Amberly Faith's First Day of Kindergarten

Well we did it and even with minimal tears!! Minimal tears for me, that is. How can I be sad when my big girl acts like it's Christmas? She is THRILLED to start Kindergarten and be in such a structured environment where she can make new friends, learn new things, and even make a craft every day! I am so proud of my beautiful, grown up girl. I'm happy with how this little movie turned out to depict her first day. I am keeping it for our family only, on a private setting. :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gk8SX2VHz8

August - October 2018

Parenting is full of ups and downs. We choose to focus on the ups. Those moments of standstill joys are what we live for. Jon and I adore these girls and all that they bring to our lives! We are so excited to bring another November Baby into this Girl Party. Good thing Daddy is our rock!

Amberly's Sleeping Beauty Birthday Party

I realize this blog is pretty much only read by me and my family, but I thought it would be fun to document Amberly's first friend birthday party so she can look back at these happy memories when she's older. :)

Amberly really wanted a Sleeping Beauty birthday party. I think the best part was planning everything with her and watching her anticipation these last couple of months. It truly was like Christmas for her! I really tried to keep it simple, however, and I'm really glad I did. I find so much joy in simplicity especially as a young mother. 

I felt prompted months ago to celebrate her friend party a week and a half early, knowing I would be over 36 weeks pregnant. I cannot imagine throwing this party one week from today so I am so glad I listened to that prompting! I am tired. :) But really like I said, we kept it pretty simple and fun. On her even-year birthdays, we will have family birthday celebrations only so I'm off the hook for a couple of years! 

                                                     Here are a few of the things we did:

I didn't get a picture playing musical chairs but that game is always a win with kids! I didn't want anyone to be sad when they got out, so each time a girl got out they got to go inside our castle tent and have my cousin Brittany put princess lipstick on them. Sometimes they got out on purpose they were so stoked for the makeup...

How cute is this Sleeping Beauty Bingo game? 

I found it HERE on Etsy.

Each of the girls made an Aurora crown when they first arrived and I thought they turned out so so super cute!  I found a free template HERE. 

We had two of Amberly's boy cousins brave the princess party! In hindsight I should have invited one more boy Owen's age though, as her other cousin Morgan is not yet 2. So Owen was brave to attend this total princess party be pretty much the only boy among all these girly girls! I thought he might prefer a shield and helmet over a crown...easy dollar store purchase.

My sister's friend made a delicious cake with an Aurora crown on top that Amberly went nutso over. :)

The cake was delicious and went along perfectly with the Sleeping Beauty theme..."Make it pink...make it blue!!" 

Like I said, I do simple. :) Amberly loved the decor and helped me set it all up. Those fans had way cute colors on the front but kept turning the wrong direction...oh well

The three fairies were my favorite!

 My main goal for this party was to have Amberly practice her manners being a good friend and hostess. I really want her to learn to be grateful for presents and friendship and to be gracious especially when things don't go her way.

 She's been a little emotional and having more meltdowns these days, maybe because baby sister is coming so soon? Maybe because I am so tired and some days feel like survival mode over here? Or maybe just because she is turning 5! But the party was a tremendous success, zero meltdowns involved even when things didn't go her way (we really talked about this and prepped her mentally the week of her party), and I think it was such a positive experience for my Amberly Faith! She loved every moment.

Amberly Faith, I cannot believe that on November 6th you will turn 5! You are a beautiful jewel in the lives of so many around you, especially to your Mama, Daddy, and younger sister Violet. We all adore you. You love to color, play with cousins, have dates with mom or with dad, do crafts, go to school, do Upstart, and go to dance class! You LOVE coming with me to my doctor's appointments and finding the baby's heartbeat all by yourself with the doppler. :) You are a wonderful, protective older sister. You have a very strong moral sense of right and wrong, you are probably the most responsible 5-year-old I know, and you are completely beautiful to me inside and out my girl.

Happy Birthday, Amberly Faith! 

They Make Us So Dang Happy

Another random little clip from our private YouTube channel. 

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star by Amberly Faith

I love hearing her sing. Or shall I say, my heart melts and I die a little of happiness every time I hear that little voice. Can she please stay 3 years old for at least five more years?

Amberly age 2

Just a few short clips put together from my phone because I know I'll blink and she'll already be 8 years old. And that hurts my heart. A lot. Making these short movies seems to be the only way to make time freeze as a mother. I love my girls pretty fiercely! :)

22 Months

My sweet and sassy Amberly Girl,

Your baby sister will be here before we know it and I need to document your newest and latest, not to forget the very cutest, things that you do. 

