Oh Christmas Tree

Because we missed out on the Christmas tree hunting this year. We headed to our neighborhood Clem's (freak show) to get our $11.00 black market tree. It is little with big ornaments and I love it. As you can see, Lucy loves it too. This is what happened the other day during my first 'too quiet' moments! Since then she will roll to it ALL the time!

Pout

Is that the saddest face you have ever seen? She is already working me with the pout.

6 Month Family Photos

We took Lucy's six month photos in November up in Park City on Main Street. It was beautiful and freezing!!
Thanks again to Melissa Sue Photography for an amazing shoot.
You can see the rest of our shoot here.
You can see our maternity shoot done 8 days before Lucy was born here.
And you can see Lucy's newborn photo shoot here.

The day I was born

I was due on December 18, 1982. My mom was so excited that I would follow the pattern of the families' birthdays...all on the same day of the week. I had chosen to come to Richard & Elaine's family where I would soon be the fourth child. They had 1 girl and 2 boys and were anxiously hoping for another girl.

My mom woke up on December 17 to a phone call from a friend saying her sister just had a baby girl. My mom was a bit jealous - a girl! She wanted a girl SOOO bad for my sister. My mom had even bought a beautiful little red Christmas dress in hopes she would be able to use it. Shortly after my mom started having a few labor pains here and there throughout the day. My dad was finishing their basement so he would come up and check on her every so often.

By 10:00 pm the pains were too strong and my mom was able to convince my dad 'it was time.' He asked if he should wear pink for a girl, or blue for a boy...without hesitation my mom insisted he wear pink (really dad, did you wear pink??). They got in the car and headed off for the hospital, oh wait...first they stopped at 7-11 and get film for the camera!

They got to Cottonwood Hospital and into the labor room. My mom was asked at 11:25 pm if she wanted an epidural. Because she was in so much pain she wanted to say yes, but because of her last experience with an epidural she wanted to say no. Dr. Stone also gave her the option to wait 30 more minutes to have me on December 18, or he would break her water now and she could have me today. She debated about these two essentials for a bit and then they realized it was just too late anyway. A few pushes later, I was born!

Holly Ann Henriksen

December 17, 1982

11:30 pm

7 pounds 4 ounces

20 inches

They didn't have a name for me yet. My mom heard a story about a sweet baby girl who was left at the hospital with no name. The nurses decided to name her Holly because she was a Christmas baby. My mom loved it. They gave me the middle name of Ann to honor many of my grandmothers.

And that is where it all began!

Now that I am a mother myself I know of the love my mom has always had for me. Funny how you never believe you could ever love someone so much. It is an amazing experience. It helps me appreciate all my mom has done for me and all she continues to do. Seriously, I have the best mom EVER! Love you.

7 Months!

7 Months have come and gone since I first met my sweet baby girl. I cannot believe I am actually a mother to a 7 month old. I fall in love all over again and again with this girl. I think she is quite funny and can't help but laugh with her. The other day Rhett asked me if I just want to eat Lucy sometimes. I was so glad to hear I was not the only one who thinks she would be quite tasty. Lucky for Lucy, no bites yet! After this conversation I tried to talk Rhett into reading the Twilight series - he said no, once again!

Lucy is all over the place these days. However, not by crawling. Her movement of choice is rolling. She will roll from couch to kitchen to table to Christmas tree. I don't know if she will ever crawl considering she can get anywhere she needs to go!

She is still a rough 'n tough girl. She loves to be thrown up HIGH and then dropped almost to the floor. She lives to play hard and gets quite angry when you stop. She will give you a nasty look and scream at you. Yay!

Lucy has certainly put some adventure to my day (and night) and I am so glad to be a part of her life. I love you luce.

Thanksgiving

Holidays have been a lot of fun with a kiddo. It is so fun to introduce traditions to her that I have done all my life.

Rhett's family did Thanksgiving the Sunday before...thank you Rita and Russ for doing it early so we could all be there (although we missed those who don't live in town and the sickies). The night was full of yummy food, yummy people, and yummy games.

We did Thanksgiving day with my dad's side of the family. This always involves the church gym! It isn't Thanksgiving to me without the taste of stale church water! Again, we had yummy food.

