Taking your first child to go see Santa Claus is a pretty awesome experience.  My favorite memories as a child were going to see Santa, writing him letters, and leaving him cookies near the Christmas tree. I can't wait to share those moments with Harper. Snuggled up waiting for Santa to come and eventually drifting off to sleep. Then waking up to your favorite toys unwrapped and ready to play with. It's pure magic. Harper got to meet Santa at our home town mall in California. We waited almost an hour to sit on his lap. It was finally our turn. We placed Harper on his lap, and she was laughing! A dream come true. I was so giddy and obviously wanted to snap a picture on my camera. But grumpy old Santa yelled at me "NO PICTURES!" I was purchasing a package from them so I didn't think it would be big deal to snap some candids. He kept yelling at me and I wanted to say Dude Chill... So we almost had a throw down with Santa. But we made it out with some pictures they took. -_- And they aren't as good as mine would have been, but Harper makes them all cute, so no bigs. Next, year we will be visiting a nicer Santa.

xo Carly

Before we left on vacation, we thought it would be fun for Harper to try a little rice cereal. She did not like it. Taylor and I were cracking up over all the faces she was making. Harper was not amused. So far we have given her rice cereal, sweet potatoes, sweet peas, and apple sauce. She hates them all. We will keep trying though. I can tell that she is getting hungrier and won't last on just breast milk for much longer. I think we will keep trying rice cereal and maybe some avocados next. 

xo Carly

Half a year has gone by with this beautiful girl. I'm so lucky to have her in my life. She is full of sunshine and smiles. She brings happiness to anyone that meets her. It amazes me how someone so small can bring so much joy to others. Harper and I are becoming best friends. She definitely knows who daddy and I are. She loves playing and observing and touching. We tried giving her cereal and she hated it haha. It was pretty hilarious to watch all her faces. So I think we will try some different foods soon. She finally started liking her crib before we left on vacation. Isn't that how it always goes though? You finally get a schedule and BOOM life changes. Harper is 17 lbs and 26 in. She is rolling around everywhere but still no crawling. Her new favorite thing is to growl. It cracks me and Taylor up. She is getting so playful, it melts my heart every time she laughs. I hope that it will only get more fun from here. The tongue thing is still happening and everyone who meets her thinks it's adorable. We think so too. Everyday I just want to slow down time. I can't get enough of my tiny family. Love them so much. Happy six months baby girl! 

xo Carly

This past week I have felt overwhelmed. It seems as if I am just going through the motions. Wake up, change diapers, play, read books, nap time, homework, do laundry, play, change diapers, pay bills, oh and nurse nurse nurse. I don't want that. I want to present. I want to be involved, invested in my life. 

As I was reading something for an assignment, I felt so humbled. I have everything I have ever wanted. My life is full of love and pure joy. I am married to an amazing man, I am expanding my education, I am living the gospel, and I have the most precious healthy baby in the world. The chaos that comes with these blessings is so worth it. I just wanted to publicly thank my Heavenly Father for all that he has blessed me with. Even in the midst of trials, He is so GOOD. He is everything we could ever need.

This Christmas Season I want to pray harder to have the pure love of Christ with me and do all I can to serve his children. I invited you all to join with me in my church's #LIGHTtheWORLD challenge. This challenge is perfect for all faiths and believers. Let us all try harder to come closer to Christ and serve his sons and daughters.

xo Carly

// learn more about #LIGHTtheWorld here//

Anyone who has seen A Christmas Story can relate to these pictures. I was seriously laughing so hard when I put Harper in this coat to go get the mail yesterday. She was warm, but had no idea how to react to how puffy it was. She just went limp with her arms straight out. I had to try and capture some pictures of her confused face. This girl is going to be such a goofball just like her dad. On another note, Harper is starting to be able to hold herself up when she stands. She is awesome. Today, we will be staying inside because it is 2 degrees! Someone save me. Also, Harper's crib is almost ready for her. We will be practicing sleeping in there all day tomorrow. Wish us luck! 

