Can't Get Enough of Him!

Sweet Logie Bear turned 6-months old last Wednesday. He's such a happy fellow and quite the flirt. He will smile and smile at anyone, whether they're looking at him or not. He's a bit on the small side-- at least compared to Ethan at this age. He was 19 lbs 9 oz (only 80th percentile!) and 28 inches long (90th percentile) at his check-up, and quite the healthy little boy. He loves to suck on his toes and chew on paper. It's only a bit scary when he actually ingests some of the paper and it happens to be RED. Then, I about have a heart attack when I change his dirty diapers.... Ethan's doing quite well with him, and he loves his "Baby Hogan," as he calls him. We're back in Phoenix, living with my parents, for the time being. We're not sure if the job's going through up in Idaho or not, so Joe's looking for work here again. Fun times.... All will be well, eventually. At least we're all together.

Chip 'N Dale Baby

This is my 5-month-old son Logan. This is how we have recently discovered he prefers to be-- free of clothing and all those other distractions. This is the only time he will roll around the floor freely. When fully clothed, he stays on his back and gets frustrated. Too bad we now live in IDAHO where clothing seems to be a mandatory thing most months of the year.... At least I kept his socks on to keep him warm.....

Bye Bye to My Penguins....

Here's my genius Ethan. He loves counting. He knows every letter of the alphabet by sight (and will repeat the alphabet, but not sing it:). He knows his colors, too. Counting's the newest of them all, but he's doing pretty good. I have the right to brag every once in a while.... I love this little boy.

We've been in Idaho a few weeks now. Can't say I love it yet, but it's alright. I really need to get my own house, though.... Anyway, hope you enjoy!

Moving

So.... We are moving. I never really thought it would happen, but apparently it is (I think it kind of hit me after I realized that 3/4 of our stuff is now in boxes). Our destination is Idaho-- Boise area, to be specific. We leave in a week. Joe is happy. He's wanted to live there since before we got married. After getting laid off and not being able to find a job here in Phoenix, he found one there quite quickly. Maybe it's where we are supposed to be? He thinks so. I always thought my boys would be Arizona boys.... not potato farm boys.... I am sad. I'm leaving my family and everything I've ever known behind. I'm leaving my beloved heat, which Joe refers to as Hell (just as I refer to Idaho as "Hell frozen over"). I can no longer wear flip-flops year-round. I can't call Mom up at a few hours notice to watch my kids for an hour or two. I won't be around when my sister starts Junior High and High School and starts dating boys that I won't meet to be able to approve of. I'm leaving behind a nephew and a niece, as well, who've I've watched grow and mature since their births. We'll be totally on our own, without my parents to help us (not financially, but in many other ways), and without the comfort of knowing they're right there when we need them. My kids will rarely see their grandparents. I'm sad.

BUT... maybe this is the Lord's plan for me and my family. I must put aside my sadness and feelings of negativity. My husband does have the right to receive inspiration for our family. Heavenly Father HAS blessed him with a job to support us. As much as I want to, I cannot know ahead of time what will happen there and why it is good for us. Maybe I will grow as a person, and my kids might be safer. Maybe we should be there to help someone else. I don't know the reason, but I must hold onto something, and thinking about these things makes me feel better about it all. I must sound like the hugest Daddy's Girl, as I know many, MANY people live far from their families, but I guess I never considered I might be one of them. To all of you who do live far from your families, you are strong, strong people. May I one day be like you.....

Pillow Fight

I recently gave Ethan a pillow in his crib, as I have finally gotten over my paranoia that he may suffocate (he is TWO, after all!). This is how I found him that night.... So close.... yet, so far....

At least his TOYS are comfortable!

The Big Two!

My little Ethan turned two-years-old yesterday. It's hard to believe that it's been that long since I was in the hospital, pushing and in labor, wishing I were dead.... wait, that was just two

MONTHS ago.... but also two years ago.... Anyway, I tried making his day special with yummy breakfast, dinner, and cake, and I had the Nursery kids sing to him. My family came over for presents and cake in the evening. He really felt special and learned to say "Happy Birthday." He already knows to say "two" when asked how old he is, though he sounds like a little Scottish boy when he does.....

Here are his stats from his two-year check-up today:

weight: 34 lbs (95%)

height: 37 inches (97%+)

I love this boy. I love how he says "si" when you tell him to say "yes." I love that he is obsessed with phones and remotes and anything he can take apart, but shouldn't. I love his sweet demeanor and how he always says "please," "thank you" and "love you." I love his sweet kisses and his over-abundance of energy. I love his Flintstone feet, even though it's incredibly hard to find shoes to fit their wideness. I love that canned green beans are his favorite food and that he drinks their juice when he's done. I love that he stays in his crib, even though I know he can climb out. I love that he plays for a few hours in his bed before falling asleep and is perfectly content doing so. He is amazing and wonderful, and I am the luckiest mother in the world.

