! year ago...

One whole year ago Rand and I were blessed to become parents to the most beautiful baby girl! Boy how the times flies.... (I am already teary eyed writing this post, really Madison?! I know I am a total emotional mother.) Really though it makes me so bitter sweet to look back on those precious moments with our little girl. How sweet those first moments are when you see your child for the time. The spirit that feels the room.... words cannot describe. When two people who love each other, become a family of three... it is incredible and surreal. I am so grateful to have such an amazing husband who is always supportive, caring, sweet, thoughtful and such an amazing father. I still remember their first moments together, the tender look on his face. I will never forget that. I feel so grateful for the opportunity to be a mother. Some days are hard and some are easy, but regardless I try to focus on being the best mom I can to my little Lu. She is constantly making me laugh, and be creative with her. She is super expressive, talkative, and a social butterfly. Sounds nothing like me, I know. Little Lula still isn't walking, which is okay for now.... she loves the stairs, her blankie, getting into my measuring cups and spoons, opening and closing EVERYTHING, dancing, talking, steal cut oats, and her Daddy. (I am sure I forgot many but that is the basics.) We love you little bean!

Surviving the wind...

As I am sure most of you are aware. Our area in which we live... (being discrete) had a terrible wind storm come through late Wednesday night and on to Thursday morning. Our small little family seemed to barely sleep at all. Then sometime between 5am and 7am the power went out (this I know cause I went to the gym). I found myself thinking how grateful I am for what I have. We have been incredibly blessed here in the Sargent household, especially this last year.

Since all throughout the night we were constantly up and checking on our house, when it came time for Rand to go to work I hated the thought of being alone in a storm like this without power. So, Rand dropped Lula and I off at his sisters home. On our way we were amazing at what was going on. Trampolines on the highway, completely demolished. Huge hundred year old trees ripped from the ground, on with they stood. Shingles and anything else not tied down was gone. We happened to get tagged by a white picket fence on our way over.....

Once there we found we had to be a bit more creative with the kiddos. Keeping them entertained at first wasn't terribly hard. It was later in the evening that things got a little harder. It was fun to be able to enjoy each other's company. Whether that was driving in the car to charge our phones, or eating dinner by candlelight. Overall it was nice to not have the distractions of life staring you in the face.

Here are some pictures of the carnage once we could leave!

Yep that is my Nephew going to jump on the the tramp....

This was our live savor!!! Oh gas fire places!

11-11-11 at 11:11

                                                                   

Pictures from my iPhone

That's right folks I remembered to take a picture of where I was on November 11th at 11:11am. Well... okay my friend Katie was there with me and it was all her idea so I can't really stake the claims on that. 

We were both crazy people and decided that it would be fun to go to the grand opening of H&M and Crate & Barrel at the new "IT" mall of Utah, Fashion Place. We were able to shop around for awhile before the store opened to kill some time and to get some Christmas shopping done. I was excited for the store since all my friends have been to the one in Vegas or Cali and I hadn't ever been able to experience it. Even Rand has been to one with out me..... I sent him there but he didn't come back with much..... 

Needless to say it was..... alright. It was so crazy, and there were so many mom's with strollers (we ditched the kiddos back at home.) that kept on hitting into me.... ugh. By the 7th time I was starting to get annoyed. Let just say Lula got some pretty sweet new outfits for the holidays. Oh and Tate walked away with some darling stuff as well. We on the other hand, bought some items but are planning on taking them back. Lets just say I will most likely stick to my Jcrew, its my love.  

Here is a video courtesy of Katie Oborn

http://www.flickr.com/photos/katieoborn/6343549154/ 

a Straw....

Miss Lula has now conquered the Straw. She is so proud of herself. Good job baby girl! 

A Sargent Halloween....

        Well lets just say this day was one of the longest of my life....Literally. 10 months old + trick or treating = long day for mama.  

        Miss Lula started the night off as a sweet butterfly. I was so excited to take her around and show her off. I made sure to get some paint on her nose just because I thought it was fun. After about two minute's of having it on, black was in a array of places. Hands, cheeks, hair, ears, etc... you get the idea. Bad idea. So the first stop was around the neighborhood with her BFF Drew. These two ladies know how to start a party. We decided to leave the girls in their strollers, because getting them out over and over appeared to not be the choice as we witnessed other moms struggling to get them back in. So after hitting the houses, and seeing many of the little's friends ( Nixon the monkey, and Ross as yoda) we went to hit up family.

        

Lula and Drew play-by-play....

