Some of big A's Favorite Things

big A loves Wal-Mart, "hambergers" and his aunts.

Katie and Jill came down for lunch a week or so after we moved into our apartment in RSM. We went to lunch at In-N-Out. Jill was sitting next to little A at lunch and pretty much lets him do whatever he wants. She let him eat ketchup, yes just ketchup. He started with fries but stuck his hand in and had a great time. There was a video clip of it but I can't seem to find it now. There weren't any pictures of big A at In-N-Out because Katie took him to the bathroom, what a great aunt. After lunch we went to Wal-Mart to get things for Katie's trip to Nebraska and the ladies' clothing department is right when you walk in, so of course we had to look for stuff for us. We found wrap dresses and Jill found this lovely shirt, which I convinced her to try on and we snapped a photo quickly. I love when the girls (and boys) come down for lunch, it gives me an excuse to go to Pei Wei's, maybe next time I convince them to take me to Chipotle for my first time.

*Anybody else is welcome to come, visit and give me excuses to go out to lunch (I am loving the eating out again- at least occasionally).

The Happiest Place on Earth -AGAIN

My Mom (Ga) with Little A waiting in line in A Bug's Land in California Adventure.

Little A on Casey Jr train ride, they love it so much they refuse to even look in the general direction of the camera. It was pretty warm that day and Little A's nap time.

Big A refused to look at ANYONE even my mom who was sitting next to him, this is a serious ride folks.

Little A on It's A Small World, I think this was their first time on this ride (Aunt Beebe doesn't really like this ride) and they really liked it. Little A was almost asleep at the end but then the sun was shining bright and no more sleepy.

Big A on It's A Small World. He is getting really good at the fake camera smile.

We had a wonderful time (as usual) last week with my mom and brother Mike at Disneyland. The longest line we stood in was for Autopia at 45 minutes, which was good because it was HOT (like 90 degrees-crazy I know). Big A still loves the Buzz ride and just seeing the castle makes the trip worth it. We shared a soft (not the ones prepackaged in the cup), frozen raspberry lemonade, which was perfect- thanks again Mom. I think we will wait until people visit before venturing to the happiest place on earth again- or September, whichever comes first.

barely 3 & almost 2

In the parking lot of Wal-Mart, I was trying to get Big A excited about riding in the basket. Aren't they ADORABLE?

I have been thinking for a little while about the things that make my boys special to me. I love them unconditionally and ALWAYS will but there are some things that make me smile almost daily.

Big A:
Announces when he toots now (thank you Bryan for pointing it out every time he did previously)
Gives/gets HIGH FIVES whenever he uses the bathroom or when Ga goes to the bathroom
Always looks out for little A; if he gets anything he expects his little bro to get it too
Talks in such a cute voice with cute words; for example when he says "tiny" he says it in a high pitched voice and he calls his binky that is cut "my broken one"
Loves to sing in the car and to be the only one singing or dancing but we are working on the fact that EVERYONE can sing and/or dance
Eats everything we give him (he went through a non-eating stage for a LONG time)
Best friends with Little A
Very Friendly, tries to talk to everyone (and I mean everyone)

Little A:
Says the first syllable of words (even though I have heard him say full words)
Hugs and Kisses (he puckers up across the room) - especially when I NEED it
Repeats "HI" or "BYE" at check-out counter until we are out door of store
Gets so excited about things: Blue's Clues, Bryan coming home, Backyardigans, choo-choos, coos (cookies, crackers), snac (fruit snacks), B (binky), drinks, bo (books)
Concerned about others- he can tell when Adam or I are upset/sad and gives a hug
Acts like a puppy
When doing something questionable gets a look in his eye that makes you wonder what he is thinking and up to
Best friends with Big A

There are more reasons that my boys are special but I really have a limited amount of time (Backyardigans is already half over).

