Summer/Fall/Autumn/Winter

It seems as though the past months have gone by in a heartbeat, the seasons flickered by as quickly as the fluttering of a hummingbird's wings but my desire to write anything has been non-existent.  Outside my windows, I watched the skies darken, the leaves morph from gold, to fire, to rust, to gently floating in the wind, their descent to death.  I listened to the rain pelting the roof, the wind screeching and howling whispered secrets, making trees tap dance across the gutters desperately trying to reveal the words on the wind.  I watched the first blanket of white snow fall and cover the neighborhood, making it glitter in the sunlight. I heard joyous laughter of two sisters playing, singing, dancing, jumping, twirling, learning.  All these things having lost their splendor and happiness as I've tried to bring myself out of the depths of depression.  They call it Post-partum depression and say that it's easier to overcome than other types, which gives me hope.  Hope is my strength and has gotten me through the past few months of internal sadness.  It helps for me to remember to be positive and count my blessings.  I'm so grateful for my husband who endures this with me, forever loving me and making me laugh.  He is growing out his hair and getting physically stronger with his 4 am workouts! He works so hard and is able to provide for our family so that I can stay home with the girls so they don't have to go to daycare.  I'm so grateful for my Wrynly, who reminds me to be HAPPY when she can tell I'm not, makes me sing to her, and loves me to either show her pictures of spiders or temples.  She uses my own logic against me, telling me she can't take a nap because it's light outside (a few times she's woken up at 4-5 am, and I had to have her look out the window to see it was still dark and that means we sleep and that she can get up when it's light outside).  She's learning how to be social, playing nice with other kids when I take her to the gym daycare so I can work out.  I'm so grateful for my little Arya, who has a constant smile on her face. Her happiness is infectious and even I can't not be happy around her.  I love seeing her figuring out she has hands, I catch her looking at them as she twists and rotates them in front of her face.  Figuring out she has feet that she can grab and stick in her mouth.  I'm so grateful she's healthy and meeting all her milestones. She's great at sitting up, standing with help, trying to scoot as she reaches for toys, eating her rice, fruits and veggies (except green beans, which she will adamantly cry and not swallow when I stick them in her mouth), which you can tell she's a great eater by the chunky thighs and almost-kankles she has.  She adores her older sister, as she continuously watches her, learning from her example, and laughing at her when she sings or dances.  I have such a great life!!

3 months old & 30 years old!!

I can't beleive I've been slacking on my blogs!  A lot has happened since my last one! 

Arya was blessed on the 1st.  We've been to the 4th of July parade in Huntsville.  We've incorporated Slurpee Saturday and gone swimming at the Ogden Golf and Country Club, built forts, gone to the Rodeo, read books in bed which the new favorite is "Green Eggs and Ham". I've gotten Arya to sit in her walker chair.  Wrynly gets in bed with Arya when she hears her cry. Phew! Lots of stuff.... AND... Arya is now 3 months old and I am 30!

 Jarom took off work for my birthday and surprised me with a cute birthday gift.  He had looked up events that happened on my birthday as well as famous people that were born on July 31st. He had a slid-show and everything put together! At the very end he read me a little letter that he wrote and started getting teary eyed and all choked up. It was so sweet of him, I have the best husband ever! He also got video of Wrynly sitting on the couch holding Arya and saying "Happy Birthday Mom!" Best birthday present ever!!

2 months old

Arya is now 2 months old! We had her check up at the doctors and she is an Amazon girl, just like her big sister.  She is 24 3/4 inches tall (99%) and 12 lbs 1 oz (78%).  She's growing so fast and hitting all her milestones like she should.  Jarom has gotten her to giggle over the past week or two and it is darling to see and hear.

Jarom's friend, Morgan, had a birthday  on Sunday, so we made him the cake from the game "Portal". Wrynly had a blast helping me, especially since she got to lick the beater clean... which ended up all over her face.  Morgan thought it was the coolest present ever from the coolest friends ever... which we are, lol.

