an Update

Taj has been getting worked lately. He goes through little periods of being really clumsy and getting hurt, usually during growth spurts, but lately he's just plain getting dosed. We went to a basketball game of Micah's the other night and as Taj sweetly sat on the front row getting into the excitement of the game and the atmosphere a guy got mad at the ref and threw the ball. The ref didn't catch the ball and it goes flying right at inocent little Taj. He was hurt, but as a kid the suprised and embarrassed factors made it sooooo much worse. I was shocked how quickly he bounced back and pleased that he was more willing to stay close to mom afterwords.
It's finally warm enough to go outside so Taj was taking full advantage. We played until he got so hurt I put my foot down and made him come in for a nap. First he hit the beam holding up our balcony with the top of his head (not sure what was going on to cause that one), then he was riding his bike and not really watching where he was going and rode right into our gate leaving his nose and eye all tore up. What a tough kid doing his best to smile while I took the picture of his battle wounds.Here we have "Fireman Sam". Anyone heard of the show? Me either until we found it on Demand a week ago. Now that's all Taj talks about. We turn on the fireplace and all of a sudden it's, "Fireman Sam to the rescue. He's gonna save the day." We got into it with him.
We finally got to use the "Hawaii Stroller". I got this stroller before we went to HI and haven't used it since we got back until today! I wasn't the only one excited. Taj and Eden were all about it.

the "Great Job on the Crapper" Phone Call

"Hi Nana. Miss you Nana. He went poo poo on the potty."

Silence.

In a whisper, " It look like snakes. Hsssssss."

That boy cracks me up. He gets M&M's when he goes on the potty so every once and a while Taj will ask to try it out. We've had great luck a few times now. Who knew the potty could be so exciting. I'm definitely waiting a little longer to dive into it whole heartedly, but yeah! It looks like snakes!

Thanks for Blogging

Last night I hung out with Molly, a girl I grew up with, after at least a few years. We hardly even talked to each other until a few months ago when we found each other through the computer and have been hanging out in Blog-ville, checking up on each other. We finally got together with our families last night and had a blast-ee. I can't even list the cool people from my life that I thought might be lost that I've reconnected with through blogging. It might sound cheesy, but this housewife in the cold of Utah is really grateful for blogging.
In other news, I am also grateful for Babywise. I'm not saying it's for everyone, but everyone should at least consider. Ha. It really has made an amazing difference for us in just a few days. It made a difference from even the first day. Eden woke up once last night! I don't think I was a bad mom before, I think I was just a tired and rundown mom before. I love the predictable routine of it, and it seems so does Eden because she's a happy camper. I'm worried I'm jinxing it by talking about it. Thanks for the input and support. Just knowing there are other mom's out there with sleep issues too is comforting.

New Room, New Sleeping Habits

Eden started sleeping in her own room a couple nights ago, and I think they were two of the longest nights I've had with her in a couple months. I'm wondering if it's the new location and if it might just take a few more days or what. Whatever it is, I'm getting worried that this up-every-other-hour-for-a-hug thing is her new style. In a nervous fit I've been reading "On Becoming Babywise" hoping to find a solution, or at least an explanation for this sleeplessness. As I'm reading it I feel like I'm getting a bit brainwashed. I also wonder if it's too late to start at four months. I will take any feedback on Babywise: the good, the bad and the ugly.

I also wanted to show off some pictures of the room that we finally got ready for Eden. I'm so proud of Micah's handy work on refinishing the dresser and painting the walls. I could say he did it for me, but the truth is I know he would do anything for that sweet little girl.

My funny Valentine's Day

The first Valentine's Day I shared with Micah was more amazing than any I even imagined. I woke up to roses placed around my room with notes next to them telling of reasons he loves me. The day got better and better. Needless to say, I married that secretly romantic guy. We haven't quite topped that first Valentine together, and probably because we don't feel like we have to. Every year with Micah has been special and memorable in their own way.