Mother's Day

I had a wonderful Mother's Day. Our church starts at 2PM, so Bryan got up with the boys and woke me up when my French Toast was ready (and had a cold Diet Coke next to my plate). Then I helped with putting lotion on the boys after their shower and then I just got myself ready for church: painted my toe nails, showered, straightened my hair. Church was nice because we actually sat on a bench instead of the chairs in the back (we were 15 minutes early- the week before we were 10 minutes early and were still on the chairs). The speakers were great, especially the Bishop's wife, and then the Primary children and YM/YW sang. Relief Society was nice too. I sat next to a new girl, the YW were invited to RS (so we got to say the theme which is different than when I was in there), the lesson was on influential women and a YW & 2 ladies were asked to speak a little on the most influential woman in their life. In Nursery, the boys made "finger flowers" for me, they used their fingers for the petals.
Bryan cleaned up: dishes and vacuuming. Bryan made dinner and a cake with the boys. EVERYBODY came for dinner: Mom & Dad, Mike, Matt, Jill & Andy, Katie & Ryan. Yes, there was 12 people in our apartment. It was nice, I am glad they were all able to come. We gave Mom her presents, which she liked for those of you that contributed but were not here to see. Then Dad and Mike stayed to watch the Basketball game with Bryan and everyone else went home. Bryan got me a duvet cover and something is coming, maybe on Wednesday. I will post a picture when I get the something else and when my bed is "complete." The boys got me this book, I am really excited to read it (I will let everyone know how wonderful it is). How was your Mother's Day? I am really wanting to know, please post.

Style?

Heather posted about her love of pink and what style she likes, it made me think about my style- or lack of. I thought that I did NOT like Contemporary but apparently (I learned this a little while ago but I am still in denial about it) I do. Everything I WANT is Contemporary. For example, this dining room set: CONTEMPORARY, I WANT it. I love the idea of not having a head of the table, I love the non-fabric seats (Austin would ruin fabric) and the clean lines- nothing to fancy for this girl. I just need a place to put this lovely table.

I would love a bed frame along the same look as the chairs. My night stands and dressers that are in storage are great, not too ornate but not bleak. I really like dark wood. I hope to one day have a big enough kitchen that I can have cherry cabinets and it won't make the kitchen look small. But I would love just to have my own kitchen that I could paint the walls or change the counter-tops. My parents are in the process of changing their counter-tops and they are looking great. I am really glad that Bryan gets to spend his weekends working on their home projects because by the time we have our own house, he will be a pro. I will try to post a picture of the "finished" kitchen soon. I know Beebe and Tyler are anxious to see what it looks like, they abandoned the project after the first day. So that sounds a little bad, but really I feel abandoned by Beebe, not the project. I wander around the house, go online multiple times to see that NO ONE has posted since I checked last- 5 minutes before. I hope that by me posting, others will feel inspired to post. BUT that hasn't happened yet, so maybe everybody has started other blogs and are posting there. Please just entertain me while I am bored because my kids are entertained by "helping Papa" and Bryan with the kitchen (or just playing in the water from the tile saw) and every other adult is working (either on the kitchen or at Loma Linda) or at Beau's house. If I don't get entertainment then I will be forced to spend money that I should be saving for that lovely table (and house to put it in).

American Idol & theTop 4

So I love Tuesday and Wednesday Nights of TV because of American Idol. I never watched as consistently as I am right now. Normally we just watch the auditions but this time we watch, have favorites and get upset when they are voted off. Katie (my sister) insisted on watching after auditions, we protested and now I even vote - Bryan already tells me I am a teenager for voting- but honestly I don't care. And I know that me voting 10 times out of 45million (Ryan just announced that) is really insignificant but then I can't complain when they get voted off. I am in the middle of watching it right now, Jordin and Blake are my favorites. Bryan predicted who would be going home. I had a hard time not getting teary with LaKisha, her going home was the most touching for me. I hope she has a career past AI because she really does have wonderful voice and she is a mother (yes, I am biased).

What is Mom Worth?

In honor of Mother's Day, which is quickly approaching, the discussion of the worth of a mom is very appropriate. Bryan sent a link to an article telling me he couldn't afford me. Being a stay-at-home mom is challenging but worth it (even without my huge salary). I never realized how hard it was for my mom to stay home with 8 kids - and even more with friends and day care- until I was a stay-at-home mom with 2 kids under 2 years. I still can't understand fully and never really hope to. But I appreciate everything my mom did and continues to do for me and now my family. I think Emily can attest to this now, being a new mom and having just had Mom at her home for 10 days.

