Happy Birthday, Kenzie!

Colt's little sister, Kenzie, turned 21 on February 16th and I was so excited for her. Seriously, she has been talking about turning 21 since I met her. I've been waiting to celebrate with her and actually got to do so twice! We had a family dinner at El Chihuahua on her birthday with Doug, Carrie, Kenz, Jesse, Colt, Harper, and me. We had a great time eating and enjoying "Death Stars" together.

Then, the Saturday after Kenzie's birthday, we headed downtown to party at The Hotel with friends and family. It was so so fun to go out after so long. I'm happy that I was here for both of her parties because I'm crazy about Kenzie. I love coming home when Kenzie is here because we love to chat and laugh together. She is so funny and always has some great story to share. She is also one of the most amazing people that I know. She works hard, studies hard, and plays hard. Kenzie faces the world with a brave and open heart and I love her for it.

Happy birthday, Aunt Kenzie!

Just warming up at The Hotel

A birthday hug at the beginning of the night....

and one at the end!

With a Little Help from Harper

So, I came home from work yesterday to find Colt sitting with Harper. She was wearing a white onsie but was turned around so I couldn't see it. I knew that I hadn't put a white onsie on her so I assumed she had required a clothing change before I got home. I peeked around her shoulder to see which one she was wearing. Colt turned her around and...

I really and truly about died of excitement! This was a totally unexpected moment and I was happy and crying all at the same time. I have had no idea about how or when Colt would propose. This was perfect, completely perfect! He said he has been planning it since before Miss Harper was born. I loved it and will be putting that onsie directly in Harper's forever box. Of course I said yes (I mean, we have already been planning the wedding for a month!) My ring is amazing. I didn't want a diamond. I think they are often overdone, over priced, and usually all look the same. I wanted something unique because Colt and I have a love and a story that is unique. The ring is a vintage peridot (my birth stone) set in a most delicate and feminine band, circa 1950s. It was my mom's (we have the same birthstone). My grandpa gave it to her when she was in her teens and I've wanted it for years. When she gave it to me back in December, I thought it would make the perfect engagement ring for me. Colt had it sized and dipped in white gold. I love it.

We are all so excited to start our family together. Colt is probably crazy for wanting to live with these three girls but we all love him. He makes Harper, Hazel, and me so unbelievably happy.

This piano was Colt's engagement present to me. I am absolutely crazy for it.

Ears

So I have always disliked my ears. They poke out and make me look like a little mouse! I never let them show. Even when I wear a ponytail, I pull it over my ears and not behind them. I have actually gone as far as to consider an "ear tuck." Seriously, I have never liked them....until now. My little miss Harper has them (see photo below!) and they are absolutely adorable. They poke out and give her so much personality. I look at them and realize how amazing it is that Harper is a part of me so much that some of my physical traits are manifested in her. She has so much of Colt and me in her. She even has the same crooked fourth toe as I do! She has a little bump on one of her ears that is identical to one on Colt's left ear. She has his eyes, my lips, and we are waiting to see whose nose, but without a doubt, her ears came from me! Those pokey little things have made me like, even appreciate, my ears (although I still maintain that they are much cuter on her!)

Here Comes the Clueless Bride

Colt and I, although we are not engaged, are planning to get married this summer. The engagement is, I hope, coming. That's Colt's deal. We are having a small ceremony followed by an open house in his grandparent's backyard which, by the way, is prettier than any reception center I've ever seen. I like backyard weddings because they seem more comfortable, enticing guests to stay and enjoy themselves as if they were there for a 4th of July bbq. Anyway, I've been looking at wedding cakes, centerpieces, dresses, and food for several hours now and I'm done. Not just for today, but for good. I've seen enough to last me a lifetime. I've got a stack of books waiting to be read. I don't have time for all this jazz. I'm not one of those girls who dreamt of her wedding and planned every detail out years before even meeting the groom. When other girls were having wedding dreams, I was planning my future travels and education.

I have the musician (Jeff Jensen and he is amazing; seriously, if you don't come for us, come to hear him perform), photographer (Whitney Rushton, of course), a dress, and a guest book. I mean, the only part that is even interesting to me is what Harper and I are going to wear. If there is one thing I can do, it's get dressed. Anyone who has seen my closet knows that. The rest of the wedding palooza, including food, cake, flowers, decorations, lighting, drinks, centerpieces is totally overwhelming to me, not to mention completely uninteresting. Needless to say, I need a wedding fairy godmother. Thank the Lord that I have several. Colt's family, once again, is saving my life. I'm certain that between his mom, sisters, and Whitney, our little open house will be beautiful.

I Love Valentine's Day!

Hazelnut Valentine

(aka Grinch because her little puppy paws looked like the Grinch's feet. It is just one of those nicknames that has stuck. She answers to it and even Colt calls her Grinch.)

