its beginning to look a lot like Christmas

thank you, Pinterest (obviously) for letting my copy all your ideas for my house.

(our christmas card wreath)

(activity advent calendar)

these were taken last night after dinner. it was spaghetti which is why is he shirtless ;)

he thinks he's 5.

Usually we take a daily walk to the lake in our neighborhood, and try to make friends with the ducks by throwing them small pieces of bread. They don't like people yet but Chris and I are determined to make them friendly. There is a little park next to the lake that is basically two swings and one giant slide. I let Everett run around in the sand yesterday when I saw him make his way toward that 8 foot tall slide.

He went up and down all by himself (seeing him push his little booty forward so he goes down is so cute). It gave me a little heart attack, but I was so proud of my brave boy. He is getting too big too fast!

thanksgiving with an 18 month old

I took ONE photo of my son on Thanksgiving.
This is it:

 

Everett watching the Sesame Street float at the Macys Thanksgiving day parade. Yup. The only one. Later in the day when we were at dinner, he was acting a fool. Crying, screaming, just really out of control. It was embarrassing to say the least. We left flustered (more my husband than me. shoot, I didn't want to leave until I ATE PIE!). And that was Thanksgiving. (darn eye teeth coming in)

This week has overall been wonderful. Chris is off all week long, so of course my son is showing off with sleeping in late and taking extra long naps. I have even had plenty of 'me' time (grocery shopping solo is so refreshing).

This evening we had my cousin Jaima and her family over. 

Last weekend we went to Zoo Lights with my mom, a fun tradition she does. (yes I am wearing my ergo, and diaper bag, yet carrying my son who actually just wanted to be in his cousins stroller)

and last weekend we also went to the fair with Chris' dad

okay I will end this random post now.

Thankful.

I thought today, on thanksgiving (11.22.12), I would share 22 things I am thankful for. I believe there is nothing too small or big to have gratitude towards.

1. Family. My immediate family, and in laws and Chris and Ev.
2. My mom (she is separate because she is the best). She helps us so much. She loves and plays with my son. She babysits when we need her. She will be here for me in a moments notice.
3. Marriage. I love being married to my husband, and I am thankful we decided to get married when we were young and naive and that God has grown us up together.
4. My clients. I have been insanely busy with photography. It is the biggest blessing for my family. I know there are a lot of photographers out there now and I am always flattered when people choose me! I love my job.
5. The mention above is why I am able to stay home with my little boy, what a priceless treasure it is.
6. My husbands favor in his job. He continues to succeed and be blessed with amazing Christian bosses. What a blessing that is.
7. Friends! One of my childhood friends from Sacramento moved here this fall and that has been such a blessing (how many times can I use thy word!). She has a daughter a few months older than Everett and we can let them play while we chat and laugh! I am thankful for this new, rekindled friendship!
8. Elmo. Ha. Everett loves him so much and I love it.
9. Coffee. Yup.
10. Life, and the security that it is not the end when we die. Thank you Lord.
11. Every moment we have. My 23 year old cousin died last week in a motorcycle accident. He had a 2 year old little girl. The perspective you get when hearing news like that and seeing your family grieve is unmatched. Don't take any second for granted.
12. Our home. I love our house and everything about it. I take it for granted and need to be more conscious of how blessed we are.
13. I am grateful for the Internet and that it allows out of state family to see my son grow up.
14. My wedding ring, which once was lost and now is found! Praises!
15. Good health.
16. A happy, healthy, thriving, intelligent, chatty little 18 month old!
17. I am thankful that I was born in and live in the United States of America (is that random?).
18. Gorgeous weather in Az.
19. I know I mentioned him above, but I am so thankful for my husband Chris. He is great to me and Everett. He is my best friend.
20. Everyday around 11am, I am so grateful for nap time ;)
21. A closet full of clothes and a pantry full of food.
22. Being able to record memories! Here, on the camera, on my phone, on social media!


Happy Thanksgiving!

18 months

 

18 months. Holy cow. How did we get here.

