Party Time

Had a little party for Lucy.( I kind of slacked on the picture taking) Watched conference all day, and went to the mall. Some how when party time rolled around I had a tired girl on my hands, but we had some soup and cake. I think Lucy had a good time.

Lucy is two!

To look back at the last two years is insane! So many changes! So many lessons and fun memories. This little girl is the light and love of my life.
Lucy is continuing the potty training journey, but she is getting there. I was going potty when she walked in and said "mama! Good job! You potty?" Yup, I think she definitely get the idea. My favorite thing is when she takes her pants off and then runs down the hall to the bathroom. If I yell buns she grabs her butt and giggles saying, "no, potty"
She can almost sing her abc's by herself all the way through, and knows twinkle twinkle but heart.
 She has recently become more if a chatter box, she is always talking to her baby or to me or just singing her own tune.
Lucy is getting friendlier. She cracks me up, she waves at everyone. Walking into Winco, out of the courier of my eye I noticed a car of people waving back at her. It always makes me happy to see that because, if a two year old is waving at you, gosh darn it wave back! :) she also took it upon herself to hand my business card out on that shopping trip. I was grabbing some apples and heard her say "there you go" I turned around and the was handing one of my cards to an old lady! Advertising doesn't get much cuter than that!
She and Frank seem to be growing into little siblings. She will play rough with him, run him down with her stroller, squealing and having a good time. And Frank now bites and jumps at the tires, which in turn gets Lucy laughing so hard that the other day she literally fell over laughing. In the mornings she still comes in, looking for me to get her some milk and food but now she will get up on the bed and cuddle me for a few mins before looking for Frank under the covers and saying "Frank, outside, potty" . She will still get his food out for him and likes to kennel him and give him treats. She will come say "Frank, want treat"
She has recently become more fond of play dough and water painting. Asking for dough or paint. She will play with play dough for ever, it keeps her rather busy. Ripping it into pieces and then putting all of it back into the can.
She loves going outside! She will explore the back yard, pick flowers, play on her slide, color with chalk, beg for water and dig in the dirt for hours.I need to get her a swing for the porch, she found a string from the blinds hanging down and was trying to figure out how to sit on it. She's so funny. Not sure how it's gonna work out with winter coming.
She loves to dance, and squeeze into tight spots or enclosed areas. She figured out today that the chairs at the table can be moved, so all I did was keep her off the counters and out of the cupboards. The little stinker is smart. There is not were to hide things from her. She has some serious problem solving skills.
It is surprising the phrases she will put together. And I am always startled to see her mimic some if the things I do. Like brushing my hair or repeating things I say. I'm not sure why but I always think it is so cute when she yells "stop it, now!  Mommy" though I finish doing her hair anyways :)
She still has a love for shoes and I wonder what it's going to cost us in the future.
At bed time we read a book, say prayers, and sing a song. Recently she asks for "just one more book, peas" she has also figured out the power of please. And has also picked up thank you more.
Next week I start a second job, which means she will start daycare, I'm feeling a little hesitant, but I know that she is ready. They have a little craft class in the morning and another learning circle time in the afternoon where the will work on colors, shapes, and animal sounds. I know she'll love it, everyone keeps telling me it will be harder on me than it will her. Which I think is true. I'm not sure why I feel guilt , But I keep praying that it will be a good thing and that I will recognize it for what it is.
This past year has been by far the hardest of my life, but she has remained the light. I would do it all over for her.
Lucy, I hope you will always know that you will never have to look far for people that love you. You are a remarkable little girl. A real treasure. You are what makes me want to be the best I can be. I strive to be the best mom I can. I know that you will have your trials in this life, and I hope I will give you all the tools that you will need to get through them. I pray you will always remember that Heavenly Father knows and loves you. I want you to to know that you are capable of anything and everything you desire. I love you and can't wait to see what you have in store for me.

A Car!

Lucy's first car! I was going to give her this for her birthday. It popped up on Craig's list for a great deal and couldn't pass it up. So went to pick it up and Lucy waited in the car while I put it in the trunk. When we got home Lucy said "we're home!" I got her out of the car and she ran to the trunk and pointed saying "a car! a car! Peas! Peas!" So yes I am a sucker and gave in early :)

Potty Training!

