The Giddings

holiday season

2011-12-13T19:37:00.000-08:00

i just love this time of year. the weather is perfect, i love the 'holiday spirit', love everything about thanksgiving til new years. it's the best. so far, we've spent our holiday season...

eating, of course. always eating.

hitting up the park since it's no longer 100 degrees outside.

yep, still eating.

decorating grandma's tree and house. we made plans to decorate a day in advance. the morning of, violet was so excited. First thing out of her mouth in the morning, "ARE WE GOING TO GRANDMA'S HOUSE TO 'DECOWAIT' FOR 'KISSMISS'?!!!"

So here she is putting the 'oh-maments' on about 6 square inches of the tree.

she decided halfway through to put them up high so that 'zachary can't reach'.

you wouldn't believe the shinanigans that i'm acting out behind the camera just to get an expression other than this one. any other expression.

but, nope, he only has one. at least it's a cute one.

zac is SO stinking cute with Benjamin. He has learned to be gentle (as gentle as huge Zac can be) and he basically just wants to kiss and hug/lay on Benjamin all day.

zac loves to give benny his toys when he drops them. i'm pretty sure sometimes, he takes them just to be able to give them back.

it's so cute. zachary doesn't realize that it takes a minute for Benjamin to be able to coordinate his grasp so Zac just stands there saying, "here...here...here...here..."

"actually, this is a pretty sweet toy you have here, Benny."

"okay, you can have it."

"thanks, Brother!"

we've also been going out at night to look at the neighborhood christmas decorations. love getting all bundled up .

do yourself a favor and enlarge this beautiful little angel face.

and in during the day, we take advantage of the southern california's beautiful "winter" weather.

seaworld

2011-12-03T15:40:00.000-08:00

Josh was in Florida for a week before Thanksgiving and SeaWorld is pretty much his favorite place on earth. It's pretty much my least favorite place on earth, but since we missed him so much while he was gone and our season passes are going to expire soon, I suggested we go. So, the day after thanksgiving, we spent the day at seaworld. Us and the rest of southern california. It was super busy and even though Violet still reminds me that we didn't take her on the Elmo ride (the line was 90 minutes) we had SO much fun.

Josh took Violet and Zac in while I nursed Benny in the car and then took a few minutes to take some pictures of his cute little head before we joined them.

Zac loves this stroller. And that bear. He carried it around all day long. While he was sitting in the stroller, her cradled it like a baby. Melt my heart, Little Nugget.

Must keep him nourished at all times.

It's like Josh is my fourth child. I had to navigate the exhibits with him in mind. Violet wanted to see the starfish, but Josh wanted to see the Shamu show (it's his FAVORITE) and, "it's going to fill up!" So, I told Violet we'd see the starfish next and we went to see Shamu. Josh and Zac loved it and were entertained. Me and Violet, not so much. Violet and I left halfway through when she told me, "mommy, i didn't ask for this." It sounded like she was being tortured or something (and I felt the same way) so we left to see the starfish.

Violet loves the starfish. I don't think she knows they're alive. We always get in trouble because she snatches them out of the water. It was freeeeeezing that day and she kept saying the water was hurting her. "I want to find a warm one!"

Waiting for Daddy to bring us a funnel cake.

Violet was being a brat, but I didn't care. I was happy to have a reason not to share my funnel cake.

Regardless of how it goes, an outting is always a success if the kids fall asleep on the way home.

Thanksgiving

2011-12-03T15:23:00.000-08:00

I though I took pictures of everyone in attendance, but then I remembered I just took video. So, oops. Anyway, we spent Thanksgiving at G'ma and G'pa's house with the Vilonas, the Stephens, Pink Grandma, Adam and Adam's mother, Nancy. We were stuffed in and cozy and it was a great day.

Everyone (EVERYONE) who has ever seen Jayms says that Benny looks just like him. The pictures don't do the similarity justice but here they are anyway.
Maybe it's the nose?

Can't get enough of that perfect little face...either of them.

Well, one of them was happy to take the picture.

Aaaaaand Zac's done.

This is the weirdest picture ever. I wouldn't even think it was Violet if I didn't take the picture.

Typical. Zac doesn't make anything look easy or graceful. Including walking through a doorway.

Again, everything is a struggle.

HOIST yourself up there, Chubby.

He's flushed and recovering from the exertion. Don't worry, he was prepared with his sippy cup.

randoms from november

2011-12-03T14:58:00.000-08:00

Mornings are kinda crazy because all three kids wake up at pretty much the same time. And they're all super snuggly in the morning. So, I take Benny into Violet's room and they snuggle each other and then I go get Zac and sit on Violet's rocking chair and snuggle him (because he gets super upset if I don't snuggle with him for a few minutes when I get him out of bed) until he's ready to get down. Then I get Violet out, diaper off, panties on, while Zac runs around and Benny is safe (from Zac) in Violet's crib. Then downstairs for breakfast. Phew. It's pretty much smooth sailing from there...hahaha, no it's not!

Zac LOVES pillows. Really really really loves. When he's tired, I'll find him standing next to his crib, sucking his thumb, with his arms through the slats and his hand on his pillow. Such a little snuggler. A few weeks ago, he was MIA for a while and I found him in his room laying on his floor with one of his dirty pillow cases he got from the pile outside the laundry room. He carried it around sucking his thumb until naptime.
Behind Violet's rocking chair. You can't really see the pillow case because he's laying on it.

This is the only picture I've ever seen that I think violet looks like me in. What is the grammatically correct way to say that sentence? This is the only picture that I've ever seen in which Violet looks like me...This is the only picture of Violet that I've ever seen in which Violet looks like me...?

that naked baby goes everywhere.

playing in the back yard. There used to be strawberries in there. By the look on his face you'd think I just told him the santa doesn't exist.

look at that little angel face.

halloween

2011-12-03T14:35:00.000-08:00

I already have no say about what Violet is for halloween. How sad. I guess it's princesses for the next...3 years? That's okay, she makes the cutest little princess. Josh and I tried SO hard to get her to pick the Cinderella costume, but she just wanted Sleeping Beauty.

BamBam and Pebbles. We (Paul, Ashley, Josh, and I....or maybe just me and Ashley) were SO excited to dress Maylee and Zac up. They were a hit. Zac isn't loving it in this picture.

He didn't dress up, nor is this picture on halloween, but I didn't want to leave him out.

zac goes to nursery...finally

2011-12-03T14:03:00.000-08:00

Zac has been to nursery twice now. He hasn't stayed the whole time yet, but even a short break in nice since I usually have Benjamin as well. (Josh has been out of town a lot.) The first week he and Violet went in together and he was fine. But about 15 minutes later, Violet got the boot because she had a nasty cough and apperently, when they took Violet out, he got hysterical. So, about twenty minutes after I dropped them off, they were both back with me in the mothers room where I was feeding Benjamin. And (totally off topic) since I had to stay to play the piano in relief society, they stayed with me for sunday school and relief society and were SOOO good. They just quietly played with play-doh. Even Benny lay on the floor next to them and was quiet and happy. It's important to document the times when they are good so as to get me through those (more frequent) times that I feel pretty certain they are the devil's spawn.
The next week (last week) Zac went into nursery fine again, but about 15 minutes later they brought him to me hyperventilating. Poor little thing. Anyway, we'll see what happens tomorrow. I think we'll probably have to stay with him for a few weeks. The thing is, Zac never goes two hours without crying even on the best of days at home, so I don't anticipate him ever lasting the whole time in nursery.

These pictures are from his first week at nursery. I tried so hard to get just ONE good picture. Just one picture of my little devil standing still and smiling with his hair in place. Instead I got a collage of a bunch of pictures of his true personality-NEVER standing still, mouth always open, hair all over the place, clothes wrinkled and wet with drool- which is still just as good.

Right before halloween, I left josh at home alone with Violet and Zac for the day. Well, Josh made sure that NEVER happens again by cutting Zac's hair. What the WHAT?!!! I was (still am, if I think about it) SOOOOOOOO PISSSED. It looked so so so so freaking stupid. I hated it. HATED IT. It was so bad. I don't know what the hay'l made him think he could grab a pair of scissors and give Zac a good haircut. Ughhhhh, it was so bad and so short. Anyway, I fixed it (as much as it could be fixed) a few days later and now we're stuck with his Bieber Fever haircut. I still don't like it, but at least I don't want to punch Josh every time I look at Zac.

That's my boy.

violet said...

2011-11-14T00:53:00.000-08:00

12am: Had to wake up Benjamin to eat and first went in to check on Violet and Zachary. Violet was awake "reading" in bed (sometimes I wonder if she even sleeps at night) and OF COURSE asked me to get her out of bed because she wanted to "suggle". So we're just sitting in my bed while Josh is on the balcony shooting rabbits. Josh asked me if we have a flashlight upstairs. I told him, that I don't know and I don't think so. And as he starts to leave the room to go find a flashlight, Violet says, "Daddy! There IS a flashlight in here! In mommy's drawer!" Lo and behold, he looks in my bedside table and finds....a flashlight.

HAHAHA, Violet just held her finger out to me and said, "Mommy, look!!!! A big booger!!! Is that your booger?!!" No, I'm pretty sure I would have noticed your finger in my nose.

When I put VIolet in bed earlier (the first time at 8 o'clock) I gave her a blanket and she put on a sad face and said in a super whiny voice, "I want my white blankie SO BAD."

bizarre

2011-10-13T22:30:00.000-07:00

A while back I mentioned that Zac knocked his front tooth out. It happened about six weeks ago and it was chipped off all the way above his gum. No tooth to be seen. Well, check out this picture taken a little over a week ago. His tooth has grown in again almost half way. Weird, right? And as a side note: doesn't he look like such a pleasure? Anyway, just thought that was a little weird.

Aaaaaand, here are two other angels.

single ladies

2011-10-13T22:24:00.000-07:00

Violet is obsessed with Beyonce, so we play our DVR recording of 'Single Ladies' several times a day. Evidently, Zac has been rehearsing in bed at night.

