A Visit From Grandma Shari!

This week started off with a visit from Grandma Shari (who Kylie calls 'Papa') and Uncle Jordan.  It was their Spring Break and they had come to play with us for a few days!  Kylie had a blast with Grandma Shari.  She just loves when people come to visit and play with her.  Grandma Shari had lots of fun things to do with Kylie, like bubbles!  Hayden took a little while to warm up to Grandma Shari but eventually he let her hold him without crying.

On Monday morning we all went to a park to play.  Kylie just loves parks, especially swings.

Then we went to lunch at Wendy's before heading home.  We spent the rest of the day playing inside or around the neighborhood and having tons of fun.  Grandma Shari got a perfect picture of the super cute face Hayden has been making this past week.  He has been sucking in his bottom lip, and it just makes his cheeks stand out so adorably!

Tuesday morning we went to the town square park and played in the water there.  It was our first time going this year and it was already so hot!  We tried going on the carousel first.  Last year Kylie loved it and never wanted to get off, but this time she was crying before it even started and wouldn't even sit on her own horse.  I think it was because she wanted to do it with Grandma Shari.

Then we went to play in the water and she had a blast.  Hayden slept most of the time, but when he woke up he had fun watching everyone play.  I dipped his feet in the water and he started crying, so I don't think he was terribly interested in getting wet...

Playing out in the sun completely wiped Kylie out and she ended up taking a nap that afternoon.  When Brandon and Uncle Jordan came home from work we all went out to dinner at Sakura, where they make the food right in front of you.  Kylie was excited and especially enjoyed the neon fish in the entry way.

She did not, however, enjoy the chef cooking the food at our table.  Because it started off with a huge flame of fire that scared her to death.  Hayden also did not enjoy that first huge flame because it was so hot, but he settled down quickly, whereas Kylie wouldn't even sit at our table again until the chef left.  She made friends with everyone waiting to be seated instead.

When we came home Uncle Jordan had hidden some Easter Eggs around the house that Kylie got to find.  She absolutely loved it and it gave her good practice for Easter in a few weeks!

Wednesday morning Grandma Shari and Uncle Jordan had to leave.  They actually had to sneak out otherwise Kylie would  have bawled to see them leave.  After they left Kylie wandered around the house asking 'Papa? Papa?'  and looking for them.  We sure loved having them here with us for a few days.  Kylie just loved playing with Grandma Shari and we can't wait for the next visit!  I also enjoyed having her here, she was a lot of help with Kylie and Hayden.

The rest of the week wasn't as terribly exciting.  Kylie won't go down for naps anymore, but she will randomly crash in the evenings.

Hayden is usually the happiest baby in the world until evening when it is close to bed time.  Some nights he is still eating every hour, other nights I get a three hour break.  Kinda depends.

Every time Kylie sees the boys next door riding their bikes outside she immediately has to go join them.  They all like playing together and they stay on our street so I am usually happy to let her out to play.  Since Hayden can't join them yet sometimes I will go up and down our street in the stroller, and once I even dragged the bouncer outside so he could play.

Kylie still loves being in her jammies all day long.  One day we went through so many outfit changes: from pj's to her outfit to pj's again to her Hello Kitty dress back to her pj's.  So exhausting!  I have caught her singing to her movies this week.  She sang 'Do You Want to Build a Snowman' from Frozen and it was the cutest thing I had ever heard!  Then she totally got into the 'Dad Gum' song from the show Mater's Tall Tales.

We still take our walks every day, though it is getting hotter in the afternoon, so we've started doing them in the morning and sometimes one in the evening too.

Saturday evening we went out to play at a park and flew Kylie's kite for the first time.  She was so excited, especially when she was the one flying the kite!

I put Hayden on the grass.  He did not want to put his head down at all!  Until the kite landed nearby and the tail strings got on his face.  Then he acted like he was knocked back by the force of them and it was really funny,

Oh, and something I notice I do a lot is dress in the same color as one of the kids.  Unintentionally, and usually I don't even notice it until hours later.  So weird!

