15 Months

Emily is the joy of our home, never leaving a dull moment.  She grows each day in so many ways.  Here a few highlights of the month:

• Emily loved Thanksgiving Dinner with Nelson and me.  Her favorite part seemed to be the stuffing and turkey.  Yummy!
• After great anticipation, Emily loved exploring the St. George Children's Museum.  We have had the opportunity to visit a few times, always coming away with a fun meter filled.
• Emily loved having Aunt Sissa visit for a few days.  She is a great playmate, always ready to engage in some fun and silliness.  We were glad she could even stay an extra day with a record breaking snowfall and no snowplows.
• Investigating through dumping and emptying is Emily's favorite past-time.  My part of the game is to clean it up so it can be dumped and emptied again.  Sometimes Emily is faster than I can put things back.
• Emily loves to pretend to type on the computer and talk on the phone.  She is a great secretary!
• Books are another of Emily's favorite things to do.  She is often caught in corners reading books upside down and right-side up to herself and any who will listen.
• Despite the cold weather this past month, Emily still loves to go outside.  Our neighbors know we are daily regulars and love to wave as we walk by.
• Emily discovered Christmas decorations and presents during the season of joy.  She was great a redecorating the tree and managed to only break one ornament.
• Shoes and clothes are so fun for Emily to pretend to put on.  However, she doesn't like to stop playing long enough for someone to actually help her get dressed.

Getting Dressed

Emily is discovering ways to pretend.  I love watching her try to be "grown up" to dress herself, comb her hair, play on the computer, and even drive.  Emily often gets frustrated if she can't do something.  She is a determined little girl - a great quality to have.  Today, I caught Emily trying to get herself dressed.  She was pulling her clothes out of her drawer and then trying to put them on.  I love it when she lifts her leg to put her socks on.  It always makes me giggle!  When it comes down to me getting her dressed, she can be very vocal that she doesn't want to.  Maybe it is a complaint that she has to be little a while longer (thank goodness for mom) to have someone help her get dressed.  I am glad my Tink is still "little."

 

 

Library Shelver

Emily has found a new job at the library.  She is training to be a library shelver.  Each time we visit the library she pushed her stroller around, placing books inside the back storage pocket, and then shelving them somewhere at random in the library.  Good thing they have shelving racks for those who are really trained to help sort out Emily's efforts to help! 

Discovering Christmas

Christmas brings new decorations - or toys - for Emily to play with.  She loves rearranging the decorations on the tree, singing Christmas carols, and peeking at the presents under the tree.  We are fortunate that she has only broken one ball so far.  I am excited to see her open presents and enjoy the paper and boxes. 

 

Sissa Visits

Sissa came to visit for a few days!!  Emily loved playing with Sissa - reading books, emptying closets, pretending to ride in a "Tub Cadillac," and shopping for Christmas.  Although we were housebound for most of Sissa's trip, we loved every minute of our individual time with her.  Hopefully our cold weather didn't scare her or anyone away for visiting again soon!

1st Snow Storm

 

When we moved here from Arizona we believed we had found the perfect climate - not too hot (Phoenix, AZ) and not too cold (SLC, UT).  We were grateful to be in a place that enjoyed the 4 seasons, but without snow that would stay more than a day - at least we thought. 

Come December 3rd we found ourselves in St. George's history for the making.  On this day, St. George got 1 inch of snow - not record breaking by any means, but a beginning to what was coming.  Emily and I enjoyed seeing it fall, making a miniature snowman, and going for a walk in the brisk air. 

Nelson had to go to a training up in Salt Lake.  We were grateful for his safe arrival even if it took 8 hours!  Sissa brought him home to St. George on Thursday, December 5th.  We were excited to spend some time with Sissa.  What we didn't know was most of our time would be house bound due to weather.

