Lily Growing Up

Lily has really grown up over the past few weeks.  We ditched the binky the beginning of August.  I had tried taking them away in early summer, but it didn't work out.  Instead I cut the nipples off of her binkies and let her choose to give them up.  It was a rough day or two, but for the most part it wasn't as bad as I thought.  We are now down to one binky with a cut nipple that she likes to carry around like a baby.  I am hoping it gradually fades away. 

This silly Lily has also had a few occasions recently of no naps.  I was sort of expecting it with the binky gone, but am still hoping there are days she naps because honestly she needs it.  Without or without naps this "Silly Lily" keeps us on our toes with baby dolls, dress-ups, and walks to see the neighbor's dog Cooper.  I love the silly, saucy Lily.

Dress Ups

Emily and Lily love to play dress ups.  On Emily's birthday my sweet sister Jamie took the girls and I on an outing.  It was such a delight to spend time with her.  The girls loved singing, dancing, and playing with her - as did I.  Jamie was sweet to take us to lunch at Chick-fil-A and then shopping for some dress ups.  It has been hard to get them sometimes to take them off because they love them so much.  I love watching them dance and sing in them.  Thanks Jamie for making a princess dream come true.

Fantastic Four Emily

Emily has been looking forward to turning 4 for a while.  With Aunt Sissa they marked off all the family birthdays until it was her big day.  Once it was Sissa's birthday she knew her birthday was next - hooray!  On the morning of her birthday, I picked Emily up out of bed and began to sing "Happy Birthday" to her.  She smiled ear to ear.  Emily immediately asked for her presents and a "Nana Pancake" (cinnamon roll) to blow a candle out on.  We followed through with her requests.  Emily loved opening her new presents: Sofia the First magnetic dolls and a princess puzzle.  I was so grateful for the way she immediately found ways to share her new toys with Lily.

After a morning of fun playing with her new toys, we headed to Gardner Village to see the "Witches."  The girls loved the pumpkins, witches, and many Halloween decorations.  We enjoyed a cookie as a prize for finding all the witches at the end - Hooray!

Emily is sure growing up fast!  I am often mesmerized as I look at her pictures as a baby until now.  Oh how much she is changing into a bright little girl!  I am so lucky to be her mom.

Here are a few highlights about Emily:

• Emily loves being a big sister to Logan. Emily loves laying on the floor with Logan and giving him new toys.  She is so excited at the new things he does each day.  I love the gentle way she embraces him and kisses his forehead.  She does this without prompting each time he wakes up for the day or a nap.
• Emily's favorite playmate is Lily.  She enjoys imagining with her, playing princesses, reading books, and going on mischievous adventures.  Emily is good to watch out for Lily - a natural protector of her.
• Reading is still one of Emily's favorite past times. She loves getting new books from the library.  Every time we go to the library, Emily can be found reading the afternoon away.  She is great at retelling a story after hearing it one time.  If she hasn't heard the story, Emily is great at using the pictures to tell her own version of the story.
• Emily loves playing with her cousins.  She looks forward to Sunday dinners and get togethers because she knows cousins and Sissa will be there.
• Some of Emily's favorite toys are: magnetic princess dolls, anything princess, books, Barbies, and puzzles.
• Emily enjoys going on adventures to the park, the zoo, and the library.
• Some of Emily's favorite foods are: pasta, "red chicken" or spaghetti, cinnamon toast, cereal, goldfish, and yogurt.
• Emily is learning to recognize letters and numbers.  She is anxious to start preschool next year.
• As the big sister, Emily is a great help to me at home.  She loves to help me with projects during naptime.  I also appreciate the sincere, genuine care she gives to Logan and Lily.  She is often eager to help them without being asked. 

I love this Emily of mine who made me a momma for the first time.  She is so sweet and gentle.  I love her funny and cute expressions.  I love her sweet smile and goodnight kisses.  I am so glad she is mine!

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Emily's Adventures

Emily enjoyed a "Sissa Date" to Utah's Natural History Museum with Nana, Grandpa, Uncle Jeff, Aunt Amber, Ellie, and William.  She had a blast exploring rocks, dinosaurs, and bugs.  I was glad she could have a fun field trip with Sissa.

 Emily loves to make cookies!!!  She asks to make them a few times a week.  The funny thing is Emily thinks the job is done once the batter is made.  She likes to dump in the ingredients and snitch the dough.  I just like having a sweet baking partner!

