Arizona

We are here in Arizona and getting settled into our new house. Esther is enjoying her new room and the new house. We did not want to put Esther back in her crib because she is getting too big for the crib and we need her crib for the baby in January. So Esther has been sleeping on the floor on the crib mattress just until we buy her a big girl bed. For the most part she has done very well. I thought she would just play and never sleep. She does sleep but not always on the mattress. At first we would find her by the door asleep or by her dresser. Now she sleeps on the mattress but not always all the way as you can see from the pictures. Esther has her own walk-in closet which she loves to turn the light on and off. I have purchased new sheets for her new bed, we just need to decide on the bed.

Still in Utah

Esther, Henry and I are still here is Utah. Michael started his job back in August and we are here till the house sells. We have had a lot of interest in the house this last week so we will see. Michael is comming for a visit this week and we can't wait to see him. I will try to keep you posted when the house sells and when we actually make the move.

Tantrum

We took Esther and Henry to Thanksgiving Point to see the animals and when it was time to go Esther put on a show. Now mind you this is a very brief video. The tantrum had been going on for a good 10-15min before I broke out the camera.

Esther's Birthday

Here is the first time we meet Esther. She was cute then as much as she is now.



I know that Esther's Birthday was July 29th but life has been a little busy. Here are a few pictures from the party. We spent the afternoon at the pool but forgot to take pictures. Then we joined up with some of Heather's family. Heather was unable to make it but her parents,sister and brother were there. I can't believe it has been 2 years since Esther first came into our lives. She has been a huge blessing to Michael and I. We love her dearly and look forward to many more birthdays.

Saint George May

Since Michael has some time off we thought it would be fun to get out of the cold and take a trip to Saint George and visit Michael's parents. We left after church on the 2nd. The drive was very pleasant on the way down and the kids were angels in the car to both of our surprise. That night I was a little worried that we would have some sleeping issues from Henry and Esther since they were in a new place but to my surprise again they both slept through the night without a peep. On Monday we just hung out at the house. I was excited for Monday night baths because the kids would get to bath in a real bathtub and not the kitchen sink. Well it did not go so well. They both hated it. I got the water a little too hot and that turned them off to the whole idea of the tub. Even after we cooled the water neither one of them liked the tub. I was very sad. On Tuesday Michael and I attended a session at the temple while the kids took there afternoon naps. On Wednesday we took the kids to the library where they have a water fountain and a little stream to play in. It was about 85 degrees and gorgeous. Henry and Esther had a blast. Esther just jumped right in the fountain and as you can see got soaked. I wasn't sure Henry would like the water. At first he did not want to put his feet in but once he did he wanted to sit down and splash. Esther has a great time following the other kids up and down the stream. On Wednesday Michael's mom took us shopping for kids clothes. Esther was wearing shorts and fell on the sidewalk and got her first official skinned knee. Later that day we went back to play in the water at the library. On Thursday we packed the car and came home. We didn't have as much luck in the car this time. Henry and Esther cried from about Payson till we pulled in the drive way. Esther would cry for a bit then take a breath while Henry cried and visa versa. It was a long drive home but it was worth it.

Being Outside

Easter 2010

We had a great Easter despite the weather. The annual Easter egg hunt was held at my parent's house. Esther wasn't sure what was going on but once she realized what she was supposed to do she took off. I would point an egg out to her and she would put it in the basket. She did not want to hold the basket and find the eggs at the same time so I held the basket for her. Henry was grumpy and did not want to participate. The next day I took out the candy and filled some of the eggs with gold fish crackers which Esther thought was great. She would eat the crackers then hand me the empty egg and I would fill it again with crackers and hand it back. Later she took all the empty eggs and hid them in Henry's dresser, which I found later that night.

The tantrum

I think that we are starting to enter what everyone calls the "terrible twos." Today we took a trip to Costco. After Costco I let Esther play outside while I unloaded the car. After I was all done I told her to come inside for lunch. She hates coming inside even if it is freezing outside. I had to pick her up and bring her in, which is what I usually have to do. When we got inside I took her coat off and asked her to get in her chair so that she could have lunch. She can't actually climb in her chair but she will stand by it until I lift her in. So she is standing by her chair waiting for me but I am washing my hands and can't get to her right away and that is when it started. She begins to crying and wants attention now so she walks over to the book case and starts pulling off books, which she knows she is not supposed to touch and says "no no" while she is doing it. I repeat myself and tell her that if she wants lunch to get in her chair, that makes her cry even more. She then climbs on the couch and continues to cry and kick the pillows. I am not in the mood to fight with her so I just ignore her and get lunch for Henry and myself. The crying/tantrum goes on for about 20 min and then she stops. It is quiet for about 10 min when I hear her snoring, she has fallen asleep. How Esther can go from happy to crying to asleep is beyond me. So I took pictures and let her sleep. She is sure cute when she sleeps.

2010

We had family pictures taken after Christmas and I just got them back. Here is a small sample.

Esther in 2010

I wanted to give an update about Esther. Esther makes us laugh everyday. She is always happy and giggling except when she tries to play on the computer and isn't allowed. Esther loves all electronics, the remote, our cell phones, the camera, the computer, and the vacuum. Of course these are all things that she is not allowed to play with. She is very vocal but not a lot of what she says can be understood. She does say a few words: mommy, daddy, nana(banana),grandma, grandpa, baby(that is what she calls Henry), bye bye, and her favorite word, NO. Everything is no even when she really means yes. The funniest thing she does is when she is doing something she knows she in not supposed to, like getting into the plants, she will be standing by the plant and then will see me coming and will turn to the plant and shake her finger at it and say NO, NO.(Can you tell she has been told no before)

Esther loves to share with Henry but the things she shares are not always the best. Usually it's some paper that she pulled off the table which Henry puts in his mouth and then begins to gag on. Esther and Henry love to play with each other and they makes each other laugh. Esther is very social. She waves at everyone in the grocery store and babbles away as if she is having a very intense conversation. She will be starting Nursery at church in Feb and we can't wait. Esther loves other kids. She is going to have so much fun we are very excited for her.

Esther spends most of the day reading books. She is very into books right now. She will pull a book off the book case bring it to us and sometimes will sit long enough to hear the whole story. Sometimes she will read to herself. She sits on the floor flips through the pages and babbles babbles babbles.

As you can see from the pictures her hair is long enough to pull in pig tails but she hates anything in her hair. I am lucky if it lasts for 10 min. Esther loves to brush her teeth, comb her hair and help empty the dishwasher. She licks the plates as she hands them to me.

I hope that this paints a better picture of Esther these days. I have loved every minute with her and can't wait to see what she will bring in this next year.

PS: We have not finish the bathroom yet so yes they are still bathing in the sink.

Christmas 2009

Christmas has come and gone. Esther did not quite grasp Christmas this year. She loved looking at the tree and pulling the ornaments off which then she gave to Henry to play with. It took Esther about 2 presents before she got the idea of tearing off the paper then she became a real pro. We had two Christmas'. One with just us and then one with Michael parents. Esther got a Popcorn push popper, books, stuffed animals, and new doll. I can't wait till she understands Christmas a little more.