San Diego

We went to San Diego in July. It was so fun! Tricky to all sleep together in hotel room, but we got through it. Here are some pics.

Natalie's not so sure what to think of the water. She was a little startled about the sand moving under her feet.

Hannah having a snack. :-)

Natalie and Mark at Sea World looking at the dolphins.

Waiting in the hot sun for the Shamu show to start. Natalie loved it. So did I.

Ice cream, yum!

Kids getting their wiggles out.

Us at the beach. It was SO fun. I boogie boarded for a while which I haven't done since I was a teenager and it was awesome! I had such fun and I wanted to keep going all day.

Hannah liked playing on this chair. She face planted off it once and had sand stuck to her whole face, up her nose, and in her mouth. She started screaming and therefore Natalie started screaming too. We had a lot of people looking at us for a bit there. haha

Natalie and her cuz Afton catching sand crabs with daddy.

We visited Seaport Village which was fun. Natalie did NOT want to have her picture taken.

It was such a fun vacation and we are excited to go back sometime! My favorite part was the cool weather. It was so glorious and a nice break from our summer heat.

Hannah 9mo

Hannah turned 9 months yesterday! She had her dr appt today and didn't have to get shots, yay. She was 28.5in long (80%) and almost 17lbs (20%), so she is what we knew--long and skinny. Think she's a Simonson?? The doctor gave me some info on teaching your baby to sleep through the night if she's used to nursing to sleep and wakes to eat every night one to two times. So here we go! I hope it works.

Some fun facts about Hannah:
-she crawls all over and pulls up on everything, including my legs as I do my hair or cook dinner
-she loves her big sister and laughs at her all the time
-she likes to carry things in her mouth as she crawls making her look like a puppy
-she has 8 teeth
-can say "mama" but no "dada" yet
-nurses 4-5 times a day and 1-2 at night
-her red hair and blue eyes have never been in public without receiving some sort of comment about them
-loves shoes and will make a beeline for them if we forget to put them away
-she loves to climb the stairs
-she loves bathtime, especially splashing with big sister
-can stand for a second or two on her own before she realizes it and sits down

We love our little cuddly Hannah!! She brings a lot of joy to my mothering since she's so attached to me. I feel so loved every time she smiles at me. It's awesome!

Natalie's dream

Natalie came in our room the other night (never happens) and must have had a bad dream because she kept talking about "popsicle man." When we asked what he was doing she said he was squeezing her arm at the playground. It was so cute. I wonder if her arm was wedged somehow and it made its way into her dream. Just had to record that!

Potty training

I can't remember if I've posted this or not, but we have had the hardest time potty training Natalie. We've tried several different times and strategies including charts, various rewards, potty snacks/drinks, new panties, pull ups, etc. She hasn't been motivated by any of it. I gave up a few months ago and decided to let her be in charge and do it when she's ready.

Well, on Thursday she announced to me in the morning that she didn't want to wear a diaper. I put her in panties expecting her to ask for a diaper when she had to go. SHe didn't go all morning, and when it was time for quiet time (she's quit the naps, wahhhh!) I put the toilet in her room and said, "here, you can go potty in here if you want." I didn't really think she would, and I left.

Half an hour later she came out and said she went potty in the toilet! I guess she just decided to be a big girl now. She has since worn panties and not had a single accident at home. We still put a diaper on to go out and she has yet to go #2 on the potty (she asks for a diaper to go in) or to use the big toilet, but hey, one step at a time, people. We are so proud of her!!!

A blog worth peeking at

Check out this adorable craft site authored by a truly gifted and talented SAHM. I just love it!

Another Natalie-ism

When Natalie heard that baby Chloe was coming to visit us today, she squished her own cheeks and said, "I just want to chubby her cheeks!"

So do I, that cute little love muffin.

Natalie-ism

The other day we were in a public restroom with a changing table. Here is our conversation:
Natalie: What is that?
Me: Look at that sign. What do you think it is?
Natalie: That man is throwing play-doh into the toilet.