Baby Birthday Week

I wanted to make Sloan’s birthday special.  I contemplated filling her crib with balloons, but thought it would be more of Sloan’s style to fill it with her favorite thing in the entire world:  red SOLO cups.

As soon as I heard her squawking in the morning we dumped the cups in her bed and turned on the light.  Her face was priceless.
IMG_0615We let her have at her mini stack of birthday pancakes (a tradition I am going to start from her on out) and afterwards I set up her ball tent that her aunt Brittany and uncle Blake gave her.  It kept her entertained for almost 2 straight hours.
IMG_0524 As soon as Zach got home from work we drove down to Fashion Place Mall to do a little Christmas shopping.  We went in and out of a few stores, Sloan wasn’t thrilled about it…IMG_0528 But she was back to her spunky self as soon as she got some carbs in her.  She loves Brio’s bread, apparently.  That’s all me…IMG_0545

For Christmas Zach and I decided that we’d get Sloan a snowboard.  She’ll be walking any time now, and Zach has every intention of starting her as soon as she can balance on her own.  So I purchased a snow suit for her when she hits the slopes for her first time.  She didn’t mind it one bit…
IMG_0392 The snowboard will fit her perfect in a few more weeks.  She thinks it is pretty amazing.FullSizeRender Zach’s been practicing with her – she’s slowly getting used to the feel of it. IMG_0643

Later that week was Sloan’s big one year appointment.  It was a sigh of relief to me, honestly.  The girl has grown like crazy.  She has skyrocketed to the 50th percentile for weight – 15 for height…but we’ll never be average there.  My doctor gave me a pat on the back and told me that I was doing a good job.  That, amongst other things, is why I adore him and will continue under his practice for eternity…FullSizeRender-1

The poor thing got 6 vaccinations and a flu shot.  She only cried for a moment – but wasn’t her sweet smiling self all day.  So, to make her feel better, I put up our Christmas tree.  Alright…I just couldn’t wait anymore.  But really, it did lift her spirits.  When I plugged them in and turned on the lights she gasped out loud.  Like it was the greatest thing she had ever seen.  Her and Zach stayed in front of the trees for a while – note her tiny little finger pointing up at them.FullSizeRender-2

Saturday was perfect.  Zach made German pancakes for Sloan [a first for her] and she loved them.  She actually ate so much she wasn’t feeling too well after.  Poor thing has the same reaction to butter as I do.  Please bless she doesn’t have my milk issues…IMG_0667Zach watched Sloan while I went on a nice run outside.  Possibly my last outdoor run of the year.  I don’t do under 40 degrees.

Later that night we had date night.  Zach took me to Caffe Molise and afterwards we went to the Jazz game.
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I have to laugh – Zach asked me a few days earlier what I wanted to do for date night that weekend.  I replied, “Anything but football.”  Well…in his defense it wasn’t football, but Zach doesn’t know much else right now other than sports.  Gotta love him.  A highlight of my night was meeting “Baby Bear” or “Lil Bear”.  I’ve been trying to get that guy to wave at me for 4 seasons now.  We caught him in the tunnel on our way to the restroom.  Night = made. IMG_0425

Sunday after church we visited the location for my brother’s new Fiiz he is opening up.  It’s right smack dab in the middle of my home turf – Taylorsville!  They leased an old restaurant – Tammy’s, right off the 4700 S. exit on 215.  I can’t way to see how it all develops.  IMG_3314

At the beginning of this week, for Family Night, we picked up Arella pizza for dinner.  I try to feed Sloan super healthy and balanced meals…but the girl didn’t want her dinner.  She wanted mine.  I guess I can’t be so hypocritical.  So I would give her tiny scraps of my pizza.  She still wasn’t feelin’ it.  She wanted a whole slice to herself.  So I gave one to her.  It rocked her world. IMG_9777

It’s hard not to love Arella’s margherita pizza.  She definitely approved…IMG_0710

I’ve decided to give meal prep a try once more.  Even though I was completely exhausted afterwards last time, I know deep down inside it was all worth it.  I enlisted the help of a friend this time to do it with me.  Zach left to go to Las Vegas for a Jet Convention so we committed to do it.  That meant trips to several grocery stores – including Costco – where Sloan fell in love with the mondo bear.  Too bad I’m not that nice of a mom, Sloan.  IMG_8550I attempted tri tip roast all by myself.  Usually Zach sears it on the grill and I finish it in the oven.  Since he was gone and I don’t know how to work our grill, I did it on the stove top and then in our oven.  I found a rub that I am kind of in love with – so I attempted it on the tri tip.
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And for the first time in two years I DIDN’T over cook a giant mound of meat.  IMG_0720

Wednesday we found out my uncle had suffered a heart attack.  Sloan and I went down to IMC in West Jordan to visit him in the ICU.  Turns out anyone under 14 isn’t actually allowed in the room – so Sloan hung out with my parents in the waiting room while I got to visit my Uncle Kenny.  And she got to bust out her new hat – which she thinks is the bees knees.  IMG_0722

This weekend is our 7th Wedding Anniversary.  It’s bizarre to think that we’ve been married that long.  Some days it seems like we’ve been married forever – other days I feel too young to have seven years under my belt.  But most of the time I can’t even remember what life was like before Zach.  I think that sums up how much he means to me and how much he has changed my life for the better.  I know I’m pouring on the cheese – but 7 is my lucky number.  And lucky is how I feel to have my little family.  And without Zach, that wouldn’t be possible.  I owe him everything.

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