Spring is here!

At the first hint of warmth and sunshine Ethan made his way out to the backyard to play. It was so nice to be outside!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OUMA!

Just a little message to wish Ouma in California a Happy Birthday! Unfortunately this year we couldn't be there to celebrate with you, but I thought I would post some pictures from your surprise party last year! We all had such fun putting it together and the pay off was fantastic as you can see in the pictures below. Not only was Ouma totally surprised but we were blessed with a beautiful day of sunshine!


The SURPRISE! The Bishop was in on it!


Beautiful decorations done by Pattie, Mo and Michelle


We love and appreciate you very much!

BIRTH ORDER OF CHILDREN

A friend sent me this and I just had to laugh and thought I would post it for others to enjoy! All I know is I feel bad for number 4, 5, and so on!


BIRTH ORDER OF CHILDREN

1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as your OB/GYN confirms your pregnancy.
2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible.
3rd baby: Your maternity clothes ARE your regular clothes.
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Preparing for the Birth:

1st baby: You practice your breathing religiously.
2nd baby: You don'! t bother because you remember that last time, breathing didn't do a thing.
3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your eighth month
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The Layette:

1st baby: You pre-wash newborn's clothes, color-coordinate them, and fold them neatly in the baby's little bureau.
2nd baby: You check to make sure that the clothes are clean and discard only the ones with the darkest stains.
3rd baby: Boys can wear pink, can't they?
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Worries:

1st baby: At the first sign of distress--a whimper, a frown--you pick up the baby.
2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten to wake your firstborn.
3rd baby: You teach your three-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing
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Pacifier:

1st baby: If the pacifier falls on the floor, you put it away until you can go home and wash and boil it.
2nd baby: When the pacifier falls on the floor, you squirt it off with some juice from the baby's bottle.
3rd baby: You wipe it off on your shirt and pop it back in.
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Diapering:

1st baby: You change your baby's diapers every hour, whether they need it or not.
2nd baby: You change their diaper every two to three hours, if needed.
3rd baby: You try to change their diaper before others start to complain about the smell or you see it sagging to their knees.
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Activities:

1st baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics, Baby Swing, and Baby Story Hour.
2nd baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics.
3rd baby: You take your infant to the supermarket and the dry cleaner.
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Going Out:

1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter, you call home five times.
2nd baby: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to leave a number where you can be reached.
3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees blood.
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At Home:

1st baby: You spend a good bit of every day just gazing at the baby.
2nd baby: You spend a bit of everyday watching to be sure your older child isn't squeezing, poking, or hitting the baby.
3rd baby: You spend a little bit of every day hiding from the children.
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Swallowing Coins (a favorite):

1st child: When first child swallows a coin, you rush the child to the hospital and demand x-rays.
2nd child: When second child swallows a coin, you carefully watch for the coin to pass.
3rd child: When third child swallows a coin you deduct it from his allowance!

Protective Thula

Our dogs mostly drive me crazy, but it is pictures like this that remind of much I love having them around! They are both so protective over Chloe and Ethan. I managed to snap this picture of Thule laying asleep with Chloe. Chloe fell asleep in her bouncy. I now have to strap her in because she kicks and bounces so hard and moves all over the place. She is growing so fast and gets bigger by the day!

Such a big helper!

Peter and Ethan were in the kitchen the other day helping me out by doing some dishes and emptying the dishwasher. This is what we managed to catch on camera.



Peter put Ethan on "cutlery-put-away" duty and he did a great job!

Chloe bouncing

Chloe loves to spend time in her bouncy chair and she especially loves the little mirrow that dangles infront of her. She loves to smile at herself!

Cooking breakfast

CHLOE UPDATE: ALREADY 9 WEEKS!! Such a happy, smiley little girl!



Ethan has decided he loves to help mom and dad in the kitchen. This morning he helped fry his own eggs and asked for seconds because apparently it tasted that good. Maybe I will let him cook more often if it means he empties his plate!