Some then-to-now pics

So, it's kind of crazy that Jori will be 3 months old in 5 days. Sheesh! I hadn't realized how much she'd changed till I was working on this photobook at shutterfly for her, and I went back and forth between a picture of her the week after she was born, and now. Such a big girl!!! So here's some of my favorites of her then, now and in-between: mainly because they're funny, or she looks ridiculously cute in them. Or both.

Mermaid

Pooping

No idea :D

Fatty at the duck pond

Speaking of fatty...haha

grumpy

Amazed at her beauty :)

You sly dog

Holy humongous flower. And adorable face!!!

Somebody call Baby Gap!!!

I also love this last one because she's in overalls. Cute!!!

do it yourself mania

So...I love the idea of being self-sustaining/self-sufficient. Mainly because I love feeling like I saved money (part of the reason I'm obsessed with KSL). Actually DOING all these things that I think are a great idea though, is a different story. Actually canning and coupon-collecting and sewing and crafting is a lot more work than my lazy self is usually willing to do.

BUT! I went a little crazy with the idea (only with the idea, I'm yet to actually make her one) of making Jori her own hair accessories, (along with a few other baby items), so I've found some fun how-tos that I thought I'd share.

The above AND below ribbon-flower tutorials are at: http://ribbonflowers.blogspot.com/

http://www.prudentbaby.com/2010/02/diy-fabric-flower-hair-clip.html
These silk ones (probably my second favorites) are found at http://allison-thriftycrafting.blogspot.com/2011/01/simple-flowers-and-mini-tutorial.html
These pom-pom-like ones are found at http://treyandlucy.blogspot.com/2010/12/pom-pom-headbands-and-clips.html
This kind at http://www.prudentbaby.com/2010/10/no-sew-rolled-fabric-flower-baby.html
These ones (I think they're my favorites) were found at: http://www.rufflesandstuff.com/2011/05/no-sew-fabric-flower-tutorial.html
This feather one (it had a mother/daughter matching tutorial, but you can do it only for baby) was found at http://www.prudentbaby.com/2009/12/new-years-fancy-feather-hair-clips.html
http://thefrugalgirls.com/2010/08/how-to-make-cute-flower-headbands-for-babies-and-little-girls.html
These are at http://domesticatingmichelle.wordpress.com/2011/06/22/ribbon-flower-tutorial/

This one's at http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2011/03/baby-hair-accessories-wool-felt.html
The above is at http://getyourcrafton.blogspot.com/2010/03/ribbon-flower-headband-tutorial.html

I also found how to make your own moby wrap (kinda) in a discussion found here: http://www.mothering.com/community/t/646577/making-my-own-moby-wrap

Here's a 'pattern' for a carseat canopy http://www.make-it-do.com/tag/car-seat-canopy-pattern/

And here's a pattern for the best swaddling blanket i know of, the miracle blanket http://www.flickr.com/photos/49911501@N05/sets/72157624537889292

What fun eh?!

And so school begins!

So we've been parents AND students for two weeks now. I decided to take 2 psych evening classes which are each just once a week, an Irish dance class just for funsies, and a social dance class on Friday nights for couples only (with Sam, of course). So I have 7 credits, and Sam has 14 and is working part time. Lucky for us, the only time when neither of us can watch Jori is when we have our dance class together (of course), and my parents watch her then. I'm really grateful: I didn't want to have to leave Jori with babysitters all the time, I'd rather it's Sam or I taking care of her the majority of the time. Well. Sort of.

Jori's fussiness...hmm. I don't know if it's getting better or not. I feel like I'm at the end of my rope most days, but I suppose I can't be even if I want to be. I tried going off of dairy but it didn't make much difference. We started giving her her medicine twice a day instead of once, but I don't know if it helps or not...but I think it does? Some. It just doesn't really solve the problem.

I guess to be honest, I wish I had a time machine and the Ariel of the future could come and tell me "Don't worry! Jori is a totally different baby at 4 months than at 2 months-she mainly only cries when there's an obvious reason, like being tired or hungry. And she's good at entertaining herself now, I promise." Fingers crossed.

Still, even though she cries a lot, there are delightful moments where she'll smile and coo and laugh for us that are a real treat. I can't even say enough how much I cherish those moments, since it feels like they're so infrequent (and I'm sure they're not-it's just hard to put things in perspective WHILE she's crying). Right this moment actually, she's hanging out on one of her favorite spots: her changing pad, chatting to her daddy and kicking. What a doll.

I told Dave (my missionary brother) this in a letter the other day: I kind of had a mini-revelation a couple of weeks ago. Jori was crying and crying while I was at my parents house alone doing laundry, and I was very frazzled. But I thought of that scripture in 1st Nephi thats something along the lines of "For the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them to accomplish the thing which he hath commandeth them."

I've heard this several times before, but I also realized something in that statement. Perhaps others parents COULDN'T handle Jori. She came to us on purpose: it wasn't a chance thing that she became ours. The Lord knew exactly what He was doing. And He loves her even more than I do. He wouldn't have sent her to Sam and I if we weren't capable of being patient enough to love her the way she deserves-maybe some don't have the potential we do. But Jori is counting on us and Heavenly Father is, too. It was a humbling thought, and I've been grateful for it since.

Just so you know though, since I haven't had the guts or tact to address someone about this: please don't comment on how fussy Jori is, like "man I'm glad I don't have a baby like yours" or anything along those lines. It's discouraging: we're doing our best, and she doesn't mean to cry so much. Commenting on it doesn't do anyone any good, except perhaps amuse the comment-maker. Please don't. Ok? Ok. :)