Hope these little girls can make you smile today.
I took some photos while we were at a park.
They are both my sugar, and my spice… and my everything nice.
I just have to remember to focus on the sugar.
Carmen, 33 months
Nora, 15 months
Category Archives: Nora
iPhone
Some days, I agree..Let’s put the phone down.
Some of you may have seen this article:
Dear Mom on the iPhone, let me tell you what you don’t see….
“But Momma, let me tell you what you don’t see right now …
Your little girl is spinning round and round, making her dress twirl. She is such a little beauty queen already, the sun shining behind her long hair. She keeps glancing your way to see if you are watching her.
You aren’t.”
Some days I feel like this…
I need to do more, be more involved. Pretty sure this was written by one of the super-moms in Utah Valley.
Other days I feel like this:
“…If she’s on Facebook and Twitter or Instagram? Well let me tell you something else about stay at home mom on her iPhone. She doesn’t have co-workers that she can complain about her boss with or laugh at the ironic typo in the memo that was just sent out to the whole office. She doesn’t have a peer in the cubicle beside her to have an adult conversation or relatable moment with.
So if, while her child(ren) are playing joyfully at the park, she checks her networks for a sigh of relief that there are other mom’s out there she knows whose child just pooped in the bath or who have only had 2 hours of sleep and find themselves putting the milk in the pantry and the cereal in the fridge, I say good for her. Because you know what? She needs that.
Give a sister a break.”
I think Carmen has whined or cried every 10 minutes today. Guess why? She didn’t go to bed until after 12:30am, and go figure, when you’re tired, you get cranky. That’s lesson #1 as a mom, and #2 is if they’re hungry, then they’re cranky too.
Unfortunately, I tried for over 2 hours to put her down for a nap. Stories, and every stall tactic, and still no nap.
So guess what, that was the end of that.
She’s now on my lap, looking at pictures on my iPhone while I blog to you lovely people.
Some Days the Dragon Wins
I learned as a teenager, “Some days the dragon wins.”
As romantic as fairy tales are, some days the knight loses, and the dragon just wins. It’s ok. It doesn’t mean you’re a terrible person, just move on and keep going.
It’s an ongoing struggle as a mom…take time for yourself, be there when they need you, stay happy, care for everyone…
Choose Joy
I just prepared a list of 50 questions about happiness for an activity for the women for our church this Thursday night. We’re having a speed-discussion (like speed dating) to ask each other questions about how to CHOOSE JOY.
As I wrote these 50 questions about happiness, and pondered what makes the difference, I know it all comes from the inside…
I’ve heard “happiness is a choice” for a long time, but don’t some days just feel that the odds are against you? That’s the time when 5000 things are going wrong, that we have to be strong enough to say, “I can do it.”
Sometimes I can’t. It’s a little hard. It’s ok to acknowledge that. To be transparent and tell the iPhone world, that hey…it’s not all smiles and roses around here all the time.
I told Michael how I feel bad when my girl has a runny nose or lost the bow in her hair, but some of those pictures are perfect to me. They may not be on instagram, but they are some of the ones I hold most dear.
Joy from the iPhone
I think…more than anything, my iPhone has helped me capture true moments of Joy.
My girls and I will watch videos back together, and laugh. When I look at my phone, I’m constantly reminded of the times they made me smile.
And with Nora growing up so fast, looking back at her 1-year-old bday…I’m seeing how quickly it slips away. Although I may not answer every time they yell, “Mom, look at me!”
I’m trying….
That’s sometimes the best we can do.
These are some of the recent pictures that make me smile.
Birthday kisses
Teddy Bear Cake
1 year old
Nora’s crew
Chocolate lover
Cute
By this smile, you’d think she got this car as a gift..but no
Ball
Cute
Snuggles
Presents
New princess mobile
Cute card, Baby Einstein shoutout
The fam
Love this
Candy land
Cheese
No dress code at our table
Both swinging
Gross wigs and PJs
Fun
Daddy daughter dance
First rose
They sent me this from the restaurant
Putting on lipgloss before ballet
Love this
Drinking green milk from the leprechaun
Playing at the park
First position
Present for our new baby girl cousin PRESLEY
Feeling big in the passenger seat for a minute
Ready for her date
Ninja headbands and matchies
Thanks Nana for sprucing up our front door
Horse ride at the Zoo
Nora lovin the open spaces
Too many books
Sliding down together
Makeup
“I’m a girl, and by me that’s only great!”
