Growing up

I can't believe this little bug is going to be 3 months in a couple days... She is growing right before my eyes. I can't believe how big she is getting.

Just the two of us!

Jill and Dan babysat for us the other night so Taylor and I could go on a date. We went to Smart Cookie where we got yummy frozen hot chocolate, which we snuck into the movie theater. Taylor insisted I put both our drinks in my purse! He put my wallet in between them and told me to walk very carefully and then made fun how I was walking! The nerve! We went and saw Something Borrowed. We both thought it was pretty good. Not our favorite, but we liked it enough. It was fun to go out just the two of us!

Courtesy of Papa Bear

Here are a few more pictures from my graduation/Sage's blessing weekend that Papa had taken... (see the original post for more pictures) I love the first picture of Taylor holding up the Y.

Our new show

We finished Lost a few weeks ago and started watching Prison Break. In just a week we have watched the entire first season. We do not like to watch a lot of television, but it is nice to have a show we both can relax and enjoy together in the evenings.

Sweet Sage

Once again Lexi took the sweetest pictures of Sage. She really is so talented. We wanted a few nice pictures of her in her blessing dress and Lexi had some cute ideas. She brought several prints and a CD of them to Lacie's party yesterday. On the way home Sage was screaming and so we decided to pull over so we could calm her down. Taylor got off on the exit of Ikea so we decided to run in and get a a few frames for these sweet pictures. They turned out so good. Especially considering Sage screamed the entire way up to get them taken. (She doesn't like the car... in case you haven't figured that out yet) We did not have it together that day. As she was screaming I thought that maybe once we got there she would calm down with a bottle and then I realized I did not bring any formula. I stopped at Smith's and picked some up, even though I had just bought a big container the day before. By the time we got there Sage's hair was soaking in sweat from all her screaming. I quickly made her a bottle which instantly starting leaking out the bottom. I had put the bottom on the bottle, but did not put on the little plastic vent that goes inside the bottom and keeps the formula from pouring out. We had to borrow a bottle of Presley's. I'm a great mom. Anyways, as you can see Sage was a happy girl in front of the camera.

Happy Birthday Lacie!

Yesterday we took a brake from packing and cleaning and went to Liberty Park where we all celebrated Lacie's 2nd birthday! We all had a lot of fun. We ate yummy nachos and the most delicious ice-cream cake, visited and the kids ran around and played. We love you Lacie! Happy Birthday tomorrow, May 23rd!

Property and Casualty

Taylor has worked so hard the past couple weeks preparing for his first insurance license exam on property and casualty. He took the test today and of course passed! We are so proud of him! He is now starting to study for the life and health license which he is going to try and take next week. Good job babe!

What a big girl!

Sage decided to join us for dinner tonight! We put her in the highchair for the first time and she did pretty good until she had her first real blow out. First time in the highchair and first blow out! Was she trying to tell us something? It was awful. We had to put dinner aside and stick her in the tub and scrub her onsie so it didn't stain. Luckily we got a picture before the explosion. Doesn't she look like such a big girl?

Guess who is a good little sleeper?

This past week has been a week of recuperating from such an exciting weekend with family and friends. We relaxed a lot and took lots of walks. I'm scared to admit it because every time I think Sage is getting a routine she proves me wrong, but... she seems to be getting a routine which makes my life so much easier! She is becoming so smiley especially first thing in the morning and after a good nap. Last night she slept in her crib from 9:30-4:15 am. 6 hours and 45 minutes! She is already getting so big. It kind of makes me a little sad, but she is so sweet and so fun to watch her little personality develop and see her smile more and more every day.

