Weekend Fun

This last weekend was a fun, lazy, just hanging out kind of weekend. It was too short.

Friday night, Lindsay, Emma, and Allie had their end of year dance review. Lindsay and Emma are so good. It amazes me to watch them and see them improve each year. They have try outs today for next years team and I'm so proud of them.

Allie was so tired! She screamed and cried leading up the the performance. When it was time to perform Lindsay took her on stage (screaming) and she just sat on her lap tapping her feet to the whole performance. It was hilarious.

Because she's has been a good student during the year she received a dancer of the month award. She got her own Premier Dance t-shirt with her name on the back. She was happy to show it off.

 

On my lunch break on Friday I went by Old Navy and picked up a little outfit for Brooklyn. She needed more summer clothes, especially shorts. I found this cute shirt with a puppy on clearance. I took a picture of the outfit and told Dave to show her.

 

When I got home and I showed her the shirt, she got the biggest grin on her face. She loved it, for the rest of the night if you asked her where her puppy was she would grin and look at her shirt.

On Saturday I was folding her laundry (can't really get it done with her helping) but when she saw the puppy shirt she grabbed it. Awwww'ed really loud and then just started loving on it. It was so funny. She carried it around with her for the rest of the day.

A little later we made a castle/car on wheels out of her blocks. She was pretty proud of it.

 

Kristin came over and cut my hair. She also colored covered the greys. Brooklyn had so much fun hanging out with everyone, she was out as soon as she laid down.

I love weekends like this. I can't wait for next week, is it Friday yet?

Mother's Day

I saw this video on Facebook it made me cry. It's true, kids don't come with manuals. Life comes with loved ones that help you. It makes me so happy to have my little girl. I am so very blessed to be her mom, and I so grateful for her everyday! She has brought a whole new meaning to life. My heart swells whenever I tell her I love her!

Mother's Day is hard sometimes. I wish that my mom was here. I wish that she has here to help me be a mom. I wish she was here on earth to see all her beautiful grandbabies grow. I wish my mom and grandma were here so I can take them flowers and wish them a Happy Mother's Day in person. I often think about how hard it must have been for my mom, knowing she was going to be leaving her 5 kids. But she was so strong, if she cried I rarely saw it. Her faith in that particular time in her life was beyond amazing.

I know this sounds silly but whenever I go to the girls' dance or the boys' baseball games I get teary eyed. I think it's just because I'm a big sap, but I feel my mom there. I know I can't see her but I know she does see these grand babies.

Since my mom passed there have been so many people in my life that have filled holes that were missing since she left. I am so grateful for the time I did have with my mom and grandma. But I am extremely grateful for who I have now.

Mom - What can I say? You are my mom. I love you so much, you taught me so much. I know with me being the oldest our relationship wasn't always perfect but the love was always there. We only got 21 years together but I am grateful for that. I am grateful for my brothers and sisters that you have brought into this world that are now my rock. Thank you for planting a small seed with us in faith. Thank you for teaching us what you could before you left. Your testimony and your struggles, strengthened mine like no other. And finally, thank you for always being there. Thank you for your sweet spirit guiding me when you can. My heart is always with you.

Grandma - You were a second mom to me. I was your first grand daughter and you spoiled me rotten. I loved that! You taught all of us what it is to be strong and also how to have fun. Thank you for letting me come over to your house and watch MTV because we didn't have it. Thank you for being there for us. I know mom left before you and I didn't realize how hard it was for you until after you followed her. It makes me so happy to know that you and mom are together. Even though we lost you right after mom, it makes me happy that you two weren't apart for very long.

Aunt Kathy - I can't imagine what it would have been like to be in your shoes. To lose your big sister (who everyone thought was your twin) and then shortly after lose your mom. But you were strong. You did your very best to help me as I became a guardian to my brother and sisters. And you continued to be an amazing mom to your kids. I love that our kids are close like we were to your kids. They are pretty much our brothers and sisters. I love you, thank you for checking in on me here and there!

Mandy - Oh Mandy, you are an AMAZING mother! You impress me everyday. You are strong, and so smart. Thank you for remembering every single thing a doctor says when babies are sick because I don't. Thank you for being there when I need you. Thank you for telling me we are going to be okay when I was falling apart during mom's sickness. Thank you for your faith and example. I love you!

