Happy Mother's Day

Our Mother’s Day weekend has been full of fun, sadness and cute kids. I guess you can say that it started out with my MOM’s club finishing up their service project. We helped to redecorate and stock a playroom at the local domestic violence shelter. It was such a wonderful experience and the women and children at the shelter really seemed to appreciate everything that we did. We completely painted and put in new carpet into the playroom that is located off of the kitchen. We had a women come in and paint an under the sea mural on the walls that brightens up the entire place. So on Thursday night we “unveiled” the playroom and had dinner with the residence. Overall it was a great success. There was a little bit of drama but we seemed to make it through just fine.

On to the weekend, our Saturday started out well with the entire family walking in the Race for a Cure, located downtown. I read in the paper today that they estimated that over 16,000 people walked/ran/pushed/strolled along the 5K route. Once again it was an amazing experience for both Ben and I, we really enjoyed seeing all of the people out supporting those they know and love. Even a few pets got in on the action! The kids on the other hand just went along for the ride, not much to do on a 3.1 mile walk, but sit and watch the people go by. A long standing tradition that is some what lost on a two-year old and a ten month old. But they made it in the end.

After the walk though we went to a funeral for one of Ben’s dock workers son, it was very sad, since it was just a baby, only a few weeks old. I would have to say that the good thing about it was that mass was in Spanish and so we could not understand all that was said. Then we went to the viewing which was a little harder since some stories were told in English and Spanish. Over all it was just sad because so young a life should not have to be lost. The families outlook was one of, they were lucky of had the time that they did with the baby and know now that he is in a better place.

Sunday has been a little sporadic, Ben did not have any really activity planned so we just kind of winged it. We went to church in the morning and after wards came home so that Bear could take a nap and then we were off to lunch and the park. At the park we fed the Canadian Geese and then I took some pictures of Bear for his ten month mark. I think that kid gets cuter everyday. All in all the weekend was pretty good, we all had fun and our moments of sadness, but in the end our time together is just ours. I hope that everyone else enjoyed their weekend as well. Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there who will read this, we all deserve a job well done!

And never to be out done, but Isabelle is getting to be quite the little batter. Ben set up a "tee" for her in the yard that she plays with and is getting pretty good. She can for sure hit the ball off the tee in a whirlwind of motion. Once she hits the ball she even replaces the ball onto the tee to go at it again. Which is rather nice because then she can play by herself instead of having Mom or Dad out there to replace the ball.

Program and Tea

Since it is one week before Mother’s Day Isabelle’s little class had a special program and tea for the Mom’s today. It was so cute! The kids sang two songs by themselves and then had us join them for one song and grace. Isabelle was too funny, she would do all of the motions to the songs but I’m not sure any words actually came out of her mouth. I wish I had remembered the video camera, but at least I was able to take pictures. The best part was that she had a lot of fun doing the program and learning something new. They even had the kids give us a little gift, of a note pad with a little picture of our kids on all the pages. Overall I really enjoyed Isabelle and her program, and so did she.

Funny stuff???

We took a tour of the local municipal airport yesterday, in the rain, hail and wind. It was great! Isabelle still really enjoyed getting to see the plane and sitting inside the cockpit. The airport is right by our house so they fly over all the time. We can even hear the bigger jets on their way to SLC airport, so she just loves to check out the airplanes. Bear did pretty much ok considering he was in the stroller and he went straight into the wind. But he was mostly happy because he had a snack, man that kid can eat!

On a lighter note, I was feeding the kids dinner last night and after I had fed Barrett on jar of food I thought I would let him have his first attempt at feeding himself. He loves to hold the spoon after I feed him so I thought why not, lets give it a try. Well the first thing he did was drop the spoon and lift the bowl to his mouth to “drink” out the applesauce. It was so cute, he even made little slurping sounds. He made just a little bit of a mess. Good thing I had his tray on, other wise applesauce would have been all over the place. Bear was so happy with himself he was just grinning from ear to ear. He is a pretty clever kid. He even ate the applesauce that fell on the tray, sort of.