After our early escape we headed to a Mama Mia, just the 3 of us. We had an hour to kill so we sat in the car and discussed what we were each thankful for. Neither of us could get past anything that didn't include Lucy...we are both so thankful for her in our home. When we asked Lucy what she was thankful for all she would say was "da da da da". Come on girl, ma ma ma ma.


The Friday after Thanksgiving my family has always ventured down to Manti (about 60 of us). We go to the temple, eat dinner, and basically take over a movie theater. Then in the morning we wake up early and go cut down a tree. I have a love/hate relationship with Christmas Tree Hunting. It is way too early, too cold, and it takes way too long! Other than that, I love it!

This year I took Lucy and we stayed for the day. It was fun, but it is never the same without Rhett. He has only been able to come once. Maybe next year there will be no Black Friday and he will come with us!

thankful

lucy is thankful for...

the binki

warm cozy blankets

the strings on all of mommy's hoodies (if they're not there she gets very puzzled)

the nose sucker

naps with mommy in her bed

holly is thankful for...

my family

naps with lucy in my bed

DVR (i know, i know)

warm cozy sweats

time i get with rhett during the holidays (the time is very few and far between!)

rhett is thankful for...

holly

lucy

football

xbox

snow

HI

The past week Lucy has discovered how to wave. She may love the reaction she gets more than the actual wave...we are such first timers! Everything makes us giddy! Enjoy!

Twilight

We went to Twilight opening morning! 12:15 am. I have not done something this silly since the college days. Funny things is that I got more sleep than I did the night before! I must say I really enjoyed the movie. No, it wasn't perfect, but I enjoyed it. I think it met my expectations perfectly. Thanks Melissa for putting this together and for the pictures!

Check out my Sister-in-law Amy's blog about her trip to Forks, WA - for real! What a sweet husband!!

WHY?

This is a question I hate to ask myself...but it seams to be the question I end up asking myself over and over. Last night was one of those Why nights. Why me? Why us? Why her? Lucy has had a really rough few nights (like usual). She was awake from 12:00 - 4:00 am, and then again at 6:00 am - 12:00 pm, SERIOUSLY. She finally took a nap for 30 minutes, and I know that is all I will get out of her until around 3:30 when she will take another 30 minute nap. Again, I ask Why me? Why us? Why her? Then she may or may not take another 30 minute nap this evening...then probably stay up late and wake up soon after that.

It is in those critical hours during the night I ask those critical questions. I hate asking those questions. I hate living those moments of frustration. I hate wondering what is wrong with me, with us, with her. Really, there is nothing wrong with us. That is all there is to it. We are all healthy. We have a healthy little girl who smiles and crinkles her nose. We are so blessed and I am so lucky to be Lucy's mom.

That is why today I am going to ask a much better question....Why not me? Why not us? Why not her. So when pity sets in I need to remember to ask...Why not give us this trial....we can handle it, and we have. I can survive on 3 hours of sleep. I can get through these harder times because I have trust in my Heavenly Father. He will not give me a trial I am not fully capable of surviving. So today I ask WHY NOT ME?

Da Da Da Da

Da Da Da Da is about the sweetest sound I have ever heard. We love to pretend she really knows what she is saying. Sometimes she even says 'Hi Dada'. She has become quite the talker. While watching a football game last week Lucy would cheer right along with us. She loved the noise and the giggles she was getting from Mom and Dada. Now we just need to work on Mama!

6 Months Old!

Lucy is officially six months old. I think we have hit such a great age and want to share with you the things we love about sweet Lucy.

- Lucy stares at me all the time. It is so funny. Rhett will be holding her and her eyes will just follow me wherever I go.
- She loves to grab our hair - especially daddy's.

- She is starting to rest her head on our shoulders when she needs some love.

-She gives some funny faces when eating/gagging/spitting out baby food. We are still working on it, but in the meantime, it is hilarious.

- She loves to be thrown around. She loves to be thrown up, down, left, right, upside down.

-She loves to bounce on our legs and do superman. This is the time we get the most giggles.

- She always needs something to play with in her hands. She is always grabbing for anything in sight.

- Occasionally she will lay on my lap and watch some Baby Einstein. I love these quiet still moments.

- She likes to hug her teddy bears as she falls asleep.

