A Mother's Love

I'm so grateful to be a mother. There are many days when I sit back, look at my little girl and I know that no other happiness can compare to this. Being a mother has brought more joy in my life than I ever thought it could. I love waking up knowing that I get to spend my day with my little Sue. I love comforting her when she bonks her head and explodes into hysterical tears. I love to reach back for her when someone else is holding her and she just wants her mommy. I love singing to her before bedtime and seeing her look back up at me with those drowsy eyes. I love watching her play and learn new things. I love watching her face light up and feel her wiggle with delight when Dad walks in the door. I love snuggling with her when she is in a snuggling mood. Her head fits perfectly next to my heart. I love knowing that I will always be her mother.

So I've always been a sentimental schmuck. Sorry if that was way to much mush for you!

Here's a Susie update:

- She is coming up on 11 months. She will be one year the end of February. (!?!?! already!?!?!)

- She is getting around.... not crawling or walking but some how when she is on the floor alone she gets from point a to point b. I think she just sort of scoots.

- She has 2 teeth on bottom, and two coming in on top.

- She loves to eat whatever we are eating. I got a mini food processor for Christmas and throw whatever we are having for dinner in there, chop it up a bit, and feed it to her. Yum!

- She loves going outside and is a good little running buddy in her stroller.

- She takes 2 naps a day, goes to bed a 7:30pm and wakes up at 7:30am. (Yep I'm one lucky woman)

- She weighs about 17 lbs now. Last appointment we had she was in the 5th percentile for weight and I think 80th for height.

- She says lots of babble words. Most often it's Da.

-She likes to be read to and can turn the pages for mommy.

And lots more fun things! She is a joy to be around!

I'll love you forever

I'll like you for always

As long as I'm living my baby you'll be.

Christmas Memories

First, a few pictures at our house:

Susanna ate a whole sugar cookie!

Ok lots of it was in her neck...

Paul had two whole weeks off of school and boy did we make the most of it! First we headed to Rexburg. That's a 15 hour drive from Phoenix, thankfully we found a nice bed and breakfast on the way in Cedar City to cut the drive in half (thanks Mom).

It wasn't hard to tell we weren't in Arizona anymore due to the freezing temperatures of Idaho. Paul and I have so many sweet and lasting memories of Rexburg that is was quite tender to be back. We took "memory drives" and reminisced about our dating and first married days. Paul's parents spoiled us the whole time we were there--- babysitting so we could go to the temple, treating us to Fongs and Mission Impossible 4 (it rocked!), cooking our favorite meals, financing an eye exam at Today's Eye Care (where I used to work), not to mention the Christmas gifts! We all scored. Especially Susanna!

I loved spending time there, especially when it comes to watching them with their grand daughter. They are such great grandparents. It was hard to say goodbye!

We left on the 27th where back in Cedar City they were celebrating Christmas Eve. My family decided to postpone Christmas a few days so that we all could be together. My grandparents, Aunt Mandy, and cousin Morgan were able to join the Braden clan for a late Christmas. It was a full house! Christmas Eve was quite magical and I was grateful to feel the Spirit of Christ in abundance. We celebrated New Years Eve there as well which included tormenting Olivia who feel asleep early this year (again) with loud blow horns and silly string in the face.

(4 generation picture)

There is so much joy to be found in spending time with family. This was Susanna's first Christmas and we made some pretty amazing memories.

A week or so before Christmas we found out that Paul did not get accepted into the Healthcare Scholarship program for the Air Force. We knew it was a long shot-- they were only accepting 25 students nation wide this year but were still disappointed when we found out. Dang it! We might try again next year. To help combat student loan abyss Paul is looking for a Pharmacy intern job. He can actually get paid pretty good money... I just didn't want him to have to work during graduate school. The silver lining is that because we won't be receiving income from the Air Force while going to school, I have decided to open an in-home preschool! So we've made some great goals for the new year and are excited to get going! I hope everyone had a great Christmas and Happy New Year!