22 weeks

I've come to an important realization: 

I'm really bad at documenting the growth of my baby bump. 

Here I am at 22 weeks and this is the third picture of taken of the tum tum. 

Oops. 

Anyways, look how great little cryings is doing at growing! 

Such a good little girl. 

She's also really great at moving around lots and gets especially active when I'm reeallly hungry.

She starts throwing the cutest little tantrum inside me. Kicking and punching, it's like she's saying, "Mom! Mommmm! I'm hungry!!!"

So naughty. So sweet. 

Little cryings also likes to stay up late and get her groove on. 

She's probably pretty popular and has a lot of late-night dance parties to attend in my uterus...by herself. 

Don't feel bad if you aren't ever invited, I'm not either.

She's kinda exclusive that way. 

sometimes...

I just loved reading everyones' "sometimes" posts last week! 

I'm actually thinking about starting an official "sometimes series" with a fancy button and everything. What do you think? Should we take this to the next level and get serious about our "sometimes?" 

I get weirdly excited about watching the next episode of Downton Abbey. I finally don't have to dread Sunday evenings. 

I feel overwhelmed with gratitude when my mom takes it upon herself to find me the perfect glider rocker for the best deal. (We're still on the hunt.) 

I can't stop thinking about birth. What it will be like and whether I want to go natural or not. (More to come on this, I'm sure.)

I just want to eat warm, homemade rolls with homemade jam all day, every day. 

I am kinda a bad person and purposely don't recycle. I figured living in Oregon for three years has checked the "recycle" box for me permanently. Good thing Chas is a better person than I am.

I wish I could dye my hair light, light cotton candy pink. 

I just don't understand the allure of Pinterest. Am I the only person in the universe who's missed this boat?

I can't believe how close I am to paying off all my grad school loans. Our goal is to be totally out of debt by the time little cryings is here. Seriously can't believe that's even a possibility. 

I strongly consider spending a lot of money on a sewing machine so I can learn how to make awesome baby girl clothes. 

>>>

Now it's your turn! 

Copy the bold part of the sentence, fill in the blanks in your own post, and link up! 

Excited to see what everyone comes up with this time around!

two years

Today is our 2-year anniversary! 

(pic from our engagement photo sesh.)

2 years?!

How did that happen? It seems like just yesterday Chas and I were salsa dancing partners at youth conference in Frost Valley.

I was fifteen, Chas was sixteen. I loved being his salsa dancing partner. Gave me butterflies. 

I still get those same butterflies. 

Only now, they flutter in my tummy when he helps me put my socks on because our baby is making my tummy a little big and a little awkward. 

Not too long ago, in speaking about our upcoming anniversary together, Chas happily exclaimed: 

"2 years!? That means I'll have almost been married longer to you than anyone's ever been married to you!" 

Yup.

Can't wait for that milestone either. 

Reasons #984-#986 why I love Chas

Not only does Chas not complain when all I've wanted to eat for dinner for the last three weeks is pancakes

but he also...

makes sure my pancakes are happy to see me! 

And then sometimes, the pancakes turn into a Ninja Turtle.

How did I get so lucky?

artsy (not fartsy)

My little sister, Hailey, is an amazing artist. She painted these portraits of sister (and her twin), Sarah and Sarah's husband, Michael. 

They hang above baby Banks' crib. 

Hailey also generously painted Chas' portrait for Christmas and we've commissioned her to do mine as well. 

I can't wait to hang them together above little crying's crib! It will be my favorite part of her room. 

Hailey is currently working on a website for her art so if you want one of these custom portraits for yourself, stay tuned! 

On a similar note, I drew this little king pup a while ago and still don't know what to do with it. 

Random. 

Maybe I'll paint it for little cryings...

little almanac

Ummm...hi. Most beautiful little family ever?! 

Where's an empty Gap billboard when you need one? 

Woah. 

Kendra of Little Almanac is here today to introduce herself and her cutiest blog. 

