That's my girl!

For her 1st b-day, Chris and I gave Amelia a few puzzles. Everyday I pull one down and we play with it. She hasn't really gotten the concept yet, and usually the pieces just end up sandwiched between her teeth (maybe I should buy her some real teething toys).

Today, I was washing dishes and I turned around to see Amelia walking very slowly into the kitchen in her pink pajamas, so as not to disturb the puzzle pieces precariously placed upon the puzzle board. They weren't in the slots, but they were all on top. And she couldn't have been more proud of herself. "Ooooh," said Amelia, with the biggest grin on her face.

I couldn't have been more proud of my sweet baby, coming to find me to show me her great accomplishment. I told her what a good girl she was and she toddled back into the living room to show her dad. Too bad she tripped on the way and spilled the pieces all over the floor. That's the good thing about puzzles though, they are made to be broken.

Other sweet notes:

I think Amelia is in-love with her dad. It has taken 1 year; 1 million kisses; 10,000 rounds of Chris singing I am a Child of God, Popcorn Popping, and ABCs; too many diaper changes to count, and lots of games, tickling, book reading, swing-pushing and i love yous. But,she is definitely in-love. Chris makes her laugh all day. She likes to play games with him, go outside with him, hang out next to him on the couch. Amelia likes to read books with him, eat his food, and have him chase her around the house. She wants him to watch her as she swings, goes down the slide and eat all the dandelions in the grass. It's about time that she realized what a good guy her dad is.

I got a sweet haircut this week...Nathalie, this sweet note is for you. Don't worry, I will send you a picture. It's nice to get a good haircut.

Two of Chris' mission buddies came into town this week, as well as one of his mission presidents. It was great to see them, and to hear Chris reminisce. There are so many experiences in Chris' life before me that I am sorry I missed. I wish I could back in time and see Chris as a little boy, in high school and on his mission. That would be SWEET.

I had some early great success with my new job. It has been a bit nerve-wracking for me to not make a steady, salaried income. However, I have 4 accounts that look very promising, and many more out there that I am working on. The smell of success is definitely sweet.

So, I have been imagining and creating this new sweet treat in my head for weeks...I am going to call them apple struesel slices. I haven't made them yet, but I am going to attempt them tomorrow morning during conference. If they are any good, I will let you in on my sweet creation.

I enjoy looking for these sweet moments in my life...makes it better.

She knows my name...

Amelia said my name last night, for the first time, and it was music to my ears...even if it was 12:30 in the morning, and that was the third time she had woken up in the past hour because she was teething and had a fever and diarrhea.

It was still music to my ears. Sweet, sweet music.

She is...1

Amelia turned 1 last Tuesday...unbelievable. This has been the fastest year of my life. She is such a lovely little girl, and the joy of our lives.

The birthday celebrations continued for quite some time...

• Grandma Stephanie came and stayed with us for a week:wagon-rides, mexican food, party.
• My parents came for a Saturday: hiking, bubbles, bbq & party.
• Tuesday, March 13, Amelia's B-day: party.
  
• Amelia's cousins, Emma & Cate, stayed with us for 3 days: more partying.

She is such a party animal. She loved all the attention, and fun! We're so blessed to have such a great, fun family.

Chris and I watched our 2 nieces this week, while their parents went on a little vacation. Here is what we learned while we were the parents to 3 little babes:

• We love our nieces like our daughter. They brought so much happiness into our home.
• We NEVER want to have twin 1-year olds.
• Cheerios, raisins and ice cream do happy babies make.
• Going to the zoo with 3 kids is a lot like taking the zoo to the zoo. I think the monkeys were probably as entertained with Amelia, Cate & Emma's antics as we were of theirs.
• My Little Pony movies do not get better the more you watch them.
• The attention span of a child matches their age.
• Life will be much quieter this week with only 1 baby (and that isn't necessarily a good thing...we'll miss all the noise - but not the diapers).
  
• It will be wonderful to have more children in our home with the time comes (we aren't making any announcements).

In case you want to take a look at our recent photos...here is the link:

http://picasaweb.google.com/wignall

March 3

So, I'm off to a rough start...I already missed a week. I'll try to catch up.

There's been a lot of change in the Wignall household...here's a rundown:

1. Amelia now has 3 teeth...slowly but surely her mouth is filling up. It is a painfully (emphasis on the painfully) slow process.
2. As a family we've consumed at least 24 Girl Scout Samoa Cookies in the past 24 hours(which goes completely against our next change),
3. No sweets, except for Saturday's.
4. I have a new job! Yep, a new job. I am working for a company out of Utah called TodaysMama.com. I am selling national advertising for them. It is a new adventure for me, as I have never done this sort of thing before...wish me luck. Oh, and check out their website...todaysmama.com!
5. Chris is attending his 1st economics conference today at USC. He got new professor-looking clothes, and looked super sharp! He gets to travel with some friends from his department and spend the entire day talking about his 3rd love (I'm first, Amelia's second...). Heaven, he's in heaven.
6. We have a new website, yep our very own! Wignallfamily.net. Check it out!
   
7. My talented mother-in-law has been staying with us this week as she attended a class to become an Accredited Staging Professional. Now we have to call her Stephanie Smith, ASP. I was the first person to take advantage of her skills- thank goodness for the family discount (pronounced free). Wow - my apartment has never looked cuter! Amelia especially loves her new pad. She loves to walk around and just touch everything.
   

Here are some things that haven't changed.

1. Amelia is still pretty sure her name is mommy - if you ask her who mommy is, she points to herself. Watch out Wignall kids - Amelia is going to be bossy-she already thinks she's the mom!
2. Amelia can't say any words - much to the chagrin of her father (who was talking at 9 months). Despite this fact, her parents still think she is a genius. Especially when she takes a DVD out of the DVD player looks at it, puts it back in and shuts the door. Genius, but super annoying if you are watching said DVD.
   
3. Emily is still scrapbooking up a storm, teaching piano, learning how to cook healthier food, and finishing up her glass bead class (which is the highlight of every week).
   
4. Chris is still playing his guitar, reading lots of books, doing lots of crossword puzzles, and working on his website.

Life is good. Stay tuned for more from San Diego.