Our Little Family

New Family Pictures

2012-01-02T08:45:00.000-07:00

While visiting family in Mesa, AZ last week, I asked my uncle Kody if he would mind shooting a few family pictures for us. We met him at the Mesa Arts Center and had a great time. The weather was perfect in my opinion, although the locals think it is cold. He got some good shots of the kids that I will post later.

My favorite.

My second favorite.

Family Trip

2012-01-01T21:36:00.002-07:00

After spending Christmas with family in Idaho, the four of us drove 15 hours to Mesa, AZ to visit Ian's oldest sister and her family. It was a LONG drive but it was a fun trip. We hadn't seen them since 2007 and they had never seen Kate and Daniel.

I loved the Mesa weather this time of year, around 60 degrees and sunny! We started driving back last night around 7 pm and got back to Logan at 1:00 pm today. It is good to be back in out apartment even though we are out of food and have a LOT of laundry to do!

The Pink Potty

2011-12-21T10:08:00.002-07:00

As mentioned before, Daniel has had to use the pink potty to help him "go." These pictures may or may not be used as blackmail when he is a teenager.

Road Rash

2011-12-20T21:23:00.000-07:00

Technically it is wall rash, but road rash sounds cooler.
So much for Christmas pictures!

Adventures in Potty Training - Part 2

2011-12-16T13:14:00.002-07:00

Daniel really took the lead with his own potty training. He started showing a lot of interest in September/October. With the new job and moving I kinda stalled him. When we got settled in here in Logan I decided to get him going.

I let him pick out his own "unders." He picked Thomas the Train which he calls "Choo-Choo." I cashed in my Huggies reward points for the Winnie the Pooh Potty Seat (shown in the pictures) and we got started.

I also got out Kate's pink potty. What was I thinking in buying a pink potty for her? I should have bought the gender-neutral one. Oh well.

I put the diapers away and only used them at night until they were gone. Then I got some night-time pull-ups. And we started.

He did really good. He would go potty when I asked him and was happy to announce to anyone who would listen that he went "hello!" (Daniel word for yellow.)

He has a hard time holding it and going without being reminded. If I take him every 45 minutes or so he stays dry all day. If I forget to take him he has accidents.

He has been a good boy about going in public potty's and his favorite part is flushing.
I hope to get him fully potty trained by spring! Wish us luck!

The Never-ending Cough

2011-12-16T11:19:00.002-07:00

**Cough**Cough**Cough**MOMMY**Cough** MOMMY***

That is what I have heard every night for the past week. It is miserable. It seems like the minute Kate gets a cold bug she gets The Never-ending Cough. I finally took her into the doctor and she has a sinus infection. I also got a cough syrup for her and it has been heaven! She finally can sleep without coughing!

Melancholy

2011-12-04T21:45:00.002-07:00

I am sad. I am lonely.

I thought setting up the Christmas tree tonight would make me feel better. It didn't.

All four of us feel like garbage. We all have colds. The kids have it worse. They have had fevers since Thursday. Kate has been coughing for 2 days.

We need a big ol' hug from a friend. And maybe some chicken soup.

Lounging Around

2011-12-01T22:36:00.004-07:00

We have done a whole lotta nothing these last few days. More often then not you will find the kids lounging around. Why are we perpetually lazy? Both Kate and Daniel haven't felt very good and have had fevers and coughs. Kate complained of a headache most of the day and Daniel is cutting his 2 year molars. So I have let the kids do this most of the week.

This was earlier in the week and they were feeling fine. Just watching TV.

This was today and Kate was feeling awful. She even called Ian and asked him to bring home medicine.

Hopefully they will feel better in a few days and we can stop being so lazy!

Thankful

2011-11-28T10:16:00.001-07:00

I didn't take a SINGLE picture for Thanksgiving! I did however make 3 batches of rolls, peel 40 potatoes, wash several loads of laundry and dishes, take Daniel potty about 100 times, make $$$ at my craft fair and spent lots of time with my mom and sisters.

It was a busy 10 days! I am grateful that my parents let me and the kids infiltrate her house for the last week and a half! We had a great {vacation}! Now we are back to Logan and real life has begun.

I am thankful for my family, all of them! I am thankful for the Church and its teachings. I am thankful for health and for food. I am thankful for a place to live that is warm and safe. I am thankful for 2 vehicles and for Ian's full-time job. I am thankful for my little business and that I am able to work from home and raise my children.

I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!

Wanna win a gift certificate?

2011-11-20T22:33:00.001-07:00

Want to win $5 to my store?

What about $10?

If you post on YOUR blog about my Bows By Audra Facebook Page and let me know you did I will give you a $5 Gift Certificate to use towards any of my items. (Cannot be used for shipping.)

If you post on your blog AND at least 5 people post on my wall that you sent them I will give you a $10 Gift Certificate to use towards any of my items. (Cannot be used for shipping.)

Have you seen some of my newest items? Neck Ties and Bow Ties for boys, Bottle Cap Flowers and Accessories, Key Ring Wrist Straps and of course the CUTEST bows ever!

Hair Cut for Daniel

2011-11-14T21:00:00.002-07:00

If any of you have ever seen Daniel you will notice his lack of hair. Or at least I thought he lacked hair. Here it is all combed down. Hard to tell he has much right? I had noticed it getting longer and wispier on the back and sides and I decided to do something about that.

Once I combed it straight up you can tell he has a bunch of that baby fine blond hair!

So I got out my scissors and started to chop. I admit I know NOTHING about giving hair cuts. I saved some of his hair for his scrapbook and the rest fell into his face. He hated having hair in his nose!

Here he is all bathed and clean with a short hair cut. Can't tell right?
Yeah, the back is uneven, oh well!

What's missing?

2011-11-11T15:01:00.001-07:00

Ian is sick of me not knowing how to type. He decided to sand the letters of my keys. He thinks it will help me learn to type. It just makes me mad.

Matchy-Matchy!

2011-10-26T10:09:00.003-06:00

Who said you have to have two kids of the same gender to match them?!

I found the cutest fabric at the best store that is less then a block away!! Hobby Lobby!

I fell in love with it the minute I found it! Isn't it the cutest?!

I decided to whip up a pillowcase dress for Kate and a matching tie for Daniel!Hobby Lobby also carries matching ribbon! I made some Large Boutique Bows to match Kate's Dress.
Don't they look super cute? I love how they turned out!

Nap time is for whinys!

2011-10-18T14:21:00.004-06:00

That is what Kate said when I asked if she was going to nap!

Much to my disappointment, both kids have out grown their naps! Yes it took Kate 4 years and Daniel only 2. That is one of their differences. Daniel is pretty much a happy boy all day. Unless he is sick or teething, he can handle less sleep.

Kate is like me, she needs her sleep! She has napped about every other day for the past 6 months or so, sometimes she would just lay in bed quietly. Other times she would read or play with dolls. But if she didn't nap she was a disaster by dinner time.

A few times she would fall asleep in the car or on the couch around 5 o'clock. But as of this week she has gotten much better and can last all the way to 8:00 pm.

Daniel and Kate have a bedtime between 7:30 and 8:30 depending on the day, their moods and my own! But most times they are quiet and asleep by 8:30 pm.

I miss the 2 hour quiet time and a possible nap for me in the afternoon. But they are pretty good and will either watch a show or play quietly while I take a break for myself!

For the most part, I have pretty good kids! And taking a picture of them is as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4!

Apartment Life

2011-10-11T22:30:00.004-06:00

We moved to a 3 bedroom 2 bath apartment! I LOVE the space we have! It seems so big and open to me! We about doubled in square footage!

Kitchen and Dining Room

Kate standing by the coat closet. Front door and back door (sliding door) in the living room! No couch yet!

Ian's computer in the living room.

Kate wanted to take a picture of me and Daniel.

Until Ian fixes Daniel's crib he is sleeping in the pack n play!

Daniel has to share his room with our storage! At least all the un-packed boxes are in one place!

Kate's bed.

We put the toys in Kate's room, this is where the kids play most of the time.

Kate playing with the cars.

Daniel in the doll pack n play!

Ian likes his 8-5 M-F job! He comes home for an hour at noon for lunch. I have been making 2 meals a day! I am not sure where this Holly Homemaker in me has come from!

The kids are doing a lot better! More places to run and play! I found Kate a new preschool and we both like the break from each other!

Been a long time!

2011-10-04T19:12:00.002-06:00

Sorry for being MIA so long! Life has been CrAZy! We just moved to Logan, UT last weekend. Ian started a new job on Monday! I am trying to get settled and un packed, at least get a few things un packed. We hope to move into a house in 6-12 months.

The kids are doing better, they had a rough week or two while we packed and moved. Hopefully we can get into a nice new routine and enjoy the fall here!

I love this area! I am so close to stores! I have only met a few people but I think once we go to church we will meet more people.

I have several things to post about and I hope to be better! Until then!

Kate Turns 4

2011-08-29T16:56:00.003-06:00

We celebrated Kate's 4th birthday on Tuesday August 9th.

It was kind of an over-cast, cool day. We went to a splash park but the kids said the water was too cold and we didn't stay very long.

We went back to my parent's house for presents, cake and ice cream. I think she had a great day!

Kate is so smart and getting so grown up! She loves to play with her toys and is so excited to start preschool in one week!

It is official!

2011-07-26T20:57:00.004-06:00

Ian officially graduated last Friday! It has been such a roller coaster and I am so proud of him!

