Catching up on blogging when you are over a month behind is pretty daunting. So I'm not really going to. Here's a brief update:

-Millie is growing like a weed and is as cute as ever. We just can't get enough of her. Some of her new party tricks are fake coughing, spitting, growling, scooting backwards, and reaching for everything in sight! We don't put her in the bumbo anymore because she just tries to dive out of it every time, and her legs barely fit anyway. She is a little ham and loves to copy you if it's something she can do. We started her on oatmeal last week and I'm hoping she'll like it soon! Here are some pictures of her, since she's all we take pictures of anymore.

Millie loves playing piano with her daddy

Out of focus but I love her face... "I want to eat that!"

A pre-dinner snack

Tyler is studying like a crazy man for the CPA exam. He has taken the audit portion already and did awesome! When he comes home at the end of a long day of studying, he unwinds with basketball, ping pong, a swim, or some tennis. Tyler is working so hard and we're so grateful for him.

My days often include house-hunting of some kind, whether online or driving around to different houses. I've been taking long walks or runs almost every day, which helps me get to know this area and supports my eating habits. Gretchen and I bring Teddy on the leash and Millie in the stroller, so it's always a party. We go to Katy as often as possible to see my fam too. It's so great to be close to both our families!!

Alive

Yes, we are alive. Maybe just barely.

We are in Houston! Got here a week and a day ago. We've been getting settled, buying a new car (more on that later), spending time with family, and studying for the CPA exam (well, Tyler has).

My first *official* Mother's Day was awesome! During brunch with Tyler's family, Millie demanded a wardrobe change for both of us. I guess she didn't like my outfit? Church was great- it's fun to be in the ward Tyler grew up in. Then we got to talk with Tyler's twin brothers! We miss them and it was great to hear their voices. The day ended with a game of Mexican Train and chocolate dream dessert at my fam's house.

So, life is good. I have a funny video to post of Millie talking- we just can't keep her quiet these days! She jibber jabbers all the day long and it's adorable. I'm so grateful to be her mom. I told Tyler on Sunday that I don't really feel like I am what I pictured moms to be. Maybe that will come in time as we have more kids, a minivan, mom jeans, etc. I feel like moms are selfless, loving, talented, basically saints. I think growing up I thought that moms just give and give. And they do. But I also think that this giving is so much easier than I ever thought because I love this little girl more than I ever thought possible! So it evens out to me.

Someday I'll be awesome and take more pictures and post that video!


No need for toys

This baby prefers her feet!!

366 days

One year ago today, we found out that Millie Mae was on her way to our family!

And now we have a chunky, happy, almost 4-month old baby girl. 

My life is pretty fantastic with these two in it!

Stuff that's NOT about moving

I feel like all I talk or write about lately is moving. Sorry. So here are some non-moving updates:

-Millie is really close to having a tooth and to sitting up! She can roll onto her stomach from her back now  and her new favorite toy is her feet. Could we just freeze time for a bit while I catch up to this girl? Seriously, she's growing up too fast.

Millie entertained everyone at dinner... funny how we can all stare at a baby for hours and think it's so great!

-We got majorly house-hungry last night as Austin and Giselle took us around their beautiful almost-complete home! We are so happy for them. It also made us way excited to find a place in Houston.

-I'm trying to decide how I want to keep memories for our kids... any recommendations? I feel like scrapbooking is expensive and time-consuming. Maybe I will do a blog post each month about each child (as we have more) and print out books each year? I don't know. It's really important to me to be consistent in recording memories!

-Yesterday was my parents' 29th anniversary. And I thought almost 3 years was impressive! Happy Anniversary to you, Mom and Dad. Thanks for your example of a rock-solid and happy marriage.

-I found out a few nights ago that I paid far too much for this husband of mine... finally found his price tag.

Yup, $15.99. I better be reimbursed within 30 days.

That seems to be about it... now it's back to packing while watching Gilmore Girls!

We graduated... and took lots of pictures

Wednesday: my family arrived. Big meal together, lots of laughing, and Grandpa as a jungle gym.

