Harry the Snowman

Saddest thing ever to realize that the end of February was the first time I REALLY played in the snow with my kids. Collin of course had "played" in it before, but usually when Dad was shoveling and not doing anything more than touching it and kicking it. Yes, kicking snow is the best. 

In my defense, most snowy days are frigid and windy and Collin is crying from the cold within minutes. I also despise being cold and have generally very hostile feelings toward what I think is the devil's precipitation. 

Alas, last week we had a WARM day with a nice, medium layer of snow on the ground to frolic in. It took no less than 30 minutes to adequately dress us all (most likely Weston's very first time wearing shoes) before we were out on our backyard adventure!

I got a workout (and the realization that my snow pants are NOT waterproof... seriously?!) by pushing the kiddos around the backyard on the sled. When we first brought it out, Collin was so excited to be doing what he's watched Caillou do dozens of times in his Winter Wonderland DVD. He was also alarmed that ours did not have a rope like Caillou's. After pushing on my knees for .2 seconds, I joined his dismay.

 Snow angels..

 Must have a taste.

After diving out of the sled, soaking his mittens and losing his shoes, this one was reassigned to the kitchen to watch.

 It always takes many shots to get something that is not this...

 Ahhh, a normal looking child....

 I will miss this cheeser smile someday when he realizes it is not "cool" to squish your face up and beam your finest grin. :) 

A pretty successful afternoon! Now I'm hoping to try out real sledding sometime before winter is over. Buuuut, I won't be heartbroken if it never snows enough to warrant it. It IS almost March after all. Our last winter is nearly behind us!!!

Rainbow Rink

For playgroup last week we met at a rollerskating rink in North Tonawanda. It sets aside two hours every Wednesday morning for kids to come and bring anything on wheels to play with on the rink. We were literally the first people to enter the building and had it all to ourselves for about 10 min. I thought it would get really crowded since it was winter break for schools, but there were only 3 or 4 other women there with their kids, besides our group. I had a BLAST. I think the kids might of too. :) Weston was a champ and happy as could be for almost the entire 2 hours just sitting in this car. They had upbeat Disney classics blasting over the loudspeakers and Collin and I ran helter- skelter all over the place, pausing only to bust out {Elaine-esk} dance moves. It felt so good just to run! Can't remember the last time I did that. Sad, I know.

 Collin got to try roller skating for the very first time! He kept flailing his legs back and forth just like on TV. Then after 5 min. he had had enough of that nonsense.

 Gavin had his hopes set on the zoo that day, but we're so glad he joined us instead!

Millie enjoyed giving Weston a spin.

Me and my Buffalo twin. :) Love that our boys are similar ages. If only we got to continue having them grow up together! :(

Oh St. Valentine!

We were able to go to a Valentine's playgroup at the church last week. Collin had fun making his fireman box. When we were at Target picking out his Valentines, he insisted on Phineas and Ferb. Really? I was hoping for some with envelopes, thinking that's how he could help me... by stuffing them in the envelopes. Or at least putting a piece of candy in them or something. No go. They just don't sell Valentines with envelopes anymore! What gives? Instead I spent a good hour, ripping apart 37 Valentines and tattoos, delicately placing said tattoos in the minuscule slits cut into the Valentines, then folding them and sealing with a heart sticker. I felt like a factory worker. It will be nice when he's old enough to do all that by himself... talk about a busy work project, but for now, I was cursing Disney and all affiliated slave drivers.

Last Saturday our ward had a Valentine's party that turned out pretty fun. They had childcare, so Collin was occupied, and we just put Weston to sleep in a room. I even brought his sound machine. It was fantastic.

We ate, then played a trivia game. I brought my Ipod and speakers and led everyone in a couple of line dances.... the Cupid Shuffle and Cotton Eyed Joe. I was impressed with how many were willing to dance!

The "photographer" didn't show up, so it was my crummy camera to the rescue! Whitney had made such an adorable photo background, we couldn't let it go to waste. 

 I wasn't around when Trav snapped this picture, but I wanted to include it because it has Deborah in it! I visit teach Deb and she is a gem. I was a little nervous when I started going to her neighborhood (it's in one of the scarier parts of town), but I've since relaxed and am able to enjoy the experience.... bumpin' music, {hoodlum} men, dilapidated houses, accompanying smells, and all. I need to video tape her because her voice is one I'll never forget. One time when I dropped by to visit her, she called from the inside, "Who is it?!!". "It's Steph!" I replied. The door swung open to bare legged Deb, with the happiest look on her face. "Stephanie!" she exclaimed. "I MISSED your BUTT!"  Seriously, I love Deborah.

