Anniversary Update

After another awful night's sleep, I woke up to this. I mean, how could I be mad at those chunky little legs and bright red cheeks? Ok, I was still pretty mad and tired, but not mad enough to just stare at him for about 5 minutes and thank God for blessing me with such a sweet little demon baby.

And then, my other little terror came in, but alas, he wasn't a terror at all. I think he must have known it was our anniversary because he was super pleasant all day. My 2 little blessings.
Blake had to head to work and so did I. Remember this little box he got several months ago?

Well, we spent about an hour yesterday tearing it down while Brody was sleeping. It was hard work, but Braden needed all those pieces. I was fine to do it because I have been sick of it for about 3 weeks now.

Blake came home early so I could go to the gym. After running 3 miles (I actually ran the whole time, yay!) and teaching my spin class, I rushed home to get ready for a romantic dinner. Braden played at his good friend Austin's house (thanks Crystal) and Brody came with us. We went to Swilly's and spent the most we had ever spent on food. But as a result, we got food that looked like this.

And tasted even better. I had to force myself to stop eating or my stomach would have burst. Thank goodness for leftovers.

It was a great anniversary. We chose not to do any gifts or big trips this year, but that's ok. We enjoyed a nice (and expensive) dinner together reminiscing on the past 5 years and looking forward to another 5. I sure married the perfect man for me. I couldn't have asked for anyone better. Love you babe!

A Whole Hand

Yes, that's how many years we've made it. I remember being so excited to use my whole hand to show my age. The excitement re-enters my life again, but for bigger reasons.

He gazed into my eyes 5 years ago and said he'd keep me forever.

When he has time and I am not annoying him, I am sure he's saying the same thing now.

Happy 5 years honey. I sure love you and the wonderful family you have blessed me with.

Conversation

Here is the conversation that Braden and I had this morning.

Me: Braden, you need to get the library books that you put behind the bed.
Braden: Why?
Me: Because they are due back at the library.
Braden: No.
Me: If you cannot get the books then we cannot go to the library today.
Braden: Mom, I don't like your attitude.

Are you kidding me? He doesn't like my attitude, I won't even get started on his. When did the sassyness come into play? I thought I had a good 10 years before that began.

Follow-up Conversation

After realizing I won't let him do anything until he gets those library books, I ask:

Me: Would you like a little help?
Braden: Yes. Thank you mom.
Me: You're welcome.
Braden: I am telling you thank you. That is very kind.

Ok, maybe we aren't completely at the sassy stage yet. I sure love him, he always makes me laugh.

Braden- 2 1/2 years

One of two posts about my boys

My 2 1/2 year old. What can I say about him. He is the happiest little boy I know. He LOVES his picture to be taken.
He loves his watermelon. Especially when he gets to use the chopsticks his mema got him.

His new favorite activity is throwing ALL his toys into his clubhouse box. He will then lay in there for hours just talking to himself. I guess this is ok, right?

He continues to hide in our closet. Underneath daddy's clothes to be more specific.

He's discovered dress-up and I love it.

Batman took all our shoes out the closet.

And Darth Vader put them all back in.

He's at a cute age. I still call my mom once a day to make sure he's doing age appropriate stuff. I hate the whining phase, emotional phase, and the descriptive phase. We get a play by play about EVERYTHING. We love it and we sure love him.

Brody- 5 months

He makes us tired. Sure, you see he eating and thoroughly enjoying his green beans right here.

or smiling and being ever so cute right here.

Yes, he is already flirting with the girls. Holding their hands...
Smothering them with kisses...

But don't let his cuteness and romantic side fool you.

He is some kind of demon child when the moon comes up. We have tried letting him cry it out for 2 weeks now. He even made us late for church today because we slept through the alarm. Crying it out doesn't work for him. We have let him cry as long as 4 hours. Yes folks, 4 hours! And he was not about to stop. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE more recommendations on how to fix this. I don't think the crying thing will work for him. Blake and I are at the end of our sanity. I am going to have a nervous break down anytime now. I need a sleeping baby.

