We took Sariah to see Santa and she did so well! She loves everyone, so she was happy to sit on this huge jolly man's lap. He was so great with her, and she loved it. As soon as we get the professional pictures scanned, we'll stick them in too. But until then, here's a sneak peak.
Since Sariah has hit every other mile stone very early, we weren't surprised when she showed signs of being ready for solid foods at 5 months. The experts say try solids between 4 and 6 months, so I guess she's pretty average for the food but it isn't something I wanted to push. I wanted to wait as long as I could before starting food. Well, Sariah had other plans! When she started waking up in the middle of the night and taking a full feeding, it was time. So, here's the first round - plain cereal!! She did very well and picked it up almost immediately.
Once we knew she had no allergies to the cereal, we started her first veggie - PEAS! We did this last night at Grandma Wilkes' house and it was great. At first, she wasn't quite sure what this new taste was but then acclimated and ate like a champ!
Here's the first spoon:
And the face...
And then, as so characteristic of her, a great big smile.
Still thinking about the taste...
Anticipating the next bite...
And then she's just done!
Yup, really done.
Have I said lately how amazing our little girl is? She just turned 5 months old on Saturday and this is what she has been up to:
* talking
* screaming - oh yes, screaming
* putting her feet in her mouth and chewing on her toes
* splashing in the bathtub - ON PURPOSE!
* almost crawling - she pushes up on her knees, rocks back and forth, moves her hands forward and then does a face plant or rolls onto her back
* waking up at 2am to eat a full 8 ounce bottle - which tells me (and her doctor) that she's ready for food. guess what we're going to do tomorrow!!!
* jumping like crazy in her jumperoo!
Here she is playing with her feet:
Here she is playing with dad:
And here she is...sleeping really funny. Sariah has this funny habit of playing with the bumper in the crib when she's going to sleep. One afternoon, this is how she actually fell asleep...
Here she is in her new favorite thing - the Jumperoo!
Here she is just being happy and listening to a piano lesson:
Here she is trying to crawl! Sorry the video is so dark...I guess we either video first thing in the morning or in the evening when all the good light is gone. Jared took the one where you're looking at her bum...kinda funny!
I know we all have moments where we look at the ones we love, and fall more deeply in love with them. They sacrifice so much for us.
I was having a particular long and stressful Saturday, but that did not deter Jared from trying to make me happy. It was a day where I had piano lessons at 8:30am, our ward Christmas party at 10 (which I had a small part in), grocery shopping (which I had not done in 10 days and we had almost run out of food!), baptism and a bridal shower at 4, then dinner at Mom and Dad's. I came home from hitting 3 grocery stores (Sunflower market for produce, Costco, and Fry's), unpacked the car and quickly changed for the baptism. Jared noticed I was a little frazzled and he asked what else I needed to do? I looked at him and said: unpack the groceries, wash garments, unload dishwasher, load dishwasher, feed our baby, pack the diaper bag and put together something for family dinner. I kissed him goodbye and left for the baptism.
When I returned home an hour later, he had done EVERYTHING...and made the bed and took out the trash. I could have started to cry! He will never know how grateful I am for his willingness to help. Of course I thanked him many times, and told him how much I loved him...but that won't ever do justice to the relief and joy I felt! We don't need lots of money, we don't need fancy things...all we need is each other to be happy!
Thank you thank you thank you. Everyone who helped me collect as many items as I could for this father, thank you. I went around my neighborhood, asked all of my colleagues, and even asked my students, for help. Everyone I talked to was so touched by this story and was so willing to help. When it's all said and done, this is what was delivered to Andrue Smith (the father with newborn triplet boys):
* 241 packages diapers - all sizes
* 19 large cans formula (several were Costco-sized)
* 127 containers of baby wipes
* 6 boxes of baby wipes from Costco
* 21 baby blankets
* 12 bottles
* bags of baby clothes, hats, and socks
* 3 large roaring dinosaur toys
* 1 crib
* 1 triple stroller
When someone is in need, it always amazes me how everyone is there to step in and help. Thank you everyone for your help, you are all heroes tonight.
