Mothers Day

Last year I got to celebrate Mother's Day, but I had only been a mom for 2 months. This year I am celebrating a whole year of motherhood. I Survived! Nothing could have prepared me for all I have experience this year of being a mom. It's funny because there are a bunch of blogs out there that have lists of the Top 10,20 or 100 things that first time moms should know. This list include the BEST bottles, pacifiers, toys, nursing bras, strollers, activities, medicines and food to give to your baby. These lists go on and on. What these lists don't prepare you for is the emotional response to having a baby. Nothing could have prepared me for the emotional roller coaster that is the first year of parenting. I cried, a lot. Tears of JOY, exhaustion and stress. Over the last year and 2 months I have fallen completely head over heels in LOVE with Ellie. She has always been independent but still needs me for so much, and I love that! She has changed so much, and I already find myself worrying about her going to school and hoping her life will go smoothly. I can't let those thoughts consume me though. For now I have to relish her beautiful LITTLE body and the baby she is, because I know that she won't be a baby for that long. I love being a mother, I feel very fulfilled. Most days I feel like I have found a good balance between being ME and being a mom. I feel a huge sense of responsibility to raise Ellie to be the best person possible, and this is making me a better person. I think it's pretty amazing that a little child who can hardy communicate has the ability to make a 25 year old woman be a better person. She has helped me recognize my faults and want to fix them. That pretty powerful! Thank you Ellie, you are everything I could have ever hoped for. I love you!

What we did today

Jared built be some grow boxes and we now have a little garden spot. It's not much, but all the room we need. I'm excited to get planting!

Tonights dinner! Recipe on my other Blog.

I think Spring is FINALLY here!

You think once May rolls around you can count out the cold weather, well not in Utah! It's been a weather roller coaster. Well it was a beautiful day today and a perfect day to take my new Ergo baby carrier for a test drive. I wanted an Ergo carrier so I could carry Ellie on my back, and I have heard very positive reviews. We have a hiking backpack with a frame, but this fits in the car much nicer. It worked great today. I see a lot of hikes in or future.

One thing I have loved about our apartment is the proximity to the Grove Creek trail head. It's right up the street from our place! Today we went hiking with Miriam, Jade and Eliza. We took Rosie to get some exercise and get in the water. She loves water. She also likes us to throw rocks for her to chase, which is weird but she is a little weird so I guess it makes sense. I love days where the majority of our day is spent outside. Ellie loves it too. Today she learned that walking into water results in getting wet, and that is gets deeper the further you walk. She is such a determined little dare devil. I love letting her explore, even if it means getting wet, muddy and trying to eat rocks. 

Cousins

We all got together for one last gathering before Gideon and Katie left for Georgia and to celebrate Gideon's graduation. I love to see all the cousins together. Ellie doesn't quite know what it means to socialize yet but she seems to enjoy herself. 

I think they could talk FOREVER.

Kayla said to me, "you should take a picture of her sitting on my lap, it would be cute" :)

May Day

I had completely forgotten about the celebration of May Day until today.

May Day was also celebrated by some early European settlers of the American continent. In some parts of the United States, May Baskets are made. These are small baskets usually filled with flowers or treats and left at someones doorstep. The giver rings the bell and runs away. The person receiving the basket tries to catch the fleeing giver. If they catch the person, a kiss is exchanged

 When we were younger we would go to my mom's garden and gather up camellias, cineraria, and sprigs or ferns. We would put together a few bouquets of flowers and wrap them in foil. Then we would walk down the block and place the flowers on a few of the neighbors doorsteps, knock and RUN! We would find a hiding place and watch as they open the door. Usually we would blow our cover about 30 seconds after they saw their flowers, but it was so much fun. 

I don't know how many of you celebrated May Day growing up, but I am glad we did. My mom was so awesome for keeping great traditions like this alive with us. I definitely want to keep this tradition going with Ellie!

Had to write this memory down somewhere so I don't forget it!