so in love

I am so very much in love.  I was already in love with my boys but these pictures make me even more in love.

If you live in Utah and want a photographer see Nikki with Sweet Lilac Photograpy!

     

Buddies

My dad and two boys all became best buddies in a matter of days!  My dad wouldn’t put Andrew down the last day and he entertained Tyson all day long.  I’m pretty sure his trip down here was about seeing the grandkids but I like to think he was here for me too!  I was super sad to take him to the airport yesterday.  He’s hard to get a hold of on the phone because he works so much and because of the time difference in Qatar so it was nice to be able to chat all day long.  We miss him already.  Andrew was crying a ton yesterday (perhaps he knew something was up?) and Tyson kept asking where Grandpa went…at least my parents should be moving back to the states in a few months. 

Yesterday we were making a quick trip to Costco and Tyson noticed a real train on the tracks.  If it had just been me I would have said,”Wow, that’s neat” and drivin’ over there so he could get a look at it.  Well, my dad got out of the car and took him right up close to see it.  Ty was in heaven.  Well we went to lunch and actually saw the train move and Tyson got really sad.  My dad said he’d try to follow it.  We quickly finished our lunch and hopped back into the car.  Bless my dad, he drove through town following those tracks to try to find that train.  We ended up finding it near Wal-Mart and Tyson was sooooo happy.  What a great Grandpa.  I wouldn’t have ever tried to follow it even though Tyson was begging.  I think I should go with the swing of things a bit more often like my dad :)

Tyson’s eyes were glued to the train.  Getting him to look at the camera just wasn’t gonna happen ; )

And here are the boys with Grandpa before we left to take him to the airport!

Thanks for coming to visit dad and we all can’t wait to see you and mom again!

Easter Weekend

My father flew into town late Friday night so we drove up to my brother’s house for the weekend to spend some time with my family!  The Easter Bunny decided to stop by our house a little early this year for various reasons.  Here are the kiddos with their baskets at our house before we left! 

On Saturday afternoon we had the kids do an Easter egg hunt and I was super excited about it.  Ty totally lived it up and had a blast.  I love how much fun it is to see his face light up and get so excited over little things.  I thought being a kid and doing stuff like that was the best thing ever but now I’m thinking that being a parent and watching your kid do things like that is the best thing ever!

And the race begins…

“Look, ober there!  An egg!”  (His “v’s”  come out as “b’s”)

Andrew participated in the hunt with Grandpa by observing…

 

“Up there!  In the tree!”

All of the grandkids with Grandpa Murray!

And since I’m not in very many pictures these days I jumped in.

When you fly from another country like Qatar, the jet lag is brutal.  I found these two guys sleepin’ away in the afternoon.

Sunday morning we all went to church and then had a wonderful Easter dinner.  I am so glad that we go to church on Easter.  It is so easy to forget the whole purpose of the celebration and get caught up in all the other, unimportant things :)  Thanks Mike and Emily for being the hostesses. 

Happy Easter from Andrew!!!

and all of us!

Children’s Museum

Brian and I took the boys to the children’s museum on his day off last week.  Yeah, we went last week during Spring Break.  What in the world were we thinking?  Apparently we weren’t thinking at all!  Though it was super packed with obnoxious older kids that were playing in the little kid areas it was still fun to see Ty play and discover everything.  He loved the helicopter, the area with the cranes, the building blocks, filling up the car with gas and the tubes and ball section at the beginning.  He is certainly a boy, through and through.  It was interesting seeing him interact with other kids.  He mostly was off doing his own thing not really paying kids much attention.  The crane area was different though.  He would load up the crane and then a kid would wheel the crane up.  It was cute seeing him work together with other kids and was actually being nice.  It was a nice afternoon and we were all exhausted by the end of the day. 

         

Random story:  I hope no one hates me for sharing this but I thought it was ridiculous and sorry if I offend anyone.  There was a lady breastfeeding in the middle of the older kids play area.  I have no issues with breastfeeding in public because I do it myself, but she wasn’t covered up at all and she was very well endowed.  It was unbelievable to me.  Even if she did it not covered but was discreetly in the corner I wouldn’t have really thought too much of it but she was DEAD CENTER in the middle of the room.  Even if you weren’t in the room and you walked by looking into the room you would have totally seen her.  When Brian walked by you should have seen his face.  He asked me, “Is that what I think it is?!” and I was like “uh, yeah.”  Pretty sure some people complained because a worker went over and spoke with her.  I really don’t understand the women that think that is okay.  Yes it is a natural thing and it is great for the baby, yada, yada but come on.  No one needs to see your boob.  I mean seriously, how hard is it to throw a blanket over your shoulder.  Your baby isn’t going to be traumatized for not looking at you for 15 minutes.  I mean seriously there were 10-12 year old boys running around.  That’s just NOT okay. 

