Happy Late Thanksgiving!

I didn't get time to blog yesterday, but I hope that everyone had a happy Thanksgiving and got a chance to love on family and friends. Please take time to reflect on all you are thankful for this time of year. As the Christmas season approaches, we are blessed with the greatest thing of all.... the birth of our Lord, sweet Jesus.

TOP 10 THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR THIS YEAR:

10. My part time job (key word: part time)

9. Home- I know I have house fever like you wouldn't believe because I am so ready to be a home owner. However, the blessing of our house has been one that has definitely given my the opportunity to stay at home with Ivy more. So many memories have been made in my house (newly-weds and newly-parents), that I am sure it will be bitter sweet to move some day.

8. Church- I have went to Southland since I was a little girl. I also have went to church with Greg since we started dating. I am thankful for the biblical principles in such a large church. I am also so humbled by the serving attitudes found in our church.

7. BSF- This has challenged me and helped me to find my way into God's word daily. I am thankful for the obedience that it requires and my growing relationship with Christ Jesus.

6. Friends- Love them! Enough said :)

5. Good health- After gaining 50 lbs during pregnancy (OUCH) I have really made my health a priority. I feel better than I have since I don't know when! :) I want my health to keep up with Ivy and be a good example for her, just as my mom was for me.

4. My family- I have a very close knit family and I don't ever want to take advantage of the blessing that they are in our life.

3. Ivy- My life is forever changed by the entrance to mommy-hood. I could do a top 100 reasons I am thankful for this sweet girl!

2. Greg- I really struck gold meeting Greg at age 16 and never looking back! He is my soul mate and an excellent father.

1. God- his daily grace and guidance!

Thankful for Friends

Kayla & Nick, Ashley, Drew & Brayden, Greg, Ivy & I decided to have a pre-thanksgiving meal with pizza. (We are all about the $5 pizzas!) It was great to see everyone. We haven't been able to all sit down together and visit in quite a few months. It is sometimes difficult with children, work schedules, and close knit families to find the time... but when we do, it is so worth it! Kayla, Ashley, and I could talk teaching and babies well into the evening and who knows what the boys talk about but we are just thankful that they get along. Ivy and Brayden even had their own little language of smiles, giggling, and mostly gentle touches. I am so thankful to have such excellent friends!!

The girls and Brayden :)

Family Picture~ Ivy loves her pseudo Uncle Nick and Aunt Kayla!

Ashley had just changed Brayden's diaper when Ivy dove on the blanket like it was her turn. Then she had fun holding Brayden's sweet hands.

Every time we venture to G-town, Ivy has a blast with Brayden's toys. I believe he wins the "best toy award" out of Ivy's friends. This contraption spit balls all over the place! Ivy loved it and before long Brayden will be scurrying around after all the balls too. I didn't get video of Ivy and Ashley dancing to Brayden's new CD~ but seriously, they had so much fun together!

Dear Ashley, Thanks for pulling out all you awesome toys and playing with me. I had so much fun. :) I can't wait for Brayden to be able to play with the big kid toys too! Love, Ivy

Paci 911~

I'm glad my child isn't the only one!

Okay, we have had some major changes in the Smorstad household with regards to the paci. First some history.... we love the paci.

Here is where is started!

Ivy has had one since the first day of life. It has kept her happy, it fulfilled her sucking need, and now provides her with comfort in any situation. If I could go back in time, I would not change this in the least. Actually, I am sad for moms who don't have the go-to soothing of a paci because I don't know what I would do. (Dependent-you say- yea a little!) However, Ivy is now almost 16 months and learning new words every day. I do not want it to hinder her speech or cause permanent damage to the shape of her mouth. So here is when the crazy mommy steps in with an intervention. Is it just me or is that what being a mommy is- constantly stepping in with a change for your little one- to better them and their sleep habits, eating habits, fussy time, talking, walking, moving.... etc.

