The Long Crew

Good golly, Miss Molly

2012-01-16T13:33:00.000-08:00

Today I took Molly to her 18 month check-up (a little late...) And while walking back to the room, her nurse says, "Now Molly's just about 20 months, right?" And I said, "well, in a little while.... wait! In FOUR days!?" And the nurse said, "time flies...."

Ummmm DUH.

Her stats at {almost} 20 months

Height: 32 3/4 inches - 70%

Weight: 22 lbs 7 oz - 15%

She is shocking me more and more each day with things she does/says/learns. Maybe it's shocking me because I still feel like she's my little baby, and she shouldn't be doing certain things yet. But no, she's right on track... maybe I should jump on that track too!

She is such a funny little girl. She really knows how to tease Cohen, and get him all riled up! :) They are quickly becoming very good friends, which is so fun to watch. It seems like everyday she has a new word she says. My favorite thing she says is "gup" which is yep, or yes. And she recently has taken an interest in potty training! I'm not pushing it, but I'll ask her if she wants to go periodically, and she says, "gup", and walks to the bathroom. She's only 'gone' a couple times, but she seems to enjoy the thought of it!

She loves to dance, sing, play with her tea set, play with cars/trucks/trains, she loves to wear jewelery, and she's now helping me bake! :)

We love this little girl so much. She is constantly making us laugh. We're so grateful she's OUR little Mollykins!

{doing what she does best -- dancing}

Homemade laundry detergent

2012-01-15T20:58:00.000-08:00

Well I've had these items in my closet for the past... oh maybe a year... I've read and heard from a lot of people about making your own laundry soap. It always intrigued me. Knowing it's more natural than regular detergent, without any chemicals, and also the fact that it's insanely cheap to do! So I bought everything to make it, but never did, cause I guess I was little weary of it. So finally, the other day I did it! I made SIX batches of this stuff! Let me break it down:

1 box of Arm & Hammer - $3.18

1 box of Borax - 3.49

5 Fels-Naptha bars - .98 each - 4.90

$11.57

I read on a website that each batch is about 40 loads.

1 cup each of the washing soda, and borax. One bar of the Fels-Naptha (shredded in a cheese grader) per batch

1 tbsp per small load

2 tbsp per regular load

3 per extra large load

6 batches = about 240 loads for $11.57?????? YES PLEASE!

AND it works!

A lot of people I talked to were concerned about the smell. The smell of the detergent itself smells sooo good, very citrus. Once you run it through the dryer, the clothes don't have any smell. But I usually run the dryer with a dryer sheet, so it just comes out smelling like that.

All in all it washed my clothes (kids clothes, towels, my clothes, jeans, anything...) just the same as any other detergent I've ever used. If I have a deep stain, I still have to tend to it like usual. I'm definitely never buying regular detergent again.

p.s. I read on several different blogs different ratios of the bar of soap to the washing powder. All of them said 1 cup of the powder... but some said a full bar of the bar of soap, some 2/3 bar. So that's why I only did 5 bars to 6 cups of everything else. I didn't think I'd be able to get 6 batched out of all that. And I still have a 1/4 of the box left of borax!

Mama's Christmas song...

2011-12-11T23:02:00.000-08:00

When we finally started listening to Christmas music this season, Cohen would ask for "Mama's Christmas song!" What song is that, you ask? Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" of course! He asks for it all the time. And Cohen and Molly run around, dancing to it! Now that we've been listening to other Christmas cd's, he says "Cohen's Christmas song" is 'Sleigh Ride' from the Osmonds cd. Also number two off the 2nd Glee Christmas cd. The last two days his new favorite is also from Glee, "The little Drummer Boy". I'll catch him at random times of the day singing, "Rum pa pa pum"! I just LOVE his love for music, and dancing. And that he truly knows that Christmas music is so special.

Hello! Nice to meet you!

2011-10-30T23:33:00.001-07:00

Alright, so it's been awhile....... so sue me. I guess I've been putting most of my blogging effort into my new challenge. I'll try and sum up the last little while!

Molly: A little over 17 months old. She is a little firecracker! I swear, she turned into a teenager over night! She voices her opinion... often. She L.O.V.E.S dancing... and she recently learned how to sing along to her favorite song. It's a song from the movie 'Rio'... her favorite movie! Could be because it's easy to say, who knows! Either way, it's fetchin cute! She is the sweetest, little thing on the planet...and loves giving kisses, blowing kisses, 'loves' (hugs), and tons of snuggles! She loves playing with her brother's trucks, trains, 'Cars' toys, animals and occasionally her doll. She loves coloring, which is fun, because Cohen never really got into it... Our wonderful Nursery leader at church has been letting Molly join in! She's not technically supposed to start for a few more weeks.. but Sis. Gibb is the BEST! And Molly loves it! (so does Mommy and daddy!) We love her to pieces... and we love watching her learn things everyday!

Cohen: Almost 3 1/2 years old. Oh my little Cohen buns... He seriously surprises me everyday with his personality, and funny things he says and does. He is quite the little comedian! And LOVES telling jokes! And then afterwards, he'll laugh and say, "Is that funny, mama?!" He's a riot. He still loves animals, and I, myself, have learned so much about animals because of him! It's amazing how much he knows about them. He knows three types of Monkeys by looking at the pictures: Apes, chimpanzees, and orangutans. Don't believe me?? Just ask him! He is loving going to pre-school, and it's so fun to go through his backpack and look at the fun stuff he made that day, and see what he's learning. I'm just so proud of him. He loves life, and new adventures. He LOVES his friends, and truly cares about others. Oh I just love him.

As for Jeff and I? Same ol' stuff! Jeff is staying busy with work, which is awesome. And occasionally he'll throw in a round of golf. I'm staying busy with my two little busy-bodies... and my food blog. And occasionally throwing in some running with my friends!

stay tuned for recent pics!

Punkin Patch!

2011-10-17T12:57:00.000-07:00

We headed to Bauman's Farm for our pumpkin pickin this year! That place was way further than we thought it was going to be. But it ended up being an awesome place! They had a HUGE petting zoo, which is right up our ally!

Here's Molly going to town on their apple spice doughnuts. They were so yummy!

They had so many animals to pet, and feed. It was so fun!

Somehow this little goat got out. And it just wandered around. We were the only ones in the barn, so Cohen ran right up to it! So did Molly! It really surprised me that they were not afraid of it. We got a video of the kids chasing the goat around, but it won't let me upload it for some reason.

out in the field! Molly of course is drawn to the most nastiest of all pumpkins!

Can you find Cohen here?

After finding our most perfect pumpkins, we headed to Red Robin for dinner. The kids were so good in there. And as always, so cute! :)

little ouchie

2011-10-04T23:00:00.001-07:00

While Cohen was at preschool this morning, I took advantage of some mommy/daughter time and went shopping with my little girl! We were in Target, and Molly was turned backwards in the cart (anyone else HATE the carts at Target?! Just me???) Anyway... she was buckled in, but turned around. She kept putting her head back, as far as she could until she could see me. Then I would either kiss her forehead, or tickle the front of her neck. She would giggle so loud! It was pretty cute. Then after 5 or 6 times of this, I went to go tickle her neck, and she started laughing so hard that she flipped her head forward, and bashed her head on the cart! She started screaming, so I picked her up to love her. I pulled her back to make sure all was okay, and sure enough her left eye was covered with blood. I was freaking out (in the inside). I didn't have my phone, so I couldn't call anyone. I didn't know if she needed stitches, I didn't know anything. So I wiped her eye with a baby wipe, and it looked okay to me. And it had stopped bleeding. So hopefully all will be okay. Hopefully it's not black and blue in the morning.

My sweet little Mollykins.......

Cohen the little school boy...

2011-10-04T22:07:00.000-07:00

Aunt Tracey, Molly & Bernie waving goodbye to Cohen as he leaves for preschool

This is Cohen's preschool teacher (and my dear friend!), Miss Mary. She is so sweet, and so great with those boys! I love it when Cohen comes home and we go through his backback to see what he did that day! And he just lights up when we talk about his school.

I love this cute little boy!!! I must say... He has a new saying. "I promise, mama!" So when he wants something, he will say, "I need that ___, Mom I promise!" It's pretty dang cute.

I love him.

The crayon ar-teest....

2011-09-21T23:24:00.000-07:00

Ahhhh... She looks SO innocent, doesn't she?
This is what I found when I came in the kid's room to check on them...

See anything unusual??

Oh, a crayon in her hand, in her crib, after I put her to bed maybe???

Yep....

So you're probably wondering where the heck she got a crayon from. Me too. The only thing I can think of, is right before bed I had to pry that very crayon out of her tiny, very cute, little hand. I had put it high up on their dresser. Cohen, being the very sweet, loving brother that he is, must have gotten it down for her! Just doing his brotherly duties, I guess.

What a little sweetie. Yep, that's MY sweetie!

Cohen's first day of pre-school

2011-09-21T22:57:00.000-07:00

Yes, my little Coco buns has started school! My friend Mary has her teaching degree, and she has been itching at getting back into it. So at the beginning of the summer, Mary, our friend Jennie, and I were discussing pre-school for our boys. Cohen, only being barely 3, I knew he wasn't ready for regular pre-school. But i definitely wanted him to do something. Learn how to interact with other kids, develop social skills, and just the basics. So when Mary came up with this idea, I jumped on it!! She is WONDERFUL! And the boys just love her! She will be teaching 5 boys. Two of which are her own.

Cohen was pretty excited. He even packed a toy dolphin in his backpack! :)

This was Cohen waving 'goodbye' to Molly in the window!

What a handsome little boy I have....

Here are the boys in action! Mary texted this picture to me 15 minutes into it! I LOVE it!!

From Left: Simeon Brady, Cohen, Blake Steyskal, Morgen Kelly, and Max Kelly (Back to us)

I'm very excited for this 'school' year for Cohen!

my blueberry pickin' farm boy

2011-09-04T13:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was game day, so my mom came up with the idea to go to a farm and pick items for homemade salsa! I was down! Molly was sleeping, so we took Cohen with us.

This was the funnest thing I've done in a LONG time

Cohen was so cute. He listened and followed direction. He helped pick peppers, and blueberries. He had a blast walking through the rows of vegetables. and he got piggy back rides! It was 95 degrees, and he was such a trooper!! It was just so fun!

Here he is picking different things... and "taste-testing" the blueberries!

After we were done, we promised him we would stop at the tractors. He loved them.

I will definitely be doing this again before fall comes.

Check it out!!

2011-08-30T09:03:00.000-07:00

I was the *PROUD* winner of a blog contest... here ... And as the winner I got a brand spankin new blog design!

Doesn't it look AWESOME?!? From the very beginning she wanted to know all about my interests, colors I like, things I don't like... Everything. She was VERY detailed. Which I probably wasn't the easiest to work with, cause I am sooo very easy to please no matter what. But I can HONESTLY say this blog is *ME* and I L.O.V.E. it. She is so talented.

She posted before and after on her blog... so check it out: here. And while you're there, check out the rest of it! She has a very fun blog! :) TK+TOTS

Thank you Kirsten!!!!!!!!

Coco buns becomes Cohen

2011-08-28T15:45:00.000-07:00

Happy 3rd Birthday Cohen!

So the other day I was looking at pictures, trying to figure out which to blog next... then I realized I never blogged about Cohen's birthday!! :( I'm terrible! So here are A LOT of pictures from his special day!

Cohen had some of his friends come over in the afternoon, and we had quite the little water party! It was perfect for the kids, on that hot summer day.

THE CUPCAKES:

My mom and sister, Allison helped me frost these the night before. I LOVE how they turned out, and so did Cohen! I found them in a cupcake book I have, about 3 months prior to his birthday... and I new I was going to do them ever since! They were perfect for the little animal lover!

That evening, we had Cohen's family birthday party. Uncle Nick, Darcy, Auntie Allie, Aunt Tracey, Grandma, and Grandpa were all there to help celebrate! It was a wonderful evening...

Molly had fun playing with the frosting of the cupcakes...

Proof of a successful birthday:

Cohen is such a sweet little boy, and sooo funny! He amazes me everyday with his knowledge of animals! He loves to read books, go to the park, go on walks to collect pine cones and rocks, have dance parties, and chase his sister around! :)

He loves his nursery class at church. And is the first one up to dance during singing time! He is so fun to be around, and I just love his excitement for life!

He just recently started calling himself 'Cohen', and not 'Coco' (Cohen was hard for him to say).

I just love this little boy of mine.

Princess Mollykins @ 15 months old

2011-08-22T13:25:00.000-07:00

This little girl is a sass-a-frass!! She is ALL girl! Loves to snuggle with stuffed animals, loves to wear jewelry, brush her hair, 'talk' on the phone, put 'lipstick' on.... and she LOVES to dance!

here she is playing peek-a-boo... one of her favorite things.

She weighs in at 20 lbs (10%) and her length (taken with a measuring tape while wiggling around) is 29.5 inches ( 10%). Her height actually surprises me, since most of her jeans look like capri's on her, and are too big around the waist. Either way she is fetchin cute! And we love her to pieces. She is seriously soooo funny! She can say quite a few things now. She says oh-no, hi, duck, quack, moo (maaa) , 'ready' (reeeiii), mama, dada, and fish (shh). I think that's it.

We got an e-mail from her Uncle Taylor, and my mom had sent him a picture of the kids. Taylor said, "she doesn't look like Jen, she IS Jen!" :)
Have I mentioned lately how much she *loves* Cohen???? Oh my...

I love you baby moo moo

SUM·MER·TIME - noun - \sə-mər-ˌtīm\

2011-08-21T14:00:00.000-07:00

Berries, Berries, Berries! Cohen & Molly LOVE berries. My dad brought home $120 worth of fresh picked raspberries, blueberries and blackberries from work one day. They covered the entire counter top! Molly had just woke up from her nap, and would NOT let me put her in her high chair for her snack. So I held her while she would take handfuls of these beautiful treats! After she took a few handfuls, she shared with me, and started feeding me the berries! So then I sent Cohen & Molly out side to further enjoy their summertime snack.

...boy am I going to miss summer...

from the mouth of babes...

2011-08-06T20:32:00.000-07:00

Tonight, before dinner, we asked Cohen to say the prayer. Usually when he prays, I will say a sentence, and he will repeat the last word of that sentence. Well I said, "we're thankful for our blessings..." And he said, "candy".