This year was extra special because it was new and special for Taj. We started the day with pink pancakes (they were suposed to be hearts) and pink milk. I've never seen him eat so much in my life. He just kept asking for more. I like this picture because you can see he snuck his hand in the shot to get a pink pancake. He couldn't wait. I've added food coloring to his food a couple of times and it has helped keep my two year old interested in eating- pretty hard to do. At his "Wee Read" class they read and sang all sorts of fun Valentin's Day books and songs, and he got a lolipop (posibly his favorite part of the day). At home we made Valentine's for a few special ladies in his life. The most exciting part for me was his date that night. Taj went out with his Nana and PopPop to a play of "Jungle Book". He sat through the whole thing and had an amazing time, from what I'm told anyway. I love this big boy stuff.

Micah and I took it easy that night, but made up for it the next day on our date. I planned the most romantic thing I could think of- Kangaroo Zoo! It's a huge warehouse full of jumping castles, slides and mazes. We felt like we were on the set of American Gladiators. After getting sweaty there we went and got pedicures. A little girls day out-ish, but I challange anyone to get a pedicure and say they didn't enjoy it. I guess it was Micah showing me one more time how much he loves me by humoring me on that date. We have fun together no matter what we do. I'm so lucky to have married my best friend, and we still like and love each other after all this time.

"Finally!"

We gave Eden her first serving of rice cereal yesterday. She ate almost every drop, holding onto the spoon unil she got it all. When we were done she kept trying to eat everything she could... the bib, the high chair and even her hands looking for more of that tastey rice cereal. I love this stage.

Little Van Gough

Taj LOVES to draw. Anytime he sees a writing utencile he imediately asks for some paper to draw on. I wonder where he gets it. Maybe my talented husband. This is one Micah did most recently, and one of my favorites.

This is one of Taj's first major works of art. He had so much fun, and we love it so much that I think I'm going to start framing some of his stuff.

We just got this art eisle from Ikea (love that evil place). He had so much fun drawing and erasing (doing majic) that he would stop every other minute to jump and dance around. Good purchace. Happy parents.

So Bored

Eden Waimea

I find it hard to believe it's been four months already. Don't get me wrong, there have been some long days and nights. I think what I mean to say is that life without Edens bright eyes, coo's and squeels, Micah sized burps, stretches, and hugs seems like a million years ago. To think it's only been four months.

She rolled over today for the first time! She loves to talk and as Taj puts it, "hang out." Eden loves her brother and spends most of her day on my hip watching her busy brother explore the world as only a two year old can. Edo's (one of her nicknames) loves to be int the tub and is very forgiving of her brothers splashing. She sleeps pretty well. She's put herself on the schedule of eight o'clock to bed and only getting up to eat a couple times in the night. I'm o.k. with it. We love you Eden and know we are blessed to have you in our family.

Now what?

We just got back from our family trip to Hawaii. Leaving a vacation and trying to get back into your old routine is never fun. I think that the bad thing about Hawaii is how quickly time flys there. Instead of going into my list of complaints about Utah in February, I will just upload some memories and happy thoughts.As a mom that grew up in Hawaii there is something about my kids playing without shoes on, sleeping on a towel on the beach, and climbing trees that really feels like love and childhood. I was a happy mom in the Hawaiian tradewinds.
Is this what heaven looks like? I think so.
I think Eden liked the taste of salt and sunscreen because she never stopped sucking on her or my hand.
Taj forgot about snowcones really quickly. Saying we were going to get shave ice became the great motivator.
We got a similar shot of micah holding Taj and a surfboard a couple years ago when Taj was that little. Nothing like a Dad taking his family to the beach.

The first night back in Utah Taj asked me if we could go back to our Hawaii house. All I could think was how homesick I was too.

Before I forget...

I'm a dork for writing so soon, but I don't want to forget anything. It was a Christmas to remember. Taj was in awe of everything. It brought a sweet and pure spirit to the holiday that made this Christmas the best I've ever had. I can see how parents get so carried away.

