A Phase

Like most children her age, Mariah goes through phases. Most of the time I am singing the Hallelujah Chorus at the end of one of her phases, because to be honest, they are often not my favorite. But she recently went through one that I was very sad to see go.

My good friend Morgan watched Mariah for me one day. When I came to pick her up  Mariah was clutching Horton, a little elephant finger puppet, puff flower and all (I'm sure there was a speck as well with a whole who-village, but obviously I couldn't see that). Anyone who knows Morgan has seen her love/obsession/weakness for babies. When she saw me eyeing the puppet she quickly informed me that there was no way she was going to take it away from Mariah. It was her gift to her. Apparently Mariah was in love with Horton.

As Mariah and I left the house I chuckled at what a softy Morgan was and figured poor Horton would be ditched before we even got into the car. But I was wrong. Mariah loved on Horton that whole day and the next few days that followed. I even let her take Horton with her for one of her naps and she fell asleep with her face smashed down on the poor pachyderm. If she hadn't seen him for a while she would grab him and snuggle him up to her cheek. It was pretty heart warming.

Not the best quality photos; I took them with my rinky-dink ipod touch...but her charm makes up for the blurriness.

But as I said before, her love faded. I don't know what caused her to become disenchanted but one day I handed him to her, expecting her little show of love, and she promptly threw him to the ground and began playing with something else. And so it ended.

 I don't know whether I should warn the men she dates someday or not...

It's already been a year?!

Mom: The time has come, and I am still in denial. You are a year old! 

Mariah: I sure am! And let me tell you, the year has flown by!

Mom: It has been a good one, my favorite year to be exact. What did you think of it?

Mariah: Wellll, there were some rough patches where you and dad couldn't figure out what I wanted. That always got a little frustrating. But not enough to keep me down. I've loved my first year!

Mom: I feel like you have changed so much just in the past month. What are some new things that you have learned?

Mariah: I have learned how to throw little tantrums when I don't get my way. I arch my back and scream. You don't seem to like that very much but I think they're pretty fun.

Mom: Lets just say I dreaded the day when they would come. What more positive things have you learned?

Mariah: I love to growl! I growl for everything. Sometimes I scare you and then I laugh because I'm just so funny. I also like to play peek-a-boo with my blankie; that makes me laugh too. I've gotten really good at kisses. I even give my stuffed bunny kisses. I also have been working on blowing kisses. I think I almost have it down.

Mom: You are so close. Once you figure out how to pucker up instead of the wide open mouth kisses, you'll be a pro! Are you a walker yet?

Mariah: I am if I get to walk between you and daddy! But I don't take my time, I just charge forward because getting your balance really isn't that important. When daddy is gone I walk between you and the couch. When you aren't close to the couch I hold my hand out for you so you know to come and play with me.

Mom: Do you still like to hold our fingers and walk around?

Mariah: Yes! Especially when dad goes extra fast. I have a need for speed!

Mom: You must get that from your Grandpa Young. How are you sleeping?

Mariah: like a champ! I sleep all night long! I'm usually pretty good at my naps too. I've decided sleeping is pretty great.

Mom: I'm so glad you figured that out. How many teeth do you have now?

Mariah: Four, my middle top and bottom. I'm a big girl now!

Mom: I won't accept that until you're 25...sorry. Do you like to snuggle?

Mariah: I never thought I would say this but I now love it! Especially when I have just woken up. I love to lay my head on you or daddy's shoulder and sometimes on other people's shoulders. It's just wonderful.

Mom: I couldn't agree more. We've had some warm weather, do you like going outside?

Mariah: It took a while for me to get used to the great outdoors, but now I love it! We've gone to the park a few times and I think the swings are the greatest thing ever. When you try to get me out I cling to the chains and cry and cry.

Mom: I'm so glad you already have things to be passionate about in your life. So I know you've been told this before but you have great hair. Can I show everyone?

Mariah: Go right ahead!

Mariah: Daddy thought my hair looked like Justin Bieber in the last photo. Whoever that is...

Mom: It looks better on you. Well Mariah this has been a wonderful year. Daddy and I are so grateful to have you in our life. You make every day better and more exciting. We can't wait to see how you grow and change each passing day. We love you Mariah Jeanne!