I think moms talk about the hard things about being a mom because it sounds like we are bragging when we talk about a great day or when a child does something really cute or smart or loving. I find that it is easier for me to talk about the bad things with others than to celebrate. Celebrating with my boys, of course, is easy; Adam gets a high five anytime he goes potty and Austin ate chicken last night (I know I am still in shock) so we went to the Baskin-Robin 31 cent night and he actually got to have his own scoop, instead of not being able to have any because he refuses to eat the dinner we are having. I love telling Bryan about the great things of the day because then it helps me remember why I WANT to stay home- and maybe make him a little jealous.

I am glad that whenever I sit down on the couch, Austin HAS to climb on my lap and give me a big hug. I love when Adam knows that he is doing something cute, he gets a little smile and mischievous eyes. I love how both of my boys love to spend time with each other and look out for each other. I love how excited they get when Bryan comes home or calls on the phone or how they cry when we leave him at work after going to lunch with him. I love that Adam calls Austi a "puppy" and Austi gets on all fours and follows Adam around. I love how anytime there is a train or train tracks both of the boys get very excited, tell me about the train for a few miles and Adam asks "where'd da train go?" I used to tell him Ann's house because there are train tracks practically in her backyard but now I ask him where he thinks it went and he says "Ann house." I love that Austin says very few words (or syllables) and then surprises everyone (especially Papa) with "oh boy." I love that my boys LOVE to read books and have books read to them. I love that my boys like to go places and enjoy riding in the car; there are hills everywhere here and anytime we go anywhere (especially with the windows down) they put their hands in the air and yell "woo-whoo" and want us to put our hands in the air too. I love that they can be entertained with a box. I love when they ask for "cheese" they wave their fists like Wallace (from Wallace and Grommitt).

There are so many more things that I love about my boys and about being a mom. I just hope that I have inspired all of you to post on your blogs (hint, hint) and if you need a topic "Mom."

Rest Is For Slackers

Instead of napping one afternoon, Austin climbed out of bed, shoved his binky under the bedroom door and then pulled it back to himself using the Pooh clip that is attached (that doesn't clip). He did this several times, until I pulled it through and opened the door and being the mean mom that I am, put him back bed AGAIN.
On the same note of Austin refusing sleep; last Wednesday, while Bryan and I were trying to watch American Idol, Austin climbed out of bed several (probably 10) times and then woke Adam up around 11pm. So after putting them in their beds around 8:15pm, I had 2 boys up at 11pm. We tried to put them in bed with Bryan but Austin just climbed over them and kept Adam awake. So Adam wanted to sleep in "Adam Bed" (that is what Adam says) and Bryan went to bed in our room and Austin tried to wake them both . He finally fell asleep, after many attempts of getting to Bryan and Adam, with a pillow and blanket on the floor with me tickling his big belly at 1:35AM- that is not a mis-type, he really fell asleep at 1:35AM! I watched the clock as his eyes shut and didn't open. SO much for me staying up "late" to have time to myself. The good news is that he hasn't done it again, I just hope it NEVER does.

Why?

Why would I post this picture? I would love to know what you think and then I will post later about I posted this picture.

YUMMY CUPCAKES

We made cupcakes the other night, the rainbow chip cake mix and frosting (Bryan's favorite). Austin sucked all the frosting off the top of his cupcake (notice the second picture), most if it ended up on his face, and then he (look at last photo) shoved the whole cupcake in his mouth.

*I should include that the cupcakes they are eating are from a mini muffin pan.

43 Things

So when people I know don't post and I don't get emails, I read strangers' blogs. On one stranger's blog there was a link to 43things. I found it interesting and got thinking about 43 things that I want to do or accomplish. I probably won't participate on the website but I think I might do it on the blog.

