five

While waiting for our connecting flight, Jeremy leans over to me and says "I'm pretty sure that guy is an actor and in some shows..." Of course, I have no idea who he is. Jeremy pulls ups IMDB on his phone, and turns out it's Glen Morshower (from 24). I asked Jeremy if he wanted to introduce himself/shake hands with him. I'm sure you can imagine his response. He was so embarrassed that I even took this picture! HAHAHA!

 Jeremy loving my hair blowing in his face.

Jeremy passed out on the ride back to the ship, and so did the majority of our fellow bus mates.

Walking out of the dining hall, we did a giant double take. Apparently we made it on the frame of fame!

Jeremy and I boarded the Carnival Elation through the New Orleans port for a western Caribbean cruise on Saturday afternoon. We had a day at sea on Sunday, arrived at the port of Cozumel and had an excursion at the secluded beach of Passion Island on Monday, hiked to the Mayan Temple at Chichen Itza from the port of Progresso on Tuesday, another day at sea and my 75 minute long massage on Wednesday. Here are my favorite memories of the cruise:

-pizza and creme brulee for late night snacks.
-our waiters in the lining up to dance in the middle of dinner to Gangam Style. I cheered so loud, Jeremy said, "geez, I'd hate to see you at a male strip club!" bah!
-we watched the "love and marriage" game hosted by our cruise director, Ben. The wives answered questions while the husbands were offstage, and then the husbands would come back on to see how closely their answers matched their wives. One of the questions was, "When you step out of the shower, what kind of car would you describe is parked in the garage?" One of the husbands answered, "well, was it a hot shower or a cold shower?" and Ben says, "Okay, Let's not make it any harder than it is..." Jeremy and I were dying through this entire show.
-reading books, you know, a hobby I use to have. I finished Divergent in a few days (in between all our cruise activities).
-laying out at Passion Island + swaying in a hammock in the ocean.
-3 course meals every meal, with as many appetizers and entrees as we wanted. Jeremy tried alligator fritters and crab cakes, but drew the line at frog legs. They had amazing vegetarian dishes as well!
-we somehow got Priority status-- checking in was a breeze (like NO line, with drinks waiting for us), and we got "any time" meals for the whole cruise.
-had little fruity (non-alcoholic?) drinks.
-pumped (and dumped) like 30-40 ounces everyday.
-loved the animals folded up by towels by our housekeeper Ian.
-loved that the WHOLE crew always knew us by name.
-watched a lot of gambling.
-loved the comedy shows way past our usual bedtime. Allyn Ball made so many inappropriate jokes that had Jer and I peeing our pants.
-taking a nap everyday.
-used my selfie stick a lot, but then it broke in the middle of an excursion.
-we played a giant game of chess on Lido deck. I got Jeremy's queen on my second move, but he still beat me.
-dressed up for formal night, went to take formal pictures, and the photographer posed us in all these AWKWARD poses (like almost kissing, and me pushing Jeremy back). We had a good laugh.
-We got all our souvenirs at Progresso. All I wanted to bring back from our cruise was a pair of matching dresses for the girls... until they asked for $43 per dress. I guess I'm a good barterer(?) and ended up getting both dresses for $30 (still way higher than I really wanted to pay, but I was feeling really guilty...) We also got a dragon whistle for Amelia, maracas for Scarlett, a Mayan Temple magnet for our collection, and a mask with the "Healing God." (The guy was lucky we were both nurses...). The markets are INSANE, they are all asking you to buy their items and you can pretty much set the price.
-found my first (and second and third) grey hair, and a few freckles too.
-Loved the Harry Potter trivia with so many questions I couldn't remember, which confirmed that I need to reread the series again.
-Jeremy treated me to a 75 minute full body massage (from a professional, haha).
-UNLIMITED CHEESECAKE
-slept in everyday, slowly ate hot food every meal, stayed up late, napped often SHOWERED EVERYDAY.
-no social media at all, perfect alone time with my hubby.
-loved our balcony and seeing sunrises and watching the blue blue water.
-mini-golfing in the dark. Me, getting a hole in 1 and Jeremy struggling A LOT because the boat was so rocky! Bah!
-chess and chinese checkers on our balcony, just for fun.