The temperatures became really cold and stayed that way for many days.  On Saturday, December 7th we woke up to falling snow.  It kept coming down, cancelling our field trip adventures for the day.  We spent time playing with Emily, watching Christmas movies from the library, and playing games.  Finally, the snow let up around 9 pm after we got home from the Ward Christmas Party.

Making history, 6 inches of powder snow had fallen in St. George in one day!  With few snow plows in the city, everywhere seemed to shut down.  Due to the weather church was even cancelled.  News reports indicated that in the 75 years of weather history, only 14 times has there been a record of 1 inch or more of snow.  In one week, St. George had two recorded dates of snow.  Wow!!  We were glad to have Sissa around to help entertain Emily and ourselves. 

A week after the storm, the snow is still around, but beginning to melt.  We were glad for the beautiful snow, but are grateful it isn't a usual occurrence - or at least we hope!

The Boss

This picture emulates who is in charge at our house - Emily!  She loves to play on the computer and pretend to type and move the mouse.  Most of all she loves to sit in the chair all by herself, expressing her roll as "the boss."

Thanksgiving 2013

Thanksgiving weekend was a wonderful day filled with family and fun.  We enjoyed sometime playing with Emily together, going for walks, visiting the St. George's Children's Museum, exploring the library, and eating a Thanksgiving feast together.  It was a special weekend just the 3 of us!

Shoes

Emily loves to go outside for walks, rides in the car, or play on the grass.  If the front door is open, she is sure to find a way to escape!  Emily knows that we put our shoes on before we go outside.  Whenever she finds her shoes in her bag or on the floor, she tries to put them on herself saying, "Shoe" or "side."  She is a smart cookie!!

14 Months

It seems I just wrote Emily's 13 month update, when it is time to post the next month.  Time is going to fast and my Little Tink is growing up.  

• Emily's car seat now faces forward.  She loves to look out the window!  Emily will sit up straight and tall to peer over the dashboard.  We are glad she has grown to like car rides!
• "Vroom!"  Emily is learning to push her car around and loves to take a ride on top while we push behind.
• A girl with my heart, Emily loves to be outside.  She understands when I say, "Do you want to go outside?"  Emily will get her shoes out of her diaper bag and attempt to put them on.  If I leave her shoes out, she will try to put them on while saying, "Side."  We are glad to live in a place where we can go outside often.
• Emily does not like to get dressed.  She would prefer to wear her birthday suite all day.  A little "Old MacDonald" song will convince her to stay still long enough to get dressed.  The only thing she doesn't fight to wear is her shoes and jacket because that means we are going outside.
• Emily loves doggies.  We met some friends with a dog that Emily loved to play with.  She now says, "Doggie."  Once when I asked her what a doggie says, she said, "Whoof!"
• I definitely have job security as the clean up crew with Emily.  She loves to leave a messy mark wherever she goes! 
• Emily gives the best kisses!  She puckers her lips and says, "MMa!"
• Aunt Jennie, Uncle Russ, Isabel, and Haydn were some fun visitors for Emily to play with this month.
• After long anticipation, Emily was able to visit the St. George Children's Museum.  She loves to fill and empty the pretend grocery cart - just like the real ones.
• I believe Emily is aware of the camera, but has no desire to sit still for long - as can be seen in the pictures above.

Nice List

Emily is on the nice list!!!  She is the cutest elf in her new jammies!  I know Santa will bring her lots of goodies!

St. George Children's Museum

Since moving here, we have been anticipating the opening of the St. George Children's Museum.  The day finally came.  Hooray!  It was a drippy, raining day, so I thought for sure it would be crowded.  We were pleasantly surprised to arrive at 10 am - right when it opened - to a only moderately full museum.  Emily loved investigating all the different rooms: farm, grocery store, kitchen, bank, mechanic, castle, rock quarry, and bubble room.  I think she loved the grocery store the best!  She was content to stay in there, but I was curious to explore the rest of the museum.  The neatest thing about the St. George Children's Museum is it is free!!  It was built and is run by volunteers.  We are grateful to have an indoor playground for rainy days and hot summer days!

