It's not what it looks like...

So Paul... He's pretty much hilarious. He sings.. a lot. About everything. If something reminds him of a song, he sings it. But the thing is, he hardly ever doesn't always remember the words to the song. For example, part of his rendition of the classic "Build Me Up Buttercup"

"Feel me up, buttercup baby just to rub me down.."

Yeah, let's just say he keeps me laughing!

Workin' Hard...

Paul studies really hard....

:)

The End...

No but really, he does study hard. He's made awesome grades thus far in all his schooling and will be done graduating with his masters when he is 26. That's pretty freakin sweet. If only he were already 26... ;)

Gabby Abby :)

Another month and a half has passed. I know I say this every time but I'm going to say it again. I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW FAST SHE GROWS! It can't be normal. Ok, of course it's normal, but dang.

I have noticed that her growing is indeed slowing down. She doesn't grow out of her clothes so fast and she has lost 2 of her 3 chins. Abby has the cutest little profile, I kiss her little cheeks when I see her head turned with a big grin.

• Abby weighs about 20 lbs.
• She is too big for her car seat, so the hunt continues for a new one.
• She's laughing more and more each week.
• She says "Dadadadada" And Paul loves it, even though she probably has no idea of the significance.
• I wish she would say "Mommy, mamama, mom, Marls"... Really anything to identify me :)
• She's ALMOST crawling! SO close. She can get where she wants to go with a scoot. She does push-ups, can move her arms and legs correctly, but she just can't get it all coordinated so her arms and legs will work together.
• The top left picture shows her latest discovery. She can pull down her bumper and look into the living room to see me. Or if her door is closed, she will pull it down and talk/scream till I go get her.
• Abby LOVES dogs. I don't get it. Big and small, she loves them all. (poet? :)
• She makes really big messes. I'm not sure how, but dang. I think we need to start time-outs for not cleaning up your mess... (maybe in a year or so.)
• I've said it before, but she loves her daddy. She can't contain herself when he finally walks through the door after a long day of being gone. Literally, as soon as she hears the key in the door and it open, she goes bananas! I'm going to try and get it on video today.
• Abby talks and jabbers... a LOT. I love it. I mostly love the facial expressions she does while she talking.
• She's starting to pull herself up on things. So when we move in a month, we'll be lowering her crib.
• She sits and plays with her toys and jumps in her bouncer for hours!

Thats all I can think of right now... I know it's a lot, but it seems she's developing so fast! I love her little personality shining through and the happiness she brings into our little home. She really is such a joy.

I find that I love each stage more and more. I can't wait to see what the next month brings!

The NEW Bachelor in town!

Check out this stud muffin! This is Theron, my super cute nephew! He was in his Uncles wedding today and I'm sure he had all the ladies chasing after him. Holy studly!

OW, OW!

Baby "O"

Why did I only get 4 pictures of Olivia's shower last night? Sheesh. Just goes to show how terrible I am at taking pictures. Hopefully Chelsea will get her rear in gear and get some pictures up soon.

Anywho, yesterday Beth, Chelsea and I threw Heather's soon to be Olivia a baby shower. This little girl will surely not go unloved by all her aunts, grandparents, friends, and I guess you could include her momma, dad and two older brothers. We really can't wait to meet her and kiss her sweet face. This will make 3 nieces for me on my side of the family.

Heather was just beaming the whole shower. She is so ready to have this little girl here and all the girlie things that come with her. Especially since she's been stuck in a house of testosterone for so long! Hopefully Ms. O will make her debut on Halloween :D

6 Months is almost up!

"A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for."

Love this little one with all my heart. Lately we've been able to get her laugh so much more than usual. It still takes a lot to get her there, but when she laughs, it's just the cutest thing in existence.

Marlee's Montra

These past few months have been kind of a butt kicking for me. I don't always like being a stay at home mom. Sometimes, on particularly hard days, I wish more than anything that I could just go back to work. It was so much easier than being a mom is.

