A Few Big Things

General Conference comes every six months and I always look forward to it with much anticipation. Last week it was soul soothing to to sit and listen to the messages of the prophet and apostles on the earth today and other inspired leaders. I received the answers I was seeking, the peace and comfort I desired, and the direction I needed. We’ve made a few changes in how we do some things in our home and set some personal and family goals.

Emily was really cooperative during her first General Conference so we heard almost all of the talks (and Andrew took her when she wasn’t so I could still watch). We made a point to take her on a short walk outside before we sat down for two hours for each session. She was mesmerized for the first few minutes on Saturday while the tabernacle choir was singing the opening song.

When Andrew picked her up for a different view later on she was fascinated. And they conducted the music together.

Her interest didn’t last much longer than that, but it was fun to point out the different speakers to her and watch her play with her toys during the talks. We didn’t do any baking or gathering or games or any other typical traditions. We enjoyed naps and sitting and listening and resting and some more sitting.

This past Saturday we went to Springfest at Purdue. We have now been exposed to the world of cricket spitting (it is exactly what it sounds like) and cockroach races. We also looked at bugs and pet a baby lamb and 4 day old calf.

Emily is now eating food beyond rice cereal! So far she eats carrots and loves sweet potatoes, both mixed with rice cereal. I was totally fine with letting her grab the spoon to let her help feed herself and make a mess in the process. We did that for a few nights while Andrew was gone at school, and then he changed the game and wouldn’t let her get food until her mouth was open and her arms spread out. It took less than one feeding to greatly reduce the mess, and I was grateful for the millionth time that Emily has two parents. And now Emily spreads her arms way out when she ready for another bite, which is super cute!

After she eats she gets a quick bath, we make faces in the mirror, she gets into her pajamas, we read a book, she nurses and then goes right to bed, all usually before 7pm. Because Andrew is gone many evenings I’ve started doing bath time, which means I also do mirror time with Emily:

We are loving all of the adventures life is throwing at us!