More Olivia-isms

The other day when Brad got home from work, he came in and kissed me hello.  While we were kissing, we hear, from just below us, a great big, "Awwwwwwwwwwww."  I started laughing and looked down.  There was Olivia watching us kiss and apparently giving us her approval.

While feeding Tagen, I looked over to see Olivia languishing against the refrigerator door.  I asked her what was wrong and she said, "Mom.  I NEED more food.  I'm SOOOO hungry."  She's not a drama queen... at all.

While playing with Tagen, Brad will often say, "Tagen...."  and Olivia or I will answer, "Mater..." (Yes, her nickname is Mater.  I hope she forgives us one day in the future.) Well, I realized one day that it sounded like the game of Marco Polo, just with the name switched.  So, Brad said, "Tagen..." and I answered "Polo!"  We then introduced Olivia to the game of Marco Polo.  I didn't realize how much it would stay with her until the other night at 3:30 A.M. she yelled out in her sleep... "Marco!"  I would've laughed if I hadn't been so blasted tired...   

(Ha!  You're all now yelling "Marco.... Polo..." in your mind, right?)

This morning Tagen woke up at 5:30.  When I went in to get her, I heard Olivia ask, "Mom, can I come in your room too?"  I told her it was still dark outside and that she should stay in her bed where it's nice and warm.  She again told me she wanted to come into our room.  Knowing that I'd have Tagen lay down by me in bed and knowing there wasn't going to be enough room for the four of us in bed, I told her she could come in but she'd have to lay on the floor.  She looked at me, scrunched up her nose and said, "Mmnnn, I think I'll stay in my bed where it's nice and warm."

Today while playing and listening to music Olivia started telling me how to play different instruments.  "Mom, this is how you play the trumpet.  This is how you play the guitar.  This is how you play the piano."  All while doing hand motions that matched each instrument.  After she told me how to play the piano, she said, "I didn't get a piano for my birthday.  I want to play the piano."  I told her I was sorry she didn't get a piano.  She answered, "It's okay.  I'll get a piano at my next birthday.  And I'll get a trumpet and a guitar too.  Then I can play you and Tagen lots and lots of music."  Guess Brad and I should start saving our money for her musical talents, right?

While eating lunch today, Olivia asked me... "Mom, who made this house?"  I told her I didn't know.  She said, "Maybe Heavenly Father and Jesus made this home." Then she started calling out... "Heavenly Father?  Are you there?  Did you make this home?"  I said, "Well, they made the wood that is in our house."  To which she informed me... "No, they made our home.  I want them to come back and visit."  I taught her that we can have the Spirit here in our home and it makes us feel good inside.  She then touched her tummy and said, 

"The Spirit is in my tummy right now because I feel good there."

While helping me make some banana bread the other day, Olivia saw a fly buzzing around in the kitchen.  I swatted it away a few times and then I heard, "Shoo fly!  Don't bother my mama!"

The other night Olivia was talking with our friend Sarah.  She told Sarah, "My mom's friends live in Hyroom... (aka... Hyrum.)"  Sarah said, "Oh really?  Where do your dad's friends live?" Olivia looked at her pointedly and said, "My dad doesn't have any friends."  

I got a really good laugh out of that one!

Firsts...

This week Tagen has been experiencing lots of "Firsts."  She's been sitting up on her own for about a week or two, so I decided to try something new.  On Tuesday I started off by putting her in Olivia's high chair.  Granted, I have to wrap a blanket around her waist to keep her from going to the side, but once she was in there... SHE. WAS. IN. HEAVEN.  As you can see by her BIG smile.  I can't believe how much she 'grew up' in my eyes once she was in that chair.  What's happened to my little tiny INFANT? I've also observed she has become mostly LEFT hand dominant in the chair.  She almost always grabs her toys with her left hand and drops them off the left side of the chair.

She's got to be the HAPPIEST baby I've ever seen!

Tagen also got to experience this bouncer swivel chair for the first time yesterday.

