Just me and him...

Caleb almost always wakes up from afternoon naps before Asher does. He's always cuddly when he first wakes up and it's so nice to snuggle on the couch, just me and him. Today I asked him what he wanted to do and he said "Drink, then tricks." Sounded good to me. We got a drink then went into my room so Caleb could do tricks to his hearts content on my bed.

Here he is saying "I have the Power!" Watching He-Man with Justin has become a favorite Saturday morning (while Mom is still sleeping) activity.

Soon we are adding another precious life to the mix in our family. Alone time with Mom (and Dad) will get harder to come by. I'm thinking (like all you other moms of more than one kid, I'm sure) about how I will have enough time and energy for each one. I'm pretty sure the answer is to focus on the quality of time spent rather than feel guilty about the quantity or equal division of it. I'm already praying that they will know how much I like to be with them. How much I love to see them just being themselves, and how truly wonderful I know they are.

I'm so glad I get to try and show them that.

Bring back any memories (jeremy, peter, hannah)?...

So, Asher loves to do movie night with us. What could be better: eating popcorn, staying up (relatively) late, snuggling with mom and dad on the family room floor. Last time we had a movie night I let him choose what we should watch and he picked a new Care Bears movie. It brought back funny memories for me and both of the boys loved it. Since then we've watched 2 other Care Bears Movies.

Well, today the boys were playing and dumping out all the toy baskets into their little tent/tunnel thing. I guess I was being a little too grumpy about it because Asher stood up and told Caleb that "Mommy needs a Care Bear Stare!" And I got one...and it was hilarious.

Silly Faces for Breakfast...

Asher asked for a silly face for breakfast. I was happy to give him one. They make me laugh.

They had fun eating these and then when it was gone I gave them more raisins to play with. They made some cute "snowman faces". Asher was making the mouth and I heard him say under his breath "I'm not gonna make him sad, I'm not gonna make him sad... I MADE HIM HAPPY! I DID IT!"

For Hannah...

I was talking to my sister the other day while I was finishing a baby shower gift and she wanted to see pictures when I was done. So, here you go Hannah :)

I made these little man onesies for a friend here who just had her first boy.

I thought they turned out pretty fun and she really liked them. Our ward did a combined baby shower for us because she had her first boy and I am having my first girl. The ladies here have been so thoughtful and supportive!
I also made this "Sweet Pea" necklace that I had seen before for another friend who's baby shower was last week. She is having her third baby in a month so I thought 3 little peas would be just right.
At her shower another woman saw the necklace and told me afterwards that she "needed to have one please!" She has 4 grown kids so I made her one with 4 little sweet peas.

So, there you go, Hannah - My projects of late. Now, what have you been sewing? I'm dying to see more :)

Packages...

The boys were spoiled with a package from Grandma and Grandpa and a package from Honey and Papa this week! They feel so special when they see their names on the envelopes. Thanks for being so thoughtful. Hours of fun - that's what you sent!

Making their new airplanes from Honey and Papa fly! The sound effects that the boys can make are really quite impressive.

Trying out the punching balloons from Grandma and Grandpa.

"Humm, what else can we hit with these balloons?"

The boys were laughing really hard, and of course they thought my head was the only worthy target.

Thanks! We love you!

County Fair...

Justin took us all to the county fair after work yesterday. We had a lot of fun. The boys got to stay up extra late, eat treats, win a prize, ride the ferris wheel and carousel, and see lots of farm animals!

View from the top of the ferris wheel.

Asher and me pointing up because we wanted to go back up to the top!

Caleb riding the ferris wheel. He was in awe.

The animals were the boys favorite part for sure. Earlier in the day when I told them that we were going to go see some animals they started guessing what we would see. Asher thought we might see a tiger, elephant, and alligator. Caleb just wanted to see a cow. I think they were both happy with the sheep, pigs, cows, horses, bunnies, turkey, ducks, geese, and chickens that were there.

