that's what he said

Some moments are peaceful and still...

... And some are full of chatter. From quick rushed prayers to playing dollhouse with his sister, hearing his little voice is one of my favorite blessings. -Mommy

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C: Dear Heavenly Fathers
bless mommys belly the baby
daddy at school wish i was school today
thank you for prayers
The End

M: Wow. Let's stop that your going to get hurt.
C: But I'm a ninja. And and and my father's in prison and he's my duty.
M: Oh really!
C: Yes. And we have to attack all that city. But there's bombs all over. Like firework bombs. And it's creepy really creepy but not too creepy. But it is!

M: Don't throw the Lego's Connor!
C: These aren't Lego's there blocks.
M: Well we don't throw blocks.
C: But I'm a monster. So it's my job.

On the way to preschool one day...
C: Caterpillars come from toothpicks.
M: Caterpillars make themselves into cocoons.
C: Oh. But where? I don't see them.
M: They are in the trees. And then they become butterflies after they sleep in their cocoons.
C: Okay so I eat butterflies with marshmallows?
M: No. You eat marshmallows with toothpicks. Cocoons and toothpicks aren't the same thing.
C: That's embarrassing.

While we were in Boise Aunt Ellie told me this conversation she had with Connor:
CJ and her were driving in the car with Connor after dinner at Goodwood BBQ.
Ellie being her teasing self, provoked Connor and said "Connor you know CJ is my brother not your brother."
C: "No, Uncle CJ is my brother."
E: "No, CJ is your uncle not your brother."
C: "No he isn't"
E: "Well how is he your uncle and your brother?"
C: "CJ used to be my uncle when he was little.  Ryan and CJ were the same person when they were little like      me and now they aren't."
E: "So Ryan and CJ were the same person?"
C: "Yes, and I was the same person with them when I was a baby."
E: "Okay, that makes sense."

(After a rough dinner meal, where Connor refused to try everything on his plate -meaning he didn't get his after dinner treat.) In his most defiant voice said...
C: I am not going to eat my treat! And my only friends are going to be Lego Batman and Heavenly Father!

(While playing dollhouse with sister...)
C: What do you want at the store, egggggggggs?
B: kiki
C: Okay I'll try.
(Connor pushes the doorbell on the dollhouse.)
C: The garbage man is here! Get the trash.
B: no.
C: Okay then eat it.
B: Okay.


C: We have to get him ... Dr. Caruso destroyed my family. He wrecked my beds. Turned people into ghosteds.
D: Who's Dr Caruso?
C: uhhh I just told you!

Love Mommy

Dear Bella,

One of my favorite things you do is covering your eyes when your scared with wide spread fingers or covering your mouth the same way when your in awe of something to say "wow" in a deep voice. I also love that your silly you love making deep voices to make Connor laugh. And the other day you were so proud you put your jacket on backwards and walked around giggling and putting the hood up so you would bump into things and fall over in fits of laughter (I didn't let you do that for long because it scares me when you do things like that). I love that goofy little grin you get when your giving or getting smiles. 

You just pointed to the fridge with excitement, repeating what sounded like french fry, french fry over and over. It took me a minute to realize you were pointing to a butterfly sticker and actually saying "fufly", "fufly". Being a parent is sure a test of deciphering skills, and while you learn I can't wait to discover with you as you grasp on to everything that surrounds you. Some days you talk and chat with brother and gab away in your own little babble. Counting to ten out of the blue and naming off all sorts of letters that pop into your head. Impressing us with how grown up your getting. Then somedays you prefer to sit on the couch and snuggle, watching Connor play and using only cries to suffice your needs. It makes Mommy and Daddy a little confused as you teeter on this baby/toddler stage. Not wanting to let go of the comforts of dependence, it seems. You are commonly telling us "I can't" when we encourage you to do it for yourself. 

You are your Daddy's Princess. He wishes you were more of a Daddy's girl then you are but you tend to run for Mommy at any sign of excitement or fear. I can't say it doesn't make me a little happy. I love comforting you and having a little girl that wants to be close to me ALL the time can be overwhelming at times; but for the most part I relish our cheek to cheek hugs, snuggles, kisses, and everything in between. I am in love with your sweet voice as it tells me to "sit down" and your little hand as it tugs at my shirt, in efforts to be snuggled again and again. Your Daddy loves nothing more than hearing you say "I wuv you" or "come with?", and he loves to call you "kisses" in hopes that he will get a few more ;) You tend to make him jealous with all the sporadic affection you give me. 

