Hannah Stats: 10 Months

• You can stand up all by yourself.  You can even go from sitting to standing without help.  You haven't taken any steps yet, but sometimes you "pivot."
• You finally decided you like eating.  You'll eat pretty much anything (except for baby food).  Your favorite food is Mushroom Chicken with spaghetti and broccoli.  Who would have thought, right?

• You don't know what it means, but you LOVE to say "dada" over and over.  Dad loves it and I use it to my advantage by asking you questions like "Who do you want to change your diaper?" to which you quickly respond, "Dada!"  :)
• You are such a little climber.  Our apartment is covered in moving boxes right now and all you want to do is climb on top of them.  It gives me a heart attack every time.
• Your hair is getting so long.  It practically covers your ears if I don't tuck it behind them.
• You have a lot of fun with your friend Nora.  

• Your bottom teeth are coming in!  I can see them but they haven't made it through yet.
• You're my little snuggle buddy.  You also put your arms around my neck when I hold you when you're tired.  I absolutely love this.

• You have the funniest "nap" hair.  It sticks straight up in the back when you wake up (just like Dad's does)!
• You are so curious.  Sometimes I call you "The Inspector" because you just have to investigate everything.

• You LOVE reading books.  You even know exactly how to turn the pages all by yourself.  You especially like the touch and feel books.

Conference Faves

One of my favorite things about General Conference is that there is always a talk (or even just a few lines) that seems like it was written just for me.  There is great power and comfort in knowing that our Heavenly Father is so aware of each of our situations and that He gives us individual counsel through His servants. Here are just a few of my favorites:

"...you are standing on the edge of many important decisions and making choices daily, some of them difficult, that will shape not only your future but also the destiny of generations. You too are facing gale-force winds of opposition, adversity, peer pressure, and moral pollution. And yet you are standing immovable and living the gospel in the face of these raging storms in our society....you are led by the Holy Ghost. You are making correct decisions. You are loyal, and you are royal."

Sister Elaine S. Dalton

"The answer to our prayer of how to meet our children’s needs may be to more often technologically disconnect. Precious moments of opportunity to interact and converse with our children dissolve when we are occupied with distractions. Why not choose a time each day to disconnect from technology and reconnect with each other? Simply turn everything off. When you do this, your home may seem quiet at first; you may even feel at a loss as to what to do or say. Then, as you give full attention to your children, a conversation will begin, and you can enjoy listening to each other."
Sister Rosemary M. Wixom

"But while the Atonement is meant to help us all become more like Christ, it is not meant to make us all the same.  Sometimes we confuse differences in personality with sin.  We can even make the mistake of thinking that because someone is different from us, it must mean they are not pleasing to God....As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are united in our testimony of the restored gospel and our commitment to keep God's commandments.  But we are diverse in our cultural, social, and political preferences."
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Brothers and sisters, do we really think the critical factor in the salvation of our children is the neighborhood where we live? The apostles and prophets have often taught that what happens inside the home is far more important than what our children encounter outside. How we raise our children is more important than where we raise them."
Elder Stanley G. Ellis

"As you center your home on the Savior, it will naturally become a refuge, not only to your own family but also to friends who live in more difficult circumstances.  They will be drawn to the serenity they feel there.  Welcome such friends into your home.  They will blossom in that Christ-centered environment.  Become friends with your children's friends.  Be a worthy example to them."

Elder Richard G. Scott

"Honestly acknowledge your questions and your concerns, but first and forever fan the flame of your faith, because all things are possible to them that believe."
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"As daughters of God we are each unique and different in our circumstances and experiences. And yet our part matters—because we matter. Our daily contributions of nurturing, teaching, and caring for others may seem mundane, diminished, difficult, and demeaning at times, and yet as we remember that first line in the Young Women theme—'We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us'—it will make all the difference in our relationships and our responses."