2011-10-08T00:04:00.000-07:00

I made Laura help me take a few pictures of the kids a couple of weeks ago. It was hilarious in the kind of way that is not funny at all. By the end of it, i was sweating and threatening to abuse the kids. Benjamin was supposed to be in the pictures too, but him screaming his head off didn't look too great on film. These are just a few of the "gems" we got.

This picture is a freaking miracle. I mean, I don't know whose kids those are, but they look a lot like mine, only happier.

That's more like it. Suuuuuper cooperative. At least neither of them are crying.

Now you're starting to understand why that first picture is so miraculous. If you've ever been around my kids, you know that Violet is usually being incredibly awkward...

...and Zac is usually sporting a "deer in the headlights" facial expression.

Oh well, one is all you need, I guess.

Freak out

2011-09-28T20:36:00.000-07:00

The other night, I woke up to feed Benny-Boo at about 5 in the morning. First, I went into the kids rooms to close their windows. As soon as I walked into Violet's room, I hear, "Hi, mom!" Violet was wide awake, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. So, I sat in her room to nurse Benjamin and let her get out of bed to play for a while. At some point, she turned to me and said, very matter-of-factly, "if you put me back in bed, i'm going to freak out." Oh, I guess I had been warned. In case you're wondering, she did not freak out when I put her back in bed.

kid frenzy

2011-09-28T20:17:00.000-07:00

tonight was crazy. violet, zac, and benjamin were being such grumps. eli came over to play and it was just a mad house. anyway, we (laura and i) finally got them all fed (or at least gave up trying to feed them) and bathed and in pajamas (eli was sporting violet's pink froggie jammies). We let the, now, clean and happy babies play for an hour before bed. first, violet said a prayer. the first thing she thanked heavenly father for (after she said "thank you" about twenty times as she tried to think of something to be thankful for. "gink-goo....gink-goo....gink-goo....") was zachary's "dawsome dammies" and for "the dolphins on'em." His 'jawsome jammies'. As in 'awesome', but with a 'j'. They are jammies with sharks on them (not dolphins, but whatever) and she, apparently, is very thankful for them. She also thanked heavenly father for a few other things including laura, eli, zachary, and "that ball". For the duration of the prayer, Zachary walked around the room with his fat little hands clasped together and talking, as he does during every prayer. That's his version of reverent. He will fold his arms/hands but won't stay seated, or still for that matter, and always says his own prayer LOUDLY until we're done. After the prayer, they started getting a little crazy. Actually, they got a lot crazy and were acting super weird and making up words and contorting their faces and bodies to be "funny". At some point Violet stopped and told Eli, "you're being awkward." Super rude and a little like the pot calling the kettle black. It's okay, I don't think Eli took offense because he just responded with, "give me my awkward back." So, they kept being "awkward" and sang a few songs for us with hand motions (my favorite) until finally they attacked Laura who had been laying on the floor. Zac brought the container of baby wipes from somewhere and almost dropped it on her head, Eli ran over and tried to jump on her and as she was fighting him off, Violet snuck up from the side and head-butted her in the stomach. That's when we decided to call it a night, and not a moment too soon. This is the post I will turn to when (inevitably) I want to have another baby in a couple of weeks.

my favorites

2011-09-18T15:54:00.000-07:00

this week

2011-09-18T12:11:00.001-07:00

I'm not baller enough to have a nice camera, so since laura has been around, i've kinda taken hers over. i love that you can take like, 12 pictures in a nano second and that every picture turns out crisp and clear even though i have no idea what i'm doing and my kids are always flying around the house. now i just need photoshop and some creativity. i feel like my kids are suddenly models when viewed through a lens that cost more than my car payment. anyway, here are some photos that are actually recent, for once.

zac got into the sour cream. he will literally eat anything.

smiling for laura. look at how bald he is now.

i don't think violet is any less cute than the boys. it's just that she's in this really FUN stage where she get super weird and awkward in front of the camera.

always on the go.

i've always loved his eyebrows.

violet stuck her finger in, what would have been, a cute picture.

i love zac's fat foot on the right side of this one.

i love his button nose.

i wish i could pull off my double chin like benny boo does.

and look at this little beaut. laura and mike will be in trouble if they ever have a girl.

June2011

2011-08-30T15:37:00.000-07:00

The loooove this puzzle. Go get one from Target right away.

Violet promised that she would sleep if I made her a bed on the floor of my room. I don't know why I believed her.

Such a snuggler.

Cuuuute.

Her hair is finally getting long/thick enough to style. But I feel like I need to cut it again, because the back is still growing waaaaay faster than the front. Weird.

Dressed herself.

Violet playing with Ashlyn from our Activity Days group. They look like they could be sisters.

Zac-y's First Brithday!!!

2011-08-30T15:21:00.001-07:00

Again, the pictures are posted from the end of the day, to the beginning. But I don't really care. Anyway, we didn't do anything special for Zac's birthday. I remembered stressing over Violet's first birthday and at the end of the day thinking how lame it was. So, I decided not to do anymore birthday parties until the kids turn three. And so we didn't and I felt horrible about it. Oh well, plenty more birthdays to come. Maybe for his second birthday, I'll rent him an elephant or lion or something to make up for his lack of a first birthday party.

By the end of the day, it became clear Zac was fed up with taking pictures.

I am willing to post this cute picture of Zachary, despite how naaasty I look. That is the ultimate sacrifice a mother can make for her child.

Of course Violet had to get in on the action.

Yum.

The sugar is kicking in.

Why a picture of the back of his head? Because he's cute from every angle.

We went to the Raymond's house and played with mallory and Preston.

Good morning, Little Devil, you're ONE!!!

may 2011

2011-08-30T15:10:00.000-07:00

If you'd say I'm a little obsessed with this Little Guy, I wouldn't argue with you.

I love it when they aren't fighting.

Josh and I are such creepers. We sneak into their rooms every single night and take pictures of them.

Getting a second wind right before bedtime.

I love those big ol' eyes!

Watching Cassie's soccer game.

Very proud of her plant pot she made at her play group.

oh gosh april 2011

2011-08-30T14:56:00.000-07:00

I have to start filling in this empty period of time on my blog. That last half of my pregnancy was rough, apparently. I couldn't even bring myself to upload a few pictures of these cute little ones.

Zac still couldn't walk and this picture of him trying to balance on his tippy toes indicates at least one of the problems.

Took a walk to the pool and, for some reason, I took Violet at her word when she said she wanted to walk there. As you can see, she didn't make it the whole way, and poor Zac had to suffer.

You wish that you could pinch those cheeks every day.

He is posing for Sports Illustrated.

Again, trying to walk.

a few nuggets

2011-08-30T14:29:00.000-07:00

I'll attempt this post whilst feeding the babe. So, it might be just a ton of pictures without much text. But who reads this crap anyway?

So, it will probably become obvious that these pictures were posted in reverse chronological order.

Zachary just might be the death of Benjamin.

Allllmost caught a smile. Has been smiling for the past two weeks. They started out as a result of gas, but since have become intentional and oh SoOO cute!

Takes after Big Brother. Gotta suck on his hands.

Have to sneak in a few pictures of this little guy. I LOVE HIM!

Oh Zac. Back in the day, when you had two front teeth. Yes, yesterday morning, Zac knocked out one of his front teeth. I can't talk about it much because I still get extremetly emotional/nauseous about it. But it happened.

Anyway, a rare picture of the three of them. They're rare because Zac is gets a liiiiitle too excited when he's in arms reach of Benjamin.

Little Devil.

She always asks me, "is that my baby?"

The reason he is so chipper is that he got to go home and sleep allll night in our comfy bed the night I stayed in the hospital. He owes my sisters big time for bailing him out.

If I had to guess, I'd say Violet is thinking, "Yay!!! another baby!" and Zac is thinking, "Can I eat it?"

Benjamin Paul Giddings

2011-08-30T14:17:00.000-07:00

is three weeks old. So, this post is a little late. Oh well.

Picture taken at 3 days old

August 6, 2011

8 pounds 2 ounces

21 1/2 inches long

There's so much to say, but he is demanding food right now, so it might have to wait. I will say that he is amazing and I can't believe how much more I enjoy Violet and Zac now that I'm not pregnant. I kinda forget how much I just loooove my kids (and life in general) during the miserable 9 months that is pregnancy. So, we're all well/surviving and I can't wait to write more about Benny Boo Boo and about Violet and Zachary as well.

Cute prayer

2011-06-19T20:12:00.000-07:00

Tonight, Violet was being a b.r.a.t and wouldn't say the prayer, so I said a quick prayer for her. As soon as I said, "amen," Violet piped up. She said, "Mommy, you forgot Grandpa. Dear heavenly fahver, thank you for grandpa, thank you for missionaries, thank you for two missionaries, thank you for jayms, thank you for johnny, thank you for goggles, in the name jesus christ, amen."

The time has come

2011-04-13T11:19:00.000-07:00

I guess I've been putting this off for a while mostly because I feel like it's really embarrassing. But anyway, we just found out that we'll be having another little man in the house in the beginning of August. I don't want to say much more about it because there would be a LOT of feelings, oh so many feelings. But it is happening and I AM excited to meet this little person despite all the other emotions I'm having. I don't know who's supposed to take care of all these kids, but I guess somehow the job gets done. Mostly I feel like there's nothing worse in the world than being pregnant, so it helps curb the fear and anxiety I'm having about actually having another baby around.

january

2011-04-10T22:40:00.000-07:00

Just some of the hundreds of pictures still waiting to be uploaded. I've got to start somewhere.

In her princess gear from Grandma Silver.

Chasing after Solvang (Nikki and Patrick's dog). Poor Solvang.

He'll try to digest anything that can fit in his mouth.

Looks like she's having SO much fun.

Comfy.

Violet and Eli in the backyard eating popsicles. Laura and I put trash bags on them to avoid a sticky mess. This was back before mean Laura and Mike took Violet's best friend and moved him to the east coast.

