Singing and Reading

Aunt Molly is on Spring Break from teaching so she came and hung out with Jay and me today. Before she arrived I was busy baking up a batch of cinnamon swirl bread in the kitchen. Jay decided he needed a project too, so he pulled out some of my pots and pans and played. He had been sitting on the floor banging on them. Just as I pulled out the camera he stood up and when I asked him to pose for the camera, he stepped into that frying pan to pose. Silly kid!
When Molly arrived he went into full performance mode. As you can see from the following two videos, I'm not kidding when I say performance. (You see a brief glimpse of Molly with some netting fabric - she is adding a blusher to my bridal veil she'll be using for her wedding.)

Before I put Jay down for his afternoon nap I read a couple books to him. I normally don't read to him on the living room floor - that just happened. And I normally don't read to him from a Christmas book, but that is the book he chose first. Molly had a perfect view of Jay from the dining room table and without me knowing caught us on video. Notice Jay's constant movement...

I read from his favorite book "Junkyard Fort" by Joe Scieszka next. Notice his response to the question "Do you want an ice cream?" at the end of the video. We've read this book so much he knows the question is coming and starts nodding before the question is even asked. His agreeing, pleading look always makes Matt and me laugh.

Park & 30 week picture update

Friday and Saturday were both BEAUTIFUL spring days - upper 50s and low 60s - so we made sure to take advantage of it by spending several hours both days with long walks and play at our local park.

I just missed getting the good picture of him looking at the camera and smiling really big in the above photo. I still thought the picture was worth posting, though.

Our walks to the park are...how do I say it? LONG sums it up best, I guess. I bring along my patience as Jay would rather walk all the way there and back and he so enjoys stopping to "smell the roses" along the way. It is good for me, though, since it brings me new perspective to the little things. It takes quite a bit of coaxing (and a food snack bribe) these days to get him to ride in the stroller. Here is an example of an activity that he recently enjoys doing - circling the parking posts.

Thanks to Jay's Great Aunt Judy and Great Uncle Don, Jay is loving his crocs! They are size 6/7 and he is just fitting into them now (we received them from them when he was just a baby). I can tell he really loves that he can put them on and take them off all by himself. I'm finding it is all about independance at this age! I love how he posed for me in the photo below.

It has been quite a while since I posted a picture of me and growing baby #2. Since I hit the 30 week mark this weekend (just 10 more weeks till this baby's due date), I thought it was as good as any to post a picture of me and my growing mid-section.

I meant to post to this blog earlier this week but the modem has been a bit tempermental. Thanks to Matt and his expertise today we're back up and running! Hooray!

Weekend at Grandma's

This past Friday Matt, Jay, and I traveled to my Mom's house in Eastern Washington for the weekend. The weather was terrific that day which made the drive quick and enjoyable.

Saturday morning when Jay awoke he enjoyed watching the cats come up on the porch for their morning drink of water. As you can witness from this video, he wanted to tell those kitties what to do and where to go.

Saturday morning my brother Scott and his wife Mandy came. Matt, Scott, and two of Scott's friends did a round of golf (9 holes) in town while the rest of us enjoyed a relaxing morning at home. Above: One of the many activities Jay enjoys at Grandma's house - playing the piano

Below: After we surprised my Mom with an early birthday celebration dinner Saturday evening (Happy Birthday today, Mom), Jay enjoyed some outdoor time with Uncle Scott and Aunt Mandy (who took these pictures for me - thanks!)

Grandma's tricycle is still a little too big for Jay, but he sure enjoyed sitting on it and being pushed/pulled down the concrete driveway.

We had a good visit with both of my Grandma's this weekend. My 95 year old Grandma (Dad's Mom) is doing just SUPER in the Assisted Living home. My soon-to-be 87 year old Grandma (Mom's Mom) who lives with my Mom continues to have her good and bad days. Last weekend we weren't sure she would live to see us one more time, but she once again rallied the week leading up to our visit and was really quite good. She'd love to "go home" though, so although we love her dearly, we're praying she can peacefully pass sooner rather than later. In all this we remember that God's timing is perfect and we desire His will, not ours.

Anniversary

Four years ago today we gathered with friends and family and started a new journey together.

"...and the two shall become one."

I sure love you Matt! XX OO

Spring Primroses

About a week and a half ago I planted these primroses in my flower boxes on our condo deck. They are so happy! And they make me happy, too. I love spring!

Last Friday morning we had a playdate with our friends - Moms Katie, Emilie, and Priscilla, and kids Audrey, Elorie, and Kyler. This time our spot to meet was our nearby neighborhood park. We all had a great time playing on the slides and playset, feeding the ducks, and taking a good walk along the paths and across the big lawn. It seems I failed to take pictures of the little girls. Oops!

First here is a video of Jay climbing up and then sliding down the slide. He's fearless and he can do it by himself, but I tend to be there to help him climb the ladder - makes this Mom a little nervous since I have visions of him letting go and falling.

Jay following Kyler - hard to believe these guys are 21 mo. old!

Below: Priscilla spending time with the two boys

This video was taken last Tuesday, March 2 by Matt. It isn't the most pleasant video since you see Jay's whine and will. At the end you see him ask to be held by Matt. We're dealing more and more with his will vs. our will these days.