Family Pictures

2011-05-30T23:53:00.004-06:00

It has been a few years since my family had a good family picture. Actually the last picture didn't even have Ian in it! It was in 2005! So for Christmas we decided to all give my mom an updated family picture. We waited until Spring so we could take them outside. We all got together last Saturday for some family pictures!

Buisness as usual

2011-05-14T23:27:00.002-06:00

This has been me lately! Super scatter-brained and stressed! I'm not sure if I'm coming or going! My business has been booming lately! Having a lot of fans on Facebook has really brought me a lot of business.

So we are all doing good! We are loving the warm weather and the kids love to play outside!

Ian is doing his last semester at BYU-Idaho and will be graduating in July, we hope!

Kate and Daniel are getting big and very smart!

I spend a lot of time on my business and I am loving it! Friends and family get a discount! If you ever want bows please think of me first!

Daniel's 18 month old pictures

2011-03-10T15:39:00.002-07:00

I'm glad I didn't pay to get his pictures taken! He was a turd! These were the best ones!

Big Boy!

2011-03-01T11:45:00.000-07:00

Daniel turned 18 months old yesterday! I took a few pictures but Ian took my camera today so I can't post them!

He is such a great boy, most of the time. He is getting bigger and taller all the time. He is super smart and we love him so much! I have a few videos to show you how cute and smart he is!

Happy Love Day!

2011-02-14T14:27:00.003-07:00

I will always remember how special my mom made Valentine's day for me and my siblings. She would write a little love note or give us a card with some candy or chocolate. It wasn't huge but it was nice to have a little present to surprise us before we went off to school. I liked that she showed her love to us with just a little something extra on this holiday.

I have tried to give my kids a little Valentine every year. I found some shirts for them and some buckets and books and gave them a few treats this morning. They seemed to really like it. I love my kids everyday but celebrating a holiday with extra love is always nice.

I tried to get a cute picture of them and it proved difficult. Even with some bribing. So this is what I got.It didn't take long before they were laughing, running away and being super silly! So our photo shot was over! But they gave each other a little love and I even captured a kiss! I can't wait to show them when they are teenagers that they kissed each other! I am so happy that my kids love each other and even though they fight, they still like to play together, for now.

Deja Vu!

2011-02-14T13:56:00.004-07:00

I discovered Daniel getting into the wipes the other day.

I was about to scold him but then I remembered another curious child who did the same thing once. So instead I grabbed the camera and took a few pictures and we laughed together. Then he helped me stuff them back into the container and we went on with our day.

Hair styles ideas

2011-02-12T20:28:00.002-07:00

I love looking at the super cute hair styles from this website. http://www.cutegirlshairstyles.com/

She has a beautiful Valentine's Day style here. I can't wait until Kate has enough hair to do super cute styles with!

3 and 1/2

2011-02-10T14:26:00.005-07:00

Kate's half-birthday is the same day as my mom's birthday. I told her a few days ago that Wednesday was Grandma Julie's birthday and she would be 3 and 1/2 on the same day. She woke up yesterday asking if she was 3 and 1/2 yet! She is very good at remembering the things I say!

I didn't get the chance to take her picture yesterday so I took some of her today. She did pretty good, and they turned out so cute, but I am a little biased!

She is so grown up! Here are a few things about her!

She is 39 inches tall and about weighs about 32 pounds.
She is so smart but is just as stubborn.
She can be very independent when she wants.
She also tends to revert to acting like a baby when she is tired.
Some days she takes a nap and other days she doesn't.
She loves her primary class but has a hard time sitting still for sharing and singing time.

I know there is more but I can't think of anymore. I sure love my little girl and she is a hoot to have around!

Grandparent Gift

2011-02-08T16:10:00.005-07:00

Tomorrow is my mom's birthday. I wanted the kids to make her a gift but I wasn't sure what kind of gift to make. I decided to use their handprints and a poem about handprints. I found the poems pretty easy but I wanted a border to decorate the page before I printed it out. Finding a free border was not as easy. So I decided to make my own. And I decided to share it! You can edit these documents and print them for your kids. Then use paint or ink to add their handprints! I hope my mom likes them!

Here is the place I found the poems. It is a good website! Handprint poems

Here is the link to download Daniel's poem. It is a .doc Daniel's

Here is Kate's.

Great Website!

2011-02-08T10:31:00.003-07:00

I wanted to post about a wonderful website I found. It is called Latter-day Chatter. She has amazing freebies, ideas and things to buy in her store to help with anything Church related. I love her file folder games and I have purchased a few and won one in her facebook treats that she randomly does. Her newest creation is a set of Valentine's cards. They are $1.00 in her store and you can print them out and give them to your visiting teaching ladies or anyone you want.

Check out her super cute stuff!

The Green 7

2011-02-02T20:48:00.003-07:00

This $6 alarm clock was one of the best purchases I made last summer. I bought it specifically for the multi-colored display. I found it at Target with the other alarm clocks.

When Kate was about 2 years old she learned her numbers. It was awesome. She could recognize numbers 1-9 even if they were out of order. She fell in love with counting and has quickly learned up to the mid-twenties.

But every morning, she would wander into my room anytime between 4 am and 6:30 am asking if it was time for cereal. I would tell her no and promptly put her back in bed. It got old, fast.

So I sought out a solution. It was the purchase of the above clock that has saved my sanity every morning.

Upon plugging it in, I informed her that in the morning she couldn't ask for cereal or wake me up until she saw a green 7. I drilled it into her head all day and at night I reminded her that she had to wait for the green 7.

The next morning I heard her talking in her room around 6:30 saying that it wasn't the green 7 yet. I smiled and rolled over.

Promptly at 7:00 am she ran into my room and yelled, "It's the GREEN 7!"

And that is how our mornings still begin. Usually.

A few other pictures from January 20th 2011. Yes, he is wearing bracelets.

They are pushing each other to get their picture taken.

Like mother like daughter

2011-01-27T19:25:00.004-07:00

In December I decided that Kate's hair needed a trim. The back was pretty uneven and I thought it would be fun to get her a haircut.

Before

The back before

She was a really good girl during the whole haircut and she sat very still.

After

It looked much better afterwords. She looks all grown up now! This was her very first professional haircut ever! I did trim the back a few times when she was a baby but that's it. I'm proud of my brave little Kate.

I'm starting him early

2011-01-25T21:53:00.002-07:00

As you can see Daniel has turned into a juvenile delinquent. Not only is he a Dr. Pepper addict, he procured said Dr. Pepper by stealing it from my desk.
Once he was hooked, there was no turning back. He took that can and ran off!
But as you can see, it wasn't even opened! But he sure had fun pretending to get a caffeine buzz!
Ain't he cute? It makes a mother proud. (tear, tear)

Since these pictures were taken in December 2010, I have stopped any and all Dr. Pepper consumption. If it is in the house, how can I expect him to abstain? You can't keep stuff like that around recovering addicts.

His rehab is going well, it's almost like he never even touched the stuff. Whew, and I thought it would be tough!

Actually I decided to stop drinking the best pop on earth for a new year's resolution. Wish me luck!

I'm a big huge slacker!

2011-01-24T16:17:00.003-07:00

Does anyone else get into a blogging rut? I know I am in one! I think I have posts to do from six months ago!

Anyway, the reason I am granting you all with my presence today is because I need help. I need help with Kate. She has been quite the little handful lately and it has escalated into terrible tantrums. I understand that tantrums are normal for children but hers are extreme!
I need to record a video of one because they are so bad. I am starting to think that something is affecting her, like something she is eating or drinking. She has always been a picky eater but a few months ago we had a break-through and was starting to try new foods and even like them. But then the tantrums started. I am going to start a diary and record what she eats (for the most part) and then her behavior and see what patterns emerge.

In the meantime please give me some advice on how to deal or what to try with her so we can all come out of this in one piece!

Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam

2011-01-11T10:34:00.002-07:00

I know I am so behind but I wanted to post this before I forget!

Kate started Sunbeams last Sunday! She is getting to be so grown-up! She had a hard time sitting with her class and her new teachers, she wanted to sit by me, since I am the music leader I am sitting at the front of the room. She enjoyed singing time and sang along to her favorite song, "I Am a Child of God."

Our Primary President took a picture of the children with their jar of pennies and she e-mailed me the picture.

Kate is the one in the pink dress wearing the crown.

It's Bonnie's Fault!

2010-12-09T11:46:00.002-07:00

After reading my friend's blog about her love of her children in bed, I decided to post something similar. Her blog is private but if you know her and want an invite, e-mail me and I'll forward it to her. I doubt she'll mind :)

* * *

A long time ago, while in a counseling session, I was asked what my favorite time of day was. It only took me 0.1 seconds to respond "Bedtime." I think the therapist thought I was severely depressed or something that I look forward to sleeping, but it really is my favorite time of day., for several reasons.

I love to sleep. Those of you that know me, know that I love a good nap. Most days I am napping while my children nap. People told me that once I had two kids I could kiss my naps good-bye, that my children would never sleep at the same time.

Well I proved them wrong! My kids are both napping right now! And the only reason I'm not is because I need to get some things worked on!

Another reason is, I need my sleep. I have noticed that my body needs a lot of sleep. My husband, for example, can function and be pleasant with only a few hours of sleep. I can function but I am not happy about it!

The sleep deprived days, weeks, months after a new baby are the hardest times for me! I get so grumpy and emotional without my sleep!

