Dance Jammies for a Dancing Girl

Harper's Grandma Carrie must know how much Harper likes to dance.

She got her the perfect dance party pajamas.

Harper wore them for the first time last night.

We had a dance party (thank you Glee) and played dolls in Harper's room

Hellllloooooo cuteness.

"Shhh..." she tells me.

It's so cute when Harper plays with dolls.

I can't believe she is already so grownupish like.

Lately, whenever Harper sees a baby she signs "baby" to me.

It's so cute but sad at the same time.

Doesn't she know that she is still my baby?

Baby, Baby, Baby, Ohhhh and a Serious Thought

Hooray! I've started posting to my other blog again. I know it's weird to have two blogs but it just works better for me. I like this blog to be my serious one. I like it to focus on my life and my family. Diligent Joy is the place where I leave little bits of my heart. Confessions of a Beauty Aisle Addict is just a fun project that keeps me on my stylish toes and helps me maintain my girly sanity during motherhood and married life.

I love makeup. I love buying it and trying it. I started Confessions because I knew I'd love talking (well, writing) about it as well. Harper likes makeup, too. She did mine just last night.

You can see that for Harper, makeup application is serious business.

Anyhow, sometimes I think Harper has Bieber fever. Either that or she thinks looking a little like Justin will make her cool. Just look at this post-nap hairstyle.

Cool or not, Harper J is one smart girl. This morning she figured out how to open our child-proofed cabinets. Yay (not really). She thinks she is pretty fancy now.

I keep trying to clean out Harper's clothes and shoes. I can't let go of them, especially the shoes- like her birthday shoes, her Halloween shoes, and the ones she wore to our wedding. I'm hoarding them- along with some of my favorite Harper clothing- in my dresser drawer. Everything else is in plastic bins in our garage. Every time I put something away, my heart breaks a little and yes, I usually cry. 

I love Harper's clothes. They are so little and so cute. I love to hold them and smell them. I have a hard time accepting the fact that she will never wear them again and I think I worry that if I let them go I'm losing a bit of the memories we made while she was wearing them- precious, precious memories.

I've kept the majority of Harper's stuff. It's as if I'm actually incapable of getting rid of it. I think that is because something inside me- something deep in my soul- knows that Harper won't be the only little girl in our family. While I live in denial and doubt about other children, this part of me waits patiently. It knows that when the time is right, our family will grow, no matter what protests I may be making now. This part of me knows that my selfishness will not win and that I'll find the strength to be pregnant again someday (someday= many days from today). I think this is the same part of me that consistently dreams about a little girl named Emersen. 

(If I know you personally and you steal my name before "someday" arrives, I will never forgive you. Ever. I'm not kidding. Neither will Harper. She really wants a little sister named Emersen.)

We are Just Waiting on the Weather

I'm so happy that spring is here. I love the transition to warm weather and all that comes with it- sandals, summer dresses, tank tops, soft ball, (no I don't play... but if I tried, it would be a seriously entertaining time for anyone watching... I love softball because it's catch-up time for me and the other lady spectators...) and long walks with the Hazelnut.

This spring/summer will bring some newer delights as well- playground visits with Harper, running with Tucker, trips to Hogle Zoo and Liberty Park, pool time, the splash park, and so many more sunshiny activities with my little family. I'm so excited.

I feel like we had the longest winter ever. I am so tired of wearing socks and jackets and would be perfectly happy if winter never came around again. I truly dislike winter. I don't love snow and I don't need a white Christmas. Maybe I'm living in the wrong state?

I love spring and I love spring clothing. I swoon over light fabrics, brighter colors, sun dresses, pretty skirts, girly shorts, and funky t-shirts.

I even enjoy food more in the warmer seasons. How delicious is the smell of grilling food (even if it's not your own)? Oh, and I really love fresh summer vegetables. There are times when all I need for a satisfying summer dinner is a sliced tomato. Yum.