Millie's moral support during tummy time

Thursday: Lunch at Magleby's, Commencement, pictures, dinner at Rumbi's. Long day.

Can you find us? (Hint: right behind the guy with tons of leis)

Millie was such a trooper during these crazy days!!

Friday: Convocation, pictures, lunch/dinner at La Dolce Vita, desserts at Aunt Dana's. Also a long day. And these pics are out of order.

We will miss Adam and Aubrey so much!!

Thanks to both of our parents and Nana, who all came from Houston for the festivities! Thanks also to my sisters that came with their kiddos. Brave women, I tell you. We felt so supported and loved!! We can't believe it's finally done and behind us. Very bittersweet.

Saturday Gretchen was so sweet to watch Millie so that Tyler and I could go to the temple! First time for us since before Millie's birth. We went with Kurt, Aunt Dana, Heidi, and James and it was wonderful. We also hit up J Dawgs (yup, I probably gained 20 lbs over this weekend) and took some more pictures in front of BYU landmarks that were too crowded over the last couple days. Then we said goodbye to Kurt and Gretchen and left for Idaho! It was a long drive- longer than normal with a baby and no air conditioning. We stopped for fresh air often so Millie didn't get too hot. Kim and Caleb were so nice to let us stay with them! We celebrated Sam's 2nd birthday that night. He is so cute and smart.

Sunday we had the most delicious breakfast EVER (hopefully for you it'll show up on A Spoonful of Sisters soon) and went to Eliza's blessing. We were so glad to be there for that! It was great to spend time with family. We drove Laura back to Rexburg and then drove around reminiscing (I thought of you the whole time Tiffany!! Miss you!) before heading back home. That was another long drive. A good warmup for the drive to Houston though! 

Also, my father-in-law made a little video with graduation pics, including a bunch we don't have, so here it is for your viewing pleasure!

A baby barricade

Couch

+

Pillows

+

Coffee table

=

This roly poly isn't going anywhere!!

We are sentimental fools

I know I've talked a lot about our leaving Provo the last little while, but it pretty much consumes my thoughts these days, so that's what comes out here. Tyler and I went for a walk with Millie yesterday and reminisced on our time here and talked about exciting things in the future. This is the end of a pretty big chapter in our lives! It's crazy.

Heidi spoke in her old ward on her mission yesterday- she did such a great job!! I'm going to miss Heidi so much. We are so glad to have had the chance to spend this time with her. Sometimes I wish it were possible to live by ALL of our family. Maybe I will buy a huge piece of land and we'll just start a family compound? Something to think about. Speaking of family, they start trickling in for graduation on Wednesday and we are so excited!! I just love any excuse to get together. Family is the best.

Also, I finally found something to wear to graduation! Two somethings, actually. And at the two least likely stores. So now my joking about wearing nothing under my gown will stay a joke! Thank goodness. Thanks to Heidi for letting me drag her into store after store day after day. 

Moments

Some days just stink. Like when you're up all night with a screaming baby and it's finals time so you're playing a single mom and you can't find a dress to wear at graduation anywhere and you have to throw together a dinner party for 8 people with half a day's notice and you are cooking with one hand because your baby is screaming again and then, to top it all off, you run out of lettuce. And you've already run to the store today.

But then you have good moments. Like when your husband finally comes home and your baby is finally asleep, so you grab that husband and dance in the kitchen to old N'Sync songs and pretend you're in junior high again. Or when the dinner party turns out to be a really fun evening and even though you're exhausted, it's totally worth it. Or when you remember that Provo has a mall too, and even if you've already spent lots of hours shopping, you can try again tomorrow. Or when your baby stops screaming and starts smiling when you sing to her. 

So I guess even the days that seem to stink even out in the end. 

A picture and a recipe

Here is Millie Mae in her back-up Easter outfit:

That's one more picture than promised, but oh well. I love that smile and that crazy hair. Someday we will be on-the-ball enough to get pictures before the day is over, when Millie is in her original outfit and hasn't been crying. But these will have to do for this year!

My sisters and I have re-started our cooking blog, and today was my very first post! Check out A Spoonful of Sisters.