Happy Early Birthday Boys!!

Even though the boys birthdays aren't until next month (the 15th and the 30th), I purchased an early birthday present for them both.  They LOVE to play with their trucks and tractors in the dirt, so I thought it was time to invest in a sandbox.  I figured it would take me a while to find just the right used one (they can be pretty expensive brand new, that is if you want anything other than a turtle or ladybug).  I started checking out Craig's List and got lucky!  We got a great deal on this one and it is in great shape.  And the boys LOVE it!!  The weather is finally perfect for spending lots of time outside too.  Thanks again to our cousin Luke for picking it up for us.  (Although I think the boys think it was from him - if you talk about the sandbox, they refer to it as the one Luke brought.  Oh well. :-)  )  One of the first things the boys figured out was that they could jump off of the little table that is attached into the sand.  Being the safety conscious parent that am I, I first took photos - then stopped the jumping . . .

Whatch' you lookin' at?

Jacob decided to "help" Aidan jump.

Big jumper

Playing with Rolly

Tandem jumping - although it appears they are not going to end up in the sandbox . . .

More jumping

Aidan practicing his big karate moves

Finally playing and not jumping

Just chillin' in my box

Jacob doing some "silly" falls . . .

And down he goes . . .

Ugh . . . maybe not so silly!

(He was fine and not hurt at all)

Concentrating hard on the dump truck

Cannot resist the cuteness of toes . . .

for now.

New exhibit at the zoo

The boys, especially Jacob, have a new favorite place at the Phoenix Zoo.  This month they opened a new play space, the Yakulla Caverns Playspace.  It is this cool cavern with stalagmites and stalactites, slides, waterfalls, misters, water pads shooting up water and more.  We first checked it out on Tuesday, not realizing it had so much water.  Normally Jacob isn't really into water play areas - but he loves this one.  He was soaking wet and we had no change of clothes!  Luckily you dry off fast in Arizona.  So, I decided to take them back on Thursday, with swim suits, and they had a blast.  Jacob even ran through the part where a bunch of water shoots up - he never does that!  Aidan pretty much stayed in the cavern or played in  the little (very) mini moat.  Jacob woke up from his afternoon nap asking if we could go back to the zoo.  I wish it could have opened up during the summer though!  Oh well, we will definitely visit it while we can now and will have something to look forward to next summer.

Cabin Time!

This weekend the boys and I joined my parents and sister up at the Keller Cabin in Heber.  Despite some sleeping issues, we had a fun time.  It was great to get out of the heat and enjoy weather in the 60's and even some rain.  The boys always have a great time up there and we are so blessed to have great friends who share their cabin with us.  Thanks again Steve and Cindy!!

"We're gonna make it after all!!!"

Take a close look at these prints . . .can you name the animal?

It's Rosco!!

My sister's dog also enjoys our family time at the cabin.

"So, what do you want to do today?"

Good buds just hanging out

Papa and Aidan - our own Andy and Opie

"I don't know about you, but this hike isn't really doin' it for me."

"But now that I found my stick - this hike is more interesting!"

Jacob tickling Grammie with his stick.

(And yes, I am aware it looks more like he's poking her, but when we said no hitting or poking, he stated that he was tickling.)

"Up High!

Papa said watch out for animals in the culverts!

So, do you think that scared Jacob away - no way!

"Ah ha!  Now I've got a stick!!

And it wasn't hard to steal it from the boy either . . .ha ha ha!"

Jacob and Grammie out for a run

Super Rosco!

Jacob's favorite past time . . . playing with Scoop tractors, dump trucks and Rollies.

He would sit all day and play with them!

"Dayton or Sandrine? Phoebe or Phoebo?"

Today was THE day!  We had our first (and probably only) ultra sound for baby number 3.  If you want to know the sex - you'll have to watch the ultra sound video and figure it out.  :-)  The first video is the first half of the ultra sound and you will be able to tell the sex within the first 17 seconds.  A few seconds after that you will see the tech type the gender, in case you missed it.  You will also see an outstretched arm and some cute tootsies.  The second video shows how active this little one is!  The baby was on the go during most of the ultra sound.  You will see the wee one roll around and raise its arms above its head.  You'll get a glimpse of more cute tootsies too!  (There is about 30 seconds at the end of the second video that is just a still shot - so the video actually ends at 2:21.)  Enjoy!!  We sure did!!

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That being said

As I prepared for motherhood before Jacob was born, I would wonder if I would say certain things.  You know, those things your parents would say that you swore you wouldn't when you had kids.  I figured that the probability of me repeating such phrases was high.  However, there are certain phrases that I have uttered that I never really imagined would come from my mouth.  I don't consider myself naive about kids, I know they climb and play with things they shouldn't.  Still, that being said, I have surprised myself:

After one flattened the other out on the floor: "Please help your brother up . . .NO! Not by the head!"

