Don't judge me.

I'm taking a break from teaching Paige to sleep in her crib. Its just not worth my sanity. I promise. Does this mean I'm a bad mother? So be it!!

Speaking in church

Nate and I are speaking in Sacrament Meeting next sunday (the 9th). I am somewhat nervous because I haven't had to give a talk since I was like 12 or 13. Can you believe that? Somehow I have been passed by all this time, which I haven't minded. Anyway, the topic is Remembering God's Kindness. I have been working on it a little bit lately, but if anyone has any ideas on this topic whatsoever, I would love to hear them. Stories, thoughts, scriptures, anything at all... I'm pretty open. Thanks!!

This is torture.

Listening to Paige cry is one of the worst things I've experienced. Its not getting a whole lot better. Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't know how much more I can take!

Tough love...

Overall, motherhood has been wonderful so far. I have really loved it, and it hasn't been too stressful or crazy. But unfortunately, I've gotten Paige into some bad habits that I've realized must be changed ASAP. And here's where some tough love has come in lately. It involves her sleep habits. First of all, she has to be nursed to sleep. That is what she is "used to" and its all my fault. And second, she sleeps with us! Yikes. I know- its not a good idea. But it all started when I was an exhausted new mom and I figured out how easy it was to nurse laying down in bed. So now that she is 7 months old, I am really putting my foot down. :) It took me long enough. So the past few nights we have started putting her in her crib at night to sleep. She is not happy about it, to say the least. It has been absolute torture to hear her cry, but I know it must be done. I almost gave up many times, but Nate set me straight. Last night she finally fell asleep after an hour and 20 minutes of fussing/crying/playing in her crib. It was a miracle because it took even longer the first night. I really think she is going to get used to this and I bet tonight will be even better. I am so glad that I have finally decided to be the parent here! Nate has wanted to do this for a long time, but I've been hesitant. I can't wait for the teenage years. I'm gonna be such a push-over. Crap. These pictures are from her nap today. It was rough doing it alone this time since Nate's working.

It's 3 AM- I must be lonely...

Nate has been in New York this week for more Pfizer training. He gets back tomorrow- thank goodness. It's crazy how lonely I feel without him. It gives me great respect for single moms. I don't know how they do it. I'm exhausted after 2 days. Plus, I long for some kind of adult interaction!! My conversations with Paige are pretty limited. They mainly involve her looking at me very seriously and saying, "Bah bah bah bah..." Its pretty funny actually because she looks like she has something super important to say. The funniest thing is when she is starting to wake up from a nap and her eyes are still closed, and then all of a sudden she opens them and says "Bah bah bah bah..." really loud, while flailing her arms and kicking. The first time she did it Nate and I started laughing hysterically because she went from asleep to totally hyper in like 5 seconds. She is so much fun and so sweet. She is really starting to get attached to me and when I pick her up she clings to me like a little monkey.

Hawaii Memories

We will always miss Hawaii and the care-free-ness of our lives there. This is Santiago Cifuentes from our ward. What a cutie!

When Laie flooded during Winter semester 2006.

Sunset Beach

Our TVA apartment

This was at our first ward activity with Nate and I as the "Chairman.. and woman"

Nate and his buddies playing Settlers of Zarahemla.

The Smartest Baby in the World!

Paige has learned to read! It's really quite amazing. Almost... unbelievable. Anyway, she is so fun. She rolls across the floor like crazy. I really have to keep an eye on her now. Or even two eyes sometimes.

We're really starting to miss Hawaii...

Nate and I aren't big fans of freezing cold, snowy weather. Supposedly, this area is having record snow storms this year. We were lucky enough to move here just in time. :) We haven't experienced a real winter in 3 years! On another note, Hawaii is starting to sound really nice right now. Nate misses his aquarium and the ocean so much. He talks about moving back to Hawaii all the time. As much as I loved it there, I definitely got "island fever" after a while. I felt trapped, and so far from home. I guess I'm a wuss. These are recent pictures of our area in Eastern Washington. I would love to move back to the Western side of the state. We miss the Seattle area a lot. If only we could afford it!

I was tagged (for the first time) by Meg! Here goes...

TAGGED….
A- Attached or Single? I am so attached its not even funny.
B- Best Friend? Nizl
C- Cake or Pie? YES PLEASE!! I love all desserts. Especially ice cream cakes.
D- Day of Choice? I love Friday. You have the whole weekend ahead of you.
E- Essential Item? Ice cream. What would life be without it?
F- Favorite Color? Olive green is my favorite.
G- Gummy Bears or Worms? No thanks.
H- Hometown? Originally Gig Harbor, WA. I love that place. Now I live in Liberty Lake, WA. (5 hrs away)
F- Favorite Indulgence? Celebrity gossip magazines like People and US. (Don't tell anyone.)
J- January or July? July for sure. I hate this freezing, snowy weather!
K- Kids? I have a sweet little 6 month old, Paige. I cant wait for a few more!!
L- Life isn’t complete without? My family and the gospel.
M- Marriage date? July 21, 2004
N- Number of brothers and sisters? 3 sisters, 1 brother
O- Oranges or Apples? Oranges. Apples are pretty good, but not as good as oranges.
P- Phobias and Fears? Falling through ice!! Or anything related to being in cold water.
Q- Quote? Hmm... I cant think of one right now.
R- Reason to smile? Paige is so fun and happy. She makes me smile all the time.
S- Season of choice? I like Fall the most. Its so beautiful and the weather is mild usually.
T- Tag five people? I officially tag... everyone.
U- Unknown fact about me? I have a screw in my foot. I had bunion surgery when I was 14. Now my foot looks super jacked. Actually this is most likely not an unknown fact if you've ever seen my left foot.
V- Vegetable? Corn!! I love it! Actually, I love most vegetables. Potatoes, asparagus, avocado, broccoli... lots of them. But corn the most.
W- Worst Habit? Eating a lot at night. I have done it for as long as I can remember and its not helping me lose these last few pounds!
X-ray or Ultrasound? Ultrasounds are fun when you're pregnant.
Y- Your favorite food? This is a very difficult question. I love pizza, ice cream, corn, mashed potatoes... I could go on forever.
Z- Zodiac Sign? Aries

Cutie Pie!!