Sister Elaine S. Dalton

"My brothers and sisters, the great test of this life is obedience. 'We will prove them herewith,' said the Lord, 'to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.'  Declared the Savior, 'For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation of the world.'"

President Thomas S. Monson

What were your favorite conference talks?

Our Easter Weekend

We had a lovely Easter weekend.  This was Hannah's first Easter and I loved doing all of our traditions with her this year.  We spent Saturday with my family and Sunday with Aaron's.  With only a few more weeks until our move, it was especially good to be with family this weekend.

On Saturday, we all got together at my parents' house for Easter festivities.  My mom and Hannah were matching.  Amanda and Hannah were also matching.  Coral is just a great color, isn't it?

We had an egg hunt in the backyard and it was fun to watch the little girls do their own thing.

Kate was definitely the champion egg hunter.

Emma was more interested in the car.

She was also the champion chocolate eater.

Hannah was a little preoccupied with keeping her feet off of the grass...

                   

 ....and her basket on her head.

We took a break and my dad put on the first barbecue of the season.  I wish I had taken some pictures but I was too busy stuffing my face, apparently.

After letting our food settle and Hannah took a little nappy, we searched for our Easter baskets using the clues left by the Easter Bunny.  Each year we find a printed paper clue that leads us to the next clue, etc. and eventually to our baskets.  This year we found them in the preschool room closet.

We topped it all off with delicious shakes made by Dave, of the chocolate or chocolate-oreo-peanut butter variety.  It was a very good day.

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On Sunday, Aaron, Hannah, and I made Resurrection Rolls and read the story of the Resurrection in the scriptures.  I know Hannah was way too young to get anything out of it, but I have to start as I mean to go on.  Plus, it was fun for Aaron and me.

We got all gussied up in our Easter attire for church and even took a few pictures.  Church was wonderful, as always.

After church, we drove up to South Jordan and had a beautiful Easter dinner with Sid and Trish, Brooke and Scott, and Aaron's Grandma and Grandpa Bytheway.  We took some more fun pictures.  I wish we had gotten one of all of us.

It was a night of great conversation, laughing, and watching The Bible.  Unfortunately, it was cut a little short because Hannah refuses to sleep when she knows her fun grandparents and aunt are around.

Most of all, it was a wonderful day of remembering our Savior, His life, Atonement, and Resurrection.  I know that He lives.

Hope you had a Happy Easter!

Hannah Stats: 9 Months

• You like to follow me around everywhere and "help" me with chores by unfolding laundry, dumping out the toys I just put away or chasing the vacuum.  You also like to make lots of messes.
• You learned to wave, but you wave backwards to yourself.
• You love babies and other kids.  Kate, Emma, Tanner, and Nora are your best buds.
• You've gotten so much better at eating solids but you have some conditions:  1) You won't eat anything from a jar. 2) You won't eat anything with a spoon. 3) You have the right to refuse solid food at anytime. 
• Your favorite foods are puffs, cucumbers, and pears.
• You are such a good-natured baby.  When we come in to get you in the morning, you crawl around your crib as fast as you can because you're so excited to see us.
• You like to practice walking.  You walk all around our apartment by holding onto the furniture or by pushing the scooter around.

• You have started standing up all on your own without holding onto anything.  You do it for five or ten seconds before you get nervous and sit down.
• You learned to climb the stairs at Aunt Heidi's house trying to keep up with your cousins Kate and Emma.   You got halfway up on your very first try.
• You've always been such a friendly baby, but recently you've started getting a little nervous around strangers.  You also get jealous when I hold other babies.
• You still don't have any teeth yet.  I don't really mind this since you're still nursing and I'm sure their in there somewhere.
• Whenever we go for a walk or go shopping, you put your feet up on your stroller.  You're just chillin'.

• You are 28.25 inches tall (70%) and weigh 16.78 pounds (14%).
• You don't like grass.  When you're sitting on the ground, you lift your legs off of the grass so they won't touch it.
• You get more fun every day!  We love you Hannah Jane!