4th of July

We spent the 4th of July up in Huntsville with my Dad and the whole family.  It was a hot day with a sweet cooling breeze.  Wrynly loved the parade, watching the floats and different tractors go by while flinging candy.  She had the biggest grin on her face the whole time with her pockets stuffed with tootsie rolls and her hands full!  We let her play some games at the carnival in the park, jump in the bounce house, and go down the bouncy slide.  I think she had the time of her life.  Arya just got passed around the family, everyone arguing over who got to hold her.  She was so sweet and happy. I really couldn't ask for a better tempered child.

Blessing Day

My sweet Arya was blessed today in church.  Jarom did so good!! He blessed her with strength of mind, body, and spirit to overcome any obstacles.  To know and work towards the plan Heavenly Father has for her. To be a good influence to those around her. To find a worthy companion to take her to the temple.  He got a little choked up during the blessing, which of course made me cry. 

Arya has been a little on the constipated side lately.  This morning I gave her a pep talk and made her promise not to have a blow-out in her pretty blessing dress.  I think I would have been mortified!!  She kept her promise, but kept farting during the sacrament, making my mom and Mauri giggle the whole time.  It was kinda funny because it was so loud!!

I got up an bore my testimony, which I hadn't done since we gave our talks right after Wrynly was born.  It felt good to feel the spirit and to testify of it's promptings and the benefits of it.  I told the story about back in November when I was ill with morning sickness and still stressed with work, I had awoken to a dream (or rather memories) of the day I learned one of my best friends, Anna, had a near death experience, how she passed out while swimming in a pool and almost drowned.  Her husband, Tristen, noticed she never came up for air and dove in the pool, pulled her out, then proceeded to do CPR until the paramedics came.  He saved her life.  I thought to myself that I needed to call her that day.  Well, the day went on and I still hadn't called her.  After a bout of morning sickness and Wrynly making fun of/mimicing my throwing up, I realy got the impression to call her up.  So, I did.  I told her I was thankful for her husband for saving her life.  She told me she just got goosebumps because she was with her family and they were talking about that day right then!!  Such a testament that promtings from the spirit should be listened to.

Since it's so close to Independence Day, we sang patriotic songs during the meeting: Battle Hymn of the Republic & The Star Spangled Banner.  I kept getting goosebumps and teary eyed and choked up that I couldn't sing.  I don't know why I was so emotional, but I felt the spirit so strongly, it warmed my heart.

We had family over at our home afterwards for a light brunch.  I really love our FAMILIES!! Both Jarom and I are so lucky to have loving, awesome, helpful, fun families!

Good Sleepers!

So I love bragging that my girls are good sleepers... they are GREAT sleepers! Arya went to bed last night at 9:30 and woke up at 7 am this morning! I LOVE it! I went to go get her out of bed and she was completely under her blankets... just like Wrynly always is... just like their daddy.  Wrynly went to bed at 7 and woke up at 8.  Now, I just need to get my butt motivated to go to bed early so I'm not tired to wake up early in the mornings.

Father's Day Weekend

Father's Day weekend was so much fun! On Saturday we had a pic-nic out in the back yard. (Sorry, the picture will not turn the right way).  It was so nice to sit in the shade of the trees and eat while the girls played... well Arya just layed there and stared at the trees.  We surprised Jarom with a Father's Day gift:  an apron painted by Wrynly and me... with the Superman emblem on it (go figure)! We also gave him a card picked out by Wrynly (with Lightning McQueen from "Cars" on it).  He was very surprised. Wrynly was so excited to give it to him, she almost spilled the beans... she kept saying "paint Superman, surprise!"



This cute little nugget, Arya, loves sleeping on her tummy. She tucks her legs up under her, just like her daddy did when he was little. It earned him the name "Toad" from his grandma, Norma Hyde!  I thought it was cute, like father like daughter.

Wrynly held still for me to braid her hair.

My new shoes I bought for daily walks with my mother.  Her hips have been hurting lately so we haven't gone. I'll have to end up going by myself.

Father's day tradition is to go to the Ogden Golf and Country Club.  The men get to go golfing while the women and kids swim. Wrynly had so much fun, you couldn't get her out of the water for anything!  She loved to play in the little pool (about the size of a hot tub but only 2 feet deep) with the other little kids.  After a while, she decided she could go into the big pool.  She kept jumping off the ledge into grandma Shell's arms, then climbing up the ladder to do it all over again. She wore Machel out, then moved onto me!   Good thing Arya slept the whole time so that Autumn or Machel could watch her while I played with Wrynly. 

