Elf on the Shelf

Last year we started a tradition like SOOOOO many others called Elf on the Shelf.  Shortstop really enjoyed it but I found I was running out of ideas.  Well this year he will love it even more being older so I am always looking for great ideas.  My sister Rachel, out in Boston, has a friend doing a giveaway for 25 days of Elf on the Shelf ideas and products.  I so want to win and entry into the contest is doing a blog post...so here it is!  You HAVE to check out this blog.  So many great ideas and then you can enter too!

Go here to enter and good luck!  I will be posting pictures of our little Elf adventures once December rolls around.  I don't have the actual elves from the book but I got the cutest girl and boy elf from my favorite decor store called Real Deals so I can't wait to bring them out again!  I love holidays!

Two and a half year old

Well, I have a two and a half year old as of Saturday...and I love it!  Here are the newest things we are blessed with:

• He is so smart and so fun plus he has recently taken a huge interest in helping out around the house as much as he can.  I am learning patience as I let him pick out his own clothes, click the car seat on his own, and wipe the table after eating.  While it would be so much easier for me to just do it all, I know it is important to back off and let go of that control.  Plus it is fun to watch his little mind work and figure out solutions.  
• The picking out his own clothes thing is almost a fight though.  He is so particular and hates rolled sleeves or pants that are too long, too short or that don't fit around his waist properly.  Collars bother him.  He does not like new shoes unless he had a hand in picking them out and trying them on.  His socks have to be just so and if he has no shoes on he wants nothing to do with socks.  After dressing him in an outfit the other day he just sobbed but wouldn't tell me what was wrong.  A few minutes later he stumbled in my room, shoulders slumped and whimpered "Mom, please don't make me wear this shirt...I wanted a red one."  Of course I obliged and we talked about how he could have just asked me while I was dressing him.  Funny kid!
• Still loves reading like I have never seen.  His quiet time usually consists of him reading to his stuffed animals for the entire time.  
• He wants to know what every word he sees says, (store signs, shampoo labels, etc...) what every new item he encounters is, the band and title of every song and so much more.  I love 99.5 in the car because they tell me the song and title because saying "I don't know" is not an option.  
• "Cause why?" is his newest phrase and I allow a maximum of 4 "cause why's" per thing I say.  Then I try to calmly explain that that is the end of the conversation.  He does ok with that and never gets mad.  
• He adores his dad and is about the most loving child to everyone around him.  If I even look distressed or tired he asks "Mom, what is wrong?" or  "Are you sad?" or  "Is baby kicking and hurting you?"  Then he hugs me and says "I just love you so much."
• I made a little thankful tree where we write what we are thankful for each day on paper leaves and tape them up on the wall.  It has been a lot of fun.  We ask him and he tells us so we can write it down but then he wants to try and write his own.  He gets down on the floor with his pen and leaf and says "Thankful for..." and then says something as he doodles.  
• He is our alarm clock by coming in the room and whispering once "Mom and dad..wake up."  If we don't respond he then says much more loudly "Mom and dad...time to wake up!"  Then he crawls into bed with us for as long as we all have time to snuggle (or sleep a little longer) and I let him watch one or two Disney junior cartoons depending on how early/late it is.  
• He loves primary songs and telling anyone who will listen that "Jesus loves you!"  I taught him "I hope they call me on a mission" recently and he said "I am ready to go on a mission."  Oh son...let me have you for just a few more years but then yes, please serve a mission!
• He likes to talk about pirates and Disneyland and football just as much as ever.  Basketball is creeping its way into conversations though since his first game the other night.
• He knows words to songs that he hears once or twice.  Today while he was reading I overheard him singing "Despicable Me" which is also his favorite movie. 
• His dance moves are impressive!
• His facial expressions rival any adult comedian.  
• He does not nap anymore, unless exhausted or sick, but he really enjoys quiet time.  No naps means no more fussy boy at night before dinner and he sleeps longer and better so no complaints here.  I get my quiet time still and life is happier. 
• He FINALLY loves to color.  It is so great and I have been trying to get him interested in it forever.  Even in nursery he didn't want to.  But suddenly that is all he wants to do and it helps so much to have him occupied doing something he enjoys and can do on his own.  (He still has to have me draw a football or a Cosmo paw print on every paper before he starts).
• He does a great pout and slink off move when he is put out.  So great that I have to hide my face in a pillow while laughing so he doesn't think I am not taking him seriously.
• He walked through snow for the first time this last weekend.  Last winter he started walking in December and was still very unstable plus it was a very mild winter and I don't even remember snow on the ground so this is all new.  He was a big fan of it but refuses to wear gloves and hats so he didn't stay out for very long.
• His memory astounds me.  We went to the creamery today to get milk and he asked where Grandma and Grandpa were...months ago they took us there to get ice cream.  He also loves to skype family so we enjoy when people want to and can do that.  It is a hoot to watch he and his cousins interact on skype like little adults!
• We love to watch for dad out the window after work and Mark knows to sneak up to the window and "scare" Shortstop.  Little moments, I tell ya.  They make everything worth it.
• He is so logical and intelligent that we just talk to each other like friends.  I tell him what the plan is for the day and ask his input on things.  He then asks me questions and clarifies plans.  He helps me remember things to get at the store.  It is just an amazing stage that he is in!

