Terrific Twos

This month is the months of “two’s” as we celebrate my two girls: Emily turning 2 years old and Lily 2 months old.  I cherish my daughters and the love the give to me.  I look forward to our adventures each day.  After playing so hard, I also look forward to bedtime.  We love playing outside, pretending, going for walks, and making cookies together.  I can already see the tender love and care Emily and Lily have for each other.  They are sweet friends already!  

Emily and Lily have lots to celebrate, but here are a few highlights for each of them….

Emily

• Talented singer of many songs: I am a Child of God; I :Love to see the Temple; Twinkle Little Star; ABCs; Itsy, Bitsy Spider; Popcorn Popping: Old MacDonald, Little Turtle; Bumble Bee; Head, Shoulders, Knees, & Toes; Wise & Foolish Man; Snowman
• Hums and sings all day long whille she plays
• Still loves to play outside
• Sleeps through the night in her big girl bed
• Loves to pretend with dolls, monkey, and the kitchen
• Favorite foods: chocolate milk, grapes, strawberries, cookies, goldfish, cheese
• Loves to play with kids, but not a fan of nursery at church
• enjoys books
• Loves to watch Curious George and Frozen
• protector of Lily

Lily

• Smiles lots at people’s faces, especially Mommy
• Growing eyelashes to add to her sparkly, smiley eyes
• Loves bathtime with Daddy
• Enjoys watching Emily play and sing
• Sleeps well at night - not so much in the day
• Loves to lay under the fan or playmat
• Enjoys walks in the carrier
• Her swing is a favorite place to sleep and play
• Great snuggler
• When upset she relaxes well with her clothes off

Daddy's Playmate

Over the weekend, Emily was Daddy's playmate and buddy.  She loved playing with him, running some errands, and just being at home with him.  Emily finds it a real treat to have Daddy home.  They love to play outside and engage in tickling games together.  I love having my buddy home too!

Big Girl Bed

For the past few weeks, Emily has been transitioning to her "big girl bed."  Taking my mom's
awesome suggestion, we gradually did things in the bed that introduced Emily to the idea of sleeping there since the bed was before seen as a play place.  Each night and nap time, Emily and I would share our bed time routine on her "big girl bed."  We enjoyed reading books and singing songs before going into her crib.
Last Thursday, Nelson gave her a blessing and I told her she was going to try to sleep in her big girl bed.  When nap-time came, Emily cried for over an hour.  At which, I then rocked her and put her in her crib.  The next day, I did it again and there were no tears!  Instead, Emily talked, read stories, and played for over an hour and eventually went to sleep.  Hooray!!  She has been sleeping there nap-time and night time ever since.  We are so proud of our big girl!!!

Sitting and Swinging

My two girls love to swing!  Emily loves to push Lily in her swing and swing at the park.  Lily loves to be rocked to sleep in her swing.  As long as the swing doesn't make them sick, mom is a happy mommy!

The other day after coming home from an errand.  I found Lily sitting like the picture below in her car seat.  I love watching her hands throughout the day, whether they be tight against her chest, stretching high above her head, or resting in midair.  She is a doll!

Emily too can have funny sitting positions like the one in the picture below.  Lately she has found balls make good resting chairs after running hard while playing outside!

Kitchen Helper

Today was the Ogden Utah Temple dedication, so church was cancelled for members in Utah to attend the wonderful celebration.  As such, Emily and Lily would not have their usual Sunday church adventure.  When Daddy was all dressed up for the event, Emily insisted on putting her "church shoes" (sandals) on to go to church with him.  I tried to distract her with a new fun activity - making cookies.  Emily loved watching the beater spin and adding the ingredients to the bowl.  Most of all she liked taste-testing the cookie dough - YUMMY!  After making the cookies, Emily loved helping wash the dishes.  Wow!  What a great helper - I hope it sticks through the teenage years ;)!  Although this was a good hour or more distraction, Emily still insisted we go to church.  So we did - twice!  We played lots in the nursery.  Hopefully she will remember how much she loves church and nursery next week and will go by herself.  We'll see!

Lily's Blessing Note

Dear Lily, 

On Sunday, September 7, 2014 we blessed you in my Nana and Grandpa Handy's ward, Valley Park 6th Ward.  It was a beautiful day surrounded by family.  We had originally planned to bless you in are home ward in St. George, but wanted to accommodate for my Grandpa who was sick with a knee infection.

Daddy performed the ordinance with all your uncles and grandfathers standing in the circle. I know angels of dear loved ones were there too.  

Some of the blessings promised to you were:

• to carry a love of Heavenly Father in your heart
• a strong testimony that will grow
• to know you can come to Heavenly Father in prayer to receive guidance
• blessed with support from family, friends, and loved ones
• you will be a source for good to bless the lives of others
• Heavenly Father loves you and will protect you from harm and danger
• you will influence the lives of others
• Some day you will go to the temple and there grow close to Heavenly Father & gain a greater understanding of gospel and make covenants with him.

I cannot express how much I love you! I am so glad that you are my daughter. Your sweet personality brightens our home. Your sister, Emily adores you. I know you will be tremendous friends that will love to play, laugh, sing, and talk together. You will be the best of friends! As you journey through life I hope you will always remember how much I love you and your Heavenly Father loves you.

Always,

Mommy

Monkey Lovin'

Emily has a shadow - monkey.  She is Emily's best friend!  Emily loves to take care of monkey like mommy takes care of her and Lily.  She can be found changing monkey's diaper, getting her dressed, bathing, feeding, consoling, rocking, and playing with her.  Emily is going to be a great big sister and mom some day.