Train Shows with Daddy

Daddy has been taking his train and running it on the Tacoma Train Club (which he joined) Layout on this little model train tour they are going on.

You've been going with him the last few weekends.

Yesterday, you didn't really want to leave me. You were gone ALL day yesterday. Daddy can help you get to sleep there for your naps by setting you up with a sleeping bag underneath the train layout. Then you have fun watching the choo choos and walking around with daddy.

Today, you're going back with daddy. I expected you to fuss today when daddy told you to give me hugs and kisses and cry when you left like you did yesterday.

But...

Daddy said, "Lets go beautiful!"

And you said, "I tuming." (coming)

Then he scooped you up and told you to give me hugs and kisses, which you did not want. You had business to do.

Then daddy starts walking to the car with you and you flash back the happiest, cutest, most memorable smile at me I've ever seen. You are the choo choo girl. Daddy's little buddy. He loves taking you and says you're really well behaved and a big helper.

You like to be busy doing things all the time (like mommy).

It brings me joy to see you so happy! I'll never forget watching your cute smile over daddy's shoulder all the way to the car.

Leslie

Early Morning Christmas Tree

Launa:

There is a special thing we get to do--just the two of us.

Growing up, I used to stay up after everyone or get up earlier and spend time sitting on the couch, by the light of the Christmas tree only and just marvel at its beauty and all it's meaning and the feelings it brings.

Since you get up before everyone, this is now something you and I do together. I love how relaxed you are sitting in my lap with my arms around you looking at the tree.

You've gotten so used to this, when we come upstairs and the tree isn't on yet, you say "oh no!"

And then when I turn it on you say "Wwwwooooowwww!"

Then we sit and cuddle, and I tell you about the tree and what it represents.

After a while, you're ready to go play. And like all kids, you have a fascination with the ornaments, but are pretty gentle with them! Kinda... :-)

I love you Launa bug! Thanks for making Christmas that much more special.

Love,
Mom

Barn Helper/Baby Sitter

On Daddy's Watch

Daddy must bore the snot out of you. Hahaha. You have fallen asleep on his watch the last few days!!

Uncle Brad Took a Pic...

...of a regular happening at our house :-)

When You Had a Cough

Hey Launa:

You recently had a cough that kept you (and us) up for a couple nights. Me the first night getting up and coming to you in your crib every 1/2 hour, and then daddy the next night. Daddy took you upstairs so that I could sleep and be functional for you girls the next day. So, you both slept on the floor, daddy patting your back when you needed help and was just there to comfort you when you'd wake up and look around to see if anyone was with you.

Then later the next morning, you were pretty groggy and fell back asleep in our bed.

You're 95% better now and sleeping in your own crib again.

You are loved!

Watching Tinkerbelle with Auntie Brenda

Saying Hi to the Horses

We had to stop by and drop of grain to the horses. It was cold, rainy and muddy so only I got out of the car. But Casady was putting his head over the fence, so Launa got to say hi... with a lot of laughing.

Gabe's Car Seat

You think you're pretty big stuff now, and you like to climb in the car and then into the car seats. The other day, we all went in Rachel's car and you decided you were riding in Gabe's. Since you guys are about the same size, it worked. His seat reclines a little and you had a nice, comfortable nap.

Sister Love

Poor, overly loved Harmony. Lol. She mostly loves all the love but sometimes Launa can get a little "passionate" (rough).

Skype with Grandpa

All you want with the Apple products now is "grandpa, grandma" ever since we Skyped with them on Grandpa's birthday.

Yesterday, both sisters were sleeping so you got to spend about 20 minutes just you and your grandpa. You mostly sit and smile but forward the middle and end you started performing :)

A Miniature Grown-Up

Launa:

I get to spend a lot of one on one time with you. Mostly because your sleeping pattern is different than your sisters'. You get up earlier, thereby usually nap earlier and so you're up when they're sleeping.

I wanted to write about you this morning because you are such a little grown up and I think you're so cute!!

You relaxed next to me and ate a fruit leather and watched TV. Then you got up and started moving around the house.

You spilled a little water and looked at me for a moment. I didn't say anything and you said, "I get it." Then you walked into the kitchen and got a towel, brought it back out and wiped the floor.

Then you brought me the wipes and said "open". I gave you one and then you wiped your face, then wiped the TV stand, then you wanted your baby. There were two other baby dolls in the you chest but you wanted your favorite one so we went on a hunt and found her (big smile from you when you saw her).

Then you used the wipe to clean the baby and are now walking around, kissing her and then sitting on the bottom stair and setting her down and cleaning her then picking her up, saying "shhh shhh shhh" and kissing her.

You say pretty much everything now. I get comments from other family members and even strangers about how well you talk for before 2 years of age.

I love you so much! Oh... Now you found my wallet and are taking receipts out and jibber jabbering at them and carrying the wallet around.

Can't wait to see what else you do today!

Happy Mommy Moment

Sometimes I feel really awful for bad decisions I make as a mom.

And then sometimes I feel really wonderful.

Like, just now, when Launa picked up her baby doll, cradled her in her arms and kissed her repeatedly on the head and nose while walking her around, then laid the baby down and said, "Good night..."

That's what I do to her sometimes when putting her down to go to sleep.

I love me precious little angel!

Bedtime Giggles

Since Launa's sleep is changing, the girls have gone to bed at the same time for about a week now.

I actually love doing it this way because they are both happier. The first time I did it and they started giggling and talking, I thought Starlynn would get out of bed or Launa would get fussy or something. But they just went to sleep!

So, they always do this now. It's so cute.

Garrett and I were listening to them through the baby monitor the other night, smiling as they giggled and talked. Then Launa said really loudly, "GOOD NIGHT" and we didn't hear a peep from either of them after that. Lol.

We love these girls so much!

Counting

Thanks to a big sister that counts all the time, my 21 month old can count to 4!

Hats, Shoes and Binkies

Always Choo Choos

EVERYTHING is choo Choos with you! Everytime you see one (or even when you don't) you want Choo Choos!!

Sleeping Angel

Babies are beautiful when sleeping but especially my "luscious" Launa. :-) Rosie cheeks, rosie lips. So precious!!!

Riding Alone

Wow!! One day you rode a merry-go-round by yourself... Completely, like... I stood on the ground. Then a couple days later, you rode a horse around with me just leading! You're very relaxed on the horses (real or otherwise).

Crèche Exhibit for Launa

Last time we came, you were just a wee baby :)

With all the "Santa Type" Christmas stuff we get to do, I wanted to make sure to go to the Crèche Exhibit at the Maple Valley stake center too.

You wanted to touch, yet did not want me to put you down. Then you had fun coloring and making your Baby Jesus ornament.