Now for the fun part.  Pictures!  And they are just random so enjoy.

 We have been fighting a nasty cold around here for a couple of weeks.  This was the worst day for my little man.  He refused to nap in his bed so fell asleep on my floor and would wake up, roll a little and fall back asleep.  Poor buddy!

 Just making sure his brother's toys and gear work well...

 Poring over The Friend.  I bought him his first copy and he loves looking through it and asking questions.  

Pinterest inspired church activities.  He enjoyed helping me make these "puzzles" as we talked about what each picture was and what they meant.

First basketball game with his dad.  I guess we technically took him when he was like 6 months old but he hated loud noises back then so I left after a few minutes.  

 He was so anxious they got there 30 minutes before tip off. 

 Such a great pair

 It was a huge hit!  He loved seeing Cosmo and eating his popcorn.  At halftime, while sitting on Mark's lap, Mark noticed he was really quiet.  He looked down to see a sleepy little boy trying so hard to stay awake.  They left soon after but I am sure Shortstop would have stayed the whole time.

And to end...this is what I am sitting next to right now.  I started blogging and he climbed up on the couch next to me, laid his head on my arm, requested some music and then fell asleep.  I laid him down so he could sleep a little better than on my arm. :)

Baby Thoughts

I keep journals for my boys that are separate from this blog so sometimes I forget to even post things about this pregnancy because it is all in baby #2's personal journal.  But I decided to do just a short update.
I am feeling very pregnant but finally over the weird sicknesses and colds and flus that have been going around.  I have heard that every pregnancy is different but I am really experiencing it like I didn't know I would!  I know with the second your body has changed already so things that you didn't feel with the first are much more prevalent.  Like pressure, lots of pressure, making it kind of hard to get around.  And my hips feel a mile apart!  I NEVER waddled when I was preggo with Shortstop and I have tried really hard not to with this one but I find myself waddling before I can catch it! :)  Mark just smiles as I waddle past him and says "Thanks for growing my boys."  Such a good man.
I am all up front again with my belly which is kind of fun.  Looks like a basketball under my shirt.  I haven't gained very much weight with this one but I started at a higher weight than I had planned so I totally ok with it!
I am progressing normally and baby is measuring great.  Not too big but not too small...just right.  The doctor offered an induction date for a week before I am due but I really want to try and do this as much on my own as I can.  I was induced with Shortstop for medical reasons so I have no idea what my body does to go into labor and I want to know.  Plus I would like going natural to be an option.  I am not saying I will for sure do it but pitocin kind of makes it hard to even try.  (And many of you may remember my "awesome" epidural experience so you can understand my fears and hesitation).
Crib and dresser are all set up.  Baby clothes, blankets and burp cloths are washed and put away.  My hospital bag is packed and ready to go.  Christmas shopping is about 80% done (I really want December to be relaxing and all about me and my boys hanging out watching Christmas movies and drinking hot cocoa).  My toes have a cute pedicure (again, I love my husband for sending me to get one!)  So basically...I am set!  He may not come for another three weeks but he might come tomorrow and I HAVE to feel prepared so that is why everything is done.
I am so excited to meet this little guy, to see what he looks like, to get to know his personality and to have Shortstop be a big brother.  He has always loved babies and talks about baby brother a lot but lately he is much more into feeling my stomach and talking about sharing his room and toys with the baby.  I cannot wait to see how these two interact.  And Shortstop loves helping me get his own diaper and wipes or pjs and throwing diapers in the pail or putting clothes in his drawers so I know he will be a big help when I need a pacifier or a diaper or burp cloth.  He asks to hold the baby all the time and tries to hold my stomach while asking. :)
Mark can't believe he is going to have "sons" but loves to think about it.  He is the only boy in his family and I only have one brother so it is a fun shift in dynamics for us.  He talks about taking them out camping and to ball games and tag team wrestling in the evenings and of course, teasing mom.  Shortstop already does that so well with his dad so Mark is just getting a bigger team.  (The other night Mark was right about something...I know, I can't believe I am admitting it...so he put his hand in the air as if throwing something at me and said "Truth bomb".  Two seconds later my two year old said "Mom...truth bomb!" and did the same gesture.  I am in trouble!)
Having two kids makes me a little nervous but who isn't nervous to change any dynamic?  Shortstop is just so easy going and is my little buddy that I hope that continues.  I don't want to lose the relationship I have with him as I build one with his brother.  I am so blessed and maybe that is why I can't believe I am being blessed even more to have another one.  Life is so great and I am so happy I have my little family forever.

