Lukie at 15 months

My friend Jennie took some pictures of Luke for me, but this is the only one I've seen so far. Typical for a second child, I feel like I'm already neglecting recording some of Lukie's milestones....such as walking! Luke has been walking for about a month and a half now. It was weird, he just decided all of the sudden one day that he was ready and bam! He was off. Both my and Lukie's life have become much better with him walking. I've already noticed he is less cautious than Taft was (and sometimes still is). Lukie loves to climb up the playground equipment and would dive off with no hesitation if I let him. 

With all this walking going on Lukie has had quite a few "eating it" episodes. The most recent one he tripped and and flew straight into our front door. He got a nice gash in his forehead and you could literally see the goose egg growing before your eyes. He didn't need stitches, but it was still very sad. 

Luke seems to always be sick with something. I think he has had a snotty nose since before Christmas. He has had a few ear infections. One of the more recent ones he had to go through 3 rounds of anti-biotics to clear it up. He currently has an ear infection and I'm wondering if he's going to need tubes put  in his ears. Let me first say that I love my little Pookie to death, but holy freaking cow, the kid can cry and whine like no other. Taft often tells me, "Lukie is very fussy." I'm wondering if his ears are constantly bugging him or something. He is whiney/grumpy/sad for all but about 2 of his waking hours. Fo'real. Maybe tubes are our answer. Another possible reason for the fussiness: He has been in the state of teething since like 6 months old. He only has 6 teeth. We have a long way to go.

Lukie is a bottomless pit and likes the majority of the foods we give him. He loves, loves, loves books. The first thing he'll do after he wakes up in the morning or from a nap is head straight to the book shelf to grab a book for me to read to him. Sometimes when he's super fussy and I'm about to lose my mind, I'll put him in his crib with some books and he'll immediately stop crying. He'll be content by himself for a good 15 minutes. Maybe he just gets sick of us and needs some alone time?

Lukie isn't into many baby/age appropriate toys but loves to play with Taft's trains and cars. It drives Taft up the wall when Luke messes up his tracks. Understandably so. That being said, Taft adores Lukie. In the morning, after a nap, or if Taft feels like he hasn't seen Luke in a while he'll say in a super high pitched voice: "Hi Bubba! You're so cuuuute!" and will give him a big, squeezy hug. It usually makes Luke whine, but it's still so sweet. 

Lukie babbles all the time but hasn't really said any words. Although, I do think he says "Dada" on purpose when he sees Seth. Lukie claps his hands and gets very happy when Seth walks through the door after work. Lukie is learning some of his body parts and can pat his head and point to his nose on demand.

Lukie likes getting his teeth brushed and likes to walk around chewing his toothbrush all day.

Lukie haaaates doctor visits. Hates it. He knows those jerks are just going to give him shots every time.

Lukie likes to wrestle with Seth and Taft. 

Lukie is a good sleeper (knock on wood) and sleeps between 12-13 hours at night with a 3 hour nap in the afternoon. The other day he slept from 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 a.m. the next morning!!! It was right before I found out he had another ear infection. Poor little dude.

And my most favorite thing: Lukie is a snuggler. My life is complete.

(Also, for the record, Taft, in his old age, is becoming more of a snuggler too. It's the BEST.)

Future MLS player?

Easter 2012

Long time no blog, eh? I've lost the desire to blog, but since this is the only family record keeping I have, it's best that I keep it up. Plus, when I don't blog it, I don't remember it. For real. I have a terrible memory.

These are really the only pictures from Easter weekend. Saturday morning I took Taft and Luke to an Egg Hunt put on by the Primary.  Seth had to work all day and night Saturday. He got home in time for us to go to church. We spent the afternoon at a BBQ with some of Seth's work friends and their families and finished off the night with a 'mallow roast at the beach with church friends. 

The Easter Bunny went low key this year (and probably will every year) and got each boy a new book and pair of flip flops. He also left a dozen or so  candy filled eggs for the boys to find Sunday morning. Taft's basically took candy shots all morning. (Dumping the candy straight from the egg into his mouth)

The darling outfits were from Nana. I was very grateful and I think the boys knew they look quite handsome. They both loved wearing the hats and loved looking in the mirror at themselves. Ha!

Super Taft is 3

Taft turned 3 this past week and we had a great time celebrating. Tates was here for her Spring Break, my mom made a 4 day stop here on her way back from a business trip in El Salvador, and my dad surprised all of us with his arrival Saturday morning! 

