Sunset Snuggles

My favorite miniature human. 

Wow typing that I just totally got a flash back to Parks and Rec and the miniature pony. 

Anyone else?

No? 

HA.

It's pretty hilarious to watch her little personality come out. She's always been so calm and observant, people would always make comments like, "She's such a chill baby!" And I'd proudly smile, "Ya, she is," like it had something to do with my fabulous calm parenting presence (LOL). And then the last couple weeks have been like BAM Here I am world! Look at me! I'm talking! Haha I have NO idea where she gets this from. Definitely not her parents ;).

Sorry for the blurry shots of Lyd, she's a wiggly one!

Don't mind my awful roots. Am I brunette?? I think I am now! How sad. Darn Utah. Next week something exciting is going to happen with my hair though!! I've had enough of this fried mess.

Also... thigh rolls!! I've been waiting 8 months for these! (On her, not me ;). ) She's always been teeeeeny tiny and fit into one size smaller than her age and now she's basically up to speed!

Oh I love you, miss Lyida.

Photos by Emma in my parents' amazing backyard in AZ!

How to Be a Better Empathizer

The other day a friend showed me this 3 minute video on empathy, and it really made me think! 

For some reason I've held on to this thought that saying "me too" when a friend shares a trial they've been going through kind of minimizes their experience. It's like, Oh that's not a big deal, I've had that awful thing happen too! It almost seems like a selfish response, accidentally shifting the conversation away from the pain that person is feeling to my personal scenario. 

So I've tried to steer clear of "me too's". But this video explains how an empathetic response requires remembering those same painful feelings we've had in our own life in order to fully connect with that person, which may entail a "me too"-esque response. Interesting! 

Another favorite take away from this clip was how starting a statement with "At least" is rarely empathetic. Ha! How often do I do this?? Just yesterday a friend told me she totalled her car, and after we talked about how terrible that was I blurted out, "Well at least your new car looks really nice!" That may have totally squashed her vulnerability and made her feel like I wanted her to just buck up and quit complaining. Which wasn't my intention at all! 

So what do you think? Is "me too" helpful or minimizing? Any other thoughts on the clip or on empathizing?

Temple Tulips

Saturday evening I got back from my week-long babysitting party in Mesa! Michael picked me up from the airport and greeted me with a big fat kiss and a huge diet coke - MAJOR brownie points! And then he proceeded to say, "We're going out to eat and shopping at City Creek, and then tomorrow I thought we'd walk around Temple Square and look at all the tulips!" Yes please! I LOVE when Michael plans dates and/or surprises me. I feel like it's usually the girl who tends to be more sentimental, organize activities, etc, but Michael is actually really good at it! Which is huge because I think that's my love language, whichever of the categories that falls into, ha. If you plan something in advance, be it a low key picnic or a game night with friends or whatever, I am SOLD. So good job babe :).

So back to tulips. Aren't these beautiful? The temple does it right! The grounds are simply gorgeous. 

My favorite little giggle on the planet right there! I've decided that Michael has assumed the role of the fun parent. (Does that make me the boring parent?? Hope not! :) ) Everytime they are together it's all laughter and play and tickles and weird noises and pure joy.

Tulips for dinner, naturally.

Seriously how fantastic is it that the entire sqaure is pink?!

Basically spring is trying to take over summer's first place title of Favorite Season. I don't know if she's fully won me over yet, but if spring keeps up these blooms (and gives us a little more warmth!) she's on the right track! :)

Better Tomorrows

These are my tired eyes.

