Stroller Driver

After our walks Emily likes to be the driver of the stroller.  She loves to push it in the house and outside.  Pretending her monkey is a baby, she loves to try to buckle her in.  Emily definitely has a "permit license" because she can easily bump into things and steer wildly.  I think we may need a "student driver" sign attached to the stroller when she is driving.

Playing Outside

Emily LOVES to be outside!!!  She would spend the whole day outside if we let her.  Emily loves to touch the leaves of the bushes, walk on the rocks and grass, play with bubbles and balls, and watch for kids.  In front of our house is a poll, Emily loves to play peek-a-boo.  She is a cute outside bug!

17 Months

Emily is 17 months!  She is becoming more of a little girl than a baby or toddler in words, actions, and looks.  There is so much to celebrate about her, including:

• Emily LOVES to be outside walking, exploring, and playing
• She is working on walking and does well holding one hand or behind anything that moves with her.  Emily is working on her courage to do it herself.  She has taken a few steps between furniture.  We love watching her self-confidence bloom and know she will be running soon!
• Emily is getting ready to go to nursery.  After sitting through sacrament meeting, it seems she knows it is time to play.  We begin sitting together in Sunday school, but soon find ourselves wandering the halls until Emily hears the nursery children playing.  It is then we go inside to sing and play with all the kids.  We are excited to have her join the group independently soon - we hope!
• Emily is a fantastic singer.  She loves to sing and do the hand motions to "Bumble Bee," "If You're Happy & You Know It," "Wheels on the Bus," "Itsy, Bitsy Spider," and of coarse "Old MacDonald."
• Books are still one of Emily's favorite pastimes.  We spend many moments reading stories to each other - I have a turn reading and Emily has a turn reading.  She is great to mimic "Dum Ditty Dum Dum" and "Peekaboo."  I love it when she crawls on my lap for a story.  It never gets old.
• Emily is looking forward to being a big sister.  She likes to hold her monkey and baby.  I hope she will love to hold her baby sibling soon.

Praying Hands

Whenever we eat, Emily is cute to grasp her hands together to make praying hands.  It is so cute to see her hands connected to emulate what we do when we pray.  On occasion, Emily has even said, "Amen."  It is neat to see the power of example in action.

President's Day Weekend Fun with Visitors

Mom and Dad Handy came down for President's Day weekend.  We enjoyed an adventurous weekend with them visiting the Daughter of Utah Pioneers Museum, St. George Temple, Rosenburg Wildlife Museum, visiting, shopping for new shoes for Emily, playing games, and simply being together.  Emily had some teething troubles, but still managed to show off her cute smiles, giggles, and tricks when she was feeling better.  We loved the special one-on-one time with them, and are always looking forward to the next visit.

Library Noisemaker

Emily loves to go to the library!  We often go a few times a week.  One of Emily's favorite past-times to do while we are there is to climb the stairs in the children's section and read stories.  Today as she did so, she sang and read as loud as she could.  I am sure everyone heard her version of Goodnight Moon many times.  I tried to quiet her, but at the same time it was to cute to not be heard.

Rockin' Out

Emily has discovered how to climb in and out of her rocking chair.  A shout out to her independence!