Thesing Family Visit

We just had a wonderful visit from most of Ben’s family this past weekend. We traveled all over the valley and beyond, checking out the sites and seeing a new part of the country for some. Isabelle and Barrett really enjoyed having their cousins around to play with, and keep them company. Ben and I enjoyed seeing everyone, even just for a long weekend.

Everyone enjoyed the different activities we did and sites that we were able to check out. I think that Isabelle really liked the Children’s Museum and the miniature golf. Bear enjoyed pretty much everything, I still think he liked going up the stairs the most.

Overall we had a great time and hope to do it again soon. So if you are ever up this way please feel free to stop by and say hi.

Nine Months

I just got around taking Barrett’s nine month pictures. Wow, I can hardly believe that nine months have gone by. Time just really flies; in just a couple of months he is going to be a year old. Where has the time gone? I still feel a little like I do not get a chance to spend quality time with him, because Isabelle wants to be with Mom as well. But we still manage to find a balance and time for each of the kids.

Well while I was attempting to take Barrett’s picture, he was all over the place. He decided that the best option was to try to eat the flowers. I hope that tulips are not poisonous in any form. So far so good, he seems to be doing fine. Here are a few pictures of Bear at nine months.

Days gone by

Things have been crazy busy around here, but are slowing down just a little bit. So I now have time to somewhat update the blog. I have tons of cute pictures of the kids, and can only put on so many. But here is the quick up date.

Easter was tons of fun, Isabelle really has the picking up eggs thing down, and I think she might be ready to “hunt” for eggs next year. She did have a tendency to leave her basket though and try to carry all of her eggs, very cute. It is a good thing she really does not know yet, because I just reused eggs from previous hunts, that way we don’t have a candy over load. I do think the gold fish were a big hit. But she has not opened all the eggs that Mom did, I always fill some with money. It was something I remember from when we were kids.

Bear did not quite grasp the concept to crawl after the eggs, he just though that sitting on the ground was good. So Isabelle would bring him an “egg” which turned out to be a golf ball. She really did not want to let go of the eggs. Either way it was sweet. Bear even had a chance to die Easter eggs. He really would not let go of the egg but I managed to help him “drop” the egg into the dye that was pretty fun.

I thought that Isabelle would have her hands covered in dye but she did pretty good, all her eggs ended up being blue, but that color was closest to her so naturally. All the other colors were due to Mom saying, hey what about this color? She had lots of fun, coloring eggs with her little friends, the day was prefect.

We hope that you all had a good Easter as well. I know the weather was not great for some of you. We lucked out and had a slight breeze but the temp stayed in the mid sixties. We are very excited about Springs arrival and hope that this will be the last week of cool temps.

Down???

Bear is slowly learning how to go down the stairs. Why go down Mom when if I cry long enough you will just come and pick me up. Plus going up is so much more fun than going down. He looked so cute trying to figure out how to get off the last step I just could not pass it up.

Upside down

Isabelle was up to her usual antics again yesterday. She some how figured out how to go head first into the exasaucer and believe it or not she could even get herself out again. I just thought that I was pretty funny. She was down in there yelling for Daddy to come get her out. Which of course did not happen as Daddy was at work. Oh well she figured it and managed to escape just to do it all over again.

The Lotion

Here is another good reason not to let your potty-trained two year old go to the bathroom alone, no matter how much she protests. Isabelle went up stairs to use the potty and I was waiting for her to come back down, when I noticed that it was rather quite. So I decided I better go check to see if she was filling up the toilet with paper, unloading the towels from the cabinet or who knows what else. Upon enter the bathroom I find sitting on the counter covered in lotion. The new lotion I am using has pump tops that she can easily use. And since she wants to do everything like Mommy she was busy putting on the lotion. Only she was not using just enough to cover her little body, but as much as she could possibly pump out before she managed to pop the top off. Here she is in all her lotion glory, needless to say she had a quick bath all before dinner. The orange bottle is the culprit, or maybe that should be Isabelle, who knows?

