Miriam...all grown up?

Sometimes it seems like she looks extra grown up.

Like when we took her year pictures or here with her cute pink strawberries and mommies high heels. I can't believe she could actually walk in them!

Or taking off in Grandma Nicee's flip flops and water bottle. "I'm all ready to go!!"

She is definitely a technology girl- we have lots of pictures of her on the phone (and everything is a phone, remotes.....) and on both of our computers. Any day now she will start playing games on them by herself or maybe e-mail Grandma! We noticed she even curves her fingers properly.

She is being trained well in the art of entertainment- books and games! She loves playing with dice and I taught her to say "shake shake drop" to figure out what to do with them. I'm amazed she remembered it 2 months later when she came across dice again. Can't get any cuter than that!

First Time at Nursery!

Okay, this happened September 6. We took Miriam to Nursery just before she was 18 months, and I stayed with her the whole time-- to get her adjusted to nursery quicker so we could manage with our calling and she wouldn't upset the whole time. I brought her in as everyone is playing with toys. I put her forward and told her to go play. For a little while she just stood and watched, and then she slowly got into it by picking up a truck and driving it around and then playing on a piano keyboard, and then broadening her toys. She did have a little trouble with the 'I can't play with this because he/she is already playing with it'. All but two of the kids were not at all social; she would try to play/interact with the other kids, but they just weren't that interested. There was one child who was in a body cast (poor little guy) and Miriam would keep going over to him and-- well it seemed to me-- cheer him up. eventually she found a little baby doll. Now until this time, she hasn't ever really played with her dolls, but she picked up the doll, brought it to me, then went and grabbed another for herself, and was practically inseparable from it the rest of the time. Ever since then, she has been playing with dolls.
She was good for the entire nursery. She wasn't ever concerned about where I was (If she ever looked for me, it was to play), but She got a little distracted during the lesson. So the transition into nursery was short and easy for her!

Starring Aaron

I figure Miriam has had a lot of posts lately, that is was time for Aaron to have one. Here are some of Aaron's admirers also from August. First Grandma Nicee then the one and only picture I have from Dad's first visit, then Grandma and Grandpa Delta (second visit since we forgot to take pictures when they first came to him), and finally my Uncle Bruce and Aunt Hazel.

Some pictures from August in some of my favorite outfits.

"Cheese" and other words...

Lately we've been getting more and more frustrated with Miriam's lack of vocab as we struggle mightily to know what she wants. She does say words but sometimes for only a little while or are totally non helpful. Her first word besides mama and dada was dog but then she hasn't said that for a long time. She has said a lot of animal names- cat, bird. Some that come around more often have been Thank you, hello/hi, the classic yeah, and no. When I got pregnant she started saying baby all the time and now calls him that still though I think she is also saying Aaron too. Sometimes she 'read' her books and in one, The Maestro Plays she has added the word bravo though it sounds like baaba. Then yesterday in particular she would get a hold of the camera open the viewing screen and say cheese, cheese. I'm not sure where she picked that up because Eric and I don't really say that. So very cute in her speech yet hoping for more helpful words soon.

Our big Helper!

Miriam loves to help. I have discovered that I can do more when I find ways to include her. She is fairly obedient and loves to help. She in particular likes to help wash dishes, she'll take the scrub brush and go over dishes and pour water from here to there, etc. She loves her family and wants to be with them and do the same things. I would call it a win win situation we get some stuff done and spend time with her making her feel included. Helping Grandma make banana bread. Boy do they love each other!

Helping Daddy take the diapers out to the trash. I couldn't believe she could carry that great big bag- we have a video to prove it. In the beginning I had her help change Aaron's diaper by handing me things and then she'll take the diaper to the trash. She's not squeamish when the diaper gets to that point but will gag seeing the poop earlier.

Helping Aunt Jennifer shred potatoes for breakfast hash browns. She was on quite a kick for awhile wanting to turn the handle all the time.

Helping Grandma vacuum. I'm never quite sure how she feels about the vacuum, sometimes she seems ok and other times she acts afraid wanting to be carried.

Helping Uncle Ryan cook sausage.


We love our big girl, Thanks Miriam!

Doctor Checkups

We did both check ups together and I went by myself. The hardest part was how long it took to strip/change diapers and then redress both of them. Not to mention Miriam was a little cranky- we can't shake this cold thing.

