Grateful

Today I read a beautiful editorial called A House of God by Kathryn Lynard Soper, over at Segullah magazine and I feel inspired.

Today I am grateful for my healthy body.

I, like many women, have always been quick to notice and point out and remember my body's flaws.

It is too easy to counter any compliment I receive about my physical appearance with a harsh word (sometimes spoken aloud, sometimes just in my head).

Today, however, I will not take such a wonderful blessing for granted.

I am grateful that I have this remarkable body that
breathes and
functions perfectly every day.

I am grateful that I had a healthy pregnancy and was able to bring a
healthy child into this world.

I am grateful that I can walk and sing and dance and run.

I am grateful that I can see my son's smile and hear his baby coos.

In recognition of my gratitude, today I will honor my body.

I will exercise and
eat healthful foods and
hold my perfect baby
in my whole and capable arms.

What are you
grateful for today?

Fisheye Lens

John and Charlie gave me a fisheye/macro lens for Mother's Day. It produces a really fun effect and I've been trying it out at every possible chance!

Photo shoots

Most people take more pictures than they ever have in their whole lives once they have a baby. We're taking a lot of baby Charlie, but not nearly as many as I thought I would. I'm the photographer in our family but I'm also the one usually holding Charlie, so it's a little tricky to capture every shot I want.

I called on some photographer friends (Lindsey and Alexis) to get some shots of our little family and Charlie at 1 month and 2 months old. You can see them here and here. They both inspired me to continue honing my photography skills. I really enjoy looking at the world through a lens!

More Charlie Smiles

He's really getting the hang of smiling now! Every morning when he wakes up or when he gets up from his nap is the best time to catch some big grins from this little guy. Man, he's fun.

Charlie- 8 weeks

Allergies...

Charlie and I have allergies which leads to many, many sneezes throughout the day. Some of are of the cute baby variety, some of the scary mommy variety (the kid rarely cries, except when I sneeze), and some are like this...

Happy Birthday, Catherine!!

Tomorrow (the 19th-which has already come in the UAE) is Catherine's 25th birthday and she's halfway around the world in the United Arab Emirates. I miss celebrating this big birthday with her!

I love Cat for so many reasons- she is kind, generous, talented, smart, willing to serve, and beautiful inside and out. Here are some other reasons why I love my Catherine:

1-She's my only sister (Maid of honor at my wedding, 2006)

2-She's a great spouse and she and Richard are some of our best friends (Sara's wedding, 2007)

3- She's my first choice of companion when I want to do something fun (Rascal Flatts concert, 2007)

4- She moves fun places and lets me come visit (Philadelphia, 2006)


5- She likes to make things fun (dressed up for the Summer Olympics in Beijing, 2008)


6- She travels across the world to be there for me- she came from Philly to be at our temple sealing and from the Middle East when the baby was born (John and Barb's sealing, 2007)


7- She knows how to party (Halloween, 2005)

8- She's a good sister (Steve and Kerry's wedding; 2000)

9- She loves to learn new things about different cultures (Back to Bethlehem primary activity, 2007)

10- She persevered until she graduated from the U of U (Utah vs. BYU game, 2008)

11- She makes the most delicious and beautiful chocolate cakes (Kerry's bday, 2008)

12- She has many talents, including making jewelry, that she shares with others (ward girls' camp, 2008)

13- She's fashionable (Cinco de Mayo, 2008)

14- She loves her in-laws (welcome home lunch at Cafe Rio with Ethingtons, 2007)

15- She's not afraid to dress like a Newsie (2007)
16- She will be an amazing mom one day (with Lily, 2006)

17- She's a good friend (Christine and Catherine, 1985 (?))

18- She's silly (2008)

19- She can always make me laugh (2006)

20- She's comfortable in any group (celebrating Christmas with MY in-laws, 2008)


21- She's adventurous! (the day she left for the United Arab Emirates, New Year's Eve, 2008)


22- She looks good as a blonde or brunette (2009)

23- She was the best aunt and sister ever when Charlie was born! (2009)

24- She helped me while I was learning to be a mom (Easter 2009)



25- She's my best friend (Philadelphia, 2007)



I love you, Cat! If you have the pleasure of knowing Catherine, leave a birthday message for her in the comments!

Baby James!

Did you hear the news? Charlie has a new cousin! James Bailey, born May 11th to Mark and Chelsea. John and I went to meet him at the hospital and Charlie met him for the first time a few days later. He's a big baby-over 8 pounds- but compared to Charlie, he seems so tiny! We couldn't help compare the two- right now there's a big difference, but eventually, 7 weeks will seem like nothing!

Baby James, just a few hours old

Baby Cousins!

Baby Charlie-7 weeks

First Mother's Day

We celebrated Mother's Day on Saturday with my family. We went to breakfast at Village Inn so none of the moms would have to cook. Charlie was so good at the restaurant; true, he was being held the whole time by Kerry or Steve or Grandma, but he never made a peep! Lily and Sam were really good, too, and I got the biggest kick out of reading the cards they made for me. (Although Kerry's from Lily was the all-time funniest- Kerry, you should post it on your blog!!)





We gave Grandma Bev flowers for the yard and help planting them. I made these silhouettes for Kerry of Sam and Lily and Grandma Bev bought the frames. I'm excited to make one of Charlie, too.



On Sunday, we went to church (our first time attending all three hours!) and then to dinner at Grandma and Grandpa T's. It was an exciting day- we were expecting a phone call from Sam (who's on a mission in Louisiana) and we were waiting to hear news from Mark and Chelsea who were in labor at the hospital!! We were rooting for a birth on Sunday- Mother's Day and Mark's birthday! It was so fun to talk to Sam on the phone and to honor the mothers in our lives.

My son and his mother

Grandma Sue getting some smiles out of Charlie

My handsome boy with his BIG blue eyes

While we were waiting for dinner, we gave Charlie some "tummy time." As I watched in amazement, he pushed himself halfway up! He's only 7 weeks old!!

Charlie hanging out in the beautiful wicker bassinet that Kate refinished.