I wanted to dedicate this Valentine's Day post to Hazelnut, my little Grinch baby. Two years ago on Valentine's Day, I was at work. I was in a bit of a rough spot personally and had purposefully scheduled myself to work just so that I could avoid the world. I'd been looking at puppies online for years, dreaming of the day when I'd pick a little shih tzu to take home. I had absolutely no intention of getting a puppy any time soon. I was merely browsing the ads because it was slow in the store. I made it through a few pages of ksl classifieds, looking mainly at shih tzus and for some reason, I decided to call on one. The breeder, Ben, said I could come over and look at the puppies that afternoon. He had a liter ready to go home immediately. I took a break from work and headed to his house, still wondering what in the world I was doing. I looked at the liter and none of the puppies seemed to be the one for me; I was disappointed. Ben told me he had a newer liter of black mask gold puppies that wouldn't be ready for several weeks. He brought a box of teeny tiny fur balls into the room and pulled each of them out. Most of the puppies climbed around the couch, completely oblivious to my presence. The exception was one chubby little girl who climbed onto my lap and didn't budge. I loved her in that instant. As unexpected as this surprise was, I was overwhelmed with happiness for I had found my puppy! I knew it in my heart. I gave Ben a deposit and he said she could go home in March. ("March?" I thought, "March is FOREVER away!") I asked if I could come see her before then and he said that would be fine. I visited my little Hazelnut every Saturday until the happy day when I wrapped her in a fuzzy pink baby blanket and took her home. We have been best friends since. I love her and I am certain that we were meant to meet.

I love Valentine's Day! It's not so much the romance that I love, but the colors, treats, hearts, and celebration of love in every form. This Valentine's Day was amazing! Colt gave me the pink Kitchenaid Mixer that I've been dreaming of for years and I love it. I've already made three cakes. This was Harper's first Valentine's Day. She dressed up and was, to no one's surprise, spoiled with presents. From Grandma Carrie and Grandpa Doug, she received an outfit, two bows, and a book. From Aunt Calli, she got two summer outfits, and from us she got princess dishes and bibs. I thought these gifts would be most appropriate since she has started eating solid (well, if you can actually call squished up vegetables and watery cereal "solid") food. She actually tried carrots for the first time today. She loved them and I loved watching her eat them, spit them all over and then rub them in her hair as she fell asleep in her chair! Silly baby!

Harper loves to sit in her chair! Even though she is only four months, she is sitting up all the time. She likes to sit in her chair and play with a toy.

Showing off her new dishes!

A romantic Valentine's Day dinner of carrots!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Colt's Sisters... I'll take them!

Christmas Eve, 2009 With Jesse, Kenzie, Harper, and Calli

I've just got to say how much I love, absolutely love, Colt's sisters. When I met him and heard that he only had two sisters, I was so intimidated! I have no sisters and I'd never dated anyone with sisters before; I was pretty sure they were going to meet me, judge me, and throw me out in the cold. Well, it didn't happen. Instead, we made friends and now we get closer all the time. They have welcomed me and I love them both for their amazing qualities. Calli is Colt's twin and she is so cute with Harper! She is one of the FEW that I'd trust with Harper and she spoils her constantly! I don't think she ever goes to Target or Carter's without bringing something home for little miss Harper. Calli is one hundred percent loving and caring. I think we could chat a whole day away. Kenzie is the most outgoing person I have ever met and she is always making me laugh. I admire her confidence and bravery. I'm so grateful for these girls! I'm actually grateful for Colt's whole family. I've had a great time laughing with them and getting to know them over the past year. Colt and I used to sit up in his room and I'd hear his family busting up with laughter downstairs. I'd think to myself that a family that can laugh together so often must be a good one. Well, I was right! They have filled a big empty hole in my life. I used to be alone all of the time and now I am surrounded by an amazing family.

Two Things

I don't care if Harper isn't a vegetarian, animal-loving yogi. She doesn't even need to be a shopaholic mascara junkie. I in no way intend to create a mini me as we raise her. However, there are two things that I hope she takes from me... I've been thinking it and wishing it since I found out I was pregnant: dear God, let her love music and let her love reading.