Toes and Dresses

This week was quite uneventful.  We play indoors, we play outdoors, we play with doors...  Doing the same things everyday is making my days run together so I can't even tell them apart.

Everyday it is a fight to get Kylie out of her PJ's.  I have had people tell me it's no big deal - everyone loves to wear PJ's all day!  I do not.  I like to get ready for the day, and I definitely do not like to take my kids anywhere in jammies.  I have been letting Kylie wear her jammies almost all morning now, but when it is time for our afternoon walk I make her change - and sometimes it is a struggle and she howls like a wild animal and is just awful.  The only thing she willingly puts on is her Hello Kitty dress - so we also have to deal with the tears when I tell her she can't wear that everyday.  Ah, two-year-olds.  I did get her a cute hat to go with her Hello Kitty dress and I had to be really sneaky to get a pic of her in it - she always took it off as soon as I got out the camera.

So basically if it is girly and frilly she wants to wear it.  For about half the day.  The next time she sees her jammies she just wants to wear those again!

Hayden, this week, has found his toes.  He only ever plays with them if he doesn't have any pants on.

He still loves his toys and is constantly reaching for anything - it is getting kinda tiring...

                                      

Although, now when he is in the bouncer he doesn't play with toys, he just jumps like a maniac.  Jumping is his favorite thing, even when you are holding him.  Strong legs!

As usual, Hayden is super interested in food.  He is only four months!!  Not ready for food yet!  But if there is food near, he is grabbing with all his might.  So I have let him try a few things, like celery, apple, sweet potato fry, and a pickle!  He just loves experiencing new things.

Hayden is 4 Months!

This week was a lot better than last week.  No, Hayden hasn't popped any teeth yet, and yes, Kylie throws major tantrums when I change her out of her PJs, but over all I was able to handle it better.

The weather is still amazing down here and we are just loving our walks.  Hayden looks pretty cute in his oversize cap, and Kylie is still collecting everything from rocks to pinecones.

Hayden is at the stage where he makes playing look like real work.  He is always reaching for things, always wants something in his hands, and is always playful.  This week we've started playing the piano together (all three of us), and he even likes to get in on Kylie's computer time.

Here is his reaching face.  It is soooo serious!

This week I played catch-up on Hayden picture-taking.  I have hundreds of baby Kylie pictures and not quite so many of Hayden, but this week he was just so cute I couldn't help it!  Plus Kylie doesn't stand still long enough for me to take any pictures of her anymore.  Hayden is such a happy kid that it is too easy to take pictures of him!  Like when he gets out of his bath (or even during his bath), he is so happy and excited.

Friday night we decided to all go swimming!  It was Hayden's first time ever going swimming and it was lots of fun to take him.  At first he was unsure at being wet in a huge, echoey place but once he was in for a while he really enjoyed it.  Kylie is so confident in the water that we can't even keep up with her anymore.  I think we need to get her into some 'Mommy and Me' swim classes this summer.

Saturday we left Kylie with a sitter while Brandon, Hayden and I ran some errands.  We are going mattress shopping- we are looking for a new bed for Kylie!  Hayden is growing out of the cradle and needs the crib now, so it's time to get Kylie a big girl bed!  We didn't get her one this time, but we scouted around to see what prices were.  While out we did a small Costco trip, and Hayden got to try riding in the cart for the first time!  He can't really sit up by himself yet, but when he is strapped in he can keep his balance.

Today Hayden turned four months old!!  TIme is going by quick!

Stimulation!

This week has been a hard one on all of us.  Brandon worked late almost every night, Kylie was, as usual, the Tantrum Queen, Hayden hardly ever let me put him down, and I was tired of not being able to do a single thing for me.  Sooo... yeah.  Total fun at our house this past week.

Amidst all these grey clouds, though, we still had an enjoyable time.  We've been taking walks every day (sometimes more), and playing outside every afternoon.  Kylie hardly ever lets me put her jacket on her anymore (not that she really needs it), and all the scrapes and bruises on her legs are evidence that shorts season has arrived.  Some new little boys moved in across the street, so Kylie just has a blast playing outside with them.