Yes. We are very thankful for candy.

summer fun

2011-08-02T14:46:00.000-07:00

Well I tried at add them one at a time, and i just don't have the patience for it ;)

We have been having some good times so far, playing in the sun! Most of these pictures of from our new favorite park! It's in Oregon City. It has a great big play structure, and a huge splash park! It's sooo fun! Not to mention the huge fields, volleyball net, baseball fields, basketball/tennis courts.... there is literally something for everyone! We love it.

When we don't make it away from our house, we hang out on the deck. The kids love playing in the water!

Cohen is very hesitant getting wet at first... but if I grab his hand and just run through the water...

he's good to go! :) Molly had no issues... and loves chasing the water!

I hope you are enjoying this weather as much as we are!

potty training update

2011-08-02T14:01:00.000-07:00

So it's been almost three weeks since we began potty training. It has been going waaaaaay better than I had anticipated! He now tells us when he has to go, and has on average, one accident a day (which is usually #2). We haven't quite gotten down the poo part. I'm not even sure how to go about it. He thoroughly enjoys doing the "potty dance", and picking out a 'potty treat'! I can't believe how much he's grown up in these past few weeks! I am just sooooo proud of him!!!

Mini Book Of Mormon covers

2011-08-02T13:45:00.000-07:00

With our YW's Beehive class, we made these for them to take with them to Girl's Camp! The rest of the YW leaders found out and loved them, so we decided to make them for all of the girl's in our ward to take with them too! They turned out soooo cute! I LOVE these so much! I pretty much made up the pattern myself, cause I couldn't find what I was looking for on the internet (go figure)! My Beehive girls sew'd their own covers, and they did a WONDERFUL job! They are very proud of them, as am I! :)

My friend is cooler than your friend!

2011-07-25T22:45:00.000-07:00

So my friend, Kirsten, is very talented in many ways... but one inparticular, setting up a cute blog. She started re-designing her blog, and now she wants to re-design some elses! Check out her site!

Click HERE

poop & pee and everything in between....

2011-07-15T14:21:00.000-07:00

So time has come. Wednesday was Cohen's first full day potty training. For the last month or so, he would occasionally go on the potty... maybe once a day. But it was very casual. Now it's legit. He has his frog potty planted right in the middle of the family room, front and center of the TV. Cars playing on replay... sippy cup around him at all times. The first day was amazing! He went potty at least 20 times if not more. With only two accidents. Lots of cheering, dancing, running around, and lots of candy and stickers! Day two, went well... four accidents total. But he did very well. I just realized I literally could not leave the room he was in, or he would have an accident. Today is day three.... LOTS of accidents this morning... but there was also a lot going on this morning. Once it calmed down, he has been accident free! So it's been very fun and exciting around here! I have been a little (a lot) frustrated at times... I had no idea it was going to be so hard!

I am very proud of Cohen. He has all of a sudden grown up! It's crazy! He is working very hard -- He takes himself to the potty, and his face after he has successfully pee'd in the potty, is PRICELESS! Makes this all worth it.

Where have you gone?!

2011-07-15T12:23:00.000-07:00

So I haven't posted in quite a while. Busy? a little. Nothing to blog about?? definitely not. For some reason our computer is INSANELY slow. It takes FOREVER to upload pictures. So I have given up for a while. Having two computer guys in the house... you'd think I wouldn't have this problem. Well we can't figure out why it's so slow. So until we can figure it out, my posts will be pretty sparse.... with little - to - no pictures. :(

Thanks for bearing with me during this process!! And I hope to be up and running soon...

Hope is the keyword.

Family trip to Lincoln City - June 4, 2011

2011-06-19T23:10:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning, Jeff and I packed up the car, and the kids and headed west! We spent two nights and three days in Lincoln City! The weather was A-MAZING! We got there after lunch, checked into our hotel, and headed to the beach. It was probably 75 degrees... and from the pictures you'll see we definitely took advantage of it! :) Cohen was on cloud 9. He couldn't get enough. Jeff and I switched off sitting with Molly while the other would run out to the water, and throw rocks into the ocean! He was having the time of his life!! Molly....... She didn't really care for the sand too much. When I would sit her in the sand, she wouldn't move. And if she touched the sand, she would shake her hand, so the sand would come off! She was totally a beach babe none the less! :)

By day two, she would finally touch the sand!

Cohen hanging out at the hotel. These are the views from our room. We had a really nice grassy area right outside our sliding glass door. Cohen loved running free all over the grass, above the beach. He lined up his whales on the steps outside our door, we flew a kite, and flipped around with Dad! I LOVED that hotel room! It was perfect for us!

We spent a few hours at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport. It was really fun! Cohen loved going from one exhibit to the next! And Molly loved the fish tunnel that they had. She would crawl on the floor, but the floor was really the fish tank! It was awesome!

We found a different beach our last evening there... we were pretty much the only ones there! It was great! Cohen and I walked around and picked up rocks and shells, and Molly had fun walking around!

This was one of the highlights of the aquarium.... These fish would open their mouths so wide, it looked like their head was detaching from their bodies. While I was holding Cohen and looking at them... I looked at Cohen, and he was mimicking them!! It was HILARIOUS! Totally cute! Now when we ask him what the fish at the aquarium were doing... he does this!

At the top is a picture of the kid's room. They had their own bedroom, and it had bunk beds, and a wii! It was so awesome! They loved that room. Here they are sleeping... and then all snuggled up on the way home.

Our view from our hotel

We had such a blast that weekend! It was so nice to spend that time as a family. Jeff and I had a nice time relaxing at night, watching the sunsets and watching movies and we slept with the door to the porch open so we could hear the waves! It was just awesome!

Happy 1st Birthday Molly!!! (part 1)

2011-05-20T22:57:00.000-07:00

Wow. I thought it would be a little bit longer until I had to post about my little princess! Oh my gosh, my heart hurts just thinking about her! She has brought so much joy to our family! She is seriously the funniest, sweetest, snuggliest little baby! She is always so happy! And it's definitely contagious.

Molly now weighs 18 lbs 12 1/2 oz (20%). and is 29 1/2 inches long (65%). She still isn't quite walking. She takes a few steps when she wants to, but is content crawling and walking on her knees! She just started clapping, which she is totally proud of herself when she does it! She loves to follow Cohen around, or chase Bernie... who ever's around! :) She is just the cutest thing!

My heart grew the day I held her for the first time. And it's been growing ever since.

Friday my family went to Red Robin for lunch to celebrate. I had a beach trip with the Young Woman that evening overnight. So we went to lunch, and then sunday we did her actual party. (More pictures to come) We had SO much fun at lunch! She was in SUCH a cute mood! It was just a blast!

The employees brought her balloons and ice cream, and sang to her. She just starred at them! I was surprised she didn't cry! Oh it was the best!

Happy birthday sweet Mollykins! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! And am so thankful your my daughter! You make me so happy!! :)

Old McDonald had a farm...

2011-05-19T22:18:00.000-07:00

If you didn't know Cohen's love for animals, well then, you really don't know him at all. Cohen's life without animals, is like life without food. And sometimes he won't eat unless he has one of his animals next to him. We got an offer in the mail for a Zoo pass, that if we bought a year, we would get two months free. We were thinking about getting one anyway... but that sealed the deal. So we got a year membership for our family! I'm so excited to use it more often with the nicer weather (hopefully) coming up!

Cohen literally knows every animal there is. And it amazes me how in love with them he is. His favorite changes from time to time... But recently when leaving the Zoo, I asked Cohen what his favorite animal was that we saw that day, and he said, "Lions! Oh.... wait, antelope!" Really?! Antelope?! So cute. Molly loves them too. When we pulled up to an exhibit that she could actually see, she would go, "whoooooaaaa!" :)

Where do I begin?!

2011-05-18T21:50:00.000-07:00

So I'm a little behind... I have a lot of pictures to post, and a lot of things to journal about. Where do I start?! This is one of the reasons why I get so behind.... Once I'm behind, it just snowballs... So here are some random pictures of the kids from recently to begin.

That Fisher Price Laugh & Learn house had been in the garage since we moved into my parent's house. It was completely new to Molly, and Cohen hadn't seen it in more than a year. So they think it's the greatest thing ever!! It's so cute watching them play with it! I had bought it from someone from Craigslist for $25 when Cohen was 1. GREAT purchase!

I made a 'house' from a cardboard box, on a rainy day. Best free entertainment! It kept them busy for quite a while! Then a week later, Cohen watched it being smashed by the recycling truck... He kept yelling, "house, house!!!"

I have been having a BLAST being at home with my kids. Oh my goodness I love them so much.

I'M BACK!!!

2011-05-16T15:15:00.005-07:00

my instructors Erika, and Stephany and me after my last day!

Well I'm done with school, so hopefully I'll be back in full swing updating my blog on a more regular basis!

I can't believe I am done with school! And I'm now a licensed esthetician! CRAZY! I'm so proud of myself for doing it. And I'm excited for my next new adventure! I'm so thankful to my family for all the support they showed me. For taking care of my kids, coming in as models and letting me practice on you (pretty painful huh?!), and for just understanding my situation! I couldn't have gotten through it without you! I'm so proud of my little ones for doing so great through the transition, and change.

So for those of you who are still unsure of what an Esthetician can do.... Facials, waxing, body treatments, and makeup. And I love every one of those things! I'll let you know when I get a job, so you can come see me for a service! :)

This is a picture of a few of my classmates and instructors after our last day, at dinner celebrating!

Jeff and me on my last day!

the kiddos, and such...

2011-03-30T21:37:00.003-07:00

Well it's been awhile... but we're here! I have been wanting to post on here for a long time now... but I can never justify doing it, when I have laundry to do, or homework, or whatever.... So now I'm taking a little while to show some recent pictures. Bath time last night! They LOOOVEEE their bath time! Cohen refuses to take a bath without Molly. And throws a fit if we get her out first. They just swim around the water like little fishes, climbing over each other.

Here are a few pictures of them sleeping, reading and eating. Pretty much their favorite things.

Cohen loves playing Peek-a-boo with Molly... and Molly has learned to do it too! They are just the cutest little friends! We have added a lot of solid foods to her diet this past month... beans, eggs, cheese (her favorite), tomatoes (not her fav), peas & carrots... and tonight she inhaled two slices of apples! She is waving, and pointing... and she's standing freely! She'll be walking before we know it! Cohen is an active little busy-body! However, when he's not running around in circles (literally), we find him sitting quietly with a book. It doesn't have to be anything specific... just any book, or pamphlet out of a dvd case! :) He learned the alphabet in about a week, and now can count to 10! He loves pointing out letters on just about anything. He is SUCH a sweet boy, and loves his sister, mommy and daddy! Oh, and Grandma and Grandpa! :)

Jeff started his new job a couple weeks ago. He's working for my dad's computer company as a marketing consultant/IT technician. He's really enjoying it. He also started taking college courses this past Monday! It's been awhile since he's been in school... but he's really excited for his new adventure. He will be getting a degree in web design.

I have 5 1/2 weeks left until I graduate!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Holllllyyyyy Moly... that went by fast! I can't believe it. The one thing I'm looking forward to when I'm done, is sleeping. I know, it should be taking a trip with my family, or playing with the kids... but I am TIRED. I'm having a blast in school! And can't really wait til it's over! :)

Wellllll.... I guess that's our little family for now!

Life Lesson #3

2011-03-05T21:15:00.000-08:00

Be nice.

Life Lesson #2

2011-03-03T20:20:00.000-08:00

If you know you have company coming over... first things first... go see if there's toilet paper in the bathroom.

Life Lesson #1

2011-03-01T14:05:00.001-08:00

While baking cookies, cakes, etc... always crack the eggs in the bowl before you add other ingredients. That way if part of the shell falls in, you don't have to fish for the piece of shell, or throw out all the ingredients! :)

Molly update

2011-02-23T21:39:00.004-08:00

Molly turned 9 months old on sunday. Wow. I just can't believe it. She is the most precious thing. She's ALWAYS so happy, and so content. She is such a good eater, and sleeper... I honestly couldn't have asked for a better baby! She is sooo much fun, and just so funny! She's the best little sister for Cohen! :) She pulls herself up on everything, and she's everywhere in the blink of an eye! She has 6 teeth: two on the bottom, and four on the top. Monday she had her checkup...

Weight: 17.14 lbs (35%)
Height: 27.5 inches (50%)

Her doctor said she is slowing down as far as her growth... but not to worry, since she's so active, and she's pulling herself up and such... It's definently a big change from when she was first born! I thought she'd be in 12 month clothes by now at the rate she was going! She's my happy, sweet little princess!

So Monday, Jeff and I attempted to take them to get their pictures taken. We have YET to get a picture of the two of them together. Cohen absolutely REFUSES, and I mean, REFUSES to sit for a picture... or kiss molly, or hold molly, or ANYTHING. I'm not kidding. You're probably thinking, "it's probably not THAT hard to get a picture of him... " TRY ME!!!!!!!!!!!! I dare you.

Anywayyyyyyyy.... So we took them to Picture people, thinking we could get something out of it, and it wouldn't cost us hardly anything. Well, Cohen wouldn't have any of it. We tried bribing him with everything. So we just let him be, and we tried to get pictures of Molly. Well after a couple shots of Molly, Cohen decided he wanted in on the fun. He jumped him, she took ONE picture, and this is what we got:
Awesome right?!? Well first, this isn't the best quality picture, cause I took this picture with my phone of the original and emailed it to myself so i could put it on here... but this is seriously the only picture we had to choose from of the two of them, and it actually turned out! So yes, it's official... COHEN AND MOLLY ARE BROTHER AND SISTER!!!! :) We finally have proof!!! ha ha!

Here are just some recent pics of Miss Molly. Oh I just love this girl of mine!!!

Dear Cohen & Molly...

2011-02-02T21:15:00.000-08:00

Oh, why you look so sad?

tears are in your eyes

Come on and come to me now.

Don't be ashamed to cry

Let me see you through

'Cause I've seen the dark side too.

When the night falls on you

You don't know what to do

Nothing you confess

could make me love you less

I'll stand by you

Won't let nobody hurt you

I'll stand by you

So, if you're mad, get mad

Don't hold it all inside

Come on and talk to me now

Hey, what you got to hide?