I don't know how many of you have heard this story, but I cried for a long time when I read it.
http://www.kvoa.com/global/story.asp?s=7462568
It's about a mom who suddenly became ill during her pregnancy, had an emergency c-section to save her triplets, and then she passed away. Her poor husband is left widowed with 3 brand new boys. I don't know about you, but I immediately took all my baby things that I didn't need anymore and donated them. I have a girl, but I donated all that I could including some diapers and wipes. Please, if you have had boys and have anything to give, help this sweet father. It was quite a drive for me - all the way to Ruthraff and the freeway, but it was definitely worth it. If you live out of town, the article gives information on how you can donate funds.
I felt that this kind of thing was a true test of my faith and compassion for others, especially during this holiday season. It is about giving and treating others as Christ would, so it was an easy decision for Jared and I. My heart just broke, and I couldn't help but give!
Alright, I've been tagged several times so I figure it's time for me to finally put my information up here. Don't judge too harshly!
1. I remember all of my dreams. I have very vivid dreams, and I always remember then when I wake up. Sometimes, I wish I didn't because they all aren't pleasant. However, I have met people and been in situations that just "feel" familiar, almost like a case of serious de ja vu. I am sure it's because I have dreamed it at one point or another. I should probably write them down so I can remember them forever, at least the happy ones.
2. I absolutely despise grocery shopping and putting away laundry. I would pay someone to grocery shop for me and fold my clean laundry. I don't know why I hate it...maybe it's because it's so tedious and boring. Alas, it needs to be done so I will do it. But I don't have to be happy doing it!
3. I am 26 years old, and have had 7 surgeries. When I was a freshman in college, I was a pedestrian hit by a car and had some pretty serious ankle damage. I have had 4 surgeries on my right ankle. As a result, I have permanent screws and plates in my ankle. I feel like I should set off the metal detector in the airport! The most recent surgery? Removing the left lobe of my thyroid because I had a monster cyst growing on it. My thyroid levels are great and I am doing wonderful!
4. My absolute favorite candy in the world is See's chocolates. To me, there is nothing better.
5. My favorite unit to teach to my 7th grade biology class is human reproduction. Yes, I admit, I love embarrassing them when I force them to say the correct anatomical words. After the first couple of days, it's not big deal to them anymore but it's fun watching their faces as they get comfortable with saying words like "penis" and "ejaculation."
6. I was born on Father's Day! My birthday, June 21, fell on Father's Day the year I was born and it's really fun to have a double celebration when my birthday falls on it once in a while.
7. My favorite saying is "If you have to eat 10 frogs, eat the biggest one first."
I tag: Anna, Sarah, Carly, Lauren, and Cindy.
We FINALLY got our baby girl laughing on video. She is so amazing! Jared was filming sideways so you'll have to turn your head but it's still cute!!!
Jared and I always feel like we're running behind. We wanted to get Christmas lights up as soon as Thanksgiving was over. Alas, that didn't happen. We decided to put them up this weekend, and what did it do? Rain the entire time! We didn't let that stop us and tried to get as many up as we could. Pictures of those to come. During the off-rainy times, the sun was out and was incredible. We had this amazing rainbow show up and we had to take pictures. It was actually a double rainbow but by the time we got the camera to get it, it was gone.
Wow, it's been a LONG time since I have posted! It's time I catch everyone up. First, Thanksgiving was absolutely wonderful. We had almost the whole gang at Grandma and Grandpa Wilkes' home for dinner. We did our traditional "pit" turkey with all the fixins. As we return to normal life, things are slowing down a little but will quickly pick back up. Why, you ask? We have Christmas, Courtney's wedding and then a quick trip to Illinois to visit Grandma and Grandpa Franklin.
I took some awfully cute pictures of Sariah for our Christmas card so here they are! Which ones did we use? You'll have to wait until you get your card to see. =)
One of our favorite things to do is hang out with the cousins at Grandma and Grandpa Wilkes' house. Here are some cute videos of Aiden and Parker jumping on the couch (one of the first things they do when they get there!) and Parker talking to Sariah.