At about 6 months I declared Ivy a true paci addict :)

So last Saturday (making today the 10th day), Greg and I declared pacis were for sleepy time only. She did great on day one. No asking for the paci- it helps that she doesn't know the word yet! And we did let her take it to the nursery (for comfort purposes). So yes, we have been about 10 days paci free except in the bed. Friends, this has been a test for mommy and daddy! Last night as I was trying to make dinner Ivy was clinging to my legs and whining, her new vice. It seems that the biggest thing that we have noticed (being paci free) is from about 5:00-8:00 (bedtime) Ivy wants to be held and if she isn't then she whines- a droning, endless whine. I can't quite tote a 21 lb child for 3 hours unless I want to be rewarded the buffest arms award- or better yet, the broken back award. So therefore last night was the night that Daddy folded and declared we needed the paci. Ivy ran to the stairs awaiting the delivery of her beloved paci. She was whine free and paci sucking for the next few hours.... and ahhh... it was a peaceful evening for Greg and I. So my question- what do we do?

Are we mis-using this precious jewel to prevent the whining?

Is the paci Ivy's security blanket during the fussy time?

Will we have to go through this no matter what age we kick the paci to the curb?

Is 16 months to old to have a paci?

Should we limit not ban the paci during awake hours?

The joys of being a parent. We have to make decisions that best serve our lovely little ones. It can be hard, and I know I am the toughest judge on myself. I know lots of you have been here or are here right now. I would love to know your thoughts!

Edward Cullen Lovers!

Eating at Saul Good before venturing off to Twilight!

Last night I was one of the millions of people who got to see the real life Edward! A group of teachers that I work with, who are all equally in love with Mr. Cullen, went to see Twilight last night. It was an awesome movie but I have to say no movie can ever compare to the book. YOU MUST READ BEFORE YOU SEE! We had so much fun acting like we were 15 years old again. We ate at Saul Good before and enjoyed some yummy treats and then we headed over to the theater. It was a great time with some awesome girls!

Waiting in line... worth every minute!

Counting down the minutes.... YAY!

Thankful Thursday

1. SNOW! I love it. I took a walk tonight in the snow and loved knowing that winter is here. I seriously love every season and I will act this giddy for each change that takes place.

2. BOWS! I have not gotten to do the bow thing because Ivy was anti-headband and then anti-bow once she got the hair. Since the hair cut on Sunday we have worn a bow everyday. I am thankful to see Ivy in this girly new light.

3. Other Mommies! I am thankful for my mommy friends. I love the relationship that forms and support that we can give each other through the difficult times. My great friend, Diana, and I have been able to spend time together weekly with me working part time. Our friendship has grown so much and I am so appreciative of that. I love seeing the girls play. I also love all the other blogging mommies. Reading about your mommy adventures is like Chicken Soup for the Mommy's Soul. And what an amazing world we live in that I can feel like I am in the day to day life of my mommy friends all the way in Utah! The Internet is the greatest thing in the world. Seriously, I am so thankful for these friendships!

4. Twilight and more importantly, EDWARD, tomorrow at 9:50 with tons of my teacher friends who are equally in love with Edward. We will all be wearing our Twilight shirts to work and out tomorrow evening. (Pictures will be soon!)

Snowy Monday

Last night we got a pleasant November surprise when little flurries began to build up on our deck. I was just about to leave for Bible study when Ivy began beating on the glass door, pointing, and jabbering away. Being the Ivy whisperer (haha) I could easily tell that she wanted out to touch this mysterious white stuff. It snowed many times last winter but Ivy was too little to experience the snow. On this snowy Monday Ivy got her first feel for the snow!

(And let's just say, she was a little less than thrilled as you can tell by her facial expression in the picture with Daddy!)

The Bangs!

So I have debated and stewed over this decision for about a month now. I even enlisted my fellow blogger's advice. Should I give Ivy Girl bangs? I was torn to between seeing my beautiful girl's eyes and the horrific pictures of me with fluffy bangs many years ago. However, this weekend after a lot of thought and many bow and pony tail attempts, Greg and I made up our minds to take Ivy for a hair cut. I was so so so nervous that it would be terrible but kept reminding myself how fast hair grows. I still haven't given up the idea to eventually grow out Ivy's bangs, especially once it all thickens up. But for now we are overly satisfied with Ivy's new hair do!

And guess what??? She has even kept the hair bow in all day long- looking in the mirror and everything. The hair cut was a success!