A Teenie Hoodini

I put Whitney in her swing this afternoon, hoping that she would take a nap while I loaded the dishwasher. She loves her swing. Remember this picture?

It turns out she was more in that kind of mood than this one...

A few minutes later I heard her making noises, and then there was quiet. I turned around from the sink and she was sitting next to me on the kitchen floor. She had lifted the tray up off the swing, wiggled her way out, and then crawled over to me! I am very careful now to make sure that she is buckled in just right. I didn't know that I have a teenie Hoodini on my hands!

A "Nie" Sort of Day

Yesterday I had a very "Nie" sort of day, which got me thinking of her. If you haven't read Stephanie Nielson's blog, here it is...I have been enjoying reading it.
http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/

Shh! Don't tell but....

I know a little baby that pooped in her morning bath.... That was a tricky one to clean up! I should have known that she wasn't done yet! But, who could be upset with a little face like this looking up at them?

I'm proud of you for eating your Cheerios and not the dog's food...

The Evidence.....


The Crime Scene....


The Suspect....


(Click on Whitney's picture to see her cute little teeth!)

I have had a booger of a time keeping Whitney out of the dog's dishes. Munch munch munch....It grosses me out to hold/feed/nurse her when her sweet baby breath smells like dog. I decided that I would keep the dishes up off the floor, and Toby would have to eat when she is sleeping. I put the dishes up on the dog's kennel, but she found them there after about a week. So, I put them on the back of the dog's kennel where Whitney couldn't get to them, or so I thought....
She had been awake less than an hour yesterday morning, and had a super cute Halloween bubble/onesie on with an orange hair bow. I had left the room for a minute while she and Trista were playing. I heard a crash, with lots and lots of little plink plink sounds and Whitney crying. She had crawled under the kitchen table, in between the chairs, and pulled the dog's bowls on top of herself. The water dish was full! Wet, soggy baby with dog food down her wet outfit, stuck to her bare chest, down in between the legs of her bubble. The water made all of the little dog food crumbs stick to her face and hands, in between her thigh rolls and all over her legs. It was bath time! I bathed both girls and got Trista ready for preschool, cleaned the floor, and put Whitney down for her nap after her snack. Then, I caught myself saying to my 10 month old, "Thank you for eating your Cheerios and not the dog's food." Not something that I ever thought I would say!

She did it!

Miss Whitney Grace is officially crawling as of yesterday afternoon!

Without further ado, I present Princess Whitney in action.

She toyed with the idea for a few weeks, going forward just with one knee and stopping, like we see here...

here....


and here....


She has now mastered it and is really fast!

Here she is showing off her crawling skills at her play date with baby Lacey...

And this picture is just too cute not to share...

This one too.... They actually play really well together! Not too much eye poking! :)

I was pretty sure that she was able to do more crawling than she had been when she pulled herself to standing at her toy box!


She just needed some motivation to really get going..... So I had an idea. Trista was just about the same at this age, just barley crawling for weeks, and then took off full speed one day after a little encouragement. T.J. and I had some pink foil wrapped Hershey Kisses from Valentines day that we got Trista to chase all over the living room. I remembered this, and went and got a piece of candy in a shiny silver and green wrapper for Whitney. It worked like a charm and she went racing towards it at full speed as if she had been doing it all along. I guess both of my girls like shiny things!

She also cut her fourth little tooth yesterday!

Now she has two on the bottom and two on the top.

The night before she cut her first tooth back in June she was doing a lot of this....

and this with her tongue.....


We thought she had "found her tongue," thought it was so funny and took pictures. I should have known that she had a little tooth coming in that day!

She was just so happy and smiling like this....

and this......


and this.....


that I couldn't tell that she was teething!

Although this chewing the next day...

should have been a hint!

Aunt Cami saw the little white spec, at the end of Trista's birthday party!

Here are photos of that first little tooth that came in on big sisters birthday!


A closer look.

Whitney has been such a sweet happy blessing of a baby and I am so grateful for her. I can't believe that this first year has been going by so fast!

Labor Day - Charla and Ricky

T.J.'s sister Charla and her husband Ricky came to visit over Labor Day weekend. They drove down from Utah to Dewey for Desiree's wedding, and since we couldn't make it, they drove two more hours down to the Valley to see us. We were so happy to have them! Charla and Ricky hadn't gotten to meet Whitney yet, and it was so fun to see them and have them stay with us. She is expecting their first in January and has such a cute little baby bump! I love this picture of the two of them from their wedding two years ago. Doesn't she look so pretty!

