The Christmas Post and VIP Christmas Program now available with video.  My cute kids.  In live action.  Love them.

I am desperately trying to catch up on the blog!!  I can’t believe how far I’ve fallen behind.  But since I don’t journal or scrapbook or anything else like that, I blog.  It’s my record.  It’s ridiculous how much I forget and all I want to do is remember.  Every. Little. Detail.  So although some of you might benefit from my obsession (I’m thinking Grandmas ) I really do it all for ME!  Anywho, just a few more things worth sharing.

O hates the car.  He does ok up to about 20 minutes.  Then it’s all hands on deck trying to keep him happy enough to make it to our destination.  Our trip to and from CO the other week was particularly difficult.  We had a few quiet moments on the way with a cheeseburger and some Spiderman juice.  And M&Ms helped us out on the way back.  Silly little monkey.

Also on the road from Colorado.  Pit stop.

This is Samuel with the RC truck he got from his cousins for his birthday.  And with some cables he stole from Daddy’s room.  And Owen’s toy.  I really don’t know what his intentions were, but it made me laugh.  I would love to get a peek into that brain of his and see what’s going on. 

Tuesday and Thursday mornings while Sam is at school are often spent running errands and trying to “get things done.”  I was starting to feel that wasn’t very fair for Owen.  So one morning, we bundled up and went to the park.  Little O-man was in heaven.  We hadn’t been to the park in several weeks, and he had such a good time climbing (he totally thinks he’s a big kid), playing with Mommy, swinging (which he didn’t used to have any interest in), watching apache helicopters fly over, and walking the whole way home balancing on the curb.

Lots to catch up on.  5 posts to follow.  Hopefully a couple more coming soon.

Three months old, here are a few things about the O-ster Toaster, Mr. O-man, O-bee-doe-bee-doo, Master Owen, Little Lumps, my Bubsy . . .

Just like his big brother, Owen is a mover and a shaker.  He rolls from tummy to back and almost from back to tummy.  He hasn’t quite figured out how to make it over his arm.  He scoots himself around in full circles when he’s on his back.  And he kicks himself out of his pajamas.

I look at Owen and think he is so small!  He is long and skinny, and has a small head and teeny tiny face . . . at least I think so.  (His cousin, Michael, who is 4 weeks younger already has a couple pounds on my skinny goob.)

Owen has a really mild temperament.  He rarely cries, and when he does it’s just to let us know something is wrong.  If he is being held, he is happy.  He is also keeps himself content for good stretches of time in his swing, bouncer, Bumbo, and play mat.

If it weren’t for his dodgy naps during the day, I would almost say Owen is a good sleeper.  He is usually asleep by 11:30 and wakes up just once between then and about 8.  Then he almost always goes back to sleep for an hour or two.  The rest of the day is not nearly as consistent, with cat naps sprinkled throughout, and maybe a good long nap a couple times a week.  However, Owen does usually fall asleep easily and he isn’t picky about where he is or what’s going on.  (A nice little change from how Sam was!)

All Owen needs to stay entertained are a few fingers and a couple feet in the air.

Owen is a chatter box.  I love listening to his little voice.  He has so much to say, especially when he’s playing.

Owen puts up with his big brother very well.  Samuel is still learning how to handle him, but O is very patient and quite the good sport.  It’s so cute to see Owen respond to Sam, and to see Sam interact with Owen.

After 3 months, we barely remember our family without our sweet Owen.  We are fascinated, in awe, and enamored by every little thing Owen does.  He is such a light in our lives, and the perfect addition to our little family.  I often times find myself with a warm fuzzy feeling and singing “We are a happy fam-i-ly!”  

Before Owen was born, I was never once worried how I could love another person.  I knew that part would be easy.  I love this little baby boy so very much and am so grateful he is here with us.

We’re still adjusting around here.  But really, things are going better than we could have hoped . . . one of the bonuses for keeping awfully low expectations!   I miss my blog, but let’s face it, I’ve got priorities.  Here are some pictures from the last 2 1/2 weeks that I threw together while Erik and Sam ate pizza on paper plates for dinner.  Like I said, we’re still adjusting.