With the new baby coming I have worried a little for you. Especially since we're expecting a girl. I don't want you to get jealous of her or vice versa as you grow. Recently we had an early lunch at McDonalds after Daddy met us at you and Connor's school, since he had gotten out of class early. When we came in to sit down a baby was walking around. The baby came up to Connor and Connor didn't know quite what to think so he he ran off with a scowl/smirk, ready to play a game of chase. But that baby came up to you and held out its arms for a hug, and you stood there letting the baby hug you and even bent your knees a little so you were level and hugged her right back. She gave long and tight hugs but you just stared at me with a smile on your face. It wasn't long before that baby had to leave but you loved pointing the "baby" out to me and letting her exchange long hugs with you over and over again. It left her Mom and me in giggles, watching you two give "loves" as her Mom called it. It is cliche to say this but it melted my heart; watching you be so soft and tender with this baby, and picturing you and your little sister before too long loving each other up too. 

You are our blondie, our smilie, our teeny tiny; you're our baby girl. Soon there will be another baby girl and we never want you to forget how much we love you and how much we cherish all the moments where you were the baby. And as much as I want you to stay a baby I hope that you will become big sister and helper for this new little one. Showing this new little baby all the fun of being a girl. I can already see you helping me put bows in her hair and kissing her soft, silky skin as we feed her. 

Love,

Mommy

A Lodge

Saturday we had a chance to go out just us. It was a very outdoorsy date which is something we never get a chance to do (and actually set up by my brother Ryan who was arranging this couples lodge date package for his business class team project).

It was in the canyons of Dubois, Idaho which is a very rural area (only about 1,100 people in the whole of Clark County). It was gorgeous. We were lucky and went on a good day when it was nice weather, and "relatively" warm.

Once we got driven to the meeting location, we all went on a "sleigh" (hay) ride to get to the Lodge area. Which is a set of cabins where during the summer they have guests from Europe come and they give them the cowboy vacation, as they described it, for all the John Wayne dreamers out there.

Inside the cabin we warmed up (it was quite toasty inside even though there was no electricity) and sipped hot chocolate while eating some homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Shea's favorite part of our day out was shooting clay pigeons. He was so anxious and hadn't done it for years so he was excited. Well after stating he was a little rusty on the whole gun and shooting thing he impressed everyone by getting 5 out of 5 right off. Earning the name "deadshot" while we were there, it pretty much made Shea's day :) I even ventured in on it, well mainly I was forced, but after 5 attempts I hit one, totally by chance and was feeling pretty proud and decided to stop there. Not quite my thing but it was fun, and I really enjoyed seeing Shea with a big grin on his face. He could have done it all day if I let him.

But my toes needed some heat, so we went back inside to play a game with the other couples, while we waited on dinner. It wasn't long before our prime rib dinner was served. It was delicious, although the dessert (chocolate chip carrot cake with cream cheese frosting) was by far my favorite. Afterwards we lounged for a little bit before taking the hay ride back.


It was quite the date and I really loved it. Just being with my man and getting to do something so different was such a treat. It really made me appreciate this whole Idaho world I am in. It was kinda amazing to me being really in the middle of no where and watching these gorgeous canyons around us just secluding us from the world, I can see why some want to stay there forever.

third tri

Doctor's Appt Update:

My 28th week appt was quite busy. I had my glucose test done, and passed, hooray! I don't know why I always get so nervous for that little test but it was such a relief hearing I was in the clear. Honestly I had eaten german pancakes with brown sugar and gourmet hot chocolate for breakfast and was totally rethinking that when I was awaiting my blood results, ironically though my blood sugar was really low and the nurse gave me juice and crackers and wanted to walk me out. Considering I felt completely normal it made me think if I have low blood sugar regularly... Anyway along with that test the baby's heartbeat got checked and Shea and both kids got to hear that fast little motion of baby's good strong heart. Connor was in the back ground saying "that probably hurts me mommy" :) Doctor was glad to see that I now had gained 28 lbs total, and baby was measuring perfectly. While we were all waiting for me to get in to get my blood test done I mentioned how Shea wanted to do a gender check (since the umbilical cord was between her legs last time and made it kind of difficult to check, and Shea wants to make sure we don't buy anything gender related without knowing). The nurses had us go right in for an ultrasound on the spot for the gender check, it was quick and a little rushed but since this was mainly confirmation for Shea I didn't mind in the least. And the results were definite! Baby is a GIRL! We don't plan on buying much for new baby considering we have everything from Bella but I want a couple new things, like a brand new coming home outfit for one! 

I am now 29 weeks pregnant and excited to hit 30 weeks in just a couple days! 30 weeks seems so much nearer to the end (even though I dread the thought since we have a bazillion decisions to make come April, before baby comes, VERY STRESSFUL).

