A Very Pleasant Surprise

Here is one of my latest Emilee pictures - isn't she adorable!! I love babies with pacifiers! Desi and Britt invited me over for breakfast on Saturday morning, and this is how she was when I arrived. They had her facing the kitchen as they prepared delicious pancakes and eggs. She didn't stay that way for long, though - of course I got her out of the seat and into my arms pretty quick. We went and sat on the recliner, and I watched her watch the world. I really feel like she's starting to comprehend what she's seeing now, which is really cool. Maybe she'll start to recognize me soon.This other picture is pretty hilarious to me because it looks like a couple of couples - so deceptive! This is not even a date - sorry, Dad! I got to attend a baptism yesterday, and this is a picture that was taken after. Boy on the Left commented about being a bookend. Anyway, the baptism was really great! I'm so grateful to be a member of the church with priesthood authority. I'm grateful for the Holy Ghost because he helped me know that what happened yesterday was for real.

Now for the very pleasant surprise. One of my roommate's helped make this goal that we would throw a party each month this year. I decided that yesterday would be the day. Chinese New Year is tomorrow, so I thought we would have a party in honor of that. I also decided that I would make Chinese dumplings for the occasion. Well, of course I way over-planned my day yesterday. By the time I went to the baptism, I had only made the dough, when I really needed to have mixed the filling up, as well. I didn't get home from the baptism until it was time for the party to start. Fortunately, my Roommate was wonderful and had cleaned while I was gone. Also fortunately, the guests did not come on time. While driving home from the baptism I had thought, Well, I don't have time to make the dumplings. I just won't make them. We'll just have the brownies that I was supposed to take to the baptism but didn't take in. It will be a lame party, and no one will come to any future ones. Oh well. That's okay. And I think that's pretty much how it would have gone except that the guests came and turned a lame, unplanned party into a great night! The guests helped me make the dumplings. We were working on mixing the filling and putting them together for about two hours before I think we even made any! Roommate had made some delicious egg roles that we were able to enjoy during the eternal dumpling-making process. By the time I was cooking the last batches of prepared dumplings, most everyone was playing a game that some others guests had brought.

And then one guest requested that roommate play her banjo. Soon after that happened, Bookend Boy started rummaging around drawers in the kitchen. Before I could ask him what he was looking for, he found the silverware drawer and I figured it out. Bookend Boy is an accomplished spoon player. Before the night was over we had quite the little band going. Roommate played the banjo, Bookend Boy played the spoons, and the boy at the other side of the picture played his harmonica. Most of us sang, and Bookend Boy even organized a number that we are planning on performing at a talent show this Friday. So, what began as a disaster ended as a very pleasant evening! I think I kind of went into shock for awhile after everyone left - I tried to fit too much in, but at least I ended the night with great company.

Wish the Chinese New Year Band luck at the show!

Emilee at One Week

One week ago today little Emilee joined her family. I had to post something to celebrate. My sister and brother-in-law let me spend the last two days at their place. I was hoping that I would be able to offer them some relief, but I also wanted to spend some time with my niece - can you blame me? I don't know if I was helpful or a nuisance - I hope I was the first. I got to do a little laundry, cooking, and a few dishes, but my favorite part, of course, was holding Emilee. So far she doesn't like nights, so my sister has let me take her a few times during the day, so she can rest. Those times have been great. It is neat to see her change a little each day, although I don't know if I could put my finger on exact changes. Mostly she sleeps or eats, but there was a little while where she was awake today that I got to hold her. It was so fun watching her observe the things around her. She just looks around and takes things in. I got pretty excited because it occurred to me that one of these days she and I will actually be able to interact with each other, more than my just being a pillow or a female who can't feed her.
I feel like I can understand a little how people talk about their lives changing when they have children. She is not mine, of course, but I feel very focused on her. In fact, I kind of feel like I have a foot stuck in Emilee world and a foot stuck in my world. I wonder if it will be hard for me to go back to work tomorrow. As I drove home this evening I thought, Okay, time to take aunt hat off and put teacher hat on. It feels like it might be kind of hard to transition, but I'm sure I'll soon put everything where it goes and adjust.

Anyway, thank you Sister and Brother-in-Law for letting me be there, and once again, Welcome, Emilee! I love you!

I Am An Aunt

It's great being an aunt! Today was the first day that I haven't seen Emilee since she was born, which is probably a relief to my sister and brother-in-law, but kind of sad to me. I just feel like she is changing from day to day, so I don't want too much time to pass between visits - I don't want to miss out on those changes. I'm trying not to be selfish - I know her parents want some space, so I'm going to try to back off a lot. However, I've taken a couple of days off this week and am hoping that my sister will let me help out. We'll see how she feels.

