golden

It was my golden birthday: 22 years on the 22nd; kind of a big deal if you ask me. Jeremy was up late the night before making sure I woke up to perfection (and I was working, of course). Do you see what I woke up to?  A clean kitchen with gold balloons, gold lanterns, gold candy (my favorite), and a gorgeous gold necklace. Oh, and the cake. Jeremy baked and frosted and decorated that chocolate cake all by himself. Aren't you all way impressed? Gosh, I love him. I'm a lucky girl to have a man who makes sure every detail is painstakingly perfect, and still is able to surprise me.

I got to spend my whole day with my baby girl, who just thinks she is the most hilarious baby ever (I can't blame her). Then, Jeremy took me out to The Roof for dinner. We walked around City Creek before and around the Temple afterwards. We had delicious food, a beautiful view, and I'm just so grateful to have time to catch up with my Honey (because honestly, we don't see each other much these days). He could have taken me anywhere for dinner and I would have been so happy just to be holding his hand, but like always, he chose to go all out. And like a gentleman, he didn't let me see the bill. It brings me to tears how special he makes me feel, how protective and loving he is of me, the way he kisses me and holds me when it's cold. I'm so blessed. We concluded the evening by picking up our babe (thanks Grandma and Grandpa Bodtcher!) and celebrating just the three of us. Amelia may or may not have gotten some frosting way past her bedtime... It was the perfect day. I just adore my family.

Plus, I'm so thankful for all the birthday wishes I received on social media and through text. You guys sure know how to make a girl feel special!

(PS. That random chapel picture above? We were about to walk out, and the sister missionary begged us to let her take a picture. She was so darling I couldn't refuse!)

three years

Yesterday was our three year wedding anniversary. I can't believe it's already been three years, and I can't believe it's only been three years. We celebrated by serving as proxies for sealings at the Salt Lake Temple. I got pretty emotional seeing other couples who couldn't even physically kneel across the altar, but were still diligently attending the temple weekly. Everyone there had been married for 45+ years; we were just babies. The sealer gave us, the proxies, and those who have passed on, some inspiring instruction. One couple was having a bad day, they had been married for 48 years, they mentioned eternity is a long, looooooooooooooooong time. The sealer responded that husbands need that time to perfect themselves to be worthy of their wives. Jeremy squeezed my hand three times fast, three times fast for "I love you." Gosh, you guys, marriage is hard. This session did put things in perspective for me: at the end of the day, that extra dish in the sink won't matter; at the end of the day, laundry sitting around and dirty floors won't matter; at the end of the day, the basement not getting finished won't matter. At the end of the day, it's just me and my mister, and the way it feels being wrapped up in his arms.

Eternity sounds like a pretty sweet deal.

PS. We also went to the Melting Pot, for both of ours' first times. I totally understand what the hype is all about.

xo


1 year
2 years

hey punkin, think I'm fallin' for ya.

("I want one THIS big")

my handsome man. 

(belly button search)

I know that nobody will appreciate these pictures as much as I do. And that's okay. Even though I'm sad to see Summer drift away, I am always excited for October. October is our wedding anniversary, my birthday, Halloween. It's fall leaves in the mountain and pumpkin picking, it's the month that rolls into Thanksgiving, which rolls into Christmas. It's my favorite time of the year! The best part is: Amelia is old enough to understand and be excited for the festivities too! We went to Peterson Family Farm yesterday evening and walked through their fields. Amelia pat and pointed and helped us pick out some gorgeous pumpkins. Gosh, I love her and I love seeing the world through her eyes.

xo.

through the eyes of a t3i

I've been feeling a little down lately. I heard the song "When you were young" by the Killers a few weeks ago at work, started listening to it on repeat, started remembering a lot of things I really didn't want to. Subsequently, I felt like I was struggling in all aspects of my life: being a good nurse, being a good friend, being a good mother, being a good wife, being a good child of God. "Good" being in all-encompassing word, right?

