What Keeps Me Smiling

Earlier today I was whining to Tanner about how I felt like Cinderella: "do the dishes, change my diaper, and the laundry, and the cookin". He then told me, knowing what I would say, that I could go out and get a job if I wanted. I replied: "but someone else would get to spend all day with my babies." I am so grateful that I have a husband who supports me in staying home. I get to be there each day as they learn and grow.

Mariah and I have been playing a lot of hide and seek lately. But she hasn't quite grasped the concept. When I start looking for her she shouts, "here I am mommy!" And the majority of the time she is in the exact same place (the closet, though that is an improvement from her old hiding place: sitting in the middle of the room). When she has to look for me she shouts, "Mommy where are you?" expecting me to reveal where I am. But it's still a good time full of laughter so I'm not going to complain.

She loves to be my personal chef as well. Baking me "a slice of toast with cupcakes and chocolate!" all day long. And I have to eat them every time. She especially likes it when I really get into character and lick my fingers and smack my lips real good. We are all about manners around here...and chocolate.

If she is considering doing something she isn't supposed to be doing and I'm around she will say "go away mommy." I'm sure she can't figure out why she never gets away with anything.

The other day she told me "leab (leave) me alone, I'm taking a test." Guess that happens when your dad is in school.

A couple weeks ago she was telling Tanner and I all about her muscles.
Mariah: (pointing to her leg) I have muscles!
Tanner: Who's muscles are bigger, mommy or daddy's?
Mariah: It's Mariah's! (holding up shirt) Better not touch, just look.
We had a good laugh with that one.

Mariah now has the first and second Article of Faith down! To those who may not know, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has a document of revelation known as the 13 Articles of Faith that Joseph Smith (the first Latter-Day prophet) received. They are 13 beliefs that are a big part of our religion. If you're curious about what we believe, these are a good place to start.
Here's a little documentation of Mariah reciting the second Article of Faith:

Toddlers really are a lot smarter than we often give them credit for. 

And big news for the Chet-man:

Yeah, things just got a lot more exciting around here! 

So in reality, I will do the cooking and cleaning and laundry, not because I like it, but because I would miss the time I get with my babies every day. I love being a mother!

Mariah Jeanne

When putting Mariah to bed I usually pick one of an assortment of nicknames to call her as she climbs up in her bed. One night after calling her "little miss", she looked up at me and said, "no, mom it's missy durl (girl)". And now that is the only nickname I can call her while she is climbing into her bed. I can call her "baby love" while we are snuggling, but not while she is climbing into bed. I can call her "sweetness" while I am bathing her, but not while she is climbing into bed. You get the picture.

Last Saturday it was raining cats and dogs here. But that didn't stop Mariah and I from trudging through the farmer's market to pick out the most perfect pumpkins. In fact, Mariah loved the rain so much that she had to stay outside for a while when we got home.

After waking up, I often ask Mariah what she dreamed about. Every time without fail she says "Jesus". It really warms my heart and I have no doubt that that is what she is actually dreaming about.

I signed Mariah and Chet up for a mommy and me music class that just ended last week. Mariah has taken on some of the traits of Ms. Anna her music teacher. While we are dancing to a song she begins to tell me what exactly I should be doing. All in the sweetest voice possible. "Wave your arms like this! Walk like a cat! Spin around". She is going to be a wonderful mother some day.

The other day when I went to pick Mariah up from nursery I caught her in the act of tattling on one of her friends to the teacher. Later I was telling Tanner about this and Mariah must have been listening because she joined in the conversation saying, "I say, no no Dillon!" "He climb on table". I then talked to her about how it is best to let the teachers take care of that. I have a feeling we will be having those types of conversations often.

Mariah was beginning to take things from Chet and that was causing a lot of discord/screaming in the home. I sat Mariah down and taught her about the attention span of a just-barely 1 year old. Now whenever Chet has something that she decides she wants, she says to me, "when he get bored, then I can have it." It has brought back just a smidge of peace to the home.

Whenever anyone gets an "owie" she shows great concern and says, "I kiss it better". Even if I complained about a mosquito bite she would run over and smooch the bite.

I bought a little blow up pool at the grocery store on clearance a while ago. I didn't think we would get to use it this summer but then we had a few more surprisingly warm days. Mariah was so excited about her pool. It was great watching her sit in it and gasp because of the cold, stand up, and then do it all over again. She still talks about it. It's the simple things for a toddler.

It's always fun to see what comes out of this girls mouth. She is such a joy. I think we'll keep her around.

I love this shot! And I love my little "missy durl!"