Potty Training

***I’m sorry if you have no interest in this but I have decided to actually turn my blog into a journal for our family so I really want to remember this***

I had been putting it off for quite awhile. I didn’t want to do it pregnant and feeling crappy, and then I’d heard if I do it too close to when Andrew is born he’ll regress back to accidents, etc. and I just didn’t think he seemed ready, at all.  But I think I was wrong!  My friend Erin started to potty train her 28 month old boy last week and he was doing great so I thought about how Ty is 3 and if Wes could do it than hopefully Ty could.  I was planning on doing it next month but just decided to give it a shot and get it over with.  Don’t even begin to ask me my system because in the course of a day I changed my game plan around 4 times.  Let’s just say the system consisted of lots of jelly beans, stickers and Thomas the Train.   The only thing I was consistent about and wouldn’t budge on was that I wouldn’t let him get into a diaper.  I told him those were gone, period.  He cried a few times through out the day about it but he understands now.  The day started off with 4 accidents.  And each time he profusely apologized.  I couldn’t get mad at that at all.  He was so sincere and sorry about it.  Then we had 4 successes!!!! He did have an issue with poop that ended up in an accident.  Even though the poop was an accident he seriously was so close to it not being.  I laid him down for his nap and 2 minutes later he comes out yelling that he has to go poop.  He sat on the potty for about 4 minutes and nothing came.  So he said he was done.  I took him back to his room and 2 minutes later he came out yelling again but it was too late.  I was just proud of him for realizing the feeling and being close.  Anyway, it is day number 2 and he’s already had 1 success and he did it all by himself.  I’m a proud mommy right now.  I would have done this 6 months ago if I had known how good he’d do!

I’ll spare you the picture of him sitting on the potty but I have a picture of him helping color his Thomas sticker chart and flexing his muscles at the end of (what I believe to be) a successful day!

Oh and yesterday Andrew woke up with crusty crap in his eye.  I was like oh gosh, please don’t be pink eye.  I can’t handle it today. I don’t think it is but I still called the pediatrician and got drops just in case.  They said it is probably a plugged tear duct but regardless they would treat it the same way.  Worrying about Tyson and the potty was enough and I couldn’t believe I had to think about Andrew’s eye as well.

The 60 Day Slimdown

I finally decided that I needed some help to lose 30 lbs.  That’s when I got this…

http://www.momsintofitness.com/dvds/dvds-lindsay-brin-60-day-slimdown

I’m one day in and I’m really excited about it.  This program tells me what exercises to do on her DVDs, gives me a meal plan, a weight/inches tracker, and a fitness test etc.  Great thing, she specifically outlines what to do if you’re nursing your baby or not.  I’m blogging about this only for the shear fact that I need extra motivation to stick with it.  So for the next 60 days I’ll do updates on how much weight I’ve lost as well as how many inches.  Wish me luck and here’s to getting my body back!  Yee Haw!  (Oh and to be clear, I do not expect to lose 30 pounds in 2 months.  My goal is 2 pounds a week so that would be 16 pounds.)

 

OH and tomorrow starts potty training…I’m sure you’ll be hearing about how that goes in the next few days!

Fun day at Hee Haws

Yesterday my friends and I decided to get together and head to Hee Haw Farms.  Tyson had a blast.  He saw some animals and their babies, ride on a little train thingy, go down a slide and play with a tractor.  I couldn’t get him to leave the tractor behind so we missed the hay ride.  We almost got to ride a pony but it wouldn’t cooperate anymore.  We had a nice time and the weather was beautiful.  I could go for that kind of weather for the rest of my life : )  Andrew missed everything because he was very comfy and asleep in my carrier.  Man, I love that thing.  Here are some pictures! 

I honestly thought it was super neat that we could get so close to the animals and even pet them.  I’m not a big animals person, so for me to say that is well, shocking :)

He followed these two around and kept saying, “Look the baby loves his mommy!”  I think it was also his way of saying that he loves me too ;)

He started to push the hay up to the cow’s mouth and say, “Eat it cow.  It’s for you!” 

 

He thought this one was pretty funny.  It was kind of playing peek-a-boo or something out of that little shed.

A really big tractor that he wanted a picture with.

This is the small riding tractor that I couldn’t get him off of.  Seriously, he could have played with this for hours.  He was too short to pedal it but he tried soooo hard!  He eventually got off of it and just started to push it around instead.  What dedication.  I would have dropped that thing so fast if it had been me…

He patiently waited for his turn to ride this “train”.  He did so great waiting.  When it was his turn, it was all smiles the entire time!

Some of the ladies and kiddos!  Thanks everyone for inviting us along!

3 year and 2 month appointments

I took both kiddos to the Dr. yesterday for Ty’s 3 year and Andrew’s 2 month well visits.  It honestly turned out to be not so bad!  In fact, it was completely manageable.  I did have to wait for about 15 minutes but honestly, it was so nice to have one right after the other.  *sigh*  Let’s start with Andrew because the Dr. started with him first yesterday :)

*Andrew*

Length: 22 1/4 inches—50%

Weight: 10 lbs 3 oz—25%

Head Circumference:  39 cm—50%

He is growing at a rapid pace, as most babies do at this age.  He is a healthy boy that is 10 lbs!  For someone who gave his mommy such a scare with losing more than 10% of his body weight in the beginning has certainly come a long way.  I reviewed Tyson’s status with Andrew’s when he was 2 months and they aren’t identical but pretty close. 

