18 months picts

 

18 MONTHS

I can not believe that I have already been a Mommy for a year and a half now.  It seems so long ago, but I keep so busy that I can't beleive it has been that long already.

Well we weren't having much fun at home without Daddy and the Hotel got old really fast so we took some time to go down to Katy and visit the family.  Grandma (my mom) had a knee replacement surgery so I went down to help her with recovery.  The kids had lots of fun helping grandma...we held onto her wlaker when she was tryign to use it and even when she was not we would play with it.  We got to play with our cousins toys while she was out of town.  We really liked playing mommy & daddy pushing babies around in the little stroller, shopping cart and tricycle.  And we loved it when our aunts would take us out on bike rides.

The next week and a half we spent in Lufkin the whole time.  We were in a nice big suite that had a seperate bedroom and that really helped.  We had a huge living area that we would literally have luggage races in.  We have spent a few evenings at the pool since Mommy will not brave taking us both to the pool without Daddy.

Since we are in tight quarters we have been observing Mommy in the bathroom and I think we have the routine down.  You use the bathroom, wipe, pull your pants up, flush, wash your hands and then dry them off.  We help Mommy by trying to get the tiolet paper for her and flushing for her.

Logan started using his peripheral vision.  He is so cute.  You can see him look all the way to one side of his eyes and he will move his head the opposite direction.  Too cute.  Not too cute the kids learned how to climb out of their pack n plays the last 2 days we were out of town.

We spent Memoral day weekend back home...OH IT WAS GREAT TO BE HOME.  We love our home and I am a homebody so I was glad we got to stay there for 4 days.  Well Daddy went to the Byron Nelson Friday morning and I stayed home with the kids.  They used their newly found skills all over the house.  Mommy was going crazy trying to keep them out of the laundry room and her room and out of the drawers in the kitchen that we just could not seem to leave alone.  Then at nap time Alyssa decided that she was going to climb out of the crim so she did...multiple times until she was so exhausted that she did not have the strength to climb out again.  We got to play at the Dawson's pool on Monday and then it was back to Lufkin.

The kids and I left Tuesday morning for Katy lots to do to get ready for all of the big events happening the next weekend.  On Saturday June 4th Uncle Billy & Aunt Kris were sealed in the Houston Temple along with cousins Elizabeth and Brody.  Bailey will get to have his own special day hopefully soon.  And on Sunday Aunt Cyndi graduated high school.

We had lots of fun playing with our cousins...and baby Brody can even crawl now so we loved that...we would get down on the floor with him and paly.  We had a very busy day Thursday shopping and Friday cooking, but we found time to go play at the pool.  Saturday we took pictures at the temple and then ate yummy food went to another pool and then later we celebrated the graduation with catered fajitas yummy :)

Sunday was a bit crazy.  We went to church early and then we went to graduation.  The kids made it up until they started handing out the diplomas and then we were in the hall.  We made it in the hall up until about the P's and Aunt Cyndi is an R so we did not actually get to see her cross the stage.  We did however on the way in have to park remotely and take a bus...which we were not trilled about because Logan had to wake up and get in the car seat...but Alyssa loved being on the bus and we took pictures and when we got there and needed to get off the bus she did not watn to let me take her straps off...she wanted to stay on the bus.

We got to spend lots of time with the family, but we missed Daddy as well so the next weekend we met Daddy up in Dallas and are now back in Lufkin with him this week.

While in Dallas we bought some door handle safety  locks so the kids can not open doors that we want closed...we are using 6 of them right now.  We still need to put some more drawer safety stops in the kitchen...I am tired of picking siolverware up all over the house. 

Other pregressions include saying Chris and shoes and other words too, but those I distinctively remember Alyssa saying.  We are officially nursery age and went the first time last Sunday...Mom & Dad are so excited...I think Mom is the most excited though.  I did peek in on them whiel I was checking role on Sunday and Alyssa was crying on Sis. Romneys lap but later I checked and she was still on her lap but not crying, but they said they did great so I don't know if they were telling me the whole truth.