Being a mother has brought joy to my life that I have never known. It is completely different than graduating from college, falling in love or getting something for Christmas that you prayed for months for. It is a deep forever joy that only a mother can describe. The world really depicts mothers and almost degrades them these days. After becoming a mother, I realize how difficult and challenging it is but nothing of worth comes easily. Every runny nose, every poopy diaper, every cry at 2am for the pacifier, every grab of the nose and every spit up on my clean church dress is worth one smile, one laugh, one rest of her head on my shoulder, or one look of pure love. I thank my Heavenly Father every day for our beautiful girl and give thanks that she is healthy and cute. =)
Well *sigh* I had to go back to work. I am so fortunate that I have had 4 months at home with my darling little girl. Thankfully, I'm done in May because I am a teacher. Sariah stays with my sister-in-law during the day which is also a blessing. There is no other place I would rather have Sariah be than at Aubry's house...besides my own. I cried all the way to work Monday morning! What is nice is that Jared gets all morning with Sariah. I leave the house at 7am, so Jared gets her up, feeds her, dresses her and takes her to Aubry's around 8:30. He loves spending the mornings with her! Here is what she looks like when Dad dresses her.
Bathing is a family event! With Jared in school so much, having him home a couple nights is such a treat. We bathe Sariah together, and this is what happens...
We did a little poll on what Sariah should be for Halloween, and Caterpillar won at the last possible minute. So here she is, folks...drum roll please...
And then the hood fell over her face...
Here she is with Grandma at our Trunk 'R Treat. Not a very good picture of Sariah, but a wonderful picture of my mother!
Here are the two cutest fire fighters in the world! Aiden, 3 and Parker, 2 with my sister, Kendall.
I can't wait until next year when Sariah is one and I can take her around to all the cars!!!
She is getting so good at using her hands! She's starting to reach for objects, and purposefully sucks her hands. Here is the cutest picture of Jared feeding her - and she's hanging on to him with both hands!
Alright, so this is a little late. Courtney has been engaged for a few weeks now...well, several in fact. I'm just now getting their picture up on here. Aren't they a gorgeous couple? Congratulations, Court!
I took this personality test, and here were my results:
| You Are An INFJ |
 The Protector You live your life with integrity, originality, vision, and creativity. Independent and stubborn, you rarely stray from your vision - no matter what it is. You are an excellent listener, with almost infinite patience. You have complex, deep feelings, and you take great care to express them. In love, you truly see relationships as an opportunity to connect and grow. You enjoy relationships as long as they are improving and changing. You can't stand stagnation. At work, you stay motivated and happy... as long as you are working toward a dream you support. You would make a great photographer, alternative medicine guru, or teacher. How you see yourself: Hardworking, ethical, and helpful When other people don't get you, they see you as: Manipulative, weak, and unstable |
The surgery went very well. I have a small incision on my neck, right in the front in the middle, and it's about 2.5 inches long. Once they got in there, they realized the cyst was much bigger and deeper than originally thought. They ended up having to remove the left lobe of my thyroid. This is okay because one can function just fine with half of a thyroid. I feel good with not too much pain. I feel like I slept on my neck wrong because the muscles are sore, but that's about it. My throat is a little sore from the tube, but that's totally normal. They will chop up the cyst and look at it in detail under the microscope just to make sure there weren't any small spots of cancer in there anywhere. I'm almost positive there's not because I've had it biopsied twice, so I feel good about it. I'm home, resting and doing great! Thank you for all your positive thoughts and prayers!
I'm sure I'll say that about a million times, because girl clothes are just way too cute. However, I had a lot of fun dressing her up for church on Sunday. Here she is, all ready to go, with her cute little church Robeez on!
I thought maybe the headband with the flower was a little much because she has such a small head, so I decided to change it. She fell asleep while I got ready for church, so here she is with her changed headband and totally knocked out.
Sariah is at the stage now where everything goes in the mouth. It's so cute! Here she is, playing with her burp cloth. Here's how it started...
A few minutes later...
