Six Months Old

Our little Emily is growing up so fast.  It's still hard for me to believe that she is our little girl.  I find myself at times just staring into her blue eyes, trying to take in all the goodness that she radiates and thanking Heavenly Father for sending this angel into our family.  I'm not sure I can find words to say how much we love Emily and the joy she has brought into our family.

Here are some things about her at this stage:

• she loves to snuggle her blanket (or anything soft) by her face
• she tries to such her thumb (I quickly remove the thumb and insert a binki)
• she sits up
• she likes rice cereal
• she does not like to be wrapped in a blanket to sleep (she likes to kick her legs and move them around)
• she has a very serious face that almost looks like a scowl
• she smiles with her eyes
• she is a peacemaker in our home
• everything she gets her hands on goes straight to her mouth
• 13 pounds 10 ounces, 26 inches

Happy Birthday Thomas

Today we celebrated Thomas' 3rd birthday.  He woke up early (I'm sure his big brothers had something to do with that) and ran downstairs .  A huge smile came over his face when he saw the happy birthday sign and balloons Dave and I had hung up last night.  One of the things I love most about Thomas is how easy he is to please.  He truly delights in the "small and simple things."  With the help of his brothers, he opened his presents and then we headed off to spend the day at an indoor inflatable jumping place.  It was fun seeing him play with Hyrum, William and other kids, as if he were a big boy like them.  Later in the evening we ate hot dogs (his choice), cake and ice cream and watched his birthday video.  As I put him to bed  I held him in my arms and told him all about his birth and how special he was to me.  Oh how we love our little Thomas.  Even though the years will continue to pass and Thomas will keep growing, he will always be our "little guy."

Here are some things about Thomas at this stage:
- He is learning his ABC's, numbers and colors
- He loves to snuggle 4 blankets at night and knows if one is missing
- He is very articulate in his speech
- He adores "baby Emily"
- He is a little stinker at bedtime, insiting that he needs drink, after drink, after drink
- He is very determined
- He loves to check out "Go Go Diego" videos from the library
- He makes people smile wherever we go
- He is full of love

Here are some pictures of the fun we had today, followed by his birthday video....

4 Months Old

Today Emily turned 4 months old.  She continues to capture our hearts more and more as she grows and develops.  Her chubby cheeks and legs, round face, big blue eyes and sweet smile are just a few of the things we love most about her.  She loves to laugh and smile, bringing such joy into our home.  Here are some things about her at this stage:

• smiles and laughs often
• grabs at toys
• loves to hold her burp rag close to her face
• will go right to sleep when she is snuggled in a blanket and put in her crib
• tolerates tummy time for longer periods of time
• still spits up a lot
• loves her bath time
• responds to her name
• very sensitive to loud noises
• stares at faces so sweetly

We LOVE this little girl.

Mother's Day

Today my heart has been full of gratitude for the opportunity of being a mother.  As a young girl I looked to my mother's example and wanted to be like her.  When asked what I wanted to be when I grew up I'd reply, "I want to be a mom."  It's amazing to look at my life now, the mother of 4 children.  My dream has come true and only continues to get better as I experience the joys of life with my family. 



This morning I awoke to the kids coming into my room yelling, "Happy Mother's Day!"  I looked up to see their faces full of smiles and Dave carrying a tray with the yummiest breakfast (including pancakes that were perfectly round and fluffy...he continues to amaze me).  The note attached to the tray had the three things the boys love most about me.  Here is what they said:

1.  Does things for us (makes yummy food)

2.  Takes us to fun places

3.  Sits and reads us fun books

Dave knows me well and also brought me my scriptures so that I could read them while I ate my breakfast.  It was lonely eating all alone; however, I did enjoy being able to read my scriptures in peace and quiet before I started my day.  I also took the time to reflect on the things I love most about being a mother.  Here are just a few of the things I thought about:

1.  Seeing smiles on my children's faces (including little Emily's)

2.  Reading books to my children while they snuggle on my lap and shoulders

3.  Spending time together as a family (going on day trips, playing at the park, playing games)

4.  Hearing Thomas say, "I want you hold me mommy"

5.  Watching my children play and laugh together

I could go on and on.  Motherhood is one of my greatest blessings.  Today I feel inspired to be a better mommy and to love my children a little more (even when they're not so loveable).  It certainly is not easy, in fact it's at times down right hard, but the return is oh so worth it.

The Big Race

Today Hyrum and William ran in their very first race. It was a kids 1k (about a half mile). We've been training on Saturday mornings for the big day. The boys were so excited to wear their new
t-shirts and a race bib with a number 1 on it. It was fun for me to run along with them. They did great and even had energy to sprint to the finish. After the race was over I asked Hyrum how is was and he replied, "That was so much fun!" I'm glad they had a positive experience.

Emily's Blessing Day

Yesterday was Emily's special blessing day. I'm grateful that Dave was able to exercise the Priesthood authority which he holds, to give Emily a name and a blessing. It was a tender moment for me, as a mother, to watch as Dave held Emily in him arms so lovingly. He adores her just as much as she adores him. Our Bishop told us afterwards that Emily just stared right at Dave and smiled through the whole blessing. Their daddy/daughter relationship has already begun.

Here is the story behind Emily's blessing dress. My mother was a seamstress and made beautiful blessing dresses for both of my nieces. I always knew that when I had a daughter my mother would also make her a special dress. When my mother passed away one of the things that brought me great sorrow was thinking that my daughters (if I had any) would not have a special blessing dress made by grandma. I don't know how to sew very well and so I told myself that if I ever got married and had a daughter I would learn to sew her a dress. Well, I got married and had 3 boys so I didn't have to worry about it. Then Emily came along and I knew I wanted to keep my goal of making her dress. A sweet friend walked me through each step and though not perfect, this was the final product. I love it and hope that one day Emily will love and cherish it as well.

Such a sweet and innocent face

smiling for daddy

It's a nightmare trying to get these 3 boys to look at the camera and smile at the same time

smiling for daddy once again

and just for fun...

a picture of me in my blessing dress

Beautiful Angel

I'm a bit late in posting these pictures, but they are just too precious to keep to myself. My good friend took them when Emily was only 4 days old. They really capture the sweet innocence of our little angel daughter.