SLC Saturdays #2, 3, 4

Harper and I experienced a true Utah girl's weekend. In the past three days, we have been to a bridal show, a baby shower, and a shopping center. (I think the only thing missing was a Zumba class.) If you know Utah girls, you know that we usually excel at getting married, having babies, and scoring good deals at big, commercial stores. (I've got the wedding and the baby down but don't think I'll ever prefer superstores to local businesses. I also prefer the treadmill to Zumba. Call me a rebel. I can't help it.)

Anyway, the bridal show came first. My sissy-in-law Calli is getting married and so we went to The Wedding Festival with her. I've never been to a wedding show before. Shocking, I know. What Utah girl has never been to a bridal extravaganza? I hadn't and somehow, I managed to survive. This gives me hope that I'll continue to live without Zumba as well.

It was pretty much as I expected it to be. Photographers and florists were all up in our faces trying to get us to enter their drawings and take their cards. Calli was even bombarded by an insurance company at one point. It was crazy but we had some delicious berry gelato so it was worth it. I'm not a bride and I'm not getting married (because I did... two weeks ago) but that didn't stop me from scoring a bunch of free goods. I came home with complimentary chap stick, mugs, nail files, condoms, and baby wipes. I doubt such a variety could be had anywhere else in the world. Harper got some free candy. Calli got some great ideas. In the end, we all went home happy.

Scout joined us, of course.

I just hope he didn't feel awkward, being the only male guest and all.

My friend Heather's baby shower came next. I love Heather. She is one of my favorite people ever and I was so happy to be a part of her shower. She is going to be a wonderful mother to baby Logan, I just know it. Harper had so much fun at her first ever baby shower, mainly because it was warm outside and she had a big backyard to explore. She also ate her fair share of pickles, olives, and gummy bears, which is not something that happens regularly, I promise.

I took a ton of photos at the shower. I took photos of Harper, Heather and her friends, Heather opening gifts, the food, and the cupcakes. Somehow, I didn't manage to make it home with a picture of Heather and me. I hate when that happens.

 Scout was once again the only male at an all female event.

He has also started wearing Harper's old bows.

I'm beginning to wonder if there is something he needs to tell us...

I was responsible for the party favors.

Jars of honey seemed perfect for a Winnie-the-Pooh shower.

 Harper loves party food.

The last stop of our weekend was Jordan Landing. I generally avoid large shopping centers like this because everything about them (parking lots, busy stores, rude shoppers, self-check out lines, speed bumps...) gives me anxiety. I also prefer to spend my time at small stores and support local businesses. Don't worry, Harper and I will be visiting many of them during our year of SLC Saturdays.

We couldn't resist this trip, however, because I had a nice stack of gift cards to Bed Bath and Beyond and yesterday, they were having a large clearance sale. That's a win/win situation if you ask me. It took me ten minutes to even find the store once I arrived at the shopping center, which is seriously big. If you need to go to Walmart, Target, Kohl's, Sears, and Sams' Club all in the same afternoon, Jordan Landing is the place for you. If you'd like to retain your sanity, it probably isn't.

Anyway, I found a cart full of deals at Bed Bath and Beyond. On our way out of the maze of massive stores, we stopped at Barnes and Noble. I've finally recovered from our last visit there and I had a few dollars left of a gift card so I took Harper to get a prize. She chose a large Disney Princess Look & Find book. She loves it. We spent the rest of our weekend at home enjoying it together.

She Might Run Away With the Circus Someday

Sometimes I feel like I'm raising a monkey.
If not a monkey, then a future circus performer.
I can see it now... in lights: "Harper Jane: the amazing girl who climbs with tigers..."
I'm just hoping that she will wear clothing during her act.

A Mid-Weekend Hello

We are having an amazing weekend. I'll post many pics and fill you in on the details come Monday. I can't, however, help sharing this darling face right away... We spent the afternoon at an adorable little old house in SLC. Haprer and I took full advantage of some good photo spots (if only I were a better photographer... Someday, I'll buy a fancy schmancy camera and learn a few tricks). Isn't Harper so cute? I don't think I'll ever get over her perfect little face. I know that every parent thinks their child is the cutest ever, but seriously... My child IS the cutest ever. 

