Beth

Where do you look when you've given Beth a bath and put her in cozy pj's and then can't find her?  I would think she'd be in her room playing Barbies or playing with Ashley or digging around for yet another bag of 'fruities'...but no!  I do have the Barbie part correct but I finally find her...outside...with Barbie, high heels, and a red snow shovel.  She is filling in the window well with gravel!  :)  Never a dull moment when Beth is around..she is all adventure and fun!

What do you mean, Mom?  I can't move gravel in my heels and jammies?

I can turn my back for a second and never know what she'll be doing when I turn back around!  Love her little 'self' to the moon and back!  What a character!

Milestones...

We continue to celebrate the victories Emma has, no matter the size, big or small!  Emma is doing great and showing many signs of settling in more and more each day, even if some of them are undesirable (this girl can throw a tantrum).  I keep reminding myself of the 'little things' that she couldn't do and now can...just a few weeks ago she still could not use her lips to clean off a spoon or fork and now she can!  I am just so excited she has conquered her fear of the laundry room...seems like a small victory but a few weeks ago the laundry room and specifically the washer and dryer caused great anxiety!  Understandably, we do A LOT of laundry around here..so for her to be able to follow me in there without fear is huge!

She even stayed in there for 20 minutes, just chilling out watching the laundry go around!  YAY!

The next 'fear' on the list that we'd love to conquer is the vacuum!  Boy does the sight of the vacuum send her into some serious mad!  If she stays up on the couch or highchair, she does okay...but if she is on the floor and even spots the vacuum (it doesn't have to be running)..she may as well be facing wild lions.  Poor thing, I can only imagine she's never seen anything quite like it before and just can't make heads nor tails of it.  Hopefully, she will be vacuuming things herself before we know it!  

Keeping an eye on that thing!

  

It is a no go...GET. IT. AWAY!

Emma got her first tractor ride with Grandpa and Mark!

First, and traditional, kid bath in the utility sink.

And for the biggest milestone of the past few weeks!.....are you ready.....

Sweet balancing victory!  Congratulations Little Sister!  YAY!

It won't be long, hopefully, and she'll be toddling around the house!  We are thrilled that she is making an effort to stand up and this week is even almost coming to a stand without assistance, too!
 We are so thankful for the blessing of Emma in our lives!

Happy Birthday, Ash!

Today is the day we celebrate Ashley turning 5!  Wha? How did that happen?  We are so thankful for our sweet girl who will lead the pack of girls around here for years to come.  She can play everything princess and pretty but she can also keep up with the boys like only a true farm girl could (coming in at night almost as dirty as Matt)!  She has already given her life to Jesus with a sweet faith.  She can raise the roof with her emotional outbursts but loves with all the same intensity.  She joins me in Emma's room each night, kisses, hugs, and prays for her baby sister.  She speaks to Jesus as though He is in the room physically, telling Him about her day and what tomorrow might bring.  She is intense about knowing what is planned (gets that from her Momma) but she loves surprises, too!  We are so blessed by Ashley!  

All about Ashley as she turns 5!
Favorite color: purple and pink
Favorite food: Pineapple
Favorite toy: Bitty Baby
Favorite activity: Playing with Bitty Baby
Favorite place to go: To Spokane to the mall
Favorite person: Audrey and Emma
Favorite ice cream: Chocolate chip
Favorite character: Angelina Ballerina
Favorite movie: Angelina Ballerina
What she wants to be when she grows up: a Princess or a ballerina
What she likes to do with Dad: Give him a nice hug
Favorite animal: Penguin
Favorite restaurant: Zips
Favorite Birthday present: (names them all) Bitty Baby bed, carrier, and changing table
Most excited about...having her new baby sister, Emma.

Ashley got her first 'training wheel bike'!

Princess Cake for the Princess!  Beautiful inside and out!

Dearest Ashley, I pray you continue to grow and bloom into the beautiful person God is molding you into.  May you continue to know Him and seek Him and choose to show His love and grace to others.  We are so proud of you and the girl you are!  Love you, Mommy!