My daughter the hoarder....

It all started in the kitchen. I was cooking in my cute pink apron when a little almost two year old came mischievously walking into the kitchen. She didn't look at me but looked determined. I watched quietly. She opened a bottom cupboard on the other side of the kitchen, reached behind some soda cans, pulled out a bracelet and put it on. I still said nothing but kept watching. A few minutes later she returned to the next cupboard over, opened it, placed her bracelet inside, shut it and walked away. I thought that maybe she had found her own personal hiding spot for her valuables and figured there was no harm in it. A few days later, Kade and I were looking for the remote to the tv in our room. Before we had completely destroyed our room in the search I happened to remember earlier in the day the same culprit pushing one of my drawers shut. I thought maybe I had left it open and it was bothering her, so she shut it. I was wrong, I opened the drawer and there placed among my pjs was the remote control. This is starting to get wierd. A few days ago while getting ready for bed I opened the drawer above the one previously mentioned to find a snack container (full of snacks), butt paste, and three headbands. It seems as though the items are becoming more elaborate. Is this a sign of some bad parenting reflecting in her behavior, a mental illness, a wierd fetish?

Graveyard Gab...Molly update

Caution: These are my completely random thoughts about Molly. Probably boring and confusing.

My super sassy pants daughter has suddenly become a little girl. The other day while she was refusing to nap, she was sitting in her crib just talking to herself. All of the sudden she started whining and crying the sad cry. I decided I better check it out. I went in and asked what was wrong she then replied, "ear, hurt". I sat their stunned. Finally, my daughter could tell me what was wrong. It turned out she had an ear infection in one ear and apparently it came on in just a few minutes.

She is pretty dang smart and randomly says words that I have no idea where she came up with them. She also loves to say that things stink or talk about poop. She has learned that if she ever wants to leave somewhere (sacrament meeting being the main example) she just turns to me and tells me she has poop. When I told her last week that she didn't she then said "it stinks". One night Kade and I were on the ground wrestling with her. She rolled over to my bum and said ,"oh poop" and then smelled kade's and said "it stinks". She has done this to us a few times randomly and I just can't wait for the day that she walks up to some random person in the store, smells their behind, and tells them they stink.

I have decided that it doesn't matter if I cook the most amazing gourmet meal in the world, she will always prefer spaghettios. The kid will eat an entire can by herself. She usually can't get enough in her mouth fast enough so gets rid of the spoon and just shoves handfuls in her mouth. Classy. Also, Kade recently introduced her to cheese hot dogs. Loves them!

She loves to pick out her own clothes. Even when she already has clothes on. She will go in her drawers and get more clothes to put on over her current outfit. She is also very specific about footwear. When we were getting ready to run some quick errands the other day she refused to wear anything but her patent leather boots. She walks around saying boots. At least she has good taste in clothes.

Molly loves tv. It is starting to worry me. She loves to get up on our bed and watch shows. Especially Mickey Mouse and Polar Express right now. She yells deer as loud as she can every time they show reindeer.

I am starting to feel like we got a new puppy in the house. She is into this phase where she chews up things and spits them out. For example, crayons, a candle, food, combs, etc. We can't have nice things. It is really a problem.

When we went in for her ear infection the Dr. couldn't believe that she wasn't older. She is big physically and mentally. She isn't 2 until March and weighs 32 lbs. A lady at church politely told me that she has too big of a spirit for her little body. Is that her nice way of saying my child is out of control? Does everyone feel like their kid is the naughtiest one around?

Adventures in California...part 2

We left San Diego for my Grandma's house in Riverside. My two aunts were there also so Molly had more than enough people to spoil her. The poor kids sleep schedule was so messed up that she got to the point where she basically fell asleep every time we were in the car or every time we actually had something to do. We went to this nice outdoor shopping center and got to walk around in the sunshine. Then I got to go a movie with my Aunts. It is always nice to stay at Grandmas.

I had to take a picture of Molly sleeping in her stroller because this does NOT happen.

When she woke up and saw the train we obviously had to take a ride. She loved it and talked about it all afternoon. We got to ride on a trolley to.

We went back to San Diego for my cousin Catherine's wedding. This picture was outside the temple. Such a cool temple.

Molly found the bridesmaids getting ready for pictures and just stood in the middle staring at them and twirling. Such a girly girl. I think she just thought she was part of the group.

Molly also found a new grandpa. This is my cousin's grandpa from the other side. Molly walked up to him outside the temple and said "grandpa" he then reached out and picked her up and they were buddies the rest of the day. I think he liked it just as much as she did.