At 18 months, you wear size 12 month pants and 18-24 shirts/jammies. Size 6 shoe is too big but size 5 is way too small. We haven't gone for your18 month well visit yet, but I am sure you weighs significantly more. You're so heavy all the sudden.

18 months has brought many many laughs. You are the most hilarious little thing. You jibber jabber constantly. You say sentences now, like "ana-go-in-da-car?" (want to go in the car, thats your favorite thing to say right now), "I want more", "I want down". You love to say no. You also say "no-no" (your dad says you say it with a hispanic accent, its true). You 'count', but only say 'three' ten times. Your favorite thing is signing happy birthday to candles. Then pretending to blow them out. You adore "malmo" (elmo). You started watching tv shows, only a little bit a day but you like the tv now.

(your pitiful face)

You call me 'daddy', although I am starting to think you arent really saying "daddy" but some form of "hold me"? Maybe? I hope thats the case. You are always saying "daddy" to me, but call me "mommy' to others when I am not around. You call your dad "dada". You get excited to see him when he comes home. You run to him, then sike him out and come back to me. It hurts his feelings, buddy. He loves you so much but you are so attached to me. I love that you love me and that I am your favorite person. Your second favorite (no its not dad) is my mom, your Nomi. If I leave you with dad you SCREAM, but with Nomi you could care less if I'm around. I am pretty sure you like her more than me.

You eat great. You love milk, I give you a sippy with milk that you call "bah-bull" (you stopped nursing at 17 months). You are starting to hate the high chair. You love eggs, smoothies, chicken, sweet potatoes, crackers (cra-cahs), applesauce, and of course any sugar. You sleep from about 7pm-7am. You nap at 11am for about 2.5 hours.

OH! You have peed on the potty several times now. I usually make you sit on it before your bath and you almost always go. You hate the bath. I don't know why. You cry and cry and CRY. You brush your teeth, which is so cute.

You love animals. You love seeing them and petting them. You like fish (you say 'sish'), turtles (you also call them 'sish'), dogs (they are all Delilah to you), cats (especially strays around Nomis house), and birds. 

You are an energetic little boy. You love to be active and be outside. You are stubborn too. I tell you 'no' and you just look me in the eyes and do it again. Oh boy. You sure are cute, and so smiley. Even though lately youve had a hard time teething (you've gotten pretty much all your teeth except one set of molars in the back), you are very happy. And very loved.

I dont want to forget:

• how you always try to put shoes on, and your voice whispering "shoes, shoes"
• your concerned look when asking for "more", while frantically signing "please"
• how I lay you down for bed, and you just look up at me, no fight, no tears, and ask for "moo" (a stuffed cow). 
• your sweet little kisses
• you are the best hug giver. You put your arms around my neck and press your sweet cheek against mine. I know you mean it, and I know you love me.
• how if I discipline you, you immediately try to swoon me. Youll get your face up in mine and say, "hi?", then give me kisses. its so sweet, but also a bit manipulative...
• how when I get you from your crib you have a million things to tell me. You'd sit in there and talk and talk if I let you.

November, so far.

Wow. I cannot believe it is almost halfway through November, just 6 short weeks until Christmas.
Everett turned 18 months this past weekend, I need to do his post for that.

Here is what we have been doing since I last posted:

dressed up as a spider, went trick or treating

Went to the farm with family. Everett loved the piggies.

Grandpa Bill visited and we got to have some good quality time with him




gave Grandma Wy many many hugs

'we' voted

I drove to California for some photo sessions and stayed with my friend Laurel

Got a new big boy car seat and forward face (daddy sometimes sits next to E for fun)

had more visits with my moms side of the family who were in town

ALS Walk

A couple weeks ago my mom, Everett and I did the ALS Walk for the Cure.
My sister in laws mother Linda was diagnosed with ALS two years ago. Tara is so strong. I can't imagine what Linda or Tara are going through, and though I feel helpless I know I can support them in small ways like this.

My sister in law writes a beautiful blog here.

You can learn more about ALS here.