Seth and I both agreed that a Superhero birthday party would be pretty awesome for Taft. I had visions of 3-5 year olds running around in Superhero capes, having the time of their lives. I made 14 capes. Fourteen. And I do not really sew. I didn't get to bed before midnight a single night the week before the party. I'm sure someone who is good at sewing could have whipped them out in a night or two. So after swearing a few times and not getting much sleep, I decided it was worth it, but probably won't do it for any future birthday parties (sorry Lukie and other future children). 

We had planned to have the party at a park near our house since our place is quite small, but the forecast was predicting rain. I checked the weather all week hoping for a change. I was starting to stress not knowing where we would have the party, but luckily our library had a perfect room and for hardly any money at all. I was glad we had it because it ended up POURING rain that day. 

I think Taft had a fun time at his party. He got a lot of fun gifts from everyone. I don't think he got a single gift that he hasn't played with since his party. 

Some pics of the partay:

Taft at three years old: 

-loves playing with his friends. In particular, Logan and Chase. 

-loves playing with trains (tank engines), cars, and all his new b-day gifts

-loves wrestling with Dad, playing "PB&J Sandwich" with Dad (a made up game)

-knows his ABCs, shapes, colors, and the letter W

-likes singing songs

-doesn't take naps, but sleeps about 11-12 hours at night. Still sleeps with his monkey and favorite blanket

-loves TV shows of all kinds

-loves being read to

-enjoys trips to Sea World, the zoo, the park, and library

-loves Nursery at church

-likes being a helper by doing the dishes and helping me clean

-can get himself dressed except for shoes and socks

-despises eggs, rice, potatoes, cheese (except for the fake powdered kind in mac&cheese), most meat, oranges and most dinners I make. 

-loves/will eat mac&cheese, many fruits, peas, broccoli, carrots, pb&j, yogurt, cereal, pancakes, plain noodles, Pirate Booty, most crackers, Cafe Rio pork, granola bars, fruit snacks and white (vanilla) frozen yogurt.

-gets sad and angry when he gets in trouble. 

-is a good big brother (the majority of the time)

-is afraid of heights. Deathly afraid of heights. 

-doesn't really like to color or do arts and crafts projects. 

-When he doesn't want to do something or go somewhere he says, "I'm sorry, but I can't _____"

-When he does want to do something he says, "Of course!" or "Alrighty!"

-Loves being outside and running free

-Can spend a good 20-30 minutes in the bath tub. 

-"Has to go pribacy" (Needs privacy)when going potty

-When playing with kids and they do something he doesn't like he puts up his hands and says, "I don't like that guys." 

-Loves to talk and tell stories. 

-Can be super snuggly when he wants to be. (Every other week or so. :) ) 

-Says good prayers. 

-Loves his family

I'm so glad Taft is in our family. He is the funniest, cutiest, silliest, sweetest 3 year old I could ever hope for. 

I Reached a Goal

which is not really like me. I ran a half marathon a few weeks ago. I ran with a friend here and we actually got a better finish time than we thought we would! It was the first race/run thing I've done where I've actually been well trained. Well-trained as in, I followed the training schedule and finished faster than planned. Not well-trained like I placed. Well, I placed if you consider 50-something a place. Anyway, just leave a comment validating this somewhat-of-an-accomplishment in my life.

Driggs 2012

The week of Presidents' Day Seth had a week of vacation. During residency you only have a certain number of weeks of vacation (Seth has 4 for the year) but you have to plan them way in advance. It's kind of annoying, but we've known we had this trip coming for several months and we were very excited for it. Last year, during this same week, we spent it with Seth and two of his brothers in Driggs, ID. (Near Jackson Hole, WY) We were lucky enough to get invited again and had another great time. One of Seth's brothers couldn't come which we were sad about, but Seth's parents came this time!

We spent the week riding snowmobiles, snowshoeing, playing cards, and of course eating good food. The highlight of the trip was probably that Taft LIKED riding the snowmobiles. Last year he wouldn't even go near the snow clothes for fear that we would put them on him and make him ride a snowmobile. I was nervous he was going to hate it again and was so, so proud of him for being brave even though the snowmobiles are so loud.

A HUGE thanks to our hosts, Seth's brother, Dan, and his wife Lara. They rock. It's very, very nice of them to let us mooch off their hook ups. It was a lot of fun spending time with their kids too. They have GREAT kids. Their older boy, Zane is almost 8, and was so so so great with Taft. All their kids were great with him, but I was just surprised than an 8 year old would be so nice and not seem annoyed by him.

Pop with 6 of his 11 (soon to be 12) grandkids!