Before I met your daddy, I had a vivid dream about my daughter who had dark hair and was extremely intelligent. Undoubtedly it was you, and that was when I first began to fall in love. :)

Exploring the rocks and beach at Canyon Ferry Lake, outside Helena Montana where Grandpa Ditto grew up

You make me laugh every day and you sincerely impress me every day. You love to be tidy and to organize things, especially your beloved books. You adore puzzles which has made nursery one of your new favorite places. You thrive in a structured, quiet place where you can contently explore new shapes and things. You seem to grasp spatial concepts very well and I envision you becoming some kind of engineer in your college years. You are very very bright!

I wish Daddy had taken a picture of the day you arranged all of his garments so tidily around your Pack n Play...Meanwhile I find little arrangements such as these around the house and it brings a huge smile to my face.

The library is your nirvana so I try to take you weekly or at least every other week during the summer. Whenever you're missing at home, I know that you are most likely in your room, quietly exploring your newest books we rented from the library. It's adorable.

More and more, you are becoming my little buddy and I am obsessed with this! You like to do the first few minutes of my exercises with me, and when I am not feeling super energetic and need a little break, I'll ask you "Want to watch our dancing show?" 

It's pretty fun for me that you're quite taken with So You Think You Can Dance! You love to sit in your "big girl seat" in the theater room right next to me and you are content to clap your hands and watch for a few minutes. Of course, you can only sit for so long until you have to get up and begin twirling yourself. (I totally get it!)

And so, you truly are becoming Mama's buddy, or as I often call you,

My Little Bestie. 

CHEESE!

End of summer snuggles at the pool. I could never ever possibly get enough Amberly snuggles!

Life still isn't perfect, of course. With your new developments come new challenges. I think our biggest challenge has been nap time ever since we had to take your pacifier away at 18 months. Your teeth look amazingly better and there is no longer a gap forming from the binky, but you have a hard time calming down for your midday nap. It tends to be a Mommy/Daughter battle most days. Even if I just leave you in your crib, you associate that with play time and you will not fall asleep on your own. I have tried for up to two or more hours and if you have decided you are NOT falling asleep, it's just not happening that day. It's pretty tricky, little one! Daddy and I feel like your naps are still so important. I'll keep trying but the bigger my belly gets, the less fight I have in me. So on the days you don't nap, you're in bed by 7:15 or 7:30. ;) At least you rock and sleep 10 - 12 hours each night.

Every now and then we have success, so I send a victorious picture to Daddy.

You have the funniest little personality. You seem so nonchalant about things in public, but when you're at home in your comfort zone your expressions, your babbles, your happy vibrant little self comes out. You weren't too thrilled about the pirate treasure hunt we did at the Ditto Reunion, but we still had fun. I think you were particularly concerned as to why everyone was yelling at each other in pirate voices...

Mommy and Daddy adore family time with just the three of us (soon to be four!) and we had some standstill moments on the lake in Canyon Ferry. Loved it.

Daddy is the only one I would trust to take you on a canoe ride this young! He takes such good care of his girls, I just love that guy.

The most common question strangers ask about you is (after they've raved about how darling and beautiful you are) "How do you get her hair to curl like that?"

It's all natural, baby! I admit, I'm obsessed.

The best is right after I give you a bath, how your curls really do fall so perfectly! 

Some things about life really are perfection, like your Shirley Temple curls. :)

You are loving nursery every Sunday! It took a  few months but they won you over once they pulled out the puzzles and this horsey.

Your love for your baby dolls is so intense, I can't help but feel hopeful for the upcoming transition ahead with your baby sister coming home. I often find you in your room taking care of Baby Jane. Oh your precious Baby Jane, now dirty with black toes and black fingers. She goes everywhere with us including the grocery store. 

Amberly and Aliya at the Mecham Reunion

4th of July Pagoda Firework tradition!

Last night and this morning you had some solid bonding time with your Nanna Ditto. You are so loved by all who know you, Amberly Faith.

This Daddy of yours is completely smitten of course and always will be. Your favorite game to play with Daddy is Hide and Go Seek, hands down. You also love when he throws you and tickles you.

Oops...sometimes we play dress up. I'm only a tad bit excited to put you in dance class next year!

