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.

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.

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!

Wow

So my wow doesn't really mean much besides the fact that I was getting caught up on my blog posts and was thinking 'wow' at how behind I was.

I was able to get a few things posted tonight and some go as far back as Brett's b-day on December 18th and a merry go round ride before that. Most of these recent posts have been dated correctly so they will now be swallowed up in the mess of posts.

But if you (whoever you are) have any desire to fill in the blanks of my amazing life and adventures you are welcome to scroll down and see what you missed!

Fun with stamp pads

Ho hum

First haircut

Brett has been wanting to cut Afton's hair forever but I kept saying no. I finally gave in and I'm glad I did. Afton's hair looks so much better!

We went to Cookie Cutter's and they did such a great job. Afton was so excited! She chose a little pink car as her seat and loved the smock they wrapped around her shoulders. She did exactly what she was supposed to and was happy watching Dora on her own personal television. She even let the young boy cutting her hair use a round brush and a blow dryer.

Afterward she got a balloon and went down the slide a few times!

We saved a little lock of hair and felt it was well worth the 15 bucks!

Afton

Moments

Right now

It's really the little things that make up every day and I love the little things.
Here's what life is like at our house lately.

AFTON:

Takes a bath every night and loves to play with her turtles, Dora, a baby bottle, and a little whale with holes in it. Dad usually does bath time unless he is playing ball.

Doesn't have a very big appetite. She likes a little milk in the morning but doesn't really want breakfast. Sometimes I just put instant breakfast in her milk. She's pretty good when it comes to lunch, but it depends on the day. She likes chicken nuggets, vegetable beef soup, bean and cheese burritos, cucumbers, corn, peas, green beans and oranges. Dinner can be a bit of a fight as well. I'm not big on pushing her to eat but sometimes I know she needs a little food in her tummy.

Takes a nap every day around 1:30 - 2:00. She will sleep anywhere from 2 to 3 hours. I love it. Sometimes I lay down, sometimes I watch tv or work on my computer. I have a hard time focusing on a project when she's asleep. The house is so quiet I feel like I should have quiet time too.

Loves to read 'The Rain Came Down', "Little Raccoon's Big Question", and "The Bear Feels Sick' before bed. I always rotate the books in each of her baskets and it's fun to see which of the new books become her favorites.

Sleeps in her crib still and has two bunny head blankets and a silky cream blanket she can't sleep without. She loves to wear her foot pajamas. She has frogs, pandas, and stripes with a bear on the front.

Weighs about 28 pounds. Her tubes are still in place which has been wonderful. I can't believe how much time we spent at the doc and on antibiotics before.

Goes back and forth between her kitchen and her doll house. She has some little brown horses she carries everywhere and spends a little time with her baby dolls. She has a tool set and she loves to work on things.

Loves to play Horsey with daddy and laughs and laughs as he riles her up. She cries when it's time to stop. In fact, I can hear her now...

Doesn't want me to cut her nails. She won't let me near her feet but tolerates her hands for brief periods of time. For a while she would come and ask me to get the clippers.

Loves to play with my hair. She is slightly obsessed with it actually and will sit behind me and 'do' my hair. She will say round and round while she flips it in circles.

Likes to put a paper towel UNDER her plate when she eats. She also likes to wipe her hands during her meal.

Loves the mini handrail on our stairs. She always holds on with one hand and carries whatever it is she wants up or down in the other hand. If she forgets something she likes to go back and get it herself. Ok by me

Loves doing laundry. The only problem is that the clean and dirty tend to get a little mixed up and who wants to sniff to re-sort? Not me

Favorite movie is Spirit: Stallion of the Cimaron. She really loves horses.

Likes to say Oh Dear and it is adorable. Sometimes when I play with her I am so fascinated by her I don't play well because I can't stop staring.

HEATHER:

I've subbed twice this month. I do like getting out but find it a little boring and I am always grateful to be able to stay home the next day. I couldn't imagine working right now.

Having a hard time getting to the gym. I know it makes me feel better but it's definitely hard with a 2 year old and I am so unmotivated.

My monitor hasn't been working so I have neglected my blog.
I haven't been taking very many pictures lately either and I am a little behind on Afton's scrapbook.
Now that my monitor is working I am hoping to quickly get caught up.

I am ready to paint and redecorate my house.

I read every night and whenever I can during the day.

I feel tired a lot.

My hair is kind of short again but I like it. One day I'll realize it looks better this way and quit trying to grow it out.

I am excited for American's Next Top Model and Project Runway to start over for the year!


BRETT:

Just finished a week long work trip to Houston. We missed him.

Still playing basketball with his rec. league team.