MUSIC

I think that we all know that I love to play the piano. I've been playing since I was a little girl and was teaching before I could drive (and I'm still a better teacher than driver any day). The piano has given me confidence and taken me around the world. It earned me one crown and got me pretty close to a second. It paved the way for my education and it has brought me through many moments, both dark and joyous. I can't even imagine myself without a piano or without music. I believe that people who don't at least develop an appreciation for music are missing out on something very powerful. In addition to piano, I love to sing. I've been singing for as long as I can remember. When I was three, I would put my dance clothes on and turn my living room into a stage as I pretended to be Jem (if you don't know, just google Jem and the Holograms). I've taken voice lessons on and off for years and boy, do I love to sing! If I had the confidence (and coordination), I'd be on broadway for sure, but as it is, I'm not even fond of singing for relatively small audiences. Without 88 keys in front of me, my performing skills are lacking. Alas, I have found the perfect audience in Harper. Oh how I love singing to that girl. I sing to her pretty much all day (broadway, lullabies, random tunes I make up as we go...). We spend quite a bit of time at the piano as well. She also has an iPod already (thanks Aunt Calli) and I am filling it with lullabies, children's favorites, classical music, and musicals. Somewhere amidst the piano time, constant singing, and exposure to different genres, she has got to catch the music bug, right? If there were other ways to bring music to her, believe me, I'd be doing it. I just think that I did okay for myself and I was never really exposed to music. I asked for piano lessons and voice lessons but before that, nobody had been singing to me in solfege or playing Mozart Adagio's for me as I fell asleep. I figure (or at least hope with all of my heart) that she will just soak these things up and have an even better musical beginning than I did.

READING

I am a glutenous reader. I get my hands on a good book and time stops. I'll read til four or five in the morning. I'll read through my workout time. I'll even read when I am with other people. Showers? Food? Chores? None of these things matter until I've read my eyes to soreness and turned the last page. I have always loved to read and hope that Harper will, too. I bought her books before she was even born. She already has quite a collection. It includes a lot of board books for now as well as many of my favorites (Fancy Nancy, Pinkalicious, Little Critter Books, etc.). I mean, the girl has to have at least 50 books already. I read to her every day. I want to inspire in her a lifetime love of reading and learning. If you can read, you can learn. If you can learn, you can find success, peace, and happiness in any form that you desire it. My parents read to me from the beginning. Going to the library (or in my three year old language, "the yibrary") with my parents is one of my favorite memories. I credit my love of books and learning to their willingness to read to me. Everyone I know who had consistent story time when they were young reads regularly in adulthood. I don't care what she reads (well, that's a lie... but I'll keep my very strong opinions to myself here because I don't want to hurt any feelings) as long as she reads.

Luckily, she is already interested in books and I have photographic proof! When I took this, I was so excited! "Colt, Colt! Look, she loves her book!" We can thank Grandma Carrie for this book. It was an early Valentine's day present! Look at her! She'll be reading to me before I know it!

Harper started sitting up today! She falls forward after a bit but we are still pretty proud of her! She had her 4 month check up yesterday and Dr. P said she looks great and he can't believe how happy and aware she is! She is laughing more and more every day and starting to eat rice cereal (well she is starting to spit it all over herself and her mom, that is)! She is in the 95th percentile for height and weight (16.6 lbs 26 inches)!

4 Months!

Our sweet Harper Jane is four months old today! The time has gone so fast yet I can't believe that I ever lived without her. What an odd trick time plays on us. She is so amazing and brings me so much happiness. We took her to her first Super Bowl Party today. I don't know how much fun she had. It was loud and there were a lot of people; I am afraid she may have felt a little overwhelmed at times. We had a good time, though. It's nice to enjoy an afternoon with our friends. Colt has amazing friends and I have sort of adopted them as my own.

Here is Harper before bed. She has her four month check-up tomorrow morning and I am excited to see what Dr. P has to say. At her two month check-up he was amazed at how old she looked and acted. I mean, of course... who wouldn't be amazed by Harper? She's perfect!

I wanted to take a minute to say how much I love Harper's dad, Colt. He has been so good to me since we started dating. When I met Colt, I was coming out of a very dark time. He showed me the love that had been missing from my life and proved to me that people really can be honest and selfless. He let my little dog into his heart and loved her like his own. He made me strong and became my best friend.

I recently read Elizabeth Gilbert's new book, 'Committed' and in it she writes about the opportunity each couple has to create their own world together, with a language, schedule, moral code, and atmosphere that is all their own. I am so excited to have this with Colt, to build a private Colt and Abby universe together, full of good food, music, laughter, and play. I never imagined myself with a better half but alas, here I am. Colt, Harper, and Hazel are my family and I am grateful for them everyday.

This is one of my favorite photos! It in one of the few that I took during the 41 weeks I was pregnant. I am pretty certain that despite the fact that I feed, walk, bathe, and care for Hazelnut, she still loves Colt more than she loves me!

I love this photo of Colt and me. We were having a lazy day after Christmas 2009. I think we were in bed until late afternoon. This was one amazing day of doing absolutely nothing.

Harper's 3 Month Photos

Colt's cousin, Whitney, took these. She is amazing, I know. She came over and did the photo shoot at our house which was great because Harper was comfortable and we had everything we needed. She really caught all of Harper's expressions. When we got the photos back, I'd look at one and say, "that's a Harper face!" Right now, Harper is all about her hands. They are always by or in her mouth and Whitney got some great shots of that. She also got some big smiles (thanks to me for acting like an idiot to make Harper happy). I love all of the photos she took so much that I am going to buy a digital picture frame. They are like Lay's.... I can't have just one!