1. Be more motivated to read scriptures- daily.
2. Learn to sew- better.
3. Plan meals AND follow through with the plan.
4. Save money.
5. Don't buy everything I want for the boys.
6. Control my temper.
7. Go to bed earlier (not early, just earlier).
8. Visit Grandma Schakel (she recently moved to HI) every other year.
9. Visit Grandparents in Utah every other year (preferably opposite Gma Schakel year).
10. Be a supportive wife and not a nag.
11. Go on bi-monthly dates with Bryan.
12. Play with the boys more.
13. Get BA
14. Decide what career I want when my youngest child is in school.
15. Go to park at least once a week.
16. Go to temple at least once a month.
17. Scrapbook
18. Buy a house- that I love.
19. Be happy
20. Be more child-like, not childish
21. Go on family vacations every year ( I would prefer more but #4 would be need to be removed from the list) #8 and #9 would qualify for this one too
22. Get new contacts and glasses.
23. Go to regular doctor appts for me (I sometimes think that I go enough for the boys and I am fine but you need to go regularly).
24. Be excited about living in So Cal.
25. Call friends and family on a REGULAR basis; I know that I horrible at calling people but I justify why I don't and I do think about everybody ALL the time but then I have a million reasons why not to call- #1 I bet they are already in bed (which is usually true) #2 they are getting their kids to bed #3 Bryan is right here, I should talk to him #4 their husband is home from work already #5 they are eating dinner #6 they are taking a nap #7 JUST DO IT
26. Get organized- I HATE paper


I am going to have to finish this later, Austin has climbed on me probably 10 times since I sat down and I really should work on some of the things I just wrote down. I may or may not record my progress (that is something on the website, which is why I don't want to do it there) here. I would hate to say that I have made progress on say calling friends and family and I haven't called you. Don't worry, if I just call one person that is progress for me, so if you don't get a call within a week, I am a procrastinator (I think I found my #27) I will call eventually and you could help me along and call me (I can email my home phone and I still have my Waco cell number).

27. Don't procrastinate.

Gummi Bears Opening Theme

Ali posted her favorite theme songs from the 80s and while checking one of Phil's (3-2-1 Contact), this was "Related." I used to watch Gummi Bears with Jill (I think before school). I also really enjoy eating gummy bears and have become one of the boys' favorite treat. In fact, we each had a little bag for our FHE treat while watching Happy Feet. I recommend the movie, funny and entertaining.

Addition to Yosemite

I finally am getting the pictures from Mom & Dad's camera. I am so glad I got these because I probably would have forgotten about all of these great things if I didn't have the pictures to remind me. Thank you to the photographers of these pictures, since I am a slacker and didn't take any pictures this whole vacation.

Overlooking Yosemite Valley

Adam leaning on a rock at Lower Yosemite Falls

Katie was great and carried Austin for about 2 hours and 45 minutes of that he slept. He is giving her a hug in this one.

Adam eating gummy bears while riding on Ann's Sit-n-Stand stroller.

Adam reading the signs along the trail to Mirror Lake.

All the "older"(Drew, Dean & Adam) boys had walking sticks on our hike to Mirror Lake.

Pie was filling the cap of a water bottle with water and throwing on the kids in the back of the truck.
Beebe got a Bubble Maker on SALE for $8.88 (instead of $9.99) she was bragging about the great deal she got and the kids loved it (notice Bryan in the background sticking his head out of our master suite).

Upper Yosemite Falls

Remember Matt was on the wrong side of the railing to get photos. Bryan told me he didn't go over the railing which was good because he has 2 little boys (and I will leave it at that). There was also a sign posted that stated if you fall there is no 2nd chance (my brother Mike has a picture of the sign, I hope he posts it to his blog).

Yosemite April 12-14, 2007

We went to Yosemite again but my brother Michael and Bryan were able to come this year, maybe next year Jill will be able to take time off of work and Em won't be having a baby so the Righters and Jill can come too. We had a good time but wished that we had stayed one more night. Beebe and I decided that last year 2 nights was plenty long because Austin and Conrad were both less than a year (and I was without Bryan). I don't have pictures from the waterfall that the children went to (I will have to get those from Beebe and Mom & Dad's camera) since my camera went with Bryan, Tyler, Mike & Matt to the Upper Yosemite Falls. After the kids were put to bed, the adults played Settlers (or watched America's Funniest Home Videos). We (the Browns) stayed Wednesday in Bakersfield with Bryan's sister Kim and spent the morning with them and Kim made us an awesome breakfast. Saturday we were going to go to the Redwoods but the parking lots were full and it started raining as we headed for Oakhurst, so we were glad the parking lots were full. In Oakhurst, we stopped for pizza at the same place as last year, Danny's Pizza Factory, and we headed home. I really enjoy vacationing and hope that we will be able to do it a lot.This is in Mom's car. Katie & Mom had all the grandkids (minus Evan who was going to take a nap during this hike- then the cabin would be quiet).

