My Baby

The other day Jacob took the front off of Linnea's crib. She was so excited. All smiles and giggles as she climbed up into her "new bed". She slept fine for that first night but last night she wouldn't go to sleep. She didn't take a nap yesterday and then at bed time she just layed there and cried. I went in and rubbed some Vick's on her chest and sat next to her stroking her hair and watched her as she dozed off to sleep. I was overcome with emotions (that happens a lot more now... could be all the hormones running around in there from the pill) and began crying as I sat there watching my baby fall asleep. Then I looked across the room and Emma laying in her bed sleeping peacefully and again was overcome with emotion. As I left their room I was sad that my baby was growing up to be big like her sister. I went and sat on the couch with Jacob who looked at me funny (I don't cry a whole lot). After a while we heard a thud. Linnea had fallen out of her bed and was screaming. Jacob went in to get her and I followed when Linnea saw me she grabbed for me. I took her to the couch and snuggled with her as she sobbed. She did not want to go back to bed. So I leaned over to Jacob and told him I thought she was too little to have the front off of the crib. He agreed and went into the girls bedroom and put the front of the crib back on. (Emma slept through the whole thing). Linnea kept looking up at me and smiling her drunk/tired smile and picking herself up and kissing me on my lips. Then when Jacob was done he came and got Linnea and put her in bed. She went right to sleep.

I'm so glad that my baby has decided to stay a baby for a while longer. While I am looking forward to the day where her and Emma will share a bed and I will be able to hear them giggling together at night, I am thankful that Linnea is still my baby.

Something else that has been on my mind lately on a completely different note/emotional track is my wonderful husband. He is the 2nd counselor in the Elders Quorum Presidency and in charge of moves. There have been a TON of new move ins this summer/early fall (like we've gained half a ward and they have all bought houses) and he coordinates them and gets people to come volunteer. A lot of them have been last minute moves which gets frustrating but that's life. He's had a heck of a time getting people to these moves. And it's not that men aren't available it's that they are unwilling to help. I don't know how many times men have complained and sometimes been mad that he was calling them (or I was if Jacob was still at work) and asking them to help move on such a short notice. Or that they were being called to help with heaven forbid another move. Now I'm not saying that every person he called was like this. There were men that were very willing to help and apologetic when they couldn't help and Jacob was so thankful to them for that. But I felt like asking these other men and even their wives if they realized that while they or their husbands were pitching a fit like a 2 year old that my husband was out there helping with yet another move and he was doing it with a smile on his face and gratitude in his heart that he was able to preform such a simple service to some new members of the ward. I am so thankful that Jacob is so selfless and willing to help those in need. I know that if anyone ever needed anything that Jacob would be there to lend his help. That is one of his qualities that I love the most. I love him with all my heart and despite his short comings in other things he is a wonderful wonderful man. I know I'm not easy to live with and he is so patient and for the most part understanding.

Sisterly Love

Sharing snacks outside.

I know it doesn't look like Linnea is having fun in this picture but she was in the middle of jabbering about whatever it was they were doing on the chair.

I really just love my little girls. They play so well together. I was telling Jacob the other day that I get caught up in cleaning and doing laundry and then realize I haven't played with the girls all day. They are so good with each other and play so well that I get in the zone all the time and almost forget I have two girls. I am reminded daily, hourly that they are there when I hear a delighted squeal coming from their bedroom, the toy room or the backyard. I am filled with so much love and appreciation for my babies. Their beautiful smiles and happy laughs put a smile on my face. It makes up for those days where they fight like cats and dogs. They both can throw humongous tantrums but all in all they are little angels. I love you very much Emma and Linnea. Please remember to always loves each other and be quick to forgive.

My life Today

Today was an interesting day. Linnea was able to have her buddy Rowan over today while their big sisters were in Pre-School together. I loved watching them play and giggle together. They are such great friends. You can tell that they both have an older sibling because they share their toys and I think they act different than their older sisters did at this age. (It's crazy to think we've been here long enough that Linnea and Rowan are the same age as Emma and Niev were when we both moved here).

Then Emma got home from preschool and started playing with Linnea. They are just the best of friends and for the most part play very well together. They ate lunch together and played some more before Linnea went down for a nap. After the nap was when the day took a turn. There was fighting and pushing and screaming. I almost went crazy. It's funny to me how quickly moods can change. Most days are like today, although I do have a lot of what I like to call "Perfect Play Days" where the girls are just angels. But today was one of those days where I was gushing over how adorable my girls were and their friends and then longing to be back in the newlywed without kids phase the next moment. Motherhood is such a roller coaster ride.

Some good news that I discovered today: I already have a pair of size 4 black church shoes for Linnea so I can take the other ones back that I bought last week! And I can use that money to go and buy Emma a Halloween costume!

And Jacob's co-worker came by today and dropped off the work truck because he is going out into the field tomorrow for a couple weeks. He's been in the office for almost 3 months now and work was really starting to look scarce. I'm not untightening my belt just yet, but I'm grateful to know that we will go another pay check where all of our bills will be met without dipping into savings. (Things aren't REALLY bad for Jacob's work, just a bit slower than we like). I know the Lord is watching over us. He's just making us sweat a little bit and I'm okay with that.

And Emma learned how to hold scissors and cut with them today. She was way excited.

Other not so good news today: Linnea crapped on our carpet. There is only one room in the whole house with carpet (the toy room) and she crapped in it. She had pooped in the tub a bit so Jacob took her out and she ran into the toy room and did the rest of her business. I was preoccupied with other things and I assumed Jacob had her and he assumed that I had her. Whoops!

Websites that you should know about!

So I am in this preschool co-op with a few other ladies in the area and am currently in a worksheet phase. I love worksheets. I think they are a wonderful teaching aide and they have been great in helping Emma learn various skills. So anyway, First School is a great website that has worksheets to practice writing letters, numbers, shapes and other skills. I like that for the writing worksheets it has the option for Standard and D'Nealian writing. A lot of schools are teaching D'Nealian because they think it helps transition them into cursive. A-Z Teacher Stuff is another good website that has lesson plan ideas that you can do with your kids. Teachers dot Net is another website with lesson ideas. Kids Learning Station is probably my top two favorite website for worksheets. They have so many and they are excellent. Kidzone is my favorite for writing worksheets. And my last website for you is Beginning Reading
I hope you enjoy the websites. I have others but i can't find my notebooks from when I was going to school.

The goings on of the past couple days...

Emma loves the metronome.

Musical fun!

We taught Emma how to do somersaults and now Linnea tries to do them too.

Wrestling...they actually stopped wrestling before anyone's feelings got hurt.

Linnea got bit by some kid at the gym daycare. Apparently the kid bites multiple kids when she comes.

And finally the scare of my life... I came into the toy room to find Linnea like this. She wanted my wood letters. The camera was actually in my hand when I walked in. Linnea, you are going to be the death of your mommy!