She thinks she's SO grown up.

violet these days

2011-04-10T22:18:00.000-07:00

let's see, she's about 27 months old and is changing so much. -she talks my ear off every day and comes up with the craziest things to say. -she is so sweet with zac. she really loves to play with him and is always asking me to "go get him" when he's sleeping. and every so often (a little too often) i her two voices cracking up and find that she's gone in his room to wake him up. -she basically doesn't eat. she's so picky and i've recently stopped jumping through hoops to get her to eat. -she knows where all her aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents live. she'll always ask about different family members. "Where's Gorka? Where's Whitney?" "I don't know, Violet, where are they?" "Oh, they're in Abu Dhabi." "Where's Ashely?" "I don't know Violet, where is she?" "Oh, she's in Florida. Where's Brooklynn? Oh, she's in Florida, too!" "Where's Gran?" "I don't know, Violet, where is she?" "Oh, she's in Utah. I want to go to Utah." "It's very far away, Violet, it will take all day to get there." "Yeah, I want to get ready." Just one of our recent conversations about her family spread far and wide. -she's doing well potty training. i wouldn't take her out without pulls ups, but she wears her panties around the house and will stay dry on outings if I remind her enough to use the toilet. she even had her nursery leaders come get me a few weeks ago to use the potty at church. -she knows all her colors and shape -can "read" her name and zachary's name. -she LOVES to read and usually asks for a book to read when she lays in bed to go to sleep. -she says the best prayers -she likes to compromise and wheel and deal. -it was pointed out to me today that she doesn't have a lisp anymore and now i miss it already.

Zac 11 months

2011-04-10T22:03:00.000-07:00

I can't believe he's almost a YEAR old! I feel so bad that I haven't documented his growth and learning as well as I did with Violet. Here are a few things to remember: -He's still a big guy. As chubby as chubby can be. -He's so happy. Such a big, cheery smile with cute dimples. -His eyes have lost almost all their blue and are now a shade of greenish gray with a little gold around the pupil. -His hair is turning more and more brown. -He had been wearing 12 month clothes for about 3 months and fits in some 18 month stuff. -Wear's size 4 diapers. Same as "big" sister. -Sleeps 6pm-8am, naps from 10-12 and from 2-4. -He loves to dance -He loves to yell and make noise -He LOVES pillows. I put one in his bed a few months ago to keep his limbs in because I hadn't finished making his bumper pad. Every night Zac pulled it down flat to lay his little head on it. So, now he sleeps on a pillow every night and it's so cute to put him in bed and see him immediately flip over and snuggle and squish his face into it until he's comfy. -He's got his two bottom teeth and two top teeth. -He loves the bath -Loves watching barney. We put it on more for him now then we do for violet -Loves eating finger foods like bread, corn, pasta, peas. Bread is his favorite. Carb lover like mom. -Drools a ton and STILL spits up usually a few times a day. It's so gross. One day, a few weeks ago, he was playing and I was sitting on the floor. He crawled over to me and leaned over my lap, puked, and then crawled away. -He's SUCH a momma's boy but he really really loves any familiar face. He can make a person feel so special when they walk into a room. He just beams and beams and usually crawls over to greet. -He's got such big beautiful eyes and has the most curly eyelashes that make his eyes look even bigger. -Such a snuggler. It's great since Violet really isn't affectionate at all. We get all the loves we need from Zac-y. -When you pick him up out of bed in the morning or after a nap, he just grabs you and hugs your shoulders SO tight and lays his head on your shoulder.

funnies

2011-04-10T21:46:00.000-07:00

-the other day i was trying to get violet dressed and needed her to lay down so i could get her diaper off and put her panties on. i kept asking her to lay down and she kept ignoring me and playing. eventually, i got tired of being ignored and i sternly told her to come over and lay down "right now!". She walked over to me and looked me right in the eye (I was sitting on the floor) and in just as stern a voice as i used she said, "say it nicely, don't scream." i was put in my place (although i did NOT scream or even raise my voice) so I asked her in a nicer tone to lay down, to which she replied, "yes!" and smiled and lay down. -two nights ago, she asked both my dad and josh, "where did you go Little Guy?" -Violet has been calling me "Cassie" or "Cass" for over a week now. It doesn't bother me because I just figure she'll get over it, but Josh really doesn't like it. So one day I told her that she could just call me 'mommy' and she said, "no, your name is Cassie." I had no argument, so I haven't brought it up since. -Grandma Silver came to visit for the day on Saturday. Josh and I went to a movie at 7 and Grandma put Violet to bed at 8. Sunday morning, I went in to wake Violet up and she asked, "where's my blonde Grandma?" -From time to time, Violet will get her "purse" and fill it up with a bunce of toys and walk to the door and say, "I'm just going to Target, bye, see ya!" -We were at the store and Violet was sitting in the front of the cart and Zac was in his carseat, in the back. He was fussing for a while and finally Violet turned around and looked at him for a few seconds and when she turned back she looked a little irritated and said, "he's a grumpy little guy."

2011-04-04T20:00:00.000-07:00

No reason for these pictures except that I haven't posted in a while.

If she doesn't have diabetes by the time she's 4, it will be a miracle. That's a bag of marshmellows she's carrying around the house. I was instructed NOT to take them from her. But maybe it wasn't the bag-o-sugar that caught your eye. Perhaps your bigger concern was the pacifier in my two-year-old's mouth. Here's the thing, I was working on getting rid of the pacifier-actually I had just taken them away, cold turkey, but Josh and grandma kept sneaking them to her- anyway, I was getting rid of the pacifier and then my mom's bestie told me it was emotionally healthy to let kids have their pacifiers or suck their thumbs until they decided to give it up. Her PhD was the perfect excuse to give up the battle and just let her have the pacifier. Ahhh, I love when I can take the easy route AND not feel guilty.

Most of my pictures of Zac are from this angle because he always tries to get the wrist strap on my camera. So irritating. I guess I could just take off the wrist strap and avoid calling my 10 month old irritating. But that's just what a good mom would do. It's really not my style.

easter celebration

2011-04-04T18:52:00.001-07:00

We had so much fun at our neighborhood easter celebration on Saturday. Violet had been looking forward to it all week and I was feeling the usual excitment/anxiety that comes with taking these two anywhere, but we had a really good time. Violet loved all the activities and especially the bounce houses. Zac didn't do much but for some strange reason he sat happily in his stroller for hours and watched everything instead of his usual whining and screaming to be held.

Zac's hair is in a very rough stage. Very very rough. I keep telling Josh and my mom (who both have been threatening to cut it) to just bear with me until the rest of it fills in. Now, in this particular picture I have NO idea what was going on. We were just walking down to the club house and well, you're guess is as good as mine. But on another note, how cute is that fat little face?

And there's our little Violet with Zac in the background just waiting for his chance to grab her hat.

Zac and I sat on the grass while Daddy supervised Violet going through the bouncy obstacle course. It wasn't long before Zac found the rabbit poop. I'm a little bit sure that he didn't actually get any of it in his mouth.

I love this picture of his huge cheeks. If you think those are chubby, you should see his butt cheeks.

Violet picked out her favorite basket (daddy's favorite basket, based 100% on the fun dip included) and put all her raffle tickets in to win it...which we did not.

This was how Zac spent most of the afternoon. It looks like I haven't bathed him in a week and I can't say wether or not that is true.

The highlight for Violet was, of course, the bounce house w/slide and the huge inflatable obstacle course. She loved the slide (as usual) and had SO much fun in the obstacle course. I hated it because they let all ages of kids in and I spent most of the time yelling at all the older boys who were flying through the thing. I am such a beast.

Violet waiting in line for the slide. I also yelled at kids of all ages for cutting in line. Hey, I figure if their parents aren't watching, I'll be in charge.

Violet moved forward a few paces after her first toss of the bean bag, which landed about 18 inches in front of her.

And here she is enjoying her prize. "Marshy-yellows."

We also enjoyed a live jazz band, several other games, a hat decorating contest, and a bunch of treats and snacks. So, all in all it was a good day, phew.

a woman?

2011-03-07T20:43:00.000-08:00

I came home from visit teaching this afternoon and told Violet that I saw her friend, Calli. I asked, "do you remember Callie, from nursery?"
Violet said, "yeah," which I was sure was not true. So, I asked her, "oh you do? what does she look like?"
Violet thought for a minute and then said, "She looks like a woman."

a child's prayer

2011-03-07T20:38:00.000-08:00

I have to get this down before I forget. Violet said her first unaccompanied prayer tonight. I'll write it word for word, so it won't make sense to a lot of people, but really I just want to remember this exactly as it happened. This is how it went:
"Dear Heavenly Father, thank you the day, thank you daddy come home, thank you be healthy,(something I didn't understand), thank you the bounce house, the end."
I wish I could rewind life. I'd go back to that 15 seconds over and over again.

idol twins?

2011-03-01T22:47:00.001-08:00

i know a lot of people will resist this one, but just be honest with yourself. the teeth, the lips, the jawline, the eyes and even the eyebrows. i can't help it, i just watch and think, 'i had no idea jessica alba could sing.'

anne frank was way cuter. i hate his toothy smile and i get so uncomfortable watching him sing. you're like 16, stop acting as if you're singing to a lover.

i couldn't love him more even if he was bradley cooper. he is so awesome. i love the song he sang this week and i even liked his version better than rod stewarts. i've been wanting to name one of my girls 'maggie' ever since i had violet, but josh won't budge.

i couldn't hate him more even if he was simon from the chipmonks. i mean seriously, right down from his wispy hair to his awkward grin. i can't stand his ugly face and those are the stupidest glasses i've ever seen.

let's talk again

2011-02-21T21:56:00.001-08:00

Chantal O

-make sure that you never, under any circumstances, separate your teeth when you talk.

-your mom is hotter than you are.

-i have a crush on your dad.

-why did you dress up, for your hometown date, like a character in Greece?

-while we're talking about wardrobes, let's talk about your choice for the rose ceremony. you looked like a cross between a geisha and the First Lady. The bun was such a nice touch.

Ashley

-i actually like you more, now that i've seen you away from the other girls.

-i was perplexed when i saw her asian mother. i kinda see it now i guess, but it was

surprising.

-i was also quite surprised to find out that you aren't really a dentist. You almost had

us Ash. I guess you weren't expecting that you'd make it all the way to hometown

dates where your little white lie would be exposed.

-you are the next to go. i just know it.

Shawntel

-at least now you know, never take another potential boyfriend to a funeral home.

-having a living person lay down on an embalming table is a party foul.

