It's a Toddler Thing

We have come to the conclusion that we have a toddler in our house, and a two year old one at that. Kaleb has become pretty whiny and vocal about everything, especially doing things himself. He has started screaming "nooo" And seems to be sassing us. I asked him to do something and he looked at me with such a teenager look and made a mocking face with his tongue out..."na na na" and walked away wiggling his behind and hips. Oh, if I only had that on camera. I didn't know if I wanted to laugh or be frustrated.
He kept hitting Xander so I told him if he did it again he would go in time out. He walked over and hit me instead. Okay, technically that wasn't part of the agreement. I guess I need to be more specific. If you hit any of us...
Oh, this is so much fun already!
I finished Kaleb's quilt a few weeks ago. Hey, at least he's getting it before he's married, better late than never. Now I need to quilt Alexanders. The top has been pieced for several weeks just needs to be stretched out on the frame and quilted.
This is the front. I don't really like how this one turned out. I didn't use the right fabrics in the middle so the star kind of blends in and doesn't pop.
This is the back. I had to do some piecing since my fabric was just a bit too small.

Jake and I were supposed to go on a date this past Tuesday. We haven't been out together in a while. We were so excited. Had a babysitter and planned on going to the temple. Jake called just before he left work to say the temple was closed for maintenance. Augh! Unlike Utah we can't just go to a different one because that would be a long drive. I had already made homemade pizza for dinner so we had nowhere else to go on a date. I hope we can get out together real soon!

This past Saturday we went to the park. The boys love the park. Both boys love the swings.
Kaleb loves the dirt, sand, rocks, woodchips, leaves. Whatever he can find to throw. He has become really good at throwing a ball and has just started kicking it. He loves balls.

All Jake needs to be happy is fire and meat. Jake grilled up a really yummy steak that he had been marinating all night. It turned out so tender with perfect salty sweet flavor. YUM!
It was a pretty good week. Xander has gone back to his old non sleeping habits so we're trying to figure that out and get him to start sleeping better (again).
Kaleb once again did really well in nursery yesterday. YEAH! I hope this is a sign of good things. It certainly makes church so much easier.
I found a website that compiles your blog into a book. I was able to order books of our blog for 2008 and 2009. I have had a lot of fun re-reading everything. It's amazing how much went on in just a span of two years. I am so grateful I have this journal and legacy for future generations to read and to get a glimpse of what everyday life is like.
Off to the laundromat. I love going, it's such a nice break! That one peaceful hour makes my whole day - ha ha ha.

No Obstacle Too Great

I love Sunday. It's a perfect day with nothing much going on but spending quiet time together.
Can you see where Xander gets his wide eyes from? Certainly not from my squinty eyed family genes.

I came in the kitchen on Friday to find yogurt on the floor. I couldn't quite figure out how Kaleb had gotten into it.
I came back a few minutes later to find our little mountain climber at it again. Using his toes in the crevices of the drawers he was able to easily scale the heights.

This was how we spent our day. Quite a few timeouts ensued for mucking and climbing and ultimately getting into things he was told not to.

I'm not ready for this stage yet! Oh dear, nothing is safe anymore.
Thankfully Xander isn't crawling yet. He does roll everywhere and manages to get around quite well. I'm glad he's holding out on full mobility for the time being.
Oh the joys of parenting. It really is so fun to see this amazing growth and progress. It is happening way too quickly.
Side note. Kaleb did so well in nursery today. Stayed the whole time and was happy about it. Or, at least resigned to his fate, either way, he wasn't screaming and crying.

Life is Going

Not much has been going on around here the past few weeks. A lot of the same ol' stuff day after day.

Alexander has been sleeping so much better at night. He now only wakes up a couple times. This is way better than Kaleb ever did at his age. I am so grateful for sleep! Now, if I would only be smart enough to go to bed at a decent hour I would be groggy from too much sleep!
the weather has been real nice here so we've been getting outside a lot. I usually wait to take the boys out until Jake is getting home then we all go out for a walk together. This has been some really nice family time that I've thoroughly enjoyed.

Oh I can't believe how swiftly these boys are growing!
Yesterday (Saturday) we were able to go on a little day trip to visit our Aunties Jill and Cleo - okay, technically they are 2nd cousins...long story short, they are more like aunts. We really enjoyed our little visit and the boys had fun tormenting their poodles. Xander was terrified at first and cried the first time he saw the dogs but he was soon laughing as they tried to lick him to death. We are grateful for their hospitality and letting us come visit for the day.

Now, I want to tell you a story about a cow named Phil...
This is Phil. He is hanging up drying after a little boy stuck him in a bathtub full of bleach water. At least I know he is really clean and sanitized.
Kaleb is so attached to this cow. One nostril is pulled out, and the fur is so matted and gray which no magical powers of cleaning can ever reverse.
Kaleb has to have Phil along side him for all comfort needs. He is tucked in with him as he sleeps, he is squeezed tightly if a situation becomes a bit dicey .
Kaleb has the tendancy to carry Phil in his mouth (the horns and ears are perfect for this) and then he'll carry a toy in each hand.I'm pretty sure he became quickly attached to his cow because he was tucked in next to him since the first day he was brought home from the hospital.
Thank you Grandma Stevens for giving a little boy more than just a stuffed animal.
I don't know what we'll do when Phil completely falls apart. That will be a hard and sad day. For now, I'm going to hold on to my little boy and his cow for as long as I can. He is growing up so quickly it's sometimes hard to fathom.