Gym Kid

Isabelle loves gymnastics, and she did great. If you came into the room you would have thought she was in the class the entire time. She took to all the applications very well and had so much fun. The kids practiced on the balance beam, hanging from a bar, rolling over, and much, much more. We were there just to see if she would like it and she did. So we’ll be going back again for classes starting at the end of the month. I just hope that she won’t get bored with the class, since it is just once per week I don’t think that will happen.

Spring clean up??

Spring leave “clean up,” or maybe pile up is a better term. Needless to say they are all still sitting on the ground in a great big pile, instead of being placed in the green waste basket. Oh well, that is sometimes what happens when men are in charge of cleaning. At least he thought to rake them up.

Just a quick note

I know it has been a long time since I last updated my blog but well we have all been sick in one way or another. Bear seemed to get better first, I personally thank mommy milk for that one. So here it is. But we are all better now, almost our usual selves.

Bear is already eight (8) months old, I can hardly believe it. He was so busy learning new skills during his seventh month I think he really only has a few more “baby” milestones to cross. Such as walking, talking and signing. I hope that we are getting closer on the signs, he is starting to wave which is a good sign, that he is learning to control his hands a little bit more. Any day now I am ready for him to start singing. I think he will be just like Isabelle, and ask to eat all the time. Oh well!

Isabelle is doing great. She has so many words and is really starting to string them together in sentences very well. I can hardly believe it. She is amazing. We are going today to try out a gymnastics class to see what she thinks. If she likes it we will sign her up, which will be a nice way for her to exert some extra energy on someone else other than mom. Ben is going to go with us, since it is a parent participation class as well. That way I can sit with Bear. So it should be lots of fun. I’ll try to take some pictures since she is sure to have a great time.

Standing Man

This month is a busy one for Barrett, not only has he learned to climb up the stairs he has also started to crawl, and pull up. He still does his army crawl, but I’m sure that once he figures out that he can go faster by using his knees and hands, he will be off. On his pulling up, I went to get him after he woke up from his nap, he had stood up in his crib and was looking out, over the edge and was so proud of himself. He had the biggest smile on his face, just looked so happy.

I can hardly believe how fast he is growing up. Before we know it he will be walking. He already tries, when you hold on to his hands, he just needs to work on his balance and he will have it down. I’m sure I’ll be back in a few months talking about how he is walking all over the place. That way he can keep up with his big sister even better.

Stairs Oh My . . .

This just in, Barrett is a stair climbing boy! That’s right folks Bear has made his way up the first step. He really wants to be able to move all over the house and into the next room. The kitchen, included! I caught him in the act as he was starting to come back down. Wow he is growing up so fast.

The Snowman

It has once again snowed in the Salt Lake Valley, but this time the snow was wet instead of dry, so it becomes the perfect consistency to make snowballs or even snowmen. Ben came home early from work and took the kids outside, while I cleaned the house, and made a snowman. First off of course they had to sled down out little hill in the back yard, which Isabelle just loves. I even saw Bear go down by himself. He tried to roll out of the tube on his own. I do not think he made it.

Anyway, after all their sledding fun, they made a wonderful snowman. Isabelle’s first! She had so much fun outside playing in the snow and making her snowman that I think she really did not want to come inside. Our snowman even had a belly button, compliments of Isabelle.

Ben said that Bear enjoyed the snow as well so long as Isabelle was not pushing him face down into it, which of course she did at least three times. She thought that it was fun being face down so, wouldn’t Bear think it was fun too. I just don’t think so. She also made snow angels, and tried to sweep up the snow while she played outside. At least it kept her busy while I was trying to clean the house.

Hopefully before it turns warm again and we make our slow decent into spring, we will get some more snow for her to play in. I think the prospect of more snow looks good!

Doodlebops

One of my friend’s Husbands works for Pepsi and so he can get tickets to all sorts of shows the come to the valley. So yesterday we went to see the Doodlebops. Now I had never seen the Doodlebops before but thought hey free tickets why not. Well needless to say Isabelle had fun. She really enjoys music and dancing, but I don’t think we will seek out the Doodlebops on tv.