-it was a really smart move to have Brad sitting in on you telling your family that you

love him and that you're not taking over the family business.

-OH MY GOSH i almost forgot. did anyone else notice that CREEPY drawing of

Shawntel and her sisters? I thank the camera man for capturing that.

Emily

-i only love her more after seeing her ADORABE house. i want to move into her

daughter's room.

-speaking of her daughter, was she, or was she not sucking her thumb?

-oh, and ricky, in case you missed it, Brad does NOT blame you.

-i loved how pissed emily was that Brad made her daughter into a cock block. That was

hilarious. what an idiot.

A note to all of the remaining girls. Clearly, none of you have ever been to Texas. Because if you had, you'd know that NO man is worth moving to Texas. It is the armpit of America, and it smells like it, too.

These ones are good

2011-02-18T10:44:00.000-08:00

A couple of days ago, I told Violet that Claire is coming to visit on Friday. Violet said, "I want to go to Friday." The next day, I took the kids with me to go visiting teaching and when we pulled up to the house, Violet asked, "Ummm, is this Friday?"

Violet wanted to call Josh while he was at work. So, they talked for a while and then Josh told her to be a good girl and that he loved her. Violet said, "Thanks, see you later," and handed the phone to me. She's not a very affectionate little girl.

Yesterday, Violet kept saying, "I want to go to the bounce house. Ahhhh, they're not open today."

behind. what's new?

2011-02-16T22:58:00.000-08:00

So....I planned on updating the blog all the way to 'current', but it took me about 1.5 hours just to get through october. i had to upload 1 picture at a time. so lame. so annoying. is it just me, or is blogger really REALLY not user-friendly? Anyway, here we go.

I love peeking on them at night. Such a creeper.

Violet, sprawled on her back, as usual...

Zac, curled up on his belly, as usual.
You're CAUGHT you naughty nugget.

Halloween. The monster clearly was not enthusiastic.

Dorothy, on the other hand, was ready to fill that basket...until we got outside. She was terrified the whole night. Maybe next year will go better.

Sleeping babes. My favorite. I don't remember what we did that day, but it wore her OUT. She didn't wake up while I got her out of her carseat and then slept on the couch for two hours. Didn't move a muscle.

Zac-y doesn't let anything get between him and his food. Not even unconsciousness. He was fast asleep, but look at that grip on the bottle.

Spiderman (Jayms) helping Violet get her shoes on.

Zachary REALLY loved that hood. I don't know why, all I know is that he got the chubbiest smile every time I put it on him.

I have to trap them in the crib while I clean their rooms. You know how it goes, put away laundry, turn your back, laundry thrown all over the room. Look at Zac's face. He's very concerned that i'll never take him out of that crib.

I'm changing Zac's diaper and hear Violet laughing and saying, "I'm funny! I'm funny!". I turn around to find her wearing Zac's pants. Silly goose cakes.

Never without his thumb in his mouth.

Violet and "Mimi". Violet was a mess after they visited. She always wanted to "go to Jew-tah, see Mimi." I had to make sure there was always a picture of Maylee handy, just to avoid emotional breakdowns.
Just counting her dough.

Putting Teddi "in bed". She puts him on top of all her blankets and then covers him up.

Violet always rubs the silky edges of her blankets under her nose. Josh's little sister does the exact same thing. Isn't it weird the things that seem to come through dna?

Theeee Bachelor

2011-02-14T23:00:00.001-08:00

I have just a few things to get off my chest about The Bachelor this week.

1. I feel bad saying it, because she was so clearly self-conscious about it, but Chantal has gained like, 15 pounds in the last two weeks. And her boobs, I'm sorry, just gross me out.

2. Why did all the girls go to the rose ceremony bare foot? Gross.

3. I love Emily, I really do. I almost wish I was her. But she is so freakin' dull on camera. But, I'd like to imagine that if I were on the show, I could present myself the way she does. Just doesn't make for great t.v.

4. I hate the way Brit dresses. I'm pretty sure she shops at Limited Too or Rave Girl. And it looks like Chantal has been stealing all of her food. Side note: During Brit's date Josh says, "I like a girl with a little meat on her bones." And then he grabbed a handful of my fat butt. Charming.

5. Also, why did Brad make poor Brit swim like, a half mile every time they wanted to get on or off the boat. You didn't want to spring for a jet ski...or even a life jacket?

I think the worst part of that date was when Brit just did NOT catch on to the fact that Brad was breaking up with her. I wonder what she was thinking. What did she suppose was happening when the dingo pulled up to the yacht?

6. How many burn-out tees does Chantal have? 1 is too many, in my opinion.

7. Why does Chantal keep her teeth together when she talks? Can you sense the theme? I hate Chantal. She's such a freakin' whiner cry baby. Come to think of it, judging by how emotional, sensitive, and bloated she is, maybe she's just on her period. I just hope that the day comes when Brad kicks off Chantal in one of her skin tight animal print dresses. Keeping my fingers crossed.

8. As crazy/drunk as Michelle seemed most of the time, the show just won't be the same without her.

9. I can't stand it when girls pretend like they think someone is mad at them when they KNOW that person is feeling the opposite...Ashley. Good job trying not to be awkward when Brad was giving you the rose by pretending you thought he was sending you home. Totally pulled it off.

10. Shawntel is the best all around, in my opinion. But judging by senses from next weeks show, I might be speaking prematurely.

One last thing. If Chris Harrison is ever The Bachelor, I will sign up. I love him. Don't ask me why, I just sense a connection.

Pardon me

2011-02-01T17:50:00.000-08:00

Do you know what this is? Are you sure? Because if you don't get it right, Violet won't hesitate to correct you. Eli was just playing with this toy while he and Violet were eating dinner. He said, "Garbage truck! Garbage truck!". Violet casually looked up from her pasta and said (in a slightly condescending tone), "That's a backhoe, Eli."

""""

2011-02-01T17:01:00.000-08:00

Violet said a few funny things today.

-Laura: "show me how you jumped at the bounce house."

Violet: "with my feet!"

-On the way home from the "bouncy souce" ZacZac was crying. Violet sat in the back and worked on calming him. This is what I heard...

Violet (over and over): "it's okay, BooBoo, mommy's right there."

Zac-y: more crying

Violet: "shhhhhh shhhhh shhhhh" (of course with her lisp, it sounds more like "sssssss")

Zac-y: more crying

Violet (at this point I had gotten his bottle out and started shaking it): "it's okay, BooBoo. Mommy's gettin' your bottle ready."

-Another thing I've loved lately is Violet asking, "is this mine?" and "is this yours?".

my favorites

2011-01-24T08:49:00.001-08:00

a few of my favorite things violet has said lately...

-"That orange looks like a pumpkin!"

-"He's a big handsome boy!" (about my cousins dog)

-"Mmmm, good toast. Delicious!"

-"I want to find a different one." (a little obnoxious, but sounds so cute)

-I went into her room to check on her before I went to bed. I stood there until my eyes adjusted to the dark, then just as I see her huge eyes staring at me, she says, "I'm awake."

-During the holidays, Violet would stand on her chair to look out the window and see all the christmas decorations on the neighbors houses. She especially loved the huge inflatable Santa a few houses down. One morning after new years, when everyone had taken down their decorations she ran to the window and climbed on her chair and yelled, "Mommy, I can't see Santa!" There was a serious sense of alarm in her voice.

-She pointed at a hole in her tights and said, "Uh oh, my leg's coming out."

-Whenever she's given a treat she says, "I need on for this hand, too." Greedy.

-"That's Daddy. No! That's Uncle Paul!" (While looking at a picture of Paul)

silly girl

2011-01-03T12:12:00.000-08:00

I love being able to actually talk WITH Violet, instead of just talking to her. Yesterday, I asked her, "Violet, do you like pizza?" (We weren't eating pizza, I was just making conversation.) She looked down and said "pizza?....pizza?....pizza?....", then snapped her head up and said "Ooooh PAAAAsta!" Haha, no Violet, I meant what I said but pasta is close enough.

She's TWO!

2011-01-03T10:56:00.000-08:00

Of course, I took a billion pictures of the day. These are just a few of the pictures I took before 9:30. Violet woke up very happy. I think she had a hunch that the day was going to be all about her. And it was. And she loved it.

Such a big girl with her pacifier stuck in her mouth.

I made her toss the pacifier, then we moved on to big girl things...putting on socks and shoes.

Then I took a bunch of pictures of Violet trying out different smiles. Here are a few...

And this is the last picture I took that morning. It was taken at the exact moment that she told me, for the first time ever, "Go away, Mommy." So, I guess she didn't want her picture taken anymore. It hurt, but she's a girl so I'd better get used to it by the time she goes to junior high.
We spent the rest of the day playing at the Bounce House, getting spoiled with gifts, and having cake and ice cream later that night. No party this year. I guess Violet's mom is just lazy. But I do have a few more pictures and the cutest video ever, to be posted later. Now here's a little about Violet Reese Giddings at age TWO...
-not sure how much she weighs, but it's not a lot. And it's defenitely not as much as her little brother. Let me just say this, yesterday Violet and Zac were both wore 12 month outfits to church...and the same size 3 huggies.
-she talks a ton. not many people can actually understand what she's saying, but I speak 'Violet'.
And of course when she told me to go away, that was loud and clear as day.
-she eats so so so much. BUT she's such a picky eater. We have the same conversation every morning. "Violet, what do you want for breakfast?" "Ummmmmmm, waffles...toast...oatmeal...juice and water...TREATS!" "How many treats (vitamins) do you wants?" "Three treats!!!"
-Right now, she's doing a puzzle and saying, "It doesn't go there...There we go!"
-She is mostly sweet and still a VERY good little girl. She does get greedy and selfish with toys, but usually if she takes something from Zachary (and makes him cry) she'll bring it back and say "Sorry Brother," over and over. She doesn't give the same courtesy to Eli. It's an all out war with the two of them.
-She likes nursery...finally.
-She can count to ten, but usually takes a short cute, going from six straight to "TEN!"
-Can not get a handle on colors. I've tried everything but she still thinks every color is pink. I seriously think she's color blind.