After the dancing, a few couples played the Newlywed game for us all to watch and then we let the kids break free and join the party for some dancing. They were rocking out. It was a fun night. Laney knows how to plan a party!

On actual Valentine's day, I picked up Chiptole and took the kids to the dental school to eat lunch with Trav. He knew we were coming, but he didn't know I had brought along some inflated friends. The surprise was a little ruined when he saw us coming, but I still made him go out in the hall while I did my dirty work. There were 5 balloons for 5 years married, each with a note attached of a memory from that year.

I had fun with some crepe paper and put a box of Dove chocolates under his computer (which I'm pretty sure I ended up eating 85% of). Too bad he was on rotation for the afternoon so none of his patients got to see! 

 Our din din. Pink mashed potatoes. So original!

The real treat were these sugar cookies. I hit the jackpot with the cookie recipe, then I used the Sprinkles cupcakes frosting recipe. It's a good thing we gave away so many plates, otherwise I would have eaten them ALL! Now our official Valentine's "date" night is tonight. Hmmmm, where could we be going.... um of course Cheesecake Factory!! I have a date with Caramel Chicken tonight and it's going to be amazing. :)

And a belated Happy 100th Birthday to Arizona!!! I had no idea... thank you Facebook. I should have done something Arizona themed. It is the best state in the country after all. :)

Weston's 1st Birthday!

 Last Monday was Weston's first birthday! It was surreal for me. I know he's still a baby, but I feel like he's still supposed to be a newborn baby. The fact that he is one is making me feel like I need to be thinking about the next child... and well, that, is just not happening! Weston is as sweet as they come and yet this past year was still incredibly hard. Adjusting to two was not an easy transition for me. And the 10 months of late night feedings really did me in too. With that said, of course I am so glad he's in our family and I wouldn't have it any other way! I'm so glad the boys are close in age and will always have each other growing up. (Even though currently, most of what I hear from Collin is, "Mom, he's bugging me!!" 

I decided I didn't need to throw a huge party, but I still wanted to have a little celebration, so we invited the Shaw's over for a Cafe Rio dinner. I was going to make a generic cake, but then remembered that he was born on Superbowl Sunday... so naturally, he needed a football cake!

Get it... {Weston}, instead of {Wilson}. I know, I know... I'm so cute!

 I had to put his helmet on one last time for a complete {football} look.

The simple banner I made with some pictures from his first year...

 The second I put the #1 in (and why didn't I turn it so it faced out correctly?!), Weston started grabbing at it and we had to tell him no...... and this was the crying spell that resulted. He just dissolves into tears whenever he's told no.

He was not shy at all. Started going for it right away!

 A couple of times in his high chair, he tried to dip his head down to just eat it right off the platter, but his head wouldn't reach, so we thought we'd give him better access on the table.

Love those blues! We let him at it for a while, and he was in hog heaven. I didn't think he was really ingesting as much as he was getting it all over himself, but the next morning there was a brown throw up spot on his sheet. Oops. Must have given him his first sugar, stomach ache.

Rach was so sweet and made him this custom sub art for his room! Yea, the first decoration in their bedroom that isn't about Collin!

 He was also excited to open a new truck. And thank you to Grandma Evans for the clothes and toys package she sent! Collin was pretty upset that a package came from Grandma and none of it was for him. He kept insisting that it be his birthday now.

Some things about Weston right now...

*He is a drooling machine! I was so excited to get his helmet off so I could snuggle him more, but the constant stream of drool is keeping me away more than the helmet did! I have to keep a bib on him (and change it a couple times a day) or else his shirt is drenched. 

*He is also in the habit of keeping his tongue sticking out of his mouth. Seriously, it will stick out for 10 min. at a time without retracting. And it's so skinny! It's like half a tongue. I'm not sure what to make of it.

*He isn't walking on his own, but walks along the furniture and behind push toys.