I get angry too

Well I'm a lot like you

When you're standing at the crossroads

And don't know which path to choose

Let me come along

'Cause even if you're wrong

I'll stand by you

Won't let nobody hurt you

I'll stand by you

Take me in into your darkest hour

And I'll never desert you

I'll stand by you

And when, when the night falls on you baby

You're feeling all alone

You won't be on your own

I'll stand by you

While I was on the Max, on my way home from school today, this song came on my iPod. Instantly I thought of you two. These words are so true. I love you both so much. Each one of you holds a special place in my heart. I miss you so much while I'm at school.

Just know that I would do anything for you.

Love,
your mom

a new start...

2011-01-24T22:26:00.003-08:00

Sooooooooooooooo..................... Haven't been around here lately! I honestly feel, like if I get behind at all on my blog, then I throw my hands up in the air, and give up. Thinking that I have like 15 posts I need to add, just gets a little overwhelming. So I decided to just ignore those 15 posts that i would like to add, and just add them later. Start fresh.

So, HAPPY NEW YEAR! This month has been INSANE. Just crazy. It's only 24 days into the new year, and so many things have happened. First, obviously, the new year began.... Which brings new thoughts of resolutions, goals, what have you.... The greatest thing of the year already happened. Yep! My birthday! :) My birthday was January 2nd. and I'm now 28 years of age. Wow. actually typing that out makes me feel so old! Also something else that has happened, is I have started school! Yeppers. tomorrow is the start of week three! I am attending The Aveda institute for esthetics! I still can't believe I'm going to school. And I can't believe that I get to have facials and massages all day long! :) It's full time... Tuesday through Saturday 10-6! Just crazy. But it is so rewarding, and makes me so happy that I'm doing something for me. And something to better my family in the long run. The good thing is that it's only 4 months long. So it will be over before we know it!

Mollykins is now 8 months old. She has graduated from the army crawl to actually crawling on her hands and knees! She is pulling herself up to standing, (which I was later informed that she has been doing it for a while, but seeing as I'm in school all day... ) she chatters non stop, and is everywhere! She's doing sooo good with her new schedule and being on solids. She's just a champ! I love her so much! She is soooooo sweet, and so funny! Ahh.... she's the best!

Cohen buns is 2 1/2. what do I say about him.... Wow, he is full of energy ALL the time!! He surprises me everyday with new words, or new dance moves. He loves to sing! He knows the Bob The Builder theme song, Popcorn popping, I am a child of God, and the monkey and alligator song! It's so cute hearing him sing. I try to get the songs on video... but I'm not having the best of luck! He knows his colors, and can repeat the alphabet... It just amazes me how quickly he picks up things. His favorite animal is a hippo. Not sure why, really. He's just so funny, and so full of life. He definitely keeps us on our toes! And he is the best big brother! He is so sweet to Molly, and makes sure she has a toy to play with. They just started taking baths together... so now everytime I tell him it's bath time, he won't get in, unless Molly gets in! I love him to pieces.

Jeff just started a new job at NetBiz, an Internet marketing company, doing sales. He likes it so far. I think he's just happy getting back in the real world. He's been stay-at-home dad for the past two weeks, which has been awesome... so it will be weird to have him at work now! Other than that, he's been enjoying watching sports, and can't wait for the spring (or nicer weather) to start golfing!

Well here's to a new year, and a new start! Let's hope I can keep this up at least once a week! :)

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 23

2010-11-23T22:55:00.004-08:00

Today I finished reading a book. I haven't been able to say that in probably 6 years. I hate reading. I would much rather watch TV, read a magazine,watch a movie... anything. But I decided to read a certain book, and I did it! I finished it in one weekend! The book you ask? What a wonderful book! I am thankful that I decided to read this, I'm thankful that there are books out there like this, and i"m thankful I finished it! This book is sure brilliance! I don't care if you think you have the most perfect relationship, this book is amazing! Jeff's in the process of reading it too! I HIGHLY recommend it.

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 22

2010-11-22T18:39:00.002-08:00

I am very thankful to Little Clippers... the haircutting place i took Cohen to today. When we lived in Utah, we went to a kid's hair cutting place that we LOVED. We saw the same lady every 5 weeks. It was wonderful. At first it wasn't, and usually at the beginning of the cut, he would freak out. but after a minute, he was fine. Then we moved here, and had no idea where to go. I googled Kid's hair cutting places... and found a couple. The closest one was in West Linn. So we checked it out. I made the appointment, and warned them of Cohen. They assured me that they deal with it everyday, and it was no big deal. Well it was a very cute place... very girly though. It was more of a little girl's boutique than a kid's place. The lady that cut Cohen's hair was awful. She kinda made me feel bad for having a kid that wouldn't sit still. It really irritated me. And it was pretty expensive. I didn't even like the cut either. BOOO! I wouldn't recommend that place ever.

So today, we decided to try the next closest one in Lake Oswego. When we pulled up, I thought, "this is more like it!!" It was AWESOME! yes, Cohen freaked out, but the lady was sooooo nice about it. she called herself "Grandma Nancy!" sooo cute! After just a minute, Cohen calmed down, and did an awesome job! I just loved it! So i am very grateful we have found Cohen's new salon! Yipppeeeee!!!!

Life as a 2 year old

2010-11-21T23:56:00.002-08:00

I thought I needed to start posting funny things Cohen does day to day... so here's one that happened the other day.

I was in the play room, rocking Molly to sleep, and Jeff went in to check on Cohen during his "nap" time. All I see is Jeff walk into Cohen's room, ask "Cohen?", start laughing and tell me to come here! So I go into Cohen's room and to my surprise, I don't see him anywhere! I asked Jeff where he is, and while laughing, Jeff points under the bed! I look down and all I see are Cohen's feet!! I asked Jeff if he was asleep. and he shrugged his shoulders like he didn't know. I asked, "Cohen???" and a few seconds later, Cohen pokes his head out, with such a cute mischievous smile!! Jeff and I start laughing sooo hard! It was so funny. i have no idea what he was doing under there... but I'm happy he was, cause it made our day! :)

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 21

2010-11-21T10:05:00.000-08:00

I'm thankful for sundays. I'm thankful we have a day to just chill. I wouldn't really use the word "chill" in reference to before church... but after church... there isn't a rush for anything. I'm thankful for a beautiful church building. Our building is so pretty, and so nice. And I'm thankful for those that clean it. Jeff and I spent a saturday morning a few weeks ago, helping clean the building, and now I truly appreciate, and do not take for granted how clean the building is! We cleaned things I would have never thought of! So today, i guess I'm thankful for a few things!

My 6 month old princess....

2010-11-20T18:37:00.000-08:00

My sweet little princess Toodles. She turned 6 months old today! Oh I just love her so much. She has brought so much laughter and love into our family! Cohen just absolutely adores her, and loves her so much! As do we, but I think we are all amazed at how Cohen and her interact with eachother! It's priceless... and a mother's dream! Molly rolls and scoots all over the place. And just within the last few days, has been rocking back and forth on her hands and knees. Before we know it, she'll be into EVERYTHING! She has the sweetest, cutest, prettiest, funniest, laid back personality. She is such a good baby! And the cutest is when you, or anyone smiles at her! She gets a HUGE grin, and buries her face! It's sooo cute! She's such a flirt! Oh I just love that girl. I am so thankful she's apart of our family. We love her so much. Happy 6 months little sweetheart! :)

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 20

2010-11-20T11:16:00.000-08:00

This morning my mom and I went to a bazaar. Not just any bazaar, but the Bilquist Bazaar! It was so fun! I am very thankful for bazaars! We found such fun things! For example... it looked kinda like a place mat, that was covered with a waterproof cover. The fabric had cars on it, with streets, and signs, and sewn into the mat, were two slots for matchbox cars! It was sooo stinkin cute! I want to figure out how to make them! I thought it was perfect for Cohen, like at restaurants, and church! Bazaars are just so fun to get fun ideas to make myself, or buy things from those that think of it, and I don't have to put in the time and energy in making it! :) So thanks all you crafty people that share your ideas with me!

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 8

2010-11-08T11:44:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful for the Clackamas County library system! While being here, I have learned how cool the library is. First I thought it was cool, cause they have a GIGANTIC kids room with floor to ceiling, wall to wall books for COHEN!! It's awesome!!! I was shocked when I first walked in and found that room was just for kids! Second, their dvd collection for kids, is just amazing! And on top of that, their dvd's are free to rent! okay, the other thing that I love, is that I can reserve books on their website. But what's so cool, is that the system is through all the cities in Clackamas County. So if there's a book in Lake Oswego I want, i just reserve it, and they send it to the Gladstone library in like a day! It's just BRILLIANT! And if you know me, you know that I'm not much of a reader... so hopefully that will help me in that department! :)

So thank you Clackamas County for having an amazing library system for your residents! It just shows you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover... The Gladstone library isn't the nicest, biggest, prettiest building.... but man, it is a GREAT library with a WONDERFUL staff!

30 Days of being Thankful: day 7

2010-11-07T16:35:00.001-08:00

Today I'm thankful for motorized carts. As I mentioned before, Allison just had surgery. Yesterday she was going a little crazy being cooped up in the house for two days. So she wanted to go to Target. Thankfully Target provided a cart, so that it would be possible for Allison to shop, without getting warn out, or injured! And I'm also thankful for a cute little sister to be cute enough to ride one of these things!! :) It's all about being thankful for the little things! :)

30 Days of Being Thankful: day 6

2010-11-06T18:23:00.000-07:00

Today I am thankful for..................... wait for it.............. boy bands. Particularly N SYNC! They seriously are the most wonderful thing ever. They have truly brought me closer to people, because of their music! Today while Allie, Tracey, and I were driving to Target, Allie put it on her iPod. Instantly we start singing at the top of our lungs! Well not Allie, cause she just had surgery... but ya know what I mean! :) I really wish they would do a reunion tour. Us sisters were talking, and we said, without hesitation, that we would definitely go see them... no matter how much they are! I've already seen them 5 times in concert.... you may think I'm a dork, but I know I'm awesome.
So thank you 'N SYNC. For being awesome, beautiful boys, that make wonderful music!!

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 5

2010-11-05T18:10:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful we moved back to the Pacific NW! I love this city. So much. And I'm so happy to be close to my family. Especially today. My little sis, Allie, Had surgery this morning. And I've been able to be here to help take care of her! It's been so fun waiting on her. I'm just happy we're back! :)

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 4

2010-11-04T15:08:00.000-07:00

Today I'm thankful for two things. First and foremost, I am so very thankful to my wonderful husband and best friend, JEFF! I am so thankful I found him, and he chose me 5 years ago! We have had a wonderful life together the past 5 years, and I'm so excited for the years to come! He definitely makes me who I am, and makes me a better person, wife, and mother. He is such a good dad to Cohen and Molly! Holy cow, he's so sweet with them. And I know he loves them so much, and would do anything for them and me!

Secondly, I'm thankful for a temple marriage. Jeff and I were married in the Portland temple 5 years ago today! Happy Anniversary to us! :) I'm so thankful we chose to be married in the temple, and I'm sooo thankful for all the blessings that come from being married in the temple. We get to be together for all eternity!! WAHOOO! What a wonderful blessing.

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 3

2010-11-03T15:48:00.002-07:00

So as most people know, we (as the people) had the opportunity to Vote last night! I am thankful that we have that right. That we are able to voice our opinion, and most of the time, be heard! :)

I must note though, that i did not vote. I know, I know, I'm writing how thankful I am to be heard, and vote... however, I feel that you should not vote if you are NOT informed! So I did not vote. Thanks to my little sister though, I was informed, but I'm not registered! :( This now has taught me to finally get REGISTERED, and VOTE! I'm actually really excited to vote now!

So thank you to all that voted, and voiced your opinion, to make this place a better place to live!

30 Days of Being Thankful: day 2

2010-11-02T15:29:00.003-07:00

Portland in the fall!!

I am so thankful for the scenery around me! It's just amazingly beautiful. Fall is by far my favorite season. The colors, the smells, the weather... everything. Especially in Oregon.

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 1

2010-11-01T09:07:00.000-07:00

Okay, I tried doing this last year, and failed on the last few days. NOT this year! I have so much to be thankful for. Really, I do! But for some reason, it's hard to post everyday about the little things. WHICH, I think, the little things are the most important. Because it's the little things that makes the big blessings that much greater!

Today I'm thankful for being thankful. Sounds like a cop out? Maybe... but I am really thankful that I'm a positive, grateful person. I'm so thankful that I'm not just a bum that sits around feeling sorry for myself all the time. Instead, I look at the positive, and try to be happy!

Tillamook Cheeeeeeeese

2010-10-27T16:04:00.006-07:00

So Jeff and I have been in Portland now for a month and a half. We finally decided, enough is enough. We NEED some Tillamook ice cream. Not the ice cream you get down the street at Safeway.... we needed the REAL stuff. So we packed up the diaper bag, threw the kids in the car, and off we went!

We first arrived at the Tillamook Cheese Factory. As we're walking through, we saw that they got rid of the cow displays they used to have! We had promised Cohen Cows on the way.... So we were kinda bummed about that. And also, the factory is kinda boring when there isn't much production going on! However, the cheese was fabulous, especially the squeaky cheese!! Then we participated in their ice cream. Holy COW... no pun intended! This stuff truly came from Holy cows!! That ice cream is so heavenly. Soooooo.oooo.ooooooo creamy. Oh my word, I miss it already! Cohen didn't eat any ice cream, but he did enjoy himself with the salt water taffy!

After the factory, we saw a sign for a petting zoo over at the Blue Heron Cheese factory. So we headed over there! It was really fun! I would HIGHLY recommend it! The animals were so cute, and they had a lot. Cohen LOVED it! I think that was the highlight of the trip! And after all, it was free! So that's what most of the pictures are of.

After Tillamook, we decided to drive up to Seaside and have dinner at our favorite restaurant, McKeowns. It is so delicious. I personally think they have the best clam chowder, EVER. It's sooooo yummy. Jeff had a delicious french dip sandwich, and Cohen just ate Jeff's french fries!

We had a wonderful day all in all. It was a very long day in the car, but it was still worth it. I love spending time with my cute little family!