We docked on Thursday morning in New Orleans and spent our anniversary in the city. Jeremy and I visited the National World War 2 Museum, and it was incredible. They gave each person a dog tag, to which we checked in with a soldier at the "train station" and would follow up on his journey throughout the displays of the progression of the war. The documentaries and displays of the battles were extraordinary, detailed, moving. There were hands on presentations of battle invasions, libraries of live interviews, displays of planes, tanks, uniforms, etc. We spent four hours inside (had to add money to our parking meter) and could have easily returned a second day. We love our history! After checking into our hotel room, we walked down Bourbon Street to the French Quarter, Jackson Square, and then along the Mississippi River. It was such a nice walk, although Bourbon Street reminded us we were definitely NOT in Utah (a lady tried to pull us into her bar, offering us free shots). In case you didn't know, Jackson Square is dedicated to Andrew Jackson. I sure felt ignorant and ridiculous and had a good laugh as I read the sign to discover this fact. The music was beautiful and soulful in this square, and we watched a couple get married right before sunset. Jeremy treated me to dinner at the Hard Rock cafe, and apologized it wasn't more fancy. I was just happy to be with my sweetheart on such a sweet night. (Plus, I'm just so impressed that the south has such amazing vegetarian dishes. I was a little nervous I would be stuck on salad.) We rode "Daniel Tiger's Trolley" back to our hotel room because our legs hurt. We ended the night by watching Titanic and being grateful we didn't watch it before or during our cruise.

People say it all the time: that you need to keep dating your spouse, especially after you have kids. It's such a tricky thing, and there's all sorts of excuses that keep you busy. Often, the alone time we do get together is time we just want to sleep after an exhausting day. I'm so glad we spent a week by ourselves and remembered why we fell in love. I think I slept the first couple of days straight! But it was so lovely to do "trivial" things like play chess and remember how smart my husband is; and have him grab my hand tight in crowds and remember how protective he is; and visit the Mayan ruins, and remember what a history lover he is; and kiss, when we're not tired and not rushed, and just remember how wonderful that is. It was Heavenly to spend the entire week thinking about my honey, without interruptions. I feel so blessed that our parents were willing and happy to watch our babies for us. It truly was the best vacation we've ever had, and such a perfect way to celebrate five years of marriage.

I posted a picture on social media with the caption: "1 home of our own, 2 baby girls, 3 collegiate degrees, 4 totally different vehicles + 5 years later-- it's been the most wild + most lovely adventure of my whole life. happy anniversary to my best friend for eternity. ‪#‎october08‬"
I realize, now, that the 4 different vehicles probably didn't seem too relevant. Jeremy and I brought our own vehicles depicting our own personalities into our marriage: he had his tacoma, and I, my lancer. We replaced the lancer for a prius when our nursing careers required a large amount of miles to commute and we replaced the tacoma for a terrain to support our growing family. Our totally different vehicles have been relevant in our growth and accomplishments. I'm so proud and grateful for the family and home we've made in our marriage. It definitely has not been perfect or easy, but it certainly has been the best five years of my life.

I love you forever, Jeremy Ray!

four,
three,
two +
one.

scarlett: 9 months old

This last month, specifically the last week, has been a game changer. Scarlett is crawling and curious! This stage can be so fun, but I forgot how much work it is. The other day at the library, Scarlett was so interested in a babe in his car seat. She crawled to him a million times, and I crawled to pick her up and sat further and further back each time. Lots of exercise at this stage, glad I'm ready for it!

The girls are part of the Help Me Grow program. It's free: you take surveys often on your child(ren)'s development and they offer suggestions to challenge them and flag you when it's appropriate. I got a phone call alerting me about Scarlett's tippy toes. When she stands and supports her own weight, she only stands on her tippy toes and never flat on her feet. Something I wouldn't have realized to be problematic until she attempted to walk and balance. My sister-in-law recommended an evaluation through Jordan District's early intervention. The therapist arrived and tested Scarlett different developmental areas- gross motor, fine motor, cognitive, problem solving, and maybe some others? When he flexed her feet, Scarlett resisted and cried, and he warned me against the tightness in her ankles and shortening of muscles affecting her ability to walk. I was instructed to stretch her ankles with every diaper change and balance her in a corner so she can stand with flat feet several times a day.

Scarlett is also a little behind in fine motor, and the therapist suggested letting her pick up more slippery foods to chase, or placing her food in an egg carton so it requires her to utilize just her thumb and index finger. While these suggestions are helpful and enlightening, they brought on so much mommy guilt. How do you give as much to your second child as you did your first? Scarlett's problem-solving skills are through the roof and keeps me entertained. I started placing her cheerios in a tiny container, but instead of strengthening her fine motor skills, she alternated dumping them out and pouring them straight into her mouth. My stubborn babe. :)

Scarlett had Hand, Foot and Mouth and cut two teeth in the same week. It was hard for all of us, but I can't imagine the pain she felt. I nursed her every two hours during the night for a solid week, her naps were sparse and I rocked her often. We snuggled lots, and she got better.