Progress is Helpful

I feel so blessed to spend my days as a stay-at-home mom with these two wild and crazy boys who try my patience, and make me laugh, and even more so, makes me feel just a glimpse of how much Heavenly Father loves us. Because I know it's more than I love these two little guys, and that's hard to fathom.
Xander is starting to grow some hair. The Stevens commented that this picture reminds them of Jack Jack from that Disney movie 'The Incredibles'
Yes, we have a toddler on our hands, that is for sure. We have a rocking recliner that I discovered Kaleb sitting on top of. If you know this little guy he loves buttons and knobs and he discovered the A/C wall unit and how to reach it so he could turn it on. Sometimes I think this kid is too smart!
Kaleb has been talking quite a bit more. Doesn't say much but he knows basic words.
Shirt, Shoes, Socks, Duck or is it Truck? Drink, Hungry, All Done. Then there are those words and sentences that I just can't figure out for the life of me. I've quickly learned not to just smile and nod because who knows what he's really asking me and what I'm giving him permission to do!
Kaleb has finally mastered the art of using a spoon...need to work on a fork with more solid foods. This has been such a relief. Mealtimes as I said last post are pretty hectic and having one being able to feed themselves helps cut down on the whining and crying.









The boys are starting to acknowledge each other more and play together fairly well for the most part. There is the occasional fight over the lap but I've become pretty good at rocking them both at the same time.












I found this picture of Jake's dad as a child and I wanted to share it. Yes, it's a picture of a picture so it's not that great. Hmm, does anyone else see a resemblance with Xander or Kaleb? The boys really didn't get their looks from my side of the family. As one of my family members once said. The Stevens are very dominating in their gene pool. It's a good thing I married into such a good looking family! Okay, I guess Kaleb does look like my side of the family. He especially has eyes like my Dad.
Friday I packed Kaleb over to a friends house so he could spend the day. This was the first time he's been left alone without one of us for this long of a time period. I was so nervous about how he would do. It sounds like he did just fine and was only a little whiny. Crying as I left the house "no mama, don't go bye bye"
This friend has three girls so there was plenty to distract him, not to mention a muddy backyard - his favorite! We really need to leave these boys more often!

I took Xander to his Dr appointment. At 6 months old he weighs 17 lbs and is 27 inches long. 1 pound and 1 inch bigger than Kaleb was at this age. Xander is pretty long, I have a problem with his clothes not fitting him length wise.
Right after the appointment we headed North to St George to meet Jake's family.
the drive was uneventful and went real well. I only had to stop twice for feeding the boy and once for feeding me and the car.
Jake's mom and his sisters and I shared a three bedroom condo with other female cousins and aunts. Fifteen of us in this condo was a lot of fun!
That first night as soon as we got there we went to cousin Paul and Nancy's house. It was built as a cement bomb shelter bunker but they have turned it into a lovely home. There are tunnels in the dirt basement. One leads to a vacant field across the street and another up to the carport. The original intention, as the rumor goes, for the tunnel to the vacant field, is that a polygamous family built the house and the brother was going to build in the field so they could trade their wives back and forth. Ha ha ha - it was an interesting house.
The next day we just hung out. Went shopping a bit then had lunch at Brick Oven

Raygan's friend was able to join us.

Hannah and Shawna (a side note - Congrats to Daniel and Hannah! They are expecting their first the end of September - wahoo!)









Visited Grandma and Grandpa Saturday and Sunday. We went to church on Sunday at their ward then we all went our separate ways.
Great-Grandma Stevens and Xander.



























The drive home wasn't quite as smooth but it was still fairly good. Despite the two hours when Xander cried because he was sick of the car. I just powered through since there was no reason to stop until it was time for him to eat again.
I came home to squeals of delight from Kaleb and a delicious Chinese Chicken dinner. I love having a husband that cooks!

We are seeing little miracles every day with Jake's nephew. He was transferred to a different state where there are specialists in some of the rare illnesses and problems that children have. Kids from all over the world come here to be treated. Hailey feels very confident in the staff. Jesse has been improving over the time he has been there. He has been breathing on his own now for 24 hours. We continue to pray for the miracles and pray that this study drug they are giving him is helping his body. Can't wait until we can hug and squish him again.

Kaleb has learned how to give high fives and blow kisses. When he does a kiss he sucks in his cheeks like you would to make a fish face. I tried to capture it on film but of course, he wouldn't cooperate. So, here's the best attempt. I'll keep trying to get a picture or video because it's so funny and cute!
Hugs and kisses until we see you all again. It was great spending time with some of you over the weekend. Thank you for everything.
We love you!