Zoo Pix

Too Big For The Swing!!

Yes, my first thought when I saw this was to run and get the camera, but that was before I saw that her foot was stuck! I put Karah in the swing, BUCKLED her in, and went to go to the bathroom. I was gone for about 2 minutes when I heard her start to cry but didn't think anything of it because she always cries when I leave the room. Besides, I was kind of occupied with helping Jay. I come into the living room to this. She THREW herself out of the swing!! She was buckled in tight! The lining of the swing came out with her! I could not believe it! She loves that thing, and so do we, but it looks like it will have to retire until the next kid...

Sibling Rivalry...

Jayden found Mommy's marker stash, and luckily Mommy found out before too much damage was done. I came in to Karah screaming bloody murder, and Jay holding her head while he drew on her. Karah, though innocent, wasn't...apparently he let her hold the open marker, trying to teach her how to color on paper, and she waved it around and got him in the face. He took the marker from her and was getting her back. Gotta love washables!!

Impersonating Aggie...

This is Jayden on Trash Day. The boy LOVES cars, trucks, airplanes, trains...you name it... so, on Wednesday mornings this is what happens. Daddy leaves for work, and Jay waits for the 3 different trucks that come by. He commentates on what each truck is doing, what color bin they are picking up, and he counts the bins, too. I was watching him one day and it reminded me of Aggie, and her self-designation of the Neighborhood Squirrel Watch, only Jayden is the Trash Commentator.

Places To Go, People To See!!!

We broke out the "Wee-car" the other day, and as you can see, it was a hit with both kids. It was cold outside, but Jay had been BEGGING to go outside. We warned him it was cold, but he did not care. So, we bundled up the kids and out we went. We stuck Karah in as a joke to Jay, but he loved sharing the car with her and driving her places. He was actually kind of upset when we tried to take her out. He loves that little car. We have to "dwive" everywhere. He even begs us to let him drive to Isaac's house when we go! (He lives next door!!)

Home-girl...

She is getting so big!! And funny!! She loves music, hanging out in her swing, and trying to walk. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, she is getting there. She moves along the couch, and has even let go a few times. She will sometimes keep a hold with one hand and bend down to pick up a toy. She is a mover-and-a-groover! Grandma, be prepared for her to take to the stairs when you get here...she's been eyeing them for a while and finally tried it last night! She has a bedtime now, too!! WHOO-HOO!! No more staying up till 3 am with her! We put her down at 8, and she cries a little until 8:10, and then nothing. I can so handle that! I thought that it would be a nightmare trying to get her on a schedule, but nope! All is well!

His Mommy's Son...

Does this look familiar, Double-G? I know that Jay is not sporting a diaper-only wardrobe, and he has an actual toy vacuum instead of a push-popper, but this little guy LOVES to vacuum just the same! Any time he sees the slightest speck on the carpet, it is time to "baboom da foor." We pick up the toys so that they won't be "baboomed," he points to the offending specks while I "baboom", and then he makes sure that I got the speck by going over it again. After we are done, I put my vacuum away, and he makes sure his is put away right next to mine. This is his favorite job, and I love his help!!

Late Easter Pics...

We had so much fun this Easter, and I know that these pics are late. Sue me. Anyway, these are of Jay and HIS candy hunt. We were on our way to the South Jordan Easter Candy hunt and we had gone to the wrong park first. We weren't running late, just close. We were on the phone with Randy and Lecia, who were already there with their kids. The search was supposed to start with the fire truck turning on its siren. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, kids started pouring out and grabbing the candy 10 minutes before they were supposed to. We were in the parking lot looking for a space, so Dan stopped the van, I jumped out and grabbed Jay, and ran towards the park. In the 30-seconds (literally) it took me to get there, ALL of the candy was gone. Nothing was left, and I heard this little 15 year old brat talking about how she got it all started because she ran out there first. I wanted to smack her. My little boy missed out on his first public candy hunt because some little over-privileged, snot nosed, spoiled little princess thought it would be funny to ruin Easter. Several parents were very angry. We started walking back to the car when we ran into Randy and Lecia and the boys. Jimmy and Josh ran up and asked if Jay was able to find any candy. We told them no. They looked at each other and Jimmy said, "Well, we were able to get some. Let's to somewhere else and we'll hide some of ours so he gets a chance to hunt for it." And that's what we did! What sweet boys!! They picked through their candy for things that Jayden likes and spread it on the ground. It was such a tender moment for me...witnessing the unselfishness of Jimmy and Josh. The other pictures are of egg dyeing and of Lecia helping me hem Jay's suit pants. Matching outfit pictures will be here shortly!