My mouth is watering and my new clothes are waiting. Harper is more than ready to spend every moment outside. Hazel and Tucker are tired of walking in the snow (they didn't tell me so but I just know it's true). All we need now is some warm weather and seriously, it can't come soon enough. 

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Random Abbyness Day 27 and a Perfect Baby

A picture of my family...

Ahhhh....

Yes, I realize that there are 2 furry babies missing from this photo.

Believe me, had there been any way to make it happen, Hazel and Tucker would have been at our wedding. 

Anyway...

Harper and I headed to the pediatrician this morning for her 18-month check up. Harper was pronounced tall, strong, and perfect. Are you shocked? Neither am I. You don't need an M.D. to see that my kid is the spitting image of perfection.

 Sometimes I get really sad about Harper's growing up so quickly. Then I remember that she still wears diapers. She is still a baby. She is still my baby and she looks so cute in a diaper. I can't wait for warm weather so she can run around our house without clothes on, even though she will probably (hopefully) be potty trained by summer.

How cute is she going to be in little princess undewear? So cute. Then she will really be a grown up girl and I'll probably cry about it.

 Harper was perfectly charming, until she wasn't. Once she had to sit on that awkward paper-covered bench (which truthfully make even me want to cry), things went sour and I'm pretty sure the entire office knew it.

Harper was so angry that she wouldn't even let me touch her, let alone put the rest of her clothing on. I gave her a few minutes to work it out and couldn't help getting a couple of pics. 

The Pics to Match the Post...

I fixed my USB problem.

As promised, here are the photos. 

Just apply them to this mornings "Hello Friends" post.

Much love!

Never say never...

It was Scout's first Costco visit, too.

Look how annoyed the hubby man is.

He was trying to discuss dog food

and all I wanted to do was take photos.

I haven't gotten my new name license yet.

I'm stuck with an Abby Lomento Costco card until I do.

No worries, though. I'm heading to the Social Security Office tomorrow.

By Tuesday eve, I'll officially and legally be Abby Adams.

Bad photo... yummy wine...

I told you there would be weekend snuggling at our house...

Harper loves to dance...

Then she found a dance partner...

And that was our weekend.

When We Are Called to Rise

In regards to life goal #10 from Day 25 of the 30 Days of Random Abbyness...

"10. Become a 100% loving and positive being (I was doing well with this but have struggled recently. I'm working on it. This requires a daily- almost momentarily- effort and awareness.)"


This has been on my mind a lot as of late. I believe that there is no more direct way to happiness for me than to become a completely loving and positive person. For a few years, I was doing really well. I was positive and strong and I was literally creating my own happiness. 


Then life got in the way and I slipped. I lost my grasp on optimism and I gave in to the temptations of negativity and hatred. I started thinking negative things and even sunk so low as to say negative things. (Am I surprised that I received negative outcomes in return? Not at all.) Negativity is a powerful force and in a moment of weakness, it overtook me. I gave in to the negativity of others, something which I used to be immune to. I gave in to my own ugly pessimism. I am ashamed to say that stopped seeing nothing but the good in everything and everybody. 


Really, what is the point of thinking negatively? What is the point of choosing unhappiness?


In thinking about this lately, a line from an Emily Dickinson poem came to mind...

"We can never know how high we are until we are called to rise..."

I thought I was pretty high. Then I was called to rise. I chose, instead, to regress and now I find that I am not high at all. I have, in fact, failed at my goal. That makes me sad. I'm better than that. I have a bigger heart and a bigger vision that than. In my vision, I have strong, happy, loving, and positive thoughts. 

Over the past week, I've made a change. Every time negativity comes a-knocking at my mind's door, I greet it with a great, big positive thought. It feels amazing- in my mind, my heart, and my body- to be choosing happiness once again (happiness is a choice). Yes, I feel a physical difference. My mind is that powerful. 

