End of May Update/Pictures

 Pretty flowers!  

 Scott is almost 4! 

Grandpa & Grandma on Natalie's birthday

 Ready for church

 Natalie getting extra attention from Molly

 Loving his bike

 A girl and her shades

 Fun with chalk

Scott is VERY much into safety rules while riding his bike.  He won't ride anywhere without his helmet on.  He brakes at stops waaaaay before necessary.  My parents bought him a horn for his bike, and he dutifully toots it when "needed" on the trail at the park.   :)

I am pleased to announce that Natalie now no longer takes a pacifier.  IT. WAS. ROUGH.  It took well over a week for her to make her adjustment, and we are still dealing with a few minor bumps in the road, but things seem to be improving.  Mental note for child #3- don't wait until my child's 2nd birthday before removing pacifier.  Not fun for ANY of us.  

We go for the 20 week ultrasound in 14 days...but who's counting?! :)

Beauty...in the eye of the beholder

We got home from the park the other evening to find this in the field area next to our house. 

The kids gasped and started running towards this instead.  They seemed much more impressed by Scoop, Muck, and Roley being parked so close to our home than they were by the skittish deer. 

Sidenote:  Crews have been working in our neighborhood all week on road repair, and Scott has been so delighted.  He told me the other day that he wants to be a builder someday.  I was praising him for this, telling him that he would be good at designing buildings (architect?) and overseeing jobsites (construction management?).  He was quiet for a bit and then proudly announced, "I'm going to be the one who holds the signs!"   

Natalie's Big Day! :)

In honor of Natalie's 2nd birthday, I tried to select a few photos from her first 24 months of life.  As I was trying to narrow down the pics (yes...I really DID try), I decided that I should probably go ahead and apologize now for those of you who will be in attendance to watch her wedding slideshow.  Get comfy because it may run a bit long...  :)


HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY, NATALIE GRACE! 

Text me!

 Artifact Picture #1

After suffering through the dark ages for many years, Jon and I have now joined the 21st century.  A few weeks ago, after my cell phone bit the dust (thank you, Natalie...really...thank you), we were forced to get new cell phones.  You know it's time to upgrade when all four of your children's grandparents have cooler phones than you do.  Anyway, we got touch screen phones (the low end...which are probably obsolete already in some people's worlds), and we've been enjoying them.  


 Artifact Picture #2

My sweet friend, Molly, who came to visit last week has been catching me up to speed and helping me with my texting abilities.  I'm still not super fast, and don't know all of the lingo yet, but you might say that I am addicted.  

btw u should txt me soon.  lol:)  ttyl

Farewell Pacifier...Maybe

Natalie likes her pacifier.  I like Natalie having her pacifier.  Seemed like a win-win situation...until last week.  We were at the dentist for SCOTT'S appointment, when the dental hygienist turns to Natalie and asks if she is a thumb sucker.  "No,"  I whispered, for fear that the dentist would hear, "she still takes a pacifier."  The dental hygienist said, "OH!  She should really stop that because it's starting to pull on her teeth."   Ugg. 

Scott really enjoyed his pacifier a little past age two.  After a teeth injury, the dentist told us that we should have him stop using it.   It wasn't as bad as we anticipated, and it seemed as if we could reason with Scott, blame it on the dentist, and he understood.  However, along with that, Scott gave up taking naps.  I'm not quite ready to go there with Natalie yet.  A no-nap Natalie?  That would make for one very long afternoon! 

I tried "reasoning" with Natalie as I had done with Scott, and I told her that in a few days we were going to get rid of her pacifier because the dentist said so.  She immediately began to meltdown and repeatedly said, "Pacifier!  Pacifier!  Pacifier!"  Oh dear...I don't think this is going to be quite as easy.  Wish us luck! 

It's an Update

I bought Scott a dust buster for an early birthday present.  I couldn't bring myself to give that to him for his actual birthday, but looking back, I think it would have been a great gift.  He loves using his real machine and has come up with many good places that need to be vacuumed.   I guess I've done a good job of leaving many "treasures" for him to find.  That's the kind of mom I am! :)   

 

 We caught Natalie looking at a book in the swing.  She seemed to be quite comfy.  

Scott made a pirate hat and was saying, "ARRRR!" all evening.

He knew he was supposed to close one eye, but this was pretty tricky for him.  

Buddies!  

 

I have heard a lot of good things about the Signing Time videos, so I'm not sure why I waited so long to introduce my kids to them.  We found one at the library and have greatly enjoyed it!  The kids picked up on the signs right away and have been using them.  I've requested more from the library and am looking forward to watching others.  They are signing picnic in the first picture.  I'm not sure what their next sign is, but it looks like they are pretty much on the same page.  

 

On the sign for "FAST" Natalie always feels the need to jump up and run a lap around the kitchen.  Instead of signing this word, she wants to demonstrate what fast really looks like.  

 

Pregnancy update:  All is much better now (hence the reason for another post).  The sickness wasn't THAT bad this time around, but it was there and now it's OVER! :)  I'm at 15 weeks now, and we should be able to find out the gender early next month.  This pregnancy is going to fly...