Today I was so unnecessarily snippity, and I feel horrible about it. Lydia was a a bit of a crankster from 6am (she hasn't yet clicked with the time change) till I finally got her down at 8pm. And when she's not happy I tend to take out my impatience on everyone else! Sorry, everyone I saw today. This morning at the Sonic drive through I told the texting teen in front of me who could not drive faster than a turtle to "Move it, Sissy!" (Hallelujah my window was up.) Seriously?? First off who says sissy, secondly what's the rush? Sheesh, self. Later I was so bugged because the mall elevator was taking forever. Why did 4 people go in front of me and why did the mall only have one elevator on this side and why did the mall designers even make so many weird levels? As you can see I don't catastrophize at all ;). I proceeded to make a "scene" (doubt anyone actually saw) and cranked my stroller around and muttered something like ridiculous and stormed off to find a whole new elevator across the mall. How embarassing. And the stories keep going! A particular store was clearly not mom-approved because my stroller didn't quite fit through any of the displays, so I kept lifting up my tires dramatically and running into corners and tables and was really annoyed by the whole lay out. And when the sweet retail gal complimented my outfit I literally did not even look up at her. Oh my terrible! I just mumbled thanks and raced out, bugged that she would set up her store so un-stroller friendly because it was definitely her fault ;). There were another half a dozen minor things sprinkled throughout the day, not to mention I left my house with my 10 pound "diaper" bag only to realize there was 1 single diaper in there. So now poor Lydia has AWFUL diaper rash, like screaming in pain and it's probably my fault. So yay for today! I really nailed it ;).

A few happy things after being semi boring and definitely a downer :

These two Facetiming each other almost makes leaving worth it! (*Almost* :) ) As soon as Lydia hears the Facetime beepbeepbeepbeep she whips her head around to see the phone with a big grin on her face and can't wait to see her daddy! Then she giggles at him the entire call.

Mini fro yo cone from the other night! 

And Lydia was in heaven.

Sunshine is the best antidote for a crummy day.

Bumbo still going strong as a mock high chair in Mesa! We'll see how long we can keep this up till her legs get too chunky ;).

Repeat rose from my insta but it still makes me so happy!

Meet Wells, Lydia's birthday buddy! Alexis and I were actually texting each other when we were in labor simultaneously, ha!

I got to watch a bit of my brother-in-law's baseball game! For some reason I really enjoy watching high school sports. Maybe it's because I'm competitive? Or I'm strange and actually thought high school was tons of fun? Haha who knows.

Tried a pop tart for the first time in years. Not quite as good as I remember ;).

Well thanks for bearing with me through the most random post of history. 

Hooray for better tomorrows! 

Imaginary Closet

In Mesa there's the best little store 5 minutes from my parents' house, Orange Patch Too. We used to walk there in the summers and get blue Jones Sodas with the pictures on the bottles (does anyone remember these?). I recently learned you can actually submit a photo to be on the bottle?? Apparently Michael sent in photos a few times, ha! So anyways, this little shop now has a clothing section! Cute little boutiquey clothes, which usually isn't my jam but they had some fun things... 

Lace! I don't own a lot of lace, but it always seems so feminine and darling.

Wish this came one size bigger! They only carried an XS or an XL. Too tight for me, but really pretty!

Love me some stripes.

The softest tee I've ever worn! It was just cut realllly long, like past my booty long.

Spring fever.

This one was also too tight, but I like the simplicity! My mom's birth mom (my mom was adopted) owned a boutique in Denver for 40 something years and has an amazing eye for style! It's so fun shopping with her because she's quick to say, This is almost great but needs to be shorter here, or This should be a little more fitted here, or This color is perfect for your skin. The last time we were together in Utah she told me that a raglan sleeve looks good on me because it narrows my broad shoulders. Who knew?! Yay for fairy birth godmothers. So now whenever I see raglan cuts I am drawn to them.

LOVE LOVE LOVE. How fun is this?? I haven't seen much like it, and I like that the waist is a little lower. And no adjustments needed! High neck, full sleeves, long hem - miracle!

I might have to go home with this one... Sorry Michael ;).

Somethin' about the Sun

There is something about Arizona that just makes me heart so entirely happy.

(Dirty airport floor. Whoops.)

Maybe it's familiarity, maybe it's the sun, maybe it's the friends, maybe AZ just shoots happy hormones into the water that makes me so energized every time I'm here.

I'm "babysitting" my two youngest sisters since my parents are in Africa, but they are at school all day, so basically it's a free trip to play! 

Jenna's house is adorable and a kid's dream land. Toys for days!

Hahaha. Boys :) (Please note the mini New Balance and mini cowboy boots!!)

First time, don't judge! Ha these things are weirdly addicting.

Lydia and I are taking advantage of this 80 degree weather to play in my parents' backyard everyday!

Set her down for a second and...

Wait for it... 

There we go! This new clinginess is impressively powerful ;).

At least one of us was having fun. 

AZ I LOVE YOU! More pics to come.