SIX WHOLE MONTHS

I am freaking out a bit that Eden turned 6 months old on Sunday. How can it be she that is a whole half a year already?!?! Each little moment seems long but then every day seems to speed by us. My heart has never been so full and joyful but so raw and vulnerable. Children, man, they make your heart feel all sorts of things you never could imagine before them. I knew I would love her but I didn't realize how much I would love her and it continues to grow as she grows.

Happy 6 months, little lovie!

We have found so much pleasure in watching her meet milestones. She is very smiley with her big rosey cheeks. She interacts with us more and more daily and discovers cause and affect. She can roll all over the place and scoot backwards a bit. She is trying foods and sitting up in shopping carts, if they have a safety belt. She works on coordinating movements and is pretty good at it. Watching her interact with her environment is so fun. We just love her so much!

All smiles in her winter hat
(until it covers her eyes)

checking out beets for the first time

shopping cart fun!

We have just started trying out a few foods. We are doing a combination of baby led weaning and pureed foods. She likes to suck/gum on apple slices. Beets seem tasty and fun until she actually got a bit of it stuck in her mouth. She is very skeptical of most foods for whatever reason at this time. But we aren't in a hurry and she there is fun in learning about textures, tastes, smells and so on. Funny girl does like to suck on kale leaves but applesauce is way too weird for her still. If she is going to be in our house, she will eventually fall in love with food of all kinds. Well, if nature and nurture have any role in child development.

Utah Symphony date night

AND we were able to go on a real date night this past Saturday. A super sweet and awesome girl from church watched Eden for us while we went out. Funny note, she was my camper at Ridge Haven many moons ago and is now a PhD student at the University of Utah. Thank you, Elena! We haven't been to a symphony since our due day date over 6 months ago. After the symphony we had dessert together at a local restaurant. It was a lovely evening and much needed. It was strange to think that just half a year ago, our lives were just the two of us going on dates whenever we pleased. While that time was fantastic, we are so thankful for our new addition and obligations.

33 weeks

March is nearly halfway over now. It's a bit crazy that today this little one is 33 weeks. Even as the day approaches swiftly, I am still lacking some motivation to get things completed.

another post work picture of high quality :)
33 weeks!

My mom came in from Georgia last weekend to help. She was able to attend the baby shower my church friends had for me. It was special to see our Utah friends show us love and support as our family grows. And having mom there is just extra special, we had a really great time. She helped me organize some baby things, added to the baby wardrobe and needs, and enjoy some final just mother daughter time.  We even managed to sneak in a symphony. Even though I still have quite a ways to go for baby preparing, I have a great start thanks to mom. Next time she visits, I'll be a mother too. That is so weird and crazy to think about.

all the yummy foods at the baby shower, appropriately garden themed.

walk to the park. mom likes our mountains :)

The little one is pretty wiggly and seems to be enjoying taking my energy and lung space. Although a lot of people comment that I don't look very big, I think this baby is just growing inside, not pushing my belly out too far, and taking up all that space my organs were suppose to occupy. According to the doctor everything is measuring just fine.

This warm weather seems determined to stay. I suppose it really is spring time here. Davis has started a few seeds in the ground. We might have some radishes, kale, beets, and carrots sooner than usual. We have put in some lilac and roses as well. We have grand plans for the yard but with the timing of the baby and me working less soon, some things just may have to wait.

the world is beginning to bloom

This weekend should be fairly quiet. We have a few house chores to do but mostly Davis and I are planning on enjoying some time together. Next weekend we are planning for the invasion from Fort Collins friends. So excited about it!

what a friend

Today has been the hardest day for me since the move. Being at church made me miss Fort Collins because our Colorado family was based mostly at church. It's lonely being the newbies. I need to remember this when I see/new meet  people.  The service was encouraging, don't get me wrong. Jesus is the same here as he is anywhere. I am guessing Davis has turned me into more of an extrovert than I realized. Truly, we craved familiar friends and faces. We sang "What a Friend We have in Jesus" this morning.

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged;

take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful

who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness;

take it to the Lord in prayer.

What a friend we have indeed. I am searching for familiarity and comfort to fulfill my longings. Who better to know our sorrows? Our Creator,  Great Comforter, and friend. Another line in the song says "what peace we often forfeit, o what needless pain we bear". Story of my life. It is fantastically amazing how light and joyful your soul becomes when you lay your heart at His feet. O, I am such a slower learner and unbeliever. So thankful for a patient God.

View from Symphony

Last night, we checked out the Utah Symphony. There is an effort to get us youngters to attend concerts, so they offer tickets for ten bucks if you are under 30. We attended the Tchaikovsky concert and it was amazing. I usually become bored sitting while listening to music. It was so beautiful though, I was mesmerized. The piano soloist was out of this world, in my very educated opinion. We enjoyed it very much and have purchased a few other cheaper tickets for an opera and another symphony later this spring. There is a John Williams concert as well.  However, the youngster tickets are sold out already, no surprise there. We may splurge and buy tickets  priced for the well seasoned folks just to go.

a chance to polish up.

We like to get gussied up a little every now and then. I even wore lipstick! What what! That was for you, Lauren! 

yellow tulips!

red tulips

Today has been absolutely beautiful. Warm, slight breeze, and sunshine! Perfect spring day. All our windows are open. The flowers are blooming everywhere. It seems tulips grow well here, they are in almost every yard, including ours. We have some purple ones too but they weren't quite ready yet.

old school mowing

While lunch was cooking, we tried out the old school mower. It worked pretty well and Ingrid enjoyed chasing/challenging it as Davis pushed it up and down the small yard. We have big aspirations for planting and growing this year. Unfortunately, living in rentals, it's hard to invest in long term projects. 

Missing Colorado today

Davis and I have been alternating wearing this shirt. It is so comfortable and it reminds us of our great time in Colorado. Today was my turn. We went on a walk to the 9th and 9th area of SLC. It is the closest "neighborhood" to us, except for the University of Utah area. It has it's own downtown feel with several shops, restaurants, hair places, and a yoga studio. Because of the huge Mormon influence in this area, half of the shops in the 9th and 9th were closed for Sunday. 

9th & 9th

It is cleverly named for being at the intersection of 900 S and 900 E, all directions related to the Temple.

Davis and I bought some furniture yesterday. Our guest room is ready for people. We also got a new bed. While we put the bed together last night after the symphony, we listened to the Mormon radio. No worries here, we were just curious. It was a program entitled as "why we believe". Very interesting! Listening to it and critiquing their reasons made us examine our own beliefs and it definitely helped strengthen our own faith. 

We have a couple from our small group stopping here on their drive back to Colorado tonight. I am so excited to see faces we know! And my mom is coming Wednesday. I cannot wait to spend time with her!

Happy Sunday!