A Wedding, 4 Years, and 9 Months

June has been a busy busy month for us and this week was the capstone of it all, starting with the sweetest event I could have dreamed up - my cousin Anna's wedding.

Anna and I are only 6 months apart in age and we've been "best cousins" since we were babies. We used to pretend to glue our hands together so we wouldn't have to say good-bye at the end of family gatherings. (Clearly, if we're glued together, we'd have to have a sleepover, right?) We finally made that dream a reality when we roomed together during my last year at BYU. Anna is pretty much the kindest, sweetest, nicest, smartest, most driven person on the planet and I think she found her perfect match in Dan. I'm so so so happy for them!

My very favorite of their photos, taken by my uber-talented aunt Robin Johnson, who also did our engagements/bridals/temple photos and who is pretty much amazing if you need a photographer. Just sayin'.

The next day was our 4 year anniversary (Can I say how much I love that Anna's anniversary and mind are almost the same?) and it was a low-key celebration for us. Factoring in a baby changes just how much celebrating can go on, but we did alright. We got some yummy treats and we watched our wedding video to reminisce and then watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and lest you think that's way lame, I'll repeat: We watched an entire movie - we actually got to just watch it! - without trying to keep Georgie entertained or jumping up to save her from herself, making dinner, working, or otherwise multitasking. It was relaxing and something special because of how infrequently it happens. And then the following Saturday we went out shopping and got dinner while we had some free grandparent babysitting. It was definitely our least exciting anniversary yet, but it was just right for where we are in our lives right now.

And then the next day was Georgie's nine month checkup. Official stats:

Weight: 16.2 lbs (18th percentile)
Length: 27.3 inches (33rd percentile)
Head circumference: 17.4 inches (62nd percentile)

She's finally starting to chunk up a little! Probably all that solid food she's been (not) eating. Baby G still does not care for baby food on any kind of regular basis so we've been trying to find other stuffs for her to eat - bananas, cheese, watermelon, peaches, crackers, bread, etc. She loves to chew on vegetables and will actually eat most of a cucumber spear if I leave her to it, especially if I dip it in humus now and again. Mostly she is still nursing, which I don't mind - it's actually the most stress-free form of feeding right now, which is something I never thought I'd say!

Georgie is FINALLY sleeping better, but the sleep training is starting to wear off and she's tending towards waking up 2-3 times a night again. (She's also got a top tooth coming in, I'm pretty sure.) We aren't quite recovered from the last sleep training so as soon as we are, we'll be back at it. Naps are going great, except that she has abruptly dropped her morning nap. I can't tell if she really doesn't need it because she's getting more sleep at night or if it's because we had a crazy week and she missed her morning nap several days in a row. Please bless it's the latter!

This was Georgie's first time on a swing. As you can see, she was rather unimpressed.

Georgie is crazy busy and active all the time. The milestones are coming faster and faster now, I swear. She's waving, giving kisses, asking to be picked up, knows where the food is and asks to be fed (if I sit down with her on my lap, she swan dives to the side to be nursed), and says Mama and Dada and sometimes seems to know what she's saying. She has mastered the three-fourths crawl: two hands, one knee, and pushing off with the right foot. She is a speedy little crab walker! She is also a total pro at pulling herself up and sitting herself back down. She can even pull up on a flat surface like a wall - there's no stopping her! She still walks runs with help (like her little push toy my mom found at a yard sale - see photo below) and sometimes does laps around the living room by holding onto the furniture. And (saved the best for last) she took her first steps this month, too! She let us balance her and then took a couple of steps (and practiced just standing on her own, too) for about a week and then she figured out that crawling is faster and now refuses to walk. Which I'm fine with - gives me more time to get those safety gates installed.

Every month Georgie becomes more of a little person, making us laugh more and frustrating us less. I am enjoying myself enough to savor the small loves she gives, not worry about the slobber when she gives me kisses, and treasure her arms reaching for mine. I know we'll only be on this upswing for about nine more months and then we'll have a screaming, stubborn toddler to deal with, so I am really loving it now!

