Snuggles

I had a ton of nightmares as a kid. Almost every night. I slept in my sisters bed until who knows what age, and after she moved out I sought refuge in my brothers beds. Patrick would get mad at me if I woke him up,  so I would always attempt Bruce's bed. I would slowly turn the doorknob, and sneakily Tip toe into his room. If he would stir during this sneaking process, I would quickly hide under his bed and curl in a ball. I remember my mom would come to snuggle me in my bed after a bad dream, and I would lock my arms and legs around her body so that she wouldn't leave me after I fell asleep. She somehow always managed to slip away from my death grip...

Now I love snuggling my two girls before they fall asleep. It is one of my favorite moments of the day. Sometimes I feel like I can't squish Sophie enough. To steal a quote from Elder Holland,  I want to squeeze her until her eyes bulge. Her skin feels like velvet and she is just the right amount of squishiness. I love how she immediately get sleepy when I cradle her in my arms. 

I feel the same way about Marlee. I love that he even though she's not my little baby anymore, she still loves to snuggle mommy every night. I always tickle her back and sing her the "bushel and a peck" song my dad used to sing me, and primary songs. Even though she's getting kind of boney, I still love this time I have with her.

Snuggling these two piglets feeds my soul. It is my most cherished time because I feel like I can connect to them on a whole other level. I used to love the "love you forever book" by Robert Munsch, and I think of that sometimes when I snuggle my girls. I hope they will let me sneak into their bedrooms when they're old and cradle them just like the book. :) 

Babysitting

I've been able to babysit for my sister as she has gone back to work during this hard time in her life. I love being able to love on her girls while she is gone :) 

During some of our babysitting adventures we've gone to splash pad, parks, Wheeler Farm, daybreak lake, and have started dance classes! Marlee is obsessed with Hazey and gets so excited when she comes over to play with her. She calls her "my Hazey."  Sophie loves it too, she loves to follow the other girls around, and loves to chug Lola's sippy cup lemonade when she's not looking.

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.