The ups and downs of a random Thursday in July.

I got an email today from one of those companies that sends way to many emails and I should probaby unsubscribe but then I think, hey maybe I'll buy something from them again and I'll have this discount! Well the email said, "Its a random Thursday in July so we're offering ____blah blah___" I didn't buy whatever it was, but all day I've had in my mind - today is a just a random Thursday in July

SO yeah, it's a random Thursday in July. But here are the ups and downs of our day

Down – Tyler was out of town. Only 24 hours, actually 23, left after dinner last night and got home before dinner today but he spent the night away. There haven’t been too many nights with me alone with the kids. Jackson hardly ever gets up in the night, maybe once a month if that and Abbie is normally pretty easy but for some reason I get nervous when it’s just me.

Up – The kids were great. Abbie just woke up once to eat at 5 am and then didn’t make a peep until 9. Jackson slept til 7:30, so I’d consider that a good night!

Up – Jackson’s friend Elliott came to play at our house this morning

Down – The reason he came over was so his mom could get some packing done. His family is moving next week and so Jackson’s buddy was here for his final playdate. It’s really sad because over the past year all the boys around his age have moved out of our ward.  Now the closest boys are either 9 months older or younger. None would be in his grade at school though. But there are 6 girls his age, 5 moved in just this year – so we may have ourselves a ladies man…

Up - Jackson loves his buddy and they are just now able to talk to each other and interact when they play and it’s really cute. They are 3 months apart and have been getting together since they were infants but now they actually interact more when they play. He actually can say his name, “Ehhliot” and he really doesn’t say any other of his friends’ names.

Down - I didn't notice that Jackson ended up eating most of Elliott's lunch that his mom had packed. Luckily I was able to give Elliott a very similar lunch of our own, but for some reason Jackson enjoys eating other people's food more than his own. He would never eat certian foods if I put it on his plate, but he'll eat it if he thinks he's taking a bite of Daddy's...

Up - Before they ate lunch I heard Jackson mumbling to himself and I look over and he had his arms folded for a prayer. All I really caught was "thank you thank you thank you amen," but I was proud! Something must be sinking in!

Down – Sometimes Jackson loves him a little too much and just body slam hugs him… don’t think he loves that. Also he thought it would be fun to drive Mater on his head, throw a train at his face to “share,”  and roar his dinosaur really loud in his face, to which he cried of fear… Maybe we need another boy to move in that can appreciate Jackson’s love for throwing and roaring…

Down – Speaking of throwing, Jackson also threw a nerf football in Abbie’s face – Marsha Brady style. Luckily it was a total accident, but still it was bad. He realized he had done something wrong right away and immediately ran over to her and started rubbing her head. But she really was hurt and started crying really loud. Between me scolding him and hearing her cry he was upset and started crying himself. He sat in timeout for two minutes and didn’t argue at all. He knew he messed up…

Up – Yeah he really still loves her a lot. I am so glad that he treats her so well and doesn’t have jealousy issues (yet at least). Today after his nap he was cranky but when she woke up 10 minutes later he immediately smiled and was happy again. 

Hugging, but also kind of squishing...

Up – Our friends (Jon & Semra) invited us over for dinner and they had the most amazing meal prepared. Pesto salmon, mashed potatoes, salad, asparagus, rolls & limeaid. Wow it was all so good and I am normally not a huge fish lover but I would eat this weekly. And the presentation she pulls off is picture perfect. Also Jackson loves going over there because he gets to play with his friend Sahara - she's 8 and acts as a playmate/babysitter - it's perfect.

Down – I wanted to document said picture perfect food but I left my phone (aka camera) at home. I keep wanting to take a picture of the amazing food she serves and was planning on it tonight. Seriously the one time I don’t have my phone…

Up – I made these rolo cookies for dessert that we love. I brought some to her last month and she told me how much she loved them…It was embarrassing admitting that they are cake mix cookies with 4 ingredients. I thought about making a fancier version this time, but hey we know this recipe works right?

Up – We had a fun night with them and got home and put both kids right to bed without a hitch.

Down – Tyler has finals tomorrow so he’s busy studying for the rest of the night

Up – I had time to write this blog about our random Thursday in July…

Tomorrow  I have to go to the post office with two kids (totally down) and then I’m meeting a friend at the farmers’ market ( hopefully up if Jackson behaves..)

