How to clip a baby's fingernails

If you are a new parent or have every been assigned the task of clipping a baby or child's fingernails you will want to keep reading. 

Please follow these steps if you would like to be a pro at baby fingernail clipping

1. Make sure said baby is drowsy or super happy. This is not a task to try when the baby is fussy or hungry or overstimulated (flapping arms and legs, whining, etc).

2. Lay baby on bed as you were to change a diaper.

3. Bend over baby and let your hair drop towards their face. This is key. If you are a male, borrow a wig. 

4. Let the baby grab your hair. Grab the baby's other hand. Firmly grasp finger and attack.

5. The baby will be happy to pull your hair and you will be happy to clips those nasty sharp fingernails.

6. Repeat as needed

Today Amalie has been sleeping ALL DAY LONG. I seriously feel like she's two days old. She's eating almost every single hour as well. I'm not even going to ask if this is normal because I don't really care. She's happy and if she's tired she'll sleep. If she's hungry I'll feed her. (Thank you abundant milk supply). 

I have been trying really hard to switch my mindset with this baby of mine. Who cares what other people say and do with their children. It's up to them. They can do what they want. I will try and follow my gut, the spirit and my child's cues. My baby is really happy and I'm really happy so who cares?

And if she doesn't start rolling over soon...deep breaths my baby is normal and she just doesn't want to roll over yet. And she doesn't like to sit up in her bumbo, or my leg or propped up on pillows. She just doesn't like to bend. It's fine. She can stand and lay and hold herself up all she wants. I will carry her all she wants. I won't get to do this all the time and I need to soak it in. And now I'm just letting the keys type themselves with my thoughts.

Happy fingernail clipping. 

Geez..I am such a mom.

Tooting my own horn

I have noticed something.
When I get out and do things during the day and accomplish little things, I feel so much better about myself.
I have often found myself sitting in bed with the babe, watching netflix while she sleeps and doing a whole lot of nothing. Those days I feel like crying when Tanner gets home and feel very useless. I feel that I'm not contributing to society.
Today was different. I took a shower (!!) Yay!, gave my sweet baby a bath, blow dried my hair, did laundry including our cloth diapers (I say this because it takes more time than one load :)), went on campus to have Amalie participate in a study for four month olds. She notices emotion. She's doing great :). Then I picked up the house a little bit, picked up Tanner, went to the grocery store, sewed some costumes, made half of dinner (Tanner finished the rest) and played with fed the baby all throughout.
This may not seem like a lot but wow do I feel great when I get things done. I don't have time to feel sorry for myself at the end of the day when I have gotten out and have done things that don't include selfish things.
Happy Monday :)

Picture Overload Jan-Feb

In the first few weeks...eating dinner. Pj's, wrap and a silly outfit for the babe.

Pre-bath accidents.

First bottle at 6 weeks. We had to prepare her so we could go see Phantom of the Opera at BYU. Tanner's sister danced in it! 

Playing in the snow with Daddy/Papa.

Handsome dad and snow-suited babe.

Helping with Laundry

Now I am done putting these in order...It is taking too long. I am sorry...

Amalie's lover puckering up

Eating her hand

Trying for kisses...again. 

Eating her hand.

Being adorable

Showing mom his new face.

It ended with a punch to the nose. I am already teaching her well.

No, it's not Thanksgiving. A big dinner with Tanner's family! 

My family at the blessing

Fun with family

My parents at the blessing. We didn't catch any of Tanner's family on our camera. And no, that is not my mirror. I don't like it. 

Cute cousin being silly

Grandma Mary and the swaddled dear.

First time being held my Papa Rick! 

This picture kills me. Too cute.

And this. My daughter is so beautiful.

Grammy with her dad.

Cece and her first grandbaby.

Sometimes she falls asleep in silly positions. This picture is old. She doesn't do this anymore.

 Those pictures are really old, from January and February. She's much bigger now. I will upload more pictures soon.

Here's an update on our life:
-We switched to cloth diapers and I LOVE THEM. So does Tanner. I think Amalie is happy too. I feel richer already.
-My parents are moving to Alpine, Utah. They bought a beautiful new home just minutes away from where there were before. We're really happy for them. They have a month to get out of their house and into the new one. Yay packing! :)
-We are moving in with them in August. As much as I always said I would never live with my parents/in-laws, this is just perfect. I'll be teaching at Timberline Middle School this Fall and my mom will be watching the babe. I already feel guilt and sadness because I won't be with her---but it's okay. This is just the perfect arrangement and we feel really blessed. There is a downstairs separate apartment with two bedrooms, washing room, a big bathroom I would have been able to actually fit into while I was pregnant, and a lovely kitchen. It's actually really nice and we're excited. :)
-We're getting an awesome tax return so we won't starve this summer. *perks of having a baby*
-Sometimes while Amalie naps I do yoga. It's really refreshing.
-I get to dance with PAC again for a show at the end of April. The show is in Ogden...wanna come see me relive my glory days? (some girls are not able to  make the show due to wedding and such) I have some major cardio to do if I want to make it through an entire show. I'm completely serious...I need to get my heart in shape.
-The semester is almost over which means we get to have Tanner back in our lives for a few days before he starts Spring semester. He works so hard and I love him for it.
-I had finally admitted that my daughter doesn't like to be cuddled. She likes to be held when she's happy but otherwise she would rather look around at the world while being held. She doesn't particularly like nursing either. This is okay. My mom says she is a lot like I was. I didn't like to be cuddled or nurse either. I guess I'm okay and I have a really good relationship with my mom...so I am over it.
We have lots of fun giggling and smiling throughout the day. She doesn't like taking long naps either. She takes a morning nap for 50 minutes and then the afternoon she takes short 20-30 min naps. This doesn't give me a lot of time to get things done but we are getting by. My mom also said I did the same thing.  Like mother like daughter. :)