Favorite Foods: French Toast, Chicken, Greek Yogurt, Watermelon, Corn on the Cob, Pears, Bananas, Quinoa, Daddy's Fluffy Pancakes (German Pancakes), Cheeseburgers, Carrots, Green Smoothies, ice cream

A few of your cutest words: "Purple"  "Baby" "EEAase!" (Please) "Cebo" (Cello) 

"Huh-II" (Hi) "Wah" (water) "Buh Buh" (Bubbles) "Bahbie" (Barbie) "Bah!" (Ball)

Favorite Books: "I'm a Big Sister"  "The Very Hungry Caterpillar"  "Calm Down, Little Monkey"  "Love you Forever"  "I Ain't Gonna Paint No More"   "Giraffes Can't Dance"  "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Other Nursery Rhymes"   "Princess Sophia"   "Bea at Ballet"   "Brown Bear Brown Bear What do You See" "Ten Little Bluebirds"  but the list could really go on for days!

And in case life gets crazy between now and your second birthday, just know that you are my little universe and I would do anything for you. Thank you for coming to earth and letting me be your Mama. It is truly the best job I have ever had and nothing has brought me deeper joy. 

We love you, Amberly Faith!

Love, Your Mama

Twinkle Toes

Much to my absolute delight, Amberly loves to dance. I might encourage it...just a little. Maybe a lot. 

Click here to see my little Twinkle Toes!

And here to see her with some of her favorite partners.

May she only learn to love dance more and more and more. I bought her first pair of ballet slippers before she was born, and I'm already wondering where to start her first lessons the year she turns three...which will already be the end of next year! Wow, that Amberly Faith makes my life so rich. 

Our 18th-month-old Daughter

Amberly Faith,

Your toddler stage has come with its own new set of challenges. You are very smart and very opinionated, therefore the ever too common control battles have already begun, and you keep us on our toes often. 

Needless to say, the more you turn into a little girl the more and more fun you are and the more rewarding it is to be your parents.

We are crazier than ever about you and your little personality.

We got random snow in April, which Utah desperately needed. So you had a Daddy Daughter date playing in the snow that evening, since you were aching to get out and play in it all day long and Mommy was too sick to play.

Your new swimming suit came in the mail so we could play hard this summer.

Remember what I said about your ever emerging, sassy little personality?

More and more coy every day.

We still hang out in Centerville occasionally with Nana and Papa Ditto and Uncle Josh while Daddy works in Bountiful. We're trying to get you to enjoy the swings more and be less timid in the park. I caught a good moment on camera.

Had to snap a photo of you in my favorite Lamby Jammies. 

You still love your books to pieces.

So much, in fact, that sometimes you get mad when Mommy tries to read to you.

You're becoming Ms. Independent and have to "read" to yourself instead!

However, when you wake up from your nap you have to be held by your mama, and mama alone. It's actually kind of sweet.

Mommy still tries to be as physically active as possible. We hiked part of the Mt. Olympus trail with a few ladies in the ward a few weeks ago. Mommy loves being in nature! I think you would have been more content if you could have hiked it yourself, but overall you did pretty good.

Thanks for being an angel and letting me take the time to exercise every day. When I don't wake up early enough, we have to get creative and you often have to be patient and wait for me to finish. I really appreciate it, Little Goose. Guaranteed, I'm a better Mommy for being able to stay fit.

You blow us away with how darling you are, and how much you turn into a little girl and out of a baby every day.

As soon as Daddy walks in the door from work, you shout "Bahh!" because you're ready to go outside and play ball with him.

Nap time. Oh nap time. Some days it's a breeze like when you were a baby, others, it's a 30 (or even 60 minute!) battle that Mom will win. You're just so smart and you'd rather not sleep if you have energy to play instead. Naps are so important for you though, my sweetest Amberly Faith. And I have to find a way to cuddle you each day. I just have to. 

Sometimes when we get too excited about life, we have to do a 

"Squeeeeeeze!!"

Our current favorite trick, so funny.

Other favorite "tricks" our Amberly performs: 

'1, 2. 3...SMILE!' and you do your cheesiest, prettiest smile. Kills us. 

You also say "Jos" for Uncle Josh, "Peeaase" or just "Eeease" if your lazy for 'please'

and you will go crazy signing "More" whenever you're hungry. The cutest. You often get hangry (hungry and angry combined) so we need to avoid getting to that point.

We are trying to teach you to use your words more. You only like big girl spoons, forks and cups. You get angry if we give you your sippy cup and there's a regular cup nearby. It's like it totally offends you because you think you're a big girl already. Like I said, Ms. Independent.

Jon's annual family reunion at Zion's National Park, 2015.

This girl loves her bubbles, what kid doesn't?

"Buhh!! Buhh!! Buhh!"

Daddy Daughter time

Grandma Davis is 95 years old next week, sharp as a tack, and beautiful as ever.