Stats

2010-10-27T15:23:00.002-07:00

We met with the kids' new pediatrician today. We really liked him, and we really liked the office! So we're pretty happy all in all. They both had shots. Which was the worst thing ever. I had to literally lay on top of Cohen on the table, while he screamed and cried and got four shots. It was horrible. Since my face was right in front of Cohen's, I tried to be happy, and calm. But as soon as it was over, I just held him and cried! I'm horrible, I know... but come on!! My little baby is in pain!! Then it was Molly's turn. Sweet little girl. She cried too, while Jeff held her down. They really need to come up with a better process for that. Maybe a chair that has a bed of needles on seat cushion, and then strap them down with black straps, oh and handcuff them to the chair! I don't know, just a suggestion!

Molly (5 months 1 week):
16 lbs 4 oz 75%
26 1/2 inches 95%

Cohen (2 years 3 months):
25 lbs 10%
36 1/2 inches 75%

Cohen's weight isn't probably super accurate.... Cohen refused to sit on the weigher thing... so I had to hold him and be weighed with him.

They are both healthy, and growing perfectly! and cute of course! :)

"Cohen is soooo cool!"

2010-10-27T15:01:00.004-07:00

Obviously I can't read Molly's mind, but if I could, I know that Molly is thinking just how cool Cohen is. I just LOVE watching her watch him! She is mesmerized by him! I can not wait to see how they interact when she's bigger.

Last night after dinner, we turned on some music, and Cohen went to town. Usually when we turn on music, he wants me to dance with him. But not this time. He wanted me to sit and watch him!! :) Everytime I would stand up, to change the music, pick up Molly, whatever... he would run over to the fireplace, and tap his little finger and say "mama!" where he wanted me to sit!! I tried to get a video of Molly laughing hysterically at Cohen, but it didn't happen. So here's a video of Cohen.

Oh, and P.S. for some reason Cohen, right now, thinks dancing is just running around in circles! Sometimes he jumps up and down... but his new thing is running around in circles!

hmmm.... what's this?!

2010-10-25T00:50:00.004-07:00

Molly grabs at everything, especially when I'm eating. So my mom thought it might be time to introduce her to solids! So the other night, I decided to give her some bananas! I Darcy took a really cute video of her eating... but for some reason I'm not able to load it on here... So maybe I'll get it to work later. I'm not really sure how she liked em... she didn't act like she hated it, but she didn't act like she wanted more, either. so maybe we'll try again later! I was able to upload the video to my facebook. so you'll have to check it out there!

Her new game day attire!

Cute little Cohen buns

2010-10-25T00:22:00.003-07:00

So Cohen is pretty cute these days. Doing pretty cute things. He has grown so much over the last few months. The way he talks, and communicates... his interests.... he is just so darn cute! Wait, have I mentioned that he's cute?? Yeah.

Here are a few pictures from the past couple weeks...

The next two pictures were taken litterally 20 seconds before he had the biggest throw up moment. It was sad, yet very strange! We had just gotten back from a walk outside, and I was in the kitchen, while he was playing with Bernie. He was being so cute with Bernie, so I decided to get the camera out. Well, two pictures in, and he started throwing up! It was crazy! He hasn't thrown up since the day he was born! After it all happened, I took off his clothes, and he ran around in his diaper, acting like nothing happened! He's been totally fine since!

I was taking Molly's 5 month pictures, and right after I moved her from the spot I was taking the pictures, Cohen climbed on her blanket for me to take HIS pictures! So cute! I only got two, before he was done with that game! It was fun while it lasted though! :)

Here's Cohen climbing up the ladder, while Jeff was helping paint my parent's house! Cohen has no fear of heights apparently!

pumpkin patch 2010

2010-10-25T00:00:00.003-07:00

A couple weeks ago, we took a trip to the Pumpkin Patch! My parents came with us. We definitely thought this year would be great, knowing that Cohen is older, and he would have more fun than he did last year. We had a picture in our head of how it would turn out. We thought how cute Cohen would be running out in the field, trying to pick up and carry the pumpkins. All while getting muddy in his cute little rain boots that his Auntie Tracey bought him. We couldnt wait to get the cute family pictures in the pumpkin field. And then maybe aftwards, enjoy a yummy cup of hot cocoa.

yeah, who was I kiddin?!

Maybe one day my dreams will come true. Until then, I'll take what I can get!

Cohen really didn't care about anything, or anyone. He just wanted to run around, and look at the tractors. It was still fun. And it was fun that my parents were there to join in on the festivities!

Cute little family we are! :)

5 Months!

2010-10-24T23:27:00.005-07:00

I swear, I JUST posted about her being 4 months old! Oh well... here are Molly's 5 month pictures! I didn't weigh her. I forgot... :( But she has a doctor's appointment this week, so I'll post her stats then. Her second tooth just popped through yesterday! I can't believe it! She's growing waaaay too fast! Time is seriously going too fast! She is SO happy! I'm not kidding. I sometimes forget she's in the room cause she's so content. She really never cries, she is so happy! She always has a smile on her face! She makes us so happy. She's been sleeping really well this past week. Like 8-9 hours straight a night! So let's hope that keeps up! I am still so happy she's apart of our family!

Beautiful sound of laughter

2010-10-15T23:23:00.001-07:00

First of all, I want to say just how grateful I am to be a mother. To have been blessed with giving birth to two beautiful, healthy children. I love them with all of my heart, and I still can't believe everyday, that they are mine. Trust me, I do NOT take it for granted. Some days may see like I do... but I am so thankful. SO thankful.

With that being said, Man, my kids are stinking cute!! Molly loves Cohen SOOOO much! It's sooo funny! Cohen dances a lot... And every time, Molly laughs hysterically at him! She just sits there watching him, laughing! Today Jeff was holding Molly, and this video became:

my 4 month chunky monkey

2010-09-30T15:12:00.005-07:00

Man I love this girl!!! She is sooooo fun! She has the sweetest, cutest little personality, and it shows more and more each day! She turned 4 months last week, and she weighs 15 pounds! I tell her all the time that I "accidentally" shrunk her clothes in the wash... so she doesn't get a complex! :) She is growing really fast, and I'm not ready for it! She is now in 6 month clothes! My favorite thing, is the way Cohen and her interact with each other. Yesterday, Cohen and I were dancing in the family room, and Jeff was holding Molly. She would laugh so hard watching Cohen! It was sooo cute! And just the way Cohen always wants to give her hugs and kisses. For the past couple weeks, Cohen has been saying "baby mama" And we just thought he was saying, baby, mama. For me, and molly. Well, we think he's really saying "baby molly"! So cute! He loves his little sister. and you can tell that Molly already thinks the world of him! :)

Here's a video of Molly on her 4 month birthday. She's doing absolutely nothing... but she's so cute!

We took these pictures last week, cause we thought this outfit was so cute. And the one in the lower left corner, my mom took. Molly was keeping me company while I sewed.

Cohen's 'Big Boy' bed!

2010-08-20T21:59:00.002-07:00

The day after his birthday, Jeff and I moved furniture around, and Cohen had his first night in his new bed!! We bought his twin bed before Molly was born, and kept it in her room for our guests to sleep in. Molly's sleeping through the night, so we decided to move her to the crib, and Cohen to his bed! This picture was taken his first night in it! The first night was kinda hard. He cried for awhile, and so I went and layed with him while he fell asleep! It was so sweet! He woke up a few times in the night crying, cause I think he fell off the bed! Now we have a rail up. Overall, he surprisingly is doing GREAT in his bed! The first week, he would fall asleep at the door on the floor, but now he falls asleep in his bed. The only thing that's weird, is that he wakes up and starts crying. We don't know if it's because he doesn't know how to get out of his room, since he can't open doors yet, or what... so hopefully that will pass.

We actually can't believe how well he has adapted to his bed! Now when we say "it's time for bed", he runs up into his room, picks out a book, and sits on his bed!! It's so sweet! I can't believe how much bigger he is to me now! :( my sweet little punky dunks is growing up!

What a wonderful day!

2010-08-20T21:03:00.003-07:00

This day actually kinda started out kind of crappy... I've been sick the last few days, but it came on strong this morning. I have NO voice, my throat is sooo sore, and my ears are killing me! It hurts so bad everytime I would swallow, and talk. AWFUL! Jeff had a meeting early this morning, so he was gone by the time we all woke up. I didn't know what I was going to do. Cohen and I were in the kitchen, and I was trying to make him breakfast. He was upset about something... I couldn't calm him down, cause I honestly think he couldn't understand me! It was really hard, so frustrating! So i called and made an appointment with my midwife. I called Jeff, and luckily he was going to be done with his work day earlier than expected, so he was able to come home and watch the kids so I could go to my appointment. long story short... my midwife thinks i have strep throat, I don't. But she sent a sample to be tested, so we won't know til monday. She says it also could be laryngitis... that's what I think it is. either way... sucks. She told me to take sudefed, and advil for now. So that's what I did.....

After Cohen woke up from his nap, Jeff took him to the park, so I could rest. I started feeling so much better! I could actually swallow without cringing, or wanting to cry... and the pressure in my ear was gone! LOVELY! Jeff came home, and made dinner! SO sweet of him! It was fabulous!
After dinner Jeff helped Cohen color a picture to send to his uncle Taylor! Cohen loves stickers! So he had to add stickers to his picture, and also cover Jeff and I with stickers! :) Then we went out front and just hung out. It was so nice out, so we blew bubbles, and played with sidewalk chalk! It was soooo fun! For Cohen's snack before bed, I decided to pop some homemade popcorn, so he could watch it pop! Cohen loves the song, 'popcorn popping', And he knows all the hand motions! After we went through the song once, I got my camera... He didn't do all the motions in the video, but you get the idea, so cute! And please forgive my voice... AGAIN, it's gone!!

My favorite part is when it goes, "...it wasn't really so..." He looks at his finger to make sure it's in pointing position!! :) so cute!

Today went from really crappy, to simply wonderful! Thanks to my amazing husband, and my adorable kids!!

My little princess...

2010-08-20T20:30:00.004-07:00

My darling little girl is 3 months old today! I love her so much... more and more everyday! She is growing into such a precious, sweet little thing. And I'm so excited for her new phases! Last week she rolled over for the first time! She's done it quite a few times since... Jeff has yet to see it in person... but I do have it on video! The video is just reeeeaaaallly long... cause i was waiting for quite awhile before she actually rolled! :) otherwise I'd post it for you all! I just can't believe she's already rolling over! And we just started putting her in our Bumbo. Oh, just so cute! We weighed her today, and she ways in at 14 pounds!

She is SUCH a chatter box!! I think we might have another 'Gwen' in the family! My very favorite thing she does right now... it melts my heart everytime.... is while nursing her, she locks eyes with mine, she stops eating, smiles, and then just starts chattering! Like she is just chattin with her mama about her day! OH MY GOSH I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!
This outfit is courtesy of Jeff's Aunt Kris! I thought it was appropriate for her 3 month pictures! I finally got Cohen to hold Molly! He actually LOVES holding her now! But for just a second... then he's bored and onto the next thing! :) Cohen L.O.V.E.S his baby sister. Oh my goodness, he constantly has to know where she is (which can be a bad thing, when she's sleeping!)... and always has to make sure she gets kisses when he wakes up, she wakes up, he goes to bed, she goes to bed, or just whenever he thinks about it.

Priceless right?!

Cohen's 2nd Birthday!

2010-08-14T15:50:00.006-07:00

My sweet little punky dunks is 2 years old. I love him so much, and I had so much fun celebrating with him! I know he really didn't know it was his birthday, or what that means... but it was just such a fun day! I taught him to say "2", when I ask him how old he is. And he holds up two fingers! So cute! Allison and Nick stayed with us an extra two days... so they were able to be here on his birthday! It was awesome having them here! That morning, Jeff Nick, and our cousin Grant went golfing, so Allie, Cohen, Molly and I went to the farm at Thanksgiving Point. Cohen LOVES the farm!

Last year on his birthday, I went a little overboard for his party, which I totally think that's fine for moms to go overboard on their child's first birthday... HOWEVER... I did not plan well. I did everything ON his birthday. So we didn't really do anything fun, except his party. So my goal this year was to have everything done ahead of time, so I could actually enjoy this day with him! MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! It was SUCH a fun day!! And I was so calm, and happy! Which if you know me, I'm usually on edge with those type of things....

Anyhoo... So here we are at the farm, just chasing Cohen around! He was so cute riding the pony!

While we were waiting for the last few people to arrive at his party, Cohen couldn't wait any longer. He went right for his presents! It was so much fun watching him open his presents! And i have never seen so much Toy Story, in my life! He was in 7th heaven!! He got some really nice gifts! (thank you everyone!)

Here he is with his cake! He didn't blow out the candles like he did the night before... he was a little more occupied with the Toy Story gummies on the cake! :) He won't eat cake or ice cream either... so he just ate the gummies!

For Cohen's big present from us, he got a water table! He loves playing outside, and with water... so it was perfect! He loves it. We also got Buzz Lightyear glider things, for the boys to fly around!

Here are the boys beating the heck out of the pinata! Cohen didn't really understand... but he enjoyed the part when the boys busted it open!

The aftermath!

I'm just so glad this day turned out so well! We had so much fun with Cohen, and it was day when we truly gave him, and did whatever he wanted! :) I'm so thankful to everyone that called him, and shared this day with him! I couldn't have asked for a better day!!!

Elder Tay Tay Bugs

2010-08-08T22:18:00.005-07:00

Well, the time has come... My baby brother is out serving our church for two years! I can't believe it. I can't believe that my BABY brother is gone! What a little cutie he is too! I had such a nice time with him before he left too! Just perfect!

The night before he left, we wanted to do something fun. We didn't want to just sit around the house staring at each other (cause that's usually all we do anyways :) ). So we decided that all of us would go to Target and buy something for Taylor to take with him. But it had to be small and/or flat, so it would fit in his jam packed suit cases! So off we went... 'WE' being my dad, Jeff, Nick, Allie, Taylor, and myself. Tracey was in bed, and my mom stayed home tending to my cute kids! :)

When we got home, it was time to share what we got for Taylor! My mom had the idea of one by one giving our gift to him, and sharing one piece of advice. It was actually very cute, and fun! Allie bought him a miniature bowling set (the pieces were the size of like half of your pinkie!), Nick got him a fingerboard, I got him a miniature thumb wrestling device thing (kinda hard to explain, yet very cool!), Jeff got him a checkers & tic-tac-toe game, and my dad got him some nice pens. It was very fun, and just so nice to have that special evening with everyone! And I'm really glad my mom wrote down all the advice everyone gave.