Hayden has has a tough week.  I keep thinking he is teething, what with all the excessive drooling, crying, nursing, and chewing on everything.  But nothing has broken through yet!  How long does it take to cut a first tooth?  'Cause if this isn't teething and I have to go through all of this again for a tooth I may just explode.

He has, in the rare moments he lets me put him down, started being more mobile.  Earlier this week while on his stomach he started to push his bum up in the air!  And just Saturday evening he started completely rolling over, back to front to back!  Hurrahs!

Hayden is constantly wanting to play with something now.  He is always reaching for my phone, remotes, papers, my plate, and anything else in his line of sight.  So we try to make sure he always has a toy to play with.  Kylie isn't too fond of this.  All of Hayden's toys, which she thinks are hers, are now being played with without her permission.  So sometimes it is a fight to let Hayden keep his own toy.  Thankfully she doesn't know the word 'mine' yet, but she definitely has the general idea.  We've been teaching her that if she wants something someone else has to trade it.  So she will bring Hayden a different stuffed animal or toy so she can have the one he is playing with.  She has found this also works with her friends:  if she lets her friend ride her bike, then she can walk her dog!  We just have to go through a little tantrum first of seeing her toy being played with.

Time Change Blues

The kids still haven't accustomed themselves to the time change yet.  This past week, while I have enjoyed sleeping in until 8 or 8.30, Hayden has been going to bed after 10 and Kylie has been falling asleep near midnight.  Not very fun.  Hayden is slowly getting back to a normal schedule, but, alas, I have come to the conclusion with Kylie that I need to cut out her nap.  NOoOOoo!  That nap helps keep my sanity in the middle of the day, but she has been sleeping about an hour for her nap, and Hayden is awake that whole time anyway, so I may as well sacrifice my afternoon so that I can at least have my night.  We have only been on this schedule for two days, but so far she has been good all day and going to bed at a decent hour.

Hayden is coming to love playing with toys.  He is always reaching for things, and now when he gets ahold of them they are finally making it to his mouth.  One thing he really enjoyed playing with was the grocery ads.  He would have so much fun playing with the paper while I made my grocery list.  He is also starting to laugh a lot more as well.  He has been laughing for weeks, but now it is easier to get him to do it.

Kylie has been watching a lot of Tangled lately, and she also found her little birthday crown that was tucked away.  So now whenever she watches it she wears it and she also likes to act out the scene where Rapunzel has the crown for the first time (wearing it on her arm, looking through it... etc...)  It is pretty cute.

On Wednesday Aunt Kelsey came through on her way back from California.  Of course Kylie was all over her the whole time, but she would never sit still long enough for a picture.  Hayden did though!

Aunt Chantel and Uncle McKay also stopped in for Thursday night.  They came in way late, though, and left early Friday morning.  Kylie was so sad to see them go.  She always cries whenever someone who was visiting leaves.  She really enjoys playing with people.

Just wait, Kylie!  Soon enough you will have a little shadow that will want to play with you all the time!

(Oh, and Kylie has also been refusing to wear pants this week.  I don't know why, but maybe I should take this as an opportunity to try potty training again... maybe...)

Family Fun Weekend!

Friday afternoon we commenced on the long journey up north to see family.  Luckily both kids had naps along the way.  We stopped in Meadow to feed Hayden, and we let Kylie roam freely around the car, and when we were done she did not want to be back in her carseat.  In fact, she cried/whined the whole way from Meadow to Nephi.  That is essentially half the trip.  Not enjoyable.

Friday night we spent with Brandon's family.  Kylie was super excited to play with Grandma Shari, and one of the first things she did was go and raid her jewelry.

It was a long night and hard to put the kiddos to bed, so thankfully they both slept in Saturday morning.  That morning we went to play at the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point.  I worked there for a year and a half, so I was excited to take the kids for the first time.  Kylie just loved the first area, which is an activity lab and very hands-on.  She had fun making things fly and trying out all the other activities there.

