Simple Joys

Every day is an adventures with my kids!  Not through grand outings or activities, but through simple joys.  I love the time we spend playing princesses and Barbies on the floor, coloring, going for walks, dancing, singing, and going to the library.  Sometimes I wonder if I am doing enough and they know how much I love them.  As I feed Logan, I am in awe at the amazing opportunity I have to be a mom.  I am blessed with 3 beautiful children that bring me so much joy.  I love watching them learn and grow, although sometimes it seems to be going to fast.  Next year Emily will begin preschool to which I have heard from others that once your children begin school time goes by faster.  I strive to cherish each moment I have with all 3 of my kids at home.  I love hearing them imagine, sing, talk, and giggle.  They remind me to find joy in each moment! 

A Girl and her Skirt

Lily is nothing short of a true princess!  She adores anything princess: toys, books, and SKIRTS!  She insists on wearing a skirt everyday!!!  Often she has a play skirt on top of her clothes too.  Lily loves to dance and sing while wearing her skirts.  There have been many occasions lately where she refuses to take her play skirt off.  We have been to the store, library, and park with her wearing it.  Many people give a grin as they pass this sweet princess.

Tummy Time

Tummy time today was done with the help of the Boppy pillow.  For the most part, Logan does pretty well with tummy time.  Once the girls spot he is on his tummy, they come over to encourage him on.  I think Logan enjoys the attention as long as they are not in his face.  As Logan sat propped up on the pillow, I couldn't help but think of Emily doing this about his age.  I looked through my pictures and found one.  They sure do look alike!

(Emily December 2012 - 3 months)

Popsicles and Play

The weather has turned a little cooler this week to perfect outside play weather in the mid-70s and 80s.  We have spent a lot of time outside playing in the water, riding bikes, and enjoying the sunshine.  Fall has been my favorite season for so long, but this year I am not sure I am ready for the end of summer.  I just love spending time outside with my kids.  The girls especially love popsicle breaks, and have them often!  Tonight they were favored with Sissa for dinner and a tramp dance party.  They absolutely love dancing with Sissa.  I am so grateful for the time she takes to dance, sing, and play with them.  They love her so very much as do I!

Hogle Zoo Visit

Emily has been asking for a few days to go to the zoo.  Today was the day - hooray!  We enjoyed the cooler weather and special time with Nana and Grandpa.  The girls loved seeing all the animals, particularly the lions, crocodiles, monkeys, and bears.  I love watching their amazement while looking at the animals.  It was also fun to see the joy in their eyes as they rode the carousel.  Even though we brought a stroller, the girls had so much fun walking around.  I loved hearing them say the animals sounds and watching the animals play.  Emily was cute to ask for "Jasmine's tiger" at the tiger exhibit.  She kept asking my mom, "Where's Jasmine?"  So silly!

In June, we went to Thanksgiving Point Farm.  Emily was disappointed that the pig was missing and kept asking for it.  I told her it was sick and at the doctor.  Today my mom went to the doctor and then met us there.  When I told Emily my mom was at the doctor and would be coming, she said, "Nana is getting the pig at the doctor."  So cute!  Emily believed my mom was getting the pig from the doctor.  I am always amazed at the things she remembers.

Logan is always a trooper on our adventures.  Most of the time is takes everything in stride, just like his daddy.  He loved being outside and riding in the stroller.  He even had a little nap in the stroller.  I loved the way he feel asleep with praying hands.

Lily's Birthday Party

This weekend we celebrated Lily's birthday with our families in 2 parties.  Emily and Lily had a blast celebrating with their cousins.  On Saturday we spent the afternoon and early evening in Layton swimming at Grandma's pool at their neighborhood pool.  Emily described it as "Grandma's BIG pool."  The girls swam, and swam, and swam!!!  They especially loved swimming with their dad.  The great thing about it was there is a small pool at their community pool that is only 1-2 feet deep so the girls could touch the whole time.  Emily was a little timid at first, but warmed up to it.  Lily had no fear!!!!  After swimming, Lily opened her presents of fun toys and shoes. 

On Sunday, we celebrated again with the Handy family.  Lily loves ice cream sandwiches so I made her an ice cream sandwich cake in the shape of Mickey Mouse.  Lily again was showered with presents from cousins: clothes, Minnie vacuum, and Barbies.  It seemed she was finally getting the hang of opening presents to find surprises.

One of my favorite parts of the weekend was watching Emily's excitement for Lily's birthday.  At first I was a little nervous if she would be jealous of Lily's presents and want all her toys before Lily could enjoy them, but she wasn't at all.  Instead Emily helped Lily understand what her birthday was all about and engage her in the excitement.  After opening her presents, Emily was awesome to show Lily how to play with it and let her play with it.  Once Lily was done, Emily was then happy to have a turn.  I loved watching her play the role of a big sister.  It seems in just the past few weeks the girls have really started to play with each other.  They are learning to share more and take turns.  It is still a learning process, but there is definitely progress!  Often as I sit on the floor with Logan or am feeding him I cannot help but smile at my children.  I am so blessed to be their mother!  They bring so much joy into my life.  Each day I am striving to be a better mother for them.

Logan 4 Months

It is hard to believe our little buddy Logan is 4 months old.  He brings so much love and joy to our family.  Logan already has a few nicknames from the girls: "Ogan," "Fuzzy Wazzy," "Bubba," "Buddy," and "Broder."  We all love him so very much.  Here are a few highlights of the month:

• Logan loves to play with his hands!  He loves to suck on them often.  I love it when he investigates them as he sticks his fists in the air and studies them intently.
• Logan loves to be outside!  He loves to watch his sisters play, feel the wind, and see all around him.
• Logan enjoys bath time!  He likes to splash in the water.  Every night Logan gets excited to get in the tub.  If he is fussy, the bath is quick to calm him down.
• He is getting better at travelling in the car most of the time.
• Logan is beginning to grasp toys and put them in his mouth.  The girls love to hand him toys to investigate.
• Although Logan loves to stretch out on the floor still, he also likes to sit up in his bumbo or your lap to see all the excitement with the girls.
• Logan still loves to be swaddled with going to sleep.
• Every day Logan's hair seems to be growing.  He has quite a bit of fuzzy hair, making himself the nickname, "Fuzzy Wazzy."  Nana began to call him this with the poem, "Fuzzy Wazzy was a bear.  Fuzzy Wazzy had no hair."  Emily is quick to interject and say, "No, he has some hair."  Silly!
• Logan loves to blow raspberries especially when he just wakes up or after eating.  I love listening to him on the baby monitor talk to himself and blow raspberries when he wakes up.
• With all the excitement at home, Logan is pretty easy going.  He is patient with me and his sisters so very often.  We love him so very much!

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