What we've been up to

We have been busy the month of April. Our month started out at Julie's house in AZ. Scott had to work Easter Sunday so I decided to pack the kids up and go visit my sister for a week. The ride there was awesome. We only had to stop once. The kids were great and we made it there in record time. I know it may sound weird, but there is something relaxing and liberating about driving in a car by myself with my two kids strapped in their car seats. Don't ask me, I can't explain it. It's just something I like.

Our week was jam packed with Easter, parties, activities, pictures, projects, shopping, visiting lots of family, and being apart of my brother Jeremy's engagement. The week was well spent. The kids were good and did much better than expected. Their routine was adjusted, like all vacation, but they handled it pretty well. The best part was that Evan slept on a cot next to me, only getting into my bed twice. (Thanks for the idea Randi)

When we left AZ my sister Julie and baby Devin came back with us. They spent at week with us at my moms house. Again we managed to have a fun week. Baby Devin was really sick, but he was a trooper and we were still able to get in alot of activities.

I love all the time that I was able to spend with my sister. I love the freedom I have to do anything with my kids. I am so blessed to have this year to spend with them. Soon all of this freedom will come to an end, but instead of wallowing in sorrow, I AM choosing to be grateful everyday for what my life is.


WARNING: LOTS OF PICTURES AHEAD

Friday night coloring Easter eggs in Christmas PJ's

Saturday, the day of our Easter Party at Julie's


Sunday, Easter morning

Evan's favorite candy. Pez

So excited for Toy Story

Not as excited

This where it all began. Our nightmare with Grass! We spent several times picking up this Easter necessity. By far both kids favorite part of Easter.

Need I say more

Our cute little Bunny

I don't know who was more excited for Toy Story, me or Evan. I am so glad not to have to watch it on VHS.

Evan had to try the bunny ears because he gets jealous when Hannah gets too much attention.

Disney on Ice

Anthony chillin eatin popcorn

Relaxed

only for a minute

When the show was over we were clapping and I turned around to find Evan asleep. WHAT! He never falls asleep, he must have been really tired.

Children's Museum

Hannah likes to kick back and rest her feet on the snack tray when she is in the stroller. Funny Girl!

Baby Devin

Checking out the light up sandbox.

Playing in the rainforest

Evans favorite part of the museum. It was a car wash that you could ride your bike through.

Peek-a-boo cousin Adam

Silly Anthony

Love those two little teeth.

Ready to get on the race track

Playing with the wrench xylophone

Dinner at Cory's House

WoW! That is one big yell

Back to serious

One kiss for Hannah

And one kiss for mommy

The newly engaged couple. Jeremy and Sarah

I put Hannah to bed on the floor in one of Cory's spare rooms. When I went to check on her this is where I found her. Under the bed, pulling the stuff off the bottom of the mattress and trying to eat it. Yuck!

Back to CA. San Diego Zoo

This is where I should leave my monkey

Waving Hi

Classic picture of Evan pouting because he didn't want to listen to me.

Our wonderful cousins that treated us to a day at the zoo. Thanks Guys!

Loving the snake. He did not want to leave. Fortunatley this will be the only way he will ever see a snake because we will never own one.

Playing inside the goats toy. Kinda gross if you ask me.

I was surprised that he was Brave enough to pet the goat.

Then he tries to feed the goat a rock. This is not Zoomars. There is no food allowed.

Last Day of FUN with Julie. Disneyland

My sister, her husband and baby Devin strike a pose on Small World

The Gang

Winnie the Pooh with Grandpa. Had to end with my sweet baby doll face.

Evan's Update

When we moved to my parents we took Evan's crib apart and set up his toddler bed. Scott thought no problem Evan will be fine. Not to my surprise the night was a disaster with Evan waking up several times. I wasn't ready for the big boy bed and sleepless nights with Evan since I was already waking up twice to feed Hannah. It was to much, so I rigged up Kelly's crib tent around the toddler bed. Some may call it cruel, but it was my sanity. Evan did not like being zipped in at first, but soon got used to the idea. He slept well and so did we.