While getting dressed now I can get them to put their arms through the arm holes on their own...that is exciting.  Alyssa is also pulling her diaper off if I do not have her diaper covered with a onesie or some shorts...that is not exciting.  And for some reason Alyssa will not keep her hair up at all anymore...and her bangs are getting really long.  I do not want to cut it, but I do want to see her face so we will see what we try next.

Oh and Logan still bites once in a while...I think he bites when he is hungry.

Pictures will be loaded before they are 19 months :)

17 months

Things are getting a little hectic around here.  Daddy started a temporary assignment in Lufkin, TX so we are trying the single Mom during the week thing.  Luckily the first 2 weeks almost grandma came and stayed with us.  I don't know who is more happy to see Daddy when he comes home Thursday night the kids or Mommy.  After the first 2 weeks with him gone we decdied to join him and that is craziness as well. 2 little ones trapped in a hotel room all day.  Life is a bit challenging.  We went to Hobby Lobby everyday the first week we were in Lufkin.  The first day I was strolling down every isle looking at everything nice and slow...the kids got tired of being in their stroller and then Logan thrwe up.  I was able to find 3 things I wanted to buy before we were definately ready to leave and they will only let you use 1 coupon a day so we put the other 2 items on hold.  Went back a second day used a second coupon and put the third item back on hold.  Then came back the third day and bought the third item.  I had to put them on hold this store seemed to only have one of each item that I wanted.

Anyways, we did make it to a park once or twice, but it is already SOOOO hot outside and we were sweating like crazy.  We also made a trip to target and I found a swimsuit I felt was acceptable...on clearance...but since it was clearance I bought 3 pieces that are 3 different sizes, but they work.  I must say I wish I was back to my pre pregnancy size, but I sure am not doing anything about it yet.

Anyways, Anyways...here are the hightlights of our progresson for month 17...

We seem to be throwing more fits...luckily they are not full on temper tantrums.  We liek to say beep, beep, beep ( we learned this one night when Daddy came home with his suitcase and we were in the way) and we also say ut oh when something bad happens. 

While grandma was visitng we learned how to drink from water bottles...most of the time we stop tilting it before we pull it away from our moths...but we still seem to get wet most every time we try.  We are very good at opening doors now and we eat almost a whole piece of pizza each...which we have been ordering once a week at the hotel.

When we get upset in the car usually singing itzy bitsy spider seems to calm us down and we have the actions down and try and sing it with mommy now...we are also learning some more animal sounds with Old MacDonald.  Did you know he had a spider on his farm with an itzy bitzy here and an itzy bitzy there here an itzy there a bitzy everywhere an itzy bitzy...Mommy gets desperate sometimes.

Alyssa has also started turning her head when she does not want to listen to Mommy.  What a joy these two little ones are.  We can tell they are about to start talking up a storm...sometimes they echo what you say and it catches you off guard...like did they just say that? 

Since her hair is long enough for piggy tails Mommy made Alyssa a bunch of matching bows so she could have 2 in at a time.

Biting?

Logan bit Alyssa today :(  luckily he did not bite her hard...she is not a fan.

Long Posts

Lately our posts have been REALLY LONG.  We posted yesterday and I already have a list of 6 things I wanted to make sure and record so I figure now is as good a time as any to do it.

We love to sing and we have mentioned it many times...we are singing more and more now.  At home, in the car, and at church.  Alyssa also likes to lead the music when she sees someone else leading it.

While we were driving back from Lufkin a couple weeks ago and were upset for being in the car for too long Mommy would start singing the "Itzy Bitzy Spider" to us and we really liked it.  We have done a few motions before about washing the spider out, but this time I noticed that Logan was doing the spider...too cute moving his little fingers together...I need to record that.

We unfortunately for Mommy have decided that instead of bringing diapers to Mommy when it is time to change that we are now running away from her at any and every opportunity before, during, or after the diaper change.

