Rufford Park and a few pics around town

The weather had been so nice that we decided to go out and take some pictures (with my new, beautiful camera!). I love this head band that Edith is wearing. It'll look even cuter when she has more hair.

We went to Belton House with Ash's family on the Friday before Easter. They had a playground and I really had to contain myself. I love playgrounds!! I wanted to slide on the slides with the kids. Instead, I went for the swings. I love swings!! Edith really didn't seem bothered. I'm sure that she will be one day. (Note the incredibly cute shoes and skinny jeans -- on my baby. My footwear is all about practicality. That said, after this, I bought the family wellies.)

Edith loves her door bouncer. I think that it is so funny to put her tutu - thanks Erin - on over the bouncer and watch her bounce all over the place. She looks so cute! Then, she discovers her fun tutu and sticks it in her mouth. Who would have thought that tulle could get so wet?!?

Adventures with Vern

When Vern came to visit in March, we went to York (where I breastfed in the minster between two plaques that people seemed to find fascinating once I started .. I'm sure it's just me, but Vern did get a picture of me with people ridiculously close and looking. Also, I'm not so certain that I was supposed to be sitting in the chair that I was in; it looked really old). We also went to Hardwick Hall, London (pictured below), and Edinburgh. We were in the car loads. Edith was such a champ!!

Edith is beneath the coat. We are at a restaurant. On the other side of the gate is a disapproving woman who very likely got a pretty good look at my boob. Behind me, through the window and across the street, is the Tower of London and, farther, Tower Bridge. Very cool!
It was raining and we forgot (or lost) the rain cover to the stroller. This was the first time that Edith was forward facing in the stroller. I was very worried about her feet being cold, but she kept kicking the blanket off. Ashley fashioned a covering with the umbrella, very clever man, but we had to buy hats to keep us dry.

Fancy hats. We are in a park right by Buckingham Palace. It was beautiful!

More of that growing up stuff

Edith can face forward in the carrying case now. This is the problem with it. I feel so bad for her when she falls asleep.

Solution

When Vern came to visit, we went to Hardwick Hall, a really old house. It was built before 1600. Mary, Queen of Scots apparently stayed there or something. It was a residence of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire back in the day. The floor coverings were woven grass of some sort. It was pretty smelly. Carpet would have been very expensive at the time and not for walking on. We are in the Great Hall here. There were loads of portraits of kings and queens, dukes and duchesses, etc. It was pretty awesome. The grounds were pretty sweet as well. My favorite part was when we went outside and watched 2 sheep give birth. We were all cheering them on and rooting for the little lambs to move after birth. Ah, the miracle of life. Good thing that Vern videoed most of it! Sweet!!

After a week of constant poopy nappies/diapers, we decided to try a bit of ruffage to stop the flow. Edith LOVES baby rice.

Been a while

So, since our last post, Edith is rolling all over the place. She's, unfortunately, rolled off the bed twice. You'd think that one or all of us would learn. We have to keep an eye on her when she's on the floor, since she likes to lick everything .. even the floor. She's so darn cute, though.

Edith likes to see herself in the mirror. I will be so sad for her when she realizes that it is actually herself and loses a friend. Poor girl.

We frequently find Edith in funny positions like this when we put her down for a nap. She had grabbed her sleep suit and tried sucking on it, but apparently, that was exhausting.

Aunt(ie) Carly sent a package that included this adorable little beanie. I love it! Unfortunately, it didn't fit for long.

Last week, after weeks of almost being there, Edith has rolled over onto her tummy. It's very exciting! We were so proud. She rolls onto her tummy, is fine for a few minutes, then cries, because she is on her stomach! Then, I roll her back to her back and she rolls back onto her tummy.

One morning, she had woken from her nap, but was fine for a bit before a feed. I was just getting into the bath. After a few minutes, I heard a few thuds against the side of the crib and a frantic cry. I thought that she had her foot stuck or something, but when I'd talk to her, she'd stop crying. Then, I heard a thud, thud, thud, frantic cry. Thud, thud, thud, frantic cry. When I came around the corner, she had moved to the top of the crib on her stomach, a long patch of drool around her, with her head wedged in the corner. Her arms were flailing franticly. I probably shouldn't have laughed, but I sure did!!

Last night, Edith had rolled onto her stomach. I was talking to my friend, Suzzanne. Edith looked up at me over her shoulder and rolled onto her back. Now I've got problems! My baby has just become mobile!

Look, two teeth!! (Not the gums, the little white bits above the gums.)

A bit of growing

I can hardly believe that our baby is 4 months old. She is getting so big, which I didn't realize until I took her to the baby clinic; all of the other babies are so small in comparison. Even the older kids look short. Edith is getting her first two teeth. I wouldn't have even noticed if it weren't for all of the spit. Wow, this baby can produce saliva with the best of them. She didn't even whine about it until her 3rd injections on Thursday. I think that was just too much for her: 3 shots, 2 teeth, one snotty nose. Poor girl. I tried to get pictures of the teeth, but every time I pull down her bottom lip, her little tongue comes out to lick me.

Edith has been practicing sitting up. I think that it is particularly funny when she is still trying, but slowly folding in half or landing on my leg.

She's stared rubbing her nose when she's tired. If she's tired around other people, she puts her hands in front of her face and hides in Mommy's chest. I think that she thinks it's funny.

I didn't put her in that pose. I just happened to catch it.

Faith In God - Missionary Night

So I managed to get roped into doing a missionary night for the Faith In God kids. I was so not really looking forward to doing it since the lads that would be there are normally a freaking nightmare! To my utter and most pleasant surprise they were very good. I had a great time and the Elders also enjoyed teaching the wee (little) ones. (Just small Scottish slang picked up from my mission.)

I wasn't really sure how to go about what needed to be covered, so in true missionary fashion I turned to PMG and went from there. Thankfully they were full of questions and seemed to even be interested in the answers! I asked at one point ''Why to get baptized?'' to which the reply ''Because you will burn in Hell for eternity if you don't'' came, I knew it was going to be a fun night. It wasn't till the end that one of the boys asked how we know that Joseph Smith actually translated the Book of Mormon and was a prophet. I was taken back by the sincerity in his voice. What a beautiful teaching opportunity this was. We all sat down and bore testimony of how we each individually knew the answer to the question and I committed them all to read the Testimony of the Three Witnesses and to pray themselves. We also spoke about this month's First Presidency message, about staying strong and keep going, do the right thing. I didn't expect a lot of what was spoken about, but that is the way it goes when the Spirit directs as these young kids had serious, thought provoking questions that they sincerely wanted answering.

Today at church, one of the parents of the kids came up to me and said ''Well, we're not sure what you did or said, but our Sam came home and demanded that we start saving for his mission because he is going to serve and can't wait to go!" My fears vanished and with that I knew that somehow, the evening had been a success.

What a blessing it was to teach the young people of the Church and in general be involved in missionary work. Love it!