With much reluctance from me and excitement and pressuring from Lucy. We have started potty training. Last Thursday Lucy randomly pulled off her pants and ran to the toilet and did her business. From then on it has been hard to keep clothes on the kid! She loves the toilet. Sunday we came home from church, I pulled some meat from the fridge and she said "you potty!" and ran to my bathroom. In the seconds it took me to close the fridge and follow her she pooped on the floor outside the bathroom and was peeing on the toilet. Ahh life's bleachable moments! She is rather consistent herself and since I've been rewarding for potty's in the toilet with M &M's she's been doing rather well. She knows to flush, then we put her pants back on and wash her hands. I guess I better get on the ball and help her and I wont complain if I don't have to buy her another box of diapers.

23 Months

23 months! Last month I get to say months, so sad! Its crazy to think that Miss Lucy has been here for almost 2 years. Sometimes I wonder where the time went and other times I think how has it only been 2 years? Not sure how she can just amaze me everyday. She learns new words every day. She plays new games and comes up with little songs all the time. She is like a little ninja, she can be quiet and sneaky, one min she is here petting Frank and the next thing I know she has a book and wants me to read it. She remembers where I hide things from her and hours later retrieves them and has them in the front room, or she remembers there were cookies or some kind of treat in the counter before her nap and will ask for it the minute she wakes up. I love, love, love the way she tucks everything in, her baby, lamby, or even Frank. She will tuck herself in, in the most random places and act like she is sleeping by snoring really loud. She will do a summersault and clap for herself. She loves to spin around till she is dizzy and fall over. She sings her favorite songs (ABC's, twinkle, twinkle and itsy bitsy spider) and will do some of the hand motions. We've been working on Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes with the movements. While picking raspberries the other day she caught on rather quickly and was picking mostly the red ones every now and again there was a pink one but she was rather pleased to be helping. When I go out to my garden she is quite the little helper. I can hand her a zucchini, cucumber, pepper, basically anything she can carry and she will go put it in the bowl next to the door. She sometimes will help herself to the cherry tomato bush or just pick a tomato she demes worthy and bites into it like an apple. She still loves food, but seems to be getting a little pickier. She loves strawberry, peach or key lime yogurt but was not a fan of vanilla. She has figured out that when I use a whisk there is something tasty on them and will come beg for them while I'm mixing. Lucy loves balloons, even ones that I just blow up. She throws them in the air and kicks them around. If they have helium in them she loves to pull the string or hold them and hit things with them and then laugh and laugh. I love the sound of her laugh I can't get enough, especially when you really get her going, its just contagious. She uses please and thank you all the time. If she is really excided about something she begs "peas, peas, peas!". When she starts throwing fits I ask her to use her words and it ends up being "peas! mama!" which isn't a lot of help. But it is pretty cute.
I've figured out that she eats so much better if I will sit down with her and eat. So the other day I gave her, her bowl and went back to get mine. When I sat down she folded her arms and bowed her head and started saying prayer (not one that I could understand, just for the record)...Talk about a humbling moment! When my little girl reminds me to pray over food.
Yesterday in the car I put in Finding Nemo and when Nemo got caught by the scuba divers Lucy go worried and kept saying "oh 'no", "mama, oh 'no!" it was so cute. I couldn't help but laugh out loud. She loved the rest of the movie kept yelling "fishes!" and clapping.
She had started catching on to all the animal noises. I think my favorite is the growling that she thinks alligators make.
Still loves books. Every night I can go room to room and pick up at least 3-4 books she drug in there to "read". She also reads to Frank and her baby.
I think she is ready for potty training but I'm not sure I am! The other night she said "pee, pee?" so I pulled her diaper off and she sat on her potty, making faces and funny noises and when she stood up she had actually gone potty! She was rather proud of her self. I guess I should catch up!
I have a feeling this little cutie is going to give me a run for my money. But I can't wait, I love every moment.