Here are the men in the back of Tyler's truck. Dad & Matt were still on their way. Beebe drove and I was her navigator for the half a block it was to where we parked.
Here are the kids after seeing the waterfall near our cabin, this photo was a lot easier to take than the one at the studio in Feb.
Uncle Mike was such a good sport about playing with the kids. After this "exciting" game with poker chips, he went downstairs and watched movies with Dean & Drew.

Bryan at the top of Upper Yosemite Falls. The other cameras have pictures of the "trail" and a group photo that I will have to get later. This photo does not do Bryan's facial hair justice, his reasoning is that we were in the mountains but really he maybe shaves twice a week.
Mike (left) with Matt taking a picture over the edge of the falls (notice what side of the railing Matt is on to get photos.

Photo of Fall from the "trail."

Lame Posts

SO I want to apologize because of my postings as of late. I have been slacking and have not posted Easter pictures or Yosemite pictures. I have many excuses of why I have been a slacker but really you don't need to hear how exhausting life has been. With going to San Berdo on the weekends, then Kim's before Yosemite then back to Berdo then to RSM less than 24 hours later back to Berdo and the next afternoon back to RSM. Today we hopefully will make it to Disneyland, it is "suppose" to rain tomorrow and I really would rather go NOT in the rain. Adam asks EVERYTIME we get in the car if we are going to Disneyland and points out continuely "Didne-land." I find it interesting that he knows Target and Wal-Mart and wants everything else to be Disneyland. So I promise that I will get some pictures of the past few events we have done and post them because I know you all are waiting to SEE the happenings with the Browns.

Oh, during all of this, waiting for Em to have her baby. With my back-and-forths on Monday/Tuesday, I was calling (what I felt like was constantly) Emily asking how she was doing and then all the new baby questions. I am sure she will be posting as soon as possible for a new mom but don't expect anything before Friday/Saturday (unless she has AJ do it). I thought some of you would want to know.

Questions from Beebe

1. What time is it? 12:59pm

2. What day is it? Monday
3. What are you most afraid of? Failure
4. What do you drive? Either Nissan Maxima or Toyota 4Runner
5. Have you ever seen a ghost? No
6. Where were you born? Athens

7. Ever been to Alaska? No - I'd like to go there on a cruise.
8. Ever been toilet paper decorating in trees? Yes. Many times but was caught by the police only once.
9. Croutons or Bacon bits? Croutons
10. Favorite day of the week? Friday, Bryan usually tries to come home from work early.

11. Favorite restaurant? I don't know. I enjoy BJs, A Taste of Thai, Pei Wei's, Claim Jumper
12. Favorite flower? gerber daisies

13. Favorite sport to watch? BYU football (but boys interrupt that so going to the Vegas Bowl was worth it, even though we froze)
15. Favorite ice cream? Chocolate Malted Crunch
16. Disney or Warner Brothers? Disney
17. Favorite fast food restaurant? El Pollo Loco and In-N-Out
18. What color is your bedroom carpet? tan berber

19. How many times you failed your driving test: 0
20. Before this one, from whom did you get your last e-mail from? Emily

21. What do you do most often when you are bored? get on-line

22. Bedtime? Late (so late into the morning, working on that so last night I went to bed at 1am).

23. Who will respond to this email the quickest? I am posting not emailing-so whenever you want to post it I will be ready to read it.
24. Who is the person you sent this to that is least likely to respond?
25. Who is the person you are most curious to see their responses? EVERYBODY
26. What is your favorite TV show? American Idol, House, The Office, Grey's Anatomy, Law & Order SVU
27. Ford or Chevy? ? I don't buy our vehicles.
28. What are you listening to right now? Adam & Austin playing with Backyardigans on in the background
29. What are your favorite colors? blue and green
31. Do you have any pets? does Austin count when Adam tells him to be a puppy and he crawls around on all fours and Adam pets him on the head?

