Good Tunes...

This song is quickly becoming one of my favorites to listen to.  Jon Schmidt is INCREDIBLY talented 

and what he does with this arrangement is simply GENIUS.  It's a little long, but WORTH EVERY MINUTE!  Enjoy!

Grr!

Potty Training is one of the hardest things I've had to do as a mother.

Please tell me she'll figure it out and WANT to go potty on the toilet... SOON!

I don't have many clean towels left!

Yesterday she did so good... today is another story.

I know not to give up, and I'm sure this is just the way things go.  But I'm already tired of asking her if she needs to go, 

tired of hauling her in there kicking and screaming and tired of cleaning up the wet towels.  Anyone want a three 

year old for about 3 days?  Just return her fully potty trained when you're done please.  

(just as I finished writing this post, she walks into the bathroom all by herself, 

climbs up on the toilet, and I hear the tinkle in the toilet!!!  Miracles do happen!)

Happenings...

While taking a bath last night, Olivia's nose started to bleed. This is Brad's remedy. What you're not seeing is all the tears and blood that had dripped down her chin and tummy (previously cleaned up.)  I realized how scary a bloody nose is for a little kid.  Poor Olivia freaks out when she gets one which only makes the bleeding worse.  Thank goodness we got this one under control fairly quickly.  I also realized while looking at this picture how much Olivia needs to see the SUN!  Actually, I think we BOTH need to see the sun more... I'm whiter that she is!

Olivia wanted Tagen to sleep by her in her bed last night.  I laid Tagen next to

her for a minute and was again reminded that Olivia is NOT our 'little' baby anymore.

I love her facial expression in the top picture even though it is slightly out of focus.  I just had to include both photos.

While trying to take pictures of the 'hat' that Olivia put on Tagen, Olivia decided she needed her picture taken also.  I laughed so hard at her perfect timing.  (While uploading these pictures she saw this one and said, "Hey!  That's my eye!  Give it back!")

Would you just look at those cheeks!  Wowsers!  This is the "hat" Olivia thought Tagen should wear.  I think she looks like she's under a lily pad. But, I'm happy to report that this little cutie-patootie is letting me sleep through the night now.  She is sleeping usually from about 11:30 to 6:30 or 7 a.m.  This morning she slept until 7:30!  I can't complain at all.  I'm pretty excited about the sleeping thing. She's 10 weeks old today.  Over the past 10 weeks, I felt pretty good if I was getting 3 hours of consistent sleep and now I'm getting 6 or 7!  Yahoo!  Let's hear it for sleep!

Easter activities and thoughts...

Olivia is ALWAYS wanting to wear my 'clock', so thank 

goodness the Easter Bunny brought her one of her very own to wear!

Loving the surprises she finds in her basket.  

See that excitement on her face?

A new Easter egg necklace to wear for the day.  

Hopefully it won't get lost TOO soon.

Enjoying her second Easter Egg hunt for the day at 

Papa and Grandma's with most of her cousins.

Looking over the spoils of her strenuous hunt. 

She got hooked up!

We had a fabulous Easter.  We got to spend part of the weekend with most of my family.  There were some missing, and they were definitely missed.  I'm so grateful to have a family that enjoys spending time together.  I'm grateful that we were raised in a home where the Gospel of Jesus Christ is taught by word and example.  I'm grateful for the Eternal Family unit.  As I look at my own children, I'm filled with the love of Christ.  They are such amazing examples to me of 'unconditional love' for everyone.  Olivia is such a sweetheart and will love everyone.  She often reminds me to be more accepting of those around me.  And Tagen, so recently come from the arms of our Heavenly Father, fills me with peace and love just by holding her.  I'm grateful for Christ's Atonement that allows us to be forgiven, to do better, and to be reunited with our loved ones when this life is over.  I'm grateful for a holiday that celebrates Christ and the love he has shown to all of us.  The power of the Atonement, resurrection and Love of God is manifest daily in my life.  I just need to remember to thank Him for it as often as He shows me.  

Happy Easter

I thought this was so moving and touching.  I absolutely LOVED Elder Holland's talk from General Conference and was happy to see this video.  

I hope your Easter is special and that we all remember the true meaning of Easter.

Tagen and Olivia

Tagen had her two month check up on Tuesday.  Here are her stats...

Height: 24" (100%)  Weight: 12 lbs 11 oz  (95%)  Head Circumference: 15.5"

I LOVE this outfit on Tagen.  

It was the first time I'd put it on her and she promptly told me thanks with her very first blowout ever.  

Doesn't she look like she's going to take a swing at me?  I got her in the middle of a stretch.

Olivia was playing with Tagen and making her smile.

Olivia had her three year check up at the same time.  Here are her stats...

Height: 39" (100%) Weight 36 lbs  (95%) Head Circumference: 19 3/4"

I think she's so beautiful!

Both girls are doing fantastic according to the doctor.  He was really pleased with their continued growth.  Both girls also received shots.  Not fun.  But, both were really tough and only cried for a couple minutes.  Poor Olivia.  I had told her she was going to get an "owie" in her leg, but it would only be for a minute and then she could get a sucker from the doctor.  She didn't even cry when the needle went in, but the shock got her and she cried afterwards.  Then, as we were leaving the office, she started limping on one leg and telling everyone she had a 'big owie' on her leg.  

Happy Birthday Olivia!

Olivia turned 3 today!  I can't believe how fast the time goes by.  It seems like we were just bringing her home from the hospital...  Now she's running around, talking, dressing herself, counting, singing, playing and teasing us all day long!  Wow, time flies!  Olivia is such a jewel to have in our home.  She's a great kid with a lot of love.  She has such a sweet disposition.  She loves to tease her daddy and she loves to help me out in the kitchen.  She's very proud of her "big sister status" and loves Tagen to death.  We're so glad we've been blessed to have her in our family.  

When I asked Olivia what she wanted for her birthday, all she would tell me was, "I want party hats, balloons and cake."  That's easy! 

Olivia displaying her cake.  I tried hard to make my artwork look like 

Tigger and Pooh.  She liked it and that's all that matters, right?

She's trying hard to blow out those candles... 

Olivia showing off her stash.  She got hooked up this year!

One of her presents.  She got a jump rope and was 

trying to figure out how to use it.

This is after all the party guests were gone, she was wearing her new nightgown from grandma, and getting ready to brush her teeth.  She still had her party spirit though... you'll notice the party hat.  Doesn't she look tired?  It was a good day of partying.  

Thanks to everyone who helped make her day special.

Happy Birthday Olivia!