Blessings

Anton is hiking, Lily is asleep…my house is so quiet and peaceful. I sat down at the computer to check my email and read my favorite blogs. I started reading one that really made me look at my life and helped me to realize how richly blessed I am. I became so emotional while reading this woman’s blog. It’s like it helped put things into perspective for me. I have an amazing husband who is not only my husband but my very best friend. I don’t know where I would be if I had not found him. And knowing that I will be with him for eternity is simply amazing. Then there is Lily. All I hope for is that I will be a good mom to her – the kind of mom she deserves. She is so innocent and so sweet – she is straight from heaven. Sometimes I look at her and wonder why I am so lucky to be her mom. I went through some sadness and heartache in the past…and I know Heavenly Father blessed me and sustained me through that time. I realized during that time that I was being sustained. Now as a mother, I know I am being blessed. When Lily was born and the doctor announced I had given birth to a little girl I wept. I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I was sent a beautiful little girl. What a tender mercy. Heavenly Father knew in my heart of hearts I wanted a little girl…I needed a little girl. My prayers were answered. I talk all the time of my family, and how much I love them…it’s because they are my everything. I want to be the kind of mom that Lily is proud of and looks up to. I want to make her feel safe, and help her to know how special she really is. I love her so much and recognize that she is one of the greatest blessings I could be given. I am humbled to be her mom and honored to be Anton’s wife.

All about her

Our Lily is growing and growing. Each day it seems like she is doing something new. She is the sweetest, most happy baby - we are having so much fun with her. I can't believe how chubby she is getting - I am having a hard time snapping the bottom buttons on some of her outfits because he thighs are filling out so much! I love it! Here are some pictures of her over the past few weeks. Her latest things are...


*She loves to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in the morning after she eats...she laughs and talks the whole time.
*She likes when I am putting a shirt or onesie over her face, and I say "peek-a-boo!". She thinks that is so funny!
*She loves to be held by Anton. The other day I was doing something in the kitchen, and asked Anton to hold her...within two seconds she was comfortable, and closing her eyes. She loves Anton.
*The other thing I absolutely adore about her is she loves to be snuggled. Lately she has also loved having a blankie up to her face when she is settling in - like mother like daughter!!

I saw a saying that says "You Hug My Heart". Lily hugs my heart. I love her.

This was yesterday, just hanging out with us on the couch.

Sorry Anton - your eyes are closed in this picture. It is so cute of Lily though, I couldn't resist. This is one of my favorites of her.

She smiles like her dad - her eyes almost close all the way. So darling!Hanging out in her cool chair while I get ready for the day.

U.S.A!!

This was one of the most incredible things we have ever seen!! We stayed up to watch the men's 4x100m freestyle relay....especially once we heard that France was going to "smash" the Americans. Unreal! I was on the edge of my seat, waving my hands saying "hurry, hurry hurry!", and Anton was standing up with his hands on his head....once we saw the screen say that America had one the gold, we cheered and yelled! I thought for sure Lily would wake up because of how loud we were. It will go down as our favorite Olympic moments for sure. It was incredible!

Wow

Yesterday I went to the home show with my mom and sister-in-law Megan. My parents went the other day, and fell in love with this particular home, so my mom took us yesterday to go see it. And, Oh My Gosh! This home was beyond beautiful, and just oozing class. The designer did such an amazing job incorporating old with new...for example the kitchen had the original brick in it. And mixing old and new can be so difficult, so in my opinion the designer did a fantastic job. It was so refreshing to go into a house that was full of beautiful art and furniture...rather than one that is filled with TVs and electronics. My parents are remodeling their home, and my mom has asked for some of my help...I think we got some great ideas yesterday. So, thanks Mom - that was so fun!

Happiness

Words alone can't begin to describe how happy and in love I am with my little family. I am so lucky to have Anton as my husband. Just thinking about him makes me laugh - and he is so good to me - I am so lucky. Last night he watched Lily while I went golfing and to Red Mango with my sisters and mom. It was so nice to get out and be with some of my favorite people for a while...thanks Anton. And Lily. Honestly...I don't think I could love her more. That face...her smile...her little squeal...her lips...her eyes...her hair...her smell...everything about her. Everyday she does something new, something that makes me laugh. She has brought so much joy into our lives. I will admit, I struggled at first...wondering what in the heck I had just done, and if it would get better. Now I look at her and think to myself 'what would I do without you'. She is part of me...and when I don't have her with me, I feel like something is missing. She is so adorable. I waste so much time just gooing at her, and playing with her. Being a mother is amazing. I feel so much more complete now that I am a mom. And, I am so grateful for my mom...I feel like I understand her so much more now that I am a mother. Wow. I am so lucky. I will never know why Lily chose us as her parents, but I am sure glad she did. So, in a nut shell...I am crazy about my little family. Can you tell?!

This post doesn't have a title, because it is full of all sorts of stuff. So, here we go...

First of all, I got an email from Anton this morning. This is what it said:

"Lizzy, pack your bags....we are off to Costa Rica!"

Seriously!?! I am so excited!! We have talked about going on a vacation for a long time, but something always came up that kept us here. So, in February we are off to Costa Rica - he bought the airline tickets today. I can't wait!!

Now onto the second item...We have had Antons mom staying with us for the last little while. It has been SO MUCH FUN! I love that she has gotten to know Lily, and that Anton and I have been able to spend 'one on one' time with her. I have always loved my mother in law - but after her stay here, I can really say that I truly adore her...she is so much fun to be around, she is a wonderful mother to Anton and all her children, and such an adorable grandma. Lily loved her - it was so darling! We are lucky to have her! We will miss her - but can't wait to go visit! And, I think Lily might be going through withdrawals from all the constant attention her Grandma gave her. Thanks for visiting us!

Third: I was tagged! So, here I go....

Three Joys: Anton, Lily, Family

Three Fears: Something happening to either Anton or Lily (or anyone in my family for that matter). Getting in a terrible car accident. Me getting cancer or something awful. I don't like to think about any of these awful things...so onto the next one...

Three Goals: Be a wonderful wife, Be an amazing mom, Be a better person

Three Current obsessions: Blogging, Lily, Losing weight

Three random facts about me: I love movies, TV show...anything to do with the Mafia. Weird, I know. I really want to learn how to do Genealogy. I could waste a good hour by just sitting and staring at, or playing with Lily.

I am supposed to Tag three people....but I tag everyone. Have fun!

Bye Bye

I never thought I would be sad when the puppies left, but it has been so sad to say goodbye to them! There was one in particular that we were so sad to say goodbye to. I admit, I even cried the night before she left. She was the sweetest puppy - and she just adored us. We are excited that they all went to good homes - and the puppies will love their new owners - but it was still sad to see them go. We will miss them!