She is getting so tan! She has a tan face, neck and arms, compared to her little belly. It's good to know that my daughter loves playing outside.

Jewels holding Arya at the Father's Day dinner at the Woolsey home.  Arya was so cute that Jewels actually said that "Arya makes me want to have babies!"  UH YEAH! I'm glad that she's getting used to the idea of kids. She'll be such a good mom!

Monday, Jarom had the day off, so he got Wrynly ready. He even did her hair!

Then he decided that she needed a new bike, so we went to two bike shops in Ogden until we found the perfect one. It's a bike with no pedals so that she can learn balance without the training wheels. She gets on and scoots around the neighborhood. She's getting good at it... though her favorite feature is the little bell she can ring!

Go Wrynly!

Fun stuff!

 My days are always filled with funny things.  From Wrynly thinking she can fit into Arya'a car seat  so she can eat her snacks to Wrynly trying to hold Arya by herself, only to drop her on her head (mind you it's only from 2 inches off the ground, but still... my poor baby will grow up to be tough!)

Arya has bee awake a lot more lately, more interactive and so nice. I think her belly has figured things out because she's not my angry, grunting child anymore. She just lays on the floor and wiggles, looks at the lights, all around the house, goo's and gaw's and is all around a sweet heart! I'm excited to see her discover her hands and check them out... that was so cute when Wrynly did, she was in awe.

I've been working out and making "clean" meals for my family to eat. Wrynly will eat them sometimes so we are working on getting her to eat healthier too.  I've noticed a big difference in her temperament when she doesn't have snacks, cookies, hot dogs & mac'n cheese all day.  I'm liking the clean eating for my family!!  When I cook, I have to wear Arya in the sling so Wrynly won't try to pick her up or give her so many kisses that she smothers her without my supervision.  Also, Arya love it so much, she zonks out as soon as I get her comfy in there.  Wrynly loves to be my helper, so she helps me measure out the food and put it on the pans, etc. She's so good at being a helper!

 Dad and Wrynly in Grandma Linda's pool with cousin Braxton.  She loves to swim, so I'm excited to take her swimming at the Ogden Country Club on Saturdays this summer.

On Thursday, 14th, we went to visit my Grandma & Grandpa Carson, LouAnn & Gary.  They've been in Montana this past month and hadn't met Arya yet, so I was so excited when Grandma called to tell me they were in town.  My cousin Krystle and her two girls, Taylee & Kailana, were there as well. Wrynly played with the girls.. she loves KIDS! Arya LOVES Grandma LouAnn (her great-grandma!) She was the most HAPPY & SMILEY little girl I have seen, all because of grandma!!  So darling to see her connect with family.

Body building comp

Saturday, Jarom and I went to our first Body Building Competition. It was so awesome to see all the different body types and posing.  The guest poser, Steve Kuclo, had muscles bigger than my head! He was ridiculously large and I told Jarom he can NEVER get that big!

We went to this specific one, because my friend, Farrah, was competing in the Bikini Championships. This was her first ever show and she placed 5th! She is my inspiration!  Pic of her in RED

June already

I can't believe it's JUNE already! My sweet little Arya will be one month old tomorrow. We have been having so much fun with her, even when she is a grunting, snorting, ornery pants when she is awake!  Her little belly is still trying to figure out how to work. She's getting better, though, and awake more often. It's fun to see her look around at things, she especially loves to look at lights.  We take her outside and sit under the trees. She loves it, just like her big sister did when she was little!  She loves to sit up or lay on her belly while you pat her back.  She loves to be rocked to sleep, and will only go to sleep if you rock her.  We can't just put her in bed and let her fall asleep like we did with Wrynly.  Jarom can get her asleep so fast, I'm jealous!  Arya sure loves her daddy!

