1 Year Sneakpeak

Hey y'all!
Chloe got her 1 year old pictures taken the last 2 days (due to Babies'R'Us having a discount on pictures, WOOT WOOT!) Pictures are ridiculously expensive and not all of you need pictures of Chloe on your wall, but you all need a Chloe fix, let's face it.
Here is where you go: MyOnlinePortraits.com
This is the session number: 105311
This is the password: GH3FT

We got a deal where you get one pose, so we chose the close up of her smiling in the blue outfit (the one in the middle of the close ups) because the package comes with a few wallets and the close up would be better for those.
But the whole point was I wanted a picture like Elle got in her blessing dress. So we ordered an extra of her in her blessing dress. I believe it is the last one where she has her shoulders shrugged up while she is laughing with her hands held together.

Enjoy the viewing!

Couplehood of the Traveling Pants Part 2

The last few days it has been my turn to stay at home while Jameson goes and explores the world. Well, as much as you can explore Lincoln, Nebraska.

The first day I tried to pretend he was just at work. But of course I acted like a highschooler going through their first breakup. I walked down the hall and looked into the bedroom and didnt see him there, teared right up. I shut the door as I left the apartment and noticed Jameson wasn't in the game chair (previously known as the nursing chair but it's been pretty much re-christened) and teared up like a baby. Kinda pathetic. But Chloe was awesome the whole time. Super cheerful despite getting shots.

Funny story about the shots. Here is the Reader's Digest version. Went in for 12 month appointment to get the shots (just under 17 lbs, under 10% for everything) and the Doc said something about 6 shots and to come back in for the rest. I said we were getting kicked off Medicaid, so he said to come back the next week. Which was the day Jameson left and the nurse came in with the clipboard saying she had no idea why I was there. So, she said she was okay to get the 15 month shots and since I was already there... we went ahead and did it. So she's ahead of the game right now.

That night I was pretty distracted. We had a Relief Society activity that was supposed to have 3 speakers and started at 7. We started.... at 7:45. They did have a babysitter for us so Chloe was off playing while we ate dinner. I wont give you a play by play, but needless to say we had 7 speakers all with lots to say and we didnt get out of there until 9:45-10ish. Why didn't we leave? There was the most amazing chocolate cake made by someone that when said everyone in the room swiveled to look at them. So, we stayed. Was it worth it? Oh yes. Did all the Mommys and the Mommy table roll their eyes at how long it took. Yes.

So, day 2 was looking to be the worst. It was Jameson's interview day. He called first thing and sounded SO cheerful. It was a huge relief and we hung up with me feeling awesome! I was so grateful to hear his voice and to hear it sounding confident. My high school friend Chelsea came over with her darling baby Ari for a play date at 12:30. Her daughter's nap is at 2 so I was trying to figure out what to do to keep busy after. But, thank heaven and thank Chelsea, she stayed until 5:30! Chloe and Ari were darling together and it wore Chloe out! She crashed at 7:30! And it was so awesome talking to Chelsea. It was just like high school. Being back in her room listening to the mix cd she made me (still have it and listen to it by the way).

With Chloe in bed so early, I followed suit. My friend gave me an entire book series to help keep me occupied while Jameson was away, so I finished the Percy Jackson book I was reading and started in on the books she gave me. This morning I woke up refreshed and happy! My baby is coming home!

And what have I decided from this 3 week craziness of us both taking personal flights?

It is worse to be the one at home.

One year

First off, everyone should click here and listen to the song. The video is coincidental, I just love this song and it seems appropriate. That song's by Ben Folds and is about his daughter.

So Chloe is one year old today! It's so hard to believe that it's been a full year since she came into this world. It seems like just yesterday that she wasn't here, but at the same time it seems like she's been with us forever. Somewhere between being in the hospital and now, she's grown into a full-blown tornado with a love of pulling things off of where they're supposed to be.

Here's what our lovely daughter does:
-She loves books. Loves them. Most books do not survive her love for long, but hopefully she'll grow out of that phase and into the "I love reading" phase.
-Anything with music catches her attention. She loves how it sounds.
-Talking on the phone. Well, not so much talking, but she smiles huge when somebody talks to her on the phone. I need to be prepared to spend a lot on phone bills with this one.
-She has graduated from the holding hand whilst walking stage and into the "you slow me down, let go of me and let me run" stage. It's terrifying and awesome.
-She still loves to climb. We need to get rid of this entertainment center.
-She doesn't care for baby food anymore. She eats our food or she eats nothing.
-She gives me kisses. Wide open mouthed and tongue out kisses.
-She has started to babble a lot more. She's always been more of a mover than a talker, but she's getting the hang of it. This morning when she wanted Becky to pick her up, Becky looked down and said "up?" like she normally does. Chloe looks with arms outstretched and says "up!"