Busy month! And of course I took almost no pictures

June always turns into a crazy month for us, between Father's Day and family birthdays and our anniversary (which usually involves going out of town). This year was no exception, but it was full of very fun things! My cousin Anna was in town for just a few days but found time to throw me a baby shower with my dad's sisters. It was so great and I was so grateful for everyone's advice and gifts - I already feel much more prepared for this baby!

Sunday the 17th was Father's Day which meant treating Tim to his favorite breakfast (German pancakes) and spending time at my parents' house. My dad wanted meaningful, handmade gifts so I craftily put together a frame with the "Keep calm and carry on" poster inside; Ethan made him coupons; and Rachel and Jase outdid us all with a dollar-shaped pinata with Dad's face on it, filled with candy and sweet notes from his kids, that he whacked into submission between bouts of hysterical laughing. I think pinatas should always be a part of Father's Day because it was hilarious! And an all-around very lovely evening.


Tuesday the 19th we celebrated Tim's birthday with a BBQ and games in the park. Tim made homemade root beer for the first time and it turned out pretty delicious! I need to remember every year to let Tim make something for his birthday - it's really the best part for him. Thanks to everyone who was able to come and party with us! Tim had fun, which was the whole point, and it was great to see you all. (Special thanks to Rob, Christian, and Anna for participating in the most hilarious game of Werewolves I've ever played. That was amazing.)

Wednesday the 20th Tim and I celebrated his actual birthday with dinner at Tucanos and a movie - we finally saw The Avengers! There was also some work involved but overall, it was a good day. I think Tim enjoyed it, so I count it as a success!

That next Friday we took off work early and headed down to Torrey for an anniversary celebration. It was just about the most relaxing weekend I've ever had - we just enjoyed ourselves, slept in and took naps, listened to an audio book, played games, and spent an hour watching the stars under a perfectly clear sky with our massive quilt under and around us to keep off the bugs. The only thing that made it uncomfortable was the heat in the afternoon but with a little ingenuity on Tim's part (a fan blowing on dry ice), we stayed bearably cool. The best part? We bought these darling shirts for our little girl to wear next summer when we take her with us to Torrey.

This Monday after our weekend away, Tim started his one summer class and thankfully it looks like it's not going to be too much stress. It's only a few weeks long so we're just going to get through it as quickly as possible and happily mark it off at the beginning of August. And this morning we went to our appointment with the midwife - I did the glucose test (yuck) and we got to hear our baby's heartbeat, albeit only for a few seconds at a time because she literally did not stop moving the entire time the midwife was trying to find it. Now that she's getting bigger, I can tell exactly just how active she is and holy cow, we're going to have a hyper hypo on our hands in a few months! 

Anniversary

Dear Tim,
Three years seems like it should be a long time, but it doesn't feel like it at all. I've been wondering if our newly married selves would be surprised at where we are three years later, and I don't think they would. I think they'd be very reassured to know that thee years after the best day of their lives, they'd be comfortable, enjoying their jobs, happily anticipating a new baby, and still be madly in love with each other. 


Do you remember waiting in the temple that day? Mostly I remember how at the time, it really didn't matter at all. Being together in the Celestial room was amazing and after waiting apart for so many months, another thirty minutes didn't seem like so much at all. You have always been worth waiting for and I have always enjoyed waiting with you. I can't think of anyone else I'd like to take this journey with as much as you. Thank you for taking it with me.


Our anniversary celebrations feel a little muted this year, but I think it's been just right for us. I am very content with where we are and where we're headed, and I think we're both just enjoying the flow for now. Thank you for knowing my mind - quite literally! - and for knowing me and loving me so completely. You are so kind, so amazing, so special to me and I love you forever, mi querido.


