Mama Kepford

Today was a big day for us! It started with sleeping in, which is just wonderful. Nikki's friend from Jerome is going on a mission to California, and we went to hear him speak today. His ward is at noon!! He did so well, and it was all very nice. I was working with Parley a lot during church. He had a big meal and two outfit changes, and then he got real fussy and did not want me to sit down one bit. So we wandered around the building and mostly just listened to everything. It was hot in the meeting house, and I started to feel really weird. I was scared I might faint, but I didn't! Nikki got Parley to sleep after church, and we put him in his carseat to drive to lunch with all the friends. Parley was dead asleep, and I didn't want to wake him up and still didn't feel normal. So I hung out in the car with him instead of going to the lunch.  We had a nice time. I talked to lots of my family and read some emails and the scriptures. But I started getting so, so hungry. Nik...

Today was a big day for me! I got to hang out with three toddlers. Parley and I walked to Kiwanas Park this morning to meet Angel and her two kids for story time and play time at the park. We couldn't find them at first, so we walked all around. Parley fell dead asleep and didn't wake up until we got home. But I found them and had such a good time. I love Angel so much! It is so good to chat with a friend. Her third baby is due in three weeks. It was awesome to watch her with her kids. They are three and five and so capable! I'm going to miss all three of them when we move.  There were so, so many moms with their kids at the park! I felt like I am part of a special club. And I'm going to be in it for a long time. :) This afternoon, our two-year-old neighbor, Daisy, came over. Her mom just had a baby, and she needed a friend to hang out with. We read books, colored on a whiteboard, played the piano, and stacked blocks. She loved Nikki's Smaug toy and was terrified by...

Nikki asked me if I was going to write in my blog today. I said I didn't have much to say. He told me I could just say I love my husband. So I will.  I love my husband so, so much! And I love my baby. The three of us had a special day together.  Last night, Parley and I drew on the whiteboard over his changing table. He loved it.  Nikki and I signed the contract to rent a townhome in Tallahassee! It's the one with the organist neighbor, and we're so excited.  Nikki and Parley went on a boy walk while I had the nicest run and talked to my mom and Rissa on the phone.  Parley and I had a picnic on the floor. He loves laying on the floor on top of the blanket his grandma made him. And I ate a delicious sandwich and talked to Desi.  All three of us enjoyed outdoor baby. Parley was very upset, and we couldn't get him to calm down until we went outside. He loved it. We stayed a long while and played a new game. We watched the cars at our intersection and rated how...

We have this problem where Nikki is the best husband and father in the world. And he doesn't get the work done he needs to because he's helping us. So, yesterday, we had a strong independent day.  Nikki was a strong, independent man. He got up early, made himself breakfast, and went to campus to get his work done. He stayed till he was too hungry, came home and ate, and had a zoom call. So proud of him. Then he helped with Parley all night, and I had such a great run because of it! I was a strong, independent woman. I slept as long as I could. Then Parley was ready to hang out, and I was very hungry. I opened a hard-to-open yogurt drink all by myself while holding Parley. 💪 Then Parley and I walked to Smith's together to buy diapers. I also worked a bit and did two interviews for my thesis. I only have one more!! I've enjoyed them a lot. We had outdoor baby and lots of snuggles. I couldn't tell if Parley was having an extra hard day or if it just felt like it becau...

I'm so happy! I've had such a lovely weekend. Saturday was a really chill day. I worked and looked at townhomes and fixed my watch and got a little bored. We had outdoor baby and a dance party! But that night we had excitement! Mom, Dad, Rissa, and Hyrum came to visit us on their way to Italy. We ate at Brick Oven and went on a big walk through campus. I got to see Rissa's new hair, eat really good margherita pizza, see the parents being the cutest grandparents, and have great chats. I just love them so, so much and am going to MISS them!  Then this morning the family came to church in our ward with us. Church with Parley still stresses me out way more than it should. Even if Parley screamed and cried the whole time, it wouldn't be too big and deal. But I still get all tight. Nikki took him pretty much all of church, and Parley did just fine. Nikki took him out during sacrament meeting when he was fussy. After a few minutes, I texted Nikki to see how they were doing. He...

I bought this book on Amazon called The Montessori Baby . I've really enjoyed it. It's all about giving babies an environment where they can thrive. It talks about developmental stages babies go through and types of activities that they will enjoy and that will challenge them and help in their development. It encourages baby freedom, saying to help babies as little as possible and as much as needed. Let them move whenever they can and give them "yes" areas where nothing is off limits. Give them babysized things (a little table and chairs, pictures on the wall at their level, a toy shelf that they can reach with activities they enjoy, baby sized plates, cups, silverware when they start eating, etc). And it talks about how babies absorb everything around them so give them a simple and beautiful space. I love the principles a lot. And I'm at a perfect time in my life to implement them: 1. I have a baby.  2. Parley has about 3 toys. I'm going to get him toys anywa...