Lula thinks she likes Drew's Candy better than hers

Looking at mom like what the heck.....

This is GREAT MOM! Drew is still caught up on the candy she just got.

Lula sees it and try's to steal it.....

Lula finally thinking her candy is alright.... its what my mom wanted anyway.....

Cute little monkey

Little Yoda.... 

       First stop aunt Amy's house. This is always a treat for Lu. She is most offend than not, greeted by her little cousin Ike rubbing on her cheeks saying, " Hi baby Lula!". Then up next is surely Miss Meg. She always can get a smile on Miss's face, if not, giggles seem to always fill the air. Then its Aunt Amy's turn. Hugs, kisses, and telling Miss how cute she is, while she just seems to take it all in, beaming with confidence. We had some yummy soup and bread. Then it was off to trick or treat around her neighborhood (we happen to know a lot of her neighbor's). On our way we saw some pretty cute costumes. The best I have to say was father and son Kick Buttowski's. If you don't know who he is... lets just say he is a cartoon dare devil on nickelodeon. They were hilarious! Their neighborhood is so cute and does hot cocoa, scones and a blazing fire in the street for all trick or treat- ers. Props on the great idea!   

       Next up stop off at the Grandparents. First the Sargent's. Lula got to trick-or-treat with her cousin Ike here. She thinks she is pretty neat to hang out with him. 

        She has discovered that the stairs are quite possibly her favorite new toy. I am not even kidding. I go up and down the stairs at least 20 times a day with her just at home. So of course when it comes to someone else's house its even funnier. So she got to climb on the stairs. 

Caught in the act.... look at her face

      We also had to change Miss Lula's diaper while we were there. Now this is even becoming a chore with a mobile little girl. Good thing face time on the iPhone was invented. It keeps her entertained for the most part. Otherwise we turn on the front facing camera... which is what happened here. She LOVES to look at her self in it. She could jabber to herself all night on it if I would let her. She isn't vain I swear. ha ha. 

       Next up Papa and Grandma Nelson's. She loves the stairs at their house. Pretty much she tries to sneak away to climb them. Any set of stairs that has open railing like this she goes crazy over. She tries to go up them sideways, while standing.... yes we are thinking of entering her in the circus. 

By this time of the night she was shot. We had many more families to hit and missed. We felt so bad but it was a lot of work to get her in and out of the car, with no afternoon nap.... it was a disaster. So sorry to the following;  Christensen's, Sargents, Dailybread the food storage company I used to work for, Ralph's, Young's,  Child's, Gold's, Whitaker's, Oborn's, Martineau's, William's, and anyone else I had on my list that I lost. We love you all!! Happy Halloween. 

Glitter anyone?!

Lula and I cooked us up some of these classy pumpkins today. They are sure going to look fab on the porch. More pictures to come.......

10 months.....

Miss Lula Jane is 10 months old already. Boy how the times flies by. I swear it was just yesterday when Rand and I were driving our newest bundle home from the hospital. I still remember my nerves, and emotions were all over the place. How would I take care of just a sweet innocent little baby? Would I know how to do everything completely right? Would I be a good mother? These and many more were flooding my mind. I remember the sleepless nights, the worries I had, and how grateful I was to become a mother to the sweetest little baby I had ever seen. 

Now, 10 months later I still have those thoughts only before I can formulate the thought in my mind something stops me.... its like this, "will I be able...." (end thought) Lula Jane... where did you go? Oh there you are already up the stairs. or hiding in the pantry or playing in the toilet water. You get the idea. Somehow you cant even formulate a thought because they get so busy! That I can say, I am grateful for. Sometimes I have to remind myself a little extra.

......Currently Miss Lula is a total chatterbox. She can sit and play with her toys all by herself, while talking for the entire time. I have a feeling when she hits kindergarten her report card is going to look similar to mine, which read always in the teacher comments how I was an excellent of a student I was, but how I had issues excessively talking....  Cant wait for those. 

.......Lula loves anything with buttons. Remotes, cell phones, fake cell phones... she has some of those. 

.......She loves stuffed animals. Mostly she scratches out their eyes, and picks at their fur. You get the idea.... 

.......Miss loves textures of things. You will see her feeling anything that has a great texture. Carpet, Walls,  stoves, doors, furry animals, decorations, food....

.......She tends to be a little aggressive when it comes to toys and her Daddy's face.

.......She LOVES animals. My parents have a cat and she thinks its great to chase her around the house. She also got to play with some puppies recently and laughed hysterically when they licked her hands. 