These kids are so smart...

"Mommy, look!!! Water in the sky!!!" (talking about rain clouds...it hadn't started raining yet!)

"No sleepy, Mommy. Watch!" (pointing to the T.V. during the last session of General Conference...Karah was up all night!!)

(pointing to a picture of Christ...) "He's good."

He spills something in the kitchen, and he gets a rag, climbs up to the sink, wets it, then goes and cleans it up. Karah cries, he runs to her, hugs and kisses her, gives her a toy, and says, "You're okay, now play!" At around 5:30 every day, he runs to the window and perches himself there, letting everyone in the neighborhood know that his daddy is coming home from "wook". He knows who is calling me based on my ring tones. He knows the difference between the way to the grocery store and the way to Grandma Richardson's house. He came up to me today and said, "Mommy, (sigh) I tired...nap time?" He loves to brush his teeth (several times a day), and to help cook. He can tell the difference in some spices!! His favorite show (other than Thomas the Train) is Wheel of Fortune, because it is all about letters. He'll sit there and spell out the puzzles as the letters appear, and repeat things that Dan and I spell to each other. He recognizes that J is for Jayden, K is for Karah, D is for Daddy, A is for Apple, and B is for Benji. We've started counting snack foods...yesterday he had two left and he said, "Look, Mommy...One, two stars!!" It amazes me what this two year old can do! Sitting here, I wish I had a video camera recording everything he does so that those of you who are unable to witness for yourselves what he can do. Now to rant on Karah. She is such a little imp!! She'll be walking in no time...she's already pulling herself up on furniture and moving alongside it. She is getting used to a bedtime schedule, and not doing too bad with it. She loves music!! She would be jibber-jabbering along during conference, until the choir started to sing. She would immediately stop and stare at the T.V. until the song was over, then continue her conversation with the toy elephant. She loves a good foot massage, and hates hair bows. I can't keep them on her head anymore!! The same thing goes for socks. She is constantly taking Jayden's sippie cups, much to his dislike. She won't take a bottle anymore. She is much too grown up for that. Dan and I are so blessed with these two!! Not only are they smart, but they are such good friends! Yes, Jay can get rough with her, but she has figured out some things he doesn't like to get him back. I know, I've gone on a lot about my kids...I just wanted to share some of the things that make me smile. Pics will be coming shortly.

A Tale of Two Thomas'

Last weekend, we watched General Conference. Well...we had it on the T.V. and Dan and I caught snippets here and there while the kids were running around and making noise. It was a neat experience to witness the sustaining of President Thomas S. Monson and Elder Christofferson. Anyway, afterwards, Dan and I decided that our FHE lesson on Monday night would be on Prophets. We explained to Jay what a prophet was, talked about Joseph Smith, and Gordon B. Hinkley, and how we now had a new prophet, Thomas S. Monson. His eyes lit up, and a huge smile crept on his face. Dan and I looked at each other with pride in our eyes. "CHOO-CHOO profee???" Jayden exclaimed. It dawned. He thought we were talking about Thomas the Train! He was ecstatic to learn that Thomas the Train was now the leader of our church! We pulled up a picture of the Prophet and explained to him that this man was Thomas S. Monson. He thought for a second, then said, "Profee not choo-choo....Tommy Mosee no train...profee." A sweet, sure testimony!

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

I don't get it. What is it about pretending that a spoon or fork full of food is a plane, train, or car that makes a two year old magically want to eat it? Before the "Chugga-chugga Toot! Toot!" : "No, yucky, no!!!" After: (open mouth) "Toot-toot!! (crashing noises as he chews) Yummy!!" It does not matter what the food is...meat, veggies, fruit...If it is not coming in the form of transportation, it does not pass his lips. He used to like us to play "basketball" with his food, by making it bounce all the way into his mouth, but although he still loves sports, planes and trains have taken over his brain!!!