And the final reason is I need my free time. After an entire day of chasing kids, feeding them, cleaning up, changing diapers, playing and working I am so ready for Me time! I love putting my kids to bed and having a few hours to myself! Bedtime was 7:00 pm for Kate for a long time then I moved it to 8:00 pm to see if it helped her sleep longer in the morning. But now we are back to 7:00 pm bedtime and they have both been sleeping better!

I check on them throughout the evening to make sure they are okay and to see if it is too warm or too cold, and I pause to look at their sleeping faces and hear them breath in and out. I have even picked them up to hold and kiss and whisper that I love them in their ears before placing them back on their pillows. I cover them with blankets and tuck their animals or dolls by their side and wish them a good night on my way out the door.

I love seeing them sleep in their beds, curled up to one side. I imagine their dreams to be sweet and pleasant. One night I even heard Kate say Daniel's name in a nice loving, big sister way! It was so cute!

So when I say that I love bedtime most of all it isn't because I long to stay in bed and sleep all day, it is because bedtime means so many wonderful things too me!

I did it again!

2010-12-08T20:16:00.004-07:00

I decided to cut my hair off and donate it to Locks of Love again. It has been about 2 1/2 years since the last time I did it. I didn't like the style last time and I had the lady re-cut it and it never looked good until it grew a few inches.

I won a free hair cut and style from a raffle at the elementary Halloween carnival. It took me a while to build up my courage to get it cut! I wasn't sure how short I wanted to go but I trusted the stylist. I think the cut she gave me is very cute and I am excited to style it differently and enjoy short hair again!

Before

After

It is an a-line cut so the back is shorter than the front. It layers really cute in the back!

**Ian just saw it and he doesn't like it :( He says it is too short!

Family Pictures

2010-11-28T22:52:00.003-07:00

I have bugged Ian for weeks to arrange our friend to take pictures of us. I wanted them taken before it snowed! But between holidays, illnesses and traveling today was the first time we could get them taken. It was so cold outside but we managed to get a few good shots!

Daniel is 15 months old!!

2010-11-28T22:38:00.003-07:00

I'm not sure if you can believe it, but I have a hard time fathoming that my little baby is 15 months already! Today marks his 15th month! I bought him this handsome little outfit two weeks ago but he was sick the last two Sundays so I dressed him in it today and just had to snap a few pictures! Doesn't he look so handsome! He only has a little tuft of hair so I styled it into a tiny mohawk.
He did not want his picture taken and was having a hard time standing by the wall so Ian helped hold him! He was grumpy about it!

My handsome husband and son! All dressed up for church.

A few tidbits about Daniel

He weighs 20 pounds and is 30 inches long.
He started walking about a month ago and he pretty much walks all the time now. He is pretty unsteady so it is funny to see him toddle around!
He says a few words but his favorite is "That, that, that!" He says it while pointing to something!
He is a momma's boy and loves to be held!
He loves his crib and falls asleep within minutes of being laid down!
He loves his blanket and bears too!
He finds his socks and shoes and brings them to me to put on him. Then he pulls them off minutes later!
He eats and eats and eats! He loves to eat and isn't picky at all!
He is great baby and we love him so much!

Perfect Present

2010-11-26T22:39:00.003-07:00

These necklaces are gorgeous! I ordered this one for my niece who is getting baptized on January 1st. There are colors and designs for anyone! Check them out! http://www.etsy.com/shop/HomeStudio

Today

2010-11-20T20:25:00.001-07:00

Today I left some dishes dirty
The bed got made around two-thirty.
The diapers soaked a little longer
Their odor grew a little stronger
The crumbs I spilled the day before
Were staring at me from the floor
The fingerprints on the wall
I guess will still be there next fall;
The dirt streaks on the window panes
Will still be there next time it rains.
"For shame, oh lazy one," you say.
"And just what did you do today?"
I *rocked the baby 'till *he slept
I held a toddler while she wept
I played a game of hide-and-seek
I squeezed a toy so it would squeak.
I pulled a sled, I sang a song.
I taught a child what's right and wrong.
What did I do the whole day through?
Not much that shows, I guess it's true.
Unless you think that what I've done
Might be important to someone
With bright blue eyes and soft blond hair,
If that is true, I've done my share.

-Author Unknown

*original words are nursed and she

Thankful...

2010-11-02T13:12:00.004-06:00

I have seen a few bloggers do a thankful day or days and I think I will start a weekly thankful post. I know I need to be more grateful for my blessings but it is really hard to remember to pause life and be thankful for the many things we have been given. I think I will focus on one thing each week.

Today I am thankful for life. My life, my children's life and for the newest members of my family. My brother and sister-in-law had their first baby last week and he is so precious.

Introducing Xavier Grayson Boren

He arrived Oct. 25th 2010 at 6:45 pm. He weighed 6 lbs and 15 oz. I saw him last Saturday night and he is so sweet and cute!

I am also grateful that my nephew Jarrett is home from Primary Children's Hospital and is doing very well.
He has been on a little oxygen since returning home but other than that he has been just fine. His heart surgery went well and he shouldn't have long term problems from it.

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family and I love them so much! My littlest nephews are so incredibly cute and sweet!

Fall Fun

2010-10-20T22:29:00.004-06:00

I think fall is my favorite time of year. Although I love things about all the seasons, fall just seems to be perfect.

This afternoon I decided to venture outdoors, I know surprising right? And snap a few shots of my kids. Well a few turned into a few hundred but at least I got a couple of good ones.

They are in no particular order but it looks like Kate's are first and Daniel's are last.

I found this cute shirt for Kate and made her matching circle bows. I can't believe how cute and grown up she looks!

Daniel loves his bears. His Pooh Bear especially but his other teddy bears too.

It was fun to take their pictures and Kate loved it. Daniel cried when we went back inside so at least he liked being outside right?

**p.s. thank you all for your comments on my one post about feeling all alone. I'm glad to know that I have a few readers!

Pictures of Jarrett

2010-10-13T20:54:00.003-06:00

I took these pictures from my brother-in-law's facebook page.

Sweet Baby Jarrett

2010-10-13T13:15:00.003-06:00

I'm sorry I don't have a picture of my newest nephew. I haven't seen him yet. Jarrett was born on his due date, Oct. 11th 2010. He was 9 lbs 1 oz and 21 inches long. After his birth he was having a hard time breathing and when stimulated his oxygen levels would plummet.

He was put in the NICU and given oxygen while they monitored him. They did a chest x-ray and noticed his lungs looked fuzzy, thinking he swallowed meconium, they gave him antibiotics and a lung surfactant. He didn't improve so the doctor listened to his heart and heard a heart murmur.

The did an echo cardiogram and discovered that his aorta from his heart to his lungs was blocked. They gave him medicine and prepped him for life flight to Primary Children's Hospital. My sister was able to fly with him. The doctors there confirmed the diagnosis as Aortic Coarctation.

He will be getting surgery to fix it either Thursday or Friday. After that he should be fine and after recovering he can go home.

Our family has been fasting and praying for this sweet little baby that he will be okay and that the surgery will go well. I hope he recovers just fine and grows to be a strong, handsome little boy!

Where should I begin?

2010-09-28T15:09:00.003-06:00

Daniel is 13 months today. I should probably dust off the camera and get a few shots of him almost walking.

I am recovering well from having my appendix removed last Sunday night.

My Primary Program is over and I have a week off before coming up with Singing Time ideas.

My laundry is drying out on the line.

And I took two naps today.

Whew!

Hopefully more posts coming soon!

Anyone??

2010-09-17T13:16:00.001-06:00

Can I get a shout out?!? I feel like I'm a loner in the corner of blog-o-sphere. Anyone out there visit me anymore?

Bow Giveaway

2010-09-15T15:03:00.002-06:00

Please visit my blog to enter my latest giveaway!

Aggh!

2010-09-10T22:59:00.003-06:00

I had to "fix" the background for my blog because of an issue with LeeLou Blogs and Photobucket and now it looks all wrong! And I don't want to take the time to fix it! Plus I am so behind on posts it is so discouraging! Wish me luck!

And I just noticed I lost all the links for my family and friends blogs. Please e-mail me or leave me your blog address!

To nap or not to nap

2010-08-18T16:59:00.003-06:00

Did you see my poll about napping? Please vote.

I am currently dealing with a napping dilemma. I can't decide if I should keep making Kate take naps or allow her to give them up. She has been a great napper since she was 8 or 9 months old. When it was nap time she slept. She was taking two naps a day until she was about 18 months old.

I have been having her nap after lunch every afternoon for about a year. She has done really well except now she has been getting up earlier and earlier in the morning and not wanting to go back to sleep.

We have tried to get her to stay in bed until at least 7:00 am but she usually comes and wakes me up several times asking for breakfast. So most mornings start between 5:30 and 6:30. Too early!

I thought if I stopped giving her naps then she would sleep in longer. I tried for a few days last month and it didn't seem to help. She still woke up early and she had less sleep so that meant she was very grumpy.

So I reinstated naps briefly. Some days she napped, some she didn't. But she was still waking up early.

The other morning it was BAD. She was up at least 6 times. I was so tired and grumpy. So I have stopped laying her down for naps. Daniel gets a nap at his regular time and Kate gets to watch a show or play with something special.

She has been grumpy around dinner time but I have just dealt with it, hoping she will adjust in a few weeks.

I really want her to sleep in until 7:00 am. Maybe that's too much to ask!

What do you all think?

Kate turned 3!

2010-08-17T14:06:00.007-06:00

Monday, August 9th was Kate's 3rd birthday. I was so excited for her birthday! I had received some sad news the weekend prior that changed our plans but I'll post more on that later.

I decorated with crepe paper streamers, balloons and a table cloth the night before. I also wrapped her presents for her to open.

She woke up and was so excited to see the decorations.

We had to have a breakfast party before Ian went to work.

I made crepes and blueberry muffins. I put a candle in her muffin.

I found a this birthday crown at the party store.

She opened a couple of presents, including a new Dora backpack.
Daniel was just waiting for food, he wasn't sure what was going on!
Here she is all dressed in her new shirt and backpack with her cute bows.

Here she is at my mom's house later that day with more presents.

Opening presents with her cousins.

My mom made Kate a birthday cake and she is wearing a chefs hat and apron she received as a gift.

Blowing out her candles.

Daniel enjoyed some cake.

Despite the bad timing, the party was fun and I am glad we were able to celebrate with family. Kate is such a grown up little girl!

I can see walking in his future

2010-08-12T16:49:00.002-06:00

Daniel is starting to pull himself up on everything and is standing very well. I think he will be walking soon, and probably very soon. This is how I found him

Family Reunions

2010-08-05T16:20:00.004-06:00

This summer we have had two family reunions. The first was just my immediate family and the second was my extended family on my dad's side.

At the second one we had over 70 family members come. And several couldn't make it. It was a huge get together. We had a lot of fun and it was neat to see family I hadn't seen in years! I was able to reconnect with family and I hope to stay in touch with them. Who knows if we will ever have another reunion again!

I thought about naming everyone but that seems next to impossible!

I need to edit and post more reunion pictures! Stay tuned for more family madness.

Having my cake and eating it too

2010-07-29T13:30:00.004-06:00

This post isn't about my birthday, which was yesterday. I am officially 26! I feel old, but yet I feel great too!

I really should post more, I have a lot of things floating around my head that I want to see on my blog but they don't ever get put on paper, err, the screen.

Anyway, I'm just enjoying leftover birthday cake as I write this.

I spent a few hours with some friends today. It was very beneficial. I enjoy talking to, spending time with, and seeing other adults, especially my past roommates. They have lived with me and for the most part understand me, a little!

Between the three of us we had four kids playing and demanding attention. They played together a little but the get together wasn't for them. It was for us, or rather me.

Lately I have been feeling down. Not depressed in psychological way but in a spiritual way. Like my spirit is sad.

I think it is because as a mom, more so as a stay at home mom, I do the same things day after day. Life revolves around my children and their needs, my husband and his needs, my home and its needs. And if there is time, energy and money leftover, myself and my needs.

I feel like a rug that is trod on all day and night, never getting any rest or relief from its burdens.

When I was single and didn't have many cares or worries I could focus on myself. I could spend time reading scriptures, listening and really concentrating at church, kneeling down to pray and really pour out my heart. I felt like I was doing good spiritually.

Sadly now, those things get pushed lower and lower on my priority list. I know they shouldn't but dirty diapers, dishes, laundry, faces, hands, toilets, and floors don't clean themselves.

Now that I know why I have been so low, I am starting to fix it. We have started having breakfast together as well as dinner. We have started listening to talks and scriptures. I have tried to increase my personal prayers and write in my journal.

This last week has been really good. I feel the spirit in our home more. I am kinder to the kids. I am more patient and loving. I have sat on the floor and played with the kids several times. I feel happy and loved. And it feels great!

Although even during times of prosperity, satan tries to get his foot in the door. My patience has been tried by my almost three-year-old. I think the "terrible two's" were cake compared to the "terrible three's." Kate's fits have increased in duration, frequency and volume. She has been screaming at the top of her lungs when she is angry, frustrated or upset.

We have had to step up our game to deal with her. Time-outs have gotten more frequent and prolonged. Toys have been taken away and privileges have been lost. I am at a loss for something else to do.

I just hope this stage passes quickly.

Update on Kate

2010-07-22T10:24:00.003-06:00

I bribed her with apple juice in order to take these pictures.

Did you happen to notice her accessories? I made them! My new-found hobby is jewelry making. I know what you are thinking, "Does she really need a new hobby??" Well this is just for me and Kate. I don't plan on going to crazy with jewelry making. Although Kate does need a few more bracelets to wear.

So Kate will be three in about three weeks! I can't believe she is almost three! She is sassy, whiny, picky and silly.

She talks very well and most people can understand her.
She can spell her first and last name.
She knows when her birthday is.
Ian taught her how to play on the computer and use the mouse.
She wakes up super early and won't go back to sleep.
She has pretty much stopped napping.
She wants to do everything herself and enjoys getting her way.

I know there is a ton more but I won't bore you all!

Good thing I took their picture before church!

2010-07-11T14:24:00.005-06:00

After getting the kids ready for church today, I decided to take their picture. Luckily, they were cooperating. I even got a few cute ones.

Kate - 35 months old

Daniel - 10 1/2 months old

Once we got to church they were awful! Kate ate all her snacks in the first 5 minutes. Then she tried to eat all of Daniel's. He is getting old enough to defend himself and in his effort to eat his own snacks, he ate too fast and threw up all over his church clothes and me.

Kate was misbehaving and bugging every one around us, she wouldn't listen and very just plain naughty. Daniel was only happy if he was babbling, loud! It was embarrassing! After wrestling with them for 70 minutes I had had enough!

During the closing song, Kate was rustling the paper bulletin so loud and wouldn't stop, I took it away and she just started throwing a huge tantrum. After the closing prayer, I picked her up and left. She wouldn't calm down and her fit just kept getting worse and worse. We decided to leave and told her that she couldn't go to nursery if she acted like that.

Finally we got home and she was still going at it. We put her in time-out but it didn't phase her. I had to talk to her about misbehaving and not getting privileges, like nursery. Then I told her it was nap time.

Needless to say, I'm glad I got a few cute pictures before church!

In other news

2010-06-30T09:13:00.004-06:00

Daniel successfully learned to crawl on June 17th! He was lunging and rolling for a long time but one day he learned to crawl! He loves being able to move around.

He is such a good boy, he likes to sit and play, but he crawls to find the action!

Kate and Daniel are getting so grown up!

Daniel loves to play with my mom's kitty! He thinks she is the funniest toy!

We have been enjoying our time at my mom's house. My recovery has been smooth, I have started feeling good. I am glad to be feeling better!

Pardon me, I've been in the hospital

2010-06-28T13:38:00.004-06:00

My gallbladder tale continued to get worse. I would like to put into words what I can remember, mostly for me but feel free to read.

My last entry left off at Wednesday afternoon. I did feel fine. I can't remember if I took a nap with the kids but when they woke up we decided to go on a walk.

It was a short, easy walk but halfway through it at around 4:00 pm, the pain started to come back. It was gradual this time. Like a deep ache.

We made it back to our apartment and I decided to rest on the couch and enjoy a few chapters of Twilight. I was waiting for Ian to get home from work. He wanted to make up a few hours but I asked him to come home.

I felt good enough to get dinner ready but I hardly ate. After the kids ate and had baths they went to bed. I was feeling worse and worse. I tried to work on some bows to get my mind off the pain. I decided to drink the oil lemon stuff. It didn't help.

I tried to drink the apple juice vinegar stuff. It didn't help. Finally around 11:00 pm I took two Excedrin PM and went to bed. The sleeping drug kicked in and made me tired before the pain med took away the pain. Pretty soon the pain subsided and I could sleep.

I woke up around 2:00 am with THE worst stabbing pain I had felt thus far. I woke up Ian and told him it was time to go to Idaho Falls and go to the ER there.

We packed up some stuff and got the kids in their car seats. We left our apartment at 3:30 am.

The drive was awful! The kids didn't fall back asleep right away and I was trying to find milk and bottles and crackers. Ian was trying to stay awake. I had to lay in the back and sleep at some point.

We got to my parent's house around 7:00 am. I nursed Daniel and we left. We went to the ER.

Poor Ian was so tired. We waited at the ER for about 15 minutes then they took me back. I was started on an IV and given an ultrasound. The technician was so nice to us. They said the gallstones where bad and my gallbladder was inflamed and infected. I had a stone stuck in my common bile duct causing the pain.

I had several doctors talk to me. My liver wasn't functioning and I was jaundice. My skin and eyes were extremely yellow. I remember crying when I compared my skin to Ian's. I had acute pancreatitis. My pancreas wasn't working right either.

I needed to get that stone out and have my gallbladder removed. I was moved to the third floor and prepped for surgery. I had an ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) done on Thursday.

Friday I had my gallbladder out. It is so strange waking up from surgery. It takes a minute to remember where I am and what has happened. My nursed were all so kind to me and helped me so much.

The whole time I was in the hospital, I had to pump and dump. It was sad but I knew that my milk was full of drugs. Luckily, Daniel has continued to nurse and I haven't lost my milk supply.

I was released from the hospital on Saturday and I have been recovering at my parent's house. My in-laws took Ian back to Utah so he could go back to work this week. They also brought me back a bunch of my stuff I wanted.

My family has been wonderful to help with my kids and help me recover and feel better. My situation is worse because of the pancreatitis and the stone that was stuck. It is going to take me a few weeks to feel 100%.

But the pain from the gallstones is over, now I just have pain from the surgery!

The Tale of an Evil Gallbladder

2010-06-23T12:08:00.004-06:00

In the last 12 days I have learned more about gallbladders then I ever thought I would need to know. My painful learning experience started here and after that weekend, I felt fine. Tired, but fine. We started eating a bit better. I purged my cupboards of anything too offensive and stopped buying bad foods.

