Not a Dog

We decided to spice up our family with a few new pets.

Fishies!

Due to some Shea begging, I finally gave in and we got a tank and all, we started with a family of fish. Two mollies, a black one for Shea and a white one for me. Two guppies, a yellow one for Bella and a orange/black one for Con.
While at the pet store there happened to be a doggie adoption fair going on. So lots of barking and Connor was so excited and loved every minute watching the dogs. But going over to the boring fish department was definitely a downer for Con. He was upset and just kept saying dog over and over again. If we moved the cart in any direction he would get all excited and start panting like a dog. We watched them before we left and pet a couple. He is a little nervous up close, so he was happy to watch our fish while we drove home.

The yellow guppy never really liked his new home, and we ended up having a fishy funeral for him on Sunday. It concluded with an honorary flush by Connor. 

Our white and black mollies were taken by one another from the start, and on day 2 we discovered black molly was a girl and white molly was a boy. We thought we got all males. Anyway after some chasing and a lot of fishy swims black molly is pregnant. So we may have some new mollies to come. 

Yesterday we went out and bought a couple new guppies to join our tank. We will see if they enjoy their new family. Con loves watching them. And running in to say hi to the fishies when we get home from anywhere. Shea is the water changer, tank cleaner, and fishy feeder. All in all I am the fishy researcher, I like looking up why they are doing what they do and what they are and how to make them happy. 

At the Circus

We went to the Circus! 

It wasn't "GIANT" but it was a 3 Ring Circus. 

Including:

Clowns, Juggling, Elephants, Ponies, Bike Jumps, Dog Tricks, and some flying and whining. 

Elephant Tricks

Watching intently... at the beginning

Enjoying the show

Super Dog and Jumping through flames

Not liking Cotton Candy

 Trying to keep the whiner at bay

 Bike jumps

Jumping over the clown
The clown did a few performances and Connor enjoyed those lots.
He laughed and fake laughed because everyone else was. Lots of smiles. 

Bella wanted the Cotton Candy all to herself

Clapping and taking Pictures

I don't know if you would call them Trapeze Artists
they were more like Rope and Ribbon Dancers

The scariest part of them all was the Con Monster. He did well till intermission and wanted to go on the Elephant and Pony rides, which were expensive and we knew would end in disaster. A lot of the animal performances were in the second half of the show and unfortunately just made Connor more anxious. He wanted to pet them and join them so bad he had fits and screaming attacks. Frustrated and annoyed we sat him in the stroller to watch where he finally calmed down. The Circus isn't the same without screaming children in the background, this time it just happened to be ours. 

Overall it could have gone better, but was a fun outing all the same. 

Our Home.

We just moved into a new apt a few weeks ago. Finally were on the last of the unpacking and finally feeling settled. Everyone is feeling happier to be in our own home sweet home.

Bella is enjoying her long, lost friend the swing. She has newly mastered the sitting up skill, thanks Cousin Addie, for teaching her how :) She also enjoys laughing at her goofy brother, constantly on the run. She has proven to be a good little sleeper in the pack and play. And what do you know she is a tummy sleeper all the way. Nothing pleases her more than naps on the belly.

Connor. Oh Connor. All boy and loving bouncing off the walls, all we need is a padded mat to stick to the walls so we can start football training now :) Loves going on walks around our new apartment. His "Hi's and Bye's" to anyone and everyone that walks by are my favorite. His new favorite word, Bubbles! After an extended bubble weekend with his favorite cousin JJ, he can't get enough of them! We just got his bed set up and he is loving his new place to sleep.

We just managed to get over two back to back weekends of kids with the stomach flu. Need I say more. Without making your stomach swirl, I will leave you with a few words to recap those sleepless nights. Bath washing, Lysol spraying, 5 min dozing, big chested crying, towel drying, soft kissing and baby holding.

Being sick made our boy sad and mad. And when
Bella was sick it was hard to share  the attention. 

Shea is back into the swing of things, with a good start to his first semester back to school. (After his break from school, due to the pregnancy of Baby Bells and the need for a little money in the bank.) He is spending lots of time at school, to get homework done there instead of in a noisy apt with two babies and lots of chores. When he gets home we pile on the kisses and Con shows off a bit for his beloved Dad. Most days we are happy to say Shea gets home early and we get to enjoy him lots. And nothing is better for our family than falling asleep in Daddy's arms!

Watching and dancing for Daddy:
"I’m so glad when daddy comes home,

Glad as I can be;

Clap my hands and shout for joy,

Then climb upon his knee,

Put my arms around his neck,

Hug him tight like this,

Pat his cheeks, then give him what?

A great big kiss."

As for me, I am enjoying having a home to decorate and run again. Getting babies on routines is my newest project, since the last few months have been a whirlwind of visiting family, routines became second priority. Now they are first. I am also working on some buff arms. I get a workout caring both children, one in each arm up and down the stairs to the apartment. I am also looking forward to some doctor's appointments for the babies, to see how much they have grown. I must say I am also dreading it, lots of tears are to accompany their missed immunizations. Good thing we are scheduling it around Shea, so we can have some Daddy loving.

It is a crazy, exciting and stressful life we live right now, but it is our life and we LOVE it.

Missing Martins

We are back here in Idaho. After spending a loooong visit with the Martins, from mid-December to mid-April, we had to return to Rexburg. Shea was able to transfer to the Olive Garden in Frederick, MD and worked while we stayed there. We saved up some money and got to visit our favorite east coasters! But we returned back so Shea could finish up dreaded school, he recently took a break from school so we could save up some money and plan for Baby Bella! Now we are finally settled and enjoying Rexburg Spring, more to come on that later, for now...

Here is a little recap in pictures of our favorite times, at the Martins:

Connor being a little mimic.

 Making snowmen.

 Playing Castle.

 Snuggling with Uncle Joe.

 Loving the bumbo.

 Backyard Smores.

Smiling at Nana.

Making Messes.

 Falling in love with Veggie Tales.

  Becoming a ThumbSucker.

 Walking to Way Cool Ice Cream.

 Hunger Games, First Day Die Hards!

Laughing with two littles. 

 Welcoming Spring.

 Naptimes with Auntie AM!

 Rice Cereal Beginner.

 Matching Nails.

 Lunch with the Girls.

 Neighborhood Playground.

 Grandpa and his Magic Bella Sleep Pats.

Strong Uncle Joe and his buddy Con. 

 Rocking to RockBand.

 Learning to escape the Car Seat after Naps.

Uncle Daniel teaching him to say his favorite word, DANIEL. 

 Giving Kisses.

 Making wild faces.

 Liking her new shoes.

 Avoiding the Camera.

 Hugs.

Saying Goodbye is never fun.

We miss the Martins, especially ME. I am a family magnet and it is hard for me to be away. I am doing much better now. But after the trip back it was dreadful. Missing home and family is no fun. Connor and Bella got to spend lots of time getting to know their east coast family, and Connor likes skyping with them and making them laugh. Even hundreds of miles away we are still keeping up on each others daily lives.

Loving and Missing you Martins!