Baby is moving lots! Watching her move beneath my skin is getting to be a regular thing. And slightly uncomfortable when she is going crazy in a public place and it is noticed. I am having a little occasional episodes of sickness, which makes the third trimester all the more enjoyable :) Other than basic uncomfortableness I am actually doing great and keeping up with two toddlers at the same time so I am feeling good. I am lucky too, lately I  have gotten a couple new maternity things and am enjoying having something to wear other than sweats and Shea's t-shirts that I basically live in :) But as I am growing bigger and bigger I am finding it harder and harder to not anxiously await having my body back to normal. And of course I am looking forward to having a sweet little newborn girl to hold, it is hard to imagine because I haven't held or been around newborns for SO long. Well not that long but it seems like awhile. 

I cannot tell you how many times I feel like this ...

especially when I am out and about with little to no make up on and wearing an over sized sweatshirt :)

Love Day

Our LOVE Day consisted of one long day of packing and driving to Boise for the weekend.
While Shea and I got ready for the trip that morning Shea spoiled them with Valentine presents; a batman action figure for Connor and a baby doll car seat for Bella.
Even though Shea and I didn't get a special night out to celebrate Valentine's Day, we enjoyed celebrating all weekend long with our little loves!
We went shopping and ate out and put ourselves and our little ones in massive sugar induced comas.

Shea got some extra special love treats, while we were there and I think Bella approved ;)

I got spoiled with flowers when we got back from our adventure in Boise and now our home is filled with the sweet flowery fragrance.

Now that we are home we had a belated Valentine photo shoot with these little loves and their Valentine chocolates!
Connor was all too willing to PLANT a kiss on his sister :)

Bella was just anxious for chocolate!

These sweet and tender kisses melt me.

I love watching these two, whisper and talk and play and love each other everyday, even if the "love" moments are mixed in between the battles and quarrels that come with two toddlers.
I have never felt so much love then in my home as a wife and mother.

Valentines

Wednesday we made Valentine's for Daddy,

And surprised Daddy when he came home from work.

Potty Try and Fail, Try and ... Fail.

For the first few weeks of January Bella started randomly asking to go potty, with a few successes. I thought if there was any sign she was ready this was it.

*** I had no idea when I started that this would be such a long process, compared to Connor's overnight training, so I recorded lots of details and info for me to remember. Unfortunately the results of our training were not great, and we will be doing a REDO with Bella probably this Summer or Fall. So this is a detailed account of attempt one! ***

Day 1

We started off Friday morning, Jan 24th, with POTTY DAY!

(Very similar to Connor's Potty Day)

Her new underwear (Hanes Tagless Cotton Briefs - 2T) was laid out and ready for her to try on. I thought this would be one of her favorite parts, she loves going in Connor's drawer and wearing his underwear as an accessory. I was right she was happy to try on one pair and then three all at the same time. I was worried about the size considering they seemed big, even though they were the smallest size. But they fit fairly well, just a little loose.
Once I got the underwear situation down I sat her on the little potty with a juice box and had her watch Bear in the Big Blue House - When You've Got To Go. I also had a list on Amazon Instant set up with potty episodes; Daniel Tiger - Prince Wednesday Goes To The Potty/ Daniel Goes To The Potty, Blues Clues - Morning Music , Rugrats - Chuckie Versus the Potty/ Tommy Pickles and the Great White Thing/ The Big Flush/ Potty Training Spike/ Day of the Potty.
She sat and ate cereal drank her juice box, and nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Finally I took her off and she wet her underwear right away with a "Uh oh. Sorry. What happened?" as her reply. I then put her on the potty and explained and changed her underwear. It wasn't long before this happened again. Then I sat her on the potty and she went for the first time. It was very coincidental, I felt. And to be honest she didn't even know when it happened, she had been sitting a while and then Connor checked and cheered. So confused Bella turned into "I did it!" Bella.

I had a sticker chart instead of a punch card for her to use while she learned. I marked an X for accidents and she put a sticker on for successes. By the end of the day she just wanted to rip the stickers off and play with them. So the sticker chart didn't last long. She loved the stickers tho.
Later I saw her trying to hide, which is usually the big sign that she has to go #2. So I sat her on the potty and she went. Every time I asked her throughout the day she would shake her head. Then we had a couple more accidents with the same "Uh Oh. What happened?" then she would cry about it too. Day 1 ended with about 5 accidents and 2 successes. But nothing had clicked. We ended up putting a pull up on her for bed and changing it before she even fell asleep.
Connor was a great help throughout the day. He was a distraction at times, being 3 I didn't doubt that he would be. All in all though he cheered for his sister and sang potty songs from Daniel Tiger and helped give her treats (and get his own). He was so excited for her and a great helper.

It was quite an exhausting a day. 

