Keeping A Journal.

I had a journal when I was in seventh grade. It had a cow on the front and was a bright green color. Each paragraph was scribbled in different colored gel pens, and was filled with my ten thousand crushes of middle school. No, really. I found said journal when I was in high school and literally every single paragraph was about which boys I liked, how good looking they were, and everything else a thirteen year old could mention about a boy.

I was so embarrassed, I threw it away in fear someone would find it. I didn't know that older me would WANT to find it. I really regret throwing my cow journal filled with middle school me in the trash. Although I'm sure I would still blush reading it, I love looking back and remembering. My parents saved a box of all of my old school projects, cards, stories, valentines, pictures... the list could go on. That box is one of my favorite things in my house. I could spend hours sifting through everything, and I wish that stupid journal was among the contents.

I decided to start a new journal, actually handwritten on paper, not just a blog. Keeping a journal seems like a small task, but in truth, I struggle with it. I didn't even write about my wedding day, or about being engaged. I'm sad about that, too.

My journal instead of a daily record, will rather be a weekly one. I figure I can spare a few minutes a week, and I'm sure fifty year old me will be thoroughly entertained. Now I know how much I regret not being diligent with keeping a journal, and throwing my only journal away, I'm much more determined to actually do it. One week down, here's to a million more.

After Over A Year And A Half Of Marriage...

Me: Did you notice there haven't been any clothes on the floor in forever?!

Ross: Yeah, I like how clean it is back there! (referring to our room)

Me: Even though it's only been a whole 24 hours?

Ross: After being married to you for over a year and half, I know how impressive that it.

My poor husband. This week I made a point to not put my clothes on the floor or counter. And to put my shoes away instead of leaving six pairs in the front rooms. I'm a little ashamed to admit how much of a difference it really has made.

Claire's New BFF.

Claire and Bells have a perfect relationship. Claire flails her arms and legs for Bells to "attack" and shares her toys, and in return, Bells lets Claire squeeze her, poke her eyes, grab her ears, and pull her whiskers. To be honest, we think Bells actually likes Claire abusing her so. Over the last couple days, they've decided they're best friends.

They love to play together on Claire's play mat. Claire's great at sharing and loves to take turns with Bells swatting the dangling toys.

They love to cuddle and watch Baby Einstein together. Sometimes Bells gets tired of watching and would rather swat at Claire's kicking legs or scratching fingers. She never sticks her claws out though when playing with Claire. I'm sure she knows Claire's the baby and we like Claire more than her.

Claire loves having a BFF to play with all the time!

My Amazing Husband.

I already knew I had a great husband, but this weekend was incredible. Saturday was my 21st and Ross made sure we partied hard. I'm not usually thrilled for my birthday. I get more excited about other people's birthdays and surprising them. I think after this weekend though, I'll be counting down till my next birthday already. Thursday morning, Ross asked me if I'd need the car the next day. I figured he'd just be swinging by the store on the way home to pick something up for Saturday.

Friday came around and he took the car to work. I had a cleaning/laundry day at home and went for my long afternoon run/walk with Claire. When I got out of the shower, Ross had texted me. I don't remember exactly what it said but it was something like, "I hope you're excited for this weekend, it's going to be a lot of fun. But it's a lot of fun to fit into one day. Oh wait, it won't fit in one day. You should start packing an overnight bag soon."

Needless to say, I'm glad I showered and actually shaved for once. Around 3 some of our really good friends came by to steal our baby for the night. I am so so grateful for Michael and Jessica! Thank you!

Ross came home before Claire drove off for the night, and he said we actually had 45 min or so till we could leave. I was too curious and excited to do anything else, so I just sat on the couch with my bag for 45 minutes while Ross packed his bag and got ready.

We finally got in the car and started heading towards downtown Provo and ended up here. They weren't quite ready for us, so we got to walk around and take a peek at the other rooms while they finished getting ours ready. We stayed in the Library Room which was so cool. There's a spiral staircase that leads to a jetted tub under a skylight, a secret wall you push on that opens up to the bathroom, the room was scattered with rose petals, and there was a bottle of pear sparkling cider for us to share. Oh, and she brought us up some strawberries and home made whipped cream. :]

After we got settled, we went off downtown to find some grub before we headed back to our room. The next morning, breakfast wasn't going to be ready till 9:30 so Ross decided to clue me in on the next surprise. We got in the car and ended up at Petsmart to pick out our first family pet!

Unfortunately they weren't open yet, but at least we killed some time! We went back to the mansion for a three course breakfast, and went back to Petsmart. Petsmart always has cat adoptions going on, but they're usually older cats. Much to our surprise there was a cage with three kittens. We asked to hold them and we were sold.

