Things learned from a weekend with boys

This past weekend we watched four of my cousins. It was a lot of fun but a lot different than just having one little one to watch and take care of. The youngest boy is only a few months older than Avalin. He is really cute but a lot bigger than her. I was hoping that Avalin would learn to walk from his example. She did take seven steps but that was only once and then she was done. Even though she didn't learn to walk she did learn some other tricks from the boys. She learned that balls could be thrown not just rolled. Also she learned how to do stairs. Luckily she goes backward so she does not scare me but it was a lot of fun to see her go up and down and up and down. Also she learned the importance of a new word, ME! Now she will just repeatedly say me me me me when she is not getting the attention she desires. Other than all of the fun things that Avalin learned over a fun weekend with the boys she also learned somewhere along to pick her nose. :(

Things I no longer need

Having a child causes more chores for a mom. There are however other chores that it may eliminated. Firstly I have no need to shred paper any longer. Any piece of paper that lands with in reach of my daughter can easily be ripped up and strewn about my apartment. Another chore that I don't have to do is feed the dog. Plenty of food is dropped on the ground throughout the kitchen and living room. There is also a bonus in that most of the time it is broken into small pieces. The only problem with this is we do not have a dog. Or any animal, so vacuuming has definitely gone up.

Over all the fun of having a baby who keeps growing up and developing out weighs any negatives. She is so great and even though she knows how to make a mess, she also knows how to make me smile.

Rain to Snow

It has been a long time but I am going to try and be more consistent in writing. So to catch up my baby is 1. It is so fun. She talks and cruises all over. She is so close to walking but is so strong willed not to that she hasn't yet. At least not with out chocolate and mom kneeling in front of her. On her first birthday she was so happy and pleasant, as she usually is. On top of that she had the perfect reaction when opening gifts. All of her grandparents and great grandparents loved her ooooos and ahhhs and the kisses she gave to all of her gifts. Dannon and I gave her mostly clothes and a pair of shoes which unsurprisingly were not as big of a hit as the balls, dolls and stuffed animal that she loves to tote around.

After the birthday fun ended it felt like Christmas was right upon us. We enjoyed Christmas a lot. We were able to spend time with both sides of our extended family. We went to my mom's for Christmas morning and it was fun. My brothers are so fun with A and she loves them. She gets so excited to play with them and enjoyed being tickled and wrestled and unwrapping presents Christmas morning.

Last weekend we went with Dannon's family to Bear Lake. Nik and Jen and Dannon's Parents all came. We had Christmas morning with them and exchanged gifts. I had been working on a cross stitch for Dannon's mom for months. I was worried that maybe she wouldn't like it. When she opened it she looked so thrilled and it made all the hours I had put into it totally worth it.

Today has been a crazy day weather wise. It rained all morning and is snowing all afternoon. I guess I won't complain because its January and snow should be covering the ground. Until next time I hope you find some love in your land.