Prima Donna Ballerina??

Look at those toes, made for "pointe" in ballet..... Oh, wait........
They're Ethan's..... Yep, Ethan LOVES walking around the house on his toes lately, and he shows his exceptional skill here as he tries reaching around the safety gate to turn on a light (which he knows he's not supposed to mess with:).... I say ballet... Joe says martial arts.... He'd make a mighty BIG ballerina........ Probably crush too many little girls' feet.....

Feeling thankful

I feel I must take some time just to write how blessed I feel. Joe has been officially jobless for a month now. He'll be paid his severance through the end of September. I've managed to save enough money to pay our bills for two months after that, since we've known this time was coming for some months now. Why some companies feel the need to ship off American jobs to India, to earn a few billion dollars more a year than they're already making, I will never know. But, I digress. Even though Joe has no job, we've been lucky enough that he's had some contract jobs and we've had friends who need things done that he can do, and they pay him for it. Joe was able to take 3 weeks of vacation right after Logan was born (he had to use the vacation or he would lose it), then his job ended shorty thereafter, and I must say it's been really nice to have him home, even if it does mean he has no job. It's helpful to have another adult around with two kids under two, plus it's just so nice to be a family together so much-- we've had so much fun together! We've just had so many people helping us out, when we haven't even asked, and I feel they've been inspired. I know we must be doing something right to be so blessed. Heavenly Father really does look after all of his children. It's nice to know that. When we're doing all we can do, and trying to live righteously, things will all work out in the end. They don't always work out how we think they will, or how we want them to, but they do work out. I've been praying for months now that Joe will find a new job, and I know it will happen eventually. I just don't stress about it, though we do actively pursue it. Anyway, I am blessed. I have a wonderful family and people who love and support us. What more can I ask for?

Potty in the potty

Ethan pooped in the potty today for the first time! I'm so proud of my almost-two-year-old little boy! He actually went to the bathroom door and told us "poo-poo?" Now, if we can get him to pee in it we'll be all set! He's still figuring it all out, but I think he's doing great. Have I mentioned lately how much I love this little boy?

2 months!!

(This is what happens when you leave your baby home with daddy-- and yes, that IS a bean bag chair...)

Logan is already two months old! I took him to the doctor yesterday for his check-up, and he's healthy as a horse (and weighs about as much as one, too!) Here are his two-month stats:

weight: 14 lbs 12 oz (97th + percentile)

height: 24 1/4 inches (90th percentile)

Logan's a whole pound (exactly!) heavier than Ethan was at this age, and he's 1/4 inch taller. He's already competing with his brother.... He's a little doll and I love him so much! Having two boys is so much fun!

My Son the Multi-tasker

Ethan's new thing..... Spinning class anyone?

Logan's Blessing

Family & Friends


Logan was blessed yesterday, just a week shy of two months old. Joe blessed him with a beautiful blessing, then later we had my family over for a nice dinner. Logan didn't cry or want to eat the whole Sacrament Meeting, so it was wonderful! It was so nice to have my college friends, Pam Mofford and Jarrett Nez come, too! Happy, happy day.

Potatoes are People, too

Ethan loves to point out various body parts, like ears, mouth, eyes, etc. Today at lunch, he apparently decided that mashed potatoes with chives are people, too.... He picked up this piece, pointed at the chive in the middle, and kept saying, "Eye? Eye?" Then he turned it to the side, asking, "Ear?" but he seemed not to find one.... Funny, little boy:)

Need I say more...?

He May Hate Me When He's Older....

Ahhhh.... the FIRST smile.....
So sweet....
Football anyone?

I've come to terms with the fact that my boys are big. Logan's only 5 weeks old, but he's already being mistaken for a 3-month-old. I really thought Logan might turn out smaller, but unless looks are deceiving, I think I may be wrong. But, it's okay. Aside from the aching back, I love that my boys are big. I DO get bigger biceps-- a plus! I also don't have to worry about them being bullied, and for now, they're both too sweet to bully anyone else, so I think we're good. They're perfect and wonderful-- wouldn't change them for the world!

Exercising

Ethan finds it entertaining to "exercise" when Joe does (makes it really easy for his dad to do anything:). Oh, and please ignore us blatantly lying to our 22-month-old-- but it's just a little one!

