Shoes, a Scarecrow and Walking!!

Yesterday morning I heard Elizabeth grunting wanting to get into this chair in the dining room. I helped her get up in it and she immediately sat down in this pose like saying, "I'm so big!"

Yesterday afternoon Elizabeth got quiet so I went to find her. She was in our room pulling shoes out of my closet and working hard to get her foot in them! It took a lot of work and balance, but she got her little foot in the shoe a couple of times...
still working hard

For the past couple of days Madilynn has been talking about scarecrows. I'm not sure why or where she heard it, but our neighbor's do have one in their front yard that she has pointed out to me a couple of times. Anyways I decided we could make one today as our craft since she didn't have school today. We just used construction paper to cut out all the parts, Madilynn drew the face, then glued the pieces to the popsicle stick.
So here's our scarecrow...

Then she decided the scarecrow was a boy and we needed to make a girl one too...

They turned out to be great little puppets. She kept herself busy for a while having them talk back and forth to each other. I'm sure we'll be making more of these!

To celebrate the last day of September and recognize Fall is here! We made a trip to Hobby Lobby this morning. When we walked down the aisle with all of the fall decor both of girls where saying, "wow" and so entertained they loved it (so did I)! I got some fall picks and ribbon. When we got home I got out my plain wreath and got to work during nap time. So, here's my fall wreath! I really like it!

I would say Elizabeth is walking now! Still a little shaky at times...like when Madilynn runs right past her...and she still walks across the living room by way of the coffee table, but she's walking a lot more now!! Here's a little video so you can see her take steps all by herself and then push the car around.

13 Months

Just thought I'd give a little update on what Elizabeth is doing these days. Today she is 13 months old...and paci free! Saturday morning was the last time she had the pacifier, she has done well overall. Some minor fussing at nap/bedtime only sometimes.

Here she is still walking that car everywhere! I think the practice is paying off as she takes 2 and 3 steps all throughout the day. Last night I counted 14 steps across the dining room before reaching for a chair caused her to lose her balance and sit. I think she's almost there!

Laughing with her baby
giving her baby loves

I often find her back in Madilynn's bedroom playing kitchen. I think its her favorite right now.

She puts things in the cabinets closes the door then opens it right back up and takes it out again. I think that's what they call object permanence that she's mastering.

big smiles

she still likes reading books and turning the pages

She says, "Mama" all the time. Sometimes she'll be playing and I'll be in the kitchen and she will say "Mama, mama, mama" and I say "yes ma'am" and look towards her and she'll just peek around the fireplace and smile at me. She tries to say "Madilynn" along with lots of other words and animal sounds. Like we will be reading a book and I'll say "bear" and she repeats "ba".

so sweet

In her Razorback gear for the game Saturday

Tried to get a picture of them together, but Elizabeth wasn't happy as Madilynn was holding on to her...

All ready for church, first tights of the season for both girls!

Sunday afternoon after naps we headed out Logan Canyon and walked a trail by the dam. Very pretty, perfect weather! We were actually a little over dressed...after we finished we saw the temp in the car said 82 degrees!

Here's a video of us trying to get Elizabeth to walk the other night...



Elizabeth blowing kisses...you can see she gets distracted by the camera and smiles big then starts coming after it!

Six Steps

Last night Michael and I decided to work with Elizabeth more on walking and we had her trying to walk back and forth between us...and, she took SIX steps all by herself. She was watching Madilynn and I think she forgot what she was doing and she walked from Michael to the coffee table. Yeah!!

Then, today after lunch we went outside to play. Madilynn rode her bike and I took the little car outside for Elizabeth. Well, she walked that thing all around the driveway until it was time to come in! She's taken about 3 steps on her own here and there today! I think we're getting somewhere, so exciting!!

Our Weekend

Saturday morning was spent around the house, since the Razorback game started at 10am mountain time. Elizabeth started walking with us only holding onto one hand. Then I caught her walking while pushing the baby stroller, so I got the car out for her to practice walking more.

Here she is on one of her laps around the living room (I had to help her turn corners).

We had lunch during halftime then got the girls down for naptime to enjoy the stressful ending to the game. We are so excited that AR won! Go Hogs!!

After naps we spent some time playing outside, it was a great day for it!

Madilynn was riding her bike and then next thing I know Daddy comes out of the garage with the sled. The girls really enjoyed riding around the yard. I even had a short turn - until the rope pulled through the hole!

Madilynn loving it, Daddy catching his breath!
Elizabeth enjoyed her snack out on the porch

Daddy's razorback

Madilynn is doing really good on her bike. She rode for a while just in a circle in the driveway.

Saturday evening Michael, Madilynn and I headed out to the Utah State football game playing Fresno St. Elizabeth stayed at home with a babysitter.

Walking into the stadium

Mommy & Madilynn

Here we are...with our ice cream!

Can't believe this girl...she's almost FOUR and she reminds me daily!

We made it to the end of the 3rd quarter and USU was down 10pts.

Sunday morning ready for church...big smiles!

Just precious!

I needed a new picture of Daddy and the girls and this turned out great!

Utah State Fair

Sunday we headed down to Salt Lake City to the Utah State Fair. In terms of agriculture it doesn't even compare to the Iowa State Fair (which we missed this year). Next year for my birthday I've requested a trip to the Iowa State Fair and to visit friends there!

Anyways after eating lunch our first animal stop was the bunnies. Elizabeth just received the book "Guess How Much I Love You" from Granny for her birthday. The story is about two bunnies, and we thought this one looked just like Big Nutbrown Hare!

Elizabeth checking everything out
Madilynn was very interested in the map of the fairgrounds and periodically she would have to take a look and help us decide where to go next! (I love it!!)

There was a honeybee display...that was pretty interesting

the sheep - I think Madilynn wanted one!

and the pigs...

A trip to the fair isn't complete without some ice cream...

lovin the ice cream

yum yum!

This was Little Hands on the Farm where kids get to go through and learn where their food comes from and how it gets to the grocery store. (They had this at Iowa also, but this was Madilynn's first time to participate).

It started by going into the grain silo and getting some corn. Next stop, the Dairy barn where you fed the cow the corn and then milked the cow (just so you know this is all pretend stuff for kids, but I think it got the point across!). Then onto the apple orchard to pick an apple.

Next she planted a carrot seed and then went around and picked a carrot for her basket.

Then to the sheep barn to brush the sheep and grab a handful of wool on your way out. Her basket was full by the time we were done. Then onto ride the tractors...

the girls in FFA uniform...

there were FFA volunteers to keep this going for the kids, it was busy!

Finally, we made our way to the market where she put everything into its bin and then received a slip of paper for $1. Then she got to go into a mini market and buy something, she got some fruit snacks!
I forgot to get this in the pic with them, so you would know how they are being measured below...

It was so bright and sunny, they can't even look up!

Here's Elizabeth Sunday night ready for bed in her Razorback pajamas!

Sunday afternoon Elizabeth starting saying "Daddy" instead of just "Dada" and pointing to Michael. I think she's got it figured out!!

Such a great weekend!!