More updates

I have decided that I really need to do better at this blog thing. I keep wanting desperately to write some things down in my journal... but, alas, it is packed away in a trailer at my parents house and it would take me at least a week or 2 to find it. That 2 weeks wouldn't include all the re-packing I would have to do.

First, our house update :)
This week they have been installing tile, interior doors and trim, and on the outside they're working on the stucco and siding. The brick is all on, even our address block! Today the kitchen and bathrooms are being measured for the cabinets and then we will have to go sign the approval on the designs once they create their mock-ups for us. Then we will still have to pick out carpet, and stuff for our fireplace mantle, lights, and we decided to paint our own colors (honestly SO much cheaper that way) and THEN we will be able to move in!!! I am so looking forward to living in my house I already love it! The area is great and I am so excited and pleased with all our choices on the house.

Secondly a Gwendolyn update
Gwendolyn will be 16 mos in 5 days, she is getting so grown up every day. She is still a little behind in her clothes sizes, the 12 mos jeans keep falling down, but she is a healthy happy girl. Her favorite foods are
Mac and cheese (not kraft... the REAL stuff)
Peanut butter (on a spoon)
Watermelon
Corn (on the cob, she hates eating it if you cut it off. She's no baby (= ha ha)
graham crackers
spaghetti
carrots
cucumbers
chicken (in any variety, but usually grilled)
and to be honest as long as you'll let her hold the food herself... she will taste ANYTHING
Mushrooms
green bell peppers
purple onion
raw potato...
We went to fireworks over the 4th and everytime she would see a bag of cotton candy she would get SO excited, pointing at it and saying "OOOHHHH!" so when we were at the Layton fireworks we got her some. Interestingly enough... as cool as it looked in the bag, she is NOT a fan. She eventually ran the other way when we'd offer it to her. And Jeff was happy to oblige in finishing off the bag ;)
She is also improving her vocabulary SO much and putting little sentences together and I love hearing her little voice! Here are some examples of what words she knows right now
Kowy (Kori)
Annie (used to be Ammie but she's fixed that)
Mimmie (minnie mouse)
Pooh (winnie the pooh)
tih-der(tigger)
Whee!
Box (sandbox)
bucket
buckle
parkle(sparkle)
shoes
pretty
please (although she will only whisper this word)
thank you (or something close)
Mama
Daddy
Dogs
Coal
hopper (copper)
ti (Tink)
Car
Kar_y (Karly)
Katie
pa (grandpa)
juice
cup
milk
num-nums
cheese (not the food... she can pose for the camera)
owside (outside)
bulls (bubbles)
BIG (when she wants the BIG bubbles)
bath
wa-ther (water)
No (don't worry she says it nicely... for now...)
pink
blue
one
two (she can actually count to 2, not that great to some people, but she understands the concept)
Go go go (from Dr. Seuss' book Marvin K Mooney, one of her favorite books)

There are many more, but this was just a sample :)
The other day, we went to a craft store with my sister in law Natalie and when we were driving back to South Weber, Gwendolyn was starting to get fussy and to distract her from whining and crying the rest of the way I started talking to her,
me-"Gwendolyn, why are you so sad? Don't you want to go home to see the dogs? They're waiting for you."
Gwendolyn- "Dogs? No No! SHHHH"
Which is funny because whenever ANYONE comes over to my parents, the dogs go crazy barking. So we always yell NO at the dogs when they bark and a few of us tell them to SHH, but she put it together and now says it everytime they bark. "dogs, no no, shhh!"
She will also say thank you (without being asked) if you surprise her with something she wants but hasn't asked for yet. Like a cup of juice, or a cracker, or any treat :)
I cherish every little thing she does because it all changes so fast.
I was once saying to someone how it sort of made me sad knowing how fast she was growing up, and that person told me. "It doesn't matter, just have another one." And I've given that some thought and still come to the conclusion that having another one wouldn't change me feeling sad that she's growing up too fast. Because she still will. It's bittersweet really. I want her to grow up well, healthy and happy and always wanting to learn and explore... but I just want to hold on to every moment. I love being a mom and I hope it shows, especially to her.