Hello Weekend, It's So Nice to See You Again.

The weekend has arrived and I'm so happy. 

Aren't you? Two days of fun and adventure await.

This photo is so bright and magical.

I'm hoping my weekend (and yours) is, too.

Someday, this photo WILL be my weekend.

I've already promised Harper a trip to Europe for graduation.

SLC Saturdays #1: The Sweet Tooth Fairy

Harper and I will be caught up on our SLC Saturdays project by the end of this week. I've only got 40 places on my list, which means I need a few more... I'm open to suggestions!

Anyway, for our first outing, we visited The Sweet Tooth Fairy in Draper. I've been hearing and reading about this place for months and was so excited to try it out for myself. It was wonderful. There are people, including my mother, who might say that $4 is too much for a cupcake. Well, my mother is diabetic so she doesn't count. Everyone else has obviously not been to The Sweet Tooth Fairy. Oh my goodness, everything Harper and I tried was delicious. We were only there for about 15 minutes because Harper's bedtime was approaching and I had movie plans. We stayed long enough for Harper to enjoy a delicious Funfetti Cake Bite. I had a Red Velvet (heart shaped, no less!) one and it was so amazing- seriously one of the best things I've ever eaten. I'm so happy that Harper and I tried this delightful little place and now I can't wait for someone I love to have a birthday so that I can spoil them with Sweet Tooth Fairy treats.

In my haste to leave, I forgot my phone. I got these first two images from Google. The photos of Harper are from my phone, which explains the low quality. 

Cupcake, anyone?

Harper and Scout checking out the Cake Bites...

She kept saying, "mmmmmmm." She was right.

Just In Case You Haven't Noticed...

It's snowing in SLC.
We don't have our own yard so Harper hasn't been able to play in the snow this year.
She doesn't even have any "snow gear."
Still, the snow this morning was so beautiful.
I couldn't help but let her outside for a few minutes.

The Other Shih Tzu in My Life

There is something about this photo that makes me so happy.

Seriously, every time I see it, I smile.

It is the perfect shot of Miss Zowie Adams.

Zowie is Colt's family dog.

She is going to be 13 next month! 13!

When I met Colt, he told me that he had a shih tzu, too.

I was so excited.

There is nothing better than meeting another shih tzu lover.

I was SO excited to meet Zowie.

She didn't care much for me at first.

(Sometimes Zowie pretends to be a fussy old lady.)

Then one day, I visited her with treats in my purse.

We've been friends ever since.

We were even roomies for a while.

I've missed her since we moved.

Every time Colt goes to his mom's, I ask, "Did you see Zowie?!?"

I just love her and would seriously dognap her if I could.

How We Spent This Monday Evening

So we used some of our wedding money to buy a television stand. I've been needing one for months but haven't  wanted to buy something outrageously big or pricey because we will be moving soon. With a handful of Target gift cards, I couldn't hold off any longer. I ordered a simple black stand from their website. It is really generic, so once we have a house it will easily morph into a nice hall or entryway piece.  It came today and lucky Colt got the four hour task of putting it together. It looks great. I'd post pics but I don't feel right about it yet. It came with plain black metal knobs. BORING. The stand is begging and pleading with me to give it something a little more fun. I'm loving both of these beauties from anthropologie.

 

Before I order, I'm going to head over to the Millcreek area and see if Silverstar has anything. I'm slipping it in to the Salt Lake City Saturday list of adventures for Harper and me. (By the way, I'm getting the first post together... I promise!)

ANYWAY, my point with all of the television cabinet babble is that whilst Colt was putting it together, I had to keep Harper out of his way. This wasn't easy, especially after she saw the piles of screws/bolts. Her eyes went so wide as she said "ooo." She was dying to dive into them, I just know it. I did pretty well entertaining her, though. We played in her room and in her bathroom. We had snacks (basically, she "fed" me yogurt). We read stories. She played in her crib. We sang. We danced. We did shoulder rides. I took some photos and before I knew it, Harper was exhausted. She went to bed and I joined Colt and made a pretty solid attempt to at least pretend I was helping him. 