She's just the best little princess we ever could have hoped for. Happy Birthday, Violet!!!

oh violet

2010-12-24T19:00:00.000-08:00

today, i was wondering if violet knew what people's names are. everyone she knows is mommy, dadddy, auntie, grandma, and grandpa. so, i started asking, "what's her name? what's his name?" etc. she answered everyone's names...wara (laura), gur (claire), whiti (whitney), gaka (gorka). Then I asked her, "what's daddy's name?" much to my surprise, she answered "Dosh!" and when asked mommy's name, "Cassie!". I had no idea she had caught on to people's names, especially Josh's and mine. The cutest one was when we asked, "what's grandma's name?". She said, "ummm, ummm, MOM!" (Because my sister's and I always call her 'mom')

Sooooo sweet!!!

she get it from her mama

2010-12-17T22:07:00.000-08:00

I think that maybe I need to pay some attention to the way I "ask" Josh to do things. Tonight I went out with Laura and left Josh to put Violet to bed. So, after her bath he put her in jammies and put her in bed at which point Violet demanded "YOU NEED TO BRUSH MY TEETH!" Raised voice and all.

Josh: Oh, Daddy forgot to brush your teeth.

Violet: Yeah!

Josh brushed her teeth, until Violet said "I DOWEE." (Violet speak for, 'I'll do it.'}

When all her teeth were brushed Josh put her back in bed and as he left the room he heard Violet kicking the crib LOUDLY. He went back in the room and told her to stop. Violet just lay there and looked at him and said, "I WANT THE PHONE."

Josh: You want my phone?

Violet continued to lay in the bed and simply pointed to the floor. When Josh looked, he saw her toy phone on the floor next to the crib.

What an attitude that little nugget has on her! Maybe she'll grow out of it...

cute

2010-12-11T14:14:00.000-08:00

cute thing violet said today...

Laura, Eli, Violet, and I were getting in the car to go to the farmers market and violet says, "This is gonna be soooooo fun, guys!"

a few days ago...

I was getting Zac-y ready for bed and was putting him in new pajamas. Violet said, "Ooooh, cute jammies, BooBoo!"

Way back when

2010-12-08T14:47:00.000-08:00

I took these pictures in September while Violet was playing outside with her "lawnmower".

Of course, she always has to drag Teddi along.

I love how she stuffs Teddi in the handle. And I love her expression of pure joy.

My sisters both had baby showers one day and asked me to make them something to bring. I came up with the idea for a onesie. I loved it so much I decided to make one for Violet. (The shirt she's wearing in the pictures.) Claire said that it's rude to make a gift and then copy it for Violet but to Claire I say, "mind your own business." Anyway, I love it and think it's quite appropriate for this little chubby princess.

last week

2010-12-08T10:12:00.001-08:00

ZacZac learned to crawl. As my dad said, "Trouble is on the loose."

Violet wore panties for 4 consecutive days and only had 4 accidents.

Poor Daddy

2010-12-08T09:49:00.000-08:00

Josh just went into Violet's room to get her out of bed. Violet insisted that Mommy get her out of bed, so I went in (already holding Zac) and picked her up. Then she told me to give Zac to Josh. So, I did and then she said "Brother Zac-y likes Daddy." So, Josh asked, "does Violet like Daddy?" To that, Violet answered "Noooooo."

Zac 6 months

2010-11-29T15:50:00.000-08:00

Zachary turned 6 months about a week ago. Here's a little bit about him...

-Has the biggest smile ever and loves to show it.

-He's huge. Haven't weighed or measured him in a while but, he's in size 3 huggies and wears 9 or 12 month clothes and pajamas.

-He's become a great sleeper. Naps two hours twice per day (11-1 and 3-5), wakes up at 9 and goes to bed at 7.

-He's got a lot more hair than Violet did at this age. It's a lot darker than Violet's also. His eyes are greenish gray with a little brown. The brown will probably take over eventually.

-He is SO SO SO very happy.

-Still a thumb sucker.

-Still not crawling. He tries so hard, but just can't figure out that he needs to move his arms.

- Can sit up pretty well but prefers to be on his belly.

-Has two teeth (bottom center) and is working on a couple more.

-He loves Violet. And she loves him. Their relationship becoming really close. Yesterday, Zac was sitting on my lap as I was putting a shirt on him and Violet came in the room and sat on my other leg and put both of her arms around Zac in a side hug and just sat there for a minute with her head leaned against his.

-He still spits up more than I'd like and drools a ton. It's gross.

violet

2010-11-29T15:46:00.000-08:00

1. violet counted to ten all by herself last night. it was so cute. it took her a little while to get there (1,2,3,2,3,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10) but she made it.

2. has spent all day in her panties. 0 accidents, has relieved herself 3 times on the potty. Saved $0.75 so far today.

Little Lady

2010-11-21T21:39:00.000-08:00

Over the past few weeks, Violet has become a little kid instead of a baby or toddler. It seems like her growth and developement are at such a fast pace at this age. The other day, there was a dog on t.v. wearing a shirt and a hat and Violet said, "The puppy is so funny, hahaha." Then later, when the dog was gone she kept yelling, "Puppy, where are you?!!"

Good Morning, Vietnam!

2010-11-21T21:36:00.000-08:00

My mom bought this shirt for Jayms several years ago when she went to Asia with Whitney. All the boy cousins have worn it and I was so excited to get this picture of Zac-y in too. I love a good tradition.

Today...

2010-11-21T21:20:00.000-08:00

Violet is really starting to like nursery. She loves snack time and loves the crafts the nursery leaders send home with her. Every morning she wears the "hat" she made in nursery three weeks ago. Now she has another hat to add to her collection. She didn't take it off all day.

It reads, "I'm thankful for mom." She also made a turket out of a paper plate. She kept saying, "tukey gobbo gobbo."

And ZacZac, of course. He is such a good boy. Took a two hour nap in the foyer at church. The shirt he is wearing is size 12 months. That's why we call him The Bigg'n.
Can you see it? Two teeth.

A week or so ago, I thought, "I should start having him practice sitting up." So, I plopped him on the floor and let go, and there he sat like a bump on a log. He must have been practicing during naps and bedtime when I wasn't looking. It was quite a surprise.

Today...

2010-11-11T22:17:00.000-08:00

We were in the car and Violet and I were having a little "conversation".
Me: Violet's pretty.
Violet: Mommy's pretty.
Me: Violet's silly.
Violet: Mommy's silly.
Me: Violet's funny.
Violet: Mommy's funny.
Josh: Violet's chubby. (Yes, I know, he's obnoxious.)
Violet: -long pause- Brother's chubby.
Haha. That's my girl. Josh thought he was so clever trying to get Violet to call me chubby, but us girls have to stick together. I loooooove my little Princess.

He likes to move it, move it

2010-11-10T14:15:00.001-08:00

Zachary never sits still. I work up a sweat just holding him because he weighs half a ton and he's always flinging himself all over the place. And you should see him in his bouncer. I'm afraid one day he'll bounce himself so hard it'll flip the thing over. Anyway, he SO badly wants to crawl but try as he may, he just always ends up moving backward. Here are some pictures of ZacZac's endeavors earlier today.

He's the first 5 month old be on the Olympic Track and Field team. It's kind of a big deal.

You can tell even from behind him, that he has his biggest open mouth smile on.,

I'm so excited and I just can't hide it.

2010-11-10T13:58:00.001-08:00

My mirrored nightstands came a few days ago and my AMAZING Spalena sheets came just this morning. I have been looking for mirrored nightstands for SO long (ones that didn't cost $1000+) and these ones went on sale on Overstock and I didn't hesitate. I love them almost as much as I love my kids. No, of course not, but I do love them as much as I love my sisters. Hohohoho. And I will say it again, these sheets are AMAZING. I am so excited to go to bed tonight!

Take a closer look at these beauties.

VIolet just said...

2010-11-09T20:18:00.000-08:00

When I was washing her hands, "it's not hot, it's warm!"

Just a few things...

2010-11-08T09:14:00.000-08:00

Zac got his first tooth Saturday night. Bottom right. The left is close behind.
We were driving home from Grandma Theresa's b-day party Saturday night and I heard Violet talking in the backseat. So, I turned down the radio to listen. She was singing, "Zaaaaachary.....he's cute and CHUBBY!" over and over. It was so cute. Josh and I kept making her do it and clapping for her when she finished. Eventually she was singing "Zaaaachary....he's cute and CHUBBY....HORRAYYYYYYY!"
Violet actually enjoyed nursery for the first time yesterday. When I came to pick her up she was't being held by one of the leaders. GASP. She was playing and having SO much fun. And yesterday she kept saying, "Chutch bun, nuni bun." (Church fun, nursery fun) Also, during breakfast today, she insisted on wearing the "hat" she made in nursery.
Violet might be entering a jealous phase. I gave ZacZac her Teddi and she started freaking out and said "I kick Boo." (Violet speak for 'I'm going to kick Brother'.) A little while later he was crying and she turned to me and said, "BooBoo nani." (Brother's naughty.) Hmmmm. I don't know what to think. I didn't even know she knew the word 'naughty'. Anyway, she could just be in a mood because she also told me that she was going to "kick Baca." (Kick Veronica)
Zac is trying SO hard to crawl. His intensity has started to force him into a downward facing dog position. Feet and hands on the ground, butt straight up in the air.
We had a great time in Utah a couple of weeks ago, but I'm sorry Giddings family, Maylee is the only one who made an impression on Violet. She still asks for Maylee at least once a day. I tell her, "Maylee isn't here. Where is she?" and Violet will answer, "Jew dahhh." Sometimes, when I ask who Maylee's sister is, Violet will say "Booky."

park days

2010-11-08T00:07:00.000-08:00

Suddenly, Violet LOVES the park. I took her when she was about a year old and she cried in the swing the whole time. Anyway, a few months ago, we gave it another shot and she is now a huge fan.

She loves going down all the slides and unfortunately for her overprotective mother, she isn't afraid of the big slides.

She tried out this small slide a few times and then went straight for the big time curly slide. I almost had a nervous breakdown.
She wants to do everything herself. Which, of course, she can't so everything takes three hours because that's about how long it takes for her to either learn how to do the task at hand or figure out that she needs my help.

