This is a video that Matthew put together about a year ago. I was just looking through our files on the computer and found it again. It is definitely worth your time in my opinion. Some of the clips are of L before she is 1 year old, and now she is almost 3! It is a lot of fun to see how much she's grown and how much signing she does!

Cute Pics

I have taken several photos recently. E and L like to ride on a little red toy in the house. They take turns driving, so I took some pics of them. T is sitting up now, and he loves to be put in front of a container of toys and just goes wild. Simple photos, but I love to share!

L's Friend

So, every Monday and Wednesday I have an additional child. Her name is A (not giving you the rest for her privacy) and she is the same age as L. She also knows how to sign, so it is a big bonus for L to have a friend she can actually communicate with. I have a couple pics of the two girls playing with playdough. They're cute together - when L sees A at the front door she screams, and I mean SCREAMS in excitement and can't wait to start playing. Their favorite games are playing mommy with the baby dolls and cooking in the toy kitchen. Anyway, enjoy the two cute 2year olds!

It's Been a Long Time

Ok, my kids are so great! It is amazing to see their personalities shining through. I have noticed that E has so much compassion. She is so caring and watches out for her sister. For example, we were at a restaurant with Aunt T, and I went to change T's diaper. The girls were playing on the toys, and there were some boys that were teasing L because of her glasses. E heard, went to L, put her arm around her and said, "That's my sister, and she's cute. Be nice," and led L away from the boys. WOW! Talk about a proud mama teary eyes moment!

L is almost three, less than a month. She definitely has the 3-year old attitude to accompany her new age. She is trying so hard to be independent and to do everything herself. Her newest accomplishment is being able to open doors (she's so short it is a really big deal), and climbing into the van and into her car seat all by herself. It is fun to see her drive and determination, though there are still things and times she doesn't want to be 'grown up.'

T is so fun. I'm really enjoying this little boy. I loved my girls as babies, but I feel like I've really come into my own as a mom. I'm more comfortable with a baby, and feeding and sickness and poop and puke and sleep and all that stuff, so it is just fun to snuggle him, and see him be so curious and trying to get his hands on everything. He really loves to watch his sisters - it always makes him giggle.

Last week Matthew had the opportunity to present a paper that he submitted into a contest of sorts. It is something called the student symposium, and students at BYU write papers about religious topics and then if they are chosen, they get to present them to their peers. So, he presented last week, received a small cash award and was informed that they want to publish his paper! He said it isn't a big deal, but I think it is wonderful. So congrats to Matthew!

I'm not doing anything new. I've been involved with planning the PIP Camp this year that the Utah School for the Deaf puts on, and get to do some training for other parents, but for the rest of the time I just do the mom thing. Matthew and I have been exercising - P90x - since January, and it is working wonders on my energy and physique. (I still don't look like a million bucks, but I feel like it!)

Anyway, I'll send some photos in a bit!