32. Which came first the chicken or the egg? again?
33. What would you like to accomplish before you die? to control my tongue and to get my BA

34. How many people are you sending this e-mail? how many people read my blog?

The Story of Us

Ali requested that people write their stories, either of their courtship with spouse or boy/girlfriend or first love or first kiss. to entertain Emily in her waiting for her baby to decide to be born. If you would like to entertain a very pregnant lady, write your story and let her know (Em & AJ link) by leaving a comment on her blog. She is living for entertainment and distraction these days. So here is the boring, short story of Bryan and Karin.

~The Browns~

We actually met when I went to Jr Prom with Zac Fenn and Bryan and Johnny came to dinner with us and April before the dance (Bryan remembers that, I don't).

YEARS later, after Bryan reported to the High Council and Stake Presidency after his mission, my dad came home and told me I should date Bryan Brown. I responded "Bryan Brown, who is Bryan Brown?" But through a mutual friend, Bryan started hanging out after Institute and firesides and dances and any other YSA activity that Josh went to. After 4 months of all the friends (usually there was a crowd at the house after YSA stuff), we decided that we would try just us dating. 18 months after our "first" date, we got married.

OBSESSIONS

Heather tagged me, I think she tags me because she knows I have to do it. Thanks I really do enjoy being tagged.
I learned from doing this tag that I am obsessed with so many things it is quite ridiculous. I did not put down everything, I limited it to 5 because really I wouldn't have known when to stop. I did not include TV shows or church/church callings or foods/beverages (except for DC, of course). See I am listing large groups of things that could be individualized, are other people like this too?

5 Things I am Obsessed With:

1. My Boys (including Bryan): I love them and love to know what they are doing. I have a really hard time not being around them, taking trips to Target without them is almost painful (but Katie is a great substitution). And for the hubby, why would I marry the guy if I wasn't obsessed.

2. Diet Coke: are you surprised? I miss Sonic and their Diet Coke with lime with that AWESOME ice, come on you know they have the best ice.

3. My Family: I love being around them and just talking to them (if I am too far away to see them) is fun. I learned while living at my parents' house that I worry way too much about people when I live with them, the weekend stuff is much easier on me (I would say that I am going to bed earlier but you can see when I am posting this).

4. Computer: I am constantly online but I am also interrupted almost everytime I get on too (and not just by Adam and Austin) so even if my name on gmail says that I am on I am probably not.

5. Wal-Mart/Target: I love going there and finding "great deals" or a diet coke and popcorn for $1.40 or browsing and dreaming or printing off pictures. That is also some adult interaction for me (I know that is really pathetic but I admit it, I have no friends).

I am tagging everybody that reads this (including: Misty, Shauni, & Ali because I think you will do it but anybody that wants to prove that they can be added to the "tag list" just do it).

Boys with Train

I'M PUSHY

So I have requested that Emily blog everyday, preferably in the am so that I can read it after I have gotten my boys situated enough that I can get onto the computer with minimal interruption. She has stated that I am pushy for making such a request but in my defense, my other sisters ignore me and Emily listens to me sometimes, so I figured maybe she would listen to this one request and entertain me (and everybody else that reads her blog) on a daily basis. She then asked why she has to blog everyday and I do not. I feel that I blog so much that people just get bored and quite frankly, I get bored sometimes. SO here is my daily posting, no pictures because the camera is the car and I am trying to be strick about the nap thing and Austin as I type is plotting to climb out of bed yet again and Adam is waiting for me to walk in their room so he can pretend to be asleep (so he does not have to move to the sofa). Off I go to be a "mean momma."

Bed

Bryan has wanted a king-sized bed for a long time and since our stuff is in storage in Texas and we needed a bed for here. So here is our Cal-King bed with Bryan "stretched-out." In his defense, I took the boys out of our bed (and Austin snuggles right up against you and you end up on the edge of the bed) right before I took the picture.
My next big purchase will be a comforter for our bed but I decided I am picky and cheap, so it might be a while before we get that. But if you find something inexpensive and not too girly (I prefer greens and blues and we have a white bed skirt that I love), let me know about it.
I really want a nap now. Maybe I should get some stuff done so that when the boys are napping I can nap too (who am I kidding, that isn't going to happen). We are going to Disneyland for FHE if anyone wants to join us.

Adam's view from the potty

Austin took this picture of Adam on the potty (one of the LAST days with him with his binky).

We had to entertain the kid somehow and letting him take pictures seemed like the easiest thing at the time.

