Lexi Laughs

I had this conversation with Lexi after church today: Me: what did you learn about today in church? Lexi: we talked about the boat and the animals Me: oh you talked about Noah's ark? Lexi: yeah. He came to my house with Grandma Chamberlain. (In case you didn't get it Cole's brother's name is Noah)

Carter

Carter turns 1 tomorrow. He has been such a joy since the first time I held him. He loved to be held when he was little. He would only sleep in our arms. He was an easy baby. He only cried when he needed something and was very patient when he had to wait to get it. He has always been social and hasn't ever really had stranger anxiety. Everyone that meets him instantly falls in love with him. He loves to suck his thumb and can soothe himself very easily by doing so. He puts himself to sleep by sucking his thumb. When he is sad he wants mommy's hair and his thumb. He loves to hold my hair. I can't put it in a pony tail because he goes from side to side looking for it so he can hold it. He has 4 teeth! I stopped nursing at 10 1/2 months. The first morning he woke up and didn't nurse he cried and cried and just wanted to snuggle with me. It was precious and sad all at the same time. Within 24 hrs he was over it and adjusted easily. He sleeps through the night and started doing so at about 9 1/2 months (but we had to let him cry it out for about 3 nights). He's not a big eater and doesn't really have a favorite food yet. He loves to clap and if you start to sing "If you're happy and you know it" he'll start to clap. He also claps if you say "yeah". He waves bye bye and can say mama, dada, and nigh nigh but not on command. He still loves to play with Lexi and thinks that whatever she has he needs to have. He teases Lexi and likes to pull her hair. He stands and can take a few steps. He is the best little boy and I love being his Mom. Happy Birthday!

Easter

I love Easter! I love the colors, the season, the parties, and the reason. We got spoiled being in Utah this year and got to participate in 4 egg hunts. We went to the party at Grandma Donna's (at the Charleston) and had a lot of fun! Lexi and Carter both found a lot of eggs. Lexi got to do a craft and play some games too. She had a lot of fun and Carter liked trying to walk and explore his new surroundings. Later that night we got to go to Maleah's for another party. The kids got bunny ears from Uncle Neal and had fun looking for eggs and playing. The next day we got up early and went to the Highland city egg hunt. The kids got candy and decorated a cookie. They had the Easter bunny there but that proved a little interesting. His costume wasn't the best and you could see his neck when he moved around. Lexi told me his neck had a crack in it and we needed to fix it. Luckily that's all she thought it was and didn't make the connection. Later that day we had the Parker Easter party. This is one of my all time favorite things all year. We go to the school and play in the lunchroom and have the egg hunt in the halls. Lexi loved playing with her cousins and has started to become better friends with some of them which is really fun to see. Carter liked pushing Lexi's bike around and chasing the balls. Some of us got to play 4 square and had a lot of fun doing that. The next day was Easter and the bunny came. Lexi was thrilled with her prizes but Carters basket wasn't as exciting so he didn't get too into it. Later we went to church and had a lovely day. I am grateful to be here to enjoy all the fun events that build memories. I am grateful for the resurrection and the hope it brings to my life.
(pictures are in backwards chronological order)

Grandparents Visit

Cole's parents and Hunter came to visit us. Lexi was so excited to have a sleepover with Grandma. She would ask me everyday if it was time for her to come yet. Grandma brought her an Easter egg kit that has symbols from Easter. Lexi loved it and would hide the eggs and have us find them. She also got to feed the ducks with them. Carter loved all the extra attention and warmed right up to them. We had a nice visit and Lexi has already asked if she can get on an airplane to go to Grandma's house.

Catch up

We've had a lot of fun over the last month. We've gone to the Utes gymnastics meets a few times with Cole's siblings. It has been fun. Lexi was a little nervous at first because she hadn't ever been in a stadium before but after a little while she loved it. We've celebrated Grandpa's 60th birthday. We got to go to dinner and bowling with him. Lexi was hilarious at the bowling alley and kept walking like a penguin because she was afraid she'd slip in the bowling shoes. We also celebrated Cole's 30th birthday! I surprised him by taking him to Rodizio Grill and then had a surprise party for him at our house. We played "so you think you know Cole" and who is older, Cole or the object in question. It was fun and Cole enjoyed having family from both sides there to celebrate with him.

Lexi Laughs

Lexi wants a dog. She's asked for one a few times recently. I've told her I don't want one. Last week we had this conversation:
Lexi: Mom, when you change your mind can we get a dog?
Me: I'm not going to change my mind
Lexi: but when you do can we get a dog
Me: when I change my mind we'll get one
Lexi: okay

Later that day when cole gets home the first thing lexi shouts at him when he walks in is:
Lexi: dad, when mommy changes her mind we're getting a dog!!

family pictures

Who does outdoor family pictures in February...me. It was cold! Poor Lexi had short sleeves on and no socks. I am really happy with them though and glad I didn't wait any longer.