(Which I've been stalking for weeks now...shhh...)

>>>

Hello YPIL fans! I think it would be an understatement if I said I was ecstatic for this new adventure that Sam and Chas are embarking on called parenthood. I'm probably motherhood's most enthusiastic advocate. I hope that continues to be the feeling when I have a teenage daughter who thinks my jokes are un-cool.

I could introduce myself by stating my name and where I'm from, but that takes us back to the first day of junior high when I was so insecure about myself that those were the only two things I was sure of.

I have blossomed much since those days so here's a bit about me: I hate the crust on bread, I can eat a rittersport in about 1 minute, and if practicing patience maybe it'll last two. I'm self conscious of my hips, I'm an organizational nutcase, my favorite fast food is grilled cheese +tatertots+ cherry limeade from Sonic, I'm a Sprinkles Cupcakes fanatic. I studied abroad in London, I married my high school love and we have a secret language. I'm super frugal but don't like to sacrifice sophistication for tacky, and I am a mother to the most beautiful baby girl, Evelyn. 

Over yonder at my blog, Little Almanac, I love to document my experiences as a new mother, family films, our travels far and wide, things I cook, things that I think make me artsy and a whole lot of in-between stuff. 

Oh, and this year I am taking to heart the belief that "Laughter is the Best Medicine" and am attempting to cure the world by spreading joy every week on Funny Friday. 

I would love to have you hop on over and say hello!

house of pillows

I've recently discovered a wonderfully amazing etsy shop that I just have to share with you all! 

House of Pillows. 

Have you ever noticed how crazy expensive beautiful, high-quality, hand-made pillows are? Not only that, but most of the time, you only get the pillow case and then it's up to you to go buy a pillow insert. 

Now there's fiiiinally a better option.

Elizabeth, of House of Pillows, has always loved home décor and knows how the right pillow can be a perfectly simple way to transform a space. She uses the best quality designer fabric and all pillows have an invisible zipper closure. She also does custom orders so you can work directly with her to create the exact pillow you want in any size or fabric.

And the best part? Each pillow comes with a high-quality down pillow insert. 

Yessss!

We just got this pillow and I can't tell you how impressed I am with the quality. So professional. So perfect. 

"Blown away"would be a good way to describe my experience opening the box and seeing my pillow for the first time. 

(Too dramatic? Perhaps.

But it's the truth.)

We plan to use ours with our rocker for little cryings.

(Which you'll have to wait and see until we actually have a rocker...)

Add House of Pillows to your favorites on Etsy or like House of Pillows on Facebook! 

a little perspective

Not too long ago, Chas and I were lying in bed, chatting about random stuff. Our individual days, work, weekend plans (or lack thereof), and what we should make for dinner tomorrow night. 

Then I suddenly felt sad inside and told Chas I needed to have a little cry. So I did. And that alone helped as it usually does.

I explained how I had been feeling lately. Inadequate would be the word. Inadequate and maybe even lazy. I told him how I want to be better than I am. How there there seems to be so many things I could be doing right now that could help me become that better person. How I don't do a lot of those things. How it makes me feel bad about myself. 

Then something not completely unusual but rather important happened. 

Little cryings started kicking and punching up a storm. 

Now, this wasn't unusual. Baby girl likes to stay up late with us and is most active at night. 

But this time was a little different. 

She was moving so much more than she usually does. 

I immediately rolled over onto my back and pulled up my shirt a bit so Chas could feel and watch all the action. 

Everything that I had been sad about melted away. 

Watching my tummy, we were both smiling, laughing, and gasping in amazement.

Then a distinct thought came to me. 

What if this was little crying's way of saying, "Hey, mom! Why so glum, chum? Remember how I'm here and growing and being such a good girl? Remember how every day you're making me grow? Remember how this is the most important thing you could be doing with your life right now?!"

As I was lying in bed this morning, on my day off, I started to feel dumb and lazy again (even after a long, busy work week!). 