Claire loves Belle. When we first introduced them, Claire grabbed the cat and started laughing. They've become fast friends and this poor cat hasn't learned to stay away from the baby yet. Claire loves to hold Belle too tight, poke her in the eyes, grab her ears, pull her whiskers, and just over all bug the poor thing. But Belle loves it. She stays right by Claire and doesn't do a thing.

I am amazed at how unafraid this cat is. She's explored every inch of the house and loves to cuddle and be around people. It's been so fun and her personality fits right in! Now we're a real family with a pet and everything!

Ross never ceases to amaze me. I'm so spoiled. I had the best birthday ever! I loved the romantic getaway and break from Claire. (Though I did dream about her that night.) And the surprises just kept coming! I am so grateful for my sweet husband. He's so incredibly thoughtful! And sneaky!!

The Random Man At Costco.

So I was standing in line with Claire at Costco this morning. She was a little grumpy so I was playing with her and making her laugh. This guy in the line next to me I guess had been watching us for a while and he came up and went:

"You have the best job in the whole world. It's the hardest, but it's the best. I have so much respect for mothers and what you do. Thank you."

He was so kind; it just totally made my day. I love people that go out of their way for strangers like that.

Helmet Flower And Bow Holder.

Claire's appointment is in the 25th. I think she's just getting measured and having the helmet cast and we'll pick up the helmet a couple days later. (Just in time for my birthday. Boo)

Anyway, to make myself feel a little better about it, I made her flowers and bows to go on the helmet or on a hat. I also made her a framed holder. I decided to go with Velcro so we could easily switch out the flowers or bows.

First stop was JoAnns to load up on ribbon and flowers. After we went to a thrift store to find a big ugly frame for cheap. Unfortunately they didn't have anything big or ugly, so we did our best.

Here's all of our supplies.

Then I took the frame outside and spray painted it hot pink. The color turned out pretty well. It matches the wooden letters on her wall.

While it was drying, I set to work on the actual board that would hold the flowers. I found a quarter flat of black and white fabric at JoAnns. I cut it out to be a little bigger than the board that was already inside the frame. Then I hot glued it down on the back, pulling the edges tight.

I measured out the spacing I wanted between the ribbons. All I did was hot glue the same way I did the fabric. After I spaced out the Velrco to make all of the flowers and bows evenly spread out. I still wanted to use the board after Claire graduates from the helmet, so I got Velcro with a sticky back so I wouldn't have to glue or sew it down.

When I finished with the board I got to the fun part. Making flowers and bows. The flowers were easy. I just plucked the stem off, trimmed the leftover stem, and hot glued the Velcro on the back.

The bows were super easy, too. I made two loops on each side, used a needle and thread to hold the loops in place, wrapped the thread around the bow a couple times to pull it tight, and then hot glued on the center. For the center, I took a short piece of ribbon, tied it in a knot, and wrapped it around the center of the bow. That probably didn't make much sense, so let me know if you actually want to know how to make them. I don't think I'll buy bows again now I know how easy and cheap they are to make.

Here's the finished product. I really should have been more patient to find a bigger frame, but I really just wanted to get started so I'd have something to focus on.

Honestly, I'm actually really impressed with myself, especially with the bows. I probably went a little overboard with the ribbons, but I'm excited to make a ton of bows for Claire!

Plagiocephaly Gone Fancy Nancy

I am so grateful I have such an incredible, wonderful mother in-law, though I've never actually called her that. Mother in-law just sounds so ugly and has a negative connotation. She's just 'Mom'. She has helped my in so many ways, I can't even count.

Claire has been going to physical therapy for three months now for plagiocephaly and torticolis. Basically she has a pretty good flat spot and the muscles on one side of her neck were tighter and not as strong as the other side. Her muscles are almost back to normal, but her head shape has been getting worse. At her appointment yesterday I found out she would need a helmet.

When she started going to physical therapy, I assumed that the therapy would fix everything and that was the way to avoid the helmet. Helmet was a taboo word for me. I spent yesterday morning in hysterics. I finally got myself slightly under control before calling Mom. I swear, this wonderful lady can make the worst situation imaginable like anticipating a vacation.

I'll admit after talking with her, I was a smidge excited about Claire's helmet. She suggested I decorate the helmet and come up with a good story as to why she had to wear a helmet. Ninja in Training was among the suggestions.

Immediately I started researching Plagiocephaly, found parent support groups, and people who sell helmet bling. It's like a whole parent community of support I get to be a part of. (Not that I don't already have incredible support.) Today I am off to JoAnns to get ready to make this little gal's helmet fancy.

Fancy Nancy is one of my favorite little girl children's books. If you've never seen or heard of it, this is the cover.

Since Claire joined our family, I have fallen in love with all things pink and frilly, and girly. Later today I'll be making the appointment for her helmet casting. (They special make each helmet, so she'll get to keep it!) We'll have to see what I can come up with to fix it up!