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

Our investigator Emily can find trouble anywhere with a new point of view in standing.  It is sure fun to see her explore the world, even if it means a little trouble.

Pot Licker

Growing up my parents and siblings would share silly stories about the nickname "Pot Licker!"  I had a general idea of what that was, but for sure understand the meaning and giggles that come with it.  Emily loves to play in the bathroom.  She will empty and fill the cupboards and drawers, repeatedly.  Lately I also find her standing by the toilet - "pot licker!"  I am grateful we keep the lid closed, the bathroom clean, and that Emily hasn't discovered the toilet paper - yet!

Spoons & Suckers

Emily has tried to feed herself with a spoon a few times.  She is able to get a little in her mouth, but most of it ends up on her hands or face.  At one points, she gave up on the spoon and tried to eat the yogurt with her hands.  Messy!

Also after a visit to the bank the other day, Emily got a taste of her first sucker.  Yummy!

"See"

Emily loves to play peek-a-boo, especially when folding laundry.  During my attempt to keep the laundry folded and Emily entertained, I will throw a dish towel over her head asking, "Where's Emily?"  She will then pull the towel off and say, "See."  I either giggle, "I see you!" or "Peek-a-boo!" 

The other day, I caught Emily entertaining herself with her jacket I had left out after a walk.  She would throw it on her head, exclaiming, "See!"  Emily would then pull the jacket off and laugh.  Silly girl!

A Bit Colder

The weather here is getting a bit colder, especially in the morning when Emily likes to take a walk.  My sweet mom has kept many of mine and my siblings treasures from our childhood, including toys and clothes.  She kept a coat and brought it down to us on one of her visits.  Emily looks so cute in it, nice and warm all bundled up.  I can't help but laugh that she can't put her arms down.  Oh well, she still loves the ride all warm and bundled.

 

Stand Up Comedian

Emily is a "stand up" comedian these days.  She has discovered the fun of exploring while standing up to everything: tables, chairs, the dishwasher, toilet, drawers, couch, toy car, stroller, and bookshelf.  When Emily gets to a standing position, she squeals with delight and has so much to say.  We love watching her gain confidence to explore more!

Vroom!

 

Emily has discovered new ways to push her little car around.  Sometimes she pushes it from the back and other times from the side.  No matter if it is the right way, as it is "Emily's way!"  She is sure cute to watch wheel the car around and buzz her lips together saying, "Vroom!"  The other day I caught her stacking books on the seat to take around the room.  So clever!

Tummy Sleepy Bug

Emily is a cute little sleepy bug.  Often when I check on her, she is curled tightly on her tummy, with her knees against her chest.  I love how she crawls around her crib when she wakes up and plays with her binkies.  I often hear her playing for some time before she is ready for us to get her.  She is sweet as can be!

Halloween 2013

Halloween was a "spooktacular" day!  Nelson dressed up for work & kept his costume on while we went trick-or-treating.  I stole Emily's cat ears that she didn't wear (see the pictures below).  So together we were Waldo, pumpkin, & kitty cat.  We went trick-or-treating in a nearby neighborhood where many of our ward members live.  Emily loved the walk in the warm sunshine and seeing friends around.  She wasn't quite aware of the treats, but that will come soon enough.

 

Carving Pumpkins

Our pumpkins have decorated our family room since our visit to the pumpkin patch.  For FHE, we gutted & carved them.  I couldn't help but think of many memories of carving a pumpkin with my siblings and my dad.  My dad was usually in charge as my mom had already carved multiple pumpkins with her kindergartners.  I can still see my dad's hands cleaning the pumpkin out and separating the seeds for a sweet treat.  I am excited to share and make pumpkin carving memories with my family.

13 Months

As my Great-Grandpa Owens would say, Emily has begun her "2 year of life."  Like every month, there have been fun and anticipated milestones to celebrate.