She started sleeping through the night last week. Read: no feedings whatsoever until she wakes up at 7. I believe she has done this ONCE in her entire life, so I was in shock. I'm not a huge fan of the "cry-it-out" method, so I'm grateful Scarlett mastered this "skill?" She still naps about 2 times a day, and is definitely ready for bed by 7:30. She nurses maybe 6 times a day? Morning and night, after meals and before naps. (Amelia has been so good about these special times, because she knows Mommy + Millie time comes next.)

In size 3 diapers, fits in 9-12 month clothing, hair is coming in light, crawls for anything and is pulling herself up like crazy, spits out food and throws it on the ground when she doesn't want to eat it, has a big opinion when big sis doesn't want to share. Am I forgetting anything else?

My two cheezers.
They have the same laugh and the same determined/stubborn streak in them. I love their sisterhood and their independence. They tease each other and share with each other and laugh with each other and it is wonderful. I love hearing them giggle in the backseat when we drive together, I love watching them talk to each other at breakfast time, I love watching Scarlett crawl after Amelia. They are the cutest best friends!

9/27//

Alison Clark's testimony stood out to me this Sunday... how our kids just look at us with so much trust, but really we're just winging it. But if there's one thing we know for sure, it's that Heavenly Father's promises are real, that He listens and He forgives. 'Cause you know, I'm just winging this whole thing too.

And I said the opening prayer for Sunday School and the closing prayer for Relief Society. It was like the Liana Bodtcher show, I tell ya.

9/13//

Scarlett and I spent sacrament "churchin' it in the foyer" and mother's room, like most Sundays. I've been feeling a bit down because I spend plenty of my three hours in the hall with an upset baby who just wants her nap, and then we go home and my toddler acts really sensitive because we skipped her nap and Sundays are kind of a rough go for us. I've been questioning my testimony. It's been strange because my testimony and relationship with Heavenly Father felt rock-solid and unwavering, especially in times are hardship ("when it gets too hard to stand, kneel," right?). As a convert, I haven't really plateaued in my spiritual growth in so long. I remember when I use to read the Book of Mormon out loud to Amelia daily, and felt so much guilt that I haven't even cracked open my scriptures outside of church since Scarlett was born (nope, not even for the 90 day challenge that I helped kicked off as part of the relief society committee). Jeremy's testimony is unwavering and at times it can be intimidating. I shared with him my concerns, and we agreed to started reading together (like we did when I started investigating in the church). Honestly, I didn't feel too much of a difference, until I read this article and received revelation that it's going to be okay. My testimony doesn't currently feel bright and shiny and bursting, but it's still here. And so is my Heavenly Father, and it's going to be okay.

The Adamsons spoke and I got to hear part of Shar's talk on commandments. Another little prompting that I need to take Family Home Evening more seriously. Does anyone have any ideas on FHE for young families for me?

9/6//

From Matthew 13: "And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold."

I want to fall into good ground, grow deep roots, and bloom where I am planted.

scarlett: 8 months old

I feel like all these pictures are blurry because this girl doesn't stop moving! Scarlett has grown in small ways all month long! Her fine motor skills are developing-- she now can pick up a cheerio and feed it to herself. She's pulling herself up on her knees and rocks on her hand and knees more often (but still prefers to army crawl). She started pulling herself up to her feet with the shopping cart, but realized she can reach items inside the cart just pulling up to her knees. Such is life. She has been sleeping better all around, 2-3 naps a day and 11 hours at night. Nursing and weaning (I think) and still not loving sippy cups. Eats so. much. food. Makes the funniest faces when I feed her strawberries. Can be so easily bribed by cheerios. Avocados are my go to. Hasn't quite come around to oatmeal yet (but I think it's because of the quinoa mixed in). Gives us the biggest gummy grins often (still only 2 teeth) and rarely pouts. Speaking of grins, she'll smile so big while she's eating that food starts to fall out, and then she'll nonchalantly push it back into her mouth with her index finger. She started saying "da da" "ma ma" and "ba ba" and chatters non-stop. Our happy camper and loves to swing, run in her walker, gum on toys, flip book pages, and do anything big sister is doing!

The sweetest sisters. I feel like their love grows every month! They hold hands and give each other high fives. Amelia now shares are babies and most precious, coveted items and will pick up anything Scarlett drops and sings to her when she's upset.

This next month will be a game changer. Amelia is off to preschool for 2.5 hours, 2 days a week. Bring on mommy+Scarlett time!