ZacZac held on like this the whole way to the park.
And then kept holding on while he watched the big kids play.

And then fell asleep with Freddie still in his death grip. He kept holding on until he woke up.

Zac-y is such a behemoth.

This picture has nothing to do with the park, but I just love it. Violet is usually such a sensitive and sweet girl, but this picture captures one of her rare outbreaks of mischief. That is not the face of an innocent child. And I love Laura's arm inbetween them. Eli does not like it when Violet fights back. You just know things are about to get ugly.

just to be clear...

2010-11-05T11:35:00.001-07:00

When i say, "Violet can talk," take it with a grain of salt. I am pretty much the only person who can understand her. Here are a few examples of things Violet "says".

-Mommy do it= mommy doowee

-Mommy's turn= mommy's dun

-ring around the rosie=awl dum (all fall down) or wowie (rosie)

-oatmeal too hot=oh-me-ow doo ott

-more pasta=meo bada

here's a new one: we should eat the pasta= we so ee da bada

-happy halloween=appy awow meen

just some randoms

2010-10-30T00:21:00.000-07:00

I know his chubby belly and fat face are distracting, but don't overlook the wrist rolls.

Is there anything better than nice plump baby? I don't think so.

He's taken up jogging to maintain his figure.

I give her crayons, but she just wants to use MY pencil to color all over MY puzzle book.

i thought it wouldn't be as much fun to make Zac-y clothes as it is to make stuff for Violet, but I was wrong. I love it.
And apparently, he does too.

We went to the Farmer's Marker and as we walked by, one of the vendors told me to pick out a bib. He makes them out of scraps and gives them away for free. So cute. He said he'd also give Zac surfing lessons in 16 years.

This is Zac at 4 months old holding his own bottle. Tilting it and all. So clever. He's not going to depend on anyone else to serve him. First things first. He wants to make sure he can feed himself if needs be.

I'd say Teddi is in about 90 percent of photos with Violet.

I've been trying to take more pictures with my kids. I think along with that goal, I should try and work out, shower, and sleep more. It would help out with the picture taking goal.
I want about twelve more ZacZacs and twelve more Violets.

I think I'll have to keep having babies until my kids start having kids. I don't know if I can live with out babies!

bath?

2010-10-30T00:12:00.000-07:00

no, it's the laundry room sink, but it serves the same purpose. plus, i save water and i can hose her off with the sprayer.

cute hair!

so nasty.

her "cute" pose.

Souvenirs

2010-10-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

My family ditched Laura and I over my birthday to go to Greece for my cousins wedding. As soon as I saw all the pictures of Nikki and Patrick and the wedding I knew I would always regret not going. I'm an idiot. Anyway, Gma and Gpa brought back some gifts.

This is the most perfect dress I have ever beheld. It is the most gorgeous coral color and Violet looks absolutely precious in it.

And of course, chocolate hippo cookies for Violet. The rest of the world disappears when Violet gets treats. She gets that from me.

I know what you're thinking. "Why is your two year old wearing a onesie?" Well, if you had to clean poop out of her bed three times a day because she takes her diaper off every time she goes, you wouldn't be asking that question. Her diaper is also on backward underneath, just for good measure.

footsies

2010-10-29T23:54:00.000-07:00

I love when it's clear that the child put his/her own shoes on.

Don't ask me why she's got a paper towel on her head. I went upstairs for something and when I came back down, there it was.

I especially love the tissy fit she's throwing in this picture and Veronica in the background.

"Uhhhh, if she's not going to eat it, I will!" Lurk.

Hmmm, which one of Eli's toys should I choose?...

bye bye summer

2010-10-29T23:43:00.000-07:00

it was fun while it lasted.

Do you understand why I can't be within arms reach of this girl and NOT pinch her legs.
(There are a lot of negetives in that sentence. What I'm trying to say is that I MUST pinch her legs at all times.)

Yes, she is

2010-10-29T23:41:00.000-07:00

reading to Teddi about learning how to pray.

Could this picture be any more perfect?

So annoying

2010-10-29T23:31:00.000-07:00

I follow her around all day turning the lights off. (When I'm not taking pictures.)

But she's just so stinkin' cute!

My Sunshine

2010-10-29T23:23:00.000-07:00

She's as girly as a girl can be. Loves her bracelets and all the "pretty" things in her room.

And then there's this side of her...

the one that flashes people, picks her nose, always tries to get in her diaper,

adjusts her outfits to look like a hillbilly,

and looks like she's caught a whiff of something foul when asked to smile.

It's good to have a little bribery material for the teenage years.

could you say "no,"?

2010-10-29T23:19:00.000-07:00

Because we can't. Ever. She gets whatever she wants. I like to use it to my advantage. I'll have her ask Josh for things that I want. Example: I'll say, "Josh, Violet wants you to take us shopping. Violet tell Daddy, 'please'." Then she puts her hands on both sides of her face and tilts her little head and says, "Meeeeease, Daddy?!" Works EVERY time.

thumb sucker

2010-10-29T23:09:00.000-07:00

to the max. There have been times that I've had to pry his thumb from his mouth to feed him. When we lay him down in bed, he hasn't even hit the blankets before he's sucking away on that thumb. I think it must taste like chocolate or peanut butter or something.

Not sucking his thumb, but just so cute.

Real time...

2010-10-29T23:06:00.001-07:00

I just checked on the Nuggets and felt it absolutely necessary to share the preciousness. They are heavenly angels. I love love love them.

Jolly

2010-10-29T12:05:00.000-07:00

Sweet Bebes

2010-10-29T11:03:00.000-07:00

They are both getting so big!

Violet:

is suddenly a little person with opinions and preferences. She likes to do everything herself. Over the past few weeks, her speech has improved dramatically. She puts together sentences and can pronounce words SO much better. She'll come to me and tell me things that she wants. This morning she told me "oatmeal too hot," and said "it's okay zac-y" when he was crying this morning. She's got a sense of humor. If I tell her she's stinky, she get's a silly grin and say's "no, mommy stinky!" Her memory is so good. It's a pain in the butt most of the time. She loves slides and swings and has recently taken a liking to Veronica. Veronica isn't so happy about it. Violet is SO sweet with Zac-y. I just can't believe how well she adapted to having a sibling. She loves to sing to him. "Zaaaaac-y, Zaaaaaac-y..." OH it is so cute! She is such a good girl. She can be SUCH a brat sometimes, but for the most part she is just super sweet and well behaved.

Zachary:

is HUGE. I've said it before, but seriously, I can't believe the rate at which he grows. He wears 6 month clothes and 9 month pajamas. He is just so fat and happy. His perfect adjective is jolly. If you've met him, you'd agree. He is never really fussy. He gets upset if he's tired or hungry, but otherwise, he has too moods; really happy or really really happy. He is learning so much. He responds to his name, holds his own bottle (crazy, he learned that when he was about 31/2 months old), rolls and scoots ALL over the place, and is about to take off crawling. He rocks on his hands and knees and has been for a little over a month now, so I'm assuming he'll figure it out soon. The poor thing rocks so violently that sometimes he launches himself forward and face plants. Oh he is just so dang cute and he LOVES kids. He gets SO excited when a toddler makes eye contact with him. Such a sweet boy. He's a great sleeper but wakes up a 7am every morning. That's 10 hours per night, but 7 is still way too early for me. No teeth yet, but he's teething like crazy. Drool EVERYWHERE and chews on everything. I can't believe he's barely 5 months old.

Violet loves her silky blankets. And she likes to share with Teddi. If you can't tell, she's rubbing one blanket against her face and has Teddi's face against another blanket. Silly goose.

Violet story:

Last Sunday, I got her ready for church and was cleaning her room while she was playing. As I was leaving her room so I could get ready, I noticed her fiddling with her bow and told her not to take it off and went in my bathroom to get ready. A few minutes later she followed me in and was spitting and pointing to her hair, where her bow used to be. Little brat, was coming in to show me that she'd taken her bow out. When we were all ready to go, I went in her room to find the bow and couldn't so I asked her where she'd put it. She started spitting again and pointing and when I looked, I saw she'd put the bow on her rocking horse's mane. Then I realized that she'd been telling me all along where the bow was when I thought she was just spitting to be a brat. She spits to make a horse sound. I guess some of her brattiness could just be misinterpretation on my part.

2010-10-05T20:31:00.000-07:00

Jana brought me cupcakes on my birthday (four cupcakes, to be exact. she's the best.) and when I walked her to the car to see cute little baby Karson, Violet didn't waste any time.

She's defenitely mine. She sniffed those babies out and went for it.

Little Brother

2010-10-05T20:26:00.000-07:00

Don't worry, he might be the little brother but he doesn't get left out.

It's a GIRL!

2010-10-05T20:18:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I ask myself, "why does everyone think Violet is a boy?". And then I see pictures like this and I realize that her hair doesn't help.

Unless she is decked out in pink or purple (and even that doesn't help some of the time) people think she's a boy. What the heck? And then today, at Trader Joe's, the checker kept calling Zac "her". COME ON.

2010-10-05T20:15:00.000-07:00

I'm embarassed by the things that I let Violet play with as toys. I can't even guarentee that the toilet brush has never been used.

okay...

2010-10-05T20:13:00.000-07:00

I just weighed my 4 month old baby and he is 17 pounds! Just to put it in perspective...Violet weighed 17 pounds when she was 12 months old. At 5 months old, she was ALMOST 13 pounds. He is already over four pounds heavier at a month younger. I also just bought size THREE diapers for him. That's what Violet was in until she was 15 months old. Where did this kid come from? Seriously, he is the chubbiest thing the world has ever seen. I'm looking at him right now and his cheeks are pretty much hanging down past his chin. I LOVE IT!

true that

2010-09-30T19:46:00.000-07:00

Whitney said recently that Zac looks like he ate another baby. I can't argue with that and I don't think anyone else can, after seeing this picture.

Things I love about this picture:

1. The drool dripping down his chest and legs.

2. Each one of his chins.

3. His chubby arms

4. His chubbier cheeks.

5. His moobs

6. His HUGE smile which, by the way, is the only way he smiles. It's that big every time.
Come to think of it, he looks like he's about to eat me. I think Whitney is really on to something.

