Books Read in 2016: Bringing back the book!

That post title is supposed to have a double meaning because first of all, I did SOOO bad in 2015 with reading. So bad. This year I redeemed myself although it's definitely not the longest list for a whole year. And second of all, all the books I read this year were actual BOOKS. Like, no ebooks, which has been my main source of reading for basically the past four years. This is for a couple reasons. One being that I love perusing the Costco book section and more often than not, leave with a book. 

Another reason I've been reading more printed books again is because of this book on top of the non fiction pile:

(not pictured is "The Magnolia Story" by my favorite people ever Chip and Joanna Gaines. My mom is currently borrowing my copy...something that I LOVE about printed books and not ebooks.)

Anyway, I've been reading "The Read Aloud Handbook" now that J is old enough to really enjoy picture books and ones with a basic story line. The statistics in there about the example parents set by reading books is amazing. So I've been glad that with my reading actual books rather than ebooks, my kids are seeing me reading books like they do, not just looking at another electronic device. So although I love my kindle, I plan on using it sparingly so my kids will hopefully become enthusiastic about reading as they see me reading in my free time. 

Here's the fiction pile, with a cute little hand photo bomb :)

Out of these, I recommend "A Man Called Ove." I am really liking this Swedish author, and have heard good things about his other books. And after reading "Anne of Green Gables" for the first time since jr. high school, I really think I need to make it an annual thing, because that book is such a delight. 

So there you go! Bring back the book! And give me your suggestions. I'm open to fiction/non fiction, adult/young adult. Pretty much anything...except maybe sci fi haha. 

Dominic at One Year

Happy Happy Birthday, Dominic!

It's hard to get in focus pictures of this kid. He just wants to be silly when I try to take these. This kid is so sassy and sweet. Such a cuddler, but such a temper ha. I wonder if he would have been like this had he been the only child. He sure gets mad when big brother takes toys from him. Or when he wants some of your food. He can hear a food wrapper from a mile away! He has the most amazing baby giggle. But He does the high pitch scream---what do I do to get him to stop??? We still love him lots though, especially his older brother. They love the wrestle, which usually involves one of them getting hurt, and then tears. It's the typical life with little boys over here, and we are loving it.

We love you so much Dominic. Glad you're in our family!

Dominic's Very Hungry Caterpillar Birthday Party

Dominic's birthday is this week! I can hardly believe it. We decided to have a little party for him while we were in Utah so family could be there, and it was so fun. Party inspiration was the "Very Hungry Caterpillar" because Dominic is just that: always hungry!

^^Suuuuper yummy and adorable cookies from my favorite Utah place The Sweet Tooth Fairy^^

My favorite was putting together this caterpillar with his monthly pictures. Still can't believe how much they change in just a year. 

He loved all his balloons!

And now for a lot more pictures!! I love baby cake smashes. Especially my babies who have so much fun. 

 ^^I had everyone sign the copy of the book that I got for him to read and remember^^

^^with my Aunt Wendy^^

There were only three kids there: J, Dom, and my bestie's Kelsy's little girl Ava, and it was the perfect amount of energy haha. 

Happy happy birthday, sweet boy. Glad you had such a good time at your party. 

Things I'm Loving Lately: Holiday Edition

Now Christmas time is here! So here a collection of things I am loving so far.

1. Milano peppermint slices! My new favorite. They are harder to find, so if you see them, buy them! I think walmart is the most reliable? Anyway, so yummy.

2. Matching family pjs! Yes, I have been wanting to jump on this bandwagon for a while. You know how I love to match. These ones are the Burts Bees brand from Target and I bought a set of different patterns but I love them all and they are decently priced. Other brands I was looking at were like $200 for my family of four. Got these ones for less than a hundred for four.

3. New Christmas cds! I always look forward to seeing which of my favorite artists are coming out with Christmas cds. These two are great. I had been looking forward to the She and Him for a while. And Leslie Odom Jr. is great. Both are jazzy, relaxing type of cds.

4. Yummy drinks! This one from Trader Joes is so yummy. Raspberry Cranberry Spritzer. Very Christmasy.

5. Netflix binging! It's not exactly about Christmas, but there are some good new releases. Our favorite is "The Crown." Even if you don't watch everything about the royal family like I do, you will like this show. It's really good. Victor likes it too.

So there you go. Anyway holiday things you're loving that I should love too?? Let me know!

Motherhood Life Lately: It doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful.

 I wrote my last motherhood update right before my precious J turned 2...and when that happened, motherhood life definitely started becoming more challenging. I talked about it in my last post a little. So while there are more tantrums and struggles with both boys, I still am filled to the brim with gratitude and contentment. And the tantrums really are such a small percentage of the day, which is a good reminder to try to not lose patience too quickly.

So many people have been saying that 2016 has been one of the worst years to date. And when I think back on things, I could maybe argue that as well. We've had car troubles that left me stranded in St. George for a few days alone with the boys, we had some flooding in the nice new house we bought, we've seen family members have health struggles, and we've felt stress with the state of affairs in the world.

One of our biggest trials we went through earlier in the year has changed the way we have viewed all the previous challenges. When our sweet J was having a seizure every hour in the ER which led to a transfer and overnight stay at Stanford, it was by far the most emotional and stressful thing we have gone through. The feeling of helplessness was overwhelming. Thankfully all of this was just a 48 hour ordeal.

Ever since then, things that may seem stressful and difficult are put in perspective. Car troubles are inconvenient, but not so bad. Political drama can be stressful, but doesn't impact the way I raise my family. And crazy toddlers can be exhausting, but I remember the time when he didn't feel well enough to be crazy, and it helps calm me.

Maybe it's because Thanksgiving is around the corner, or it's the end of the year which is causing me to reflect on the year, but man, I am feeling so grateful to be having these motherhood experiences. I'm trying to savor all of it, even when it's not "ideal."

For example, we have hit a roadblock in the boys' sleeping arrangements in that J has been sleeping in our room for a few months now. He'll fall asleep in our bed, and Victor moves him to the pack n play. There have been a couple times when I've wanted to ask for advice from experienced facebook friends on how to get him to go back to sharing a room with Dom, but then I realize I don't really want their advice haha. I love laying next to J as he falls asleep. The time is fleeting for how long it will be like this. (and it ensures both boys sleep for the longest amount of time possible...so yeah)

So that's why the title of this post has become the mantra for Victor and I. It doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful. It definitely isn't perfect, but it sure is wonderful.