Three Months Old

This little beauty turned 3 months last week and I can hardly believe it. Remember how she was just born, but then at the same time, I can't picture life without her? Remember how I wondered if I would be able to love another baby as much as Jackson? Wow I love her so much and am so happy to be her mommy. 

Abigail at 3 months...

She is SO happy and smiley! I thought she was smiley at 2 months, but oh no back then her smiles were just getting started. As soon as she makes eye contact with someone she will smile. I've also caught her smiling at toys, the tv, looking out the window in the car, and of course in the mirror. 

She is starting to play with toys and grab them. She will reach for the toys on her activity mat and the toys I dangle in her car seat. Of course these toys go right to her mouth. She's started drooling - not too bad yet at least, but I remember Jackson did the same thing.

She's starting to make more noises, trying to talk to us!

She loves it when we stand her up and we're very impressed with how well she does. She can stand for a pretty long time before collapsing her knees but she loves being up! Also she loves sitting up, not only propped on the couch, but she'll sit on her own with me just holding her hands and she'll start to try to balance herself. Jackson sat up really well at 5 months and I think she will be an early sitter too.

Sitting in the bumbo, she really likes it despite her serious face... she is just staring at that elephant!

Unlike her brother, she loves tummy time, she actually does better sleeping on her tummy so we've started doing that almost all the time now. I remember trying to take a picture of Jackson like this one below, and he was always so uncomfortable that they never turned out. She loves it though!

She loves her daddy! When Jackson is awake he totally monopolizes all the daddy time, but as soon as he's in bed this little girl has daddy all to herself! She always has the most to say when he's around.

She's still really good at falling asleep pretty much anywhere. She takes one long (2-3 hour) afternoon nap in her crib and then takes a few (15-45 minute) cat naps in the morning and evenings. It's kind of a random napping schedule but it works great for her! Pretty much her life revolves around Jackson's schedule. In the morning he's awake so she'll take naps either in her carseat while we're out, or anywhere else at home. She normally takes at least one cat nap a day in her bouncer chair, but also takes naps in her swing, in my arms, on my bed, on the couch, or propped up on her boppy like below. But since the afternoon is when we're always home and Jackson is sleeping, she's started sleeping then too -which leaves a great little window of time for me to get stuff done in the afternoon. Like blog for instance :)

She sleeps great at night too. Bedtime is starting to get a little earlier - used to be around 10, now it's closer to 9. She almost always falls asleep really easily and sleeps about 8 hours, waking up around 5 or 6. Then I'll feed her and she'll sleep for another 3 or 4 hours. She normally wakes up around 9 am, which is awesome, too bad Jackson never sleeps past 7:45...



Jackson still loooves Abbie, and lucky for him - she loves him back! It's been fun watching them interact now that she can play back. He loves giving her kisses and hugs, talking to her and giving her a binky if she cries. He has also tried to give her a strawberry, juice, lemonade, a tortilla chip and a cookie - obviously we're not letting it happen but I am glad that he is sharing with her because those are all foods he loves! He still refers to her as "baby" most of the time, but has also started calling her "baby-gail" ... close enough right?

Trying to teach her how to roll over!

We love our little Abigail so much and can't believe how much she's changed already. How lucky are we to have two beautiful (and easy) babies in two years!

 

Love this one because you can see who she's smiling for!

The Fourth

Fourth of July Week was a fun one for us in Florida this year. Tyler and I realized it was our 7th together! We spent the first three in Utah and the last four in Florida. This year we weren't sure what to do since it was on a Wednesday. We ended up going to the beach that day and spent the night in Siesta Key.

The day before the Fourth (also known as the third) Tyler was working and the kids and I got ready for the trip. This was actually our first trip to the beach in Florida this summer so I wanted to get better beach and pool toys for Jackson. We got stocked up at target and also got some fruit and snacks for the trip. PS I totally bribe Jackson with popcorn at target - he is always on his best behavior so why stop, right? Jackson loves it and now associates target with popcorn so we are pretty much going to buy it every time for the next 10 years. But honestly the bag is huge for the little guy so he ends up snacking on it the rest of the day (before its magically all gone aka thrown away).