Harper played with Baby Olive. 

(I took the liberty of naming her Christmas toy

I'm obsessed with the name Olive. 

If I got a puppy tomorrow, I'd name it Olive.

Don't worry. We aren't getting a puppy.

We already have one. Remember Tucker?

Well, he is ENORMOUS now.

I'll post a pic when I can.)

This is how Harp signs "I love you."

Here she is signing "baby."

CUTEST THING EVER.

I'm so funny. 

At least Harper thinks so.

See those little baby curls?

They are so cute. Seriously. I'm never cutting them.

Harper loves to ride on my back or shoulders.

I love Harper.

So there you have it. Now you don't have to wonder how we spent our Monday evening. 

It Was Perfect for Us and That's All That Matters

Some people were a little appalled by the idea of Colt and I tying the knot at the courthouse. Some people were rude and others even acted a little offended. I heard things like, "A marriage that starts at the courthouse ends there, too." Well, my rude/offended/tactless friends, many marriages that start in chapels, gardens, and beautiful halls end at the courthouse as well.

As it turns out, a courthouse wedding was perfect for Colt and me. It was easy and rather quick (not like we are the quickie type of couple, but we do have a 15 month old with a 5 minute attention span) and we were lucky to have the people that matter most there as witnesses to our happy moment. Yes, I did feel a little silly roaming the courthouse in my wedding dress, but I'm pretty sure I'm the type of girl that can handle a little bit of silly feeling. I also felt beautiful, happy, and excited (and I even took my favorite Hobo clutch along as a good luck token). No worries, my dears. Harper had her good luck token that day as well. His name was Scout.

Anyhow, here are some of the photos that Whit has finished so far. I'm in love with them and I've reached the conclusion that they will be my favorite. I've no doubt that the shots from the open house will be amazing as well, but these photos will help us remember our actual marriage ceremony- the day that we joined lives and began our journey together as husband and wife.

Harper is a little scared of elevators.

Big ring. Little ring.

Colt and I are always on opposite ends of the size spectrum.

Colt actually admitted to me that he almost cried.

For him, "almost crying" is akin to me bawling my eyes out.

Favorite. Favorite. Favorite.

Wedding shoes!

I told you that those who mattered most were there.

The only people missing were my grandparents.

They were present, however... in my memory.

Scout must have been a little camera shy when we took this photo.

He was hiding in Grandma Paulette's purse.

 Reenacting our first kiss.

 Mr. & Mrs.

"and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)"

-e.e. cummings-

Harper Ate the Last Cupcake... and She Liked It

Earlier today, I let Harper eat the last wedding cupcake. It's safe to say that she loved it (or at least that she loved the frosting). She is in her pajamas in the photos. I realize this and want everyone to know that Harper did not eat a cupcake for breakfast. We had a nice healthy breakfast of cereal, bananas, and milk this morning. The cupcake came later, somewhere between breakfast and bath time. I also realize that we were technically supposed to save this cupcake and eat it on our one year anniversary. We obviously don't follow tradition very well (i.e. baby before wedding) and truthfully, 365 day old cake just sounds gross. Besides, Harper enjoyed it much more than we ever could.

A New Year... A New Project

I've had a blog project stewing in my brain for some time. I wanted to introduce it at the beginning of January but was just too busy. Anyway, even though I'm two weeks late, I'm really excited about this. It's going to be a lot of fun.

This is where I live:

Salt Lake City is beautiful, clean, and fun (and yes, our mountains are breathtaking). At least it used to be fun. Before Harper came along, I felt like a real part of Salt Lake City. I enjoyed local shopping, dining, coffee, parks, and entertainment. I was always busy going somewhere and trying new things. Since becoming a mom, my enjoyment of the city has become dormant. With my new project, I plan to change that. Every Saturday during 2011, Harper and I (and maybe Colt, Hazel, or Tucker) are going to try a new place together in the Salt Lake valley. Nothing is off limits. We can try restaurants, parks, festivals, museums, bakeries, stores, or any other sort of spot that suits our fancy. Some of them will be places that I used to enjoy that I want to share with Harper. Others will be new for both of us. I'm calling this project Salt Lake City Saturday. I plan on taking my camera and sharing our experiences with you each week. Are you excited? I sure am!