I got my canon t3i this week, and I think it's really help me heal. I've been focusing on the beauty in the world, and it's so refreshing. In all aspects too. My life is pretty beautiful, and I am really blessed. I post my favorite photo of the day, here.

xoxo

amelia at fifteen months

 



sleeping: Amelia sleeps for at least 12 hours each night. Bedtime is 8 pm, and she usually wakes up between 8 am and 10 am. We are currently transitioning between 1-2 naps a day, and mostly it's whatever makes Amelia happy. I love sneaking a peek in the mornings, because she's usually doing something silly. I also love her giant smile when she realizes I'm watching her.



 

eating: For breakfast, Amelia switches off between oatmeal and a fried egg every morning. In addition, she gets a yogurt and a smoothie. She can maneuver her spoon well; when she gets frustrated trying to scoop up food, she will pick up a bite with her other hand and place it on the spoon to feed herself. She blows on all her meals (whether or not they are hot). For lunch and dinner, she gets a plate of broccoli and carrots. Recently, I've started blending half of her veggies into her smoothie, and giving her half fruit and half veggies on her plate. What's in her smoothie? strawberries, blueberries, spinach, orange, yogurt, bananas, broccoli, and carrots. She gets 4-5 sippy cups daily, and water too when the smoothie is gone, so that's why the sippy is in all her pictures. In terms of breastfeeding, we're down to just one feeding in the morning. I keep telling myself we'll cut it out soon, but obviously I've been reluctant.

 

play: Amelia has so many toys to keep her busy. Our home gets cleaned daily, but it always looks like a disaster. Blessings that come with a toddler, right? Amelia loves feeding/carrying/reading with/loving on her dolls, dancing with her elephant (not pictured), puzzles, shoes, balls, practically everything. Her favorite is her dolls, we practice body parts on those babies all day long. She also loves puzzles; watching her find and place pieces where they fit is insanely exciting for me as well. I love her guts.

 

Amelia is currently a little inconsistent with her naps. Sometimes she'll wake up chattering to herself, other times she'll wake up screaming bloody murder. It's a little tricky, good thing she has her Nemo. :)

 

Amelia loves popping bubbles, coloring, the mirror in my closet, slides, swinging, walks to the park, watching the and yearning to be elementary students, and getting the mail. I love anything that will make her giggle like crazy. We try to get out of the house everyday- groceries, classes, library, anything to keep us from going stir crazy. After her nap, we'll usually play around at home or around our neighborhood. Every time we go outside, the kiddos on our block run over and yell, "HI AMELIA!" and try to hold her hand. Adorable, right?

 

At her 15 month well-checkup, Amelia was 18.7 pounds (3%), 29.1 inches (15%), and 17.2 inches OFC (5%). I'm usually not too paranoid, but her pediatrician always, always comments on her weight. Whaddya do, right? She can say 10+ words appropriately, use a spoon/feeding herself, draw strokes with a crayon, point to various body parts when asked, dances to music, feeds her doll, "helps" around the house, eat three healthy meals, etc. etc. What more can I ask?

 

In the afternoon, we read 10 verses of the Book of Mormon together (currently in Mosiah). Depending on the day, Amelia will sit on my lap, turn pages, or play quietly. I really love this routine we've started together, and how peaceful she becomes. This is also the time we wait for a text from Dad, telling us he's on his way home.

 

We love waiting outside for him. We live by a municipal airport, so we see up to five planes within a half hour from our front porch. Amelia use to point to them and yell, "DOG DOGGGG!!!" We've been working on "plane," accommodation development, right? Anyways, Amelia loves watching that cute little gray prius drive up, climbing in the front seat, and riding up to the garage with dad. She waves to me, like "get outta here, mom!" It's our most favorite time of day. :)

 

I'm so grateful that I'm a mother to my favorite girl in the whole world. The hardest job in the world, but Amelia babe makes it worth it.

 

xo