Ashley - I know you're not a mom, but you accepted me in a mom-like role. Ashley I am sorry you only had 7 years with mom. I am sorry you got stuck with me after that. But thank you for being you. I think we were so close when you were born for a reason. I always thought you were my baby and mom just had you for me. :) I may  not be your mom, but it has been an honor raising you and seeing you grow into an awesome young lady. I can't wait to see what the future holds for you. I love you!

Paola & Kristin - I don't know what life would be like if my brothers didn't find you two. We are sisters, and I love it. I love our relationship and I love your kids. Thank you for taking care of my brothers and being there for me. I love you guys so much!

So even though my mom and grandma aren't here with me in person. I know they watch over me. I'm grateful for them, and the family we have now that could not have happened without them! Happy Mother's Day!

Brooklyn is 18 months!

My little baby is 18 months old TODAY! I have so many mixed feelings about it. It is so exciting to see her grow and change, but I miss the little baby to hold.

At 18 months she talks sooooo much! It is still in Brooklyn jibberish, but it's so funny and I love it. She does little things while she talks that makes you think she knows exactly what she is saying. For instance she will shrug her shoulders, point to things, or just look at you like you are supposed to know what she is saying. I just always nod my head and talk right back to her.

Although she has mastered her own language she does speak some English as well. She can say
Uh Oh
Mom
Da Da
Ash
Oh Shoot (but it sometimes sounds worse)
Elmo
Hannah!
Ba Ba
Yeah
Minnie Mouse (but just says moW seS)
Princess (it sounds more like sis sess)

She now has 4 teeth on top and 3 on the bottom. It was crazy, right after her first birthday 6 teeth came through. And she had those same 6 (4 on top and 2 on bottom) since her first birthday. Another bottom one just recently came through.

Her favorite food is pasta, all kinds! She also loves quesadillas, bananas, fruit pouches, yogurt, mac n cheese, dry cereal, and peanut butter and jelly. I have tried to give her some juice here and there but she doesn't really like it. She just drinks water and soy milk for now.

She does like a good smoothie!

 

She also really likes to color and draw. She is always wanting to write with our pens and pencils. She got bath time crayons in her Easter basket and a color wonder coloring book too. The color wonder color book is a life saver, it doesn't get on her or other things.

Just when I thought she was a lefty like her dad...

...she moves it to the right hand.

 

I know I say this a lot but she LOVES being outside. Jacob has been playing soccer this spring so that gives us the chance to go to the park and spend time with family.

 

Dave is always telling me she is fearless. He seems to think this because when we first took her to the splash pad she just jumped right in and it didn't seem to bother her at all.

 

But then I thought he might be right. What made me think that? A couple days ago we took her to feed the ducks, and as soon as I sat her down she is off. She ran right up to those ducks and I think she would have got in the water if I didn't stop her.

Notice my tight grip!

Waving "HI" to the ducks.

 

Bathing her is one of my least favorite activities. Why you ask, because she baths fine and doesn't hate it, but when it's time to get dressed she does not like to sit still. It's such a struggle to just get her diaper on. Once I get it on she's off, usually to look at books.

 



She loves puppies. If we our outside and she sees one she wants to run up to it and grab it and love on it. I always get so worried and it's hard to keep her away. Dave thinks this means we need a dog, I'm not so sure about that.

We have been in our new place for a month now, and we just barely got her crib set up. We decided to just make it as a day bed. She had seen Penelope's the day before and was kind of obsessed with it. Once it was set up we laid her in there a couple times so show her she can lay there (and not just jump on it). Last night when she was grumpy and ready for her nap, as soon as I gave her her bottle she took her "chewy" (her favorite blanket), walked into her room herself, and fell asleep. I couldn't take it, I just kept thinking she is growing up too fast.

 

A couple nights ago she was so tired, but fighting it like crazy. So being the stubborn babe she is she grabbed her keyboard and started playing it, then all the sudden she was out, holding her keyboard.

 

Our goals now are to wean her off the bottle, and attend nursery. I'm dying inside about this, I still can't believe I have a baby old enough to go to nursery. This Sunday will be our first try, and our new ward is at 9am. Wish us luck!

Happy 1 1/2 Birthday beautiful girl! We love you so much!