And, once again, that little cutie girl reminded me she was still there. And I remembered what was most important. I remembered to be kind to myself.

I smiled, closed my eyes, and allowed myself to keep sleeping in, guilt-free. 

(Besides, my sleeping-in days are seriously numbered. Might as well enjoy them while I can!)

It's funny how right when the miracle of life is happening inside me, right when I'm doing the most special thing I could ever do with my life, that's when I start to feel like I should be doing more, should be better than I am now. 

Me and my little cryings. 

We are so much more than enough. 

February is Chas' birth month aaannd a great month to be a sponsor!

(Pola from last weekend's Thai food cook fest with friends. )

Upon seeing this pic, Chas said:

"Woah. I look kinda big in this photo!"

(Me: silence...)

"I mean, bigger than I normally look." 

Silly skinny boy.
(But seriously...he does look bigger in this pic.)

Wanna join this polaroid and boost Chas' self-esteem even more???

Be a February sponsor! 

click here for affordable rates
and email youngpeoplelove@gmail.com to reserve your place on this blog
(and in Chas' heart).

:)

sometimes...

Sometimes...

It's hard for me to not look like a dorkus malorkus in pictures. 

I'm reminded of how much I love my husband when he always leaves a trail of opened cupboards and drawers behind him. 

I feel self-conscious when I walk to the front of the class that first day of the semester and all the students look a little confused. 

I am mildly dishonest when I plan to use the coupon I found in the mail for the free birthday Starbucks drink addressed to a previous tenant of our apartment.

I can't imagine a world without baby anticipation. 

I'm surprised that I still want to have a root beer float/chocolate milkshake/hot fudge sundae every stinkin' evening.

I get a little too easily wrapped up in trying to find the perfect baby girl name.  

I indulge in guilty pleasures like watching the entire first season of NY Ink in two days. 

I wish all things in life were as wonderful as a bowl of Cinnamon Life. 

>>>

As I was writing these, I thought, I wonder how other people would end these sentences....

So I decided to make it into a little game! 

To play, just copy and paste the first, bolded part of each sentence and then add your own, personal ending. 

Play along, link up, and make sure to leave the link to your post in a comment so I can check out your "sometimes!"

snowy, McDonald's breakfasts, and teaching

This is what we woke up to a few weekends ago. 

And now there's a winter storm warning so maybe, just maybe, we'll get to watch the snow fall tonight and have a scene like this to greet us in the morning. 

Chas snapped these pics after bringing home a yummy McDonald's breakfast.

He suggested we start a tradition of getting McDonald's for breakfast every first big snowfall of winter. 

Ummm...

Yes, please. 

In other news, 

A new semester started this week and, with it, I started teaching. 

This probably won't be the last time I say this but, 

I just love teaching college and feel so lucky to be able to do so. 

I'm happy. 

my post-high school life

It's strange how everyone is basically the same in high school.

But then graduation comes and we all scattered about to find our own separate, individual lives. 

Five years after high school, my life went a little something like this: 

Graduated with my BA degree from BYU in three years. 

Got married. 

Started selling my artwork on Etsy. 

Lived in Idaho Falls, Washington D.C., and Oregon. 

Started graduate school in Portland. 

Got divorced. 

And now, nine years after high school, I've:

Earned my MA in art therapy counseling. 

Moved back to Utah. 

Married the boy I had a crush on when I was 13 years-old. 

Started teaching as an adjunct professor for the Public Health department at UVU. 

Started working as an art therapist at the UofU's Neuropsychiatric Institute. 

Got pregnant. 

It's been an unexpected, sometimes bumpy, but exciting road. 

I'm proud of where I've been, what I've chosen for myself, and where I'm going. 

halfway there!

We had our 20 week ultrasound this morning. 

Little cryings posed perfectly and was movin' and groovin' the whole time! 

How I love this little thumb-sucking girl!

