Jeremy would hand Amelia an ornament, and she would hand it to me to hang on our tree, we had a sweet little assembly line going on. Gosh, Christmas makes every just amazing. Our little family couldn't be more excited!

on working, full time

I'm not sure if you know this, but I've been working 36+ hours regularly since October. One week, I clocked in 55 hours. One week, I worked 7 days in a row and only had 2 nights off before my next stretch. That's right, working like a dog, and lots of crying because I missed seeing my husband. You can understand my frustration that I was only "part time" and having to work every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, right? Anyways, long story short, I got full time status this month and I couldn't be more thrilled. And no more Sunday nights, thank goodness!


PS. Don't we look like twins? I can't get over this picture.

being thankful

I certainly do have a lot to be thankful for, and thanksgiving day, nor whole month of November would be long enough to count all my blessings. This is my favorite season, because regardless of how sad I may be about certain things, I always, always have something to be thankful for.

Here's a few items that top my list:
1// My husband, who puts me first and constantly, endlessly supports my dreams and just loves me for my crazy.
2// My baby girl, who is so full of life and happiness and attitude, who grows and teaches me and also just loves me unconditionally.
3// My bishiop, who listens and loves and devotes so much time to all of us.
4// Financial security. There is so much that comes with this... our home, heat, modern conveniences, food, internet/social media, phones, clothing, the ability to buy books and toys for Amelia, etc. etc. etc.
5// My education, and Jeremy's education. I feel so blessed that one of us is able to stay home with Amelia at all times.
6// My primary calling in church. I know, this sounds so ironic since I dreaded being called into primary last year. My kids make my Sundays. I have loved watching them grow and come out of their shells and tell me their dreams and secrets (one boy told me he (his mom) was having a baby). I love when they wave to me and love on Amelia. I just adore every single one of them and love them with all my heart! I tear up every week, knowing it's one less week I get them.
7// My testimony, knowing the church is true, for my Heavenly Father, even though I don't always understand the trials I am facing.
8// My extended family, who always loves and supports endlessly. I always feel so blessed that we have the greatest cheerleaders around.
9// My friends, who might as well be family, because they know me so well. I'm blessed that I have friends that I can call up and cry to about anything and they will love me unconditionally. You know who you are!
10// All my senses intact; there is so much beauty in this world!


We so loved visiting Jeremy's family for lunch and my family for dinner on Thanksgiving Day. So so grateful that we both had Thanksgiving night off from work. So happy for this season and for the blaring Christmas music all around!!

a name and a blessing for bosten

 

Amelia's friend, Bosten was blessed in November. As you can see, he and Amelia are crazy little hooligans when he get together. Bosten was so darling, just as silent as could be during his blessing. Amelia, on the other hand, was jabbering away... Until Bosten looked over and said, "shhhhhhh..." (love those two). Amelia was so good sitting with Jenna, trying to steal all her jewelry!Jenna is one of my best friends, and it has been so nice watching our babies grow up together! Thanks Frys, for letting us be a part of such a special day, we just adore your family!