Big Sister

Samantha has been such a good big sister to Paul. She always wants to help and be right next to him. It's nice because she's actually very careful and not too overbearing. I could not have hoped for more from her, I know that I am so lucky to have her love him so much...I can only hope it lasts. Here's a couple pictures of her helping me:

Reading to Paul in his crib (her idea)

Helping feed Paul "quash"

Moo

We tried Samantha's old cow costume on Paul the other day to see if it woul fit him for Halloween. Here is a picture of each of them, think they look alike?

Update

I haven't been great about updating the blog, so here are a couple of posts at once. Things are going really well for us... Paul is doing great and is pretty much on the same schedule as Samantha (in bed from 7-7 and a nap from 11:30-1:30ish) except he takes 2 additional short naps. It's great! He is still happy as can be and is ALMOST rolling over. My guess is he'll take awhile longer since I almost never put him on his tummy (spit up in the face is not fun). He is also starting to try and sit up and is really good about holding and playing with his own toys. We started him on rice cereal a couple days ago and so far he is not a fan. I'm going to try to feed him at a different time of day and see if that helps.

Samantha is also doing really well. Adam and I have both commented how good she's been ever since we got back from Colorado. She has her moments, but for the most part she listens and is so sweet. She is GREAT with Paul and likes to help me out when we're at home. So far I am missing the "terrible twos," maybe I need to watch out when she turns three?? She is talking up a storm and is getting easier to understand by the day. There are still a few things that only Adam or I understand, but for the most part she is pretty clear (well, really clear for a 2 year old). She can count to ten, although sometimes she'll miss a number or two. Count up to three items (see three balls and know that there are three of them), and knows some of her colors. She's also working on her ABC's. Her new things are asking "what's that" even when she knows the answer and trying to negotiate. If I tell her she can have on candy she'll always tell me, "how 'bout 2, otay?" or "but maybe 2." If I give in and let her have two (or if I start with two) she'll tell me, "how about all them." She doesn't even have the decency to try three before she jumps to the whole shebang. These are always said with her head cocked to the side and a smile. She also loves to read, especialy if she's reading to her babies (or stuffed animals, or anything she can pretend she's taking care of). I can't believe how big she's getting. She is constantly asking about her cousins, asking when we can go to Colorado or Chicago (gog-oh), and when we can go to the pool. Yes, I realize she is a mini me and I'm in for a long road of talking.

Adam has started school and so far things are going pretty well. It's a busy semester, but luckily he only has school 3 days a week and no work. I'm trying to soak up all the time with him that I can because I know it won't last too long. We have just started the job hunt in Colorado and are hoping that we'll get something sooner rather than later. We're also trying to decide how much to rent our house for and when exactly we'll head out to CO. It's exciting but intimidating having so many things to do at once. I am sad because I realized that Wicked is NOT playing in Vegas, but in LA (I must have misread it when I looked last time) so that vacation is out the window, but we are still thinking of driving down to St. George to visit Teresa. I've gotta go as many places that are close to us here while I still can. That is the basics of what is happening with us, we hope all of you are doing as well as we are.

Hawaii here we come!

Well, thanks to my father, aka the world's greatest dad, Adam and I will be off to Hawaii the day after Christmas. I posted earlier about how we wanted to go to celebrate Adam's graduation. Well, the airfare to Hawaii was outrageous and there was no way we were going to be able to afford it. My Dad surprised me with two round trip ticktes so now we'll be able to go. I also want to thank Michelle for her generosity in being willing to let us stay in her apartment if they are gone and my Mom for being willing to watch my crazy children. I do not know what I did to deserve such wonderful people in my life, but I am very grateful!

Look out Hawaii, here we come!!

Adam's Hiking Trip

I was reading Kimmy's blog the other night and realized I never posted pictures of Adam's big hiking trip. He has been talking about doing this hike since we got married. Since I was never up for it he had to go find a friend who would go with him. Luckily we moved next to Kimmy and Brad. After months of talking/shopping they hiked up to Riders & McPheters Lake and spent a couple of days fishing. They caught so many fish they got bored and started shooting them...is this even legal? Doubt it. Here are some fun pictures they took.

Paul's Smile

A few weeks ago I finally got Adam to help me get a picture of Paul smiling. It only took about 30 seconds and we got 5-6 cute ones. I guess I just needed someone who's face wasn't hidden by the camera. I also needed someone who isn't Samantha because every time she tried to help her face would be right in front of Paul's so all you could see is the back of her head. So here is the proof that he is in fact happy and does smile...

Doctor's Visit

We went in to the doctor for Paul's 4 month check up and Samantha's 2 year visit (yes that is a little late) on Friday. Here are there stats if you're interested.

Paul:

Height - 25.5" (73.3%)

Weight - 16 lbs 6 oz (80.75%)

Sammi:

Height - 36.5" (92.48%)

Weight - 28 lbs 8 oz (67.32%)

We have absolutely no idea where Samantha has gotten her height from so it probably won't last long. They're both healthy and doing great!

Things I love

I told Sammi she could go in and wake Paul up after his nap today since it was time for him to be awake. I was listening to them on the baby monitor. Sammi was saying "Hi Paul, hi Paul. Paul wake up, otay? Hi Paul." It was so cute. It just got me thinking about all the little things I love about my family. So here are just some:

1. Adam doesn't get mad when I do something dumb, even when it's a big mistake.
2. Samantha's favorite person in the world is Paul.
3. Paul is always smiling.
4. Most nights Adam cooks. There are a lot of days that he'll help me clean too.
5. Samantha says "thank you" EVERY time I kiss an owie.
6. Samantha says "sorry" whenever someone gets hurt, even if it wasn't her fault.
7. Paul sleeps 12 hours a night (woo hoo)...at least most nights.
8. Adam works incredibly hard for our family and NEVER complains or is resentful.
9. Adam takes Samantha on dates.
10. Adam loves to put Sammi to bed.
11. Paul will let me hold him as long as I want.
12. If you look sad Sammi will come up to you and give you a hug and a kiss and ask "what happened."
13. Samantha will put her toys in time out, tell them they can't hurt her (if a toy falls off and hurts her foot or something) tells them they need to listen, then gives them a hug and a kiss and starts playing again. Think she's been in time out a time or two?
14. Samantha is SO enthusiastic about EVERYTHING. She loves life and it's so fun to be around her.
15. When my Mom called and Sammi found out she was alone, she wanted to go stay with her.
16. Samantha is always making sure Paul has a toy and is happy.
17. Paul is so big. I could just eat those thighs.
18. Adam is always making sure I am happy and trying to do little things that will make my day easier.
19. Adam knows me better than anyone and can always figure out what I need.
20. Adam would rather be spending time with our family than doing anything else.
21. Samantha has started saying, "stay right there, I'll be really back." That's a combination of really fast and right back.

There are so many more but I figured I had better stop or I could go on forever. I have such a wonderful family and am truly blessed.

Kim's Visit and Sammi's Fat Lip

I only have a minute, so this will be short. First, thanks to Kim for taking the time to come down when you were so busy. Here's the only picture I got, too bad it's blurry. These pictures are of Sammi's fat lip. She slipped on the sand and scraped her nose and bit her lip. Sad. It doesn't seem to bother her though. I have no idea why it looks like she has no top teeth in the picture but I couldn't get one that didn't look like that. Maybe it's because her lip is swollen.