3..2..1..Blastoff

So every morning since he bought "the rocket", Flay would anxiously look out the window at the flag. This Sunday was the first morning there was no wind. So of course, we had to launch the rocket as a family. So we all piled into the car and drove down the street to an empty field. Getting it all set up was a family affair. Yes, Ashley is wearing her shoes on top of her sleeper.
Andrew and Flay, prelaunch. It went straight up to the air and came straight back down again.
Poor Ashley tried to keep up, but just couldn't.
Andrew was very concerned when he found the rocket broken. Flay showed him that it all went back together quite easily. Andrew was frantically asking for more. He loved it..

An Awkward Moment

Ok, so those of you who have had babies know what this is....the best breast pump ever. And I bought one after I had Andrew, intending to go back to work. However, I changed my mind (another story). It turned out to be a great investment since Andrew was allergic to every formula you can buy at the store. Think projectile vomiting here.

I only used the pump with Ashley when she was in the NICU, and was grateful for it since I knew from having Andrew what using the hospital pumps are like. If you don't know, imagine nursing a calf, or other large barnyard animal. Painful.

Now I have infinite compassion for new moms who are struggling with nursing. Been there, done that. And I also have infinite compassion for new moms with babies in the NICU. Been there and also done that. So when I found out, quite by accident, that the daughter of someone in our ward (the Hills) had her baby at 32 weeks, I happily volunteered my pump.

Now I learned about the birth quite by accident, Cindy was at my house as we were teaching 6 Activity Day Girls to bake bread (also, another story). We were talking about what would happen with her daughter after we heard that the baby had been born at almost 4 lbs (what a blessing). I mentioned that I would be happy to lend her daughter my breast pump (it rocks) and I have done so before (glad to see it being used). She said she would let me know.

Well, this morning I got a phone call from the Hills saying that they were driving over to Utah and would indeed take me up on my offer. I got everything ready and they came to get it. Now there are two things you need to know.

1. I knew a demonstration of how to assemble it and how it works would be necessary (no, not including a real breast).

2. Jerry Hill is a member of our Bishopric (that's church leadership for all you non-Mormons), and might actually be the nicest guy I know. I think he actually might shake every hand in the congregation, every week. Don't worry, he gets all the late people after Sacrament meeting. In fact, he is so nice I didn't really know how to take him at first. My suspicious East Coast side kicked in, no one could be that nice I was sure. He even seemed to like all the children and youth. But eventually I came to realize, he is 100% genuine and a wonderful person.

So, back to my story. Now when they came to get the pump, both Cindy and Jerry came. So I then proceeded to launch into a VERY detailed description of how a pump works. I got to explain about how your milk lets down and how to vary the speeds on the pump for the different stages of milk production. Of course, I got animated and used my hands to talk as always. Yes, I was even gesturing towards my breasts as I talked about how to maximize milkflow with the pump. Light and fast at first, then slow and strong. Picture that in your mind.

I have to say, having given "the sex/inappropriate touching/talk" at several youth standards events, including a stake one, this might have been the most awkward moment I have ever experienced in my church career. I don't know if I will ever be able to look Jerry in the eye again.

Our New Daddy/Son Activity

So I was cleaning up the usual post-weekend mess when I found this. It was inconspicuously placed in the middle of my scrapbooking stuff, turned around. When I asked Flay about it he informed me that he got the model rocket to "do with Andrew". Now I am all about father/son bonding, hence the whole soccer fiasco. But somehow I didn't think launching model rockets was really the best way to bond with a 3 year-old. I think reading books would be a much safer alternative. But I was quickly informed, that oh no, model rockets were indeed the perfect activity for them. I guess the family that blows off their fingers together stays in the same hospital room together? Whatever. Sadly I think this is just the beginning of the whole "age inappropriate" activities.

Lightning McQueen

Ok, So I took pictures of Andrew in his Lightning McQueen jammies. I really wanted to take them so I could scrapbook them (to be honest).
He has loved Lightning McQueen since he was not even 2, and McQueen, Chick and The King frequently stowaway in his backpack when he goes to school. I am a mean mom and only let him have character jammies, as I hate the whole licensed thing. Something about pimping yogurt, cookies and fruitsnacks with Spongebob or Dora on it just bugs me. Also, once you start letting them wear it, they won't go back (as a friend in Md taught me). Her son thought polos were "church clothes". So of course my moment of pictures quickly degenerated into dancing, jumping and hanging upside down. What is it about pulling out the camera that makes kids so weird?

My "Small-Footed" Baby

Okay, for those of you who don't know, big feet run in my family. When I say big, I mean huge. I wore size 8 shoes in the 6th grade. Well, my kids have been no exception. Andrew has graduated to size 11 shoes and when Ashley was born, her feet were so big they went off the paper they took them on. So imagine my suprise when she was actually able to wear the size 5 Elmo slippers I had bought for Andrew. By the time he could walk they were too small. She loves wearing them, and I love that they still fit. Maybe I have one who will break the mold, or not.

The Hot Red Shoes

I have these fabulous red high heels. They are really fun shoes, and my kids are obsessed with them. Everyday Ashley pulls them out of my closet. She walks around with them, but can't get her feet in them. Ironically when I was a little girl I was obsessed with a pair of my grandmothers red shoes. It is one of the only memories I have of her before they moved. Apparently it runs in the family.
Andrew, on the other hand, succeeded in getting them on and walking around in them. He wore them for a good hour before I could get them off him. He even wore them outside on our deck. I'm just impressed he could walk in them without biffing it. Yes, someday I will pull these pictures out for his date.