Owen’s first bath; a family affair.  We didn’t fight Sam when he insisted on being naked, too.

Big Brother Samuel helping out Little Brother O: holding him, testing out his toys, and poking him in the face.

More sleeping Owen.  Though his sleep patterns are so random and unpredictable, we can almost always count on finding him in some funny, awkward position.

Our family of four, plus the heroic, life-saving Grandmas!

Owen loves to suck his fingers, loves to chill, loves to make funny faces with his pretty lips and blonde eyebrows, but does not love being in his carseat.

Lots more to write, hopefully I’ll get to it soooometiiiime!!

Yes, Samuel.  My first born child . . . remember him?  All I’ve been posting about is baby baby baby.  I have been a pretty lame-o Mom recently.  Sam and I haven’t done much of anything exciting lately, so I sucked it up and got ready for a little morning out with my boy.  We spent all morning playing at Nielsen’s Grove; feeding ducks and fish, chasing birds, watching the landscapers, swinging, climbing, walking, running, and even enjoying a couple quiet moments sitting side by side on the park bench.  I took a million pictures, and none of them are that great, but I couldn’t stop going through them when I got home.  I just can’t get over what a BIG BOY Samuel has turned into.  What happened to my baby?

{Bottom 2nd from left: “Ooo dats a big truck cutting da grass!  Sounds like monster truck!”  Bottom right: No desire to listen to my warnings that Mommy duck would NOT like him getting so close to her babies, Samuel ventured closer.  When Mama duck started quacking and flapping her wings Sam got totally startled and high tailed it back up the rocks.}

Here are some things going on with Mr. Sammers these days . . .

• He loves singing, and I love listening to him break out in song while he’s playing by himself.  Itsy Bitsy Spider, Wheels on the Bus, Monkeys and the Alligator (Sam taught me this one!) and Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam are his favorites. 
• Samuel has gotten really good at praying.  Most of his prayers go something like this, “Heavenly Father, nice day, thanks Mommy Daddy, thanks [Caroline, Grandpa B, Gavin, and trucks have each gotten their own personal mention from Sam], Jesus AMEN!”  The first time I heard him pray all by himself, Samuel had just finished banging on the piano as he sang “Jesus Sunbeam.”  Then he hopped down and said, “Ok, time prayer,” folded his arms, closed his eyes, bowed his head, and gave his little prayer.  So cute.
• Samuel is easily impressed, and very encouraging.  He is always willing to shout out a “Yay, you did it!  Good job, Mommy!”  for even the most simplest of tasks.
• He can count to 20 and knows his ABCs.  However, if you ask him how many there are of something, it is always always “TWEE!”  Today at the park, we found some sleeping ducklings and Samuel said, “Ok, let’s count baby ducks . . . 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 . . . Twee!  Twee baby ducks.  Good job,  Mommy.”
• Sam has been sleeping in a toddler bed for probably about a month now.  He’s done surprisingly well with it!  Next step is moving him into a twin in his brand new room when it’s all finished!
• Sam is fascinated with birthdays, particularly Daddy’s.  Cake, presents, candles, anything birthday related he will just randomly start talking about.  I also catch him singing Happy Birthday to You randomly.  One afternoon Sam told me, “It’s Daddy’s birthday!”  I explained to him for the millionth time, “Nope, it’s not Daddy’s birthday today.”  Well, Sam thought about it for a moment this time before replying, “Oh.  It’s Daddy’s birthday MORROW!”
• Sam is also working hard at his colors and shapes.  He is a pro at orange, triangles, and circles.  The rest can sometimes be hit and miss, but he sure loves to try.
• He loves pancakes.  I have to make them at least once a day.  Thank heavens for frozen microwaveable Eggo silver dollars!  Samuel devours those.
• Next to “Where is it??” the most commonly heard phrase around here is “Oh, there it is!”  Samuel is so bad at keeping track of his things, and he is horrible at following a pointed finger or directions to find it.
• I was actually surprised it didn’t happen sooner, perhaps when Erik and I were matched in size, because I have since surpassed him BY FAR.  But the other evening Erik was plopped on the coach and Sam went over and lifted up his shirt.  “That’s baby in Daddy’s tummy?”  I laughed sooo hard.  Erik explained, nope, no baby, but Samuel was still very intrigued and continued investigating Erik’s belly button and hairy stomach before concluding, “Oh, well it’s very dirty.”  {Ok, so it doesn’t sound so funny now, but I just about peed my pants laughing.}
• This little goober is SO 2 and 1/2.  He is whiney, possesive, destructive, stubborn, and naughty naughty naughty.  Samuel is also bright, hilarious, loving, silly, forgiving, and the joy of our home.  How I love this little man!! 

