Growing up Gilbert

I have to say, out of all the incredible things I love about our Church, there is one thing I've always been really impressed with. The Prophets, Apostles, and members of the church are always so quick to recognize the importance of women. I can't tell you how many times I've been uplifted because of the things our leaders have said about our potential and significance as women. As I've become a mother, I've found that to be just as true. I've had a bit of a difficult time since having Arya. Being a stay at home mom is hard. Yes, it's sometimes hard to do the things a mom has to do, but that's not what I mean when I say being a stay at home mom is hard. What's really difficult is looking at the rest of the world, the accomplishments of everyone out there, and thinking "What am I really doing?". Sometimes, it does get to me that my friends have all graduated. That they have careers, money, leisure time. Sometimes I think "Should that be...

So I woke up this morning and realized that my baby girl was 6 months old. Woah, 6 months? I mean, really? It's incredible how life passes you by so quickly, and having a baby really puts all of that into perspective. It's been so long since I've written, and boy do I miss writing. I love being able to chronicle these times in our lives, I just have too much going on in real life to come and write it down in my virtual one! We've finally moved into our new home, and it feels like we've been here forever (in a good way!). We've made this house home, and I don't ever want to leave! That said- we'll be leaving soon, ha. Ryan starts applying to medical schools NEXT MONTH! As happy as I am with where we are now, I can't wait to start this next chapter in our lives. I hope that as Ryan starts applying you will keep us in your prayers. Not only to get into a school, but to choose the right one! So, if there are any current or former med students out there ...

What a week! Ryan is finally on summer vacation, and instead of relaxing, we've been constantly on the go. We've decided to move back to Douglas, and it's been hectic around our house! But, when we finally get moved into our new home, I know it will all be worth it. (Right?) Arya is growing so much every day. She is so alert, and loves to watch everything around her. We started real food a few weeks ago. I used to see pictures of kids with food all over their faces and wondered if their parents were throwing the food at them instead of feeding it to them. But, now I understand that when you are trying to feed someone who doesn't want to sit still for more than 30 seconds, lunchtime tends to get a little messy. Ryan took his MCAT's a few weeks ago. Thank goodness that stress is out of the way. He gets his scores in 5 days (eek!). I am very excited and very proud, I know he did well! This weekend I'm attending a friends wedding. I was thinking today about how she ...

Wow- it's amazing how time flies by. I literally feel like I just brought Arya home from the hospital yesterday. Who is this 3 month old I have living with me?! I can't believe the things that she can do now. She is talking (of course, not real words!), loves to be on her stomach, she has started trying her hardest to scoot across the floor(even though she isn't making it anywhere yet), she is squealing, laughing the most wonderful laughs, smiling all the time, rolling from her back to her stomach and then to her back again.... when did all this happen?! I know if you're like me it annoys the crap out of you when people say things like, "They grow up so fast!" but man, those people are right!! I'm glad that I get to stay home with Arya. I'm so glad that I get to see every single thing that she does for the very first time. I was there the first time she smiled, the first time she laughed, the first time she rolled over, the first time she tried her har...

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What a wonderful life a mother leads! I can't believe how great it is to wake up every morning with my husband and daughter sleeping beside me. Family truly is the greatest gift we can be given. There isn't much new in the Gilbert household. Arya is growing so quickly. She is already out of her newborn clothes and diapers (tear!). She is finally starting to coo (LOVE IT!). She still holds her head up amazingly well. She is rolling over very well from her stomach to her back, and is trying her hardest to roll over from her back to her stomach, though she hasn't quite managed it yet. She gives us that beautiful smile at least a few times a day, and Ryan and I swear she started trying to laugh this weekend. She is seven weeks old today. Someone please tell me how to make time slow down! I feel like I'm going to wake up tomorrow and she will be 15! We had a great time this weekend with all of our family and friends. We miss everyone so much. It's so great to let Arya sp...

So, for all you new mothers out there, there is a fantastic new product called the Belly Bandit! I don't know if you guys have heard about it- but I'm dying for one. There is also this equally fantastic online store- bestbabyorganics.com. Completely organic products for pregnant moms, new moms and babies. They are (fortunately) having a giveaway for their organic belly bandit. Love it! Here's hoping I can snag one!