Successful Potty Training? You tell me!

This is Isabella wearing the seat of her little potty. Apparently it's a great hat! I had just given her a bath and was helping Ethan wash his hair when I turn around and see Izzy running down the hall wearing only this toilet seat. What a hysterical site to see!!
Izzy will sit on the potty every time I change her bum, but she has yet to do any "business" on it. My goal is to go full force after the new year. For now, I am just getting her used to the idea of wearing panties and using the potty. Oh, the joys of potty training. Ethan was trained pretty early, so here's hoping Izzy follows in his footsteps. We shall see. Either way, it makes a great hat.

A Rare Happy Moment

My Beautiful Baby

Elizabeth: 3 Months Old

This is a rare non-colic moment.

A Sweet Moment

Seriously, does it get anymore precious than this! I was busily crafting away at the kitchen table when I heard Ethan whisper loudly, "Mom, look." Without looking up I did the typical mom thing, "Ok. One second." He again whispered loud, "Hurry, mom. Look!" I sighed a heavy sigh and looked and this lovely scene was before me. Ethan wanted me to see that he was reading to his sister. This precious site called out to my inner photographer. I hustled to find my camera and capture this rare moment of Izzy calmly laying on Ethan and him actually enjoying her company. Then I remembered something my mom used to say to me and my siblings, "You will be each others best friends one day." She was correct! My best friends are my siblings and I look forward to seeing them weekly, if I can. When Izzy and Ethan are older and fighting and not really being able to stand each other, I will pull out this photo and say, "You will be each others best friends one day; just like you used to be." They will most likely respond like my siblings and I would: roll their eyes and continue to think that their school chums will always be their only best friends. And they will be wrong...very wrong.
I tend to joke and whine about the troubles a toddler and baby can be, but then Heavenly Father grants me moments like this and it's all worth it. My children are blessed to have each other and it's times like this that makes me think they are starting to understand that a little.

"Liken the Scriptures"

Last night Ethan woke up at 3 am refusing to go back to sleep because of a nightmare. Therefore, he was up all night. Izzy has a killer cold and 102 degree fever. Corey jammed his finger in a basketball game yesterday and has been on some serious painkillers. Due to all these unfortunate events, I missed church once again! I missed last week because Elizabeth and I were up all night. Believe it or not she has been a gem the last two days (thank heavens for the Levson prescription). After watching all I could of the Disney Channel, I asked Ethan to choose one of the Liken The Scripture movies. They are all wonderful!! He chose the one about David and Goliath. I LOVE that one! I admittedly sing along with the movie and enjoy myself.
Funny story about this one. Goliath is played by Thurl Bailey who is a commentator at the Jazz games. We took Ethan to a Jazz game and afterward we went to see them film the post game show. Ethan saw Thurl Bailey and whispered, "GOLIATH." We were fortunate that he got to meet Thurl Bailey and get his autograph. Now every time we attend a Jazz game, Ethan looks for "Goliath."
Anyway, all these movies are fabulous. I want to eventually have them all. As of now I own, about 5 of them. I really appreciate how they make the scriptures come alive for Ethan (and myself).

Mary, Mother of the Savior

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. Reading about the Savior's birth in Luke 2 is absolutely inspiring to me as a mother. My favorite scripture of the event is Luke 2:19:

"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."

As the shepherds were proclaiming the birth of the Lord, Mary was pondering her sacred feelings as a new mom. I never appreciated the feelings of Mary before I had my own child. Think of all the things that she must have been feeling and holding so close to her heart. She was the mother of the Savior! As overwhelming as it must have seemed, just as with any mother, I am sure unimaginable peace and love filled her heart as she looked upon her newborn baby. Knowing of Jesus' divine potential, she had a daunting task. I would love to meet her and talk with her about motherhood. She would be a great wealth of knowledge, I am sure! Truly she is "blessed...among women."

Family Picture Time

Elizabeth (3 Months)
This is her blessing dress.

Isabella (20 Months)

Ethan (6 Years)

Our Family
Nov. 2008

Thank you to my Jenny-friend for being such a fabulous photographer. I highly recommend her for all you Wasatch Front dwellers. She is a fabulous person and a wonderful photographer.

My three kids!

I was snapping pictures of the three kids together and finally got one that I love! It took about 10 tries and they all finally smiled...if you can call what Elizabeth is doing a smile. :)
Ethan is such a big help. He is my runner. I can ask him to get me a diaper, wipes, my phone, the remote, etc. and he does it without complaint. He is such a sweet and easy little guy. E is definitely my low maintenance child. I love that he is so sensitive and in tune to others emotions, too. When I am having a tough moment with the girls he walks up and hugs me and strokes my hair. He is truly a gem!
Izzy is what I would label my high maintenance, curious child. She is seriously into EVERYTHING! She is a very head-strung and determined little girl. Izzy doesn't easily give up, that's for sure. Her favorite word is "NO" & "Mommy." I am hoping to potty train her by the end of the year. Her slightly defiant attitude may hinder that though.
Elizabeth is finally becoming more enjoyable! She is eating better and keeps most of it down. She is taking an antacid for her reflux which not only helps her feel better, but she is sleeping better too. I am really enjoying this motherhood thing, as exhausting as it is!