Marathon Post

So, there have been times in the past that I haven't posted anything because I didn't feel like that much had happened... That hasn't been the case over the past week. There are so many things that have been going on that deserve individual posts, but I'm afraid that I won't get to them all unless I do it at the same time... so get ready for a marathon post!

Shelton's sister Camila and her husband Jimmy both graduated last week... Congrats to both of them! They are off to Dental School in Oklahoma, and will be sorely missed.
We celebrated the big event at Chef's Table... so delicious!
My mom was nice enough to babysit for us, and Shelton and I were able to enjoy a much needed break.


We blessed our sweet Mia also on the Saturday after graduation- what a great experience! I can remember back to when I was a little girl and how I would think about the future... it was always a goal of mine to marry a man who would be worthy to bless our children... Thank you Shelton for fulfilling that dream!

Our little family.

Both of the Grandma's.

Mia isn't quite as fond of the dress as I am.
Grandpa and Grandma Knudsen. Can you imagine the lack of attention this little girl suffers from? :)

I wasn't thinking and scheduled the blessing during Mia's nap time.


While all of the family was in town, we had a little bit of a party at my sister Wendy's house.

We're playing an intense game of nine-card Golf.

Mia feels so comfortable with her cousin Eric that she up and fell asleep on him during the party.
Finally, after everything was said and done, Mia and Shelton were able to get some much needed R & R!
In closing, thank you so much to everyone who made it out here for the blessing. We love you all!

Just the Girls

Today my nieces Becca(barely 6) and Jasmine(2&1/2) came over to play while their older brothers and parents did some "boy stuff" (lazer tag). They did their very best to be helpful... for instance, when I was changing Mia's diaper, I asked Jazzy to bring me one of the diapers that she was sitting right by, and she promptly went to the other side of the room and got me one out of the garbage can. The girls really wanted to do "just girl stuff" so we also painted toenails and fingernails while they were here. What a fun afternoon!

Becca is really into "the colors that make my toes shine"

For the longest time when I was pregnant Jazzy would always want to look up (or down) my shirt to see my baby. She's glad Mia's finally here.










Mia isn't quite sure what to think.














Jazzy snuck into Mia's swing when I wasn't watching.

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Geneology - Family photos

Top Five

The top five things that have been making my life better lately:

1: Mia's new secret weapon
We've had some good nights and some less-great nights as far as Mia and sleep are concerned. (More good than less-good as of late, thankfully). Last night was one of the less good nights, and this morning at about 6:30 Mia woke up after about a thirty minute snooze, and let me tell you, I was not a happy little camper. It was just starting to be light enough outside that I could make out my surroundings, and I looked down at our little sweetheart in a moment of frustration, and she did it. She let loose the secret weapon. Without warning, her face lit up in the biggest grin that you've ever seen on such a little face. When things like that happen, you seem to forget just about everything else besides how much you love your little girl.

I kind of missed the moment, but you get the idea. No, she doesn't usually sleep in just a diaper, but at about three changes after midnight, I lost my motivation to put on another onesie.
Did I mention that I gave in and finally painted Mia's toes? I figured that I had to paint them now before she starts putting them in her mouth.

2:Brinner
Brinner is breakfast for dinner. I love breakfast foods, but am often a little bit too much of a slacker to make big breakfasts in the morning unless Shelton is: A, home later than 8am, or B, here to help me. So, Brinner. Problem solved. (Also, strawberries are on sale this week at our local grocery store, and that makes Brinner just that much more appealing).

Shelton and John displaying their various waffle creations. Notice how John likes a little waffle and strawberry syrup with his butter.

Shelton got up to get some more milk or something as we were eating when I heard, "Um, babe, did you mean to close this?" I guess I was in a hurry to get to Brinner. When this was taken, Shelton had already tried to fix my mess and close it, but man, waffles just don't turn out as well when you close the lid half-way through.John and Mia bonding after Brinner.

3: Finals Week

It seems that finals week wouldn't be something that most people might be happy about, but I am for several reasons. First off, I have already graduated. I DON'T HAVE TO TAKE finals. Phew. Finals week also means that it is almost the end of the semester, and that summer is just around the corner. And that means that Mia and I will get to see more of our daddy/husband. If we can just get through May 10th (Shelton's taking the MCAT) then we're home free.

4:WARM WEATHER!
Anyone reading this who knows me well at all will know how much I absolutely HATE being cold. It's so much easy to be happy when it is warm outside!

The stroller is the "Jeep" brand, and Shelton likes to take her offroading. Usually in the grass.

5:Help with Mia
I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate help taking care of Mia. I love her, love her, love her, but sometimes I need a break. This past week, Shelton and I finally were able to spend some time together when we left Mia for the first time in the capable hands of Shelton's sister Camila and her husband Jimmy.

Camila, Mia, and Jimmy. Incidentally, this picture wasn't taken on the night that they babysat for us (I wasn't there, so I didn't take any pictures). This was another great night. If you'll notice, there is an old-school nintendo controller in Jimmy's hand. We played Donkey-Kong Country for longer than it is anybody's business to know.

Mia is proud to be the recipient of Jimmy's (drumroll please) very first diaper change. He did great. (Look closely at both of their priceless facial expressions).

Well, that's about all for now. Enjoy!

Mama's, don't let your babies grow up to be Cowboys....

The days and weeks just seem to be flying by. I can't believe that Mia is 5 weeks old. Would you believe me if I told you that it seems like it was just yesterday that I was bumping into things with my pregnant belly, but at the same time it seems like she has been with us forever? I have always known that I wanted children, but I can't even tell you how "right" it feels to have her in our little family.

Speaking of family, this past Sunday Shelton and I (and Mia too, but I'm not too sure that she gleaned much) were able to watch conference, and I think that some of the talks on the family were just for me. (If you haven't seen it, try out this website: http://www.lds.org/conference/apr2008/archive/0,21321,8053-1,00.html) I don't mean to get up on my soap box, but I really feel blessed that Heavenly Father felt so inclined to communicate to me what I needed to hear the most.

As always, I should probably get a move on and hurry to finish before our little Mia-girl wakes up. Here are a few of the pictures from the last couple days.


I think that I purchased these boots when I was 16, and have been saving them in my hope chest ever since. No, I did not have a little girl then, and no, I was not married then, nor did I even know my husband-to-be yet, but yes, I did fall in love with them and yes, I did buy them in the hopes that I would SOMEDAY get married, and SOMEDAY have a sweet little girl. Looks like I got lucky on this one.
Shelton's grandparents recently returned from their mission to California (we are so proud of you!) and this past Sunday came to meet the newest Knudsen edition. Great Grandpa Dan must know what he is doing because she sat still (and happy) longer for him than she does even for me most of the time!

She still doesn't like dress-up quite as much as I do. To be fair, she really only got upset once I started taking pictures this time.

Mia tries so hard sometimes to stay awake, but her efforts are most often futile.