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We have also started packing. Ugh. I am not looking forward to moving. Although I should. It will be a good change. I am looking for a part time job for summer where I can bring Sage with me. I called the preschool I worked at, Sunshine Academy, but the director is out of town. We'll see about that. Taylor takes his first exam for property and casualty on Monday. He has scored at least a 94% on every practice test, so he will do just fine!

a graduation and a blessing

fun with Grandpa Davey

Sage's Aunt Lexi is going to take more pictures of her in her blessing dress soon.

we love our little girl

almost all the men in her life.

grand and great-grandparents

cousins

fun faces

We had a very busy weekend. My grandparents drove from Flagstaff and got here about 2:00 in the afternoon on Thursday. Taylor and my papa drove up and picked up my dad from the airport while grandma and I went shopping at Costco and got some things for Sage's blessing and also put together a Cinco de Mayo dinner for when the boys returned. It was the first time my dad met Sage. He is a very proud grandfather and is so cute with her. We enjoyed a yummy dinner and papa picked up some Magnum Bars for dessert. Friday morning grandma, papa and my dad all came over in the morning and hung out while Sage napped. We visited and had In-N-Out for lunch. We went to BYU and walked around near the stream (it's a new favorite place to walk around) and around campus since none of them had ever seen BYU campus. Friday evening was my graduation. We went to dinner at the Pie Pizzaria. Tony, Jeanne and Grandma Sargent joined and our good friends Donny and Donna got into town just in time to join us. Let's be honest, graduation was boring and the speaker was awful. I'm glad I walked though. I think it meant more to my family then to me. Grandma, papa and my dad stayed up in Salt Lake that night and Taylor and I enjoyed visiting with Donny and Donna and getting Yogurtland. Saturday was Sage's blessing. It was absolutely perfect. She was such an angel and Taylor gave the most beautiful blessing. We had a nice lunch and visited with family and friends. We are so grateful for every one's love and support. We feel so blessed. Everyone left Sunday morning. It was sad to have them leave, but we look forward to our next visit.

Mother's Day

I am proud to be a mother. I love being a mother. I love being Sage's mommy. I will admit that being a mom is not the easiest job and there are days that I think I feel like it is not only not the easiest , but that it is the most difficult job. However, I feel it is an honor to be called Sage's mom. She has already taught me so much and has helped me to slow down and enjoy the quiet moments. I treasure the time I have to spend with her and watch her grow and develop. She brings an added happiness and joy into my life. I love the quote above from Sister Hinckley. I printed it and put in a frame on my nightstand. I pray that I may have the attitude that Sister Hinckley had and keep my priorities straight and always remember what truly matters. I believe motherhood is a divine calling from our Heavenly Father and I am so grateful and pray continuously for His guidance.

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And I know I can speak for Taylor as well when I say how grateful we are for the women in our lives especially his mom and my grandma. We love them and are so grateful for their righteous examples and love and support.

A Beautiful Blessing

It has been a busy weekend with my dad and grandparents in town, graduation, Sage's blessing and Mother's Day. I will post more about the weekend later with pictures. We blessed Sage on Saturday so her great grandparents Dave and Jackie and her Grandpa Davey could also witness the blessing as they were in town. Along with them we had our good friends Donny and Donna who came into town. Sage's Grandma Jeanne and Grandpa Tony, Uncle Tony, Aunt Lexi and cousins Dylan, Emmett and Presley, Aunt Jodie and cousins MacKenzie, Emmie and Kaylee, Aunt Jill, Uncle Dan and cousin Lacey, Great Grandma Sargent, Mary, Alan, Michael, Karlee, Frank and Brother Brandon Anderson from our bishopric were all there to support us as well. We are so grateful for all the love and support we have and hope Sage will grow up knowing and always feeling how loved she is. Jeanne had a good idea about recording what was said in Sage's blessing and since I don't keep an actual journal and this is blog is what we use to record our lives I will record it in this post. Taylor gave our Sage Nicole the most beautiful blessing. He blessed her that she will continue to grow and develop properly, health and strength, that she will be patient with her parents as they learn their duties and responsibilities of parenthood, that she will have a desire to be baptized and a continued desire to follow the Spirit and live in accordance with Heavenly Father's will, that she will marry a priesthood holder in the Temple for time and all eternity, that she will be a good example to those around her, that she will always know how loved she is and what happiness and joy she has already brought to her parents and families lives. I know she will not remember the blessing, but I hope that someday as she reads this she will know how much we love her and that she will also know how much our Heavenly Father loves her. She is so special.