Grammie with the kiddos

Staying entertained on the long drive

Ready to Ride

This picture makes me laugh out loud, you can tell Taft is a cautious boy.

Taft and Brauer. These two got along really well. It was fantastic and kinda made me wish I had twins. 

 The weekend before we left for Driggs we spent with my family in Sandy. We had a great time with them as well...Nana, Grandpa and Lanx took Taft to the Ogden Train Depot, a family dinner out at Joe Mo's, grown ups only night at the movies, and a Sunday feast with my family, Lanx's BF, Seth's sis, Colie, and Seth's parents. It was too short of a weekend (and week), but it's always great to see family. AND I didn't take any pictures in UT. Which reminds me...Lanx send me some pics from the train station. Hopefully one of these days we'll be in UT for longer than a weekend so I can see some friends!! I really miss my Utah friends. Like lots. 

It's always a little bit of a bummer when vacations are over, but I'm not going to lie...it's pretty great coming home to a place like San Diego. Now if just all our family and friends would move here too!!

Pictures from the Phone

Hanging out

Touring the USS Midway

Bike Ride

Park-in' it.

He matches the playground

Mission Bay

The Lukie. Not quite walking yet.

Ha ha ha

Natural History Museum

We are kind of camera-less, which leads to not so much blogging. I got a camera last year for my birthday but it broke already. I think a teeny tiny grain of sand got in the lens and now it won't open. Ugh. Seth's phone takes sort of decent pictures, but he has at work with him most of the day.

Anyway, we've still been able to document some of what we've been doing. I'm feeling uninspired to write anything, but these are current pictures of these cutie boys. I have a hard time getting pictures of Luke because he moves too much and Taft will say cheese but hardly ever looks at the camera. Oh well.

He Loves Him Some Books

I've noticed lately that Taft has some of his books memorized, or close to memorized. Tonight we read one that I didn't realize he knew the words to, so I thought I'd get it on video. It's one that I loved as a little kid.

"The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear"

Yukie Tookie Turned 1!

December 31st is now double awesome because not only is it New Years Eve but also Luke's birthday!

Birthday Boy with Grandpa...pre-plunge. This is the first thing Luke does when someone holds him, puts his fingers straight in their mouth.

Sisters...post-plunge

My parents and sisters were in Northern California a few days after Christmas for my niece's baptism. They decided to head our way to celebrate Luke's birthday with us. New Year's Eve morning our ward hosted a Polar Bear Plunge that Seth, my dad, and sisters all participated in. 

Later in the day we had a small celebration at our park for Luke's birthday. Our friend Logan was turning 2 the same week so we had a combo birthday bash. Lukie wasn't too sure about his cake at first, but eventually realized that it was delicious. Taft had a hard time understanding why Luke got to have a birthday party but he didn't. We kept telling him his birthday would be soon, that it was in March. He kept telling us, "My birthday is not marching!" Poor confused little dude. Lukie got some great gifts from our families, his favorite is probably a ride on CAT construction truck from my parents. 

Note to self: add the other pictures.  (Our computer is having issues and I have a lot more pictures to add)

I can't believe Lukie is already one. He's such a sweet boy. I'm sad that he can't stay my baby forever. He's not walking on his own yet, but loves to walk while holding our hands. He loves climbing stairs, but doesn't know how to go down them yet and will go head-first without any hesitation. He likes a variety of food, but is currently protesting bananas. I don't blame him. He's had at least 1 banana every day for the past six months. He goes to bed around 7/7:30 and will talk to himself until he falls asleep. He's been better about sleeping straight until 6:30/7 but occasionally still wakes up in the night and needs help falling back asleep. He takes two 2-hr naps during the day. He loves bath time, and especially loves it when he and Taft get crazy with the splashing. He's super ticklish and has a cutesy laugh. He has two teeth, with the third just breaking through the gum this week. He has a bit of stranger anxiety but is easily soothed with iPhones, remotes, or any small handheld electronic device. Lukie loves when Taft plays with him, as long as Taft stays nice and doesn't wrestle/manhandle him too much. As can only be expected, he loves to dance to the beat, just like his dad. WE LOVE LUKE!

My brother and his brother-in-law were driving back to Texas from the baptism in NorCal, so they spent New Years Eve and New Years day too. All we were missing was Carissa and Jayda! Lanx's boyfriend (Yeah! He's cute and great!) was even here to party. New Years Eve we all went to dinner minus the boysies. Seth had to work the rest of the time my family was here, but we had a great time. I love having visitors (hint, hint to everyone I know...and like). Sunday my parents took Taft with them and everyone else to the Mormon Battalion so Luke and I could nap. Some pictures:

Grandpa and Taft panning for gold

Uncle Pete and Taft

It was a great weekend! Thanks for coming family!

