Wednesday, November 20, 2013

A Kiddo Update


Grant is nearly 4 years old (in January) and is growing up so much. He carries on adult conversations all day long and I feel like I'm talking to someone much older than he is. His latest conversations have included things like...
"hmmm, I suppose so"
"I'm pretending to be an adult, mom"
"Are there cars and trucks in heaven?"
"Did Heavenly Father change my body so I'll never die too?" (After we talked about the 3 Nephites)
"When I go on a mission, I'm going to take my green blankie."
"Mom, someone is grilling salmon. I just love salmon!" (We were on a walk and could smell this from a neighbors house.)
 
We still have an occasional tantrum or 3-year-old moment but overall, Grant is getting a better grasp on his emotions and on being mature and well-behaved. He is currently in a cooking class and enjoys his teacher and making new things each week. He loves making anyone laugh, especially his little brother. He is getting to be such a better eater and lately has tried (and liked) asparagus, cooked spinach, mushrooms, and adores broccoli (with butter and salt of course). Grant sleeps from 7pm-7am every night and only takes a nap maybe 2-3 days per week. Grant knows how to pray but for some reason has been nervous to do it lately so we're working on that. He knows some scripture stories and loves saying the name Mohonri Moriancumer. Grant has memorized the first two articles of faith and we're working on the third one. He is a sweet, smart boy and a great big brother.
 
 
Preston is 16 months old and is a fun boy who is into everything! No drawer or item or table full of stuff is safe. He just started coloring (scribbling), "vrooming" cars around the carpet, and climbing onto chairs/tables/etc. Poor guy is always sporting some bruise or scrape because he's very curious. He walks everywhere but sometimes still stumbles and falls. His head is still in the 97th percentile so balance can be tricky. Preston repeats lots of words and has recently said...
please
apple
doctor
no no
cake
yum yum
bath
 baby
blankie
Preston is a picky eater and is totally past the baby food phase but then really doesn't like much of what I cook. He just spits things out and throws things off his tray like crazy. Hence the reason my kitchen floor is always dirty. Preston is currently growing 3 more teeth at once so he has been a little fussier. He goes to bed at 7pm and wakes around 6:30am (although I don't get him out until 7am). He obeys simple commands and is really starting to show his personality. He loves dancing too and is very much a daddy's boy. Preston is our sweetheart and still such a baby to me.
 
Baby girl is doing well. I started feeling small movements around 17-18 weeks but now they seem stronger and more frequent. She's growing and likes to hang out on the right side of my tummy. The belly bulge is totally here to stay (for a while at least) and even strangers now comment on the pregnancy.  I'm in the awkward clothing stage where the regular clothes are way too uncomfortable (and don't button) but maternity clothes still feel a little baggy and unnecessary. My appetite is back full-force and the nausea is gone. Woo hoo! The fatigue is still prevalent but really, I think that's just how it's going to be until my kids are out of the house. :) We have no name for her yet--we can't agree on anything. I love seeing her on ultrasound at every appointment. (Our doc does a quick ultrasound to check heart rate and such instead of the Doppler.) Grant has just started saying things like "When is my sister going to come out? I miss her in there." It's sweet.
 
16 Weeks Along

 
17 Weeks Along
 
20 Weeks Along
 (I swear I can only find striped maternity shirts. It's not a great combo--a wide, round belly and horizontal stripes. Oh well!)
Sean is extremely busy with school and work so I'm holding down the fort for now. We love spending time with daddy when we can and Grant literally counts down the days until Saturday (when daddy is home). Life is great and we feel very blessed!

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Annual Zoo Trip

Every autumn when the weather cools off we enjoy a trip to the Phoenix Zoo with grandma Norine. It is so much fun and great to enjoy the outdoors.


We brought sack lunches to save money, but for a treat grandma splurged and got us slurpees. Yummy, red mouths for everyone!



Grant still enjoys a good ride in the umbrella stroller after walking a ways. Good thing we brought two strollers. Oh boy, what'll we do with another baby who needs a stroller? =)

Friday, November 1, 2013

Over the Years

A look back at Halloween over the years...
 
2010: Cowboys
 
 
2011: Pumpkin
 
2012: Lego block and another pumpkin
 
 2013: Crayon and a monkey


We had a great Halloween this year. Grant was beyond excited for the trick-or-treating. Preston was so content sitting in the stroller, watching all the action as we went around the neighborhood. We hit three streets and then we were burned out. The kids ate too much sugar but everyone was in bed by 7:30pm (only half-hour late) so it was a success in my book. These kids bring excitement and joy to everything and I love experiencing the holidays with them. These boys make life wonderful for us!!