I am turning 25 years old on Superbowl Sunday. I was pretty bummed out about it. 25 is so.... old. I mean, you really have to be an adult when you're 25. When you turn 18, let's face it, you're still just a teenager. 20? Just starting college, maybe out on your own, but still just a kid. Just figuring stuff out. 21? I got married at 21. I guess you could be considered an adult then, but I look back at those first married years and trying to figure out bills, jobs, living with another person who is so different from you but you're so totally in love... let's face it, we were kids. But 25. 25 is old. 25 you have to be an adult. 25 is serious business.
So I was complaining to Dave that I was getting old when we were driving to church a few Sundays ago. But I certainly wasn't getting any sympathy from my 32 year old husband. He said something that really made me think. "Yeah, you're turning 25. But if you look back on your life, are you where you wanted to be when you turned 25?"
So I thought about it. Did I get everything done that I wanted to before I turned 25?
I wanted to graduate high school. Done. High school was a breeze. High school was fun. High school was drama, boyfriends, cars (I went through 3 of them), Rigby sports, jobs, newspaper editor, student council, dances, parties, dates... I have quite a few best friends from high school and we are going to be friends forever. Total BFFs! I loved high school. I loved watching my big brother play football. I loved watching my best friend play basketball. I loved playing volleyball. I loved seminary. I loved skipping seminary to have a long lunch with a few other "rebels". I loved the crazy teachers, the stinky halls and cross-age tutoring. But good heavens I also love being done with all that crap. Being in high school was a roller coaster. The crazy ups and downs "Oh my gosh is he gonna ask me to the dance?!" "If I ask him to the dance is he gonna think I'm a total freak?" "You know what, I don't even want to go to the dance. (Crap, yes I do)." Done. DONE!!
I wanted to graduate college. Done. College was HARD. Being thrown into an apartment with 5 other girls you don't even know. Into classes that make you actually work hard and do homework... and THINK. The first two years of college were rough. But I also made life long friends in college. Sure, I had never met these girls before and, frankly, I wasn't thrilled about living with girls. I tend to get along with boys much better than girls. But after only a week, sometimes two, some of these girls became my best friends. (Some of my roommates were CRAZY though, lets just be honest.) College was homework, late late late nights, long talks, fast friends, crazy fun ideas, spur of the moment decisions, classes, church, amazing classes that changed my life, people and professors that changed my life. I found myself in college. I figured out who I was and who I always wanted to be. I figured out who I didn't want to be and changed. I changed so much. I miss college sometimes. But it's done and I'm so proud of my degree.
I wanted to get married. Done. To the best man in the world. Dave was rough around the edges when we first met, I'll be honest. But I still remember what went through my mind when I first laid eyes on him. "Wow. He's pretty cute." We went to haunted houses and he teased me. I have a dad and two brothers that teased the crap out of me (they still do) so it seemed natural that this guy would tease me too. He laughed freely, he had fun openly, he worked hard. I think I fell in love with him in about 2 months. His crazy lack of fashion and his quirks became very endearing to me. We broke up because he had to see if there was a connection with a different girl. But I knew I had him hooked when we couldn't stay away from each other. We couldn't stop hanging out. We couldn't stop kissing. And we have never stopped. Our beautiful temple wedding was absolutely perfect and went off without a hitch. We have laughed together until our sides hurt and cried together until we have both run out of tears. Our lives with each other have been wonderful and I am so thankful we get to spend eternity with each other.
I wanted to have a career. Done... kinda. After I graduated college, I worked at a company that utilized my talents in visual communications and I did enjoy it. I enjoyed the people and I enjoyed the income. When we moved to Moscow I had a hard time finding a job. I became a long-term substitute at the Jr. High working with special education children. They changed my life and I very much appreciate my experience I had there. My talents now are being used in two church callings and I get to design posters and cards and programs about every month. I'm forever thankful for my college degree and my chance to use my talents in these aspects.
I wanted to have a baby. Done. It took us a long time to get pregnant. It was a very hard time in my life. Very dark time for me. But we did get pregnant and I was so very happy and so nervous. We found out we were having a girl and we were excited. My water broke on April 7th, and I was full of love and anticipation. After a long labor I ended up getting a c-section which wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. She was born April 8th. I held our little baby for the first time. Her name is Preslee Jo and I loved her instantly. My life with her has been amazing. The best job in the world is being a stay at home mom. I get to see her grow and learn and develop. I don't miss any of her milestones and I get to breastfeed and snuggle and teach her. She is my light and my life and brings so much joy into our lives.