When we go to the actual museum Brandon started the whole thing off on the wrong foot by badly scaring Kylie.  After that she would freak out about nearly everything, especially if it was Brandon showing it to her.  We got her to touch a few fossils, though, and to go in the dark cave with Brandon.

Something I thought she would love is the Erosion Table in the middle of the museum, where you can play with water and sand.  Sadly, though, Brandon was the one to introduce it to her so she was terrified and wouldn't even consider doing anything with it.  Luckily she had lots of fun at the sand quarry at the end, so at least she played somewhere in the museum.

Hayden was a good little guy and just chilled in the stroller.  Grandpa Gary held him the second half of the museum.

After lunch Kylie was in desperate need of a nap, but she didn't end up taking one until about 4 that afternoon, so we were late in our transition over to my family's house.

Once again Kylie was super excited to play with Grandma Tess and Grandpa Pete.  She is always happy to have new people to play with.  My parents were awesome and watched the kiddos while Brandon and I went to a movie that night (at 10 PM!).  Kylie stayed awake the whole time we were gone, and Hayden luckily slept.

Sunday started early, thanks to the time change, but we all managed to get up and dressed for church.  Kylie had few issues at the start of Sacrament meeting, but she settled down and sat and colored the whole time.  Then she went to Nursery where she easily assimilated herself.

After church Kylie played her favorite game at their house: yelling over the edge at us.

Sunday evening was Uncle Tommy's Eagle Court of Honor, the very reason we came up this weekend!  It was a nice meeting, and Brandon gave a talk.  I was in and out almost the whole time with one kid or the other, but I managed to hear most of it.  Brandon even gave a talk at it!

Once Tommy was an official Eagle Scout we had to pack up and head back home.  We weren't excited to leave so late at night, and neither were the kids.  Kylie was great most of the way home, but Hayden screamed bloody murder almost the whole way.  Ugh... It made me never want to take a trip again!  But I am thinking that he was just sick of his car seat and traveling everywhere.

We barely beat Aunt Chantel and Uncle McKay who were staying at our house for part of their Spring Break.  Thankfully we got Kylie to bed (she actually fell asleep in the car and just got put to bed in her clothes...), otherwise she would never have gone to sleep with the excitement of more people to play with.

We had a lot of fun with them on Monday, though.  We went on a small hike and completely wore Kylie out, and then went to lunch with Brandon (who had to work that day).  Kylie just loved playing with Aunt Chantel and Uncle McKay, and got pretty jealous when they played with Hayden after her nap.  Once Aunt Chantel put Hayden down Kylie wouldn't leave her alone the rest of the night!

Hayden also had tons of fun with them.  He is so happy with everyone; I love it!

Aunt Chantel and Uncle McKay left Tuesday morning, so now I finally have time to  unpack and get these kids back to normal, boring life!  And thanks to Grandma Shari and Grandpa Pete for taking awesome pictures!!

Enjoying Spring

The week started off wonderful with amazingly warm weather.  We like to take our walks after lunch when it is nice and warm (sometimes even warm enough to take off our jackets!), and also because I like to wear Kylie out so she doesn't fight me about taking a nap.  One of the things I hope Kylie will always be able to do is make friend as easily as she does now.  If you know me, then you know I rarely venture out of my bubble and am terrible at making new friends.  Kylie just amazes me with how she can go up to any child and just assimilate into whatever they are doing (except a basketball game, though she keeps trying...).  On Monday we met a new girl, Versale, and almost immediately they were good friends.   Versale was so cute and patient and just loved giving Kylie rides on her Razor.

Hayden loves the walks, too, and has been staying awake for most of the time, so I can bring him out to play on the grass for awhile while Kylie plays with her other friend, Sophia, and her puppies.  If you can't tell I am just loving this spring weather and playing outside.  If we had a backyard to play in all day long my life would be complete.

Hayden has really been working hard on grabbing stuff this week.  He is always concentrating super hard on trying to hold whatever is in front of him, and he has been really enjoying his toys finally!

Kylie is also getting creative with her toys.  One day she created these 'slinky pants'.  I have no idea how she got them to stay up...

And now we are on our way to visit family!!  We have a fun-filled weekend before us!