I remember telling people over and over again while I was pregnant and they were loading me with "advice" (grr) that I had several nieces and nephews. I had helped take care of them many, many times and I knew what I was doing. (Just not as snobby and straight forward as that just sounded.) I remember thinking in my head "I've pretty much experienced everything I need to in order to be an awesome mom". Now I realize that I was walking around with my foot in my mouth for about 9 months.

Being a mother is the hardest thing I've ever done. I find my self overwhelmed and under prepared constantly, it seems. How can an almost 7 month old over power me so much, and why can't I handle her?

I remember getting such a good feeling when we finally decided to start having kids, and now I find myself wondering if it was just heartburn. How could I have felt so comfortable taking on another life? How could I think I was prepared to care for one of Heavenly Father's children? How prideful I must have been.

I was in "breakdown mode", as I often find myself, talking to Paul (the most understanding, wonderful, patient, charming husband I could have ever asked for) and we decided that I'm just stretching myself way too thin. I'm trying to be "Super Mom" when I'm just a young inexperienced mom trying to put on a face. I know, with practice, patience and the love of my Heavenly Father, everything will turn out ok. I find myself trying to be in control constantly, and I really don't think that will ever happen again. I need my Heavenly Father's help more than ever before now. I need his guidance, love, and support more than ever.

I constantly feel like I'm walking a very thin line between my standards and the world. I thought once I was married for eternity with the love of my life, everything would be smooth sailing (not really, but kind of). And now, more than ever, I find myself questioning the things I do, the things I believe and the things I want to teach my sweet little girl. I'm finding myself really standing on my own two feet more than ever with my testimony of the gospel I live. I find myself daily questioning things I've been taught my whole live, and daily getting the answers I need.

Yesterday morning I was blog stocking and found this wonderful family that has been chosen for this huge trial. They had an 18 month old daughter who had an accident and ultimately passed away. I was reading these posts and just crying my eyes out. I've been so selfish and taken Abby for granted more than I ever should. I am so very blessed to have her in my life, and I really, honestly couldn't imagine waking up every day to her sweet smile.

I'm learning, and growing each day with her. She amazes me constantly with the things she knows, and I know that will never stop. I love her so unconditionally and even though I consider it at times when days are tough, I would never ever leave her side and go back to work.

Some days Abby cries for no particular reason at all, all day long. Some days are busy with many many things to do, and with the responsibilities of a mother all on top of it. I know that wont ever change, and so I'm still adapting.

I've adopted that wonderful Mother's montra of :

"I CAN DO HARD THINGS"

Although it doesn't even compare to the things she has to face, and I pray I never have to, it helps me in a different way. I can do hard things, and I will the rest of my life. My faith is growing stronger and so am I, because my Father in Heaven trusts me with these hard things knowing I will not ultimately fail.

How on earth do I find my strength? My faith, the two loves of my life, and these little glimpses of heaven I experience almost daily.

Happy Birthday, Deb!

"I'd like to grow very old as slowly as possible."

We (I, really) give my mom a hard time a lot, so I just wanted to take a moment to share these pictures from her birthday last month. My wonderful mom has another year under her belt (There's no need to say how many years exactly;) but she still looks as beautiful as ever. This was one Sunday that we were able to get together with lots of laughs, talking, and game playing. I love it when Sundays are taken advantage of in that way. It really does create some special memories to remember for a life time.

(If you would like to count all these candles, go right ahead. They are all there, one for every single birthday :)

(The flames were literally melting the cake, LOL)
Woooahhh smoke alarms! HA!

We love you mom. You are such a great mother and Nana to all your grand kids. We love to spend time and laugh with you. I really admire you in so many ways. Not many women could take on raising 5 children and helping them turn out as awesome as we all did (well, the boys are debatable). Thank you for all the love you share us so unconditionally. We couldn't have asked for anyone more suitable to take on our nuts-o family!

(p.s. Doesn't that cake look awesome? My mom and Sister have some mad decorating skills. My sister made this one, and also this one for my niece's birthday)