Thankful Thursday

This Thursday I am thankful for.......

My husband~ I don't know if I give him enough credit for what an amazing father and husband he is. I got to go to a school Christmas party at one of his professor's homes this week. I was so proud to be on his arm! He is such a hard worker and is so eager to graduate and really provide for our family. I fall deeper in love with him each day and especially in the moments I see him with Ivy. And I can't even tell you what it does to me.... when I look in the eyes of Ivy and see Daddy's little clone. (I mean seriously- did you see the hat pictures?)
LOVE HIM!


Medicine~ I am thankful that we can go to a doctor and receive medicine super fast when our little one's are sick. Ivy went today and has an EAR INFECTION!! (Can you believe it?) I thought we were out of the woods after the tubes. Oh well! Thank goodness for doctors and good meds.


My Nativity Scene~ I love this nativity that my mom got me when I was pregnant. It is perfect for Ivy's little hands. She is so gentle with baby Jesus. She absolutely LOVES the pillow that she takes out of the manger and lays her head on. So sweet! I am thankful for this non-breakable Christmas item.

Ivy's Daddy Wears Many Hats

Daddy loves him a toboggan.... always has and always will! Ivy has taken quite the liking to the hats and on first instinct calls out "DADDY!" to any man wearing one. Today we played dress up with some of Daddy's hats :)

Story Time and Lunch Dates

It is funny how babies bring people together! Lindsey and I danced together on Pep Club way back when and hadn't seen each other in a long time. We ran into each other at the gym and realized that we had kiddos the same age. Ivy and Rantz have so much fun together. They play at the gym nursery and we have started going to story time on Mondays. We follow that with a lunch date- today was Zaxby's and last week was McDonald's. It is great to catch up and chat with someone going through all the same mommy milestones as I am- and Rantz and Ivy are building a friendship too! (Aren't they cute holding hands?)

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Winter time is seriously here- it is so cold outside!

Ivy was perched by the window a lot of this weekend "oo-ing and aw-ing" over the snow.

Then she stopped to smile for a picture :)

Did I mention that I love this little girl so much.... more than I knew my heart would ever allow!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for my friend, Allie, this Thursday!! She made the header on my blog. I am so appreciative of people who share their artistic abilities.
Allie, I love it- Thanks so much!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

Christmas time is here and one of my favorite parts is pulling out all of the decorations. It is the ONLY time of year that my house is in "season"- if you will. Other times of year I just can't get in the spirit to clutter my house- haha. So a week prior to Thanksgiving I couldn't wait another moment.... so at the Smorstad home the decorations went up early!


Ivy loved the beads! We had to wait until she went to bed to actually decorate the tree because with each attempt to put the beads on she ripped them off and draped them on like jewelry... what a girly girl I have!

Kaya has a very safe hiding place for the next month. Christmas time has always been Kitty Girl's favorite time of year. She has even been known to try to climb the tree.

Nana saved the day and let Ivy decorate a mini-tree with baby safe ornaments. Ivy was so excited and each time we go to visit we "un-decorate" and "re-decorate!"



Ivy showing Mommy the pretty pink ball on her very own tree.
(I will have to get a picture of the finished product... It is so pretty!)

At home we still have daily temptations to steal ornaments or pull the beads but I guess that is okay since Christmas is all about having JOY... so who needs a grumpy mama saying "No Touch" for an entire month??!!

Ivy's 15 Month Check Up

< Ivy at 16 months!!
Yes, we are a month late for the 15 month check up but insurance issues are completely to blame. I would never be a month late for anything- that is just not my style.... maybe a minute or three but a month (definitely not)!

Height: 31inches (52%)
Weight: 22 lb (28%)
Head: 46cm (45%)

The doc was really excited about Ivy and her growth! We haven't seen this doctor for a while bc she has been on maternity leave... but she remembers the days of weekly weigh ins and being too small. Those days are no longer! She is on track :) She was really excited about Ivy's speech articulation and we even had the paci talk. I really liked her encouraging words as I have been really torn over this.

Her suggestion~ at about 22 months create a special box or cup personalized for Ivy and put it on her dresser. Create a paci routine at bed and nap time. Getting the paci in and out of her special place will make leaving it in her room okay. She won't be worrying about some other baby stealing it!!! (Allie- you had good advice, this all sounded familiar!!) As far as taking it away right now, she said this is not necessary. They have so much change around their first birthday with giving up the bottle and having more independence and a paci is their source of comfort. She didn't recommend walking around with it all the time but letting her have it at times when she wants it is ok! SHoooo- what a relief! It doesn't seem like she has it too often but at the those times of day when she needs it I am happily going to offer the beloved paci.