(*I started this post a long time ago, but I think I'm just going to post what I have now and add to it later. Story of my life, but oh well! Stay tuned...*)
Dear Jentri,
We can't believe you're almost 4! You have grown so much!! You are such a sweetheart, and such a great big sister. You started preschool this year, I can't believe it! You are my shy yet social butterfly. Highlights for you this year:
**Turning "fwee" and so excited to share a birthday cake, let alone a party with your sister. Always so willing to share, which makes life a bit easier on mom!
**You got to see "Tangled" and haven't stopped talking about it since. You want to be a "blondie" like Rapunzel. You will tell anyone the whole story of Rapunzel to anyone that asks, including the part about how "Mudder Goffel isn't really her mom. She was just pretending 'cuz she wants Rapunzel's hair."
**Your reaction to your new baby sister was so fun. You were so sweet and careful, and would be so helpful and let me know your thoughts on what her cries were trying to tell us. "I think she's hungry, Mommy" or "Livi needs a new diaper" You're always such a helper! I ask a lot of your 3-year-old self and you almost always say, "yeah, sure." or "ok, mommy."
**You're a picky eater like Daddy, that's for sure! You're SLOWLY starting to try new things. Your favorite foods right now are princess soup (chicken noodle in the shape of princesses), peanut butter, grilled cheese, raspberries, bananas, and "cheeseburgers with just ketchup." You're our chocolate milk girl. You LOVE chocolate milk.
**Your favorite toys to play with right now are definitely Barbies and doll houses. If dressups count they're probably top of the list. You told me once that you "just have to have the cute things." Hopefully that's not the most important thing on your list, but I'm OK with you being cute. :)
**You LOVED having your cousin Alli here this summer. You were instant best friends and had so much fun. You always love to play with cousins, but since she lives in NY it was a special treat. Especially since you were 4 mos. old the last time you saw her!
**I love your sweet smile and thoughtful nature. You're always so aware of others and love to make them laugh. I love that you stand up for your sisters, and you are almost always nice and helpful to them. I wish you could stay my baby forever, but as you always tell me, "I can't stop growing! I'm not your baby anymore!" Love you, sweet Jen.
Sassy Miss Emma,
My stubborn, almost 2 year old little sweetheart. You had a rough start to this year celebrating your first birthday in the hospital with pneumonia. No problems since then, thank goodness. You have also grown so so much this year! You are our feisty ball of fire, and we love you so much!
Highlights for you this year:
Highlights for you this year:
**It's been so fun to watch you grow and learn new things. You're talking more and more all the time, and your favorite phrases right now are, "me, I do" (I'll do it)
**Starting nursery: was a rough one in the beginning, but with the help of some patient teachers and your parents hovering over you for four months, you now love to go and you push mommy out the door to go to her "tass."
**Your favorite toys right now are barbies, puzzles, books, anything that Jentri is playing with, and your stuffed frog, "Bibbit."
**You threw your binky in the garbage like a big girl! We'd been asking you about it for a while, and finally you decided it was time. Mommy would have liked for you to have it a bit longer so she could get some sleep, but it turned out ok in the end and you willingly tell anyone who asks, "Beent ah bawbidge...beents ah babies." aka Binky's in the garbage, and binky's are for babies."
**You got to see your twinner cousin Ashlynn twice this year! It's so fun to watch you two 'talk' to each other and play together.
**You are a stinker but a sweetheart! You are definitely an independent soul. You want to do EVERYTHING by yourself. When you get mad, hurt, or sad you want to be left alone, but come for hugs later when you're ready. You love to make messes and explore new things. You're a good eater, and especially love string cheese, chicken nuggets, grilled cheese, apple juice, mac n cheese, and carrots with "wantz (ranch)." Did I mention cheese?
**Lately you and Jen have been keeping us entertained with your knock knock jokes. Your favorite one to tell: "knot knot." (knock knock)
"Who's there?"
"Bayoh." (Belle)
"Belle who?"
"Seeping Booty." (Sleeping Beauty)
Never gets old.... :) Love you, sweet Em.
'Lil Livi Lou,
Welcome to the world, little one! You were born May 24, 2010 at 6 lbs. 8 oz. 19" long. Even though you were born in May there was snow on the ground for your birth day! We are so excited to have you with us! Highlights for you this year:
**Cousin Evan was born just 7 weeks before you, and it's been so fun to watch you two! He's always been bigger than you, but now he's got you by at least 10 pounds! You've got some catching up to do, but that's ok. You're my petite one...
**From the get-go you have been a sweet, content, happy baby. So laid back and chill. Even your mad cry is so soft and sometimes hard to hear. Mommy hopes that attitude carries over into when you're a toddler! You're always smiling, even when you don't feel well.
**Took you on your first real road trip to Bear Lake. In December it was a little chilly, but we had fun! You were such a trooper! It's no fun being in your carseat for that long, especially when it takes 6 hours to get there! You were happy to get there and play in the snow with your sisters.
**You went swimming this summer at Grandma's...you didn't like it much, but she got you the cutest little swimsuit and we had to try it out.
Daddy Jake, What can we say? We love you! You have had a busy year, as always! You're the best hubby/Daddy in the world! You always make things so fun, and even though your wife complains that you're too loud the girls love it and can't get enough of you!
Dear Self, You are one crazy Mama! Life as you know it is a constant game of catch up, clean up, and let's not forget play. What a great time in your life. Don't forget how blessed you are. Sometimes you do, and that's ok as long as you remember again. Being a mom is hard work, but a worthwhile endeavor. It's not always easy to see the fruits of your labors, and it's easy to get discouraged if you let yourself. It's ok to ask for help sometimes. Be thankful for what you have and don't focus on the things you don't. Oh yeah, and here are a few highlights for you this year. Sorry to get off topic... :) :
**