Climbing whenever possible. (whenever I'll go)

Anxious for spring. He can't wait to get in the garden. He spent yesterday outside in the freezing cold spreading fertilizer before today's storm.

Can't wait to get home every day and play with Afton.

Loves to watch football and basketball and anything on the nature channel.

It's hard to remember everything about right now so I'm sure I'll keep adding to the list.
Basically, life is good and we are healthy and happy!

Afton's words

I've been so good at documenting everything Afton says or does, until lately. It all happens too fast. One day I am amazed that she knows something and the next day I am amazed to hear her talk about it. I want so badly to remember every little thing but sometimes I get so caught up in our day to day play and activities that I don't take the time to write stuff down.

Yesterday I picked Afton up from my mom's and in the car -
Me: how's your diaper
Afton: grandma changed it
Me: no she didn't
Afton: ok, daddy changed it

We went to go upstairs yesterday-
Afton: no mom, that is waaaay to high

Afton didn't feel well-
Afton: go get the Tylenol mom

Opening the door to see how cold it is outside-
Afton: (deep breath) hmmmmm, tastes good

Afton to Dad: Are you crazy?

Afton to mom: I feel icky.

Playing with father and mother doll-
Mother doll to father doll: You are so clever

In the car on the phone with my mom-
Afton was trying to get my attention and I wasn't responding fast enough so she starts yelling,
Heather, Heather, Heather, Heather

One of my favorite things to hear Afton say is "I'm ok" Anytime she falls down, bonks into something or makes a funny sound I am immediately saying, Are you ok Afton? She cracks me up because she almost always answers, I'm ok.

Afton climbed onto my lap as I was sitting at my desk and said "I want to do some crap mommy."

Oh Dear

Much, much, much more to come!

A little hand print

Our stairs are divided and halfway up there is a landing where a huge mirror hangs. Every time I walk upstairs I see a little hand print. I noticed it months ago but for some reason I don't want to wipe it away. It was a moment in time, a moment with Afton and although I can't remember the exact moment I can picture her in my arms, watching her reflection. I bet she made some faces, turned her head sideways watching, or maybe even stuck out her tongue. Her curious little hand reached out to make sense of it all and left a perfect little mark.

I have Afton's hand print on numerous pieces of paper and such but for some reason this one on the mirror always tugs at my heart. I feel like time goes too fast and you can't hold onto everything but if I leave the print there, she will be little and curious and still small enough to be in my arms.

Glad it's being used for something

For a little while Afton was showing interest in going to the bathroom on the toilet. I thought that was a good time to go and buy a little potty just for her. She was so excited when I set it up and she wanted to try it out. Before her bath Brett always sat her on the toilet so she did have some idea as to what was going on.

She soon decided that she didn't like this little potty or the big one for that matter and I figured I'd take a break to avoid trauma and frustration.

Anyway, the other day I walked into the craft room upstairs to find Afton sitting in the middle of the floor with her turtles and her toilet. She had all of the turtles inside and would shut the lid and carry them around. Of course I had to take pictures but as soon as I was done we talked about it, picked it up together and carried it back to it's spot on the bathroom floor.


She hasn't sat on it since but she hasn't played with it since either.

Wedding ring

I love my wedding ring! I remember when it first arrived. I suddenly became so aware of my hand. As I was driving I would be checking out my ring, when I got ready I would see it in the mirror. I loved the feeling of it sliding to the side a little when it got cold outside and I when I was typing it was hard not to stare.

Well...somewhere during my pregnancy it didn't fit. I had heard about people having to get their ring re-sized after pregnancy but it wasn't going to happen to me. As soon as I have my sweet baby I will lose my pregnancy weight and my ring will slide back on.

I was wrong and in denial. Afton is 2 years old and somehow I kept thinking it will fit, it will fit. Well, it didn't fit. It hasn't fit for a long time which means I haven't been wearing a wedding ring. I have a band but it isn't the same.

So I finally decided to take it in. It took 5 minutes to drop it off, 1 week to re-size and it was free. What was I thinking? Sorry Brett.

But now here I sit typing and once again, my eyes are drawn to my ring. I have missed this ring and I'm so glad to have it back. It feels new all over again!

Now for the jeans...just kidding. I don't want to talk about that!

New Year's Eve

This year for New Year's Eve we went to my parents house. Dan and his family were in town from Boise and Afton was excited to see her cousins!

We had such a fun night. We ate pizza, watched a show about bugs, ate ice cream, and best of all, had our own personal firework show. Dad and Dan braved the freezing cold weather to keep the kiddies entertained. They went out onto the deck and the little kids were able to stay warm and dry but still have a front row seat. There was squealing and laughing, jumping, and shouting. The kids all loved the show and I think Uncle Dan liked lighting the fireworks.