She liked it at first until she found out it makes noise.  Every time it started

playing a song, or would rattle, she'd tear up and her bottom lip would start

to quiver.  I hope she'll get used to it so she can keep playing in it.

And finally... Yesterday, she rolled over to her tummy for the first time completely unaided by me. She's rolled a few times in the past, but always by holding onto my finger.  I came into the room and she was on her tummy and pretty proud of herself.  She had to keep showing off the rest of the night by rolling over and over and over and over and over....

This last picture was taken just before she rolled BACK OVER onto her back.  Guess there's no more leaving her on the bed while I get things done. 

 But, with a smile like that... it's all worth it.

Sidewalk Art by Olivia

Olivia wanted to do her "outside painting" as she calls it.  So, while Tagen was taking her nap, we went out into the heat and she created a masterpiece on our sidewalk.... and on her hands and her feet and her behind.  I'm so grateful for HOT summer days that let kids be kids... OUTSIDE.  

the drawings are...(upside down to us)

Olivia, the Sun, a flower and a rainbow.

The blue ones by her feet are spaceships which she told 

me came and took her away when she was really little.  

She said she missed me while she was on the ship.

She was happy when she found out the chalk was also on her hands

working on the details....

"The End"

Going Private

I've really wanted to avoid going private, but due to "un-wanted eyes" viewing my blog, I'm taking the plunge.  There are just some people I don't want to share my life with.  Please leave me your email address if you want to keep reading.

Tagen's Blessing

We had a special family meeting on Saturday to bless Tagen.  Between Brad's and my families, we had close to 60 people gather to support us and Tagen.  It was a beautiful blessing and the Spirit was strong.  Tagen's beautiful dress was made by my mom.  She does fabulous work.  We really appreciate all the love and support we receive from our families.  

Tagen Elizabeth Morris

4th of July Festivities...

We thoroughly enjoyed all of our 4th of July celebrations this year.  We were able to catch some fireworks with good friends on Friday, and spend Saturday with family in Hyrum.  Here's some memories that were made...

Olivia, Paige and Meg trying to light their sparklers.

Olivia learned a valuable lesson right after this... Don't touch a HOT sparkler!

Tagen was completely mesmerized.

Just waiting for the fireworks to start...

Tagen LOVED the fireworks. They didn't scare her at all.

These cuties were so much fun to watch

Olivia waving her flag during the Hyrum parade. 

She's a picture of patriotism.

My other little patriot with her flag.

Olivia and some of her cousins waiting for candy...

My parents met us out at the parade. 

It was fun to have them there too.

Olivia dancing to some passing music

I forgot sunscreen for Tagen, so she had to wear a toga of sorts.  

She still looks adorable if you ask me...

Olivia playing in the water at Aunt Jill's house.

Aunt Jill teaching Olivia how to go down the water slide

Olivia after she went down. She wasn't too sure about 

it at first, but eventually went down again and again.

Brad showing us all that "middle-aged adults" can still get 'er done!

Brad feeling his "middle age-ness" after the water slide.  

Seriously, he looked good going down the slide.

Olivia trying to get warm in the sun... no, she's not "laying out."

Isn't she beautiful?!

This is what a late night-early morning-day full of parade-sun-waterslides-cousins-and -food will do to a three year old!!! 

Olivia sings...

Olivia loves music and she loves to sing.  She has recently been singing "I Am A Child of God" over and over while playing.  I get a laugh each time she sings it because her version is a little bit different from the one in the Hymn book.  Here's her version...

"I am a child of God and so my parents are great.  Help me to find the truth so I can learn to live with Him one day."  and when she gets to the chorus, it goes something like this...  "Lead me, guide me, walk beside to eat.   Help me find the way. Teach me all that I must do to live Him someday."

I'm not ready to tell her any different because I'm sure when she hits the teenage years, she might not think her "parents are great."  I'm going to enjoy this while it lasts.