Fall is Aproaching

Seasons don't change much in Fresno, but when they do we fully embrace them. Kinda like making pumpkin cookies in August and listening to Christmas music is October. I guess I don't really need seasons...we just do what we want.

No Title Will Work

Nick and I bought this bike carriage for Papa Rick's Birthday last year. She loves it! When we pack her with a blanket, sippy cup and snacks...she'll sit there for at least an hour. We have such a relaxed little girl. So easy to please.

Me.Linda.Chelsea.Alyssa

I.am.so.lucky.

END OF STORY

Seriously.

I'm pretty sure we were placed in one another's lives for very good reasons.

(Work sleepover with thirteen, 9-12 year old girls back in October)

Learning to Back Float with Coach Susi. She LOVES coach Susi.

Throwing a 2 year old tantrum that I can't help but get a kick out of.

September in St.George

I love St. George. We miss St.George. We miss the ranch in St.George. I love my Grandma's house. I love Panguitch. We are happy where we are, but we sure love our hometown.

Great Grandma and Grandpa Hafen

Great Grandma Beckstrom

Jojo and Miss Mills. We REALLY wished we lived closer to our cousins.

Ella and Amelia

Amelia and her TV

Toys and a TV makes this girl happy. A playroom would have no use in our house, she likes to play wherever we are. Amelia loves TV. I may let her watch it too much. It doesn't really bother me. She is a well rounded child. She gets plenty of activity and socialization. Here she is in her element :)

Silly Girl

This cute face is what I get when I tell Amelia to smile. I lalalove it!

Naked girl with your naked baby. For some strange reason you don't like your dolls to be clothed. You are always carrying them around bare.

You and I, we're pretty good buddies these days.

You are so so much fun right now! You also seem to test me more than before. You are so close to talking in sentences. I'm sure your just trying to get your thoughts across, but it seems to lead to more meltdowns than normal. Thankfully you haven't learned to say no, hit or kick me. I'm grateful that you are a sweet girl. You give hugs and kisses to everyone without being asked. You love to watch Dora, Mickey, Little Bear and Beauty and the Beast. You sit still for the entire movie of Beauty and the Beast. I think you like the music. When the Dora "We Did It" song comes on, you get up and dance around. You are a night owl. We put you to bed about 8:30-9:00 each night and you stay up in your bed playing for another hour. You also sleep in until 8:30 or 9:00 every morning. If we keep you out late, you don't get sleepy or cranky. You just stay your happy self. In fact, the only times you aren't really happy is when you don't get candy (which is pretty much all the time), can't play in Dad's truck, when you can't go into the gym, and when people don't say bye to you. You get very upset if someone leaves without acknowledging you. You love to dance with Alyssa. I can hardly wait to enroll you for classes in January. You are so advanced in your motor skills. Seriously, you can keep up with the 3 year old classes no problem! You love to climb on everything. You will climb the spiral towers at the park all by yourself. You feed yourself very well and don't like to be fed. You love cats and dogs. One of your favorite things to do is walk Grandma and Papa's dogs around the block. You like to play house with Mr.Tux, you lay him down, cover him with blankets and give him your sippy cup. Speaking of that dang sippy. You love it. You won't sleep without it. You only allow milk at night time. This is your only comfort/habit and it's going to be tuff to break. You only have 32 more days. After you're 2...it's water only. I'm trying to psych myself up for it because I know we're going to have some long nights. You love to skype. You seem so intrigued by seeing people and talking to them through the computer. You have started to go potty on the toilet. If I was dedicated enough I'm SURE you could be potty trained. You go every single time I put you on the toilet. You actually love to cuddle, especially on the couch. You LOVE to eat. It's your favorite thing to do. When it's time for prayer, you fold your arms, smile and squint your eyes, then you look around at everyone. When I ask you how old you are, you say 2, apparently you've been 2 for about 6 months already. After you've seen me sew you a dress or skirt and I try it on you, you say "ohhhh, pretty" and you twirl around. I love it. You LOVE your swim class with Coach Suzi. You are an amazing back floater. I'm been very impressed that so much can be learned in water at such a young age. You really like me lately. I mean, your crazy about your Dad, but you seem to be favoring me a bit too...finally!!!! The older you get the more excited I become to see you grow and change. You are quite incredible Amelia Dawn.

Turning 2 is just around the corner

I just love her little personality. She is really starting to figure things out. She throws tantrums, sneaks away, gives hugs when she wants something, snuggles Dad to win him over, screams for "Bweea" in the middle of the night (apparently she'd rather call me Bweea rather than Momma". She carries her purse, takes care of her babies, loves Dora-Tiger and Pooh-and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, enjoys most food with the exception of cheese and yogurt (no complaints), is crazy about her kitty's, goes down for bed without hesitation...even stays awake to play in her crib without whining, is so easy going, agrees to anything we ask for with her sweet little "kay", goes to her room and shuts the door when she's throwing a fit...voluntarily I might add, gives more kisses than anyone I know, is mesmerized by Skype, enjoys Nursery, likes to look in the mirror and say "pretty", knows just what to do to keep us falling more and more head over heels for her than we ever thought possible.

I haven't taken any good photos of my growing girl lately, so today we braved the assumed meltdowns and went for it.

Playing with her stuffed kitty cat. I just love how the following pictures show her many mood swings. She is so quick to change her mind.

You are amazing baby girl. You make my life so happy!

She FINALLY likes books

One of the few (or many) things I really hope to instill into my children is a strong love for literature. Reading is so important! I was thrilled to peek into Amelia's room last week to find her snuggled up on her chair "reading" her books. She already has her favorite: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

No reason for this post. I just love this outfit...and the cute gal wearing it.

Splash Park

Fresno finally caught up with the rest of the desert states a built a splash park. We spent a solid 3 hours here last week. She loved it.