Brothers

Just before running a quick errand I had to go back in the house for something. When I got back in the van Nolan said, "Look Mom, we're brothers!" Here is what I turned around to see:

These brothers like watching for trucks, playing Legos, wrestling with Dad, and watching VeggieTales.

We finally got the pool out this year. I know we're a little late, but Nolan still had a good time. Ezra splashed a little but he took his "swimming" very seriously. We got it put away just in time, too. Today is the last official day of Summer and it's now 65 degrees and raining. Goodbye Summer!

Nolan doesn't really take naps too often anymore, but sometimes he can't help but sack out in the late afternoon. After building a "cave" with the couch cushions, this is how I found him. I took a quick picture and then repositioned him before all the blood could flow to his head. As I'm looking at this picture now, it seems like Nolan could have used a potty break before falling asleep!
And Ezra even found a place on the floor to curl up and rest. I just want to kiss those little lips!

Last of all, here's yet another favorite place that Ezra likes to kick back and relax:

Ez Stats

Warning: one for the journal, not entertainment:

Went to Ezra's 15-month checkup today. Turns out he has gained about 6 oz. in the past 6 weeks since his last weight check, for a grand total of 18 lbs. (My sister's 2-month-old baby only weighs about 3 lbs. less!) That puts Ez around the 1st or 2nd percentile. The doctor said there's no need to continue weight checks since it's most likely genetic. And I know that Ez eats quite a bit so I'm not worried. Oddly enough, I always thought Nolan was heavier and never dipped that low on the percentile chart. However, I reread my post from his 15-month checkup and realized that that is when he finally went above the 10th percentile. So maybe when Ez gets walking he'll gain some weight like his brother did. He's around the 30th percentile for height.

He wasn't happy about shots today. First time a sucker hasn't cheered him up. It's good to have his flu vaccine taken care of already. It sure beats waiting in line at 5 a.m. like last year to get the H1N1 for the family. It's so nice that it's all in one vaccine this year.

And for my memory's sake: Developmentally Ezra seems to be doing well. He says several words: ma ma, da da, bye-bye ("buh buh" while waving), uh-oh, uh-uh (as in "no" and shakes his head), and he knows the sounds for a monkey, dog, and chicken. He absolutely loves animals. He makes high-pitched squealing sounds when he sees a kitty and gets so happy when they approach. He's getting close to walking. He has taken several "first steps" but hasn't really progressed beyond that. It's always two steps and then falling forward or turning to jelly legs. He's a lot more cautious than Nolan ever was. But he's so darn fast at crawling (forward AND backward AND in circles... very funny!) that he probably sees no use in walking even though he'd be capable if he wanted to. It's hard to imagine him walking because he's such a little tiny Ezra-Doodle!

Secret Hideaway

Here is Ezra's favorite new place to cause a little trouble. It's always a race to see who can get to the cereal bags first. It's a big mess if Mom loses! I think he would eat cereal all day long if I let him. He'll go for the cereal cupboard right after eating a meal, as if he's still starving. You'd think it would help him gain a little weight, but we haven't had much luck in that area yet. I love the innocent face, like he's saying, "Don't worry Mom, I won't cause you any trouble." I'm not buyin' it!

First Preschool Project

Here's the first project that I've completed now that Nolan is away at preschool 3 days a week. Actually, I'm realizing that Ezra takes way more attention than Nolan. Does anyone do preschool for 1-yr.-olds?

Our somewhat new entertainment center from IKEA allows for fabric to be inserted in the door, rather than a plain glass door. I chose this fabric and have long been wanting to make a stencil for the wall that matches the fabric. Here's what I came up with. I think I'm finally happy with my main family room wall.

The process involved laying the fabric on a laptop screen in order to get light shining through so that I could trace the image. From there I traced it with a thin black marker and then had it blown up at a copy store. I then traced the large drawing onto a plastic file folder. I purchased the handiest stencil cutter tool at the craft store. It melts away the edges of the plastic so that I didn't have to use an Xacto knife. That would have been very gruelling work. It involved mixing 3 stencil colors and some patience. But it wasn't too difficult, really. The finished product isn't without it flaws of tiny paint bleeds, but I think it gives it a whimsical look. I'm not going to pretend I came up with this idea on my own. Here's where I got the idea if you're interested in making your own stencil (I love this decorating blog). They give great detailed instructions.

When did you grow up?

Nolan just had his first day of preschool. It couldn't have gone any better! Last week we went to see the classroom, meet Miss Anna-Marie, and pick out his chair and coat/backpack hook. When we left he said, "But why are we going home? I want to stay at school!"