So, I guess it’s going to be a long road of learning how to mother girls…
But it seems they COME GIRLY!
I know I’m not a tom-boy, but I don’t walk around all day with a purse, glasses, and all that jazz.
Seriously, I’m in trouble.
Look at Nora’s dainty little hand.
What is the deal with the lip gloss, purses, necklaces, headbands, bows, pink, pearls…
I put together a makeup bag for Carmen to play with of all fake or old makeup.
She pretends to get ready sometimes alongside me.
She’ll exclaim, “Cuteeee!!!” or “Look, Mom, I so pretty!”
I just smile.
These girls are going to need a brother…
We’ve tried to get Carmen to kick a ball around. I even sit and help her play with blocks…
But maybe all they’ll need is just a MANLY dad!
As much as we need some boys to tease us, burp in our faces, or jump on the furniture…
We’re ok with pink, drama and frilly.
I see both of my girls interacting together and I just know, it’s going to be a ride!
A ride full of pink, fairies, pearls and occasional hair-pulling and scratching.
Bring on the girly… makeup bag and all!
Routine
Sometimes it can be hard to do the same ol’ same every day.
In the shower this morning, I mixed up my shampoo and conditioner. If anyone else has done this, it’s really frustrating when the shampoo doesn’t seem to lather. For some reason, I still don’t figure it out right away. I’m rubbing my head, no lather…check the bottle… oh man. Just have to laugh!
Anyway, it dawned on me…for someone super crazy like me, it’s strange I don’t have a “getting ready in the morning” routine.
Some days I put my deodorant on before my lotion, other times after, other times I forget. (Just kidding.)
This might surprise some people who do the same exact thing every day. Makeup, hair, clothes, etc.
I think ever since I had my bouncing bundles of joy, my routine had to adjust a little.
On a moment’s notice, I could have crying babies and little eyes waiting for my attention. It would throw-off things, I guess.
ROUTINE FOR MY GIRLS
With that said, I have tried to set a good routine for my girls.
Up, eat breakfast, ready for the day.
Time to play, Nora nap, special time with Carmen, etc. etc.
Some days I remember to get out my camera and capture little moments like Nora crawling.
I know it’s going to fly by…
She’s 7 months already!
ROUTINE AND CONSISTENCY
Children need consistency.
Consider this article:
“Keeping regular routines with a child is also an important part of consistency. Days are less chaotic and arguments more infrequent if a child knows what is expected of them upon rising, after school, or when going to bed. Consistency helps a child develop a sense of responsibility in that they know exactly what is required of them.”
I love watching Carmen learn about her world.
She brushes her own teeth, picks out her clothes/bow, and is constantly asking me questions about the world around us.
She knows what to expect each day and can look forward to it.
She giggles and says, “I excited!” and it makes me so happy.
I’m happy I get to provide her with a solid foundation to grow and learn.
A CHRIST-CENTERED ROUTINE
Most of all, the gospel teaching in our home is the most important thing to me.
It has to be a part of our routine.
Carmen has learned how to get the scriptures, kneel for family prayer, and sing Primary songs all by herself.
There is nothing better as a mom, than to see her singing “I’m a Child of God,” to her baby doll.
It’s so humbling.
Not anything that I’m doing, but proves that these little spirits are precious. They are our Father’s and only ours so that we can learn, grow and love.
In her prayers she thanks Heavenly Father for Dora and all kinds of great stuff.
I guess I should be more grateful for Dora too!
MORE DILIGENT AND CONCERNED AT HOME
One of my favorite talks is from Elder Bednar, More Diligent and Concerned at Home.
“Being consistent in our homes is important for another reason. Many of the Savior’s harshest rebukes were directed to hypocrites. Jesus warned His disciples concerning the scribes and Pharisees:
“Do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not” (Matthew 23:3). This strong admonition is sobering given the counsel to “express love—and show it,” to “bear testimony—and live it,” and to “be consistent.”
The hypocrisy in our lives is most readily discerned and causes the greatest destruction within our own homes. And children often are the most alert and sensitive when it comes to recognizing hypocrisy.”
WOW. Do I say, and do not?
It’s a powerful reminder to not only say you love them, but to show it.
To not just bear testimony and say you believe, but to live it.
And of course, the hardest part…be consistent.
Of course it’s important to have a morning routine, a routine for the kids, or even an exercise routine. All that aside, if we aren’t creating Christ-centered routines in our home, we will be in trouble.
