what a morning

When a hungry Nyah woke me up at 5:45am this morning, the sun was streaming through the blinds. The bright sun! I haven't seen the sun in days...weeks...months (ok, not really, but it feels like it!) The sunshine and the fact that I had almost 8 straight hours of sleep made getting up this early feel almost good for once! :) It was going to be a great day.

After a fun breakfast of pancakes and eggies, we were off to a good start.... then I went into Gabe's closet to get his clothes for the day and smelled the distinct, icky smell of urine. And I'm thinking oh please noooooooo! But oh yes, the carpet all over smells like pee. When I question Gabe he tells me cheerfully that he has been peeing in the (mesh) hamper. WHAT?!! And for how long?? Seriously what am I going to do with this kid?! I thought potty training was like a scary dream, over and done with. Obviously not. Sometimes I wonder what goes on in Gabe's head... I mean peeing in the hamper? Huh?! Things have been a little edgy with our little man lately - I think a delayed reaction to baby Nyah joining the household. Eric and I have been at our wits end trying to deal with an out of control Gabriel! But after reading "Children the Challenge" again, praying for patience, and giving lots of extra attention, I thought things were looking up. And I think they are but we're obviously not out of the woods yet. Wish me luck....

The wilds of Washington

Eric and Gabe have been hiking like crazy lately! Even though it doesn't feel like summer here yet, my boys are stir crazy and want to get out of the house! Nyah and I will occasionally join them on their mountain adventures and that's when we get some wonderful pictures. The green here is stunning. I can tell you each one of us LOVE it. For me, it's like stepping into an oasis with all that beauty and solace around you - so rejuvenating. Even Gabe has made comments about how much he likes to be in the mountains and he always gets excited to go hiking with Daddy!

pretty girl

Nyah's smiles could melt anyone's heart but even with her serious face, she is a heart-breaker! She has the most beautiful complexion... and such a pretty little face! :)

I had to add these pictures of Gabe... he is the exact same age in them as Nyah is now. Don't they look like little twins?! Nyah is reminding us so much of Gabe now!

a weekend with Grandma Cheryl and Caitlynn

The weekend Cheryl and Caitlynn came for Nyah's blessing, we had a lot of fun with them! Saturday was the first sunny day in weeks so we headed to Coulon Beach in the morning for some time in the sun! When we got there, the breeze off the water was surprisingly chilly but it did nothing to prevent Gabe from playing in the sand and water. Eric, who is normally impervious to the cold, was shivering away miserably while all across the beach kids were playing in the water and sand - some in just swim suits!! It's crazy how kids don't seem to feel the cold when they're having fun! Later in the day everyone (minus Nyah and I who were happily napping) headed downtown for shopping and sightseeing. We met up later for dinner... what a fun day!

Nyah's baby blessing

Sunday was a special day for all of us... Eric gave our sweet daughter a beautiful blessing. It was such a spiritual experience. When he brought her back to our bench in the congregation, Nyah just stared into his eyes, so solemn. For that moment she seemed to be a much older being... the veil seemed very thin and there was a connection between her and her daddy that was special to witness. The bishop told me afterward that Nyah watched Eric wide eyed, during the entire blessing, even though she had to crane her neck back to look at him! I'm so thankful to my Heavenly Father for my sweet baby and for a husband that honors his priesthood and loves the Lord. Lately my heart has been so full as I've thought about how blessed I am.Doesn't she look like an angel in her dress? It's raw silk with a band of lace across the bodice that is embroidered with tiny pearls... it's so beautiful. My grandma bought it for her. She looked so precious for her special day. Thanks Grandma for giving her such a beautiful dress... I'm sure it will become a family treasure! Cheryl and Caitlynn came for the baby blessing. It felt so good to have family with us during such a special time. We missed everyone else that couldn't come. Unfortunately I was running around like a maniac all morning and didn't get a picture of them with our little angel! I'll post other pictures of the weekend later though!

Gabe and Nyah

I get to spend each day with these two precious little people... what a life!

Our little helper

Gabe is such a little helper these days! He has always loved to help me make dinner or cookies (dumping in each ingredient is so fun!) but now he is helping me unload/load the dishwasher, fetch ingredients for baking, and clean the bathrooms too! Seriously, how nice is this?! I'll admit that he isn't the most efficient worker yet (not for lack of trying though) but it feels great to have his sweet smile and helpful attitude around while I do my chores. He is just adorable when he tries to wait patiently for his turn with the rag while I'm cleaning the sinks in the bathroom. Hearing "is it my turn, mommy? Is it my turn?? Gabe's turn!!" the whole time is really a great motivator to work fast! And it is so sweet when he reluctantly but obediently gives it back when I remind it it's my turn now. I can tell it's hard on him but he will brightly say "Mommy's turn!" and then almost immediately start asking if it's his turn again! haha! I'm not the only one that is benefiting from Gabe's willingness to help! He is Daddy's little helper too as you can see! We went to Costco and bought some trees and plants for our yard and Gabe helped load them on the cart and push it out to the truck. Luckily I had my camera and could capture the moment. He LOVES to help Daddy - especially outside in the yard. Last night the three of us were planting trees in our backyard...in the rain, I might add. Eric was attempting to dig through straight rocks and clay (uh, where's the awesome soil I thought would be here?) and so Gabe and I were collecting the rocks and putting them in his little wheelbarrow. It was such an adorable picture of him hunched over in his rain coat, industriously picking up rock after rock and piling them up. What would we do without our little helper??!