This morning Mommy removed the chair from the desk in the living room...we figured out how to push it out from under it last night and were getting into everything on the desk.

Yesterday Logan decided that he is going to start taking the cushions and pillows off of the couch and loves doing it...Mommy does not care for putting the couch back together multiple times a day...I think she is already tired of doing it.

We love to laugh and play while Mommy uses our little bums as drums.  Thankfully she does not actually have to spank them too often yet.

We have also learned that if we like something we will clap...not just because someone else is clapping...we do it all on our own now when we feel it is appropriate.

Sweet 16 months

We are 16 months already and in less than 2 months we will be in nursery at church. I think Mommy and Daddy are more excited than we are about it. Mommy has lots of pictures she needs to upload on the blog. We are busy, busy, busy. We are now climbing on the dining table quite often and getting in trouble for it. We tend to stay off it a little more when it is clear, but Mommy seems to be putting stuff on it a lot lately so we feel the need to explore. Logan is down to binkies only during nap and bed time now and is starting to try and talk more now too. We can both tell you what a lion, monkey, doggy, and car say. We can say Hi and Ya. We are doing great at nap time. We will walk ourselves to our cribs and Logan will even try and climb into the crib. Even if we are not quite ready for a nap we will stay in our cribs and play for a little while then take our morning nap...our afternoon naps are another story we are either going to nap or we are not.

Over conference weekend we made a quick trip to Katy. Work wanted Daddy in Lufkin on Monday morning so since they were already paying for most of the gas we make a weekend trip of it. Conference was as wonderful as getting to see the family.

Tent set up in the living room

Our 2 house campers

This past weekend we went on our first camp out. Thursday night we had a camp in to practice to see how the kids would do. Not too good. The kids were so excited about having a tent in the living room. Alyssa just could not settle down...finally at 11 I took her into our room and still had to sing to her to calm her down and then she went to bed so we were really taking a gamble at the camp out. We camped at Camp Wisdom...a scout camp not 5 miles from our house, one that I did not even know existed until about 2 months ago. We went with a bunch of people from church and the gamble was the gate closes at 10. We did GREAT. We had a fabulous time and look forward to doing it again...it just won't be over the summer when it is 90+ degrees at night.

The kids just keep growing and growing Logan now has 14 teeth and Alyssa has 8. We are being more reverent during scripture time and we kneel down, bow our heads, and fold our arms for prayers at night and morning now. Over the summer we are going to spend a little time in Lufkin while Daddy works there for the next 3 months starting in 1 week. Mommy has lots of packing and planning to do.

We have started throwing things...so far only a few toys, mostly balls so that is appropriate...and never in anger yet. We have however started throwing fits. We both do the fall on the floor and fuss. Mommy is not a big fan and hopes that this is a very short phase and that it does not escalate from there...ya right...good luck Mommy.

We are very tech savvy and skype with Grandma at least once a day...we even got to skype Uncle Stephen in Afghanistan once. Logan can now close doors and loves to do it. He will actually go and push Alyssa out of the room so he can close the door...we keep most of our doors closed since they really are not opening them yet, but they did at the Dr office last time...both of them...luckily we do not have the lever knobs we have the nice round ones that require twisting not just a bit of leverage.

These kids are goof balls. At first we thought it was only Logan, but Alyssa's colors are beginning to shine through as well...probably because when Mommy plays with them she acts a bit silly herself. We get lots of funny faces...and you can tell they are making them on purpose and waiting to see your reaction. Alyssa also recently decided that she likes to plop down on the couch and will do it over and over and over again and have the biggest smile on her face the whole time.

Recently Mommy has been helping us work on our balance by giving us rides on her back. We are getting a lot better at sharing...we even share without being asked most of the time, but when it comes to our rides we are not that great at sharing.

15.5 months

So we are a little behind this month...we did learn a lot of stuff over the past month and a half. Unfortunately Mommy did not keep track of everything as well this time so we will see what all gets recorded. Daddy made us a new table at the beginning of March.