Andrew has started to coo and make the cutest little baby sounds in the world.  He does it in the afternoon after he eats and then also at night before bedtime.  So fun!  Brian and I both find ourselves saying to the other, “Hurry!  Hurry!  He’s smiling!  Get over here!!!”  Even though we have seen him do it a hundred times already, we still come running. 

All of the baby acne that I thought Andrew had has turned out to be eczema.  I think it was baby acne at first but the last week or so it just exploded to the point that I thought it was something else but was in denial.  Well, now I feel awful that I made my little guy be so uncomfortable.  The Dr. told me it should clear up in about a week with Hydro Cortisone 1% cream morning and night and then to use the Aquafor lotion as well.  What I am hearing from everyone is that the key is to get rid of it and then manage it and keep on top of it.  I’m wondering why he has it because no one in our family on either side has it.  I do have sensitive skin but not THAT sensitive.  So anyone with tips because their baby had it or still does have it, let me hear it.  I’ll do anything to help him so much that I wish I could have it and take it away from him : (

He is still sleeping like a champ from about midnight until 7, hit or miss by an hour or so on either side.  He takes an awesome nap in the morning and not so great naps in the afternoon and then takes another great one in the evening.  He had quite a bit of congestion last week and he woke me up because he was choking one night.  I worried about him so I stuck him to sleep in his bouncy chair.  Hopefully I can get him to sleep just has well on his back again.  I’m hoping by doing that the whole cry it out fiasco won’t be as bad.  It was B-A-D with Tyson and I only have myself to blame for that one. 

He did alright with his shots.  He cried for awhile but that also had to do with the fact that he was hungry and tired.  Not the greatest combo but he was a trooper nonetheless and I’m pretty sure he still loves me because he smiled and “talked” to me last night.

Here is the adorable Mister Andrew just a-smilin’-away on his 2 month old Birthday!  He doesn’t look all that different from his 6 week pictures.  However, he has mastered the art of smiling since then!

Here is a picture of him smiling after I put the “medicine” on his face this morning : (  My goodness, he is so cute even with all that redness!

 

*Tyson* 

Weight: 35.2 lbs—75%

Height:  38 inches—50%

The words right out of the Dr.’s mouth were, “His weight has finally caught up with his height.”  Yeah, I’ll say!  He’s such an awesome eater and rarely refuses to eat something so I wasn’t too surprised.  I asked the Dr. about whether he should still be taking naps.  He said if he is, let him but try not to rub it in your friends faces.  He says the nap should drop off soon but to enjoy it while it lasts.  He didn’t have to tell me any of that twice!  I also asked about potty training and he said really just wait until he appears completely interested.  I told him sometimes he is and sometimes he isn’t.  He said then give it a shot but to not push him because it is a battle I will not win.  Okay, Ty, after my dad leaves we’re starting to potty train.  Fingers are crossed that you will be ready and you won’t fight me.  Trains, stickers, charts, and jelly beans are my weapons of choice…what are yours?!

Tyson says some adorable/funny things lately.  Here are some examples:

*One afternoon he said to me, “We’re family mom!”  I was beaming with pride because he understands the concept of a family and then he slightly burst my bubble by continuing on and saying, “and Thomas (the train) too!”  Yeah, he should be apart of this family.  He is everywhere I turn! : )

*Two nights in a row Tyson woke up in the middle of the night, once at 3 am and the other at 12:30 am. Both times he says to me, “I think it’s too early to play outside.”  Yeah, ya think?!

He has let me sleep in for a few days now and it makes me want to give him the biggest hugs and kisses.  What kid wakes their mom up to get them breakfast at like 7 and then lets her go back to sleep with his little brother until 8:30?!  When that happens I make sure to tell him Thank you and then I call him my angel.

He did good with his shots too.  I was a mess though when he got his.  Okay, seriously, it only gets worse as they get older guys.  He is at that age where he vocalized, “Ouch!  Mommy, that hurt” through gigantic tears and gasping for his breath whilst screaming.  I blurted out so fast, “Do you want to go to the store and get a Thomas coloring book?”  Then it hit me.  I completely and totally understand now why my own mother would let us go get ice cream or pick out a small toy after getting our shots.  It was awful.  He forgave me though because he got a sucker and than we picked out a coloring book, but still. 

Here he is after a bath this morning letting me know that he is now 3!

I also went to the store all by myself yesterday with the kids for the first time.  Wasn’t too bad other than the fact that I FELT like I had just burned 500 calories.  Sweatin’ and everything.  It’s shame it really wasn’t 500 calories.  ; )