xo Carly

My beautiful baby girl is 5 months old. I can't believe how big she is getting. She has become the most curious thing. She wants to touch, grab, eat, see, and experience everything. She still isn't crawling yet, but boy she really wants to. She does this thing where she smashes her face in the carpet and tries to pull herself around. It's hilarious. There are so many moments I want to remember for the rest of my life. Harper will always be special to me because she has taught me how to be a mother. Currently, Harper has been sleeping in bed with us. I think its a sign that we need to start sleep training her in her crib, since she is quickly outgrowing her bassinet. I am nervous to put her in another room, but I am in desperate need of a good nights sleep again. I miss snuggling my hubby. I am so excited to see what the next month brings with her. We will be starting foods next month. YIKES. We'll see if she has any of the allergies her daddy has. Hopefully, she is just allergic to pollen like me. She already has my eczema...I just love this baby so much. Her tiny smiles and laughs are my favorite in the world. Lately, I have been trying to enjoy each moment with her. Putting down my phone and keeping the tv off has helped me to enjoy my baby even more. So I am going to wrap this blog up and snuggle with my sleepy baby. Nap times are the sweetest with the girl. Also isn't she the cutest snow bunny you've ever seen?

xo Carly

This Thanksgiving we traveled down to Utah to spend time with the Kozak family. It is so nice of them to drive up to Utah to spend time with us rather than us driving all the way to CA. Thanksgiving was a little different this year because we spent it at my mother-in-law's friend's house. This South Jordan home is TO DIE FOR. It is so spacious and warm. It is every family's dream. The best part is that the Oquirrh Mountain Temple towers over their street. It's an amazing view. I was worried about how Harper would deal with the 4 hour drive down and sleeping in a brand new place. But she was an angel like usual. God really blessed me with this special spirit. She is my soul sister. I can't believe the incredible bond and love I have developed with this girl. Thanksgiving day was full of delicious turkey, potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin crunch cake. We got to go down the next day to see Taylor's grandma. It was really special for Harper to meet one of her great grandparents. She still has 3 more to meet! The last day we were in Utah, Taylor's cousin snapped some of these photos for us. I am obsessed with them. He did such a great job. This weekend has allowed me to really count my blessings and focus on the what matters most. Taylor and Harper are my whole world. I could not imagine life without them. I am grateful to have them with me to make each day full of love and laughter. 

xo Carly

I am pretty excited to share with you guys this awesome blanket I received a few weeks ago. Its the softest, cutest blanket Harper has. I am obsessed with the pattern. I knew that with Winter around the corner I would need to get Harper some warmer blankets. This is perfect to wrap her up in or throw over her in the car. Its a soft flannel blanket that I don't mind showing off. I might have stolen it a few times to throw over me while reading. I am so happy to partner with them, and wish I had found them sooner so I could use their blanket for swaddling. Harper hates being swaddled now, but she still loves having a blanket to chew on. I want to thank Burrito Baby Blankets again for the fun collaboration. We will definitely be getting more of their fun patterns soon!

Also I hope you enjoyed the tiny preview to my Christmas bedroom make over. 

More pictures coming soon.

xo Carly 

// burrito blanket //

Y'all please don't judge me. I just had to put my tree up early this year. I made the rookie mistake of listening to Christmas music...it was all down hill from there. I hate being people who skip over Thanksgiving. But we are going to be in CA for Christmas and will only get to celebrate Christmas for a few weeks. Its my favorite holiday so that obviously isn't enough time. It is so cute seeing Harper by the tree. I can't wait to show her some our awesome family traditions like Santa, peanut butter balls, Christmas Eve parties, and It's a Wonderful Life. As for Thanksgiving, we will be going down to Utah to spend it with Taylor's family. As always, I am bummed that I can't see my family, but I am excited that we get to be around people that love us. Here is too stuffing our faces in 10 days! Also why do Thanksgiving and Christmas have to be so close together? It doesn't work well with my fitness plan. 

xo Carly

I made it a goal last week to go on a walk with Harper every morning. So far, I have come short of my goal haha. BUT I have enjoyed some pretty awesome walks with my girl. She gets kind of bored when we are on walks so I have to keep her entertained. I basically shout Patty Cake to her while we stroll. She loves it when you sing it in a deep slow motion voice. So people probably think that I am mental. Harper is getting so fun. We decided to stop off at the park today and play in the grass. I think you can tell from her gummy smiles that she had a blast. I absolutely love this girl. We are currently in the process of getting her to nap in her bassinet. Its been a struggle. I think she is getting used to being away from mommy a little though. I am soaking up every last bit of warmth we have left. It might snow on Thursday. NOOOOOO. Fall is my favorite I am so sad to say goodbye. 

xo Carly