Christmas 2011

We had a very lovely Christmas this year. Christmas Eve I had planned to make a fancy pants dinner, because that's the tradition I grew up with. Our friends ended up asking if we wanted to roast hot dogs on the beach instead...so we did and we had our fancy pants dinner on Christmas day.

After the roasting we brought our boys home, dressed them in their Christmas jammies, left cookies out for Santa, and read a couple of Christmas stories. Seth and I spent the rest of the evening setting up the gifts and watched Christmas Vacation. A classic, but probably not the best movie to get in to the true  spirit of Christmas. Oh well.

The boys woke up bright and early as usual. We spent the rest of the day playing with toys, going to church, a walk to the beach, and ended with said dinner. It was very simple and very lovely.




p.s. sometimes Taft calls me Emily. She's a girl tank engine from Thomas and Friends.

For the record, I love these boys.

Visiting Seth at work a few Sundays ago. Taft and Luke working in the on-call room. Taft is very busy as you can see. 

Seth has been on a very busy rotation these last few weeks which have given me even more quality time with the boysies. There were two days right before New Years when I thought I might lose my mind, but for the most part the boys and I have been enjoying the extra company from one another. Seth's been working all day today, and will continue through tonight and won't be home until tomorrow afternoon. I don't know why, but when Seth is gone overnight I tend to stay up late and as I'm trying to fall asleep I start playing out "Worse Case Scenarios" in my head and get really worked up about hypothetical tragedies. It's totally crazy, but I've been doing it since I was a kid. As far back as I can remember, probably around 7 years old I would worry about my parents dying. I would be hysterical thinking that I, a 7 year old girl, was now going to have to raise my younger siblings. The Boxcar Children books terrified me. I think most kids thought it'd be cool to live with their siblings in a Boxcar, no parents-no rules, but it was my worst nightmare. In 6th grade we read a book called, "The Girl Who Owned a City" which was about a plague that killed everyone over the age of 12. I had nightmares for months.

A while back I came across this blog. I read it for over an hour one night when Seth was working and cried and cried. This family lost their baby girl a few months ago after needing a kidney transplant. The baby girl's birthday is just a few days after Lukie's so she would have just turned a year too. It's just so heartbreaking. I can only begin to imagine the mom's pain and even that is too much to bear. I checked in on the blog tonight and it got me thinking about my little boysies and how much I love them and am glad to be their mom. A few nights ago Seth checked on the boys before we went to bed and took a short video of them sleeping. It's only about 10 seconds long, but I know when we watch it, even a year from now, we'll gasp at how small they were and wish we could go back in time. I don't think Seth and I have ever gone to bed without talking about how much we love our boys and what cute things they did that day (as well as the frustrating moments). We talk about how fast the time is already going and how sad it is. It's so fun to see them grow and learn new things, but I love the stages they're in. I love that Taft thinks Seth is the absolute coolest and funniest person on the planet. I love the Lukie wants me and leans toward me whenever anyone else is holding him. I love that when I give Taft choices he puts his hand on his chin and in an exasperated voice says, "I can't choose." I love that Taft will voluntarily hug us and say, "Awww, big hug." Sometimes when I think about how much I love our boys, my heart feels so full, like it might burst.

The other day Taft and Luke were playing really well together. They made every room they went into a complete disaster, but I didn't even care because they were playing together and nobody was crying. This morning we dropped Seth off at work. As we were driving away Luke started to cry and Taft said, "It's okay Yuke. Dad will be home really soon." Sometimes Taft will pat Luke on the back really hard, several times and say "Good job Yuke! Good job buddy! Best Friends!"

I'm glad I get to stay home and see all the little things they do during the day. It can be so tiring and at times so frustrating. Taft likes to remind me to not  be "cross" when my voice starts to be less than cheerful. He learned the word "cross" from Thomas the Train. Sir Topam Hat gets cross very often. However, I wouldn't trade being home all day, every day with them for anything, EVER, in the entire universe.

Anyway, I'm just so grateful for my sweet, cute, crazy boys. I'm grateful for their personalities, for their spirits, for their health, and just that they're here and I can hold them whenever I want. Mmmm...I just love these boys.