They go a little something like this.

And Sunday afternoons are for blogging . . . at least THIS one was.  Lots of posts to follow.

Since my posts haven’t been very substantial {lately} and I do actually have a few pictures, this is what we’ve been up to {lately}.

• Sam thinks he can get away with anything if he’s cute enough.

• After failing my standard glucose test, I had to spend a whole morning at the hospital taking a 3 hour glucose test.  I had to arrive fasting for the last 12 hours, take an initial blood sample, drink a nasty nasty drink (way sicker than the 1 hour drink), and give another sample each hour over the next 3 hours.  Oodles of fun.  My arms looked like this that night.  I should’ve taken a picture the next day.  (Oh, and ps, passed this test with flying colors, which made the nurse wonder why I had failed the first one so poorly.  Turns out it was because I had a cold.  You’d think they’d consider giving out that info BEFOREHAND.  Idiots.  I was ticked.)

• April Fools Day BUH.LIZZ.ARD.  Sam wanted to make snowflakes.  He had a blast pretending like he was actually doing something, and helping hang them in the window.  There were several more.  Unfortunately there was a fatal “BIIIIIG CRASH” involving Mac, Lightning, and all snowflakes within Samuel’s reach.

• Samuel’s been fascinated with rainbows.  I think it started with practicing his colors a bunch.  He’s reading lots about rainbows and seen them in a few shows.  One evening there was a REAL rainbow outside, and Sam went bonkers over getting to see it.  It was freezing and so windy outside, so I didn’t let Sam stay long.  Back inside, he cried and whined the rest of the night about wanting to “Go outside, see rainbow.”

• Outings are our favorite.  I can run a few errands almost peacefully if I promise a pretzel and drink afterwards.  (See Sam’s shirt?  When I put it on him that morning he said, “Oh, Samuel’s shirt like Daaaaaddy!”  Yes, have you seen what Erik wears every day to work?  Sam was right on.  Cute.)

• Randomly one morning, Sam climbed up onto the table with his tub of micro machines.  He dumped the whole thing onto his highchair, climbed in, and entertained himself for . . . MINUTES, at least!

• Our dishwasher broke.  Good thing Erik can do anything.  Especially with his little helper.

• We had a fun Saturday trip to the aquarium.  Yeah, an aquarium in the middle of Utah isn’t particularly spectacular, but we still had a good time.  Sam loved the sharks the most.  He also liked to tap the big bird eating spider that was right next to the glass, then yank his hand back and say, “Ouch, spider bite me!”  The anaconda and caimen were other favorites, as was splashing in the water as long as niether the fish nor the rays came too close.

• Easter.  SUCH a good day!!  No pictures before church, and Sam was stripped down the moment we came home, and ready for both him and Daddy to “Take tie off, go change” so I got one lousy picture of Easter Sunday best.  I made a pretty successful first-time turkey, we had friends over, and a really fun evening.

September 26  Christian went through the temple.  Mom, Dad, Thomas, Erik and I were all there.

Sept 27 Celebrated Guin’s bday with lots of ladies for an Indian lunch.  Mom, Caroline, Grandma, and I went to the Relief Society General Broadcast at the Conference Center.  Starving, we had dinner at Red Lobster afterwards.  At this point I realized I hadn’t taken any pictures all weekend.  Caroline was willing to comply.  So was the sweet man who only asked that he be remembered for letting Caroline hold a lobster.

