Andrew's favorite thing to say right now is a very enthusiastic "I did it!".  Anything he can do himself, or try to do himself, and feel like he has achieved something great, is the best thing in his life right now.  He is 2, sometimes a terrible 2, and life for him is a whole bunch of figuring out.  He is as stubborn and picky as ever.  He wants things done his way, a certain and specific way, and sometimes trying to do that can be really frustrating for him (and mom and dad and sister).  His favorite things to do right now is to tackle with daddy, pretend to be a puppy, eat graham crackers, play with cars and trucks and be goofy.  I love this challenging but fun age.  He has made Kinnie seem so easy.  Kinnie never really went through that "terrible two" age and we are all trying to be so patient with him as he tries to figure a lot of new things out.  He is still so sweet and caring and sensitive too.

As a Child of God

This is Kinnie lately.  Dressed up as Rapunzel's mom for the entire day.  Last week she was Ariel, all day, everyday.  She even asked to go to bed so she could wear her nightgown and climb into her cozy bed just like Ariel does after she spends the day with Prince Eric.  She had Andrew be Eric and started to get a little bossy.  Andrew was a good sport about it and Kinnie had to learn that she can't always make Andrew be Eric.  She is beyond excited that she is getting a new baby sister and lets me know just about everyday how excited she is for the baby to come. She loves pretending, she loves her friends, and she thinks it is pretty cool that she is in the CTR 4 class in Primary and gets to sit on the second row of chairs instead of the front row.  She loves learning the songs and singing them at home.  She wanted to share this one with her Grandmas and Grandpas.  She will eventually learn the other verses and sign language to follow but for now this is what she has learned.

I am Impatient

It has been a long pregnancy.  Being impatient is what is making it so long.  It isn't the "morning" sickness that gets me, or the heartburn, or the sciatic nerve that has started to be bothersome (at least I think that's what it is), it is the huge waiting period of 9 months.  The moment I found out that we were pregnant I suddenly felt like a 5 year old waiting for Christmas to come.  It happens every time.  Although I guess I can't totally compare it to Christmas because along with the excited and happy feelings there are a lot of other feelings such as worry, fear, and even solitude.  Pregnancy brings on a whole bunch or emotions wrapped up in its own unique package.  Having a miscarriage before Kinnie helped me to not take the whole process for granted but it sure has made me more anxious about it all.  I won't feel completely reassured until the day she is here.  Lately I have been feeling complete gratitude towards my Heavenly Father.  Sometimes when I feel the baby kick I am overwhelmed that Landon and I have been entrusted to raise these children.  And I ask myself "can it be"?  Do we really get another one to have and raise and care for and teach?  I can't wait to meet her and look forward to the day she comes.  And until that day comes, I hope I can remember how amazing and wonderful, and important of a process it is.  It would be impossible for me to not worry about the baby's growth and development but for now I will take her kicks and strong movements as a reassurance that everything is fine and trust in Heavenly Father and his plan for us.  Now if I could just be a little bit more patient, May 9th is so far away.

Ironing

Ironing is probably one of my least favorite things on the "to do" list.  It is right up there with grocery shopping.  Saturday is the only day that Landon doesn't need an ironed shirt (woe is me...).  Sometimes I can get all of his shirts done in a day so that I don't have to do it during the week but usually I just do one or two at a time.  Now you know that I dislike it, so now I need to tell you how excited I am because Landon just did the biggest favor for me and ironed 6 shirts!  That means that I don't have to iron a shirt for a whole week!  And I guess I shouldn't really call it a favor since I didn't ask him to do it.  It is going to be a great week! 

Christmas Picture Post