I think this was a big part of the funk I was in a while back. Remember? I was living without reading, without music, without yoga, and without joy. It was terrible. Now I have put all of those most important elements back, I feel so good. I feel like Abby again. I feel like I can do anything. 

Next time I am called to rise, I will be better.

 I will rise. 

Random Abbyness Day 26 and a Video

How much do I love this? So much. Adele is amazing.

Day 26- How I think others view me...

This isn't something I worry about very often. In this whole world, there are perhaps 3 people who really know me. I don't let people in very often and for good reason. When you let people in, you become vulnerable. I hate to feel vulnerable.

Frankly, I don't know many people who actually deserve to know me, let alone the fact that my deepest thoughts and philosophies would be incomprehensible to their closed minds. Most people don't know about the road that brought me to today- they don't know how very difficult it often was. Therefore, they have no right to think/talk about me. Period.

What I do hope is that people view me as a person that they can call for help. I'd do pretty much anything to help a person out and I really hope that the people I love know this.

Hello Friends

Unlike the majority, I don't dread Monday's arrival each week. I like Mondays. Perhaps that is because I love my job. Many people have told me I'm crazy for running a daycare but I love it. There is nothing else I'd rather do than eat cereal, dance, sing songs, and read stories all day. It's perfect- for me and for Harper.

Anyway, I DID have some really quite adorable photos to share this morning but am now experiencing some macbook issues. If anyone can help me with my USB Over Current issue, they will be my favorite person ever (well, right after Colt and Harper at least). I'm going to just give in and get a card reader I guess. Until then, here is a summation of my weekend...

Friday-

• I was sick with food poisoning (not pretty... seriously not pretty).
• I watched half of Death Race 2 (Colt's choice, if you couldn't tell) before falling asleep. No worries, Colt summarized the rest of it for me and I don't think I missed much. I am going to sound like a parent here (I really have always felt this way) but I really dislike violence in any form. 

Saturday-

• I was still sort of sick and didn't get ready until afternoon. 
• We experienced our first trip to Costco, which without Colt, would have given me an anxiety attack, I'm sure. I humiliated Colt on several occasions by taking photos. 200 diapers, 1000 wipes, and 32 jumbo-sized toilet paper rolls made up our first Costco purchase. Wow. I never saw this day coming. 
• I started feeling better so I made M&M cookies... again. Yum. I just love cookies. 
• My friend Niki and my twin-sister-in-law Calli came over to enjoy 3 bottles of wine with me (when you go to Costco on a Saturday, you NEED 3 bottles of wine to just to recover). I entertained my guests by trying to imitate Harper's dancing. Inevitably, I stumbled right into the fridge, proving yet again that I'm in no way a coordinated gal. 

Sunday-

• We grabbed lunch Red Robin with our friends. Thanks Niki for not letting on to how grossed out you must have been by Harper's macaroni eating habits and thanks for sharing your fruit with her. She loves you.
• A visit from Colt's parents (who brought Harper 5 outfits, new shoes, and 2 jammies just for fun, by the way... spoiled girl!).
• A nice walk with Harper and Colt. Harper sang the whole time she was riding in her stroller. I loved it and couldn't resist singing along, despite what was probably immense embarrassment on Colt's part. Just kidding. He actually joined in, too. Poor Tucker had to walk around with the three of us as we sang Itsy Bitsy Spider and Mary Had a Little Lamb. 

Last night, Harper and I finished off the weekend with a dance party in our pajamas. We shook it to Jason Mraz and Five for Fighting. It was awesome. Harper's moves were, as usual, much better than mine. 

How was your weekend? 

Random Abbyness Day 25

10 things I want to do before I die...

