Potty Time

Beckett has started the trek into big boy hood by conquering the toilet. It started out one month ago. I could catch him when he was ready and plop him on there. Unlike his older brother, who was so bothered by the disruption to his unloading that he would hold it for another day, this kid will finish what he started regardless of where he is.

He loves to sit on the toilet, but if you leave him alone - he will blow his nose with the entire roll.

He is angry at me in this picture because he was using the plunger as a microphone and I took it away.

He did eventually perk up.

Well, He has finally taken that big step from needing to be told to go, to taking the initiative. He ran into the bathroom on Monday, pulled up a stool, and got the seat insert out. I came in as he was putting it all together. We were on our way out the door to take Carter to school and I thought he was just playing. I told him he had to wait. When we got back home, he ran right to the bathroom (I had honestly forgotten and was putting Roslyn down for her nap). He got himself all set up. I came in and took his diaper off. He sat right down and did his thing.

He has tried multiple times since then to pee, but to no avail. He refuses to sit, he will only stand. I don't know if I am ready for this, as the kid can't even talk yet. Oh well, I guess they have their own time line.

October 4th

October 4th, 2003 my best friend and I met up 673 miles from me and 832 miles from him in Salt Lake City, Utah to go to an LDS General Conference. We went with a group of friends and got to sit in the newly built conference center down town. We had a really great time. In the evening, we snuck away to visit the Provo, Utah temple where he pulled a beautiful ring out of his pocket, put it on my hand, and kissed me for the first time. He went off with his friends to the Priesthood Session, and I began planning my wedding.

This evening, 11 years later, we had a wonderful day out together in Seattle. We got home, and David went out to attend the Priesthood Session at our local building. The job of reading bedtime stories to Carter was left to me. After we finish, Carter looks up at me and tells me he wants to marry me. I ask him what that means. He says when you love someone a lot, you marry them and then you get kids. He says he wants 5. I told him that I'm done having kids, but that he can have a wife someday that he loves very much, and they can have kids together. He still wants to marry me, because he loves me, and I let him love me because he is a cute, rambunctious, albeit exasperating, little boy.

(This picture is two years old. Apparently I don't have any pictures with him and me together. I am working to correct that.)

Carter's funny thoughts

Yesterday while we were brushing his teeth, Carter tells me:

"When you're seven, you always listen to your parents. But when you're one hundred, you don't have to any more."

I asked him why that was.

"Because they're dead."

Yeah, probably.

After school, he starts pretending to shoot a gun saying that his Lego guys had killed a bad guy. He pauses and says "I can say they're dead, because they're just Legos. When it is people, you say they 'Passed Away'."

I asked him to reach up on the counter to grab something. I hear him say "I have little T-Rex arms. I can't reach it."

David asked Carter last night at dinner if he knew what a Poodle was. He reminded Carter that we have friends who have one. Carter says "Oh yeah! Like a sheep."

First Day of Pre-K

Today was Carter's first day of Pre-K. The elementary school that we moved into has a program for kids who are already 4 as of August 31st. Carter is the oldest kid in class. It is a really neat program, and we are excited that he made it in.

He's got his Ninja Turtles back pack that my mother sent him, and his SeaHawks shirt that David's mother got him, and he is set.

Carter and his teacher Mrs. Richards.

Last night, David grabbed his bag so we'd be all ready for the morning. Carter had it pre-loaded. What does a little boy need on his first day of Pre-K?

Something spiritual:"Teachings of the Living Prophets, Joseph Fielding Smith"; something to take notes in: a spiral bound notepad; a book to read: "Get Up and Go!"; Something to remember family: a postcard from Grandma's trip; physical protection: knee pads and elbow pads along with sunscreen; a flashlight; a change of clothes; 7 toy cars; a stuffed animal that I have never seen before; a toy from Vacation Bible School; and a block with the month and day the packed his bag.

Big Girl

Guess who finally moved out of our room!!