The reception and dinner were in this outside courtyard that had a fountain in the middle. We basically spent the whole night keeping Molly from falling in. She was really good and even allowed the photographer to have a mini photo shoot with just her. It was pretty pathetic. She was posing and putting her legs up and fake laughing. She never does that for me.

My grandma, Me, Molly and My mom.

Overall Molly traveled pretty well. I don't plan on doing that again for a long time. Both of our sleep schedules were so out of whack but we had a lot of fun and it was so good to see everyone.

Halloween

I had to work this year for Halloween so I laid out Molly's costume and hoped for the best. I made Kade promise to get some pictures and he didn't do too shabby.

They went over to Kara and Phil's while Jax and Bryn got ready and then they all headed up town to do some trick or treating.

The hat didn't last too long, obviously and the booties that went with the costume were too small so Dad went for the bright green crocs. I think it just gives it more character.

I had to show off the awesome pumpkins that my friend carved us! I guess it pays to have an awesome pumpkin carver friend without a porch!

This was the only picture that she wasn't yelling at me in. The kid hates her picture being taken. So annoying!

18 months forever...

I wish Molly would stay 18 months forever. I have always felt that life has gotten funner as Molly has gotten older. I have enjoyed every stage so far but I really love it right now. It can be extremely frustrating when I feel like I am either following her around picking up after her or she is following me around destroying everything I have just picked up. She is constantly in to everything, constantly telling me "no" (whether she means yes or no), wanting to do everything all by herself and generally making life difficult. I usually can't help but just laugh at her.

Yesterday when I went to get her up after her nap she was on her changing table and I asked her if she wanted to go see her cousins which would usually be followed by a positive response. Instead, she looked at me with her eyebrows furrowed and in her most stern voice said, "no, blah blah blah blah grandpa." Then she stared at me with the most determined eyebrows. I just started laughing out loud at her and eventually she smiled. Grandpa is talked about incessantly. When she wakes up in the morning she wants to go see Grandpa, when she is outside every car that passes is Grandpa. Honestly, it's getting old.

Most of the time I can't even discipline the kid because I am laughing. In the store the other day I asked her not to do something, after some furrowed eyebrows she slapped me. Behind me in the peanut gallery was my mom laughing. I just sat there in silence hoping not to start laughing so I could ask Molly to say she was sorry. It took a minute.

She is just fun. I honestly never knew how much I could love her. I guess I am just dreading the day when a 16 year-old sassy pants tells me she hates me and slams the door to her room. Can't she be my little best friend forever?

So lame....

I am of course referring to myself. I have no desire to blog lately. Does anyone else ever get in this funk. It seems to happen every few months to me. So I am forcing myself to blog tonight in hopes that this will get me back on track.

In a follow up to my last post about Molly going to nursery I will delve into that subject once again. Last week after a diaper change I took Molly back up to nursery and she didn't want me to leave so I decided to stick around for a few minutes. I felt like I was in a miniature psychological study about the interactions of people. Such a little microcosm of human behavior. I have to report that my kid is actually one of the good kids, which I have to admit I was surprised. Not that Molly isn't a good kid but she tends to be very stubborn and a little spoiled. Considering that she has older cousins who she plays with I wasn't sure how she would do around kids her own age who wouldn't let her do whatever she wanted. Anyway, back to nursery. I watched as they put away the toys and set up the chairs for singing time. (By the way I was very impressed with how organized our nursery was. Now I know why I am not a nursery leader.) Molly went right to a chair and sat there with her arms folded. Sigh.... so cute. From here on out all children will remain nameless as to not offend any wardies. Enter boy #1, there is a certain little boy that kept bothering Molly. He always had to be poking her or touching her, etc. The nursery leader told me that from the day she walked in he has been all over her. I don't know if he likes her or can't stand her but apparently which ever feeling it is he only has it with her. I am just glad that she rejects all of his behavior and is constantly pushing him and his hands away. Let's hope that continues. Molly's friend Ryley is also in nursery and it seemed as though they took turns doing the signs for the songs. Molly would do all of the signs and really get into one of the songs and then stop on the next. Ryley would then pick up the slack for that one. They were so cute. Most of the kids took their turns and did what they were told. Their was of course one exception who will remain nameless. I can't describe how funny it was to watch these kids amongst each other in their own little world. Molly seemed so old interacting with the other kids in such a structured environment. When did that happen?

She is talking like crazy. Most of it is still jibber jabber but she is getting better every day, adding new words and sounds. She loves to get in our bed and watch tv, sometimes she even cuddles. She loves Lee Roy and calls him Ro Roy. We are still outside as much as possible and I'm not sure what is going to happen when it gets too cold. She is a fantastic dancer with her mother's grace and athleticism. She loves to kick and throw balls. She thinks her dad and grandpa are the coolest and constantly wants to go on four wheeler rides with them. She is so stinkin funny and I wish she could stay this age forever!

Best Sunday Ever...

Pre-children I remember looking at other's children in church misbehaving and thinking, "my child will never behave like that in church." Molly, from birth, did not do so well in church. There must be a smell or something because no matter how she was behaving before we got to church, as soon as we walked in the monster came out. She just wants to run and play. Even when she was a new born she refused to sleep more than 10 minutes during church.

Well, after several instances of leaving sacrament meeting or Sunday school with Molly waving to everyone and saying buh-bye I realized that this was getting out of control, she knew what to do to get exactly what she wanted. So the past few weeks everytime we went out I wouldn't let her down, I wanted to make her more miserable than she would have been outside. After screaming, kicking, biting and even some sweat we were both exhausted. She sees the other kids going to nursery and really wants to go so I asked the Primary President if she could go in early (6 weeks). She said yes, but if she cried I would have to stay up there with her. I took Molly up, she acted like she owned the place. She got out toys, a baby and just went to town. She even watched me leave and couldn't have cared less. I did have to change the usual diaper during Sunday school and she was mad that she had to leave to do that. I actually heard the lessons and had a hard time relaxing at first but it was priceless. I even got to make a comment in Relief Society. I don't remember the last time church felt so good.

Longing for July....

July, I'm always sad when July is over. It seems like that is when all of the real summer stuff happens. After July it just feels like it is all coming to an end. I feel like it is the last dance of Dirty Dancing when Jonny comes back and gets baby out of the corner. Anyway, we had a really fun July.

Molly and I met up with Caitlin and Ian to go to the zoo. Molly was more fascinated with the big granite ball that spins on water at the entrance than anything else but we had a great time.

We went swimming with Grandma, played outside constantly. We even had a family party in a garage that turned out awesome. Molly spent more than her fair share of time in the garden, in the wagon and playing with Lee Roy.

We took the boat up to Glendale with some friends where Molly and Ryley had way too much fun in the dirt.

Molly just seems like a little girl now, definitely not a baby. She has added some new words, shoes, please, hi, buh-bye and plenty more. She loves to have conversations with herself and others. She loves to talk on the phone and uses her hands to talk while holding the phone with her shoulder. She is very sassy.

****Random funny story of the day: When Kade went to get Molly up this morning he came back in our room and told me that I had to see this. When I went in I saw Molly in her crib with only her pajama shirt on with a cute naked butt. Kade had changed her diaper during the night and didn't bother to put her pajama bottoms back on. Molly had taken her diaper off all by herself and had slept with a bare butt. We had to do some laundry.

Anyway, hope you all have had a great summer. Thanks to all of our families and friends for all of the fun stuff we have done so far this summer! Hope there is more!

Happy 4th (a few weeks ago)

Well, as many of you know, Lewiston has quite the 4th of July celebration for a small town. We start off the day every year with the pancake breakfast. Even Molly was pumped as you can tell. She has her dad's gift of expressing enthusiasm.

After the breakfast we walked over to get ready for the parade. We had to put our flatbed trailer out a week in advance in order to save our spot. Every year we take up more space. I think we may have to put up two trailers next year. My mom and brother and family even came up to join us.

This is Molly's usual look. It is either concern or annoyance. I'm not sure which but that girl is going to have a serious wrinkle by the time she is 18. After the parade we walked around the carnival and bought some cheap stuff and ate some good food.

After we went home and took a nap, we returned for the softball tournament which, regretfully, I was not in yet again this year. This year my work schedule was a conflict with the rest of the games. Shucks! Even without me our team managed to win the championship. Molly was happy as could be running around the grass thinking she was playing with the other kids. She was wearing her squeaker shoes that day so we couldn't lose her. I'm sure the softball spectators loved the back and forth squeaking.

Before the championship game I took Molly home and got her bathed and ready for bed. The kid was so stinking tired. By the time the game ended and we got everything ready for the fireworks she was beyond tired. She was so hyper. All she wanted to do was eat fruit loops (obviously couldn't take a break for a picture) and run around and dive onto random people's blankets. Before the fireworks started and after my blanket was lit on fire in two different spots by sparklers a cousin gave her a glowstick which mesmerized her through the fireworks. She could not have cared less about the fireworks. But at least she wasn't crying or afraid of them. It was a great day and we were worn out.

A Few Random Pictures of Late

She had a great time at Willow Zoo. She loved the Monkeys and ran screaming after the peacock called to her.

She loved having her cousins there who always take care of her, whether she wants it or not.

Seeing the "big kitties" or Willow Park's most exciting exhibit, the Bobcat of course.