• Emily has sit scoot crawled since about 9-10 months, but this month she took off with the traditional all 4's crawl.  After her sweet cousin Ellie came to visit, she seemed to figure it out.  I guess she just needed a little person to show her the trick than "old" mom!
• Emily has enjoyed lots of visitors this month: Uncle Jeff, Aunt Amber, Will, Ellie, Grandpa & Nana, Aunt Sissa, and even "GG" (Double G - Great-Grandma White).
• Music is Emily's language!  She hums, babbles, drums her lips, claps, and sings "EIEIO."  Emily loves to sing with you.  She will clap her hands to "If You're Happy & You Know It" and "I'm Bringing Home my Baby Bumble Bee."  Most of the time she is a performer.
• Emily also loves to dance.  If her mouth isn't singing, her feet are dancing on the floor!
• It seems over night, Emily's hair grows!  She has her daddy's fast growing hair gene.
• Emily loves to play with her friends Avery & Brinley.  They come to play and she will go to their house while I tutor.
• Independence seems to be Emily's middle name.  She loves to do things HERSELF from eating, sleeping, and playing.
• Emily loves to empty things out and is now found the joy of putting things back.
• Emily loves to play with her kitchen, car, and little people.
• Our books are well-worn because of our daily reader.  Good thing we had extra packaging tape to keep them together still.

Nana Stops in for a Visit

Nana, Great Grandma White ("GG"), and Aunt Charolette came for a visit twice this past week on their way to and from Arizona to visit my Aunt Vera.  It was so much fun to spend a little time with them and let Nana see Emily's new tricks.  Emily was a little shy at first, but began to warm up just as it was time for them to leave.  We love having visitors!!

My Little Maid

Although Emily doesn't like for you to wash her hands or face, she loves to play with wipes.  She will throw the wipe in the air and laugh as it dances to the ground.  Other times Emily wads the wipe up and then puts it on the table or floor to only then pick it up again.  She is a great Little Maid.

Empty & Full

One of Emily's new favorite games is "Empty & Full."  She will empty a container by shaking it, and then fill it back up.  Before now, she loved to just unpack everything.  Emily has now figured out the fun and learning in seeing how to put it all back together.  I love watching her eyes wonder while working out the "problem."  She is a great problem solver!

Sleep Training

Last week we began some sleep training with Emily so that she would learn to go to sleep herself and sleep through the night.  I was so nervous to let her cry, but knew that this was going to be the best way to help her learn.  After getting some advice from my sister Jennie, I committed myself to keep outside of her room even if she cried for some time. 

On the first night, Emily cried a good 25-30 minutes.  She was definitely letting us know she didn't like the new plan.  All of the sudden, Emily became really quiet.  Throughout the 25 minutes I just sat outside her door listening, wanting so much to hold her.  Yet, I knew it would be more helpful to her if I stayed outside.  I couldn't help but think that this experience may be similar to how Heavenly Father feels sometimes when we pray or plead for help without getting an answer.  I believe He is always right "outside," ready to help.  However, Heavenly Father doesn't necessarily answer directly because He knows how important this particular lesson is for us to grow upon. 

You know what, Emily has grown in the past week.  After our bedtime routine, I kiss her good night, give her a binkie, and say "I love you!" before walking away.  Most often she doesn't cry.  I am so proud of Emily.  Even though I am not there to rock her to sleep, I hope my love surrounds her through the night.  Sweet dreams Emily.

One morning I found Emily's little hand on the railing, appearing to "hold on"

Silly Playing

Emily is a spark of spontaneity and wit that shines in our home.  These are a few moments over the past few weeks of silly playful moments.

 

 

I gave Emily a carrot while I was cooking dinner.  She would suck on it like a binky while crawling around.  I couldn't capture that moment with the camera, but I did get her to smile at me.

