Changes

I feel a little... not sure what to call it... discombobulated? I quit my job on Friday. I've been thinking about it for awhile and was so torn about what to do. It was nice feeling needed and important outside of home. I liked being able to tell people that "yes, I do work in the biotechnology industry."

But it was interesting as soon as my job was not necessary to keep us afloat financially how the feelings toward it changed. I still liked feeling needed there, but instead of looking forward to getting out of the house for awhile, I would hurry so I could get back home to my baby.

In institute awhile back we were having a discussion about working mothers. One mom made the comment that she felt selfish that she wanted to work because she liked the praise and awe she got from people when they found out she was a mom AND worked. I've been feeling more like that. I was beginning to feel that I kept working just for a self-esteem boost. But I figure I need to feel good about myself doing the best job in the world, being a mom: because that's what I want most.

So although this job has been a great blessing to us. It has been awesome and I've learned alot. I will still be able to go in and help when needed once in a blue moon. It's time to be a full-time mommy. And I feel good about that. Like Elder Oaks said, we must sometimes give up what is good for something better.

So even though I am a little sad and it will take some adjustment, I feel at peace with the decision and Lauren's giggles and grins make it all worth it. :)

Look...

Look who can climb stairs...

walk a little...

give dirty looks...

bat those long eyelashes...

open cupboards...

crawl everywhere...

make HUGE messes...

and just melt your heart?



Lauren can! :)

The Rear to Front Dilemma

Lauren is getting fairly big, in baby terms. Thus she is almost too tall for her rear-facing infant carseat. I don't want to spend money on another bigger rear-facing carseat since she will legally be able to switch to forward in 2 months, although it's not advised.

What do all of you with kids do? Should I shell out more money for a bigger rear-facing one so her little legs will have some wiggle room? Or just go for a high-back front-facing when she turns one? Oh it would be nice to have her turned around so she can see us!

And what kinds of carseats do you have? Do you like them or not? I was thinking about the Evenflo Chase LX Booster Seat. What do you think?

9 Months

Lauren seems to have grown up a ton just in the last few weeks since Christmas.

Last week at her doctor's appointment he said she was getting to be a big girl! Literally! She is 91% in both height and weight! I was shocked, I didn't think she was THAT big! Guess I should have suspected that when she's already wearing 18 to 24 month old clothes.

She also got her first tooth on Sunday! I've been wondering if it would show up sooner or later and it finally came through. I felt bad though, that she might be teething didn't cross my mind when she had been a little grouchy for a few days. Her poor little mouth hurt!

She is now army crawling all over the place. She realized she can actually move rooms now and follow me around. It's pretty fun.

She's starting to pull herself up on things as long as she can get a good handhold and finding every single little piece of lint or crumb that I missed vacuuming.

She started giving her stuffed animals and blankets hugs now. She will hold them up to her face and hug them tight. It's really cute.

Man! All I can say is that these last nine months went a whole lot faster than being pregnant for 9 months!

Organization

Just been thinking about organization... mostly because there are a TON of pins about organization on Pinterest right now with it being a new year and all. I find them kind of funny. Not because they don't have good ideas, but I find them ironic in that organization is supposed to reduce stress; but I think in alot of cases the idea of becoming more organized stresses people out more.

I'm not a crazy organized person. But I do like order to things. And organizing our house is not that hard because we set it up like my parent's house/what I grew up with. I always know that the baking soda is against the wall in the cupboard next to the stove. I always know that extra shoelaces and batteries are in the linen closet, becuase that's where my mom put them. It just makes sense to me.

As soon as I try to become more "organized" and mess this "system" up we can never find anything which just stresses me out 'cuz I can't find the baking soda at the exact moment I need it! (No it really doesn't cause me that much stress, it's just annoying.)

At one point I tried making all of those perfectly labeled bins that had a perfect spot to keep it's designated thing. Frustration ensued when they did not turn out the way I wanted and everything just ended up mixed up anyway because I had taken them out of their "spot" to put them in the bin. Now we just have random JJ cole and diaper box bins strewn around to house stuff. Works for us.

So I don't really know what I'm trying to say, but organization another person's way may not necessarily be "your organization" so don't stress out about "getting organized!"

picture from here

2011 In Review

Alot happened this year and it was all GREAT stuff!

- Welcomed a fun, new nephew to the family.
- Sewed lots of stuff for our new arrival.
- Chase continued serving in the bishopric.
- Lauren made her arrival (a whole week late!)on March 31 and has been our world ever since!
- Chase managed to finish Spring semester while getting pretty much no sleep.
- My little sister got married!
- I continued working part-time as a sample testing technician.
- Spent a night in Park City with my best friends since high school.
- Went to my little brother's high school graduation!
- Had a great summer vacation with my family in Bear Lake.
- Moved (again) due to a very unexpected rent increase at our old place.
- Celebrated Chase's 26th birthday.
- Played lots with cousins.
- Chase got several raises at work and applied for a Systems Administrator position.
- Went to New Mexico for a cousin's wedding. (Flying with a baby is no longer scary.)
- Back to the old grind of school in August. But it was our last semester!
- Celebrated my 24th birthday.
- Had a fun Halloween at my sister's and Lauren dressed up as a Lady Bug.
- Discovered Pinterest.
- Spent a great weekend at an Island Park cabin with Chase's family.
- Chase passed his CCNT certification. (Means he knows alot about computers and networking.)
-Spent Thanksgiving with my family.
- Found out we'll have a new nephew or niece on the Christensen side of the family!
- Lauren learned how to army crawl, wave, clap, give cheese grins, fake laugh, pull herself up in her crib, say Dadda and Momma, spit, stick out her tongue, roll over, sit up, open drawers, and all of the other fun stuff babies bring!
- My Dad found a great job close to family.
- Chase graduated!
- Spent Christmas in Idaho Falls with the Christensen's.
- Chase started his "new" job full-time and salaried.

Funny how life can change in such a short time. Our small family has completely changed, we're living in a new place, family members are doing new things with their lives, new jobs, good opportunities. Who would have thought we'd be here right now doing the things we are?

2012 is shaping up to be an eventful year as well. We're looking forward to:

- Me quitting work in the next month or so.
- Losing all of this pregnancy weight.
- Chase getting used to the new job.
- Learning cake decorating.
- Chase rebuilding his computer... again. :)
- Enjoying evenings at home together without homework and school stress.
- Finding a HOUSE... our apartment renting days are numbered!
- Lauren having her first birthday.

I feel like we've just ended a chapter of our lives and started a new one. I remember talking to my sister about what it would be like when we were no longer students but "real adults". We're there, and it's a little scary. We know how to do school. we've never NOT known school. But we're excited to see what the next few years will bring with all the changes and adventures.

Christmas 2011

We were thoroughly spoiled this year! We were able to spend a day with my family to have our family Christmas then headed to IF for Christmas Eve and Day to spend with Chase's family. Lauren had a great time playing in and eating the wrapping paper,



hanging out with her grandparents,



watching Daddy open presents with his cheesy grin,


playing on the awesome rocking horse grandpa made for her,




and smiling big for the camera!



It was a great Christmas and thanks to all of our friends and family for making it so!