Baby Naughty

Logan HATES baths. He's an extremely sensitive child to any kind of temperature change. Therefore, he screams like a banshee, every other night, when dreaded bath time arrives. The poor child actually turns purple as I gently remind him to BREATHE. Tonight was no different. I sent Joe into the boys' room for pajamas for Logan's bath, as I was preparing him for it, and the shrieking had already begun. Ethan, in his crib already for bed, heard the incessant screeching as Joe went into his room. He asked his daddy, "Baby naughty?"

I LOVE my boys:)

26 is almost 30....

Free breakfast at Mimi's Cafe....mmmmm.....
Ethan cracks me up!
Free slurpees from 7 Eleven
My gift from Joe.... mmmmm.... bacon.....
Dinner at Moe's Southwest Grill
Free ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery
Joe and Ethan had fun in the fountains at Westgate
Ethan playing in the water

I had a wonderful birthday, chock-full of free stuff! First of all, I'd signed up Joe, Ethan, and myself for Mimi's Cafe "e-club," so we were all sent coupons for free breakfasts... which we all decided to use together on my birthday. Next, we stopped by 7 Eleven for their free slurpees. That evening, I opened gifts, then we ate at Moe's-- where I had a coupon for a "buy one entree get one free." We hopped on over to Cold Stone after that, where we all shared my free ice cream. There was this cool fountain in the middle of the Westgate plaza that Joe and Ethan had fun in before we left for home. Yes, being poor does not mean you can't have fun.... You just have to get a bit creative, is all! It was a great birthday.

Six years and counting...

What a hunky man I married! (This is our "band" pose)
I certainly DO!
We were such babies!!

Friday, July 3rd, Joe and I celebrated 6 wonderful (and crazy!) years together as a married couple. I love him more today than the day I married him. He is an awesome daddy and loving husband-- who could ask for more? I love our two little boys we now have and I'm excited for our expanding family. Life is wonderful.

Beautiful Exhaustion

My Logan William arrived in this world Tuesday, June 23rd, weighing in at 7 lbs 13 oz, 20 1/2 inches long. He's a really good baby who loves to keep his mom up at night. He hardly ever cries, and he does really well putting up with Ethan poking and prodding him. I love my two little babies! My labor went really fast, and he came out in 3 pushes! I didn't believe the doctor when he told me he was out-- way too quick! Recovery is going nicely, too. I can't believe I am the parent of two! 

Just... what???

Our Lovely Lady Lumps

     Kristy's baby shower for Taylynn Moore

     Lots of good food! It was a butterfly, flower, Tinkerbell theme
The 3 pregos:

Me: 8 1/2 months      Kristy: 7 1/2 months   Tiff: 3 months
                       The side view....

The best 3 bucks I've ever spent...

The scene: a mischievous 20-month-old, looking for nothing better to do than get into things he's not supposed to (i.e. opening his parents' bedroom door and the bathroom door, getting into EVERYTHING).

Attempted solution: time-out each time he goes into the rooms he's not allowed to go in. Time-out consists of physically holding and restraining child for approximately 2 minutes at a time (since regular time-outs he couldn't care less about). 

Result: time-outs do not work for 20-month-old, even though he screams and cries during each one. He continues to open the doors to the off-limit rooms, getting time-out each time, for over an hour. Note to self: child is extremely persistent. 

2nd attempted solution: after spending hours searching and reviewing products, Mom finds door knob covers, $3 at Wal-Mart. The $3 are gladly invested.

2nd (and final!) result: the covers work. After much frustration attempting to figure out the new contraptions and throwing toys at the door knobs, 20-month-old gives up.... for now....

Mi almuerzo es bueno

I made myself a lovely treat for lunch today.

The menu: 

*homemade green chili salsa (tomatillos, onions, garlic, jalapenos, cilantro, avacados)

*green chili sourdough grilled cheese sandwich

*banana

Mi hijo piensa es mucho delicioso, tambien! 

Ethan Being Ethan

This is mainly for the grandparents, though anyone who thinks our son is as adorable as we do should watch it, too!

COuCh DiVe

Please ignore the plump, pregnant lady on the couch and enjoy the adorable, little boy in his new, favorite game (that he made up all by himself, by the way)....

Oh, and yes, he is very good at politely asking, "Please?" when he needs help (like getting up on our gigantic couches). He's my little daredevil!

Memories...

   The beautiful bride, with her Papa and Mama

                   Us with the groom
                                           Me on the very left... Was I ever really that skinny? 
   Gettin' our groove thang on
My favorite two boys
                  Me 'n Tiff

It'll be one year this month since one of my best friends got hitched... and now she's having a baby! This was a really fun day for all of us, and I'm so glad Kristy and Clint got married in the temple and have been such a cute and loving couple ever since. I miss her so much, though, with her in Utah. I want to raise our babies together. She's going to be a wonderful mother.

Happy Anniversary, Kristy and Clint! I love you!!