Now on to Wednesday, July 28th! Taylor decided to go to Cracker Barrel for a late breakfast. But before that, we went to the MTC to take pictures. Cause we knew it would be too crowded when we actually dropped him off. So we first took pictures.... then we went to breakfast.

Just sitting in the rocking chairs outside the restaurant.

The way things work at the MTC now, is only one car can actually drive in and drop off your missionary. But, seeing as we had seven people, and Taylor... we couldn't all fit in one car. So our plan was to take two cars, park one of them, have most of us walk in, and meet the other car in there. Well that's not really how it happened. Jeff, Nick, Allie and myself were in our car, while my mom, dad, Tracey and Taylor were in the other. We go park our car, and my dad waits to drive in, until we are actually on the MTC grounds. We walk in, and a lady stops us. She says that's as far as we were allowed to go! PLAN RUINED. My dad drives up, and we tell them that we can't go any further... so he drives off. We just figured he was going to drive around and park, so that Taylor could say goodbye. Well quite a few minutes passed, and there wasn't any sign of them. Jeff, Nick, Allie, and I are patiently waiting. I was just watching all the missionaries standing around, waiting for the next new missionary to arrive, so they could greet them. I couldn't help buy get a little overwhelmed that my little brother was going to be doing that! All of a sudden I look across the parking lot, and here comes my cute little brother running towards us!! This tall boy in a suit, with a big smile on his face, sprinting across the parking lot to tell us goodbye.

I LOST IT.........

I started bawling. Taylor gave me a big hug, and it was so tight, like he truly meant it! I told him I loved him very much. He then hugged Allie, Taylor is now crying, I look at Nick, and he's crying. Allie tells him he loves him. I look at Jeff, and he's crying. Taylor then hugs Nick, then Jeff. no words are being said. Taylor than stands there, and gives us his "Taylor" smile, waves, turns around and sprints off... while of course, jumping over the flower beds! :)

It was the most perfect goodbye I could have ever asked for! I had my thoughts of how that 'drop off' was going to go... and it wasn't anything like what I imaged... it was SO MUCH BETTER. I am sooooo thankful I have those last moments to cherish and remember.

Taylor started a blog for my mom to update while he's gone. I'll post a link on here when she writes about what happened that day from their side!

I love these pictures, and I love my brother. I am so thankful he has chose to serve a mission. The people in Costa Rica are truly lucky to be getting such a fun kid! I know He was chosen to serve in Costa Rica, Heavenly Father wouldn't have had it any other way! I'm so proud of what a neat kid Taylor is. I'm so excited to hear all about his adventures!

...oregon family comes for a visit...

2010-08-06T22:13:00.005-07:00

I am so behind on my blog... So this is from when my family came a week and half ago. Monday morning (July 28th), Cohen, Molly and I picked Taylor up from the airport. Everyone was coming into town, cause this was the week we were taking Taylor... my baby brother, to the MTC! I still can't believe it! Anyway, his flight came in at 9 am, and everyone else were driving here that evening... So we had time to spend with just Tay Tay. We headed over to Temple square for a little bit. It was so cute watching Cohen run around and Taylor chase him! Taylor was really tired, so we had an early lunch at NYPD pizza (Jeff met us there), and then we headed home for naps. Cohen and Taylor took naps, while I got dinner ready for that evening. Around 7, my mom, Tracey, Allison and Nick finally arrived! It was so nice, and sooo fun having everyone here! pictures from Temple Square. They found a tractor to look at... notice Cohen holding onto Taylor's ears in the lower right corner! :)

We decided to have a Graham family birthday party for Cohen, since everyone would be here... So Tuesday night was Cohen's "pre" birthday! It was so fun having everyone here for it! He was so much fun opening presents!

I made Cohen an ice cream cake, with Buzz Lightyear on top! He LOVES Toy Story! Cohen for some reason, doesn't really like cake and ice cream... so he didn't eat ANY! he just organized the cupcakes, and played with the toothpick flags that were in them! It was very entertaining for us to watch! AND, I was soooo shocked, he blew out his own candles!!! It was sooo cute! He also learned to say "two" when we ask him how old he is... and he holds up two fingers! I need to get a video of it!

After his birthday dinner and desert, we spent the evening outside. It was so nice out, and it was just so fun relaxing and hanging out together.

Since it was Taylor's last night, we had to get pictures with him! So everyone got their one on one pics! What a cute little brother I have!

Taylor needed a hair trim.. so Allie and I went to work with the trimmers! Funny story seeing that pic of Nick and Molly.... after we took Taylor to the MTC, Nick, Allie, Tracey and I went to my in-laws to pick up Cohen and molly. We were playing pool and hanging out in their basement while they slept. After a while, I asked Nick to go check on Molly.

Nick: No

Me: what? why???

Nick: I don't know how!

Me: seriously?? just go see if she's crying!

A little bit later, Nick comes downstairs and doesn't say anything. A few minutes later, I asked Nick:

Me: did you check on molly?

Nick: yeah .... she was awake, and screaming.

Me: what?!!? seriously???

Nick: yeah, she's screaming her head off!

Me: why didn't you get her?!?!

Nick: I didn't want her to think I was her dad!

ha ha!! Oh wow....

Oh, i guess I didn't mention that my dad flew in tuesday afternoon! Oh we just had so much fun!!

After the MTC, we were killing time before I had to go pick up Cohen and Molly, and before my mom had to take my dad back to the airport, so we hung out at Thanksgiving Point. We got ice cream, and walked around the stores there. Sorry for anyone who actually likes shopping there, but the funnest part of those shops, was playing "guess how much this costs"!! :) Some of the stuff there was priced INSANE! But, Tracey found this great find, and bought it for Molly!! SOOOOOOO CUTE!! we just had to have a fashion show that night! Cute little angel!
I just feel so blessed to have such a wonderful, fun and supportive family!! I know you came for Taylor, but thank you for staying with us, and spoiling my kids with love and attention!!!

what am i gonna do with you, kid?!

2010-08-04T15:03:00.002-07:00

Okay, so this post will sound a little silly coming from my last post about the L.O.V.E. I have for Cohen. I just needed to get my frustration out...

Monday I get a call from Jenny (Jeff's sister), asking if we wanted to go to the Sweet's candy factory in SLC! Well I had JUST seen a show on Food Network where they showed that factory, So I was all in! We had just enough people to be in our own tour group.. this was going to be so fun! Heidi and her three kids, Heidi's sis-in-law and her three kids, Jenny and her three kids, and myself with my two kids take off! When we get there, they inform us that we can't take in any 'outside' strollers, no bags, no bottles, no nothin! I honestly thought they were going to make us go in naked, that's how little you could have on!! I didn't know what i was going to do. I knew that Cohen is a handful, so how was I supposed to juggle holding Molly, and chase around Cohen?! So Jenny offered to carry Molly (what a sweetie!). I take everything back to the car, and they offered me an umbrella stroller for Cohen. It was finally our turn for the tour. We enter a room, where they (I'm assuming) explain the tour, give us instructions, and we watch a video. Well first things first, we have to wear blue hair nets! Instantly my heart started racing, I KNEW Cohen wouldn't wear that! So the lady comes by, and tries to talk up this net, making it appealing to Cohen (very sweet), but Cohen would NOT have any of it. Instantly he started screaming. LOUD. Inside i was freaking out. what the HECK was I going to do!? I took him out of the stroller, put him on my lap, and was trying to get this stupid net thing on his head! NOPE. The worker went and got candy to try to bribe him. NOPE. I felt tears building up... finally it broke... I was so frustrated. SOOOOO frustrated. If only he knew what he was going to miss out on, just cause he didn't want to wear some stupid hair NET! So, we left. Jenny helped me carry Molly out, and I put Cohen in his car seat. I cried most of the way home, other than that, there was silence. No music, no dvd player, no talking. NOTHING. I was so frustrated. Obviously I can't be mad at Cohen... he didn't do anything wrong. He is just so stubborn. Seriously... If you think your kid is stubborn, I HIGHLY doubt it. In fact... out of curiosity I looked up the definition of Stubborn....

1 a (1) : unreasonably or perversely unyielding
b : suggestive or typical of a strong stubborn nature
2 : performed or carried on in an unyielding, obstinate, or persistent manner
3 : difficult to handle, manage, or treat

They need a picture of Cohen next to this definition.

Okay, yes, I'm a little frustrated with him... this isn't the first time, and it won't be the last. I love this kid with every ounce of my being. He tests parts of me I didn't know I had! And I guess I'm thankful for that! I just wish that if I want to take him on a candy tour, he'd do it, and be excited about it!!

Dear Cohen...

2010-07-31T22:41:00.003-07:00

2 years ago I fell in love. With the most precious little thing I could ever imagine. Not knowing that the love I felt then, would magnify more and more each day. I feel so blessed every day knowing that I have the blessing of being your mom. Yes, it is certainly hard some days... you are quite the challenge at times... but MAN, you make up for it with your cute little smile and personality!

You seriously have the cutest personality. and you're so funny! You are so passionate about things, and you get so excited when you recognize the sound of an airplane, or a train, or a cow! You make life soooo exciting, and new! You definitely get people's attention with your animal sounds, and your dance moves! And your energy! WOW, You can out run ANYONE... including adults! I hardly even see you walk... you mostly run!

You are so loving, and sweet! You love giving Molly hugs and kisses, and "love" pats! I truly hope you two become the best of friends! You LOVE giving kisses before bedtime, and get really upset if I miss anyone in the room! We just need to work on giving CLOSED mouth kisses! :)

Cohen, I just love you so much. I have so much fun with you. You are truly my little buddy, and I miss you if I'm away from you for even a couple hours! I love hearing you in the morning when you wake up... just chattering. So happy... ALWAYS happy! And when I go in to get you, you are so happy to see me, and it truly melts my heart. you are the most precious thing to me, and I love you more than words can describe. Happy birthday, my sweet little Cohen buns.

Too early to put this kid to work???

2010-07-23T22:35:00.002-07:00

This week I purchased a dirt devil vacuum just for me to use in the kitchen. After Cohen ate lunch, I got the vacuum out, and Cohen came running! He LOVES the vacuum. I have no idea why. Whenever I vacuum with the regular vac, he follows me around, and loves to push the 'on' switch! So this time, when i got the red one out, he was right next to me. So I thought, this is light enough, I bet he could do it! So I had him hold the handle, while I held his hand, and we pushed it around. Then I let go, and he went CRAZY! It was sooooooo cute! I ran and grabbed my phone, and took this fabulous video! Then when I went to put it away, he freaked out. So I wrapped up the cord, and let him push it around in the living room! TOO CUTE! I love this boy!!

My baby girl is 2 months old!!

2010-07-21T22:37:00.003-07:00

My princess buttercup
Geez... next time I post, it will likely be her 16th birthday! It has gone by pretty quickly... And I can't believe how much she's changed just in the last two weeks! She is totally interacting with us now... laughing, talking, following us with her eyes... she's just so darn cute! And growing VERY well!! :) She weighs: 13 lbs, 3 oz putting her in the 95th percentile!!! And she is 23 3/4 inches long putting her in the 90th percentile! I love that she's my chubby little baby, but she is growing out of her clothes WAAY too fast!! Cohen was always a size behind... so we could take advantage of all his cute clothes.

The last three nights she has slept through the night! It has been GLORIOUS! She will fall asleep between 9-10 pm, and then wake up at 7am! LOVELY! She is so much different than Cohen. and I was actually thinking about this last night... While I was in labor with Cohen, he would NOT come out. I pushed for an eternity with him, but he definitely came when HE wanted. And that is soooo how he is. Laid back, but soooooo stubborn. It is his way, or NO way! And so far with Molly, she couldn't WAIT to get here! She came faster than I was ready for! And that's how she is now... she wants what she wants, NOW! If she's hungry... I can't wait a second, if she's tired... whoa! She has a scream like no other scream I have ever heard! It first starts out as a pterodactyl (yes I had to look up the spelling of that! :) ) screech, and then goes to this blood curdling scream in a matter of seconds! She is my high maintenance baby! But I love her none the less! :)

I am just having so much fun with her! And watching the difference between her and Cohen. It is so amazing to me how life works. Coming to this earth, so unaware. I don't know if I'm making sense... It makes sense to me! :) She is so beautiful, and I can't wait to do mommy/daughter stuff with her! And I also can't wait to paint her nails!!!

I love this little girl of mine!

Are you kidding me?!?!?

2010-07-17T13:37:00.002-07:00

Yesterday morning was just like any other morning... Cohen and I were eating breakfast in the kitchen, Cohen was on the bar stool at the counter and I had just put Molly down in her bed upstairs in my room. When he was finished, I went to the sink to get a washcloth to wipe him off. I turn on the faucet, and while i was waiting for the water to warm up, I walked out to the garage to turn the sprinklers on. I start to open the door to come back in the house, when to my surprise, THE DOOR WAS LOCKED! My heart started to race, and I started panicking. I open the garage door, and run to the front door... NOPE, locked as well. WHAT THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO DO NOW?!?!?! I go to the door that goes into the house through the garage, and start talking to Cohen. the distance from that door to where Cohen was sitting, is about four feet... And Cohen doesn't know how to get down off the stool. And he also has no idea how to open a door. So I'm standing there trying to tell Cohen to slide off his chair, and come open the door. Yeah, didn't work too well. I honestly had no idea what the heck I was going to do. So I got into the car, and found one of those Smith's plastic cards, thinking I'll just jimmy the door... yeah, didn't do a darn thing. I ran around the house checking all the windows... NOTHING! I was seriously so frantic. i guess it's a good thing that it's impossible to get into our house! :)

*side note.... our door knobs are soooo stupid... whoever was the genius behind putting those on HOUSE doors, was a true idiot. Not kidding. cause if the door is locked, but you go to open it, it opens... just not from the front. So i didn't think that door was locked, since I could obviously open it. but on the other side, it is locked.*

So then I figured i should go to a neighbors and use their phone. I tell the lady what happens, and she lets me use her phone. I call Jeff... no answer. I call him again... no answer. again... NO ANSWER! I tried him 8 times. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO! The lady didn't have any ideas either. I actually thought of calling the fire department. So then I was thinking, maybe there was one of Jeff's business cards in our car, since there's like a thousand of them laying around the house, thinking I'll just call his work number.