Sharing a kiss with dad. They both look a little akward.

Which turned into a head-butt as usual.

Introducing......(and lots of pictures)

Lee Roy Tarbet

Yes, we got a new puppy. He has been a really good puppy so far. He was really timid at first but is coming out of his shell. He is very playful and still loves to sleep.

Molly loves to go out and see him and we talk about him all the time and she gets so excited. She loves him when we are holding her but as soon as she is on the ground solo and he starts bugging her she freaks out. This instance came when she was ripping apart one of my flowers and the puppy barked because he wanted to play.Also, introducing....Kitty. Yeah, we haven't really bothered to name her anything. She was a stray at a neighboring farm and is super friendly so they offered to let us have her considering my fear of mice. She was really good about sticking around our house until that previously mentioned puppy came. I am hoping that they will become friends. Kade thinks I'm crazy.

Molly has been......

Cruising, both on her bike and on her legs. She is an official walker and loves to be independent.



She loves to play outside and loves to play and eat dirt while mom works in the yard.

She loves kids, all kids. She got to play with Kiera, a second cousin, while at one of Jaxon's soccer games.

She can be so sweet! She loves to gives hugs and kisses.

When walking around the yard she loves to stop and pick the dandelions and occasionally has to taste them.

She loves suckers, well, pretty much any treat. She is a great eater, usually.

Random Molly updates: She has added a few words, uh-oh, wow, meow. When she gets mad she does these sh0rt loud high pitched screams. All of the sudden she freaks out about laying down in the tub. She loves to read to herself in her room. After she wakes up from a nap and I go in to get her she gets all excited and lays down and pretends to be sleeping. Lately after we put her to bed she will lay in her crib sometimes for a few hours just talking to herself and playing. She loves to kick the basketball around the house. She loves to eat soap. She loves to go on four-wheeler rides and do anything related to being outside or the farm. She likes to "wrestle" with me, anytime I am laying on the floor she gets really excited and runs over and dives on me and then just giggles and does it all over again. She has eight front teeth and one moler. She is absolutely adorable.

Walk the Walk

Molly walked! Now, she has taken a few steps on her own here and there but has never taken it serious. I think she doesn't really care enough. Well, today, I was in the other room and Molly was playing in the family room so I would just keep peeking in on her. One time I came in and she was just standing at the edge of the couch with one hand on the couch and the other holding her sippy cup. Obviously, she has been walking around the furniture for a long time so this was no big deal. I looked a few seconds later and she was standing with no hands on the couch still holding her drink. She started to squat and then as though she realized she would have to put her drink down in order to crawl she stood back up. Looked around, looked at her cup, looked at her toys, and took a few steps like it was no big deal. She then stopped, took a drink, squatted like a catcher, stood, took a few more steps. All of this without sitting. She took a total of 7-8 steps and wasn't even wobbly and continued drinking, what a multi-tasker. She then saw me looking and crawled over to me. I am convinced that she can and does walk, just not when we are watching. Honestly, if you would have seen the kid you wouldn't have thought it was a big deal. She was a natural! And of course, she has not and will not repeat the walking for the camera or for dad. I think Kade thinks I made it up. Anyway, had to get that little post up. I will post pictures soon.

It is 10:20 am and Molly is still asleep. Wierd...my house is clean, laundry done and I'm not really sure what to do with myself so I thought I would post some pictures. When I posted her stats yesterday my mother inn law reminded me that I did forget to tell how the doctor said she was pretty advanced for her age, yeah that's right. I'm pretty sure that means she is a genius. The dr. also reminded me that she is pretty white so I will have to load on the sunscreen this summer.

Molly's 1 year stats

Weight: 23.19 lbs 82 %
Length: 30.25 in 85 %
Head Circ: 18.3 in 87 %

Molly's Birthday

Molly's 1st birthday was on Saturday. It was awesome! All of our families came and ate and admired Molly. She did great, even without her second nap of the day. She loved being able to play with all of her cousins and was completely confused about what was going on.

Her cake.

We decided since she didn't care about the cake that I would make Kade and I's favorite. Its a chocolate peanut butter cake from the Nestle's cookbook. It is so yummy!

Happy Birthday/ Tax return for Molly! She loves to swing and wants to go out every morning to swing.

This pictures is blurry but cute!

She actually wasn't really into eating her cake. She just kind of picked at it and flung it across the room. Eventually she started sucking the frosting off of her hands but she basically just wanted it off of her tray and demolished it.

One of her MANY presents. So spoiled! She got loads of clothes, books, a couple of dolls (which she loves and gives kisses), I don't think she even knows where to start with all of the new toys. Thanks to all of our families for coming!