Last night Afton woke up around 4 am. I went in, knelt in front of her and asked her why she woke up, what was wrong? She thought about it for a while and then said, "not sure". So I got her out of her crib, gave her a big hug and a kiss and tried not to feel the sand in my eyes.
Well, her diaper was full and her p.j.'s were slightly wet so that might have been it. Maybe she'd had a bad dream, maybe she didn't feel well. Maybe she was hungry. I'll never know.
I changed her diaper and her p.j.'s and got her a little bit of milk. As we were snuggling in the rocking chair she said, "prayer Momma?" and proceeded to 'fold' my arms around her. I gave her a little squeeze and said a little prayer. After that she pulled my arms tighter and wanted me to say another one so I did. After that she wanted to say one so she did. After that she finally fell asleep. I held her for a few more minutes before laying her back in bed. I love feeling her little body snuggled up against mine.
On another note - tonight at dinner Brett and I were watching Afton (as always) and Brett said, it's such a trip, having a little girl. Afton laughed and said, no daddy, you're a trip. We had a good laugh.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Waiting...
Afton loves riding the horses at Thanksgiving Point but sometimes it's hard to be patient. It's hard waiting in line, watching other kids having fun. I loved watching her wait. She is watching everything. Waiting for the horses to stop. Waiting for the other kids to get off. Waiting for the girl to take her ticket. Waiting for daddy to lift her onto whichever horse she chose. Waiting for the ride to start. I love her body language in this picture and the way her little foot is tilted.
Holding her ticket, waiting...
Finally her turn and she chooses the biggest horse! This girl is fearless!
Holding her ticket, waiting...
Finally her turn and she chooses the biggest horse! This girl is fearless!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Valentine's Day
This year for Valentine's Day Brett and I went to dinner and a movie. We went a few days late because we had all been sick and it was too much of a hassle for a week night.
So the weekend after Valentine's Day we took Afton to play with Harvey and we went out. Red Lobster was a splurge and delicious as always. We sat at the bar to avoid the wait and had a great time.
Afterward we saw Just Go With It. I laughed SO hard.
We were only gone a few hours but it felt great to get out and spend some time with my sweetie!
The Valentine Man is a tradition my parents started when we were little. Every year on Valentine's Day the doorbell would ring and there would be a brown lunch sack on the porch with someone's name on it. This would happen all throughout the night until 5 bags had been received. My mom and dad would always be right behind us as we ran to the door. We would peek out the window trying to catch the Valentine Man but never did. Once we finally got our bag we would open it up and feel so special. The bags always held little things but those are the things that matter right?
On Valentine's Day the doorbell rang and Afton went to see who it was. She opened the door and found a brown lunch bag with one word. Afton.
The Valentine Man had come and left a little present. Afton was excited to get her little pink monkey. Aren't some of these faces hilarious?
The next day we made sugar cookies. Afton loved cutting out the shapes, helping with the flour and taste testing the dough. Once were done baking and frosting she had one bite of her cookie and that was it. She didn't touch one after that.
So the weekend after Valentine's Day we took Afton to play with Harvey and we went out. Red Lobster was a splurge and delicious as always. We sat at the bar to avoid the wait and had a great time.
Afterward we saw Just Go With It. I laughed SO hard.
We were only gone a few hours but it felt great to get out and spend some time with my sweetie!
The Valentine Man is a tradition my parents started when we were little. Every year on Valentine's Day the doorbell would ring and there would be a brown lunch sack on the porch with someone's name on it. This would happen all throughout the night until 5 bags had been received. My mom and dad would always be right behind us as we ran to the door. We would peek out the window trying to catch the Valentine Man but never did. Once we finally got our bag we would open it up and feel so special. The bags always held little things but those are the things that matter right?
On Valentine's Day the doorbell rang and Afton went to see who it was. She opened the door and found a brown lunch bag with one word. Afton.
The Valentine Man had come and left a little present. Afton was excited to get her little pink monkey. Aren't some of these faces hilarious?
The next day we made sugar cookies. Afton loved cutting out the shapes, helping with the flour and taste testing the dough. Once were done baking and frosting she had one bite of her cookie and that was it. She didn't touch one after that.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
St. George
This weekend my Dad and I went to St. George to spend some much needed time with Zane and Ivy.
We left around 11:30 and it felt great to be in the car, on the road, heading out of town. The drive is so familiar to me after living in St. George and Cedar but it's been a while since I've gone anywhere. I was excited. I drove for a while as my dad snoozed. Every now and then he would ask if I was ok. Are you kidding? I am wide awake and loving this!
We grabbed Zane and Ivy around 4. We only got a few minutes with Rach before she left for work. Once we left Zane took us to this great hiking spot. We spent about 2 hours hiking and climbing. It was beautiful. Dad was in shorts, the rest of us in t-shirts. I've missed the warm sun and loved every minute!
The temperature dropped significantly when the sun went down and we went to Subway for some yummy sandwiches.