Ouch....

I know, I've been MIA...the culprit? Wisdom teeth! I had the two on my right side taken out three years ago, and the two on my left had been giving me some grief for a few months. I'd decided that I'd finally had enough, and went to our friend, Dr. Hicks. He was surprised I waited to long when he looked at the x-rays and my mouth. What can I say? I would rather not deliberately put myself in a lot of pain. Had I known what I would go through after having them taken out, I might not have done it! Anyway, I went in thinking he was just going to check on it to make sure it wasn't infected. Next thing I know, I'm watching The Sound of Music on the ceiling (and humming along...its a good thing they didn't have Hello, Dolly!) to him giving me the numbing medicine. (I know what it is called, but would rather not think of the spelling at this time.) While I'm waiting for the medicine to completely numb the left side of my face, he cleans my teeth. How do you solve a problem like Maria? He takes out my bottom tooth, which had come in, with ease. My top tooth, however, I felt...so I got more numbing crud. It took him a while to dig that one out. After the procedure, to my horror, I remembered that I was still nursing, and could not take the good pain stuff!! I was not pleased, but they proscribed me some tylenol 3 and ibuprofen. Wa-hoo. While I was sitting there, feeling everything and waiting for the bleeding to stop, or at least slow down, I realized it had been over 5 hours...not good? I called Dr. Hicks and he told me to bite down on a tea bag, put ice on the cheek, and a few other things and to call him back if I was still bleeding. At 11:30 that night, I was back in the chair getting more shots of the numb stuff. I got some sutures, and strict instructions to lay on the couch eating bon bons, watching soaps, and drinking gatorade and water for the next few days. To be on my feet was not an option. So, the last few days I've been immobile until I stopped feeling shaky! I'm still feeling quite a bit of pain, so I'm going to call back to make sure I'm ok.

Karlie finally talked me into working on this a bit more today...it still has a lot of work to go, but I think it is coming along alright. If you want to see the progress from the beginning go to the old post called "Mural"

Still not done, but it is looking a lot better.

Sightseeing

The first picture is from the roof of the Conference Center. Last Saturday, we went tot Temple Square and did the tours and such. Uncle Andrew went with us, too. We had so much fun! We saw the temple, obviously, the Christus statue, and both Visitor's Centers. We went inside the Joseph Smith History Building, and I showed Caity the prophet's chapel. That place will always hold a very dear place in my heart. It was pretty chilly that day, and the kids were cranky, so we headed out a little earlier than planned. I guess Caity will just have to come back!! The second picture is in front of the Jordan River Temple. If you squint, or zoom in close enough, you'll see Caity and Kelsi. This was taken after we did baptisms!! Caity wanted to see what went on as far as that went, and when Kelsi learned that we were going, she asked to come, too. It was a really neat experience. I haven't done them since before I got married! Thank you, Caity for wanting to go to the temple! It is such a wonderful, peaceful place, and it made the trip complete!

Cool Dude

I'm not sure where this hat came from, but Jay put it on her head one day. Afterwards, he ran and got his Buzz hat, and they were "Doo-dudes" (Cool-dudes) together. Karah, obviously, loved it! My batteries died before I could get a picture of both of them. I guess I'll just have to pose them later!! :)

Aunt Kristi!

Aunt Kristi is so much fun! She playes Jayden-Style! Here they are racing each other around the house on the little riding toys. Unfortunately, Kristi's legs are a bit longer, making it difficult to keep up. Thanks, Aunt Kristi for being so cool!!

Grandma's Van

Grandpa Reinbold came to our house this morning to hang out for a while before Scott's appointment in Orem. Jay was asleep for the first part and Grandpa got some good Karah time in. After Jay woke up, it was his turn to play! As Grandpa was holding Jay, they looked out the window and he saw the red van. He pointed and said, "That's red." Grandpa nodded, and said, "Yep, it is. That's Grandpa's van." Jayden gave him a funny look, giggled and shook his head, and said, "No, that's Ma-ma's van." (Ma-ma is Grandma) I could not believe he remembered that! These kids are so much smarter than we give them credit for!