Video Overload

Here are some videos of Taft recently:






This was a few months back and Taft is probably difficult for most of you to understand so here's what he was thankful for, in order:

Mac n cheese
Mommy in the trunk (I went to a restaurant, not a trunk)
The Zoo
The Pandas
Dragons
T-REX!
Baby t-rex
Safe Daddy (Daddy comes home safe)
Live in Coronano
Live at Grammie's house
food
Lukie
Daddy
Buzz
Food
Daddy's drink
Taft's milk
food
carrots
mac n cheese
food


Every time we leave SeaWorld, Taft stops at the last gift shop stand and says goodbye to all the stuffed animals. It's pretty cute.



We went to Chuck E Cheese this week for FHE. You know, for a lesson on gambling (jk). Taft fell asleep on the way there. This video is kinda sad, just because he is so tired, but it was only 6:00!

Our Christmas Season So Far...

A recap of our Christmas Season in pictures. They are mostly all phone pictures, hence the poor quality. However, I have to document this stuff because without the blog I wouldn't be able to remember hardly anything from the last 5 years of my life.

Balboa Park Christmas Festival with friends

Balboa Park has some really gorgeous buildings. If I had a nice camera and actual artistic talent then I could prove it with pictures, but this will have to do.

SeaWorld has a snow area the month of December. The kids all LOVE it. We've gone a few times just for the snow.

San Diego's version of Temple Square. 

Yes, Taft has a mohawk/strip of hair down the middle of his head. It started out as a joke but then we left it like that for over a week. Doesn't he look like he would get into all kinds of trouble? I felt like he was naughtier with this haircut.

Christmas Party with friends from our ward and neighborhood. This was the same night as Seth's work party. We were going to try to make both, but in the end we just decided to do the one. We had a great time and Taft played with our friends train table for 2 1/2 hours straight.

Ward Christmas Party. The primary did a Nativity play and it was sooooo adorable. Taft was sad he couldn't be a sheep. He'll be in nursery for a full year more, bummer! That's Taft's friend as the star. When he saw her he said "Sadie's a Starfish!!"

Taft and the second Santa Claus of the season. Obviously, he's a little unsure about Santa. I think he knows he's supposed to like Santa but isn't sure why.  He's been very consistent in telling Santa and others that he wants a helicopter for Christmas.

And Luke....well he hated Santa.

Boat Parade in San Diego Bay (sad picture I know. Doesn't look like much of  a parade does it?)

Zoo Lights at San Diego Zoo

Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting on Orange Ave. Yeah, the boys are wearing pjs. It was kinda late and cold.

Santa arrives at Ferry Landing. Taft with "Puckerman" hair cut (Glee fans?)

Christmas outfits, Sunday before Christmas. Grammie and Pop, your Christmas money bought them each a toy, but also these outfits. The first time I dressed them the exact same. I loved it!

I actually think Taft was trying to be nice here. Brothers....

Tree Lighting on Orange

More Zoo Lights

I love the small community feel of Coronado, especially for the holidays. At the beginning of December Santa rode across the bay to Coronado on a ferry. Later that night there was a light parade and Santa rode down Orange on a firetruck and lit the Christmas tree. It all had a very small, town feel and I loved it. 

I'm surprised we've fit in as much as we have because Seth's has a very busy work schedule this month. We weren't sure he was going to get Christmas off, but he does! He's been at work since yesterday around 6:30 a.m. and won't get home until about noon today, but at least he'll be home for Christmas Eve festivities and all day Christmas.  

I posted this to Facebook, but I think it's worth re-writing here. Yesterday while baking cookies: 

Taft: "What are you making Mom?"

Me: "Cookies!"

Taft: "OH! I LOVE cookies!"

Me: "I'm making some for Santa because he's coming TOMORROW night!"

Taft: "Ah man, I don't WIKE Santa Cwaus ANY. MORE."

(eats a cookie)

Taft: "I don't WIKE Santa Cwaus."

He also went on to say that he didn't like reindeer, decorations, or presents. Then, he broke a snow globe on the kitchen floor (on accident). I don't know if Taft is really advanced for his age and knows the Santa thing is just smoke and mirrors, or if he's the Grinch. 

Despite the warm-ish weather, lack of snow, and presence of palm trees, it does feel like Christmas. I'm so excited for Christmas morning. Santa told me what he's giving Taft and I think he's going to loooove it.

Also, I love that Christmas is on a Sunday. I'm really looking forward to hearing the story of the Savior's birth and singing Christmas hymns. It's such a better way to spend Christmas as opposed to staying in pajamas until 4 and eating nothing but chocolate and cinnamon rolls all day.

Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!