Definition of sleeping baby: A baby who can sleep for 4 or more hours at a time. I am willing to wake up every 4 hours to feed him, but I don't even get that luxury. HELP!

Other than the sleeping, he is sure adorable and we LOVE him which I guess means only during the day.

Audiobooks

I need some recommendations for some good audiobooks to get. I have 2 free downloads and don't want to waste them. Let me know what you have read, or more specifically, listened to that you love.

There's a Bear in the House

I was just finishing with Brody at 1:30 am when I thought I heard a bear in our house. The noise started small, but after checking in on Braden, it got louder and louder. After entering my room, I was sure a bear had eaten my husband and was now making an awful sound. Alas, it was my sleepy husband snoring away. I yell, "BLAKE, I THINK THERE'S A BEAR IN THE HOUSE."

Note: This is the wrong thing to do when someone is in a deep sleep. He sat up right away, ready to attack the bear (which he honestly thought was in the house) and got a nasty leg cramp. I still blame the leg cramp on his soccer game that evening, but he blames it on my urgent call for help against the bear that was in our house.

Either way, Blake stopped snoring and I was able to sleep. And I am still curious why he thought there was actually a real bear inside the house. Since when do bears roam Pullman or know how to silently break into a home? That's ok, I still love him.

Disclaimer: Blake typically doesn't snore. As anyone with a baby knows, we are both utterly and completely exhausted. Playing soccer 2 days in a row didn't help him either.

Otoscope

I took Braden in to the doctor's yesterday. I wasted another $30 on his potential ear infection. I was almost certain he had one. There goes $30 towards our future minivan (we are in the process of saving up for one). My mom suggested (after Braden's 3rd infection when he was a baby) that I should get an otoscope and have the doctor teach me how to use it. I should have listened. We would have more than paid for it by now.

Well, yesterday Dr. D showed me how to use his otoscope. He told me what to look for and let me practice. Let me just say, I am fascinated with stuff like this. If only I could have made it through the sciences, I might have become some sort of doctor or dentist. Anyways, he told me to buy one and then I could check before wasting my time and his (he didn't say his time, but I knew he was politely thinking it) with pointless doctor's visits.

I wish I would have done this 2 years ago with Braden. I look forward to the use of my otoscope with both B's and potential other little ones.

Are My Expectations Too High?

Tell me if I am expecting too much.

1. I expect Brody to sleep for at least one 6 hour chunk. According to the doctor, he should be able to go 8 hours.
2. I expect Braden to say "I would gladly..." at least once a day. I mean, I tell him to do a million things every day, just once I would like him to listen and obey.
3. I expect my body to lose a pound a week. I mean, I am at the gym 5 days a week.
4. I also expect my body to stop craving food all the time. Fortunately my mind has met my expectations by telling my body, no, but still.
5. I expect Blake to stain our deck so we can actually use it before the summer ends.

Just be honest. Am I really expecting too much? I would mostly be happy with #1 and #2.

Back to the Daily Grind

So, we are officially back from vacation. I love vacation, but I hate getting back and regulating things again. Like helping Braden get through his fruit snack withdrawals. Or getting Brody to sleep more than 2 hours at a time. Sleeping is a whole other post. All I can say is, Sleep little boy, sleep. You will be so much happier.

Braden is still defiant, but adorable.

We LOVE Brody during the day. Nighttime is still questionable.
We are teaching him how to sit up. He's doing ok, but is still floppy.

We are glad to be back, but look forward to our trip to Utah in September. (Logan fam: Justin mentioned a cabin trip, we are so in!)

OC Day 8: Grandpa Evans & Family Photo Shoot

We woke up Friday and decided to go up to Battle Ground and visit my Grandpa Evans. My Grandpa is really computer savvy. You would think an almost 90 year old wouldn't have a clue, but my Grandpa knows it all. Well, most things. He was having a problem with his printer, so Blake sat down and tried to fix it.