A blurry one of us as it was getting late...

...and as Asher was getting goofy!

Coloring with Caleb...

Caleb was really excited about the new box of crayons I just gave him.

I was super impressed with his circles. He kept saying "happy circle". The next Bob Ross?

He was having a lot of fun...

... but don't worry, he's very serious about his craft ;)

Hats make him so happy...

Caleb loves it when Justin leaves his hat somewhere where he can get it. He puts it on and walks around wearing it with such joy all the while saying "My hat" in his tiny little voice.

A good arrangement...

Today Asher said "Mom, maybe I should pull up my own underpants so you have more time for other things."

I said "Thanks, Buddy, that sounds good."

He then clarified "Unless they get stuck, then you or Caleb can do it."

Oh, I had a good laugh!

The sweetness of little boys...

Today they were bringing me lots of rocks that they so carefully dipped in water first. I suggested that we make shapes with them, so we made a square and a circle, a long line and a heart. After we finished the heart Asher said "Mom, this one is for you." and Caleb agreed "Yep, heart mom."

They might have more energy then I know what to do with, and they might feel the need to push and nudge each other when I'd really rather they didn't, but when it comes to being sweet to their mama these boys have it just right.

They're always bringing me little "gifts" to show me how much they love me. Now, it's not that I just dream about handfuls of dirt and sand in my pockets, rocks dipped in rain puddles, or even 9 wilted dandelions by the end of the day... but it is what they dream about and they are sharing them with me! They are also so thoughtful when they tell me I'm handsome, bring me their rubber duckies and floaty toys when I say I'm going to take a bath, and always make sure I get to use the pink plate at lunchtime.

Thank you, Asher and Caleb, for being so sweet to me.

Early morning show off session...

I love it when the boys wake up cheerful and ready to show me all their cool tricks. Caleb's trick is actually to get into this position and then walk his little legs and scoot his head all over the floor. It doesn't look even a little bit comfortable to me, but he sure thinks he's pretty cool.

Look, Mom, no hands!

August 16th, 2010...

Caleb's outfit of choice = Elmo boots and a birthday crown from Nursery.

My second born...

So, today I let Caleb skip his morning nap and instead run around and play while I took pictures of him. He is two years old today! Caleb came into this family seamlessly. It wasn't hard to love another baby. It wasn't strange to include him in my thoughts. He fit.

Caleb's personality has really started to shine through in the last few months. He is talking more and more, and has such a sweet little voice. If you ask him a question he doesn't just say "yes" he says "Oh yeah, uh huh, yep-o."

He likes to sing, and snuggle. He loves to hear stories and wrestle...

...but most of all he loves to wear hats. The firefighter hat has been his favorite lately.

Caleb also loves to eat. He's usually the first to start and the last to finish. Sometimes when I'm preparing a meal I'll look and Asher is just playing then I think "Wait, where's Caleb?" and he's already in his seat at the table just patiently waiting for me to bring him food.

Caleb's kind of a tough guy. He loves Harley's and trucks and I wouldn't challenge him to a wrestling match unless you mean business. He even bites (we're working on that... ). But, he's also the most fun-loving and happy kid I know. I'm so proud of him for learning and growing and trying to do what is right. I've just got to say, I'm sure this kid is going to do great things in his life!Dear Caleb,

I love you. You always make me feel happy.

You're just so much fun to be around, and I love you.

Your laugh and smile make me want to kiss you forever because I love you so much.

I love, love, love being your mommy. I'm so glad that's a forever job.

Love,

Your Mom.

I hope you've had a fun birthday, Mr. Sweetie-sweets!

My silly little Caleb is 2...

Asher wanted to read Caleb their favorite book as a birthday present this morning. It was adorable and Ash did a good job because he has just about the whole book memorized.

Then I asked Caleb for a picture of his birthday face and this is what I got. We love that goofy thing he does with his mouth when he knows he's being funny!

Happy Birthday, Lubs!