It's Good to Be a Mom!

Just looking at this cute little face makes me so proud and honored to be a mother. Even when I have a bad day and I feel like I haven't accomplished anything, I think about my baby and just the thought of her makes me smile.

For Mother's Day this year Tobby went above and beyond. He cleaned the house and made sure that I had as good a day as possible.

Tobby hung a bunch of photos around the house; things that we just haven't gotten around to do.

This is a plaque we got when we got married but just recently rediscovered. It's an excerpt from "The Family: A Proclamation to the World". If you can't read it, it says, "Harward: Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work and wholesome recreational activities."

He bought me flowers, which even though I know they die, I love.

He also brought me this plague that I've been eyeing at a store I frequent. I love the message and it makes me cry every time I read it. In case you can't read it, it says, "Housework can wait, my children need kisses. They want me to play, I'll put off the dishes. When they're grown, I'll keep the house spic 'n' span. But children grow fast, so I'll play while I can."

This is a picture of my gift certificates for a massage and Juice Press (a yummy smoothie shop)

This may sound cheesy, but the best gift that Tobby has given me is Lily. I am extremely lucky to have such a caring and giving husband as well as a playful, happy baby. I am excited to repay Tob's kindness this June for his first Father's Day!

Lily trying to eat her shoe (one of the funny quirks I love about her).

Will you bite the hand that feeds you? Lily will!

We feel like not a whole lot has happened in our lives since the last time we posted a new blog, but Lily just passed her 6 month mark. There have been a few milestones that we'd like to highlight however. Lily has started to eat "solid foods", nothing too crazy, just gerber baby foods. She really likes sweet potatoes, applesauce and peach cobbler... She loves those words even more. She laughs and makes us laugh so hard when Amy says "cobbler". Her first attempt at eating these delictible delights happened without a baby spoon with daddy improvising with his finger. She ate it up, including nibbling a bit too hard on his finger! Ouch!

Lily has been getting a little bored with all the toys she's been priviledged to play with up to this point, so mommy has been inventing new ways to keep her entertained. She likes riding around in an empty diaper box. She's all gummy smiles which melt our hearts instantly. She's so photogenic, don't you think?

Lily met Tobby's friend Jonathon for the first time a few weeks ago. She was a little crabby, skipping a couple naps and being shuttled around doing things her parents wanted to do, so her first encounter with him was not what we'd hoped for... She soon acclimated herself to all the attention, like she usually does. She met a lot of new people that day. Good to see you again J! We love you!

We're getting ready for all the fun things that summer offers, including going swimming, on vacation to Tahoe to visit the Clark side of the family, riding bicycles, and many other new adventures, if we ever get to spend some time together. Hopefully Lily still fits in her cute bathing suit, she's had for over a month now.

Things are even crazier with Tobby's job, although he's not travelling anymore. He's getting big bike orders and furniture orders on the same day, stretching him between two or more places at once. A lot of work, means long hours and less time spent with the wife and munchkin! We're really trying though.

We got to see Tobby's uncle Brooks Reese at a family gathering this past sunday. Nothing better than barbeque and a soldier home for some rest and relaxation from Iraq. It was great to see him and know he's doing well. Hopefully he knows how much we love and appreciate him and his service to protect our freedoms and help another group of people find order and try for a new government. Really good food too might I add!

Well we'll try to give you more Harward love soon! Bye!