Violet and her boys

2010-09-29T13:47:00.000-07:00

I've started to notice (since taking Violet to nursery) that Violet totally gravitates to boys and shys away from girls. Hmmm, I wonder why. Anyway, she just loves her boys.

She is definetly outnumbered!!!

Violet is always tattling on the boys. She is such a goody two shoes and has to make sure that we know when the boys are being naughty.

We met Jayms and Johnny at the park last week. They gave Violet goodbye kisses before we walked home. I literally almost died on the way home. The stroller was for Zac and Violet was supposed to be walking, but then she decided she didn't want to walk anymore. So, I walked home in 100+ degree weather pushing Violet up hills in the stroller while carrying Zac. I'm not kidding, I thought I was going to die. In case you're wondering, the park is about 1/4 a mile away. So, I'm a little out of shape. Nobody's perfect.

It's so cute to see the boys with V. All three of them are the craziest, roughest, BOY'S boys ever and they are SO sweet and careful with Violet (most of the time). Jay and Johnny call her 'Princess'.

And of course, Eli and Violet have there own special love/hate relationship. They really are best friends and are always SO excited to see each other, but they always fight. Eli is a little to...energetic and Violet is WAY too sensitive. Here are some of my favorite pictures of the two of them:

They always have to copy each other. I don't know why we didn't put the yellow ones on Eli.
My poor mom. She literally can't hold just one of them. The other one WILL get jealous and climb on up. Mostly I just wanted everyone to see Eli's chubby cheeks...both sets.

Getting into trouble in Grandma's and Grandpa's storage closet. Look at Violet's expression.
Again, always copying.

They can be SO annoying.

Here they are playing with Grandma's shutters.

They got in trouble for playing with the shutters, so they decided to jump on the couch instead.

Then when they were told not to jump on the couch either, they decided to just do whatever the hell the wanted. Eli jumping, Violet playing with the shutters.

Classic. In case you can't tell, Eli is dumping water on Violet's head.
I just love this picture.

Again, annoying. This time playing with the blinds in my laundry room.
Waiting at the gate to go in Grandpa's "Boo-w'll". (How Violet says pool.)

Of course, you can hardly ever catch them NOT eating.

This one I pretty much posted because Eli's expression is the best.

Have I posted this before? I don't know, but I LOVE it. It's probably my all time favorite.

Violet trying her darndest to get a hug from Eli. Eli wanting nothing to do with it. And of course they both have a pacifier and Eli is holding his two favorite things in the world; Teddy and a ball.

And here they are probably abusing poor ZacZac.
Okay, scratch that, THIS is my all time favorite picture. How cute are they?!!!!

Yes, Violet loves her boys but we are SO excited for our trip to Utah in a few weeks to see all her GIRL cousins and aunts!!!

Please,

2010-09-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

don't grow up!!!!

we miss whitney

2010-09-23T11:40:00.000-07:00

august

2010-09-22T21:03:00.000-07:00

just when you thought my posts couldn't be any longer...

Daddy and Zac-y

Out the way, Mom. I'm watching tv.

She looks like such a big girl, then you notice she's drinking from a bottle. She won't take her milk any other way.

Violet loves to be cheeky. She's teasing me, peaking around the corner every time I call.
Just taking some pictures after church.

But I think he'd had enough.

Then I took off his pants to change his diaper and realized I could NOT pass up the opportunity to photograph those CHUNKY legs. I mean seriously, he's huge.

Month three was when he discovered his thumb. They've been inseperable ever since.

I've given up trying to keep her off the stairs, so this is how she spends most of her days.

So now I'll find her roaming the house and get the best pictures, such as this one...

This is her response to, "Smile!"

I promised pictures of the BIGGEST smile ever. And does he deliver, or what?

Please note, the moobs.

Violet defenitely gets the short end of the stick when Josh is out of town. At church, she has to accompany my to the mothers lounge and play with the diaper trash.

She doesn't seem to mind, I guess.My mom made that vest. I love it. Which is why I force him to wear it in 110 degree weather.
Oh she LOVES her silky blankets. You can always find her with it wrapped around her. Yesterday, I found her standing next to her crib with part of the blanket pulled through the slats, rubbing it against her face.

Staring contest. He won.

Violet and Eli both love these shoes of Laura's.

Violet's new favorite toy.

Crying about something, as usual. Actually she's probably crying about nothing, as usual.
I try not to suppress her creativity.

I love Dad, too, Zac.

Poor Zac. Violet treats him like her personal baby doll.
This picture is less about Zac and more about displaying Violet's chubby twinkie feet.

Why is our electricity bill so high?

I didn't know kids really did this.

Afternoon nap by the pool. Must be nice.
Look at all their hair. A combination of naptime and sunscreen.

The bounce house. Oh, the bounce house. Nothing makes Violet happier.
She just runs from one thing to the next. One of her piggies got lost in the excitment.

It is a special treat when Whit comes for a visit. The babies LOVE her.

This was the day that EVERY person we talked to thought Violet was a boy. In this picture, she's wearing Eli's sweater, but before that she was just wearing yellow shorts and a white tank top with flower sandals and everyone still thought she was a boy.

Sleeping.

Or is he???

His cheeks swallow your fingers.

Is there a mother out there who hasn't bought this swimming suit for her little girl this summer? It is so cute.

Can't get to the pool fast enough.

ahhhhh

2010-09-17T22:02:00.000-07:00

This is my LAST july post. Getting caught up!

Violet loved watching the ducks swim in the nasty pond.

Oh what it would be like to sleep in.

Whenever we go to Joann's, Violet marches straight to the bin of stuffed toys and picks out this dog. She carries it around until we leave.
Eventually I have to stick her in the cart (against her will) because she enjoys running away from me and hiding in the maze of aisles. I hate taking kids to Joann's. They both end up screaming EVERY time.

Zac really loves Violet.

I was feeding Violet with Zac-y on my lap when I caught Violet playing footsie with Brother.

Yes, he is THAT white.

Crazy how chubby he's gotten in just a month.

"Bopping" her Freddie. A nice way of saying 'hitting'.

Thought bubble: "How the hell am I going to get that cup?"

Good taste, Violet.

He's growing SO fast. Way too fast for my liking. I find myself in panic mode whenever I look back at pictures and realize that I can't stop time and keep him a little baby forever.

She was promised swimming one night. When we got to the pool there were WAY too many mosquitos, so we went back to the apartment and she had to settle for the bath.

Taken during the 5 minutes we endured the mosquitos. We got eaten alive in those 5 minutes.

So sad. Look how excited she is. And all her hopes and dreams of a night swim were crushed.

Gave her a popsicle. Big mistake. Hence, the bath.

Look how foggy the water is from the popsicle melting. Sick.

Walking around "bopping" all the doors.

Look at that sweet 'almost' smile.

This is not an action shot. He was sleeping frozen in this position.

Doing a math equation in his dreams.

The day before we left: I had put this stuff on the chair, ready for our drive back to California. She kept taking her blanket down and I kept telling her to put it back. I shouldn't have been torturing her. It's her FAVORITE blanket and it was just sitting there, but she wasn't allowed to have it. Anyway, finally she stopped pulling it out from the pile and settled for snuggling it whilst leaving it where it was supposed to be.

Love that little face!

eerrrrplane

2010-09-17T21:24:00.000-07:00

She LOVES her "Bup" backpack

While we were waiting for the plane, a cute older lady came up to me and said, "my husband wants to know if you want that little girl." It was so cute. Apparently, when they walked up to the gate they spotted my little Princess and hoped they could make a bid on her.

Violet was WILD on the plane. She was being belligerent. It was so funny. Making faces, funny noises, just crazy.
Zac, of course, was OUT. Something about an airplane makes him fall asleep fast and hard.

He was trying to get a feel-ski. I have a much more scandalous picture, but I didn't think Claire would appreciate me posting it.

Violet was bouncing off the walls until the moment we touched down on the runway. At that point, we could NOT get her to wake up and Claire ended up carrying her through the HUGE Denver Airport.

2010-09-17T18:53:00.000-07:00

How cute is this swimming suit? Thanks Auntie Laura!! I don't think this pool was made for people over 6 feet tall.

I looked down at my leg and saw this tiny little hand print. Melt my heart.

Violet was "swimming". Note the wedgie.

Just SO cute.

And me and my chubby boy. He has cheeks to spare.

TMI

2010-09-03T17:41:00.000-07:00

Violet just walked in the room and announced, "I pooped."

A post just isn't a post without a picture. This was taken shortly before she threw my hat in the pool.

Summer time

2010-09-03T13:54:00.000-07:00

Violet loved playing with Emma on a daily basis while we were in Denver. Colorado has awesome summer weather so we were able to spend a lot of evenings playing outside. The kids loved it and unfortunately so did the mosquitos. And of course I love anything that allows me to sit on my rear and not parent.

I think Emma has a career in modeling. Look at that picture perfect pose. And of course Violet has chocolate all over her face.ZacZac
Sidewalk chalk art.

For some reason, when he looks at me like that, I feel stupid. Don't judge me, Zac.

Good moms...

2010-09-03T13:45:00.000-07:00

...let their kids play with batteries and plastic bags.

Don't report me.

Matchy matchy

2010-09-03T13:18:00.000-07:00

It's great having these two so close in age because I can find SO much coordinating stuff for both their sizes. I love putting them in their matchy jamjams.

I wanted to get a picture of them together. Look at the tantrum Violet is throwing. Awesome. Zac looks terrified.

Violet was throwing a fit in this picture, too. I got her to stop by asking "Where's Brother?". She stopped screaming long enough to point at Zac.

Handsome Boy

2010-09-01T13:07:00.000-07:00

Roar!!!

Don't you just want to PINCH him?!

Loot

2010-09-01T12:59:00.000-07:00

I took Violet to the store one day and while we were walking in, she was giving me attitude about putting her in the cart. She's WAY too cool to sit in the cart these days. Before we were 10 steps in the door, a cute lady from the bakery was running over to give Violet a cookie and another lady from the gift department was skipping toward us with a pink balloon for her. That is why her most common nickname is 'Princess'...and her second most common is 'Brat'.

