In the words of a 2 year old. . .

Crew got this construction truck that he has been ATTACHED to. . . Jane crawled over and was grabbing at it and trying to touch it. Then I hear him say, "No no Jane, this is not a toy. This is my bob the builder tractor. This is not a toy." And later as she is crawling into the pantry. . . "No no Jane, this is not a place to play."

And on an unrelated note, we have all been wearing our shades a lot the past few days.

I can never think of good blog titles for catch up posts

This was taken a couple of weeks ago. I got a new camera, so I've been going through old pictures, and clearing out my old sd card. Here are some cute ones . . .

When cute Ella came to play. She loves Jane and Crew, and they love her.
It was a warm summer evening, we were getting the kids ready for a bath. Somehow we opened the back door and they both were outside running/crawling all over the patio. It was cute, so I snapped some shots. Had to get the tongue. . .

Pics and an Update

Just to make you think that my kids love each other, and play happily all day long together, here are some pics.

I guess I'm just sort of teasing myself because these pictures are so dang cute, but they are an unfair representation of the day to day for us. We have had some serious issues lately with "sharing" and "being soft". Deep down, I know they do love each other very much. But the combination of these two ages right now. . . I really can't turn my back on them.

Jane is 9 months now, crawling all over the place, getting into everything, pulling herself up on everything, and making a mad dash for the stairs (going up or down) anytime we leave the door open. If she gets outside, she has 4 little mini pine cones in her mouth before I even get out the door. She is a little firecracker. . . anytime she gets a toy ripped from her hands (many many times during the day) she sure lets Crew have it, screaming right back in his face. Though this is not an enjoyable experience for any of us, its kind of funny to see her react because it seems so beyond her age. I didn't see Crew react that way until he was much much older, so I'm guessing it has to do with being 1st child/2nd child. She does some really cute grunts and raspberry blowing, and she has been waving to us the last couple of days. She had been doing it for a little while randomly, and I sort of blew it off that it was just a coincidence. But in the last 2 days I realized she really knows what she is doing. Ryan got a cute video I'll try to post another day.

At her 9 mo. apt she was 17 lbs 2 oz., 26.5 inches long, and 17.5 around her head. Baby center tells me that her weight is 10-25th percentile, height is 10th percentile, and head is 50th %.

Crew is a little chatterbox all day. He has named each of us in the family as a member of sesame street, and he never fails to call us our "correct name". Crew is Elmo, Jane is Zoe, Ryan is Big Bird, and I am (so appropriately) Cookie Monster. Anytime Jane is waking up from her nap and we can hear her on the monitor, he says, "Zoe's waking up! Should we go get her?" This morning we went for a run. After we got home and I had put Jane down for her nap, I told Crew I was going to take a quick shower. He said, "Are you sweaty and yucky, Cookie Monster?" Yes, my dear Elmo, I am.

I can't believe I ever thought my son knew how to make a mess before. He has turned into a tornado around here. I used to try to have the place picked up when Ryan came home - but man oh man he is making that really difficult these days. I have really been trying to help him learn to clean up his toys when he is done playing with them. Of course, I am always right there helping him. He knows what to do, but he really struggles to help some days. He repeatedly sings, "Clean up, Clean up, everybody do my share." Quite appropriately.

What we've been up to . . .

Digging in the yard, nothing new here. Crew's favorite thing is to tag along with "Joshie" and "work".

Bought this pool from Walmart last year for like $3. Last year it wasn't really that much of a hit. This year it turned out to be a good purchase. They both really love playing in it outside, we have done it multiple days. It just might be time to invest in something a LITTLE bigger. I don't know, what do you think?

Here is the sequence: Spray around a lot, and squirt a little water into the bucket every now and then.

Dump the water into the pool.

And enjoy. This was a day that I tried to go for a walk but it was WAY too hot and humid, so we just went around the block, stripped off some clothes, and cooled down in the pool. They were both very happy to be doing that instead of sitting in the stroller in the heat.

And Crew got a "ah-neen ah-queen" power wheel for his birthday from Katie & Josh. He love love LOVES it. Lots of driving around our patio on that.

Our Washington Visit

Our trip to Washington was fun because Ryan had already taken his test, so we had him all day everyday for the entire time we were there. And everyone in my family was there together - so that made it extra special. Again, I wasn't the best photographer this year . . . most of these photos came from my Mom or Katie's camera.

They played together so well, it was so fun seeing the cousins together. Katie told them to kiss - and Chase always puts his cheek right out for ya. Crew is just going in for it . . .

Woodland park zoo.

Boating on Lake Stevens.

Trip to Red Robin to celebrate Crew's birthday. They sang to him and brought him this sundae!

This one was just too funny. . . Crew so happy and Jane is about done with being in the car. Her face is priceless. Don't worry, I rescued her :)

Her smile was too cute not to include this one. It was just the other day.

These pictures were actually taken in Utah. My grandparents were out for a visit, so we met up there. It was so cute seeing them play with my kids. They are really wonderful grandparents.

My mom also got some great pics, which I may add to this post after I get them from her. Trip to Washington = Thumbs up!

Our Utah Visit

Ryan had several weeks from when school ended until he had to take his Step 1 Board exam in the middle of June. He decided to take the exam in Utah, so while he studied so very responsibly every day at the library, I got to spend time with his family :) Jana & Jordan were utterly selfless in letting us stay with them just a week after having their baby. It was the most fun just getting to be with family. I was not good at taking pictures at all, so here are the few that I got from the trip. Didn't even get one with our hosts!

I also got to have a mini reunion with some of the Hermanas from my mission. It was SO amazing to get to see these girls. Carmen hosted and cooked us some real Chilean grub. Completos on pan frances and huevos con arroz. Brings back so many fun fun memories.

And I met up with my companion from the MTC Hermana Heelis at the park. Her little girl Rylee is a few months older than Crew - it was so nice to talk and catch up.

Thanks to everyone for making time for us! We loved seeing you all!

Crew turned 2!

On June 10th, I became the mother of a 2 year old. Crew had his birthday while we were in Utah, and it was a really fun day. I was really excited about it the night before because this year he could understand things like cakes, candles, presents, and even could sing the birthday song . . . so it made everything even more exciting. In the morning I took him to Walmart to ride the cars - something he ALWAYS wants to do, and I honestly can't remember if I have ever let him before. I'm mean, I know. But I even put in some quarters for him :)

He also got an Elmo balloon, but I couldn't get that picture rotated. Here is his cake, he loves "diggers" and all construction vehicles. Well, anything with wheels that you can ride in or ride on.

All of the family came down to visit and we had Crew's favorite for dinner - Pizza. Then he got lots of presents.

The kids + Ryan ran through the sprinklers. Crew didn't think it was too much fun until Ryan put his swimsuit on and ran through with him. Then he had a lot of fun.

All the kids watched Megamind. That's not even everyone. There were people on the right AND the left side on other furniture.

We love our Crew bird. He has changed so much in the last few months, and really grown up A LOT. He has become much more independent, and much happier in general. He still really loves it best when Mom or Dad is playing with him. He really didn't say a ton at 18 months, but all of a sudden he is speaking sentences! And he'll attempt any word or phrase we throw at him these days. Its so fun seeing him learn so much, and listening to him express himself. And best of all, he is such a sweet boy. He is so loving, and gives us all the hugs and kisses we ask for.