I guess I let my guard down when I finished off Kate's cheese sandwich. About 15 minutes after lunch was over, the pain started. I was in the process of getting the kids down for naps. I was texting Ian and telling him how I was having another attack. Poor Daniel got his meal cut short and was placed in bed. He fell asleep a few minutes later.

Kate followed me into the bathroom and brought me my diaper bag that had my pain killers in it. She brought me the tiniest cup of water. She also refilled it 3 times for me. She brought me a washrag that she had gotten the corner wet so I could wipe my face after I had a lovely encounter with my breakfast/lunch.

I crawled into bed and Kate laid by me. I told her daddy was coming home to take care of me. She decided to go in her bed for a nap. I told her to close the door.

I spent the remainder of the day suffering pain from gallstones. Ian and I looked up home remedies and non-surgical options. Twice the pain was so bad that I wanted to go back to the ER. Finally after taking a nasty, drastic measure, the pain subsided. I was able to relax and calm down.

After several hours I still couldn't fall asleep. I discovered that it was painful to lay down. So I went to the couch and fell asleep sitting up. I woke up a few hours later and felt fine. I laid on the couch and slept until I heard Daniel at 6:00 am.

I have felt fine today, a little sore and weak but mostly fine. I am seriously going to eat better because I don't want that pain again!

***The nasty home remedy is-
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 oz apple juice. It was disgusting! It tasted like I was drinking Easter egg dye! But I swallowed it and had some water. It took about 30 minutes but the pain eased up. I still had a dull ache for a few hours but nothing that I couldn't handle.

We are also going to drink another concoction every morning 1/2 before breakfast for a few weeks.
1/2 cup water
1/2 fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 tsp. cold pressed extra virgin olive oil.

Ian is going to drink it with me. It was gross but not as bad as the vinegar. It was like oily lemonade.

Daniel's New Trick

2010-06-13T23:20:00.003-06:00

Daniel had discovered how to getting into a sitting position from laying down. The first time I realized he had done it I was so shocked! He is getting better and better at it! He hasn't crawled yet but is rolling and getting into stuff! Diaper changes and getting him dressed have become a real battle!

He is getting to be so big!

A fun night

2010-06-11T20:31:00.000-06:00

Last night, I spent several hours in the ER. I had sever pain in my upper stomach area. Ian took me to the ER and I was given an IV, Morphine and an Ultrasound. They also tested my blood. I was told that I have gall stones and I need to to start a low-fat diet and speak to a surgeon about getting my gall bladder removed. We were able to leave around 5:00 am and came home to upset kids. I had a friend stay with them but Kate didn't understand where we were. Ian stayed home from work and we spent the morning and early afternoon taking naps and recovering from a painful, sleepless night. I hope the low-fat diet will help me lose weight.

We take nap time very seriously

2010-06-09T14:13:00.000-06:00

On any given afternoon, me and the kids are usually napping. I have always been a "napper." I love to sleep and napping is no exception. I am have been known to take a nap within a few hours (or less) of waking up. Motherhood has granted me the ability to nap almost anywhere, anytime, meaning that I am always tired!

Most days I get the kids to nap at the same time and I quietly crawl into my bed and sleep until one or both of them wake up. On occasion I have woken up before them and I enjoy the quiet time to myself. Somedays, like today, Daniel needed a nap before Kate. So he went to bed and then a few hours later she did. I didn't get my normal afternoon sleep, but I'll survive. If I can't function past 4:00 pm then you'll find me curled up on the couch while the kids play on the floor next too me. It is amazing how I can tune them out if I'm tired enough!

New Look!

2010-06-05T11:43:00.000-06:00

I was getting tired of my blog look, so I re-did it today. I need to give credit to Leelou blogs for her template. In the past I have made my own template from scratch but it takes hours to do. Using one of her templates only took me about 45 minutes to customize! I need to come up with a better title and header but until then... I hope you like the new look, I think it is cute!

9 months old!

2010-06-03T19:59:00.003-06:00

Daniel was 9 months old on May 28th 2010. It is amazing that he has grown so fast! I seems like he has been in our family forever. Our little family wouldn't feel complete without him around!

We left on the 28th to go to my parents for the weekend so I snapped a few pictures of Daniel in his cute bulldog romper.

At nine months Daniel...

can sit up amazingly well. He has been sitting up for months now.
will lean forward till he is on his belly. He almost always rolls right over to his back.

rolls all over the place. He is getting so mobile!
is trying to get up on his hands and knees. Not crawling yet but is starting to figure out how to get his body up off the floor.

is still toothless.
eats three meals a day and nurses four or five times a day.

on average goes through 4-5 diapers a day.

wears a size 3 diaper.
is wearing 6-12 month clothes.

spends most of his time barefoot.
loves being tickled, thrown into the air, played with, and loved.

likes being outside and loves the grass.

hardly ever falls asleep in his carseat.

sleeps 8-10 (sometimes more!) hours at night.

has 1-2 naps a day.
spends most of his day playing on the floor with his big sister.

has said three words, dada, momma and hi.
babbles, coos and talks all day.

screeches and screams too.

He is great baby! We all love him so much!

New Baby Niece!

2010-06-03T16:07:00.003-06:00

Meet my newest niece, Kaylin Grace. She was born yesterday!
Isn't she cute!

Meeting her siblings! Konlin, Kamrin holding Kaylin and Kanyin!
You might have noticed that they all start with "K" and end in "in!"
My sister and her husband are a little Krazy!

She is going to be the newest recipient of all my pink bows!
Lucky girl!

Wanna learn how to make these?

2010-05-19T16:06:00.003-06:00

I LOVE these Korker bows! So cute and petite, but very fun and neat. They can look dressy or casual depending on the color and outfit they are worn with. I have seen them sold in boutiques for around $6.00 each! I sell them for $5.00 a pair or $2.75 each.
I have posted a tutorial on making them on my blog and when I get my website up and running again I will be selling them. They can be a little tricky to make but not too hard.
Kate wasn't very happy about being my model! But isn't she cute!

Check out my tutorial here!

Professional Pictures!

2010-05-14T16:47:00.003-06:00

I decided to get the kids pictures taken professionally. We went on April 28th. Daniel was 8 months old. Kate was about 33 months old. I thought they turned out so cute! Here are the preview pictures from the website.

I LOVE Free Stuff!

2010-05-10T22:55:00.006-06:00

I have been signing up for free stuff for the last few weeks and it is starting to show up in my mailbox! I was pleasantly surprised to find these four freebies today!

1. Two Kraftmaid kitchen idea books. I know I don't need them now but it will be fun to drool over beautiful kitchen designs.
2. An American Baby magazine. Plus it came with a card to send a free subscription to two friends.
3. An Aveeno shampoo and conditioner sample plus a $1.00 off coupon.
4. Two Pull-ups size 2T.

Today I went to two stores to score some free and cheap things. Here are my freebies.
1. Free Halls cough drops from Wal-mart. (used one coupon)
2. Two free packs of Bic pens from Wal-mart. (used two coupons)
3. One free boogie wipe and $1.00 off coupon from Wal-mart. (at the pharmacy)
4. Free Spot Shot from Target. (used one coupon)
5. Two free trial size Arm and Hammer toothpastes from Target. (used one coupon)

Here are my cheap finds at Target.
1. Nexcare Band-aids $.77 (used one coupon)
2. Two trial size Skintimate shaving cream $.72 each (used one coupon)
3. Two packs of Boogie Wipes $1.99 each (used two coupons)
4. Scrubbing Bubbles Daily Shower Power Sprayer $2.69 (used two coupons)
5. Three Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Cleaning Gel $1.61 each (used three coupons)
6. Colgate kids toothbrush $1.69 (used one coupon)
7. Two Schick razors $.99 each (used four coupons)

Plus I got three $5 Target Gift Cards! Savings above DO NOT reflect the gift card discount. Which means I paid the above amounts and received the gift cards that can be used on a future purchase.

If you are confused how I used so many coupons it is becuase Target allows you to use one Manufacturer's coupon and one Target coupon on EACH item.

A Giveaway!!

2010-05-09T15:34:00.001-06:00

I'm hosting a bow giveaway, visit my bow blog to enter!

Beautiful Kate

2010-05-08T11:13:00.005-06:00

I wanted to take some pictures of Kate after church a few Sunday's ago. She looked so adorable in her spring dress and purple bows! My little girl is growing up and becoming a cute little lady!

After a few good poses the faces kept getting cheesier and cheesier!

Then I decided to bring Daniel in on the fun, he wasn't excited about it!

He warmed up to the idea after a few minutes! I love my cute kiddos!

Videos

2010-05-07T10:33:00.005-06:00

Here are some videos that I think are super cute! I taught Kate to spell her name and she does such a good job!
She also loves to sing songs!

Daniel was being super silly one night before bed. He kept laughing and closing his eyes and making funny noises! I thought it was adorable! Excuse the mess of toys!

November Family Picture

2010-04-29T21:03:00.003-06:00

We took this picture after church one Sunday last November. I used it for our Christmas card picture. It isn't my favorite picture. I wish I would have styled my hair down instead of pulled back and it was getting dark and it was freezing! I just wanted to post it since I forgot!

Kate's New Wheels!

2010-04-27T21:52:00.002-06:00

Kate asked me for a bike all summer last year. I kept telling her that we would get one later. She asked for one again this spring. I told her we would buy one after we moved.