*I have to add that yesterday as Gabe and I were weeding, he was helping me by placing the yanked out weeds in a pile. Every time I would hand him a weed, he would say "FANK you!!" as if I had handed him an unexpected treat! It was so darling! At one point I needed to use a shovel to get at a stubborn weed and Gabe stopped what he was doing, stood there watching me curiously and said: "What on earf you doing, mommy?" It was hilarious!! What a cutie pie!

smiles

Nyah is smiling now... a dangerously intoxicating event for me since she gets in the happiest moods right after nursing - usually in the middle of the night and early morning when I should be sleeping! I can't tear myself away for a minute until she is completely smiled out! My cheeks start burning about half way through because I'm trying so hard, heehee!! I love it! She is the most adorable little sweeting on the earth! She smiles so big it takes over her entire face and her countenance just beams! Then she wiggles and squirms like she can't even contain her happiness! It is so adorable that I get a lump in my throat sometimes! I love this little girl so much.(ok so she isn't smiling here but I had to include it anyway...she is just too precious!) (Oh my... she looks like such a chubby checker in these pics!! I love it but it's not accurate at all. I guess everyone gets a second chin when the camera is 6 inches away!)

*Side note: Gabe just walked in from his nap upstairs and was counting 7 "foots" on his bear (wow) when I noticed his entire lap was soaking. (Yes, we are starting potty training again - updates coming soon!) Anyway, so I say...

Me: Uh oh, did you have an accident during your nap? Did you peepee in your underpants?

Gabe: No, that's water. That's water, Mommy.

Me: Hmmm, I think it's peepee honey, let's get these off and get you some dry ones.

(We are starting to remove the questionable item of clothing...)

Gabe: OH!! That is peepee!! You're right mommy, that's peepee.

(He is genuinely surprised and graciously concedes that I was right!! He cracks me up!)

3 years old!!

Gabe is a whopping 3 now!! What a big boy! We had such a fun day... It started out with a very serious, complicated cake decorating session. Gabe wanted a train cake like "James-the brightest red engine on Sodor" (that's Thomas the Train for those of you without toddler boys!) Unfortunately, our James turned out more pink than red, despite my liberal use red dye! Gabe didn't notice though and of course I made no comment! :) The rest turned out pretty cute and Gabe was thrilled with it. Well, look at all those cars full of candy... how could he not be excited?! It was such a fun activity with my birthday boy.
After naptime we headed to the zoo!! Eric took the afternoon off and met us there - what a treat! We had a great time exploring the Woodland Park Zoo - the weather was gorgeous and the place was not busy at all. Gabe's favorite was the giraffe (which unfortunately I didn't get a picture of, sorry babe!) I couldn't leave out the picture of the homeless orangutan! He looked so funny hunched under a piece of cardboard in the midst of a gorgeous rainforest enclosure!
Then we headed home for a pizza party and presents!! Gabe got a big boy bike from Mommy and Daddy! It felt wonderful spending a whole day celebrating our little man. Gabe has been such a joy in our lives... there aren't words to describe how much we love him. He is so full of life!
Happy Birthday Gabers!!

Mother's Day

Nyah looked so beautiful at church this Sunday! She wore a gorgeous little dress that Mindy got for her... she has never looked so adorable! Thanks sis!!I had the funniest conversation with Gabe that morning. (And no, Dad, Eric had nothing to do with this conversation - it was all Gabe!!) I had just finished getting ready for church and came out to get Gabe dressed...

Gabe: Mommy! You're all dressed up! You're dressed up like a prince!

Me: you mean a princess?

G: ya, you're dressed up like a princess!

(here he wants to touch my earrings and bracelets)

G: mmmm, what's that smell Mommy?

Me: it's my perfume.

G: I LIKE it!

Well, at 2 years old, he has already figured out all I need for Mother's Day (with a little help from Daddy)! Breakfast in bed (when he actually fed me my scrambled eggs!), a beautiful glittery card, and lots of enthusiastic approval on how I look! Heehee! :) What a great day. I LOVE being a mother!!