The dark hair, eyes, and skin tone come from your Great Grandma Davis's side, Amberly Faith.

More fun pics from Memorial Day weekend. We spent some fun time with the Mecham's when we got home that evening!

You've been to nursery twice now, and you've actually handled the transition pretty well! Someone suggested having Daddy drop you off instead of Mommy, and that has proven successful to your having less tears, for sure. You just have to be held the entire time and you look at the other kids like they're crazy, but we're glad you're there and not crying. We know it's good for you to be around other children.

(You do the same thing whenever I take you to story time at the library. You stay on top of me, too timid to play, and you look at the other kids like they're a bunch of maniacs. It makes me laugh every time.) Daddy and I both were actually pretty sad when we dropped you off at nursery your first day. We went to Sunday School thinking "Okay, time for another baby." And we found it difficult to remember what it's like to pay attention the entire time without you there to entertain us. :)

As long as you are well fed and well rested, Little Girl, you really are a delightful, fun, hilarious little person to be around!  

Mommy and Daddy love you more and more each day.

Amberly's First Steps! (And many other updates)

She took her sweet and rather stubborn time. Why walk when crawling is so much fun?

But at 16 months and almost 3 weeks, (just shy of 17 months!) Amberly Faith took that leap of courage and ventured to take those first steps. We have dreamed of this moment for so long, it was like everything just stood still as we watched her teeter along. She is so precious!

Uncle David was a major catalyst in this. I was away at the General Women's Meeting when he declared "That's it, Amberly! This is boot camp! You've got to start walking." And he pulled out the craisins as her little incentives and away they went. By the time I arrived, she had already taken her first few steps! I was elated.

I love this one because she claps for herself at the end. 

Most mothers kept telling me how lucky I was that she was so slow to begin walking, but I was a little concerned she might not be walking by nursery! It's always bittersweet when my baby reaches a new milestone in her life. I am so sad to say goodbye to the infant stage but every new phase of life is so exciting!

Another major highlight of my life right now:

Amberly's pigtails.

Are you kidding me? I die a little every time.

We call her Boo from Monster's Inc.

And just her hair in general, which I completely adore. It's funny how I never have loved my own hair, but I can't help but be in love with the fact that her hair is lightening to my color and becoming more curly like her Mama's.

The most common comments people make about this girl regard her hair and her Daddy's big chocolate eyes.

And nothing seems wrong in life when she smiles or belly laughs.

This girl thought the wind up by Thanksgiving Point was the best thing ever. Pure joy.

We also had the best playdate ever with my besties from high school. We checked out the upgrades at Hogle Zoo.

Cora Jayne kisses. Amberly's little bestie from Manhattan.

This was one of my favorite days as of late. 

Daddy's Lucky Charm was of course part of our St. Patty's Day celebrations.

And I finally caught Amberly's favorite sleeping position on camera. Makes me and Jon laugh every time. It is her favorite! She can sleep extra long hours this way.

And someone is old enough for disciplining to begin when she throws food on the ground. Now if Mom and Dad can manage to pull it off without laughing hysterically...

This is actually helping! She hands the food she doesn't want to me rather than throwing it overboard lately. I'll take it!

Amberly met our wonderful Dr. Foulk, who helped bring her to us in March 2013! She looks concerned...

And for Easter this year, I thought it would be cute for her to use my old basket from my childhood. It seemed Grandma bought one of every kind of candy from the store for her grandbabies, so I kept her basket pretty simple. It was super fun putting it together!

She sits on her knees a lot lately and of course that's super darn cute too.

This last week we had cousins from Seattle in town so Amberly got lots of cousin time!

Darling little Eli has lots of snuggles for her.

And Aliya and Amberly, only seven months apart, are really getting to know each other now! Whenever they aren't fighting over the same toy, they really seem to like each other. ;)

We got a four generation picture with Amberly's awesome, energetic Great-grandmother Ditto.

In case it isn't obvious, Amberly is completely head over heels for her Uncle Josh.

And this picture is from last September but in honor of Amberly's Great-Grandpa Ditto I wanted to re-post it. What a fun, playful, happy man he was. He recently passed away and we were at his funeral in Helena Montana this last weekend. 

 We love you, Grandpa.

My girl is almost 18 months old. One and a half years already! 

Being a wife and mother is the best thing that has ever happened to me, hands down.

I never knew I was capable of loving someone so unconditionally, so purely. It is incredibly refreshing to love this way. 

Amberly Faith, your Mama loves you with all her heart.