So we held up our promise and bought her a new pink bike! I'm not sure she knew what having a bike was all about! She doesn't know how to pedal very well and she just wants to be pushed!

We have gone out for a bike ride almost everyday. She is getting better at pedaling!

After Pictures!

2010-04-27T21:30:00.004-06:00

Well, I did it. I cleaned every room! It took me a few days but I got a picture of it clean before it got destroyed again!

Hopefully you can see an improvement!

Living room.

Dining room table. Also where I do my crafts!

Our computers.

Kitchen. It is quite small and I hate the cupboards!

Laundry room. I wish there was a door separating the laundry room and the kitchen. It would make it quieter when I use the washer and dryer.

Funny story about our washer and dryer: After we had moved our stuff in, I was walking around looking at everything and checking out the apartment. I walked into the laundry room and said to Ian, "Look, they have the same washer and dryer that we have at home!" Ian reminded me that we had brought OUR washer and dryer! I sure was tired!

Our room. Daniel sitting on our bed.

Our closet.

Our sink inside our closet. Which I really like!

The bathroom.

Shower. I wish the bathroom was set-up different. It is hard to kneel at the tub and bathe the kids with the toilet so close to the tub. Plus the toilet wobbles! Hate it!

Kid's room. Kate showing off her "Pink Bed."

Daniel's pack n' play. I didn't want to bring the crib. I kinda regret it.

Kid's closet. I didn't bring a dresser so I had to get creative with the baskets.

Well, it was a boring post but I wanted you to see that I can clean up!

We have been really good at

2010-04-23T16:01:00.004-06:00

making a mess!

I thought about cleaning first and then taking pictures but once I clean it wouldn't last long enough to take pictures. Maybe these can be the before pictures and I'll clean up and post some after pictures!

Here is our 2 bedroom 1 1/4 bath apartment that will be home for the next 3 1/2 months. We have already been here almost 2 weeks!

Here is the front door and our dining room table. And Daniel. By the door is Kate's new bike!

He sat and played on the floor for about an hour!

We brought our TV and bought a stand at DI. We tried to live on local channels but caved and got cable. We are going to try it for a month and see if it is worth it.

Here is the back door. We have a little tiny little porch area.
Our $20 DI couch. You can see into the tiny kitchen.
Our computer area.
Kitchen and laundry room.
Hallway.
Our bedroom.
The 1/4 bath means an extra sink in our closet. I thought it was weird at first but I really like it now.
The bathroom.

The kids room. Kate was napping when I took this.

UPDATE~ I think taking these pictures motivated me to clean up. I realized that I was only going to get pictures of it clean if I cleaned up one room and then took a picture.

I got the laundry room, kitchen, living room and kids room clean. I will get the rest cleaned and post "after" pictures!

Exciting!

2010-04-14T21:30:00.003-06:00

I recently started to coupon. Yes it is a verb as well as a noun! I have put several couponing blogs up on my blog roll that you can check out. WARNING! It is very addicting! It is exciting to save money and get stuff for free or really cheap.

I also have been collecting points from Pampers and Huggies diapers. I found a bunch of really good codes for the Huggies Enjoy The Ride Rewards program. It took me about 15 minutes to enter the codes and I earned about 40-50 points just tonight! Check out this link. Just cut and paste. Most of her codes are valid. A few are expired.

If any of you use Pampers or Huggies and aren't using the codes, email them to me! I'd love you forever! audrak7@gmail.com

THANKS!!

We made it

2010-04-11T13:16:00.004-06:00

We made it safe and sound to Utah. And the computers are set-up. Is there anything more important?

We began our moving weekend on Friday afternoon by packing the trailer. My brother and brother-in-laws packed so well it had plenty of leftover space!

Ian and I cleaned our apartment and got the electronics packed in our car, then we went to my parent's house to stay the night since our beds were on the trailer.

Saturday morning I was awakened at 5:30 by Daniel and I never got back to sleep. We started driving Saturday morning around 8:30. After a few stops and poopy diapers we made it to our apartment complex in Utah.

Our kids were exhausted and worn-out but the fun had just begun...

We unloaded the trailer, truck, van and car in a few short hours. Ian, my parents, his parents and I did all the unloading.

We were so exhausted and worn out from moving that we had to go to lunch! Then our parents took off and left us with two grumpy kids and a two bedroom apartment that looked like a tornado had just blown through!

I tried to get the kids to nap but it was too late in the afternoon. So we put them in the car and took the bench seats out of the van. We both drove to DI and we bought a couch and a TV stand.

We found a Wal-Mart and bought a two folding tables. Kate was fast asleep so I held her the whole time! Daniel was asleep in his car seat. It made for a pleasant trip to Wal-Mart.

As soon as we got back to the car they both woke up crying! I tried my best to ignore them.

Let's just say both kids slept great last night. With the exception of the 6:00 wake-up call!

We are still in the process of un-packing and getting settled. I'll post pictures just as soon as I find my camera!

These are a few of my favorite things...

2010-03-31T17:50:00.003-06:00

I may be slightly biased, but I think these two are the cutest kids ever! Don't mind Daniel's dirty shirt, I didn't think to change him before our impromptu photo shoot. Kate had shared a graham cracker with him and I think he ended up wearing more than he ate!

{Daniel - 7 months old} {Kate - 2 1/2 years old}

I'm happy to be their momma. They sure can be cute together!

Creative Memories Giveaway!

2010-03-31T14:23:00.003-06:00

I'm pretty sure that I used to love to scrapbook, I say used to and pretty sure because I can't remember the last time that I actually taped a picture to a page. But I found a Creative Memories giveaway that I would like to post about. I love Creative Memories, or at least I used to. I used to sell for them before I spent way too much on my myself! I would love to win this giveaway, maybe it would give me a jump-start into scrapboooking again!

Go here to enter!

Daniel was 6 months old...

2010-03-26T21:05:00.003-06:00

A month ago!

Like I said in a previous post, I have been so super busy that I haven't even posted about Daniel turning 1/2 year old!

We had some sickness going through our family for the past month and Daniel has had a few weeks of not feeling very good. He is almost all better but I think he is starting to teeth. He has been unbelievably fussy! Constantly wanting to be held, hard time sleeping through the night and crying several hours a day! Needless to say, when he is asleep and quiet, I really enjoy the quiet!

I snapped a few pictures on his 6 month birthday, February 28th. I like the naked, chubby baby pictures and since Daniel loves to be naked, I knew he wouldn't mind.

Look closely at his chest and you can see a few lighter colored spots. I call them birth marks but the doctor called them vitiligo. He said it is where the skin lacks pigment. He also has a few similar spots on his legs.

He has got some cute little toes!

Daniel is getting big and strong. He can stand up for a few minutes when you hold his arms. He likes to sit up and play with toys. He loves his sister, unless she screams at him.

He loves baths and is starting to like eating baby food. He began sleeping through the night a little while ago. I tried letting him cry it out but he would just cry and cry. I couldn't stand it after an hour or more. Now I swaddle him up and give him his binky and put him in his crib. Then I pat his belly until he is asleep. It works great!

He was 16 lbs 12 ounces and 26 3/4 inches long at his last appointment. He is my perfect baby! I just love this kid! I just hope he gets over his fussy phase soon.

I Am a Child of God

2010-03-22T12:54:00.001-06:00

Kate enjoys singing. She will sing made up songs all day long. Sometimes she belts out an actual song. I actually got her to sing her favorite Primary song for me, twice! She did very well.

Oh my

2010-03-18T22:57:00.004-06:00

I promise I haven't fallen off the edge of the world. Raising two kids takes a lot of my time, oh who am I kidding, it takes ALL of my time. By the time I get them in bed for the night I am so tired I can barely function!

This little one is growing up so fast! She is so smart and cute! I love the things she says! Here she is playing outside with Grandma's umbrella.

She is my little buddy. She is at a very pleasant stage. Very few tantrums, potty-trained both day and night. Sleeping well, eating sorta good. She listens great and enjoys helping me take care of brother and doing chores. She loves to read books and play with toys. She likes me to rub her back before she naps or goes to bed. She LOVES to take baths!

This is a terrible picture of me, but I don't have very many of me and my cute kids. This was before bed one night.

Daniel has been quite sick the last few days. Kate was sick too but she is doing better. Daniel has thrown up on me 4 times now. He has a terrible cough and screamed for several hours a few nights ago. I hope this sick little guy gets feeling better and my happy baby returns soon.

We are moving in 3 weeks! And I am not nearly ready!

Happy kids!

2010-03-10T12:50:00.003-07:00

I am grateful for happy kids that like to play with each other. I was busy folding a mountain of laundry that had piled on my couch for a week or so. I put Daniel on the floor with his activity mat and turned on the music. Pretty soon Kate was next too him playing and having fun. I stopped folding laundry to take a 2 minute video. I'm glad I did. My kids are sweet and fun and cute. Even though they drive me crazy sometimes!

Mmm, mmm, good!

2010-02-24T21:35:00.004-07:00

Daniel will be six months old in 4 days and I was waiting to start him on solids until then. Tonight he grabbed Ian's banana and Ian thought he wanted to taste it. So he mashed it up and Daniel LOVED it! I ended up giving him half of a banana! He devoured it! I guess he is ready to start eating solids! He loved the spoon almost as much as the food it contained. He wouldn't let go of it so I gave him a second spoon to play with.

In the video you can see how wide he opened his mouth when he saw a bite coming! He is a natural at eating. He is still a great at nursing and prefers me to a bottle but will take one if it contains pumped milk. His days of drinking formula ended when he was about 3 months old.