- Lucy constantly is pulling off her socks. Thanks to Robeez for the stay put shoe.

- When Lucy has bare feet - both big toes are generally in her mouth. When she is in the tub she will dip her toes in the bath water and then suck the water off over and over - very smart.

- She loves to drink mom and dad's water. Loves it through the bottom of the straw or the tongue dip.

It has been a great 6 months with this girl. We love you Lucy.

Halloween

Pumpkin Patch

After falling flat on my back twice we decided the pumpkin cart was not made for adults to ride in. Poor Lucy was in my arms for one of the drops, but I was quite the hero and she didn't hit the ground! Rhett was soooo embarrassed while everyone looked at us and laughed. I had tears from laughing so hard.

Tagged

8 favorite tv shows



1. One Tree Hill 2. Private Practice 3. Survivor 4. Grey's (although I am pretty much over this show) 5. The Office 6. SNL 7. Oprah 8. Law and Order SVU



8 things I did yesterday



1. Tried to take a nap! 2. Made tacos 3. Had family over for dinner 4. A few primary things 5. Cleaned out Lucy's closet 6. Stalked all your blogs 7. Stayed in my pj's until 5:30 - love it 8. Laundry

8 things I look forward to

1. Rhett coming home 2. Christmas time with Lucy 3. Eating whatever I want after I am done nursing 4. Sleeping through the night, heck, just 3 hours at a time would be great. 5. Vacations next summer 6. Shopping with Melissa tonight 7. Smaller chest - I love nursing, but can't wait to be a bit smaller! 8. Family pictures in November

8 favorite restaurants

1. Sawadee 2. Spaghetti Factory 3. Rumbi's 4. La Cacina 5. Subway 6. Olive Garden 7. Noodles & Co 8. Anywhere - I just love to eat out!

8 things on my wish list

1. To sleep more 2. Different home - love it, but some things drive me nutty 3. New car for Rhett 4. Steady income 5. Lucy will grow out of her allergies - PLEASE 6. Cleaning lady to come every week. 7. Loose the rest of my baby weight - without exercising!!!! I can wish. 8. A healthy and happy family

8 people I tag

1. Dani 2. Lisa S.3. Lisa G. 4. Lisa C. 5. Juli 6. Brooke 7. Hannah 8. Jewels

QUIRKS

I was tagged a few times about my quirks a while back and I am finally getting around to it (one of my quirks).

- I have to get ready for bedtime or nap time to be able to sleep. I need teeth brushed, fan on, clean feet in socks, pj's, contacts out, and it is best if it is in my bed. After all of this it still takes me at least 30 minutes to fall asleep at best. This quirk has been so hard as a mom. Especially a mom of a HORRIBLE SLEEPER! I wonder where she gets it from.

- If I am at home I am in sweats. Why stay in jeans when you can be in sweats? So comfy.

- I can let my house get cluttered. It drives me crazy all the while, but usually I will choose to do something else over straightening up. I might also consider this a blessing as a mom because I have been able to not worry about the pile of mail that needs to be sorted. Most of you may not know this because I am usually good about cleaning up before anyone comes over! If you ever want to make me bust my bum just tell me you are coming over!

- I HATE text messaging! I will always just call the person back. Why take 20 minutes to have a conversation that can just take a minute?? Plus it costs me 20 cents each way. I am also not so great at returning phone calls...sorry...I need to work on that.

- The grass is ALWAYS greener to me. I am really trying to improve this habit.

- I do not like being in front of people. I get so nervous and red. When I was called to Ward Chorister the Counselor said when they considered who to call they wanted to find someone who would love to stand in front of people - rude and not true! But I will admit it was a great calling for me because I got to learn a bit about music and stand in front of the whole ward 4 times a week. However, last week was my first week not leading and I feel great about it.

- I think my baby is cuter than yours - is that a quirk?

I know I have many more, feel free to let me know what they are. I tag no one, this wasn't the most uplifting tag.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

We had a great time in Jackson. It was so fun to have Lucy with us to create some great memories. We loved resting during nap time, eating out every meal - yum, being together all day, and loved having a great time. How could I not enjoy myself with my two favorite people? I was so glad to have a trip to refresh myself and remember to enjoy the simple things in life.