2 months

Sage you are 2 months old! We love you more and more every day. You went to see Doctor Simmons a few days ago for your 2 month check-up. You weigh 10 lbs 7 oz which is the 44th percentile and are 22.2 inches long which is the 46th percentile. You are just perfect! Your eyes are turning more dark blue like your daddy's eyes, but you still have lots of dark brown hair like mom. Everyone always comments on your hair and your eyes too. People are always saying how alert you are. You are starting to smile and coo more and more every day. We love it. You are eating between 3 and 4 oz every 2 to 3 hours. You do not wake up as much in the night. Last night we fed you at 7 and you didn't wake up until after 1 in the morning. You went right back to sleep and slept until 6 am. That does not always happen, but you are beginning to go longer between feedings in the night. We tried to sleep train you a couple weeks ago, but mom could not stand to hear you cry. We are going to try again though. Hopefully next month we can write that you sleep in your crib! Depending on the night sometimes you will start out in your crib, but you always wake up in the morning with us. You sure do love to cuddle. Sometimes your hair is soaking with sweat, but it doesn't seem to bother you. You still like your binky, but can't keep it in your mouth very well. Your mom has become one of the mom's she swore she would never become- the mom who sits in the backseat with the baby instead of up front with her husband. You do not like your carseat and more often then not will scream the entire car ride. You are wearing size 1 diapers and are wearing 0-3 month clothes now. You still love taking showers, but enjoy your baths as well. We put oil and lotion on you after every bath. You still snort like a little piglet, especially when you are mad. Your eyes roll in the back of your head when you get sleepy and you always fight going to sleep. We usually swaddle you tight and hold you close and that usually gets you to calm down and go to sleep. This past month you hung out with dad while mom went back to work for a couple weeks (just a few hours a couple days a week), went to church for the first time, attended your dad's graduation, went on your first hike that was cut short due to a rainstorm, and went on lots of walks. Most days you stay home with mom and sleep and eat. You also celebrated your first Easter. You still tuck your thumb between your pointer and middle finger. We read the Book of Mormon to you most evenings. You love to be held and couldn't be more spoiled. We love you!

Update

Taylor has enrolled in his Property Casualty and Life & Health insurance licenses. It is a two week course for each license, but he is trying to finish them both in two weeks. He will begin working on his first 40 policies as soon as he takes and passes his exams in a couple weeks. As soon as he gets close to the 40 he will put his notice in at NewHaven and will be working full time for Farmers. We interviewed for the resident manager position at Alpine Storage, but did not get the job. We both feel okay about it. A lot of prayer went into the process by all parties, so we know that the Lord has another plan. We are putting our 30 day notice at Starcrest tomorrow and will be moving into McKay and Jodie's house in American Fork while they are away for the Summer. We are grateful for them. What a blessing it will be for us to be able to save some money. Another resident manager position may be available in August, so we will apply again if that does become available. Otherwise, we will find a place in Salt Lake when Jodie and her family return. Lots of changes. Lots to look forward to.

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Jill & Lacey and Jodie, Kenzie, Emmie and Kaylee all came over to play the other day. We hung out for a little while and then went to Yogurtland and then for a walk at BYU to see the ducks and the stream. The kids had lots of fun chasing the ducks around, running and throwing rocks in the water. It was a fun visit. We need to do it more. We took Sage for her 2 month doctor appointment a few days shy of 2 months and she got all her shots. She did really good. The nurse was so fast that by the time Sage reacted the nurse was already finished and we were able to pick her up and comfort her and she was just fine. She will be 2 months tomorrow! I will post more about her then. Also, Taylor and I were able to go to the Temple the other evening for the first time since Sage was born. We both took turns and went on our own before Conference, but it was nice to go together. We needed it. Thank you Jeanne. We had a couple of friends over yesterday evening to play games and we watched Robin Hood Men in Tights. I would have never watched more than 5 minutes of the movie if we did not have people over. Sorry if you find that movie funny. Not my kind of humor. Anyways, we look forward to this coming week. My grandparents and dad come into town on Thursday and Donny & Donna come on Friday. Friday is my graduation and Saturday is Sage's blessing. My grandparents were here for Sage's birth, but I have not seen my dad since my last trip to California in September and we have not seen Donny and Donna since their last visit in October. We have a fun weekend ahead of us. I love having things to look forward to that are not so far off.