So did I do everything I wanted before I turned 25? Yes. My life is full and I'm so thankful for it.
Bring it on, 25. Bring it on.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Monday, October 22, 2012
Preslee is 6 months old!
Oh my goodness I can't believe my Preslee Jo girl is 6 months old already! It has been such a busy half a year!
Preslee is such a healthy and active girl. We went to the doctor for her six month check-up and these are her stats:
Height: 25.5 inches (50%)
Weight: 14 lbs 1 oz (15%)
Head Circumference: 16.5 inches (30%)
We love her so much and are so thankful she is in our family. Every day she makes me laugh so hard! She is getting pretty giggly herself and that is so fun!
Here are some things Preslee can do:
Preslee and her friend Piper
Cute belly laugh
Alisa, Brenda and Trudie came to visit at the end of September and we had a little photo shoot with the cute little cousins. Here are some of those pictures!
I love our baby girl!
Preslee is such a healthy and active girl. We went to the doctor for her six month check-up and these are her stats:
Height: 25.5 inches (50%)
Weight: 14 lbs 1 oz (15%)
Head Circumference: 16.5 inches (30%)
We love her so much and are so thankful she is in our family. Every day she makes me laugh so hard! She is getting pretty giggly herself and that is so fun!
Here are some things Preslee can do:
- sits up by herself
- rolls all over the room (she likes rolling over her left shoulder better than her right, so sometimes she gets stuck when she rolls herself over to a wall or the couch or something.)
- giggles at random things. She giggles when we tickle her and she likes being tossed in the air.
- she eats solids now. Lots of oatmeal and she loves peas, green beans, avocados and sweet potatoes. She doesn't really like bananas or apples (I have a weird child)
- when she cries, she sometimes goes "mum mum mum mum mum...." but I don't think she knows what she's saying...
- she has a good dinosaur scream/yell. It is so high pitched that dogs howl. (ok, not really... but she can get loud.)
- she loves sucking her entire fist or fingers, toes, toys, burp rags, blankies... anything but a pacifier.
- no teeth yet! But we're watching for them.
- she is an excellent sleeper! She goes to bed around 9:30 and I can put her in her crib wide awake and she falls asleep by herself! She only wakes up once during the night and sometimes sleeps from 9:30 all the way till 7:00! Those nights are so nice. But most of the time she wakes up anywhere between 3:00 or 5:00 to eat and goes right back to sleep until 8:00 or 9:00.
- she is pretty good at being pathetic when she wants to be. She'll lay on her tummy and whimper like a puppy until I come pick her up. She's so funny.
Preslee and her friend Piper
Cute belly laugh
Alisa, Brenda and Trudie came to visit at the end of September and we had a little photo shoot with the cute little cousins. Here are some of those pictures!
I love our baby girl!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Fourth of July Week
We were able to go down to Rigby for the Fourth of July. My family was getting together with the Labrum family (my dad's cousins) for a big reunion and of course, the Dahl family fireworks! The Fourth of July is definitely my second favorite holiday (after Christmas) because we always light off awesome fireworks! I LOVE this family tradition!
Preslee doesn't like family pictures very well.
Dad is being pretty weird. :)
Aww Mom! Stop your kissing!
Too much partying! Preslee crashed in the middle of all the fun!
I was a little worried that Preslee would not like the loud fireworks and she would get scared, so I bundled her up really well and sat with her on my lap. Well, after the first few went off, she didn't even jump or startle or even make a peep. So I handed her off to my mom and went to help light the fireworks (which is the vast majority of the fun of fireworks). I kept checking back with my mom to see if Preslee was ok, but she said she was fine! So I stayed and helped light the fireworks off. During the final box finale, Dave and I were able to hug and kiss under the fireworks and it was pretty awesome.
When I got back to my mom and Preslee, Preslee had fallen asleep! Yes, with all that booming and ooing and ahhhing, flashing lights and everything, she was konked out! Our kid really is bomb proof!
