Biker Babe

Hip hip hooray!  Lillie finally learned how to ride her new bike!  It sure didn't take her long once she decided that she wanted to try it.  What finally convinced her?  Henry was showing interest in learning how to ride without training wheels and so we said that whoever learned how to do it first would get to pick out a toy at Walmart.  That sure lit a fire under her!  I think it took her two days to learn on the small bike and a couple more days to learn on her big bike.  Once she did it, we took her to the store and she picked out a mermaid Barbie as her prize.  It is all she wants to do once she comes home from school.  Sure wished we lived in a less busy area so that I wouldn't have to worry about her safety so much.  She has matured so much lately!  So proud of this latest accomplishment!

Ian is Halfway to One!!

 I just love these photos.  Life is so much better with a baby.  Better and harder.

Ian is now almost 6 1/2 months old!  He is such a sweet little guy and such a fun addition to our family.  He has learned a few new tricks recently: he takes a bottle, eats baby food,  rolls both ways and sleeps through the night again... sometimes.  All really good things!  He still is not a fan of riding in the car.  He has gotten much much better at taking naps.  Usually takes three a day, one short one and then two 1 1/2 hour naps.  He still can only handle tummy time when he is in the mood and its usually not for very long.  He still just has two teeth.  I cannot get enough of him!

Easter Morn 2014

Despite all the fighting around here lately, somehow the Easter Bunny managed to find our house.  And he had to bring 3 baskets this year for the first time.  Still weird to think that we have THREE kids.  Lillie and Henry got squirt guns, small junk, and too much candy.  Lillie also got a watering can to water the garden and Henry got Hungry, Hungry Hippos.  Ian got pacifiers, a sippy cup and baby food.  Better luck next year, kid :).  Today was stake conference, we were able to listen to Elder Nelson speak today.  We also forced our kids to take a couple photos after church.  Ian didn't do too well at looking at the camera.  We are having dinner with the Thomases in a couple hours followed by an egg hunt.  It has been a good Easter.  So grateful to have this time of year to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the chance that we have to live again with our Father in Heaven.

Egg Dyeing 2014

Ian at 5 1/2 Months

I haven't been great about blogging the past 5 months and coincidentally that also is the age of Ian.  Imagine that.  And although the blog is suffering, our family is not.  We sure do love this new addition in our family. He is the chattiest, laughiest, happiest baby.  He has melted all of our hearts.  He is an "easy" baby although I don't think that any baby is exactly easy.  They are a lot of work and demand a lot of time and attention.  But thankfully he is not difficult.  Ian's eyes are the color of the ocean and his hair is still red more than any other color.  It grows most think down the middle of his head, so he always looks like he's got a mohawk.  His skin is still snow white and has a little bit of eczema, which has been a learning experience for me.   He is my biggest baby by far, wearing size 12-18 month clothing with ease.  I am sure he weighs somewhere in the 18 lb range.  His first two teeth popped through the other day, which was a sad day to me, my baby is growing up way too fast.  He is getting better and better at eating rice cereal, but still gags easily (he tried it for the first time right around 5 months).  Ian learned how to roll over to his left while we were in Utah earlier this month.  He rolls over almost immediately when laid down but screams like crazy after being on his tummy for a minute or two.  Too bad he hasn't learned how to roll back over.  He is enjoying the jumperoo more and more.  He started taking a MAM pacifier in WA a couple weeks ago.  I had tried quite a few different types, but my sister said her son wouldn't take one until she tried that type and dug out an old one for Ian to try and he took to it right away.  Wish I would have found that out earlier in his life, but better late than never.  He is getting pretty close to being able to put it in his own mouth.  He loves being sung to.  We love this little guy!

Spring Mini-Session

Another Trip to Wall Beach

Eric and I have decided to start making a more conscious effort of getting to the beach when we have free time.  Besides the extra laundry and sand in our car, we never regret going and the kids absolutely love it.  It won't be forever that we'll have the beach 15 minutes from our house. 
We had a few hours last Saturday in between Lillie's dance class and a baptism that I spoke at, and so we decided to head to Wall beach to do some exploring.  The kids had fun finding cool shells, parts of crabs, sticks and rocks.  The weather was absolutely perfect.  75 degrees and no wind.  That is pretty much unheard of at beaches on the central coast and meant that Ian was also able to enjoy his time there.
I knew my camera's battery was low before we left, but I took it anyway and was able to get a few shots in before it died.  I am not in any of the pictures, but trust me, I was there.  Lillie made us a picnic lunch to enjoy while we were out.  She is becoming such a wonderful helper, love her!
Anyway, we had a wonderful time, the kids did not want to leave and neither did I.  Until next time!

4 MONTHS!!!

I took this picture of Ian tonight.  I think he is soo handsome!  And this is what he looks like almost all the time, sucking on his hand and chilling in someone's lap.  He is four months old!  There is nothing better than sweet happy moments with this little guy.  We are all crazy about him:

*Ian always has his hands in his mouth.

*He loves to squeal and blow raspberries.

*Ian has started to intentionally grab things: rattles, my necklace, etc.

*His hair is growing in just down the middle on the top.  It looks like he has a mohawk.

*He is a chubby checkers: Weight: 16 lbs 15 oz  85%  Height: 26.7 in  96%  Head: 80%

*Ian's nick names include: E.B., Little Chubby, and Nugget.  I call him Nugget more than I should...

*He does not like tummy time or the bumbo much.

*He is sleeping through the night, every night.  Which is wonderful!!

*His eyes light up when his bro and sis give him attention.

*He is still a crazy spit up machine

Valentine's Day 2014

This year, Valentine's Day was really great. Eric brought me flowers and I gave him a card and then we dropped off our kids at a friend's house whose teenage daughters had volunteered to watch kids and throw them a party for free! So we took our little sidekick Ian and headed out to dinner. It was in a fancy hotel in Buellton where they were putting on a special Valentine's Day dinner where you chose food from a limited menu but it was all VERY DELICIOUS and came out very quickly, which was nice with an infant. It was quiet and romantic and yummy, so much better than I was even expecting. It was the perfect night, especially because Ian did really well and the kids had a blast at their party, so much so that they did not want to leave.

Point Sal Hike to Paradise Beach

We had contemplated taking a trip for the 3 day weekend but decided to take it easy and enjoy the time off. We were getting a bit stir crazy by Monday and Eric decided we should go on a hike. It was a pretty easy hike so that the kids could handle it with beautiful views all along the way. The beach was in a cove which blocked the almost always constant wind coming off the ocean and so it was really warm and enjoyable. Lillie spent her time playing in the waves while Henry and I climbed on the rocks. Ian actually enjoyed being there this time because of the wind block, which was great. It was a fun family time, glad for the time we've had to enjoy the beaches of the central coast.