Gotcha!!

It was our night to clean the church, and we went as a family. Karah had an upset tummy, I guess, because she...well...the pictures say enough...

Yo, Homie

For those of you who don't know, Karah LOVES rap music. I don't know how or why, but the beat must soothe her. When she was suffering from colic in the beginning, that was one of the only ways Dan or I could get her to stop crying. I love the first picture, because it reminded me of how she was a little "rapper". She is so sweet! I love this little girl so much!! Her smile is so contagious!!

AGHHHHH!!!

We went to the park by Aunt Krissa's house after lunch. Karah decided it was time for her snack, so I sat down on a bench to feed her. I could not see the back of the playground, but didn't really think anything of it until Caity screamed. No, a child did not fall, but one was certainly being a dare-devil!! He climbed that thing by himself at least 5 times!!!! That child has no fear of heights or playgrounds what-so-ever!!! I know that I have to watch my kids, but I thought that since I could hear him, it was fine. Apparently not!!

Fun Lunch

Aunt Caity was invited to spend some time down in Lehi, so we took her! We got to play with Rylee and Aunt Krissa, and have lunch at Cafe Rio!! YUM! Jay and Rye were so cute together! They sat next to each other in high chairs and shared food, had a few fork-fights, and gave each other knuckles every five seconds. It was so fun to watch them interact and have fun together. Thank you, Aunt Caity and Aunt Krissa for the fun times!

Aunt Caity has been to town...

Aunt Caity has awakened Jayden's sense of style. He never held still for anyone to do his hair until she showed him the fo-hawk. He loves it. Every time Caity went to do her hair after introducing this wonderful do, he would run in there, saying, "My her, Ca-ee, my her, pease." He will even point to the styling products! It was so fun, and so cute. It fits his personality so well!

Fun with Aunt Caity

Aunt Caity was so much fun!! Karah and Jay just adored her! In fact, Jay woke up this morning and began asking where she was. When I told him that she had gone bye-bye to Texas, he pouted and said "Awww..." Karah loved Aunt Caity. In fact, she stayed up half the night waiting for her to come in last night. Poor baby has a sore bum, ear infection, and severe eczema. Dr. Kelly (a man) told us that if it doesn't clear up, she'll have to go to a dermatologist!! Anyway, those are some of the sad things going on with Karah, but there are happy things! She is all over the place! A crawling-scooting fiend. She loves to use her voice, and she even talks in her sleep! One day at church, she had been asleep for about ten minutes and started whispering some "dadadas". It was so cute, and she's done it a few more times. Her favorite thing to do is be held by Jayden so she can pull his hair. He loves to hold her, and has learned how to hold her hands down. It is priceless to watch the two of them get along so well! I cannot believe how fast they are growing, and the things they are capable of!

Naughty "Crutch"

Jayden and Isaac were fighting over a little toy truck one night, and while Jayden was running from Isaac, he tripped and hit his face on it. He was very upset that his beloved "crutch" had injured him, so he put the truck in time-out. Neither boy touched it for the allotted time, and once the time-out was over, the chase resumed.

Best Friends, or Worst Enemies?

Isaac ("Eye") and Jayden ("JD") love to get together and play/beat each other up. They love to share their toys ( scream "MINE" all night) and be nice to each other. When the parents are tired, and ready for bed, (when they are sick of the kids trying to fight over the couch pillows like dogs) the boys protest. The love hanging out and wrestling! They are such good friends!! Funny, I could swear they hated each other by the way they treat one another. Sorry, Mom and Aunt Kari for the way Kati, Andrew, and I used to act!!

Father-Son

This was from a while ago when I wrote my poem, but I love this picture. Such a father-son moment!!

Big, um, helper?