It was so good to see everyone and to be home for a few days. I miss being close to family so very much.
On Friday, we got to go to Rigby Lake with a few of my friends. Ariel and her little sister Olivia and Ariel's son James came. Also Kayla and her husband Aaron and their three kids, Eli, Koryn, and little Ezra. It was so fun to get in the water and play with them! Even Preslee got her toes in the water! It was so cute! Her first little swimming trip!
Her hat was a little too big. Also, her tongue is too big for her mouth. She's always sticking that thing out.
I think Preslee liked it. She didn't cry, at least! So that's a good thing. She's a pretty even keel baby.
Here is a short little video. Sorry for all the shouting, it was pretty busy at the lake.
After we went swimming we hung out under an umbrella at the beach.
And pretty soon Preslee fell asleep! She's such a rock star.
Preslee is growing so much! She is so much fun! She eats her hands all the time and tries to fit her entire fist in her mouth. She is a morning girl for sure! She gives the biggest smiles in the morning and giggles in the morning too. She is starting to find her voice more and more. We both love her so much!
Can you believe she is three months old?! She is such a blessing in our lives. Can't get enough of her.
Preslee doesn't like family pictures very well.
Dad is being pretty weird. :)
Aww Mom! Stop your kissing!
Too much partying! Preslee crashed in the middle of all the fun!
I was a little worried that Preslee would not like the loud fireworks and she would get scared, so I bundled her up really well and sat with her on my lap. Well, after the first few went off, she didn't even jump or startle or even make a peep. So I handed her off to my mom and went to help light the fireworks (which is the vast majority of the fun of fireworks). I kept checking back with my mom to see if Preslee was ok, but she said she was fine! So I stayed and helped light the fireworks off. During the final box finale, Dave and I were able to hug and kiss under the fireworks and it was pretty awesome.
When I got back to my mom and Preslee, Preslee had fallen asleep! Yes, with all that booming and ooing and ahhhing, flashing lights and everything, she was konked out! Our kid really is bomb proof!
It was so good to see everyone and to be home for a few days. I miss being close to family so very much.
On Friday, we got to go to Rigby Lake with a few of my friends. Ariel and her little sister Olivia and Ariel's son James came. Also Kayla and her husband Aaron and their three kids, Eli, Koryn, and little Ezra. It was so fun to get in the water and play with them! Even Preslee got her toes in the water! It was so cute! Her first little swimming trip!
Her hat was a little too big. Also, her tongue is too big for her mouth. She's always sticking that thing out.
I think Preslee liked it. She didn't cry, at least! So that's a good thing. She's a pretty even keel baby.
Here is a short little video. Sorry for all the shouting, it was pretty busy at the lake.
After we went swimming we hung out under an umbrella at the beach.
And pretty soon Preslee fell asleep! She's such a rock star.
Preslee is growing so much! She is so much fun! She eats her hands all the time and tries to fit her entire fist in her mouth. She is a morning girl for sure! She gives the biggest smiles in the morning and giggles in the morning too. She is starting to find her voice more and more. We both love her so much!
Can you believe she is three months old?! She is such a blessing in our lives. Can't get enough of her.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Preslee's First Few Months
Being a Mom is busy! I thought I would be posting on this blog all the time, but as soon as I get Preslee fed and happy, dishes done, house somewhat clean, and settle down to write in the blog, Preslee is up and wanting fed again or needs a diaper change or something. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love every second with her. She is such a doll. But it's also not like I sit around eating bon bons all day and taking naps. Being a stay at home mom is tough work! But by far my favorite job I've ever had. Ever.
We went down to Southern Idaho to visit my family when Dave got done with school at the end of May. It was awesome to be down there and lots of people hadn't met Preslee yet, so she got to meet lots of family! We decided to have her blessing down there in my parent's ward because it would be easier for both of our families to make it there instead of up here in Moscow.
Here are some pictures of that weekend:
This is on her blessing day, May 20th. It was such a special day! Dave blessed Preslee with some amazing things including an attitude of work, ability to discern truth and a love of music. I'm so thankful for a worthy priesthood holder in our home.
This is a four generation picture.
Preslee in her sweet dress.