It gets crazy and hectic with her. Everyone who has a kid knows this. But times like tonight when I sing and rock her for a couple minutes before putting her down to sleep, I can reflect and remember how precious she is and how blessed we are for this opportunity to have her enrich my life and teach me that yes, I truly am a jerk with no patience, but if I just follow her lead I'll turn out alright in the end.

Life certainly wouldn't be the same without her. I'm glad I don't have to know how I'd be on the other side of the hypothetical.

Cabin fever

Well Becky has gone and come (see what I did there?) and I'll let ya'll in on a little secret:

listening?

It was weird.

People always say the weirdest or saddest part of being alone is sleeping alone at night, and I can totally respect their right to think erroneously. The worst part is the days. I mean, at night what do I do? Get in bed and fall unconscious for several hours until the morning (hopefully) when I actually, you know, am aware of the world around me. Those are the worst times.

The kicker is I got the flu.

The week she left, the flu was going around our tiny little community of three. Chloe started on Tuesday by throwing up, and Becky caught onto the secret Wednesday with the same party. I was afraid I'd catch it, but when Thursday, the day she left, came around and I was still fine I figured I dodged a bullet. I got the flu shot after all. My immune system works like a champion egyptian mud wrestler. I'm good right? Nevermind the fact that Chloe also got the flu shot. I was set. She leaves Thursday while I'm at work, I come home and play some video games, fall asleep. Everything is great.

I woke up Friday with the plan to head out to work on my day off because they were doing some quality checks on their lab equipment and were doing a thousand dollars of tests free for every employee. You go in fasting, you get the stuff. So I went in fasting. Get my blood drawn, have some food upstairs where I work (strawberry yogurt and orange juice with a doughnut for the win) and head home. Then promptly feel ill. I didn't throw up, but my organs were hating me. I laid in bed for two hours, finally got out and tried to not die. I tried to watch a few different movies, and the only one that held my attention was the new Tron (funnily enough, the time I'm sick is the time I finally watch it without falling asleep). I had no appetite, but was parched. I drank and drank so much water. I tried some pedialite from when Chloe was sick...that is not meant for adult consumption. It tastes like otter pops melted and stirred with sugar. Blech.

Anyway, By evening I was feeling...better? I missed my cousin's baby blessing the next day because I didn't want anyone sick. But I was able to deposit a check and play some games with my brother and my best friend. So it wasn't...too...terrible.

Back to the point? I was seriously starving for interaction those days. I missed her something fierce and even though I'm quiet and enjoy space a lot, when I'm without her I go crazy. So I know this is a roundabout way to say all this, but I love my wife.

I love her.

The simple truth

I dont know how many of you can relate, but every several months or so I get the indisputable desire to cry. I become a ticking time bomb, waiting for the one thing to set me off. I've kind of figured it would be Thursday when I say goodbye to Jameson for the weekend. You see, since we've been married we've never had a day away so it is kind of a big deal.

So today. I start the day off trying to find a receipt to exchange Jameson's watch but in my search something got off balance and when I was sitting on the couch I saw a bucket fall from the cupboard and saw the first Halloween ornament (first holiday ornament) Jameson and I ever bought together in pieces. I didnt lost it.

I had an eye appointment to get some contacts so I dropped Chloe off at my friend's and took off with enough time to get there to do paperwork before my appointment. 10 minutes into the drive I'm suddenly being forced on the freeway going the WRONG direction. I call the office and I am in the wrong city getting no where near their office. They give me directions and I end up there eventually. 20 minutes late. (p.s. Chloe's nap was supposed to be at 11 and my appointment was at 10:20 so I'm cutting it close). I give them our new insurance info and sit down to work on the paperwork. They tell me I'm not covered. Not....covered...

I call Jameson and ask him to talk to HR. And my amazing WONDERFUL AWESOME SPECTACULAR husband runs down to HR during his shift to talk to them. They said they'd call the paperpushers but that they shouldn't count on them changing it. Jameson told me to go ahead and get my stuff done despite the costs (Awesome. I know. Jameson rocks) By the end of my appointment Jameson calls and says that they worked out the insurance!

I broke a sentimental ornament, I was 20 minutes late to an appointment, I wasn't going to be covered by insurance and was actually laughing about it with the eye techs! Why wasn't I crying!? So here is the simple truth. I believe I didnt lose it today for one simple reason. My ward's challenge to read the Book of Mormon in 120 days. And Day 1 was today.