Day 2
I didn't really keep track because I had pretty much given up before it even started. But I tried to keep to the same plan. Juice boxes, salty snacks, little potty in the kitchen. Potty shows.
By the second half of the day I was exhausted and gave up. So on went the pull up. I thought to myself "Well good try before baby 3 comes." I figured we'd wait till she was 3 and potty train then. Two in diapers isn't so bad. I mean we've done it before.
Almost right after the pull up went on and I threw in the towel, Shea came home. She was so happy and talkative. Soon Shea and I started playing a game, my brother had come over, while we were playing she got really fussy. Shouting "NO" to anyone that would look at her.  Shea went into the bathroom and she followed and he set up the big potty for her (stool, potty seat) and asked her if she had to go potty. She nodded and he sat her up. She went right away. He clapped and cheered and gave her a treat (which she just crumbled up)! About half an hour later the same exact thing happened, fussing, bathroom, potty?, and SUCCESS! I started giving her stickers every time she had a success. Sometimes she'd play with it, or put it on her shirt, or on the chart, or stick it and rip it off wherever she went.
That night every time Shea asked her she went. Her pull up was dry at bed time, the same pull up that I had given up and stuck on her earlier in the day.

Day 3
Shea woke up with Bella and asked and toke her to the potty and she had another success. Later in the morning I asked her and she shook her head with "uh uh". Shea asked in the early afternoon and she had another success. That day Shea was home and was on potty duty. She had a dry pull up most of the day. With only a little accident followed by a success.

Day 4 - 8
Shea was back in school and work. So it was up to me. It didn't work as well with me. And she consistently would wet her pull up before she would go on the potty. She had a few successes to several every day. We gave up on underwear for now and are sticking to pull ups. She likes the whole routine in the bathroom getting on the potty, hearing the sound of going potty, wiping, flushing, putting away the seat/stool and closing the potty.

Day 9-10
Daddy was home and although she wasn't as in to it she seemed to do better with him. She would get very excited to hold the stickers while she went and pick one out.

Day 10-14+

After continuing a relaxed version of this potty training, (it being that she'd wear a pull up night and day, only using the potty if she showed signs). I was getting frustrated that this was a drawn out ... Failure. But after done persistence the next few days she started wetting her diaper less and asking to go more. Dirty diapers are regular though, she rarely goes # 2 in the potty. And I have no hopes of potty training for sleep anytime soon. But we're getting excited that she seems to be showing progress.

Potty -Away from Home- Success
(Feb 6th)
Bella asked to go potty at school (toddler lab). And she went no problem. Her teacher was very impressed saying "She asked and did perfect!" I was so proud. Great sign that something is sticking and that we may have a potty trained girl after all!

Identifying Bella's Potty Training Issues:
1. She doesn't communicate using words much. So she wasn't talking and telling us anything. She was mostly silent the days we started trying with underwear. When she is unhappy she doesn't talk as much.
2. She is an eater. She drinks to quench her thirst when eating and that's it. Connor loved all sorts of special drinks and would choose milk over food most days when he was her age. So when we had juice boxes and sodas and sports drinks, and kool-aid he was thrilled and drank and drank all day. Bella was not impressed with the drink arrangement and was happy just sipping here and there. Which made it so she just doesn't go to the bathroom as much.
3. I am a nagger. So hoping to avoid another accident I would keep asking and she would keep saying no. I think finally she hated the question.
4. Bella has seen Connor use the big potty with the potty seat for months now. So when we pulled out the little potty, she was confused and didn't make the connection. Especially since in the weeks leading up to it when she asked to go potty we would put her on the big one most times, because it was just easier.
5. Bella needs privacy. Usually when she goes in her diaper it is off in an empty room. So putting her in the middle of the kitchen, like we did Connor, was probably an obvious no, no.

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Potty Update #1: 
February 19th
Well in the past couple weeks where I thought things would be improving greatly on the whole potty front, they are just plainly not. Bella seems less and less taken with it and it is all on me most of the time. She rarely asks to go potty and when I mention it her usual response is no. And when I lead her into the bathroom to go she whimpers and whines. Usually ending with me changing a wet pull-up along with her going in the potty. I don't know if I should be pushing underwear instead, or if my expectations are too high because Connor was basically an overnight success.Unfortunately since we've started potty training she leaks through a lot more often, I am guessing this happens because she tries to hold it. It makes for a lot of clean ups especially at night. I also think I am just too lazy as I am in my third trimester of pregnancy and changing pull-ups and taking her to the potty constantly feels like double the work with no end in sight. We are stopping potty training and plan to pick it up closer to 3 hopefully when she is a little more vocal. For now we are going to let her use the potty if she asks to but not offer it (we don't want to do any more damage and go in reverse of what we have taught). Were also going back to diapers instead of pull ups, since they are easier to change, per Shea's request, the upside less leaks ;)

Potty Update #2:
March
Bella goes potty each morning per Mommy's request. Occasionally during the day Bella asks to go potty. Every time before bath she uses the potty as well. Other then that it is diapers, day and night. Except for "school" / toddler lab she always wears a pull-up there because she asks to go potty at "school" every time.