Karah has been fighting a case of the sore bum along with her ear infection, so I've been letting her air out during diaper changes. During one of these times, I turned around to grab a clean diaper when Jay comes running in with a new diaper, a handful of wipes, and tackles Karah, screaming "I do it! I help! I do it!!" Oh boy! Luckily Karah is used to this kind of treatment (poor girl) and played along nicely. I told Jayden that he was a very helpful little boy, and he reminded me that he isn't little, that he is a "Bee boy." I nodded and went to throw away the diaper. I came back (literally 5 seconds later) to find him completely naked, wiping himself, and standing over a dirty diaper with a huge smile on his face. "See? Bee boy, Mommy!" Sighing with relief that it was only wet, I helped him put on the clean diaper...I only had to make sure it was facing the right direction! He can do all this, and he refuses to sit on the toilet!!! There is a very big question mark in my head about this....

Wrestling Mania

Uncle Scott, you have had a HUGE impact on this little boy!! It used to be that every once in a while he would tackle Mommy, Daddy, or Karah and try to "wesso". Well, he's learned that he gets in deep doo-doo when he wrestles Karah, and Mommy and Daddy can't wrestle 24/7 to help him prepare to take on Uncle Scott the next time they see each other. So, he has started his own little wrestling practice program. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Jayden is preparing to take on anyone willing to face the challenge!! Bevo, Buzz Bear, even a bag of wipes!! If it looks like it could threaten his current status of 28 lb "wessie" champion, it must be taken down and shown a thing or two. No one is safe, not even Grandpa and Grandma Richardson, so you'd better watch out, Dott, Jayden is ready for you!! (video pending...can't remember how to do it)

Where did that come from?

The other night Dan and I were getting Jayden ready for bed. We have a routine each night...songs, scriptures, prayer (on da kneeeeees), Bevo, Blankie, tuck in tight, kisses, then a sippie cup of water. Well, for some reason unknown to us, Jayden was throwing a major fit. Kicking, screaming, extremely upset about something. It wasn't about going to bed, because he had told us he was ready and got in bed himself. We had gotten through the first half of our routine and were giving him the sippie cup and he kept yelling something we couldn't understand. Dan was patiently trying to translate, but it was difficult with the sobs and heaves interrupting the words. Finally, Dan figured out the word. "Do you want a pig?" "Yeah..." What? We started racking our brains trying to figure out what pig he was talking about, because he doesn't have a toy pig! "What color is the pig?" "Blue." "Did you play with the pig today?" "Yeah." "What pig?!?" "Money." Money? Where did that fit into this conversation?? "Money?" "Yeah. (Sob) My money pig!!(sob)" It clicked. He has a hard plastic blue piggy bank hidden somewhere in the house. Dan stayed with him while I searched the house, wondering where the heck we put that thing, and how the heck Jayden remembered it or knew that it had money in it!! That is our new addition to our bedtime routine...the money pig goes between Bevo and Blankie. I hope that is a sign that he'll be good with money!!

Tattle-Tail

The tattle-tail is not Jayden. No, it is Karah!!! She has been cracking me up today, because she has discovered how to tattle. Jayden will be close to her, most likely taking a toy or trying to sit on her and so on, and she is screaming at the top of her lungs. I pick her up, ask her what's wrong, and with the saddest expression she can pull off, she looks between Jay and I as she says: "A da-da-da-da! BLEEEEH!! Baduble (spit)!" Translation: "He's looking at me like he's about to do something!!" or "He wouldn't stop driving his car on my head!!" She then tries to pull off a little whimper and looks at me as if to say, "So does he get a time-out, or what?" She does not let up until I have a talk with him!! Even if I know he didn't do anything wrong! Talk about DRAMA QUEEN!!

More Jaydenisms...

"Where Daddy go? Oh yeah, wook."

"Uh-Oh!! Karah awake!! SHHH!!"

"Uh, we say PRAY-ER, ok? KNEEEEES!! Fold da arms. Ok."

"Oh, Karah...You got a owie? Mommy, kiss it." (talking about Karah's diaper rash!! He will usually kiss her owies, but not that one!!)

"Noooo! Be nice! Time-out!! No-no, naughty. Time OUT!!!" (This happens when Mommy and Daddy are playing a game of Stratego and Daddy kills Mommy's number 10 and is left defenseless...Mommy tends to get frustrated and throws a fit when she loses....)