"What's that in your hand, a rock?  Oh, crap, put the dog poop down!!

"How on earth did you climb up on ___________ (insert any high object - piano, table, bathroom sink, counter etc)?  Well, just sit still and don't fall - I want to grab my camera."

"So, I had to clean up diarrhea off the floor today as well as get it out of Aidan's hands.  Thankfully he didn't eat it."

"Ok, please quit TRYING to pee on the floor."

"The toilet is not a playground.  Take your hands out of it."

And these are just a few that I could actually remember.  I'm sure there are more.  I am certain that there will be more.

Picture taking

Just wanted to let whoever is interested know that I am going to try to start posting more pictures on my photo blog again.  Now that I am feeling better, I am hoping to start taking more pictures again.  We'll see!  And as always, I love to hear your thoughts on my photos - it really does help me to learn.  So, in advance, thanks!!

Mmm . . . play doh

Jacob loves to play with play doh.  However, after a recent play doh play time, I finally came to my senses and decided that it is going to have to be just a Jacob and Mommy activity.  That decision was made because our sweet second son, Aidan, would much rather eat it, than play with it!  I keep hoping that it won't happen - not even sure why think that would be a possibility!  It actually seems to have gotten worse.  At first, he would play a little and then sample.  Not now - the minute you open the container, you'd think it was made of chocolate!  All I can say is thanks goodness it's non-toxic.  I also assume I may have some colorful diaper changes coming my way . . .

*I was having issues with my camera today, so some of the pictures did not come in focus very well.

Still, I didn't want to miss the opportunities though! :-)

Jacob, flashing me his silly smile.

Aidan, sampling the yellow and green - does it taste lemony?

Working hard making snakes, because that's all we ever make at this point. :-)

Uh oh, caught in the act!!

It had to happen at some point, Aidan has eaten so much play doh, it's coming out of his ears!!

Oddly enough, I pushed on his nose and it squirted right out of his ear!

Just kidding of course.

Cutest Game of Hide and Seek Ever!

The boys love to play hide and seek.  Today while Aunt Lori was here, they over course wanted to play.  It was SO cute.  I love the hiding places Jacob chooses and the way he narrates the game.  For example, below, there is a picture of him hiding under Aidan's crib.  While walking by Aidan's room, Lori will ask, "Are you in here?"  (which I think is cheating, but what are you going to do . . . :-)  )  Jacob will then say, "No, in Jacob's room."  Pretty funny.  Below are a couple pictures of Jacob in hiding.  Make sure you have a few minutes to look close, he is a very good hider and it might take a few minutes to find him.  He could be the next "Where's Waldo".

Skateboarding fools!

The other morning Jacob spotted Daddy's skateboard in the garage and wanted to ride it.  SO, we suited up in our gear and got the board out.  The boys had fun playing around on it and I thought they looked pretty cute in their get up.  I think my favorite part were the gloves that Aidan wore. They actually came with Jacob's stuff, but he didn't want to wear them.  But Aidan did!  Here are some pictures of my skateboarding studs.

Aidan, sporting the gloves, gives the board a try

This idea didn't last long.  I think Jacob bailed first.

So, Jacob may need to work on the balance thing a bit.

One of the cutest boarders out there!

Total concentration.  And better balance while sitting and riding it.

Big Milestones!!

A week ago Monday, so a week and a day ago, the boys, myself and Aunt Lori went out to IKEA to pick up our first Big Boy bed.  (I thank Ben and Melissa Hurst for the suggestion to go to IKEA.)  We have a big list of milestones that I hope to accomplish before #3 arrives, so it was time to cross one off of our list.  Cody and I had gone two weeks ago to look at the bed and Jacob didn't seem real interested.  But that Monday morning, Jacob and I were conversing and I asked him again if he was ready to sleep in a big boy bed.  He answered, ummm, yes!  I took that answer and ran.  We immediately got ready and headed out to buy the bed.  That night Daddy put it together with the "help" of the boys.  There are three lengths the bed adjusts to, the largest being a twin size bed.  Awesome!  Jacob slept the first night in the bed and then had trouble the next nap time and bed time.  (He ended up back in his crib)  So I thought maybe he wasn't ready after all.  But the next day and from then on he's been in his Big Boy Bed!  It took a little adjustment, which I expected.  But overall he has done great.  The funny thing is that he won't get out of it.  When he wakes up he still calls for me to come in and get him.  I am thankful for that, for I have a feeling it will be the opposite with Aidan . . .