On Monday afternoon we drove into Tempe, unsuccessfully looking for a specialty market that was open, so they could pick up a few things to take home for Ricky's mom. We finally ended up at Chipotle after a few failed attempts and seven phone calls to find out that all of the stores were closed for the holiday. I will have to pick up some things up for them before we head to Utah next. T.J. loved introducing a newcomer to Chipotle. We hope that one opens up in St. George soon! It was fun spending time with both of them. They are such a good auntie and uncle to our girls. They will make good parents. We love you!

Carseats and Seatbelts

On Saturday afternoon T.J. and I were out running errands with the girls and were in an accident. We were sitting stopped at a red light and we were rear ended at 40 mph. We were in T.J.'s Chevy 2500hd 4x4 4 door truck (thank goodness). The car that hit us is the same model as mine, a Mitsubishi Montero, and it was totaled. The Montero's air bags went off, the frame shifted into the car, and the engine was ripped apart. It used to look like this.

Our truck did sustain some damage, but nothing like the Montero. Our bumper is turned in and we can't open the tailgate and one of the side panels needs to be repaired. The trailer hitch actually bent, so that will be replaced too. The police and paramedics were all so nice and took really good care of us, especially both of the girls. It was quite a scene, there were so many of them that came. Whitney seems to be fine, but she cried so hard when we were hit. Trista has soft tissue damage in her neck, and T.J. and I both have whiplash. I got bruised across my shoulder from the seat belt, my arm was tingling and part of my hand was numb. My hand tingles and aches still, especially when I write. My head was swimming and I couldn't talk very fast (so of course they kept asking me questions). The top of my head, and my neck and shoulders hurt, and T.J. is about the same. Trista said that her neck hurt when the paramedics asked if she was okay. I was so proud of her. She answered all of their questions, and didn't get scared when there was so many people touching her.

We have been to the doctor and chiropractor a few times, and purchased new car seats for both of the girls. As I was online looking at car seat reviews for the new ones we were purchasing, I read some frightening stories from other moms that have been in really bad accidents. I have never had to crawl in to an overturned car and unbuckle my baby from their car seat that is upside down up in the air, and I am truly grateful.

When the accident happened, we were on our way to pick up our dry cleaning, about to leave town for T.J.'s cousin Desiree's wedding in Dewey. I felt so bad that we couldn't make it, we had all been looking forward to it. Trista was really sad. T.J.'s Aunt Diane and Uncle Grant are two of my favorite people, and I was disappointed that we wouldn't be there. I called Diane when we got home to let her know what happened, and that we wouldn't be able to make it. She was so sweet and called me baby. Within a few minutes after talking to Diane, we were getting phone calls from the rest of T.J's family making sure that we were alright. We felt so loved. The only phone call I had made was to Diane, and within 20 minutes T.J.'s mom called from Utah to check on us, two of his sisters, and Grandma and Grandpa called too. T.J.'s cousin Jeff that lives down the street from us had strict instructions from Grandma to check on us when he got home from the wedding. He was great, and taught my Sunday School class for me at church the next day. My best friend LaNae even brought over dinner and dessert for us, so sweet. Her oldest daughter Kaylee is one of Trista's favorite people, so she was so exited that they came over. Thank you to everyone that called us, helped us, and have thought of us. We are so grateful for our friends and family, and for the blessing of safety that we received that day.

I am also grateful for this truck, for car seats and for seat belts, and the way they protected us.

Moments Like This

Tonight, as it rains, I am thinking about how blessed I am.

After dinner the four of us went outside on our back porch and made smores and watched the rain come down and the lightning in the sky.

It was such wonderful, peaceful family time. The girls loved it and T.J. and I did too. Trista liked eating just the marshmallows and Whitney munched on a graham cracker, both laughing and playing with the dog. When we came inside, I went in our room and turned on one soft lamp in the corner and opened up our big bedroom window so we could still watch the rain. I changed Whitney into her pajamas, and came back in our room to see T.J. and Trista curled up snug on our bed, completely quiet, staring out the window in the dark, watching the rain together. I stood there for a minute, thinking how much I love them both, and then heard Trista quietly say, "Dad will you hold me?" He smiled and whispered, "Sure." They snuggled in closer together, watching and listening to the rain come down while she fell asleep.

I am so in love with him, and have fallen so deeply in love with beautiful Trista and sweet little Whitney. We have had such a wonderful summer together. I am so grateful for my family and for special moments like this.

Happy Father's Day!

This cartoon reminds me so much of T.J. and Whitney. She is so exited for him to get home from work each day and hold and snuggle her. She has been cooing Dada at him too. So sweet.