I loved this year because we were actually home by 9:15. The holidays can be exhausting and Afton was tired and overwhelmed. Her schedule had been off and she really needed a normal night and some good rest. And honestly, she wasn't the only one. I needed it too!

I also loved it because Brett and I were able to spend some time together watching a movie. The movie was ok (some werewolf movie from the redbox) and the little candy bars were delicious but we were ready for bed by 11:30. We watched as long as we could and as we were finally climbing into bed we heard fireworks and peeked out the window.

I was not the least bit sad to be home in bed by midnight on New Year's Eve. I love my life and I love my family. I've had a lot of great New Year's celebrations but this felt good. Knowing my sweet Afton was cuddled up safe and sound in her bed and knowing my amazing husband was home spending time with me was exactly what I wanted.

It was the perfect way to start a new year!

Christmas ornaments!

These are just a few of the things I had around the house this year. I was really excited about my ornaments. I wanted to make these last year but ran out of time so I made sure they were ready for the tree this year. I made them for Afton and have one for each of her Christmas's. I think they turned out really cute.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was so much fun this year!
Afton had a smile on her face as soon as she rounded the stairs. She saw her new kitchen sitting in the living room and almost jumped down the stairs. She cooked up some fruit snacks for everyone to share and loved hearing the pot bubble.

Afton was spoiled this year and I am ok with that. I was going to stop at the kitchen but then I found this scooter and knew Afton would love it. I got such a great deal on the scooter and helmet I couldn't resist.

She also got some new undies, her cute little brown track suit, a bracelet, and a little Christmas book.

We spent Christmas morning at home with our little family. It was nice to be home in our p.j.'s and Brett and Afton were able to go for a walk once the initial chaos wore off.

Around lunch time we headed over to my parents and spent some time there. Lunch was delicious (soup and bread bowls along with yummy sandwiches). It was a nice day and we were able to spend most of our time outside. It was great. It felt good to put everything aside and just sit in the fresh air and talk. Afton really needed that!

Brett's parents met us at our house that afternoon and Afton was excited to see them. They gave Afton a container full of food to go along with her kitchen. She was really excited!

Afton took a late nap and when she woke up we spent the night playing with her new toys, eating yummy leftovers from lunch and just enjoying the quiet of our home.

Christmas Eve

Every year we go to the Keetch's for Christmas Eve. This year we got there around 6:30 and started munching on yummy soup and various goodies everyone had brought. Everyone was there except for Russ's family. We missed them.

After eating we headed downstairs where the kids were excited to dress up for the Nativity play. Afton was excited to wear a crown and she even put on some robes and a belt.

She quickly decided that she was in charge of baby Jesus and where the baby slept.

She spent time organizing the blanket, moving the cradle around and at one point she was even sitting in it!


She got really excited when it was her turn to help out!

Some of the kids did a talent show and Afton wanted to be in the middle of it all. Kenna is such a good cousin. She always let's Afton be involved.

Afton was trying to get some attention during Riley's solo.

Finally it was time for presents and Afton opened a bathtub Dora doll from her cousin Porter. She was in heaven.

A cute photo of everyone. No one is crying. Wow

Steve found these great BYU hats for all the boys. They had to pose for a ton of pictures and were even brave enough to attempt a pyramid. Way to go Rich.

An attempt at a family photo.

We gave up and just got one of the two of us. Brett's such an angel.

We made it home by about 10:45 and once we got Afton to sleep we were able to start setting up Christmas! So exciting!

Another snow day

For whatever reason I am a sucker for snow photos. I always seem to take a million even if we are just going for a little walk. I love following Afton when she's all dressed up in her cute snow outfits.

I don't love the cold weather (or the heat for that matter) but thank goodness Brett does. He is always willing to bundle up and take Afton outside. Whether they are going for walks, shoveling the driveway, or just building a snowman, Brett is always game.

I love pictures of these two together. Brett is such a great dad and Afton adores him.
In this picture you can see their hands crossed over while they're trying to get the snow into the perfect spot.

I love the concentration on this little face. She needed to get the snow in her hands way up to the top of the snowman!

I love, love her little tongue sticking out.

This kid is so cute I can hardly stand it. I love how she is admiring her handy work.


On a side note - I have been looking for my sorels for a long time. Brett said I do this every winter but I haven't ever found them. I should probably buy something new but where could they have gone? This drives me crazy.
I'm sure a good pair of boots would get me out the door a little faster! Maybe I should invest.
For Afton's sake right?