 This week Emily started "Mommy School."  For about a half hour every day we work on some school skills: cutting, gluing, tracing, coloring, shapes, and numbers.  I love her excitement to learn and hope that spark never diminishes.  As a teacher I love watching students get a twinkle in their eyes as they capture a new idea.  It is even more exciting watching that twinkle in your own children.

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Park Playtime

With the temperatures in the 70s and 80s we can hardly stay inside!  This weather has been perfect for playing at the park, outside in the backyard, and rides bikes.  I love soaking in the sunshine and sweet giggles of my children playing together. 

Emily is getting to be quite brave at the park.  She loves to explore the entire park from climbing ropes, to riding slides, and attempting any jungle gym.  I love watching her confidence grow.  Emily loves to go to park favorites, but loves the thrill of a new park to explore.

Lily is also gaining confidence.  She loves to climb stairs and go down the slides by herself.  I especially love the way Lily likes to push Emily down the slide.  These two girls are really best of friends.

Logan is my "sideline" buddy.  He loves to watch the girls play and giggle.  As the girls play, Logan loves to lay on the blanket and gaze up at the trees while blowing raspberries.  I am so grateful for the simple, but great joy we find together while playing outside.

Sisters Make the Best of Friends

These sweet sisters love to play, dance, sing, eat popsicles, and explore together.  Besides naptime for Lily they are inseparable.  They fight sometimes, but really do get along pretty well.  Lily loves to mimic Emily.  On the other hand, Emily is really taking the role of "big sister" in striving to help Lily when she can (and wants to).  I love watching their friendship grow.  Sisters really make the best of friends.

Logan 5 Months

As our "Little Man" continues to grow his personality shines brighter each day.  Logan is sweet, loving, and silly.  He brings so much joy to the room with his smiles, giggles, and raspberries.  We all love watching him grow.

• Logan loves to blow raspberries, especially after waking up.  More often than not I can hear Logan blowing raspberries to himself (even at 3 am) while laying in bed.  Silly!
• I love the way Logan usually wakes up happy.  He can be found playing, blowing raspberries, or singing to himself.
• Logan loves to be outside.  He can be fussy, but will immediately calm down when you go outside.  He loves watching the girls play, the leaves blow, and the adventures of the outdoors.
• Bath time is one of Logan's favorite parts of the day.  As soon as I turn the water on, Logan begins to laugh, squeal, and kick his feet.  He loves to splash in the water.  Although he likes the tub to himself, Logan also likes to take a bath with his sisters.
• Logan has had a few tastes of cereal and applesauce.  He likes the applesauce better.
• During playtime, Logan loves to shake rattles, sing songs, and observe his sisters.
• He is working on rolling over and can roll from his tummy to his back with a little help.

We love you buddy and are so glad you are part of our family.

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Sweet, Handsome Boy

Logan is such a sweet boy!   We all love him so much as can be seen in the many hugs and kisses he gets daily.  The girls love doting over him by bringing him toys and exclaiming with joy at the new things he does.  Logan's personality continues to shine forth, showing a fun-loving, sweet boy.  He loves to be outside and around his little family.  Logan can become overstimulated easily and loves to be at home the most.  I love to see his smiles and the girls and I sing to him.  Although he loves to investigate toys, Logan loves his family's familiar faces the best.  I love the way he stretches from head to toe when he is excited.  I appreciate his patience with me as I try to keep everyone happy at home.  I can't get enough of his smiles, giggles, and kissing his sweet face.  I love you buddy!

Princess Carriage

The girls found a nice ride at Walmart the other day - a motorized princess carriage.  However at $500 it is definitely something to dream about.  Emily also pointed out that we couldn't take it home because it would break our new house.  She was referring to the Cinderella movie when the Fairy Godmother makes the carriage from the pumpkin it breaks the house.  What a smart cookie!!  Although it won't be coming home it is sure cute to dream about!

Wheeler Farm

Today we headed to Wheeler Farm for an adventure with Nana and Grandpa.  The girls loved seeing the animals: goats, horses, cows, pigs, chickens, sheep, and turkeys.  I think their favorite part was feeding the duck.  Each time a duck snatched up a piece of bread, they exclaimed with delight.  I love the way Lily calls ducks, "Quack, Quacks!"  At the end the girls enjoyed riding some cow barrels and playing at the park.  It was a perfect adventure with Nana and Grandpa!