Grandma and Preslee
A few of my friends came over to hang out. This is Preslee and her friend Ezra (Kayla's son). He was born in February, so just a few months older than Preslee. It was fun to see them!
Preslee and Bridger! They are good cousins!
It was awesome to see everyone!
Here are more pictures of Preslee and some fun videos we have taken:
Preslee when she is one month old.
Preslee when she is two months old.
My mom gave me this outfit to put on Preslee. My grandma Judy made it for my mom when I was born and I wore it when I was Preslee's size. Now Preslee can wear it! It's so cute!
Preslee has LONG eyelashes. She's so beautiful. I get asked all the time if I have considered entering her into modeling or cutest baby photo contests. Haha... I always say no.
Her cute little nose and precious lips.
She's doing really well on her tummy. This is her superman pose. I wish I had taken a video of her on her tummy because she is hilarious. She does NOT like tummy time very much. She gets soooo mad. In this picture she is screaming! It takes me about 10 to 15 minutes to calm her down after she's been on her tummy. But the doctor said that this is the only area where she is a little behind in developing, so she has to be on her tummy more. Sorry Preslee!
This is July 1st after church. She is so cute! She's finally fitting into her 0-3 month old clothes, now that she's 12 weeks old!
Fun videos:
Preslee is so smiley and precious. She is starting to coo and grunt at me more and we have a lot of good conversations. On June 30th she giggled at me for the first time. It absolutely made my day and melted my heart. She loves it when her daddy comes home and will coo and smile at him for a good 30 minutes when he comes home. She likes her baths and is starting to splash and play in the tub. It's so cute. She does NOT like it when I get her out of the bath or when I clean her ears. Preslee is such a great baby and will sleep from about 10:00 at night to 4:00 in the morning and then usually goes back to sleep from 5:00 to about 7:00 or 8:00. She is a great eater and is so content. She's a very chill baby. We love her with all of our hearts and can't believe how lucky we are.
We went down to Southern Idaho to visit my family when Dave got done with school at the end of May. It was awesome to be down there and lots of people hadn't met Preslee yet, so she got to meet lots of family! We decided to have her blessing down there in my parent's ward because it would be easier for both of our families to make it there instead of up here in Moscow.
Here are some pictures of that weekend:
This is on her blessing day, May 20th. It was such a special day! Dave blessed Preslee with some amazing things including an attitude of work, ability to discern truth and a love of music. I'm so thankful for a worthy priesthood holder in our home.
This is a four generation picture.
Preslee in her sweet dress.
Grandma and Preslee
Preslee and Bridger! They are good cousins!
It was awesome to see everyone!
Here are more pictures of Preslee and some fun videos we have taken:
Preslee when she is one month old.
Preslee when she is two months old.
My mom gave me this outfit to put on Preslee. My grandma Judy made it for my mom when I was born and I wore it when I was Preslee's size. Now Preslee can wear it! It's so cute!
Preslee has LONG eyelashes. She's so beautiful. I get asked all the time if I have considered entering her into modeling or cutest baby photo contests. Haha... I always say no.
Her cute little nose and precious lips.
She's doing really well on her tummy. This is her superman pose. I wish I had taken a video of her on her tummy because she is hilarious. She does NOT like tummy time very much. She gets soooo mad. In this picture she is screaming! It takes me about 10 to 15 minutes to calm her down after she's been on her tummy. But the doctor said that this is the only area where she is a little behind in developing, so she has to be on her tummy more. Sorry Preslee!
This is July 1st after church. She is so cute! She's finally fitting into her 0-3 month old clothes, now that she's 12 weeks old!
Fun videos:
Preslee is so smiley and precious. She is starting to coo and grunt at me more and we have a lot of good conversations. On June 30th she giggled at me for the first time. It absolutely made my day and melted my heart. She loves it when her daddy comes home and will coo and smile at him for a good 30 minutes when he comes home. She likes her baths and is starting to splash and play in the tub. It's so cute. She does NOT like it when I get her out of the bath or when I clean her ears. Preslee is such a great baby and will sleep from about 10:00 at night to 4:00 in the morning and then usually goes back to sleep from 5:00 to about 7:00 or 8:00. She is a great eater and is so content. She's a very chill baby. We love her with all of our hearts and can't believe how lucky we are.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)