Birthday Week

It's not really our birthdays yet, so don't feel bad thinking you forgot. (Maybe you didn't even feel bad when you saw the title... in which case, shame on you!) But our vacuum has really been giving out on us over the past few months and it was time to upgrade. We went with the Dyson 25 Ball vacuum. When Justin put it together his exact words were, "It's an engineering work of art." I said something less intelligent like, "oooohhh, it's so neat." Believe me, I wanted a less expensive vacuum but the Dyson is the only one recommended by the allergy association, and Justin has horrible allergies 3 seasons out of the year. We're hoping it will help. It's so fabulous to use the hose and have it actually suck! It really is so easy to control and empty, and we don't have to replace filters or bags. Woohoo! Just as an experiment, we vacuumed with the old vac and then with the new one to see how much our old vac had missed. Well, you can see for yourself. Gross! Every day Nolan says, "where's that new vacuum?" And then he answers himself by saying, "oh, in the closet." Here's the new little beauty. It was such fun!

The next day, Justin received his ham radio in the mail. It would have been the perfect Christmas present because it's the kind of thing that takes a lot of fiddling with and learning how to use. It would have been perfect to lounge around with near the fireplace. O-well. He couldn't wait and I didn't have the heart to make him. Now we have the sweet sound of radio static permeating the house.

The funny thing is that my Nana called me to wish me a happy birthday the day I got the vacuum. She was one month early but it seemed fitting!

Ezra's 4-month well check-up was today. Here are his stats: 14 lbs. 2 oz. (40th percentile); 24.7" tall (60th percentile); 16.5 cm head circumference (60th percentile). I had an appointment to get Nolan a seasonal flu vaccine and of course they called me this morning to tell me they were out. So an appointment does not reserve your vaccine? Even when you made your appointment two weeks ago and they had plenty? NO! Really annoying if you ask me. So then I had to scramble to find someone to watch Nolan so that I didn't have to take him. Thanks, Lacey!!! The doctor seemed irritated with his staff that it happened and promised they'd call as soon as it gets in.

Lastly, we've been planting trees and putting in our dry creek bed. It's good to see that there's an end to the landscaping in sight - not really soon, but we'll get there. We now have a crabapple, a plum, and a pear tree. Work, work, work!

And here are my boys this week. Ezra is starting to really pay attention to Nolan while he is playing. I'm glad Nolan is a nice brother and brings him toys every now and then.

If anyone lives in St. George and needs an awesome photographer, check out my cousin at http://www.errinandrusphotography.com/. She does such a great job. I just need to find a time to get down there and have pictures done. You can enter a contest to win a free photo session.