*He LOVES animals. I know all kids do, but this is extreme. He becomes ecstatic at the sight of even a bird. I am reading a book with a black bear on the cover and he won't leave me alone when he sees it. He'll bat at it for 15 min. 

*He sleeps with a small, fuzzy blanket (same one Collin used, from Grandma Sharon) and a teddy bear.

*He is super sensitive and even a less than happy tone or look will hurt his feelings and reduce him to tears.

*He loves Collin and even after getting hit or kicked by him, will try to follow him to time out and wait for him to return.  

*He seems to be transitioning from 2 naps to 1 nap already. Noooo! Collin didn't do that for 5 more months. 

*He wears size 3 diapers and 9m clothes. 

*I'm not even sure what to say his favorite foods are because he'll eat just about anything I give him. Mostly though he drinks lots of bottles! At least 3, 6oz bottles a day, sometimes 8oz.
*His "sign" for just about everything is flapping his hands at his wrists... kind of like a wave. It can mean anything, but mostly it just means he wants whatever he's waving at. I love it.
*He weighed in at 17lbs at his doctor's visit. That is still less than 5%, but they are super happy at his weight gain. His head diameter was 17 3/4in. which was between 10th and 25% and his height was 28 1/2 inches which is 10%. He is a peanut for sure!
*He has 4 teeth. Two on top (with a big space in between!)and two on bottom. His laterals look like they'll poke through soon, but not much else going on in that department.
*He can go up and down stairs! He will usually attempt to go down them head first, but we tell him to turn around and he'll back up and  then maneuver his legs behind him to head down. He's very mechanical and methodical about it. 

I am so so grateful for my sweet Weston! He was worth all the screaming in the delivery room and all the long nights of nursing. :) He is such a blessing and loved to pieces. Happy Birthday Weston!

Bye bye helmet and house

It was a sad day last week when I had to take all these beauties down....

(I seriously usually leave them up til July... I know that's not ok, but I do.)

.... because Monday we put our house up for sale!

Bittersweet for sure. Watching them pound the sign into the ground sort of put knots in my stomach. Will we sell it? Will we not? Will we have to move out earlier than we want? Will we get what we're asking for it? But mostly, I just thought of how sad it will be on the day we are packing the moving truck. But now is not the time for those emotions!

One week ago the realtor came, checked out the house and we spent an hour signing paperwork. (Man, that is so annoying.) Since then, I have been cleaning like crazy. It's a good reminder that moving is great for de-junking. My basement has never been cleaner. I might even enjoy throwing stuff out as much I do buying it in the first place. It's just such a good feeling to declutter. And yesterday I got our first call... we have a showing this afternoon! Certainly not getting any hopes up, but it is encouraging.

 Also, this week, Weston had his LAST helmet appointment! HOORAY!!!! No more physical therapy. No more orthotic appointments. And no more neurologist appointments. And while we're at it, no more feeding clinic or weight check appointments!! (This bottle stuff is fantastic. He his bulking up like a champ.) In short, no more Women's and Children's Hospital! I couldn't be happier.

His head isn't exactly 100% round, but it is far and away better than what it used to be. We'll take it!

It is a little weird seeing him without it on. It just doesn't look like {Weston}. Kind of like when you see your grandma without her glasses on... something's just not right.

The other day, Collin found this beanie and was insistent that we all try it on. I thought it made Weston look like a little mushroom head. :) (Takes after his Aunt Marcie)

 When getting naky for a bath, he scampered away and he was too cute to not take a pic. He's so proud of himself now that he can climb on brother's bed.

Cute bum!

We may, however, be seeing a bit more of this, now this his protection is gone.

 This actually happened last week, but it was while we were cleaning his helmet and he didn't have it on. He was playing by the entertainment center and fell and caught an edge with his head. When I picked him up, it was bleeding pretty bad and I went into panic mode. Trav had to grab him and take charge. He started issuing orders. "Go get some paper towels. Do we have any Tylenol? Grab an otter pop for him to suck on." And I scurried about, like a nurse on a battlefield, being told what to do while simultaneously trying to ignore what was happening. I really need to grow thicker skin. I was about to take him to urgent care for stitches when we decided super glue might do the trick. It did. We are wonderful parents.



Learning my A,B, C's

Today, I decided Collin needed to start getting himself an edumacation.

He knows how to sing the alphabet song, but that's about it.

