Dance

I started dance classes with Marlee right after Sophie was born. She made it about 15 minutes one time and then wouldn't have anymore of it after that. I just recently started then back up again, but with Hazey this time, and they have been loving it. Hazey helps Marlee concentrate for longer periods of time because she wants to do what Hazey is doing.

I try to do 1 to 2 classes a week, although it doesn't always happen. And sometimes I have to bribe Marlee with marshmallows. Marlee always starts strong, but then some Toy will catch her attention and she will totally fizzle out. We do ballet and jazz combo classes and hip-hop classes. It is so fun being able to dance with my daughter, when she enjoys it too... More pictures and videos to come.

10 months

Loves standing on everything

Took a few steps by herself

Stood up by herself for a few seconds

Learned how to drink through a straw, and now she is obsessed with drinks. The other day I made a protein shake for myself, and Sophie stole it and started chugging it down. She wouldn't give it back. I kept trying to take it back but she would instantly start crying.

When she wants something she waves her hands in the gimme gimme motion. 

Leans forward and Reaches for me with all her might for me to come pick her up.

Still loves to let her tongue hang out

Loves sleep and will almost immediately fall asleep lately when I cradle her and rock her in the rocking chair.

Seesta

Marlee can make her laugh like nobody else. Marlee does a simple silly thing, and it sends Soph cackling and squealing.I love the special bond they have. Every morning when Sophie sees Marlee she lets out a squeal of delight, her tongue wags, and her eyes light up.

9 months

Sophie is my little puppy dog. Her tongue is always hanging out whether she's serious or smiling. It's my favorite. Drew thinks her tongue is too long, and I was thinking maybe that's just how she sweats.😜 she has such a long, skinny, pointy little tongue. Recently she has been curling it up, almost like she is trying to touch her nose.

Soph has entered the mischief stage. She is crawling pretty fast now on her hands and knees, and I constantly pulling herself up to stand on everything. She has gotten pretty good balance too. A couple of days ago I caught her climbing the stairs, and now she loves to climb , even tough she ends up sliding down on her belly. 

She also loves to get into everything, and be right in the center of all the action. Whenever I am trying to sweep, vacuum, or do dishes, she is sure to start bee lining it my way to get right on top of whatever I am doing. 

She says dada, blows bubbles with her lips, waxes, claps, and love to smile and giggle. 

She also loves to dog pile and attack whoever is laying down, and loves to attack Marlee and steal her toys. 

Multiply and replenish the earth

I have always had the desire to have a boat full of children. When I was young I wanted 10 (prob because my grandma had 10)! Now 6 or 7 sounds good, but I will take what the lord sends me. I love being surrounded by children. I love my children with all my heart, and love when I get the opportunity to babysit my nieces and nephews.

I have also felt the prompting several times in my life that I need to have a lot of children. I feel that if I have the desire and have had promptings, then I need to have the faith that the lord will give me strength and the means to take care of them.

 One time I felt a particularly strong prompting was at Drew's cousin's funeral. He passed away about a year and half ago in his early 30s. He left a young wife and four young children behind. As I sat listening to his siblings and family reminisce about him, I felt a strong impression and desire to bring many children to this earth. I could feel the spirit testify the truthfulness of this feeling to me, and I started crying because of the powerfulness. 

I know it will not be easy; it's not easy now. And it may not be the lords will for me to have a lot children, or any more children. But I want to move forward in faith, and am thankful he has given me this strong desire.

Mar mar

My dad thinks I am infamous for magically appearing whenever he is naked or in his towel, but I swear it is vice versa. I know that he comes by me whenever he is naked😜. We are living in my parents basement right now, and luckily for my father, marlee has carried on my tradition. Marlee and I were in the kitchen the other day, when Marlee heard the shower turn on upstairs. It was like a que for her that she needed to go upstairs immediately. When she kept talking about Pa in the shower I got worried she'd see something she had no business seeing, and be scarred at such an early age. But despite my efforts, she continued on her course. I then heard from my dad that she opened The door to the bathroom and flung open the shower curtain to reveal my naked and afraid father and said, "what doin' Pa?".... Luckily for both of them my dad heard her coming and quickly threw on his handy towel and braced himself.

Marlee and I were sitting side by side sharing chips and guacamole today, when she put her tiny bubbers arm around my neck and said, "I luff you mommy." with the biggest grin. One of my favorite moments ever.

I was teaching Marlee about Satan and how he makes us feel angry sometimes, and Marlee said, "but mommy's nice, and Sophie, and me too."

Whenever Marlee sees someone crying she says, "oh, he wants his mommy." I was crying on the stairs the other day, and Marlee looked at me and said, "oh you so sad, you want your Ahma? (Grandma)"

I was hormonal yesterday and grumpy, and let out a frustrated sigh, and mar mar said, "be happy mommy." 

Sophie was crying and Marlee said, "oh she's so sad, she wants her lipstick."

She has been saying bye, I'll see you soon. It is so adorable in her little voice.

Here are some things Marlee lOVES, and I mean LOVES

Lipstick, she loves digging in my makeup drawer and smearing my lipstick across her lips and eyebrows. She loves to take out all of my lipstick and line them up on the bath tub, then put them all on, one after the other.

Cheetos

Singing and shaking her voice at the top of her lungs

Any kind of fruit

Root beer 

Fut weeders (fruit leathers from Costco)

Hazey (her cousin hazel), she is obsessed with her, and is her little shadow. She wants whatever she wants. 

Taking dance classes with Hazey

Cheerios, or blue cereal (frosted flakes) she tries to eat it for every meal

8 months