Grey has something to share...

Look at these soon-to-be older siblings :)

Grey has been so impatient wanting to tell the world that he is going to be a big brother! Baby ZJ is due February 21st, just a few weeks before his 2nd birthday.  Daddy and I went into our big ultrasound appointment this morning and everything looks fantastic, measuring exactly 19 weeks.  Here is our first picture of baby ZJ, sucking his/her thumb...and no we are not finding out if Grey will have a little brother or sister, we will find out in about 5 more months!

ZJ at 19 weeks

Grey at 19 weeks

Can you see the family resemblance? 

Goodbye 20's!

Well, today is the last day of my 20's and as I look back, they have treated me well! It is amazing how much can happen in a decade and I look forward to what the next one has to bring :)

A look back (in chronological order as best as I can remember!!)

First Apartment with Nicki (oh, the memories!) in Springfield, MO
Moved to California
Moved in with Stephanie( again...the memories!!)
Met Zippy
Graduated SSU with BA in Geography
Traveled around Europe with Steph and Zippy
Lived with Zippy with the Fischer's for a year in Holland(met Tanya...again some crazy Dutch memories!)
New Year's in Prague
Went to Hawaii
Started working at Enterprise (met Michelle)
Got engaged
Went on my first cruise for Michelle's bachelorette party
Went to Jamaica
Worked for a couple months at Nelson Staffing
Joined CIHS (met Rebecca, Tania, and Jill!)
Got married
Bought a house
Started work at NCOE
Completed my MA in Early Childhood Education
Had Grey!

Again, I have been very lucky and I have met some of my bestest lifelong friends in my 20s. The 30s have alot to live up to but they are off to a good start with a trip to the Bahamas in October and our 5 year Anniversary in February!

Sorry no posting!

Yes, we are still here, life is just crazy right now. Grey has been sick almost all month, mostly just a cold, but it got worse last week and included vomiting...no fun! Then he was kind enough to share it with his daddy and his Grammie. Knock on wood, I have yet to get it, I think it is the super mom immunity that is protecting me right now. The sick kid has decided not to sleep at night unless we are in there putting his 'blankie' on him every 5 seconds when he moves. I would just let him deal with it himself but after two nights of being sick and puking, I really worry that he would puke and I wouldn't know it.  Ugh...I miss sleep, I didn't realize how good we had it! Also, I started a new job, 2 weeks into it now and it is still pretty crazy.  Not much new to share, just wanted to say hi and let you know that we are still here!  :) I am hoping to update more next week....

Girls (AKA TODDLER) Weekend-Tahoe 2010

Do you remember this from last year?

(From L to R): Andrew, Jared, Brewer, Hayley, & Grevin

Well, it is amazing the difference a year makes!

(From L to R in order of birth):  Andrew, Hayley, Grevin, Jared, Brewer

Grey- 2009 (5 months)

Grey- 2010 (18 months)

Friday morning, Grey and I headed up to Tahoe for our second annual girls' weekend.  Truthfully, it is not about the girls but about the fun and chaos 5 toddlers can create!  Amazingly enough, they all got along really well and we had lots of fun exploring the local discovery museum, the chocolate bar at the village in Northstar, the woods behind the condo, and the kids' zone play area at the wine and food festival at Northstar (unfortunately the mommy's were not able to partake in the wine and food part of this but the kids had fun getting balloon animals from a guy on stilts, being serenaded with "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" from a guy with a guitar and a microphone, and playing in bubbles.  It was nonstop fun that started every day at 6 am-even including a bath where one of the kiddos pooped in it!

I am so glad we take the time to do this as Paige and Hayley live in Colorado, Ali and Jared live in Nevada, and Michelle and Brewer live in the south bay....so we hardly ever get to see them other than this weekend. (of course we see Michelle and Andrew every week but it is fun to get away with them!) Grey and I almost did not go because he was sick but after talking to everyone, they didn't mind the snot and wanted us to come and play...and I am so glad we did! 

Here are just a few of the 450+ pictures of the weekend.....

Yee-Haw!!

Watch out for the floaters!!!

Peek-a-boo!!

18 months

Dear, Grey.
I really thought about only writing 'backhoe tractor' this month for your letter because that just about sums up the last couple of months. You love tractors and they are ALL backhoes according to you!

But of course there have been alot of other changes.  You have become quite the toddler, knowing what you want, trying to tell us what you want, and pushing the limits physically, mentally, and emotionally.

You talk non-stop and we can understand most of it. We are lucky because you can sign to us when we don't alway understand what you are saying-doggy and daddy sound the same!  Daddy and I started to write a list of the words you say and stopped at 150.  Of course we hear backhoe tractor the most...

You love, love, love to look at your books.  You have a favorite page in almost all of them and when you want to read, you let us get to the first page before flipping to your favorite so we can sit and talk about the babies ouchie in the "Daddy's Hugs" book, the helicopter in the doggy book, and either the backhoe tractor or trash truck in your truck book. 

You give the best hugs and kisses ever and are starting to cuddle even more.  If someone is sleeping, you will climb into bed and give them kisses to wake them up.  You can be very empathetic, if someone gets hurt, even if you were not the one to cause it, you will give them hugs and kisses until they feel better.  I love your warm and caring personality!

And talking about personality...can we just say you are a mini-daddy???  You go, go, go nonstop until your head hits the pillow.  Your mind works so fast and you pick things up so fast -you amaze me every day.  You don't really mind sharing (haven't  figured out "mine!" yet) but you do love to instigate others(just like your daddy!!).  You let other kids take things from you without flinching but you like to take things from them just to get them to cry or throw a fit..then you will give it right back.  Even if you don't even want the toy, you will do it to get a reaction!

You are also Mr. Funny like your daddy.  You love to be silly and to say silly things.  You say that Grandpa is up in the sky in the airplane when you are sitting on his lap and then you start laughing like crazy or you say that momma is driving a backhoe tractor when we are sitting at dinner...and laugh and laugh and laugh.You pretend to put a shoe on your head and say it is a hat or say a dog is a horse just to be silly. I love this 18 month old humor :)

You LOVE LOVE LOVE to sit on your potty and you go pee pee about 3 times a day on it.  You usually ask to sit on it when we are changing your diaper and you love to run around naked afterwards!! I doubt you will actually be potty trained any time soon but I love that you are interested in trying. 

I know I am missing other things, there are just too many to mention.  We are enjoying watching you grow and develop into such a special little boy.  You keep us on our toes and I love experiencing the world through your eyes.  I love you so very much, Grey!

XOXO,
Momma and Daddy

Have a Great Long Weekend!!