Bryce's first steps and Tanner love

Sunday, June 28, 2009

As my energy level remains lower than normal I have been especially hopefully that our sweet Bryce will start walking. (It really gets exhausting to have to be picking him up so much) Finally, just one day before his first birthday, Bryce took his first steps! We were at the Forman's for dinner and it was special to share that with them. We always talk about Bryce being a little Jared, and Jared took his first steps at Grandma Cox's house, so it was special that Bryce took his first steps at Grandma Forman's house. In other news..... Bryce has fallen in love with dogs. He loves Tanner and has started whining to get to him when he is around. Hope was terrified of touching or getting close to Tanner for a long time so this surprised me. Grandma Forman now takes Bryce out to play with Tanner each trip up there and I think that both Tanner and the kids enjoy it. In fact, last night Tanner was so excited to see the kids that he accidentally knocked Grandma, Hope and Bryce onto the ground.

Photo shoot to showcase Hope's new dress.....

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Sweet, Sweet Grandma Cox made Hope another beautiful dress. We (I) had a very unprofessional photo shoot of the kids to get some pictures of this dress that Hope now asks to where to church every week. Here is my success as a photographer:
ok, not too bad, we are getting some half smiles.......

Oh, excuse me, Hope has a phone call......

Very quickly Bryce went from half smile, to no smile, to.......

My big helper Hope gave Buddy a kiss to make it better.....

Then I switched the kids on the chairs and Hope gave a pat on the head and some reassuring words to make Bryce feel better......

A half smile again......

The half smile was short lived and misery encompases our sweet Bryce.......

I can just picture him saying, "Mommy, please stop taking pictures and come hold me!"

My favorite shot. Hope is running to help me with the camera while Bryce continues in disgust....

A big smile from our beautiful, precious girl to show off her lovely dress.

THANK YOU GRANDPA AND GRANDMA COX!

note: Bryce went straight to bed and felt much better after his nap. :)

Father's Day

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

Everyone who knows Jared very well knows that he is not really crazy about birthdays, parties, presents. He is a bit of a party pooper. He likes Christmas and holidays, but would prefer to just occasionally pick out his own things that he needs (and wants) throughout the year instead of waiting to get them on his birthday. So, since our first year of marriage I don't think I have gotten him anything for special occasions. That is just how he likes it.

This year, since Hope is starting to understand celebration concepts and is Mommy's big helper, we decided to go against Daddy's wishes of nothing for Father's Day. Hope, Bryce and I went and picked out a Polo shirt and brown belt at our nearby TJ Maxx, and made sure to keep the receipt. :) Hope helped me wrap the present and hide it under our bed. We then picked out a breakfast recipe for that morning and made a shopping list. She was so excited about it all that when Daddy came home she told him all about it. She told Daddy what we got him, where it is hidden, what it is for, and was thrilled to death about it. Jared was surprised, but thorougly enjoyed asking Hope all sorts of questions about the present and what Hope helped me do. It was one of the sweetest little conversations I've seen her have.

It was painstaking for Hope to wait until Father's Day for the present unveiling (since it was such a surprise), but finally Father's day came. The kids enjoyed their customary early morning beverage, acting as if they woke up on the wrong side of the bed. However, when the present was brought out the kids perked up. Our party pooper was a bit difficult to get moving, but enjoyed the kids excitement and actually kept the shirt and belt we picked out. It was a fun morning and we love our Daddy!

here are some pictures of our morning.....

little man loves nectarines

For a few months little Bryce wouldn't eat much fruit. It was so unusual to me because Hope could live off of fruit. Bryce would just take a bite of things and then spit it out. I kept trying with different types of fruits but was mostly cleaning up the massive messes on the floor, in the high chair, and endlessly changing his outfits. Just a few weeks ago he finally started chewing and swallowing, instead of chewing and spitting out. Yeah!

While I was preparing for lunch yesterday I was testing the ripeness of some nectarines on the counter and he practically dove out of my arms to get himself one. I just put him in the high chair with his prized nectarine and enjoyed watching him go to town on it as I made lunch. I don't know why but it just tickled me to see him devour it. :)

And take a breath......

We just had one of those weekends that you don't really look forward to, just because it is packed to the max with things that need to be done and events. I was at the church all night Friday with my poor hubby home with the kids alone. To surprise me he cleaned all the bathrooms, moped the kitchen floor, and cleaned the downstairs. (It amazes me that what takes me a day to accomplish with the kids tagging along behind me he can accomplish in an hour.) I was at the church preparing for a Ward Activity that we then had to cook food for and attend Saturday morning. That wiped out the whole morning, and I then had to leave Jared with the kids (again!) to go help with a wedding reception in the early evening. I could tell the kids were getting tired of all the running around because when I got home Saturday Bryce looked at me and started to whimper. It was if he was saying, "Mom! Stop leaving me!" He practically jumped into my arms, layed on my shoulder, and continually patted my back.

On Sunday Jared's parents spoke in their ward so we attended church in Colfax and then had a family dinner at their house. The kids loved every second of it. Hope was holding pictures up in the pews to show her Grandma (up on the stand). Bryce got so excited he refused to take a nap, which is always fun. For me it was bitter/sweet to spend the day with family. I enjoy visiting and watching the kids make memories and strengthen relationships with family members. But my exhaustion and frustration with a lack of scheduled naps and eating times was starting to come out by the end of the day. (I have a hard time just sitting down and relaxing) Linda caught some cute pictures of the kids outside. The weather was gorgeously comfortable for a June day, and we thoroughly enjoyed being able to eat and play outside.

Needless to say, I was pretty exhausted by Monday. I had big plans of tackling all the laundry and cleaning the upstairs, but I ended up getting about half the laundry done and nothing else. :) Oh well. It's not going anywhere......

Bryce, Savannah & Hope (Forman cousins)

When in trouble strikes.....call Grandma!

When Momma wakes up more being more exhausted then when she went to bed......when Momma struggles to remain patient and calm.........when life just feels so overwhelming and the kids cry...............CALL GRANDMA! Grandma fixes everything. :)

Both of the kids Grandparents are so wonderful. There was one morning this week that was exceptionally disastrous. Thankfully Grandma and Grandpa Forman were there to help and they transformed the children's day from gloomy and teary to smiles and laughter. It was heavenly to have a day of peace and quiet to attempt to catch up on the house and enjoy some quiet time. I am so grateful that they saved the day. :)

Back from the Dead........

Jared has been telling me for a few weeks that I need to update the blog. I have just had a hard time getting everything done and have spent some time feeling.......well......yucky and tired. It has been frustrating many times to have a mind that still thinks I can do everything and a body that disagrees! In reality I was only really sick for about 3 weeks and am blessed now to have only mild nausea and constant fatigue. I know so many people who have much worse pregnancies. What is even more of a blessing is a husband who can do anything I need him to and he never complains! I am 11 weeks pregnant and found out that my due date is December 16th. That is one day after our sweet Hope turns 3.

After a feeling a wide range of emotions and physical conditions I am feeling more content with our situation. It is not my ideal planning, but Heavenly Father has a purpose in all things. I have so many wonderful blessings.......as the picture above illustrates my greatest blessings. :)