We have both grandparents living really close, so it was tough trying to decide who's house we'd go to for Christmas festivities. To avoid hurting feelings we decided to have it all at our house. I think it went over well. Together, the Smith's and Jackson's can make a mean feast. After eating, Taj and his cousin Kali at the kids table :), we had them act out the nativity, then opened a Christmas eve present (p.j.'s) and read Christmas books. We also got to talk to Micah's brother Luke who is on a mission in Guatamala. Exhausting, and exciting.

We decided to make our own stockings last year and are proud we finished Edens in time for this year.

Christmas eve we went tubing at a nearby golf coarse. It was going off- kids everywhere. We had a great time, but because I want to remember every detail I must mention the tumble Taj and Pop Pop took. They ran into some other tubers and Taj did a complete flip. He was brave and went down the hill a few more times. We're so proud.

Little Joseph. He had no problem playing dress up even though it probably made no sense to him. He and Mary both had donkeys. Kali's dress kept going up without her noticing. We all had to laugh at how inappropriate Mary was. Ha ha.

Here's Taj in his jammies playing with the train set Santa brought him. It was waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs. He smiled and ran to it when he saw it, and that was all we got from Taj for about the next two hours. We couldn't get him to even look away, even for other presents. His cousin couldn't stand seeing his stack of untouched presents waiting to be unwrapped and asked several times if she should help unwrap them.

It snowed the whole night but was a beautiful and sunny day. The guys went out to shovel and ended up playing. Since it was Christmas the roads didn't get cleared, and since we live on a little hill we had the perfect place for sledding. It was just one more thing to make it a perfect Christmas.

Cookies with Santa

Taj has been really into Christmas. Loves to spot the Christmas lights everywhere he looks. Love's the decorations, songs, treats, books, presents,- you talk about Christmas and he's into it. Micah and I were a little worried about the crazy Santa in the mall experience and weren't really planning on getting him out to meet Santa until we heard about a little event called "Cookies with Santa." It took place in a little shop and had a sign up sheet accepting only about twenty kids. We decided that in a small setting like that where he could relax, have a cookie and watch other kids sit on Santa's lap it would be cool.
It was awesome. They all got bells to ring that brought Santa in, then one by one Santa would call all the kids up by name for the little Santa talk. We prepped Taj by talking about how cool it was that all those kids got to talk to Santa and asked him what he wanted for Christmas. Then it was his turn. I took him up and he did great until it was time to get on his lap. Terrified. Santa was a pro and tried to negotiate a sit down with mom and taj on the lap. Didn't work, so Santa gave him a bag of candy to which Taj thanked him through his tears. Then with Taj latched tightly to his mom, he and Santa had a nice talk about getting a train for Christmas.

When his turn was done he watched Santa for a while trying to size things up. For the rest of the day he told the story of how Santa made Taj a little nervous but that he told him he wanted a train. He loves the bell they gave him, and the candy. I think that all in all, it was a pretty good first time.

Here's to Mr. Fish

Taj was given a fish for his 2nd birthday from his friend Mia. He was really excited about him (we have to guess it was a him) joining the family. He had one before and we had to leave him with his four year old cousin while we went to California. Luckily Taj forgot about that fish because he wasn't around in the physical sense when we got home. I was a little apprehensive about another fish experiment, especially after warring off the kids at the birthday party.

Somehow Mr. Fish stayed with us for about three months until a week ago when I saw him floating listlessly. I shook the bowl and to my suprise he started swimming around with his one fin. Since that day he would only move when we fed him. Micah and I decided he'd had enough and after Taj went to bed we flushed the little guy. Allthough Taj hasn't noticed his absense, he is missed and will be remembered in this post. Here's to you Mr. Fish.

Busy Baby

Woke up the other night to a new slurping and sucking sound. It seems little Eden has discovered her hands. I really don"t want a thumb sucker for the obvious problems with teeth and breaking the habit down the road, but it makes me giggle a little to watch her chew her hand all up.
In other news, turns out Taj has no problems sharing, when it's germs. We all got the sniffles. I've been so gratefull for grandma's that are ready to swoop in and help out at any time. Taj probably thinks that it's a good thing for mom to get sick because it means he gets to play with Grandma's.