I think about a mom who said, “I have 8 years before Satan can influence my little one. I’m going to make every second count.”
So true. I don’t want any time to go by, without these girls knowing what’s most important.
BREAKING OUT OF ROUTINE
Then some days, we have to do something different.
The dinner, bath, stories, scriptures, bed is good…but I need more spontaneity in my life at times.
That’s why yesterday we packed up dinner (kinda lame dinner, but Michael was a trooper) and we drove out to Lake Belton.
We threw rocks in the water, enjoyed the view and got out before we were too sweaty!
I’m so grateful for a family where I can learn the principle of consistency and a Christ-centered routine.
ALL IN PERSPECTIVE
I realized, although it’s a pain to do the same thing over and over, I need to change my perspective.
When trials hit or hard times come, all you want is to be NORMAL.
To do the same, every day stuff.
Laundry, bed time, lunch together… you are grateful when things seem “boring” or “mundane.”
I’ll take that over a life-altering crisis any day.
So bring on the daily routine…
and some special outings too!
Pretzels
>
Yes, just when I thought I got a picture of them BOTH smiling, I noticed Carmen’s mouth full of PRETZELS.
haha.
I love these girls.
So cute.
This song is special to me. “Just to see you Smile…”
When I met Michael, he was really into it. Or he just sang it…
Anyway, it was the first song I associated with him, so I love it.
The lyrics don’t fit our story, but gotta love Tim McGraw.
Enjoy the music and my attempts at getting a picture of my daughters both happy at the same time. 
Growing
I absolutely love my girls.
Nora is growing up so fast, she is almost 5 months old. Where has the time gone?
She is such a big part of our family.
I thought today, I can’t remember what it was like before her.
We snuggle her, hold her, and listen to her giggle.
She has blonde hair, long toes and a goopy eye that is learning how to drain! (poor tear duct…).
When she smiles, her whole faces lights up.
A woman at church nicknamed her “smiley.”
I love her more than words can say.
Let’s just say, I’m growing too.
I’m getting the hang of this mom thing.
I’ve realized a few things.
- If I want to get ready for the day, it has to be before the kids
- I can get out the door before 10am, no problem!
- I use restraint to control the madness–have to put one in the carseat and then go back in to get the other
- I take time to sit, laugh and play
- I am becoming more creative with my songs, games and stories
- I feel like I can do it….then I skip ahead and start to worry about potty training, playing with friends, or teenage years and get nervous
Being a mom is a big deal. I now appreciate pinterest for the fabulous moms who share helpful tips and insights for moms.
I got a text from a good friend, she’s about my age . She told me she babysat for the first time in awhile. She had to change diapers, clean up goldfish, and do the “not so glamorous” stuff us moms do every day.
I read the text right after I changed two diapers, calmed the crying and put them in bed for naps. (Something to be celebrated!)
But I paused and thought, yep…that’s what I do.
I’m a mom.
Hardest work I’ll ever do, and change it for nothing else in the entire world.
I am molding into the woman I want to be, thanks to these precious souls from above.
I love you Nora and so happy you came to our family! These 5 months have been wonderful!
Weary
People ask me, “How’s it going with two?” “Are you sleeping much?” “Are you overwhelmed?”
To be honest, I don’t know what to say.
I know that being a mom is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
It’s also the absolute most rewarding thing.
Some days are better than others, is what I usually say.
Today was one of those, not-so-great.
Of course, my husband was an angel…let me sleep a little extra, cleaned the kitchen, and entertained Carmen…complete with dancing to numerous princess songs.
He’s wonderful.
Anyway, at church it was a little crazy. Out of all 3 hours, I think I only was able to listen to about 10 minutes of spiritual instruction.
Luckily, this scripture was included in those 10 minutes:
Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.
That was for me today.
I’m not to complain or be weary in well-doing…
My little girls are going to grow up so fast.
Some days I stay in my PJs until noon…but we played bubbles, makeup, read stories, bathed my baby, danced around the house, giggled, and ate chocolate for breakfast.
That’s what being a mom is all about.
The small things.
That you do. (or don’t)
Here she is.
My small thing…little Nora.
I know these girls will grow up and become great.
I can see it in their eyes…and their smiles.
Nora, 1 month old
Carmen, 19 months old
My Girls
They are simply wonderful
I will not be weary in well doing… I am laying the foundation of a great work… I know that out of small things proceedeth that which is great.
–D&C 64:33
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keeping track of my babies…
and of course...