Pathetic Mommy

Ok, how sad is it that I almost cried at McDonald's? Seriously!! We went there today to let Jay play in this AWESOME play place. It has slides ("sighs" in Jayden-talk) up the wazoo and a miniature basketball court! I need not say it, but I'm going to anyway. He had a BLAST. He was all over the place in there. Now to the part when I almost cried. Usually, when we go to a play-place, I have to help him up, coax him down the slide, and that sort of thing. Not today. After we ate, Daddy walked Jayden in, and that was it. He was in the top tunnel before either of us knew it. He looked down from the window, the biggest smile on his face, waved, and said, "Look at me, Mommy!!". Who wouldn't cry to see their two year old up there with the "big kids'??? He went down the big "sigh", too. I have learned a trick...for all you moms out there who have to climb into the play-place and drag out your kids kicking and screaming...don't tell them when it is time to leave. Let them play until you need to go then calmly encourage them to go down the slide without saying "one more time", or "last time", or anything along those lines. Don't even wait at the bottom. Wait close enough to pounce on them when they get down. Yes, they will be upset, but you are less likely to get stuck in the tunnels. Also, I know that I mentioned that McDonald's food was the best...it is to Jayden. He ate EVERYTHING. Whole hamburger (which, by the way, he actually says correctly!! The only kid I've known not to call it a ham-booger!!), apple dippers, and some of Mommy's fries. He also drank all of his drink. He usually eats 2 chicken nuggets, one apple, and that is it. Growing boy!!

Ode to the McDonald's Play Place

Oh, Ronald, you genius man!
My son wants nothing less
than to explore your play place wonders
and to eat your food, the BEST!
Oh, McDonald's Play Place,
how much we moms love thee...
You give parents a place to rest,
while our little ones run free.
Your tunnels hold adventure,
your slides are daring, too.
Little boys and girls worn out
as soon as lunch-time's through.

Jayden's Prayer

This morning, I asked Jay if he wanted to say the prayer for breakfast. He said yes, and then folded his arms and closed his eyes. This is what followed:

Mommy: "Say, dear Heavenly Father..."
Jayden: "Hi, Daddy..."
Mommy: "We're thankful for this day..."
Jayden: "Daaaay... Mommy, Daddy, Karah, Jay-jay, Maw-maw, Pa-pa, Cai-ee, Dott, doggie...."
Mommy: "We're thankful for this food..."
Jayden: "YUMMY!!!"
Mommy: "Can you say thank you?"
Jayden: "Ohyeahthankyou."
Mommy: "Please bless it."
Jayden: "Bless you."
Mommy: "In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
Jayden: "ALL-DONE!!" (with his hands up in the air.)

Chatterbox

Mommy: "Can you say Jimmy?"
Jayden: "Jim-bob"
Mommy: "How about Aaron?"
Jayden: "Arm"
Mommy: "Josh?"
Jayden: "Doss"
Mommy: "And Kristi?"
Jayden: (giggle) "Doggie!!!"
He can say her name, but he chooses to tease her instead.

Mommy: "Good night, Bud."
Jayden: "Good night night, Mommy."

(phone rings)
Jayden: "Maw-maw? No? Pa-pa? No? Daddy? No? (gasp) CAI-EE??"

An Answer to Many Prayers!!!

The car keys have been found!!!! Well, one pair. It was such an exciting time for me!!! I was mentioning to Dan last night that I felt bad that the house was falling into a mess, but with work and taking him everywhere I was never home anymore. We went to bed, and this morning I was picking through a pile of clothes in the bedroom when I heard a jingle. My keys!! So happy!! I feel so awesome, and now I have time to clean!!

Love/Hate

Hmmm...which one loves the kite, and which one hates it? If you can't tell, I think the Buzz Lightyear kite was the best Buzz experience other than meeting the man himself at Disneyland for Jayden. We got home and he took a 4 hour nap!! Now Daddy, on the other hand, was not pleased with the kite. It only cost me a dollar, and I thought of the fun we would have with it on our family outing. I suspected that the kite would kind of float around and be fun for Jay, but that it wouldn't really get any real airtime. I was correct in my hypothosis, but Daddy was determined to make that thing soar. He ended up chucking it across the park. He recovered it when he realized that Jayden didn't care if it was in the air or not, he just like chasing the tails. What a fun day!!