Two months.

Here's a look at Tenley when she was one month old and then again at two months:

At one month, she was just curious about the world around her. But, at two months, she's started to really make eye contact and smile!  She coos and talks and giggles. Her legs are strong and she likes to push up on our laps. She drools like crazy and sucks on her hands. She's content to just lay in her crib for a few minutes when she's wide awake. She loves being held and walked. She'll get fussy if you've been sitting still for too long and she wants you to stand up with her. She really enjoys her swing. She only really cries if she's hungry, lonely, or annoyed by us trying to suck the boogies out of her nose. Pretty much, she's just about the most darling girl we know!

Oh, Tenley, you're as cute as a baby could be and we love you so!

Christmas concerts.

JD's been working like a maniac lately, so I've had a lot of free time in the evenings. One way I've helped pass the time is attending our neighbors' choir concerts. I've been to two so far this week and loved every second of them (Well, during the first one, Tenley girl was a little pill bug. . . so maybe not so much every second). I really do think the sounds and songs of Christmas are one of the best parts about this season. What's your favorite holiday carol?

More hand towels

Remember last year when I made holiday hand towels? Well, there's a few more up in the shop now. 

Every time I make a batch of hand towels, I think, "I am never doing this again. This is too much work."  But then, before I know it, I've ruffled and sewn and stitched a few and I think, "These are too cute."  And then, I am happy.

Happy knowing I am capable of using my hands. Happy I can express myself creatively. Happy seeing orders being placed. Happy, on occasion, interacting with total strangers. Happy making a little extra money for my crafting budget. Happy thinking of how one of my creations might make somebody else's day.

The whole process is a lot of work, but it sure is happy work. 

Sweet treat.

Here's a little series of pictures from our Christmas card photo shoot this weekend.

Those cute baby expressions are just about the sweetest treat ever!

Last December.

I journaled this last December:

Dear little one,

Hopefully this is our last Christmas without you. We think about you often. Daddy tells me all the time how much he wants you here with us. I think he knows I want you too. . . I'm just so fearful. Motherhood seems so big and scary sometimes. But God keeps whispering to me that I'm ready. I do the dishes and imagine you playing at my feet. I go to the grocery store and think of meals you may like one day. I make stuff and plan in my head how I'll do kid-friendly crafts someday. When Dad and I are out and about or doing our thing at home, I think of ways we'll make it work when you get here. Before I make purchases, I think, "Should I save this money for our baby?" We don't have a lot, but we are blessed beyond measure with the love of our little family and the sweet peace the Gospel brings. When you get here, I think our hearts may burst with joy! We are praying for and thinking of and loving you. Send us love from Heaven! 

Merry Christmas, 

Momma

Feeling so grateful tonight to have our angel baby here with us this Christmas season.

Live nativity

Our family was lucky enough to participate in a live nativity this week. A family in our neighborhood puts on the nativity every year in memory of the woman's mother, who died of cancer. All profits go to cancer research and other charities. They re-create the ancient city with Roman soldiers, donkeys, llamas, bread makers, basket weavers, and lots of games and noise and commotion. Then, guests travel down a path to a separate stable where Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus are sitting quietly. JD and I played Mary and Joseph and our sweet girl got to be the part of our Savior. We sat in the stable for an hour and a half and pretended like we were the parents of Jesus Christ. Humbling, to say the least. Tenley wasn't perfect the whole time. There were crowds who saw her crying and being soothed by a bright green pacifier. . . but there were other times when she stared up at the people in wide-eyed wonder and the Spirit was so strong. I loved the reactions of young children- "Look, Baby Jesus!" "It's a real baby." "Jesus was such a cute baby." "I love Jesus." 

Knowing we were going to be in the nativity, I've been thinking all week about Mary and Jesus and the real reasons I celebrate Christmas. It's been good to have those thoughts in the back of my mind as we've pulled out all the red and green decor, set up our tree, and hung up our lights. This season, as always, I hope my choices reflect my belief in and love for the Savior. 

Oh, my heart!

Oh, my heart! It could explode looking at all this yummy baby goodness. Holly took these pictures of us while my mom was here in October and Tenley was just a week old. I picked a few of my favorites to share. I can't get over her sweet little features and precious, tiny body. My heart pitter patters when I think, "This is my daughter. She's mine!" Sometimes I feel like spinning in happy circles and dancing and singing loud, off-tune praises to my Heavenly Father for the blessing of being her momma. And guess what? Sometimes I do! Ha, wild singing and haphazard dancing and made-up rhymes are supposedly very stimulating for little babes, right?! Anyway, do enjoy these lovely photos. It just doesn't get much better. Thanks again, Holly!

Favorite turkeys.