We'll start with Aaron: She said he was looking good and progressing normally. Gave me things to watch for coming up. I was anxiously waiting to find out how much he weighed because he is a chunk and feels really heavy. I knew it was at least 10lbs but I was totally surprised to find him weighing in at 13.23 lbs!! He gained 4.13 lbs in 7 weeks!! That puts him in the 84% which is up from the 61% last time. I definitely don't have to worry about if he is getting enough to eat. Aaron is 23.5 inches long putting him in the 72% which is actually down from last time binging in the 85%. He grew 1 3/4 inches in 7 weeks (definitely has grown out of newborn clothes ;)). His head circumference is 15.5 in putting him in the 35% which is also down from last time being the 49%. His head grew about 1 inch.

Aaron is pretty mellow and infinitely precious. He gets up only once or twice in the night though he spends his nights in bed with us and days in the swing. He is looking at the world around him and seemed to enjoy the mobile on the swing. He is holding his head up more steadily and starting to grab things. Sometimes he seems to enjoy his sister other times he seems to just put up with her.

Now for Miriam:She is on target as usual with the possible exception to her language abilities though I noticed she passed a 'milestone' of being to name and point to at lest 3 body parts. Her favorite one is the nose, she is always pointing to everyones' nose. Miriam weighs 22.38 lbs putting her in the 22% which is down from last time of 25%. She gained 1.17 lbs in 12 1/2 weeks. She is 32.1 inches long putting her in the 65% which is down from last time in the 69%. She grew 1.1 inches during the last 12.5 weeks- she has definitely grown out of her 6-9 pants now wearing mostly 12 month clothes. Miriam's head circumference is 18.5 inches putting her in the 64% which is actually the same as last time and it is only 1/4 in bigger.

Miriam is always entertaining us. Right now she is 'talking' very earnestly and I always get the impression that she is very serious and I should know exactly what she is saying but really it is all gibberish. She is definitely a goer and pretty social for her age though sometimes doesn't quite know what to do with new people. She still loves her brother very much and cries to hold him at times. As far as food goes she is still pretty notational making it hard for me to know just what to feed her. The biggest thing is what a parrot she is- copying what we do and say. Luckily she is finally sleeping through the night! Though teething still can make it a rough night. She has all teeth except the 4 canines and back molars.

Aaron's Party/ Baby Shower

I wanted a shower for Aaron as I didn't have any boy things, I had everything for babies but no boy clothes. Yet I didn't want to throw one myself, seemed a little presumptuous. So I called it a party and my mom was the one who gave it for us. I thought it was kind of fun for everyone to meet Aaron.
We ended up having an open house with everyone nearby though I had 2 games planned. We had a buffet of fruit, crackers and chicken salad, vegetables, trail mix, cupcakes, chips and dip; yum yum. So people came through visited, ate and some who were first time visitors got a house tour. We couldn't have got everything together if my mom's favorite cousin Florry hadn't stopped by before hand and helped out. My mom and I were having a tough time getting things together as evidenced from invitations that were mailed only about 4 days before the event. Oh well we had fun with those that were there.

Our family with Eric's Grandma Jones and her mother Grandma Ada (who incidentally is turning 99 this week). We were so glad to see them. Actually Eric and Miriam weren't even there for most of the party I sent Eric on some errands and thought it would be good to get Miriam out of the way but it turns out with as casual as it was they should have stuck around.

Mom and some of our party decorations and the cake she made. It's a stork that says "It's always nice to get a little male". Thanks to everyone who came and gave us things, I'm still working on thank you cards. :)

Ward Swim Party

Apparently our ward has an annual swim party, this year it was on Aug 22. First they have a great dinner at the nearby pavilion then they rent the Spanish Fork swimming pool. I was a little nervous about bring Aaron so kept him covered up as best I could and away from people. I was also disappointed that I couldn't swim being too close after delivery.

Eric went off to change and I got Miriam changed into her cute swimming suit and started exploring waiting for Eric. On one corner of the pool they had a splash park and Miriam though the little fountains were cool.

This is what Aaron did while Miriam explored and always does. This is one of my favorite little outfits for him. At one point I took him to the side of the pool and in my quest to wake him up I dipped his little toes in which the first time startled him. He lifted his feet up out of the water but didn't crack his eyes open at all! I did it twice more and each time it was like of this isn't anything to get concerned about.After Eric came back the 2 of them took a tour around the whole pool to see what was there. Eric said she was all for going down the slide and jumping off the diving board. After all the people she saw were having fun. Miriam and Daddy had a fun time swimming! Thanks Aunt Heather for taking such great pictures!!