Happy Father's Day to all of the Dad's in my life, especially to the daddy of my two little darlings.

You are the Daddy I always dreamed that my babies would have. I love you T.J.

P.S. - Congratulations Charla and Ricky! Happy First Father's Day!

Tagged!

I was tagged by Christina, sorry it took me so long! I have been thinking about my answers for weeks! No more procrastinating.....

How To Play This Game of Tag:
Post these rules on your blog.
Answer these 15 questions about yourself on your blog.
List:
3 joys
3 fears
3 goals
3 current obsessions/collections
3 random/surprising facts
-Tag five people at the end of your post by leaving their names .
-Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

My Joys
1. My little family, my two blond blue eyed girls and my T.J.
2. Pedicures and Massages and reading good books
3. Cleaning and decorating my house. It gives me a sense of order and makes me say Ahhh. (See obsessions #1. )

My Fears
1. Not being able to provide for my family.
2. That I won't do a good job raising my kids. I want them to always know that I love them. I want them to be good people with integrity, have strong testimonies, are kind, choose good friends, are responsible, good with their money, develop their talents, marry well, be happy, etc....
3. Not being prepared for Christ to come. When I was seventeen, I was asked to be in a church program that was centered on the parable of the ten virgins. I was the lead girl that wasn't ready. The spotlight was on me when the bridegroom passed by and I couldn't go with him...I never want to feel that way again. I bet that my young women leaders have no idea how much I learned from that Evening of Excellence. I think that I learned more having been asked to be one of the foolish virgins rather than one of those that went with the bridegroom.

Goals
1. Finish decorating my house, and get my office and food storage in order
2. Stick to my daily routines and schedule better
3. Be better about updating my blog and keeping in touch with family and friends

Obsessions
1. There must be a place for everything. When I go shopping, I don't buy anything unless I know exactly where it will go when I get it home. If I can't think of exactly why/where I will need it, I don't buy it no matter how much I like it. When my cousin Candice blogged about OCD, it got me thinking that it has to be genetic. I love buying new things to decorate my house, but I have to know where it will go. That is probably why it has taken me so long to finish decorating this house. I won't buy something unless it fits in perfectly. When we moved from our townhouse almost three years ago, I was happy to have a much nicer, bigger house. At the same time, I felt defeated because I had to start the decorating and organizing process over again. I had just gotten the townhouse the way that I had wanted it to be. Stupid, I know.
I think that I am passing this on to Trista. She always has a clean room, and I love it.
Also, in the OCD realm, I like to wash dishes and do laundry by myself. (Even if I just had a baby. If I get a call first, I will answer the door with a shiny house.) I am also a perfectionist, I am trying to get better. If I don't have the time to devote to a task, I won't do it at all until I do have the time....bad habit.
And....I love Flylady.
2. I am in love with my DVR. I am also in love with my big screen television's headphones. I am also in love with my husband for buying said DVR and headphones. They have gotten me through many a night nursing Whitney. And the headphones make it so that we can watch movies together after I put the kids to bed without having to risk waking them up, or turning the volume up and down a hundred times.
3. I read everything I can get my hands on about babies and childcare. T.J. pokes fun at me sometimes because I reread some of the things that I read when Trista was a baby. I have no less than five books on my nightstand right now on different subjects all helping me figure out how to be the best mother I can be.

Random/Surprising Facts
1. I love Michael Bolton.....I'm not kidding. I enjoy many different styles of music, and my favorite band on the planet is Live, but I really do enjoy listening to some Michael Bolton. You have to admit that every time you hear him sing "How am I Supposed to Live Without You" memories of Kelly breaking up with Zach on Saved by the Bell come to mind. (As well as Jessi and Slater singing in Cleopatra and Marc Antony costumes.) I stood in a Bed Bath and Beyond for waaay to long a few months ago, debating whether or not to buy his greatest hits CD. Again, not a joke. Alas, I did not buy it...see obsessions #1. But, my birthday is coming up next month....so if anyone is reading this....you know what I'm saying.
2. I play the viola, piano and I can sing pretty well. But, I would really really like to learn how to play the guitar. I would love to play and sing for my babies.
3. I have been, and loved, para sailing, hot air ballooning, rappelling, and skydiving. However, I am a chicken about bungee jumping. I get motion sick very easy, and the boing boing boinging at the end totally freaks me out.
Okay, two more....
5. I am really shy and nervous. I think that I talk a lot to cover it up. When I am in a new place where I know no one, I hardly talk at all. When I was in school, I would be in a class where I would talk a lot (covering up nervousness with people I know), and then walk down the hall to my next class and then not talk at all (didn't know anyone). It takes me a while to make friends sometimes, but if you talk back to me and let me in, it will happen in an instant. After I am friends with someone, it is forever.
6. Okay, one last thing. When I grow up I want to be a hybrid of Jenny Flake (a beautiful mother, Pilate's instructor, and nationally known home cook), Shanel Gambell (in all of her fabulousness, stylish, friendly, best vt companion ever, decorator, scrapbooker, best gift wrapper, cooks amazing things, remembers all special occasions, outgoing, and the most incredible Primary President I have ever seen), and Sara Maier (a stay at home mom that always works out, has three energetic little boys, has fun with her children, always looks beautiful, is an interior designer, and plays the guitar).