Sept 28 Primary program practice begins.  I went to our ward, then came home to get Erik and Sam so we could all go to the Gardners’ baby blessing.  Again, no pictures.

Monday is chores and errands day.  Tuesday is play with friends day.  Wednesday is gymnastics.  Thursday is library and music time day.  Friday is party day.  Gymnastics is a love hate thing for Sam.  An hour might be a bit long, but he usually has a great time.

October 14 Call from Rob that his mother isn’t doing well, and planned party weekend in Idaho might be more of a chance to say goodbye.

October 17-19 An exhausting weekend in Idaho.  Grandma Briggs passed away late Saturday night.  We enjoyed all the time spent with family.  Sam enjoyed all the time he got to play outside.

Oct 23 Wonder Mom and Christian are back.  I slept and got my hair cut.  Miraculously, my kitchen floor was mopped, laundry was done, child was fed walked and napped, downstairs bath was sparkling, and dishes were all done.

Oct 24 Christian’s 20th birthday.  Party and dinner at Chili’s.  I was so excited Erik could come after all.  I don’t think I would have made it without him.  Mmmm, chips and salsa.  The first thing I’d thoroughly enjoyed eating in days.

Oct 25 Erik leaves for Grandma’s funeral in St George.  Primary activity program dress rehearsal ice cream reward party.  Another miracle, to find more things in my house cleaned and my abandoned child still alive and well.

Oct 26 Primary program!  Successfully OVER!

Oct 27 My house is mess and I need a nap.  Where did my Wonder Mom go?  Oh, she’s up in SLC preparing for an open house and last minute {everythings} before Christian reports to the MTC on Wednesday.

Yes, lots more to come.

My camera died and we have noooo AA batteries left, and sometimes it’s a pain to get out Erik’s camera.  Plus, we just haven’t been doing that much worth taking pictures!  Here are a couple every day photos, though, that do a good job capturing almost-2-years-old Samuel.

Samuel loves cars.  Cars the movie, cars the toys, cars the big things the fly down the street.  He loves cars!  Ok, but particularly the movie.  Samuel has a Lightning McQueen {“Stickers”} a Chick Hicks {“Car Chick”} and Mack {“BACK! BACK!”}  Without fail, every morning starts the same.  We go downstairs, Sam says “Car, where is it?”  He and I search for his special cars, often left in the kitchen cabinet, because that’s where cars sleep, duh.  And as soon as Lightning and Co. are in Sam’s hands he sits down on the floor and says, “Ok, watch Cars.”

Samuel found my secret stash of peanut M&Ms and made a healthy and nutritious breakfast out of them.  Smug little chocolate stealer.

One morning Samuel got the idea that his cars needed a house.  He brought me his wagon of blocks and explained, “Blocks, build house cars.”  So I threw together a little something, Samuel added his standard finishing touch {the “tower”} and welcomed his cars home.  I had to take a picture because I am always fascinated with the way Sam lines up, groups, and organizes.  I suggested such a cool house needed some dinosaurs to guard it, and Samuel thought that was a great idea.  Then I told him to go sit by the house and say cheese so I could take a picture.  Eat your heart out, Kiddie Kandids.

[Ah, yes, you noticed the missing cushion cover.  It was still in the wash from the day earlier, after being barfed all over right before I called the doctor in a panic and was scheduled for an emergency appointment to tend to Sam's concussion.  Oh, I didn't tell you about that . . . ?]

And, last but certainly not least, Samuel has officially adopted new blankets and fully initiated them to the world of chewed-on stinky corners of yuckiness.  I still think it’s bizarre that he went 4 weeks without even glancing at his nasty blanket replacements, and then all of sudden decided the ones that had been sitting in his crib the whole time might be good enough afterall.

Keep reading if you want some laughs . . . the toddler humor kind, nothing fancy here.