What did we blog about before the baby?

I was sitting here getting ready to script yet another Brinlee update and was looking through our blog posts over the last few months and am now sitting here wondering...

What in the world did we do or talk about before we had this baby?

It's honestly kind of hard to remember.  Everyone said this little peanut was going to change our lives, and my blogging/journaling lately would certainly not dispute that.  This little sweetie is all we brag about these days!  And who wouldn't?! She is, after all, the cutest baby in the world!

Her 9 month appointment was a couple weeks ago and she is right on track!  She recently discovered her legs and since then has been the biggest busy-body.  That little scooter gets around, and gets into everything!  It's so fun to watch her explore and kind of funny to see what catches her eye.  We're having to keep an extra eye open and ear perked, but we're kind of in love with having her at our heels all the time.

I think I've said this about every age/milestone we've reached so far... but this 9-going-on-10 month era is my favorite!  How blessed we are to have such a sweet little spirit.  Love that girl!

PS: The lack of cute bows on her head in all of these pictures is not for a lack of trying.  This mama dolls up that baby as often as she can.  But along with her new found love of mobility came a new found sense of independence (and, dare I say, defiance?) and we cannot keep a bow on her to save our lives! ...bummer

Valentine's Day

Our first Valentine's Day as a family of three was excellent!  Tim and I have never really been into all the mushy stuff, but I found some fun goodies in the craft closet that Brin and I made a big mess with first thing in the morning.  She of course caught right on to the spirit of the holiday and enjoyed a day full of
     - cute pink clothes
     - yummy tasting cards (which weren't actually meant to be eaten)
     - and balloons!

Tim did take charge of dinner, and we ate like kings!

An evening in with my favorite two Valentines...
Fantastic!

To Boise To Boise

This past weekend we ventured over to the beautiful place called Boise and enjoyed a nice couple of days with family.  My sister had gotten us tickets to the ballet, which Tim was really thrilled about (read: definitely would have chosen a different Saturday night activity, if it were up to him).  He played fourth wheel like a champion though while my mom, sister, and I all googled over excerpts from Carmen and Don Quixote.  Brin spent the trip showing off her "new trick" (crawling... I can hardly believe it!) to Grandma and Grandpa Borup, and we shamelessly devoured WAY too much pizza at Primos, which actually turned out to be the only part of the trip we managed to photo document... you can see where our priorities are.

Being A Daddy

Nine months of parenting has been an educational experience to say the least.  Here are some things I have learned since becoming a father:

     - How to change a diaper

     - How to repress my gag reflex while changing a poopy diaper
     - How to dress a baby girl with color coordinates that, according to DeeAnna, are
            socially unacceptable on a level comparable to mullets

     - How to speak baby
     - How to act like a complete idiot just trying to get a laugh (thankfully nobody
            else sees me)
     - Kids don't have to go to the fair to get their faces painted, dinner works just fine
     - I will never sleep again

But more than all of that, I have learned what it feels like to love your own child.  From day one, I knew this girl could never do anything to stop me from being her father and loving her.  Most of all, this has given me a closer glimpse at how my Heavenly Father views me.  I am learning how He can unconditionally love me and how He is mindful of my needs and wants.  I am understanding how badly He wants me to turn to Him.

"Of all the titles of respect and honor and admiration that are given to deity, He has asked us to address Him as Father." - Quorum of the Twelve

Counter-Top Cooking Companion

I was pretty young when I started climbing up on the counter to help my mom in the kitchen and I remember loving it.  So, it only seemed natural to start Brinlee young too.  And so far, she loves it.  The kitchen is just so cool!  

Yesterday evening we made a salad.  I always thought I knew how.  But Brin's 3 step salad plan is way more fun than mine.

Step 1: Examine your head of lettuce thoroughly

Step 2: Make sure you check its durability

Step 3: Definitely taste it a few times

And voila!

Today we ventured back into the kitchen and Brinlee had her first go at wheat bread making.

 

She didn't think the dough actually felt as cool as it looked.  In fact, she was a little weirded out.  But it made for a super cute little loaf.

If cooking wasn't fun before, it sure is now.  I have the world's best little kitchen companion!

A Beautiful Thing

Right now, outside, it is 23 degrees...

sweet bliss!

Who would have thought 23 degrees would ever feel like a heat wave?

But it's a drastic improvement from the -13 it has been most mornings lately.
Such a chilly winter.

My car sat outside all night and I didn't have to scrape windows this morning.

Now that, is a beautiful thing!