So i check on Cohen, and by this time he's crying. It was absolutely heart breaking. he probably thought I just left him. He was stuck on the stool... with no one around. Ah... just so sad. I start talking to him, acting like nothing's wrong, hoping he won't be scared, or sad. THAT WAS IT, I was going to call the fire department to get me into my house!!!!!!!!!!
I run back to the neighbors, and decide to call Jeff one more time. and he doesn't answer, I'm calling the fire department.... HE ANSWERED!!! hallelujah!!!!!!!!
"YOU NEED TO COME HOME NOW!!!"
"why?"
"CAUSE I'M LOCKED OUT THE HOUSE, AND COHEN'S CRYING!!!!!"
"Did you check the front door?"
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! GET HOME!!!"

So while I was waiting for Jeff, I sat on the step crying, talking to Cohen. He was still crying. I tried singing songs, asking him what animals say, trying to have him tell me about Buzz Lightyear... NOTHING worked. it was sooooooooooo heart breaking. THIS was the worst feeling in the whole world!
Finally Jeff pulls up. I run over and get his keys, go unlock the door, run in and grab my little boy and we just sat on the couch crying and holding each other! Then I hear Jeff in the kitchen ask, "why's the water on???" oh brother.......

Luckily Molly was sleeping this whole time. The rest of the morning, Cohen wouldn't leave my site. He gave me sooo many loves! Oh my sweet little Cohen buns. I am sooo thankful it was not as bad as it could've been.

My growing children...

2010-07-01T08:50:00.007-07:00

Yesterday Cohen had a Dr's appointment. So he was weighed, and measured, and poked... So while we were there, I had Molly weighed and measured too!

Cohen at 23 months weighs: 24 lbs, 11 oz

and is 33 5/8 long! 50th percentile for length, and 10th for weight. He is definitely tall and slender!

Molly at 6 weeks weighs: 12 lbs and is 21 3/8 long! 25th percentile for length, and 90th for weight!!

My little rolly polly!

Molly is quite the change from Cohen! Cohen we had a horrible time nursing... and at her age, he weighed 10 pounds! She on the other hand, is nursing WONDERFULLY!! She's definitely getting enough! :)

oh Cohen..... sigh

2010-06-28T14:47:00.003-07:00

What a cute little fetcher i have. SERIOUSLY. He is soooo sinkin cute. Looks, personality, charm, humor... he's just CUTE! I wish on everything that I own, and wish to own, that he would just sit still for the camera. I have been DYING to try to get him to sit still and hold Molly for a picture. BUT HE WILL NOT. It's not even an option. Every time him and Molly are in a good mood, I try to get a picture. And what I get, is Cohen throwing Molly off his lap. And then Cohen runs off. The closest I can get of a picture of both of them, is Cohen kissing Molly. Which of course is cute, but i have about a million of those pictures! Well, I remembered I took this video when Molly was a few weeks old..... ENJOY!!

Molly's Blessing Day

2010-06-27T14:41:00.010-07:00

My parents and Tracey came into town a few weekends ago. So we decided to bless Molly then. My wonderful, talented mother made Molly (which was really a present for me :) ) a blessing dress! Being as busy as she was with her finals, and getting Taylor ready for his mission, she sewed this GORGEOUS dress. I love it so much, and am so grateful that now she has something to pass on. I love traditions! So here are the pics of her dress...

Her blessing was wonderful. What a special day it was for our little family. Jeff was so sweet. And I'm so grateful to those that were able to be there. We tried to get some family pictures, but of course, Cohen wouldn't have anything to do with it. Hopefully one day, he'll cooperate so we will actually have proof of a family of four!! :)
Here are more pictures from that wonderful day!

Family traditions are something that means so much to me. So luckily we have a very special family tradition we got to carry on with Molly. On top of the sweet blessing dress my mom made, she also wore a blessing dress that has been around for a LONG time! (I really hope i get all this info right!) When my grandpa Graham was in World War II, he flew on the back of a fighter plane. It was shot down, and the parachute he was wearing, saved his life by catching on a tree in Belgium. His mother took that parachute (what was left), and made a gorgeous blessing dress out of it. All of his children, my dad, and his siblings were blessed in it. Then most of their children, my cousins, were blessed in it, and now all our children are being blessed in it! So all my siblings wore it, including me. Cohen, and now Molly have worn it! It's soooo wonderful. I LOVE this tradition so much. Especially cause it all started with my sweet Grandpa.

Here is a picture of Molly wearing the parachute dress, on top of Grandma Lish's dress! Sweetest picture of the day!!

I just remembered something else. A few months before Molly was born, my mom and I were talking about baby blankets. She asked if I had *my* baby blanket. I didn't know what she was talking about. So she told me about my blanket that my grandma Lesamiz made me. A few weeks before I was born, my mom took a trip to stay with her parents. (I hope I get this story right too!) While she was there she starting sewing a baby blanket. She thought I was a boy, so she hurried and finished the boy blanket before she had to go. When I came out a girl, my Grandma made the girl blanket for me! The blanket is absolutely gorgeous, and so precious to me!

Well, after Jeff and I found out we were having a girl, we threw around different middle names, since we were already pretty set on Molly. Lola, being one of them. Well right after i heard this story, I KNEW she needed to be named after my Grandma, for MANY different reasons, but just hearing this story, and knowing Molly would be using the blanket too, IT WAS JUST MEANT TO BE!!! So in the picture above, that is the blanket she is laying on.

and the pictures below is ME, on the day I was blessed!! Wearing the parachute dress, and laying in the same blanket. Ahhhhh I just love it! (sorry the quality of the pictures are bad... I took these two with my phone!)

I am just so thankful for Molly. She is such a little princess, and she sure looked, and acted like one on this day! I love her so much, and I'm so glad she's a part of our family. She is such a blessing.

the reason God created nap time, and cute kids...

2010-06-27T14:13:00.002-07:00

This happened over a week ago... but obviously I'm a little behind in my blogging, so pretend this just happened this morning!

I decided to take Cohen to the library. I feel like Cohen kinda gets shafted, since Molly has been born. Not that I mean to. But we spend most of our days inside. If you knew Cohen, you would understand why.... He has A LOT of energy... so we can't just 'go outside'. It involves A LOT to just 'go outside'! And to haul around a newborn outside just doesn't sound too appealing to me! ANYHOOO... So i decided to take them to the library for story time. We get there right after they already started, so here I am carrying in Molly in the car seat, and Cohen starts running for the little kid's books. I sit down in between two moms, just hoping Cohen will behave in the other room, since story time was in the room where I was. Instantly, Molly starts screaming. Side note: Molly HATES her car seat. I'm not kidding. She could be in the best mood, just have been fed, and the second I put her in her car seat, she screams. And if the car seat stops moving, like putting her in a shopping cart... same thing. So I take Molly out of her car seat, and I'm trying to console her, while Cohen is running all around the library! Thankfully we go to one that is really small. All of a sudden, Molly throws up alllllllllllll over my shirt, and it also lands on the chair next to me, AND on the floor. LOVELY. Then, from around the corner, I can hear Cohen screaming, and banging on the door. So i run over to grab him, while holding Molly, and he is screaming, cause I won't let him out the back door (he can see there's a park behind the library). So finally I give up. I go into the other room to put Molly back in her car seat, while she's screaming, and try to get Cohen. Cohen had a book about farm animals, he would not let go. So I am carrying him in one arm, and molly in the other. We go and check the book out. Well Cohen refused to let the book out of his hands to be scanned. I'm sure the librarian was just so pleased with us... as well as the other mothers there for a peaceful story time!! :) I finally get him in the car. whew.....

This all happened in FIVE MINUTES!!

After we got home and had lunch, I was at my wits end (I actually don't know what that means, but my mom says it!). Finally it was time for nap time. I put Cohen down, I feed Molly and put her down. a little while later, I go check on Cohen and tuck him in. What a flippin sweetie, and cutie pie. I then realized how grateful I am for nap time. Heavenly Father, definitely didn't need to require us to have naps. So I really think they are for Mothers, to re-coup, re-focus, BREATHE. That way when they wake up, we have chilled long enough to forget that we wanted to ship them off somewhere... We are excited to start the next part of the day! And man, its nice that they are stinkin cute!!

Our life the last week...

2010-05-31T20:59:00.003-07:00

I've had requests for more pictures... however, every picture I take of Molly, looks like the one I took a few hours before! :) So here ya go!

Cohen is absolutely adorable with Molly. He loves her so much! We're still trying to teach him to be soft with her... I really think he's going to think her name is "soft" or "gentle"!! He totally talks baby talk to her... and I'm not even sure where he got it from! He always has to make sure to give her kisses before he goes to bed... just so sweet!

We gave Molly a bath last night, and I had an image in my mind on how it was going to go. Not even close! Molly hated it. Cohen was sure cute watching though! He is SUCH a sweet big brother!!! :)

Oh I just love my kids!!!

Molly oh Molly!

2010-05-24T21:40:00.006-07:00

Well we have been home now since saturday afternoon. It has been fun adjusting to a newborn again. She has been a very good little girl! She sleeps well, eats well, and is just so stinkin cute! :) We finally brought Cohen home today. I have missed him soooooooooooo much. I'm not kidding. I think that's been the hardest thing about having a new baby. He has been at Jeff's parent's house since wednesday night, and I just missed him. I want him to feel so loved, and not 'pushed aside'... And I know it's going to be such an adjustment to share my love and my attention to both of my little sweethearts. Everyone kept telling me how big he's going to seem compared to the baby.... and I didn't really feel that way, until today. I was showing Cohen Molly's foot. And then I asked Cohen to show me his foot. And when he grabbed it, It hit me how big Cohen really is! :) It was really cute. And then checking on Cohen tonight after he fell asleep... what a big boy he is! Oh my gosh I love him so much.

I am going to try to get some pictures of Cohen with Molly tomorrow. He just acts so fast, that there's no way i can get one with her! So here are some of Molly.

This is right before we left the hospital. Auntie Allie sent her this outfit, and it was a perfect 'going home' outfit! :)

A cute little smile from a cute little girl. On the way home!

Our sweet little Molly

2010-05-21T09:13:00.004-07:00

Well she is here. It is still pretty surreal that I have this precious little baby laying right next to me right now. I am a mother of two! sooo crazy. Everything went so much better than I could have ever anticipated.

Tuesday morning, at my weekly check, I was dilated to 5 cm! I was shocked, and I'm pretty sure everyone else was too. My midwife started laughing cause it was just so crazy! At my appointment, she told me not to wait to go to the hospital as soon as I started feeling painful contractions, cause I wouldn't have time to wait! She said not to brush my teeth, not to do my hair, not even time the contractions! So it kinda freaked me out a little. I felt like I couldn't leave the house, in fear that I would go into labor, and I wouldn't make it to the hospital in time! So Wednesday afternoon, I called my midwife and asked what she recommended. She gave me the option of being induced. I really didn't want to be induced (before being a 5 so fast), but I was too stressed out about not making it to the hospital... so I took it.

Thursday night, I couldn't sleep at all. And then all morning I was on edge, waiting for the call for me to go have the baby. At 10:30 am, they called and said they were ready for me to come in at 11:30! It was the WEIRDEST feeling.... oh hey, let's go have a baby now!! So we got to the hospital, checked in, got in my lovely gown, answered a million billion questions, and then my midwife came in and checked me. I was dilated to a 6 1/2!!! It was so crazy!! all the nurses couldn't believe it! So at 1 pm they started the pitocin, an hour later they gave me an epidural, an hour after that I was dilated to a ten, and at 4:50 pm I started pushing!! TWENTY FIVE minutes after pushing, Molly was welcomed! So from start to finish I was in labor for 4 hours and 15 minutes! A WAAAAY different experience than with Cohen! It was just wonderful.

Her name is Molly Lola. Lola is my grandma's name. A woman I truly admire. So I am honored to name my baby girl after my wonderful grandmother! I know that my grandma was in heaven, preparing Molly to join our family. And I hope she inherits some of the wonderful traits that has been passed down through me, to her!

She weighed 8 pounds, 10 ounces and is 18 inches long. Which I found out last night, that's how much I weighed when I was born, as well as her aunties, Allie and Tracey! Just wanted to keep the tradition alive I guess! :) She has light hair, I would almost say blonde! With blonde eyebrows and blonde eye lashes! She is so sweet! And she is doing a WONDERFUL job nursing!! It's been amazing! A true night and day difference with Cohen. Speaking of Cohen....

Last night we had many visitors! Jeff's whole family came: Nick, Jessica, Jenny, Brock, Bob and Gail... and of course they brought my mister Cohen buns. OH MY GOSH how I missed him. As soon as he walked in the door he started crying. So it was pretty hard. All I wanted to do was snuggle him, and give him kisses, but he wouldn't even come near me. After a while of being here, he finally would go to the baby, and give her kisses, and point to her, and at one point he gave her a lovely big brother poke in the face!! :) So hopefully today he'll act a little better, and give me some loves, cause I definitely miss his loves!

Jeff has been absolutely wonderful. He was a great labor coach for me, and he's just sooooo sweet with Molly. It's just so cute seeing him snuggle her, and talk to her. It's the best!! :) I can't wait to see if she's a daddy's girl! He has been also wonderful taking care of me, and waiting on me!

I feel so blessed to be a mother. To have welcomed a beautiful, healthy, precious baby girl. I am so thankful to my heavenly Father for blessing me with the family that I have. My husband, my sweet Cohen, and precious Molly. And also for my family and Jeff's family. For all of their love and support. I am so excited for this new chapter in our life!!

Long time, eh?

2010-05-11T20:36:00.003-07:00

Holy cow, has it been a LONG time since I've been on here. So much has been going on... and everytime I think about updating this, I keep thinking how many pictures I need to post, and blah blah blah... and then I get overwhelmed, and just give up! So there will not be any pictures tonight... HEY, at least I'm doing this much!

We are moved, and almost fully moved in! We love this house! It's so cute, and it's perfect for Cohen! We have a gigantic backyard, that Cohen just loves! His other favorite place in the house, is the garage... go figure! We let him just run around in there, and he just laughs and laughs! On saturday, we spent most of the morning outside doing yard work! Jeff mowed the lawn, while I dug out all the weeds to get my flower bed ready! I didn't get much done, running after Cohen, and keeping him out of the street... but it was still nice to just be outside! Right across the street from our house, is a huge field with over 35 cows (yes, I've counted)!! Cohen absolutely loves it! So we are constantly listening to him moooing! :)

Cohen is still as cute as ever... learning more and more things each day. He now does the sound for an elephant and pigs! AND on saturday, he learned what a bug was and proudly says BUG! I'm feeling as though that we're entering into the "terrible two's" We won't get into that right now though!