She wouldn't let the balloon out of her sight for the rest of the day.

ZacZac is 3 months!!!

2010-09-01T12:10:00.000-07:00

*This picture is a few weeks old, but it best displays all his chub.

I can't believe it! 3 months seems like such a turning point to me. He's not an infant anymore. He's a baby. Get to know him...

-I don't know how much he weighs, but he is HUGE. Seriously. I put him in a pair of 6 months pants yesterday he won't be fitting in 3 months tops for long.
-He spits up a ton. Waaay more than Violet and didn't even think that was possible.
-He loves to suck on his hands.
-He rolled onto his belly for the first time a few night ago.
-He is so so so strong. His grip is gnarly when he gets his hands on your hair or pinches skin and he kicks like crazy.
-He is so noisy. He groans while he falls asleep and he loves to talk. Oooohs, aaahhhs, and gargles. His noises are really really cute.
-He has the BIGGEST smile anyone has ever seen. I'll post a picture soon for proof. Such a fat kid smile.
-He smiles at EVERYTHING.
-He loves to be raised up and down. He gets his biggest smile. All you have to do is just pick him up and he's smiling and giggling. The other day I was walking up the stairs with him and looked down and he was grinning and kicking.
-He's finally sleeping through the night. Not consistantly, but I'll take what I can get. Wakes up at 7 and naps for 2 hours every four hours til bedtime at 9. I wake him up for a last feeding at 11.
-He is such a mama's boy and i LOVE it.
-He loves watching tv. Violet never did and still doesn't so it's so funny for me to see. I left him with my dad for a few hours recently and apperently he sat and watched an entire football game. -Has never scratched his face but always claws at his legs.

He is just so sweet and happy and we love our Big'n so much.

2010-08-25T21:06:00.000-07:00

A bunch of pictures from our trip to california back in july.

Vioet has never been interested in television, but for some reason her eyes were glued to the World Cup.

Violet and Eli both love my parents fireplace.

She won't keep a diaper on. Will NOT. I've had to buy onesies and put them on her for bed or else she wakes up naked.

Using her cute face to distract me from the fact that she's pulling her diaper off.

Violet slept on my parents bed while we were in town. She looked just like the princess she is on their big white bed.

Violet stalked Jay for his cake.

And of course he shared with "Princess".

It's next to impossible to get a picture of these two together. I think out of all her Morris cousins, Violet looks the most like Johnny with their blonde hair and chubby cheeks.

Trickster.
Many a picture has been ruined by the soothie.

Much better.

divide and conquer

2010-08-23T22:17:00.000-07:00

I've played around with scheduling ever since ZacZac was born, trying to figure out how to juggle Big and Little. I've tried putting them on the same schedule, staggering their schedules, giving Violet one nap a day, giving Violet no naps, skipping Zac-y's evening nap, getting Violet up before Zac, getting Zac up before Violet. I've tried it all and what I've found is: There is no easy way to have two babies. So, for the past few days, I've been attempting something new and I'm liking it the best so far. I've put them on opposite schedules. The good old Divide and Conquer method. Works in battle and let's be honest, sometimes I feel like I'm in a fight for my life and these kids are the enemy. Dealing with just one a time (for the most part) makes me feel a lot less overwhelmed (for the most part) and the kids are both happier because they get more one on one time with me. Win, win...win. Of course, things don't ALWAYS go as planned, naps aren't seamless, moods aren't predictable, behavior isn't always top notch, BUT all that is easier to deal with when I'm not getting ganged up on all day...now I'm just getting tag teamed. One bummer is that I get NO time to myself all day, which leaves no time to catch up on sleep or clean and cook without carrying around a child, and definitely no time for any Mommy fun, but that's okay. Sanity is the only "fun" I need these days.

If I sound grumpy or is seems like my sarcasm is verging on cynical that's because Zac has decided to reschedule Night Time. He now sleeps from 5 pm t0 midnight and might fall back asleep til 2:30 and is up for the day at 5:30am. I wish he would have consulted me because I would have reminded him that those times don't work for me because I'm an adult and I have adult responsibilities that I have to tend to that can't take place during the twilight hours.

You know it's love when you can't help smiling at them even when you've slept six hours in the past three days.

Funny girl

2010-08-15T21:33:00.000-07:00

just a quick picture of ZacZac before church.

...and passed out after church.

I was trying DESPERATELY to get a picture of Violet to send to Josh today. She was being SUCH a brat and wouldn't stay still for a single second. So, I'll just post these pictures of her shooting me nasty looks and whining.

I put one shoe on her and she wouldn't let me do the other one. She has such a "personality". That's my nice way of saying she's sassy and spoiled and that I'm scared of her and will do anything to not make her mad.

Claire gave it her best shot but it backfired and Violet ended up taking off both shoes and insisting on putting on different ones.

Shoes per Violet's request...

Demanding that i put Eli's shorts on her.

Okay, here's the funny girl part...

Luckily she was such a good girl at church. She always is, really. It's waking her up early from a nap that lands you on her bad side. Anyway, she was being so funny at church.

First, after sacrament, Claire took her to say hi to one of Claire's friends. Claire said, "Violet, say 'hi' to Derek." Violet looked at him and said, "Eeeewwwwwww." Such a polite and charming child I have raised.

Then, she was sitting on the floor in front of me while I was in combined priesthood/relief society. I gave her a snack and asked her if she would share with me. "No." I asked again and even added a "pretty please?". "No." Okay, I'm feeling pretty stupid at this point, so I stop asking. Then, she looks up at me and puts a fruit snack in her mouth and says "MMMMMMMMM!!!"

The best part of church was a little later in the meeting. I had stood up to burp Zac at the side of the room and Violet was still sitting with my mom. After a while, Violet came and played by my feet. Then she decided she wanted to go back to sit with my mom so she got up and walked to the wrong aisle and asked the lady at the end of the aisle, "Di day doe?" Of course this lady had no idea that the noise coming out of Violet's mouth meant "where did they go?" and even if she had she'd have no way of knowing who Violet was talking about. So, the lady sat there confused and Violet squeezed her way to the next person while I'm at the side of the room trying to get her attention to come back. Violet proceeds down the entire aisle of people asking them where her grandma is. Then she gets to the break in the aisle where the Stake President is giving the lesson and just stands by him for a minute or two. I'm humiliated at this point because I'm suddenly "that" mother who can't control her child. Then Violet spots a man across the way who looks a little like my dad and walks up to him and asks the same question. "Di day doe?" Of course, this man doesn't understand either and justs sits there confused so Violet reaches up to him and he picks her up and she sits there on his lap for a few minutes. If you've ever met Violet, I know what you're thinking. And I couldn't believe it either. Violet has hardly ever looked at a stranger with out crying much less sat there on someone's lap while (as far as she can tell) she's wandering a room alone. It was crazy, funny, embarassing, cute, etc. Finally, she slid off his lap and squeezed down the aisle again and came running when she spotted me. I pointed to grandma and grandpa and she happily ran over to sit with them.

2010-08-15T21:18:00.000-07:00

Violet thinks ZacZac needs a friend to snuggle with.
He's man enough to pull off pink.

fun times at best buy

2010-08-15T21:04:00.000-07:00

we went to best buy one day and violet had way more fun than expected.

some cute brother/sister moments first...

kissing...

and rocking...
she was bouncing off the walls, but everytime she passed this t.v. she'd stop, point, and yell "balloon!"

4th of july

2010-08-12T20:28:00.000-07:00

Late? Yes, but these pictures are just too cute to pass up.

Claire and I flew from Denver to California on the morning of the fourth. It was awesome because I was able to take both kids for free, thanks to Claire claiming one of the nuggets as her lap baby.

Violet and Zac were dressed in their patriotic outfits and they looked SO cute!

The two of them were quite a hit at the airport and had quite an adoring crowd where ever they went.

Zac was WIDE EYED the whole way to the airport. Then again, when is he not?

I LOVE those little legs.

Both kids were SO good on the plane. Zac-y slept the whole time and Violet just had a blast.

She kept putting this straw into her sippy cup and drinking from it that way. Such a creative imagination.

She loved looking at the clouds out the window.

Violet was laughing SO hard when the plane touched down. The sensation must have tickled her stomach or something because she just cracked up until we came to a stop. She had everyone around us laughing as well.

She zonked out on the drive home from the airport.

Waiting from Grandma and Eli to get home from church.

Our street had it's annual block party. It was so fun. We rented a HUGE astro jump slide, had a pot luck, blocked off the street and hung out while the kids played in the cul de sac. We have the BEST neighbors. There are SO many kids on our street! It's going to be so much fun for them as they get older. Violet's got about 6 kids within six months of her age and Zac-y has about 6 as well. Our next door neighbor had her baby boy on the same day that Zac was born. Crazy, right? And the couple across the street had a little girl almost two weeks before Zac was born. I also noticed recently all the babysitting aged girls who live on our street. Perfect.

Someone gave Violet a cupcake to bring to me. Yeah right. As you can tell, I never got the cupcake.

Nothing puts a smile on her face like a little junk food. She's her mother's daughter.

I love pictures of the four of them together.

Look at that red nose.

Love the bubble butt look that comes when you use a regular diaper to go swimming.

Thank you for the CUTE sunglasses, Gran and Gramps!

Violet LOVED the bouncy slide. Since then, we've found a local bounce house. I have NEVER seen Violet so excited.

two peas in a pod

2010-08-12T16:31:00.000-07:00

Are they cute or what? They each have one of Grandma's shoes on. I love how they turn at the EXACT same time. Twintuition.

what does a pig say?

2010-08-12T11:41:00.000-07:00

Both my kids are naked. Just a day in the life.

Yahoooo!

2010-08-12T11:23:00.000-07:00

Just weighed Violet and Zac-y and I'm pleased to announce that Zac has gained a pound in the last 2 1/2 weeks. Still a little behind at this point, but at the rate we're going, he'll be caught up in no time. Violet was a even bigger surprise. This kid hasn't gained a pound in the past six months. What the heck?

Zac 2 1/2 months

9 lbs 9 ounces

Violet 19 1/2 months

21 lbs