Thankful for Daughters

I am so grateful for daughters. And husbands, but especially daughters right now.

It's been a long week of homework, attempting to clean our apartment, find health insurance, and several other boring things. I usually don't mind cleaning so much, but when it has been a week and little to no progress has been made, then it gets annoying.

Through this week, Tenley has had a stuffy and drippy nose and a really sad cough. Yet somehow she has been smiling through it. She has almost seemed happier than usual (and she's usually pretty happy!) and has been an inspiration for me. I was feeling a bit sad earlier in the week and Tenley could tell completely. She looked at me with concern and then gave me the biggest smile and it just repaired my heart. I love this little girl who is so wonderfully happy and cheerful 98% of the time. She is a light in my life and every day. I am so glad that she is ours!

I'll try to blog more soon, I just really need to focus on school these next couple months!

Hope you all had a pleasant week. It's nice that the sun has been melting some of the snow here in Provo. It gives me some hope that spring will be here soon. 

Tenley's 4 Month Updates

Thanks for the encouragement I received yesterday! No, I didn't complete everything for that class in the last 24 hours, but I did manage to complete two full lessons which was a small miracle. I'm hoping to finish the last three lessons tomorrow and perhaps begin my essay on Sunday. Monday I intend to call BYU and ask about taking the final on the 3rd when Dalin and I get back from Christmas break! So that's progress, right??

Anyhow, I just love Tenley. How I got such a happy, chill, pretty baby is beyond me. I'm pretty sure she takes after her daddy, especially in personality. She's so calm and I just am SO grateful for her joyful spirit! Updates on her life:

• She is four months old as of the 12th! (I've lost track of how many weeks) Man, time has flown by. Whenever I look at her, I am still just amazed that: A) she came out of me, B) she's mine, and C) that she is getting rapidly closer to being half a year old! What the heck! Wasn't she just a newborn a week ago??
• She is just so perfectly happy almost all the time. She has her moments, but what girls don't? 
• We got Tenley's 4 month immunizations done today and she literally fussed for maybe five seconds. The two nurses were like, "Woah, she did really well!" I, on the other hand, was a nervous wreck until they were over. Mothers. Now she has three little bandaids on her thighs which I am not looking forward to removing. Although come to think of it, she didn't even notice when I peeled them off last time. And she was asleep. 
• She can get off her bouncer if I don't strap her in and if I let her cry for a few minutes. She just twists her tiny body until she's almost all the way on the floor. She's done it like three times, so I've finally decided I'd better strap her in from now on. 
• We went to a luncheon for a boy from Dalin's work today and sat with a few of his co-workers. While there, I nursed Tenley at the table under my cover and a co-worker's wife said, "Are you nursing her with no hands right now?" I looked down to see what she meant. I had a butter knife in one hand and a roll in the other. "I guess I am," I said. She was really impressed, which was funny but I just told her that I am always trying to get things done while feeding her and that that was pretty normal. She thought that was cool. I never really thought about it, but Tenley is a trooper. I was just balancing her on my crossed legs. Yet she never acted like she was uncomfortable. 
• She's back to going to bed easily. Last week we had a rough patch, but I'm pretty sure it was because I let her try mashed banana when she turned four months old. Since then, I've only given her graham cracker crumbs on two separate occasions, and a tiny, tiny bit of white rice from my dinner last night. She has been handling solids really well. If they weren't so messy (and didn't make changing diapers even less fun) then I'd probably give them to her more regularly. But probably for the next couple of months I'll just continue to give her samples. 
• She thinks I'm hilarious. I love that. It makes me feel so good. Especially when it's only the two of us, she just laughs and smiles at everything I say to her. She loves my silly faces and it is the best thing in the world when I look at her and see that she's been smiling at me even without my noticing. Gahh! Motherhood is so awesome!!!!!
• She adores her dad. When she's mad at her mama, daddy can always calm her down. The two of them just love napping and rocking together. And it cracks me up every time I look over at the two of them rocking and Tenley is just staring at Dalin's laptop screen with one eyebrow raised as if she's processing what she's seeing. They have such a sweet relationship. I'm so glad she knows and loves her dad!
• She loves showering. I haven't given her a bath since she was probably one month old because I've found showering to be so much easier. We both appreciate the skin to skin contact and Tenley always has a big smile on her face when I lift her above my head into the stream of water. I've been teaching her that counting to three means we're putting our faces in the water. I say, "Okay Tenley, one, two, THREE!" and duck her under. She has never had a problem with it! I'm hoping that helps when we start swim lessons.
• She definitely loves reading. I can tell because she'll be fussing and I'll get a book and she'll look right at it and listen while I read. She looks at the things I point out on the pages, especially in our Spanish First Words book. I am still not speaking as regularly as I'd like, but I definitely throw Spanglish sentences together on a regular basis so at least she'll have some exposure. 
• I sign the alphabet to her (ASL) every time we say it--English or Spanish. She watches my hands so I'm hoping it's making an impact. I also sign "more," "hungry," and "I love you" (especially the latter) to her all the time. I'm almost certain she understands the sign for "I love you" because I've started to sign it without saying it occasionally and she gives me the biggest smile when she sees it. I also put her tiny fingers in the position for it so she can get a feel for it and once I saw her little hand signing "I love you" as she waved! I'm sure it was a fluke, but I freaked out because it was just so awesome, even if it was only a mistake. Soon enough she'll be able to do it for real. 