Who needs a popsicle when you can have popcorn!

Trying out our "4th of July" Watermelon, he would eat it all day if I let him!

That night we wanted to go do something fun so we ended up checking out the newest resort at Disney - the Art of Animation. It is amazing! They should really start desinging all of their hotels like this one. It has four sections, Lion King, Litle Mermaid, Cars & Finding Nemo. The Courtyards, Pools, Rooms and Lobby are all designed from those movies. Right now only the Nemo & Cars sections are open, but we still wanted to take a look!

Abbie posing in front of a coral reef playground and Tyler and Jackson with Crush.

Our favorite part was the Cars Courtyard where you feel like you are actually walking through radiator springs. They had the Cozy Cone Pool and all the favorite characters from the movie. Who needs Disneyland Cars Land when you can come here for free? :)

He is literally kissing McQueen. Obsessed.

He loved running from car to car, so excited!

The next morning we headed down to Siesta Key - it is just south of Tampa, about 2 hours away. But the reason we picked this beach is the sand! It is the softest whitest sand you've ever seen. Literally as fine as powdered sugar. We love it and hadn't been since Jackson was born. We also had some friends down there we met up with (but sadly took no pictures with)? and Tyler had work down there the next day.

On the Road!

Abbie lounging while Jackson played with his "BIG Trucks"

She slept most of the morning, so glad I brought her bouncer chair!

Close up of the sleeping beauty

Jackson & Tyler out in the water

   

I knew he loved peaches ... but had never given him a whole one before!

The kid was in heaven and sat there and devoured the whole thing.

That afternoon we headed to our hotel for much needed naptime, all four of us fell asleep for a couple hours! Then we got cleaned up and met back up with our friends (Jon and Semra) at their parents condo. We snapped a few pictures before heading out to the beach for fireworks.

Watching the sunset, waiting for the show to begin. Perfect weather with the softest sand on earth between our toes.

 

Had to document, Jackson got so scared of the people lighting fireworks right next to us he made Tyler cover his ears and played his ipod games. It was the only alternative that didn't end with him screaming or us leaving!

The next morning Jackson & Tyler got some more swimming time at the hotel.

Abbie and I lounged by the pool - love having a baby girl to chill with while the boys play :)

The hotel wouldn't give us 2 porta-cribs, and she couldn't fit so well in our queen bed, so here is the bed i made for her (and yes she is a tummy sleeper)

The kids and I hung out at the hotel while Tyler worked for a few hours, then we drove back to Orlando that afternoon. It was a quick trip but so fun :)


But after we got home I met up with my good friend and former roommate Megan Runyan! She was in Orlando for a couple days visiting family here and she was able to stop by our house then we all went out for dinner! It was great to see her again and introduce her to Abbie.

Me with Abbie & Megan at Giordanos.

This is how Jackson felt about waiting 45 minutes for pizza...

OK Last note - Abbie wore this outfit on the day after the 4th (aka the 5th) and here is Jackson wearing it 2 years ago, just a few weeks age difference. Same dimples, same tongue, same chub, love my babies!

Abigail's Blessing

July 1, 2012 was Abbie's blessing day in our ward here in Florida. We would have loved to bless her while we were out west with all our family but it just wasn't able to work out for everyone. Florida has been our home for over 3 years now and we have lots of great friends here so we had great support on the day. Tyler asked 12 additional priesthood holders to stand in the circle for Abbie's blessing. Most of these men we have known since we moved here, including Elder Munns, President Johnson & Bishop Heninger.

Tyler gave Abbie an amazing blessing and she was awake, alert and happy throughout the blessing. Our good friend Jacque Munns so kindly took Jackson outside during the blessing so I could hear it :) Tyler held her up for everyone to see her after the blessing and he even gave her a little kiss on her forehead. I hope to always remember that image in my mind because it was so precious. Abbie looked so beautiful in her dress and had an amazing expression of joy and Tyler was so happy and looked like such a proud father.

Abbie wore the dress I wore when I was blessed, my sister Paige also wore it. It was in great condition and fit her great. We got her some stockings and I had totally forgotten about a bow until the day before. I couldn't find one I loved so she wore this same white bow from her baby announcement picture. She looked so beautiful and was a great girl all day...as usual :)