Monday, April 7, 2008

Life Goes On!

Hey Everyone! Life is going really well for us! Jon is still keeping busy with work and school -- he's getting really excited to be done with all of that in about one year from now (he hopes). I can hardly wait for him to be done so that he can finally have time to do some of the things that he never has time to do now (exercise, read for fun, play video games, etc.). I am so grateful for him and all of the sacrifices that he so graciously makes so that he can sufficiently provide for his family. I am so blessed to have him! :)

I'm keeping busy doing mommy stuff (it's what I do best these days), learning new recipes, preparing YW lessons, and reading. I also have been trying to find the time to work out on my stairs and the exercise ball that Jon bought for me - I love that thing! :)

Elizabeth is keeping busy eating (that's what she does best), sleeping, dirtying her diapers, crying, playing with her toys, rolling all over the place, and trying to learn how to crawl. She just got her first tooth last week! I never really understood why mom's got so excited when their babies finally sprouted their first tooth. I mean, what's the big deal? But when I put my finger in her mouth the other day and felt something sharp popping out of her bottom gum line, I was so thrilled that I danced for joy and immediately called my sister and parents and told them the good news. :)

We really enjoyed watching General Conference this past weekend. I absolutely love General Conference and am already looking forward to the next one. It's so wonderful to be able to listen to the inspired words of modern-day prophets! I feel so blessed! I really loved all of the talks, but especially the talk by M. Russel Ballard - it really hit home, as I'm sure all of you women out there can relate. :) Being a mother is a wonderful opportunity, but I have days every now and then where I get extremely discouraged. Jon thinks that my motto in life should be "I don't know what to do". I have said that phrase every single day (sometimes multiple times per day) since Elizabeth came into the world. At times, I get really frustrated with myself because I just don't know what to do with her! I sometimes wish that each baby came equipped with an instruction booklet written specifically for them. But that's simply not the case! I also secretly wish that mothers were capable of sprouting an extra arm each time a baby was born - I could really use the extra hand! However, I can only begin to imagine how silly a mother of 12 would look! :) Well, I have come to the realization that even if I have no idea what to do with Elizabeth, life will go on. The day eventually ends, and night eventually comes. The sun continues to rise each day, despite the fact that I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm so grateful for that fact! Life goes on! :)


Anyway, here are a few pictures of what went on in our life these past few weeks:

Hmm....I think I see the beginnings of a little smile in these photos! :)





"Mommy, put that thing away! "


Recently, she has really enjoyed just standing up by the couch. She can't pull herself up yet, but I put her there and she just stands there like it's the funnest activity in the world. Interesting...


She really wants to start crawling, and is almost there. I give her a month...I hope. :) Actually, I should be hoping that she'll stay immobile for a long while (less chasing for me!). :)


She gets really frustrated when she can't go anywhere. She keeps moving in circles...


This is Elizabeth in the bathtub. She absolutely loves those letters! When we were visiting Arizona, Tara had some of these in her tub for Elizabeth to play with in her baths. She loved them so much that I had to get her some when we got back to Lancaster.


Notice the fat rolls...I count about 20. :) She also has quite a large cleavage for a pre-pubescent female! :)





She still loves the little bouncer thing. I love it too...anything that makes her happy makes me even more happy! :)



Here she is, sitting at the table that Daddy made her. Jon is very proud of that table...


She still enjoys sucking her fingers like crazy...


and her feet as well. :)


Daddy decided to be mean one night and put a blanket over her. :) I thought that it looked so funny that I just had to take a picture!


She loves to get rides on her Daddy's shoulders. :)


With me, not so much.


Oh, I just had to show you all how much Elizabeth looks like Jon! My mother-in-law showed me this baby picture of Jon and I immediately noticed that Jon and Elizabeth share the exact same smile! It's really crazy to me!! :)


Take care everyone!!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

she is so cute. I love her little smiles, that really don't look like smiles.

Creel Family said...

Yay! You posted! I think you are doing a great job with Elizabeth...I know what you mean about the I don't know what to do though. As you know, I say it every day as well. She is so cute and rolly polly! I love her!

Jenny said...

What cute pics Andrea :) Elizabeth is SO cute and chubby :) She does look a lot like Jon!! Seth also has some of those bath tub letters...did you know that they stick to the sides of the tub? They are fun! (not that I play with them in the tub or anything, I meant just for kids :) I bet you are a GREAT mom :) It's hard when you can tell that your child is frustrated without being able to get where they want (crawling), but it's fun to help them learn!! Hope all is well :)

Amy and Micheal said...

That tub picture with all those rolls is so cute! What a little chunk. Your post is adorable, and all the pictures that went with it. I swear "I don't know what to do" is the national motto for mothers. I say it all the live long day! You're a great Mom, Andrea!

The Morreys said...

I just love those rolls on her in the bath tub. What a cutie!! She really does have a smile like Jon.

Kimberlee said...

I knew she was a little fatty but that one in the tub is unbelievable! She is so chubby, I can't believe how many fat rolls she has! How do you not just pinch her everywhere? Maybe you do...