My cousin, Bonnie, made this blanket for Harper. It is my favorite! I want a bigger one for Harper and me to share. I just have no idea how to make it. The other side is a bright pink with this black and white border. This side made the perfect backdrop for some of Harper's photos!

This necklace was once my Grandma Beth Harmon's. I have had it for a few years and worn it many times, always feeling sentimental when I do. When we started taking the tutu pics, I remembered the necklace and grabbed it. 4 generations later, it's beautiful on Harper.

Some January Photos

I'll catch up on Harper's earlier photos at a later time. For now, here are a few of my January favorites:

3 months old! My favorite onsie so far!

Hazelnut on her birthday!

3 1/2 months! Holding everything now!

Out for a winter walk with Hazelnut

So I found my old blog. Old here is sort of a relative term considering that my old blog has only been around for about two months. Anyway, I don't know how to merge it with this one so I am just going to let it go. From here on out, this will be my blog and I will use it! I even plan on figuring out how to be a follower and get followers. I am even thinking of adding a template. Who knows how crazy this thing could get. Just you wait.

Anyway, I'll post some pics tomorrow. I have great pics of Harper and of Hazel's birthday to show off. In the meantime, I wanted to do a quick intro.

I'm Abby. I love music. I love the piano and have been teaching piano since I was 14. I am currently on a hiatus from teaching but am looking forward to taking some students in 2010. I nearly have my bachelor's degree and was planning on doing graduate studies in social work but the fates stepped in and offered me a baby instead (who really is much cuter than any professor I've ever seen). My boyfriend, Colt, and I have a beautiful daughter named Harper Jane Adams. She is amazing. She was born on 10/7/2009. She smiled at 3 weeks and slept through the night at six weeks, both of which did nothing but convince me even further that she is amazing. We had so much fun celebrating her first Christmas with her. Don't worry... she was spoiled in a very Abbyish fashion, getting dolls, books, jewelry, furniture, and plenty of clothing. Now it is a new year and she is growing and changing daily. She is nearly 4 months! It's cliche but I really can't believe how quickly she is growing. She is grasping toys and playing in her bouncer (a Christmas gift from Grandma Carrie) like a big girl. I just don't know whether to cry out of pride or sadness when she reaches these big baby milestones!

Colt and I spend most of our time admiring Harper. The rest of our time is spent with my shih tzu baby, Hazelnut Valentine. She is ADORABLE (really, everyone thinks so) and has been really great with Harper. She loves to sit in Harper's room when we are in there and even gives her baby sister sweet little kisses. My mom would die.... she would absolutely die if she saw my baby getting kisses from a dog but, I love it and I don't think twice about germs. Who cares about germs when your furry child loves your human baby?

What else? Colt loves baseball (he actually played minor league ball for several years up until 2009) and fishing. I love music and reading. I love yoga as well, but haven't rolled out my mat since before pregnancy. I've been doing some easy poses here and there, working up the courage to just pull it out and go for it. I plan on being a yoga teacher one day.

Watch for pics... I will post them when it isn't four hours past my bedtime.

How Does One Misplace a Blog?

Okay, so I started a blog not too long ago. I've updated it a few times and even added photos, and now? I can't find it! How do you loose a blog? I can't even find how or where to sign in to it and I am so confused. Facebook is so much easier than blogging but I am determined to keep a blog. Determined!

Quick update on all that has happened in 2010 so far:

January 7- Harper is two months already!

January 10- Hazel turned 2 years! My sweet little Grinch baby dog is getting so old. There are no words to describe what she means to me or how very happy her furry little face makes me. We have been through a lot together in two years. We actually met on Valentine's Day and so this year on February 14, I will be blogging "our story." I know, I know... the suspense will be practically unbearable.

January 16- Harper grasped toys for the first time! I was so proud that I nearly cried. Well, since we are being honest, I'll admit that my eyes got a little stingy with tears. I took pictures and even a short video. She only really had one holdable toy so I made sure to get her many more toys as soon as possible. I just love that she is interacting with us more and more.

January 30- HARPER REACHED FOR ME!!!! (at only 3 months, too!) Colt was on the bed holding her and she was fussing a bit so I reached for her. She turned to look at me and put those chubby little arms out. I nearly died of happiness.

So now all I want to do is find my blog and merge it with this one (don't even know if this is possible) because I like the name of this blog better. Diligent Joy is sort of my 2010 theme. Basically, I'm going to be happy because I work for it and work to sustain it. First, however, I am going to get this blogging situation figured out. I'm confident that I can do it. I'm hoping that I can do it. I'm probably going to cry if I can't do it.