Finally in December I decided to take the crib tent off. It went amazingly well. He stayed in his bed and slept. Things were great for a few weeks. Then he learned to get up and turn the TV on, so I had to make sure it was on video mode which would be a blank blue screen. Next, he started to turn the lights on. Evan had never been afraid of the dark, in fact he slept better when it was really dark, but I went ahead and put in a nightlight. I thought that would work. I had a talk with Evan every night about not turning on the TV or the lights and reminded him of his little nightlight. It worked for a little while, however he soon developed a phobia of the dark. He constantly turns on the lights and TV. He falls asleep to a blue screen and lights on. I turn them off once he falls asleep, but if he wakes up in the middle of the night he freaks out yells "I see dark" and turns them back on.

The once going to bed easy thing is not so easy anymore. It is always a battle to get him to take his nap or go to bed. He yells or wants a movie on. Hopefully this is just a stage and will end soon.

On a much more positive note. Evan is talking much much more these days. He amazes me at the things he knows how to say that I have never heard before or taught him. When we drive in the car he always points things out. We spent a week in Vegas with our friends and he learned about 25 new words just being around Julie June (his 2 1/2 year old friend). He can say just about anyone's name when you tell him what it is, however he still doesn't say his name. Funny. I used to think it was hilarious and odd when kids would say "mom, hold you" instead of "mom, hold me" but Evan is now saying it. I guess it's a natural progression of speech. He has been saying it a lot lately because my poor little guy has been really sick with a double ear infection for a week now. The antibiotics haven't been working so we are returning to the Dr. tomorrow. It has been a long and exhausting week with a very sick child. It's the first time he has every really thrown up and had an ear infection. I will be so glad when this passes.

Evan is fascinated with letters and numbers. He is always saying them when he sees them, even though they are not correct. He is learning his colors and loves to spend time with grandma who works with him. We just finished a mommy and me class at the community center where we sang, danced, listened to books, played instruments, played with a parachute and twirled rainbow streamers (Evan's favorite). We had a good time and Evan is improving his following directions skill. We are signed up to take another class (Paint, Paste, Pour) with his cousin Grayson. It should be a blast.

Here are a few pictures of the little guy.

Finally asleep

Loves his letter books

Trying on the helmet while skateboarding at Mckenna's Birthday party

9 months

My little baby girl turned 9 months last Friday.


I am way behind on blogging but I had to get a picture up with a little note. Sorry for it's length, but this blog has now become my journal and way of documenting all the precious memories. Life goes so fast and I can barely remember some things about Evan as a baby, so my goal for 2010 is to do better documenting. I know its been almost 3 months since my last blog. I haven't been doing so hot, but I am determined now that I received my blog book for all past post from 2008-2009. It is amazing to have a copy all right there in one book. I love it! My intentions are not to bore anyone, so please feel free to skip all text and just look at pictures.

Hannah now has four teeth since her two top teeth have come in. And let me tell you they sure don't feel good when she bites down. She sits up really good, but that's about it. She is not interested in crawling. I put her on her tummy everyday, however she is not a fan, therefore crawling is out of the question. Oh well, one day she will get it. It doesn't really bother me too much because that just means I will have to follow her around all the time. So I guess, take your time Hannah :)

Hannah has turned into a pretty good eater and is now even eating all my homemade baby food. Good thing because I thought it was going to have to go to waste. She has also stated eating cheerios and loves to pick them up, which has made her a much happier camper while sitting in her highchair. I have also found her brother handing her various food items such as cookies, crackers, quesadilla, berries, and other foods while I am not looking. She always seems to enjoy them, however we have had to have little talks with Evan about feeding his sister. I don't want the day to come when she breaks out in some kind of reaction or chokes because he gave her a piece of food.

I wouldn't call Hannah a smile all the time happy baby, but she does smile big when she wants to. She is more of the serious kind. I guess it runs in the genes. I love spending time alone with her even if it is a few short minutes. It is hard to give all of your attention to one child when they aren't the only child but I am glad to have them both. I couldn't imagine life without my little girl. She has a totally different personality than Evan. She is very attached to me and has a hard time being held by others. I swear she knows my scent. It is the weirdest thing. Hannah is going to have the hardest time when I go back to work this fall and she has to go to a babysitter. It is going to break my heart, but at least Scott will be the one to drop her off. I am not looking forward to that day. I have loved spending everyday with my kids the last 9 months.

Hannah you are my sweet pea and I love you to pieces!