Disney

We love going to Disney World. We loved going to Downtown Disney a few years ago when Ethan was a baby and Sophia wasn't old enough to know the difference between that and the Theme Parks. Allan and I loved going before we got married and spent time there for our honeymoon. My dream job while in college was to work as a Disney animator. Last year we got annual passes to all the parks. This year we got the Epcot after 4 annual passes. It never gets old. I love the atmosphere and the people and the rides. The kids love looking for the Mickey Mouse electical thing that indicates we are almost at the park. They love spotting the characters at the entrance. I remember when I was there age getting excited about listening to the Disney radio station when we were in range. I'm not sure if they do that anymore. Right now we usually do Spaceship Earth, Nemo, Mexico, and Norway. Sometimes we can convince Ethan to do Journey into Imagination but he's pretty frightened of it. We never have time to do Soarin' because we get there so late and the line is so long. But that's o.k., we're just glad that we could afford some type of annual pass. My favorite thing is going to Turtle Talk and watching Sophia ask questions. Last time we went she asked how far turtles could swim in a day. It was sweet. She was so excited. We ususally leave at around 9 just as the fireworks start. Everyone is tired and we rarely escape without many tears. The last time Kenny surprised us with the most tears as the fireworks started. I have NEVER heard him cry with such pain. Poor thing.

Happy 11 months!

My little man turned 11 months today! And how did he commemorate the event? Why he showed us that he could crawl! I think he has been able to do this for some time now and just decided to save it for the big day. I'm hoping he knows how to sleep through the night and is waiting for his 1st birthday to reveal it to me. Love him. I have just soaked up every single second with him. Every diaper, every milestone, every night awakening, every hug and kiss by his siblings. He pulled up for the first time about a month ago. He only cruised once...a very tiny bit. He mimicks a lot. Started with waving bye bye, then "Oh No!", then blowing kisses, peek a boo, and tilting the head. Yep. We go through these things about 500 times a day...in public, at gradparents, at mealtimes. Never tires. His brother and sister started VBS today. This is the first time in 5 yrs I haven't helped out. Sad about that. Sophia was so excited (I feel like I print these words more than any other), Ethan was...o.k with it, until we got into the worship rally...where it was dark, and every single seat was filled with screaming children. Then he looked at me and his bottom lip shot out and tears fell from his eyes, and my heart sank. I sat with him in the back and followed him to his first rotation. A teacher picked him up and he was fine after a while. I talked to him after that and he said he wanted to stay. He ended up having a good time except they played boring games. Grandpa made it up to him by throwing him the ball. He hit it a few times (always lifting and stepping on his foot first) and ran the bases (he didn't use a tee). Love him. Love Sophia, who, btw, has gotten into the habit of sitting with us late at night after the boys have gone to sleep. We usually watch Bob Newhart but it's off the air for the summer. Last week we started watching Andy Griffith. She loves it and that makes me happy as I have such fond memories of watching it growing up, especially at Grandma's.

I Love You, I Love You Not...

I have a Love/Hate relationship with Technology. I LOVE the many opportunities technology gives me to document my children's lives...Blogging, online scrapbooking, Facebook, 365 project, Picasa...it's endless. I DON'T LOVE having to choose which venue to give my time and energy. I want it all. Then I become overwhelmed and give just a little attention to all. Oh well, let's focus on the positive, as I can hear myself telling Sophia if faced with a similar situation. Hooray for the options, Hooray that I'm blogging again, Hooray that I've done some documenting. I believe it will just get better from here. I love my family, nothing gets me more excited. Today it is rainning cats and dogs. What are we going to do today? Hopefully, enjoy one of modern technology's greatest gifts...Epcot. Pics to come soon. Hooray for cameras!

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's off to work I go...

I think this is the song that runs through Ethan's head when he wakes up. His life consists of getting things done, trying new things out, putting things in it's place, tinkering, etc. I feel like he was born to work. He has no time to snuggle, love, eat etc (which is what Sophia lives for). His Mantra: What's the job and how are we going to get it accomplished?
Recently, some specific tasks he has had to work through include: Taking a picture with my camera and setting it as my new wallpaper, Organizing his Baby Einstein DVDs, and, my favorite, spending 1/2 hour unlocking the car door, opening it, closing it, and fastening his seat belt. All. By. Himself. I don't even hint at trying to help him for fear of Ethan's 2nd God given gift...his well crafted meltdown.