So this morning when he woke up I said, "You get to go to preschool today." He then said, "But I want to go by myself without mom - just by myself." Clearly he was ready and excited. He walked in the door to preschool, said goodbye, and that was the last I heard from him for 2 and a half hours. And the best part? I get to do it all again tomorrow and the next day! Oh, I mean HE gets to do it all again. Can you tell I'm happy about this preschool thing?

There is a part of me (a small part) that can't believe he's old enough and wishes that he was still my little baby. But I just know he's going to love the extra social interaction and opportunities to learn. Here's to you, my little school boy!

Heritage Park Work Party

We had a good time at Justin's work party at the end of August . It was our first visit to "This is the Place" Heritage Park. We found an online discount for a season pass so hopefully we'll be going back for some holiday visits as well. Nolan enjoyed the pony and train rides and exploring the play ship. Ezra adored the petting zoo and munching on kettle corn popcorn. His little face in the above picture is pretty funny - he's so happy it looks as if he's going to burst!

Nolan got lost momentarily in the midst of the candy cannon chaos. I encouraged him to join the fray for taffy and then I couldn't find him in the crowd. Only a few minutes had gone by when I heard some screaming in the distance. I went toward it and sure enough, it was Nolan. He was drawing a crowd of people trying to help, but none could get closer than 5 or 6 feet because his screaming would turn manic. I ran up trying to explain that mom was in the same place the whole time and that he wasn't lost. Basically I was really embarrassed to have caused such a scene and worried Nolan so much. Curse that candy cannon and its charred taffy! Some mature child ended up giving Nolan his candy after he began yelling, "I didn't get any candy!!!" Luckily our day improved from there.

Too Much Love?

This morning, Justin told Nolan that he needed a big cuddle. A little cuddling, wrestling, and laughing followed and Justin said, "Nolan, how about you never get big? I need you to stay little so we can cuddle." And Nolan said, "No, I want to get big!"
Then Justin said, "Will you still cuddle with Daddy when you get big?"
Nolan answered, "I will. And I will shower with Mommy and Daddy when I get big, too!"
Oh, what a relief! 'Cause we were really worried about that.

Long week away

Congrats to Justin for making it through his Havasupai experience! He figures he hiked a total of 30 miles in 3 days, with more than 2,000 ft. in elevation change. He began the hike with a cold and the day after getting back to St. George he came down with a stomach bug. He explains that there are some trips to be enjoyed and some to be conquered - or maybe he said endured. Either way, he made it - blisters and all!

I spent the week in St. George thinking it would be easier to be there than spend a second week "alone" at home with the boys (husband was away on business the week before). I was wrong about the easy part. Ezra was still teething and Nolan decided he would do everything in his power to psychologically torment me with his screaming and tantrums. It's hard to explain how crummy and frustrated I felt so instead I'll just go over some of the highlights:

1) Nolan pooped on the potty twice at the beginning of the week, qualifying him for the long sought-after bucket of Legos from Target. He later had a huge accident that week, but I won't dwell on that.

2) I did a temple session and had lunch with my sister and her husband while Grandma babysat.

3) I attended my first (and hopefully not last) Zumba class with Keeley! Lots of booty-shaking, I tell you! It was followed up with a frozen hot chocolate from Dairy Queen. It's a favorite of mine.

4) I saw the movie Eat, Pray, Love with my mom while my Dad watched the boys. I loved the book and the movie was nearly as good.

5) We ate in Springdale for my Dad's birthday and had a fudge ice cream cake for my nephew's birthday.

6) We cooled off at the Main Street river park and picked out a treat at the old Judd's candy store.

So while the week may have been one of the hardest of my life since becoming a mother, it still had its good points. At least my parents' house is a good place to be when I'm having a hard time. And it could have been a lot harder by myself at home.

When we went to pick up Justin's car at his office, it was completely dead. I quickly called him and we jumped it with no problem. Then I filled it up w/ gas just before getting home and it wouldn't start again. I asked a cop to help me and his car was dead, too! After a teenager helped me out, I was on my way again. Justin later jumped it a 3rd time when he accidentally turned it off. It was official - we had to buy a new battery. Not exactly what we wanted to come home to.

Last week we bought a truck! It's a 1979 GMC! Yes, it's older than me (but not Justin!). The original owner was actually Justin's Dad, and his Grandpa Moulton has had it for the past 26 years. It's the first vehicle Justin ever drove. It's actually in really great condition and we're lucky to have gotten it for the bargain price of $400. It would have been great to have had it 3 years ago for finishing our yard, but there's still work to do and it will definitely be put to good use!