Here we are supervising the project

Daddy didn't follow her directions

 

Enjoying our table

We stil need to stain the table so we can actually start using it.  We also cleaned out the garden and planted our seeds for this year.

Logan helping during clean out

Alyssa helping plant

We don't like to stay in our high chairs for very long now while we are eating. Maybe 5-10 minutes then we are ready to get out so we start throwing our food on the floor, but after we get out of our chairs we are still hungry and try to eat our food off the floor.  One of the many reasons Mommy felt it was time to make us a table...Mommy and Daddy have a counter height table and they worry we might fall from that one.

Mommy finally took us to the Dr at the beginning of March to check on our coughs that I swear we have had all year along with our periodic runny noses. Turns out the Dr said we have allergies...Mommy said she was sorry and that we get it from her side of the family. We were prescribed 5 medications and Mommy had to go to 3 different pharmacies to get everything.

Uncle Billy &Aunt  Kris came with the kids at the beginning of Spring Break. Their trips never seem to be long enough, but we really enjoyed the time we got to spend with them. Mostly we just hung out at the house, but we did make one trip to the park with them and had a blast.

Jumping with cousin Brody

Big boy Brody

We all want to play in the car

Time for food

Playing at the park

Swinging is so much fun

Logan LOVES to swing



Our family at the park

Mowers at the park



We have actually thought about buying a swing and attaching to the ceiling inside the living room...I really think he would sit in it all day. 

Grandma and Aunt Cyndi came just after the others left. Mommy enjoyed the help and company for an entire week. We had big plans for projects to get done, but most of the projects went undone...just enjoyed time with the family. We did some yard work and that was plenty of work.

Aunt Cyndi helped me with my hair while she was here

We have a lot of new toys lately. We have a slide with a basketball hoop, we got some mega and Duplo blocks. For Valentine's Day Grandma bought us some golf clubs and bubbles. We really like bubbles and try to pop them with our fingers. Mommy finally broke out the wooden alpha blocks for us that we mostly just dump out. Mommy is trying to start doing simple crafts with us, but there is only so much we can do right now. We took some construction paper and finger painted with some water and enjoyed that, but until our table is finished we probably will not do too many more crafts. We have also started coloring some. While Grandma was here Mommy printed a picture of us to color and we sent it to Uncle Stephen in Afghanistan.

We LOVE our slide

This drawing inspired the need for crafty activities...thanks for the drawing Logan

Our 15 month appointment got pushed back to the 22nd so we finally made it in and there were only 2 shots this time. We tied on the scale at 25 lbs 4 oz each. Logan measured 33 inches and Alyssa at 31.5 inches. I can't believe how close they are getting to 3 ft already.

We are both cutting teeth right now. Logan is working on 13 and 14 and Alyssa is working on 7. While Grandma was here we learned how to fold our arms. We also have caught on since then that we are supposed to bow our heads while we say prayers too. We are getting better every night during prayer time. Logan is even sitting down to pray and he starts to fold his arms when we bring out our scriptures to read. Alyssa knows how to fold her arms, but is not a willing as Logan right now. We do blink, nod, and clap all the time now. Mommy is always trying to get us to answer whether or not we want something instead of just giving it to us. We have become much more affectionate this past month and a half. We give hugs and kisses all the time. We give them to Mommy and Daddy and each other and even our friends from time to time. We have some new baby friends and Alyssa is just mesmerized by them. Everyone always asks is she is around babies a lot since she does so well and tries to play carefully with them.

We are MONKEYS....no I take that back we are SILLY MONKEYS.

We climb on EVERYTHING. Mom has had to do some rearranging again. No more barstools at the island and all of the kitchen chairs must be pushed under the table at all times. We now have 2 barstools locked away in the office. We also have to tuck the chair under the desk or we get into a lot of things we should not. We still get stuff off the dining table, but we really on not climbing on that one yet. We also like to try and climb into the desk cabinet and close it behind ourselves. We keep really busy.