Now....I tag.....
Glenda
Ranee
Shannon
Britney
Lucy

Have fun! Thanks Christina!
I will try updating this week about our latest happenings!

Sweet Happy Winnie

Whitney is so happy, we all love her so much. She has been such a wonderful addition to our family. She is so sweet and cheerful, and has the cutest smile. I have loved hearing all of the new sounds she has been making lately. She squeaks and squeals with delight and has such an adorable little girl laugh. She has beautiful dark blue eyes, and long sweeping eyelashes that curl. She loves Trista, and is just fascinated by her. One of her favorite places to be is in Trista's room on her princess bed. She loves playing with her sister, especially in her room. Whitney will laugh at anything Trista does, and in turn, Trista loves to make her laugh.

There is a time towards the end of each day when Trista can make Whitney laugh endlessly. Trista will stick out her tongue, jump up and down, raise her arms, dance a jig, spin in circles, and Whitney just can't laugh hard enough. It is so precious to see my two girls loving each other so much.

Whitney is at the stage where she can lift her head up off my shoulder when I am holding her, but she chooses to lay her head down and snuggle into me. Oh, this is the best time. I wish that she could be six months old just a little longer.

I love being the mommy to these sweet precious girls. I am so blessed.

Mother's Day Video

Someone sent me this a few years ago, and every time I watch it I still laugh. I hope that everyone had a happy Mother's Day!

Trista's First Talk & One Busy Weekend

Trista gave her first talk in church on Sunday! It went really well. I am so proud of her!
Here is a picture of my little Sunbeam in her new butterfly dress.


We were so busy that weekend. T.J. was asked to go to our ward's Fathers and Sons outing on Friday night. He went as part of the Elders Quorum Presidency to help make the breakfast in the morning. So, Trista, Whitney and I ordered pizza and had a picnic on my bed that night. In the morning, we went with my mom and sister Christi to Baisch and Skinner and got stuff to make a few new floral arrangements for my house and new office at RSC. Trista found a little bird she fell in love with and named him Conco. Then we went shopping to find a new dress for Trista to wear for her talk. We stopped by Mervyn's Super Sale, and found cute summer baby clothes for Whitney, but no dress for Trista. We raced over to Crismon's Baby Boutique and found the perfect one. It is cream with pink butterflies and a pink sash and bow. We also found cute new pink, white, and cream hair bows too. T.J. came home early and didn't go spelunking with everyone else, so that I could go to the temple for my friend Megan's endowment session later that afternoon. So sweet of him. After I got back from the temple, T.J. and I went to dinner at Macaroni grill (thank you Cami). I didn't think that the smoked buffalo mozzarella cheese in my pasta tasted quite right, but didn't want to say anything and spoil our date. I mean, surely the cheese couldn't be bad...they use it in almost every dish, how could it go bad? Sure enough, I was barfing come early morning. Not pregnant! LOL (At the end of the day on Sunday T.J. said I looked tired, I reminded him that I had been throwing up earlier that day, and he had completely forgotten. My pregnancy with Trista made me good at working in spite of a sour stomach.)

Trista and I started preparing for her Primary talk on Friday morning with a prayer and read the scripture that she was supposed to speak on. I pulled out the flannel board and laminated pictures from my new Family Home Evening kit that my mom gave me for Christmas to use as visual aids on Sunday. My mom spent hours and hours making those kits, and I am so glad to have one. Trista practiced the talk (and I practiced my picture placement) on Saturday and Sunday. T.J. teased me for how much I prepared for this. :) She talked about the prophet Noah, and that if we listen to the prophet we will be blessed.

Our Primary has opening exercises in the chapel, so I sat with her in the chairs behind the podium. As she looked out, she saw Grandma sitting in the back of the room. She and I went to give her a quick hug before Primary began and then back to our seats. It made her feel extra special to have my mom there to watch, I am so happy that she came.