Ho, hum

I catch myself humming, "Oh what do you do in the winter time, when all the world is cold?" We'd love any answers to that nagging question.

Here are some pictures of us shoveling snow. I could complain about that chore, but it's kind of nice to get out and move around. Taj in his snow gear is just about as cute as it gets.

We love to make snow cones with real snow. It's as close to Matsumoto's as it gets around here.

Good Eaters

I've been lucky enough to have a husband that will eat just about anything I put in front of him and call a meal. I've been very blessed to have a little guy that takes after his dad. Taj has always been a great eater, and even with the healthy stuff. I think I'm boring him though because the other day while discussing what we'll have for lunch he says "Not meatballs mama. Not chicken nuggets today." Then says no to all my other go to foods. Ouch. I've become the one hit wonder in the kitchen. I am well aware of that, but my little Taj finally had it. Poor guy. I'm determined to spice it up (not too literally, I'm nursing). This smoothie recipe is a favorite so far:

Fruit/Veggie Smoothie

2 bananas (must have)

6-10 cubes of pineapple (or cantalope, grapes, ect.)

1 C. Frozen berries

7-10 slices zuccini (or cucumber, squash, ect.)

1 leaf kale (or any greens)

6-10 leaves of spinach

I wouldn't do broccoli or celery in any smoothie

You mom's have got to try it. Taj has no idea that the green stuff he's helping to put in the smoothie is really good for him.

Christmas lights

I tend to dwell on the fact that Utahans go a bit overboard on their holiday stuff, but I should throw in that it can be fun too. We spent the night in SLC and saw the hristmas lights. Good times. It was a nice little get away, and much needed. We got to play in a pool (thank goodness Eden and I passed the six week mark). We also ate at one of those places where they cook the food right on your table. I might be easily entertained, but if you haven't gone to one ( benihana's is a winner) you really should.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

The house smells so good. We got our christmas tree up and a few decorations. It's the smell that makes it feel like Christmas to me. Taj gets excited every morning as he comes down the stairs, like it's the first time he's seeing it or something. We spend about ten minutes every morning and after nap looking at decorations and turning the lights on and off a bunch of times.

Taj and Micah made the gingerbread house. I guess it would be more accurate to say that Micah made a gingerbread house and Taj sampled all the candy. We had Christmas music on and tried to get Taj to sing along to a couple he recognized. It was great. We were even able to catch Eden smiling on camera; anyone that's tried to capture that knows it's no simple task.

Chief Frosty

It snowed last weekend. It's snowed a couple times before, but this time was a little rough because we know it's not going anywhere. This is it for the next four months. We tried to make the best of it by playing in it. Taj got his snow boots out as soon as he saw the snow. There's nothing like a little kids excitement to bring you out of self pitty. We made a snowman and named him Chief Frosty (as seen in picture with neighbor kids).

While stuck indoors we gave Eden her first family bath. She loves the water and as wild as Taj got, she was relaxed as could be. Thank goodness our kids love water, even if it's in a bathtub in Utah. Isn't she beautiful?

the nice dragon

Halloween is back! Micah and I have come to terms with the fact that it's not really accepted for us to do the whole dress up and get candy from the neighbors thing anymore. When we had Taj we realized how fun the holidays would be again. This is the first year where he's been into it. He picked out the dragon costume about a month early (which is a little late if you live in utah... they put out halloween stuff in august). He later told us that he was a nice dragon, not a scary one. We did a practice run of the whole trick or treat process a few days early to help ease him into it and get him excited and it worked. On the actuall night we made root beer and he/we scored tons of candy. Eden was sleping beauty since she took the worlds longest nap and slept through the whole thing. We carved pumpkins and have decided that it might be micah's calling in life. After halloween the goats got to eat them.(we have about ten goats living on the property next to our house and we feed them everything, even last years christmas tree).