Sweaters

So...I feel like lots of people swoon over fall.

Am I right? I think I'm right.

Well, I am not really among the swooners.

Sure, I like fall. I may even like fall a lot. I like Thanksgiving. And I like pumpkin things. And I like the end of 142 degree weather every.day. And fall means almost Christmas, which is super cool.

Yes, fall has its benefits, but in the end, I'm more of a spring/summer kind of gal.

Except for one thing - sweaters.

Dude. I love sweaters.

Maybe it's because I love layered looks. Maybe it's because I don't love my arms. Maybe it's because sweaters keep you (mostly) warm, and I'm a huge fan of warmth. But whatever the reason, I think sweaters are the bomb. I even have short-sleeved cardigans that I like to wear in the summertime.

And I know - I KNOW, OK?! - that most people don't really consider Arizona's fall to be "sweater weather," but guess what? I do. 70s or below = sweater.

So here's some sweaters that I'm currently loving/coveting. Yes, they're all from American Eagle. If you don't know by now that I love me some AE, well, now you do.



Oh, the cuteness!

For Dallin: I guess I'll have to wait until Christmas...since I would never just up and buy a $40 sweater! Sheesh!




For everyone else: I guess now I just have to decide which one/two to splurge on.

Bye Bye Boppy

Have you seen "Bye Bye Birdie?"

I never had. I knew a lot of the songs since one of my high school choirs did a review of them, but I'd never actually seen the movie.

And then I found out about Biltmore Fashion Center's movies in the park (free movies outside - fun!) and the only weekend that worked for us was the weekend they were showing "Bye Bye Birdie." So now I've seen it. Er, most of it. We were a little late. But that's beside the point.

In fact, that whole thing is kind of beside the point, because what I really wanted to tell you was this: I'm done breastfeeding.

Hoorah!

No one told me that BF-ing took over your life. For me, it was very time consuming, and at times, pretty darn painful.

Not saying I won't do it with the next one, because I totally will. It's just...I'm going to enjoy the break. And I'm going to take Excedrin for my headaches because I can and it's da bomb.

And when I moved the boppy pillow from it's home of 11 1/2 months (our bedroom) to its new home (our spare/junk/tornado-just-hit-it room) I couldn't help but sing "Bye bye Boppy" in my head. Or maybe out loud.

Maybe.

One.

Oh, you clicked over to my blog hoping to find out what we've been up to for the past few weeks? Maybe get a picture or two of Madelyn in her adorable Halloween costume? Perhaps hear about how school has been going for me (hint: blegh)? Or my feelings about Fall? Or an amazing pumpkin recipe or two?

Well stop dreaming my friends, because I'm not updating you on any of those things right now.

Today we're talking about today.

Today is Madelyn's very first birthday.



Now, I don't want to get too sappy about this. I'm honestly not freaking about too much about having a one-year-old. It is crazy...but come on, I knew it was going to happen someday. In fact, I knew the exact day that it was going to happen, so I could prepare. So don't expect me to be all "AAH MY BABY IS ONE!!!" kind of thing.

But there are a few thoughts I have.


Mostly, I just want to let the cyber-world know that I love love love my baby girl.

I'm so proud of everything she's already accomplished and become in one short year.

I'm grateful to her for making me a mother. It's the most rewarding job I've ever had.


I'm so very excited to find out what the coming years bring for both of us. I hope she grows up to be happy, healthy, loving, brave, smart, confident, and well aware of how much so many people love her.

I'm starting to wonder if the day will ever come when my heart doesn't just expand every time I look at my girl. I don't think it will.

Happy birthday, Madelyn!
Thank you for being my sunshine.