The Sunbeams were in charge of opening exercises, so a little boy from her class gave the prayer, and another bore his testimony. The little boy giving his testimony didn't talk, so his dad did it for him. I thought, "Oh no. Now she knows that if she is nervous she doesn't have to do this." She did so great! She talked right in the microphone and spoke clearly. I was blown away at how calm she was and what a big girl she is turning in to.

Her primary teacher said that she started tearing up during her talk. I am so grateful for how sweet she is to my little girl and what a wonderful job she does with the Sunbeams.

I had just started my new calling teaching the 12 year old Sunday School class the Sunday before, so T.J. took Whitney to my class and did one of the enrichment activities for my lesson with the kids until I got back from Trista's talk to teach. We still had time for a good lesson. I love my new Sunday School class. I was the Activity Days leader for our ward (the only one for 16 girls) all last year when I was super pregnant. It wasn't easy for me to do that calling (especially in the summer), and have a job, and have Trista with me (potty training), while I was calling all the girls, getting the church house keys, setting up the chairs and table, giving a lesson, doing an activity, and buying and handing out treats for that many girls. After Whitney was born there was no way that I could still do it, but I didn't feel like I was done with those girls. (There are now four people that do my old job.) When I got word from the bishop that I was getting a new calling, I felt like I would be working with the young women, but still felt guilty about not being able to do Activity Days anymore. When he said Sunday School, I knew it was right. I would be working with the young women, the ones that were the older girls from my Achievement Day group from the year before. I have two boys in the class, so they are a bonus. This calling is perfect for me right now, and I love those kids.

I am so grateful for my two sweet daughters and my wonderful husband that loves and supports me. I am grateful to have family so close by that loves us and helps us. Trista is such a good girl, and I am so proud of her for always saying her prayers, and reading the scriptures, and being such a good helper. Whitney is so precious, and am so grateful that she is such a sweet happy little side kick. T.J. is my rock, I can't say enough good things about him, and I love him dearly.

The Best Day Ever

Trista and I played with makeup the other day. She felt like such a big girl. It was so fun.

I have always wanted to put mascara on her!

She said, "I feel special. Mama, this is the most amazing, best day ever!"

All Smiles

Whitney wore little overalls today after church and looked so cute.

I had to take pictures.

Trista was wearing an adorable little pleated jean skirt. Do you ever coordinate your kids clothing and not realize it at the time?

On Thursday, when Trista and I walked outside to say goodbye to Daddy, there were ducks walking down the middle of our street. We live down the street from the lake. Every once in a while we will get birds and ducks that come our way.......not to mention the crane (that was taller than me) that came to our backyard hunting last spring, and ate all four of our large ornamental koi from our pond. That was a crazy afternoon.

The ducks were just waddling down the street like this was nothing out of the ordinary....

Trista tried to give the ducks directions.

It was a really fun way to start the day!

Rice Cereal

We started feeding Whitney rice cereal this week. She seemed to really like it!

She usually sits with us at the table on T.J.'s lap during dinner. She watches his fork and the food go up and down and coos and lunges a little, so I thought that she was ready. The other day T.J. handed her a tortilla chip to be funny and she immediately put it right in her mouth and started sucking on it. She knows what to do!

I had to change to a softer tip spoon because she was chomping down on it a little too much.

You know I had help!

She kept turning her head to the side to eat. T.J. noticed it first and laughed. She wouldn't really take the spoon straight on. I guess she is used to eating that way. :)

Easter

Easter was so nice this year. We went to the Easter Pageant with Cami and Jess and their kids on Wednesday night. I am grateful for the opportunity for our family to go and see it. Trista talked about it for the rest of the week.

Easter morning the kids woke up to see their baskets. The Easter Bunny even left a little squeaky donut for our dog Toby.

Trista with her ears on (and a jelly bean in her teeth). She was so happy about this Sesame Street ring and stick-on earring set and her new Dora nightgown.

I was especially proud of the Baby basket that this Bunny put together.

I think that Whitney liked it. She kept talking to her new little friends.

I think the look on her face is so funny in this picture.

Whitney with her ears on.

T.J. with the girls.

After we came home from a wonderful church meeting, we had my family over to our house for Easter dinner and an egg hunt. Trista and her cousin Erin had a great time.

There were eggs in the flower beds...

On the playhouse porch....

Behind the jacuzzi......

In the grass.....

And some that were harder to find. T.J. gave the girls some hints....

And eggs were found on the roof!

It was a very fun Easter and I am glad that we got to share it with our families.