 

Emily loves to pretend to talk on the phone.  In addition to play phones, Emily imagines many things to be phones including, her hand and a comb.  She is cute to say "Hi" and then babble before saying "Bye" and putting the phone down.

 

Emily loves to play with books!  Whenever it is quiet I know she is reading her books or into something like . . .

hiding under the table and emptying her diaper bag.  Under the table is her new favorite hiding place.

Fall Walks

We have anticipated cooler weather for months!  Until recently we had not had a day with a high temperature less than 90 degrees since March.  We were so looking forward to cooler weather to play outside in and signs of fall -my favorite season.  In Arizona there were some trees that lost their leaves, but that usually happened in December or January.  As such I have been watching closely for signs off fall here in St. George.  It seems this week there are some distinct signs of fall: changing leaves, dew, and seeing condensation clouds when you breathe outside in the morning.  Emily and I love to go for walks in this cooler weather, but with that we need to wear some warmer clothes.  When Emily is all bundled up, Nelson calls it the "Emily burrito."  I have yet to find some gloves, so Emily sports some socks on her hands to keep them warm.  My family would think I was teaching her my tricks.  I used to wear socks on my hands to bed with medicine on them to treat my eczema.  She is sure cute with her socks and ears on her hat.  I cannot help but giggle.

 

My New Ride

Aunt Sissa, Aunt Jamie, and Aunt Heidi gave Emily this fun little car for her birthday.  She loves to play "catch" with the balls and drive around.  Emily's legs are not quite long enough, so I will push her around the kitchen and family room.  She is so cute to follow my lead and say, "Varoom, Varoom!"

Sneaking a Treat

Today while in line at the grocery store, Emily grabbed a treat from the stand without me knowing.  She is infamous for reaching out her little hands in the store and library to "help" add to our bag or basket.  I thought she was pretty cute with the M&Ms in her mouth.  We didn't buy the M&Ms, but we did get some Teddy Grahams.  Yum!

Sleeping with Monkey

When I was a little girl, I would sleep with my monkey, Charlie.  The tradition of my monkey is rooted in my Grandpa White.  He had a monkey, Charlie Sr., that I loved.  I asked Santa for one when I was about 6-7 years old.  Santa worked hard to find one just like my Grandpa's, and he did!!  I loved Charlie, especially that it was like Grandpa's.  He was my protector and comforter throughout the night.  Charlie now shows signs of being well loved.  Funny thing, Emily has grown to love my old monkey, Katie, who we know call "Key" as Emily has named her so.  She loves to give her hugs and kisses.  One day she was pulling my hair while rocking her to sleep.  I thought to give her "Key" so that she would have something else to pull ;).  One "Key" was in her arms, she feel fast asleep.

Stairs

Guess who found the stairs!?!  Emily has really taken off with crawling over the past week.  She loves exploring and getting into EVERYTHING!  Today, she found the stairs.  As I went over to find her there, I clapped and said, "Yeah!"  Nelson and I have tried to teach her to clap many times, and today it clicked.  She clapped in response.  Wow!  Two milestones today!  I love watching Emily explore and learn.

 

 

 

Pumpkin Patch

For our Saturday adventure we decided to try something new other than the usual library, which we love!  Today our adventure was to the Staheli Family Farm.  This is a quaint farm with some old fashion fun: tractor rides, petting zoo, pumpkin patch, corn maze, and farm games.  We had a great time finding our own pumpkins and playing at the farm.

Birthday Visitors

 

Nana, Papa, and Sissa came down for a quick visit to see Emily for her birthday.  They were "Santa's Sleigh" in delivering many packages for Emily from family up north.  She got some new clothes, car walker, picnic basket, and shoes!  What a loved little girl!

Emily was so excited to have family here to laugh and play with.  We enjoyed time playing games, going for walks, and visiting Zion National Park. Emily especially loved the sweet ice cream treat in Zion's.  I was hoping to see more fall colors, but know they will be coming soon!