All over the place!

2010-02-17T13:34:00.004-07:00

I'm not sure why the last video didn't work properly. Now Daniel can roll in both directions! He loves to roll around and get into sister's toys! I'm not ready for him to be mobile!

I cannot keep socks on him no matter what! He will kick his feet and pull his socks off if I try. He sucks on his toes and he loves to have his feet free! I stopped putting a blanket on the floor because he just rolls off of it! Crazy baby!

Little Lady

2010-02-17T11:39:00.002-07:00

Kate was officially 2 and 1/2 years old on February 9th! I took some really cute pictures of her but they were the ones that I accidently deleated and I wasn't able to recover them. So I tried to take more of her but she wasn't as co-operative. I got a few cute ones.
Kate loves her dolly's. She has a bunch of them! I kept some of my dolly's from when I was a little girl and she likes to play with them. I actually kept a lot of my toys from my childhood and I am glad I did. Kate likes to play with my Barbies, Kelly dolls, Littlest Pet Shop animals and Quints.

Kate has grown up so much! She is about 29 lbs and 36 inches tall. She talks non-stop during the day and if I don't resond she'll tell me to "Talk Mama, Talk!"

She is a good girl and she listens most of the time. She likes to put things away and clean up after herself. I have been paying her quarters when she helps me do chores and she likes to put the money in her piggy bank. She copies me all the time and even says things I have told her!

She will put her dolly's to sleep and tell me to be quiet because they are sleeping. One day I went to put Daniel in the crib for his nap and I found a dolly wrapped up in a blanket sleeping in his crib! She feeds her dolly's and will occasionally nurse them!

She enjoys cooking in her kitchen and bringing me and Ian pretend food to eat. She likes to help me make cook in the kitchen and dump ingredients together for me.

She is fully potty-trained during the day and wakes up most mornings with a dry pull-up. She almost always wakes up from a nap with a wet pull-up! She has had a few accidents the last few days and I'm not sure why!

She takes one afternoon nap and it lasts between 1-2 hours. She sleeps about 10-11 hours at night depending on when she gets to bed. I try to put her to bed at 8:00 but that doesn't always happen! She used to wake up around 6 am but has been waking up around 7:00 am and I like that much better!

I am glad that she is growing up and is a healthy and fun little girl!

Rolling Over!

2010-02-12T20:46:00.002-07:00

Daniel rolled over from his belly to his back! He did it for the first time on Monday Feb. 8th 2010!

So mad!

2010-02-11T13:58:00.002-07:00

I was all set to blog last night and upload pictures and I was trying to do too many things at once to be efficient and save time. Well I had selected all the pictures from my memory card and had pasted them into my pictures folder. I thought I had un-selected them and clicked on a single picture to delete it. I had them all selected still and I accidentally deleted them all! I was so mad! Ian tried to help me recover them but we couldn't find them! They were some really cute pictures I had taken of Kate and Daniel as well as my Mom's birthday party. I am still trying to recover the memory card, so I hope I can find them! I have now learned my lesson, I shouldn't try to do so many things at once!

ABC's

2010-02-07T21:33:00.006-07:00

Here is a video of Kate singing her ABC's.

Daniel is 5 months old!

2010-01-31T16:27:00.004-07:00

It is hard to believe that my little guy is already 5 months old! He is such a cutie! We love having him around! He has been getting more and more active and growing so much!

Here he is sitting in the high chair at my mom's house. He sits up pretty good.He likes to be in the center of the action and he likes watching me in the kitchen. Kate thought he would want her dolly!

Such a handsome baby!

He is NOT a fan of tummy time!

He loves to smile at anyone who talks to him!

He likes to play with his toys!

He is a sweet baby!

He LOVES to be naked! And he is really good at grabbing his toes and putting them in his mouth!

Sometimes when he is fussy, I'll strip him down and he will get so happy to be naked! Maybe he gets hot?

He loves baths and splashing his big sister in the tub! He has gotten a few drinks of bath water when Kate has poured water on him!

He still isn't sleeping through the night consistently. Some nights are better than others. I haven't let him cry-it-out for very long. If he isn't sleeping better at 6 months I might let him cry-it-out for longer.

He has been fussy lately and I thought he was teething but I think he was just hungry. He has been a terrible nurser the last few days and I think it was because he wasn't getting much milk. I have tired to increase my milk supply by frequent nursing and pumping. It seems to have helped.

He hasn't successfully rolled over by himself, but I think he is close. He is mostly content laying on the floor. We love our baby Daniel!

Recap on last year

2010-01-14T13:40:00.002-07:00

I made quite the list of goals last year and I have to admit I never looked at them after I wrote them. But I did think about them and did fairly well.

This is from Jan. 2009.

Goals I have already began:

eat better, drink lotsa water, never taste dr. pepper again (Ian and I stopped drinking pop last fall and we also have stopped eating fast food. Subway doesn't count, McDonald's does!) I don't think I ever really started eating better, I do drink a lot of water and I have drank a few pops but a lot less than I used too. We eat fast food about once a month.
exercise 3-4 times a week. My sister and my mom got me going to Curves back in November. We have made it there several times a week! I was doing good exercising until I got too pregnant and uncomfortable, then I stopped. I did go on walks with Kate a few times a week.
lose weight. This goal will have to be put on hold.
only gain 15-20 lbs with current pregnancy!!! That's right! I am pregnant! I only gained 10 lbs and had a 8 lb 7 oz baby.
play more with Kate. I'm not sure if I did or not. I was tired and sick a lot. Plus I tried to get stuff done during the day.
criticize less, love others more, be happy. Not sure about this one either.

Goals I hope to achieve:

go to bed early. (but napping is still allowed) Yeah, it didn't happen.
read the Ensign. (that reminds me, I think I need to renew our subscription) This didn't happen either.
read the Scriptures. Nor this.
write in my journal often. I sorta did this.
go to Church every week. Yay! We did this unless we were sick.
bear Testimony at least once this year. (maybe twice, it is really hard for me to do this) I bore my Testimony twice last year!
have better family and personal prayers. Did sorta good.
take more pictures and scrapbook them! Take more pictures-check! Scrapbook them.... umm no.

Family Goals:

finish remolding shower and kitchen. Shower got finished, kitchen-not so much.
eat dinner together more. Well this is hard with Ian in school and at work. But we tried.
turn off the computer and tv and spend more time with each other. Umm, not so hot with this on.
fight less, stop yelling and love more. Ummm, maybe?
attend the Temple once a month. We went twice last year, I think.
get out of and stay out of debt. Do student loans count? We have been very good about paying off our monthly credit card amount, for the most part.
start food storage. I decided that this is impossible. We don't have any extra space.
have family home evening. Nope.
have date night once a week. We went on a date a few times a month but not every week.

Goals for 2010

Lose weight!
Keep a clean and organized house.
Do Family Home Evening.
Scrapbook.
Save money.
Strive to be a better mom and wife.
Do well in my new calling as Primary Music Leader.
Journal more.
Attend the Temple.
Learn to play the piano.

Some of them I have already started. We had our very first Family Home Evening last Monday and it was fun. Kate really enjoyed it. Now that she is older it is more fun to plan and do FHE. I really want to get my scrapbooks up to date. I have been writing in my journal on my phone when I nurse Daniel. Not sure how to find time for journal writing after I wean him! My sister is giving me piano lessons every week but it has been a challenge to practice since we don't own a piano.

I am grateful for a New Year and being able to start with a clean slate. I'm trying to keep my goals simple and do able. The most important thing for me is to lose weight. I think It would help me feel better and sleep better. The motivation is hard to find some days though! Wish me luck!

He's gettin' bigger...

2010-01-13T12:45:00.004-07:00

Daniel had his 4-month baby check-up this morning. He was 4-months old on Dec. 28th but they couldn't see him until today. He is actually 4 1/2 months old. He did very well and was all smiles and coos for the doctor and nurses. He is 15 lbs 11 oz, 26 1/4 inches long and his head is 17 inches. Just perfect! He is growing well and getting so cute! I just love my little man!

He is almost rolling over and he talks and laughs and coos all day! He loves his big sissy and smiles so much when she plays nice with him. He is started to play with toys. Everything goes into his mouth. He sleeps through the night, most nights. He is happy with nursing and I haven't started solids yet. Maybe when he is 6 months old. He still fits in size 2 diapers but its getting tight. He still wears some 3-6 month clothes but I have had to pull out the 6-9 month ones and start putting him in them. He loves baths and snuggling with momma. He has fallen in love with MAM pacifiers.

FYI: I was asked in a previous post about Ian's internship and who he will be working for. He was hired as Programming Intern for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He will be working in Riverton, UT.

My Dilemma

2010-01-11T13:30:00.003-07:00

So I have always loved scrapbooking, back before computers were in every home, scrapbooking was limited to actual paper, pictures and stickers. Now there is digital scrapbooking, hybrid scrapbooking and traditional scrapbooking. I always thought I would stick with the traditional method, although it is rather time-consuming and can be expensive, I love it and I find it very fun and satisfying. But I used to think I would always stick with 35mm cameras too. But I love my digital camera and will never go back to 35mm.

I have tested the waters when it comes to digi-scrapping. I have created a few pages using photoshop and some free downloads from the Internet but it doesn't fulfill my creative passion for scrapbooking. It doesn't require much space, except for the virtual kind, hard drive space and RAM. So it doesn't have the messy clean-up like traditional does. But I'm torn.