Jameson and I have been doing our studies at night, but I knew with how much I was supposed to be reading that I wouldn't really have the time at night. So this morning I started the ward's challenge. I'm not much of a morning reader, puts me to sleep. And as I re-read chapters that I've started tons of times, I tried hard to ponder and see them differently so I would feel like I am growing from the experience. And maybe I didnt get anything out of the words on the page, but I definitely was able to keep my sanity during a day that would normally leave me on the floor with Chloe running rampant around me.

I am so grateful for my ward's challenge to read the Book of Mormon and that I felt inspired to take their challenge. It is an amazing book designed to bring us closer to God and I am so blessed to have a testimony that the words written in it are true accounts and that it is Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

Why our holidays were so full of cheer

These pictures are a little out of order because of how they upload, but you'll get the picture. Literally (hahahahbwaha...ah...)
Ahem. This first picture is Christmas morning, opening more presents! She is loving that piano :)

Seeing the lights at temple square! Freezing but lots of fun

Jameson indulging me in taking a picture I want with ME in it! WOOHOO

Our traditional Christmas picture. Merry Christmas Love the Rancks!

How we celebrated New Years Eve. Chloe was watching Tangled on Grandma Ranck's Ipad and Jameson was sleeping. In his defense, he did have work the next morning and he really needed some. We played some fun games and left to put the Papa Bear to sleep.

I was doing laundry and Chloe kept pulling up on the dryer door.... So, I helped her in. She did NOT want to get out!

I have very vivid memories of my brothers picking me up by the straps on my overalls, but I dont think I liked it this much :)

So happy to see Grandma and Grandpa Ranck after their long airplane trip to see us!

Beautiful Christmas dress and she KNOWS it

We forgot to bring her a bed time story... So Jameson was reading a random book that I think was about something collegiate.

Holidays in Holladay

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The holidays here were fantastic! We stayed part of the time up in Holladay so when Jameson worked everything was normal and when he had nights off we stayed in a condo owned by our friends in Provo so we could be close to family. We ended up being the hub down there and loved having everyone together.

Jameson's parents were in town for 2 weeks soaking up as much grandbaby and children as they could get! They kept cooing over Chloe and I loved when the first day they got here they stopped by for a half hour and after Jeff shut the door I heard him say "She is just the cutest granddaughter ever!" Definitely put a smile on my face.

Brenton, Becca, Becca's roommate, Jeff and Michelle all spent Christmas Eve at our place so we could get up and do the annual big breakfast and stocking hunt. They let me make the coffee cake and hashbrowns (one because I LOVE my hashbrowns (courtesy of Uncle Richard) two they usually make the box coffee cake and I had to try and convert them to the Parnell recipe). We did stockings and left for church with Adam and Jessica.

It was the most unique Christmas service I've ever heard, but it was a wonderful way to celebrate our Savior and I wish every year it was on a Sunday. It really helped to center the fact of it all and bring it back to Jesus. We went home and the girls and I dressed back down to PJs, cause really, who opens Christmas presents in day clothes? Pth. Jameson got me wonderful presents :) The most memorable is my used swim suit in a box ;) It is to represent the swim suit he is taking me to buy because mine are shot. He bought me earrings I can wear with Chloe always trying to pull mine out, the Percy Jackson series, a few movies, nail polish, a few other books, a Sugarland cd and a few other things. He is a wonderful gift giver :) Especially because he rarely buys things I write on my list and really listens to my every day banter to decipher what I'd like best. My parents gave us cards and 5 CROWNS! We've been without for way too long! Jameson's parents got us iTouches that we are loving (Chloe included) and a box with a sweet sweet note written by his Dad (I've already read it a few times).

We celebrated New Years Eve evening at Jameson's Aunt's home with games and pizza. We left to put Chloe and Jameson down at a decent hour (he had work). We still stayed up talking a little and toasted with our wedding goblets :)

It was a beautiful holiday reminding me how much I love family and how blessed we are to be members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where we know we can be with them always. I am so grateful for the gospel and the opportunity it gives us to persevere and try to be like Christ. What a wonderful holiday full of universal sweetness and love. I hope all of you had moments of clarity this holiday whether it was a sweet face your child made or a feeling of completeness being surrounded by family.

We look forward to next year when Chloe has more of an idea of what is going on instead of just pulling all the ornaments off the tree. She is loving her new See and Speak well as the baby piano we gave her. She is running all over the place and we'll post pictures as soon as it isnt dark and I dont risk waking up Jameson but looking for it.

We love you all and wish you luck in keeping the Spirit of Christ(mas) all year and your personal New Years Resolutions, whether they be made today, a few weeks from now or are a continuation of previous goals.