Catching up...

Since I've had Asher I blog less. Clearly I have less time. I don't want to get too far behind in pictures and postings though. I need to make sure his baby blog book is just as cool as Jake's is! So, I will have to make sure I'm at least blogging every few days. Especially with him turning 11 months next week! One more month and my little munchkin will be a year old! I'll have a 1 year old and a 2 1/2 year old running wild! 

These last 2 weeks have been fun! Grant and I packed up the kids very early last Saturday morning and headed to Disneyland. If your a pass holder you can get early entrance right now. So, we want to take advantage of that! That way we can get on all the rides right away, and leave before the kids get too tired. We got there around 7:30am, went on the rides we've been wanting to get on, and we even ate breakfast at Storytellers Cafe! It was such a fun day! We went with our friends Josh, Alexis, and their beautiful daughter Eloise. She's such a doll! 

Here are the kids all packed up and ready to roll! It was 32 degrees outside! That's so super cold for us Californians!

Jake was so thrilled! He was running through the park like a mad man! 

Grant and I bought Jake a Buzz Light Year toy... He carried the box until we opened it at breakfast!

Then at breakfast, we were able to eat good food, and hang out with some of the characters! Jake and Asher loved it! 

The next day we went to church... and somehow with all the singing and music... this little guy can still nap! Precious, right?

This week the boys have had a little cold. Most likely has to do with the weather out here. It went from 30 at night, to 50 during the day, to 40 at night, and then 80 during the day!

So, we stayed in and built Lego master pieces. Jake is my master builder... and I have to admit... I LOVE LEGO'S! We could build for hours! SO FUN! 

They started feeling better and it's been so beautiful out... we decided to take it outside! Jake loves playing with his cars, motorcycles, and his trike! He also loves playing soccer and basketball!

Asher pants loves to get in the cars as well. He mainly loves to just walk around play with the balls and explore. Love seeing the world through his eyes! 

My best friend Katy turned 32! We've been friends for 13 1/2 years. We met in Tri Delt, and have been pretty much inseparable ever since. She's amazing. She's the best friend any girl could ask for. No matter what's gone on in our lives... we've always been there for each other. She's not only a friend... I consider her a sister. :) 

Katy, Kristyn (Katy's sister), and I went to dinner to celebrate! What a fun dinner! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BESTIE!

Grant and I went on a date night Saturday evening after the kids went down. We went to a mellow dinner and talked about the crazy week we had. It's nice to catch up over dinner and a glass of wine. No interruptions. :) Sunday morning we also had work out date. The babysitter came over early and we headed to the gym, breakfast, and even did a little shopping. Back home to play with our little munchkins!

What a fun few weeks! I will try and blog every few days so that I don't get that behind again! Happy Monday all!

Reflecting on time spent.

What a wonderful holiday season. I hate that it comes and goes so quickly. With not having family locally it's even more special when family travels in to spend that time with us. On December 20th, my grandma and little Brother Dylan flew into town. My parents were both working, so they came out on Christmas day. Then we were all together until everyone left on January 5th. 17 days with some... and 12 with the others. Just about a half of a month. :) Jake just loved all the attention. He went on walks with pop pop every day, played basketball with Dylan, got spoiled by his grandma's... it was hard to see everyone go. 

When my parents left in 2004, I was only 23. I was sad. I remember walking through the home I grew up in... and laying on the floor in my empty room for the last time. Tears running down my face as I left the house. I thought over the years it would get easier. I know I seem to blog about this every time they leave or I leave Boise. I guess blogging about it is my therapy (thanks for reading friends)! Anyhow, it's only gotten harder. Because I have children things have changed. I can't just drive home for dinner, or have my family over. I see my family only a few times a year. We all make the travel... but, it's hard with little ones to follow. Kids get used to traveling, but at 2, and 10 months, we aren't completely there yet. My kids are pretty good too. But, they get bored. Can you blame them? 

I only see my parents a few times a year. WOW. Growing up, my parents were like the Walsh's (To my 1990's friends... the original Beverly Hills 90210 parents). My brother and I always had friends over (we were like twins only being 17 months apart). My parents cooked, talked, played, and did everything with us. I never in a million years thought we'd all be this far from each other. 

This year, Jake questioned things a little. Where's Dylan? Where's pop pop? Where's ya ya? How do you explain to a 2 year old that they live in another state? Or that we wont see them for a few months? UGH. Well, like any 2 year old... he's moved on... but, every once in awhile he'll ask where Dylan is or run over to the door waiting for someone to enter. 