I decided to do a letter a day. (And I should probably throw numbers in there too since he always starts counting with 2 [who really needs 1?] and always skips 10, ending with eleven [that 10 is funny business anyway])

After Weston went down for his morning nap, I told Collin it was time for his first day of "school"! He was giddy with excitement. We sat at the kitchen table and went over the alphabet song and I told him that today he was going to learn all about the letter "A".

First, we practiced writing an A on the magnadoodle, then tracing it on paper. We made A's with our finger in a box of salt and rolled an A out of playdough. We talked about how A is the beginning of ape, apricot, and apron. Then we put on our Home Depot apron to remind us. He was thrilled.

We pulled out a magazine and searched for A's, circling them with a highlighter. He actually did really good finding them too.

Then we made an "A" ape craft out of a toilet paper roll.

We spent a good 20- 30 minutes on our "A" lesson. When it was all over I asked him, "So what letter did we learn about today?!" To which he very confidently and happily responded, "C!".

*insert shoulder slump from Mom*

Don't worry, it wasn't a slip. All day long he will randomly ask me, "Mommy, where is my C?" (Meaning the paper he drew that is now on the fridge) or, "Mommy, help me make a C." (out of playdough)

(Mental pep talk.... he's only two, he's only two.)

New Year's Resolutions

I love New Year's Resoultions. I've been making them for as long as I can remember. And even though I don't usually complete them all, 100%, I find that a little introspection, followed with a bit more determination, written on paper, can go a long way. Sometimes it's a goal to be better in an area continually, and sometimes it a project that I just really need to buckle down and get done. (And I do love checking something off a list.)

This year I feel like my list is pretty elementary. But this past year, following a new baby, has left a lot of fundamenal things in my life, lacking.

I resolve to:
*go to the temple at least every other month,
*read my scriptures 15 min. a day,
*finish Weston and Collin's baby books,
*finally print all pictures I've taken in the past 5 years. (I know, I am the WORST for not having done that all along)
*re-upload all missing pictures from my blog, THEN
*print blog books for all years
*don't forget exercise! I'll try for 4x a week

When printing off these resolutions, Collin asked me what I was doing. So I told him I was printing off my new year's resolutions. Of course he asked “Why?” So I said, “Because I want to be a better person”. To which he matter of factly responded, “No, Daddy’s a better person.” My mouth dropped open and I said, “You don’t think Mommy is a good person?” “No,” he said, “Daddy’s a good person.” All with a smile playing on his lips. That stinker.

Now added to the list, *try harder to brain wash Collin into thinking I'm a better mommy.

A New Floor

In years past when I've gone home earlier than Trav for Christmas, it's been in part because he has finals and is basically MIA for the week anyway. Well this year, he didn't have finals, just clinic (but I still wanted to go home early!) so I wondered what he'd be doing all week long without us!

Ta Da! He put in a new bathroom floor. I couldn't have been happier. We probably should have taken a "before" pic of the nasty, broken up, green tile that was probably as old as the house, but I'll just let your imagination cover it. I had even sliced my foot pretty good on that hazardous mess. Well, no longer! I'm starting to worry about my "normalness" for how much I love the new floor. I was tempted to drop to my knees and stroke it. (And maybe I did for just a minute.)

Another huge bonus when I walked in the door after flying home....??? A spankin' clean house. I had left it a disaster. Trav vacuumed (even the stairs. wowzers) mopped the kitchen, cleaned the bathroom and left it basically spotless. A wifes dream. Spanks babe. :)

And last, but not least. While we were gone, the results of Trav's part II boards came in the mail. We literally walked in the door, set down all the luggage, saw the huge pile of mail on the table, looked at each other, paused ever so slightly, and pounced on it. When he found the envelope, he stepped back a few steps to open it "by himself".  

He passed!! And with an 81. Not too shabby! I was so proud of him. He studdied his keister off for that thing and it payed off. (We may also have a thank you card to write to some church in Texas that apparently was praying for Trav to pass. I have no idea what denomination it is, but Trav's parents are friends with a lady named Lori that heard them talking about Trav's board exams. Well I guess Lori has a friend in Texas and she told her about it for some reason and she got her whole church to pray for Trav! Hysterical. Thank you Texas!)

Now the only thing left is for him to finish this semester's requirements and then take his licensing exam in March. We are on the home stretch!