After Subway we headed to a little fun center and played a round of miniature golf. The set up was really cool and everything glowed in the dark. Zane doesn't know his own strength and Ivy kept us giggling. These two kids are so much fun!
The next morning my dad and I met Matt and we drove to Zion National Park. It was beautiful and we couldn't wait to get down to the river. It was pretty warm but the breeze kept the air cool. I stayed in full gear all day and was just fine.
We had so much fun walking through the river, feeling the sun on our faces. We didn't have a lot of luck with the fish. We assumed the recent flood might have impacted the flow of the river.
Regardless, we had a great time and Dad and I felt a little bad leaving Matt to enjoy the weather without us.
Brett called during the drive to let me know Afton had reached her limit without her mommy. I was excited to get home. During the drive we saw 2 bald eagles, a few hawks and hundreds of deer.
Once we got home Grandpa walked me in and Afton went right to him and hugged him over and over. It was cute and I'm glad she loves my dad so much!
My dad is a great person to hang out with! We always have fun together and like the same adventures. He likes to joke around saying that I am fun as long as I am fed and warm! So true!
The night before I left there was an earthquake (2.8) and while I was gone there were 2 more. I was a little nervous coming home wondering if (when) it might happen again. Luckily we haven't had any since then.
We left around 11:30 and it felt great to be in the car, on the road, heading out of town. The drive is so familiar to me after living in St. George and Cedar but it's been a while since I've gone anywhere. I was excited. I drove for a while as my dad snoozed. Every now and then he would ask if I was ok. Are you kidding? I am wide awake and loving this!
We grabbed Zane and Ivy around 4. We only got a few minutes with Rach before she left for work. Once we left Zane took us to this great hiking spot. We spent about 2 hours hiking and climbing. It was beautiful. Dad was in shorts, the rest of us in t-shirts. I've missed the warm sun and loved every minute!
The temperature dropped significantly when the sun went down and we went to Subway for some yummy sandwiches.
After Subway we headed to a little fun center and played a round of miniature golf. The set up was really cool and everything glowed in the dark. Zane doesn't know his own strength and Ivy kept us giggling. These two kids are so much fun!
The next morning my dad and I met Matt and we drove to Zion National Park. It was beautiful and we couldn't wait to get down to the river. It was pretty warm but the breeze kept the air cool. I stayed in full gear all day and was just fine.
We had so much fun walking through the river, feeling the sun on our faces. We didn't have a lot of luck with the fish. We assumed the recent flood might have impacted the flow of the river.
Regardless, we had a great time and Dad and I felt a little bad leaving Matt to enjoy the weather without us.
Brett called during the drive to let me know Afton had reached her limit without her mommy. I was excited to get home. During the drive we saw 2 bald eagles, a few hawks and hundreds of deer.
Once we got home Grandpa walked me in and Afton went right to him and hugged him over and over. It was cute and I'm glad she loves my dad so much!
My dad is a great person to hang out with! We always have fun together and like the same adventures. He likes to joke around saying that I am fun as long as I am fed and warm! So true!
The night before I left there was an earthquake (2.8) and while I was gone there were 2 more. I was a little nervous coming home wondering if (when) it might happen again. Luckily we haven't had any since then.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Afton
I am just sitting here thinking about Afton and how long we waited for her and how much we love her.
It's hard to believe she is 2 and getting bigger and older every day. The last two years are now pictures, memories, journal entries, scrapbook pages, little books, boxes of never or barely worn clothes, and hand prints. I wouldn't trade my experiences with Afton for anything in the world.
I hope I am a good mom and I hope more than anything that Afton will be happy and healthy and know she is loved beyond comprehension.
I feel very lucky to be home and I know Afton is grateful when she sleeps in or has a pajama/cartoon day. She isn't rushed and we're able to spend time together whether it's playing with horses, going for a walk, or painting a picture. I wouldn't want to miss one day of this little persons life and every day she seems to grow and change.
Sometimes Brett and I sit together and think back to our life before Afton. We wanted her so badly and although we were able to take nice vacations, go on dates, buy nice clothes, and come and go as we pleased we knew she was the life we wanted. I'd trade any great thing for my sweet little spirit and I'm so, so, so lucky to be her mom!
It's hard to believe she is 2 and getting bigger and older every day. The last two years are now pictures, memories, journal entries, scrapbook pages, little books, boxes of never or barely worn clothes, and hand prints. I wouldn't trade my experiences with Afton for anything in the world.
I hope I am a good mom and I hope more than anything that Afton will be happy and healthy and know she is loved beyond comprehension.
I feel very lucky to be home and I know Afton is grateful when she sleeps in or has a pajama/cartoon day. She isn't rushed and we're able to spend time together whether it's playing with horses, going for a walk, or painting a picture. I wouldn't want to miss one day of this little persons life and every day she seems to grow and change.
Sometimes Brett and I sit together and think back to our life before Afton. We wanted her so badly and although we were able to take nice vacations, go on dates, buy nice clothes, and come and go as we pleased we knew she was the life we wanted. I'd trade any great thing for my sweet little spirit and I'm so, so, so lucky to be her mom!
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