While Blake was hard at work, Braden was hard at play. He ran all over the house, ate food when it was there and just kept busy.

He was really excited to see the horses in the front, however, he wouldn't go near them. He did see the chickens with Grandpa Forsberg.
Audrey and Toren came over Friday night and we couldn't resist having a photo shoot. My mom bought all the boys matching outfits. It was worth the money because they were so cute.

Brody's thinking: "Get off of me brother."

Braden's thinking: "Fine, I was done with you anyway."
Brody (5 mo.), Braden (2 yrs.), Austin (1 mo.)

This is the last shot. They were so done by the time we ended, but we got some great shots.

Proud Grandparents

They are only 4 months apart, but you would think Brody could eat Austin.

Proud Auntie

The 3 Boys

Mallory & Brent holding the baby. (Can I say baby hungry much?)

Grandpa with his boys. Kudos to my dad. I swear he was always holding a baby. Blake and I really missed this when we got home, I mean, we have to hold the baby now.

Proud Uncle

The week was so much fun. The one regret I have is that I don't think I gave Austin enough kisses. Next time little monkey, you just wait.

OC Day 7: All About Friends

Thursday was nice and relaxing. Blake and I woke up early (well, earlier than we would of on vacation) and attended the temple. It has been a long time since we have been, so it was really nice. We came home and hung out for awhile. Of course Braden went out with Mema and came home with a pool. Why not?

Later that afternoon some good friends from high school came over to swim. We all have boys and are all grown up, weird! This is Lynette and Toby. I haven't seen her since high school (like 7 years). We used to play basketball together and she made me laugh all the time. It was so good to see her and her adorable little one.

Jennifer came over too. She has 2 adorable boys. Nicholas is 3 and was eager to play in the water. He even jumped confidently into the deep end. Can he swim, no, but that didn't stop him.

After swimming we parted ways for dinner. Here I am with Jen and her two boys. It was so good to see you again and THANK YOU for the super fun toys for the kids. Braden loves the balls just as much as he loves the puzzle. I don't think Brody has even touched the balls yet.

Jennie, Seth and Blake came over for dinner that night. Little Blake was happy to hold Brody and Braden wanted in on the photo. Blake looks forward to being a big brother in a couple of months. I am jealous because Jennie gets a girl, maybe next time.

It was fun to visit with Jennie and Seth, sorry no pictures. I am sure they are ok with that. I love going home to see family and it's just a bonus that I get to see friends on top of that.

OC Day 6: Shopping, Soccer & Safari Sam's

After a good morning of shopping with the girls and a good soccer game for the boys, we headed to Safari Sam's to play. Safari Sam's boasts of Oregon's largest jungle gym. We drove out their with Audrey, Toren and Austin. Braden rode with Mema and Papa. Thank goodness for the extra car seat they bought. It made our car travels nice.

Brody and Austin were awake and as cute as ever for most of the car ride.

But it wasn't long before sleep got the best of them.
Blake and I were in the backseat and enjoyed every minute of staring at these two.

By the time we got to Safari Sam's, Brody was awake and Mema was more than willing to entertain him while the adults golfed.

Braden also fell asleep in the car. We thought we would give him an hour and then wake him up. I mean, we did go there just for him.

I guess Austin called the grandparents to coordinate his outfit with theirs.

Braden playing the Oregon's largest jungle gym. Let's just say that he could maneuver a lot easier than Blake and I could.

Brody just making friends with the locals.

A little pause in our golf game for a cute shot with mom.

After the jungle gym, we headed over to the arcade for some games. We made out pretty nice and were able to get Braden a pink Jeep. (His choice.) He's really into Jeep's lately. Weird, I know!

It was a pretty low key day, but very fun AND very hot.