Wrynly has been the biggest helper (and the biggest pest) when it comes to her sister. She just loves to give her so much attention that she doesn't realize she has to be soft, nice, and careful with Arya. She is pretty funny, though. The other day I was nursing Arya with Wrynly in the room and she says to me, while pointing at my boob "baby's milk... Ary drink... I try it?" and stood there with her mouth open. Ha ha ha... um, no... it made me giggle. I gently told her no and that it's only for baby Arya. She seemed to get it since I haven't been asked again!
On Friday I took a road trip with the girls down to Provo to visit my friend Amber and her 4 kids. She just had a baby girl a few weeks ago and I had yet to meet her.  Wrynly loved playing with Amber's kids, Michael, Madison & Joe.  Arya played with Katelyn... well, more like napped, since they were asleep most of the time.  It was fun to catch up and see them all getting along and having fun. I wish I had more friends living closer to me that have kids Wrynly could play with... there aren't many kids in the neighborhood we live in.

Jarom parked his truck on the grass and had Wrynly help him wash it today.  She had so much fun playing in the bucket of soapy water, not really helping Jarom out at all.  

Photos from this month

 Big sister Wrynly loves to hold Arya even when she's crying.  She'll say "baby cry... sad" and she wants to hold her hand or pick her up. It's so sweet, but Wrynly is not very gentle yet!

Papa Duane popped by for a visit while he was in the neighborhood! What a great surprise.



Arya is getting good at her tummy time and holding up her head.

Wrynly loves to be a big helper.

 Look at all that hair! It is getting lighter every day, soon we'll have another blondie running around.

Arya's room finally decorated.  The pictures on the wall were taken at the hospital (the day she was born) by Alicia Blickfeldt with Bella Baby Photography .  I'm still working on making her crib bedding and bumpers.  We have a good baby monitor and now Arya is sleeping in her own bed instead of in a bassinet in mom and dad's room!

Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day and we met up with Mark and Linda to go visit Wrynly's Great-Grandma & Great-Grandpa Smith and Uncle Corey at the Willard Cemetery.

SUPERMAN FLIES!

Wrynly is obsessed with Superman!!!  She loves watching it everyday, wearing her Superman shirt to bed, to church, etc. She will randomly tell you "Superman flies... a clouds... sky!!" and frequently too.  Jarom has created a Superman monster!

2 weeks already!

Today is the 2 week mark since Arya was born. We had her check-up with Dr. Jana Delgado and I can't believe she's grown so much! She weighed 8 pounds 12 ounces (just shy of 1 pound gained since birth) and was 21 inches tall (one inch in growth)!!  The doctor says she is perfect and healthy. PHEW! Also, I have officially dropped all 23 baby pounds I gained during pregnancy. It feels good to see the number on the scale showing my pre-pregnancy weight... but sad to see that my body is all soft and smushy, not the toned bod it once was! I'll be hitting the workouts starting Monday to get back into shape as well as eating "clean" so that I can lose the softness.  I will definitely have to post progress pictures.

I have loved having Jarom home. He was able to take off work until the 22nd (that was almost 3 weeks!) to stay home and help me get settled with the new routine of 2 girls instead of 1.  It has been so nice to catch up on sleep and have that extra help. I really don't know what I'm going to do when he goes back to work, I feel like I've been spoiled! 

We got our new double jogging stroller and have been taking walks around the neighborhood. Wrynly loves it and Arya sleeps the whole time.

Arya Hazel is here!!

Some of those tricks I tried must have worked because Arya Hazel was born on May 3, 2012 at 12:18 pm weighing 7 lbs 14 oz and 20 inches long!! It's already been a week since she was born and it's gone by so fast. She has been so sweet and good. Big sister Wrynly loves her and is such a proud big sister. She loves giving her kisses and rubbing her head.

We got to the hospital around 9 pm Wednesday night because my waters started leaking.  Arya took her sweet time getting here, because she wasn't born until Thursday at 12:18 in the afternoon! This picture is of me when I was still happy and pain free in labor!  Plus, Jarom was so great at keeping the mood light and happy and funny, as you can tell by the Expectations he wrote on the board the minute we were in the room!

 sad faces!

First time big sister got to hold Arya. At this point, she still didn't have a name yet!

 Dad doing skin-to-skin with Arya. Bonding!

Me doing skin-to-skin with Arya, trying to absorb all the billirubin I could. She had to be under the lights for almost 24 hours straight. You can see the light pad on her back helping her break down the chemical so she could pee it out.

Under the lights.

 Passing her hearing test.

Getting her first bath. Not fun!

Aunt Mauri and Grandma Sue Sue with Arya

 Wrynly loves kissing Arya!!

 First smiles