So we have 13 days until I'm due! CRAZY!! Yesterday at my appointment, I was dilated to 3 cm! She actually thinks I'm more than that, but the exam was pretty painful... so we ended it with that! I can't believe I'm THAT far a long already! It kinda freaks me out a little, and makes it soooo real. So I've been a little on edge last night, and today. I washed her onesies, and blankets and such today, and got the car seat ready.... I just can't believe this time is here already! I can't wait to meet our little girl though.

I guess that's really it for now. I'll try and post pictures soon... And of course I'll keep you updated on this baby!

...Baxter...

2010-04-13T21:13:00.005-07:00

We brought Baxter into our home almost 3 years ago. He has been the best cat for us! We spoiled that cat like crazy! Completely treating him like our child. When Cohen was born, Baxter kinda got put on the back burner.... not on purpose, but Cohen obviously was our first priority. We didn't give him the attention that we had before Cohen joined our family. With the new baby coming soon, we thought maybe it was time to give him to a family that will give him the attention that we used to give him. Then with finding the house that we will be renting, they told us that we can't have a cat.

Last night I put an ad on KSL (kinda like craigslist), for Baxter, and instantly we got phone calls, and e-mails! I couldn't believe it! We were so afraid that it would take forever to find a good home for him. So tonight a really nice family came over, and played with him, And instantly fell in love with him. We felt really good about that family. Then they left to think about it, and another family came over. They wanted him too. We felt a little better about the first family, so we gave him to them. that's it... in less than 24 hours, of us deciding for sure to give him away... he was gone. :(

We will truly miss Baxter. He has been such a great kitty, besides the sudden attacks on me..... But it's been soooo cute to watch Cohen chasing him around the house, and drive cars along Baxter's back! WE LOVE YOU BAXTER!!!!

These pictures were taken while we were waiting for the family to come back to get him. I'm glad we got an hour or so to spend with him, so we could say goodbye. Cohen was being so cute with him. So we have some very sweet memories....

Out with cars... in with Tractors!!!

2010-04-08T14:37:00.003-07:00

Cohen has a new obsession. Where this obsession came from, we really don't know. But he is unbelievably obsessed with tractors and dump trucks! Anytime we drive by one, he freaks out, points, and does his "Cohen talk"! He started saying tractor yesterday too! Last night, he got to pick out a tractor to take home. Well it hasn't left his side. It took a bath with him, it did story time with him, and it went to bed with him. When I went to check on him last night, this is what I found...

Yes, the tractor was still in his hand. If you notice the pillowcase... I made that for him the other day after he freaked out at the fabric store, when I showed him the fabric! My cute little boy!

(Just a side note... I've been posting a lot of pictures of him sleeping lately... the reason is because I can't ever get a picture of him looking at me. So at least I can get one of him sleeping, not moving!)

One year ago today!

2010-04-06T21:03:00.002-07:00

I was going through all the pictures that I need to post, and found this collage that I made exactly one year ago. I CAN NOT believe how much Cohen has changed. It's sooo cute. But so sad, to think how fast he is growing up. This day was the first time Cohen ever went on a swing!

You are welcome!

My Best Friend's Wedding!

2010-04-06T20:04:00.004-07:00

Okay, yes, a VERY good movie... but also the greatest weekend ever!!! Words can NOT express how excited I was when i got the text message of the picture of Courtney's engagement ring!! Instantly I knew, I HAD to be in California for her wedding! Courtney and I have been friends since we were 19, living in Provo as roommates. So, for 8 years, we have been the greatest friends! I love her dearly! So I was over the moon when she told me she was getting married! March 18th, I left for Sacramento, California... which by the way, was the longest time I had EVER left Cohen.... :( But it was for a good thing.

I got there Thursday afternoon, and we got the festivities started!

I met Blake, the day before the wedding. I could have not picked a more perfect guy for Courtney! They are so unbelievably cute together! When he was in the room, no one else existed (in a good way!)!!!! I am just so thrilled for them! The sealing was perfect, and I am soooo thankful I was able to be there for that.

Courtney looked absolutely breathtaking. Her dress was sooooo adorable, everything just was perfect. Well i guess i should say it became perfect! The morning of her wedding, Courtney left at about 8:30 to get her hair done. Courtney's sister Brooke, Beth (bridesmaid), Rachael (friend), myself, and the rest of Court's family were all at home getting ready. Courtney had a very hard time finding the place, but when she finally found it, they had lost her appointment! So she ran somewhere else. But they told her that no one there was really experienced with up-do's! So she had no choice, but to have them do it. Well I'm downstairs getting ready, and like a herd of animals, all the girls are running down the stairs, yelling for me! I run out of the bathroom, and they tell me to grab all my stuff, that we need to go fix courtney!! All we knew, is that Courtney called crying, saying how awful her hair is. So we all jump in the car (Beth, Brooke, Rachael, and myself) and drive up to Folsom (where the temple is). LONG story short, we finally got to her hair AFTER the sealing, in the bride's room. Rachael was doing her hair, Beth was touching up her makeup, and I was laying on the floor painting her toenails! Pretty awesome. All in all, everything turned out great!!

I wish Courtney and Blake the best of the BEST wishes!

I love you so much Court! I'm so proud of you,

and SOOOOO happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vegas!

2010-04-06T19:35:00.000-07:00

So I've been a little lazy in the posting department.... Here are pictures from the trip to Vegas! The end of January, I went with my Aunt Jan, and two cousin's Ashley and Angie. We left friday morning, and came home sunday night! It was sooooooo much fun! It was a MUCH needed trip! I LOVE Vegas! I think it's sooooo much fun!

All you need is L.O.V.E!!!

Finally!!! I got to see the Bellagio fountain in action!! It was truly breathtaking.

Inside the Venetian.

Sunday morning, before we left, Ashley and I went to the Siegfried & Roy Secret Garden at the Mirage. We didn't really know what to expect before we went in, but we LOVED it! The dolphins were so stinkin cute, and so were the baby tigers! I'm really glad we decided to go.

It was a great trip, minus the LOONNNNGGGG trip down, due to Ashley's car sickness! :) Although, very memorable! Ohhhhh... I forgot one other thing that we did! We were totally paparazzi while we were there! Kim Kardashian was there promoting her perfume. Ashley, i guess, is totally in love with her! So we stood outside Sephora, and took pictures of her for like an hour! Even though I'm not a fan... it was still really fun.

Imperfections are life's little perfections...

2010-04-04T20:24:00.002-07:00

I sewed a blanket for Cohen before he was born. It was really my first sewing project since my high school's textiles class! My friend helped me with it, and we did it in one night. I love that blanket. But if you look closely at it, it's horrible!! Half the squares don't match up, and the binding is sewn on crooked, and now there are pieces coming apart! My mom asked me, "do you think Cohen even cares?!" And of course he doesn't. And actually the parts that are falling apart, are his favorite places to hold on to it. When he was a wee little thing, he would always reach for the yarn pieces and play with them until he fell asleep. And now, whenever he snuggles with the blanket, he will search with his tiny little hand, all over the blanket, until he finds the rip in the binding. He wraps that piece around his cute little fingers. And a few inches from that tear, is a piece of fabric coming undone creating a hole. He will stick his whole hand in that hole, and play with the batting! It is the sweetest thing. I have thought many MANY times that I should re-do the binding so it doesn't look so bad, but what on earth would Cohen do when he goes to feel for the tear, and it isn't there??!?

So for now, it will stay....

Oh daddddddy....

2010-03-17T12:34:00.004-07:00

Yesterday I was soooo spoiled by my brothers and sisters, and had a prenatal massage! They gave me a gift certificate for my birthday! It was fabulous! That aside, while I was gone, I left Cohen with a friend of mine, that lives in the same cul-de-sac me. When I went to pick him up... I walked in the door, Cohen took one look at me, and started running the other way! I told him it was time to leave, and he threw himself on the floor kicking and screaming!! I couldn't believe it!!! Usually when I pick him up from somewhere, he gets so excited to see me. So then I tell Cohen that Daddy's home, so let's go see dad! He immediately gets up, runs over to me, reaches for me to pick him up, and then starts reaching for the door, saying daddy!!! WOW! Chantille and I couldn't stop laughing! I couldn't believe it!!! I guess he won't even notice that I'm gone all weekend!! I'm leaving tomorrow morning for Sacramento for my friend's wedding, and won't be back until Sunday. Yeah, I guess Cohen won't miss me as much as I will miss him!! :)

What's up with the Longs?!

2010-02-21T18:53:00.002-08:00

Well I will tell you what's up. Not too BIG of things have been happening... just life, really. But I figured it was time for an update.

Cohen is getting better and better at animal sounds. When we ask where an animal is in a book, he is quick to point, and make their sound! It's pretty stinkin cute, if you ask me.... He knows Cow, sheep, horse (although still gets them confused with cows), cat, dog, and just recently learned chicken! Which is really cute, cause he says "bock bock" really loud, when I ask what a chicken says! :) He absolutely LOVES going to nursery! In fact, today, while we were waiting to walk into the nursery room, he was struggling so hard to get out of my arms! And his leaders say he's soo good in there! Which has been truly a blessing for me, cause I have truly LOVED going to class now! Especially Relief Society.

Cohen and I went on a little date night friday night. Jeff had a bunch of stuff he needed to do to get ready for his YM's activity for saturday morning... so I decided to take Cohen to the Legacy center, which is a huge family rec center. Probably comparable to the YMCA?? I'm guessing. But they have a GIGANTIC indoor swimming pool, with a HUGE play structure in the middle. This is where I took Cohen for swimming lessons last summer. Anyhooooo... As soon as we walked into the pool area, Cohen FREAKED out. He clung to me, and wouldn't let go! It was sooo weird! It had been awhile since we had taken him swimming... but man, I was NOT expecting that reaction! So we walked into the shallow end of the pool, and we just walked around. I was just trying to get him used to it. He wouldn't stop whining, and he definitely was NOT going to let me go! We spent the majority of the time in the deeper part, just swimming around. Occasionally I would stand him on the edge, and have him jump in. He really liked that. So I guess we will be going there a lot more often, to get him used to it! I think in April, we're going to start swim lessons again. I wanted to do it before the baby is born.

Speaking of baby... Holy moly is she a mover! Today in relief society, my friend and I were comparing bellies (she's due 5 weeks before me). We weren't comparing size, we were comparing MOVEMENT!! It was insane! She's having a girl too! This pregnancy has definitely been different then with Cohen. For one, I can still full on button my pants. I'm 27 weeks, and most the time I'm yanking my pants up! With Cohen, I swear I had to start wearing maternity pants at like 17-18 weeks! weird.......... We are getting sooooooooo excited to welcome a girl into our family! My mom has sent a ton of baby clothes, and so has Allie. It's just been so fun! I've been making a lot of baby stuff, like burp cloths, and barrettes. My next project will be her quilt.

Jeff and I spoke in Sacrament meeting today. It was weird, cause on wednesday night, my friend Shanda, and I were hanging out, and she was telling me that we was speaking in church at the end of the month. So we spent a lot of time talking about it, and i was giving her my thoughts on the topic... and then I mentioned that I thought it was weird that Jeff and I hadn't spoke yet in our ward, since we've been in it for like ten months! Well I totally jinxed myself, cause friday morning we got a call asking us to speak! I think it went really well though. Jeff did a great job! He spoke on the 8th article of faith, and I did the 9th. Jeff's sister, Jessica came so she could watch Cohen while we spoke, and I'm SOOOO glad that she did. Cause Cohen decided not to take a nap today before church, (he spent an hour and half chattering to himself in his crib!) so he was insane during sacrament meeting. Jessica spent the whole time out in the halls! So THANK YOU Jessica!!

Ummm... what else?? oh, fun fact for ya! It was a shocker to me.... Cohen was weighed on wednesday, and he weighs 22 pounds!!!! I could NOT believe it. he's in the tenth percentile for his weight. And don't remember his height... maybe 32-33 inches long?? I didn't write it down. I was too shocked about his weight! :)

Alright, well I guess that's our update for now!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-15T21:16:00.005-08:00

I first just want to say how much I love the boys in my life!! My sweet husband, and my sweet little boy!

We kinda celebrated Valentine's Day in three days! It started Friday at lunch time, when Jeff came home for lunch, and brought me flowers!! I LOVE flowers, and Jeff knows how much I love to arrange them, so he picked out three different bouquets of flowers for me to arrange! I loved it!! :)

I decided that I would do our family Valentine's dinner on friday. So I decided to copy the recipe for Pasta Milano from Macaroni Grill! Oh my gosh, it turned out sooooooo yummy!!! I even did the bread loaf with olive oil, and we also had Cesar salad. I was just very pleased with how everything turned out! However........... while I was making dinner, I was feeling REALLY sick. So about five minutes into dinner, I had to leave the table and go lay down. It was awful! But sweet Jeff, finished dinner with Cohen, and then cleaned the kitchen!

Saturday night, Cohen went to his Grandma & Grandpa's, so Jeff and I could go to our ward Valentine's Day party. It was very fun! They had it decorated like Paris! I wish I would have taken pictures! It really looked awesome! They served yummy soup, with bread bowls, salad, cheese and crackers.... .and a chocolate fountain!! Then they had a dance! It was actually quite uncomfortable slow dancing, with my big belly.... but it was still fun!

Over all, it was a very successful, love filled Valentine's weekend! ya know, I'm not really big into the whole "valentine's day" hoopla, like spending a lot of money, or going out to dinner and stuff like that... but I do think it's fun to spend a day devoted to showing your love for those in your life. So I hope everyone else had a wonderful Valentine's Day! And at least got a hug from someone!! :)

Cohen in a box...

2010-02-15T21:06:00.004-08:00

We received a very special package in the mail on friday... a package from Grandma Lish & Grandpa Brent!! When we opened it, on top was a VERY cute little outfit for Cohen! he was very excited, he started carrying it around! Then the rest of the package was filled with new baby clothes for their future granddaughter! Oh it was sooo much fun! The clothes were in a very cute pink polka-dotted box. Cohen had a blast putting the clothes in the pink box, and closing the lid. Then he realized he could FIT in the box!