She turned the big 3 months, and is now sleeping in the office. I wish there was a better arrangement, but this is what we've got right now.

Carter was sleeping 6 to 8 hours at 1 month, and moved into his room then. He was sleeping 13 to 14 hours a night by 3 months.

Beckett was moved out of our room at 9 months, only because we moved and didn't have enough room in our bedroom to keep him. He was only sleeping 2 - 4 hour stretches at that time. It was miserable. Once he was not in our room, it was easier to let him cry it out. I know many people are against the cry it out method. I really tried for 9 months to comfort him, but it just wasn't working. I was a zombie. I also became pregnant, and needed that sleep even more. When he was 10 or 11 months, we moved him to Carter's room. That was a hard transition, but it is working out better. He now sleeps about 14 hours a night.

Roslyn is sleeping 6 to 8 hours a night, and will hopefully follow her brothers soon.

Wearing Ties

Beckett is 21 months old, and has finally thinned out enough to wear ties. He is doing a great job keeping them on. He never touches it, unless you ask him about it. He is built so differently than Carter, that we're having to make some adjustments with his clothes. This shirt is a 24 months size. The pants are 18 months, and still a little on the long side. Usually he wears 12 month pants. They are tight in the belly, so I've started pulling out the 18 month pants and rolling up the legs.

This kid uses his pockets to the full extent! When he doesn't have pockets, he puts things down his shirt/onesie.

Today, he was walking around like this:

I found this stash when I looked down there.

Church again

Little girls have the cutest clothes.

Favorite Things

"Mommy you are my third favorite thing"

Really Carter? Is your first Daddy?

"No, my first is Jesus."

Oh, is your second Daddy?

"No, number two is Legos"

Oh, well as long as I rank above Daddy....

First Day of Church

 Miss Roslyn went to church for the first time. She was 2 1/2 months old. I have done my best to protect her at her most vulnerable stage in life. Now it is time to bring her out into the world. 

She sleeps so well in my wrap, I kept her there. Sadly, nobody got to see her pretty dress. Well, you all do.

The Wednesday before church, I took her to a wedding in Portland. A dear friend watched her for me during the wedding. We had a great time.

Subaru Show

This year's annual Subaru show (West Coast Subaru Show 16) was a lot of fun. We ALL went. We all got shirts too.

I took the kids in my car, and David drove his coupe.

I packed the little ones around with me. This gives a whole new meaning to Baby Wearing right?

Surprisingly, it was the 12 lb baby on the front that was the biggest strain on my body, not the 27 lb toddler on my back. I love the Moby for comfort and protection of my baby, but the Ergo really does offer more support for MY body.

Roslyn loved it.

Beckett didn't really get the car thing.

This was the only picture of Carter I got, as he was with daddy the whole time.

And yes, we slept in a tent. Two nights with a preschooler, a toddler, and a newborn. Not my first choice for sure.

Beckett's first hair cut

Beckett doesn't have much hair. However, it started to get a little long in the back. It doesn't look bad,

  

until he leans his head back,

or grabs it with sticky hands (which usually happens when he is finished with his food).

 So, we cut the back. We left the top completely untouched. 

I was hoping that we wouldn't have to cut any until after he needed a "real" haircut. But, the mullet went out of style in the 90s, so I thought I should leave it there.

Blessing Preparation

We're preparing for Roslyn's blessing on September 7th.

I saved my blessing dress. My mother purchased it at a second hand store when I was born. It was hand made by some body. It is very pretty. I sure hope it still fits her when the day comes. She is growing very fast. I figured that I should get some pictures of her in it, just in case.

Somebody is 2 months old

I have failed to update with pictures for the last month. A girl can change a lot in a month!

She prefers to be swaddled, but wiggles out to sleep in funny ways:

Carter decided he wanted to hold her and pat her back, so he picked her up, pulled her onto him on our bed, and started to pat her back. Scary and endearing all at the same time.

And now, at 2 months: