Lucy's First Football Game

We took Lucy to the Utes Red & White Game this past weekend. She was really good and only got a little sunburned on her arms (despite my slathering of sunscreen).

This will be the only time Lucy will come to a football game until she's old enough to sit by herself and pay attention (this is mainly for selfish reasons, as I watched her the whole time and barely looked at the field).

Lucy loves to be outside.

1st Birthday Party

We took Lucy to see Allen (or Dr. Freestone) and learned the following things about her:
She weighs 20lbs (that's with all her clothes and shoes on). Which puts her in the 32% for weight.
She is 29 inches tall (again, that's with her shoes on). Which puts her in the 47% for height.
Tall no longer! Guess my short genes are starting to kick in.
(I could have killed the nurses that day - since it was her 12 month appointment, Lucy had to get some shots, 6 shots to be exact, and since I went alone last time, I made Mike stay in the room with her by himself (pretty mean of me, but I could still hear her screaming outside). Well, come to find out, they forgot to give her one shot, so they had to poke her again. She screamed and kept looking at me like I'd betrayed her. Stupid nurses.)

My mom threw Lucy an awesome 1st birthday party (complete with most of our family). She even made Lucy an adorable tutu for her to wear. She also printed out a bunch of picutures of Lucy and made a timeline of her life so far. It was adorable (is my mom the greatest, or what?)!

I "helped" make the cake for Lucy to tear apart (that's why it's the leaning tower of birthday cake). We tried to get her to dive into the cake, but she was more interested in the candies and the frosting. I had specified "no gifts," but nobody listened to me, so Lucy got spoiled rotten!

Grandma Kay made Lucy a beautiful red sweater and when the other grandkids saw it, I believe there was a discussion about how come the rest of them didn't get sweaters and it was obvious who the favorite grandchild was now (uh, duh).

She also got some toys, books and clothes. The girl is seriously spoiled.

Happy Birthday, Lucy!

It's hard to believe that at this time 1 year ago, Mike and I were sitting and waiting in the hospital (and waiting and waiting and waiting) for our little girl to be born. We didn't have a name picked out and we really had no idea what we were in store for.

Lucky for us, we received the best gift anyone could have given us - a perfect angel.

And a year later, she's still an angel.
(Mike took this picture this morning. Still in her pajamas, no bath yet, but she's still beautiful.)

Happy Birthday, Monkey!

Day 9: 30 Things in 30 Days

9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.

1. My parents. For obvious reasons if you follow this blog.

2. President Gordon B. Hinckley.

President Hinckley did a lot for my family while he was alive. His counsel really helped cement my testimony.

3. My sisters, Aimee & Jennifer.

(Couldn't do one without the other, right?) Oh, hell, do we fight and yell. But we're sisters, that's what we do. They both drive me completely crazy (and I'm pure joy and sunshine 24-7, right?), but they are always there for me. No judgment (well, maybe a little judgment). (And strangely, I have no pictures of my sisters.)

4. My friend, Missy. (Sorry, Miss, the only picture I have of us is when we were both wearing horrible wigs!)

Missy is the kind of person who just makes you happy to be around. She is the most sincere, loving person I have ever had the honor and privledge to know and I'm so happy that I can call her my friend. I hope she won't mind me divulging some private details, but Missy is not able to have children, and I've never met a person who deserved to be a mother more than she does. She's the reason that Mike and I decided to stop being selfish and to become parents. Plus, her totally awesome husband sounds just like Elder L. Tom Perry.

5. My counsin, Malinda.

Malinda is an incredibly amazing person. She's literally been through hell and back and she's come out the other side with strength, amibtion and faith (and with two beautiful kids!)
6. Marilyn Monroe.

Marilyn said, " Your clothes should be tight enough to show you're a woman, but loose enough to show you're a lady." Absolutely true. I wish more girls out there would follow this advice and realize they don't need to have all their, ahem, assets on display for the whole world to see.

Plus, she was a size 14 when she made Some Like It Hot and she was still considered a sex icon.

7. My nephew, Tyson. Tyson is 10 years old. But he has a very tender heart and is such a good big brother to his brother and sister and a great cousin to Lucy. He always makes sure everyone is included and never lets anyone feel left out. Plus, we've recently learned he has a killer singing voice (we should probably really encourage that, Aimee!)

8. My aunt, Linda. Linda has been through a lot in her life (and I'm still learning new things about her everyday). She has experienced great loss. I don't think she loves anything more than she loves her children and her grandchildren. Linda was baptized a member of the church at the same time as my mom, but she was never active until a few years ago. She is the reason I know that families are for eternity. And Lucy LOVES Aunt Linda. I mean, LOVES her. To the point of making Grandma jealous. Lucy always runs straight to Linda any time we see her. We can't figure it out. She senses how great Linda is. Plus (and no offense if he reads this), anyone who can live with my Uncle Marshall is assured a place in heaven!

9. My (Mike's) niece, Heather. Heather is the spokesperson for following your dreams! She recently returned to school to pursue a degree in dance and I couldn't be prouder of her (or more jealous that she gets to dance for 6 hours a day). She decided that was her dream and she went out and got it!

10. Lucy. Being a mother is the hardest, most gratifying thing I have ever done. She has made me whole.

Day 8: 30 Things in 30 Days

8. What are 5 passions you have?

1. Books.

2. Shoes (duh.)

3. Lucy.

4. The theater. Yes, please.

5. Audrey Hepburn. Love, love, love her!

Day 7: 30 Thing in 30 Days

7. What is your dream job, and why?

It's amazing how life changes you.

5 years ago I would have said my dream job was to be an attorney (no thank you; I'd rather not be bitter and mean and treat people like dirt).

10 years ago I had a crazy pipe dream of going to New York and auditioning for Broadway shows (Ha! I definitely don't have the talent for that).

I can't believe I'm saying this, but now the only thing I want in the whole world is to be a stay-at-home mom and be able to be with Lucy everyday.

And if you'd asked me what my dream job was 5 years ago (or even 1 year ago) there's no way I would have said stay-at-home mom. I thought I always wanted to work - but now I would give my right arm to be able to stay with Lucy.

Literally. You can have my right arm! Cut it right off! I won't complain or miss it! Hugging Lucy might be a bit more difficult, but I'll take it if it means I don't have to miss any more of her life. I'll gladly become a one-armed woman!

I envy those moms who are able to stay home with their kids. I know a lot of them out there don't even appreciate what they have. You are so lucky! Be grateful that you get to experience the tiny moments each day with your child. You get to see milestones that us working moms miss. You don't have to worry about your child not knowing who their "momma" is.

Alas, for me, it is just a dream job that will probably never be fulfilled.