I don't have anything more special or important to talk about than Emilee, but it might amuse you all to know that I actually think I flirted today, which is quite an accomplishment for me. My roommates used to tell me that my problem was that I never flirted, so doing so should be recognized. Actually, I'm not really sure if what I did counts, but I picked up on and responded to something that one of my "radar blips," as my dad calls them, said. So, go me. Not that I know what to do next.

Anyways, I love my niece and look forward to seeing her again!

Happy Birthday, Emilee!!

Guess what, everyone?? I am an aunt!! Hooray! I am so excited about it. Her name is Emilee, and I love her. She came at 2 something p.m. - I can't recall the exact minute. She was 7 lb. 4 oz. and around 21 inches, I think. She is beautiful, although sometimes she resembles a little cabbage, I think. I was planning on calling her "my little cabbage" (which I got from the Russians) anyway, so it works. My sister and brother-in-law let me come and hang out at the hospital from just before she was born until 9:00 tonight. Initially I had to chill in the waiting room with my brother and my brother-in-law's parents. But most of the rest of the time I was with my sister. Emilee was in the nursery for much of my visit. One of my favorite parts of today was when my brother-in-law took me to the nursery window to look at her. I feel like I have faint memories of doing that with some of my younger siblings, so I really wanted to do it with Emilee, too. When we got outside the window and I looked at her, I was really touched. I had already seen her, but this felt different, looking at her little body there, this time not all wrapped up in a blanket. Britt and I just stared at her for a bit and commented a little. I finally tore myself away, but I knew that I could have just stayed and watched her indefinitely. As I walked down the hall I turned back to see Britt still standing their, quietly gazing at his new little girl. I also enjoyed holding her tonight before I left. She was peacefully sleeping, which always makes babies more beautiful, right? I can't wait to take some time off next week to help out.

Happy Birthday, little Emilee!! This is your true birth day, and I want to wish you the best on it. I love you, and I can't wait to see you tomorrow (and countless days after that)!

Things I Am Excited About

1) My sister should dar luz any time now - announcement and pictures to follow soon

2) Two guys on the radar - that doesn't happen to me very often - I'm not quite sure what to do about it

3) My hermanito is moving back tomorrow

4) Roommate is going to start making hard cheese - cheddar

5) Pres. Monson spoke tonight - he is a prophet (I know because the Spirit tells me he is)!!

Reflections

Around this time last year I posted about the previous year and what I hoped for the following. The questions came from another blog. I liked it and want to do it again, so here goes:

1. What do you want to acknowledge yourself for in regard to 2008?(What did you create? What challenges did you face with courage and strength? What promises did you keep to yourself? What brave choices did you make? What are you proud of?)
There are a few things I want to acknowledge myself for. I gained 20 pounds - that is not what I want to acknowledge myself for - after getting on medication. You might remember this. I was pretty surprised about it, and I actually set about to lose the weight. I started counting calories and exercising almost daily. That's pretty good for me. I did not lose all 20 pounds, and, after the last couple of months of holidays and no self-discipline, I might be back at where I was. However, I now know that I can do it. Another thing I did was cope with my anxiety issues. I have tried to deal with them as they have come, and am grateful for the strength and courage I have received to do so. My recent goal was to blog everyday for one month, and I did it! I am also glad that I was able to participate in Prop 102 research.

2. What is there to grieve about 2008?(What was disappointing? What was scary? What was hard? What can you forgive yourself for?)
Okay, *gulp, I feel like there's a lot to grieve about. I'm disappointed that I did not finish Nanowrimo. I'm disappointed that I don't have the faith or compassion to love like I should. I'm disappointed that I have not kept up with my school responsibilities like I should have. I'm sad that I didn't complete my resolutions from last year. I'm angry at myself for being critical of others. I want to forgive myself for not being perfect, which is one of the difficult things for me to accept right now.

3. What else do you need to say about the year to declare it complete?
To declare 2008 complete, I think I need to say that I feel like the Lord gives me humbling experiences from time to time because I'm not good at humility without reminders. I hope to become so, to learn how to do things for the right reasons, with the right motivation. I feel like I have been kind of lazy about some things this past year, but I did accomplish some goals and that is nice to reflect on and realize. Last year was supposed to be my year of self-care, and I think that I did pretty well with that - yea! In recognizing my accomplishments, I must recognize God's help. Without Him, I could not declare the year complete.

2009 is my year of organization.