Beautiful Music

I love my new cd I got the other day. Beautiful harp music played by my college roommate Emily! She made up a cd and is now selling it for only $8 (plus $3 for shipping). You can find out more about it and even listen to one of the songs on the cd at her website Lone Harp. She is even donating $4 from every sale to One Heart Bulgaria- a charity that improves the conditions of orphanages in Bulgaria! I HIGHLY recommend it :)

One of my favorite memories of college is Sunday mornings. We would wake up to the sound of hymns being played on the harp. What a way to wake up!! Emily is a very talented musician and I was lucky enough to have her play at my wedding reception. This is a picture of her at the reception. Thanks again Emily for doing that! You are the best :)

This moment in time: 3 1/2

Age: 3 years 5 months

Weight: 35 lbs.

Height: 41" (3 ft. 5 in.)

Hobbies: Playing hide-and-go-seek, helping Daddy in the yard and Mommy in the house, imaginary play (magic shows etc), puzzles, and reading.

Skills: Call Daddy on the phone, getting dressed, running fast, cleaning up, and following directions.

What I'm into: Watching shows (Dora/Diego, Little Einsteins, UmiZoomi, Super Why!, Max & Ruby etc), helping out, going to the library/park/store/Giggle Bugs etc, doing things independently, asking questions, and having picnics.

What I'm not into: Brushing teeth, going to bed, leaving a friend's house, napping every day, rainy days (can't play outside), being told "no".

Foods I like: Milk, water, cheese, hot dogs, meatballs & rice, mac & cheese, spaghetti, taco salad, chicken nuggets, chicken sandwiches, cheese sandwiches, chips, candy, fruit roll-ups, granola bars, cheese-its, teddy grahams, grapes, pineapple, apples, bananas, corn, doughnuts, and fruit punch/grape cool-aid.

Foods I refuse: Most new things, chocolate, roast, mashed potatoes, and celery.

Favorite songs: I am a Child of God, The family is of God, Teach me to walk in the light, Jesus once was a little child, abc's, twinkle twinkle, Follow the Prophet, and Sunbeam song.

What I'm saying: "Say, yes you may"(after asking if he can do somthing), "I'm so happy to see you!", complementing (Mommy I like your earrings! etc), speaking more clearly in general, prayers on food and at bedtime, and "Can I help you?"

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Last night we put out our Leprechaun trap!

And we may not have caught one (they are pretty sneaky), but we found our pot of gold!

We found all sorts of mischief around the house. Green water...

Footprints, chairs upside down, and green milk!

The little Leprechaun also left some gold coins around the house!

And since Emery remembered to put his shoes out, the Leprechaun filled them with green treats and toys!

I guess we'll just try to catch him next year...

30 Weeks!

Only 10 weeks left :)

Surprised

Emery has never been the best eater. And he's never been the worst either. He had his handful of go-to favorites (hot dogs, mac & cheese etc) and would occasionally try new foods. Emphasis on occasionally! Lately I've been encouraging him to try at least one bite of something before he insists he doesn't like it. He would always give some resistance but would usually give in for one bite in the end. And then promptly say he didn't like it. And he'd also decided he didn't like ANY meats lately. Great. And even if he liked what I made him to eat, it would usually take some prodding to get him to eat it all. You know, the whole "You have to have 5 more bites" business.

A few weeks ago Emery got a cold. Nothing bad, just a runny nose and cough. But then he lost his appetite too. A mom can't help but worry a little when their child eats practically nothing for several days! I'd have him pick out something to eat, make it for him, only to have him tell me once we sat at the table that he didn't want it anymore. So frustrating!!

However, now that he's over the cold a strange thing has happened. My little boy has been trying several new foods and liking them too!! Last week, we had taco salad and I'd planned on letting him have chips with cheese and leaving off the meat. While I heated it up, he looked over at Joel's and wanted to try it. By the time I'd brought his over, he had decided he really wanted meat on his chips too. He then proceeded to cleaned his plate and asked for more. It would be an understatement to say I was in shock!!

Sunday we had chicken cordon blue, augratin potatoes, and salad (3 things Emery would never try before). Joel thought maybe if we put it on a normal plate (instead of our usually IKEA plastic colored ones for kids), and let Emery use a normal fork and cup he might feel grown up and try it. And it worked! He ate the whole plate full of food again! He kept saying "mmm" and "yummy" too. Very strange.

Yesterday we had meatballs and rice. (Remember his used to refuse to eat all meat!) I made him up his "big-boy" plate and he ate it all. I didn't even have to say "eat 5 more bites and then you can be done". And then to top it all off he says, "This is the best dinner ever!" Wow. That is all I can say. I hope this new attitude toward food sticks around! It is so nice to only make 1 thing for dinner and have everyone eat it! And also to have him eat willingly and not have to prod him to eat more.