If you need me, I'll be watching the DVD of our visit

...for the next 20 weeks of my life. 

reality

Over Christmas break, we stayed at my family's cabin for about 10 days. 

10 days without blogging or the blogging world. 

And, can I tell you, it was a glorious 10 days. 

During that time, I had a great discussion with my mom and sisters about blogs. 

The essence of my convos and thoughts on blogs go a little something like this: 

>>>

I blog because it can be something positive for me in many ways. 

There are blogs out there who's authors appear to have it all. They are crazy beautiful, wear beautiful clothes non-stop, live in beautiful places, have beautiful families, and take beautiful vacations.

Is this a real, true-to-life portrayal of themselves or not? 

Why is it that we can only see the good in some blogs and never any hints of life challenges? 

Why do I look at these blogs regularly when it does nothing for me but make me feel ugly, boring, and inadequate?

Blogs like these blind me to all my many, many blessings. 

But my response to those blogs is my own, my responsibility. 

It's their blog. They can choose to post whatever they'd like. That's the great thing about blogging. 

I don't get to have a say in what they do or don't post about. 

So if a certain blog isn't giving me anything of value, learning, or insight, then I'm a dummy for spending time looking at it, no matter how briefly I scroll through the recent posts. 

>>>

Then I decided to do something about all these thoughts. 

I put them into action. 

Since coming home from our cabin trip, I haven't used my time to look at any of those blogs. None.

If a blog makes me feel sad in any way, I'm not going there. 

And, while I'm reducing blog time, 

I've also cut my Twitter activity way down.

(My little sister deleted her Facebook account.)

Brava. 

I can't tell you how refreshing it feels to actively choose to not be a mere bystander, watching other peoples' lives unfold and wishing mine could be more like theirs. 

I'm too busy living and loving my own life, thankyouverymuch.

preeetty awesome

I just love driving around after a big snow storm and seeing all the snowmen that have popped up in front yards. 

Earlier this week, I passed by this guy on my way home from work. 

I'm honestly not even sure what else to say in response to this besides, "Awwweeesome!!!" 

I mean just check out the pelvic bones!

This guy is probably the snowman king. The evil snowman king. 

And last night, our stroller came in the mail. 

Look how beautiful it is.

We tore into the box, quickly assembled it, and exchanged a few little shrieks of joy and excitement. 

Then Chas grabbed the handle bars and proceeded to take little cryings (the empty stroller) for a little ride around the house. Laughing, and trying to grab the handle bars so I could have a turn, I followed closely behind him. Together, we strolled around the living room, kitchen, hallway, and ended up in the baby's room. 

That's where I just had to forcefully take the stroller and demand a turn pushing it. 

Chas wasn't sharing. 

This morning, I asked Chas if he thought the baby will love riding in the stroller as much as we love pushing it around. 

"Ummm...Probably not" was his response. 

And he's probably right. 

he said, she said

When deciding what to watch on Netflix: 

My choice: NY Ink and Man vs. Food

Chas' choice: Masterpiece Theater's Downton Abbey

Yup. Pretty much sums us up. 

>>>

While getting ready for bed: 

Me: "Guess what song is in my head right now." 

Chas: "Ummm...The Club Can't Handle Me Right Now?"

He knows me too well. 

>>>

Waking up to lots of snow Saturday morning: 

Chas: "It's a winter miracle!"

Me: "Let's have a special breakfast!"

Chas: "McDonalds!?"

baby baby baby

There were a bunch of little moments of baby happiness this week that deserve documentation. 

I'm feeling this little girl move around more and more. In fact, right before falling asleep on New Year's Eve, I had my hand on my tum and felt the first little punch/kick from the outside. It was a great way to start the new year. 

I just love being able to feel her. It's like a secret, just between us two. Sometimes, I'll let Chas in on the fun when he's home. But otherwise, it's just me and her.

I finally broke down and bought some maternity clothes. 