That's all I can think of for now. But she's doing really well and I just love her so much. I'm filled with joy when I look at her. Having her around me all the time is like having a snuggly little best friend I can hold and kiss and cuddle and talk to always. She makes us so crazy happy! If I had known how great she would be, I would have wanted to have her sooner!

Here are some photos of her for your enjoyment: 

One of those rare bad days, I mentioned

And happy again.

We love our sweet fourth-month old girl and are so glad she's ours forever! 

Bragging: My Super Successful Week

I need to brag for a minute. Very rarely do I say this (in fact, I'm not sure I've ever actually said it...), but I am proud of myself this week. I got so much accomplished and it feels really good:

My mom and I cleaned the apartment, 

I had a much-needed teeth cleaning at the dentist (I promise I brush and floss!), 

We had our car serviced, washed, and cleaned (tire rotation, oil change, vacuumed, etc.), 

I got a doctor's appointment out of the way, 

I completed our Medicaid application, 

Tenley and I went to our first WIC appointment,
Drove through Nebo Loop and took family pictures,

I wrote an essay for English, 

I went to the temple with Dalin (which made me SO happy!),

& I spent time with my mom, husband, daughter, and brother and sister-in-law! 

I would say it's been a successful week! I'm pretty glad that it's over though...a lot of stressful things (and some fun) all combined into six days. Still, I think next year I will do the same and plan one get-everything-done week. None of it would have been possible without my mom being here though. I'm so grateful she was able to watch Tenley and motivate me to accomplish all that I was able to. I guess she'll just have to do the same next year, too! ;)

Have you ever taken a week and gotten a bunch of stressful things out of the way?
If not, you should try it!

Cleanliness = No More Excuses!

Nothing helps you get your house clean like having people over...so you can pretend it looks like that all the time instead of for five minutes. (This Pinterest e-card is so true.)

Anyway, as a result of this, I've gotten a surprising amount of things done in the last two days:

Our floor is vacuumed, the four trashes are emptied, the dishes are clean (I'm just waiting for them to dry so I can put them all away), the plants are watered, the laundry (and a LOT of it...) is washed, folded, and put away, my baby shower thank-you notes are written, the pantry is organized, the major surfaces are dusted, the couch blankets and pillows look nice, our bed is fairly well made (I sit on our bed a lot to feed Tenley and read and write in my journal though, so it's a little rumpled), the bathroom is decently clean, and most importantly, little Tenley is fed and taking a nap.