So here he is, in his new outfit, playing in the box!

Thanks Mom and Dad for such a fun package!!!!

Best hour of my life....

2010-02-15T13:15:00.002-08:00

This morning at 3:47 am, Jeff and I were awaken by Cohen crying. I literally ran into his room to get him. It was really sad. I haven't heard him cry in the middle of the night for a VERY long time! So I get him out of his crib, and try to snuggle him and soothe him to stop crying. He wouldn't stop! We rocked together for about 15 minutes, and I just loved this. If you know Cohen, you would know that he does NOT snuggle. He won't just wrap up in my arms and snuggle with me, or anyone. So this was heaven! So after awhile of him calming down, but not going back to sleep, I decided to try to lay in bed with him. He has NEVER let me do this, except for when he was nursing as a baby! We climbed into my bed next to Jeff, and instantly Cohen stopped crying, and he just layed there snuggled in my arms. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.................... It was absolutely wonderful! He started to fall asleep, which was sooo cute, cause I could feel his little foot twisting around while he was falling asleep. By this time I needed to go to the bathroom, and blow my nose... but I wasn't going ANYWHERE! So after about an hour of wonderful, heavenly bliss, Cohen decided it was playtime!

So at 4:32 am, I put Cohen back in his crib, and he went to sleep.

I want them back!!!!

2010-02-11T21:23:00.005-08:00

My baby's curls, that is!

I am truly sooo sad about this. I came across this picture tonight.... and I almost started crying. He had the most gorgeous curls. And now THEY'RE GONE. :( We cut his hair, cause it was looking really shaggy... not 'cool' shaggy... I don't even know the right word to describe how bad it was getting. Don't get me wrong... cause his hair has become soooo thick, and it's such a cute little "boy's" haircut... but COME ON! Those curls are just ridiculous!!!!

Yes, I love his hair now... but I'm afraid after cutting the curls off... that they will never grow back!! Please grow back.....

Nursing cover....

2010-02-11T20:51:00.002-08:00

So this is my latest project... I made this nursing cover for Jenny!! I'm pretty proud of myself, and I think it turned out great! Not to brag, I just feel like I'm a verrrry 'beginner' sewer, so if I can complete something that looks somewhat normal, I'm proud of myself!! :) I just LOVE the little pocket!

ummmmm... what?!

2010-02-03T19:41:00.002-08:00

Tonight Jeff, Cohen and I had dinner over at Jenny & Keith's. Half way through dinner, all the boys were playing in the bedrooms, while the adults finished. Well out runs Braydon, saying... "Cohen's on Brock's Bed! Cohen's on Brock's bed!!!!" Keith immediately jumps up and runs down the hall. After thinking for a sec, I ask... "wait, which one is Brock's bed?!" And Jenny jumps up and says, "the TOP bunk!!" So we all start running into the bedroom!! I run in, and sure enough, Cohen is jumping on Brock's bed! The TOP bed! I didn't know whether to be scared, and mad, or praise him!!! It was soooo funny though! So Keith brought him down, and right away, Cohen went for the ladder again! So we got to see first hand what he did when no one was in the room!!! Oh my goodness.... The video is kinda dark, but you get the idea!

What a little monkey!!! :)

31 Days of being thankful: day 23

2010-01-31T08:44:00.002-08:00

I am thankful for Sundays. For several reasons..... First, Sunday's are the ONLY day of the week i get to sleep in. Jeff gets up with Cohen, and I sleeeeeeep! And ever since our church changed times to 1 PM (yuck)... we have been waking Cohen up around 7:15, so that we can give him a nap before church. So my sweet hubby even gets up early on Sunday, just so I can sleep!

I love that we are 'forced' to do absolutely nothing on Sundays! It's our chance to relax, and prepare for the crazy week. And I love that I can stay in my PJ's all day (except for church, duh) and I don't have to feel lazy about it!

I will admit that I haven't had that great of time at church the last, oh let's just say 6 months! It's been really hard with Cohen... so I hardly even make it to class, and if I do, I spend my time entertaining him, or chasing him around. And I know, i know, EVERYONE has their opinion about nursery.... but DANG IT, I'm excited for today!!! He is going to nursery, without me this time, and I get to go to class!!! We will see how he does...

So i am thankful for the sabbath day, that we can relax, mingle at church, and just take it easy.

home ec. 101

2010-01-30T19:37:00.003-08:00

So my wonderful mother got me a sewing machine for Christmas!! I have wanted one for a very long time... so it has been VERY fun! For my first project, I made an apron, and hot pads for my cousin, for her bridal shower gift! I am so proud of myself! I think they turned out pretty good for my first thing on my own!

Stay tuned for many many more fun things! Oh I feel so crafty! :)

I'm just a little behind....

2010-01-29T22:55:00.002-08:00

.... But I'm still Thankful!!!

Okay, well yes, I've gotten a little behind in my "Thankful" mission... I've actually been busy this week!! I know!!!! Weird........ But I have tons of things going around in my head that I need to blog about, so, I might... MIGHT, be going into February with this. Sorry... but at least I'll finish the "31 days"! Thanks for your patience!

1.5 years.....

2010-01-29T22:15:00.003-08:00

Today marks a very special day for my little cocobuns, my punky dunks.... Today he is 18 months old! A YEAR AND A HALF!!! Wowzas! He is no longer a 'baby'. And on sunday, he officially starts nursery! What a big boy he is! SUCH a little man. And I am having a BLAST with him! Yes, he's a challenge some days, but then he makes up for it after his nap, or the next day. :)

He is now understanding what things are, and where they are. Like when we need to get ready to go, and I'm asking where his shoes are... he's off running in the other room, and brings back the shoes he wants to wear! And when we need to get his coat on, he is soooo excited to find his coat and bring it to me! It is definitely frustrating at times when I wish he would just talk... but he has no problem coming and getting me, and pointing to the things he wants, or needs. His favorite place now, is the pantry, cause he knows EXACTLY where the "nack" (snacks) are!

He is sooo stinkin smart, I don't know where he gets it sometimes! He LOVES reading. L.O.V.E.S it. I just love watching him when he's looking at books, or while we're reading to him. Just wondering what he is thinking. The one thing I think he loves just as much, if not more... is DANCING! Oh my gosh. Anything will get him moving! I don't know where he's getting his love of books, but I DO know where he gets his love of dancing/music! While we are snuggling watching cartoons in the morning, he starts clapping, or moving his head back and forth. In the car, he is bouncin around to the beat. While we're singing to him, while he's watching his cousins playing Guitar Hero, he is a rock star!! Oh my gosh, TRUE dancer, for sure!

He is so sweet, and soooo funny. He makes his dad and I VERY happy. He is going to be such a great big brother! I can't wait! I am so grateful he is apart of our family. And that I have the chance to be his mother.

Happy HALF birthday Sweet COHEN BUNS!!!!!!!!

yesterday i was trying to take pictures of him, cause I really didn't have real recent ones of him. Especially after his haircut.... I was in the closet looking for something, and I found his jumper!! So I thought I'd try it out! He didn't really care for it that much. He REALLY liked it when I would push him in it, like a swing!
Cohen loves his closet. Why? I have no idea. But I walked in there looking for him, and I saw his little fingers sticking out of the sliding door! And this is what I found!

31 Days of being thankful: day 22

2010-01-23T12:50:00.002-08:00

I am thankful for beautiful surroundings. It snowed last night, and when Jeff and I were looking outside at it, it was just sooooo pretty! Everything white and pure, and the sky was so bright from the reflection. Then today, while we were driving on the freeway, all the trees were completely covered in snow. And it was just soooo beautiful! Jeff even mentioned it! :)

I'm just thankful that we have beautiful things to look at, and be surrounded by on a daily basis. I know I take those things for granted, but I'm truly thankful for that. I remember going on road trips when I was younger... and my mom and I would always point out really pretty things. I loved that. I hope you point things out in the car when you see them, even if you sound silly!

Thank you beautiful snow!

31 Days of being thankful: day 21

2010-01-23T12:45:00.002-08:00

I am thankful for diapers. One, they're just great; two, they are just so cute on a naked body; and three, I couldn't imagine it any other way. I know there are mom's who prefer cloth diapers.... I'm sorry, but that's gross, and WAY more work than it needs to be... MY OPINION! :) I thank my mother who had to change my cloth diaper, since they didn't have disposables back then! Sorry Mom! I can't wait for the day until I don't have to change them anymore... but until then, I am truly thankful that we live in a time with disposable diapers!!

31 Days of being Thankful: day 20

2010-01-21T22:45:00.003-08:00

I am thankful for medicine, specifically the kind I can take while pregnant. Let's talk about heartburn........................... okay, some people get mad at me cause I don't get "sick" while I'm pregnant. No, I don't throw up, lucky me..... but do YOU GET HEARTBURN?!?!?! HOLY CRAP, it's the worst thing in the world. At least if you're nauseous, it will somewhat go away if you throw up. Well my chest constantly feels like it's ON FIRE. And at any instant I will breath out fire. The reason I am bringing this up, is cause I'm about to go upstairs and take wonderful heartburn medicine. But while I am sitting here, I want to die!

So thank you antacids, for taking away the pain that is in my chest.

31 Days of being Thankful: day 19

2010-01-21T22:37:00.002-08:00

I am thankful for my recliner. Oh my goodness it is comfortable! I worked hard to buy it too! A couple months before Cohen was born, I helped my mom with a garage sale. For two days we worked. And maybe people knew I was in need of a rocking chair, cause I sold a TON of stuff! Well with all my earnings from the garage sale, Jeff and I went straight to Costco, and purchased this wonderful cushy rocking recliner. It was wonderful to end my pregnancy with, to use while I was up with Cohen (during the day, and at night), and now it's been fantastic during this pregnancy to rest in during the day. Ahhhh....

Thank you chair, you've been a wonderful companion.

31 Days of being Thankful: day 19

2010-01-20T21:27:00.005-08:00

I am thankful for good tv shows. And I suppose for the not so great ones too, cause I guess that makes for good entertainment! But seriously... no, my life does not revolve around TV, but it's nice to have some good entertainment once and awhile! Oh, and I guess while we're on the subject, I'm thankful for DVR's!! Oh, I can't imagine my life without one! And for those of you who are thinking, "wow, that's sad that this lady can't live without a DVR!" Well what I say to you, is you've probably never had one, or you'd be thinking the same thing! The way I see it, is the tv doesn't own me, I own IT! I watch the shows *I* want, when *I* want. And without commercials!! it's brilliant.

Okay, lets get back to the shows! I love the shows that make me laugh so hard it hurts, and cry cause I feel their pain (or happiness), or it sucks me in, cause it reminds me of my family. See, I don't read books. I WISH I did... I just don't. I can't stand reading. So i watch tv!

31 Days of being Thankful: day 18

2010-01-19T20:29:00.002-08:00

Today I've had just one of those days. When you think everything is going wrong.... Well so today I am thankful for trials. It's a funny way the Lord blesses us everyday. And sometimes you don't think of them as "blessings" but as "punishments", Am I right?? Well it was interesting today, cause this first half of the day started out really poopy. But then I spent mid-day spending time with one of my best friends. I guess you could call it "service" but I was just thinking of it as hanging out with a friend that is on bed rest, and could probably use some company. Once I got to her house, I didn't even think twice about my stupid, petty, little problems that were going on in my head.... I was too concerned about helping her out.

When anything bad happens, you always think, "WHY ME?!?!?!" at least I do. Well ya know what... "WHY NOT YOU!??" I know that the Lord gives all of us different trials, because he knows that we can handle them. He knows that we will get through it, and figure it out. Yes it sucks, but man, we are just so much better because of it. And hopefully we learn from it, and just move on.

So I am thankful that we have "not-so-great" days every now and again... just to put us back on track.

31 Days of being Thankful: day 17

2010-01-18T20:28:00.003-08:00

I am thankful for oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. They make me happy. I'm thankful that I found the BEST recipe for them too! I guess this would be a guilty pleasure of mine. Even better than the cookies themselves, is the cookie dough. Which actually kinda sucks right now, since I can't have cookie dough due to the pregnancy.... (don't understand that one, actually). But the cookies are just fabulous. They make people happy when I make them, therefore, makes me happy, which is why I am thankful for them! :)

The Long Crew

Good golly, Miss Molly

Homemade laundry detergent

Mama's Christmas song...

Hello! Nice to meet you!

Punkin Patch!

little ouchie

Cohen the little school boy...

The crayon ar-teest....

Cohen's first day of pre-school

my blueberry pickin' farm boy

Check it out!!

Coco buns becomes Cohen

Princess Mollykins @ 15 months old

SUM·MER·TIME - noun - \sə-mər-ˌtīm\

from the mouth of babes...

summer fun

potty training update

Mini Book Of Mormon covers

My friend is cooler than your friend!

poop & pee and everything in between....

Where have you gone?!

Family trip to Lincoln City - June 4, 2011

Happy 1st Birthday Molly!!! (part 1)

Old McDonald had a farm...

Where do I begin?!

I'M BACK!!!

the kiddos, and such...

Life Lesson #3

Life Lesson #2

Life Lesson #1

Molly update

Dear Cohen & Molly...

a new start...

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 23

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 22

Life as a 2 year old

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 21

My 6 month old princess....

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 20

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 8

30 Days of being Thankful: day 7

30 Days of Being Thankful: day 6

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 5

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 4

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 3

30 Days of Being Thankful: day 2

30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 1

Tillamook Cheeeeeeeese

Stats

"Cohen is soooo cool!"

hmmm.... what's this?!

Cute little Cohen buns

pumpkin patch 2010

5 Months!

Beautiful sound of laughter

my 4 month chunky monkey

Cohen's 'Big Boy' bed!

What a wonderful day!

My little princess...

Cohen's 2nd Birthday!

Elder Tay Tay Bugs

...oregon family comes for a visit...

what am i gonna do with you, kid?!

Dear Cohen...

Too early to put this kid to work???

My baby girl is 2 months old!!

Are you kidding me?!?!?

My growing children...

oh Cohen..... **sigh**

Molly's Blessing Day

the reason God created nap time, and cute kids...

Our life the last week...

Molly oh Molly!

Our sweet little Molly

Long time, eh?

...Baxter...

Out with cars... in with Tractors!!!

One year ago today!

My Best Friend's Wedding!

oh Cohen..... sigh