Love, 
your Kate

The Vacation, or There and Back Again

We're back from almost two weeks of vacation, and I can't believe it's over already. It was a prefect mix of anniversary celebrations and family time, and it was just amazing. Some people go on vacation for the beautiful scenery; some for the fun sites. Some people go hiking, some go to the beach; some go to visit family, some go with family. We just did it all. San Francisco (Jelly Belly factory on the way), down to Monterey (where we went to the aquarium, Fisherman's Wharf, the beach, and shopping), then along the Pacific Coast Highway (GORGEOUS), down to Tim's family in Moreno Valley (home sweet home) and back up to meet my family in Torrey to finish off (Apple Days parade, hiking, and lots of naps). We didn't even mind the driving so much (except through SF, that was awful) because we were listening to podcasts of "Wait wait...don't tell me!" It was relaxing and fun and I loved that it was one big loop that took in almost every kind of landscape. Like I said, just amazing.

I took an obscene number of pictures, so here are just a tiny smattering to illustrate what I'm saying:

Anniversary (a little late)

Happy anniversary Tim (a few days late)! I can't believe it's been two years. I was so strongly reminded of that gloriously happy day when we were in the temple today. This has been the perfect vacation - perfect for us, for what we needed right now. Like our wedding day, it's not that there weren't/aren't things that could be better (mainly the weather and coordinating with people so we get things to happen on time), but none of those things really matter: we're together, and we're happy, and that makes it perfect.

We've been lucky so far. Two years of good times, in spite of school and work or lack of work. We're learning together, and I love how far our little home has come. Thanks for being so patient with me as I figure out how to be married, and how to be myself and married. You're pretty wonderful at it already. In fact, you are the best. You are kind and loving and funny and hard-working and so dedicated to everything you do.

I can't wait for the next year, to see what surprises life has for us, what joys and even what trials. I can't wait to find out who we're going to be in a year. I love you, mi Timoteo. You are the love of my life, forever.

P.S. This really has been the best trip ever. Just so you know.

Crazy Summer Catch Up Game

Lots of stuff happening as of late, and lots of ideas of what to write about, but no time (see above: lots of stuff happening). So, just to recap:

Rachel came home from Nepal!


Tim and I celebrated our first anniversary by going to Torrey (where we went on our honeymoon)!



Rob, Paul, and Tim worked really hard and got our mattress off the ground! (Pictures to come once they get it completely finished.)

Tim and I went to California for Addison's baby blessing and the 4th of July and for some all-around good times!


It's been a good couple of weeks. Good to spend time with Tim and be in Torrey, great to see our California family and spend some time with them. Now we are home and tired and glad to get life back in order. Or at least try to. Wish us luck! (And stay tuned for more...)

How do you measure a year of your life?

(Warning: Major sappiness ensues. Read at your own risk.)

Dear Tim,

Happy Anniversary! I can't believe it's been a year--it went so fast and so slow at the same time. The last year has been...well, you know how it's been. Wonderful and stressful and hard and so much fun at the same time. Thank you for listening and learning and working with me to make it through all these months, and for being patient with me and my emotions. I'm glad the year is over, but I wouldn't have missed it or traded it for anything.

This time last year, we were running around trying to get ready for the Big Day tomorrow. I don't remember much about the 25th, except the stress and tears that were always just beneath the surface. But from the minute I woke up on the 26th, I was only happy, and that feeling never left. I remember a lot of things from that day, but you and your smile are most clear in my mind: meeting you at the temple, sitting together and waiting in the Celestial room (and waiting, and waiting), singing together at the luncheon, laughing in the rain as the storm finally broke over our reception. Even while I was hugging other people and taking pictures and smiling my face off, I was always most conscious of you and your happiness. Thank you for such a joyful day.

I love you so much! My life is so much better with you in it. Thank you for loving me so completely! I love you too, and I can't wait to start the next year of our life together. We're not perfect people, but we are perfect together.

Love,
Your Kah-tay