I'm feeling so relieved. I am not sure why feeling clean and organized makes me feel so comfortable and better able to relax but it does. The only problem I can think of is that I am out of excuses for why I can't work on my Independent Study class. Gulp. I hate it. Why did I select the English major again??? Oh yeah, because I love reading novels and Harry Potter and fiction. Not boring British literature from the 1500s...sigh...

Did you have second thoughts about your major from time to time??

Getting Our House In Order

Now that I'm a stay-at-home mom, I finally have time to clean! Sure it's a challenge with a newborn baby who is constantly making more laundry, but Tenley does mommy a favor and takes at least one long nap each day allowing me a chance to do a fast one or two-hour cleanup. 

Our apartment looks decent right now but I'll be the first to admit that these photos are a few weeks old. Still, I've somehow managed to keep all these areas looking the way they do in the photos at least. 

I started by cleaning out the junk. By that, I mean I went through our closets and boxes and gathered together anything that we have never used or no longer use and stuck it in a box for Deseret Industries. It was hard at first--I will admit that--but once I got started, I was on a roll and it got easier and easier to throw out the junk. Especially when I reminded myself of the consequences of becoming a hoarder (not that we are even remotely close, but still, you don't want to start down that path...) which I have seen firsthand. 

I organized our papers and records and stowed them away. 

I targeted our closet next because it was such a huge job and I wanted to get it over with. I found a new, more space-efficient way to fold clothes and organized all of them. And I really mean "all."

Our closet looks a zillion times better

My long-sleeved shirts (yes I have a full drawer...)

My jeans, pants, and skirts (this is kind of a temporary arrangement)

My t-shirts and tank tops 

Dalin's shirts--all filed away and easy to access

His pants, shorts, and sweaters

Our nursery...for now. It isn't that cute yet, but it's clean at least  

Tenley's books and things (she has way more now though) 

Her pack 'n play with the bassinet attachment and a picture of Jesus nearby

Her cure window sill--P.S. pay attention to the bird theme 

The shelves and desk in her room. Not perfect, but it's an organized clutter

I still need to reorganize the kitchen, pantry, and bathroom, but I feel like we are in good shape for now! I am looking forward to getting all areas of the apartment in tip-top shape so I won't stress about the many messes that develop daily.

As much as I love being clean, I hope I am not subconsciously making an excuse to procrastinate my online classes. Right now, I dread doing anything for them. But I have four months to complete three of them, and while that should be very possible, I've already blown eight months. But having a clean home is important, too, and I feel as though if I can get that done, I'll better be able to focus on my stinky schoolwork. (BTW, I've never been a slacker, but BYU online classes are HARD!! They are much harder than BYU-Idaho's online classes because with Independent Study, you are seriously on your own--I've tried contacting two of my professors with no luck. For eight months. I would say that's a significant problem, but so far I haven't received any help.)

Anyway, once I get the apartment clean, thank-you notes written and mailed, and schoolwork accomplished, I'd like to do an even more thorough cleaning of our home...I want to start couponing and basically become the best homemaker I can be since that is now my full-time job. It is not in my nature to do a job crappily. Either I do it well, or I don't do it all.

I will post more photos of my organization progress once I have made some...

What are you doing to get your house in order? Do you have any advice for me on how I can do something differently or better?

Hello again.

Hello friends that read my blog!

I hope you all knew that I did not get kidnapped or die, I've just been a little (or a lot) busy adjusting to life as a new mom! Can I just start by telling you that it has been glorious. I love everything about it so far. On Facebook, I've posted a zillion pictures of our precious girl already and everyone just adores her...almost as much as Dalin and I do. I have a ton to catch up with on here, but now that I am a full-time mommy and part-time student (who is a huge slacker by the way), I should optimistically have a little bit of time to do that. I would love to introduce you to our daughter, but I already have a separate post all about her. So if you enjoy reading/stalking my life (I'm just teasing about the stalking part...kind of), definitely "tune in" more often...I promise I will have several interesting things for you to read over the next several days!

