I guess I won't wait for the six-month mark to revive my blog. It's starting to reflect how I really journal....

I keep waiting to blog because first I needed our Christmas pictures from Eric's computer and our network wasn't working right. But once that was taken care of, there were just too many pictures for my overloaded brain to choose from. And then I had some pictures from my own camera that I wanted to put up, but I can't find my cable. And then I waited because I wanted my posts to be in order (yeah, I know I can change that...but I didn't want people to miss stuff because it wasn't at the top as the newest stuff...) I'm sensing a pattern here. And I'm sounding like my daughters on a "whine trip". Time to go see the shrink about my procrastination problem!

Today I went shopping for four hours with Esther and Heidi in tow and they did SO great! They were real troopers. I had a big list and several stores to hit, so I'm really proud of them for how well they did.

After all the walking today, I'm amazed that I only bought one thing. How is it that when you're ready to buy something, you can't find it? But when you're not, it's everywhere?? Of course, then there was the issue of finding what I wanted but not wanting to pay the price...

Here's a run-down of my crazy shopping day:
I went to Old Navy to use my Christmas Gift Card from Rae (you're awesome dear!) but I didn't like anything they had!!! It was really sad too because they were having a massive sale. Anything marked down with an orange sticker, you could chop another 50% off of. There were sweaters for $4.00! How could I NOT like them?? I tried. I really did. It seemed such a waste to not get anything. But then...what's the point if you're just buying to buy but never to wear?

After that I hit Bed Bath & Beyond which was right next door, hoping to find curtains for our french style (sort of) doors that lead to our patio. I found the ones I wanted....but I didn't want the price.

Next we went to the mall (and I have to add that I had snacks in tow and that really helped the girls. I also brought my double stroller, which I haven't done for a long time.) and I got fitted for running shoes. No, not for running. I don't run. Not yet anyway. Aside from that one strangely euphoric walk/run I had a month or two ago. But running shoes are really best for walking or jogging regularly anyway. And I'm sure everyone already knew that. If not, consider yourself informed now. There. I discovered that I love the feel of extra insoles! If you pull out the ones that come with the shoe and put in better ones, it's amazing!

I went into every shoe-type store at the mall to see what kind of deals they had on running shoes but didn't see anything to make me excited. I went to JCPenney too hoping to spend a giftcard from my sister Liz (I have AWESOME sisters!) but couldn't find what I wanted.

THEN...I went to Kohl's and hit pay-dirt. Finally. Running shoes I love. Prices I love. Still no curtains or brown casual shoes (forgot to mention I was searching for those too), but hey, at least I can check off running shoes. Now to get me some of those inserts.

And as if that wasn't enough (of course as I type it, it doesn't sound like much at all...until you add loading and unloading two kids and a stroller and attending to them while shopping....), I stopped at Ross on the way home thinking I'd finally find curtains. Nope. Not there either.

I think I've exhausted my resources with the curtains. Even Wal-Mart didn't have what I was looking for. I am now going to search online and am beating myself for not thinking of that earlier. :)

So....all three girls are in bed and we had a fairly uneventful evening after a packed afternoon. And now, I'm going to go read a book (after I go see about those curtains...).

After a long break, I'm posting to say that diapers and toilets serve the same purpose and bathtubs can never take their place. Enough said, right?

And I have lots and lots of pictures and things to say about our Christmas Break but that'll come in the next few days.

Esther is a little over 18 months old and doesn't talk yet. As of right now, I'm not concerned because she understands so much and is able to communicate in other ways. But I find myself thinking about it a lot because this is so different from my experiences with Autumn & Heidi.

Autumn started talking at about 10 or 11 months and would walk around our apartment pointing at things saying, "What's that?". What's that came after mommy and daddy and then she quickly moved on to colors and animals. She was so interested in everything around and wanted to say the names of everything she saw. Heidi was much the same, although not as early.

Since I've been thinking about her speech (or lack of) so much, I've been paying more attention to the noises she does make and it seems like there are words there. But it's so random! Where Autumn & Heidi started with Mama, Daddy, please, thankyou, hi, and basic things like that - there are no words that Esther uses on a day-to-day basis. She says Da-da every once in awhile. She used to say Ma-ma-ma-ma but doesn't anymore (now she just makes loud noises to get my attention....).

But a couple of days ago she was chasing Heidi and wanted Jessie-Bear and said "Bear" as she was running. And yesterday she said, "I go" in conjunction with a song we were listening to.

Have any of your children done that? Any ideas?

She didn't walk until she was 15 months, so I wonder if she's just a late-bloomer, a perfectionist of sorts, not wanting to do something until she can do it all the way.

Autumn as a Japanese dancer (she got this at Grandma's this summer)

Heidi decided she wanted to be "Princess Presto" from PBS's SuperWHY.

Esther as a bunny. I love the cotton ball tail.

And I just HAD to include this little boy. Eric wasn't able to go to our ward Trunk or Treat (yep, rehearsals...) and I knew he would appreciate this costume.

MEET:

Optimus Prime

(of Transformers)

Esther's been walking for about two months now. I'm a little behind in this, but I finally found my camera cable. So here is some video footage I took during the second week she started walking. She loves to cuddle with things and she's trying to cuddle with a finger puppet here, but she just can't keep it where she wants it.