The Bike

We finally got Isabelle a bike helmet so that she could “ride” her run bike. She really enjoys it. I’m sure in the Spring we will be outside on the bike a lot. Now I just have to figure out how to keep her close. She likes to explore, and thinks that she can just go.

Will you be my valentine?

I said that I was going to do better but that so far has not seemed to work for me. Although in my defense I was having internet issues and so I could not update my blog for a couple of days because of that. Either way, on to much more exciting topics than my crazy life. . .

Isabelle and Barrett and a very busy Valentine week filled with fun and parties. MOM’s club had a group party and then we had a party with just our playgroup since our day actually falls on Valentine’s Day. It was tons of fun. Isabelle made cards for all her little friends and then she passed out play dough to her club friends. In my opinion that is the best V-day gift we could have gotten. After all who has time or wants their kids to eat all that candy anyway.

I made them the cutest little outfits for the day, and I got tons of great compliments on them. Ben was afraid that Bear’s outfit was too “girly” but he looked just cute enough. Susie was in for the week so the kids got a chance to spend some good time with her.

Month Seven "7"

Barrett is seven months old today! How very exciting, he is getting big so fast and is learning so much. It makes you question where the time goes. So to celebrate his seventh month Barrett is getting his first teeth. That’s right teeth, two at this time. He seems to be dealing with just great, at least when he is close to home and Mommy. Mommy just has the right touch to make everything better. He is pretty amazing. I’m sure in no time at all he will be walking, he watches Isabelle move around the house and just looks like he wants to try that. I think I can wait for that one, since he is moving around so well right now on his belly.

With the advent of his new teeth, Bear has decided that sleeping through the night is not a good plan, and that it is better to wake mom up. We’ll see how long that lasts for. Mom was getting used to not waking up in the wee hours of the morning. I do think he will quickly adjust back to normal and we will all be getting some good sleep. At least now Bear is on the downward slide to the Big One. I think it will be here before we know it. I’m sure it will be a lot on fun along the way. Until then I’m sure the months ahead will have many new and exciting experiences to wait us.

Card Making

We made Valentine cards for friends and family recently. Most of the family who Isabelle picked out have received their cards but we had to make a few more for her playgroup. Since our play date falls on Valentine’s Day we are going to have a little party and exchange cards. It should be tons of fun. She gets to have three parties. Not that she really knows what is going on, but it should be pretty fun for her.

Barrett is doing well, he had an ugly rash all over his little body recently but it seems to have cleared almost all the way up. He still has it on his face a little and they asked me about it today at the gym. Who knows we are hoping it was just an allergic reaction to something and not a virus. Since the Benadryl seems to be working I think he has an allergy to something, but don’t know what yet. Not very fun.

MMO First Day

On Monday, Isabelle went for her first day at a Mom’s Morning Out program. I called it school for her so if she does go to school she won’t freak out. In reality that would never happen because she hardly ever notices when I’m gone anyway. She had tons of fun and I think will really enjoy it. Mostly it is just free play, a craft and snack time. Not too much learning other than how to share. She can be a little possessive!

The Cake

This year I currently stink at blogging, I plan to turn a new leaf after today. So here it goes. Isabelle made her dad’s birthday cake and had a ton of fun helping out. She was great, I think she most liked to lick the beaters. But who knows, she kept trying to pick at the icing once the cake was all done.

Firehouse

We took a tour of a local firehouse yesterday with my Mom’s club and it was so much fun. Isabelle really enjoyed getting a chance to climb up into the trucks and see what the inside was like. She sat in the front seat and was “driving” while a nice fireman held Bear so that I could get a quick picture.

I think that all the kids had a ton of fun and so did the Moms. Some of the older kids really got a kick out of seeing the fireman get all dressed up and ready to fight a fire. We learned all about fire safety at home and what the firemen do to help people who are in need. Hopefully we will never need their help, but it is nice to know that they are close by to help if need be.