And, like Rapunzel, when I promise something, I never ever break that promise. So hold me to it! 

Much love!

Self-Motivation...Not Super Effective

Umm, beautiful right? I love Provo in Springtime. It's the best time to be here.

Some days you just need to sleep in, relax, and enjoy a delicious pink Otter Pop.

Especially after hosting a humongous dance party that lasted until after midnight. I definitely enjoyed hosting those events in the past, but it has just gotten to the point where I am just done. I am pregnant, less balanced, and more tired. Yesterday's turnout was really great though. The dance was huge. I was really grateful for the help of the two new RA couple's at King Henry. They are awesome.

Dalin had to work today which is lame, but hopefully we will have all of tomorrow to be together. I am getting so excited for Mother's Day. I wish I had been able to do more for my own mother. I ordered her something kind of cool and unique on Etsy and had it sent to the house. She reads my blog, so obviously I can't talk about it anymore now, but I think it's cool and I wanted it for myself. The gift I got for my wonderful mother-in-law also came from Etsy. It's supposed to be here today...hopefully it is since Dalin's parents will be in town on Monday!!!!

Anyway, my mom sent me a package for Mother's Day and Dalin ordered something from Amazon so I am excited for tomorrow!

Now what I really ought to be doing....

• Reading some British literature for my Independent Study classes (which I kind of hate right now)
• Doing anything at all for Independent Study (which I stink at doing)
• Organizing the baby's room (believe it or not, there are still a few boxes that haven't been touched yet...)
• Taking a nap because I am simply exhausted and baby girl probably is, too. Though I'm not sure why she would be, other than the fact that she's a baby...she gets to ride around everywhere with me without any effort
• Getting the heck off the computer and actually doing something productive like serving someone else. The trouble is, I can barely keep my eyes open.

Well, wish me luck. If I accomplish any two of these things today I'll be proud of myself. 

Happy Saturday!

Endings and Beginnings

Sweet relief.

Fall semester is over! I am so incredibly relieved. Already I am somewhat dreading next semester, though I am looking forward to lots and lots of changes. I will be taking classes that focus on my English major and Dalin will be doing the same with Psychology. We both have just one religion course left.

This semester, my first at BYU, went well, though I cannot deny that I prefer BYU-Idaho immensely. There is just a very different Spirit on campus there. It is much less competitive and much more fun and interesting. Despite this, I did well for my first semester here in Provo. I received an "A" in English, Spanish, and Marriage & Family. I received an "A-" in my other English class (interestingly enough, the English class I greatly preferred), and a stinking B+ in my Doctrine & Covenants class which was probably my favorite class of the semester but graded very annoyingly. The class is based off of 6 grades:

3 quizzes ............ A+, A+, A
1 essay ............... 100
Midterm ............. B
Final ................... B

Somehow all that makes a B+ which seems kind of unfair considering I did so well on everything else in the class and attended every single class (and participated), though attendance and participation apparently play no role in determining the grade.

But I (somewhat unwillingly) digress. Christmas will be here in one week and that means a LOT of things need to be done! Like actually getting gifts for my family for example...

My mom leaves Wednesday (which I can hardly bear to think about right now...I'm pretending it's not happening) and I need to hurry and prepare Christmas gifts and make plans with Dalin since we'll be spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day alone (for the only time in our lives).

Work, school, and life are about to get significantly busier in the little Gunnell home.

But most of it, I am looking forward to ;)

Almost There

We are almost there...and by that I mean almost done with school for the semester, thank heavens. 

There are so many things I want to probably won't accomplish while on break, but I will be grateful for the free time and extra time to rest. I am exhausted. I feel like I am running on adrenaline basically all day at work. I end up being okay but I just can't wait to have time to sleep and read and paint!!!!