I'm not sure what I should do. I currently have a couple of cupboards full of my scrapbook stuff and pictures from many years ago that need to be scrapbooked. I never have the time to pull out my stuff and get organized. It is such a daunting task.

I haven't even printed off digital pictures in a year or more. They just sit on my hard drive in folders. I have them fairly organized but that is another issue in itself.

So what do you all do with your pictures? Traditional or digital scrapbooking? How do you stay organized and what programs do you use to digi-scrap? I would love some feedback on this topic!

The Internship

2010-01-08T15:56:00.002-07:00

My super smart husband was offered an internship position this coming summer. I should mention that it is a paid internship! He interviewed with two companies on campus last semester. One company flew him down to San Antonio for a second interview. The other company didn't interview again but offered an internship. We will be going to the SLC, UT area for 4 months this summer. I am excited for Ian but anxious and nervous about moving temporarily.

And Ian has put me in charge of finding a place to live. So that I can't complain about it. It has been challenging to find a place to live, especially since we have never rented before or signed a lease. When we have lived in other places for Ian's summer job all the living arrangements were taken care of before. Let me just say, I am overwhelmed!

This is a good thing for Ian but it might be a challenging summer for me and the little people.

A Funk

2010-01-06T21:42:00.001-07:00

I've been in a funk lately. It could be because of a number of things.

Ian started another school semester. After this one he will have two more semesters! YAY! I'm glad he is back in school because it brings some semblance of a routine to our lives. I did enjoy the Christmas break but it was really hard keeping a normal schedule. Now that he goes to class and will be starting work next week, I can get us all on a daily routine.

It seems like my little two-year-old has grown into a 6 or 8 year old overnight! She is so smart and learning to do so much stuff. She has also been better at listening. Maybe it is because I have been better at not yelling.

My sweet baby is getting bigger. Daniel is now 4 months old and so cute and chunky! He is a great baby and is starting to fall into a nap and bedtime schedule. I have decided not to start solids until he is closer to 6 months old.

A whole lot has been going on, or so it seems. It feels like my day is gone before I can get my daily things done. I haven't had time to get anything extra accomplished during the days and that frustrates me. Just keeping up on the laundry and dishes takes all day, and then there is the regular housework and taking care of the kids. I wish I could be Super-Mom some days.

I would like to post some pictures but I don't have the energy right now.

Happy January and New Year!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T00:00:00.003-07:00

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I hope your day is wonderful and spent with the ones you love!

Holiday Blahs

2009-12-21T23:01:00.012-07:00

Man, I have sure been in a blogging slump lately. Maybe it's the lack of comments on my previous posts. Maybe it's because I lead a boring life and I don't think anyone cares to read about it. Maybe it's is because I am so stressed out and when I take time out to blog I get more behind in my household/daily stuff that it stresses me out even more. Who knows? But I feel like posting an update tonight and getting some pictures edited so I can post them too.

Currently, Daniel is swinging in his swing because he won't sleep! I have tired about three times to get him to sleep and he refuses so I swaddled him up and plopped him in his swing. Looks like he dozed off finally!

Wide awake at 11:00 pm

Swaddling Daniel step-by-step

Asleep after about 10 minutes of swinging.

I moved him to his crib.

I lost his favorite binky last week and I have tried a few other ones but he isn't a fan. I know I said before he weaned himself off of his binky but he started liking it for awhile. I guess now is as good as ever getting him really weaned from it.

I am pretty much all ready for Christmas but I am starting to feel the after-the-holiday-blues, and the holiday's aren't even over yet! I think it is because I know that once Christmas is over, it is back to normal ol' boring life. The decorations will come down, the presents will be un-wrapped and the need to lose the holiday weight will be fresh on my mind!

I had Ian drive by my parent's old house the other night and it made me sad. Someone else's car is parked in front, someones else's Christmas lights are up, someone else's Christmas tree is in the window. As it turns out, my parent's won't in there new house for Christmas. So we will be having our family celebration's at my sister's house. Maybe that's why I am bummed out, because Christmas will be different this year. It has always been at my parent's old house for as long as I can remember.

I know I have a better picture of their old house but until I can find it on my hard drive, this one from my phone will have to do.
This was April 2009.

This was a few weeks ago. It looks quite uncomfortable.

Ian caught Kate nursing her dolly one morning! She had gotten into the rocking chair, put the boppy around her, grabbed her cell phone and lifted up her shirt! She is copying me! I am always playing on my phone while I nurse Daniel.
A couple of my cousins were in town on Sunday so we went and hung out with them all. It had been awhile since I had seen some of them!

Kyle, me, Haylee and Rachel
(we are first cousins from my mom's side)

Kyle holding JD, his wife Natalie sitting in front of them. Me holding Daniel and Ian holding Kate in front of me. Haylee holding Jackson and Justin holding Jonah. Rachel and Josh, their daughter didn't come with them on their road trip from Arizona to Idaho.

Whew, that was a long update!

Stating the Obvious

2009-12-11T15:56:00.004-07:00

In case you weren't sure, this onesie contains a baby.

And my favorite onesie and cute beanie from my sister-in-law.

So true!

This week has crawled by so slowly, it must be due to the fact that we have stayed home everyday! Kate, Daniel and I have all been sick and miserable. Mostly runny noses and coughing.

I did take Kate to the dentist on Monday but we were only gone an hour or so. She did so great. I think it helped that I found a dentist that was just for kids. I had talked to Kate about going to the dentist for a week or so and we practiced having her open her mouth and show off her teeth. She was a little apprehensive but she didn't cry or throw a fit. And her teeth are just fine.

The other thing that has kept us indoors is the freezing weather! It has been in the negative numbers at night all week and it only warms up to the single digits during the day. It is supposed to warm up next week and bring us some snow. I need to buy Kate some boots and I want to take her out to play in the snow one of these days.

I have been spending my evenings, after the kid-lets go to bed, making Christmas presents. I am excited about them and I hope the people that receive them are equally excited!

I can't believe Christmas is almost here!

I haven't thought of a title yet

2009-12-07T21:23:00.004-07:00

Here are a few recent pictures of my cute little man for your viewing pleasure! Cute blanket compliments of my friend Tara.

I've had so many unfinished posts floating around in my head that I have forgotten what I have posted and what I haven't. I think I completely forgot to post about Thanksgiving and to list all the things I am thankful for. I forgot to post about Daniel turning 3 months. And I have a whole list of the cute things Kate as done or said lately that I want to share. Oh well, I can only do so much!

I haven't been a very good blogger lately, it must be the impending holidays and all its projects that has kept me busy. Or maybe it's my two children that keep my hands full all day long. Or maybe it's my husband that it is frantically trying to finish his 4th to last semester! (4th to last, does that make sense? In other words, after this semester he only has 3 left to go!)

It might even be because everyday I am running on empty, that is my sleep-tank is empty. I'm not sure how or when I will get a full tank of sleep, maybe someday...

But I have gotten a few things accomplished.

We set up the Christmas tree.

I ordered Christmas cards.

I've finished shopping for Kate and Daniel.

I have made a bunch of homemade things for presents.

I've been pretty busy! And now I might collapse!

If you want a Christmas card, send me your address. audrak7@gmail.com

Life is boring without the Internet

2009-12-01T09:25:00.002-07:00

Yesterday, I had to endure an entire day without the Internet and I was BORED!! I know I have two little ones to keep me on my toes and believe me, they do, but I had nothing to watch, no blogs to read and I could only access Facebook through my iPhone. I also tried to call Ian at least 10 times to see if he could fix the Internet over the phone but he was so swamped at work, he couldn't even answer the phone. So I resorted to doing the dishes and laundry. Housework is WAY boring!

I can't believe it is December 1st today! I have no idea where the month of November went! I have so much I want to get done this month and I just have to face the fact that I might not be able to accomplish all the things on my to do list.

Last Saturday, Ian and I went on a date to "The Forgotten Carols."
I haven't seen it in years and Ian hasn't ever seen it. I was just as wonderful as I remember. I even got a little teary-eyed this year! Watching it made me want to be a better mom and wife and to enjoy the holiday season for the real reasons, instead of getting caught up in presents, trees and parties.

So to be a better mom and I am trying my hardest not to yell at Kate anymore. I noticed that she doesn't respond any better if I yell or if I keep my voice down. I feel like a better mom if I don't yell at her. So far I have made it three days and we have both been happier.

I am trying to get Daniel on a schedule and sleeping better at night. It has been harder than I thought it would be. He slept five hours last night before he woke up hungry. I have noticed that Kate is able to sleep when he cries and fusses so that's good, I was worried that he would wake her up and then I would have to tired, grumpy kids awake!

Daniel turned 3 months old last Saturday and I took some super cute pictures but I'll have to post them later since I am on a different computer and I don't have my pictures with me.

Happy December everyone!

Kate's First Year

2009-11-20T22:08:00.005-07:00

I borrowed this idea from my wonderful cousin's blog. I hope she doesn't mind! I thought it was just the cutest idea and I am going to get it printed off and put it in a frame and hang it in her room. I am going to make one for Daniel too. There is a picture from every month of her first year, starting with August 2007.

Daniel talking and smiling

2009-11-17T21:21:00.003-07:00

Daniel is enjoying a few minutes of peace and quiet while big sister and Daddy sleep. He is such a happy little guy, I just had to share it with you all!

While I was waiting for the video to upload, he started to fuss. So I started giving him kisses and I blew a raspberry on his neck thinking he would laugh, he immediately started to scream! I think I scared him! It was so funny!