Redfish Camp Out

I was looking forward to this camp out for quite awhile. We have been only doing this for a few years and it is crazy to think back to all the fun that we have had. Its odd to think of all my nieces and nephews growing up. Looking around I realize that everyone is adjusting to some sort of of change. Some more obvious than others. The Counters are sending their oldest Megan to collage. The Solomon's suddenly have 3 teenagers and Anna. The  Melville's are adjusting to living in Utah and in a place of their own. The Schmalboch's just moved to Utah as well, and Luke is getting so big. It is nice to know I am not alone in this world of change. I do not often willingly admit to this but, I miss my mom. I miss knowing I can call her and get advice on anything, or just to talk. I miss the feeling of comfort and protection that a mother can provide. Often when I let Satan get the better of me he convinces me that I am alone. That I am on my own to figure things out. But as I drove away from camp today I had such an over whelming feeling of comfort, and love. I realized that I am surrounded by mothers, each and everyone of my sisters are incredible mothers. I can call them for whatever, whenever, I know that they love me. I realized just how protective they are of me, and that they truly want what is best for me. I am so thankful for the family support system that I have. This amazing network of people that help to fill my life with so much. I know that I do not have to morn the loss of my mother figure in my life because I have been provided with many. Thank you to my sisters for being who you are. I have missed time with you all, which is why now I hold on to traditions like these with a white knuckle fist. I know their importance and am thankful for all of you for humoring me in my endeavors, and forgiving me of my short comings.
Anyways Redfish didn't disappoint! We had so much fun. Lucy was spoiled by everyone,and became a little explorer herself. She enjoyed stomping through the dirt and playing with the gravel. Walking in the water and being chased by cousins. I enjoyed watching her thrive in an environment of people that she knew loved her. The first day we got there we were a little down because we were 20 minuets down the road from the lake, but first thing the 5 of us ladies hunted down camp spots and successfully landed 2 that would work. After an afternoon of moving we went to play in the water and with jet skis. The second day was a nice relaxing day of playing and eating too much. We headed to the lodge for ice cream and some music, where a few of the cute cousins were spotted for a Redfish commercial. The next day we organized ourselves and headed on a hike to 4th of July lake, everyone made it. We got back in time for some dinner. After most of the crowd headed for the hot springs and a dip in the river. And we all gathered for a last night of s'mores and hot chocolate. Here is to another successful year up there.

22 Months

Lets see...where to start. Lucy loves to sing and dance. She watches Dinosaur Train and Sesame Street. She loves to color with crayons in books or chalk on the side walk. She is always so happy, always singing songs of her own tune. She has started to tell stories and thinks she can carry conversations. As long as you say oh really or ok or you think so in the right spots she'll continue in her gibberish. She likes to pick and eat cherry tomatoes. And still loves to play in the water or sprinklers.
She feeds Frank in the mornings, I ask her if Frank needs food and she goes and gets a cup of his food, She loves to run back and forth and fill his bowl. And now Frank always gets fed, yay for Frank.
We went to Jerome a couple of weekends ago and Lucy got to play with her cousins. And see her Grandparents. She will look through photo albums and point to each person and say their name. She seems to warn up to people a bit faster. She is always waving at who knows what and saying hi or bye.
She is so smart, and is truly like a little sponge, she picks up everything. We have started to work a little bit with colors, but mainly numbers and letters still. For some reason she doesn't say three, she'll count 1,2,4. Either way it pretty cute.
She is starting to put more words into sentences. And almost always says please. When she get really excided about something she says, pea, peas, peas!
Lucy loves her books, she will sit and look at books. and always brings me books to read to her.
She kneels, folds her arms, and closes her eyes during prayer now, and even says amen. It is super sweet. Sometimes in sacrament meeting she will clap her hands and say yay after, its pretty funny.
Kind of funny, but not. She says Frank, Food, Feet and Foot all of which if you don't listen closely sounds like a rather bad word.
She loves to "meow" at Mittens and "ruff" at Frank. She says "cheese" when you take her picture and gives you the biggest corniest smile she possibly can.
I can't believe how many people she has under her spell. I love this little girl so much and am amazed by her every day.