{nicu reunion 2014}

The NICU reunion is always so fun. So fun to see people that we shared a lot of moments with. I think it will always feel that way to me, but, of course, the older you get, the less you remember (thankfully) so seeing nurses and doctors isn't a big priority to you.  This year was an especially crowded one and we never did get to see your doctors.  Luckily, we got to see some nurses and friends and just enjoy the farm. You weren't the least bit interested in petting animals this year but you did love running and playing and jumping with your dad on the giant trampoline.

{halloween 2014}

We had such a fun Halloween this year.  We asked you what you wanted to be what felt like a hundred times and each time you said something different and completely random.  Clearly, you didn't have strong feelings about your costume this year.  Not wanting to spend a lot of money on something you didn't care about, we settled on a fairy using the (expensive) costume we purchased for your dance recital back in May.  You love wings and wands, and decorating them yourself proved to be a lot more fun than anything else.

On Thursday, I had the opportunity to help at your preschool party. You wore the wings and crown before class but took them off immediately when you walked into class. (The same thing happened at the church trunk or treat too. Oh well. That is why we didn't spend a lot of money on a costume. Some things just aren't worth fighting about.  All that mattered is that you had fun and I feel certain we accomplished that.)  You played bingo, Catch a Ghost, painted pumpkins, decorated cookies, and watched a little Halloween cartoon.  And, of course, you loved every minute of it.

The ward trunk or treat was on the night of Halloween.  We picked up your dad (He won the costume contest at ward, by the way.  Somehow I forgot to take a picture of that.  Wife fail.) and headed to the church.  After some chili and scones a whole lot of running around (the energy you have), we walked around to each and every trunk for candy and games.  Quite frankly, I think you were over the candy in about five minutes, but finished your course before finding your little buddies and proceeding to run and run and run and run (seriously, the energy you possess for such a small thing is astounding!).  We went trick or treating to a few homes in the area with friends and then came back home for a few games and, you guessed it, more running.  You tried to eat donuts without hands and played bingo and black out.  Mostly, the three of you ran around the house like crazy people. I don't even think you consumed that much sugar.  Endless energy no what what.  

A very successful Halloween, indeed.  Especially since there were Reeses involved.  

{some documentation}

I don't know what the deal has been as of late but blogging has becoming increasingly disenchanting.  I can always think of something I would rather be doing, but when all is said and done, I want to continue to write letters to you and document events in your life, even if not in as great of detail as I used to do.  Here is a short summary of the last few months:

-Croup 2x

-Started Sunbeams

-Pneumonia 2x (narrowly avoiding a hospital stay- thank heaven for medicine, priesthood blessings, and our oxygen machine at home).

-2 trips to California

-A surprise birthday party for Dad

-1 trip to Las Vegas to see Aunt Kiki (Kristen)

-A visit from cousins, grandparents

-Easter

-A new dance class

-Signing up for preschool in the Fall (!)

-Potty trained!!!!

I have started an Instagram that I tend to use to quickly post and share pictures of you and our outings and family. But I do intend to continue to write here to you as I always intended to.  So instead of posting every picture that your dad and I post on Instagram, I have chosen a few of our favorites below. 

{the love between a daughter and mother}

Not ten minutes ago, your little soul drifted off to sleep. You aren't the easiest child to put to bed.  Oh, no, you are not.  You won't stand to lie in bed alone, so either I or your dad(or often both, taking turns) must lie in bed with you until you're eyes close for the night.  Tonight, like many other nights lately it seems, you greeted me (when it was my turn) with a, "You're my favorite.  You're the best mom in the whole world. I love you."  Sofi, babe, you are truly my favorite.  Yes, there are a lot of nights you go to bed kicking and screaming. And yes, the battle of our wills takes place in this house on a daily basis. But then these moments where your soft little arms wrap around my neck or your warm hands grab my cheeks and you give me kiss after kiss after kiss- those are the moments I could live in forever.  The love between a mother and child is nothing I could ever describe or could have ever dreamed up on my own, but it truly is the most wonderful experience.  These sweet moments before your slumber are some of my very favorites.  If only I could bottle up this warm swelling feeling in my heart to take as medicine on those tougher days or to share with you someday so you could remember how very much we love each other.  So instead, I sit and write both to you and to me these memories in hopes that I may never forget the love between a daughter and her mother. Because, sweet girl, I love you more than you will ever know.  Good night, sweetheart.

{christmas}

We had a great Christmas this year.  Ultimately, we decided to stay home and make the trek to California later in January when weather and traffic would be less crazy.  Your dad had been working on a play kitchen in the garage for months. I was so excited Christmas morning, I woke up before (not normal at all) and turned on the lights and set up the house for you.  I woke your dad and as soon as you made a peep, your dad went in to get you while I grabbed the camera.  You stumbled out of your room like you were still half-asleep.  Super confused, you walked in the living room and just stared at the tree and the presents.  It was so funny to watch.  After a few minutes you really woke up and loved every moment.  

{snow in st. george}

Earlier in December St. George had a wild snow storm.  It snowed nearly 7 or 8 inches over the course of a day and lasted for over a week.  In the six years your dad and I have lived here it has only snowed a few times and always melted within a day.  So this really was crazy.  Your dad is such a good sport and took you outside to make a snowman and to play in the snow.  You were pretty excited about the snow until you touched it.  Definitely related to your dad and I .