April

Trip to Columbia, SC

 Once a year we try to take a family trip down to the Columbia, SC temple. We get a hotel to stay overnight and take turns attending a session at the temple. It was spring break, so we drove down a little earlier this time and did some swimming in the hotel pool. The kids just had a blast! I went to the temple that night. 

Unfortunately no one slept very well that night. Andy cried a lot and didn't want to sleep in the pack n play. But we had a yummy big breakfast and Joel went to the temple that morning. I took the kids to Walmart to get some diapers and rash cream because Andy had not been feeling well and had a diaper rash. Then we went back to the hotel, packed everything up and checked out. After picking up Daddy from the temple we looked around the book store across the street (Nephi's Books). Later we realized that Lucy left her Dalmatian dog stuffed animal there :(  Hopefully we'll be able to pick it up the next time we go to the temple.

Then we drove over to the Columbia Zoo. Compared to our small zoo here in Greenville, SC this one was huge! We all had a lot of fun walking around looking at the animals. Our favorite was the penguins. Watching them swim around was awesome! The kids rode the Carousel and played on a little playground there too. After everyone was sufficiently exhausted, we drove on home. It's about a 90 minute drive. And we all had a good night's sleep that night!

Andrew: 18 months

Andy is one and a half and about to become a big brother! He is 31.75 lbs. (95%) and 37” (99.92%). He is wearing size 3T clothes and size 7 or 8 shoes! He is a happy guy, usually with a big smile on his face. He is very active though never sitting still for long. The only thing he’ll sit still for is Barney or Elmo’s world on tv. Otherwise he can be found playing cars, play food, running around outside, swinging, climbing, sliding, jumping, looking for rocks and sticks, and following around Emery and Lucy. He is getting better about not putting books in his mouth and enjoys looking at board books; especially books with animals. He loves to make animal sounds like cows, horses, ducks, dogs, cats, elephants etc. He did start walking before he turned 13 months and now is running and jumping and a pro at going up and down the stairs. He started going to nursery class at church. At first he was hesitant and cried a bit, but after 3-4 times has gotten used to his teachers (Bro and Sis Buffington). What’s not to like about toys, friends, bubbles, and treats?! He’s fine with being left at the gym again, which is so nice!

He still loves his cup of milk in a sippy cup with each meal. He has gotten more picky about food, but does better if he eats before he drinks his whole up of milk. He often eats more than Lucy! He sleeps from 7pm until 7am. He takes 1 nap at 1pm for about 90 minutes. His favorite snacks are raisins, cheese sticks, granola bars, and fruit. He still loves to drink water.

He doesn’t say much but seems to understand more and more lately. He does say those animal noises as well as wave bye, shakes his head for no, and sign language for “more”. He says ball, go, shoe, night, dada, mama, as well as trying to say Lucy and Emery but those are tricky! He still has a constant stream of drool coming out of his mouth but doesn’t spit up anymore. All his teeth seem to be in so I’m not sure if it’s molars or what making all that moisture! He doesn't mind being in the car which is AMAZING and makes mommy so happy! He loves to give hugs and kisses but it just a little rough sometimes! We are working on how to be soft so we don't hurt brothers and sister! He is just a big boy and so fun!

March

 Lucy is doing great in Ballet and preparing for her recital in June. Emery started baseball for the 2nd year and he has a great coach. Emery is having fun and improving at each practice.

As St. Patrick's Day was approaching (which is a huge deal at our house!) Emery started asking a lot of questions about leprechauns. I realized it was time for me to tell him that is was all just pretend. Which led to other things that are pretend too like Santa and the Tooth Fairy. He took it VERY well. I was shocked! He was giddy with excitement that he would get to help me be the leprechaun and Santa etc. That boy amazes me all the time!

I was asked to decorate a table for the Relief Society Birthday activity with the other ladies in the Primary Presidency. We did a vintage theme and it came out really cute. It was a lot of fun!

We spent as much time as possible outdoor again, loving our warm days! And here is a picture of me at 31 weeks pregnant. My friend Holly is pregnant and due the same week as me (although she is having twins and will probably have her babies a little early). We decided to swap babysitting for our doctor appointments and it worked out really great! It's always uncomfortable asking people to watch the kids for all those appointments! But Eva is Lucy's age and Thomas is just a little older than Andy. They always enjoyed having them over to play!