Visit from Auntie Heather

Heather Hunting my best friend (with all those ups and downs) since 7th grade has adopted my children as her own niece and nephew and spoils them rotten. We always see her when I go home to ID and she periodically braves traffic to come see us. She was going to come for Miriam's birthday and one thing or another (esp the uncertainty of us moving) she didn't make it down till Aug 20 but stayed until the 23 for a nice long visit. Usually when she comes down its just for the weekend and we are very glad she came earlier because Miriam and Eric got sick and it wouldn't have been a fun visit what with taking care of them. We got to play lots of fun games Fri, she treated us to dinner Fri night at Magelbys, came along to our ward party on Sat and generally helped take care of kids. Unfortunately we didn't get very good pictures of her with anyone. She also helped make the invitations to Aaron's baby shower.

Thanks for visiting and come again soon!! We love you!

Oquirrh Mtn Open House

I thought I was finally finished with July posts but I forgot the open house. I was so sad we missed the Draper Temple to dos I was determined to make this one. We finally managed to arrange everything for when Ryan was visiting. I love the temple and I was glad to share it with him and Miriam. When I went to the Rexburg temple open house I was pregnant with Miriam and I remember saying it was probably easier with her inside than out and yest that was true.We came at the perfect time, the lull before the evening crowd started coming. We were the first in one of the outer tents to watch the introductory movie. Miriam entertained herself by pushing the stroller around. Then we went through the temple which was a self guided tour with signs explaining what the rooms were. They gathered groups in the ceiling rooms where a couple talked about ordinances and what the temple meant to them and then sent us back outside. This temple is the same design as Rexburg in the mid-size pattern. The temple had little carpet and was mostly some sort of stone which I don't like though at least it deadened the footsteps instead of echoing them. My favorite parts were the star patterns on the windows and the brilliantly vibrant paintings that were in abundance.Last on the tour was the reception tent explaining more of temples and the church besides the cookie/water refreshments. We then left to take many pictures! :) As we were going back around the temple I ran into my mission pres, Pres Hymus. I almost passed by him and I'm not sure he really knew who I was, but it was fun introducing my family anyway. Miriam was fascinated by the fountain in front.

Grandma let her play in the water as she was getting really restless and wasn't very patient for any more pictures. And we have lots of great pics of the temple if anyone wants to see them.
I love my family and I'm so grateful we are sealed together for eternity! When I'm doing genealogy my favorite phrase is BIC= born in the covenant. I love it because it shows righteous men and women that are providing the best for their family by being married in the temple.I know the temple is the house of God and its purpose as with everything else we do in the church is to bring souls onto Christ, He is the cornerstone of this great work. It is through Him and by him I have any hope of the eternities to be with my family forever and become perfected in Him. I know when I attend the temple that is the closest I feel to my Savior Jesus Christ and one of the easiest things I can do to Come Unto Him.

Fiesta Days Carnival

The 24th of July is Spanish Fork's big hurrah and is called Fiesta Days. Wed night the carnival had a family night and all rides were a $1 so we thought Miriam would enjoy the carousel at least. We ended up babysitting Zayda so the 5 of us took off. It was pretty funny having the 2 girls and the different equipment. Riding over we discovered Miriam had a much bigger car seat than Zayda (Ryan calls it Miriam's throne - I so wished I had taken a picture of the 2 of them side by side in the car), but once there Zayda won the biggest stroller as we have only ever had a little umbrella stroller. ;) One other thing to note; I don't know if I've ever been to a carnival and rode the rides so this was a new adventure. We thought the big people would need tickets for the rides we took the kids on, but we didn't so we ended up on twice as many rides though we only felt good about letting them on 2. We went on a big slide, Jennifer took Miriam and Eric took Zayda. Then Eric and I took the girls on the Carousel. The rest of the rides they either couldn't go on because they were too short or we couldn't be with them and worried what would happen if they bailed. Other than being out too late for them it was pretty fun (though not sure if we will make it a tradition).

On the 24th after the parade Miriam ended up on more rides with her cousin William. William has always loved Miriam and he didn't want to go on the rides by himself or with his boring mom so they treated Miriam and they both seemed to have a good time. Because William was older and could offer a steadier presence Miriam got to try out the boat ride and train ride.