Plus, Dalin and I still need to do Christmas cards...we have some ideas in mind but they are top secret as of right now. Mainly because if you are reading this, chances are pretty good you will get one. 

Not the pictures we're using, just appropriately Christmasy

I just need to find a willing photographer and possibly some props for the shoot. 

Do you have any suggestions for cute Christmas pics for us? I am obsessed with some of the ones I have seen on Pinterest. And since we lamely did not send out cards last year, I think we are a little overdue. 

More later! Gotta study and ace a final real quick... ;)

Back to School

Well, today was my first day at BYU. 

I had two English classes, then work, then Spanish, and back to work to help close. 

Tomorrow I have two religion classes (D&C and LDS Marriage & Family), then work, then Spanish. 

I see a pattern in the making. 

Dalin's schedule was just as crazy. He also had several transitions between work and class. 

I have a feeling this is going to be one crazy semester. But it's only three months long. And I have Dalin who I know will help me to get through it. 

In other news, I received my associate's degree from BYU-Idaho in the mail today! It was really exciting. It reassured me that I am more than halfway there. The past two years really did fly by, and I sure hope that the next two will as well. I am so ready for the next part of our married life. 

Big smiles because I have my associate's degree! Thank you, BYU-Idaho! You will always be my favorite! 

I know school and learning are very important and that our knowledge is the one thing we can take with us in this life, but it can be so hard to remain motivated. My only suggestion to avoid back to school blues would be, think of the end goal. Gain a perspective of why you are doing the things you are doing. I remind myself that I ultimately want to be able to contribute to our family income by editing books from home so that I might also be a stay-at-home mom. Not only that, but I think of my children and how I want to be the ultimate example to them. I want to prove to them that hard work and perseverance pay off. 

Yes, that sounds cliché, and yes it probably is. But Dalin and I have the goal of an eternal family in mind and honestly, nothing is higher on our priority list. 

Thoughts and Thinking

Well life is currently wonderful and getting better.

I am loving my job as Office Assistant Manager at King Henry. I adore having my own desk to decorate and make cute. I take pride in keeping my workspace clean, cute, and organized. I have a painting of some poppies that I busted out one Sunday evening and a black and white picture of Dalin and I from our wedding day...

Dalin and I are very much enjoying married life. We argue and disagree like normal couples, but we are always forgiving and very lovey dovey afterwards. Mostly we fight about chores and making dinner. And driving too fast (me) or too slow (Dalin).

We love our little family but we are so looking forward to adding a little baby to it. I guess the popular term is "baby-crazy" which does not sound very flattering, but trust me, it describes almost every newlywed couple I know at BYU. (Is being married ten months plus still considered "newlywed"?)

Anyway for those who are curious, we are pretty set in our plans for the next two years. To describe them (briefly and barely) they include:

making some money (but then, who isn't doing this or trying to?)
growing closer as a couple
looking into dental schools
planning small trips and vacations (only what we can afford; we are still poor and our parents don't baby us anymore...okay well a little)
graduating from BYU (it feels like it's forever away, but we're past the halfway point!)
visiting our families (naturally)
and.............starting our family. 

So our plans are vague...at least to you, but we know what we're doing and are earnestly praying as a couple to know the things we should do. Now what you ought to do is sit back and trust us because I can promise you, we're not completely helpless.


A little more insight into our lives...

good habit: getting better at waking up and arriving on time. slowly but surely...


bad habit: getting to the point during a test where I stop caring about checking the answers and just submit the stupid thing, accepting that it probably wouldn't be much better whether I check it or not.

Well, the good thing about this is that I am on week 11 of 13 of the semester!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In two weeks, I will have earned my Associate's of Science in English! I just can't wait.


What do you think of our plans? We will love to hear your thoughts, but we'll probably do the same thing anyway. ;)