Norah at 18 Months

 Norah - you are officially 18 months and as busy as ever. So busy in fact that you only let me take a few photos of you in your cute dress before throwing a fit and running away. You are a firecracker and change moods faster than anyone I've ever seen!

 You are a jabbermouth and LOVE to talk. You are starting to put phrases together. One of my favorites is "Wazzup?" You ask me that whenever there are sunglasses around. Some of your other favorite words are: oh no, peas (please), juice, nak (snack), ni-night, and many others, including names of family members. You also make great animal sounds - you know dog, cat, bird, cow, horse, fish, snake, elephant, bear, tiger (pretty much anything that growls), chicken and duck.

I got a few more photos at the park after I changed your outfit. 

You love the swings and never want to get out. In fact, you love being outside and are the happiest when you are wandering around doing your own thing. I tell others you get the wandering gene from Grandpa Croft. I have to constantly be watching you or you disappear in seconds.

 You are a smart girl and know how to point to your eyes, nose, mouth, head, and ears. You love playing with Logan's cars (which is usually followed by him taking them away and you screaming at the top of your lungs). You love your baby dolls and put them in your stroller and give them walks around the house.

You are still sucking your thumb, which is starting to worry me a little. I never thought I would have a thumb-sucker. 

Your check-up at the doctor went great. You're still tall (85%) and average weight (50%). You didn't cry during your shot and were happy as can be with the sucker the nurse gave you. 

You are doing great in nursery and love to be held by the leaders. You have a tender heart and usually all you need is a little snuggle. That I can give to you everyday, always.

Love you baby girl.

Being a Mom

Becoming a mom changed the way I look at, well, everything. 

Suddenly the world isn't mine to behold but theirs. 

I love to get down to eye level and watch my kids. How do they see things?

My guess is more simple. More pure.

One of my favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon is about becoming as a little child. Although my kids are young, they teach me everyday. 

They've taught me to slow down and enjoy the moment.

They've taught me how to be more patient. To find the good in everything. 

One of my strongest hopes is that when they think of me, they'll remember me as happy. And I hope they know it was them who filled my life with joy and purpose.

I'm so grateful to be a mother. 

Logan - 4 Year Birthday Interview

Here's my big boy Logan.  I took a few birthday photos that I'd like to share. I also did a little interview with him. 

Here he is with his birthday poster we made for his special day at preschool.

What is your favorite color? BLUE (it changes daily)

What is your favorite toy? A DUMP TRUCK

What is your favorite thing to do? WATCH A SHOW

What is your favorite show? LIGHTNING MCQUEEN

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? PANCAKES

What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? CHICKEN NUGGETS

 

What is your favorite treat? CANDY

What is your favorite cereal? FROOT LOOPS

What is your favorite drink? MILK

(apparently I asked a lot of food questions!)

What is your favorite thing to wear? SKATEBOARD SHIRT

What is your favorite game? LEGOS

What is your favorite animal? (thought for a while) A SNAKE

What is your favorite song? TRUMPET (haha)

What is your favorite book: CURIOUS GEORGE

What is your favorite thing to do outside? PLAY WITH MY FRIENDS

Who is your best friend? TY

What do you want to be when you grow up? BIGGER

What was the best part of your birthday? MY DINOSAUR PARTY

What is your favorite birthday present? LEGOS

I'm so thankful for this little man. He likes to ask me, "Mom, are you happy?" (maybe because I am usually stressed???). This always makes me smile and I always answer, "Yes." I wouldn't trade being Logan's mom for anything, even during those stressful moments. He is kind-hearted and sensitive. He is quirky and silly. He is determined and stubborn. He sings at the top of his lungs. He is the reason I'm a mother. And I love him so.

Logan's Dinosaur Party

 4-years-old! Logan loved his birthday (I love this age). 

He got to have a special day at preschool where he got to wear a crown and choose a prize from the "treasure chest". Mommy came with treats and a game at the end of class. It was a lot of fun!

The next day, which was Logan's actual birthday, he had a dinosaur party!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The party guests arrived and began with some coloring.

Next we had a dinosaur walk in the kitchen. It would've been outside had it not been so cold!

I played a dinosaur song and when it stopped, the kids had to stop on the nearest dinosaur footprint. Logan seemed to be partial to the number 9, so no matter where he was, he ran to the 9. When their number was called out, they got to choose a dinosaur mask.

I thought Logan looked especially cute.

 As did Norah.

 Next up: a dino egg hunt! The eggs were filled with mini dinosaurs, stickers, and grow-in-water capsules.

Lunch, cake and presents to follow. 

Yes my child is eating on the floor. Original thoughts were to eat on blankets outside, darn it.

Singing Happy Birthday!

And trying to blow out the candles (he got a little help from a buddy).

Present time!

We had a great time and hopefully our guests did too!

Happy Birthday Logan!

Swings

One of my favorite things to do is push the kids in the swings. Both could stay on them forever.

Easter

 We had great weather for Easter, even though it was the end of March. Both kids were really into it this year. We started our festivities in the middle of the week with a playdate egg hunt.

Norah discovered the joy of what's inside the eggs.

Saturday we attended the neighborhood egg hunt (mostly the ward plus friends). 

Logan kept himself occupied on the toy until the hunt started.

The hunt begins!

Enjoying the goodies.

We ate at Granny Annie's for brunch (so good) with Benj's mom and sister and family. Afterwards we got to dye eggs at the cousin's house.

I could not find my camera on Sunday so the only pictures we got our from Benj's phone. Such a bummer! We had a lovely day at church and brunch at Oakridge. The weather and company were perfect. Hopefully I can round some pictures up from the day. 

Happy Easter!

We're having a . . .

BOY!

We couldn't be more excited! This was an ultrasound taken right at 16 weeks. Once again, it didn't take the technician long to find out the baby's gender (just like Logan). We took the kids with us this time and Logan couldn't get enough of watching the "baby in Mommy's tummy." He is still talking about my "check-up" a couple weeks later. He now understands its a baby brother in mommy's tummy. He likes to count our family members on his fingers and he'll pronounce, "there's 5 in our family!" It sure makes my heart swell. We'll have another ultrasound in the middle of April to check his size and everything. He sure has a cute profile and I can't wait to meet him. I've been feeling the newborn craving lately and I just want to nuzzle him in.

Norah doesn't quite get the concept yet but I have a feeling she'll want to be my little helper. We need to work on transitioning her into a bed before September. I can't believe she's that old. We debated between letting her stay in the crib and putting the new baby in the pack n' play, but it just didn't feel right. I guess that can be our second option if she absolutely hates the bed. 

Another big change that will hopefully happen before September is MOVING! We've been house searching the last 2 weeks and hope to find something soon. Wish us luck!