1. Travel extensively (I'm mainly interested in revisiting Europe and exploring the US. I always wanted to live in Europe for a summer but my hubby man will not be into it and I'm not spending a summer away from him and his sexy curls, so regular travel it will be.)
2. Become a certified yoga instructor
3. Be a foster parent (I've got to get Colt on board with this one. If I can't, I'll find some other way to volunteer with Utah Foster Care.)
4. Get paid to write something (Many people have encouraged me to write a book and there is one that has been stewing in my mind for a while now, but who knows...)
5. Teach piano until I'm so old I can't remember my student's names from week to week.
6. Find peace (This one is loaded... Basically I need to find answers, balance, and faith in order to attain peace. Faith is hard for me. I'm full of questions. I like little parts of most religious practices but haven't found a way to reconcile all that I believe into anything more than chaotic thought.)
7. Run a marathon (or at least a half... this will be the hardest thing I ever do.)
8. Have a productive garden and learn to bottle different foods (This is part of a larger goal to become more self-sustaining.)
9. Make good friends and keep them for life
10. Become a 100% loving and positive being (I was doing well with this but have struggled recently. I'm working on it. This requires a daily- almost momentarily- effort and awareness.)

The Stink Eye and a Dance Party

Everyone in our house has a different schedule. Colt wakes up really early (3:50 in the morning is really, really early) and is usually ready for bed by 9:00 or so. 

Harper, being a growing toddler, also has a pretty early bedtime. I tuck her (and about 5 stuffed animals) in at 8:30 every night. 

Then there is me. My mom taught me to be a night owl. I like books, movies, and chocolate best after 10:00 p.m. I love this quiet time when my baby and my hubby man are sleeping peacefully and I can have the television all to myself. I like to watch television shows on DVD. I recently went through all 6.5 seasons of Grey's Anatomy (gluttony, anyone?) and am now working on season 3 of Dexter. If I'm not watching television, I'm reading or blogging and no matter whatever else I'm up to, I'm eating chocolate. It's wonderful- the chocolate and the personal time. I live for my nighttime time. 

Hazel always joins me. She snoozes on the couch while I do all sorts of Abby stuff. She always waits for me to go to bed. Yes, she loves me. The other night she looked so cute that I had to snap a picture of her. The flash woke her up and she was so annoyed. She gave me the Hazelnut stink eye...

And now for a video... 

A couple of things before you watch this... disclaimers, if you will...

1. This is not our typical dance party. For one, I'm not dancing. Usually our parties are a mix solo dancing and Harper and I dancing together. Also, we aren't in my room for this one, which means Harp isn't on the bed. When she is on my bed, she gets super silly. I'm hoping to get that silliness on camera sometime soon. Harper also knew she was being filmed so she got distracted a couple of times. 

2. Tucker's house is big. It's ugly. The day it goes won't come soon enough.

3. You may remember that Tucker tried to eat our bedroom door frame. We are working on putting it back together.

4. The random thing that Harper eats off the floor is actually a jelly bean. She was holding it before the dancing started. She dropped it as soon as she heard the music. We vacuum the entire house at least once a day, I promise. 

5. If this doesn't inspire you to host spontaneous dance parties at your house, I don't know what will.

Random Abbyness Day 24

The last random act of kindness I received...

Remember this?

Well that surprise gift was one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me. My boots are in my closet, just waiting for summer dress season to arrive. Every time I see them I can't help but smile.

By the way, Penny, I finally chose a prize for your winning the floppy dog naming contest. Truly, you are a hard girl to shop for. People always accuse me of being hard to shop for and I don't believe them because I have no problem finding handfuls of things I like. I'm sure it's the same for you. Hopefully as we get to know each other better, I'll learn what you like. I think this prize fits. It just hit me this week and I'm planning on picking it up tomorrow.

I've got a new SLC Saturday post to work on this afternoon. Stay tuned!

Happy weekend, my friends! It's snowing in SLC so I am anticipating a weekend inside with my little family. I'm planning on snuggling with this little one for the better part of the next two days...

Random Abbyness Day 23 and Some Other Stuff

The last thing that made me cry...

This morning, I was reading Mindy Gledhill's blog. Her dog passed away and I cried like a baby all the way through her post about it. You can find it here.

