Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Lazy Summer Days

What??? Lazy? Not happening here.
We have been on the go for the last two weeks. Seems like we have something every night. Hayden and Sage are both in swim lessons right now. Hayden's soccer is in full swing. Poor Marlee just gets juggled from one car to the next as Heath and I work to get everyone where they need to be.


If you don't mind me bragging a bit, I must say that Hayden has surprised me with how good he is at soccer. Its so fun to watch. He gets a bit distracted at times, but when he wants to, he gets the ball, drives down the field and scores. He scored 4 goals in the last game. Talking the whole time, mind you, and loudly at that. He loves it. He loves wearing his soccer cleats and soccer socks. Image is getting to be very important. Each morning, "Mom, do I look like a soccer (or football, or baseball) player? Jeans? No way! Soccer players don't wear them. Sandals? Huh uh, can't kick a ball good or run very fast in those! School shopping is going to be a challenge with this one. (Don't get me going on my emotions regarding the whole starting school thing)

Sage, well, she loves soccer, because there are usually two or three family members minimum on the sidelines to visit with for each kid on the field. The numbers are in her favor; she just walks around asking "what your name is?" tells them all about Dora and sings them a little song, usually ABCDs or Twinkle twinkle. Occasionally she might brag about pooping in the potty. Depends on her mood.

Marlee just loves the grass and trees and all the moving kids. She cheers her brother on.


Tomorrow is the last day of swim lessons. Sage and I have done the parent child class and I have really enjoyed our afternoon dips. On the really hot days it has been fantastic. Sage is not so much into bobs. We do motor boat, motor boat at the end of each class and we dip the kids when we "step on the gas." The first few sessions, she didn't get to mad, but now that she knows how these things work, she gets really nervous when we get into the circle.


Hayden, who formerly was not a fan of bobs, now thinks they are great. He has 4 teachers for his class, not sure why, but sorta think that 3 of them are there to visit with him and the other tells everyone what to do. He has made lifelong friends with the girls who teach his class. He is already talking about what he will get them for Christmas. They all want to come to his soccer games and ask him every week when the next one is, but unfortunately the games are all scheduled on weekday nights when the girls are teaching lessons.

Heath and Marlee sometimes sit on the sidelines and watch us swim when its not too hot.

Potty training is coming along. Most people I have talked to tell me girls are easier than boys, but I strongly disagree. Hayden was a breeze, done in a day. We are still having occasional difficulty with Sage, but she is getting better.
Its dark and blurry at times, but here is Hayden scoring a goal. He was soooo pleased with himself.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Potty Training


Sage, is that a new scooter? Yesss! I pooped on the potty!

Potty training is painful. It has been a serious effort for several days now; would I say we have achieved victory yet? No.
She has not wet her panties since Saturday, day 1. Yeah Sage! However only Monday has showed promise on the other front...

The princess scooter was her big incentive- yeah right. We talked about it forever and then last Friday I just bought it and told her we would ride as soon as she went #2. Well, having the reward in the garage ready to go was no more tempting than the promise of a trip to Walmart to get it. I have come to realize that the bribes or prizes or whatever you want to call them, don't work with this child. I would pay to have somebody teach her to master the toilet. Its only been a few days, she is only 2 1/2, and she is doing a really good job, but its sorta exhausting. I think before long she will get it. Lets hope.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Vacation Highlights

We had a busy time in Idaho, still recovering in fact. The weather was great; although poor Grayson turned quite pink, we somehow managed to keep the sunburns to a minimum. Friday and Saturday were spent catching up with family. It was great to see Kody and Rachel and their cute kids, as well as Mindi, Luke, MaKayle and the baby, and Phyllis, Kirk and Lynda. Miss Marlee loved visiting so much that on Friday, she chose not to nap-14hrs straight without sleeping.

Here are our favorite memories:

Heath: riding 4-wheelers in Kelley Canyon with Sage on board- Grandpa, Hayden and Dalton following behind.

Lori: Getting pedicures with Gretchen, watching the kids play so hard with they could hardly move, visiting with everyone.

Hayden: Riding 4-wheelers in Kelley Canyon with Grandpa, riding Grayson's little 4-wheeler in Grandma and Grandpa's back yard

Sage: Jumping on the trampoline in her blue swim suit, having aunt Gretchen braid her hair, having another girl to play with.

Marlee: Well, she didn't tell me this, but I will assume hangin out with Kaisa and Bitner, snuggling with Grandma.



Helmet head!

Monday, July 09, 2007

Little Firecrackers

This year we spent the 4th of July in Idaho at Grandma and Grandpa;s house. The weather was wonderful so there was lots of playing outside soaking up the sun. Dalton, Grayson, and Gabe kept the kids entertained the entire trip. They all jumped on the trampoline and squirted each other with the hose. We fried the grass with two double slip and slides. It wouldnn't be the 4th without some thing on the grill. I was a little nervous about our meat of choice, but tried it anyhow-buffalo. It was actually quite tasty. Grandpa sang a great rendition of Home on the Range as we enjoyed our buffalo burgers. I am quite sure I ate an entire watermelon over the course of just a few days. So yummy! The kids had a blast with Pop Its. Grandma had got a whole case. Dalton was the only kid really big enough to light anything, so along with Heath, they orchestrated a fine fireworks show at dark. Hayden was not too thrilled with the fireworks as they were too loud for him. Sage didn't mind though. I was afraid that the noise would be too much for my baby so I figured I should keep her inside and try to put her to bed, but all the loud bangs destroyed that plan. Finally, after a few failed attempts to put her down, I got sick of sitting inside by myself and took Marlee out to say goodnight. Not only did she not mind the loud noise, but she loved the lights and colors. Silly me, she wasn't tired, she was just wanting to be where the action was. Kind of funny, my 5 year old was scared of the fireworks, but my newborn thought they were great!
Sage was totally into the sparklers.

Monday, July 02, 2007

Two Months

2 Months old!


Her very own Foo-Foo, now Sage and her can both be bunnies!



My sweet little baby is 2 months old already. This last month we have watched our tiny little girl start to smile, coo, and even laugh. She is cute as can be. Her little neck gets stronger by the day and she can hold her little head up fairly well. I think she sorta looks like a bobble head doll. We said good bye to her 0-3 month size clothes, and are moving into the 3-6. She has become a rather awesome sleeper, at night at least. She is still reluctant to commit to any sort of schedule, but typically eats about every 3 hours "or so." She swings and is showing signs that she likes her bouncy seat. Diaper changes at the changing table are some of her favorite moments of the day. She naps in her crib, but still has not spent the night there, gotta leave something for month #3! Bath time is getting to be more enjoyable, she has even had a couple of baths with big sister Sage, who thought it was great fun. Being out side is pretty great, she loves to see the kids run at Hayden's soccer games, and keeps a close eye on her brother and sister as they ride bikes and scooters. Going for walks in the stroller keeps her pretty happy, I just hope that the heat doesn't put an end to that here in the next month. She has been so much fun this past month. I can't believe that she has been here for only two months, but it is equally hard to take that 2 months have past so quickly. We are so in love with this precious little baby. Each day seems to be a new adventure, can't wait to see what is to come.
I think that she looks like a little angel when she sleeps. The phrase, "sleeps like a baby" obviously came from someone who hasn't heard a newborn sleep. She grunts and snorts and makes all kinds of cute noises in her sleep.