Girl Scout Cookies

Ben is a super “Girl Scout,” he sold 64 boxes of GS cookies his first day on the job. Way to go Ben! As a favor to a family friend, Ben took a cookie sheet up to work to ask his people to buy cookies. I told him his goal was 100 boxes, he’s almost there, hee, hee. I think he still has a few more people to ask so I’m sure he’ll meet “his” goal.

Saturday night it snowed while we were all sleeping, which is nice, because hopefully the next day you can drive places. After naps in the afternoon and before dinner on Sunday we took the kids to a near by hill and went sledding. It was so much fun! Isabelle really got into it once some other kids came to sled as well. Ben was not sure who had more fun me or her. Barrett even went down with Mom and Dad, and loved every minute of it. We just need to work on Isabelle being able to carry the sled up the hill by herself. Along with finding a pair of gloves that will stay on her little hands so they don’t get cold.

Right now we just try to keep her hands out of the snow so that they stay warmer longer. So Ben suggests that she put her hands in her coat pockets to help keep them warm. Great in theory, but not so good when you are trying to walk up the side of a hill. As a two year old that is a pretty big challenge. She made up eventually and loved sledding every minute. She even went down the hill lying on our backs as we went head first on our tummies.

Isabelle was even brave enough, ha, to go down on her tummy as well. This kid is afraid of nothing. Then we came home to enjoy a nice warm cup of hot chocolate. Isabelle as for it almost everyday, thank you Ben. I try to give it as a special treat but sometimes Daddy has other plans.

On the Barrett front, he is doing great, eating solid foods once a day and he is army crawling. He has really figured out how to move forward since Saturday. I can hardly believe it. Just earlier today I saw him up on his knees, and really thinking about what to do next. I’m sure it will be no time and this kid will be moving all over the place. Baby gates here we come!

Snow, Snow, Snow

Our first “real” snow! What fun? I have not quite decided yet if I like the snow or not time will tell. But Isabelle seemed to like it. She figured out right away that she needed to stick her tongue out to taste the snow and have the snow flakes fall directly on her tongue to melt. Barrett even liked the snow, until he fell over and Isabelle was throwing snow in his face. Her first snow angel was on the patio and she was not too sure about the snow falling on her face while she was lying down. So I think we will have to try it again later when it is not snowing. When Dad gets home he’ll have to show Isabelle how to go down her little hill on her tube. I think she will really get a kick out of that one.

The jury is still out as to whether or not I will like the snow. I guess so long as none of these crazy Utah drives hits my car while we are driving around I think we will be ok. I don’t know how adventurous I will be while it is snowing. We may just have to come up with lots of inside at home activities for the kids to do. But I bet eventually we will have to leave while it is snowing because you can only have fun in the house for so long before everyone tires of it. So to those of you in warmer weather, here are some winter greetings. And to those of you in winter weather, when does this stuff end?

Happy New Year!

What an amazing trip! The kids and I spent over six weeks in Texas and boy was it tons of fun. Here is the update of the things we did between the last post and now. . .

Isabelle turned 2! What an amazing day we had on December 24 for Isabelle’s birthday. She had an ice cream cake, presents and her favorite meal chicken spaghetti. She just loves the noodles. . .

On the 25th we celebrated Christmas, with the family. Grandparents, great-grandparents, kids and parents, were all in attendance. The kids made out pretty good, and so did Ben and I. I think that everyone was pretty happy with the gifts they were given and received. Best of all of course was the food and company . . .

From there we picked up Adam and had a wonderful three days with him. Everyone had lots of fun and enjoyed each other’s company a ton . . .

After waiting on the weather and visiting with family we made our slow trek home. It took us the better part of two days but it was still a good drive. We stopped at the four corners on the way home and everyone had a chance to stand in four states at once. How cool is that. I think that I was the only one overly excited about the stop but hey you only get to live once.

Now we are back in Utah, doing the same old stuff. Not really since when we got home I had to clean, put things away and unpack. Being gone for so long wears you out once you get home. Who would have thought! Anyway, our trip was good and we are all glad to be home once again together as a family.