What's In A Name?

More than you might think. Here are just a few anagrams of Elizabeth's name:

three million ameobas

a real zombies hotline

sizeable manhole riot

bohemian zealots rile

liberals haze emotion

Lowell or Lola?

Option 1: Click on the picture above for a bigger view. Solve the cryptogram to find out whether we're having a boy or girl!

Option 2: Forget the puzzle and just call Holly's mom. (Okay, fine, so Jared and Holly might tell you themselves if you called them too. . .)

System Update

Happy Birthday, Elizabeth!

That's right, our little bug is TWO YEARS OLD. We celebrated her birthday by taking her to Temple Square to see the "oh, so beau'ful!" Christmas lights. It was a bit chilly, but Elizabeth had a grand time--she especially liked all the nativity scenes displayed around the plaza.

It's hard to believe that two years ago at this time Elizabeth was just a teeny bundle who did little more than sleep, eat, and poop (though she did PLENTY of those three things, for sure!) Now it seems every day we say goodbye to another part of that baby-ness as she barrels full steam ahead into kidhood. It's bittersweet, really. . .It's so fun to eavesdrop on the conversations she has with herself while she's playing, watch her determinedly try to get dressed "all by'self", and see her zeal for life grow with each passing day. But I find myself eager to rock her to sleep so I can look at that sweet face and think back to those early days we spent in the rocking chair together when she was just that sweet little armful of baby.

Most of the time, life with a toddler is equal parts hilarious and exasperating. Phew. . .I could write a few more volumes on the subject of parenting a toddler, but this'll get you started:

Let It Snow!

We got our first real snowstorm overnight! Elizabeth was so excited to see the snow that as soon as I mentioned going outside, she ran to get her hat and gloves from the closet and immediately put them on. . .but that was it. Once she realized Mom wasn't letting her go anywhere clad only in a diaper, she relented and let Mom (over)dress her a bit more appropriately:


Elizabeth had a blast stomping around the yard, carefully dusting snow off the bushes, and even trying her hand at throwing a few snowballs. Mom made a feeble attempt at a snowman but eventually gave up, claiming the powdery snow just wasn't the right kind for proper snowman-building. . .

By the time the obligatory video and photos were taken Elizabeth was starting to get cold and wet--not that it bothered *her* any, but mean old Mom insisted that she come inside to dry off and warm up for awhile. (Now it sounds like she's up from her nap, so we might just head outside once more!)

Bad Baby Names

I came across this site when I was pregnant with Elizabeth and shared it with a few of you. . .Today I was in need of a laugh and found it again, and figured I'd share the love all around:

Baby's Named a Bad, Bad Thing

(Disclaimer: The author of this blog accepts no responsibility for damage suffered by your monitor or keyboard should you choose to read the following while drinking or eating.)

Autumn

We spent Saturday afternoon at Uncle Dan's and Aunt Clare's house. The boys all went over to help Uncle Dan with the new house construction, while the girls had a little party for cousin Bronwen. We made some oh-so-stunning party crowns, decorated the bikes and wagons, and went for a "parade" down the street.


(I think Elizabeth is a little jealous that her cousins' neighbors are cows, goats, and chickens!)



On the way back we stopped at the pumpkin patch. Elizabeth thought the pumpkins made great chairs. . .


It's hard to believe that it's fall already! This has always been my favorite season, but this year it's been especially gratifying to me to share in Elizabeth's discoveries as the season changes. . .to see the smile on her face as she shuffles through the crunchy leaves, to watch her determined scramble across a muddy pumpkin patch, to teach her to throw those little winged maple tree seeds into the air and watch them spiral downwards (over and over and over!). I often tell Jared that becoming a mom has made me feel "old"--but for brief moments it also allows me to be young again, when I catch glimpses of the world through my little one's eyes.