My grandparents were over every weekend... and sometimes during the week. My grandparents were very involved in Marty's and my life. I know my parents will always be involved, but they will miss games, parties, school events, and some holidays. I know this is normal for some people... it's hard for me to grasp. Grant has done an amazing job of making sure we are all close. We both make sure that not too much time passes until we all see each other again. I guess he sees all the happiness I get. :)

Dylan is such an amazing boy. He is so good with my boys. Even though he'd probably rather watch sports center with Grant, he choose to play with Jake. ;) Walks, basketball, dancing, running around, etc. These 2 really are developing a bond. Much like brothers. They are closer in age than Dylan and I are! We are 23 years apart! Jake and Dylan are only 7 years apart. 

My dad was working... and all of a sudden, Jake grabbed his computer, paper, and crayons, and set up shop next to pop pop. 

New Years Even with the ladies in my life. Grandma, and my mommy.

Just out for a walk... no big deal.

Cool older brother. He LOVES his shades.

This year I hope to see my family even more. I hope for more of their visits, and our trips back to visit them! I'm so thankful for our time spent. This was such a wonderful holiday for me personally. I just feel so blessed and fortunate to have wonderful family and friends in my life. I'm looking forward to weddings, babies, new jobs, and many more accomplishments from our family and friends. Isn't that what life's all about? 

Cheers to a NEW PROSPEROUS YEAR!

Christmas 2012

This year we celebrated Christmas as a family of 4. This was Asher's 1st Christmas. My parents, brothers (Marty and his family, and Dylan), grandma, and uncle/aunt with there boys all came for a Christmas celebration here at our house. We had a busy house... but, a fun house! It's been awhile since we've all been together at the same time! Jake has been loving all the attention! I felt so blessed to have most my family all together!

We've made so many wonderful memories, and this will be a Christmas to remember. We usually spend Christmas in Boise, so who knows who will celebrate with us next year! I wanted to post a few pictures so that I don't get too far behind. Here are just a few of the memories that we have made.

My brother Martin, and his beautiful little girl, Madison. 

Growing cousin family! 

The guys goofing off!

YA YA and Jake at the park. 

Hope everyone has had a blessed holiday season! 

Asher is 10 months!

Asher is 10 months. He turned 10 months on Christmas Eve. We've had family in town, so I haven't had much time to update my blog. I wanted to post a few pictures I took of Asher.

Since I posted his 9 month update recently, a lot is still the same. He now has 4 teeth though. He has his front 2 teeth coming in, and he has 2 bottom teeth. Too cute! I love seeing those smiley faces with teeth to match! :)

He is so curious. He is already a handful. He's walking, so I'm constantly running after him, or watching to see what he's gotten into. Jake and Asher are total buds. It's so cute to watch Jake play with him. Every once in awhile Jake will be playing with something quietly, and Asher will come over and try and take it from him. Asher is so strong. It's hard to pry things out of his hands! And when his mind is made up... nothing can stop this kiddo! :)

Here are some 10 month pics:

Asher LOVES basketball! He picks up the ball and takes off! Too cute!

Typical boys... wresting. My little brother Dylan is so good with my boys! He lets them crawl all over him, and is very patient. Today we went to the park, and he followed Jake around. He came up to me and said, "you notice that Jake didn't get hurt today" I said, "yes", and he said... "that's because I'm taking care of him, and I love him." My boys adore him... and I do too! 

I have lots of pictures from the holidays... I'll try and post a few tomorrow!

AND... PS. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SIS IN LAW, LEE ANNE! I love you sister! Hope you had a great evening with your boys! :)

Asher: 9 months old... a little late!

Asher was 9 months old on November 24th. Needless to say... we've been a little busy! I think we all get busy around the holidays, right? Well, I also wanted to wait on this post until he had his 9 month baby well check up as well. He had his appointment last week.

Asher is doing great! He's happy, in to everything, curious, serious, fast, loving, and assertive. Asher is officially walking now. Yes, I said it! He's walking! He takes his steps, stumbles, and then gets right back up and keeps going! I will take a video of how ridiculously cute it is! It's so hard to believe... he's so little. ;)

That brings me to the baby well check up! My little guy is 26 lbs and 1 oz. He's 3 pounds bigger than Jake at this age. He's also 31 1/2 inches long. A half an inch taller than Jake as well. Asher is in the 100th percentile for both. He's been in the 100th percentile since his first baby well appointments.

Here is Jake at his 9 month appointment. 

He's wearing 2T clothes, and still in size 4 diapers. Although he wears size 5 diapers to sleep in. He's been sleeping through the night for a few months now. He goes down around 6:30/7pm, and he's out all the way until 6:30am. He's a great sleeper!

He's saying, mama, and dada... and now he's shaking his head no to things. hmm. He hears "no" a lot from Jake I suppose. Or me telling Jake no. ha ha!