I realize that we are three Saturdays behind. I promise we will make up for them this weekend. I've started a list of places for Harper and I to visit this year (The Aquarium, Trolley Square, The Farmer's Market, The Pride Festival, Discovery at Gateway, 9th and 9th, Temple Square, Liberty Park, Spoon Me, etc) . If you have suggestions, let me know. In our SLC exploration, we are open to anything. If you want to join us, let me know. We would love company!

I'm Married, Organized, and Back to Blogging

Hello my friends. I feel like I've been away from blogworld forever. We had a busy- but amazing- weekend. Our marriage ceremony and open house were perfect and since getting home, we have been busy trying to get organized. I think we opened around 150 cards and I have no idea how many gifts. Trying to find places for everything in our already overflowing townhouse has been quite a task. I'm nearly done and I'm exhausted. Now I understand why people go on honeymoons- because getting married is tiring! I don't think Colt is as worn out as I am, which makes sense considering that he spent the weekend playing with his favorite of our gifts (and no, he wasn't making me delicious food, he was playing Wii). We got an insane amount of Target gift cards and I thought that I'd let Colt choose something that he really wanted. I suggested a new grill or garage equipment. He went for the Wii. 

Anyway, I'm dying to see our photos. DYING. Whitney was with us for every moment. She came to the courthouse (which is where the photo from my last post was taken) and to the Porcupine luncheon afterwards. We got some shots at our "first kiss" spot and I just know they are going to be my favorite. We also got plenty at the open house. I'm so excited... So Whitney, if you are reading this, I LOVE YOU. Thank you for convincing me that you were needed on Friday. Those photos are going to be my treasures forever. You're amazing and if you want to cancel everything you have going on this week and just focus on our pictures, that's fine by me. No, really. I'm kidding about that but I do love you.

Miss Harper had a fantastic time at the wedding. I have no idea how much candy she consumed, which is probably a good thing because I'm sure it was more than I'd be comfortable with. Every time I saw her, she had a new piece. She was adorable and charming in every way, but we all know that for Harper, that is an every moment occurrence...

So now that the wedding is over, we can get ready for my favorite holiday. You Halloween lovers and Christmas obsessors have had your fun. Now it is time for Valentine's Day... Let the pink/purple/red decorating, candy eating, kissing, hugging, and love celebrating begin. 

An Introduction

Hi. I'm Abby.
Abby Adams.
Nice to meet you.
By the way, I'm married.

Mr. and Mrs. (oh wow, does that sound old or what?) Adams

Friday, January 14, 2011

Cupcakes, Candy, Words... I'll Eat Them All This Weekend

Colt and I in 2008

This is our first photo as a "couple."

I was against being a couple.

So was Colt.

Then we saw Twilight and he got all sappy and said he wanted to be a couple.

And here we are.

Wow. Maybe I shouldn't be talking smack on Twilight all the time.

January 14th eve has arrived. Tomorrow our wedding bells will be ringing, although only in the figurative sense since they don't have any actual bells at the courthouse. Real bells or not, we are really excited. I feel like the time is perfect for us to make this change and I'm really happy to be marrying someone that I truly love. Colt and I, despite being complete opposites (Colt= hunter/sports fanatic/country music lover; Me= vegetarian/avid reader/classical music lover), have grown into a quite productive team. I know that we will build a really solid and happy home together as we attempt to practice Diligent Joy through whatever life throws at us. Besides, we laugh together every day and really, I couldn't ask for more than that.

