Back on Track

Now that we've home from our SLC trip for almost a week I feel back to normal. The suitcases have been unpacked (but not put away!) The van got washed and vacuumed (the first time in a long time too!) The laundry has been done with clothes folded (but will need to be done again soon... one of those never ending jobs).  The babies are getting regular naps again.  And I feel almost rested again.  With kids you never go on vacation to get rest.  

Vacations are still fun but certainly not relaxing.  It requires far more planning, packing, preparing, and organizing ahead of time.  I don't even know why I bothered taking a book to read because it stayed in my bag the entire time.  We did fun things such as:

Walked around Temple Square-

Aaron (L) & Andrew (R)

We were only able to get one at a time to look at the camera

Aaron (L) & Andrew (R)

Tired, worn out, and thirsty

Aaron (L) & Andrew (R)

Visited the Hogel Zoo-

Almost asleep as we left the zoo.  Another long day.

Andrew (L), Aaron (R)

We don't have pictures to document these activities but we also did the following:

• Had a very nice visit with my aunt (and stayed with her 1 night) in SLC
  
• Saw friends in SLC that used to live here in Vegas
  
• I went to water aerobics with my (step) sister, Julie
  
• Bought two buckets of wheat
  
• Lost my really nice watch (not exactly fun)
  
• Stopped at my parents in St. George for about 1 1/2 hrs on our way home
  
• Listened to two babies cry/scream/whine almost the entire way home, from St. George to home.  It was about 7:30 pm, our time, when we left St. G and they had reached their limit. (They hadn't had a nap at all since taking a short one that morning.  They are not good car sleepers.) Finally, about half an hour before our arrival they both finally fell asleep.  We have never been sooooo happy to get home.  
  
  

Happy Birthday Aaron & Andrew!

Normally Aaron and Andrew wake up between 6:30 and 7 a.m.  However this morning we first heard a baby awake at 5:45 a.m.  Way too early for us!  But I think it's because Aaron was so excited it was his birthday.  Kind of like when I was a child and couldn't sleep Christmas Eve because I was full of anticipation to see what Santa brought.  (We soon learned it was due to a poopy diaper but I'd like to think he knew it was his special day.)

This afternoon we had a party with our neighbors, friends, and some of Steve's family.  We planned to keep the party simple with just cake and ice cream.  By the time the celebration began, however, our counter was full of delicious food, lots of friends, and presents everywhere. It's hard to keep a party simple for the first birthday of special babies like Aaron and Andrew! They had a great time playing with the tissue paper, boxes, wrapping paper, and of course all their new gifts.  Aaron and Andrew wish to say thank you for coming to their party and for all the fun toys.  Happy Birthday Aaron and Andrew!

A&A's birthday cake

Blowing out the candles

Aaron is better at smiling for the camera than eating cake

Andrew thinks cake tastes pretty good

Opening presents

Aaron with Mommy

Andrew with our friend Lexi

Aaron & Andrew with our good friend, Barbara Moffit

Aaron and Andrew with Grandma Ross

We can't wait to play with all our new toys!

Child Proofing

I am so sorry Andrew and Andrew but it's time to get out the child proofing equipment.  This is especially true for Andrew.  For about a week now Andrew's favorite thing to do is open kitchen cupboards.  This morning before I could blink my eyes and right in front of my face, Andrew pulled out a glass pie pan, dropped it on the floor and it shattered into a million pieces with Aaron only a couple of feet away. As quick as I could I picked them both up, carefully walked around the mess, and placed them in the jumper or Exersaucer and began sweeping. Childproofing isn't something I've looked forward to because opening cupboards or through a stair gate can be pain. Sort of.  I guess in the long run it can prevent, or at least decrease, trips to the hospital for cuts, poisoning, or bone breaks. 

If you walked into our house and didn't see the obvious signs (scattered toys everywhere) that young children live here, you'd figure it out really soon. Our coffee table has nothing on it or under it except maybe a small toy Aaron left there from his last time playing.  Instead of the ottoman placed by the chair for a relaxing reading it's in front of the television.  All the plugs have plastic covers over them and rubber stoppers are no longer placed at the end of door stoppers.  Gradually more proofing has been added as the need has presented itself (such as broken pie pans or learning to climb stairs. Probably the next item to go up is the stair gate. Today I think Andrew fell down a step or two when I heard him crying (which only happens when he REALLY hurts himself) and I found him at the bottom of the stairs.  Normally he hasn't climbed the stairs unless Steve or I am around.  That's very smart, Andrew.  And we didn't even teach him that!  So far Aaron hasn't been in a hurry to try opening cupboards, climbing stairs, or standing.  He's happy to drop everything and anything to see how much noise it makes.  He could do that ALL day.  It's been so much fun to watch their personalities emerge and how different and unique each of them are.

 

And here's a few photos from recent days:

Andrew is trying to figure out how to get around or over this ottoman.  

The buttons on the TV and DVD are so enticing.

Aaron: Leave me alone!  I'm trying to play.

Andrew:  I just want to join  the fun.

Aaron is such a droolaholic.  He seemed to like swinging.

Aaron and Andrew swinging at the park for the first time.  Yes, they are still in their P.J's in the late afternoon.  Aren't we supposed to stay in pajamas on Conference Sunday?

Andrew playing Mozart.  And Aaron is in the corner reading the paper (upside down)

Aaron loved playing the piano because it makes noise.  Aaron is all about making as much noise as possible.

Playing a duet.

Five Years

April 2, 2004

Over the years I've made some dumb choices and some smart ones too.  I have to say that marrying Steve was the best choice I ever made.  Ever.  We met online but soon learned that we lived only five minutes from each other.  Less than seven months later we got married in the Las Vegas Temple.  That day (along with Aaron & Andrew's birth) was the happiest day of my life.  Steve is a wonderful father, my best friend, and a loving husband.  I love you Steve!  Happy Anniversary.