He has 2 of his bottom teeth! His first tooth popped out at 8 1/2 months, and his second is almost all the way out now.

He drinks about 24-32 oz of milk, and eats table food. He eats a lot of what Jake and we eat. He is still eating some squeeze tubes (of veggies and fruit), but prefers to eat the real deal like us!

He loves all things Jake. Yep. Anything Jake has, he wants. He doesn't like baby toys. He likes books, cars, trucks, and anything that Jake has in his hand. He's so strong! I mean... STRONG! The strength matched with size... and then my size... must be hilarious to watch. People think that Jake is 4, and that Asher is a year old. They have NO idea! My boys are so smart! I'm so proud to be there mommy! Asher is already trying to figure out Jake's puzzles. A little too young to do the shape sorters, but we're working on it! Jake tries to show him how... it's hilarious watching them interact. My favorite thing to watch them do together is play chase! Jake goes running and Asher chases him. They both hysterically laugh the entire time.

Having the same sex this close in age is a lot more easy then I thought it was going to be... NOW, that doesn't mean it's easy. I have a great system. I'm very organized... and I'm home with them all day. So, Asher takes 2 naps a day, and Jake with one long one. Jake's nap, and Asher's second nap are at the same time. With Asher's first nap, I play with only Jake... it's our time together. And when Asher wakes up from his second nap, and Jake is still asleep, it's our alone and special time. I don't feel like any baby gets shorted. I also have my alone dates with them too. This past Saturday Grant had daddy/Asher time, while I took Jake to his buddy Henry's 2nd birthday party. It all works perfectly!  The toughest time is when Grant travels, or works late. But, we get through it. We only have each other... so, we work it out! ;)

My family is flying into town this Thursday! I CAN'T WAIT! My brother Dylan and my grandma arrive first, and then my parents on Christmas morning! woo hoo! I'm so so so excited.

Here are some pics of Asher at 9 months. I'm surprised I got him to sit still enough for these!

Christmas at the Stone house.

This year feels different. This year feels better than all the others. This year we will celebrate Christmas as a family of four. This will be the first year in a long time that we celebrate here in California. Here at our home. My grandma and brother fly into town on December 20th, and then my parents fly into town on Christmas afternoon. SO EXCITED! For again so many reasons. Family in town, our growing family, and NOT TRAVELING. Although, I have to admit... I was looking forward to the snow. However, after our last few trips... I need some time off. It's hard traveling with 2 babies, 2 and under. But, we will do it shortly, I'm sure. It's not easy to stay put when you have family all of the United States!

Anyhow, I wanted to post some pictures from around our house! I LOVE LOVE LOVE to decorate... I mean... I LOVE TO DECORATE! Whether, it's for parties or holidays... I don't care!

This is Asher's first Christmas! Very excited for him to open presents and play with the things that we give him. I know that no matter what we get him, he'll want what Jake has. Maybe I should just buy double? ;)

I love watching these brother's play. Best friends. :)

Here are the pictures.

Asher's 9 month photos and update will be posted on Wednesday... after his baby well appointment. :)

Things we learn as we go...

We grow as parents, right? There are things we learn we can and cannot do as parents. We learn the limits of our children. Or perhaps we learn our limits as parents.

With this being said... Our family pictures. 

I shall list what I learned this year...

1. Don't take pictures close to nap times... duh, I know...

2. Don't take pictures in the dead heat of the CA year. September. UGH.

3. Taking pictures with a barely 2 year old, and a 6 month old will be challenging.

4. Taking pictures with 2 boys in general.

5. Don't make the children pose for the camera, unless it's when we are doing the family shot, and Grant and I both are holding one.

6. Don't wear fancy high heels in a park with gravel. 

So, with the list above... Next year, I will change things up. I will take pictures after a snack, and before dinner. It will be the last week of October or the first week of November (let's be honest... it's for Christmas cards anyhow). I wont make my babies pose. I will have the photographer take pics as they seem natural. There will be "some" family shots and the brotherly shots. It will get easier because next year I'll have a 3 year old, and a 1 year old. ha ha. We'll see. :)

The pictures turned out great! I loved them... Grant and I ended up laughing the entire way home, while the kids slept... probably because we wore them out chasing them, wiping tears, and screaming funny things at them... in hopes of both looking and both smiling! ha ha.

With out further adieu... Here are a few...

Jake had just turned 2! 

Asher had just turned 6 months old... funny how different Asher pants looks compared to now. :)

How lucky am I that all these adorable, and handsome men love me? Ugh. I die.

And lastly, this summed up the end of the shoot. But, it's still a favorite shot, that one day we can all laugh about... me as their crazy momma and all the pictures I make them take.