All of the wedding planning has been relatively easy and I'm happy to say that I'm at peace with every decision. Everything has worked out perfectly. Colt's ring arrived yesterday and he loves it. My ring, in its' vintage loveliness, is more perfect than ever. I love our colors (lavender/navy/silver). Our menu is going to be yummy. The candy bar is going to be perfect. I love my dress. I love Harper's dress. I love my shoes and I really, really love my new ivory cardigan (it cost more than my dress but it is beaded and beautiful and I'm sure I'll be wearing it forever). I do think that having a 15-month old to worry about has helped me be a rather easy going bride. It's helped me see that details are only details, not to be fussed (or heaven forbid, cried) over.

Tomorrow is our actual wedding day. We are having a small ceremony with only our immediate families. Then we will head to lunch at Porcupine Pub & Grill. Colt and I chose it because it is sort of "our place." Our first kiss was in the parking lot and since being a couple, we have eaten there more than anywhere else, mainly because they have a wide variety of beers and vegetarian dishes. Colt is a beer drinker. I'm a vegetarian. Porcupine is the perfect spot for us. 

Saturday is our open house. It is going to be so fun to see all of the people that we love. It's at The Carmelle Reception Center (4075 S. Highland Dr.) from 5-8. We sent out 300 invitations. I'm sure we still managed to miss someone. If we missed you, don't worry. We love you. You should come. There will be hot chocolate, candy, and cupcakes so there is absolutely no reason not to come.

Sunday is our present opening party. Our families are coming over to enjoy left over wedding treats and watch us open our wedding presents. It's going to be great (because you know my favorite thing to do is open presents in front of people... yeah... not really... but I think I'll survive). I just have to get my house in shape before then. I don't think Colt's grandmas would appreciate the cinnamon toast crunch that is literally "crunched" into my dining room floor at the moment.

Anyway, I'm officially signing out for the weekend. I'll see you next week when I'm MARRIED! Have I told you that my name will soon be Abby Adams. How cute is that? Really? And how nice will it be to not have to spell L-O-M-E-N-T-O anymore? I never thought I'd be the name changing type but once again, I'm eating my words. Hmmm... I'm really getting quite good at that. (I won't even tell you the details of my watching Sarah Palin's Alaska all day last Sunday and actually liking it... Those were some big, loud, hateful words to eat... Don't worry. I'm still a democrat and I still think she should never be president... of anything.)

Have a lovely weekend. Come to our open house if you are in the SLC area. If not, find a delicious cupcake and eat it for me. 

I'm Jealous of a Stuffed Dog and This is Why

Every night when I get home from the gym, the first thing I do is check on Harper. I usually find her (and Scout) just like this...

These are from last night.

My camera was dead so I had to settle for iPhone pics.

Harper's perfect, perfect innocence touches me most at moments like this when my house is quiet and she is sleeping. I always have to resist the urge to climb in her crib and snuggle with her.

The Cutest Little/Big Girl Around

Harper is getting so old and little girlish.

She acts so much more like a kid than a baby these days.

I love it and I hate it at the same time.

I see her baby pictures and can't help but ask myself-

"Did I kiss those chubby cheeks enough times?"

I find myself checking on her more and more during the night,

and holding her tighter and tighter during the day.

I even find myself begging her for kisses.

One of Harper's new "big girl" skills is giving great big kisses.

They are often snotty and fruit snack flavored but I beg for them nonetheless.

I don't want to miss one moment/kiss/hug/laugh with her.

Harper's got some other new big girl talents.

She can eat with utensils now.

She also signed for the first time tonight.

Without being prompted, she signed "eat."

I almost cried because I was so proud of her.

I am convinced that she is the cutest little person alive.

In case you feel like arguing with me about it, here is some recent proof.

Dancing on the couch...

You've probably realized by now that Harper will 

shake it pretty much anywhere and everywhere.

She is just so full of life that she can't help it.

 Playing with her dollhouse... on top of her table.

She also eats, dances, and watches TV while standing atop her table.
It's like she thinks she is the queen of the house or something.
Hmm, imagine that.

Eating dinner... with a fork!

Relaxing in the afternoon whilst enjoying
fruit snacks and a rice cake. 

Waiting for Grandma to arrive... 

My parents came to town this afternoon.

Harper was SO excited to see them.