The many faces of Elsie

Here are some pictures I took the other night while we were playing. I have decided that Elsie should be an actress or something because she can pull off many faces and emotions in such a short amount of time. I love it! Each face she makes just melts my heart...even when she's pouting because I won't let her hold the camera.

we remember you

Today is Paxton's birthday. I'm so grateful for the short time we had with him. I miss him and can't wait to see him again. I think about him every day.

you can't beat this

My favorite part of this evening...Elsie singing along to the "oh oh oh" part of Single Ladies (by Beyonce) while we were in the car.

just truckin' along

I keep thinking I need to update my blog, but I don't really have a whole lot to say. We haven't had anything super exciting happen. My life right now pretty much consists of going to the gym, trying to figure out what to eat (or not eat!), and keeping Elsie entertained without being able to play outside. Okay, I'm sure there's more than that.

We put hardware on our cabinets in the kitchen. It looks really good and it makes it so much easier to open them. There wasn't much of a ledge to grab onto before, so this has made my life just that much easier!

Elsie has decided that she doesn't want to go to sleep at night. She has been SO good about going down for naps and going to bed, so this really came out of nowhere. She has learned all sorts of stalling techniques, and we were such suckers. The other night it took her 2 hours of crying (and a little bit of us snuggling her) to finally give in and fall asleep. Last night Aaron was able to get her calmed down and talk her into going to bed on time. It was a miracle! It's not so fun watching our shows at night while Elsie is screaming from upstairs.

I went out to lunch with my cousin Myca yesterday. Elsie was obsessed with Boston (her son) and kept saying "Bah Bah" all day. It was fun getting to visit with her, see her BEAUTIFUL new house, and get out of my normal, boring routine. There's nothing like being with family!

I didn't have mutual this week, and I was totally ok with that. This whole Young Women's calling is kind of a lot of work. Really, I've got the time and am capable...I just don't always have the energy to keep up with those girls. We did have our talent show last week and we did our Thriller dance. It went pretty well, and the girls were all surprised that their leaders could dance. It was pretty funny! The Young Men leaders danced to that Soldier Boy song...Crank That. It was hilarious, but slightly awkward at a church activity. I don't think they knew the words to the song. But I'm sure the kids did!

Sorry, no pictures. I'm a slacker. We're off to the library today, and that's always a good time!

food...how I miss thee

Well, we're doing the diet thing and not failing miserably. That's something to be proud of...right?! I've lost a couple pounds already. I'm only slightly starving most of the day. I do feel better...maybe it's a mental thing.

I really have gotten to the point that I really like working out. I didn't get to do my normal stuff this week because I had a hurt foot. I missed it!

I had to include these cute pictures of Elsie. She loves to copy everything we do. This time she wanted to stretch out with Daddy after he got back from his run.

Birthday Fun

We didn't really go crazy for Elsie's birthday this year because 1) it's right after Christmas and 2) she really doesn't care. I was tempted to not even make a cake since I knew she wouldn't eat it. Aaron and I are both doing WW, so having a full cake around the house did not seem like a good idea. Aaron convinced me that we needed to make a cake (at least for pictures) and so invited a few friends over to join the party.

I took Elsie to the doctor this week for her check-up. She now weighs a whopping 21.5 pounds and is 31.5 inches tall. That puts her in the first percentile for both. I talked to the doctor about Elsie's eating habits. The doctor isn't super concerned about her weight (she is really fine for her height) but more about her nutrition. She recommended I go see this eating specialist to try to get some help. I'm not totally sold on the idea. It's not like I haven't tried a million different foods and methods of getting her to eat them...or even try them. She's just so stinkin' stubborn. It has to be her idea or there's no hope. We'll see...maybe I'll make an appointment and see what she has to say.

Elsie is Two!!

I can't believe this day is already here!! My little girl (I still want to say baby) is two! She is the most amazing, wonderful, funny, strong-willed, cute thing in the world. She is so smart and has quite the sense of humor. Sometimes she doesn't even know why she's laughing, but she has to join in on the fun.

It was two years ago today that we got a call very early in the morning from Greg that Piper was going into labor. With the way things were progressing it wasn't looking very promising for us to get to UT in time for the birth, but we hustled down there (despite the horrible driving conditions). Right about at Burley, Greg called and we heard Elsie's cry for the first time. What an amazing experience! Not quite how I had it planned out (but, really, what was I expecting...you'd think I would've learned by then that life usually doesn't work out as planned), but wonderful nonetheless.

It was kind of a strange experience walking into hospital room a few hours after her birth. Many of Aaron's family members were already there and had the chance to meet Elsie. I didn't really know what to think or how to feel seeing this baby that was mine and having all these people watching me see her for the first time. It took a little bit for me to really get comfortable and feel like she was mine. It was very surreal. I remember it suddenly hit me and felt very real and right. I'm so grateful for Piper and for everyone else that made that day possible. It has changed me and made my life so much better in so many ways. I will be eternally thankful.
The first year with Elsie was great. Quite a learning experience...and very tiring! Just a few days after her first birthday we moved up to WA. I'm not going to deny that this year has been a lot more fun with her. I love looking back and remembering her as a baby, but as she's grown into a toddler I've been amazed every day at the new things she does and at watching her personality really develop.

Here she is on her first birthday. Let's not forget, by the way, that Aaron gave her a totally jacked up bang cut just prior to this...and she looks a bit like a boy. Oh well, I think I have some pictures of myself that are just as bad. Good thing she is so cute anyway!

I haven't taken any pictures of her in the last few days, but I'll get some during our little celebration this evening.

(I will have to continue this post tomorrow...we've got a party to prepare for!)