Life Lately...

 Life around here lately has been pretty low-key.  Josh has been busy with school / life preparation, working hard and giving me and Maddie lots of play time together each day.  

We headed up to Park City last week over the long weekend.  It was such a fun, needed break for us.  I realized that I need to learn that Maddie will not only survive if we leave her somewhere overnight, but probably be in heaven staying with Grandmas (hello protective mom).  Needless to say, she ended up with us for the weekend and taught us that going out to eat peacefully as a family is next to impossible these days (we did some calculations and let's just say we figured it's going to be a while before we can have a melt-down free, clean floor, no spills family dinner).  Park City is a small piece of heaven.

In attempts to keep us in Provo on Sundays, we've been called to teach the four-year olds in our ward.  Josh is the hit of the class with his magic tie and card tricks (we get some teaching in) Four year olds have a lot of energy... Our first week teaching we got through everything we had prepared for a lesson within the first seven minutes.  

On my endless quest to find fun winter things to do with Maddie, we headed to the indoor pool for some February swimming.  It was probably the cutest thing I've ever seen and I've now been wondering why I haven't been doing this all winter.  She was in heaven the whole time and was totally worn out after.

 And a few more pictures just because I can't help myself.  

and p.s. - it looks like Brobee has become almost a member of the family

The best days

After a very busy couple of weeks Maddie and I have been keeping things low-key, staying at home, and catching up on some much needed play time.  Sometimes I think back to the days before I had a baby - I know, so long ago right? - but really it's a little hard for me to imagine.  It's like Maddie has always been a part of us, and I'm really grateful for that.  

Today when I was getting ready I sat Maddie down in front of the mirror to play and watched as she sat and giggled at herself over and over and over in the mirror.  It was so simple and so sweet.  We painted her tiny tiny toenails successfully for the first time today (and she loves them - can't stop looking at them), she let me rock her while she sucked her thumb until she was almost asleep, we had a few mini-dance parties in the front room, and read the same book more than once.  She is the happiest little thing. This little girl sure knows how to make my days perfect.  

I feel an incredible amount of love for this girl - a different kind of love than I've felt before and it grows stronger every single day.  Sometimes I feel like it would be impossible for us to love her more, but as she grows and we get to know each other better I am proven wrong.  It's amazing that, because of her, I get excited to blow bubbles and play with stickers and a million other things just to see her happiness.   Being a mom is so much better than I ever dreamed it could be, and don't get me wrong - it has its days, but I could not imagine or want life any other way.