Testing. One Two...Testing

I enjoy blogging. But sometimes all the stars need to be aligned perfectly in order for me to continue my hobby. No luck this past year. My Grandma's passing took a toll on me emotionally. Along with work, school every day, and a beautifully needy little boy, any creative roadblocks I face while blogging surely would have pushed me over the edge.
So this is just a test. A quick note that will enable me to face my fear head on and see if I survive.
I did it. Hooray. It's on.

Summer Fun

We had a fun filled day today. Papa left for Utah a few days ago and we are living it up (mostly to distract ourselves from his absence). I have been so exhausted nursing my and Ethan's cold and maintaining household responsibilities by myself that I let Sophia stay with Grandmother and attend church with her. I brought Ethan to church with me for the first time and just absorbed every moment we were together. He was with me while I taught the 3 yr. olds and the 2nd graders. I tried leaving him in the nursery but it was too traumatic for him to be in there without mama. The poor workers did their best to console him but told Anne (our volunteer coordinator) that he was acting as if they were killing him. I have to admit my heart skipped a beat with excitement as I looked out the window and saw Anne carrying him to me. I was surprised that the second graders weren't as excited to see him as the 3 yr. olds were (they oooed and awwwed and smothered and mothered him). I'm surprised when ANYONE doesn't get as excited over him as a 3 yr. old would. He just so cute. Anyway...

I immediately switched kids with Grandmother as Sophia had a Birthday date at the Bounce Zone. As much as I dreaded the event I ended up spending time with several of the Preschool mothers and really had a nice time. Sophia had so much fun with all her preschool buddies. I don't think she understands that there are some she'll never see again. It's heartbreaking for me because this was her first school year and her first group of friends. And the love she felt for each child just melted my heart. They were ALL her best friends. I need to do a post on her preschool experience. Anyway...

We spent time with Gigi at Grandmothers house. Ethan sang and danced, Sophia made Ethan laugh, and I plucked out Gigi's chin hair.

It rained when we got home as the afternoon was turning into evening. The air was cool and I craved the beach. But I knew I couldn't prepare in the short amount of sunlight we had left. So I put together a little inflatable pool/activity center. Sophia was beside herself with excitement. I had questioned whether or not to spend 40 dollars on it but the pride, warmth, love, and happiness I felt watching her overflow with joy was simply priceless. I love my baby girl and baby boy. Sometimes I feel like I get too caught up in disciplining and following routines and teaching that I neglect the need to be silly and spontaneous and fun. I had a fun day with my kids today. It's a day that I want to remember forever.

A Long Awaited Milestone

Ethan just turned 19 months on the 24th of May. A day before Allan's birthday, May 17th, Ethan decided he was finally ready to walk. First he walked in circles from the kitchen to the living room as he chased Sophia. It brought me to tears. My little boy didn't look quite as much like a baby anymore. For the next few days he ventured into other areas. After about 5 days...no more crawling on his knees. I forgot how strange it was to suddenly hear new footsteps. And it took me a while to finally get used to him just showing up next to me unexpectedly.  But I love it. We were ready for him to walk as he's getting so big. It's nice not to have to carry him to and from the car or in the stores. Ha, I wish. 

We were THOSE people who criticized the parents who put their kids on a leash. We have both very quickly agreed we want to purchase one for Ethan. He now hates the stroller and he hates holding my hand and he hates being carried.  And I hate having to wrestle with him in my arms and having to chase him around the store. The stroller is the lesser of the 3 evils right now. 

Anyway, I 'm sad my little dependent man is growing up.  At the same time, all in all, it has become much easier caring for him. My mom and I were talking about how easier it is now for she and dad to care for the kids on Monday while I'm at work. No swaddling, noise machine, nebulizer, gas medicine, bouncing on the bead, jumping through hoops to get him to stop crying or go to sleep. But of course, I loved those days.  I love these days to. I love watching his personality develop and I love watching the relationship between Sophia and him develop.  Every day brings new surprises and it's the most rewarding experience in the world.