Alice's One Year Photos

We finally got around to getting Alice's one year photos taken. Last time I got pictures taken, I went to Kiddie Kandids. Big mistake! They charge way too much and the pictures aren't even that great. This time we went to Fotofly in Draper and got a lot more for our money. You just pay a flat rate for a 45-minute session and you get all of your pictures on a CD with the copyright release. Plus they were super nice and by the time we were finished, we walked out the door with all of our pictures. We even got a few family ones. Alice got super fussy at times because she hates it when strangers get close to her, but we ended up getting some cute pictures. Here are a few:

Alice's 1st Birthday Party

It's hard to believe that Alice's birthday has come and gone and that my little girl is one! In some ways it went by really quickly, but in other ways it has seemed like she's been with us for forever. At her one year check-up, Alice weighed in at 18 pounds 12 ounces (14th percentile) and measured 30 1/2 inches (79th percentile). She surprises me every day with everything that she's doing. She loves to say "hi," "hello," "mama," "dada," "ball," "elmo," "no," and an occasional "baby." She gives fives, blows kisses, waves, claps, walks around with her tummy sticking out, and gets into trouble! Lately she holds everything up to her ear likes it's a phone and starts babbling.

We had a family birthday bash for Alice the day after her birthday, despite her being sick (I had to take her to the doctor on her actual birthday). We had kind of a Cafe Rio-esque dinner with cake. It was pretty low-key, but it was fun all the same. The following are pictures from the party:

unfortunately, they messed up her name on the cake

the adorable cake that my sister Emily made

the party table with decorations

the cousins with the pinata

Alice and me opening presents

the birthday banner I put together

Let it Snow!

A few weeks ago, it finally snowed. We borrowed Dude and Korrin's snowsuit to bundle Alice up for temple square and decided to use it again to introduce her to the snow. Although she didn't love the experience of being in the snow (or the feeling that she couldn't quite move in the snowsuit), we did get a few cute pictures of her.

The Daddy Phase

Since after Christmas, I have been working at the office three days a week. This means that I drop Alice off at my parents' house and into the arms of my dad who Alice is currently terrified of. She basically screams until my mom comes home from work half an hour later. Then she's fine. It's not fine, however, for me to see her like that every time I drop her off. Honestly, it breaks my heart. I wish I didn't have to do it, however temporary it is.

Since this has all started, I have noticed a change in Alice. She seems to be more fussy than usual around me and sometimes it just feels like I can't do anything right. She does, however, adore her dad more and more. Although I love seeing her enamored with her father, I would be lying if I said that it didn't bother me. Until now, she has preferred me in almost every instance. When she was upset, she came to me for comfort. Now she goes to Scott and even goes as far as to get upset when I hold her instead.

Honestly, I was surprised at Alice's affection towards me since I became a mother. I thought it was strange that she could love me so much because, after all, I have never considered myself someone special. Now that her affections seem to have shifted, I miss how things were. I know that it's probably a phase and I'm surely making it out to be a bigger deal than it really is. Maybe other mothers have experienced something similar. Anyway, it's a part of growing up and maybe it's time for me to face some of my insecurities. I just have to keep telling myself that it's only temporary. So here's to new challenges and new phases!

Reflections

2011 was full of changes- some good and some not so good. Overall, I guess you could say that it was a hard year for me. I became a mother, my baby was hospitalized, my grandpa died, my uncle died, my dad got cancer, we swam in medical bills, and I left home to work again. On the other hand, I became a mother of an amazingly beautiful daugher, I celebrated two years of marriage to my best friend, I met all of the challenges that were thrown at me, and I was blessed in so many countless ways.
Going into 2012, I feel very hopeful. There are so many things to look forward to: Alice's first birthday, mine and Scott's 3-year anniversary, a trip to Florida, tickets to Wicked, and Scott's graduation. I also look forward to the unexpected surprises and the little moments that make life worthwhile. Even though I am constantly looking forward to the next things in life, I must say that right now with my crappy apartment and meager income I am very blessed!

Merry Christmas!

Well, it has been very long since I've updated my blog. Sometimes I think I just want to get rid of it. My life has been very busy with work and school and Alice, so blogging has not been a priority. At Alice's 9-month check-up she was in the 25th percentile for her weight (17 lbs 12 oz) and 96th percentile for her height. She has 6 teeth now and is practically walking (she has taken about 6 wobbly steps across the room on several occasions). She loves to clap her hands, dance to music, play peek-a-boo, wave and give fives. She will even give mommy big, wet kisses on occasion. She doesn't have a huge vocabulary but she can say "hi", "mama", "dada", and "baby." She gets cuter and more fun every day and we are so blessed to have her in our lives. We are looking forward to our first Christmas with her, even if she doesn't understand the concept yet. Below are some pictures from the Wood Jenkins (which no longer exists) Christmas Party earlier this month. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas! Enjoy!

she was fine until she turned around....
absolutely terrified

our little family

the Hewitson clan

My Grandpa

Alma 46:39 "And it came to pass that there were many who died, firmly believing that their souls were redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ; thus they went out of the world rejoicing."

This scripture was read at my Grandpa's funeral and it perfectly described my Grandpa. Not only was he a firm believer in Jesus Christ but he was very happy and was even happy in death. It was really hard for me to see my Grandpa go, but I know that even now he is happy and rejoicing.

It had been years since my Grandpa had been himself, but I will always remember him cracking jokes and laughing at himself. He would always shake my hand and call me "Abby Cadabby." He liked to rhyme words in clever ways and sing funny little songs. Although I don't remember this, he used to get a pen and draw a watch on the wrists of his grandchildren. Today, my dad continues the tradition and does the same for his grandkids. They absolutely love it and think that it's the coolest thing ever.

My Grandpa wasn't always in good health and I remember the day I went into the MTC I was crying because I thought he would pass while I was on my mission. Luckily, he didn't and I got to spend a few more years with him. I feel very blessed that he was able to be there for my wedding and for the blessing of my daughter (pictures above). About a month before he died, Scott and I visited him in the hospital. He was in and out, but when I got there I grabbed his hand and started talking to him. I will never forget the sweet words he said to me: "I just think you're marvelous and I love you!" I am so happy that I was able to tell him I love him while he was of sound mind (mostly, anyway). I will always remember my Grandpa fondly and I will forever feel blessed that I knew him. Although his death was pretty hard for me, I know that I will see him again.