......She loves her blankets. Specifically Aden + Anais. She will not go to sleep without one. She loves to rub her little face with it while falling asleep. 

.......She thinks every time I make a call that someone is there on the screen like face time. We do that with 'Papa' a lot and she now thinks someone is on the screen for her to look at. So funny. 

......She loves to make a face at her if you tell her 'no no' or 'stop' where its almost a fake cry face.... totally a hit on anyone who doesn't know her very well. 

.....She isn't quite walking by herself yet, but she will stand by herself for 10 seconds as long as her focus is on something else. 

......She has 4 teeth. Two upper and Two lower. She loves to give kisses... and occasionally bite you with them. 

They're is Miss Lula in a nut shell.... 

Love you baby girl!

Just around the corner....

Here is Miss Lula Jane in her latest celebratory Jammies.... 

With October here on Saturday Lula wanted to remind everyone to get their 'PJ Part-ay' on for the Halloween festivities! I know Rand and I will be happy to join in! More Rand and than I if you know what I mean....... 

Husband also in celebratory Jammies......

Like mother..... Like daughter....

Well what can i say......

We like things a little messy here at the Sargent household....

Lula Jane

Mama Jane

Update....

(so funny.... thanks pinterest) 

As summer is coming to a close we have been trying to squeeze in some last minute get aways. Whether that be to Bear Lake, St. George, or the zoo. I am so nervous for winter to come around this year. Being inside with a little mobile one is going to drive me crazy! I need some good idea's mom's if you have any.

Little Lula is growing so fast. I remember everyone telling me "they grow up so fast.". Did I ever really believe them....honestly no. Now I look back and think where has the last 9 Months gone?! My little girl is getting much bigger, much more independent, and such a funny personality, which is bitter sweet as a mom. (now I get why people keep having more and more kids.) Her personality is such a great mix of Rand's and mine. She really likes to sit back and chill with large groups of people, or be more reserved, which is so Rand. Then she is really aggressive and chatting all day long. Which Rand says I have to claim. She is also really sweet and sensitive, especially if someone else is crying or hurt. I tend to think this comes from both of us. She can also be incredibly stubborn, which is me as well. Its been great to see the little things that she loves. She is loving her stuffed animals, reading books, and puzzles. She is so expressive, almost too much sometimes. ha ha.

We seem to never get enough of her though. She makes the world so much brighter in so many ways. I really cant seem to imagine life without her. She just makes Rand and I make so much more sense. We constantly find ourselves just watching her play with her toys. She is saying 'Da da" "Ma ma' 'Pa pa' and "Wow wow wow." She also loves making a cherio face (as we call it in the Sargent household..). Overall parenthood is simply amazing. Now dont get me wrong there are many days where nothing gets accomplished, and Lula has a meltdown every 10 seconds. Those days are hard. They are the days where when Rand walks through the door I am ready for a break. I find this healthy for me at least. I also love to run and workout. This also helps out. So please if you are reading this and you think my life is always peaches and creme, please know I have many days where being a mom is hard. There are also days where I am loving every minute and cannot seem to get enough. I call all of that 'Parenthood'.

Here are some of the latest pictures from my phone. Please forgive me that pretty much all of them are of Lula. She is all I take pictures and videos of these days. Sorry!

After Church.....

Loving the tubby

Hanging with 'Da da'

Oh she HAD to have this Elephant from the Zoo....

Her and 'Pa pa'

Grandma Cece 

This cheeta totally kept her entertained all through the store.

Helping me fold and un-fold the laundry

Playing Cheese with the camera

Latest Last Minute Project

I was sitting in a training at work the other day and I was bored to death scouring the KSL classifieds. I've been keeping my eye out for a while for a bookshelf made of real wood instead of the cheap stuff that most places sell these days. I found this little guy for $20 and couldn't pass it up. So on Wednesday I went and bought some paint on a whim, went and got the bookshelf and started painting. Most of my painting has been done in the wee hours of the late night since Madison and Lula are up at Bear Lake with some of her family. I don't know that I've been to bed before 2 a.m. the whole time she's been gone due to this or Seinfeld or porch chats with my neighbor. It's taken a few more coats than I was hoping and I'm not sure if I'll have it done in time to surprise Madi when she comes home, but we're going to try! And we're also hoping that she likes the color or else this might be up for sale soon cause I'm not repainting it....






















Took me an additional week to finish this project and this post. I ended up doing four coats of paint and two coats of Polycrylic to protect it. Finally got it moved into the office where it definitely brightens the room. I think it turned out great and it was a fun little project!

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