I haven't wanted to spend money on clothes that I know I'll just grow out of very soon, but, at the same time, wearing the only pair of maternity jeans (hand-me-downs from my sis) every single day was kinda getting annoying.

My mom came with me and, turns out, the shopping angels were with us, too. We scored some awesome dresses at H&M and Motherhood. All were on sale! And we were able to leave the mall in just under two hours! Happy day. 

While at H&M, I died over their baby girl clothes. 

And it's good to know that they're still marking things down to $3. Love that. 

One of my happiest moments this week. Looking through baby girl jammies and being able to actually buy some for my baby girl! The only thing I can compare it to in my mind is going to a pet store and being told you can look at all the puppies, pick your favorite, and then take it home with you that same day.

(Really, though. That exact scenario comparison may have run through my mind while deciding which jammies I should get for little cryings.) 

And, last night, we brought home a changing table. 

(For, might I add, a killer deal on KSL.)

We cleaned up her room a bit, vacuumed the rug, and got the changing table in position. Then we imagined where the crib will go and a glider rocker. We also both stood over the changing table and pretended we were changing her diaper. 

You know, just your average over-the-top excitement/anticipatory role playing. 

And then I had another quite restless night attempting to not sleep on my back. 

I don't mind. 

Sponsor Love {pens & a camera lens}

Click here to visit Pens & A Camera Lens!

a christmas with my family & the cabin

a very homemade Christmas

This Christmas, we drew names with my family for the gift exchange. 

And we made a rule that your gift had to be homemade. 

It was awesome. 

Seriously the most excited we've ever been to open each other's presents and definitely the most memorable! 

Even the process of making our gifts was fun. 

Chas and I loved having our own separate project to work on in tandem on weekend nights while we listened to Christmas music.

Then, to top it all off, we had a little photo shoot and took pictures of everyone with their gift. 

Like I said, we were all pretty excited about our gifts. 

Here's the breakdown: 

Rosie made me this amazing car seat cover! 

(Baby Banks was nice enough to let me use his car seat for the pic.)

I think little cryings will love it!

Chas painted a family portrait for Sarah!

He worked really hard on this and I'm so proud of him for sticking with such an ambitious present!

This is Sarah's husband, Michael. (Love him.)

Michael is a huge smarty-pants computer programmer. 

So Lizzie made Michael his very own computer programming wizard cape!

Sarah made Lizzie this killer jacket and hand-bound book/diary! 

I made Hailey a big, snuggly fleece blanket! 

(Should be helpful in securing a suitor.)

Michael used his hands ("handmade") to pick out some college essentials for Rosie. 

My favorite part about this was apparently he asked his wife, Sarah, "Do you think it would be ok if I got Rosie some pantiliners?"

Michael knows what's up. 

And Hailey painted this ahhh-mazing portrait for Chas! 

I'll have to scan the original so you can really see how glorious and perfect it is. 

We're gonna commission her to paint one of me and then we can hang them both right above little crying's crib! 

2011 was a good one

A quick trip through last year's highlights!

January

Celebrated our first year of marriage happiness. 

February

I win the trophy for best Valentine's Day planning and execution. 

March

Sam & Chas photo shoot with Lissa. 

April

First Scootie ride of the season.

May

Painting posters for missionary Rosie and

...Chas has a pony tail. 

June

Trip to Oregon for my birthday!

We start eating frozen yogurt for dinners regularly.

July

Nephew Banks is born!

We get to be on the cover and inside spread of Simply the Sweet Life's summer issue.

August

Kelly family reunion fun times.

September

I host my cousin's baby shower.

Card family cabin trip.

October

PREGNANT!!!

November 

We move into our new apartment and I feel most grateful for Chas on Thanksgiving.

December

Sister Card comes home from her mission in Mesa 

and...

IT'S A GIRL!

>>>

We're so grateful for all 2011 blessed us with!

Now onto the main event: 

2012!