 

One Year Ago

Throughout the past week I cannot help but reflect on the happenings of a year ago.  Emily's spirit has been with us as long as I can remember.  Even before we knew she was joining our family, I could feel her spirit and recognize it more as she displays her joyful, determined personality.  I can remember feeling she would be coming soon last year, but not sure when.  Her birth story has replayed in my mind frequently the past few days.  Although many details, big and small, come to mind, I remember vividly the moment my sweet Tink was placed in my arms for the first time.  

It isn't the "best picture" of me (sweaty & tired from labor), but it is one of the sweetest.  I cannot help but travel back in time to that moment.  My words in that blog caught a glimpse of some of the feelings I felt:

"For months, I had dreamed and wondered what it would be like to see her for the first time.  I was worried they wouldn’t let me hold her for a while, but that was the first place they put her – in my arms.  Witnessing her arrival was a miracle.  As I saw her for the first time in my arms and heard her cry, it seemed heaven and earth connected.  I felt not only her sweet spirit enter the room, but guardian angels.  They seemed to swoop down around her and me – a touch of pixie dust.  I think they were showing her the way to earth’s Neverland adventure."  

As I rock my baby girl to sleep, I often see a flashback of seeing her for the first time.  I am brought to tears of gratitude as I rock Emily knowing that I am privileged to be her mommy.  This great calling has opened my mind and heart to understand a glimmer of the meaning of God's love for me.  It is incredible to think of the greatness of His infinite love.  I am so grateful to be a mommy!

12 Months - 1 Year

It is hard to believe Emily is 1 years old!  In some regards it feels like just yesterday she was born, and in other ways I cannot remember when she wasn't here!  I believe Emily's spirit has been with me for a long time to comfort and strengthen in challenging times.

As with previous months, Emily seems to grow and change so quickly.  Her trick bag is expanding to be a more independent toddler.  Here are some highlights of Emily this past month:

• Emily loves to do things herself.  She would prefer to feed herself than have you put anything in her mouth.  I believe she likes to investigate all aspects of what she is eating: taste, touch, smell, etc.
• Although she loves to do things herself, Emily is still a snuggler!  She will often lay on my legs or against my shoulder.  I treasure these moments!
• Hugs and kisses are sweet treats Emily's gives.  She opens her mouth wide to give kisses and pats your back for a hug.  She is practicing blowing kisses.
• Emily went to Sea World this past month.  She loved watching the animals and playing with cousins.
• "Hi" with a wave is a cute welcome Emily gives to everyone that passes her by.  She is particularly good to share it with children.
• Emily also waves and says, "Bye!"  In fact, whenever I even just pick up my keys she gets the signal to wave bye.
• Some of the other words Emily says are, "Mama," "Dada," and "Tet it" - (Get it)
• Scoots and shuffles in the name and game of Emily's crawling.  She has been doing a "sitting" crawl for sometime, rotating her legs back and forth.  This past week she has discovered the traditional crawl, but has not yet given up her "sitting shuffle."
• When Emily doesn't like a certain food she spits it out quite definitely!  Daddy sure thinks it is funny.
• Emily loves to open & close drawers, cupboards, and closets.  
• Peek-a-boo is a fun game to play with Emily.
• Emily loves opening presents, eating cake, and spending time with family on her birthday.
   

Emptying the Cabinet Game

Emily's favorite game these days is opening the DVD cabinet and emptying it ALL out.  The next part of the game is for me to put it all back, while Emily tries to keep everything out!  There is a coordinating song Emily sings throughout the whole game, but I have yet to figure out the tune - bubbles, mmm, bubbles, pop!

San Diego Temple

Nelson, JoLynn, Lee, and I went to the San Diego Temple Wednesday morning.  We were hoping to make the 9:00 am session, but with traffic we barely missed it.  Instead we participated in initiatory.  What a beautiful temple it is - inside and outside!  I look forward to doing a full endowment session someday!