Jack-ism

Shortstop has started getting in and out of the tub on his own after bath time.  While I know he is old enough, I worry about him slipping or getting too cold so I ask him not to each time until either mom are dad are in there with him.
Tonight after he was done with his bath, he called for dad in the other room (I struggle bathing him with this big belly of mine) and Mark said "Are you ready to get out?" As Shortstop said "Yes!" he was already climbing out of the tub.  I was watching this whole thing without him knowing I was there.  He gets out on his own, rubs his chest, shivers, looks up and sees me just looking at him.  I raised an eyebrow just waiting to see what he would say.  He looked sheepishly at me, looked around the bathroom and suddenly raised both hands in the air, jumped and yelled "Ta-da!"
The kid is smart.  If he makes it seem like a magic act, how can I get mad?

Halloween

Halloween is an interesting holiday with a toddler.  Last year Shortstop was still not walking so we didn't do a ton of activities and trick or treating was not a big deal.  He wore a costume but I picked it out last minute and he didn't really care about it.   This year he has asked about the pumpkins, the skeletons, the costumes and all the other fun things he has seen that are new.  It has been so great to watch him get excited.  So we decided since there was no way I was making any type of costume and had no creativity energy that we would let him pick.  He loves Peter Pan so I was sure he would pick a pirate costume I found.  But next to it was a bright orange DJ Lance costume.  Don't know who DJ Lance is?  Well here you go but you are not missing out.  

He is the main guy on Yo Gabba Gabba.  Shortstop used to LOVE this tv show but hasn't watched it in a year so I could not believe that this is what he wanted to be.  Knowing the personality of my child I knew he would fight wearing anything but I thought maybe it would go more smoothly if he had picked out his outfit.  Mark and I didn't dress up, we rarely do, and that is ok with me.  I wanted to find a nun outfit but never did...being a pregnant nun just seemed like a fun idea!  Maybe another year.

So we went to our ward party on Friday and didn't even attempt the fight that would be wearing a costume.  He wore a cute Mickey Mouse skeleton shirt and that was enough for me.  Then yesterday morning I started prepping him for what he would do that night.  We weren't sure we would be going out due to the 103 temperature the night before but he woke up feeling great and had no fever.

I explained again about trick or treating, we practiced saying it and saying thank you and I talked to him about wearing his costume.  He has had it in his room for weeks and has known about it but he took one look and said "No way mom."  I asked him why and he said he wanted to be a pirate.  I was so frustrated!  I told him that he had picked this and if he wanted candy he needed to wear a costume.  So he started negotiating with me.  "I will wear the pants.  No shirt, no hat, no glasses."  So I left it alone and brought it up later where he said "Maybe the shirt."  Finally it came time to put it on.  He was ticked!  He hated the collar so I cut an inch off, he hated the pants, he refused the glasses and the hat was too small for his head.  I bribed him with a cookie to let me take ONE picture with the glasses and he allowed that.  But only one.  Funny kid with his own personality and his own opinions!!  Once it was on though, he was fine.

 Best. Picture. Ever.

 The Brobee backpack we got when we took him to their concert last year completed the ensemble!

 Skyping with Nana and Aunt Allis before we headed out

 See how small the hat is!?

 Love that Mark wore the glasses for a bit

 Action shots

Cutest face ever! 

We went to the University Mall first to trick or treat but will not be doing that again!  It was so crowded so we left soon after we got there.  Shortstop is like me and gets overwhelmed with crowds and even a bit fussy.  So we headed to a random street and started trick or treating.  It was perfect and Shortstop LOVED it.  He had so much fun holding his dad's hand and saying "Trick or treat" at every door.  And I was so proud of him because after each piece of candy was dropped in his bucket he said "Thank you!  Happy Halloween!"  I am kicking myself for not getting video of it.  The skeletons and other decorations never scared him and he was social with everyone.

When we got home he was very excited to go to bed and fell right asleep.  We only had three trick or treaters stop by so Mark and I watched a movie.  We don't own scary movies so we watched GhostTown to keep in the spirit of ghosts and Halloween.  All in all it was a low key but great Halloween!

BYU Homecoming Parade

A few weeks ago was the BYU homecoming parade.  Last year I was out of town with Shortstop in Boston so we missed it and I really wanted to do it this year.  The weather was perfect and Shortstop was very excited at the prospect of doing something dealing with his favorite team!  Two years ago we watched it like this:

Kind of nice to be able to step outside our front door and see the parade go by.  And sad to think those buildings are no longer there!  But this year we were able to figure out where to park and where to sit for the best view.  We were right on 9th east but no one was around us so Shortstop got ALL the attention and candy and coupons and toys from the parade.  It rocked!

 All set up and waiting for the parade!

 Very intrigued by what was happening

 His favorite parts were Cosmo and the marching band.  Loving the marching band is in his blood!  His Great Grandpa was the marching band leader for many many years.

Stacking his flyers and holding tightly to his BYU "quishy" ball

We love our little cougar and we love how much he loves our alma mater.  Let's hope he continues loving it until he is old enough to go!

This picture is not from the homecoming game but Mark took his boy to another game and Shortstop sat for the whole time without complaining, whining or trying to get away.  I was shocked!  I expected them to come home after an hour but my little cougar was there to cheer every touchdown and first down and loved doing the hand motions.