I actually wanted my face in the shot instead of my belly, but this is what I imagine I look like everytime Adam gets on the potty. "Are you all done? Did you go pee-pee or poo-poo?"

Austin wanted to help take his picture. This photo is Austin in a nutshell: in your face and wants to "help" with everything so much that it is a little blurry but DANG CUTE.

Now I just have to wait a year and do this all over again with Austin. Oh another thing about Austin, I noticed yesterday that he FINALLY has molars coming in!!! He is almost 2 years old with no molars, no wonder the kid loves bread, it dissolves in your mouth if you keep it there long enough (just kidding, he gums everything). He has also started using his molars to chew. My babies are growing up.

Austi LOVES Bath Time

Whenever the boys have waffles or frensh toast for breakfast (with maple syrup), they HAVE to have a bath afterwards. I like to eat maple syrup on the above mentioned foods but I do NOT like to smell it all day (for those of you who don't know, I pretty much have the best sense of smell ever, not always a good thing). Austin loves the bath and water. I was helping Adam get out of his clothes and hadn't taken Austin's diaper off yet and he climbed right into the tub with the running water. Of course I didn't pull him out right away, I had to take a picture first. And for those of you wondering, that was a pretty new diaper, he had it on for about 10 minutes, at most 20 minutes (but it literally takes Austin minutes to inhale a waffle, he LOVES bread). I just thought this was a fun picture with Austin in it; he is looking at Adam. I will try to take pictures of them on the slide or of Adam as "arrh matey" (that is what he calls pirates, did I mention he LOVES Peter Pan these days) a dress-up set, which was a reward for "I poop in the toilet" (which is what he tells everyone when he talks to them).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADAM!

Adam is singing "Happy to you" to himself (I think we re-lit the candles and sang 3 times).

He was so proud of himself for blowing out all the candles (multiple times) and after one time, he had both hands up in the air.

Austin is feeding himself cake and now saying "cheese" because there are cameras around.

Adam opening his guitar from Ga and Papa.

Because Adam was excited enough about the train backpack, I had to guide him to open up the backpack to find a train inside. He already had the backpack on his back when I helped him find the train.

Last weekend Bryan's parents came over and gave Adam his present, so we have literally been celebrating Adam's birthday for a whole week. They got him a tee-ball set (which we have used several times already, including a trip to the park with Bryan on Friday) swim shorts & shirt and a gift card to Target. He also got $5 and another gift card to Target from Jarrod & family and Kim & family. Great-grandparents and great-great-grandma also sent Adam money. So with all this birthday money to spend at Target, I took him and asked him to pick out a toy. He was in the cart and before we even made it to the toy aisles, he announced that he wanted "my kitchen." I told him we had to wait for his daddy before we got that, so the gift cards and money are in my purse waiting to go and get "my kitchen" with Bryan. I will keep everyone updated on whether or not Bryan allows his SON to get a kitchen.
We got Adam a castle slide and they are hilarious with it. If we had better lighting in our apartment, you would be enjoying a video clip of 2 naked toddlers (fresh after a bath) trying to slide down the slide, just use your imagination.
Another Adam thing, he is officially potty trained. He hasn't had an accident since the Wal-Mart incident and has a bladder of steal (unless he needs to poop and then it is every 10 minutes he needs to pee-pee). I guess everyone was right, 3 is the magical age for boys and potty training without accidents. I am worried that Austin will try sooner and I won't be ready until he is 3. We also took away the BINKY last night. I think I am having a harder time with it than Adam is. He is very persistent, he will ask over and over for it. Today for nap I had to go into my room so he would stop asking for it. Last night in the car on the way home from my parents' house (we left at 10:45PM because we played Settlers with Mom and Kevin- Mom won), he stayed awake the WHOLE WAY which takes about an hour and continued to ask for it and pointed out that Austin had his Binky. After he asked for it several times (while "trying to nap" on the couch- they cannot nap in the same room), I brought his Binky over with scissors and had him cut the nipple off. He still put it in his mouth and promptly pulled it out and stated "it broken." Then he asked for "more Binky." If you didn't already know this about Adam, he LOVES his Binky, so much so that he has one in his mouth and one in each hand and occasionally rubs them on his face.

*I have been working on this post for 2 DAYS now