Eating Applesauce

While some babies spent the weekend learning how to use forks, Ashley was busy learning how to use foil. That's right, she decided that instead of using the spoon, or letting me help, she would eat her applesauce with the foil top.
It took 20 minutes, and half of it is on the table/sweater/hair. The best part is how proud of herself she is.
And so of course, having already lost the Mom of the Year award, I just decided to take off her sweater and wipe her down. I had an awesome Spiritual Preparation class to go to at the church and I didn't have time to deal with her shenanigans, so she was a little sticky.

A few other notes from the weekend. Ashley demonstrated her amazing linguistic abilities by learning to say the word apple (it was on her shirt) with both syllables. Think "bap-el". She also felt a need to share how well she is speaking during relief society by shouting "more juice". She has also decided that she wants to run, but can't, so she walks as fast as she can with this hilarious halting gate.

I went to get into my bed, and right there six inches below my pillow was a pile of trains. As you go through my house you can always find little piles or lines of trains and cars. A couple of hours after the maids have left, they seem to reappear out of nowhere. They even go up to bed with Andrew. I think I will be a little sad when he finally outgrows the desire to pile all of his trains into my bed, or line my whole counter with a gigantic procession of them. He has been cracking me up with all of the new phrases he has learned. This weekend he told me I was wrong, and I came downstairs and he told me that Ashley had tried to bite daddy and needed to go in time out.

He and Ash have become the best little buddies. She follows him around like a dog, and if she has wondered off he yells for her, "Ash. Ash. Ash-ee. Ash-ee". And without fail off she runs off to find him. He teases her endlessly, chases her, hits her with his blanket, takes toys away from her, but ultimately he adores her. I am so happy to see how well they play together. All of this forced sharing has really paid off, and they play well together now.

The First Soccer Game

The pictures aren't great, but you get the general idea. Flay coached his first soccer game, and all he did was run after the kids. It was hilarious. Andrew had a great time running, which is good since he only kicked the ball once during the game. At least he got to kick the ball during the practice before the game. Such a cute kid.

The Cat Herder

I signed Andrew up for soccer this spring. Because we live where it snows heavily in
April, the little kids play indoor spring soccer. Flay agreed to assistant coach after much prompting from me, because I thought Andrew would do better with his dad out there. So of course he gets a phone call saying no one has signed up to coach, and would Flay be the coach. Again, after much prompting he agreed.

They had the first practice and it was like herding cats. The kids went everywhere. They are 3 and 4 and didn't quite get the concepts of practicing, not using hands and taking turns. We were both exhausted by the time we got home. Luckily a bunch of the parents stepped up and helped or it would have all been over fast. The first game is on Saturday and I can't wait to see how that goes!

The Wiggles Concert

So I took the kids up to Denver to the Wiggles concert. Flay wasn't able to come, so I had to take them myself. Since no Flay, no pictures. I had my hands full trying to keep track of the kids and our stuff. The show was great. Ashley jammed out for about 45 minutes before she started to lose interest. Andrew was fascinated the whole time. He would sing and respond to the questions. The show is extremely interactive. It's really geared towards kids 3-6. The Wiggles come out into the audience and they do lots of funny skits with the kids help. We brought a bone for Wags the Dog and roses for Dorothy and the kids got to give them to the dancers who were really great. They asked Andrew if the bone was for wags and said "thanks". He was so excited. The whole show is crazy high energy and fun. They also perform in smaller arenas, so you can really see what's going on. We had great seats and it was a blast. I would definitely recommend going to see them.

I'm a Big Boy Now!

Finally, after much blood, sweat and tears we are 100% potty trained! During our trip to Mexico Andrew wore pull-ups the whole time and didn't use the potty once, which was fine with me due to a serious concern about cleanliness. The down side was that he totally reverted. He had never regularly pooped on the potty, but was 100% for peeing. When we got back he was not interested in the potty at all.

So I spent the rest of Spring Break potty training, and by the end he was 100% done. We have now been over a week with no accidents. When he went 3 days with no accidents Flay took him to Target and let him pick a toy. He picked this obnoxious truck that sings "YMCA" and makes all kinds of hideous noises. I could not be happier though. The SpongeBob jammies he got at the end of a week with no accidents. No price is too high to pay to have him potty trained!

Passed Out Cold

So here's how we found Ashley, passed out cold in the middle of her toys. The best part is that she went over to the dirty clothes and found this purple jacket and tried to put it on like her blanket before she fell asleep. She is the best little baby. She drives me nuts some days, but I just can't believe how much I love having her. She has been the best surprise as she is so different from Andrew. She is talking well and already will put 2 words together. She is much more outgoing and adventurous then he ever was. She also has a head, that while slightly large, does not elicit concern from random doctors and strangers. Unfortunately she needs a lot less sleep then he did and doesn't eat nearly as well. But she's mine and I love her.

April Fool's on Us

So I wanted to celebrate the first day of April. I'm used to April being the month where everything turns green and its pretty nice. Not so in Colorado I have learned. When we went to take Andrew to school it was snowing and only 23 degrees. My choices being limited, I decided to go to the grocery store and at least get a whole bunch of spring veggies. So for dinner we had asperagus, corn on the cob, salmon and strawberries. That is the closest we are going to get to spring for a little while here.
Ashley had no idea what to do with the corn, but Andrew showed her how to eat it in no time. He ate three ears.
She finally got the hang of what she was doing and was so proud of herself.
I am so ready for spring and nice weather. We should get some warm days soon. I'd settle for at least no more snow, but last year taught us that wasn't likely.