If you read the post and now feel sad, I can help you cheer up.

Right now this is my favorite thing ever.

Nick Pitera has been my youtube crush for a while now.
(check out his Teenage Dream cover...)

I think he is amazing AND he looks like Elvis.

And in other news....

That's right. That's my yoga mat. 

That's my yoga mat and I used it yesterday.

I got my trash kicked, for sure.

I only made it through 28 minutes of a 70 minute session.

I was unbalanced and ungraceful,

but oh, how I have missed the squishy sound of my hands and feet on the mat.

I think I'm officially back. 

Cute With a Mullet but Classier Without One

This post is a few days late and you've already seen some shots of Harp with her new haircut but really, there is no way I can leave this out. Someday when I'm feeling really ambitious and Harper isn't helping me on the computer, I'm going to have my blog printed.

 (Remember, this was the reason I started blogging in the first place- to make up for my complete lack of interest in scrap booking. I don't care about stickers or cute paper and I certainly don't have the patience or skills to scrapbook. All I care about is having photos of our life and remembering the stories behind them. Blogging seemed like a good option. I had no idea that blogging would become the most inspiring journey of my year and that it would be perfect for me in so many ways...)

Anyway, you understand that my printed blog (creation date: TBD) must have documentation of Harper's first haircut.

Here is Harper's "before" shot.

I realize that you are supposed to look pretty bad in before shots.

This is just not possible for Harper. I'm sorry.

Anyway...

The curls do their best to hide it, but she definitely had a baby mullet.

Seriously when it was wet, the mullet went halfway down her back.

Mullets, on babies or adults, are not acceptable. 

This is not my opinion. It's a fact. 

And.... ta da!

Harper is mullet free and as cute as ever!

She even looks cute with bed head...

So, I've never really cut anyone's hair before and I'm sure that Harper's little bob is uneven. This trim was a spur of the moment decision. Next time, we will make an appointment with Whitney- she is a real hairstylist and will do a first rate job with Harper. 

Random Abbyness Day 22

Talk about the cuteness of my pet...

Oh my... I'm crazy for this photo. These two outdo the Lady and the Tramp ANY DAY!

I really don't see that there is much to talk about.

Hazelnut Valentine is the cutest little shih tzu Grinch baby ever.

Random Abbyness Day 21

How I got my scars...

I'm a pretty clumsy girl and I've got quite a few small scars. They are insignificant and unmemorable. I've got three pretty big ones, however, and coincidentally, each reminds me of someone I love.

#1. I have a scar on my lower back. It is the only injury I got from a car accident in my early teens. My dad wasn't so lucky. He didn't walk away with a simple cut. He broke his neck and severed all of the tendons in his right hand. It is a miracle that he survived the accident. Whenever I feel the scar on my back, I think of my dad and I'm grateful that he did survive. I love him and can't even begin to imagine the last 14 years without him.

#2. I have two super ugly scars on my shins (one on each leg). One day I was out with Hazel and Colt. Hazel took off after a bird and her retractable leash grazed my legs, causing deep cuts on each. Ouch. Those babies hurt like crazy. They actually wound up giving me an infection called cellulitis, which manifested itself in a huge lump on my knee. Antibiotics cleared the lump right up. The cuts healed and left some really yucky scars. Thanks to Mederma, they look are looking a little better all the time (even though I still put makeup on them whenever I go bare-legged). These scars will always remind me of my spunky little Hazelnut.

#3. Harper was delivered via emergency C-Section, which means I had a pretty big incision that left a pretty rough looking scar. I'm applying Mederma to it daily and it's getting smaller and paler, but I don't think it will ever blend very well and I'm truthfully okay with that. This scar is the physical proof of a miracle. It will forever remind me of Harper- of the miracle that is her life.

Because Harper is such a miracle to me, I like to do nice things for her. Today I made her M&M cookies (with Easter colored M&Ms, no less).