This hurts my heart a little. It seems only yesterday that she was the tiny baby on the left. I didn't think it would all go by as fast as it has but I'm so grateful for this wonderful journey of parenthood. Mariah has taught me so much about myself, my husband, the world and most importantly my Savior Jesus Christ. I didn't realize how big of an impact this precious little baby would have on my life. It really is a miracle the way a tiny baby can teach you more than you could ever imagine. And the wonderful thing is that it has only begun. I know that I have so much more to learn, that my Faith needs strengthening, my pride needs diminishing, and I don't know of a better way to do that than through motherhood. Thank you my Angel Baby Mariah for your little life lessons each and ever day.

The Best Week of the Year!

This week is the Crossley family week. We claim it. I believe that we have every right to it and this is why: April 1st is our anniversary (I know I know, we are such jokers), April 2nd is Tanner's birthday, and April 4th is Mariah's birthday. Throw in Easter and it's the greatest week ever! Crazy? Yes, but we like cramming almost all of our celebrations in one week. We also like to cram all the events in one blog post...sorry.

We didn't do many of the typical Easter things, like easter baskets, egg dying, egg hunts... I justified my lameness by deciding that Mariah was too young to really get anything out of it. We didn't miss the Easter baskets or the egg dying, but Sunday morning was so warm and beautiful that I started to regret not hiding a few eggs for Mariah. I took her outside to soak in some rays and found a wonderful surprise: an Easter egg! The Missionaries from our church had left an egg on the lawn outside our door with a special Easter message inside. Mariah got her Easter egg hunt! Well, sorta...there wasn't much of a hunt but she didn't mind. 

She loved that egg. She kept it in her little hands for over an hour. Oh, and I was very excited to find a dress for her that didn't have any pink on it. Walmart...eight dollars...I love that place. 

Tanner and I woke up early Easter morning to watch the sun rise and read out of the Bible the story of the Savior's resurrection. We are hoping to make that a tradition with our family. Mariah was still in bed, but I just couldn't wake her up, when she is sleeping I let her sleep. You know that saying, "let sleeping dogs lie"? It really should be, "let sleeping babies lie." Just saying. 

There were three babies blessed and someone was confirmed at church. It was the most perfect way to celebrate Easter. I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have that my Savior lives! What a blessing that is. 

Monday was our 2 year Anniversary. I know, long time. I'm just waiting for people to start asking me for marriage advice. We didn't do much because Tanner had a test he had to study for but we did go out to eat at a Mongolian (tasted like Chinese, pretty much was chinese) restaurant.  The waitress was so sweet. I don't think she spoke very much English but she was in love with Mariah. 

Keep it Quiet.This is Tanner, I just wanted to say that I have a wonderful wife and the most gorgeous daughter. I treasure the little moments I get to share wish them. Okay back to my studies. Have a great week!

I left this post up when Tanner took the computer...my husband is the best. I'm so grateful we have each other for eternity. This life just wouldn't be long enough. 

Tanner's birthday was the next day. I got up and made him a big breakfast. I was all proud of my whole wheat pancakes until Tanner cut into them and revealed a nasty, doughy inside. That has never happened to me before....I'm usually such a marvelous cook. Just don't ask Tanner... but he was a good sport about it all. Maybe because there was bacon and Tanner, like most men, loves his bacon. 

Tanner decided the thing that he wanted to do most on his birthday was study all day long. Actually, I don't think that was his top top choice. Necessity may have had something to do with it. But he came home for dinner and the great thing was that the house didn't even smell like bacon anymore! Tanner had his favorite dinner, Hawaiian Haystacks, which are impossible for anyone to mess up. He's a smart man. We followed that up with some angel food cake, strawberries and whip cream. 

I love Mariah's face in this picture. I think this may be her favorite meal too. And yes, Tanner ate that whole thing. I didn't get a picture of him blowing out his candle which really makes me sad. Will I ever learn?

Mariah's birthday was on Thursday. Her very first Birthday!! I was pretty excited. She didn't know what the big deal was. I made her favorite dinner, spaghetti, and some cupcakes with pink frosting. I was so excited for Mariah to get her very own cupcake. I imagined her smashing it all over her face, smiling crazily for pictures, you know, first birthday perfection. But, Mariah was sick. So she wouldn't eat her dinner, or much of her cupcake. Boo.

I can't believe it has already been a year since Mariah came into our family. She is such a blessing and a joy. We love her more than we ever could have imagined! Next post will be Mariah's 1 year interview! Woohoo! Here's hoping I can get it done before the month is over!