My best part of Thanksgiving week was JD's break from school. He didn't have classes on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday and we mostly just lounged around at home. Tenley and I were so happy to see so much of Daddy! We played and snuggled and cooed and smiled to our hearts' content. 

Those two. . . they're definitely my favorite turkeys around ;)

(And oh.my.gosh. look at her holding that head up! So strong! So big! So beautiful!)

Weekend Recap

On Friday night, JD had to work. Abby came over for a few hours and we watched a few too many episodes of Say Yes to the Dress while she snuggled Tenley. Then, after Abby went home, I had dinner with the Williams upstairs and we watched Toy Story 2 and played games. On Saturday morning, JD made a yummy breakfast, we ran errands together, and we watched some college football (I love when he doesn't work on the weekends!) In the evening, we left Tenley with the Skousens for a few hours so we could go bowling with Dave and Melissa. 

After bowling, we headed over to Jeremy and Stefanie's to watch the BYU game. On Sunday morning,  JD went to church and I stayed home and cuddled with Tenley (can't wait til she's old enough to go  back again!) Our baby girl is a month old, so we had a little photoshoot.

On Sunday evening, we had a pre-Thanksgiving dinner with JD's mom's side of the family. JD's aunt and cousin both had babies a few months before we had Tenley. It will be so fun for them to grow up with such close friends!

It was a packed weekend, but it felt good to get out of the house a little bit. Now. . . back to a low-key week at home with my girl :)

Baby girl.

I love spending my days with this little beauty. She loves being cuddled and held and loved on. . . which works out great because I love snuggling her ;) She is getting so strong and totally rocks it during tummy time. She's pretty alert and I think I'm finally convinced she knows who I am. She's close to 7 lbs now, according to my humble-at-home-stand-on-the-scale-with-and-then-without-her calculations. I am so grateful she is healthy and growing. Love her!

Generations.

Over the weekend, my grandma EG and Aunt Wendy flew in from Texas to meet Tenley and spoil me. They bought us presents, snuggled my babe, helped me run errands and babysat for us while JD and I went on our first date sans baby. I was so grateful they made the trip and felt super loved during their stay. Before my mom left, we took some pictures of the four generations. Tenley wasn't being super agreeable that day and is screaming in most of them. . . major bummer. But! One decent picture is all you need, right?! 

I love these ladies. I am grateful for their examples, their love, and their commitment to motherhood. I feel an overwhelming sense of duty as I move forward as a mother. . . to continue building on their legacy of faith, kindness, and cheerfulness. I want to be happy like they are. I want to teach my children to think of others, to serve willingly, and to uplift those around them. Essentially, I just want to be like them. 

Sweet Tenley girl, I promise to do my best!

Her first two weeks.

I can hardly believe it's been two weeks (and two days) since Tenley's birth day. My Momma's been in town for the last ten days and flew out this afternoon. Gosh, now the real work begins! She was so good to us- cooking, cleaning, laundering, running errands, and making sure I got enough rest. We are going to miss our Gracy! (Grandma + Stacy= Gracy) Here's a recap of our baby's life so far:

We met our little angel and spent some time in the hospital recovering.

 We left the hospital and gave her a bath at home for the first time.

 We snuggled in the grass and celebrated Daddy's birthday.

 We took naps and had a sweet newborn photo shoot.

 We tried out the baby swing and cheered on the BYU cougars.

 We shared tender moments and played with Gracy.

 We wore cute outfits and celebrated Halloween.

We sure love this little girl!

Tenley Mabel

Tenley Mabel Knowlden

October 18, 2012 6:42pm

6 lbs, 19 inches long

Our sweet girl was born last Thursday. She's got a head full of her momma's blonde locks and a heart full of her daddy's gentle patience. She's been so good as we've tried to figure out this whole breastfeeding thing together. She hardly cries and would probably sleep for long stretches at night if I let her (we've had to eat every two hours together since she came home from the hospital. . . fun!) She's calm and content and still feels so close to heaven. There's been so many moments since we met where I've had to catch my breath because I'm so overwhelmed by the joy of knowing she's mine. She is perhaps the very best gift Heavenly Father has given me and I'm just so humbled and grateful He trusts me to be her momma.

Tenley Mae, we love you so!

A vintage country wedding.

Tiffanie's wedding turned out absolutely beautiful! She had the ceremony and reception in the Layton bowery. Some family friends of the Knowldens once owned a vintage decor boutique and did a lovely job helping Tiff with her decor and set-up. There were pretty frames and cowboy boots and twinkle lights and big paper flowers and old books and well-worn suitcases and all things vintage and pretty you can imagine. I was totally blown-away! It's crazy to think she announced the wedding just six weeks ago and everything came together so perfectly. She was gorgeous. The groom was handsome. The weather was just right. And we are really happy for her. 

Love you, Tiff, and wish you only the best!